5 tips to take better snapshots at home :)

Having professional photos is wonderful, but sometimes its nice just to capture everyday moments. Those can be some of the most fun times! So I thought I would give you some tips on how to make those snapshots  better. :) (I'm also going to share some awful photos with you I have took, don't judge...they are just snapshots!!)

1) Always keep your horizon straight. In the photo below, it would have looked better if the baseboard was a straight line. Also, I hung a piece of fabric on the wall. Its wrinkly, and those lines are not straight either. This was a "prize photo" of my daughter from an online pageant we did which used to be the only reason I took photos and what inspired me to become a better photographer. :)

2) Watch your background. Having objects protruding from your child's head can be weird or unattractive. Look for things such as tree's, phone poles, and anything else that can look strange coming out of your child's head lol. The photo below is just a cell phone photo, but it could have been better if I would have stood left of him a little bit. Cut the toy on his left out a little and got the handle of the car out of his head. 

3) Shoot in the shade. Open shade. Taking photos in direct sunlight can wash out the face and create lots of shadows. Even in the photo above, Landon's face could have been a lot better if I had the option to shoot in the shade. There is a large shadow on the right side of his face but the left side is blown out. Shade creates lots of even lighting. Even lighting is good unless you are going for a dramatic artistic look. 

4) Get down on your subjects level! Lots of times we take photos and we just stand above our kids and snap away. Getting down on their level creates a better composure. I took the photo below at the Children's museum in Indy. I happened to be sitting down near her. If I would have been standing, you might not have been able to see that way too cute smile. :)

5)Watch about cutting off limbs and the tops of heads. Try to stand far enough away that you get all of those limbs and all of your babies head in the photo. It looks better and it keeps it from looking like the limb ends there, like the child is missing part of their body. 

With some even lighting and good composure, you can have all your friends checking out your photos swooning. :) 

Never forget!!! Safety first!!! Do not try to attempt these shots at home. They were edited this way, babies cannot really pose themselves on their arms. Their arms are NOT strong enough to hold their heads up!!

Also, in the first shot, mom was right there. Be careful in attempting a shot like this. You would NEVER want the older child to decide to stand up and go play dumping the newborn on the ground!!! Safety before fun photos! No picture is worth risking a life!!!

But never forget to have nice, professional photos taken too! There is still a lot more to taking photos than good composure and good lighting. With my photos, personally, I have invested in a lot of nice props, a good camera, Photoshop, and lots and lots of time and energy on learning how to properly use my camera which is one of the most important parts of being a professional photographer. For more information on my pricing, click here. To book me for a session, you can check out my Facebook page. Thanks for stopping by! Hope to work with you sometime soon. :)

Landon turns 3, lets celebrate with some DISCOUNTED sessions!

Landon is my first born child. I'm so happy and sad at the same time that he is turning 3!! I've decided we can all celebrate with some VERY discounted mini sessions!

The fee is $30!! This includes a CD with all the images from the session. Regular session fee is $100. The money will go toward Landon's birthday gift. I'm hoping to surprise him with a swing set since his other one got destroyed in a bad storm.

I will be doing these sessions the 14th-17th. I will only be doing 10 sessions total. The times are negotiable because the location is your choice. Hope to book with you!! 

Photo Booth Mini sessions

Mini session details are in!!! I wanted to do something fun, and what is more fun than a photo booth?! You can use props such as a fake mustache, silly glasses, a clown nose, hats, tutu's, etc. (not all props photographed).

The cost is $45 for a 30 minute session. This includes a CD with 10-15 images on it. I am only taking 10 sessions. A non-refundable $10 deposit is due at the time of booking to save your spot.

Here are some sneak peaks :)

I really love the set up of this!!

It looked like so much fun, I had to jump in and try it to with a self portrait. Not the best photo ever, but I didn't bring my tripod and a 2 year old does NOT make a good tripod. I was a little nervous I wasn't taking my camera home with me. ;)

There it is!! Enjoy! :) If you are interested in booking, you can message me though my Facebook page. :)

Introducing.....The Pretty Princess Session!

Here it is! Finally!! I've been working on this one for awhile, perfecting it, fine tuning the details!

*drum roll please*

brbrbrbrbrbrbrbrbrbrbrbrrrrrrrrrr (does that sound like a drum roll??) :)

Introducing the Pretty Princess Session!!!

