How often should your family be photographed??? {Murfreesboro Family Photographer helps answer this question}

Being a photographer I know how important it is to have your families portraits taken or in a photographers case; every new outfit that is purchased, every tooth that falls out, every haircut or nap time, but let's be realistic here, not everyone has the knowledge of a photographer to document all of this.  Here is an idea of how often you should at least have your family photographed.

ONCE A YEAR at minimum.  Your kids on the other hand are another story, they grow so quickly and have many milestones that should be documented, especially when they are really little.

So then how often should my kids be photographed?

Newborn - 1:  I would say 5 times maximum.  So newborn and then every 3 months there after; now obviously I know this may not be feasible for a lot of families so what I recommend is check with your photographer and see if they have what is usually called a milestone collection. Typically this collection will be discounted simply because you are committing your business to them for your child's entire 1st year of growth up front.  Photographers are aware of how quickly your child grows and changes just in that first year and they want to make sure they can document that for you.  If the photographer does not offer this then be on the look out for what is called a mini session, these are quick 15-20 minute sessions that are also offered at an affordable rate and would be great for milestone shots.  

Age 1-2:  For this age I would recommend at least 2 times, one 6 months after their first birthday and then of course their 2nd birthday.  This age your child is still changing quite a bit, but not nearly as much as that first year.  I would then do the same for age 2-3 and 3-4.

Age 4 and up:  This age your child is still growing, but not nearly as quickly as say a baby in their 1st year so for this age I would recommend a minimum of once at that family session.  Other milestones that are wonderful to document are when they are 16 and then again when they are seniors in high school.   

Now that we have established ages and frequency then working out a budget to have them photographed should be easier.  Decide the route you want to take as far as custom portrait photographer or something as simple as going to a big box store.  If you are surfing the internet and looking at custom photographers I would suggest keeping the thought of money in your back pocket.  If your budget is tight try to start your research at least 6 months before you would like to have the portraits taken.  This will allow time for you to put the money aside for the images you will really love.  If you are choosing someone to capture those sweet moments that will be passed on for decades you better damn well like the work.   Look at the photographers portfolio and bookmark the photographers work that really speak to you, find out their prices and don't think about that price as what you are going to spend now, but something you will spend in the future.  

We all know life gets busy and having portraits taken is usually not number one on the list, but it should be.  Write it on your calendar just like those weekly baseball games and play dates, memories should never be put on the back burner.  

Spotlight: Age 6

Challenging yourself is important, you will never advance if you don't try new things.  As a photographer I have chosen to challenge myself in learning new ways to light my subjects to make for a more dramatic outcome.  Lighting plays a huge role when photographing anything, more than you might know.  The light a photographer chooses to use plays a huge role in their signature style.  This challenge is called Spotlight: 0-100, I chose to highlight ages 0-100 to acknowledge that no matter the age, everyone has a purpose.  Technically this has a double challenge for myself because I don't photograph all ages, I specialize in capturing childhood.  This image above is my 6 year old son, he literally just turned 6  within a few days of taking this photograph.  He was laying in my bed on the ipad, I immediately turned off all the lights and this image is lit solely from the light of the ipad, he is whispering something to my younger son who cannot be seen in the image because he was not being directly lit like my 6 year old.  I took a few images but this one really spoke to me because he tends to tell quite a few secrets to his brother.  

If your are interested in seeing the other images that I have so far taken for this challenge you can see them here and here.  I encourage you to try something to challenge yourself.  It doesn't have to be photography related, anything in your life that you have always dreamed to do, but have feared the outcome due to lack of confidence.   

$50 8x10's? Why is custom portrait photography so expensive?

Why is custom photography so expensive?  

For Photographers,

Well for starters, is anything custom cheap? It is something made unique to the personality of the client and cannot be recreated for someone else.  This is a question I see very often and to be honest a really great one. I would be lying if I said I never asked this question before, but now that I am a photographer I understand the answer.  It took quite a bit of education to get there, but now that I am here I wondered why so many people didn't understand why my prices were as so. Then it clicked, why are we as photographers so quick to get frustrated and defensive with a legit question?  Why should we expect our clients to understand something that took us so long to arrive to the answer. All they know is they want their family photographed and if they go to Sears it may only cost them $200 for the session and prints.

What a client sees when booking a custom portrait session?

-The photographer they contacted has emailed/called them back and booked a session          

-The photographer photographed them                                                                                      

-The photos were shared with us via online gallery or in person

-Another photographer can do it for a cheaper price 

This to your client looks like a few hours of work, so of course that 100/200/300 dollar session fee makes sense.  What clients are confused about is that they don't get the images until they have purchased the disc and/or products after their session and why does an 8x10 cost 30/40/50 dollars when I can get it for $2?  There's no denying that before you were a photographer or knew anything about business you wondered why that price was as so, right? Your guilty of that exact same question.  EDUCATE THEM!!!  Give them a reason to work with you.  Below might help get you started. You MUST respect a person's budget and yes maybe they can't afford you even after you educate them on why your prices are higher than the photographer down the street.  Find out what they are looking for and refer them to someone who can fulfill their needs and still remain in the budget.

