I was catching up on some of my reading and came across this article on the RealSimple blog that talks about the benefits of choosing a professional photographer to capture your kids.  Parents are often telling me how much their kids are changing and that the professional photographs that we have made for them are so much better than their own snaps.  It’s not to say that parents shouldn’t keep snapping away, gosh no, just add some professional ones to the mix. 

Choosing a professional photographer is often hard because there are so many out there and parents often don’t know how to make a decision.  Last year I wrote up a simple guide for making that choice easier, feel free to check it out here.  If you happen to live in Seattle or the Pacific North West you should definitely check out some of our services to see what we have to offer. 

The full article and links can be found here. 

Mar 3, 2008 5:08:00 PM
Note To Self
Get Professional Photos of Your Children

I’ve never forgotten an invaluable piece of advice that I heard from an older friend right after my first child was born. She told me, “One of my greatest regrets about my children’s childhoods was that I didn’t have more professional pictures taken.”

“You didn’t take many pictures?” I asked.

“I took tons of pictures,” she said, “but the fact is, professional photographs are so much better than even the best snapshots.”

I absolutely agree—professional photos are better. And keeping her advice in mind, ever since my daughters were born, I’ve been zealous about getting their photos taken professionally at least once a year.

While it’s a lot of fun (and also a pain) to take pictures myself, it’s terrific to have some pictures that are truly excellent. These photos don’t take the place of the on-the-spot pictures that I take myself—I still take scads of photos at birthday parties, first days of school, on the slide, with a popsicle—but these pictures memorialize my children’s childhoods in a different way.

Plus they make great family gifts. I can never figure out a good present for the grandparents and great-grandparents, but they always love to get a really great photograph—especially the relatives who don’t often get a chance to see the girls in person.

Also, research shows that one way to boost your happiness is to reflect on happy times, and looking at photographs helps keep memories more vivid.

It’s a splurge, of course. Professional photos aren’t cheap.

However, I figure that the money I spend on these photographs will strengthen family bonds, enhance happy memories, and capture the fleeting moments of childhood. They give me more pleasure than practically any other purchases that I make. That strikes me as pretty good happiness bang for the buck.

A friend’s family had another great photography tradition. For her whole life, at every milestone, her parents took a picture of her and her brother sitting exactly the same way on their front stoop. It’s fascinating to see them change through the years. Along the same lines, the artist Nicholas Nixon took a photograph of his wife and her three sisters once a year for 33 years. The collection of these photographs, The Brown Sisters, is riveting.

Getting professional photos take is a great example of the tiresome fact that happiness takes thought and effort. These photographs are easy to arrange; in the scheme of things, not terribly expensive; contribute greatly to our family happiness—and yet it probably never would have occurred to me to do it if my friend hadn’t suggested it.

Have you ever had your child’s professional photograph taken? Did you think it was worth the expense and trouble?

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Posted on Mar 3, 2008 5:08:00 PM by gretchenrubin | Link | Comments (24)

simply stated: life & soul | Blogs |By RealSimple.com

Many people often ask me for advice on how to choose a photographer, so I thought it was about time I gathered my answers all in one place. This list is a good starting point for figuring out what to look for when choosing a photographer who will be right for you.

1. Do you get along with them? This one is often overlooked, but it’s very important. Many people find having their picture made can be somewhat intimidating. It takes a special photographer who knows how to help you relax and bring out the best in you. Finding someone who can do that can be a challenge because it’s the sort of thing you really won’t know until you’ve worked with them. And by then, it can be too late. So ask the photographer if they have a special introductory package available at a reduced rate. Also, it’s a good idea to find out if they’re willing to get together before your session so they can get a better idea of what you’re looking for. Being comfortable with your photographer can make all the difference in getting results you will truly love.  

