What kind of camera and equipment do you use?
- I use all Nikon Gear
- I shoot with a Nikon D300s and use a Nikon D5000 for back-up.
Who designed your logo?
- Dave Sparks (http://www.davedsparks.com/)
- Rexburg and Idaho Falls area
What am I paying for when I book a session?
I often have some people, specifically college students ask me why my prices are the way they are. Frankly, if you were to go elsewhere you would either have to sacrifice quality or pay a whole lot more for something you can get done for a lot less. I make my prices based on the following:
- Equipment/Software: you are paying for me to use my equipment to photograph you and/your family. I'm not just some person with a point and shoot camera. I paid thousands of dollars for my gear. I have to make the money back somehow. I don't edit the pictures on "Microsoft Paint". I use the real Photoshop and Lightroom.
- Time/Effort: On average, my sessions are about one hour. That does not mean that all I put into it is one hour. Depending on your package, I can spend anywhere from 4-6+ hours editing your pictures to make them look AWESOME! More time goes into processing images, posting them on Facebook, blogging about your session, getting the images printed etc...
- Talent/Experience/Education: I have acquired lots of knowledge regarding photography, editing, lighting, techniques, etc... If you don't want to pay for this, just go ask a friend to take your pictures. I also attend workshops and subscribe to Forums to learn better techniques. The Workshops and educational classes I go to are NOT free.
- Printing Rights: These days you will be lucky to find photographers that are willing to give you all or at least most of the pictures of the session. Depending on which package you choose, I sign you a release that gives you permission to develop the pictures on your own.
- I Pay Taxes- Yes, I pay taxes. Unfortunately, the self-employed pay higher taxes than someone would pay if they worked for a company and just had the money taken out of their paycheck.
My prices are very reasonable. If you don't seem to think so, just browse the local photography businesses and you will see. You might find a photographer that will do it for $20, but chances are their quality may not be as good. If you want great quality photos that will make all your friends and family happy, you will have to spend more. I try to keep my prices reasonably low.
In every session I learn something new. I am constantly learning new ways to improve my photography. Photography is an art! :)
What do I wear for my session?
I try not to dictate what you should wear, but here are a few guidelines you should follow:
What do I wear for my session?
I try not to dictate what you should wear, but here are a few guidelines you should follow:
- Avoid wearing shirts with lots of graphics or logos
- bright bold colors and patterns are great
- Wearing more than one layer of clothes photographs really well ( like adding a vest/jacket on top of a blouse)
- Unless you are a bride, avoid wearing plain white (even for family pictures) it just doesn't look all that great and it tends to look boring.
- Add accessories such as chunky jewelry/earings/headbands, hats, etc...
- Textured clothes and accessories photograph well
- Don't wear too much make up... Keep it natural
- For family pictures: It is OK for everyone not to match. You don't all have to wear the same thing. Pastels are okay, but to make it more interesting wear bright/bold colors.
- For Newborns: Bring any headbands/hats and outfits you want pictures of. I provide some props, but to make it more unique, bring your own.
