The conversation almost always starts with "When someone has a fire or they know that a hurricane or other weather event is coming, what do they grab"? And the unanimous answer is always "family, then photos because everything else can be replaced". Then Corona Virus and now those people that mean the most, those family and friends that before we all thought we had plenty of time to capture; we are no longer sure we do. It has been a hard reminder that none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. Where I was so proud of what I do before, by giving families amazing memories to hold on to, I myself did not even realize just how important it really is. Covid has given me an even greater mission in my work and I am humbled to do what I can to provide families with ever lasting memories, like the image below.
So the next time you are wondering if professional photography is worth the expense, think back on someone you have lost and wonder what you would give for the opportunity to have beautifully captured memories to look back on. We will be here waiting to capture them for you.
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"Early summer late June at a bonfire in central Massachusetts Arron Delman met Christina Hobby. We’d love to say it was love at first site but Christina was strong willed and independent and Arron was over eager and a bit too intoxicated. She quickly turned down his attempts and the night came and went.
However, as fate would have their paths would once again cross at mutual friends homes they were reunited where they engaged in like-minded conversation about education, career and future. At the moment - there was a hint of a spark.
Their relationship grew with Arron’s persistent and Christina’s love of spontaneity with uncanny zest for life. They grew together moved in to an apartment and started to see the world together from the volcanoes of Costa Rica to the Art of Italy. They then moved to Austin Texas where their love would continue to unfurl Where Arron would propose outside her prized jeep in the pouring rain and they would be wed in South Austin. This s but a chapter in their book of life with many pages to be written."
This amazing couple had a very intimate wedding (just the two of them) .
However, I have to say, as majestic as that is, I feel this was equally so. I arrived in Paige Texas in the late afternoon and prepared as I do for any shoot that I do. I was eagerly awaiting the lanterns but enjoying capturing the nuances of the few hours before. The food and music I found to be average for any festival. They did not have many food options and had only one musician, a local singer, whom was great with the children. They had a bounce house and dressed up fairy's for the kids. So not much in the way of entertainment.
However as the night began to grow dim, and the fires where lit for the S'mores and the masses began to show, the night began to grow more magical. It was at first like a childhood memory of camp outs with people drawing on their lanterns with messages to loved ones gone before, notes of love and promise, mentions of wishes and some just drawings of hearts and the random smiley face. I quickly began to realize how much this would mean to many who were there to honor lost loved ones with messages on a lantern they would send into the sky to be recepted.
Reading up on this, the Lantern Fest was not necessarily designed or meant for this but for many this is what it had become. For the children, all around me it was MAGIC.
It was amazement that this huge lantern was going to go up into the sky and float into the heavens. These glowing paper lights began to float, just a few at a time up into the sky and I was captivated and to be honest emotional as I watched them rise.
This amazing flush of excitement and wonder rushed over me and before I knew it, I was in tears. Happy tears, but tears non the less. I can not explain the reason why this came over me other than a feeling of being part of this amazing experience that I shared with so many people I did not know.
Watching the utter amazement in the eyes and faces of the little ones, watching the tears of some that sent their messages to the heavens and the smiles of those who where just joyous to experience the magic of it all.
I would definitely recommend it to anyone that is on the fence. It is a must do, at least once.
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As I got older and decided on portraiture, one of the main decisions I had to make was what I wanted my specialty to be, and why did I want that specialty in the first place. In my thought process, I looked back on photos that were important to me, those of family and friends and what memories those photos represented. One thing that hit me hard was that the only professional photos that my family had taken where those very formal photos taken in a studio with those fake smiles and no real memories attached to them at all.
It was at that moment that I decided to specialize in Lifestyle Family Portraiture (everything from infant to weddings and all those moments in between) because I could take my clients out and allow them to create memories in a beautiful setting so that when they looked back on those photos they would remember being out with their loved ones, tossing a ball, flying a kite, watching their little one dig into their first cake, playing in the flowers or rolling around playing in the field. To capture REAL memories for them means everything to me.
The second thing I had to determine was, would I have a studio or would I work with Natural Light (sunlight) and I chose Natural light. My reason for this was simple, to me, manufacturing light to much took away from that natural feeling I was capturing and would make it feel more like a studio session and less like I was just capturing the memories happening in front of me. Is it less perfect? At times it is less than perfect light, but I feel that my clients see those finished photos and memories and would choose it over the perfect manufactured photo every time. That is not to say that I don't enhance for the best effect for what I am capturing.
To see their child with a real smile, a real emotion. To see their fiance with that genuine look of love and admiration while they stroll together down a beautiful pathway or while they sit by the water enjoying each others company.
I just hope that the memories I capture for them become their most treasured possessions as they also mean the world to me. My work brings me tremendous joy. I am happy to share that will all of you!
By Alicia Donovan
Owner/Photographer of Moments Enshrined Photography
]]>Here are a few great examples of beautiful families in appropriate colors for their surroundings.