What is a pretty princess session? Glad you asked! This is more than JUST a photo session! This is a day to make your little girl feel like a real princess!

Each session includes a custom, handmade dress...made by me! Each dress is one of a kind and I will not duplicate dresses identically (unless its sisters who want to match...but each session will have its own one of a kind look). Each session will also come with the choice of a hand made bow to match the outfit or a crown. If you are interested in a crown, I will send photos of options to choose from. Also included is a hair style and a mini manicure (time to put that cosmetology degree to work!) :)

Each session will come with a CD of all the edited images from the shoot. Each session will get back around 30 photos.

For pricing information, you can read my post on pricing.

I also am doing Pretty Princess Parties!! Each girl will get this special treatment! Plus you will get event coverage and around 100 edited images on a CD. Be the talk of the town with every little girl's dream party! :) (Parties should be scheduled idealy a month in advance. If this isn't possible, I can do a rush order for additional small fee of $20. All other pricing information on parties can be found here).

I took a few images of my back yard of a couple dresses I made for my own daughter. The location kind of drags the pictures down since I have an ugly yard lol, but this will give you an idea of my sewing abilities! :)

                                   

This is a romper/doll set I made. The photo below shows a better view of the romper.

This isn't a great dress photo, but I made this dress as well. Its SOOOO much cuter in person!

I did not make the barefoot sandals, but I can make my own version. I have TONS of ideas. I did, however, make the lace leggings. They are tight fitting at the top with a big lace ruffle at the bottom. SO cute!


                                                    

I made this dress with the matching hair bow. Your hair bow can be simple, like this, or more over the top.
The dress and hair bow (or crown) is included in the price of the session, lace leggings or barefoot sandals would be $5 extra (each). The session would be at the location of your choice with a fun theme (also your choice). Andddddd you get to help design the dress! :)

So, again, whats included:
-A custom OOAK dress!
-Your choice of either a crown or a hair bow
-A CD of around 30 images from the session
-a small pamper treatment of a hair style and a mini manicure

If you book a pretty princess party, the following is included:
-A custom OOAK dress for each of the girls
-event coverage of around 100 images from the party and the girls
-your choice of a crown or hair bow for each girl
-a hair style and mini manicure for each girl


I'm SOOO excited to announce this! Its every little girl's dream day! I am so looking forward to hosting these! I can only book a few at a time due to the amount of work, so book yours before they fill up! Payment is due at the time of booking because of the amount of work that will go into these. I don't want to buy the fabric, and make a custom dress and such for you to back out. Payment is non refundable. If you cannot make the session, we can either reschedule or you can cancel and take your dress and hair accessory  and have a momtography credit for the rest of the funds (minus the dress and such).

I look forward  to working with you soon!!! :)

Pricing 2012

Family Session:
 $100 for up to 6 people, $5 for each additional person. This includes a hardback, professionally printed and binded, book of all the edited images from the session. Approximately 1 hour of shooting.

Maternity Session: 

$120 and includes a hardback, professionally printed and binded, book of all the edited images from the session. Also includes the newborn session. The images from the newborn session will be in the hardback book as well. Approximately 1 hour of shooting for the maternity and up to 3 hours for the newborn session.

Newborn session (without the maternity session):

$100 which includes a hardback, professionally printed and binded, book of all the edited images from the session. Up to 3 hours of shooting (which includes the diaper changes, messes, feedings, rocking, soothing, etc.) This is done between 7 and 14 days. The newborn session is included in a maternity session if booked. 

Senior Session: 

$100 for a single session and includes a $25 print credit which can be used toward wallets or wall prints.
$200 for a group session which can be up to 5 people and $20 for each additional person (Limit 10). A group session will have the "friends" shots (the group shots) and single shots of each person in the group. This is a fun way for some best friends to remember their friendships forever. It includes a CD of the edited images and the print release as well as a timeline cover customized for each person in the session. Approximately 1 hour of shooting for single sessions and up to 4 hours of shooting for group sessions.

Glitz Session:

This session is for a single lady to get some beautiful, retouched photos of herself. The retouching includes editing out pimples, smoothing skin, enhancing make-up, enhancing eyes, making eye lashes fuller, whiting teeth etc. The session is $100 and you will receive a hardback, professionally printed and binded, book of all the edited images from the session. You can bring a friend for an additional $10. (think something like glamour shots in the mall...only at any location of your choice!!) Approximately 1 hour of shooting.

