Create.

For those of you who haven’t been photographed by us, there is a real person behind the camera at Real Moments Photography. A living breathing artist and I’ve had the deep honor of using that camera with the amazing clients I have to create some really amazing images that I’m really proud of. Recently though I’ve felt a little lost, and it’s no surprise with how the photography industry is changing.

You see I’ve always been an artist. The idea was always to create something that people loved, were proud of, and treasured. Before I used a camera to create I was a write, and if you will excuse my arrogance a very good one. So I decided to take a little walk down this path of uncertainty and find out just why I was so stuck, and felt so frustrated with my work. I’ve come to realize that in the rush of people into the field I’ve felt swallowed up. Everyone was doing the same thing,

I’ve always marched to my own beat. I started doing maternity photography when people were shocked and some openly appalled. I loved and was deeply inspired by how gorgeous an expecting mother is. How strong she looks, and at the same time deeply vulnerable. Like a goddess of the earth, about to create a miracle. So when people complained I didn’t care, and shot it anyway. Now it’s all the rage.

It’s no secret that I adore babies and was lucky enough because of my maternity work to be at the crest of the wave of modern newborn photography, when Anne Geddes was the only model to strive towards. (If you don’t know who Anne Geddes is stop reading this, she’s more important than anything I can say, go straight to Google. You’ll change your view of how precious babies can be. She’s amazing.) I remember life before Etsy was popular and having to hire people to hand make me hats. Still to this day I hold those designers dear to me. They are amazing people and I can never thank them enough.

Photography is, no matter what anyone ever tells you, at its core, at ART. Some people who are in it are not artists. They are more like engineers. They know what settings, and light, and posing it takes to make a pleasing looking image. There is nothing wrong with that, but its more math than art. Sometimes I wish I had more of their math skills.

But I don’t. I’m the artist type. I’m the who cares if it’s perfect, I love it, look at those colors, oh my gosh I love her skin, did you see her skin its glowing, wow that’s perfect just perfect oh my gosh! (Seriously that goes on in my head all the time. I know I need medication or something.) So I’ve noticed that everything looks the same. I’m tired of all the cute hats in the cute props on the cute back grounds. They are cute. Seriously. And I shot them for years, and loved it. The thing is… I don’t anymore.

I love the art images. The ones people know me for, usually in black and white. Almost always, with very few props, and always timeless. So I’m going to be doing more of that, because not only is that what I consider to be my best work, but that’s what makes me happy.

That’s not to say I won’t have adorable props. It’s just to say they won’t be sticking around for very long. If I see something I love I’ll purchase it and maybe use it for a shoot or two, but then its off to another photographer, and all the current stuff is out the door next month. Okay, maybe not all, I can’t part with the custom stuff, but the rest, bye bye. So please ask me if you’re hoping for a special prop.

We are evolving again to focus more on birth photography and much much less on other areas. Not only is this where my heart has ALWAYS been leading, and is my greatest love, it is also again the cutting edge of photography. Which it appears is where I like to be. I know people go “Why in the world?” I don’t care. I love it. Love that moment when a baby takes its first breath, the look on moms face, the joy and relief on dads. I love it, and I’m going to capture it for the parents who are awesome enough to see the world the way I do.

Why in the world am I telling you all this? Well because more than the props are changing....

We are closing down as a business. We are no longer a photography studio, I don’t need it to be, and running it like a business is sucking me creatively dry. Ever try to do something you love as a job and have people tell you how to do it? I’m becoming a little more honest with myself and what I want to do, and yes this sounds cheesy I know, but well I’m a photographic artist, not a photographer.

Difference? A photographer will give you whatever you want regardless of their style or preference. You commission an artist to create something special for your family. From now on I want to know the people I’m shooting, their personalities, what they love to do, and focus on six or seven amazing pieces of artwork that they want to display in their homes, not just on their Facebook walls. My prices won’t go up, but quality will, and quantity will go down. Or so I tell myself. You all know how I can never stop editing.

That also frees me a little bit. I’m no longer following business rules. Please read that. I am no longer following business rules. No I’m not tossing the good stuff, like treating people with respect, and fair practices. Those are things I was raised with and will NEVER change. But flatly if someone don’t like my work, and say something nasty I’m kicking that person to the curb, nicely of course. I’m not going to do just what is going to make me the most money, like business practices call for. I’m going to do what is going to make me the most happy and allow me to create the best art I can. I’m also going to post what I want to post, instead of worrying about if that will insult the masses. So be prepared my Facebook page is going to become a lot more relaxed and less stuffy. Hope you don’t mind, because I really want you all to stick around on this journey with me.

Lastly I’m going to be doing projects for myself. I’ve tried to do these before and always had lot of road blocks trying to run a “business”. Since I’m putting the art before the money now (with my families blessing, I know their crazy) now is the time to see them come true.

I hope you will all continue to follow me as we move from a caterpillar into a butterfly, from just another photography business to embracing this crazy dream of being true to myself as an artist. It is my greatest honor to continue to create with timeless images with you.

Please keep an eye out for more information on my current project “Birth, A Magic Moment.” I’m in love with this project and I know you all will be too!

