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I have been thinking of writing this for awhile and today is just the day. I have grown tremendously this year as a photographer but perhaps the most important growth was in finding my own style and what I love to shoot.
There is a saying “shoot what you love and love what you shoot”. Today I had a revelation. While I love and admire the work of newborn photographers that do posed shots, a few of my favorites are Erin Tole out of Vancouver, WA or Gingersnap Photographs out of McKinney, TX; I have no business shooting those shots. I went over to my friend Kate’s house today (of Dear Kate Studios) to give her a hand shooting her own newborn, Andrew (Drew) featured here and here on my blog is a week old today. I was lucky enough to shoot her maternity and a hospital newborn session. I have never really tried posed newborn shots so I thought it would be great to watch her work and take a few shots.
The blanket was awesome, he is one of the most adorable babies EVER, but all I wanted to do was shoot her while she fed him, set him up, or our 2 year old daughter while they fought over toys and stared at the baby. That says something to me.
This is him laughing at me while I took his picture because even he knew I had no business taking those pictures.
After he stopped laughing at me I did get the shots I cherish.
Which brings me back to the point of this post, what do I offer my clients?
I capture moments and tell stories. That is what I love. That is what I am passionate about. This is what I am good at. My work is best represented in an album or wall grouping/storyboard so that is what my packages include. I love telling stories in black and white so color cannot overpower the emotion and connection in the frame. Does that mean I don’t do color, of course not. One of my favorite shots I have ever taken is in color. It did not speak to me as strongly as black and white.
One the most common questions is if I offer digital files?
Of course I do. As a client I would want them so as a photographer I offer them. Not only do I offer them I WANT you to have them so a complete DVD of your gallery is included in my top two packages or available for separate purchase on my a la carte menu. However I firmly believe these memories should be both preserved and displayed. So while I offer the DVD of images there is a second part of my service, professionally printed albums and wall displays. I think if you only walk away with the DVD I have not given you a complete service. I don’t want the only way you see your images to be on your computer screen. I offer session albums, storybook albums, DVD slideshows with video and photographs integrated, and a variety of wall prints and groupings. I know we are all excited to share our photographs on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media but how do you view your photos otherwise?
Do I provide every photograph I take?
NO. Honestly you wouldn’t want 6 duplicate shots of the same shot or ones where eyes are half-open/closed or where I missed my focus (yes that happens). Now if there are 3 of a similar shot but the facial expressions are different and they are technically sound I do provide those. I do not choose ONE to include because what I value as the photographer and which you might value as the client could vary. That being said I create your gallery using my artistic vision of how to tell your story with the photographs I took. I do not provide every shot in your gallery in both color and black & white. Photographs are included in either color or black & white and sometimes both but if I haven’t included a particular photograph in both it is not available in the other format.
How do I tell the story?
In our pre-consultation we will discuss what ideas you have for the session. Playdate at the park? Cooking breakfast? Attending your child’s soccer game? Game night in your home? The ideas are limitless. We will discuss what elements of your life you want to include and we will map out an idea of how this will look.
Do I always tell a story with an activity?
So in other words do I do a normal “sit and smile” session, as I refer to them. In short, yes. I offer mini-sessions at certain times of year that are perfect to just capture and document your family dressed up and smiling for the camera. I also offer lifestyle sessions where we are not doing an activity besides taking pictures. In these instances the story is your family. I focus on the connection between your family and capturing you as you are at this particular moment in your life. My favorite shots from these sessions seem to be when the family is connecting with each other or only one person is connecting with the camera. I also love to see laughter and playing at these sessions.
So am I the right photographer for YOU?
There are some things to consider before you hire ANY photographer.
Do you like their style? Take a hard and long look at the photographer’s website. Do you like what you see? Could you see yourself in that picture? Can you visualize the photograph on your wall? Do you like their processing? This last one is particularly important if you are considering me. My processing style is my vision for my work. You may prefer something a little cleaner or brighter and that’s okay!
If you have any questions about my work please don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I always happy to discuss any questions or concerns you have!
denver, dallas
& worldwide