Why YOU should have a custom photography session!

It's late. I should really be sleeping, as I have an awesome portrait session in the morning planned, but once something is in my head, I need to get it out before I forget it. So sleep will have to wait.

During my session with one of my awesome clients and her two daughters she was telling me how she went to a big chain portrait studio and how horrible the experience was. They waited for three hours, even though they had an appointment scheduled, and by the time it was over, she just wanted to get out of there. She didn't even look at the images after they were done. A few months ago, I experienced pretty much the same thing when I took my daughter Charlotte in for pictures. I was offered a free session, I couldn't resist. We arrived 30 minutes prior to our scheduled time, and waited two hours before she was seen. Our session was rushed because of the growing amount of people waiting for their session. So of course there was no time for Charlotte to get comfortable with the photographer beforehand. And the crying, then in turn, made her cry.

So it got me thinking, why do people choose to go to the big chain portrait studios? Perhaps it's because that they have never experienced custom, boutique photography, so they really don't know what they are missing. I'm not saying that those studios are bad, but the experiences differ vastly.

Maybe they don't know that I take the time to get to know my clients and their family before the session. Their names, their ages, their likes and dislikes. Favorite music, favorite colors, things we can talk about during their session. They also probably don't know that my attention goes to my clients 100% during their session. I'm not trying to rush you through to get to the next client, and we have time to get the great shots that you want. More often than not, I actually go over the set scheduled time to make sure we get extra images that they will love.

But maybe they don't realize just how fun a custom photography session can be. Having a photographer that knows and cares about you makes you at ease during your session, and I'm turn creates some amazing images. We laugh, we joke, we swap stories, it's a great time.

And it doesn't end just there. After the session, I go through each image and pick out the best of the best. Images that evoke emotions. They make you laugh, they may make you cry. But they are images that you will love. I create a gallery for my clients so thy can see the story of their session unfold. And even after their session, I am still there for them as a friend. Watching their family grow, staying up to date wit what's going on in their life.

Then some people choose the big chain studios over custom photography based on prices. If you are going to invest into something, invest into someone worthwhile. Do you want an image that you will keep on your desk and glance at every so often? Or do you want an image that evokes a bunch of emotions and you at so eager to share it with everyone you know? You are not paying just for images, but for the experience, expertise, and professionalism and fun that comes with custom photography.

It's basically like eating fast food everyday, then having an awesome home cooked meal with the people you love and your favorite foods.

Dear Mother Nature,

I think you may have missed the memo that we are in March. Right now it is 60 degrees. Now while I am not complaining, as I am immensely enjoying this weather, I am a bit afraid for the heat that the summer holds. But until then, I will take advantage of this awesome weather by having picnics, taking walks, dining out, and starting outdoor family sessions early!

Love Always,

Marisa

Spilling my heart out...

The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind.  I have had a lot of fabulous ladies in for portraits.  I have been inspired and creative. I have been loving it. I love what I do, I seriously do. Sure there were times when I felt like giving up.  I've had nights where I stayed up all night to finish editing a wedding, and days on end getting my finances straight.  Tax time is the craziest for me, but thank heavens I am organized enough to not lose my head.

I have shot weddings, and spent the day after laid in bed because I was so sore (I have fibromyalgia, which makes physically activities a bit complicated).  I've done back to back sessions and thought I was going to mess something up.  The anxiety and fear of not delivering an image my client won't love is always on my mind.

You would think that with all the stresses, I would just stop doing it.

But I haven't given up, and I don't plan to.  With every "oh my gosh!", and "I can't believe you made me look so amazing!", with every squeal of joy and hand clap, I know that I am doing something right. Life is but a series of moments, and I have the ability to capture those moments.  Sure, I break photography rules sometimes.  Some images may not be technically perfect. But my clients love their images, and that is all that matters.

I do this because I love it. I do this because it makes others happy. And I've always been the type of person that enjoyed making everyone around me smile.  I do it because it gives me a chance to stay at home and watch my daughter grow up. 

As long as there is love and happiness, I am there to photograph it.

Fabulous Friday

Hello lovelies!!! It's Friday, which means it's time for fabulous.  Today, I am going to show you some fabulous shoes.  I am going to warn you now, I love shoes.  I love heels, peep toes, pumps, all of them.  It's kind of funny because I was never into shoes,it wasn't until about three years ago that I started like them.  But I seriously think every woman should own at least one pair of shoes that make her feel fabulous when she puts them on.  For me, that pair of shoes is my zebra print peep toe heels.  I love them, I adore them. I put them on, and I feel great.

I may not be the most fashionable person in the world, for me comfort is flip flops, a skirt, and a tank top.  But I do know that it is important to feel beautiful.  So if that means a sexy pair of shoes, then so be it!

So yes, you may notice two things. One, I really love the teal/tiffany blue color.  When I mean love it, I LOVE it.  And secondly, I am kind of obsessed with peep toe shoes! 

 

Any who, these are some great shoes to wear during your boudoir session. After all, you want to feel beautiful from head to toe!

Have a fabulous weekend!

Perfection.

Perfection.  Am I perfect? No, of course not. Are my images perfect?  Nope.  I tend to like slightly over exposed images.  Technically, I love a bit more contrast in my images.  I also break the rules on composition and cropping...A Lot.  If all of my images were technically perfect, I would be focusing more on that and less than the emotional impact of the image.

I admire a lot of photographers.  And it seriously makes me happy when my favorite photographers say that they love shooting in natural light, and that they KNOW that their images are not technically perfect.  It makes me even happier when those photographers say that they don't have studios, that they work out of their home, and that they are as frazzled as me most days.

Running a business is not easy. Especially when your business is based around being able to capture IT. 

Over the past two days I have been watching an online course delivered by the amazing Sue Bryce.  She is one of my favorite photographers.  She shoots in natural light, started her studio in her garage, and does things with such simplicity and still produces AMAZING images.  After watching her today, I decided to step out of my comfort zone. And here are the results...