It seems that everyone who owns a digital camera these days wants to become a photographer. The technology is more advanced than ever before, and the cameras have gotten so smart, anybody can take a decent photo.
I get e-mail from lots of aspiring photographers asking how to get into the business. I'm always amazed when we start talking about depth of field, f-stops and DPI, and they don't have a clue about what I mean.
Becoming a professional photographer is about a lot more than being able to take a decent photo. You need to understand what you did that made your image a good one versus a great one.
You need to understand a few basics about lighting, posing, rule of thirds, and yes, depth of field, f-stops and DPI. You also need to understand basic business principals, marketing, sales and bookkeeping. If you are shooting digital, you also need to understand how to refine your images using software like PhotoShop.
Before you hang out your shingle, I recommend that you take a few classes at your local university. They will usually offer adult continuing education classes in business as well as photography.
If you've already conquered those steps, then seek out local professional photography groups. That's a great way to make contacts with people in your community that can help you continue to learn your craft. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Many photographers will even allow you to visit their studios to get a feel for how they manage their business.
One of the toughest things to do as a new professional is to charge appropriately for the services you offer. If you don't make a profit, then you're pursuing a hobby rather than a business. (Just ask the IRS!)
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a professional photographer, please feel free to join our Aspiring Photographer Mentoring newsletter list. Just drop us an e-mail: MomentsPhoto@aol.com and include "Aspiring Photographer" in the subject line.
Lori Reeder
Moments Photography
www.MomentsPhoto.com
"Capturing Moments of a Lifetime"
For information on reprinting this article, please contact Lori: Lori@MomentsPhoto.com or 812/256-5614
Whats the difference between a one hour photo place and a real photography studio? The one hour place hires sales people and teaches them to shoot. In a real studio, the photographer has a passion for what they do. It's more about the experience, the final images, the relationships. The sale is just the icing on the cake. We Don't Remember Days, We Remember Moments!
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Monday, January 23, 2006
Tips for Planning a Stress Free Wedding Day
You've been planning this day for a very long time. If you're like many of us, you began planning when you were a little girl dressing up in your mommy's high heels. You want the day to be perfect.
As a professional photographer, I have had the priviledge of taking part in many wonderful ceremonies. I recall very few that were "perfect." But there is a huge difference between your ideal of perfection and having a beautiful wedding.
Below are a few tips on how to make your day more fun and less stressful.
Use a wedding planner - This option may be a bit expensive, but it can take a huge amount of stress, not to mention leg work, off of you. Your planner can run down costs and information saving you valuable time.
Choose professionals - When it comes to your photography, videography and DJ services, choose professionals. They will make everything much easier for you. Since they are professionals, they are used to working together and not stepping on each other's toes. You don't want to hear one complain about the other - that's stressful! And you certainly don't want your DJ to show up at your formal reception dressed in a t-shirt, jeans and old dirty tennis shoes. Choosing the pros will save you a lot of headaches.
Dress rehearsal - When you go for the final fitting of your wedding gown, take along at least two other people. Make sure both know how to button, zip and/or tie your dress. They also need to know how to bustle the back. You'll also want to try on your veil before the big day, too.
Dress rehearsal part 2 - Insist that every gentleman in your wedding party try on their tux at least a day before the wedding. You might also want to remind them to wear dark socks. White socks with tuxedo pants that are too short, really don't make a pretty picture.
Don't forget to eat - Keep lots of crackers and other non-messy snacks handy for you and the entire wedding party, especially if children are involved. Bring along water or other clear liquids.
Family feuds - If you have family members who do not get along, let your photographer know that in advance. They will make sure to keep them apart in the photos. It's not uncommon for a divorced mother and father of a bride not to like each other. If your photographer knows that in advance, you can still get a photo with both of your parents without causing a battle.
Put together an emergency kit - Use any type of small box and throw in few essentials "just in case." Don't forget to include hair pins, hair spray, safety pins, extra hose, needle and thread, dark socks, anti-static spray, tampons, sissors, bandaids, pain relievers, etc.