Lots of love,

Keesha

Art For Arts Sake

When I first started this journey I wanted to use my art to make money. Now I have moved to the point in my life where I just want to create the art, the money is, when it comes simply a positive side benefit.
 
I have realized in both being deprived through circumstance of photographing as much as I used to, and the amazing stories I have received about how my work has touched people, that the need to make gobs of money isn't why I do it.
 
The utter love I have for seeing something be captured forever for these people, for the work, is sometimes overwhelming. Perhaps it is egotistical or just a natural human desire to be appreciated, but it is often payment enough to have clients adore my work. To have them cry, or share it proudly in their homes, or email me that they witnessed someone profoundly moved by its creation has led to some of the moments in my life when I was most proud of myself.
 
While it is my name on the photograph it is also the client. Certainly she didn't paint it, but would the Mona Lisa be as special with a different woman's smile? It takes both photographer and client, art and knowledge of the process, perfect moment and good planning to create something special.
I have been blessed with many of those moments, and I can no more find an adequate way of thanking these clients for allowing them to be part of them than I can thank my children for loving me so unconditionally. There simply are no words and gestures good enough.
 
I have celebrated weddings, watched families grow through the years, taken many a precious newborns first photographs, many of which I saw take their first breath, and sadly been with families taking some last images. All through a lens, and all have touched me in some way.
 
So while this industry is forever changed those of us who love it, who see the magic in creating these very personal pieces of art, will always be here. Its not just an affection for a camera, its a desire to give to create for the people we meet through our art, and that is an amazing way to live.

A growing belly, and a growing artist...

 

There are some clients that are just so awesome they make the favorite client list pretty much right away. Adina and Josh are two such clients when I met them a few years ago when Adina was expecting their little girl. When you add in that they are both Nuclear Reactor Engineers (seriously they are that smart, I feel like Penny with a totally sweet Sheldon around. Big Bang Theory reference, if you haven’t seen this show you’re missing out btw.) And are still really nice to those of us less mortals aka me who might be super creative but passed math in school by a wing and a prayer. Not to mention they come with total faith and trust with a “go for it Keesh” attitude, they totally get a pass to the top of the favorite list.

Adina is an amazingly talented at yoga, and with her daughter gave me some really awesome poses, this little boy due in January was no different. Even though we were crammed into a tiny hot hotel room for this shoot (sorry about that guys) even little Annalise was an angel, and we got some great artwork out of the shoot.

I also got a rare and special opportunity for a photographer. Adina wanted to copy a pose we had done a few years ago, one I was very proud of. Her legs straight up, the pose can be tough on a mom, but it’s beautiful. I copied it, swapping out a pink scarf for a blue one, or so I thought. This time the pose was better. I had grown as a photographer. My posing was better; the angle showing her face, the scarf no longer hid her hands. The editing was cleaner, deeper colors, better style. I even gave the old image a quick edit to bring it up to better standards. It’s nice to look back on your art from years ago and be proud of it, it’s even better still to see that you’re growing. That the hours and money you spend on training and better gear shows, and that every day your becoming more and more of an artist and less of someone that just takes a photograph. There are still many things I LOVE about that first image, don't get me wrong. Still seeing it new, with a new baby. I think I like the twist on it, especially seeing Adina's face.

Special thanks to Adina and Josh for not only the honor of photographing another precious baby belly for you, but also reminding me how much all that hard work pays off with time! And that’s a lesson even Sheldon would appreciate.

It's that important....

A year ago, on a cool October night I received a text from a long term client that her husband who had been valiantly fighting cancer had passed peacefully away. They had a very young son, and it pained me deeply to know this little guy would be without his dad. I was comforted by the knowledge that I personally had photographed this family several times, including just a few months before his death, and I knew there were many images of father and son that would endure in his memory. Recently after hearing of a talented photographers death, leaving behind a young son as well, and reading several columns similar to this I’d like to put my two cents in.

Two out of four newborn shoots I do one or both parents tries to decline to be in any images. If it’s mom it’s because she’s not fond of how she looks post baby, Dad because well most men aren’t fond of having their portrait taken. I try deeply to encourage them to give me a chance, and they almost always treasure the image. When they ask me why I feel it’s so important I ask them a question instead. “Think of your most treasured family picture from your childhood. Odds are it has someone you love in it. What would you do to protect that image? Don’t take this picture for yourself; take it for your daughter, so 25 years from now she can show the man she’s going to marry how much her daddy loved her from the very start.”

This may sound like I’m heaping on a bit of guilt, but it’s really just showing the parents WHO is going to love this picture. Of course parents treasure images of their child, but in the years to come that child is going to want to see YOU with them. They will want to see their mother looking at them with patient understanding when they smash their cake at two or dad with pride in his face when they graduate.

When I mentioned this to a photographer friend she nailed it on the head “Dads just don’t think about it, being in pictures, but moms… well they feel bad. They think people will think they are vain if they insist on an image of them with their kids or GASP by themselves.”

