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Hello and welcome to our blog! |
It's hard to believe summer has come and gone, and the kids are starting school this week..
As I sit down and plan my Fall calendar, family holidays & travel, I thought I would post a blurb about what to expect from Alice Park Photography! The months of September - December are ALWAYS the busiest time of the year for us. It's the time of the year when I load up on my vitamins so I don't get sick (ha!), set very strict deadlines re: holiday orders, and pray everyday for good weather. I always unintentionally over-book my calendar, but I try really, really hard to stay ahead of the game & on top of my clients! *You guys are the best!
I am booking very quickly through December now. If you are interested in scheduling an intimate session with me Tuesday thru Saturday, please contact me asap to get onto my calendar. Please note that ALL holiday orders MUST be received by November 15th to guarantee Christmas delivery (excluding folio book orders, which must be received by October 31st).
I have also locked in these events for travel & mini-session opportunities this Fall:
FAMILY DAY: October 24th
15 minute mini-session held at a favorite park in Atlanta. The purpose of this mini-session is to capture updated photos of the your child and to capture that perfect Christmas card photo. Because of my limited availability this Fall, we only plan on hosting 1 full day for past clients only. Official signup will open early September.
NEW YORK SESSIONS: Tentatively Scheduled for Week of October 12th
Scheduling 4-5 sessions within 2-3 days. If you live in NYC and are interested in scheduling an intimate session with me, please email me to inquire about my rates and policies.
BEACH SESSIONS: November 6th - 7th
30 minute mini-sessions in Charleston, SC. A very unique opportunity for professional family photos on the beach! There will be VERY limited slots open; please email me soon for more detailed information and to be placed on my wait list.
SANTA PORTRAITS @ b. braithwaite: December 5th, 12th & 19th
Be on the lookout for our official signup beginning early November. More info on b. braithwaite's exclusive event here.
I will be posting updates on the above photography opportunities as often as I can.
I've been receiving some inquiries lately on my policy for travel. I figured I would tackle some questions here :)
"How much do you charge for travel?" "Do you have any stipulations or minimum order requirements?" "Are you flexible?"
The truth is as much as I LOVE to travel, get out of Atlanta & visit new places + people, I have a very unique love/hate relationship with it. When I leave this city to photograph a new family, I'm more excited than a dog getting ready for his walk of the day. I become consumed with my new adventures ahead, scheduling what I will do and the new things I will try every second of the day. I bring work with me because I have every intention to work, but never EVER does any of it get done.
So I come back, 3 days to a week later, and I stare at my 3 million emails to answer, dozen phone calls to return, 2 thousand item "priority" to-do list, and I hold my hands up ready to surrender.
I admit this is due to my complete and utter lack of self-control when I travel. Even if it's the busiest time of the year, I somehow find a way to ignore my missed calls and unanswered emails until it's mountain high.
How much do I charge for travel? It depends. Time is my most valuable asset...When I am out of the office, I am away from potential clients here, production work, and all of my other responsibilities as a business owner. Typically, aside from my flight, hotel & per diem expenses, I charge a nominal fee for my time. Also, I typically do require a minimum number of clients per visit, so if you have friends and/or family interested in my services, it always helps alleviate the costs of travel.
Minimum order requirements? Yes. Each client that I photograph must commit to a minimum order beyond the session fee (please email to inquire).
Are you flexible? During the months of September - December, unfortunately no. I am booked SOLID during those months, staying up countless nights making sure I don't fall behind. My most flexible months for travel is January thru March. Summer months of June - July come in close second, Spring and Fall are up in the air.
Do I love it? ABSOLUTELY. Too much. I already feel like I have the best job in the world, and when I'm asked to travel to photograph, it adds all the more glamour.
If for some reason, I can't make it out to you, you can always come to me! Atlanta Hartsfield is one of the most accessible airports in the country, and I hear babies are easy to pack! =)
I receive a lot of client inquiries regarding how to purchase a digital camera, so I thought I'd post this topic here.