Aisle runner - Don't use one if you are on any type of slick floor. If you choose to use one, make sure the alter-end is securely fastened. If your runner has a rope to pull it along, we recommend cutting it off. I've never seen one roll out properly with the rope pull. The best way to make it work well is to use a broom handle or other type of pole. Paint it white and slip it through the center of the runner. It will glide open smoothly.
No gum - I've experienced a couple of weddings where chewing gum ended up playing a part in the ceremony. So unless you want to see gum in your photos, or you want to hear the best man popping it during the ceremony, don't allow it. Mints make a much better alternative.
Pomp and circumstance - Your mother is about to walk down the aisle to light the unity candle, but the music playing isn't the right piece, so what do you do? Breathe - that's all. No one will know the music was wrong except you. It's a tiny thing, don't sweat it.
A grand entrance - There you are, standing behind closed doors, your hand tucked into the crook of your father's arm, but there's no one there to open the doors to the sanctuary.
A quick photographer or wedding planner will catch that and grab a late comer to help. But to keep the stress level low, assign this duty to the ushers or a couple of friends.
The crying baby - Right in the middle of your vows you hear a child begin to cry. What can you do? Again, you breathe - that's all. Mom or dad will quickly take the child out of the sanctuary, no one is offended and you'll have a wonderful reminder of how small that child was on the day you were married.
To receive or not to receive - After the ceremony, many couples choose to have a receiving line to greet each guest individually. That is a great idea if your guest list is small. But you'll want to keep in mind that it takes about 40 minutes for 100 guests to get through a receiving line. That means that the first guest to get to your reception will be there at least 40 minutes before the last guest arrives. If you still have photos to take after the ceremony, that will delay at least another 20 to 30 minutes. To keep the waiting to a minimum, we recommend that you only do a receiving line for 30 or fewer guests.
Photo reminder - If you have additional photographs that need to be taken after the ceremony, make sure every member of the bridal party knows that they must come back into the sanctuary after the ceremony. It's difficult to do a portrait of the entire wedding party when the groomsmen have already changed their clothes and left for the reception.
To eat or not to eat - There's always the question of whether you should let your guests begin to eat before you arrive at the reception. There are a several ways to handle this one. If you choose to have everyone wait, provide snacks like pretzels, chips or peanuts. Or you can serve hors d'oeuvres until the bride and groom arrive. Or open up the buffet line and let them begin. If you choose the last option, make sure someone makes up a plate for each member of the wedding party.
The celebration begins - Your first dance as husband and wife can be a very romantic time. If you really want to kick it up a notch, take a few dance lessons and really make a splash!
By keeping a positive outlook, your wedding day will be filled with lots of exciting and fun moments. Don't let the small stuff get to you. Enjoy your day and everyone else will too!
Lori Reeder
Moments Photography
www.MomentsPhoto.com
"Capturing Moments of a Lifetime"
To reprint this article, please contact Lori Reeder - Lori@MomentsPhoto.com or 812/256/5614
As a professional photographer, I have had the priviledge of taking part in many wonderful ceremonies. I recall very few that were "perfect." But there is a huge difference between your ideal of perfection and having a beautiful wedding.
Below are a few tips on how to make your day more fun and less stressful.
Use a wedding planner - This option may be a bit expensive, but it can take a huge amount of stress, not to mention leg work, off of you. Your planner can run down costs and information saving you valuable time.
Choose professionals - When it comes to your photography, videography and DJ services, choose professionals. They will make everything much easier for you. Since they are professionals, they are used to working together and not stepping on each other's toes. You don't want to hear one complain about the other - that's stressful! And you certainly don't want your DJ to show up at your formal reception dressed in a t-shirt, jeans and old dirty tennis shoes. Choosing the pros will save you a lot of headaches.
Dress rehearsal - When you go for the final fitting of your wedding gown, take along at least two other people. Make sure both know how to button, zip and/or tie your dress. They also need to know how to bustle the back. You'll also want to try on your veil before the big day, too.
Dress rehearsal part 2 - Insist that every gentleman in your wedding party try on their tux at least a day before the wedding. You might also want to remind them to wear dark socks. White socks with tuxedo pants that are too short, really don't make a pretty picture.
Don't forget to eat - Keep lots of crackers and other non-messy snacks handy for you and the entire wedding party, especially if children are involved. Bring along water or other clear liquids.
