Okay, yes, I know weddings are NOT a new thing to my Studio. We started out photographing weddings--it's how we cut our photographic teeth, back when film and medium format cameras were the only choice. Now, we are retooling our Wedding Services, offering more choices, some of them very couture, to satisfy the most discerning couple.
Many people say "Oh, wedding photography would be the hardest kind of work to do." Which is not necessarily true. Of course, you will have rough days, just like in any job. But, for the most part, a wedding day is THE day when people are at their best. And, if you come in prepared to make creative images that capture the spirit of the couple, with professional cameras and lightning, it IS strenuous work requiring mental and physical stamina, but, it isn't crazy-difficult. I find that when I am photographing a wedding, I am completely "on", lost in the moment of creativity---for 8 to 10 hours at a time. I liken the experience to when I am working on a colored pencil or pastel painting. I get lost in my work, and the time just flies. After I finish a day of wedding photography, I go home tired but exhilerated, and I sleep for 10 or 12 hours afterwards. I think my brain needs the recovery time after a marathon of actively creating.
But, after the wedding day, my work has only begun. Then comes post-processing, where I fine-tune images, and apply my own art techniques to give portraits my "look". After that, comes the fun part. We are introducing a Post-Wedding Media Show--the newly married couple will arrive at the Studio and view my favorite images from their wedding day on the big screen with a dynamic video slideshow accompanied by local music from talented independent artists. They will review album choices and options, perhaps making decisions at that time about their portrait presentations. They will leave with a package of proof CD's, and purchasing guides, ready to move on into sorting images for their Wedding Album.
And, as for the Wedding Albums--we are adding new options to our line up. Album Epoca is a line of custom couture albums handmade in Italy--they are truly beautiful, original creations made to the highest standards. We have just ordered our sample albums, and I can't wait to get them into the Studio so I can share them with future brides.
We are mixing things up a bit with our engagement sessions as well---we now call them "Sweetheart Sessions"--expanding them to include more unique locations that really mean something to the couple. Do you love picnics? Let's set up a picnic in a great location and do a Session! How about boating? Let's do the Session at the lake! Swimming? How about some great underwater shots?! Or ANYTHING you can thing of! Let's try it, let's make some images that are original, and truly representative of you as a couple. We now offer custom made Guest Books for your Wedding Day, that are made up of your Sweetheart images. We want Sweetheart Sessions to be a happy, personal time. We want to show our brides and grooms having fun together, laughing and loving.
Now, the new Wedding Referral Program IS a NEW THING to our Studio. It is a very simple concept. For every couple that books us for Wedding Coverage AND mentions that YOU referred them, YOU will receive a Full Studio Photography Session at NO CHARGE. The couple must mention you during their consultation, and they must officially book us with a paid deposit and signed contract. That's it!
So, we are remaking our Wedding Photography--updating, streamlining, and adding new services. I am frankly excited! NEW STUFF IS GOOD STUFF! Keep your eyes out for other NEW THINGS, because they are coming!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
NEW STUFF
New things. Everyone likes new things. New clothes, new cars, new haircuts, new furniture---all fun stuff. But, I have to be honest...I am not much of a shopper. I have recently undergone a change in hairstyle that necessitates much less maintenance, so, I get fewer new looks. I have 4 kids, so, any new furniture I acquire rapidly earns that 'lived-in-look'. And, as for cars....I am an A to B kinda gal---whatever gets me and the family there, along with all the camera equipment, is a winner in my book.
However, I love new things when it comes to photography. New props, backgrounds, looks, locations, equipement, gadgets....they all provide me with endless thrills. And sometimes, it doesn't even have to be an object--it can be a more existential concept, like a new way of doing business, new ideas for Sessions, a new way of answering the phone, a new technique in editing. So, this year, I am doing some NEW THINGS. Just to see what happens.
First thing---this blog. I have attempted blogging before, but frankly, with all my other duties and obligations, it got lost in my daily shuffle very quickly. This year, I am going to blog at least once per week, about whatever is going on in my studio, my photography, and my creative life. Photography will be a major feature in my writings, but, as I think I may have a touch of the blessed ADD, it will not ONLY be about photography. I will be discussing great images we have recently created in the studio, as well as new product offerings, techniques for others to use to make their snapshots better, etc.
