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The answer is different for every senior! Several variables will need to be considered when determining the best time to book your senior session.

Availability

To ensure you find a time that works for you, start by looking at your availability. You may not realize just how little time you have until you try and work a photoshoot into your busy senior year. Then suddenly, it’s a month before you graduate, and you haven’t scheduled a date for your session yet.

For example, many extra-curricular activities such as fall sports and performances take place in the fall, leaving very little time for a senior photo session. If you are more involved in spring sports and activities, spring is a difficult season to plan around. Very few seniors want to shoot in the cold of Winter!

You don’t want to be stressed before or on the day of your senior session – it will show in your photos. Your senior session should be a fun experience! On the day of your shoot, you want to be relaxed and enjoy every second.

If you need to shoot on a Saturday, you must plan early! Most photographers won’t have many Saturdays on short notice.

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The Theme

Most likely you already have some idea of the types of photos you want to take to commemorate your senior year. Outfits play an integral role in the overall style of your shoot. If you want to wear a beautiful boho outfit for your senior session, shooting in winter isn’t quite going to work.

You may want to include your cap and gown in your outfits. This makes for limited dates to shoot in the spring of your senior year and these are the most sought after dates for most photographers.

Get a clear idea of the style you would prefer before you choose a date for your photo session.

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The Location

Your location will also fit in with the theme of your shoot. However, not all locations and settings look good at certain times of the year. Want an urban shoot? This works at almost any time of the year. Prefer to take photos at a local park? Spring and fall create the best backdrops.

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There really is no right or wrong time to schedule your shoot, you just need to plan for it. The minute you have an idea of what your senior schedule will look like, start selecting a few dates – you won’t regret it!

Encourage Sharing

Prior to a senior session, get your child to open up about their passions, hopes, and dreams. This information will help guide the shoot and ensure the most authentic photos. Knowing what your senior wants these photos to represent will also guide their outfit and location choices.

Don’t forget to include your senior in the search for a photographer – a photographer’s style needs to fit in with the images you hope to create. Read my blog post: "Parents’ Guide to Senior Pictures"

Click HERE to receive my Kaptured Senior Experience Guide!

To help you think outside the box, I have put together a few ideas you can use to decide what printed products you want to purchase from your senior’s portrait session.

Use Your Favorite Spots

Which spots in your home do you love spending time in? This could be anywhere from a dressing area, to the living room to the family room. Add one of the prints to a frame, so that you always have a special reminder of this important milestone.

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Over the Fireplace

Have a fireplace in your home? This is the perfect place to hang a senior portrait, whether it is framed or printed on canvas. If you have more than one child, you can create a small photo wall above your fireplace, so that everyone gets a spot.

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Change Up Your Bookshelf

Yes, your bookshelf is designed to house books, but this doesn’t mean you only need to use it for reading material. Get creative by combining your favorite books with one or two framed senior portraits and other knick knacks.

Move Away from Frames

If your décor has more of an artistic feel, you can always place small canvas prints on easels. These look great on side tables in either the bedroom or living room. Plus, they make for instant conversation starters about your senior.

Spruce Up Your Foyer or hallways

It’s always nice to be met with beautiful family photos and portraits when you enter a home. Change up the frame sizes and colors to create movement and to add a creative touch to your foyer.

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Incorporate Them into Their Grad Party

Planning to host a grad party at home for your senior? Why not use some of their creative shots as décor? This is a party to celebrate them, after all, so make them the center of attention in every way possible. If you want to take it one step further, you can even use these professional photos to create Christmas decorations. 

Whatever you do, make sure that you print your child’s senior photos. You are hiring a professional photographer for the occasion, so make it count.

If you're looking for a senior photographer please contact me!

Check out The Kaptured Senior Experience

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Receiving your image proofs on a flash drive or via an online proof gallery seems like the easiest way to review the images from your latest session, but this isn’t always the best way.  For the best photo session experience meeting for a proof review with your photographer after your session is highly recommended.

DSC_4823-Edit With a good professional photographer a lot of time and effort is invested into your session as well as the editing of your photos.  A true professional photographer won’t just abandon you once the shoot is done.

Three reasons for meeting for a proof reveal after your session.

A post-shoot proof meeting completes your photography experience.

Having your photos taken is a personal experience, so why shouldn’t the entire process be personal too? Great photographers prefer to take you through your images so that they can assist you from start to finish and share in your joy. We review and choose your favorite images and discuss the editing process.

Your photographer should assist you with the photo and product selection process.

For some people, receiving a disc or flash drive filled with photos can be quite overwhelming, especially when it comes to selecting the best images and products. Meeting with your photographer after your session allows me to give you my professional opinion on the best images to print and what your printed product options are. I have samples of products, offer special deals during a review, and typically throw in something extra.

Your photographer will be the perfect guide on where to place your photos.

If you choose to meet with your photographer post-session, some even may want to opt to meet at your home. This way they can walk through your home with you and guide you on the best products and placement for displaying your portraits.

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Most of my clients come to my home studio for their proof reveal. This is a very exciting event for many, especially high school seniors. We view the images on a big screen and choose the images they like. Packages are presented based on their needs and budget. After the meeting I edit the images and order their products. This completes the experience and assures they get the best service and value.

There are lots of things to consider when booking outdoor photo shoots. For any type of session you want to ensure your images come out looking stunning. Many people book their shoot thinking that midday would be the best time to shoot since there is plenty of sunlight, but this is one of the worst times to do an outdoor shoot.

Midday sun light is often harsh and strong which causes unflattering shadows. While diffusers and shade can help reduce these shadows it still isn't ideal. Then there’s the problem with the bright sun causing everyone to squint and wrinkle their noses. So when should you schedule your outdoor shoot?

The Golden Hour.

Professional photographers will agree that the best time to shoot outdoors is during what is known as the golden hour. This is the hour just after the sun has risen or the hour just before the sun sets. It is during this time that the lighting is ideal because the sun is typically at its lowest point in the sky. As a result, the light is soft and diffused which creates less contrast & shadows, and is easier on the eyes! 