I believe one of the best investments you can make on your children, besides their education of course, is documenting their childhood. I am a little biased, no doubt... :) When I'm not there to capture their first step, their first smiles, their first tooth or their first day of school, I want my clients to be well-equipped - both in knowledge and equipment - to capture it in the best way possible. I have, therefore, put together a few notes I've shared with clients who've emailed me asking various questions on digital cameras and equipment. I hope this can shed some light on those who read my blog, meaning moms, not photographers. :)
It is tough for me to stay current with the regular all-in-one point-and-shoot digital cameras since they honestly come and go every six months. I purchased mine a while ago:
The above is the Canon PowerShot SD750 Digital Elph. Not the best camera out there, but when I'm not lugging around all of my SLR bodies & gear, it works quite well for me. The camera fits perfectly in my pocket and has a LCD screen on the back that will allow even my grandmother to frame the subjects correctly.
All of the mumbo jumbo terminology above - Optical Zoom, Digital Zoom, ISO, Megapixel, etc. explained here.
Everybody's needs in a camera differs. Consider the following:
1. Match megapixels to your use: Most point-and-shoot cameras offer at least 5 megapixels, which is plenty for producing 11-by-14-inch prints. Cameras with more megapixels will yield even larger prints and allow you to blow up a part of an image with less likelihood that the print will be blurry. If you plan to make only 4-by-6-inch prints, you don't have to shoot at the camera's highest resolution--and as a result, you can fit more shots on your memory card.
2. Look for rechargeable batteries and a charger: The cost of disposable batteries adds up over the long run. Some cameras can use AA batteries of any type--disposable or rechargeable. That capability can be helpful if your rechargeable batteries run out of juice and you don't want to wait while they replenish.
3. Disregard digital zoom: Most cameras offer at least 3X optical zoom--and some boast an optical zoom as high as 20X. But sometimes vendors tout a high total zoom that includes digital zoom, which you should disregard: Digital zoom produces photos that are inferior to those produced with an optical zoom.
4. Look for a low-light focusing aid: Some cameras have auxiliary lights that help them focus in dim settings. That's important for many indoor shots.
5. Try the camera before you buy: Some cameras have commands and menus that are easier to use than others, a comparison you can make only with a hands-on trial. Also evaluate the lag time between when you press the shutter button and when the camera actually takes the picture. Try the zoom lens--does it operate quickly and smoothly? Find out how long you must wait between taking pictures. And try the LCD viewfinder--in the sun if possible--to determine how easy it is to read.
6. Give extra consideration to a camera with a good selection of software: Look for useful packages such as Adobe Photoshop and Elements, as well as applications for organizing and sharing them.
* There are a lot retailers out hoping to sell whatever camera is in stock, so be sure to do your research. Some of my favorite review sites are DPreview.com and cnet.com.
Lastly, remember that your ability to get good images out of them does not depend on price. Photo quality has much more to do with who is using the camera than the camera itself. We will discuss the elements of capturing that perfect shot at a later time, AS WELL as discussing all of the amazing digital SLR's and lenses available:
The hip little man below who is in need of modeling representation also had the coolest Show & Tell pieces to share with me.
From left to right/top to bottom: 1. Hats: Maxwell loves to wear hats like his big brother Richard. He hears them everywhere including school and when he sleeps! 2. Monkey: Maxwell’s favorite stuffed animal is Mr. Monkey. He cuddles him softly as he sleeps and dreams. 3. Books: Maxwell reads every book he can get his little hands on. These are two of his favorites because he loves animals and to make sounds like them. 4. Ducks: One of Maxwell’s first sounds was “quack-quack”. He loves to take baths with his buddy ducks. 5. Initials: One of the first toys Maxwell started to play with were blocks and these of his initials are little and cute just like him. 6. Ties: Maxwell’s first clothing he learned to put on was his dad ties! He is daddy’s little man! 7. Tiffany China Set: Maxwell loves cars and loves to make the sound “brumm-brumm” just like the cars on his first big boy china set. 8. Balls: Maxwell learned how to count “1-2-3” by rolling throwing balls. He will throw them off the balcony or up the stairs! 9. Push Along Toy: Maxwell’s first toy gift was from his grandmother Ursula. He loves to drag it around the house and hear it go “clack-clack”.
Blan commissioned me to put together a very special Christmas card for her and her beloved horse Micah this year. We scheduled our session at Ashland Farm in late September, and I put together a trifold card from some of our best images from our session. The results are stunning! Everyone is going to want to be on her Christmas card list this year!
