Clients:
Do you ever wonder what to wear to your photo session, to make it unique and memorable? Are you just not sure what would look good?
Well, then this guide is for you!
Compiled by Annie Manning from Paint The Moon ;)
http://paintthemoon.net/blog/2013/03/wear-clothing-tips-children-family-photo-sessions-paint-moon-photoshop-actions/
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Monday, April 8, 2013
2013 PROM Mini Sessions
PROM!!! YES! It's almost here ;) I want to see
all you lovely gents and fabulous dolls all dressed up! And the PROM
MINIS are here. The dates and times available are in the picture below,
can be individual, couples, or groups. You pick!! These will not be your
average cookie-cutter photos and we will have a ton of fun! Contact me
asap to book your session, as spots are limited.
Monday, March 25, 2013
What photography means to me & Why I charge what I Do
Why I Started My Business:
This post is going to get personal. The reason for my career choice and why I do it. Eight years ago, I gave birth to my first child--two months early. His name is Damian, and he was born at 32 weeks gestation; after many weeks of complications and bedrest. At the time, we were unsure that he would even survive-- it was a very scarey situation. He was so small and fragile, so we decided to take as many pictures of him as possible, just in case he didn't make it. That was the start of my journey into photography becoming a career.
My son is now a gorgeous, healthy 8 year-old. He is in the 2nd grade and loves spending time with his parents, as well as his brother and sister. Eventhough, he had many challenges as he grew including being late on many milestones; I wouldn't change anything. He is the most amazing young man and I am honored that I am his momma :)
Following his birth, I went on to have two more children who are close in age, so my passion of photography took a back seat until 2009. I was working at Electrolux Home Products in Webster City, Iowa, when I got laid off and I decided this was my opportunity to live my dream.
Forever Memories Photography was "officially" opened in November of 2010, but the beginnings of FMP started at the end of 2009. For that first year, I started out shooting my kids and other family members, and then went to doing free sessions for close friends so that I could start my portfolio. From there, I started offering "portfolio building specials" to new people (who I didn't personally know) which unbeknownst to me, turned out to be my future return clients! Yay for me! Right? These clients are still to this day, the most loyal clients I have. They are families that I shoot a minimum of twice per year and it's awesome!
What Photography Means To Me:
I have always been a firm believer that photography is art and that no one should go without these precious memories just because they can't afford it, don't have the time, ect. To best describe this I will refer to one of my favorite quotes by one of the best photographers ever known--
"Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving, what you have caught of film is captured forever… It remembers little things long after you have forgotten everything." -Aaron Siskind
The purpose of photography itself, is to capture something in time, that would otherwise be forgotten. People hire a photographer for all sorts of reasons: for the engagements to show everyone how in love they are...their wedding to display their wedding day for all to see and to remember how amazing it was...their first baby to preserve the memory of their little one in time...family picture to hang on the wall and remember what everyone looked like as they started their lives...and the senior graduating from high school celebrating the their childhood ending and venturing into a new journey of their life.
For me, photography is my job, as well as a life-long passion. And I also think that from a client perspective, it isn't just about FMP; my clients want to know me as a person as well. I am such a "people person" and get very excited about each and every session that is booked. I start planning a session from first contact, and it only ends after delivery.
I am a very focused photographer (no pun intended!), since my main priority are my clients. Without them, I wouldn't have a business, so I keep it my top need to keep them happy and with a great experience. I have come a long way in 3 years, where my vision was clear...to provide the best possible photographs and stellar quality. Which brings me to my next point......
What I Charge & Why:
As I said above, I started out not charging. I bet any photographer can agree with me when I say this is a common practice. But, at some point, all photographers must charge. Here's why:
#1- I have costs involved in running a business (photography is a very expensive enterprise).
#2- I have gear that are worth thousands of dollars and at some point I must upgrade it.
#3- As a photographer, it is not a hobby, it is a career. Meaning that I have to pay my bills and feed my family on this income.
#4-Since the government also needs their cut, I must pay taxes on each and every session and wedding which amounts to about 30% of my total income for the year. I'm lucky if I even receive a refund from the IRS, and in fact end up paying in quite a bit.
