Mini Session Families!

Last Saturday was the mini-session event I held for Father's Day.  I was super excited to find a new spot and had a great time interacting with all the families. Most brought the dads (instead of surprising them).  So as you can see, you can use the mini-sessions for whatever fits your needs. It's doesn't always have to be related to the theme!

I'll showcase two of the families today.

First, meet the Menkes...

I adore this photograph of dad and daughter!

I'd photographed this family before but this was the first time I got to meet dad. What a nice guy! They even brought their little dog, Bella!

Next up, the Chamberlains....

I had a blast with Julia and Christian! Loved seeing their sibling love.

I love getting to know new families and having fun together at their session. I leave feeling like they're old friends!

Click HERE to see what was included in their mini-session package!

Storyboards tell a story {collages}

I have always loved photo collages. When I hit the teenage years, my friends and I would sit down and make collages out of pictures of ourselves and phrases from magazines. We'd glue a picture down and then cut out something like, "best friends" or maybe something wacky and silly.  Maybe you did this too?  There's something about grouping several images together to tell a story that I love. Every picture tells a story don't it? That's what Rod Stewart says and I agree! Today, I still love to create these collages with the images I create for clients (sans the silly phrases!).

If you are like me, then these collage options might catch your eye!

This collage is a 10x20 print, mounted on a 3/4" standout.  Recently, this very collage was included in my mini-session package. It's a clean, contemporary look.

It comes ready to hang!

Another way I love displaying collages is framed in one of the custom Organic Bloom frames I offer. These unique frames, come in 16 unique shapes and many different standard and custom sizes. What a way to add a little pizzazz to your collage AND your room!

This storyboard is called "faces" and I think the reason why is obvious! What a great way to showcase every bit of who your little one is at any age!

For the person that likes to tell a story with their images, collages are the perfect fit. It's a great way for families to compile several images from their session, showing each individual and the group as a whole. And high school seniors? The options are endless!

To find out more about collage options, shoot me an email! denise@denisewilliamsphotography.com

Making the most of your digital files: Father's Day

I have to be honest. Digital files are not high on my priority list of products I want to sell. While it would be easier for me to shoot, burn, and be done, it's not what I desire for my clients. I want them to have portrait art that makes them smile every time they walk by it.  Wall images that take them back to the exact moment that made those smiles appear. Heirlooms that they pass on to their children.

That being said, I still make some exceptions and offer digital files.  They might be part of a mini-session package, sold as a bonus item, or purchased to make a holiday card. I am talking just as much to myself when I say this, but there's nothing worse than going through the whole session process, and then doing nothing with the images.  So with Father's Day around the corner (June 17th), I thought I'd throw a couple of fun gift ideas your way to help you put those files to good use!

It seems like a lot of people have iPhones these days. Not everyone is a convert, but I see a lot of them out there. If your dad or hubby owns one, then an iPhone case from Uncommon is the perfect gift! This vendor makes iPhone cases with your photo (or any design, if you are photoshop savvy!) on the back.  My friend Jamie turned me on to this site and I LOVE my iPhone case!

Mine is the deflector model and costs $34.95 before taxes and shipping. This case is a great way utilize your digital files AND make dad smile on Father's Day! He can show off his family every time he uses his phone.

Your dad not an iPhone user? Then how about a personalized photo notepad or notebook for the office? Shutterfly has these for $12.99 and up and often has sales on these great products.

I made these notebooks for clients at Christmastime and even made one for myself!

I hope these ideas have helped you come up with some ways to use your digital files, whether from a professional or your own point and shoot.

Leave a comment below and let me know how you have used your files as gifts!

The Session Album

When a client books a photo session, they often come to me not knowing how they want to use or incorporate the finished portraits in to their lives. All they know is that they want updated portraits of their family.  This is all A-OK because when a client hires me, I am at their service.  I am here to help them figure it all out.  I am proud to offer high quality, professional products that fit the needs of my clients.  If I don't offer it, I know where to find it!

Introducing one of those products.....the session album.

What makes it a "session album"?

A session album includes twenty images from your session, printed on UV treated,  professional quality photo paper (it's an actual photo, not press print or magazine style paper).  

This high-quality album is handcrafted in the USA and is custom made just for you. It's not just picked off a shelf of pre-made products. Because quality takes time, these albums take two to three weeks. They are well worth the wait!

There are a multitude of genuine leather and suede cover options to choose from. Is your style hip and funky? Got it.  Clean and classic? Got ya covered. A cover no one else has? Got that too.  The cover cut-out is optional, but I think it's pretty cool!

The session album design is clean and classic. The intent is that it will remain timeless. An heirloom. No funky design styles that are cool now, but not so much ten, twenty, or fifty years from now.  You can customize the layout to allow for vertical and horizontal images without cropping. Or you can do a full page image to vary up the design.

The pages are a lay-flat style and nice and thick.  Lay-flat means the pages are hinged in the gutter (the center of the album).  This eliminates arched pages that tend to make a book want to close.

For the client that can't part with all their images, this is the perfect product. It's also a great keepsake for high school seniors, families, or children. It looks snazzy on a coffee table, or on a nightstand next to your bed. Really, these albums would spice up any room!

Wanna know more? Shoot me an email at denise@denisewilliamsphotography.com

3 minis left!

Mini sessions are a little over a week away and there are only three left! You can read more here: http://denisewilliamsphotography.blogspot.com/2012/04/fathers-day-mini-sessions.html

Email me at denise@denisewilliamsphotography.com to grab one before they are gone!

The Wright Family

I had a great time with the Wrights last Saturday. What a laid back family! (I love photographing laid back families. I always hope some of that laid-backness will rub off on me!)  It made for a relaxing session as we explored the park and had some fun! This is a family that loves hanging together outside, so this was the perfect location.

Click HERE to see what this family ordered!

Simple Wall Grouping

There are so many wall grouping options out there. (sizes, arrangements, canvas or standouts, framed and unframed) Whew! Even I get overwhelmed when I think of which options to present to clients.

If you have never tried a grouping before, this combo of three photos is a good place to start.  It's classic, simple to hang, and looks beautiful above a bed or on a smaller wall. Groupings look great in threes and threes work great to display a family photo and a couple photos of individuals.

This grouping shows three custom framed images in 11x14 and two 8x10s. It would take about 3-4 weeks to create. If ordered on 3/4" standout mounting or canvas, you'd be looking at a week. Looking to fill a larger space? This grouping would look really nice over a couch in larger sizes.

If you more of an album person, this might not be your thing. But if you are like me and like to see photos big on the wall, you will love this!

To learn more about wall groupings, go ahead and email me at denise@denisewilliamsphotography.com

20x30 canvas with two 16x20s on either side.

Wanna know more?  Email me at denise@denisewilliamsphotography.com