I absolutely love how unique and personal this card is. Designed very simply with stunning images from our session, a VERY vintage and special photo Blan contributed, and a personalized greeting from Blan to all of her friends & family. Love it!
It's our holiday rush season again, and we just wanted to post a note to all of our clients re: our Holiday Order Deadlines so that you can be sure to have all of your stocking stuffers, holiday cards and framed gifts in time for Christmas.
Please make note of our deadlines:
Albums & Books
11/1 - All books must be finalized, approved and sent off for print by then to avoid a rush charge
11/2 - 11/20 will incur a 25% rush charge
Print/A la Carte Orders
11/30 - Custom reprints, large, discounted quantities & copyright released images for print must be ordered by this date to avoid a rush charge
12/1 - 12/15 - will incur a 50% rush charge
Fine Art Greeting Cards
11/15 - Designs must be finalized, approved and sent off for print by this date to avoid a rush charge
11/16 - 12/15 - will incur a 50% rush charge
Please note that we are working very hard this holiday season to keep up with our busy photography schedule and fulfill orders, so we apologize for any delays in responding to emails and/or voice messages.
Typical turnaround time for albums is 8-12 weeks
Typical turnaround time for print orders is 2 - 4 weeks.
If you are a past client and would love to view your images again, please let us know and we will be happy to repost your gallery.
Mark your calendars for October 16th - 18th, 2008. Alice will be holding very exclusive beach sessions along the exquisite beaches of Kiawah Island.
Formal signup will be in August. Please email Alice to be placed on the waiting list and for more information - alice@aliceparkphotography.com.
One of my (and often times, my child-client's) FAVORITE spreads to design in their folios book is the Show & Tell spread. I receive a lot of emails from parents asking how they can really personalize their child's book, and I can't think of a better way than through a collective collage of their favorite toys, blankets, books, can't-sleep-a-night-without lovies, and of course - a wide angle shot of their bedroom.
"How do we illustrate in words the significance of each item in their Show & Tell?"
Here's one great example how. Below is Hill's Show & Tell spread at age 1. His mom wrote this series to describe his favorites:
From left to right/top to bottom: Toy car - Hill loves anything that moves, so he loves to crawl pushing this car along with him. Colorful Ball - One of Hill's first words was ball, and he ADORES them. This one was one of the first he could hold because of the holes in it. Drum set - Hill is all boy and likes to bang on anything, so of course drums are one of his favorite toys. Giraffe Blanket - Hill cannot sleep without his green, silky, Little Giraffe blanket. We have 2 . . . just in case! Race Car - This was one of his Christmas gifts from his Grandma and Grandaddy Hill, and he thinks it's so much fun to ride up and down the street in this motorized car. Tonka Truck - This was one of his Christmas gifts from his Grandma and Grandaddy Kelso, and this walker/ride-on truck helped him learn to walk. Favorite Bedtime Books - We've read to Hill from an early age, and it's one of the only times now that he'll sit still is when we read to him! Activity Cube - This activity cube has so many things to play with that it entertains him for long periods of time. Piano - Hill has always loved and responded to music, so this piano is of course a favorite of his.
I've documented everything from family pets, favorite snacks, family members (she was daddy's little girl), pacifiers, and the ever-popular Baby Einstein videos. Use you & your child's imagination on this spread. I promise it will be a favorite for years to come!
People often ask me what our folio books are all about. Aside from the quality and the craftsmanship of each folio book we deliver to our clients, I put a lot of effort into custom designing each book as the child's own little story. I have a little notepad in my head during sessions, and when I'm capturing moments with my camera, I'm also recording the things they say and the emotions that are surrounding us.
Overtime, I want my families to cherish our books more and more. We want their children to pass down their books to their children, so it's very important that I accurately capture and illustrate in my designs who this child is.
Here are some favorite spreads of a recent design I created for the Patrick family. I combined photos taken from her 2nd year and 3rd year, and designed a story of Ansley growing, and maturing, and turning into the sweet and very loved, little girl that she is. My layouts are simple and clean. I love white space and making the photos pop. I also love incorporating just the right words to complete their story.
Portraits