Family feuds - If you have family members who do not get along, let your photographer know that in advance. They will make sure to keep them apart in the photos. It's not uncommon for a divorced mother and father of a bride not to like each other. If your photographer knows that in advance, you can still get a photo with both of your parents without causing a battle.
Put together an emergency kit - Use any type of small box and throw in few essentials "just in case." Don't forget to include hair pins, hair spray, safety pins, extra hose, needle and thread, dark socks, anti-static spray, tampons, sissors, bandaids, pain relievers, etc.
Aisle runner - Don't use one if you are on any type of slick floor. If you choose to use one, make sure the alter-end is securely fastened. If your runner has a rope to pull it along, we recommend cutting it off. I've never seen one roll out properly with the rope pull. The best way to make it work well is to use a broom handle or other type of pole. Paint it white and slip it through the center of the runner. It will glide open smoothly.
No gum - I've experienced a couple of weddings where chewing gum ended up playing a part in the ceremony. So unless you want to see gum in your photos, or you want to hear the best man popping it during the ceremony, don't allow it. Mints make a much better alternative.
Pomp and circumstance - Your mother is about to walk down the aisle to light the unity candle, but the music playing isn't the right piece, so what do you do? Breathe - that's all. No one will know the music was wrong except you. It's a tiny thing, don't sweat it.
A grand entrance - There you are, standing behind closed doors, your hand tucked into the crook of your father's arm, but there's no one there to open the doors to the sanctuary.
A quick photographer or wedding planner will catch that and grab a late comer to help. But to keep the stress level low, assign this duty to the ushers or a couple of friends.
The crying baby - Right in the middle of your vows you hear a child begin to cry. What can you do? Again, you breathe - that's all. Mom or dad will quickly take the child out of the sanctuary, no one is offended and you'll have a wonderful reminder of how small that child was on the day you were married.
To receive or not to receive - After the ceremony, many couples choose to have a receiving line to greet each guest individually. That is a great idea if your guest list is small. But you'll want to keep in mind that it takes about 40 minutes for 100 guests to get through a receiving line. That means that the first guest to get to your reception will be there at least 40 minutes before the last guest arrives. If you still have photos to take after the ceremony, that will delay at least another 20 to 30 minutes. To keep the waiting to a minimum, we recommend that you only do a receiving line for 30 or fewer guests.
Photo reminder - If you have additional photographs that need to be taken after the ceremony, make sure every member of the bridal party knows that they must come back into the sanctuary after the ceremony. It's difficult to do a portrait of the entire wedding party when the groomsmen have already changed their clothes and left for the reception.
To eat or not to eat - There's always the question of whether you should let your guests begin to eat before you arrive at the reception. There are a several ways to handle this one. If you choose to have everyone wait, provide snacks like pretzels, chips or peanuts. Or you can serve hors d'oeuvres until the bride and groom arrive. Or open up the buffet line and let them begin. If you choose the last option, make sure someone makes up a plate for each member of the wedding party.
The celebration begins - Your first dance as husband and wife can be a very romantic time. If you really want to kick it up a notch, take a few dance lessons and really make a splash!
By keeping a positive outlook, your wedding day will be filled with lots of exciting and fun moments. Don't let the small stuff get to you. Enjoy your day and everyone else will too!
Lori Reeder
Moments Photography
www.MomentsPhoto.com
"Capturing Moments of a Lifetime"
To reprint this article, please contact Lori Reeder - Lori@MomentsPhoto.com or 812/256/5614
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Find the Right Wedding Photographer for You!
Choosing a photographer for your wedding can be one of the most important decisions you make when planning your special day. Even just a few weeks after you're married, the flowers will have wilted, the food will have been eaten, the dress stored away. The only lasting reminders you have of that beautiful day are your rings and your photographs. The rings you will wear every day for the rest of your life, your wedding album will be pulled out to share with family and friends for many years to come and the beautiful portrait on the mantle will become a treasured family heirloom.
Finding just the right photographer for this special day is the first step in preserving these memories. For brides to find the photographer that best fits with their wedding vision, I always recommend interviewing several photographers before making the final decision. Talk to your married friends and find out if they liked their photographer and if they would recommend them to you.