Pretty Princess Session or party:

A pretty princess session is a one of a kind session offered only by me! A pretty princess session includes a custom, hand made dress fitted just for your daughter (made by me), your choice of a crown or a matching bow, a custom hair style put together by me before the shoot, a mini manicure, and a CD of the images with the printing rights. The session fee is $160 for girls up to a size 4 and $165 for girls up to a size 6. Additional sizes can be purchased for $5 in children's sizes and $10 for adult sizes. Bring a friend or a sister for an additional $25. Host a pretty princess party for $400 for up to 5 girls which will include a dress, hair bow or crown, a hair style, mini manicure, a shoot of the entire party, and a CD of all the images from the party. Each additional girl is $25 (who is getting a dress/makeover...all other party guests are free). This must be paid for at the time of booking and is non refundable (due to the time it takes to make the dress/dresses and the cost of material etc. If you cannot make the shoot, let me know at least 24 hours in advance so we can reschedule). Approximately 1 hour of shooting and 30 minute prep for a single girl or up to 4 hours for a party. 

Wedding Packages:
All wedding packages come with a free engagement session!

Platinum Package- This includes a CD of all the edited images from the wedding/reception and the printing rights, a hardback, professionally binded book of all the edited images, and a 16x20 canvas print of the image of your choice. There will be candid shots during the wedding and reception and 15-20 minutes of posed shots. Shooting will begin while the bride and groom are getting ready and last until the reception is over. There will be detail shots, shots of the bride and groom, guests, etc. $2000

Gold-This includes a CD of all the edited images from the wedding/reception and the printing rights, and a hardback, professionally binded book of all the edited images. There will be candid shots during the wedding and reception and 15-20 minutes of posed shots. Shooting will begin while the bride and groom are getting ready and last until the reception is over. There will be detail shots, shots of the bride and groom, guests, etc. $1850

Silver- This includes a CD of all the edited images from the wedding/reception and the printing rights. There will be candid shots during the wedding and reception and 15-20 minutes of posed shots. Shooting will begin while the bride and groom are getting ready and last until the reception is over. There will be detail shots, shots of the bride and groom, guests, etc. $1500

Birthing shoots:

This includes labor and delivery, time after the delivery, a hospital newborn shoot, and a hardback, professionally binded book with all the edited images from the birth. $250

Event shoots:

This could be a birthday party, baby shower, wedding shower, etc. The cost would be $150 for up to 3 hours and would include a hardback, professionally binded book of all the edited images from the event. $20 for each additional hour. Detailed shots will be included. 

"She said yes" session:

Planning on proposing? Capture that moment to cherish for a lifetime! I will be at the place you plan to propose. When your ready to pop the question just give me the signal. She will never see it coming. This will be followed up with a short couples session and a small session of just the ring. $75 for 30-45 minutes of shooting and includes a CD of all the images from the session with a print release so you can show off your new engagement!

Engagement session:

This is free if you book a wedding. If you do not choose to book the wedding, the session is $100 and includes a CD of the images with the print release. Approximately 1 hour of shooting. 

Trash the dress session:

This is done post wedding and is included in the platinum package (if the bride wants this). This is a fun shoot of the bride in her dress having fun and getting messy. $100 and includes a CD of the images with a printing release.

Birthday Session:
This includes a cake smash and a hardback, professionally printed and binded book of all the edited images. It also includes a birthday invite design or announcement file and the right to print it. $100 and approximately 1 hour of shooting. 

***Payment is accepted by cash or paypal. If you are writing a check, it must be paid in advance and cleared by the bank before the shoot. Pretty Princess shoots, wedding shoots, and birthing shoots must be paid for in full at the time of booking. A $20, non refundable, deposit should be made in advance to hold the spot of your shoot. If you have any questions, you can message my facebook page or send me an email. All shoots will have an email consultation. Birthing shoots and wedding shoots will have an in person consultation.

Other types of shoots available upon request. Prints or a CD can be purchased if not included. A CD is $50 and prints are priced upon request. Facebook timeline covers can be customized for $3 from the session.

Typical sessions will receive around 30 edited images from the session (family, maternity, glitz, senior etc.) Birthing sessions will receive around 100 +, wedding around 250 +, event around 100+ etc. This is just an estimate but defiantly the minimum.

I will travel up to an hour from Lagrange. Can travel further upon request for an additional fee depending upon location.