Next---Facebook changes. Over the past year plus, I have spent an extensive time uploading client images to Facebook. Now, in the interest of client privacy, I am no longer going to upload and tag bunches of images from each Session. I will instead, have a few representative Galleries of my portflio AND links to this blog, where selected images WILL be featured. I simply believe the world has enough to look at on Facebook, and if clients wish to upload their images via CD's they receive from our Studio, that is up to them. I simply am no longer comfortable sharing those images myself.
Another New Thing---More Reality Photography. I am increasingly interested in real situations and real people. While I enjoy shooting inside the Studio, and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity of developing studio lighting skills, I am excited to venture out into the world more often, to locations that are personal for my subjects. I am looking for genuine situations, honest reactions, and real people doing real things. I will NOT stop doing studio photography, not at all. BUT, I want to pursue more personality driven work, and sometimes, the studio stifles personality rather than enhances it.
An Old Thing Comes Back---I want to get back to my art basics. When I started, 13 years ago, I shot medium format film. But, with the evolution of the industry, I went digital, in a BIG WAY. And with that, my focus became very computerized. I want to bring back more of my art training into my job. I started out hand tinting black and white photos with oil paints. That particular specialty has fallen away largely because of digital tinting and spot coloring. I intent to bring it back in a big way. In this computer-driven world, I feel that anything done by hand is truly precious, because of its uniqueness. So, hand-tinting is back, as are other techniques I will save for future blogs.
And Finally---New Looks. New Backdrops. New Furniture. New Session Choices. New Album and Book Choices. New Website Updates (keep your eyes out!). New Products. New, Simplified Pricing. And more.
So, please check back every few days and see if I am keeping my blogging promises......I am excited. I love reinvention. I love getting new energy, new focus. 2011 is gonna be great.
However, I love new things when it comes to photography. New props, backgrounds, looks, locations, equipement, gadgets....they all provide me with endless thrills. And sometimes, it doesn't even have to be an object--it can be a more existential concept, like a new way of doing business, new ideas for Sessions, a new way of answering the phone, a new technique in editing. So, this year, I am doing some NEW THINGS. Just to see what happens.
First thing---this blog. I have attempted blogging before, but frankly, with all my other duties and obligations, it got lost in my daily shuffle very quickly. This year, I am going to blog at least once per week, about whatever is going on in my studio, my photography, and my creative life. Photography will be a major feature in my writings, but, as I think I may have a touch of the blessed ADD, it will not ONLY be about photography. I will be discussing great images we have recently created in the studio, as well as new product offerings, techniques for others to use to make their snapshots better, etc.
Next---Facebook changes. Over the past year plus, I have spent an extensive time uploading client images to Facebook. Now, in the interest of client privacy, I am no longer going to upload and tag bunches of images from each Session. I will instead, have a few representative Galleries of my portflio AND links to this blog, where selected images WILL be featured. I simply believe the world has enough to look at on Facebook, and if clients wish to upload their images via CD's they receive from our Studio, that is up to them. I simply am no longer comfortable sharing those images myself.
Another New Thing---More Reality Photography. I am increasingly interested in real situations and real people. While I enjoy shooting inside the Studio, and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity of developing studio lighting skills, I am excited to venture out into the world more often, to locations that are personal for my subjects. I am looking for genuine situations, honest reactions, and real people doing real things. I will NOT stop doing studio photography, not at all. BUT, I want to pursue more personality driven work, and sometimes, the studio stifles personality rather than enhances it.
An Old Thing Comes Back---I want to get back to my art basics. When I started, 13 years ago, I shot medium format film. But, with the evolution of the industry, I went digital, in a BIG WAY. And with that, my focus became very computerized. I want to bring back more of my art training into my job. I started out hand tinting black and white photos with oil paints. That particular specialty has fallen away largely because of digital tinting and spot coloring. I intent to bring it back in a big way. In this computer-driven world, I feel that anything done by hand is truly precious, because of its uniqueness. So, hand-tinting is back, as are other techniques I will save for future blogs.
And Finally---New Looks. New Backdrops. New Furniture. New Session Choices. New Album and Book Choices. New Website Updates (keep your eyes out!). New Products. New, Simplified Pricing. And more.
So, please check back every few days and see if I am keeping my blogging promises......I am excited. I love reinvention. I love getting new energy, new focus. 2011 is gonna be great.
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