Saturday, July 5, 2008

Why Forget Me Not?- Greensboro childrens and family photographer

Forget Me Not photography offers a unique contemporary, lifestyle portraiture style that strives to capture who you are, who your kids are, and how you live your life together. Our vision is to capture the forget me not moments for which you all will so dearly cherish in the years to come. That means personality, fun, silliness, joy, laughter. We aren't your typical portrait studio, and it shows not only in our work, but in our level of commitment to our clients.

Every client is unique, every photo session with us is individual, and every final product is customized with you in mind. Forget Me Not photography requires a level of commitment for both the client and the photographer. I am committed to bringing you the highest quality portrait experience. I see a maximum of 3 clients per week so that I can offer you the highest level of service and be focused on your family, and your needs during our time together. I am committed to bringing you the highest quality of products available on the market today. That includes prints, custom framing, albums, and more for you to enjoy.

What I ask in return from my clients is that you look at our experience together as an important investment to our family. As time goes by and your children grow, I promise that you will cherish these images. I can say that not only as a mother who is watching my own child grow so quickly, but as an artist who has a rare appreciation for beauty and for creating beautiful things. I also ask that you would take an active role as I create these treasures for your family by interacting, being yourself, and most importantly... I want you to have fun!

Every session is personalized for you. What that means is that no two sessions with clients will ever be the same. Props, lighting, mood, posing, etc will be different for every family. The reason is, I want you to have something unique and beautiful designed only for you. I want you to have something that speaks to who you are, or who your kids are, and I want you to have something that you are proud to have hanging on your wall, sitting on your shelf, and more importantly to pass down for generations to come.

The following is just a small exert from the professional children's photographer website, but I think it offers a good explanation of who we are, and what our clients will receive from us.

"Clients who enjoy taking a more active role in the creation of their families’ memories have the desire to have portrait art that is truly personalized. These more discerning clients have been known to budget and allot time for a custom photography session. Many clients opt for it to be a once a year special experience, some opt to have custom photography sessions done to record their child’s stages in life. Having said this, it is clear that custom photography is not in everyone’s budget, it is something that most families save for to splurge on from time to time to memorialize their children as they really are (not posed and primped in the cookie cutter studio setting).

There is a great deal of time involved in creating high end custom photography sessions for a client. The luxury of great service, better choices and a supberb end product. The result of all this are heirloom quality images. The time invested at the session is only a small portion of the time spent.

Custom photography has been likened to purchasing a fine vehicle. To get to point B from A let’s face it, even a bus ride would suffice. If you want to luxuriate in a finely appointed vehicle, customizing your own experience by listening to smooth jazz while sitting in a climate controlled setting adjusted purely for your comfort in a body hugging leather interior, perhaps that Lexus you so desire is your cup of tea. Custom photography is much the same cup of tea. It is the Lexus of the photography world. It is where the intangibles make the experience truly wonderful and the images themselves make the investment of money and time truly worthwhile.

Custom photography can be broken down into even more levels. There are on location, studio, mixed studio/on location, specialty location and destination type photographers. The beauty of custom photography is in the choices and in the luxury of thoses options. The customized service level you are sure to experience will be amazing. The knowledge that your final images are the result of someone caring about those moments so much that they take extra time ensuring that the artwork you receive is good enough to stand by with their name on it. That level of quality and commitment is all but lost in the age of "mass produced," "mass marketed," corporate "everyone is a number". Custom photography is based on being unique to you. How great an experience would be, to be able to sit back and allow a photographer to do this highly custom work for images that you will most likely cherish for a lifetime?

Keep in mind more than anything that the Lexus will never appreciate in value the way your portraits will. The portrait art you become invested in from your custom photographer will no doubt increase in value and become more priceless as the years pass."

The full version of this article can be found on the Professional Children's photographer website here: http://www.professionalchildphotographer.com/information/

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Greensboro children's photographer - High Point children's photographer - Princess E

I love to do portrait parties because I get to meet lots of kids all at the same time, and we always have a blast playing together. This little girl was a model for a cute little local children's boutique and she did such a good job at it. Thanks E for being such a beautiful subject.. and mom for being such a nice lady!

Why choose custom photography? - Greensboro Children's and Family Photographer

"The photographic art you choose to place on your wall is ultimately the result of the vision of the photographer. This vision, coupled with what you wear to your session, the environment, the lighting, even the mood the subjects are in at the time of photographing creates the work that you will want to proudly display on your walls forevermore.