The first example is a very clean and crisp style of dress for a beautiful and very elegant image.
The second is a bright colorful look that is also great to help your child stand out. Reds, Bright Yellows, Oranges, Vibrant Greens and Blues that are not muted work wonderful in natural settings.
In a group setting, always try to dress similar with colors that blend well, but not exact. This way, each individual stands out yet everyone still has a beautiful cohesion which forms a beautiful portrait. As you can see, in the image example below, blues and greens can work in various shades in the right backgrounds. They are all in white and blue, and blend beautifully due to their varying shades and tones.
Another great tip is to always pick your outfits the night before your shoot to avoid a mad rush and problems right before a shoot when you could run out of time and with children it is best to have a backup outfit with you, in case of accidents!
Lastly, remember that the best props can be accessories; your jewelry, hats, boots, scarves etc. These can change a photo from plain to amazing, and just plain cute as you see in the accessories in this photo!
I hope that this has helped you in your attempt at the perfect outfit for your shoot! Good luck!!!!
]]>When this beautiful couple chose Moments Enshrined Photography and described this beautiful vision for their wedding, I was thrilled. An amazingly photogenic couple getting married in a beautiful country setting, Angel Springs Event Center in Georgetown, what more could a photographer ask for?
I found this wedding to be absolutely gorgeous, and such a beautiful couple, and well…..the photos say it all.
I was in awe watching Bianca get ready. She was so calm and collected. Her radiant smile lit up the room and made everyone around her stop to admire her. I did my best to capture every detail for them, from her dress and shoes to their beautiful wedding rings.
I bounced back and forth between Bianca and Austin, being as careful as I could to capture all those special moments between loved ones helping them get ready and friends readying themselves. The photo above was one of my favorites as I watched her proud father kiss her head, while capturing her bridal party softly watching them from the reflection in the mirror. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched them both joking and laughing with loved ones with small quiet moments of reflection here and there. I felt so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful moment in their lives.
Once the wedding started and the bride began to approach the aisle, I was in awe watching the way her father lovingly and proudly glanced at her as they began their walk to Austin, who was waiting and wiping away tears as the love of his life slowly made her way to him.
This was the perfect venue for Bridal Portraits.
The wedding was beautiful, placed in a country setting at Angel Springs Event Center in Georgetown, Texas not far from Round Rock. The venue was just as a wedding venue should be: very private, with so many beautiful spots to capture the Bride and Groom and the inside was perfect for a reception backdrop.
The grand exit was perfect! In royal fashion, they exited through a gauntlet of sparklers to their getaway car. This wedding is one I will never forget.
Happy Anniversary!
I am a natural light lifestyle and portrait photographer in the Round Rock area of our great State of Texas and my first thought for locations for these important photos was Old Settlers Park. This is a vast park with such amazing background options that I just couldn't think of a better place to capture all the moods and looks this young girl had to offer. We began with some photos to show her softer side,
We then moved on to show some more moody shots. This girl really does this so naturally.
We wanted to be sure that we were also able to show her versatility in looks so we added some more props and let her act it out. She did amazing.
Going off to a new place, playfully walking away and stopping to smell the flowers as she goes.
She finished so strong with a soft stare into the beyond, think about what her future will hold. I wish all her dreams come true!
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The inputs and efforts, from the standpoint of the professional photographer, go far beyond the 30 minute or one hour session itself.
Let’s take a look at what a photographer has to consider when thinking about price or cost of doing business.
- Education - Just like everyone else, a real professional photographer (not someone who buys an expensive camera and calls it a business). Goes to school or takes numerous expensive classes to learn not only the aesthetics of the equipment that they use but also classes to learn proper editing techniques, business classes, accounting classes, marketing courses and more. Just like anyone else these classes have to be paid back and are a cost of doing business.
- Marketing & Advertising- Like all businesses, photographers pay for advertising (postcards, business cards, on line advertising (Google, etc.), Groupon, Amazon, and others who take half of the deal before the photographer gets paid (you pay $90 on a deal for a package that normally runs $400 and the photographer makes $45 of that after the company takes their portion). Then if they do any magazine ads or low cost deals on their sites it is a reduction via marking than what they would normally have received).
- Websites- Normally hundreds of dollars of year, not to mention the upkeep time.
- Edits- With every 30 min session I spend a minimum of 4 to 8 hours in edits and with an hour double that. So when you look at the shear cost per hour the cost is not the $300 or $400 you may initial see as a consumer thinking you’re paying this for a 30 minute or one hour service. We as pro photographers are spending 30 minutes in travel to and from the session minimum, then the 30 or 60 minutes to complete the session, then another 8 to 12 hours in edits and post processing, another 2 hours in phone calls and emails and then another hour or so to process orders for you. So that $300 to $500 session is for (not an hour) but a minimum of 16 to 20 hours of hard work and talent.