The photo below was taken during golden hour. Notice how warm the photo feels and how even the light is with no added lighting or reflectors.

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Additionally, during these hours there are fewer people around. This reduces the likelihood of someone walking in the background or distracting you during the shoot. The glow of the sun at this time will also help add dimension to the background and allow for more detail to come through the images.

Sun lit backgrounds are also another benefit when shooting during the golden hour.

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Don't forget your flash! You will need it when you have back-lit subjects!
 

How to determine the golden hour?

Since the sun rises and sets at different times every day you want to make sure you plan accordingly. From about March to July the sun will begin to rise earlier and set later and from August to December the sun will rise later and set earlier. Keep in mind that your location will impact the length of time you will have this ideal light to shoot with. As you move closer to the equator the “golden hour” will typically not be as long because the sun moves up in altitude more quickly so the light becomes harsher much faster. Also mountains and trees will determine the time of sunrise and sunset.

While it may not seem ideal to have to wake early to get in your photo shoot the images you will come away with are well worth this small sacrifice. Most parents also agree that booking their family shoots earlier in the morning was met with less resistance from their children. Keep this in mind when you decide to book your next outdoor shoot. 

As you search for a photographer, you’re likely to come across those saying, “I’m a Natural Light Photographer.” They make it sound like they are a super photog transcended from mere mortal professionals, an artist, not constrained by flashes, lights, and everything that goes with it. I thank you all! Sorry I drifted off into some lyrics from Queen! Anyway these natural light photogs may say they are free to express and your photos will be “real” and natural.

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Don’t get me wrong, I love natural light, but there seems to be a misguided notion that natural light always looks superior. When used correctly and when it works, natural light photography is amazing.  Being a natural light photographer is not a badge of honor. All light, natural or otherwise, behaves identically regardless of the source, if you understand the principles of lighting. The proper use of flash is NOT flat and unflattering! Proper use of flash fills in dark areas, brings shape to the subject, highlights features and areas, creates mood, and provides missing light.

I consider myself a blended light photographer. The ability to add additional lighting allows me to shoot under any condition with or without the availability of natural light. For example, if natural light causes my subject to have raccoon eyes, I will add a little flash to reduce the shadows under their brows and chin. Here's an example of that below and check out my blog post "How to Avoid Raccoon Eyes in Your Photos". raccoon-collage

When I shoot a back lit subject, I can either expose for the background, expose for the subject, or expose for both by using additional lighting. The sunset photo below would not be possible without adding lighting. I set my camera to expose for the sky and then set my light to properly expose my model.

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If a photographer claims to be a natural light photographer examine their samples.  If you see lots of white, blown out skies, that’s what you’ll receive from them.  That’s not a style. It’s the easiest way to shoot and lacks photographic technique and lighting knowledge.  Anyone can expose for the people and let the background be blown out or too dark. Anyone can get that with a cell phone!

My intention is to always create the best image possible and I will use daylight, flash, or a blend of both. I know when to move my client to a location with better natural light. Waiting for the golden hour is nice, but not always practical. The photo below was taken during the golden hour using only natural light.

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Let’s not forget the wedding where the rain comes and you must relocate the shoot indoors. I’m always completely ready for indoor or outdoor wedding and special occasion photos. Wouldn’t you rather have a photographer that can get amazing photos anywhere, anytime, and under any conditions?  Otherwise what are you paying for? 

The photos below demonstrate my process of blending natural light with flash. The first photo shows proper exposure of the background. The seconcond photo shows the added light on my subject and the background.

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What you’re paying for when you hire a professional photographer.

When you start shopping around for a professional photographer the prices can sometimes seem quite daunting. What very few consumers realize though is that there is a lot more to photographing your event than just clicking a button at the right time.

So what are you paying for when hiring a professional photographer?

Time is money.

Just like any other professional, a photographer needs to put in the hours to get the job done. This includes the consultation, traveling to and from the location, shooting the photos, editing and processing the orders. You’d be surprised at how long it takes to get the end result that is finally delivered to you. Once they shoot the photos, it’s not as simple as downloading the images and delivering them to you. They have to process the files, convert it to the correct file type as well as make sizing and color adjustments to make each image pop.  For instance most weddings require an hour of travel time, a full day of shooting and a full week of editing. If your photographer is also creating a book or album for you, they need to spend time designing it too.

Equipment is expensive.

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Even though this is a very small part of why photographers charge the prices they do, it’s important to remember that quality equipment plays an important role in being able to produce the photos that they do. Professional equipment not only allows for the production of high quality images, it also gives photographers the ability to work in areas with less than favorable lighting conditions or at venues where using a flash is prohibited. A professional photographer must invest in backup equipment. No client wants to be informed that their photographer can't photograph their event due to equipment failure!

They have spent years acquiring a very specific skill.

Photography, like any other profession, requires experience and specific skills. From knowing what lighting and camera settings to use, to knowing how to pose people and help them feel comfortable in front of the camera.  Great photographers don’t rush the editing process either, it takes time to produce the desired result and turn your photo into a work of art that you’ll proudly want to display in your home. 

It’s still a business.

A professional photographer is still running a business, which means they will more than likely have overhead costs such as rental fees for their studio and the upkeep of equipment. Photographers also need to budget for business taxes, professional association fees, equipment and liability insurance and fees for courses that will allow them to stay ahead by continuously honing their craft.

A professional photographer who is dedicated to their art and willing to go the extra mile for their clients is always well worth the price. 

You have most likely seen some cool photos that were taken at a themed photo session. Your friends’ kids got their latest pictures taken in matching safari outfits. Your aunt had a western theme for her wedding photos. There are numerous theme ideas you can use to make your photos interesting, unique, and a reflection of your personality.

If you are considering a themed photo session, answer the following questions discover your ideal theme:

Is this photo session indoors or outdoors?

If it's outdoors you’ll probably want to consider a theme that suits the current weather.

What season is it?

If you are looking to use a specific backdrop or seasonal prop, use Mother Nature’s current display as your theme. Pumpkins are perfect decorations for fall weddings!

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Do you love a specific historical era, such as the 50's?

