I have been seeing a trend on Facebook these past few weeks. Mom- tographers taking time out of their day to sit back and watch their kids interacting. Hours can go by like minutes while sitting at our desks, in front of our screens going through e-mails, browsing sites, fretting over schedules, and new equipment to buy.
I think I would like to make this a regular occurrence. It is so easily taken for granted, their younger years…
Here are my kiddies, on a rainy day.
This Wednesday I got to once again see Jaxon and his family for a small session. Mommy is also expecting a little girl, so this was a super- fun time! Little Jaxon didn’t overly think so though…
He just was not getting into it… UNTIL Nanny broke out the chocolate! Chocolate solves everything!
Isn’t he just the sweetest?! Those eyes, love ‘em!
WOW! This Monday will be his 2nd Birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAXON!
I just had to get this beautiful Mommy in front of the camera!
Stunning!
Awww! He is going to be such a great big brother!
I am definately looking forward to seeing everyone again this summer, including the new bundle of joy!
… This post has been a LONG time coming. I am sure every wedding photographer at one point or another has ranted and defended their pricing… But I often wonder- Is it really necessary? Should the service we offer for the price we ask to document supposedly THE most important day of your life really be under such scrutiny? Should comparison and bargain hunting be the determining factor of who you put this most precious day in the hands of?
As a mother of 3, I am ALWAYS one to save a buck. I, myself, admit to cost cutting at my own wedding where available (I decorated myself, my bouquets my friend made, and you would never know the difference). But NOT with my photos. I knew the importance of being able to look back at them with love, I knew the work and dedication my photographer was to put into those memories as well as the busy day she was in for! I didn’t want to look at them years down the road and think- Oh my, if I had just spent a little bit more. As the old adage goes- You get what you pay for.
Yes, there are some brilliant hobbyists out there, there are some brilliant amateurs with talent up to par with seasoned professionals. How do you find them? Research. Do not advert your eyes solely to their price list. Look at their portfolio. If you truly feel their ‘style and coverage’ is what you want… Then that is what you should have! But, if you book your photographer solely on the merit that they are the cheapest, you may become disappointed with what you end up with.
For example, let’s look at what goes into covering an 8 hour wedding day…
I live in Central Newfoundland. To get to the Trans Canada Highway, I have to drive an hour. Therefor, mileage and fuel expense increases. Unfortunately I cannot do anything to change that. It’s just a matter of distance and the economy.
So. Your wedding is 2pm. It’s one hour to the highway. You want Bridal Preparation photos at 12pm. Let’s say you live in Gander. Still in the Central region, but far enough that it will take me 2.5 hours (always allow yourself time). I have to leave my home in the morning by 9-ish. That means, I have to get up at 7, pack (2 cameras, $1,000′s worth of equipment), make sure I am 100% ready and hit the road. Hopefully I have slept the night before. I am nervous. Everyone gets nervous, stays up planning their day in their mind… 9 chances out of 10 I have spent the last week or two going over details in emails with excited brides. Researching new poses, asking questions, answering phones calls, etc.
I drive 2.5 hours on the TCH. I arrive safely, no traffic issues. I arrive at my destination, weave through town, find the location where the lovely ladies are all getting ready, the fun has begun! For the next 1 hour I am there, laughing and enjoying time getting to know everyone. But I am constantly on my feet, bending, posing people, snapping photos. Ready at a moments notice for requests made by BFF Bridesmaids. I have a list a mile long of what you have decided you want your day to reflect. Thinking on the spot, trying new things…
Ceremony time! I ALWAYS arrive early. I need to meet with the men, meet with clergy. I need to find my spacing, test the lighting, get the feel of the church. Break out my gear, set up… *Magic!*
Your special day has begun. Everyone is enjoying their time, I move silently through the church capturing the moments, breathtaking beauty, the smiles, the tears, the laughter… You are now man and wife… Let the fun begin!
