Yes. I do recommend that you order prints from me. So do many, many other photographers. And it's annoying. BUT... there is a very good reason for it! No, it's not all about the money either. Yes, I can do a session with a CD only. No your prints won't be guaranteed. This is also the same for many, many other photogs out there. So why the big fuss about prints? Let me explain :)
When your pictures are taken, your photographer (whoever it may be), takes each depression of their shutter very seriously. Each shot is planned out according to lighting, positioning, background and a myriad of other factors. Then , all the images from your session are dutifully inspected on a computer somewhere. They are meticulously inspected to see which is most flattering. Editing is completed with print options in mind and the, an order is placed. But with who?
Your photog will normally send prints to a professional lab. Most individuals will upload to CVS or Walmart. The difference here is astounding. Ink, paper and print quality all combined WILL make or break an image. It can be the best shot of a session but with the wrong printing, disappointment can and usually will ensue.
Most printing services at your local chain store have what's called a kiosk where your images can be printed directly to you. These machines print quickly and on low cost paper, using low cost ink. The same normally goes for your ink jet printer at home. Even at its highest performance setting, your picture is still scribbled onto the paper in a hurry. This leads to bleeding colors, smudged details and unwanted clipping and cropping, when the kiosk or computer decides where to fit your image on the sheet.
When ordered from a professional lab, the photographer determines what portion of the image is lost, if any. The printing process is more tedious but the results are well defined and evenly colored images. The paper is acid and lignen free and will last for generations. And the biggest surprise? You will normally SAVE MONEY when you order from the photographer. (Convenience is expensive) Many photographers will even guarantee the quality of prints when ordered directly through them.
Now think of it this way. You are a chef. You cook fabulous food and work in a highly acclaimed restaurant. one night, your kid has the runs so you call in sick. The stand-in chef cooks PB&J for supper and now.... your name is in the dirt because YOU are the chef at that restaurant. It's the same concept for a photographer who has put long hours into preparing your pictures. They want and deserve to have their photography displayed in the best possible manner.
So the next time you have your session done and the photographer says NO. You must order prints from ME!!! Know that it's nothing personal, they really do know what's best for not only their business, but their clients as well. You will be pleased with the results... I promise!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Tips for your session...
You and your family have scheduled a session. You are super excited to have your memories captured in digital forever-ness (Yes, I made that up) and now the day has come. You pull out the khaki pants and white polos ready to face the lens. Your session is scheduled for 4 pm so you spend the majority of the morning primping yourself, dressing your children, and scolding your significant other for NOT getting ready. Your kids begin getting restless. They are now running like demons escaped from the fifth, perhaps even the sixth, circle of hell as you try and replace the bow in your daughters hair. It's 3:30 and their eyes are red-rimmed from crying and they are hungry. (the Hubby too) and want nothing to do with this family event. But all is not lost.
Your session is about who you are as a person and as a family. While the all white theme can be a gorgeous look, does it really speak volumes about who you are? Does the bow you fixed one hundred ninety seven times in your daughters hair make her who she is? Does the perfect smile in every picture mean portrait success to you? I am here to tell you, it does not. And depending on the perfect session is a set-up for disappointment. Your family is going to be themselves and that is perfect. Your session should showcase your families quirks, the things that make you unique and the things that make your family beautiful. So here are a few pointers to help save your sanity (and mine....JUST KIDDING!) on the day of your session.
1. Clothing choice: You want your family to match, yes. Your favorite paisley shirt may not be the ideal choice of attire when your children are wearing polka dots. But you do not want to look like mini clones of each other. When choosing what to clothe your family in, consider these three things. Color: Outdoor sessions leave a wide range of themes to be selected from. While solid colors are most appealing, they need not be the exact same color. Think "complimentary colors" (more on color theory in a later blog). White and green, navy blue and brown. Red and Cream. There are countless combinations and being outdoors means there is not a backdrop to compete with as there would be in a studio environment. Choose colors that your family likes and if you are not sure of your matching capabilities, ask your photographer for guidance.