Or a particular TV series like Star Wars? There are so many eras and movies that you can draw inspiration from. Make a list of TV shows, movies & eras that you and your family love.

Do you have specific hobbies?

Perhaps you are an animal lover, a sports fan, have a passion for fashion, or maybe you’re an artist! Make a list of your interests and your theme might just jump out at you.

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Is this a major life event?

Use your pregnancy announcement or your wedding as the perfect excuse for a fun photo session. Use a setting and props that speak to both you and your partner’s interests. You will find tons of inspiration on websites such as Pinterest that you can turn to for ideas.

Whatever theme you decide to choose, make sure that it speaks to your personalities so that you genuinely enjoy the process. Themed photo sessions are also usually a great way to encourage children to be involved and to get them excited.

It’s totally normal to feel a bit awkward when taking senior portraits. Many seniors tend to feel self-conscious about their appearance because they feel uncomfortable posing and taking photos in front of other people or in an unfamiliar location.

Below are some tips for doing your senior session with grace and confidence and getting senior pictures that you will love for years to come.

1. Use your eyes.

Use your eyes to express emotion. When you smile naturally your whole face lights up and your eyes look bright and awake. Before the photo session practice smiling in the mirror and use different expressions to see what looks best. I will help you with smiles by talking and joking with to you and asking for different types of expressions that will make you laugh.  I use extra lighting or position you in natural light to ensure your eyes are well lit and that there are no shadows under your brows. I always focus the camera on the yes and allow everything else to fall out of focus to achieve an artistic effect.

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2. Relax.                                                                                                                                                           

Great Photos happen when the subject is relaxed and confident. Let the excitement of your photo session show through the lens as you take a moment and breathe, relax and just have fun. You may feel silly during this process but we will do everything we can to help you feel more comfortable. I will help with natural poses and simple movements that will help you to relax and look natural.

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3. Breathe.

This may sound obvious but breathing is key to capturing a natural look. Take time to practice taking a deep breath while smiling in front of the mirror.  Slowly release the air while holding the smile and notice how your face and eyes settle into a natural and relaxed expression. Allow your eyes to “smile” by focusing on the apples of your cheeks pressing upwards. When in doubt, just relax as you breathe.

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4. Move.

Staying stationary can sometimes produce a very staged and cheesy look. Just because you are sitting or standing still doesn’t mean you can’t change the angle of your body to create a look that is fresh and inspired. Try leaning into the camera slightly to appear more engaged, shift your weight from left to right, or simply move your chin slightly up and down for different shots as this gives us a variety of facial expressions to work with.

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5. Beautify.

This goes for everyone. Get plenty of sleep the night before your session. Start getting ready for your session early. Ladies, spend some extra time getting your hair blown out, get your makeup done and choose outfits that make you look and feel your best. As for the men, take a shower and shave. When you look your best, you feel your best and when you feel your best, you are naturally more confident. Go the extra mile to walk into your senior session feeling confident, attractive, prepared, and inspired.

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If you have ever wondered what spurs on a photographer’s passion, you are about to find out. Below are just some of the many reasons I wouldn’t change my job for anything in the world.

Photography changes how I see things. 

I notice colors, textures, flowers, trees, people, shapes and light in a way most people never see them.

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I pay more attention to the beauty around me.

Even the most mundane object can become beautiful when photographed it in a creative way. I love my job because I have developed a fascination with the world around me by viewing it through new eyes

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It's an amazing creative outlet.

I get the chance to put a little bit of who I am into each photo that I take. Anyone can click a camera's buttons, but not everyone can truly make a photo come to life

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It's a challenge.

Creating amazing photos that capture the magic of everyday life doesn’t come without hard work, dedication and imagination. There is always something new to explore and a new way to take the same photos. It’s a job that never gets boring.

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I get to meet new people all the time.

A photographer works with people from all walks of life. Getting to know someone new is a part of the process of bringing someone’s personality through in a photo. It also makes the job a lot more fun!

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The flexibility is great.

Being a full time photographer means I get to work my own hours. This doesn’t mean it’s a laid back profession though. I’m always aiming to perfect my craft, taking on new challenges and helping my clients achieve the perfect pictures.

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When you choose me for a professional photo session, know that you are hiring an individual who is passionate about what they do and is willing to go the extra mile to help you create beautiful photos that you can treasure forever.

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Visuals play a crucial role in how you portray your personal brand to your customers and clients. It’s important to remember that customers shop with their eyes and will often make decisions based on their first impression of someone. Think about someone that you have met recently. Did you get a good first impression of them?

Personal branding involves influencing the way potential customers see you and view your products or services, which is why personal branding photography can have such a massive impact. Professional photos are an asset and will serve you for many years to come. Here are a few of the ways that you would benefit from taking professional personal branding photos.

Send them with your press releases.

If you usually send out press releases or are planning to in the coming year, professional photos will help your submission stand out. Especially if your competition is presenting low quality photos or no photos at all!

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Use them throughout your website.

Businesses that feature professional photos of real people inspire more trust than those that use stock photos. Real photos also help tell your business story more authentically. At the very least, you should always have an up to date professional headshot on your website so that potential customers know who they are doing business with. By the way, all of your photos should look like you and not over edited!

Place them in your email campaigns.

Take your email blasts to the next level by including your photo in them. This helps give your emails a personal touch!

Include them on your landing pages.

If you rely on landing pages to help you generate sales, adding personal branding photography to them can boost your results. Make sure the photos are related to the purpose of the landing page.

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Create a killer bio for events.

Peaking at an upcoming event? Make sure that you have a professional headshot and branding photos on hand to send along with your bio.

Make your email signature memorable.

Not everybody remembers a name but almost everyone can recall a face. Adding a photo to your email signature can make it more memorable.

Add them to your printed marketing materials.

If you print your marketing materials on a regular basis, a photo can be used to make your brochures and business cards stand out.

Save time.

When you’re approached by a publisher, you want to have a professional photo that you approve of on hand. When you rely on publications to take your photos, you need to rely on their photographers, many of which are students. This is your personal brand and you should have the final say in whom takes your photos. You also save time in the sense that you don’t need to take additional time out of your day for the photos because you’ll already have them at your disposal.

