Why YOU should experience custom photography!

It's late. I should really be sleeping, as I have an awesome portrait session in the morning planned, but once something is in my head, I need to get it out before I forget it. So sleep will have to wait.

During my session with one of my awesome clients and her two daughters she was telling me how she went to a big chain portrait studio and how horrible the experience was. They waited for three hours, even though they had an appointment scheduled, and by the time it was over, she just wanted to get out of there. She didn't even look at the images after they were done. A few months ago, I experienced pretty much the same thing when I took my daughter Charlotte in for pictures. I was offered a free session, I couldn't resist. We arrived 30 minutes prior to our scheduled time, and waited two hours before she was seen. Our session was rushed because of the growing amount of people waiting for their session. So of course there was no time for Charlotte to get comfortable with the photographer beforehand. And the crying, then in turn, made her cry.

So it got me thinking, why do people choose to go to the big chain portrait studios? Perhaps it's because that they have never experienced custom, boutique photography, so they really don't know what they are missing. I'm not saying that those studios are bad, but the experiences differ vastly.

Maybe they don't know that I take the time to get to know my clients and their family before the session. Their names, their ages, their likes and dislikes. Favorite music, favorite colors, things we can talk about during their session. They also probably don't know that my attention goes to my clients 100% during their session. I'm not trying to rush you through to get to the next client, and we have time to get the great shots that you want. More often than not, I actually go over the set scheduled time to make sure we get extra images that they will love.

But maybe they don't realize just how fun a custom photography session can be. Having a photographer that knows and cares about you makes you at ease during your session, and I'm turn creates some amazing images. We laugh, we joke, we swap stories, it's a great time.

And it doesn't end just there. After the session, I go through each image and pick out the best of the best. Images that evoke emotions. They make you laugh, they may make you cry. But they are images that you will love. I create a gallery for my clients so thy can see the story of their session unfold. And even after their session, I am still there for them as a friend. Watching their family grow, staying up to date wit what's going on in their life.

Then some people choose the big chain studios over custom photography based on prices. If you are going to invest into something, invest into someone worthwhile. Do you want an image that you will keep on your desk and glance at every so often? Or do you want an image that evokes a bunch of emotions and you at so eager to share it with everyone you know? You are not paying just for images, but for the experience, expertise, and professionalism and fun that comes with custom photography.

It's basically like eating fast food everyday, then having an awesome home cooked meal with the people you love and your favorite foods.

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The Teller Family | Delaware Family & Lifestyle Photographer

Relationships.  That's what I am to build with all my clients.  I want to be there as their family grows from just two, to three to four, and however many more. Ha! I rhymed there.  But seriously, I love building long lasting relationships with my clients. It's a huge part of my business, and why I do what I do. And nothing makes me happier when I can grow with my clients.

I was so glad to have Maria back in with Steve, Derrick, and Graham.  I photographed their wedding in January of 2011 (I was about 11 weeks pregnant! apparently you could tell I was dealing with the morning sickness.). And then I did Maria's maternity session just a few months ago.  Now with the arrival of little Graham, I had them in for their first family session.  And let me tell you something, I actually was able to photograph MY FIRST SLEEPING NEWBORN!  If you have been following me, you know that almost every newborn I have ever photographed has not been asleep! And if they look asleep in their images, they really are not.  So here are some fantastic images from their session.

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Wonderful Wednesdays - Delaware Wedding and Lifestyle Portait Photographer

When I am reading eugh blogs of artists, I love reading about them as a person. It gives me a chance to know more about them, what they like, what they don't like etc. I pretty much try to always put me into my photography and business. I want my clients to be friends. I love building relationships with my clients. I don't just want to be in your life for one day, but I want to be there continuously, photograph everything that's important to you. On Saturday I did a family session for clients whose wedding I photographed, and then her maternity session. Three amazing chances to photograph all of the love in their lives. On Sunday I did another family session for another client whose children I photographed twice before. I love seeing the kids faces light up when they see me. What can I say? Kids love me!

So with all that, my goal like I said, is to always put me into my business and have you know me, who I am before we even meet. Which is why I am going to start doing a weekly blog feature, called Wonderful Wednesdays. Each post will showcase things that I love and that I find wonderful. And I love a lot of things! So I imagine that this will be an ongoing thing.

Here we go!

Wonderful:

1) Renaissance faires. Love them. If you have never been to one, go!

2) Love. Obviously love is wonderful. But with every family or couple that I photograph, I am reminded just how wonderful and powerful it is.

3) Garlic Parmesan chicken wings from TGI Fridays. Enough said. Go get them. NOW!


May is going to be a busy month for me, full of a lot of wonderful sessions, and my wonderful styled wedding session. And in June....WE MOVE INTO OUT NEW HOUSE! That's so much wonderful rolled up, I don't even know what to do with myself!

