I see family portrait photography as an opportunity for a parent to work with an artist to create custom artwork that features the people you love most. There are so many details that go into making a great photo, beyond the moment of the click.
1 – First, you have to choose a photographer. It’s a tough thing to do, because you know for certain that your photographs won’t look exactly like anything in the photographer’s portfolio. But that’s the nature of commissioned artwork. You have to love the work a photographer has created, and then trust him or her to create something for you.
2 – Second, discussions… What do you want to do with your family portraits? I doubt you want them just to have them exist on a perfectly round, shiny disk. For Facebook and emailing your mom, sure. But dig a little deeper. Why do you want this artwork? Where do you want to hang it? How do you want to display it? What kind of color palette and furniture should it coordinate with? Personally, I’m happy to come to a portrait client’s home and look at this together. Not to mention that I can take some photos of your home and show you to scale what your photographs will look like when they’re hanging.
3 – Third, based on your color and style ideas that you now have, we choose clothes, location and whatever else we’ll need. Dressing your family is a key part of getting awesome family portraits. These photographs would not work if this family weren’t dressed how they are. A color scheme and a style is all we need to direct those choices.
4 – Photography session experience! All the work done above is like putting a recipe together. The photo session is the part where we collect the groceries. This part is totally on me… the photographer. Relax, have fun… play along. Above all, don’t worry about what your kids are doing. If Johnny wants to pout, let him. First, the photos will still be awesome and totally “him.” Second, usually if kids get to do some of what they want, they’ll happily then do what I ask. Sometimes the promise of ice cream helps, but the key is to not get upset. Now, we get to the cooking!
5 – The photographer, me, edits the photographs, choosing the best expressions and poses… the best moments that really capture your family’s personality. Then I process them using Lightroom and / or Photoshop to give them the flavor that we’re after.
6 – We meet again and review your portrait collection. This is also when I’ll show you how they’ll look in your home using those photographs from step 2. We’ll discuss grouping and framing options, canvas, fine art paper, sleek black frames or rustic barn wood. Maybe an coffee table album for the rest of the photographs. You’ll purchase the photographs you love.
7 – You get your prints! I can send someone to hang them for you if you like. I’ll send you digital files that you can put on Facebook and email your family.
Unlike the cooking analogy, you and your kids will enjoy your photographs far longer than any meal can last.
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