Remember to refresh your photos often so that your personal brand is also reflected accurately and current.

FREE Guide to Personal Branding Photography.

Get Kaptured by Knight Photography's free guide that will teach you:

• How is personal branding photography different from headshots
• Who needs personal brand photos
• How we plan and prepare for your branding photo session
• Suggestions for styles of clothing
• Suggestions for props

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Far beyond a standard business headshot, creating a unique personal brand and identity for your business involves a great deal of thought, time, and ingenuity. Your brand communicates who you are to your audience and sets you apart from the competition. Therefore every detail counts, from your website to your logo to your photos. It’s crucial to put your best face forward -- both figuratively and literally.

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            Personal brand photography will portray your unique look, personality, and position to your audience. Here are my top three reasons why you need a professional personal branding photoshoot:

It helps build trust

Thoughtful, professional personal brand photos will help build trust and form a connection with prospective clients and employers right away. If your photos make you look like a friendly, capable, experienced professional they’d enjoy working with, they’ll work with you! On the other hand, if you use incohesive, low-quality photos throughout your site, they might look elsewhere.

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It captures the best version of yourself

Personal brand photography gives you the power to make sure the world sees the best version of yourself. Leave capturing your look and your essence to a professional photographer who knows how to make you shine and can tell a story with the camera.

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It’ll give you some amazing photos

Sure, personal branding photos will be useful for your site and marketing materials -- but they’ll also be a gorgeous, accurate depiction of your most authentic self. You’ll love having extra content to post on social media and to send over whenever someone asks for a recent photo.

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Personal brand photography helps communicate what you have to offer to potential clients. It helps your audience connect with you as a person and feel comfortable with you right away, inviting them to engage with you and work with you. In the end, a personal branding photoshoot is a crucial investment for any creator, influencer, or business owner looking to portray their image in the best light.

FREE Guide to Personal Branding Photography.

Get Kaptured by Knight Photography's free guide that will teach you:

• How is personal branding photography different from headshots
• Who needs personal brand photos
• How we plan and prepare for your branding photo session
• Suggestions for styles of clothing
• Suggestions for props

Autumn is a popular season for senior portrait sessions. Nature is showing off all those vibrant colors, plus you get a chance to play up your wardrobe with accessories in the cooler weather. Check out these tips for fall senior pictures!
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Make use of accessories and clothing that play up the "autumn" feeling.

For example, slip on those leather boots, cable knit scarves and comfy cardigans look amazing on the whole family and can really bring a picture to life. Consider red, gold, deep orange, emerald green and dark green.  I will accommodate any style, however, if you are not sure, neutral colors do really well in the fall against all that foliage. 
 

Timing is everything.

Start paying attention to that shift in weather as summer melts into fall. Once the leaves start changing, call up your photog and book a session. I know that I love to shoot senior pictures during the fall season, so chances are I've got a session ready for you.

Location is everything.

Since it's autumn, you better believe we're playing outside in the gorgeous weather. I have multiple locations to choose from that have particularly pretty backdrops. I'm also open to your suggestions. If you want are senior portrait location that no one else has seen ask a friend to shoot on their farm or in their beautiful back yard!

Plan for a mid-afternoon to early-evening session, when the light is just gorgeous.

The days are shorter in the fall, so we need to plan accordingly to get that golden hour light.

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Play in the environment.

Chances are there are leaves on the ground or a few buds lingering around. I may have you throw leaves up into the air or something similar. Remember, this shoot is all about capturing your personality and having fun, so let loose and get into the season!

Pack the necessities.

It can get chilly in autumn, so you may want to bring some necessities! I recommend a lip balm, moisturizer, warm packs for your hands, tissues, and, of course, warm apparel.

Wear comfortable shoes and accessories.

Since we're going to be outside, we'll probably do lots of walking. If those boots look amazing, but kill your feet, scratch them. If the scarf looks adorable, but it's scratches your face it's better left at home.

Are you ready for some fall senior pictures? Click on the button below and I'll send you my Ultimate Senior Portraits Guide.

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If you’re preparing for a family photo session with your children, you may be feeling a bit apprehensive. Children aren’t always easy to deal with, which is why the below tips will definitely come in handy before your upcoming family photo session.

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1. Don't make a huge deal out of it

If you're stressed out and cranky, your kids will usually pick up on it and act accordingly. Their behavior will usually be better if you are relaxed and having fun. You may have to make some compromises to keep the peace such as letting your energetic daughter's hair stay straight instead of curling it because she won't sit still. Focus on the big picture and don't sweat the small stuff.

2. Make it fun

Let the kids have a couple “fun pictures” where they get to pick their own pose or props. You get to keep the more serious photos while they get to keep their silly photos. This way everyone wins.  If you are struggling to get your kids to sit still, turn the photo session into a game. Simon Says usually works like a charm.

3. Be prepared

If you're going to be out for several hours, ensure that your children are well rested and have had their nap. Bringing some snacks and activities along is also a great idea. If you are having your own photos taken too then you might want to bring a babysitter or family member along to watch the kids. If you happen to be shooting in a remote location, you never know when you might need something like bug spray, tissues or a first aid kit so bring that along too.

4. Be patient

Save your sanity by trying not to control the photo session too much. Sometimes the best photos come from kids just doing their own thing. Give your children something to do, such as read a book or play with a toy. Work with your photographer and your photos will look fantastic.

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5.  Have a chat

Get your children talking to both you and the photographer about topics such as school or their favorite songs. This allows them to feel more comfortable around your photographer and will also give your photographer a chance to capture a few candid and cute expressions.

I hope these tips will help you get great family photos. Let me know in the comments if you would like more tips for family photo sessions.

Your photos should be more than just snapshots on your phone.

Today, everyone has a bazillion snaps on their smartphone. These photos are fun for social sharing but rarely approach the level of fine art. 99% of these photos never come off the phone or get printed, and if they do, it’s usually at home or at a superstore, with a quality level that will not last more than a couple of years. I'm not against these memories, but we also don’t want you to let your kids’ childhoods pass by with no tangible memories. Portrait art is an investment in the present and also in the future. Once you see the difference between one hour prints and a professionally retouched portrait, I think you will be hooked too!
 