Your first step in the process is more about determining who you are, who your family is and then seeking a photographer that reflects your style. For instance let’s say your family is extremely outdoorsy and loves playing on the beach. You start determining what style you like, browse through photography website portfolios and determine if any of the styles exhibited there would be a good fit with your life and family style. You have already determined that you should probably seek out a beach type photographer (that is if you live near a beach) and then begin narrowing the field down a bit.

Finally after a bit of internet research, you have narrowed it down to two photographers who do what seems like solid work, the sort of outdoor beach look you desire. It is now time to ask yourself: Do you like photographer A’s style over photographer B’s style? Is it because the people in the images of A’s style are having a great time and it seems very caught up in the moment vs. B photographer more posed, looking in the camera images? If this is a case, you probably like LIFESTYLE photography or perhaps even take it a step further and define your desired style as a PHOTOJOURNALISTIC photography style. The photographer you probably should choose is photographer A because their style is very similar to the style you desire.

What custom photography ultimately is all about is choice and experience (as in THE experience). Custom photography is about finding someone who will photograph your family, give you devoted 1:1 attention without worry of the next ‘in line’ or the feeling of a crowded portrait studio. A custom photographer will typically show you a fairly extensive gallery culled to only show the good images that meet the photographers’ creative sensibilities. Often the images are fully edited images-color corrected with blemishes and undereye circles removed. Custom photographers are also known as boutique studios, offering a range of products and unparalleled service. Think Lexus vs. Hyundai, think Nordstrom vs. WalMart.

Custom photography should have you, the client and your experience in mind.

Why Does Custom Photography Cost More?

The digital revolution has brought amazing flexibility and ability to control various factors during the image taking and making process. Photographers, the hobbyist, the professional, the amateur all benefit from this ability to manipulate pixels. However, with flexibility comes a price. Digital camera equipment is still considerably more expensive when you factor in its’ lifespan, the need for additional resources for processing those images, the time it takes to get a usable image and the effort that goes into creating a work of photographic art.

We all know that you can go to the local Walgreen’s and pay a $1.99 for a print - as a client you may wonder why you may pay upwards of $50, $70, $90 for a custom photography print. Photographers hear this statement every once in awhile:

“How in the world can you charge $60 for an 8×10 if it costs me less than $2 to print at x store?”

The truth of the matter is the answer to this question is multifaceted. Much of the cost of a photographic print produced by a professional photographer has a lot to do with the time, equipment costs, artistic vision and reputation of the photographer not to mention expertise and the usual costs of running a legitimate business.

The cost of TIME

Approaching it from a time standpoint, let’s imagine that you have hired a photographer who has work that you love. This photographer is traveling an hour to your destination to photograph your session. Here is an example of a time break down:

  • session prep time (30 mins - 1 hour, includes equipment and back up equipment checks + vehicle checks)
  • one hour travel time TO session
  • 15-30 minutes prep time at client’s home
  • 90 minutes-2 hours with client photographing subject
  • one hour travel time FROM session
  • 30-45 minutes uploading time from digital cards from camera to computer
  • 30-45 minutes time spent backing up the original images
  • 2-5 hours editing time to present you with a diverse gallery of edited images
  • 1 hour prep time getting ready for ordering
  • 2-3 hours time with client for ordering images
  • 1 hour sorting through and checking order
  • 30 minutes-1 hour prep time for delivery
  • 30 minutes-1 hour getting order shipped
  • any additional phone time or time needed for add on ordering, shipment issues, quality issues

In this example, the time spent per client can range from just under 13 hours to 19 hours - dependent on the photographer’s level of service. This is time dedicated only to ONE session. When the photographer charges $150-$300 for the photo shoot (aka SESSION FEE) you are not just paying for the two hours of session time, you are paying the photographer for 12-19 hours complete time for your session.


The COSTS of Maintaining a Custom Photography Business:

Regarding equipment costs, a good quality professional camera with a selection of good optical quality lenses and digital storage mediums and computer set up can run from $10,000-$30,000 costs dependent on the photographer. Even though you can purchase a really good quality digital SLR for about $2100 there are still other costs related to photography. A good lens for portrait photography can run from $900 to $2500. A dependable computer system with software loaded for business and creative usage can run $2500 to $8000 dependent on the photographer.

Then come lab costs for specialty products. A good photographer knows the lab is integral to their success. Photography labs dedicated to the professional photographer often cost more and offer a range of products that allows the custom photographer to continually offer new, innovative products for you, the discerning client.