Secondly, consider comfort. Do not. Ever. Under any circumstance. Force a member of your family to wear something that isn't easy to move around in or that they are not comfortable in. 'Nuff said.
Finally, take into account the weather. This seems obvious but not for the reasons you are thinking. If it will be 95° outside, wear materials that breathe. Sweat stains are not attractive. Likewise, if it is a cold day outside, ensuring your family is warm will eliminate awkward facial expressions that are a product of freezing half to death and trying to conceal the shivers. Blue lips are also not attractive so plan with the weather in mind.
2: Temperamental family members: I have three boys who are 3, 4 and 7. Trust me when I say I know the temperamental child. My husband is not a fan of having his picture take. Trust me when I say I know the grumpy grown man. But there are ways of working around the family who seems less than enthusiastic about having their portrait done.
Make sure children are fed BEFORE the session. This goes for husbands as well. Bring along non-messy snacks like pretzels and chips for little ones to snack on to alleviate hunger during the shoot and water is also my recommended drink of choice during a session. Water dries, stain free. Kool-aid does not.
Choose a time of day when your child is pleasant. I know my children are not morning people. At all. So I try to work around their schedule and do mini sessions with them in the afternoons. Lay toddlers down for a nap if necessary before the session and give older kids ample time to exert their pent up energy before requiring them to sit still. A favorite toy to keep children occupied is a great idea and can even serve as s prop during the session.
Most importantly though, let them be themselves. My oldest son makes silly faces in all his pictures. Every stinking one. But that's who he is. As long as he is not crying, I consider a session a success. Again, this is about bringing out the best in your family. Not suppressing them into portrait imprisonment. So what if your child wants to act silly? Its who they are as a person. I promise when they are older, you will love whatever results you get from this advice.
3: You: Take care of you. Do not stress over your families appearance. They are who they are. Breakouts can be concealed, frizzy hair is not the end of the world and rain on the day of your session does not equal complete and total failure. Just let it go. Your job is to get your family there. Your photographer will handle the rest.
I have pictures of my family that I cannot WAIT to show to girlfriends of the future. I have some that I cherish so deeply that I would almost rather lose a limb than these pictures. They are my family, my babies and the man who loves me through thick and thin. At the end of the day, a tongue poking out of my three year old's mouth or a set of rabbit ears prominently displayed behind a brothers' head do not proclaim that I cannot control my family. Instead, it says I can let my family be themselves. I can assure you that when your family relaxes enough to be silly in their session, you will love the results. And save a few years at the end of your life as well.
Your session is about who you are as a person and as a family. While the all white theme can be a gorgeous look, does it really speak volumes about who you are? Does the bow you fixed one hundred ninety seven times in your daughters hair make her who she is? Does the perfect smile in every picture mean portrait success to you? I am here to tell you, it does not. And depending on the perfect session is a set-up for disappointment. Your family is going to be themselves and that is perfect. Your session should showcase your families quirks, the things that make you unique and the things that make your family beautiful. So here are a few pointers to help save your sanity (and mine....JUST KIDDING!) on the day of your session.
1. Clothing choice: You want your family to match, yes. Your favorite paisley shirt may not be the ideal choice of attire when your children are wearing polka dots. But you do not want to look like mini clones of each other. When choosing what to clothe your family in, consider these three things. Color: Outdoor sessions leave a wide range of themes to be selected from. While solid colors are most appealing, they need not be the exact same color. Think "complimentary colors" (more on color theory in a later blog). White and green, navy blue and brown. Red and Cream. There are countless combinations and being outdoors means there is not a backdrop to compete with as there would be in a studio environment. Choose colors that your family likes and if you are not sure of your matching capabilities, ask your photographer for guidance.
Secondly, consider comfort. Do not. Ever. Under any circumstance. Force a member of your family to wear something that isn't easy to move around in or that they are not comfortable in. 'Nuff said.
Finally, take into account the weather. This seems obvious but not for the reasons you are thinking. If it will be 95° outside, wear materials that breathe. Sweat stains are not attractive. Likewise, if it is a cold day outside, ensuring your family is warm will eliminate awkward facial expressions that are a product of freezing half to death and trying to conceal the shivers. Blue lips are also not attractive so plan with the weather in mind.