Have some tips to share. I would love to hear from you! Post your ideas in the comments.

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If you have questions about my family photo sessions, and/or monthly specials click the button below to visit my family photo webpage. 
Cheers!

Stan

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One key to getting genuine and realistic family photos is knowing how to pose in front of the camera.

Many of you will be getting your family together for some fall family photos. Before you have professional family photos taken or if you just want to improve on your photos, let me give you some advice on how to pose that will leave you with outstanding images.

Get Close

I know you don’t want to look stiff and awkward for your family photos. One secret to creating a beautiful, intimate family photo is to get close. Snuggle up to the people you love for the best photos. When there are people of varying heights in the photo, take a few photos on the same level by placing your heads close together too. Sitting on the floor often helps with these height differences. Do whatever it takes to get your heads close together and have fun with it!
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Just Have Fun

Your photos always look more authentic when your family is genuinely having fun and laughing. Spend time talking about your favorite activity or a memory that makes you all laugh out loud. Play a game! Have fun! Be silly! It's okay! These candid moments always make for the best photos. Everyone loves it when grandma and grandpa make silly faces with the grand babies!

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Keep it Natural

Overthinking posing takes away from the genuineness of your family photos, which is why it helps to shoot your family photos in a setting where you’re all comfortable and where you can go about your lives as naturally as possible. For example, if you’re in an outdoor setting, take your little one for a walk. If you’re shooting at home, bake something together or snuggle up for a story. And let's not forget about the eyes. It's uncomfortable to face the bright sky or the sun. To make sure your are not squinting, ask your photographer to shoot in open shade or with the sun to your back. The photographer will need to use some special lighting, but a pro can handle special lighting with no problem. If done properly, you will look bright eyed and natural! 

Use Your Surroundings

Very often, standing upright in the middle of a room or garden will make your photos look and feel stiff. Use your surroundings to make yourselves more comfortable. For example, if there’s a wall in the vicinity, lean up against it. If there’s a couch available, pose on that for a few shots. Sit in a chair. Better yet... put you child in a big chair!

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Make Use of Props

If you would like to change things up a bit or give a younger child something to do, you can also always incorporate a few basic props into your photos to get a few non-standard shots. By the way... little boys really love tractors and most little girls love to play dress up!!

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Your photos should be more than just snapshots.

Today, everyone has a bazillion snaps on their smartphone. These photos are fun for social sharing but rarely approach the level of fine art. 99% of these photos never come off the phone or get printed, and if they do, it’s usually at home or at a superstore, with a quality level that will not last more than a couple of years. I'm not against these memories, but we also don’t want you to let your kids’ childhoods pass by with no tangible memories. Portrait art is an investment in the present and also in the future. Once you see the difference between one hour prints and a professionally retouched portrait, I think you will be hooked too!
 

Have some ideas to share. I would love to hear from you! Post your ideas in the comments.

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"7 Steps to Choosing the Right Family Photographer"

Learn how to evaluate your potential photographer's:

• Quality and Expertise
• Style and Vision
• Studio size and Location
• Products & Services and Value
• How to book a session

If you have questions about a photo session and how to make the most of it, let me know and I will be happy to assist you with additional information. 
Cheers!

Stan

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Choosing what you wear for your senior pictures is kind of a big deal. After all, anyone who cares about fashion will tell you that what you wear is an expression of who you are. It's obviously not the only thing that defines you, but the duds you don certainly make a first -- and lasting -- impression.

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When selecting your session day outfits, think about what your style sense is and what you envision for the shoot. I highly recommend flipping through fashion magazines, perusing Pinterest for senior pictures and senior portraits and checking out in-the-know blogs for inspiration. And don't forget: from head to toe, details matter! Thoughtfully select the perfect shoes, accessories, jewelry and even layering details when putting together your outfits.

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Dressing in layers is a great way to get the most out of your senior portrait session. This will help to give you a different look without having to do an entire outfit change. Adding a vest, jacket, or fashion scarf will effortlessly change up your outfit.

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When choosing colors, remember that lighter colors tend to accentuate weight, while darker colors have a more slimming effect. Try to select colors that will not clash with each other or the season. If you have multiple outfit changes, choose an outfit that you love and one that your parents love. Parents don’t always have similar styles as their children. This way, everyone will be happy.  Typically parents have a more classic taste. This will actually help you in the long run, as something that is trendy now will go out of style as the years progress.

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Once you have your ensembles selected, take some quick snapshots of yourself and ask others for their thoughts and opinions. From there, you can make any adjustments or narrow down your selections.

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Oh, and as your senior portrait photographer, I want to see pictures of your outfits, too! Not just because I'm dying to see your fabulous fashion sense ASAP, but because knowing what you'll wear helps me choose session locations and pre-plan so coo poses. This is all about you, and we're going to make you look -- and feel -- like a bajillion bucks!

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P. S. I do suggest bringing a few backup garments and accessories to the actual photo session. Just in case!

For your senior portrait session, do you want to know what to wear to compliment your skin tone and body type?

Get Kaptured by Knight Photography's free guide that will teach you:

• How to determine your skin tone. (We'll light it beautifully!)
• How to determine your body type. (We'll pose it to perfection!)
• Suggestions for styles of clothing to compliment your body type and skin tone and have you looking your absolute best for your senior pictures.
• We'll show you how we use the best lighting and posing to enhance your features and make your eyes pop in your close-ups.
• We'll show you the super fun Kaptured Senior experience.

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• An Arab physicist, Ibn al-Haytham, published his Book of Optics in 1021 AD. He created the first pinhole camera after observing how light traveled through a window shutter

• The earliest cameras were room-sized, with space for one or more people inside

• The first camera that was small and portable enough to be practical for photography was envisioned by Johann Zahn in 1685, however The first photograph was clicked by Joseph Nicephore Niepce in the year 1814. Sadly,  there was no way to save the image.