Each photographer has a different price point, why?  

They all offer a different type of service and experience.  The benefit to asking what their price covers is you might realize you are willing to pay the extra price for the extra service.  Another thing to keep in mind is the longer the photographer has been in business the higher chance their prices will reflect that.  

The reality of it all.

For Clients & Photographers (a list of what our overhead is)

-props cost money                                                                                              

-website                                                                                                                                            

-gallery host                                                                                                                                      

-insurance for equipment                                                                                                  

-insurance for their business                                                                                                            

-promo material (business cards, catalogs, studio samples, direct mailers, displays for advertising, etc)                                                                                                                              

-depreciation of gear                                                                                                                    

-new camera gear                                                                                                                            

-education                                                                                                                                        

-editing software                                                                                                                              

-computer(s)                                                                                                                              

-phone                                                                                                                                              

-some may have a studio                                                                                                                  

-backdrops/floordrops/reflectors/lighting equipment                                                                      

-client gift                                                                                                                                          

-product packaging                                                                                                                        

-coffee/meals purchased for you during consultations                                                                    

-furniture for studio space                                                                                                                

-sd cards                                                                                                                                          

-hard drives                                                                                                                                      

-gas/travel                                                                                                                                        

-venue fees (depending on where the location is)                                                                          

-taxes                                                                                                                                                

-The ability to provide you with professional grade products (psst, Walgreens is not on this list)

-oh and we have to pay ourselves (we have families to provide for as well) 

-most important, TIME!!!

Time is free that is evident, but your time should be valued by you and by your clients.  So how much time does a photographer typically spend on one session?  Well the answer to this question varies on what type of service your photographer provides.  I can tell you I spend up to 20 hours per client depending on what they are looking for.  So divide that by my session fee of $100, that does not cut it.  Wow, that was an eye opener, I knew I spent a lot of time for my clients, but wowzers, your welcome :).

List of where my time goes per session:

 -pre-consultation/booking: 1 hour                                                                                                  

-drive to and from session: up to 2 hours                                                                                         

-session time: 1-2 hours                                                                                                                      

-culling photos: 1 hour                                                                                                                        

-editing photos: 4-5 hours                                                                                                                

-loading your images into gallery: 1-2 hours                                                                                      

-post-consultation: 1-2 hours                                                                                                              

-if purchasing a custom designed album: up to 4 hours to design                                                  

-loading and ordering your products: 30 min                                                                                  

-packing up your images/thank you card/client gift/hand delivery: up to 2 hours 

So do you still think your time is not valuable?

Your session fee covers a very small portion of what your photographer actually needs to break even.  I know that when I started out as a photographer I was just as confused, I thought wow I already have a camera and all I have to do is take some photos, edit, and hand over a disc.  I was getting almost 100% profit. 

I booked a wedding 2 years ago before I put my son into football and so I was not sure how his schedule was going to be.  I ended up having to leave his game early to shoot the wedding and I missed his very first touchdown, ever.  This is why it is so important to value your time, because you will never get that moment back.  

This list above is the reason why photographers charge more for their products than you can get them for, the session fee essentially is a "deposit" toward the entire experience.  Having your photos done is a must, any photographer will agree with that, but having a custom photography experience is a luxury and so it is not required.

Custom portrait photography vs. Big box stores

Each session is unique.  I know for my business I make it a point to really understand my clients and their kids before ever shoving a camera in their face.  Your photographer is not on a time crunch to get you in and out of the door, the time is yours and will be until the photographers gets what you have requested and what they need to fill a gallery for you.  A custom portrait photographer walks you through the entire process from booking to best products to purchase that fit your budget and your family. Your photographer will make you feel like no one else exists, your session is the most important at that time.  We want to know your family on a personal level, isn't that what photography is about, freezing time?  We want you to remember who your family was then and the only way to accomplish this is to photograph the reality, your life as it is (lifestyle),  a location that reflects you and props that no one else will ever use (your heirlooms).  I remember awhile back when my family had their first and last portrait session done at portrait innovations, we walked in all dressed up and ready to go, or were we?  We had to wait behind a list of families that were before us, my son at the time was about 2 and what 2 year old wants to sit and wait.  I mentioned that I would like to have just the plain white backdrop and their response was "well if it's available when your turn comes then you can have it", REALLY?!  It was finally our turn and of course we did not get the white background, my son kept trying to run out of the scene and so of course I had to follow to bring him back, the photographer just kind of stood there with an annoyed look on her face, and guess what????  I didn't get to choose anything I wanted, not even the photographer.  This is what sets custom photography a part from the big box stores. 

