Value...

I have had clients who have come to me and book a session after they had a session with another photographer or a big chain studio, and they were not happy with the experience or the results.  It breaks my heart when a bride comes to me wanting to do bridals because she was extremely disappointed with her first session with someone else.  I do value my clients, and I put that value into showing them to value their images.

One huge thing to consider when booking a photographer, whether it be for a wedding or a portrait session is Value. Not value as in price tag, but what you get out of the experience, the quality, how your photographer made you feel. Will you feel like a number being rushed through the line in a big chain portrait studio? Or will you and your family have your photographers dedicated time and attention? Is your photographer someone that you feel awkward with? Or someone that you become friends with before your big day, and are still friends with after? So again, the price is one thing, but value the whole entire experience and how you feel before, during, and after your pictures.

Back in December, I took my daughter to a portrait studio (name will be withheld), because I received an email for a free session.  And from the moment I stepped in, it was a nightmare.  We arrived 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time, only to be told that they were running two hours behind.  Thankfully my daughter is a calm baby, and doesn't mind being out and about.  Finally when her session started, there were at least 5 other parents with their children there waiting also, and some of those children were crying.  Well you know what happens when one kid starts crying...ALL kids start to cry. It was a chain reaction of baby tears and unhappiness.

Now I'm not going to blame the person who took her pictures, but I was not happy. There's a basic rule in photography, the rule of thirds. And while I am all for being creative and sometimes bending those rules (which I do quite often), her pictures were just plain bad.  The top of her head was cropped off in many pictures, and in the final selection of pictures there were many images in which her eyes were closed, she wasn't looking at the camera, things like that.  I didn't catch his name, there was no personal connection, and we were rushed.  He didn't take the time to do the session the way it should. His attention was elsewhere.  Overall it was not a good experience.

So again, when choosing your photographer, think of the value. Not the price, but everything you get out of the experience. It's important!

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Senior Session: Sarah S.

So yeah, it's the end of January, and February is right around the corner. And guess what? I am still doing outdoor sessions.  The weather has been pretty great!  Sure it's still a bit cold, it feels like late fall rather than being in the middle of the winter.  Thankfully I was able to get some more senior sessions in, and I am excited to blog it.  So here is Miss Sarah S. A senior at Newark High School, and my little sisters (she is a senior too) friend.  It's good to have high school connections. Side note: My sister and I only have an 8 year difference, but I feel OLD when I am hanging around them during their sessions! Either way, we rocked it out! Here you go!

 

 









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Why Pictures are Important

Pictures are not just pictures.  Sure they are colored pixels arranged on a piece of paper that form an image. But a picture is worth so much more than that.  A picture stops time for a moment.  It freezes the emotions of that moment into something physical that you can carry around with you. It's way more than just a piece of paper.  Think back through your life, all of the photographs you seen.  The pictures of you as a baby running around with a diaper on your head, to the pictures of you and your first love, then years later when you are married you find that same picture and the picture of your first love is faded, and sometimes the face is crossed out (yeah, I was kind of angry with my first love!).  And then the pictures from your wedding day, your first born, family reunions, picnics, your kids going to prom and so on.  Am I getting to sappy for you?  If not, prepare to bawl your eyes out after reading this.

A few weeks ago I came across a post from another photographer posting about a note that she had received. Basically she had booked a session with a family who she had photographed numerous times before.  Right before the session, the client cancelled. And with that money, the client went and got her hair and nails done, purchased a new outfit, and took her family out to dinner.  She wrote to the photographer to tell her that she wish she never cancelled the session.  Why?  Because the client had rapidly progressing cancer. And for a bit of time after the cancelled session the clients hair had fallen out due to treatments, the clothes didnt matter, and the food from the dinner was gone.  But if she had gone through with the session, invested into it, she would have had pictures of her and her family before she became sick. Back when she was healthy and happy. She would have pictures of her family in those happy moments, and they will always be able to look back on them and remember it.

It was truly a heartbreaking story.  Now I come from a family that takes A LOT of pictures. At every family event, at least 3 people have cameras.  Especially on my fathers side, we are some picture taking people!  But the one thing that we didn't really have, was a lot of framed pictures. Which brings me on to my next subject...

THE IMPORTANCE OF WALL ART!

I honestly have no idea why I capitalized that, but it gets my point across. So any who, wall art. Yes, it is important.  Professional (and even non professional) pictures, need to be on your wall. By way of framing, gallery wrapping, or whatever.  For about 6 years, I've had pictures of random things I photographed on my walls. But up until a few days ago, I didn't even have pictures of my husband and I, or our daughter on the walls. I finally got around to putting an arrangement of 5 pictures of my daughter above our couch, and slowly but surely will be adding more images of us throughout or home. I mean, it's not just enough to have your pictures taken, they need to be displayed! Sure it definitely is easy to post the pictures on Facebook, and share with your family and friends by email, but again, you need something physical. A huge 16"x20" picture of your family above your couch or fireplace is always a good thing.  A wall arrangement of your little one in their nursery will make your heart swoon every time you see the pictures.  I'm not just saying this because I am photographer. I'm saying this coming from being a mother, who was told previously that I wouldn't be able to have children. So at this point, I am cherishing, photographing, and framing and displaying everything.

And that is pretty much my "YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS" speech of the day!

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New Year, New Stuff!

So, we are officially in 2012.  And for the first time ever, I actually write the current year when I have to date things without messing up and writing the previous year. Yay me!  It's all about the little victories.  Ok, it's a new year, and with a new year comes new stuff.  I have a lot of amazing and fun things planned for 2012.  Of course there are some amazing weddings lined up, and fantastic portrait sessions.  But also, lots more BOUDOIR!  Including a fun project of mine, historical boudoir.  I am very exciting for that!
I have also been working super hard on a secret project of mine, which is no longer a secret.  You know how I love my website developing program, Showit.  It is AMAZING.  And let's me be as creative as I want to be.  I have now started designing websites and custom branding for other fellow photographers and other awesome folks.  2.1.12 is the release date.  I'll have more information soon. But I am super excited for you to see what I have done!



Also, don't forget my awesome winter special that is going on for fun portraits.  Although it totally does not feel like winter. It was 60 degrees yesterday!  Can we say global warming!



Have a fabulous day. Till next time! Pin It

Happy New Year!

I hope all of you had a fabulous New Year. We had a great time ringing in 2012 dressed to the nines in our 1920's attire (pictures of that to come soon).

I have a lot in store or 2012, and am looking forward to it. I am so excited for my business and everything else. I am definitely looking forward to some amazing newborn and portrait sessions, more birthing sessions, and of course weddings! I have so many new products for you including albums, gorgeous canvas and gallery wraps, as well as frames from The Organic Bloom (I have my daughters picture framed within an Organic Bloom frame, and I love it!).

The first thing that I have in store for my current and fabulous clients is my Winter Mini-session event. 30 minutes at a location that you choose, 5 final images, $100. And.....you will receive an automatic $30 gift credit good towards the purchase of prints/frames when you purchase 2 or more prints!

 

And my daughter Charlotte, whom is now the poster child for everything pretty much, would like to wish you a Happy New Year, and an awesome 2012!

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