• The first partially successful photograph of a camera image was made in approximately 1816 by Nicephore Niepce, using a very small camera of his own making and a piece of paper coated with silver chloride, which darkened where it was exposed to light. This too would eventually darken and the picture would be lost.
• View from the Window at Le Gras is a heliographic image and the oldest surviving camera photograph. It was created by Nicephore Niepce in 1826 or 1827 at Saint-Loup-de-Varennes, France, and shows parts of the buildings and surrounding countryside of his estate, Le Gras, as seen from a high window.
• The use of photographic film was pioneered by George Eastman, who started manufacturing paper film in 1885 before switching to celluloid in 1889. His first camera, which he called the "Kodak,"was first offered for sale in 1888.
• A number of manufacturers started to use 35mm film for still photography between 1905 and 1913. The first 35mm cameras available to the public, and reaching significant numbers in sales was in 1913.
• The first TLR camera came out in 1928.  The first SLR camera debuted in 1933 and instant cameras hit the market in 1944.
• The first digital camera ever sold was in 1987.
• In 1991, Kodak brought to market the Kodak DCS (Kodak Digital Camera System), the beginning of a long line of professional Kodak DCS SLR cameras that were based in part on film bodies, often Nikons. It used a 1.3 megapixel sensor, had a bulky external digital storage system and was priced at $13,000.

**Facts and Pictures provided by wikipedia**

Thank you so much for reading!

Stan

Kaptured by Knight Photography

Are you looking for a photographer? Click on my Logo below to visit my website

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The current generation is the most photographed ever! This is mostly because everyone has a smartphone. How many family photos did you lose with your last dead smartphone? How many family photos did you lose when your computer hard drive crashed? Did you print any of them? Almost no one buys prints of family photos taken with their smartphone or digital camera. Maybe it’s because the quality isn’t good enough, or you just didn’t get around to it! Maybe you say it's just a snapshot. Maybe you never intended to print them and just took them to use on social media. If we continue this process until we become parents and then grandparents we are not going to have any beautiful artwork of ourselves, and of our children and grandchildren. I would dare say we won't even have any prints to give the funeral director to scan and use for a slideshow of a loved one that has passed. I encourage everyone that does a session with me to purchase prints and artwork. I make very little profit selling prints and artwork, but I offer them because I want you to have great lab quality prints and artwork that will last for generations. A canvas will help you remember a special time in your life each time you walk through your living room and glance at the wall. No matter who your photographer is… please get some professional lab prints or canvases.

Now I ask you again…

What did YOU do with the digital photos from your last photo session or family event?

Are they on a disk in a drawer getting scratched beyond use?

Do you want to book a session with Kaptured by Knight Photography. Click the button below and we'll contact you with information and prices.

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Has anyone ever told you that you shouldn't take photos on cloudy or overcast days? Certainly, cloudy days have their challenges, but they don’t call them "nature's softbox" for nothing. I absolutely love overcast days for photography. If you look closely at the above photo, you will see that is was actually raining during her session. You can see the raindrop ripples on the water.

Taking pictures midday on a sunny day is a huge challenge! That's because bright days present too much dynamic range. The shadows are too dark, and the highlights are too bright. You get pictures that lack detail in the shadows and that have completely blown out hotspots! Whenever possible I shoot in the shade on sunny days. Sure there are appropriate times for sunny photos, such as beach photos, but even then I place my subject with the sun to their back and add some light to their faces. Pictures at noon on a cloudy day allow the clouds to diffuse the sun creating a soft, even light. You'll get beautiful tones. You won't get photos of people that look like raccoons like in bright sun!

Blue skies are beautiful, but clouds add dynamic interesting details. Cloudy days are perfect for sunset sessions! I always bring whatever light I need to compliment what mother nature provides! The photo below was taken just before sunset using a powerful light that can overpower the sun.

Smith_Sunset_Shoot-8509-Edit-3_pp Don't let a cloudy day prevent you from having beautiful photos! If you would like a session at the lake or another beautiful location click the button below!

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1. Avoid direct sunlight in your face and avoid strange shadows on your face by never standing directly under a light.

2. Eliminate a double chin by sticking out your forehead and tipping your chin slightly down.

3. Give your features depth by never pointing your nose towards the camera. Point your nose at the photographer’s shoulder or further away.

4. Turn your body 45 degrees away from the camera and turn your head towards the camera, but don’t forget about #3.

5. Place your hand on your hip for a few photos. If standing try placing your hands on both hips at different heights. 

6. Sit down if you are taller than the photographer. A photo from slightly above is more flattering.

7. Never say cheese. To get a natural smile joke with the photographer or other people.

8. Stand or sit up straight.

9. Bend your knee that’s closest to the camera.

10. Relax

Please let me help you look great in photographs. If you would like information on our sessions, please click on the button below!

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We began with a skater girl theme. I started with a white background. The background was lit with two lights to make sure it was bright white. The well lit background doubles as side lighting as you can see on the sides of her face. Emma was lit from the front with two lights. The light on camera right was two stops darker to provide a shadow and show depth in the photos. We then changed to a gray background and used blue gels to add some color.

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We then changed the lighting to a more dramatic feel. I dropped the background lights and went with one single light to create a low light candle effect.

Emma-9271-candle Emma-9288-6  Thanks for visiting my blog!

If you're interested in a creative session or another type of session click on the button below. I'll send you information on any session you're interested in.

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Why is an Independent Professional Photographer Better?

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Many parents are using the school photographer less and less.  They find that using an independent professional photography studio offers more value than the school photographer.  The limited options of the school photographer make it not even worth the packages. Here are some of the things they enjoy about using an independent professional photographer.  