Discussion other costs of running a photography business could take awhile so we’ll skip many of the intricate details. There is of course much more: including costs of running the business, taxes, studio rental/mortgage if the photographer has ownership of a dedicated studio, vehicular costs, costs of advertising/marketing, costs of sample pieces that the photographer will likely bring to your session, etc.

APPLES to ORANGES to BANANAS:

Often times clients will mention to their photographer that X studio in the mall/department store only charges $19.99 for an 8×10 “sheet” or they may mention other things related to discount photography chains. The fact is those discount chains make their money on volume, not on customized 1:1 service. In February 2007 leased photography retail space by a rather well known discount department store that started in Arkansas closed down 500 of their portrait studios across the nation? The reason is simple, you cannot make money on 99¢ “professional” prints if you do not sell enough of them. Interestingly enough - those same studios that offer the loss leader packages often charge much much more for their a la carte pricing (as high as $40-50 for an 8×10). The whole reason the big department stores began offering portrait services in the first place was to get you, the savvy consumer, in through their door so that you could spend more money with them in other departments. Your “PORTRAITS” are considered the “loss leader”.

Going to a chain studio, as a consumer, you don’t have the benefit of 1:1 attention for 2 hours at your home where your child is allowed to explore, play and be comfortable in their home environment, nor do you get the experience that many custom photographers are known for or the lovely captures of natural expressions. You simply get a bare bones, “SAY CHEESE” experience. Keep this in mind when selecting a photographer.

REPUTATION/EXPERTISE of the PHOTOGRAPHER:

Being in demand, being well known for quality work, having a good reputation often costs time on the photographer’s part. Their expertise comes at a cost, their time learning their craft and learning the intricacies of lighting and the commitment put forth on their end to create a persona about their business that oozes professionalism. A great number of photographers go a very long time from the time that they purchase their first good camera to making money at the business of photography. Many photographers, when first starting out, rush in thinking that the business will be easily profitable in no time, how expensive could it be to get a camera and use it to create their dream? They often neglect to factor in the cost of business, the cost of equipment, software, back ups, etc..

Being of sound reputation, a better professional photographer knows that they must always reinvest in their business to create the reputation of being top notch. To create good work good equipment, reliable equipment, back up equipment is a necessity. The photographer who desires to be known as better/best/unparalelled reputation-wise knows that the most important thing they can do for their business is reliability and dependability. This is how reputations get built. Good work often is a wonderful side product of building that good reputation.

I hope this (lengthy) article helps shed some light on WHY a custom photographer is a better choice for your family’s memories. The photographs that are produced as a result of the professionalism and dedication that your photographer has will be cherished for a lifetime (or more) and great thought and consideration should be placed into hiring who is right for your family’s most precious investment."

The full version of this article can be found on the Professional Children's photographer website here: http://www.professionalchildphotographer.com/information/

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Starting over again - Greensboro photographer / High Point Photographer / Chidlren's Boutique

Thank you for visiting the first page of Forget Me Not Photography & Boutique blog! It is our pleasure to bring to you the best in children's and family photography coupled with beautiful and unique children's clothing. We look forward to serving the Greensboro & High Point areas in our regular schedule, while also reaching out to other beautiful cities across the nation. Thank you for your visit and please check out the studio and boutique websites to see some of our work!

About Me.. Susan Anderson - Greensboro photographer, High Point photographer


I am a mom, the wife of a soldier, and an artist. I love to capture life's precious moments for my family and those around me. There are two things that drew me to this profession. First is my love of children. For as long as I can remember I have been able to make kids smile. From babysitting, to teaching, to now being a mommy, I have a gift and a way with kids that makes them feel secure, and comfortable. I love to see them happy. I love to get to know them, and even more so, I love to capture their personality and show that in my work. I am also a photographer because I appreciate art in all its forms. I am a lover of music, dance, painting, sculpture, and architecture. I have traveled the world, and in doing so, I developed a love for capturing the breathtaking scenes that can be found sometimes in everyday life. From a poor Egyptian woman holding her small baby close to her breast, to a fairytale castle perched atop a mountainside, there have been so many things I have seen throughout the last several years worth remembering. It would have been unimaginable to not have developed a means for sharing those things with others who may never get the opportunity to see them, and so I taught myself a way to do that, photography. I look at what I do now in the same type of manner. As a mother, I have learned there is nothing more precious than watching your little one grow. I also now understand how you can be happy to see things like their first steps, but at the same time sad to know those first steps wont happen again. These are fleeting moments which go by so quickly, but which should never be forgotton. That is the reason why I do this. I want to capture those moments for kids and parents to love and appreciate for a lifetime. That is the reason why I created Forget Me Not Photography and Boutique.