Here are a few other tips that will make finding the right person for the job easier than you might think!
Use a Professional - I know it's tempting to cut costs by letting Uncle Fred take pictures with his fancy new camera. But unless Uncle Fred is a professional photographer, he probably won't know a lot about proper lighting or posing. The images he prints off his home computer will not be of a quality that will last forever. It's really unlikely that he'll produce any images that will become family heirlooms. Let Uncle Fred take lots of candid photos at the reception and rely on a professional to do the rest.
Choose Someone You Like - Of all the people you will see on your wedding day, the one person you will be with the most on that day is going to be your photographer. Choose a person you like and think you can get along well with. Avoid anyone who doesn't make you feel comfortable.
Ask Lots of Questions - Most professional photographers will be happy to put your mind at ease by answering any questions you may have. Below are a few things you might consider asking during your inteview with them:
How many years have they been in business? - Everyone has to start somewhere, but unless they come with a wonderful reference from a great friend, stick to professional photographers who have been in business for at least a few years.
Do they belong to professional organizations? - Why is this important? Professional photography organizations won't allow just anyone to join. Before granting membership, many organizations require a photographer to submit images for critique and to prove themselves to be ethical and professional. By being a member of these organizations, your photographer will also have access to the latest education and training on the most cutting edge photographic techniques.
How will they dress? - I know this one sounds funny, but it won't be a bit funny when your photographer shows up in his golf shirt, jeans and tennis shoes to your formal wedding. Let's just put this one in the "better safe than sorry" category. (Again, using a professional photographer will usually elminate this worry.)
What is their photographic style? - Are you looking for formal images or something a bit more layed back? Do they do traditional images as well as photojournalistic images? Does the photographer's style match your style?
Do they have a back up plan? - What happens if the week before your wedding, your photographer breaks a leg or has a family emergency? Will they just leave you hanging or do they have a contingency plan? Professional photographers who belong to various professional groups end up having 30 or 40 photographers who can back them up in case of emergency. This recently happened to someone I know when they had a sudden gall bladder attack while out of town. It took just one e-mail to his group and he had several other professionals willing to photograph the wedding for him.
What are their rules? - All photographers do things a bit differently. Some will insist that all of the images be taken before the ceremony, which means the bride and groom will see each other before the wedding. If that doesn't matter to you, then it's not a big deal. But you need to know that in advance.
What type of lab does the photographer use? - Again, professional photographers will use a professional lab to process your images. Chain stores are great for getting your family snapshots printed, but your wedding images should be printed by a pro lab so the results will last a lifetime without fading and discoloring.
How long will the photographer stay at your reception? - Professional photographers will want to stay at your reception until the cake has been cut, the first dances completed and toasts given. This can usually be accomplished in the first hour of the reception. Beyond that hour, many photographers will charge an extra fee.
A good working relationship with your photographer will help your wedding day go smoother, so choose wisely. In a few years when the children come along, you'll be glad you know a photographer you enjoying working with.
Lori Reeder
Moments Photography
www.MomentsPhoto.com
"Capturing Moments of a Lifetime"
For information about reprinting this article, please contact Lori Reeder - Lori@Momentsphoto.com or 812/256-5614
Finding just the right photographer for this special day is the first step in preserving these memories. For brides to find the photographer that best fits with their wedding vision, I always recommend interviewing several photographers before making the final decision. Talk to your married friends and find out if they liked their photographer and if they would recommend them to you.
Here are a few other tips that will make finding the right person for the job easier than you might think!
Use a Professional - I know it's tempting to cut costs by letting Uncle Fred take pictures with his fancy new camera. But unless Uncle Fred is a professional photographer, he probably won't know a lot about proper lighting or posing. The images he prints off his home computer will not be of a quality that will last forever. It's really unlikely that he'll produce any images that will become family heirlooms. Let Uncle Fred take lots of candid photos at the reception and rely on a professional to do the rest.
Choose Someone You Like - Of all the people you will see on your wedding day, the one person you will be with the most on that day is going to be your photographer. Choose a person you like and think you can get along well with. Avoid anyone who doesn't make you feel comfortable.