• Dedicated session time. You will not be rushed or herded through like cattle.  You will have a scheduled photo session for whatever amount of time you choose. 
• Any background is better than a school photo background!   Why not get your child’s portrait taken in your home, their bedroom, or in the beautiful outdoors? 
• More natural smiles.  Wouldn’t you rather have a picture of your child laughing than a rushed or forced smile? 
• Props.  Many parents like to include some of the child’s “favorites” in their photos. 
• Multiple Poses.  Get more than just one headshot and one pose.  Full length shots are great for a memory (record) of their growth.  
• Custom designed packages for you.  Not everyone uses wallet sized photos anymore, so why would you have them as your only option with your school photo package?  Order just what you need and want with a professional studio. 
• More product options.  Love canvas?  Ever seen a metal print?  A photo Block? An acrylic print? They are amazing and something you will love having as an option. 
• Digital copies.  Who doesn’t need or want a digital copy of their keepsake pictures?  It also makes sharing on social media that much easier! 
• Add a sibling… or two…  Doesn’t it make your heart swoon to see pictures of all the kids enjoying each other together?

If you want photos of your student that break the school mold and show their real personality and at the same time give them a super fun experience, click the button below!

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In today’s digital age everyone wants digital images from their photographer. They want to share on social media and view them on their computers and mobile devices, but they almost never print the images. Typically in every couple of years we replace our mobile device and sometimes we transfer the photos to our computer. Most computers will die every four or five years or the hard drive will crash and every image from the past five years will be lost. IF a person is conscious of all of the photographs AND the hard drive didn’t crash, and that is a big if, the images may get backed up on a disk and will hopefully be placed in a drawer. And IF we ever go looking for those images we’ll be lucky if the disk is not scratched and still works, providing we can find it. Let’s be honest here. Chances of that disk getting tossed or lost long before the children are even grown are almost a sure bet in most of our lives. Please don’t let this happen to you. Whether I’m your photographer, you use another photographer, or you take your own photographs, let me encourage you to purchase prints, albums, or wall art. Don’t let your digital memories be lost FOREVER!

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Babies are so cute, new and chubby. Toddlers have those big, bright eyes and let’s face it, they just do the funniest things. But those pre-teen ages are often forgotten. At ages 9-13, kids aren't children anymore but aren't quite teens or just barely!

As a photographer I want to give something to people that will make a positive impact on their lives. If you are like myself, when you flip the plastic pages of your parents' family photo album. One of the few photos that exists of you as a pre-teen is a traditional school photo. You know the one? That head and shoulders pose with the cheesy grin. Your teeth are slightly too big for your face and your hair isn't combed. Ah, sweet innocence! I'm making it my personal mission to capture those lost pre-teen years.

In comes the "Who I am" project

I have started the "Who I am" photography project to fill in the forgotten photo years while enriching the lives of pre-teens. The goal is to help pre-teens look and feel attractive and have unshakable confidence in themselves as they move through middle school and hit high school. I want to capture the last stages of your pre-teen’s childhood before they become young ladies and gentlemen.

Who we're looking for

We are looking for pre-teens for our photography project, ages 9-13. We will ask the model and their parents a few questions, then combine the text and photographs to create meaningful pieces of art.  Imagine the impact that a beautiful image can have. Now add some personal words of encouragement to create a priceless image that builds their self-esteem and shows their true personality & spirit.

If you are interested in having your child participate in this project. Click on the link below.

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Cheers,

Stan

Fruits, geometrics shapes, or inanimate objects – choose one to determine your body type. Oh, wait – you’re human? Maybe it’s not that easy to put your body type in a box. We understand and appreciate that everyone is different, so what might be eye-catching on one person, might not flatter you in the exact same way. We hope these tips help you determine how to compliment your body best, so you can wear what inspires you as well.

Body types, explained. These are the most generally used terms to describe body types.  

Straight.

With a straight body, your shoulder and hips are relatively the same width and your waist doesn’t have a noticeable definition to it.

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Hourglass.

If you have an hourglass figure, your waist is defined like a word in Webster’s Dictionary and your hips and shoulders are relatively the same size. Top hourglass figure is also a term – you’re bust is slightly bigger than the width of your hips, but your waist is still very defined.

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Pear.

Also known as a triangle body shape. You notice that your hips are wider than your shoulders and your waist has declared itself present and noticeable.

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Inverted triangle.

You have noticeably wider shoulders, in comparison to your waist and hips.

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Oval.

In general, your waist is equal (sometimes a little more) in width to your hips and shoulders. 

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If you want to read more about clothing choices that compliment body types and other related information, click here to request my free What to Wear Guide of Senior Pictures.

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There are three categories of undertones that affect your skin tone: 
cool, warm, and neutral.

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Wrist Check.

When you look at the veins on your wrist do they appear more blue or green? If you’re seeing a green tint, it’s because the melanin in your skin has a more distinct yellow tone to it, creating a “warm” appearance. If your veins appear blue and everyone can see in your face when you’re blushing, most likely you have cool undertones. With cool undertones, you’re more susceptible to getting sunburned, which means you have less melanin, placing you in the category of fair skin. Which leads us to the next test.

The sunshine test.

Are you the friend who can stand outside for 5 minutes and come back inside looking like you’ve spent a week on a tropical vacation? If that’s the case, chances are you have yellow to olive tone skin, also classified in the “warm” category of skin tones. If you’re the friend who gets sunburned, more than likely you’re in the “cool” category.

Gold or silver?

The jewelry test is one other option to determine your skins dominant undertone. Silver is considered a metal that pairs well and highlights cool undertones, while gold compliments those with warmer undertones. Even if you haven’t noticed it until now – you probably have more gold jewelry or silver because you naturally pick what looks best on you. 

If you want to read more about clothing choices that complement skin tones and other related information, download my free "What to Wear Guide" 

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• Canvas – We offer beautiful canvases stretched over wood to make it stand out more. These photos are free-floating and do not require a frame. Order multiple sizes for a nice wall grouping.
• Framed on Wall – Dress your photos up with stylish frames to match your home décor. We offer a variety of print sizes for you to choose from. Contact us for more details.
• Collages – We offer several style of collages. You don’t need a multiple frames just get a collage with several photos all in one large frame or canvas.

*When hanging photos on your wall (framed or canvas) you can choose to hang a single photo, or a group of photos in a collage to change it up.