- Equipment - Being a professional in any field is expensive. As a photographer, we sometimes feel as though we are looked at as the guy or girl that just went out and got a nice camera! But to be in business as a photographer you have to invest in not only a decent professional camera with lenses to fit every scenario but also tripods, timers, flashes (hundreds of dollars), computers with lots of ram and space and back up space, offices, studios, studio customer systems, lighting, software and so much more. (Just another cost of doing business).
- Time and Talent- Everyone wants and deserves to be paid for their time and talent. No one goes to school, gets a degree in medicine, law, business or anything else with the assumption they will work for a less than livable wage.
So, when you take all of these expenses and making a livable (not extravagant) wage, what would you say is a reasonable charge to have professional quality photos of your family, photo's you will cherish for years to come. We all need to take a step back and not under value ourselves!
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Often as a consumer the initial reaction we have when we purchase anything from food to housing and everything in between (photography included) is to look at price. If the price doesn't fit what we expect or want to pay we move on. However, I challenge you to stop and think about what these photos will mean to you and your family as your children grow and move on with their lives and the photos you have of them as children are what lingers on in your home. The reminder of what it was like to have a full nest. All those intimate special moments and memories. Then take a second look and remember what you're paying for. Of course the value of the service needs to be there, however, is that the most important thing you should center your decision on?
I would argue that the first thing you should decide upon is the Style. Will this photograph, this documented memory, match your vivid memories of your family. Will a portrait of your child with a forced smile bring back memories and put a smile on your face, or do you prefer a photograph of your family walking together in a park, is that the connection you're looking for?
I would then argue that the second thing, I as a consumer would look for in a photographer (whether it be a child photographer, pet photographer, a studio session, or a wedding photographer) would be reviews. Did they live up to their promises to others? Were they fairly easy to work with? Did they accommodate their clients? We all know that no one is perfect and that there are a lot of people nowadays that want instant gratification and that is definitely not a photography attribute as this is a form of art and takes time (edits, etc.) and not everyone is OK with waiting. However, this is the best view we have of a business prior to employing them to do a service for us.
Lastly, I look at value. With professional photography this is a complicated thing as every photographer charges differently and offers different things. When looking at value, go back to the photographer's work. When you look at the photographer's portfolio, does it speak to you? Do you feel that the price is worth the degree of skill? Have you considered everything that this professional is putting into the finished product you will receive from the initial phone call you have, time they will invest in follow up emails, scheduling, invoicing, session time, editing (skilled labor), placing orders for you, etc? Once you have taken all three of these steps and can look back feeling confident in your choice then I believe you have found your fit!
There are lots of hard to pass up deals out there today, but in 18 years when your child is out of the home or in a year when your wedding is over and you're looking back on these precious moments will the deal be worth what you hold in your hand or place on your wall?
First, age matters when it comes to getting that perfect photo of your infant. Too old (older than 2 weeks) and you will begin to have trouble with posing as baby will be able to move about more freely. This doesn't mean you can't get great infant photos of your baby. It just means they may not be like those photos you see of the baby in the little wooden bowl, or with an arm out over the basket. It may end up more like the photo you see here in this blog. An amazing infant (sibling) photo, just not what you see in all the parent magazines.
Second, temperature is important! A cold baby is a crying baby, so keep the room warm. I usually have the parents turn the heat up to at least 78 to keep baby toasty and comfortable so that he or she will remain happy during the shoot.
Third, Infant sessions take a while! It is very hard to get the perfect infant photo package in under 3 hours. Baby will get hungry, need changed, get fussy and need to take breaks. This length of session will allow for all of those things and give you the opportunity to make baby happy again for the next few pics.
It's also great to be able to keep your baby in his or her own comfortable surroundings. I am a natural light, on-location photographer. I enjoy shooting in nature's studio. For infants, I can do them outdoors or in the comfort of their own nursery or somewhere else in their home (with good natural light source), which gives the infant that sense of familiarity, and gives the family control over those things I previously mentioned (temperature, feeding, break time). But studio or not, these tips will help you get the most out of your infant photography session.
Good luck and happy shooting!
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When I first opened my business of Natural Light Photography I was concerned with not having a studio. But I have since realized the joy of capturing those incredible moments that happen naturally when a child is looking at the world around them, when a family is just living in the moment and enjoying the scenery, when an animal is at play, all of these things are not able to be manufactured in a studio under hot lights.
I work with the hopes that what is created in front of my lens is LIFE. Just all those REAL moments that a family wants to remember forever. That is what I strive to always capture and share with the world!
It is said that "the eyes are the windows into the soul" and that is no more true than in a child. To look into a babies eyes is entrancing.
The time of innocence is so short, so when looking at photographing your infant it is important to catch him or her in their first few weeks to truely have that new born look and feel to your photos. Think about what your trying to get in the photo's. A view of the mother & child bond, A family look, the innocent with a fun feel (with toys etc.), or a serious photography in an amazing outfit? Make sure that you portray that to your photographer.
Quote by William Shakespeare
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