So, for now...I need to head to bed. What are some things you find wonderful? Pin It

Why I Love Photographing Births

Before I had my daughter Charlotte, and long before I even thought about having children, I always loved watching baby shows.  My favorite was "A Baby Story" on TLC.  I have always loved babies, and I have always loved the love that mothers have for their babies.  I've said it a thousand times before, but it is something magical. 

When I became pregnant, being that we were not allowed to record video, I definitely wanted my labor and Charlotte's birth to be photographed.  Thankfully I had my sister, sister in law, mother, and of course my husband in the room with me, and my sister and sister in law took turns documenting the day.  They captured everything, and it was an amazing day. Through the pain, the laughing, the pushing, and the crying, my little girl was finally here, and it was captured, and we could always look back on it.

I think it is so important that every mother have the birth of their child/children documented.  Those moments are so very special, and even though it feels like a long time, it can go by in the blink of an eye. There are so many things that I don't remember during labor, that thankfully were photographed.  I'm glad I have images that show me laughing, smiling, and joking around with my husband. But also the images that show when my contractions hit, when I needed help pushing, the moments where I was telling them that I didn't want to push anymore (I am quite stubborn).  And then the amazing, breathtaking moments of my daughter entering the world.


I was given the opportunity this past December to photograph the birth of my friends son. I was so honored and moved to be there. You can see the birth images here: http://marisataylorphotography.blogspot.com/2011/12/sweet-baby-gabriel-birth-story.html

Birth photography is something that I love, something that I want to do, and something that I want to offer.  I love photographing people, but more than that I love photographing love.  Those first few moments of your baby coming into the world is something that is more powerful than words can describe, and I think you should have images that show that!

If you are or know someone who is pregnant and due soon, and would love to have the opportunity to have their birth documented, please, send them my way. Whether it is a home birth, hospital birth, birth center birth, I will be there! Pin It

Tina {Delaware Portrait Photographer}

Tina is another good friend of mine of whom I've had the pleasure of photographing. Although it took her a while to finally get her in, and she was very skeptical at the magic that I could create. But thanks to another friend Tiffany, who did her make-up, and my awesome hair skills, we had Tina made over and looking gorgeous for her photos.

Let's just say that she is not so skeptical anymore.  Here is a before and after.

And here are a few peeks from her session. Again, totally gorgeous!

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A Journey to the Futures Past

Guess what happens between May 18, 2010 and May 20, 2012?



The STEAMPUNK WORLD'S FAIR!!!

It's one of my favorite events to go to, and Wes and I have been going since the very first SPWF in 2010.  It has been amazing to watch this event grow to what it is now, and I love bringing new people into the world of Steampunk. Before I go running off on a tangent of how awesome this event is, let me first start by explaining what Steampunk is.

There is no set definition of Steampunk.  It's sort of a lot of things pushed into one.  Think victorian times meet the future.  It's what Victorians would have imagined the future, our current time to be.  Think of movies like Wild Wild West (with Will Smith) and Sherlock Holmes (with Robert Downey Jr.).  Imagine airships, and privateers, and brown and leather and cogs, and gears and craftmanship, and mustaches. Oh, the epic facial hair!  If I am sounding way off, then check out "New to Steampunk" here, and it gives you a better idea.

So, why do I go? Well because it is filled with AWESOME! Awesome costumes, awesome music, awesome people, awesome events.  And I love it all.  There are musical performances, such as Emperor Nortons Stationary Marching Band, there is an Epic Facial Hair Competition, as well as Queen of Steam, and other great events. Oh, did I mention that Voltaire will be there also?!

Here are some pictures of the past two years that I took while there. I was having way too much fun to get into full photographer mode, but these will give you an idea of what goes down!

Last year, while I was pregnant, I was interviewed at the SPWF my Mo Rocca! This video gives you more than what my pictures can! I make an appearance at 6 minutes 21 seconds.

And who doesn't love steampunk babies!!!  Here is my daughter Charlotte aka Steampunk Baby of the Year

So again, you NEED to go. It is an experience that you won't forget. You get to see all sorts of fashion, listen to all sorts of great music, and have an AMAZING TIME! Pin It

Portrait: Jose {Delaware Portrait Photographer}

I love photographing people. There's no question about that.  I love photographing wedding couples, engaged couples, families, babies, the whole nine.  The one thing that I don't photograph well (gasp!), is men. By themselves.  I can pose a man great, when he is with his wife, fiance, or children. But if he is by himself, I'm lost.  So I took it as a challenge to myself to get some guys in and photograph them, and make them look as awesome as the ladies I photograph. 

And I think I nailed it with this one.

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