Gift Certificates Now Available!!!!

I am proud to say that I have decided to offer gift certificates for photo shoots.  Initially I didn't think it work out well, but I have given it much consideration.  My husband has tried to give me a gift of a photo session for Mother's Day one year, but it never happened.  His intention was there, but we just never had anything set.  I think this happens to a lot of people out there.  So, I decided that I could offer a tangible gift for you to give to someone.  Then that person will have a year to use it.  

Here are the dollar amounts that I am offering:

• $50 gift certificate:  I think this would be ideal for mini sessions.  These mini sessions are good for birthday/school photos of children.  Holiday pictures.  Basic couples photos.  It would be ideal for any grads in your life.  It would give a grad a great chance for those cap and gown photos.  
• $75 gift certificate:  This would be ideal for maternity photos and family portraits.  
• $100 gift certificate:  This would be ideal for engagement photos, senior portraits, and bride and groom.

All gift certificates can be used towards any other session than what is listed, but it would give them a concrete gift.  

All gift certificates would expire a year from the date of purchase.  I will do my best to keep track of who has gift certificates to use.  Upon purchase I will get the purchasers name, phone number, and email.  I will also get the name, phone number, and email for the person receiving the gift.  That way I can follow up with the client if it is nearing its expiration date.  

In April my rates will be going up.  For those that have purchased gift certificates, they will receive the old rate to line up with the amount of certificate purchased.  

All gift certificates will be paid via PayPal account.  That way I can do everything electronically.  

The purchaser will have the option to receive the certificate electronically via email, or to have it mailed to them.  

Large Family Session

Family

Like branches on a tree 

We all grow in different directions

Yet our roots remain the same.  

I had the opportunity to photograph a large family.  Initially I had been contacted about doing a session for a family of four.  Then it morphed into the entire extended family.  I was really nervous about the job because it was the largest group I would have ever worked with.  

So many things can go wrong!  Everyone could be super stiff, and not look at the camera.  Fights could break out.  Different people may not want photographs with others.  So many things, but luckily this family was wonderful!  They knew just what to do, and they were so natural!  

It should be noted that my husband Derek came with me to the shoot.  My son had jumped on my belly (currently 7 months pregnant) twice the day before, and we spent the evening in the hospital.  I knew I didn't have it in my to run around, so Derek came to do the running.  It was a lot of fun having him there to tag team with.  It made us think about getting a second camera to make it easier.

Here are some of the photos from the shoot that I love.  More can be seen on my Facebook page.

Here we have the three beautiful sisters.

Mother and son.  The little boy insisted he wanted a photo with his mom.  They were sitting in folding chairs, so I didn't have high hopes for the photo coming out well.  With a little cropping, it turned out fantastic!  

Grandpa with his granddaughter.  

Sisters.  These two didn't want to cooperate much, but they were so cute!

I love everything about this picture!  The background is pretty.  Nice smiles!  Then you get the kids personalities shining through.  Perfect!

The family chose to have their session at Orange Township Hall Park.  I had never been there before, so I was pleasantly surprised at the different background choices we had available.  There was a cute little log shelter there.  I didn't have much hope of the group shot turning out because I thought it would be too dark.  We used a flash, and it turned out a lot better than I expected!  I really like it!  

Here we have all 15 members of the family.  

Grandparents with their grandkids.  

All 15.  

I have a lot of things planned for my business in the next few months.  I am planning a special for Black Friday this year.  Be sure to like my Facebook page to be kept up to date on everything that is happening!

Visit to the Zoo

At the moment, I don't have much family photography to show off.  The next few weeks will be busy for me.  When that time comes I will have plenty to show off.  For now, I will just show off a few photos that I took today.

The Fall foliage is starting to peak.  

 These birds are Lorikeets from the Columbus Zoo.  I particularly love the second photo because of the details in it.

I am able to provide pet photography.  Feel free to contact me at 614-859-0831 to book a session!

As a reminder, I am entering my final stage of pregnancy.  I will personally be lessening the sessions that I do starting next month.  However, my husband Derek can pick up when I can't do a session.  So far I have been able to all my sessions, but eventually that may not be the case.

The Damage One Little Flash Can Do

A few months ago, I posted an article on Facebook about how many couples are opting for low-tech receptions.  This is because of what the flash from your guests camera can do to your professional photographers wedding pictures.

I wanted to share an example from the weekend with you.  I was at an 80th birthday party for a family member.  I was taking really quick shots for the many people that were there (keep in mind these are not meant to be professional shots, and are totally unedited).  Here is an example of what someone else's flash did to the photos I was taking.

One of the regular shots.

Once the flash went off.  

You can see how much damage a little flash can do.  No amount of editing will fix the damage that one little flash can cause.  So next time you have a very important event where you have a professional photographer, perhaps consider asking your guests not to use their cameras and phones.