My photographic approach to portraits is to capture emotional connection while documenting an important point in time for my clients. I want to create custom art work for my clients that they and the generations that follow can look at with pride and fulfillment.
THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING GOOD PORTRAITS
I believe that the importance of good portrait photography is undervalued. I say that because we take for granted that a snapshot photo is a good substitute for a well-crafted portrait image. I will admit that I've been rather lax in this area until the loss of my step-dad in the fall of 2016. I scoured through all my files looking for every image that I had of him and came up with less than 200, mostly candids and nothing that I would use as his portrait for the funeral. I felt ill. How could I have had this blindspot? I took for granted that I thought I had at least ONE good portrait and I had none.
The next day after the funeral, I hastily arranged a last-minute photo session for our family. I wanted to take the time to capture a new family portrait and some individual images. I was one of the rare times that my brother, sister and mother were together at the same time since we live all over the country. While I would have preferred more time to better coordinate the styling for the family photo, I'm still happy with the results and I'm glad that we took the time to take some quality images.
I ordered a medium size (16"x24") canvas of the picture below and I look at it every day. It reminds me of what is most important to me. A good image prompts us to recall experiences and emotions. That's what gives the image its power, its magic; not just the value of the cost of the material to make the print.
Don't make the mistake that I did in waiting until it's convenient or realizing the mistake after a family tragedy. You have the choice of leaving this to chance and hoping that you have something good or knowing that you have something amazing. Be proactive and not reactive in setting up a session and investing in some family and individual portraits today.
I WANT TO BE TRANSPARENT WITH POTENTIAL CLIENTS ON MY PROCESS BEFORE, ON, AND AFTER THEIR PHOTO SESSION. BELOW YOU'LL FIND A DETAILED WORKFLOW WITH DETAILS ON EXPECTATIONS FOR OUR TIME TOGETHER. ANY QUESTIONS? I'M HAPPY TO HELP!
1. LETS TALK!
Before you hire me for your portraits, let's chat to see if I'm a good fit for what you want to do. I want to get a feel for the the kinds of images you’re looking for and any other expectations you have for me as your photographer.
2. HAVE QUESTIONS?
In addition to a chat, I’ll ask you to take a look at my FAQ page. This will answer most questions that you may have. Still need more info? No worries! Let's get in touch and chat!
3. BOOKING & INVESTMENT
If you are someone that values photograpy and are willing to make an investment into a full service, customized experience that produces heirloom quality photographic art work then I'm your guy!! Conversely,
Please click on the "Investments" tab above to see my current prices.
Once decide to book a session, you will be sent a digital Session Agreement that we will both sign and a link to an invoice to pay the minimum order. Once both are received, you are officially booked! Awesome!
4. SESSION PREP & TRAVEL
We will try to keep in-person meeting to a minimum. I understand that folks are busy and I want to needlessly take up time from the busy lives that we live today. After we’ve agreed to work together, you’ll receive a portrait session questionnaire for you to fill out with information I will need for the session. This helps me to prepare and stay organized.
We will schedule an internet conference call several days before the session to plan the session and to to go over my Style Guide. This Style Guide will help you with determining what to wear and make sure every one is coordinated and in color harmony. This is an important part of my service, so I want to be sure to go over the Guide with you if possible. It will also be an opportunity for you to share ideas or concepts that you may want to incorporate into the planning of the session. We will also try to schedule the Ordering Session at this time.
It's my experience that the questionnaire and a conference call are usually enough to prepare us for the session.
Regarding travel, if the session is to take place 75 miles from Fort Washington, MD, a travel fee may be added. If I’m traveling further than a 2.5 hours drive from my home base, I will want to arrive at least a day before the session so a lodging fee may also be added.
5. THE SESSION
The time of session will try to be planned around the time of days that has the best lighting. This is usually early in the day just after sunrise and later in the day just before sunset.
I try to arrive early if the location is new to me so that I can spend some time scouting the location looking for interesting places to shoot your portraits. I want to start the session as soon as possible after you arrive and get settled.
There are two types of sessions:
- A full session should be about 1-2 hours, with several sets of groups and individual pictures.
- A mini session should be about 20-30 minutes with one set of groups and individual pictures (limited offers during specific times during year)
Once we are finished shooting we will need to schedule the Ordering Session if it has not already been scheduled.
6. THE EDIT & POST-PRODUCTION
In the days following the Session, I will cull the images to produce the edited images for the session. The edit is taken through my post-production processes wher I will then do a standard retouch on each of these images. I will notify you when the images have finished post-production.
6. THE ORDERING SESSION.
This is the fun part. You will now get to see the images from the session!! At the Ordering Session we will go through the images from the session and you can select your favorites from the gallery. I will guide you through this process and will share with you which images I think are the strongest but ultimately you will select the images that you want. Again, I’ll help you to choose images that are best for album design and/or wall art portraits.
Any orders for print products or digital files will be done at this time.
Please note:
- YOUR PRIVACY IS IMPORTANT TO ME! I do not post images from client sessions unless I've been given permission by the client to post the images. I want to respect my client's privacy and defer to this position. I want you to be the first to see the images before anyone else does so no sneak peaks on Facebook, or my Blog until you've had a chance to look at the images.
- I do not offer an online-gallery for portrait-sessions. The only time that you will be able to view and order images is at the Ordering Session.
- I prioritize printed images over digital images. Any image that you buy as a print you will also receive a complimentary digital file for that print.
7. PRINTS, ALBUMS, & DELIVERABLES
Product delivery varies depending on vendors. Most products can be delivered 2-3 weeks after the order is placed with the vendor. Albums can take longer usually 4-6 weeks after ordering. Orders are first delivered to me for a QA check and I will let you know if the order is ready and arrange for pick-up or prepare and ship it for delivery to you.
8. THE FUTURE
I’ll be there for you when you as we continue life's journey. I will be around for your future portraits needs, if you need a new headshot, or want to feel sexy and celebrate yourself. let's keep in touch!
Investment in customer portrait art starts at $245. This investment for Clients is broken into two parts:
1. The Session Fee
A $150.00 Session Fee is required to retain my service for your photography session. This fee is a non-refundable retainer and is for photography services only. No products or files are included with this retainer.
2. The Ordering Session
This where you will order products or files. Collections and ala carte items are listed below. Minimum order is $95.
Coming Soon