2. Does the studio offer lots of choice? When selecting a studio or photographer, make sure they provide a range of packages to choose from. Also, check to see that they offer both standard and custom prints sizes. When ordering prints, you’ll want to be able to select from a number of poses. Having a variety to choose from will help you reach a final decision. Unfortunately I have found that many photography studios have a set number of poses or shots available to choose from, which really limits your options. The more choices you have, the better your chances of finding the perfect images and sizes for you home.  

3. Can they meet your schedule? We all know how hard it can be to fit everything in, so you’ll want to choose a photographer who is flexible enough to match your particular schedule. And it’s important to know that your photographer won’t keep you waiting and will be ready for you as soon as you arrive, especially if you have kids. You know how quickly those little guys can mess up their hair or clothes. At the same time, you don’t want to ever feel rushed. So it’s best to select a photographer who leaves plenty of time for your session and doesn’t take a revolving door approach to their subjects. Getting that ideal photograph often takes time. This is especially true with newborns and toddlers who sometimes need a break from the lights and camera. Choose a photographer that’s willing to spend the time it takes to get the results you want.

4. What lighting options do they offer? Lighting style is a key consideration when choosing a photographer. You want your photographer to be knowledgeable about and have access to a range of lighting styles and equipment. This will ensure that whatever lighting set up is used will be the most flattering to your skin tone, facial structure and the image as a whole. And don’t forget to ask if the photographer’s studio can make natural light available. Skilled lighting will ensure that you walk out with a cherished work of art, and not a stale, boring yearbook picture.  

5. Do they offer flexible location options? The ability to be flexible when it comes to weather and location is essential to getting exceptional results. Depending on your needs, you may want to select a photographer who is comfortable photographing outdoors. Outdoor settings can often add that perfect special touch to your photographs. In addition, it’s important to find a photographer you would be comfortable inviting to your home, and who’s willing to take the time needed, should you wish to have your photography session at home. And, of course, you should also seek out a photographer who is serious enough about their craft to have invested in a fully outfitted professional studio. By having all of these location options available to you, you’ll stand a better chance of getting photographs that really stand out.

6. What steps do they take to process your photographs? It goes without saying that capturing that initial image with the camera is a critical piece. But it’s just the beginning. Ask your photographer about their experience using traditional darkroom techniques in digital photography. It’s a good idea to be wary of a photographer who insists on using blanket settings to adjust images, or worse, doing nothing. Select a photographer who is meticulous in processing and touching up your photographs to achieve the best possible results for your images.

7. Will your prints last? Let’s say you’ve gone to the trouble of having professional prints made to hang on your walls. It’s obvious that you’ll want them to last for a long time. It may surprise you to learn that many photographers send their prints out to a photo lab, whose prints typically last only a few decades before fading or turning yellow. To prevent this from happening, choose a photographer who is professionally trained in printing techniques, one who is adept at producing gallery-quality artistic work using only archival stock, specifically designed to preserve your images for many many years to come.  

8. Are they professional? For the best results, it’s a good idea to confirm that your photographer is a genuine professional. In a world where digital imaging is so readily available, you should consider checking sources such as the National Professional Photographers Association, the Seattle Professional Photographers Association, and the Better Business Bureau.  

9. Do they have references? Client references can often give you the most reliable information about a photographer, because they come from first-hand experience with the photographer’s entire process. Ask your photographer to share references with you and follow up on them.

10. Do you like their work? Obviously this can be the deal breaker when it comes to choosing your photographer. Take a look at their portfolio. Analyze their work to see if their style and tastes match your own. Check out their Web site and look at the images carefully. See if they have the ability to create different moods and effects with their lighting style. Make sure that they present their subjects in the best possible manner, and see if they’ve taken the effort to display for you all the various locations available for potential sessions. You want your photographer to inspire you, so that when you hang your photographs in your home you may inspire others as well.

That makes ten.  Depending on what you are looking for some of these may be more important than others. I suggest prioritizing based on your own requirements and of course add other stuff that you feel is important. Good luck with your quest to find your next photographer and we hope this information has been helpful.   Of course if you happen to live or happen to be visiting Seattle or the Pacific North West please check out our services.