• Framed on Shelves, Desks, Tables – If you are renting or don’t want to put holes in your walls from prints or canvases, you can also frame your prints and place them on shelves, desks, or tables around your home. (You can also do this in addition to the wall hangings if you’d like.)
• Albums/Coffee Table Books – If you just can’t pick out a few photos to display in your home and you need more space, you can always get an album printed up and place it on your coffee table or bookshelf. Pull it out and look through it to remember how fun your session was, and how much your family loves each other.
• Photo apps - We offer a photo app for your smart phone or mobile device. The app can contain up to 40 photos from your session. A cool feature of the photo app is that it is shareable. You can text or email the app to anyone. Then they can install it on their phone, tablet, or PC to view your photos.
• Online gallery – We offer an online gallery for all of our sessions. We place your photos in an online gallery for you to view from any device as often as you wish. You and your friends and family can also order prints online from your gallery.

You must pick up a phone and make an appointment to talk to people in person.

Very few models will pick up a phone and call.

They rely on their social media profiles or modeling websites to get them noticed.

Social media and websites are mostly used by people that are just wanting to see photos of models and have no need for their services.

I promise you this will give you an edge over 95% of competition.

Studies have shown that only 5% of us creatives (speaking as a photographer) are willing to call because 95% of us do not like it because it makes us nervous!

Stop being nervous and start getting booked.

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I start the pre-session with a conversation. We’ll talk about anything but photography for a few minutes. Eventually we will discuss why you wanted to do a photo session and what you will do with the photos. I usually talk the whole way through the session, asking you questions about lots of subjects. I do my best to say something funny to get some awesome natural smiles and expressions.

I will give you a quick lesson on posing before we start. I will teach you how to stand, lean, sit, and lay.  I’ll tell you what to do with your hands so that you don’t feel awkward. At the same time I’ll give you the freedom to vary any pose to suit your style and personality. I’ll do the poses I am asking you to do so you can see that I would do it too, then I explain why I’m having you do certain things (ie. this will make you look even thinner, more curvy, draw attention to your eyes, etc.

I will give you positive feedback when you get a great photo and will show you a few photos on the back of my camera to keep you inspired. I will never scold you or demand you to do anything that you are not comfortable with.

I will not touch you unless it’s absolutely necessary. First I will ask your mom or someone that came with you to assist. If I need to flick some hair out of your face or lay out the train of a wedding dress, I ask first.  “Do you mind if I…”  Some people might not care, but it’s a big deal to some.

If you like music, I will play whatever type of music that will help you relax and get you into the posing to just have fun.

Thanks for visiting and reading my blog!

Stan

Please visit my website by clicking on the Logo Below!

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1. Choose the absolute best photographer that you can afford

Determine your budget before you look for a photographer. If you search for a photographer on the internet, PLEASE go beyond the first few pages. The first pages will be filled with websites that claim to help you find the best photographer. The first pages will contain many photographers from large firms that spend lots of money buying their way onto the first pages and in the long run you pay for that cost. Compare examples of their work. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is not a professional photographer. Are they insured? Do they have back-up gear? If they are a professional photographer they will have these. On the other end, you don’t want to waste your time with someone who is far beyond your budget. Don’t let the price be the only determining factor, but don’t choose the most expensive photographer unless you absolutely love their work and can afford their prices. Prices can often be negotiated, but quality cannot. You can get 100 images for $200, but is it worth your time and investment if only 10 of them are good?

2. Evaluate their personality

See if you like spending time with them. This is very important especially for a wedding as you will spend the entire day with your photographer. Call the photographer and start a conversation with them. Are they pleasant, funny, kind, caring, and genuine? Do you like them as a person? Make sure you meet them in person before you hire them. Read their blog, send them a friend request and visit their personal Facebook page, and like and visit their Facebook Professional fan page as well. A professional photographer should have all of these. Ask them lots of questions. They should ask you lots of questions too.

3. Consider their shooting and editing style

Photographers have different styles so you need to decide on someone who can help you achieve the end result you are looking for. This applies to everything from wedding and maternity shoots to family and corporate shoots, but there are three basic types of photography. Traditional is mostly posed shots and arrangement of details to look a certain way. Photo Journalistic is documenting the events with little interaction or posing. Balanced combines both traditional and photo journalistic styles. You should look through some of your friend’s photo albums and decide what style you prefer.  A good photographer knows when to back away and get the candid shots as well as how to direct and pose everyone. Ask them about their posing process and how they get everyone to look natural. Ask to see all of their photos from a shoot or wedding, not just a collection of their best. Are their photos over edited with unnatural smooth porcelain doll skin with no detail? Keep in mind that you will be purchasing more than a few of the best photos. You should tell them which style you prefer. Make sure they can capture all aspects of your event. For instance, do they create beautiful glamorous photos of the bride, but the ceremony and reception are under exposed and grainy because they didn’t use the proper lighting or camera settings? Ask the photographer if they shoot raw or jpeg. The best photographers shoot in raw format for many reasons, but they deliver in jpeg. If you want to know why raw, please read my blog, "Why I shoot only raw" http://www.kapturedbyknight.com/blog/2016/2/why-i-shoot-only-raw

4. Consider the products and services they offer

A professional photographer should offer products other than just a disk with images. That may very well be all you wanted, but images on a disk are not very convenient to show your friends and family. No one hangs digital images on their walls as artwork. You invested in a photographer to capture your once in a lifetime event. You may want professional lab prints, beautiful canvases, and probably a professionally made photo album for home (not drugstore prints or a $20 plastic inserted department store photo album).

5. Create a short list

Once you have done your research, create a short list of professional photographers that stand out for you. Get in touch with each of them to discuss your needs and to ask any questions that you might have. It’s important that you chat with the photographer over the phone if not in person as this is the best way to get to know them and find out whether you’ll be able to work with them. Feeling uncomfortable or stressed out around your photographer makes for bad photos.

It’s important that you pick a photographer that you have confidence in. Your photos are there to last you a lifetime so while there is nothing wrong with helping out your photographer friend who has just started out, it’s best to choose an experienced photographer for important events and occasions that you can’t relive.

6. Follow your instincts

Your instincts are smarter than you may realize. All you have to do is listen to them.

Please check out my website by clicking my Logo below!

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