Ask Lots of Questions - Most professional photographers will be happy to put your mind at ease by answering any questions you may have. Below are a few things you might consider asking during your inteview with them:
How many years have they been in business? - Everyone has to start somewhere, but unless they come with a wonderful reference from a great friend, stick to professional photographers who have been in business for at least a few years.
Do they belong to professional organizations? - Why is this important? Professional photography organizations won't allow just anyone to join. Before granting membership, many organizations require a photographer to submit images for critique and to prove themselves to be ethical and professional. By being a member of these organizations, your photographer will also have access to the latest education and training on the most cutting edge photographic techniques.
How will they dress? - I know this one sounds funny, but it won't be a bit funny when your photographer shows up in his golf shirt, jeans and tennis shoes to your formal wedding. Let's just put this one in the "better safe than sorry" category. (Again, using a professional photographer will usually elminate this worry.)
What is their photographic style? - Are you looking for formal images or something a bit more layed back? Do they do traditional images as well as photojournalistic images? Does the photographer's style match your style?
Do they have a back up plan? - What happens if the week before your wedding, your photographer breaks a leg or has a family emergency? Will they just leave you hanging or do they have a contingency plan? Professional photographers who belong to various professional groups end up having 30 or 40 photographers who can back them up in case of emergency. This recently happened to someone I know when they had a sudden gall bladder attack while out of town. It took just one e-mail to his group and he had several other professionals willing to photograph the wedding for him.
What are their rules? - All photographers do things a bit differently. Some will insist that all of the images be taken before the ceremony, which means the bride and groom will see each other before the wedding. If that doesn't matter to you, then it's not a big deal. But you need to know that in advance.
What type of lab does the photographer use? - Again, professional photographers will use a professional lab to process your images. Chain stores are great for getting your family snapshots printed, but your wedding images should be printed by a pro lab so the results will last a lifetime without fading and discoloring.
How long will the photographer stay at your reception? - Professional photographers will want to stay at your reception until the cake has been cut, the first dances completed and toasts given. This can usually be accomplished in the first hour of the reception. Beyond that hour, many photographers will charge an extra fee.
A good working relationship with your photographer will help your wedding day go smoother, so choose wisely. In a few years when the children come along, you'll be glad you know a photographer you enjoying working with.
Lori Reeder
Moments Photography
www.MomentsPhoto.com
"Capturing Moments of a Lifetime"
For information about reprinting this article, please contact Lori Reeder - Lori@Momentsphoto.com or 812/256-5614
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep
The birth of a child is supposed to be the most fun and exciting time of your life. Unfortunately, for some families it can be a devistating time if a child is born with a life threatening illness.
I have recently become part of a new non-profit agency called "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep." Photographers around the country are joining this wonderful organization to provide free professional portraits of these special children for their families. (Please take a minute to view their website to find out more http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.com/)
I've only been a member of this organization for about a week and haven't received my first assignment, but I new it was something I was meant to do.
Have you ever wondered how you got to the place where you are in your life right now? How everything you've done up til now has prepared you for today?
The last "real job" I had before working at my studio full-time was with a non-profit agency located in Louisville, KY, called Home of the Innocents. I worked there for 13 years in various administrative capacities. The Home provides shelter to children who have been victims of abuse, abandonment or neglect. It also provides a nursing home to children who are too medically fragile to be cared for in their own homes.
During my 13 years at the Home, I made it a point to visit with the children as often as I could. Over the years, I became the adopted "aunt" to three very special little boys.
My first sweetheart was a little boy who was born with severe issues and wasn't expected to live beyond a few days. But those days turned into weeks and eventually into years. At just a few months of age, this sweety was placed at the Home by his parents. They were from a rural area of the state that didn't have any place that could provide the special care he needed. His parents loved him so much! But the care he required just couldn't be accomplished by untrained professionals. I'm sure it was heartbreaking for his parents to not have him at home. They came to see him every weekend, though.
Therapists started working with him several times a week, but he needed someone who could visit with him every day to "play" and reinforce what the therapists were teaching him. Somehow, I got nominated.