After the usual traditional congratulations, hugs and kisses from old friend, relatives, you are off to your location shoot. I LOVE location shoots! I like to get there also a little ahead of the crowd. Explore. Move some things if needed, I can’t even count how many times I have picked up trash in a woods, move a bench, whatever it takes to get the shot I want…
An hour or so goes by here. Things are more slow- paced, but still, we have a timeline. Family and friends ALL want photos with the happy couple. Kids are running around, where’s Grandpa?! We find Grandpa… Oh no, Nana went looking for Grandpa!? Where is she? We improvise with other shots until we find poor Nana who walked all the way down the trail, only to find Grandpa was nowhere to be found! Oh, now Uncle Bob wants to hop in and get a few shots… I LOVE that family want to get photos also… My way about it? I take the first formal shots, I step aside, let anyone with a camera do their thing. Some may say- Well, that’s wasting time… Is it? This IS your day. If you want Uncle Bob to have his own photo, who am I to argue? As long as I have time to get to the reception hall ahead of schedule, your time is my time… Posed shots, candid shots, I step back, I climb a tree… Oh no, dirty pants from lying on the ground… Do I have time to change or grab a baby wipe? I always carry extra clothes, shoes, etc. You just never know!
… Reception. At LEAST 2 hours. People may not realize. I am buzzing around there a nice while before the guests all show. I chat, I mingle, I introduce myself, get familiar with this lighting issue. Find my focuses, find the good spots, weed out the obstructed ones in my mind before hand as to not lose sight… Formal introduction of Bridal Party. Speeches. More speeches. Oh, the best man has a hilariously embarrassing story about the groom. Laughter fills the air, I am enjoying myself. But, I am still working. I am still vigilant as to what is happening, keeping on my feet at all times. The cutting of the cake sounds the end of the reception…
If I haven’t booked the Formal Dances, I am now free to give my congratulations, speak with the Bride/ Groom and make my exit. Weave through town, grab a coffee and drive the 2.5 hours home.
If I AM staying for the Formal Dances… I wait. Sometimes up to 2 hours… Then I cover another 30- 45 minutes. It’s dark by this time. I make a decision when booking if I am staying the night in a hotel (luckily sometimes I have friends/ family within the area), or am I driving on the TCH for another 2.5 hours…
I go home. Safely, hopefully. I have seen some wildlife. A moose has jumped up in front of me and decided to go for a little stroll. 11pm at night…
I arrive in my driveway. Your 8 hour coverage has become my 15 hour day. My kids are in bed, when I left they were in bed. I will not have seen them for 24 hours by the time everyone wakes again. I want to sleep. I need to sleep. But I don’t. I transfer files. For the next hour I back them up multiple times. Computer. External Hard Drive. Memory Stick. (This is MY way of doing things, I tend to worry about losing data. OCD perhaps? Maybe). Sometimes I THEN go to bed. Other times I am just too tired, I stay up and flick through 100′s of files. I make notes. I make preset/ editing mental notes.
For the next 2-4 weeks I work… Hour after hour, day after day. I hardly sleep. I go to bed thinking of your images, I wake thinking of your images. Your day has past, but to me I relive it through every click of a button. I answer e-mails. I chat with you, your MOH, the groom, your mom… Facebook messages pour in. I edit to publish on my Fan Page/ Blog. EVERYONE wants to have Sneak Peeks! In the past I have created my own monster where I am super- fast in uploading. I like the comments, I like people’s anticipation. I don’t mind… But, processing is a long and tedious job at times. I take time away from my family. I find it difficult to balance. Unlike a 9-5 out of home career, my office is in my home. I am present, yet not. I still need to do my housework, cook, clean, spend time with the kids… I get tired.
Normally with a FULL DAY package I DO offer prints/ processed album. Some people say Renee! That is TOO much! You are making too much work for yourself… You give HOW many images on a USB?!
My reasoning- It is what I would want. It is what my clietns want… Sometimes I am told my price is TOO expensive. My argument in my head always is- Ask the other people if they offer the post- processing that I do?
Everyone’s attention to detail differs. Packages differ. I DO offer a digital only package. I do offer service only, prints only, custom day, etc. I cater to you… Not to myself or other photographer’s perception of what it is makes them money.
Yes, I do these things because I love them… Yes, I want to make money. Yes, I do ‘giveaway’ too much at times… But, I want YOU to be happy. I do what it takes to see that happen.
Yet still I cannot please everyone and that is why I am writing this. I have stopped taking these things personal. In the end, you pay what you want to pay, who you want to pay it to and for what you feel is what you want…
I just want to let you all know, that I am flexible. I am affordable, but I have a set goal. To provide for my family. To keep what I do enjoyable for me and not become over worked and underpaid. The minute you become unhappy with what you do in life, is the minute it’s not worth the effort…
Thank you for taking the time to read… I hope this has stuck in the minds of people looking to book a wedding photographer. We ere family women and men. We have expenses in the realm of our photography and in our lives. We have responsibilities beyond our business. We have a responsibility to do the best we can for you as well.