The real question is, how would you feel if we asked for you to do your job for free or at a discounted rate?  Here's to photographers being able to relate to clients and clients being able to relate to professional photographers.                                                                                                                        

Murfreesboro Child's portrait- pucker up!!!

It has been pretty slow around here and so of course to keep my spirits up my kids fill my time.  This is my 2 year old son who will do anything for food.  Exhibit A. I really was looking for that gq look with his fist under his chin, it took a few tries to get it just right.  Of all the images this was my favorite because his lips were all puckered up and he looks just so sweet.  My secret to getting him to sit still and follow my direction was waiving a sucker by the lens and reminding him repeatedly that if he did what mommy was doing he would get that sucker.   Oh the things we do to get that shot. 

Featured Photographer

I had the honor of interviewing such an amazing photographer, I found her work some time ago and when I look at her work I have to remind myself to pick my tongue up off the floor and put it back in my mouth.  She was a joy to interview and her passion for photography is evident.  

I think one of the things I connect most with Anelle Richardson Photography work is not the obvious, it's beautiful no question, but she specializes in the same type portraits as I and her approach to photographing kids and families is just like me, so when it came to asking her a few questions I knew exactly where to start.  

Me:  You do a beautiful job with everyone you photograph from sweet little newborns to stunning head shots. If you had to photograph just one particular niche, what would it be?    

Anelle: " What a lovely compliment, Marie.   I think it would have to be families.   I love photographing families, whether they  are brand-new families with itty-bitty newborns or families where kids are already growing like weeds.   I always remind moms that they should get out from behind the camera and in front of it – these photos are for us, but also for the generations to come."

Me: How long have you been a photographer and what in your life has inspired you to be a photographer and to then do it as a means of income?

Anelle: "  I hate to use the whole since-I-was-a-child but My dad is a serious nature photography hobbyist and he fostered my passion for this beautiful and diverse form of art early on in life.   
After school I studied journalism with photography as one of my majors.   Those were the days of film and darkroom.  I wish I could reminisce with the old timers about "the good old days" but truthfully, I don't miss the chemicals, the wait or the smell.  I love digitalWhen I had kids my focus obviously changed and I started dabbling in photography again.  I must admit that getting used to digital was hard in the beginning.   Moving from hobbiest, to serious hobbiest, to business was kind of a natural progression.   I’m very grateful for those photographers who took the time to teach me and show me that there is now need to rush into business:  To make sure that you’ve got the basics covered, to get your business ducks in a row, and then to GO FOR IT!"

Me: Every photographer has a different approach to how they handle photographing families and kids, especially when it comes to small children.   How would you describe what it's like to be photographed by you?

Anelle: "A photo session is supposed to be fun!  I aim for no-one to ever feel stressed.  I have a lovely young assistant who helps me out with my family sessions.  The antics, puppets and our singing (it is terrible  but we get real laughter) all help for a relaxed experience.   I want kids to run and play.  I love dad’s swinging their kids up high, mom’s cuddling and tickling.  I love brothers and sisters laughing together.   These sessions are all about memories – capturing them, but especially making them."

Me:   I really love your studio sessions, the light is so clean and the main focus is in the subject rather than all the props, the one thing I struggle with in my natural light studio is the ever changing light, do you use artificial light or natural light in studio and can you elaborate on your lighting choice (why do you like natural over artificial or vice versa)? 

Anelle: "  Thank you!   I’m fairly new to studio work.  And I’ve always been a bit of a “natural light snob” but I’m actually loving studio lighting.  It is easy and reliable and I love that I can move it where I want it to be.   The sun doesn’t obey me!   I shoot with an AB400 in a Westcott 50x50 Softbox.   I’ve been playing with more dramatic maternity and I am thinking of adding some kind of hairlight in the mix."

Me: Going back to becoming a photographer, how long did you shoot before you actually started to charge and what is the best advice you can give to anyone looking to get into portrait photography. 

Anelle: " I probably shot for a good 2 years once I started shooting again, before I started charging.  In those days I was on a forum called I Love Photography and there was a huge emphasis on having decent technical skill, artistic vision and business basics in place before charging.  I’m very glad I went that route.  I believe that photography is a symbiotic relationship:  Shooting from the heart and solid technical skills.  One without the other is simply not complete!"

Me: Of course the question everyone always wants to know, what's in your camera bag and if you only had one lens to use which would it be?

Anelle: "   Canon 5D markiii, a 85mm 1.8, 50mm 1.4, 28-70mm 2.8, a speedlight, some lens hoods, batteries, lots of memory cards, and a partridge in a pear tree….   I’m looking at getting the 135mm, but I’m a little undecided.  If I could choose only one lens, I don’t think I’d be able to.  I use my 50mm most in studio for newborns, and my 85mm outdoors."

Me: Marketing your business for every photographer is always a challenge, whether it be lack of funds, lack of confidence, or just lack of know how.  What has been the best marketing strategy for you business?