 It’s really sad because woman need to be reminded HOW important the mother child relationship is and that its worth being documented professionally. We need to remind each other that our children love us, are proud of us, and some day will want to remember their childhood with us THERE. Pictures capture that. My oldest son Triston will walk up to me and says “Hello beautiful. I love you mommy.” He says this whether I’m in sweats or a fancy dress. If I’m covered in flour from cooking or running around crazy getting ready for a shoot, because to him I am always beautiful, I’m his mommy after all. That is unless were in the toy aisle, then I think the I love you might have another motive. His daddy always calls me Beautiful if your wondering where that came from. Triston will not look back on an image of me and ever think I’m anything but beautiful. I know this, I really do. You should too.

That said, I’m one of the worst, photographers always are. I have VERY few images of me with my children, aside from a precious few snapshots taken with cell phone cameras. I don’t have a single image with all four babies and I together. So I’m making a pledge to fix that, to hand over the camera to my husband or family member and pose with the kids, for their sake and mine, and for future generations.

I’m hoping you will do the same. The next family shoot you have, if your photographer doesn’t suggest it, (which they should!!) ask for an image of you with your children. When you are out with your kids at  a park ask your husband to take that cell phone shot your holding your youngest, or playing ball with your oldest. If dad is the stubborn one tell him, as I do, how important the picture will be for your child someday, and later your grandchildren.

There are many things we do for our kids, from working an extra job to send them to the best schools, baking cookies at 2 a.m. or sitting in the freezing cold to watch them play football. This is one thing we can do that costs so little and lasts forever. We never know what tomorrow will bring… except one thing… they will get older, and it goes by so fast! Enjoy your little ones!

Keesha

One of my favorite images....

Okay... there is something I have to admit. One of my all-time favorite photographs isn't something a photography teacher would be proud of.

The lighting isn't very good, as I was in the middle of setting it up when it happened. The focus is terrible, why? Well to put it simply I was laughing too hard to hold the camera still. All in all from a technical stand point it’s far from perfect. But it’s so perfect from a life stand point I just adore it.

Baby Jack's newborn shoot goes down in history as one my top five shoots. The reasons why are simple. He was adorable, and sweet. His parents are gorgeous, daddy a marine who sooooo adored his son I tear up almost every time I see some of their images, and his mommy pretty and open to lots of fun ideas. I got tons of great shots and many are on my website and in videos. Yeah it was that good of a shoot.

And then there is this shot. Mom had brought her mother and sister to the shoot to get a generation’s picture. I love these and was setting up for a nice traditional one when Jack, very content in Mommy's arms decided to well.. let nature take its course. Now I'm used to babies making a mess, but his Aunts were not. Thus pure riots ensued as they all tried to decide whether to run or try to stay posed. Daddy and I were laughing so hard we couldn’t even help them.

So on a technical level this photo isn't the best, it never fails to make me smile, and it’s a good reminder for new parents that the best thing to remember with little ones is that no matter how perfect you have something planned, well shit happens, and we just have to laugh and get through it. I'm also very certain little Jack's parents will be happy to pull this out to show his girlfriends every chance they get. :)

Our New Videos!

The moment's you'll love forever...

Having a baby will change your life forever….

For the better…

In amazing awesome ways…

Like no other event… ever….

But those seconds will pass so quickly…

And you won’t be able to see all those great details…

The look on your face the second you see her….

The tears daddy sheds when he holds him for the first time…

How he wraps his hand around your finger …

When your twins look at each other for the first time…

Those details will fade as the years pass gently by…

But you’ll wish you could bring them back…

Every mommy does…

Capture those first moments forever…

Invite a professional birth photographer….

Professionals are amazing….

Discrete…

And the images are so powerful…

Your child and your heart will thank you.

 

http://video214.com/play/zwt2bLNpAw1IOAeobgeXdA/s/dark

Bad photographer, bad!

Sigh.. you know it's never a good thing when your last blog post was MONTHS ago. Especially when as a former newspaper reporter your able to whip out a few hundred words in no time. *Hanging head.) Well, I did have a small excuse, she actually came in at just over 6 pounds. Grace was born May 1st after a pretty rough 9 months. Every moment was worth it though the second she was snuggled in my arms.
However, that did put us off shooting for awhile and now we are relocating to Kansas! I'm really having fun with these last few shoots in Kentucky and will be sharing images very soon! ***Keesha***

NEW NUMBER!

Hey everyone! Due to really bad service, where we're missing client phone calls, so we've changed our service provider and our number! The new number is 270-348-2813!

We're just a traveling!

Okay, there really is no bigger honor for a photographer than when a client arranges for their travel to photograph their family. Because, lets face it there are great photographers everywhere. So when a client says "No.. it really must be you." your heart just fills. In the past few months I've had one client drive from Ohio, and then this month one who arranged for me to be in Florida to meet their new baby daughter.

The Reeders moved to Florida last year, but prior to that I was blessed to photograph Kate during her pregnancy and then their precious twins. Now to get to meet their newest daughter Rachel in their new home, was a huge honor. She was a doll the whole time and it was so amazing to see the Reeder family again.

