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Pieces from this set can be found at...Gymboree (Girl's dress, bracelet, & shoes; Boy's shoes)
Gap (Boy's shirt)
Old Navy (Boy's pants)
Carters (Girl's flower clips)
The second example is for a casual outdoor spring session for a family of four. This would probably be best for late spring here in Ohio, due to the short sleeves and all....
Pieces from this set can be found at:
Gap (Mom's Shirt, Jeans, & Sandals; Boy's Jeans and Fedora)
Banana Republic (Mom's Necklace)
Old Navy (Dad's Shirt; Boy's shirt & shoes; Girl's dress and shoes)
J.Crew (Dad's jeans)
I know these probably aren't anything special to the average viewer, but to me, they mean the world. I am so thankful that I took the time to set everything up to catch these. And, I really hope you will try to capture your special moments with your kids too!! Even if you don't have a DSLR, just grab whatever camera you do have (cell phone included!) And, If you don't have someone else to take photos for you, or a tripod and/or remote, then work that self timer baby! I took this shot of my son and me playing at the library. I used my self timer, and my camera was placed on top of a stool. I was extremely worried that the librarian would think I was a weirdo, so I hurriedly got my settings in place, and accidentally focused on the bookshelf behind us, rather than, well... us. But again, that doesn't even cross my mind when I look at the image. I'm just glad that I caught the moment, whether it's technically perfect or not.
These are some of my favorite photos that I have with my kids and I. I often forget to hand my husband the camera when we are out places, and usually when I do, my kids will not stand still long enough to let me get a decent picture with them. When I do it this way, they are just hanging out, doing what they always do, and I get to see myself from a different perspective... the way they might see me every day. It freezes moments that feel so routine, and ordinary to us right now, so that one day, when they are no longer routine and ordinary, we can remember how special they actually were.
Style
Just like there are a gazillion photographers out there, there are a lot of photographic styles. Try to envision how you want your session to look and feel. Are you going for a vintage vibe or a modern one? Are you a fan of stylized or more traditional settings? lifestyle or posed? Colorful or neutral? Once you pinpoint the style you are after, browse through a few portfolios, so you will know that the photographer you are seeking, will be able to create the exact look that you are craving.
Personality
As much as I like to think that I am a likeable person, who can get along with just about anyone... I realize that not everyone is going to love me. Likewise, I am not going to love everyone that I meet. But you know what? That's okay!! Fortunately, there are enough people in the world, that you shouldn't have to settle for hiring someone you don't really care for. Sessions can last anywhere from thirty minutes to four hours (or all day if it's a wedding), so it's crucial that you select a photographer with a personality that meshes well with yours. You can find out a lot about a person, just by looking to see how they interact on their business page, blog, or email correspondence. If you get a bad vibe from the start, then keep searching!
Specialties
Very few photographers (if any) will be awesome in every area of photography. I am confident that I can shoot a great newborn, children's, family, maternity, boudoir, or senior session, but I doubt I could pull off a wedding with an A+, and that's exactly why I don't do them. Before contacting the photographer of your choice, try to see where their strengths are, by looking through their portfolio, or reading their "About Me Section" (This is also a great way to get a feel for their personality!) If you can't find this info, don't be afraid to contact them with questions about their level of experience in a particular area. I'm sure they will appreciate that you have done your homework, and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Pricing
I mention this one last, because I honestly think it should be one of the last considerations you make when selecting your photographer. Generally, more experienced photographers are going to cost you a bit (or even a lot) more than one who is just starting out. I know there are new photographers out there, offering hour long sessions, with all the files from the session on a CD, printing rights, and sometimes even prints included, for fifty bucks or less. That all sounds so very tempting, and I understand why you would want to jump on it. But, before you book with such an affordable photographer, consider what your goals for your sessions are. Do you want a CD with all of your images, or do you want someone who can offer you other options as well? Do you want to take your CD up to Walmart for prints, or do you want high quality, professional prints that will look exactly the way they were edited to look, and are guaranteed to last a lifetime? What will you do, if after your session, you want a gorgeous canvas of your children to hang on your wall? If you are honestly out for quantity over quality, then maybe that less expensive photographer will be a great fit for you. But, if you've fallen in love with a photographer's portfolio, and are only booking with a cheaper photographer, because you can't afford the one you really want... then I strongly suggest you save. All things in life that are worth having, are worth working for, right? If you really can't afford to pay a little extra for your session, and you don't want to compromise on quality, then maybe you can see if the photographer you are interested in, offers mini sessions. I offer them, and I know a lot of others do too. It's a fantastic way to get a feel for a particular photographer's work, or to get a few great images at a lower price.