Anelle: "  Definitely word of mouth and then Google.   I also a few marketing strategies planned for 2014, I’ll let you know how it goes!"

If you would like to learn more about Anelle Richardson Photography you can visit her website here.  Follow her on Facebook here, check out what she is pinning here, and see what she has to say on Google+  here.

Photographers Unite!!! {In Murfreesboro TN}

I have been very busy lately and trying to keep this a secret has been the hardest part of the whole thing.  I am proud to be a part of such a giving photography community.  I have seen so many photographers step up to help each other out, a perfect example is last year when wedding photographer Marvell "Vell" Smith was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident, you can see his story here.  Something happened in the photography community that just blew me a way. Given the abrupt nature of his death the weddings he had booked prior would be without a photographer, but I watched so many photographers step up to the plate to help complete the remaining weddings he had booked for the year.  

Or when Amazing Abby found out she had terminal cancer, the photography community followed her story, heard her words of wisdom, and prayed for her during her battle.  You can find her story here.

It is our turn to give back to a photographer in need, this story is not nearly as sad as the others I mentioned, but the thought of my family losing our photographer is sad for me, there are other photographers out there, but she is the one for us and I am sure her other clients feel just the same.  Christina Campbell from Eternal Treasures Photography has been robbed.  All the equipment that helped capture these happy families, beautiful smiles, and sweet kisses is now gone, but you can't steal talent so we are working together to help get all that equipment back. Thanks Kalli Pavon from  Kalimana Birth Stories for creating yet another wonderful film.

You can view part 1 of this story here. 

If you are interested in donating and/or signing up to join this event, you can do so here.

Murfreesboro Children's Photographer Spotlight Challenge: 0-100, Age 2.

Why is it that finding the light seems to be so much harder when you have a specific goal in mind?  Here is yet another image for my Spotlight: 0-100 challenge, this is age 2.  I tried so hard to accomplish an image while he was awake, however given he is 2 meant I had two options.  Play extra hard, be super animated, lots of patience and continuous shooting ooooooor I could wait until bedtime and take one shot, you can see below the route I chose.

If you would like to see more about my challenge you can view it here.

Murfreesboro Children's sleeping portrait.

Murfreesboro Children's Photographer editing style

9 SIMPLE STEPS TO EDITING YOUR BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS.

When starting photography, editing was not my strong point.  Over the years I have read a few books, watched a lot of workshops, and my share of youtube videos (each one about 100 times). Yet somehow I really still only know the basics. The reason for this post is simply because I have been asked to share some of my editing workflow and so of course I was flattered, so here goes.

Murfreesboro Children's portrait:  This is an image of my son, he was testing out my backdrop for me so of course skittles were in order.  This image is straight out of camera.  I did not alter it in anyway, YET!!

Murfreesboro Child photographer edit Step 1:

I start of by running one of my favorite actions by Greater Than Gatsby called One Click Perfect Color.  You can find their facebook page here. I am not sure if this specific action is still available, but if so did I mention IT'S FREE!!!

Murfreesboro Child photographer edit Step 2:

I change my image to black and white as you can see above.  Not really much more to explain about that.

Murfreesboro Child photographer edit Step 3:

I adjust my contrast to my liking, just remember to not overdue it.  I usually do it just enough to see a little pop.  

Murfreesboro Child photographer edit Step 4:

I then open the levels tab.  There is so much more that you can do with this tab, but I don't have enough time to share, actually a video would be much easier to see how creative you can get with levels.  It involves quite a few layers and an image that is much more interesting than this one.  

Murfreesboro Child photographer edit Step 5:

I have circled three tabs here.  This image shows the settings I chose so note the numbers are not all as they started.  The black tab on the left controls your shadows, the gray tab in the middle controls your midtones, and the white tab to the right is your highlights.  I again drag these to my liking and hit okay.  Don't be afraid to experiment with the tabs, move them around, test them out if you don't like it just hit cancel, no harm not foul.  I do recommend creating a background layer which I discuss below before just playing around though.  You want to keep the original as organic as possible so as to not ruin any pixels in the process.

Murfreesboro Child photographer edit Step 6:

Here I do just a little skin smoothing, nothing crazy, just a hint.  This is where I create a background copy by simply hitting command (mac) or ctrl (pc) J.  I then choose filter> Blur > Surface Blur.

Murfreesboro Child photographer edit Step 7:

As you can see here I have just added a hint of blur, this help smooth the skin out a little, I don't usually use this on kids, but in this case to make it appear softer I did.  

Murfreesboro Child photographer edit Step 8:

Next up I add a mask to my background layer, this essentially allows you to erase off the blur where you don't want it on your subject. Be sure the white box is selected to do the next step.  The box will have a box around it, that is how you know it is selected.