Shortly before I left for Florida a good friend of mine called me from Virginia. "You have to come back! I need senior pictures!" When later that week a good client called saying very much the same thing I knew I just had to come back. I miss everyone so much & I'm missing those ocean waves! When our old friends and landlords told us the studio was ours to use we couldn't help it! We knew it was time for a return visit! So we will be in Newport News from the 4th to the 13th booking full sessions, studio, beach, and outdoors!

We'll be breaking out the old appointment book and giving our clients a call but if you really want a session send us an email at information@realmomentsphotography.com. We're going to be doing some very cool pricing options and I know you won't want to miss it! I can't wait to see you all!!

Keesha

Moments from a maternity shoot..

Every expecting mother is different, and so it stands to reason that every maternity shoot has its own personality and pace. I've had moms of all shapes and sizes, colors and creeds. Each is unique and special. But... sometimes theres a shoot that sticks with you.. that you just can't help but feel a little closer to. Elida visted me to have maternity shots done with her 18 month old little boy. Daddy is deployed and she wanted something to show him how her belly was growing with his newest son.

I wish I could say the reason why this shoot was so special was straight forward but it wasn't, magic I suppose rarely is. Elida is quiet. Not shy but just quiet. More poised than anything. She had the usual concerns all moms do about touching up this or that, but for the most part she just gave me the wheel. Her son was by far the best behaved 18 month old I've ever seen bar none. He adored the camera, loved all over his mommy, and watched patiently, (with some assistance from cartoons on my ipad) during the entire shoot.

While I was shooting I knew I was getting solid shots. Mom was working with me, she was so pretty all belly, and warm latin skin. But it was later when I was editing that I found the magic. One shot was so perfect and I almost didn't press the shutter. I had her standing in my "wraps" and she was a little stiff so I told her to close her eyes and think of her boys. Usually I then tell my moms to open their eyes and look at the camera and I get this dreamly loving look. But this time Elida took a deep breath and got the sweetest smile, I snapped a quick shot.

The image turned out to be not only one of my favorites from the shoot but one of my personal favorite maternity images. The look of love and relaxation in her face just spills over and she totally glows. It was such an honor to capture that for this family.

Later on I got what every photographer deeply wants. A client who loves her images so much shes brought to tears. "I look so pretty." she whispered. And I'm so lucky to do what I do I thought.

A busy & emotional few weeks!

Sometimes in my line of work you really sit back and take stock of just how totally fully and completely lucky you really are. The last few very busy weeks have had me do just that.

One of my best friends Martha (finally, he was a week overdue) gave birth to her son, David. I was there not only as a photographer but also as "baby daddy", and her husband is deployed to Iraq. Jokingly the nurses told us they supported our "life choice", and as amazing as the staff at BACH is I think if it had been true they actually would have. Watching David be born, holding his moms hand and shooting like crazy was in a word hectic, but totally humbling. Watching Lee, David's dad meet him for the first time an hour after his birth via web cam drove me and the nurses to tears. Hearing Lee say to his son "I wish I could hold you buddy. I'll be home soon. I love you." Yeah that one gets you. Since his birth daddy did get to come home on R&R, and I'm pretty sure he only put little David down long enough to pick up his older sister, Madalyn.

Like his big sister, I of course HAD to do David's newborn pictures. The best part of the baby belonging to your best friend is that she pretty much hands him to you and says "whatever you think will be cute". YIPPEE. The shot I got of David is one I've tried to get for a long time. However, it takes perfect timing, and lots of tries. In a typical newborn shoot there are several shots you need to get before the baby has had enough. In this case I was able to focus on just one or two poses. In short, I got what I was looking for. :) I think you'll agree it's pretty darn cute.

Then a few weeks ago I got a phone call from a client from Virginia. They had relocated to Ohio and had just given birth to their second son and wanted me to take his newborn images. I was flattered but felt bad them driving all the way from Ohio. "There are great photographers there you know. I'll even help find you one if you want." I suggested "No" said mom Mary. "It has to be you Keesha." Can you say big honor? I was thrilled and totally flattered. Mary and Travis Burge are both insanely attractive people, and their first little boy was such a sweetie it was no shock baby brother, Noah was just as cute. The Burges are so much more than clients and we were honored that you were willing to drive to come see us.

Then there was little Miss Alexis. Alexis decided to arrive a month early, so when she visited by studio she hadn't even hit her due date yet! A precious little bundle with adoring parents Alexis reminded me of my youngest who was tiny as well. A head full of hair and a sweet temperament I fell head over heels in love with her. I could have photographed her all day she was so tiny. Mom and Dad were really great and Dad even got in on the fun towards in end sporting what I think he feels will be the newest fashion accessory this fall. LOL

Lastly I'd like to tell everyone that I won't be available for the second weekend in July. One of my all time favorite clients, The Reeders will be delivering their third little girl in Florida and I've been asked to fly out to shoot her newborn images. If you've ever been to our facebook or our website you would know this family. The image of the dad arms above his head with the twins snuggled in, yep that one. They are remarkable people who after the birth of their twin daughters just fell hopelessly in love with being their mom and dad. I can think of no more better parents than these two and its a honor to be asked to photograph this family as they bring one more precious one into their lives.