When I first met this child, I was a bit frightened. He didn't have any eyes so he was blind. He had such a severe cleft pallet, it disfigured his face. He was also born without a brain, only a brain stem. The doctors didn't hold out much hope for his prognosis or viability, but did this little guy ever prove them wrong!
He was my friend for a period of about eight years! In that time he started to learn sign language - he had limited mobility in his right hand and arm, so he signed left handed. So I learned to sign left handed, too! He learned many simple signs like "drink," "hungry," "music," and of course he learned a sign for "Lori," too!
One night I got a call at home from one of his nurses. My little friend was in a bad mood and kept putting his hands on his ears and was getting frustrated and crying. They wanted to know if I had any clue about what might be wrong with him. They didn't know that he had recently made up his own sign - putting his hands on his ears meant that he wanted to listen to his headphones. He loved to listen to music and stories. His favorite music was anything with string type instruments - guitars, mandolins, etc. So they put some tunes in his tape player and put on his headphones and before they knew it, he was sound asleep!
Just after his 8th birthday, his parents moved to another state and of course he moved, too. It was so exciting for him, but heartbreaking for all of us who watched him grow and develop. Before he left us, he could say two words - "mamamamama" and "LoiLoiLoi." Before he left, I recorded a tape reading all of his favorite books. I hope it made his transition a little easier.
This sweetheart is now a "pre-teen" and last I heard, was learning and growing and doing more things that doctors never thought possible. I'm sure he has forgotten about me, but my life was forever changed and I will never forget him. He taught me so much.
He definitely started preparing me for my new mission with "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep." You just never know where life's path will lead you!
If you would like to find out more about:
Home of the Innocents, their website is www.HomeoftheInnocents.org.
The NILMDTS website is http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.com/
To find out more about my studio, the website is www.MomentsPhoto.com
Thanks for stopping by!
Lori
I have recently become part of a new non-profit agency called "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep." Photographers around the country are joining this wonderful organization to provide free professional portraits of these special children for their families. (Please take a minute to view their website to find out more http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.com/)
I've only been a member of this organization for about a week and haven't received my first assignment, but I new it was something I was meant to do.
Have you ever wondered how you got to the place where you are in your life right now? How everything you've done up til now has prepared you for today?
The last "real job" I had before working at my studio full-time was with a non-profit agency located in Louisville, KY, called Home of the Innocents. I worked there for 13 years in various administrative capacities. The Home provides shelter to children who have been victims of abuse, abandonment or neglect. It also provides a nursing home to children who are too medically fragile to be cared for in their own homes.
During my 13 years at the Home, I made it a point to visit with the children as often as I could. Over the years, I became the adopted "aunt" to three very special little boys.
My first sweetheart was a little boy who was born with severe issues and wasn't expected to live beyond a few days. But those days turned into weeks and eventually into years. At just a few months of age, this sweety was placed at the Home by his parents. They were from a rural area of the state that didn't have any place that could provide the special care he needed. His parents loved him so much! But the care he required just couldn't be accomplished by untrained professionals. I'm sure it was heartbreaking for his parents to not have him at home. They came to see him every weekend, though.
Therapists started working with him several times a week, but he needed someone who could visit with him every day to "play" and reinforce what the therapists were teaching him. Somehow, I got nominated.
When I first met this child, I was a bit frightened. He didn't have any eyes so he was blind. He had such a severe cleft pallet, it disfigured his face. He was also born without a brain, only a brain stem. The doctors didn't hold out much hope for his prognosis or viability, but did this little guy ever prove them wrong!
He was my friend for a period of about eight years! In that time he started to learn sign language - he had limited mobility in his right hand and arm, so he signed left handed. So I learned to sign left handed, too! He learned many simple signs like "drink," "hungry," "music," and of course he learned a sign for "Lori," too!
One night I got a call at home from one of his nurses. My little friend was in a bad mood and kept putting his hands on his ears and was getting frustrated and crying. They wanted to know if I had any clue about what might be wrong with him. They didn't know that he had recently made up his own sign - putting his hands on his ears meant that he wanted to listen to his headphones. He loved to listen to music and stories. His favorite music was anything with string type instruments - guitars, mandolins, etc. So they put some tunes in his tape player and put on his headphones and before they knew it, he was sound asleep!