Murfreesboro Child photographer edit Step 9:  

Now grab your brush tool from your sidebar on the left and choose black as your color.  Make sure your mask is still selected and now paint on your subject (only where you don't want the blur).  I painted it off his eyes, eyebrows, and lips.  

Tada, the final image.  Just note that your images may yield different results because even if you follow every step I have here your shooting style, clothing & location choices, and lighting are all probably different. That is what's so great about being able to use someone else's editing style and the outcome is still unique.

Stayed tuned for editing in color.

Every Moment is Important {Murfreesboro Children's Photographer}

As a photographer I spend a lot of time working on my business.  I am so motivated to be successful and capture special moments for my families.  I spend a lot of time on my computer tending to emails, updating my blog, finances, and so on.  I also have a family to care for and a home to keep up with.  There are times I set my camera down and don't pick it up until my next session.  People take photographs for two different reasons, advertising and memory.  We want to freeze time and remember what the world use to be like, we want to remember our kids and their sweet little chubby faces, we want for our children to have images with their grandparents before they pass, and the list goes on.  So from here on out I vow to not let that camera sit until the next session because I will miss more moments that I might never get back later.  

This image below was taken durning my boys bedtime, I happen to be walking passed their room and saw them all snuggled up in bed together, so of course a photo was in order.  Don't forget to photograph your own family.

Don't dwell on the negative, work toward the positives. {Murfreesboro Children's Photographer}

Yet again today I was trying to find something to write about, I looked to my life and community to see what was available and inspirational.  I was going to write about making lists and how if I write something down there is a better chance of completing it or feeling down about my business only for a Michael Jackson to come on the radio and boost my spirits again, about how music can really make or break anyones mood.  Then something happened, I was reading my facebook feed and saw that not only a fellow photog, but friend had been robbed.  This is twice in 9 months.  Then it hit me like a ton of bricks.  Earlier today I was slightly depressed about not being booked as much as I had hoped and just overall sad with my place as a business, I wish I could be as busy as them (other photogs in my area).  I wish I was more successful than I am, but the minute I saw this post and I read the feed to determine the full extent of the situation and by doing so I quickly found out that this person was robbed of all of the equipment it took for her to photograph the newborns, kids, and families.  I then read a little further and this was the comment that made my heart drop....."this might just cost me my business."  So quickly you might wonder, why? what about insurance?  well how about that lapse when you are switching and your first payment may or may not have made it.  This got me motivated, what is the first thing I can do to help?  I quickly messaged her offering up any equipment I have so that she can complete sessions she currently has and then gathered a few of the local photographers to do the same if they were willing and available to do so.  So with all that I wrote the lesson learned here for myself and others is don't kick someone when they are down.  This is a terrible way to lose a business and no one should have to deal with this, but it happens and this is another great example why it is a great idea to friend others that offer the same services as you.   Oh and did I mention she is also my families photographer and the one person I looked up to when learning about photography.

Photo credit: Christina Campbell at Eternal Treasures Photography

Murfreesboro Children's Photographer attempts writing, EPIC FAIL!!!

I am drawing a blank..........I do this often as I am sure you do as well. How do I know that what I write about will spark an interest with my readers?  How do I know what you want to hear about?  My blog has a purpose for sure and that is a way to release my thoughts onto someone other than my husband (he rarely listens anyways).  Writing sometimes feels like a one way conversation, the comments come in but it's just not the same as a conversation with a real person.  Sometimes I find myself needing that other person to feed off of. You know what it feels like? That moment you sit in a car with another person (kids don't count, they only talk) and there is silence, nothing, nada.  I find myself having a conversation in my head.  This is what it sounds like; weather is always an obvious one, but I don't want to be that person who states the obvious (the suns out), that is a really nice top (oh great now they probably think I am checking them out).  Then the end of the conversation is about why do I need to talk they aren't saying anything either so maybe they don't want to talk and repeat!!!

My husband says to just keep writing, he promises it will get easier.  Google has held my hand through anything I need to know.   I wouldn't be where I am with my photography if it wasn't for search engines so why not do the same with writing.  Google search: how to blog successfully?  Write about something relatable, have blips of humor, let the purpose of your blog be obvious, be consistent, don't stop and the list goes on.  Even with all that research I still feel lost, do you ever feel that way?

p.s. this took me about 2 hrs to write and this is all I got hehe, oh well, here's to tomorrow.

Spotlight: 0-100

 Every year I see someone post about their 365 project.  I think it is a great project if of course you have a great memory, something new and interesting to photograph everyday, lots of time and dedication, however I do not possess any of these qualities.  Every time I watch a movie, look at magazines, or just my life in general I find myself constantly checking out the lighting situations.  This has encouraged me to do my own project, I wanted to find a way to draw attention to my subjects, but in a different way. It was not going to be bokeh (blurring the foreground and background), leading lines, or using their eyes to draw your attention, it had to be the light.