Thank you all for your love and for allowing us to part of your family, to capture these memories and this time in your lives forever. We have many more new babies due this month and in the future. We'll keep you updated!

K. Hervey
Head Photographer
Real Moments Photography
www.realmomentsphotography.com

Did you know?

Did you know Real Moments Photography offers birth coverage for select clients? If your interested just give us a call or shoot us an email at information@realmomentsphotography.com Space is VERY limited each month!

Kinda cool.. kinda ewww...

Depending on where you fall on the "cool" scale this mini shoot I did today is either rockin or down right scary. Lucky for me I lean toward the cool side, but I will mention when little "Cola" wandered my direction I was happy my camera was well in front of me.

While I'm called on to photograph babies of all shapes and sizes my experience with today's baby was unique to say the least. So although this spider certainly is a little different than most of little ones I photograph she is no less the apple of her father's eye.

Undoubtedly after spending an afternoon with this little girl, I won't ever complain about a yippy Yorkie or a massive Great Dane again!

K. Hervey

Isn't she precious?

Its been a crazy few days! After several changes my husband finally found his way home from Afghanistan! We're so happy & it certainly makes shooting and editing easier!

In the mist of all this craziness we had the direct pleasure of meeting Miss Sophia. She is a sweet sweet little angel, and I adored playing with her, and her sweet big brother.

I look forward to photographing this family for many years to come!

K. Hervey
Head Photographer

Our Photography

Free Photography Canvas!

FREE CANVAS!



Photographers are very blessed with companies who often go above and beyond for our clients. One of those companies is the sister site of my professional canvas company. They offer very nice photographic canvas images for customers to purchase. Although not as perfect as a canvas purchased from your photographer, they are still WONDERFUL quality.



In a effort to support our men and woman overseas they developed a program called HI MOM, HI HONEY that offers FREE OF CHARGE large canvas prints for service members to send to their mother or wife on their birthday or anniversary.



Before I shared it with my clients I had my husband, who is deployed right now, register. A few days before our anniversary a massive canvas arrived at our door. Our wedding picture printed on it. It was amazing, and something that would easily cost you $300 in a studio. Fully impressed I decided to share this program with all you.

So if your spouse is deployed send them the link below. They can upload whatever image they want, and let these amazing artists do their magic. When you receive your canvas PLEASE take the time to shoot this great company an email thanking them. I’ve worked with the people who own both companies for a long time.



They are based in North Carolina, family owned and operated, and are just really really great people. Even in this time when the economy is not great, they are reaching deep and donating everything INCLUDING SHIPPING, for military families. So please take a moment to thank them!



If you are one of our clients and need a high res image emailed to your spouse just let me know. I’ll be happy to send it along.



Happy Memories!

Keesha Hervey

Head Photographer

Real Moments Photography

　

Just click the link below!





http://cool.canvasondemand.com/category/operation-hi-mom-honey/operation-hi-honey/



Please take a moment to visit our website and view our work!

www.realmomentsphotography.com

Worth Publishing Again

This is something we like to repost a few times a year, especially after we meet a client who has been taken advantage of by a wanna be photographer. Even if you don't choose to use our company PLEASE take the time to use a true professional. We know these days it's VERY hard to tell the difference. We hope this article helps. You can also email us even if you arn't one of our clients and ask us to look over the website of someone your considering. We will be happy to tell HONESTLY what we think, no charge, no strings! Best Wishes!

K. Hervey
Head Photographer
Real Moments Photography

P.S. One word on the big box stores like Sears or Glamour Shots. They DO NOT hire pros usually and are out to get the most money they can from you. Many a client has come to me after spending a few hundred dollars at one of those places and been shocked to realize they could have gotten much more, and much better quality from me for exactly the same price. Something to consider before you subject yourself to those places!

Why Hire A Professional Photographer?

I have had many a client ask me in all honesty “I love your work! It’s so touching and wonderful! If I buy a camera like yours can I get images kinda like this?” Of course they mean this completely out of curiosity and don’t really realize how completely it doesn’t make sense and borders a bit on rudeness.

This is because the digital age has allowed so many people to step into photography and capture much better pictures than they ever would have with a film camera? Why? Well the main reason is the cameras, even point and shoots ARE great. They help the person operating it with great things like facial recognition, awesome focus abilities and color that grabs the eye. They also allow people to see right away if their little ones eyes were open, or if the shot was blurry. Simply hit delete and try again. So unlike the years of film where they would anxiously drop your film off, and later find out that they only had 4 good shots out of 24. The ease of deleting those bad shots and better cameras over all have allowed the public to get much better images.

So why hire a pro? If a digital camera can get you good images why bother with a professional photographer? For the same reason that a person can go buy a paints and brushes but that doesn’t mean they’ve become Picasso. For the same reason you can go buy great scissors but you sure as heck wouldn't let your uncle Fred cut your hair.

Photography is an art, and every professional photographer is different. They have a unique style that makes their work stand out against another photographers. Two photographers may be good friends and shoot the same event, but their images will be completely different.