Just after his 8th birthday, his parents moved to another state and of course he moved, too. It was so exciting for him, but heartbreaking for all of us who watched him grow and develop. Before he left us, he could say two words - "mamamamama" and "LoiLoiLoi." Before he left, I recorded a tape reading all of his favorite books. I hope it made his transition a little easier.
This sweetheart is now a "pre-teen" and last I heard, was learning and growing and doing more things that doctors never thought possible. I'm sure he has forgotten about me, but my life was forever changed and I will never forget him. He taught me so much.
He definitely started preparing me for my new mission with "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep." You just never know where life's path will lead you!
If you would like to find out more about:
Home of the Innocents, their website is www.HomeoftheInnocents.org.
The NILMDTS website is http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.com/
To find out more about my studio, the website is www.MomentsPhoto.com
Thanks for stopping by!
Lori
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Why Go To A Professional Photographer?
I can't tell you how many calls I've received from mothers who are fed up with chain store portrait studios. Does this sound familiar?
You give the kids a bath, put them in nice clothes and head out to the super center’s portrait studio. When you get there, there are several people in line in front of you. You try to keep the kids entertained until it’s your turn.
Thirty minutes later, it’s finally your turn. The kids have managed to mess up their hair and somehow got their clothes dirty. The photographer doesn’t seem to be much older than your high school age niece and she’s definitely not the same person who photographed your children the last time you were here.
You sit your kids up on a table and wait for the photographer to work her magic to make the kids smile. But, for some reason, it’s just not happening. The session lasts a total of about 5 minutes which seem to take forever! The kids are cranky, the photographer is cranky and now you are cranky, too!
But now comes the really fun part! You get to see your images right away! You’re expecting wonderful images of your sweet children, but what you see is cranky children with red eyes – with the exception of one image which is pretty good. But guess what! That one image isn’t part of the $4.95, 104 picture special. If you want the one you like best, you have to pay full price and you don’t get any other choices. So you decide to take the “special” of your red-eyed, cranky kids! Now isn’t that going to be a nice gift for grandma? There's got to be a better way, don't you think?
When I was 19 I got my very first “professional” job as a photographer working for a chain store. They didn’t want to hire me at first, because I had too much experience! What they really wanted was a sales person they could train to use the camera. It was one of the worst jobs I ever had! They told me I could only use the four poses they taught me, the lights couldn’t be moved, and I was allowed no creativity.
Working with the kids became more like working on an assembly line. Do as many as you can as fast as you can. It’s all about the sale, the bottom line.
Now consider this scenario – the kids are clean and neat and you arrive at the professional portrait studio. There is no one waiting in line and you are cheerfully greeted by the photographer, who actually knows your name! You are escorted into the camera room where there is soothing music playing. There’s a place to put down the diaper bag, your purse and jacket. The photographer is actually talking to your kids – down on their level - and they are laughing!!!
However, the baby is getting hungry and starts to cry. Much to your surprise, the photographer tells you it’s ok to take a few minutes to nurse the baby and make him comfortable. There’s even a nice place to sit while you’re feeding him.
The photographer begins working with your older child, they are having fun, playing, acting goofy. There are lots of props and other fun things to keep your child’s interest and you see lots of beautiful smiles.
After you finish feeding the baby, there’s actually a changing table nearby with warm diaper wipes! Now his belly is full and his bottom is dry and he’s in a great mood! Before you know it, 30 minutes have passed and you haven’t been stressed out once and neither have the children! The kids even get a treat for being so good!
When you view your portraits, they are shown to you in a slide show set to music. Your heart tightens and the tears begin to flow. The images are the best you’ve ever gotten of your children. The experience was fun for both you and the kids – the kids even tell their friends about the “picture lady” and how they can’t wait to come back.
Now which sounds like the better plan to you?
Ok, Ok, I realize I’m getting pretty sappy here, but I’m sure you get the picture (bad pun, sorry).
The bottom line is, a professional photographer will take the time to get to know you and your children. Going to get portraits taken will become a fun and exciting event for you and your kids. You’ll even be telling all of your friends about it. Soon you’ll begin feeling like your photographer is one of your friends, not just the “picture lady”.