 I am calling this Spotlight: 0-100.  So what does that mean?  I will be photographing from now until 2015; 101 people starting at newborn all the way to age 100.  Every age is important whether you think so or not, life goes by in a blink of an eye and I want to focus on all of them.  I will only take the photograph for this project if the strongest light is on my subject and deep shadows surrounding the light.   If you would love to join me in this project I would love to see what you come up with.  Every photographer has a different perspective and so I would be curious to see how you would present this project.  Here's to getting to be creative on your own dime.  Here is my first image for my project.  This is my niece who is always willing to model for me day or night, she is 10 years old. One age down 100 to go.

I will be looking for models so if you are interested or know anyone who might be please email me at mariebohnphotography@gmail.com.  

Winter storms 2014 {Murfreesboro TN Photographer}

 As many of my friends and family know we left December 20th to be with our family for the Holidays.  Our flight was scheduled to leave out of Cleveland on Thursday January 2nd.  We were going to drive from Buffalo NY to the Cleveland airport in an effort to save money.  Due to severe winter weather we were banned from traveling thus missing our flight back to Nashville.  Our flight was then rescheduled to leave today January 6th, we planned ahead this time, we booked a hotel and decided to leave a day early.  We had brunch with family and were on our way to pick up our car rental and the airport contacted us canceling our flight yet again.  Here is a little bit of a preview of the weather we are experiencing and a perfect reason to cancel our flight.  There is a traffic light about 1/4 mile up the road which you can typically see from the porch. The snow is blowing like crazy, windchill -25, I didn't want to venture to far out into the chaos and so this image will have to do. I feel like I had to post this because all my TN friends probably think we are just trying to extend our vacation time haha.  As I am writing this I can hear the wind blowing like crazy. My in-laws house is so old I bet the windows are original to the house, every time a gust a wind comes the windows shake and a draft follows.  Hope everyone stays safe and warm, we shall return when the universe allows us. 

You are unique, your business should be too. {Murfreesboro TN Childrens Photographer}

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2 years ago I began my venture into photography and when I say began I mean really started to learn and understand all that is photography.  I really began to learn that just because I owned a nice camera didn't AT ALL qualify me as a photographer.  As I am writing this I think 2 years, wow that is all, but ask me 2 years ago and I probably would say I can't wait to see what my work will look 2 years from now, I will be so much better.  I am just that, so much better, but in no way where I want to be.  Yes I want to be that photographer that others can come to and ask advice, I want to eventually teach my skill one day, I want others to be inspired by me, but the one thing I don't want is to ever be done learning.  I don't want to know every single thing there is to know about photography, I want to be able to go out, shoot, try new things and be surprised with the results that follow.

Becoming a photographer, especially a portrait photographer, doesn't mean that all I have to learn is how to take photos, use my camera, be creative, and just understand all the elements that is photography.   I had to really learn how to run a business and be a business person.  Many might think that being a photographer is going out shooting, coming home and edit and then share with your clients.  I WISH, I am a business owner and with that comes marketing, taxes, budgets, researching, answering emails/phone calls, customer service, sales, and so on.  I really struggled in this area of being a photographer, I am an artist, why in the world would I need to know business.  In order for your business to survive understanding how to run a business is just as if not even more important than being a photographer.  I spend my first year learning how to simply use my camera, find clients, draining myself in post, changing my prices, adjusting my business plan.  Why? because I was terrible at business.  I then began to learn, but not fully understand, I looked at other photographers in my area, what products they offered, what packages if packages at all they offered, do they have a studio, what equipment do they have and so on.  I then worked my price list and my business plan around what everyone else did, so what is wrong with this picture?  My business is no different than the other photographers in my area, why should they come to me over the other photographers in my area?  What sets me apart?  

Be unique, you as an individual are unique, your business is a refection of you and so why should your business be like everyone else.  Don't stop shooting. Instead of researching equipment, looking at other photographers in your area, and finding locations; understand business 101. No matter what kind of business they own, everyone needs to know the basics. Just because you are a photographer doesn't mean your business basics are different then other types of companies. I am currently at the beginning of my 3 year and I am ready, I am offering products that  reflect my personality, at prices I need to make to run my business, my brand is what I like and not something I found on another persons work, my services are what I want to offer not because someone else is.  It's okay to look at your "competition", but not look like your "competition".  The reason I used "" is because I don't see other photographers as my competition rather my colleagues, befriend them, they are not your enemy, YOU are your enemy.

How do you benefit from friending local photographers? Not every photographer offers the same services, if they like you and your work they will refer clients to you, who knows they may even be your client.  Another aspect of business 101 how do you think stores get products?  Vendors from other businesses pay to have their products of their shelves, plenty of businesses work together to advance each other, why would photography be any different?

Get off the other photographers sites, step away from B&H for a few days, let google be your friend, visit your local bookstore, grab a coffee and visit the business section.  You can be successful if you want to be.  