True professional photographers have years of training and experience in posing, lighting, gear handing, and especially now with digital photography, professional editing. Professional editing and good posing is by far the difference between a real pro and an amateur or hobbyist. Remember that when your hiring a photographer your hiring an artist who paints with digital medium.

So what about those chain stores, they aren’t artists. Your very right! The person taking your picture at a chain store ISN’T a professional photographer. In fact most have no training except they store may offer which is usually a tad bit of on the job training and a posing book. Does that mean they can’t give you a “nice” picture?

Nope, but think of it like a paint by number. Just about anyone can handle a paint by number painting. That doesn’t mean it’s not fun, but it tends to look just like your sisters who did the same one last year doesn’t it? Not much room for creativity, and not something you would pay big money for at a gallery.

Another quick note about these chain stores. Many times their employees either get paid horribly or by commission. Thus they really are focused on the sale, not the art of the shot. So they find good ways to get you to buy these things. Many people come in for the $19.99 package and then simply can’t not buy the rest. Why? The images are of your family, something you already love. Its not hard to push you, and they are sneaky about it.

In the end you’ll pay pretty much the same as you would for a real professional but have less than professional images. Don’t settle for drive through photography when you can get a full stake dinner for the same price! Oh and the pictures on the wall at those stores. The people working their didn’t take those. Real professionals, using models at their corporate offices did. I told you they were sneaky!

In reality most of these places don’t even allow their employees to take the camera off the tripod and never let them move a light. Go ahead ask them to move a light, or better yet switch out a lens. Just be prepared with the smelling salts.

Professional photographers do not have you pay for your images up front. You wouldn’t buy a car unless you’d seen it. Personally I don’t even like to buy shoes on the net because I want to make sure they fit since returning them is a hassle.

Which is why it really shocks me that people will pay someone posing as a “professional” a few hundred dollars with the promise of a “disk” without ever seeing the images.

Now most professionals do charge a sitting fee or some type. You’ll see why later when you read all that sitting fee actually covers, but rarely do true professionals ask you to pay for something before you’ve seen the finished product. Why? Honestly it’s pure business sense.

We know your going to love the images when you see them, so we don’t worry about collecting the entire amount or any package before. (There are some exceptions on special promos and such) In fact we know your going to love them so much you’ll probably want to wallpaper your house with them. An amateur posing as a professional wants that money up front, counting on you saying “Well I already paid for them, I better make due.”

A quick note on this part. Professional photographers feed their families off of their work, and invest the money made back in their business. You can tell a wanna be a mile away because they say things like "Oh it's $60 and then I'll give you a disk of your pictures too." If you were looking at a $60 car you'd be hesitant if it's really gonna last. Same here. You get what you pay for. A real bargain usually is just a real scam.

Many many many people have bought digital cameras and think this is a way to get rich quick. Its' VERY bad in military towns becasue we move around so much a photography is toted as an easy to move career. Every third wife swears to be a photographer. Some, like myself, really are. Most not so much.

So you might just be thinking well now hold on here!

Hasn't digital made photography less expensive for photographers? Honestly it’s been a trade off. Photographers have been able to largely get rid of the film costs and the costs of processing. However, the technology surrounding digital photography is always changing making a yearly update of gear an important part of business. A camera that used to last half a decade easy, maybe even a whole now is crap at the bottom of the technology death pool in two years.

Not to mention the computers, and image processing software that we update on an almost monthly basis. Because digital has seen many GWC’s (guys/girls with cameras, aka people posing as real photographers) true pros now have to spend more money on advertising to show potential clients the quality of their work.

Many hours are spent showing clients that while they might have to pay a little more for a professional photographer the cost is worth it when you see the quality of the images. There are also the costs that have always been there, the usual costs of doing business, gas, paying an assistant, memory cards, flash bulbs that sort of things. Yearly all those costs add up, but most photographers know that these costs are just a part of doing the business we love and are honored to do.


So what does a professional photographer really do? This is a really important question, because digital photography has changed what photographers do. With film photographers used to shoot and many simply dropped their film off at labs to be developed and retouched. Now photographers take the place of labs.

First the photographer is available to their clients to talk about their shoot, many like myself are on call 24-7. Don’t think you’ll need your photographer at 4 a.m.? Try again. Many a bride has called their photographer in the middle of night panicked about one thing or another. “The navy flowers didn’t come in so now we have to go with purple ones. Can you make sure they look dark purple and not violet in the pictures?” Well the answer is of course, and the bride can rest easy.

Newborn and maternity photographers like myself are also very skilled in working with babies and expecting mothers. Posing a mother or keeping a baby calm and sleepy not only takes talent but a great deal of time. We also do a great deal of time swapping as often a baby can bring unexpected challenges that cause mom and dad to have to move a shoot. A average newborn shoot runs several hours and requires buckets of specialized props, ones you see and ones we use behind the scenes.

Maternity photography which is starting to grow takes a great deal of professional posing. It's very easy to make even the cutest mom look fat if your a GWC and don't pose her professionally. I've had many a mom crying in my studio after a GWC messed up her maternity images and now she feels crappy about her body, which in reality is gorgeous. I spend time every single day looking at new and refining old posing techniques to work with expecting mothers and babies.

