Print It
In today's digital age, it's easy to snap photos, store them on our devices, and occasionally share them on social media. However, there's something uniquely special about printed photographs that make them worth cherishing. That route is very temporary. A few likes on social, forgotten on a hard drive. Let’s do more with your images. Print them out.
Tangible Memories
Printed photos serve as tangible memories that you can hold, touch, and display. They offer a physical connection to the moment captured, evoking emotions and nostalgia in a way that digital images often cannot. Whether it's a family portrait or a candid shot from your vacation, having a printed copy allows you to relive that memory in a more personal and intimate way.
Display and Decoration
Printed photos offer endless opportunities for displaying and decorating your home or office. You can frame your favorite shots, create a gallery wall, or even make personalized home decor items such as photo pillows, mugs, or coasters. These visual reminders of your cherished memories can enhance the ambiance of any space, adding warmth and character.
Gifts and Keepsakes
Printed photos make thoughtful gifts and keepsakes for your loved ones. Whether it's a framed print of a special moment, a custom photo book, or a set of personalized notecards, these heartfelt gestures are a meaningful way to share and celebrate the memories that you hold dear.
Supporting Professional Photographers
When you invest in printed photo sessions, you are supporting the work of professional photographers who dedicate their time and talent to capturing your memories. By purchasing prints, you not only receive high-quality, archival-grade photos but also contribute to the livelihoods of these skilled artists.
In conclusion, there is immense value in preserving your photo sessions through prints. The tangible nature of printed photos fosters a deeper connection with your memories, creates a lasting legacy for future generations, enhances your living spaces, and supports the work of professional photographers. So, the next time you have a photo session, be sure to consider the importance of printing your images and cherishing those memories for a lifetime.
Vendors Photographers Need (pt2)
Vendors for Newborn Photogs
Introduction
As a newborn photographer, building strong relationships with related vendors can enhance your services, provide valuable resources for clients, and help grow your business. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the key vendors you should connect with, including OBGYNs, bakers for baby showers, doulas, balloon and decor vendors, and baby shops.
OBGYNs
OBGYNs are often one of the first resources expectant parents turn to for advice and recommendations. By networking with local OBGYNs, you can position yourself as a trusted newborn photographer in the community, potentially gaining referrals from their patients.
Doulas
Doulas provide invaluable support to families during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. By networking with doulas, you can create a referral system that benefits both businesses, as well as provide clients with trusted recommendations for additional support.
Bakers for Baby Showers
Many families celebrate the impending arrival of a new baby with a baby shower, often featuring a beautifully crafted cake or desserts. Connecting with local bakers specializing in baby shower confections can lead to collaborations, as well as referrals for your photography services.
Balloon and Decor Vendors
Collaborating with vendors specializing in balloons and event decor can help you create beautiful, memorable photo sessions for your clients. These vendors can also refer their clients to you for newborn photography services. Pro tip: balloon and decor vendors always know great bakers.
Baby Shops
Baby shops are a hub for expectant parents and can serve as a valuable referral source for your photography business. Building connections with local baby shops can lead to collaborations on events, workshops, or promotional offers that benefit both businesses.
Conclusion
By cultivating relationships with these key vendors, you can enhance your services, offer additional resources to your clients, and grow your newborn photography business through referrals and collaborations. Networking within your community is an essential part of building a successful and thriving photography business.
Vendors Photographers Need (pt 1)
Vendors for Wedding Photogs
As a wedding photographer, there are several types of vendors you should be familiar with to ensure a smooth and successful wedding experience for your clients. Establishing relationships with these professionals can also lead to potential referrals and collaborations:
1. Wedding Planners/Coordinators: These professionals are responsible for managing the overall logistics of the wedding day. They ensure that everything runs smoothly and on time, which can be beneficial for you as a photographer.
2. Venues: Establishing relationships with popular venues in your area can help you understand their rules and regulations regarding photography, as well as lighting conditions and ideal photo locations within the venue.
3. Florists: Understanding the florist's design and style can help you capture the best shots of the floral arrangements, bouquets, and boutonnieres.
4. Cake Designers: Cake designers create beautiful and unique cakes that often serve as a focal point at the reception. Familiarizing yourself with their work can help you capture the perfect shots.
5. Catering Companies: Caterers manage food and beverage service throughout the event. Knowing their schedule and setup can help you capture important moments like the cake cutting or champagne toast.
6. DJs and Bands: Entertainment vendors are crucial for setting the tone and atmosphere of the wedding. Working with them ensures you capture important moments like the first dance or grand entrance.