My Husbands Famous Words {Murfreesboro Children's Photographer}

As a wife I try so hard to meet the expectations of my mother-in-law.  My husband is constantly saying how his moms is better.  It doesn't matter what it is, folding laundry, baking cookies, washing the floors, his mom always does it better.  I suppose the only way for everything to be the "right way" is to be his mom.  He is going to have to learn how to deal with "mediocre".  One day I was making my boys pb&j for lunch and my husband quickly responds with "you are making that wrong".  REALLY!?  how in the world can you mess up a pb&J?  Apparently spreading peanut butter on one slice and jelly on the other is incorrect, who knew.  A few days passed or months, who knows, but the roles were reversed, my husband now making the sandwiches.  He spreads on the peanut butter and then on the same piece of bread, right on top of the peanut butter he applies the jelly.  My son notices the difference and quickly responds, you are making that wrong!!!!  This really got me thinking, there is no reason for me to do everything as well as my mother-in-law because one day my way will be the best.  

Murfreesboro TN photographer stuck in the NY snow......

Currently stuck in NY due to crazy weather, so when life gives you lemons.  We are NY natives and our children born in TN so this is a rare occasion for our boys.  We have spent 2 awesome weeks with our family for Christmas one of which we were all sick.  Of course this is when the snow came and no one could go outside to play.  We finally all get better and the snow disappears, but we are in NY so of course it will come, right? The days came and went with no snow in sight, the morning arrives that we are suppose to journey back to TN and we awake to a winter wonderland, thus leaving us stuck in NY.  My oldest son was so excited, he said he had dreamed for all this snow.  Well sweet little one dreams do come true, or at least his did. 

His little feet and BIG snow pants, of course I couldn't resist but to capture it.  

and of course I had to pull out a selfie when I saw my reflection in this building.

These images below were not taken on the same day, but we did play in a little snow before embarking on another adventure.  This is something I want to carry on with my kids and hope they do the same with theirs.  My grandpa who is no longer with us, but has left some amazing memories behind would always eat ice cream, but I would ask him how he could eat ice cream during the winter?  He would walk to the local convenience store on cold, snowy, wintery days and have himself a cone.  He loved it, especially in the winter, but why?   His response was, because it doesn't melt as fast and then he would chuckle under his handle bar mustache that had bits of ice cream in it.  There are plenty of things that my grandfather did that I remember, but this one really takes the cake or ice cream in this case lol.    

Film or Digital???

As digital continues to improve the quality of film over digital is hardly a debate any longer.  I love digital in that I can see if I got the shot especially with kids, did they blink, were they smiling, did you get that shot in between shots?? But film really offers that element of surprise, it really forces you to hone in on your knowledge of photography and really be very accurate on knowing your light. 

Digital photography may seem like it has taken over the industry, but film will never die. Any serious photographer that shoots digital will forever appreciate film, I know I do. They will pat any photographer on the back that will shoot an entire session on film and even better, a wedding on film.  That is truly something amazing and something I plan to work toward in the future.

What are your thoughts on Film vs Digital?? 

This image was done with the 50 flip trick, notice it needs to be cleaned hahaha.

Adventures from Tennessee to NY

When traveling it always feels like an adventure, even with all the stress and chaos involved I love every minute of it.  I love the airports, I love the coffee, I love the restaurants, and I love being in the world of others that travel as well. 

This summer we were traveling home to visit our family for the 4th of July and an early birthday party for our son, we fly Nashville to LaGuardia airport in NYC, me with stroller, purse, backpack and my 5 year old attached to the stroller handle.  We are trying to find our way through the airport and there is a woman walking alone with a hat and maybe a bag or two and that moment comes along where in your head you think is she going to move or do I move, I'm watching her body language closely to see what my next move is and as I get ready to maneuver my giant load she also decided to shift as well, yet again another moment of awkwardness occurs and we choose the same direction and I almost run her over or her me, no need to play the blame game lol.  My husband takes a quick glance and says "I think that was Susan Sarandon"  Of course my immediate thought was NO WAY.  That would never happen to me, we find our terminal and we are sitting and waiting and low and behold along comes this lady, she takes her seat.  We then all board the plane, her as well and we fly into the Buffalo airport, I quick grab the kids and scurry off to the bathroom. I return to my husband only to find out it was in fact Susan Sarandon and she was surrounded by fans asking for her autograph and she was on her way to Niagara Falls to shoot a film.  So how's that for a story, of course my husband always makes it out to be that I almost ran her over at the airport, apparently it's all on me, she's famous of course it would be my fault lol.  

Be safe on your holiday travels wherever you may end up, remember all the adventures that come with it.

Photograph with your heart. Murfreesboro Children's Photographer

Everyone chooses a specific career they wish to have because it's what they love, it's what excites them, it's what they were "meant" to do in life.  "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." ‎Confucius.  I 100% agree with this quote, but certain jobs such as photography has many working parts.  Yes I love everything about photography, I pull out the nerd guns when it comes to winding film and hear the clicks as you switch frames, I love the when you can hear the curtain open and shut, the more buttons the better for me, I love it all.  So I got the camera part out of the way, but why photography?