So first is the huge level of the customer service we offer to the client and our training and research.
Photographers then actually do the shoot, which can take anywhere from just a few hours to several hours, and that’s just the start of the work.

Photographers then spend hours upon hours editing your images so you and your family look their very best. Hours are spent touching up skin and hair, removing stray objects out of images, applying filters and special editing techniques ect ect ect… as well as creating pieces of artwork for the client to review.

A quick note on editing: Professional editing is NOT easy. Because many people own basic editing software they are lead to be believe that editing is easy, and let me assure you in this day and age a professional edit is the difference between being happy with the image given to you and being overjoyed.

As easy example is a black and white portrait. Many people mistaking believe a photographer just presses “change to black and white”. This however isn’t the case. A pro can spend a great deal of time moving and adjusting the many levels within an image to make a image a timeless portrait, not just a generic black and white. A single image can take upwards of a half hour, and that’s just to move it from color to black and white.

It is not at all uncommon for a photographer to spend over two hours on each edited image. A friend of mine who does very detailed photographic artwork often spends an entire day or more on a single edit. Although sometimes speed comes with doing it over and over many times you simply can’t rush the artistic touch your client deserves, so we don’t. That is what makes a professional a professional.

Up until this next point everything you’ve read is all covered by your sitting fee, or in my case I call it a creative fee. Now you see why the photographer asks for that money, we work hard for it!

The photographer then presents their hard work to the client to look over and for many photographers there is some nail biting. After all the one thing a great photographer wants more than anything is for the client to love their work.

Nothing makes a photographer happier than bringing a client to happy tears at the presentation of their images. People think photographers are in it for the money. As a shooter for 10 years let me assure you don’t get rich as a photographer, it simply costs too much to be a good one. The riches come in the clients loving their images, and knowing you gave them that joy to keep forever.

Then the photographer finishes up the final products. For clients who want digital images, the copyright releases are typed up, then explained how to use them, the images given another once over, the disks burned, and the clients presented with their digital images.

Many times if the client isn’t tech savvy the photographer will help the client load them on their computer. I get this often with grandparents of my newborns. I’ve talked many a nanna through uploading images to email to her friends.

For prints the photographer does a final check over, contacts their lab via phone or email, orders the prints, insures the lab received the order, checks the order when it arrives, reorder the images if they are not up to the photographers standards (hey we have good labs but everyone messes up sometimes) and finally presents the images to the client.

This is a good time to mention another reason why to use a professional. Professional photographers use professional labs for their prints and books. Not snapfish or the local mega mart. Why? Professional papers and inks are the best. They don’t bleed or fade. They last forever if taken care even remotely properly, and our labs stand behind their work.

In other words if something goes wrong with a print they don’t shrug and say oh well. My canvas company is so amazing that a year after I purchased a canvas for my studio the front of it chipped, just a tiny bit on one corner, when I called to ask how to repair it they were horrified it had happened and sent me another one. For free, no questions asked. (By the way in all my years of shooting I’ve never see a canvas of mine chip before nor since.)

Last and perhaps the most time consuming and a complete labor of love is when a client orders an album or personalized book. The photographer may spend hours sorting through images and building each page. For many photographers each page is a labor of love and art for their client.

Images are selected not only for their quality but in many cases for the ability to tell the whole story. Unlike with digital images or prints when a client chooses all of the images in the case of books or albums the photographer is trusted by the client (with much guidance) to create an art piece.

After the many hours of hard work creating the book or album are finished the photographer then carefully checks for any missed details, contacts their lab or book binder, places the order and when it arrives carefully checks it over before finally presenting it with pride to their client.

So a great deal of work goes into every image that a photographer provides a client, as it should be. The photographer often also provides digital galleries for the clients to show off their images to family and friends. They also insure proper back up and storage so that even if the client has a disaster they can simply contact the photographer and their families memories are restored. Many photographers keep images for years, if not forever, always allowing for reprints or additional disks to be made.


So while I understand how people wonder why they should hire a professional I hope I’ve answered those questions. In all honestly pictures are the one thing people keep forever. They SHOULD be invested in, and in the long run if you don’t hire a pro you’ll end up paying more anyway. First you’ll pay the GWC then either suffer with crappy images or have to go ahead and hire a professional. The same with a drive through chain store.

Unlike GWC’s who are too arrogant to admit they aren’t true professionals, just someone who purchased an expensive camera or chain stores that just want your money, the most important thing to all true professional photographers is getting the best images for our clients in a form that makes them sigh, cry, and love to have that image in their home for generations to come.

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What is a GWC?

Recently a fellow photographer and good friend of mine mentioned the difficulty she was having with a GWC. Confused I asked just what was a GWC? With a smile she said “Guy (Girl) With Camera.” Loving this so much I decided to use it in this information to you.

A GWC or is just a great way of staying “Someone who bought a professional digital camera and now thinks they are a photographer.” With the influx of great digitals this is becoming a huge problem not only for the real professionals but also their clients. The even larger problem is that for clients it’s often hard to tell between a GWC and a genuine professional photographer.