This past weekend I held my annual Easter/ Spring Mini Sessions in m hometown of Buchans, NL Canada. Also, a first, in the new studio space I have equipped in my home. As big a room as you can get, still, if you load it with props, space gets limited! Haha.
It was a blast, 12 kiddies, and a HUGE thank you to Courtney Rowsell (you can find her Fan Page on FB) who is a talented, young aspiring photographer also from Buchans… Thank you or all of your help, look forward to teaming up again in the future.
So, who wants to see some epic cuteness?!
First up was Camryn Rae. She is my friends daughter, whom I photographed 2x when she was a baby. I was so excited to see her! Oh my, how she has grown!
I just LOVED her outfit! Look at those curls and her big gorgeous eyes, such beautiful features to photograph, I hope to get to see her again soon.
After Camryn was my little guy from Badger, Austin! My friend Nadine always brings him up when I have something on the go. He is always a little charmer to work with!
He is getting to be such a big boy, and such a snazzy dresser!
Now, these next 2 handsome little guys are my nephews Jackson and Tyson.
I was excited to use my new Easter Bunny prop hat from my friend Amanda at ‘My Crazy Creations’. It fit awesome, and looked super- cute with Tyson’s outfit. *Sigh* I wish my little guy would have posed and made eye contact with the camera the way Tyson does. Julian is not a fan anymore… Ready for the cuteness?!
Cutest. Bunny. Ever!
Jackson is always easy to get to smile…
He will soon be 6.
My friend Ashley always comes prepared with something to make her dauhter’s photo shoot unique! Layah’s birthday is also in April. Can you guess what she likes?
Abigail is always a little shy, but by every session we have together I notice a change. She is ALSO having a birthday in April!
Destiny is always a pleasure, full of energy and always smiling!
Her little brother Tristan is getting to be such a big boy! His mommy LOVES owls, I thought of this the night before, I am glad I got to use my new prop bed as well…
He was sucking his thumb through most of this set up, but I did get a giggle!!
So, next I had Courtney and her 2 sisters jump in on the fun, such nice girls.
… That was everyone from this years sessions. I hope you all enjoyed the day,. I look forward to next year!
This past weekend I held my annual Easter/ Spring Mini Sessions.
Little Miss Camryn Rae is all grown up! Last time I photographed her she was just a baby… Isn’t she gorgeous?!
I am making some slight changes to my Mini Sessions offers throughout the next year.
Unfortunately this year I didn’t offer Valentine’s Day ones and I regret it. So, the calendar below will be in effect from now on. You can count on my having FOUR sessions throughout the year…
; NEW SEASONAL MINI SESSIONS PRICING 2013/ 2014 (In- Studio) will go as follows from now on…
– Christmas (45 minutes) $75.00. (DVD + Online)
– Valentine’s Day (30 minutes) $50.00. (Online only)
– Easter/ Spring (45 minutes) $75.00. (DVD + Online)
– Fall/ Halloween (30 minutes) $50.00 (Online only)
ONLINE ONLY: This means you will receive a link to your Online Viewing Gallery which is Password Protected. You are then able to share, email, download and print your images. You may PURCHASE the Image DVD also if wanted…
ALL Outdoor Mini Sessions cost $75.00. This price will include DVD + Online Viewing Gallery.
*Summer Outdoor Mini Sessions* These will be offered from May- August.
*Fall Outdoor Mini Sessions* These will be offered from Septmber- November.
*Winter Mini Sessions* These will be offered from December- March.
I will be travelling to different communities around Central NL. If you wish to book an appointment or inquire about availability in your area, email me or contact me through Facebook.
All sessions use props/ background varieties, limited to 3 children. If wanting family/ group photo, please let me know in advance.
Yesterday I got to meet a sweet, tiny, perfect little girl, Kamara when she came into the studio with her proud parents.
Now, I am not used to handling ‘tiny- tiny’ babies. My own daughter was over 7 lbs. when born 10 years ago, my 2 boys were topping 10- 11 lbs. So, little 5 pound Kamara was a treat for me to cuddle.
She has the sweetest little face. 
… And the cutest little toes…
… Although she is a quiet baby, there were a few times where I bet she was thinking- Enough is enough lady! But, with dad’s touch, she did a wonderful job being adorable for the camera!
She slept through the majority of the shoot, but we did manage to get a quick snap of her beautiful big eyes!
She even modeled her beautiful little Easter dress while soundly sleeping…
I am very excited to see her and her parents again within the next couple weeks for a family session.