Lori Reeder
Moments Photography
www.MomentsPhoto.com
"Capturing Moments of a Lifetime"
For information on reprinting this article, please contact Lori Reeder - Lori@momentsphoto.com or 812/256-5614
You give the kids a bath, put them in nice clothes and head out to the super center’s portrait studio. When you get there, there are several people in line in front of you. You try to keep the kids entertained until it’s your turn.
Thirty minutes later, it’s finally your turn. The kids have managed to mess up their hair and somehow got their clothes dirty. The photographer doesn’t seem to be much older than your high school age niece and she’s definitely not the same person who photographed your children the last time you were here.
You sit your kids up on a table and wait for the photographer to work her magic to make the kids smile. But, for some reason, it’s just not happening. The session lasts a total of about 5 minutes which seem to take forever! The kids are cranky, the photographer is cranky and now you are cranky, too!
But now comes the really fun part! You get to see your images right away! You’re expecting wonderful images of your sweet children, but what you see is cranky children with red eyes – with the exception of one image which is pretty good. But guess what! That one image isn’t part of the $4.95, 104 picture special. If you want the one you like best, you have to pay full price and you don’t get any other choices. So you decide to take the “special” of your red-eyed, cranky kids! Now isn’t that going to be a nice gift for grandma? There's got to be a better way, don't you think?
When I was 19 I got my very first “professional” job as a photographer working for a chain store. They didn’t want to hire me at first, because I had too much experience! What they really wanted was a sales person they could train to use the camera. It was one of the worst jobs I ever had! They told me I could only use the four poses they taught me, the lights couldn’t be moved, and I was allowed no creativity.
Working with the kids became more like working on an assembly line. Do as many as you can as fast as you can. It’s all about the sale, the bottom line.
Now consider this scenario – the kids are clean and neat and you arrive at the professional portrait studio. There is no one waiting in line and you are cheerfully greeted by the photographer, who actually knows your name! You are escorted into the camera room where there is soothing music playing. There’s a place to put down the diaper bag, your purse and jacket. The photographer is actually talking to your kids – down on their level - and they are laughing!!!
However, the baby is getting hungry and starts to cry. Much to your surprise, the photographer tells you it’s ok to take a few minutes to nurse the baby and make him comfortable. There’s even a nice place to sit while you’re feeding him.
The photographer begins working with your older child, they are having fun, playing, acting goofy. There are lots of props and other fun things to keep your child’s interest and you see lots of beautiful smiles.
After you finish feeding the baby, there’s actually a changing table nearby with warm diaper wipes! Now his belly is full and his bottom is dry and he’s in a great mood! Before you know it, 30 minutes have passed and you haven’t been stressed out once and neither have the children! The kids even get a treat for being so good!
When you view your portraits, they are shown to you in a slide show set to music. Your heart tightens and the tears begin to flow. The images are the best you’ve ever gotten of your children. The experience was fun for both you and the kids – the kids even tell their friends about the “picture lady” and how they can’t wait to come back.
Now which sounds like the better plan to you?
Ok, Ok, I realize I’m getting pretty sappy here, but I’m sure you get the picture (bad pun, sorry).
The bottom line is, a professional photographer will take the time to get to know you and your children. Going to get portraits taken will become a fun and exciting event for you and your kids. You’ll even be telling all of your friends about it. Soon you’ll begin feeling like your photographer is one of your friends, not just the “picture lady”.
Lori Reeder
Moments Photography
www.MomentsPhoto.com
"Capturing Moments of a Lifetime"
For information on reprinting this article, please contact Lori Reeder - Lori@momentsphoto.com or 812/256-5614
Friday, January 13, 2006
I'm a Brand New Blogger!
Hi. My name is Lori and I am the owner of Moments Photography, a portrait studio located in Southern Indiana. I've never blogged before, but wanted to share my journey as a small business owner. I hope I don't bore you to death. Stay tuned for tips and tricks for photography enthusiasts and those who just want to take better pictures. I'll also share simple marketing strategies that may work for your small business. Who knows where this may take us. Best wishes to you and yours - Lori
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