I heard from Courtney and Michael after they received their wedding album a couple weeks ago. Their destination wedding in St. Augustine, Florida was so beautiful and fun. I am so flattered by Michael's comments about the album that I wanted to share his thoughts with you, my wonderful blog-readers.
Courtney let me (yes, I had to get permission to take it away from her!) take it to work, daycare, the bank, post office, Zaxby's, the UPS Store, Shane's Rib Shack, and a few other places where people know me on a first name basis yesterday...everyone LOVED it! I really am still in shock over how you were able to capture each and every feeling and moment that we had that day/night!
It seriously makes my day to hear such great feedback from clients after all the work and love I put into their photographs and their album. So thank you, Michael and Courtney, for the awesome feedback! It's hard to believe that it's been a year since I started photographing William and his parents. This third portrait was just days after they celebrated his first birthday. (Thanks for the jelly beans party favor!) This summer William will have a new brother or sister which is really exciting. And I am thrilled to continue documenting this beautiful family.
During the session, it was great to see the canvases and framed enlargements from previous portraits around the house. And the best part was watching William point at himself in the pictures and smile.
Click here to see the full size slideshow or view the small version below.
Love the slideshow? It's available on DVD or in digital download for your video IPod. Simply click the CD icon in the menu bar of the show.
You know when you receive a complement from anyone it can change an average day to amazing. " You look beautiful," or "Nice job on that presentation" can often give you the boost you didn't even know you needed. But complements from complete strangers has that unbiased ounce of awesomeness (is that even a word?!)
I received an email from a photography hobbyist in Florida recently. He claimed that he googled "World's Best Photographer" and found my site listed second. (Yeah!) After looking through my website, www.saraphotography.com, he sent a message to say hello and ask for some advice on purchasing some new camera equipment. As I read his entire email I was blown away by his words..."I hope you don't mind, but I rank your shots right up there with Joe Buissink." - David Shaw
Wow, what a huge complement! If you don't know who Joe Buissink is, you have probably seen his images. Take a look at his website. He has photographed some of the biggest celebrity weddings all over the world, including J. Lo., Kelsey Grammer and Christina Aguilera, but more than that, his work is so powerful. He's able to truly capture the essence of the people he photographs.
I recently heard him speak at WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International Annual Conference) and I was amazed that although I hadn't ever heard him speak before, that he described his photography exactly the way I describe mine. In fact, he used many of the same phrases. Capturing the essence of personalities .... capturing moments that many would simply not notice .... capturing moments that bring my clients right back to the moment, not just the event, but exactly what they were feeling at that moment.
Joe has been in the business for years and has accomplished so much. For my work to be compared to his work is a real honor. So, thank you David! You made my YEAR!
We've had an exciting Spring! Throughout the last three weeks, we've announced some of our new additions for 2008 - a new line of Sterling Silver Photo Jewelry, New Portrait Packages and a new Bonus Gift Program. This week, new options in papers for wall art.
Last weekend I had the pleasure to meet some awesome Decatur neighbors. Amy, Jonathan and baby Carter live just on the other side of town, only a 5 minute drive! (That was a nice change of pace from most of my portraits on the north side of Atlanta - Smyrna, Vinings, Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Marietta, Duluth, etc.) Carter is 7 months old and is so adorable. This was the first session of his year-long Growing Baby Package and it's always so fun on the first visit to my clients' homes to learn what life is like there.
We had planned my arrival during the end of Carter's nap so that I could photograph him sleeping in the nursery, then off to play in the front room and read books together, then to the backyard to enjoy the new deck! Their dog, Hero, was definitely feeling the change in attention. Amy said that he used to be the center of attention in their house and now that Carter's here, he's definitely feeling ignored. Being the animal lover that I am, I just had to make him feel special too! It's amazing how much you can feel just by looking into his eyes.
Carter has the cutest smile. When his daddy kisses his cheek, his entire face smiles. You'll know what I mean when you see the slideshow below. Click here to view the full size slideshow or watch the mini-show below.
Some of my favorite images - those kisses from dad, nursing with mom (for mom and dad's eyes only), and mom and dad's laughter as they read That's Not My Puppy for the millionth time.
Do you work to live or live to work? It's a cliché but a great question. With so many of us bogged down every week with more things than we can handle and the stress to go along with it, our portrait photography offers a reminder. Our families mean the world to us and having sentimental, genuine and artistic portraits of them at home and in the office will remind you everyday of what's most important. We are honored that you trust us with the great responsibility of documenting your family year after year. So, we'd like to thank you! The Bonus Gift Program rewards you for investing in your family’s visual history. Receive fantastic bonus gifts at different levels of purchase. Gifts include DVD slideshows, jewelry, note cards, brag books and albums. As if free stuff isn't awesome enough, you can also receive a discount on your holiday cards order. It's our way of saying thanks. Only one week left to save on Mother's Day sterling silver photo jewelry! Save 15% on these beautiful pieces of personalized wearable art. Contact the studio for more information.
Since I started photographing Patrick a year ago, with the Growing Baby Portrait Package, he has grown a lot. Take a look at his first and second slideshows. I can't believe how much he looks like a little man now! After about 15 minutes of unusual quiet, Patrick became his usual playful self. We played throughout the whole house, including golf in the backyard, so it was an active morning. Aside from some beautiful close-up portraits of Patrick, I think my favorite image is of Patrick standing with one hand on his hip and the other holding a bag of Goldfish crackers. His adorable attitude made me laugh at that moment and each time I see the image.
In the after-processing stages, I added some fine art textural effects to some of the images of Patrick and I love how they turned out. It adds something antique and rustic to these emotion-filled images. These type of effects can be added to any image and look especially great on our fine art canvas pieces, watercolor paper and in our custom-designed albums.
Click here to see the full size slideshow or view the mini-version below.
If you are on our e-newsletter mailing list, you already know the news (hint, hint, time to join! Sign up for e-newsletters).
Over the past 5 years, (wow, are we grateful for 5 whole years!), we've had some fantastic clients who enlightened us about what is most important when it comes to photography of their families. Capturing the moments that have the ability to express a child's personality or the love a father has for a newborn are what it's all about. But what do you do with all these great images? That repeated question led us to restructure our portrait packages to include our most popular items and some of our new products as well.
So, we now offer a choice of 5 portrait packages for single sessions and 3 packages for growing babies, and annual kids and family portrait. With names like "The Brag to the Grandparents" Portrait Package and "The Growing Baby Bling! Package," you are guaranteed A LOT of FUN and beautiful displays of your portraits that you can enjoy every day!
The Portrait Menu (our package price list) is now available here. You must have the password to open the document.... So contact us by email - sara (at) saraphotography.com to receive the password.
In other news...
Your response to the sterling silver photo jewelry was fantastic! Thanks for all your emails and calls. In preparation of Mother's Day which is right around the corner, May11th
Order by Friday, April 18th to receive the discount. Talk about a great idea for Mom's Day. Necklaces, bracelets, belt buckles and cell phone charms will become instant family heirlooms with photographs from your family's portrait. Regular prices range from $30 to $400 so they're perfect for every budget.
Contact us by email [sara (at) saraphotography.com] or phone [404-966-SARA] to order.