7. Hair and Makeup Artists: These professionals help the couple and their wedding party look their best for photos. Knowing their timeline helps you plan your own schedule.
8. Videographers: Collaborating with videographers ensures you both capture important moments without getting in each other's way.
9. Officiants: Establishing a good rapport with the officiant is essential to understanding any photography restrictions or guidelines during the ceremony.
10. Invitation Designers and Calligraphers: These vendors create beautiful invitations and signage that can serve as photo-worthy details at the wedding.
11. Wedding Dress and Attire Providers: Familiarizing yourself with local bridal boutiques and formalwear providers can help you understand trends and styles, as well as establish relationships for potential referrals.
By building a strong network of wedding vendors, you can provide a better experience for your clients and ensure you capture the best possible images on their special day.
Organization + Business = Successful Photography Business
Organization + Business = Successful Photography Business
In the fast-paced world of photography, maintaining a well-organized business can be the key to success. From managing clients and scheduling shoots to handling post-production and marketing, photographers must juggle multiple tasks and responsibilities. In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of organization in a photography business and share tips for streamlining your workflow.
The Benefits of Organization
A well-organized photography business offers numerous advantages:
1. Time Management: Organization helps you prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and make the most of your time. By staying on top of your schedule, you can accommodate more clients and grow your business. This is extremely important if you have little ones.
2. Professionalism: Clients appreciate photographers who are punctual, reliable, and efficient. Organization ensures that you deliver a smooth and professional experience, which in turn leads to positive reviews and repeat business.
3. Stress Reduction: Running a business can be stressful, but organization helps minimize stress by reducing chaos and uncertainty. When your workflow is streamlined, you can focus on what you do best—creating beautiful images.
4. Enhanced Creativity: An organized business frees up mental space and energy for creative pursuits. With less time spent on administrative tasks, you can channel your energy into refining your artistic vision and developing your photography skills.
Tips for Organizing Your Photography Business
1. Implement a Client Management System: Use a customer relationship management (CRM) tool to track client information, project details, and communication. This helps you stay on top of client needs and ensures no important details fall through the cracks. I recommend Sprout Studio.(click for free trial. No CC needed )
2. Create a Workflow Checklist: Develop a comprehensive checklist that outlines the steps involved in each project, from initial consultation to final image delivery. This ensures consistency and prevents tasks from being overlooked.
3. Manage Your Schedule Effectively: Use a calendar or scheduling tool to manage bookings, deadlines, and personal commitments. Set aside blocks of time for each task, ensuring you have adequate time for both photography and administrative duties.
4. Optimize Your File Storage: Implement an efficient file management system for storing and organizing your photos. Use folders and subfolders, along with descriptive file names and metadata, to quickly locate and retrieve images. My preference is to use year/ month/ client name. My subfolders are a raw folder, gallery folder, edit folder, and final images folder.
5. Automate and Outsource: Identify time-consuming tasks that can be automated or delegated. Invest in software and tools that streamline post-production, and consider outsourcing tasks like accounting or marketing to professionals.
By implementing these organization strategies in your photography business, you'll unlock new levels of efficiency, professionalism, and success. Remember, organization is not a one-time task—it's an ongoing commitment to refining and improving your workflow. Happy organizing!
Photo Usage Rights Explained
Photo Usage Rights Explained
Photo usage rights refer to the legal rights and permissions granted to people or business entities regarding the use of images you, the photographer, took. Understanding these rights is essential for both you and photo users to avoid copyright infringement and ensure compliance with legal requirements. Here's an overview of key terms and concepts related to photo usage rights:
Copyright
Copyright protection is automatically granted to the photographer or creator of an image, giving them exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, display, perform, and create adaptations of their work. RAW images are like film negatives and help prove you are the one who took the photo. Don’t give away the RAWs unless you sell it at a premium.
Licensing
Photographers can grant usage rights to others by licensing their images. Licensing agreements define specific terms, conditions, and limitations for using the images. Specify whether your client can use your image on a billboard, social media, websites, and / product packaging.
Model and property releases
When using images featuring identifiable people or private property, photographers and users must obtain appropriate releases from the subjects or property owners to avoid potential legal issues. If you haven’t stated in your contract you would like to promote with a certain image or put that image in a book to sell, you leave yourself open to being sued.
Understanding and adhering to photo usage rights is crucial for ethical and responsible image use. Always respect the intellectual property rights of photographers, models, and property owners, and ensure you have the appropriate permissions and licenses for your intended use.