Well, there you have it! Hopefully , you will be able to easily find a photographer with a great style, personality, and price, who specializes in the type of photography you need. Obviously, I hope that I am the one, but if not, then best of luck in your search for your shutter soul mate! Oh, and please leave a comment if there's anything that you think I may have missed. I'd love to hear about what's important to you when searching for a skilled person in the service industry.
Side Note: I'm not knocking new photographers, or photographers who are charging way less than they probably should be. I started my business two and a half years ago, and I was that photographer. I realize that it can be scary to raise your prices in fear that you won't have any clients. But, what I will tell you, that I wish someone would have told me is... be true to yourself, and the wonderful people you are serving. If you need to take a break from your business while you take some workshops, or even to do online research, and self teach the ins and outs of the photography business, then do it. You'll come out a lot more confident, and you won't have to feel bad about pricing yourself at what you're worth!
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He was such a sweet and easy going baby. I knew he would be, after I worked with his fabulous parents and big brother this past fall. At the time of this session, his brother was still adjusting to having to share his parents, and did not want to hold little "C" And that was okay with me, as I have learned that when working with babies and kids, they are the ones who control the flow of a session. I was so proud of him for laying down next to his baby brother for a few photos, as I can imagine that would be a little intimidating for a two year old to do. Both boys did an amazing job! I guess that wouldn't be too hard when your main job is to be cute, and they already have that covered.
And here are a few favorites from my second set of sessions. These were held at the gorgeous Penitentiary Glen, in Kirtland.
It has been a busy few weeks around here, but I am so thankful to have spent these busy weeks with so many amazingly fun families! I'm just hoping, wishing, and praying that next week's holiday mini sessions go just as smooth!
After experiencing some mystery symptoms for two and a half years, I recently received a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome. This is not a life threatening syndrome, but if I let it get out of control, illnesses may develop, which I would absolutely love to avoid. In order to get this syndrome under control, my doctor has ordered me to go on a low carb diet (kill me now, please!) and get lots of exercise. With the amount of sessions that I have been taking on, I have been struggling with sticking to my diet, or making it to the gym, pretty much at all.
So, even though I hate saying no to anyone who wants to schedule with me, I need to be firm about getting my health under control (as well as spend some quality time with my kids, while they are still little). I am so fortunate to have such amazingly sweet clients, and I would hate to lose a single one of you. So... I have set up an availability calendar , on my site , that I will update as appointments are booked. As you will see, I am currently booking into October. If you know you would like a fall or winter session, please let me know as soon as possible. I will book on a first come, first serve basis, but I will also do what I can to schedule sessions for current clients as requested. Also, please keep an eye on my Facebook page, in the fall, and again around the holidays, as I will be hosting mini sessions to accommodate as many wonderful clients as possible.
I apologize for any inconvenience that my schedule change may cause, and I hope to be up and running at full force by the new year. And since a photography blog without a photo, is like tennis shoes without soles, I hope you don't mind if I share a few images that I took back in April, of my outgoing, intelligent little girl.
