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.

Discounts for Mini Sessions

Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year.  I love all the colors of fall combined with kids in costumes.  In honor of Halloween I have decided to discount my price for a mini session.  Normally it is $50.00, but I am dropping it down to $40.00.  This price will be valid through the end of October.

Here is what you will get:

• A 30 minute photo shoot for one person
• You choose the location of your photo shoot
• A CD with edited images
• A print release that allows you to print your own photos

This package is perfectly priced to capture your little ones in their cute costumes!  To book your session feel free to call at 614-859-0831, or contact me through this page.  

Be sure to like me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter.  

Meet the Bardsley Family

I know that I have been quiet on the blog lately.  I have had some health issues surrounding my pregnancy, so that took priority.  Now I am having more good days, so I am able to get back into the swing of things.  I have had a few photo shoots during the down time, but those have been kept quiet to surprise other family members involved.

Here is one photo shoot that I can tell you about!  Meet the Bardsley family.  They are such a fun family!

They purchased an hour photo shoot with me at a charity auction a few months back.  It took a while to get schedules lined up, but we finally got it scheduled.  The day of the shoot came, and it was sunny most of the time.  Then when the time of the shoot arrived, it started raining.  Luckily it was short lived, and the cloud cover gave us a nice setting for pictures.

Here are some of my favorites.  It's so hard to pick just a few favorites to post here.  I posted more on my Facebook page, so you can see them here.

Like what you see?  Book your session with me!  Call anytime at 614-859-0831 to schedule, or contact me through this blog.

Best time to schedule senior portraits

The best time for Senior Portraits

Many seniors wonder when is the best time to schedule to have senior portraits taken.  Ultimately, it depends on your own personal preference.  Here is a bit of a guideline to help you decide when the best month for you would be.  Before scheduling, be sure to check with your school to determine when they need your photos. 

As a bonus, I am offering a $25 discount if you book a session before August 20, 2014.  Instead of $100 for an hour, it will be $75!

 

June

June is one of the best times of the year for senior portraits for a myriad of different reasons.  Since school is out you will have a greater chance of scheduling a daytime appointment.  Plus June weather is usually really nice.  Not too hot, humid, and lots of light.  The colors can be amazing too.  Lots of green grass and flowers. 

July/August 

July and August are also great months for senior portraits.  Although the afternoons can be quite hot, the outdoor backgrounds are full of summer colors and beautiful settings.  The month before has given some students the suntans they desire.  Unfortunately, seniors go back to school in August which can make it more difficult to schedule an appointment.

September

In September, the weather starts to get cooler.  It can become difficult to schedule an appointment because seniors have to balance school, jobs, sports, school, and homework.  Also, daylight hours start becoming shorter. 

October/November

October provides lots of fall colors as the weather changes.  The fall leaves make wonderful outdoor backgrounds. 

December/January/February

December through February most of the fall colors are gone and there are no longer leaves on the trees. This time of year is ideal for portraits indoors or outside in the snow.  Outdoor session in the cooler temperatures have to be done quickly to avoid red noses and cheeks.  However, sometimes Ohio winters can be full of surprises and would make for a perfect session. 

March

By the time March rolls around time is running out to get portraits back in time to be in graduation announcements.  The outdoors still have not become green yet and avoiding rain becomes a challenge.

April and May

April and May bring green outdoor backgrounds once more. Seniors get really busy with end of the year activities. By this time of year you need to have photos printed quickly in time for graduation announcements, and yearbooks.  This would also make for a great time to have family portraits done before seniors go off to college.