Want good picture cheap or a great portrait investment

With the advance of digital camera's, there are so many camera owners hanging an "open for business" on their doors. I have great respect for anyone getting into their own business, whether for pictures or for insurance. It takes hard work and commitment. But this post is just about photography, my business. Just like there are many different brands of cameras on the market today, there are many different styles of photography. And many different levels of photographers. There are self taught, (whom I have a good deal of respect for), photographers with degrees, (even more respect for) and those who are told they are good and just run with it (good for them if they can succeed). But for the consumer this information is really important. To me, if I'm going to pay someone to take a picture of my child/family and bring home that image to hang on my wall, it better not look like anything I could take with my own digital compact point and shoot. If I'm in the picture, it better look real good. Sit me down with my husband and kids and start shooting, I'm not going to buy anything, cause my camera has an auto timer and I can do the same thing for a lot less(free) and stick it in the album. But take the time to smooth stray hairs, straighten my kids clothing, make me and my husband feel at ease, then go the extra mile and actually pose us so we have a movement, closeness, contact with each other, then really wow me by adjust the lights so we look awesome. Hey, I'm going to buy that image as big as I can afford if not a tad bigger and hang it on my living room wall where everyone can see it.

Unfortunately, this isn't happening in today's market. I'm going to tell you how to save tons of money on pictures, or how to get beautiful keepsake portraits. Which you choose is completely up to you. Do you want a heirloom keepsake for over the sofa, or a keepsake picture for the family photo album? Just read below and learn more.

So, you've chosen your photographer, she's a lifestyle photographer, what exactly does this mean? It means that you will not be posed. Her style is about having a fun session and lots of photos. You'll have 50 or more to choose from. Many will be the same pose, just a tad different expression on different family members. You may be photographed in your home or another location and natural light was probably used because she did not study lighting whether natural or studio and does not understand how important this is to creating truly beautiful portraits. This style is very trendy right now. She will probably spend the next 2 days working day and night to enhance them in very catchy trendy ways. Making colors pop and unique borders. Then you get to see the previews. All 75 of them. And they look just like you and your family on any day of the week. Your overwhelmed and a little disappointed and you and walk away with a cd of each pose to take home, print and stick in the family album. Or , you just order a couple small ones and in the album or drawer they go. Why did this happen? Because, she didn't really take the time to make you and your family look great through complimentary posing and feature enhancing lighting. Isn't that why you went to a professional photographer in the first place? To look good? Ready to save money? It's really easy to set up your own self portraits. All you need is one of the great (plus inexpensive) digital compact point and shoot camera's, a tripod or flat surface, 5 ft of space behind you and the wall and the cameras self timer. Photoshop elements (super fun and inexpensive) does those really cool effects or you can get them off the internet for free just by googling. There are some great labs out there that print for less than Walmart (MPix is one) and you can keep all the proofs.

But you wanted something to hang in a beautiful frame that compliments the decor of your home. Whether it's an 11x14 or 30x40, you want a heirloom keepsake that you could just stare at all day long. Time to do your homework. Lifestyle photography, if done correctly does involve posing and lighting whether natural or studio. It is not about letting everyone just sit down and let you start snapping away, remember from above, you don't need to pay someone to do this, you have the equipment to do that yourself. It's about creating a fun connection, interacting while the photographer does her job and watches for the perfect expression, laughter, family love. The very best unposed looking images, taken by some of the best professional photographers today, were posed or directed somewhat or in some way.

Take that to the next level and let the photographer pose and light you and your family to the most complimentary standard is what gives you a beautiful classic portrait. Whether a lifestyle portrait or a classic portrait, choosing someone who understands how to correctly use every tool they own (and this especially includes the creative side of their brain) will give you that framed portrait you expected, hanging for over the sofa. And more than likely some great keepsakes for the family album too.

A well trained professional photographer will be able to create both formal and informal portraits, though some specialize in one or the other. To really get your investment worth, make sure they use pro-equipment, can shoot in the studio with studio lights or on location with studio, bounced flash or natural light and always use a pro lab or pro sub dye pro equipment.

What about Cook Photography?
I have a degree in portrait photography. I am also self taught by keeping current on portrait trends. I use both studio and location. Studio lights and natural light . Whether lifestyle or classic, the 20 poses that you will see from your session at Cook Photography will each be different. The decision will be overwhelming not because there are to many and so many similar poses, but because you want them all to hang on your wall. But, rest assured, approximately 8 weeks after your studio or location session, you will have that beautiful framed portrait hanging over your sofa. P.S. I also do wall collections for when you can't choose just one. :)

To learn more about taking great family pictures with your camera, I offer photography workshops. These workshop's don't replace professional photographs, but give you more usable photographs for your scrap booking or your family album.

Work Shops

I'm now offering photography workshops for any group or organization that would like to learn how to take better pics of their children.

The workshops cover, Finding nice light, Watching your background, Beyond "Say Cheese", and Capture the Moment. For availability and price, please contact me.

2009 Seniors

To kick off this years Senior Car contest, I will be giving away free sessions!! Yes, totally free. Stop by to learn more, call or email to schedule your session or visit the website for more info. When you stop by you can register for the Senior Car contest and get senior portrait session info. That's accomplishing two things at once which is really saving you time!

Also check out my new MySpace page. It's kind of lonely right now, but over the next couple months you, as an upcoming senior, could be featured. Watch for the stuff that you don't want to dig around a website for. Things like what to wear to wear to your session. What to expect. Ideas for props and ideas from you!

Don't wait, save your money, time and sanity (plus your parents) by booking early and getting it out of the way. BTW, seniors don't change all that much from the end of their jr year to their sr year, so don't let that stop you from booking your senior portrait session early.