The professional photographer of old is a whole new animal, not always sitting behind a large camera in a studio. What used to be a sure sign of a GWC, a offer of a photo disk with a copyright release, is no longer the case. In the age of scanners many photographers have started offering photo disks as a way to allow their clients to print high quality images legally.

I myself have a huge part of my business in our portrait disk. As a photographer I decided that it was better to allow my clients to purchase the disk then to have them try to scan an 8x10 and not get a good copy.

The other old sign was that professional portrait photographers have studios and GWC’s don’t. However with the overhead costs soaring and digital making equipment so easy to move around many professionals now don’t keep a studio location. So how do you tell a GWC from a pro? Ask the following questions:

1. How long have you been in photography? Every photographer is a GWC at one time, usually when they first start out. The good GWC’s though don’t charge people anything, and are just trying to learn the art. Be cautious if they have been a off then on photographer. You can almost always tell at GWC from a pro by asking how long they’ve been in the business. Don’t use this as a tell all though. I’ve met some awesome photographers who have only been shooting for a few years.

2. Can I see your portfolio? Many great photographers never go to college for photography. Just like painting photography is an art and although you can hone your skills in a great school there are other ways. So instead of asking where a photographer went to school ask to see their portfolio. This is the best of the best of the best of their work. If you don’t like it, walk. Maybe your style isn’t gelling with the photographers or they really aren’t that good. If they say they don’t have one that’s a big warning sign. All pros do have a portfolio of some sort. Even student photographers do, so use care if the photographer your talking to hasn’t made the effort to make one.

3. Do you offer prints? Where are processed? This is a big big big thing. If the person your talking to doesn’t offer prints they are probably a GWC. If they say they do ask where they have them printed. Most professional photographers have their prints processed at a professional lab. Some big names are Millers and Bay Photo. Do a google search for a lab they say they use. Pro labs will come up. There are small labs though that do great work. Ask to see an example print. The paper should be a good weight and look clean. Flip it over, is there an order number on the back. Does it look professional? Ask if you have paper choices (linen, metallic ect.) professional labs offer those. If they say they use a chain store like Walmart or Walgreens this should worry you. Especially if your ordering portraits which need high quality printing to last a long time. If they say they print themselves (some large studios do) ask to see an example and then ask if your printer could do the same. Professional photographers will never sell their client something that isn’t professional quality.

4. What do you use to shoot with? A GWC will catch on this question. The pros answer will vary based on where you’ll be shooting. Most pros now use digital SLR’s. A few die hards still use film, but they few and far between. The big word to look for is SLR. If your photographers camera isn’t an SLR you need to wonder. A professional also has studio lights if they will be shooting indoors, good flashes, reflectors, background stands, backgrounds, props ect. The list of needed equipment changes with location and shoot type but a pro has plenty of options a GWC usually only has a camera and maybe a background or two. If the photographer can’t remove their lens that’s not a good sign. Again not having tons of equipment or even a great camera doesn’t mean they aren’t a photographer, it just should make you wonder.

5. Is this your main profession? If say “Well this is something on the side after I’m done with my plumbing job.” Your dealing with a GWC. Maybe a good GWC, but a GWC. Many photographers are starving artists, but they consider photography their profession. The other job is just to pay for the “toys” that photographers love to have. Like full time photographers some GWC’s have decided they are are pros and this is the only job they have so make sure you ask all the other questions too. Jobs like PCA, Walmart, Olan Mills, Sears, they don’t make someone a pro. Now many pros have worked at those places to pay the bills, but in truth those jobs offer little to no training and if that’s what your photographer is basing their ability on run away.

6. I have some ideas on what I want, are you okay with that? A professional will never turn away a clients ideas. Its our job to get you just what you want and what looks great. While a pro might add to your idea in the end they want you to be happy. A GWC might not take it so well, and if a true pro gets crabby because you have ideas you don’t want then taking your photos anyway.

7. Ask yourself “Does this person act like a professional?” A true photographer is proud of their work, is confident in their ability and acts like a business person. If they don’t that could be red flag.

8. Do you have a website? Pros have one. They aren’t always pretty (hey we can only be so creative and we are busy!) but they have one. GWC’s usually don’t.

9. Ask them about their posing training, their light knowledge, and who they consider to be the great photographers of their field. If you get to the shoot and THEY are asking YOU to pose yourself that’s a bad sign.

10. Lastly ask yourself if this is a person you trust with your families memories. Sometimes you have to pay a little more to a professional than you would a GWC, but not always. The important thing is that you are comfortable that the photographer is going to make you happy, and that if you aren’t they will do everything they can to make it right. There is nothing I won’t do to make a client happy, and most professionals are the same.

Fort Campbell Ice Queens!

We had a blast hanging out and photographing the Fort Campbell Ice Queens cheerleading squad yesterday! What a great group of girls and really sweet parents! We will have images posted soon!

Website updates..

Again! Sorry about this all! We have it off line to resize some things to make it load faster! Please excuse our mess! In the mean time meet Doc. He's a true doll. Mom and big sis brought him to us for some Anne Geddes style images. He was a real sweetie pie! We are going to be introducing you to many new babies super soon!

Keesha