When is the Best Time to Promote Christmas Sessions?
When is the Best Time to Promote Christmas Sessions?
To maximize interest and ensure a steady stream of clients, it's generally a good idea to start promoting Christmas photo sessions several months in advance, usually around September or early October. This allows potential clients enough time to learn about your services and plan their holiday photo shoots accordingly.
Early promotion (September - early October): Announce that you'll be offering Christmas photo sessions and encourage clients to book early to secure their preferred dates. Offer early-bird discounts or special incentives for clients who book during this period.
Mid-season promotion (mid-October - November): Continue promoting your Christmas photo sessions through social media, email campaigns, and other marketing channels. Share photos from previous holiday shoots to showcase your work and create a sense of urgency by reminding clients that spots are filling up fast.
Last-minute promotion (December): Target last-minute shoppers and clients who may have missed your earlier promotions. Offer limited-time discounts or special offers to attract clients who still want to capture memorable holiday moments.
Keep in mind that it's essential to communicate deadlines for clients to receive their photos in time for holiday cards or gifts. By promoting your Christmas photo sessions well in advance and maintaining a strong marketing presence throughout the season, you'll increase your chances of attracting a steady stream of clients and ensuring a successful holiday photography season.
Moral of this story… Start promoting NOW!
Wedding, Portrait, or Product: Which Photography Makes the Most?
WHO…
BANKS…
THE MOST?
Which type of photography banks the most? If we assume the three types of photographers have the same level of skill, customer relationships, and marketing knowledge, we can examine some general trends in these three photography fields.
Portrait Photographer
Portrait photographers typically work with individuals or families to capture special moments, create professional headshots, or document milestones like graduations, engagements, or maternity shoots. Their income can vary widely, but according to data from Salary.com, the average annual salary for a portrait photographer in the United States is around $45,000 to $65,000. Keep in mind that earnings can be higher for experienced photographers who have established a strong reputation or specialized in a particular niche like high-end, luxury portraits.
Wedding Photographer
Wedding photographers capture one of the most significant moments in a couple's life, and their services are often in high demand. According to a survey by WeddingWire, the average cost of a wedding photographer in the United States is around $2,000 to $5,000 per event, with experienced photographers in high demand locations earning even more. On average, a successful wedding photographer can earn between $50,000 to $100,000 annually, but this largely depends on the number of weddings they book, the packages they offer, and their reputation in the industry.
Product Photographer
Product photographers work with businesses and brands to create compelling images for advertising, marketing, and e-commerce purposes. The income range for product photographers can vary widely, with factors such as experience, location, and the specific industry they serve playing a role. According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for product photographers in the United States is around $60,000, with some top earners making over $100,000 annually.
In summary, all three types of photographers have the potential to earn a comfortable income, with wedding photographers possibly having the highest earning potential on average due to the demand for their services and the high value placed on capturing such a significant event. However, individual results may vary, and it's essential for photographers in any field to continually hone their skills, build their portfolios, and market themselves effectively to maximize their earning potential.
Does a Photographer NEED a Studio?
Does a Photographer NEED a Studio?
The short answer is NO! You don’t need a college degree either. The truth is you really can just pick up a camera, charge x amount for x type of photography, and be very lucrative. Social media and educational videos have made this easier than ever to achieve but the question is do you need a studio? There are drawbacks and benefits to having a studio.
big Expense
Prior to writing this blog, I did a quick retail space search for Northern New Jersey. A studio space in this area can run you anywhere from $16 - $90 a square foot. That is $24,000 - $135,000 per year for a 1,500 sq ft depending on the location. If you can still make a profit from your photography then get the studio. If that isn’t a route you want to take, you can stick to outdoor portraits, events, on location sessions, or you can rent a studio for the amount of time needed.
Convenience
I went the way of not having a studio. Photographing a newborn session was a task: getting props out of storage, packing the car, going to the client, unpacking and setting up the props, photographing the baby, breaking down, pack the car, and putting props back in storage. Not only is this a pain but it also limits how many sessions I was able to take in a day. With a studio I would hypothetically be able to book a newborn every 3 hours. If I was able to book from 9-5, I could photograph 4 sessions in a day. At $1,000 for my base newborn package, that would be $4,000 in one day (not including editing time). I can leave my props. I can edit with no interruptions.
opportunities for extra income
Depending on your leasing agreement, you more than likely will be able to rent out your studio space when you are not booked, editing, or answering emails. I’ve seen studios charge hourly, half day, and full day rates. You can choose to charge for equipment and props as well. Another opportunity I would throw out there is hosting a Meetup. Meetup gets a percentage of what you charge so make it worth it. Teach a lighting or posing class. Photographers would line up for a pricing class.