#5-I am providing a service, just like any other business. And I expect to be compensated for it.
As you may have noticed, I have increased my session fees and wedding packages for 2013. I do realize by doing this, it's a possibility that I might lose some clients (but more sure that I will gain clients); but it had to happen. I have felt like I was devaluing myself as a professional for some time. I know I am worth what I charge, and maybe it could be considered too low by some people. I think that if you're going to do something worthwhile, then do it right!
So, my pricing structure has changed to reflect my level of work. And I am happy with that. I will continue to attend workshops and seminars with fellow photographers to gain additional experience since I plan to be a photographer until I retire.
Thanks for reading and I want to give a big shout out to all of my fabulous clients who support my small business everyday! You all are some amazing people :)
-Jayme
(photographer)
This post is going to get personal. The reason for my career choice and why I do it. Eight years ago, I gave birth to my first child--two months early. His name is Damian, and he was born at 32 weeks gestation; after many weeks of complications and bedrest. At the time, we were unsure that he would even survive-- it was a very scarey situation. He was so small and fragile, so we decided to take as many pictures of him as possible, just in case he didn't make it. That was the start of my journey into photography becoming a career.
 |
| Damian- age 8 (2013) |
Following his birth, I went on to have two more children who are close in age, so my passion of photography took a back seat until 2009. I was working at Electrolux Home Products in Webster City, Iowa, when I got laid off and I decided this was my opportunity to live my dream.
Forever Memories Photography was "officially" opened in November of 2010, but the beginnings of FMP started at the end of 2009. For that first year, I started out shooting my kids and other family members, and then went to doing free sessions for close friends so that I could start my portfolio. From there, I started offering "portfolio building specials" to new people (who I didn't personally know) which unbeknownst to me, turned out to be my future return clients! Yay for me! Right? These clients are still to this day, the most loyal clients I have. They are families that I shoot a minimum of twice per year and it's awesome!
What Photography Means To Me:
I have always been a firm believer that photography is art and that no one should go without these precious memories just because they can't afford it, don't have the time, ect. To best describe this I will refer to one of my favorite quotes by one of the best photographers ever known--
"Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving, what you have caught of film is captured forever… It remembers little things long after you have forgotten everything." -Aaron Siskind
For me, photography is my job, as well as a life-long passion. And I also think that from a client perspective, it isn't just about FMP; my clients want to know me as a person as well. I am such a "people person" and get very excited about each and every session that is booked. I start planning a session from first contact, and it only ends after delivery.
I am a very focused photographer (no pun intended!), since my main priority are my clients. Without them, I wouldn't have a business, so I keep it my top need to keep them happy and with a great experience. I have come a long way in 3 years, where my vision was clear...to provide the best possible photographs and stellar quality. Which brings me to my next point......
What I Charge & Why:
As I said above, I started out not charging. I bet any photographer can agree with me when I say this is a common practice. But, at some point, all photographers must charge. Here's why:
#1- I have costs involved in running a business (photography is a very expensive enterprise).
#2- I have gear that are worth thousands of dollars and at some point I must upgrade it.
#3- As a photographer, it is not a hobby, it is a career. Meaning that I have to pay my bills and feed my family on this income.
#4-Since the government also needs their cut, I must pay taxes on each and every session and wedding which amounts to about 30% of my total income for the year. I'm lucky if I even receive a refund from the IRS, and in fact end up paying in quite a bit.
#5-I am providing a service, just like any other business. And I expect to be compensated for it.
As you may have noticed, I have increased my session fees and wedding packages for 2013. I do realize by doing this, it's a possibility that I might lose some clients (but more sure that I will gain clients); but it had to happen. I have felt like I was devaluing myself as a professional for some time. I know I am worth what I charge, and maybe it could be considered too low by some people. I think that if you're going to do something worthwhile, then do it right!
So, my pricing structure has changed to reflect my level of work. And I am happy with that. I will continue to attend workshops and seminars with fellow photographers to gain additional experience since I plan to be a photographer until I retire.
Thanks for reading and I want to give a big shout out to all of my fabulous clients who support my small business everyday! You all are some amazing people :)
-Jayme
(photographer)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)