Why hire me?

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Why should you pay me to take your photos when a department store will do it for half the price, or your friend can do it for free with their phone? Let’s do a quick side-by-side comparison.
What you get if you go to a Department Store or Mall Photo Studio
  • Limited time. You will feel rushed. Especially if the kids aren’t cooperating!
  • The same backdrop as everyone else – a plain sheet or a fake looking scene.
  • Editing and touch-ups are extra and are often done on the spot while you wait with little attention to detail.
What you get if you hire me
  • We will spend up to 2 hours on the session. We will not rush!
  • The outdoor location of your choice, which allows for a variety of gorgeous backgrounds specific to your tastes and personality. If you become a repeat customer (and I hope you will!) you can chose a different location every time, ensuring your photos have a fresh look each year.
  • My work continues long after the session is over. I will spend considerable time editing your images to make each one beautiful. This includes removal of blemishes, skin softening, removal of distracting background elements (trash cans, power lines, etc.), conversion to black and white, and other color editing. At no extra cost!
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Studio setting
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On location
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Blemish removal
But what about your friend who has a nice camera? Won’t you still get most of this if you ask them to do it? What other benefits are there to hiring me instead?

I put in the time
I don't just show up at the appointed time, shoot off a few snapshots, and burn a CD. I scout out suitable locations well in advance – not all locations are created equal! Some will not work for a variety of reasons, and you can trust my experience to know the best places to go. On the day of the shoot I arrive early to select the best positions and plan my shots. During the session I spend time with you making sure you are comfortable in front of the camera, and getting the best shots I can. This involves multiple exposures, poses and settings, and with children sometimes a lot of patience. I strive to make every session fun for everyone.

I bring experience
When I'm not shooting, I'm learning. I read books and research websites on everything from posing to post-processing, from shooting techniques to the latest gear. And I practice. Which means that when it comes to your session you can trust that I know the best location to meet your needs, the best way to light and pose you, the best background for each shot, and how to deal with uncooperative children. I know how to edit each image to put the focus where it should be, on you, so that the final results are images you will treasure.