Clearly, there are risks that go with a studio. The rewards can outweigh the risks if you have the proper plan, customer service, and photographic skill. Only you know if you are able to put in the work to make your studio a successful one. There are certain corners you can cut. Instead of a retail space, have an in-home studio. When it comes to the business of photography, one can get very creative. So… do you need a studio?
Post Session Etiquette
Post Session Etiquette
I went over what to do when you are hunting for a photographer and what to do during your session. Now your session is done and you want you pictures. Here are some dos and don’ts while you wait for them.
Be Patient
Please don’t text your photographer an hour after the session asking if your pictures are done yet. Photographers will tell you ahead of time what their turn around time is. I say two weeks and deliver in a few days. My process is you get a gallery and pick your favorites. I edit them in Photoshop and deliver them to you. Workflow varies photographer to photographers. Ask if they don’t tell you ahead of time.
You’re Not Getting the Raws
Click here to see a film negative. You wouldn’t ask a photographer for their film negative. The RAW file is the equivalent. It is also what comes straight out of the camera. It has all the blemishes and eyesores in the picture that was taken. The photographer edits all that out. This is the simple answer. The intricate answer has to do with copyright, owning the image, and a bunch of legal jargon.
Filters are a Slap In the Face
I thought this went without saying but I have heard horror stories so now I’m saying it. Don’t put filters on your final images. You paid a lot of money for that photographer’s creativity and editing style. No filter looks good and it makes the photographer’s work look bad. It has gotten so bad, we put it in our contracts. No filter and logo must be visible. It’s like going to Ruth Chris Steakhouse and throwing ranch on a porterhouse steak.
The benefits of doing the things I said in Photographer Hunting Etiquette, Photography Session Etiquette, and this blog will foster a great relationship with your photographer. Don’t be surprised if you start receiving emails with deals and appreciation gifts in the mail. Don’t do these things and you might not have your emails or phone calls answered.
Photography Session Etiquette
Photo Session Etiquette
(2/3)
In Photographer Hunting Etiquette I went over what to do when picking a photographer. This blog will go over once you have decided on a photographer. It doesn’t take much to have a successful session. Here are my three suggestions:
Lock It In
Any decent photographer is going to have a contract and a booking fee. Read it, ask questions, and pay the fee. This ensures the date in question is yours. If anyone else is inquiring about that day it will be first come, first serve. Nothing personal to you the client, but photographers have been stood up or ghosted by potential clients. A booking fee ensures you are serious about the session.
Ask Questions
There is nothing wrong with asking your photographers all the questions. A good photographer will already have ways to prep you for the session. If they don’t, here are some questions you may want to ask: what to wear, where can we photograph, what can I bribe my children with for a good session? It is better to be fully prepared than to go into your session wondering, “did I pick the right dress?”
Stick to the Schedule
If you are photographing in a studio or on location for a holiday session, be on time. Photographers often book more than one session a day. For holiday sessions on a Christmas tree farm or a park that requires a permit, there is a time limit. If a photographer books 8 sessions at 20 minute increments, your session is either going to be pushed to the back of the line or you won’t get the full 20 minutes.
If you are wondering why certain photographers are a higher price points, it is because they inform you of these types of issues. They let you know everything to expect so there are no surprises during or after your session. If you do end up with an inexperienced photographers, don’t be shy, ask the tough questions. If you liked these 2 etiquette blogs, check back for part three. I’ll go over post session etiquette.
Photographer Hunting Etiquette
Photographer Hunting Etiquette
(1/3)
If you are in need of a photographer here are some tips on etiquette to get the most enjoyable experience out of the photographer you end up choosing.
Don’t leave us hanging
Don’t leave us hanging. It’s fine to shop around. I recommend it. When you decide on a photographer after talking with multiple photographers, let the rest know you won’t be working with them. Put the others out of their misery so they don’t have to hold that date you inquired about. This is important for wedding date and portraits where the photographer has fifteen, twenty, or thirty minute time slots.
Not a Bazaar
We are not in a bazaar in Belarus. Please do not haggle over the pricing a photographer offers. I’ll let you behind the curtain for a minute. Photographers have expenses, especially if they have a studio they work out of. The only thing, in my opinion, you should ask is if paying cash drops the tax. No photographer wants to drop their price but the less experienced photogs will out of fear of losing the client.