When I had my second son 2 years ago and then became a stay at home mom I was going stir crazy, yes I had plenty of things to do around the house, but not anything to feed my creative needs.  I was on a mission to really understand everything about photography, I wanted to be able to provide for my family in case anything happened and I needed to find a legit job.  So this then became my motivation, I needed to make an income.  

I set out to find models and slowly moved into getting paid, this was great, or was it?? Yes I was motivated to have my own business and be a photographer. "I am a photographer" sounds so great when people ask what I do, notice a trend here??  I wanted to provide an income, I needed to fulfill my creative needs, I wanted to be called a photographer.  

It became all about me and how to make money.  It's not wrong nor bad to want to make money being a photographer, but not when being a portrait photographer.  We have been gifted this incredible talent that some might think anyone can do, but that's not true.  Yes anyone can pick up a camera, learn all the settings, and get great exposure, BUT not anyone can create a connection and a memory and that is the talent.  We as portrait photographers are given one of the most special assignments and that is to freeze time.  We must genuinely care about the families that we are photographing because even though you are not physically in their photo, you are in their photo. Your energy, your vision, your style, and your personality.  They will remember their experience with you when they look at their photographs.

The inspiration for this article was brought on by a slideshow a photographer had shared of a family that delivered a baby that had a known fatal illness and would pass shortly after birth.  This reminded me what being a portrait photographer is all about.  While the family will not be able to look at their sweet babies face and watch her grow into a rambunctious little girl, dancing, singing, being silly and probably give her parents a run for their money, they will always have those photos to look back at and remember their experience the first time they were able to hold their daughter.  First kisses, first glance at her little fingers and toes and the first time big brother was able to meet her. This in my book is the reason you should be a portrait photographer.  

Many might wonder if I so strongly believe that being a portrait photographer is not all about the money then why is it so expensive, to be honest if I was the photographer chosen to create a memory like this one, my time and energy would 100% be donated. I would not try in any way shape or form try to profit from something like this.  The cost of custom photography is a blog post for another day, but I will say that even if you can't afford custom photography that does not mean it's not important to have you and your family photographed, there are plenty of photographers out their that are able to meet your financial needs, it's your job to find that person.  

If you are interested in seeing the slideshow that inspired this article you can view it here, but a little warning, don't forget the tissues.

Christmas in Murfreesboro- Santa's not real!!!

As a parent of small children I love the occasional conversations about Santa, his elves, and of course the reindeer.  I love the twinkle in my kids eyes on Christmas morning when they see Santa has come.  I love that my son gives his elf (Flecco) a letter to send off to Santa and that excitement the next morning to see what Santa has wrote back.  So with all that imagination I dread the day he says Santa's not real, my friends at school said you are Santa, only babies believe in Santa.  I don't ever want that day to come, but I do have to remember that it will, but who says Santa does not exist?

Who is Santa?

Well I know who Santa is in my home and if I am correct Santa is the same in all homes.  As we tell our children, Santa works very hard all year long to get all the toys and gifts ready for all the kids on Christmas.  Santa is a very jolly soul who loves Christmas cookies and milk.  He lives in the North Pole and his home is filled with all sorts of Holiday decorations and plenty of Holiday cheer to go around and of course we can't forget those little elves that help get everything together.

So again, who is Santa?

Well Santa is all those people in your life that make up your family who work very hard all year long to give their children a wonderful Christmas.  They are the ones that spends a lot of time trying to find just the right gift that is perfect for their child. They decorate their homes in Holiday decorations to resemble Santa's home in the North Pole.  They bake those delicious cookies to share with their family and friends and to create lasting memories with their kids and the elves the people in your lives that make the holidays even more extraordinary. 

How about those families that can't afford Christmas, who is their Santa?

They are still Santa because the only thing that matters is that you have each other for the Holidays, the gifts are just the icing on the cake.  We as a community try our best to provide the icing on the cake because there should be no child left behind for the Holidays, every child deserves to have a smile on their face Christmas morning.  It is very hard for me to go and buy my kids all these crazy gifts they don't even need when in the back of my mind I am thinking about all those other kids that might wake up Christmas morning with nothing to open.  We as a community need to continue to work hard to keep the spirit of Christmas alive.  No child should ever have to doubt that Santa exists because he does. 

So one last time, who is Santa?

Santa it without a doubt 100% real, he exists within you and your community.  So when that day comes that your child says Santa is not real, remember this article and let the magic of Christmas continue on.  Bake those cookies, decorate the North Pole you call home, donate your time to help others, take them to buy a child a gift and show them they can be Santa too.  So always remember SANTA IS YOU!!!

Merry Christmas to you and your family from one Santa to another.