Tuesday, October 14, 2008

How I Work

As a portrait photographer, I strive to create beautiful and memorable portraits of people. As important as capturing a face, I aim to also document a subject's personality and soul at a particular moment in time.

If you are thinking about booking with me, please know that I do not specialize in offering the standard photographer shots. That said, if you want something in particular, I am more than happy to accommodate, just let me know prior to our session. If it's a family, newborn or maternity session, I bring a notebook where I've brainstormed some ideas that will serve a launch pad and we discuss these potential poses. From there, I noodle, mess around and do what feels right. I seek spontaneous inspiration from my subject's clothes, the location and the family dynamic or a subject's personality. I don't have set poses, I don't over direct. I go with the flow and aim for what comes naturally.

I shoot 90% of my work on location. What I love is when you send me a snapshot of your outfit(s) and give me a little description of who you are and what you want. Then I aim to chose an environment I think will suit you best. I am also open to shooting at a client's home or favorite location in the Los Angeles / San Fernando Valley area. All I ask is that if it is outside of a 20 mile radius from Burbank that we add a $40 travel fee.

Because I use only natural light (no flash), your session may have to be postponed due to poor weather. I will work with you to reschedule quickly if this occurs.

{ the session }

I have kids of my own. I know that taking pictures can be stressful when kids want to be done after the first 5 minutes. I have a relaxed, non-structured approach where I allow for time for kids to be kids. And frankly, it's often only after the kids have gotten tired of giving me their best practiced "cheese" smiles that their real personalities begin to emerge.

{ clothing }

Good clothing choices can make or break a photo shoot. Wardrobe choices will influence the emotion that is portrayed in your photographs. I encourage clothing that has a classic and timeless feel, however little personal touches (e.g. fun hats and accessories, some favorite cowboy boots or a frilly tutu) are encouraged! Please feel free to bring an additional outfit (or two) for more variety. Be sure to stay away from clothing with bold heavy patterning, big logos, and any type of character clothing (cartoon characters, Barbie, etc.) as they can be very distracting to the photo. I will be happy to give you any help, suggestions, or examples if you ask.


{ newborns }


Newborns are best photographed during the first two weeks of life. In these first few days babies are easy to position, sleep constantly and don't seem to mind too much when they are being posed in various ways. Please contact me prior to your due date to tentatively book a session and then give me a heads up once your baby is here and we'll finalize the date.


{ after the session }


It will take up to two weeks to prepare your images for your password protected online gallery, but time-permitting, I generally try to offer sneak peaks on Facebook or my blog within the first 48 hours. I spend a lot of time on each image in Photoshop to make sure that each is processed as perfectly as possible, and your patience during this time is very much appreciated.

Sitting fee must be paid to hold your date. Payment for prints needs to be received prior to my placing your order.

Session Fees and Print Prices

FULL SESSION

SESSION FEE: $250
The session fee is for the time and talent of the photographer only, and will not be applied to the cost of your print order. This fee covers a phone or email pre-session consultation. a 1-2 hour custom photoshoot for up to 4 people at the location of your choice and the creation of an online viewing gallery.

Additional up front charges may include:
• $25 per person over 4 people, up to 8 persons in a single family.
• $40 transportation charge for locations over 15 miles from my studio.

The session fee is due upon booking and is required to hold your date. The fee is nonrefundable. You can pay with cash, check or online via Paypal.

PRINT PRICING:
It’s your home, pick the print sizes you want most. No minimum, completely ala carte.

Please send me an email and I'll be happy to send you a complete PDF price list.

Here are some sample prices:
5x7”, unmounted & unframed = $25
8x10”, unmounted & unframed = $35
16x24”, unmounted & unframed = $125

FULL RESOLUTION DIGITAL FILES
Full Resolution Images are available on CD for $50 per image with a minimum
print order of $750.

Please email me and I will be happy to send you PDF of my full price list.

PLEASE NOTE: Prices are subject to change without notice, and are non-negotiable.

About Me

I'm terrible at introductions, but here goes...

I am a natural light photographer serving the Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley areas. Before becomming a photographer, I was a graphic designer and art director working in the entertainment industry. I created and/or art directed key art, packaging and promotions for such companies as Blizzard Entertainment (World of WarCraft being my last title), Universal, Fox, Sierra Online as well as numerous children's entertainment companies, including Knowledge Adventure and the Jim Henson Company. I loved my job, but after having my first child, I realized that I needed more time to be with my family and became a consultant.

A little while after the birth of my second child, my sister purchased a digital SLR camera and began showing me the work she was creating of her kids. Her photos blew me away and I was inspired to get my own camera and follow her into the online photography community of Flickr. (I'd had a few photography classes in college, but frankly, sitting in a stinky darkroom just didn't do it for me. I liked the immediacy, color and textures of painting and graduated with a degree in fine art).

The world of digital photography hooked me. I'd worked extensively in Photoshop for almost 17 years at my job and so being able to "process" my photos at the computer was heaven. The flexibility and possibilities were endless. Once I had that camera, I shot and processed pictures every day. It was an obsession. It still is.

I enjoy taking pictures of just about everything.

If you like my non-traditional style of photography, please contact me and I'll be happy to send you a PDF brochure that explains more about my style, what to expect the day of your shoot and a price list. If you get that brochure and our expectations mesh, we'll talk on the phone about your specific needs and schedule a date. If not, don't worry, I won't hassle you. I have little kids -- I'm too busy to hassle anyone.