Pick One
If you are having a wedding or an event at a large venue and feel you need more than one photographer, don’t hire two separate photographers. Pick a photographer you like and tell them you would like a second shooter. Nine times out of ten, that photographer has a pool of photographer friends who get along and photograph similarly. It will be more cost effective also since all 2nd shooters give their images to the main shooter to edit. Two separate photographers not working together are charging you full price since they are handling the session as if they were by themselves.
If you found this beneficial, click here for PART 2 During the Session
Classes for Photography
Must see classes for learning
Creative Live has tons of videos for the creative in you. Here are my must see classes.
Adobe Lightroom Classic CC: The Complete Guide
Posing 101 - Lindsay Adler
Men’s Portrait Photography- Jeff Rojas
Shooting for Brands- Andrew Kearns
Business of Commercial Food Photography- Andrew Scrivani
Adobe Photoshop CC: The Complete Guide
Newborn Photography Boot Camp- Kelly Brown
Portrait Photography Boot Camp- Lindsay Adler
Your Social Media Boot Camp- Jasmine Star
You will come out the other end a much better photographer. Give it a chance. Click the button find out.
I Want to Quit My Job (again)
I Want to Quit My Job (again)
Every time I get a corporate headshot gig, I fall in love with entrepreneurship all over again. It’s large amount of work that goes with photographing an entire business’s employees. Most importantly, the financial compensation. Businesses don’t haggle price (you shouldn’t be haggling your price anyway). I would love to quit my job and pursue gigs like this full time but I can’t. Here are the tips I’ve noticed worked for me and maybe you can use them and go full time yourself.
SEO: Consistently blogging about your expertise is great for SEO. SEO, or search engine optimization, is what gets you found in a Google search. Make a Google My Business account, blog weekly on your site, and post images to GMB. 0% of my new clients have come from social media.
Cold Call: Stop being so timid. Converse with humans. Call 20 businesses a day. If you land 2 businesses a month willing to spend $5k that would be $100k a year. Have a few scripts and find out what works. Get the info of people on the fence and foster a relationship. SEO brings clients to you. Cold calling brings you to the client.
Under Promise & Over Deliver: Always sneak a little more in whatever service you provide. Go a little more out of your way. No matter the business, this is always the best practice.
This is the latest corporate session that made me want to quit again. It was multiple headshot sessions for AdVANtage Outfitters.
Should Photographers Worry About AI
Should photographers worry about AI?
From the mind of Gonzalo Rodriguez
Should photographers worry about AI? I, without hesitation, say NO. Photographers can welcome it with open arms and an open mind. AI won’t steal your gigs. AI will help you streamline your editing, blogging, and assist with your marketing.
Until artificial intelligence can program a drone and attach a camera to it, I won’t be scared. AI also would need to program poses to flatter body types and gender. Imagine conversing with a drone trying to make you feel comfortable. AI won’t be able to photograph your wedding or pose your newborn baby.
What artificial intelligence is very helpful with is the behind the scenes business stuff. I’ve seen AI make Photoshop a literal cheat code. Closed eyes can be replaced with opened eyes with a lasso tool and typing a few words. Squarespace added AI to blogs. The 2nd half of this blog was AI generated. It did pretty well.
Should photographers worry about AI?
From the mind of AI
As an experienced writer at GR Design & Photography, I believe that photographers should pay attention to the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the industry.
On one hand, AI offers a wide array of opportunities to photographers. The technology can enhance and improve image quality, streamline editing processes, and even generate creative concepts. However, photographers must consider the potential implications that AI could have on their profession.
One major concern is the possibility of automated cameras and editing software replacing human photographers. As AI advances, it becomes increasingly capable of capturing high-quality images and completing complex editing tasks that were once exclusive to human photographers. This could potentially lead to a decrease in demand for professional photographers.
Furthermore, there is a risk that AI-powered tools and software could diminish the artistry and creativity that are intrinsic to photography. As AI technology becomes more prevalent, there is a risk that it may standardize and mass-produce images, rather than showcasing unique visions and perspectives.
In conclusion, while AI may provide a range of advantages to photographers, they must also be aware of the potential negative consequences that could accompany its rise. It is essential that photographers continue to learn and evolve their craft, embracing and utilizing AI where appropriate, while also finding ways to preserve the uniqueness and creativity that
FAQ
FAQ
Answer It Before They Ask
Potential clients who don’t know you aren’t just going to book you. The have they’re own sets of needs they are worried about. It is a good idea to have frequently asked questions posted somewhere on your website to ease potential clients’ worries. When you ease a client’s worries, you raise their client experience. The more questions you answer before they contact you, the more of an expert you appear.