2: Temperamental family members: I have three boys who are 3, 4 and 7. Trust me when I say I know the temperamental child. My husband is not a fan of having his picture take. Trust me when I say I know the grumpy grown man. But there are ways of working around the family who seems less than enthusiastic about having their portrait done.
Make sure children are fed BEFORE the session. This goes for husbands as well. Bring along non-messy snacks like pretzels and chips for little ones to snack on to alleviate hunger during the shoot and water is also my recommended drink of choice during a session. Water dries, stain free. Kool-aid does not.
Choose a time of day when your child is pleasant. I know my children are not morning people. At all. So I try to work around their schedule and do mini sessions with them in the afternoons. Lay toddlers down for a nap if necessary before the session and give older kids ample time to exert their pent up energy before requiring them to sit still. A favorite toy to keep children occupied is a great idea and can even serve as s prop during the session.
Most importantly though, let them be themselves. My oldest son makes silly faces in all his pictures. Every stinking one. But that's who he is. As long as he is not crying, I consider a session a success. Again, this is about bringing out the best in your family. Not suppressing them into portrait imprisonment. So what if your child wants to act silly? Its who they are as a person. I promise when they are older, you will love whatever results you get from this advice.
3: You: Take care of you. Do not stress over your families appearance. They are who they are. Breakouts can be concealed, frizzy hair is not the end of the world and rain on the day of your session does not equal complete and total failure. Just let it go. Your job is to get your family there. Your photographer will handle the rest.
I have pictures of my family that I cannot WAIT to show to girlfriends of the future. I have some that I cherish so deeply that I would almost rather lose a limb than these pictures. They are my family, my babies and the man who loves me through thick and thin. At the end of the day, a tongue poking out of my three year old's mouth or a set of rabbit ears prominently displayed behind a brothers' head do not proclaim that I cannot control my family. Instead, it says I can let my family be themselves. I can assure you that when your family relaxes enough to be silly in their session, you will love the results. And save a few years at the end of your life as well.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Grand opening!
Good morning y'all! This may or may not work out the way I want it too. It's more or less a place for me to share my thoughts on photography, creativity, or whatever else strikes my fancy. That may range from topics like football and little boys to pink sequins and photoshop techniques. Who knows!
In any case, it should be fun. For me anyway. Hope you enjoy it also and subscribe and comment to let me know what you'd like to see or hear about. There's too much going on inside my head to choose right now!
So first post... where to start. I suppose I'll start with the fact that I am so grateful right now, There is a whirlwind of emotions running through my mind as I consider what I want to do, what I have done and what's happening right now. It is almost overhwelming (almost, not quite) and I have no oidea what is going to come next. But I know I am excited to see! I hope you'll ride along with me to see what comes next. I promise, no Thelma and Louise style cliff diving on the ride, but some cool hata blockaz (it's spelled with a "z" I was told, not like "blockers", that would be sacriligious) and a scarf a blowing in the wind may be required.
See you next time!
By the way, I am still attempting to make the font of the post something a little more normal, the current one is no bueno for reading long paragraphs.
In any case, it should be fun. For me anyway. Hope you enjoy it also and subscribe and comment to let me know what you'd like to see or hear about. There's too much going on inside my head to choose right now!
So first post... where to start. I suppose I'll start with the fact that I am so grateful right now, There is a whirlwind of emotions running through my mind as I consider what I want to do, what I have done and what's happening right now. It is almost overhwelming (almost, not quite) and I have no oidea what is going to come next. But I know I am excited to see! I hope you'll ride along with me to see what comes next. I promise, no Thelma and Louise style cliff diving on the ride, but some cool hata blockaz (it's spelled with a "z" I was told, not like "blockers", that would be sacriligious) and a scarf a blowing in the wind may be required.
See you next time!
By the way, I am still attempting to make the font of the post something a little more normal, the current one is no bueno for reading long paragraphs.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)