Without further ado, here's a little glimpse into what a boudoir session with Shannon Deans Photography is all about:
My newborn sessions are 2-4 hours long, and are usually spent feeding, and comforting babies who aren't in the mood to pose. But this little guy, slept the entire time, and we got so many incredible poses in, in under 4 hours. And just look at all that fluffy baby hair! He also has a sweet big sis who absolutely adores him!
Here are the results:
Congratulations Jamie! :) I will be mailing your gift certificate for a free session, tonight. And to everyone else who participated, even though I can't give you all free sessions, I do want to give you a little something for participating. So, please message me at [email protected], and I will reply with a 10% off coupon, good towards any package or product through Shannon Deans Photography. Thank you all for referring your friends and family to me!
Here is a smash session that I did right before the holidays, of beautiful little Mya.
Whenever I do smash cake sessions, I usually ask the parents how their little one liked the cake at their birthday party. I'm learning that how they react with their actual birthday cake, is not necessarily how they will be during their smash session. Mya's parents told me that Mya was feeling overwhelmed at her birthday party with all of her guests watching her, which resulted in her not digging into her cake. Well, things were much different when she got into my quiet home studio environment. Aside from the typical one year old curiosity of her new surroundings, she seemed pretty excited about her cake!
By the way...Mya's mommy is Monica from Hazel Mae Boutique She makes a lot of the hats and headbands that I use in my baby and newborn sessions, and If you are looking for cute crochet hats & sweet girly headbands then you should definitely check her out! She is very reasonably priced, and she takes custom orders!
I am offering two different sizes, with several templates to choose from. The first option, is wallet sized cards. These are great for passing out at school, or to keep in your wallet all year! Here are the wallet designs:
The other option is a 3x3 card stock card, with white envelopes. These will be double sided. The cards that are solid colored on the back can be further personalized with a message. These would be cute for kids to hand out at school, or for Grandma to hang on the fridge!
I have been so lucky to have such wonderful clients this year, and I would love to meet some more like you!
Beginning today, for every 2 people you refer to my Facebook business page, you will be entered to win a free portrait session. The session will include a DVD with 25+ edited/enhanced images in color & black and white. All 25+ images will be uploaded into a private viewing/ordering gallery (available for 2 weeks after it is launched). It will also include a print release so you can upload or print your photos wherever & as often as you wish. The contest will last two weeks (ends on 1/11/2013 @ 3pm EST), and one winner will be selected using random.org. There is no limit on how many entries you can receive. You do not have to be a current client, and the people you refer to my page, may also join the contest. Each person must "like" my page, and write on my wall that you sent them, in order for your entry to count. I WILL count past referrals, but in order to be entered, you must tell me which fans you referred, and they must be current fans of my page.
The winner will have one year from the date they receive their certificate, to use it. This offer is only good for a portrait session, and excludes newborn, senior, or cake smash sessions.
The contest starts....
Right....
Now! :)
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Also, stay tuned for a contest that I will be doing. I will be posting the details, right here, after Christmas. You won't want to miss it, so check back soon! :) I also have something in the works for the Sandy Hook victims. I know that this tragedy has touched everyone in America, and I feel immense sympathy for the families in Connecticut who have been affected by this. I want to use my talent as a photographer to help them in any way I can. After the new year, I will be hosting a day or two of mini sessions, and I will be donating 100% of the proceeds to the families of the victims. They should not have to worry about going back to work when they aren't ready. I want to help them stay home, as long as they need to, in order to grieve. I will need a bit of help in doing this, though. I am looking for a large indoor space, with great natural light. If anyone has a space that I could use for a few hours in January or February, I would be greatly appreciative! New backdrops will also be in order, so I can make these photos look fantastic for you all! Please stay tuned for details on all of this, as well.
Well friends, thank you for reading my first post! It has been a very busy year, and I am so thankful for all of you who have made it that way! I look forward to learning and growing as a photographer, and I cannot wait to work with you again next year!! I hope you all have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year!
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