Click MY FAQ PAGE to see my examples
Are You Social?
Are You Social?
I have a recommendation. Get social. You never know where your next client will be. If your photography or graphic design is on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, Twitter, and LinkedIn you have a better chance of being seen. This might not be news but videos are being prioritized so I would post behind the scenes or a screen recording of how you edit. Talk to your audience about what to expect or why you’re different. Don’t forget to put a hyperlink to a linktree like webpage. Here is an example.
Work with a purpose. The goal of your post is to either book a client or collect an email. Add their info to your CRM and organize it under photographer or client. Save that info for your email so you can target the proper audience. For example if you have a photo session for Easter or fall target that to potential or past clients. If you made a course, target your photographer or graphic design followers.
Having a social media presence is great but it needs to be paired with a call to action on your website which is absolutely necessary. Social media doesn’t always work. There have been days where Instagram has been hacked. This is why it is good to be everywhere. I have business posts on LinkedIn, client posts on Instagram & Facebook, and photographer posts on Tiktok. Do this how ever you want, just make sure you do it.
Comment below if you want more info about targeting for emails.
5 things you need in your photography website
5 things you need in your photography website.
What makes a great website? It’s debatable but some of the most important things are as follows:
Great eye catching photography. Less is more. You will be judged on your worst photo so only post your absolute best. (attention)
A call to action button. Make it clear where your potential clients can contact you so they can book you. (booking)
Have your location on your website. If a potential client has to chose between 2 photographers they’re going to pick (or contact) the one with the known location. (booking & SEO)
Blogs. Give tips on what to wear or what to expect in your blogs. It establishes you as an authority and helps your SEO. (SEO)
Most importaintly, get Google verified. This will make you searchable when people look for photographers in my area. (SEO)
3 Head Shot Tips for Killer Images
3 Tips for Killer Head Shots
First is your catch light. This is when the light from your main (key) light hits your subject’s eyes. This brings dept and life to your image.
Second is your key light. This is your main light and you will get a different feeling in your image depending where you place your light. I like to place my strobe at 45 degrees (10 or 2 o’clock) and a few feet over the subject’s head with my softbox angled down.
Last is the back light. Also know as rim, shoulder, or hair light; it lights the back of your subject. This illuminates the back edge of your subject and separates them from the background.
With this lighting and enough practicing with posing and you should be able to go after those corporate head shot gigs in no time.
Fun Fact: 99% of people getting head shots are not models. They won’t be comfortable in front of a camera. Hell, I”M not comfortable in front of a camera. Be relaxed, be charismatic, and make it fun. The picture will show what they feel. Laughing and relaxed will show. Nervous and uncofortable will also show.
INVEST IN YOURSELF
What to look for when hiring a maternity &/or newborn photographer.
Experience
You will be pregnant with this child only once. You might be spending a lot of money on one or both of these sessions. Make sure your photographer can consistently produce what they are showing on their site or social media. An experienced photographer should be answering most of your questions before you even ask them.
Vibe
You should be vibing with your photographer. If you aren’t comfortable with your photographer, there is a good chance that will come through in your photos. Photographers who know what they are doing are comfortable with their sessions and their confidence 9/10 will be passed onto you.
Can They Bundle?
Maternity photographers might not be newborn photographers but newborn photographers are almost always maternity photographers as well. See if they have bundle packaging. My “The Glow” package is a maternity session and newborn session and images from both sessions end up in your album and, at times, the birth announcement cards.
Ps: you should be printing this beautiful journey out. Don’t just post it on your social media, print it out and hang images in your nursery. Make an album and put it on your coffee table for all to see.
Winter Wonderland
Tips for your next winter session
If you are brave enough to take pictures in the dead of winter, here are some tips you should know.
Wear Layers
The session below was 17 degrees when we started photographing. The best thing to do is wear layers. Thermals for your legs, thick socks or 2 pair, snow boots, and long sleeves with a thick sweater looks great and you might not even need a coat.
Extras
Bring extras. Extra hats and extra gloves will give your session different looks. It will also keep you warm if you take pictures playing with the snow. Sneak some hand warmers in there too.
Move
Shivering is your body’s way of keeping you warm. The more you move , the warmer you will be. This can serve two purposes: keep you warm and make your images more fun. Running, jumping, and dancing puts a smile on anyone’s face.
