Dear Bride, Consider the Small Moments Too

Dear Bride,  Your wedding day will be filled with many memories and special moments.  As I close out my 2017 photos and look back on the weddings, the small and often private moments stand out.  I hope you find a photographer you feel close to, comfortable with, and who honors these moments with respect and gratitude.

The big moments:  the first look, the kiss, the first dance, the cake, the grand exit.   These moments are on the checklist, I'm sure.  Don't want to miss those.  Click. Click. Click. 

But the small moments matter more than you think.  The quiet and private moments.  You see, we're there to document all of those precious, small moments.  To do so we're physically there experiencing these moments next to you. 

We're there in the room with tears behind the camera when your daddy sees you and that big old softie cries.  We're there when the veil goes on and the look is finished and all of your girls are speechless.    We're there when everyone puts their hands on you and prays over you and we say, Amen.   And we're there in that final empty moment when your bridal party has already begun the procession and you wait in your quiet hidden space.  It's just you - maybe your daddy - and your photographer.    When the ceremony is over and you walk out and have your first moment to breathe and look into each other's eyes and embrace, we're there.  There isn't a wedding photographer who doesn't understand with great respect the weight of this privilege.   

I pray before every wedding.  HARD.  I pray a lot for you and your soon to be spouse and your future.  I pray for your family.  I pray for the event to go smoothly and for people to be full of love and joy for you.   But I also pray that I will have a calming, peaceful, and joyful presence for you.  I pray that when I'm in those small moments with you that I have a warm smile and an encouraging heart.  I pray that if unexpected changes occur, rain comes, or nerves surface that I will be able help resolve those with a calm and loving demeanor.    And obviously I pray that God will allow me to use the talents he's given me to give you beautiful memories you can cherish for generations to come.

More than spiritually, I will also remind you to take a moment to pray, eat or drink something, and use the restroom before you walk down the aisle, I'll remind you not to lock your knees and to remember to breathe.   I'll insist you take your time, take in each moment, and not be rushed in anything your vendors, family, guests or planners expect of you. 

Being a part of your day is a huge responsibility.  I dance between sliding along the perimeter quietly capturing every moment to being fully present with you in these precious moments.    But truly I am grateful that you have trusted me with these moments, allowed my presence, and trusted that I can provide you with beautiful memories.  Thank you.   

"Why Do Photographers Charge So Much?"

"Why do photographers charges SO much?"

"If you charge more than $100 for Minis, you're crazy!" 

These are two real comments(not directed towards me) that I've heard in the past few weeks as we gear up for fall/holiday photos.  Everyone is looking for a photographer and everyone is looking for a great deal.

I get it.  My family lives on one income, supplemented by my photography.  We live on a budget.  Shout out to the man, Dave Ramsey, we live debt free.   And photography is a luxury item.  It is not a need, for sure.   But why is it SO expensive?   I'm writing this post in hopes of shedding some light on the subject.  This is not something I understood before I got into the world of photography and started my own business.  

It is called the "CODB" or cost of doing business.  And it varies tremendously for each photographer related to the size and scale of his/her business.  But the cost of doing business might include:

• Taxes (self employment, income, sales, preparation, state registration)
• Equipment (cameras, lenses, computer, lighting, gear)
• Software (editing software, presets, actions, overlays)
• Storage (external hard drive, back up, memory cards, internal storage)
• Web Subscriptions (online viewing gallery, website membership and hosting, scheduling management system)
• Advertising (sponsored posts, digital and print ads, SEO marketing)
• Financial (transaction fees, bank fees, invoicing systems)
• Continuing Education (workshops, trainings, webinars)
• Location Expenses (studio rentals, location photography fees)
• Props (furniture, backdrops, costumes, gowns, newborn props, cute extras)
• Support (assistants, second shooters, editing/culling, hair and make up, lawyers, accountants, insurance)

Time and Travel also has to be valued.  It includes gas, time away from family, time spent editing, and childcare. They arehuge factors for all of us as we set our prices and step out the door for your session.

Especially in the higher end market, the following might impact pricing:  expertise, customer service, unique/tailored images, one one one consultations, and product hard costs, packaging, and delivery.

We take these costs into consideration,  we judge our own photos against our past photos and those of others in our same price point, we look for trends in our recent sessions/sales, and we consider the market and our clientele.   What is the value of what we provide you?  How many images? How much time? Products? Print releases?  Session fees?   It is no simple equation.  Pricing is a very personal and an ever-changing element of doing business.

I will have to post another day about my feelings on the value of family photos and affordability.   For now, I just encourage you to find YOUR photographer.  "There is a client for everyone" reverses to "There is a photographer for everyone."  Know your family's budget and be straight forward about it, ask for what you're looking for, and if it's not the right fit, then ask for a referral.  

The Value of Familiarity

Hi friends!  So this is my first blog post EVER.  And I always said I'd never have a blog because I didn't have anything interesting to say.  But this came to me the other day and it is something I feel passionately about so I'd love to share it.  

I began my photographer's journey in 2014.  A couple of families have been with me the whole way and in trusting me with their family images, have helped me to grow.   But now 3 years later I have noticed 3 reasons why it's worthwhile to build and maintain a relationship with your photographer:

1.  It matters to your kids!  I think especially for small children you cannot discount the importance of familiarity.   Kids know they are going to come for pictures with "Miss Nicole" and it's going to be a FUN time!  They already know me so there's no warm up period, they run up to me with hugs and smiles ready to see what adventure we're on this time.  They know I probably have candy too!   They are not scared to leave mom and dad's safe arms and sometimes hold my hand as we walk.   Obviously this is precious and warms my heart but it turns into great, natural, REAL, joyful images too.  I remember they love Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, I know their real smiles from their cheesey ones, I know that one face she made last time with the pursed lips/crinkled nose/cocked eyebrow and I just caught it again.  

Rowan 6 months - 2 Years

 2. Adults care too!  I see moms and dads are more relaxed.  I always joke that dads are harder to win over than kids.  They know me, my work and the routine, I know mom's "favored side," and we've learned things about each other and we can have fun while we shoot.  

3. I value you!  From a photographer's prospective let me tell you that if you are an "established client" there is little I won't do for you.  I value our relationship, your trust, and the fact that you value me in return!  So if we go way back, I will go above and beyond to find "that location," childcare for my kids on  "that date,"  a special prop, etc.  Because I value you being a ongoing part of MY journey.

To be clear, I can meet a family for the first (and maybe only) time and have a very successful session.   That definitely happens too!    And do still work very hard to accommodate new clients.  But I can tell you there is tremendous value from building a long term relationship with your photographer.    

"Your Family's Photographer" is my business tag line.   It popped into my head clear as day after many days of prayer, thought, conversation, and numerous loser tag lines.    I love it because it speaks to the fact that I want and desire that relationship with your family.  I would be HONORED to document big and small milestones, homecomings, birthdays, graduations, first days of school, engagements, weddings, new babies, new grand babies, or whatever is going on in your life!   As they say, "the days are long but the years are short" and after the years pass, you will reminisce over your old photos in awe of what used to be.

Addison 2 years - 4 years