Will you offer Fall Mini Sessions? Maybe. I want to see how they go this summer and if it turns out to be worth it for the work I put in, etc.
Will you still be offering Full-size, custom Sessions? Absolutely! Book them early though because with having three little boys at home I'm not taking on as many sessions as I have in the past. Being a good mom is my number one priority and I don't want to miss these precious years with my babies. I can always add more sessions once my kids are older, but I can't get this time with them back.
Have you chosen a location for the Mini Sessions? Not yet. It will be somewhere beautiful! And not too far away (if you live in the Portland, Oregon area). Mostly likely it will be a park setting. I have some ideas that I'm planning to check out on a sunny day (haha). If there are enough people who would like an urban location, I will accommodate that too.
What should I wear? I have some basic outfit recommendations on my website (http://www.yourlifedocumented.com/) and would be happy to discuss specific questions. Pick colors you are naturally drawn to and find a piece you love to build the rest of the outfits around. Another tip is to find the area/wall in your home that you would like to fill with photos from your session and pick colors that coordinate well with the area.
How does your Mini Session compare with your full-size Creative Session? Currently, my standard Creative Sessions are $350 and include a 1-2 hour session, a disc of at least 25 high resolution images with printing rights. They are fully edited in color, black/white, and many times some will come in a third "artsy/trendy" editing style (this is not guaranteed, but if I feel it, it happens...gives me a little creative flexibility). :) These sessions are built around the clients...we work together to determine a location, it's relaxed, but moves along, and I plan the session completely around you, your children, your family. Usually family, newborn, and senior sessions all fall under this category.
Mini Sessions are $200 and include a 20 min session (for up to three people, at a location I choose), 10 high resolution images on a disc and a 5x7 print of each color image. The sessions are structured & more simple than a full session (there just isn't time for outfit changes, multiple settings, etc.), since I am catering to multiple families back-to-back. I also offer a third option (in addition to head shots, special circumstances/events). These are called Lifestyle Sessions and I spend a good chunk of the day with a family or group of people (usually about 3-4 hours or so with lots of built in room for transitions and breaks). There is room in these sessions for me to accommodate various locations, outfit changes, and activities. A disc of at least 50 high resolution photos and a custom designed, professionally printed coffee table album is included. This session is $550. With each option, half of the session fee is due at the time of booking to reserve a spot for you in my month.
It is part of my core belief that "these years" go by extremely FAST and it is well-worth it to invest in a custom photography session from time to time. Artistic, personal photographs have replaced art in many people's homes and what better way to remember sweet times with those you are closest too...those who make up your world. I love including a disc of images in each package so you can affordably print as many images as you'd like (and use for Christmas cards, baby announcements, etc.) and have the disc to keep forever. A huge reason I initially chose to include a disc of images, besides the AMAZING value it gives my clients & the fact that it's what I would look for in a custom session, is that it is time efficient for me and works well with my goals for my business. The downsides are obviously that I have less control over the finished product you display (although after learning that the hard way I now send a "strongly recommend these places for printing" letter with the disc and printing rights) and that my session fees look higher than others because the end product is included. If you've shopped around and compared various photographers in our area, many either sell the disc separately for upwards of $400-1000 for a standard session or don't offer it at all (but charge $25 for a 5x7 print). And others are so inexpensive I can't even begin to wrap my mind around how this business could possibly be worth it for them. Or maybe it's that they are editing so incredibly simply (practically offering disc of SOC images). Truly I am not criticizing any approach, just acknowledging the vast variety of structures and price points. I have a high standard for the images I give to clients. I've tried to simplify but I have worked hard to make my look customized and don't want to do anything I feel might compromise the quality.
A Question For You...
So now I have a question for those of you who are in the market for custom photography and usually don't have your photos taken at the mall in regards to my photography packages (not pertaining to my mini sessions necessarily, but maybe it will translate to that in the future) as I do my best to serve you: As a consumer, would you rather pay a smaller "sitting" fee ($150-$175) and then pay separately for prints and/or the disc after being presented with your proofs or keep the disc included in the fees? Just curious ~ please leave me a comment with your vote! If you disagree with me, that's fine, just please be kind! :)
And I can't post without a photo!
My boys after a very muddy time in the backyard (what other kinds are there in Oregon)? ;)
"Look Mom, I made a heart for you." I just love bubble hearts.
Thank you for reading! xo Annie
1 comments:
Wow! You have put a lot of thought into this...very impressive. Where do you find the time? My vote, would be to keep the disc as part of the price. Whenever I recommend you, people always ask if a disc is included. The "Bubble Hearts" made me smile...so incredibly sweet! You MUST blow those pic's up and put them in the boy's bathroom. Love it! :)
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