I like to start with a complimentary design consultation at my studio.  This gives us a chance to get to know each other and talk about your style and what you have in mind for your portraits.  We'll also talk about locations, best time of day, and clothing as well as timelines and pricing.  Then we'll select a session date and time that best fits your schedule.  Your session fee is due at the time of booking.  

On the day of your session plan to arrive about 5-10 minutes early.  This will allow time to carry in any clothing changes or props and get settled in before we start your session.  We have a private dressing room with a vanity and a steamer as well as a few styling products if you need them.

After your session we'll schedule your viewing and ordering appointment in our studio for the following week.  We do all of our proofing and ordering in person.  First you'll enjoy a slideshow of all of your best images.  Then we'll work together to select your favorite images and products.  Doing this in person allows me to show you specific cropping, discuss retouching, and help you design exactly what you want for your home.  I even have special software that allows me to show you your images, to scale on the walls of your home so you can see exactly what they will look like before you purchase. I require half down at the time you place your order and the balance is due when you pick it up.  Typical turn around time is two to three weeks depending on the products you select. Delivery and installation are also available for your convenience.

 

 

FOR BUSINESS & PERSONAL BRANDING SESSIONS

Typically dark solid colors photograph best. Stay away from plaids and bold prints. If you do go with a print, go with something that doesn't have a lot of contrast. We want the focus of the portrait to be your face so we don't want anything competing for attention.

If there is something you don't like about yourself in photographs, choose clothing that covers it. Personally, I don't like my upper arms, they are big and flabby so I always wear ¾ or long sleeves in portraits.

Since these will be used for your marketing you might want to consider incorporating any colors associated with your brand. Even if it's just pops of color.

Make sure whatever you choose fits well and you feel good in it. People tend to photograph better in outfits that make them feel good.

We can do a number of different things for different parts of your marketing. We can do a simple headshot for your profile pic but we can also do some fun things with utensils and mixing bowls if you like. Also if you have a table cover or something you use at trade shows we can try to incorporate that too. We have some time to brain storm so let me know if you have any ideas or something you've just always wanted to do but never asked.

This is going to be fun!

 

FOR STRESS FREE FAMILY PORTRAITS

A lot of people avoid family portraits like they avoid the flu. But it doesn't have to be difficult or stressful. Here are some helpful tips to make it fun and more relaxed

As with real estate, a great family portrait is all about location location location. A studio portrait has a lot of advantages here in Oklahoma. The variety of backgrounds available can easily support the overall feel you wish to convey. The camera room is always a comfortable 72 degrees and the wind doesn't blow like crazy. Posing can still be casual and comfortable so don't get stuck on the idea that studio = stuffy. If you prefer an outdoor location be sure to talk with your photographer about any place that is special to your family. Often those make the best locations. If you don't have a particular place in mind your photographer will have several nice options that fit the look you're going for.

Time of day is important for a lot of reasons. When on location we of course want the most flattering light available. And no one wants to have to stare into the sun. Time is also important when scheduling with small children. Mornings are usually best or shortly after naptime.

The days of trying to find the exact same matching shirts in every size are long gone. Current styles make it much easier to coordinate your look without forcing someone to wear something they hate. Choose your wardrobe according to the overall feel you want in the final piece. Casual? Formal? Something inbetween? Choose what best fits your family and each person in it. There's nothing wrong with your husband wearing a button up and your son wearing a t shirt as long as the tee doesn't have large graphics. Just make sure they fit well and are wrinkle free. Look for styles that compliment each other but aren't exactly the same. This will give you a sense of unity without taking away from individuality.

Keep colors in similar shades and color families. This will ensure the attention goes to your family's beautiful faces and not the clothing. Bright and contrasting colors tend to make one person look larger or more important in the photograph.

Incorporate personal style through accessories. Jackets, vests, scarves, jewelry, shoes and boots can convey personal style without overwhelming the others in the portrait.

Long or ¾ sleeves tend to be more flattering. Particularly when choosing a darker color pallet. Bare arms tend to be a point of contrast that detracts from the face.

Hair cuts and color need to be scheduled a week or two prior to your session for the most natural look.

The best way to ensure a stress free family portrait is to do all of the planning up front with your photographer. So when the day comes everyone is fully prepared and all you have to do is enjoy one another. Families emotions tend to feed on one another. If parents can remain happy and relaxed the kids are most likely to follow suit. Plenty of pre planning will also make your portrait experience go smoothly and quickly. We know everyone is busy so we strive to have all of our family sessions completed in 30-40 minutes.

 

FOR AMAZING SENIOR PORTRAITS

My best advice is to do them the summer before your senior year. Right after school starts is the second best option. In Oklahoma the grass is greenest and the flowers the fullest and brightest in June. A lot of people ask about waiting til we get the fall color. That is certainly your prerogative. However, in our neck of the woods there is a very good chance that a cold snap followed by several days of fierce wind will make our fall season extremely short. Aside from the landscape itself, your senior year is going to be extremely busy. Once Christmas is past the last 4.5 months fly by. Between scheduling conflicts and weather issues the winter and early spring are more difficult seasons to try to fit in your senior session.

You do not have to buy the school announcements. You can, they are usually quite lovely and one less thing you have to worry about. However, we recommend our custom designed announcements. They are much more personal and you can share more images with your friends and family than in traditional wallets.

Think a little about what you want your senior portraits to say. Are their memories of your high school life you want to preserve? Clubs or friends you want to highlight? Do you have a life long pet you would like to have in a few portraits? What about your parents, what about you do they most want to remember when you have headed out into the brave new world? Talk with your photographer about what makes you unique so we can incorporate it into your senior experience. We have featured books, sports, fandoms, pets, motorcycles and just about anything else you can think of. The more “you” the better. If there is a special location you would like to use that can nearly always be arranged. Just let us know what you love.

When choosing your clothing, a good mix is the best way to go. Something dressy, something casual, and something timeless. Our camera room is a steady 72 degrees year round so don't hesitate to bring sweaters and/or shorts no matter what the weather is outside.

Select outfits you really love. Things that make you feel good. Whatever you choose make sure it fits well. Clothes that are too tight are just uncomfortable. Too large and it will make you appear boxy. It's always a good idea to limit the number of stripes, bold prints and plaids in your session. One or two are ok but these are usually the least flattering options. You can mix up your look a lot with accessories. Hats, scarves, shoes are a great way to accentuate your personal style.

When gathering your clothes be sure to think about your outfits from head to toe. In each outfit you will likely have a headshot, ¾ length and a full length portrait so be sure you have the right belt, socks and shoes. Don't forget things like bloomers for cheer or pom uniforms as well as the proper undergarments. If you have a lot of light colors or thin strap tops make sure you have the right bra to go with them. If you love jewelry it's a good idea to put the items for each outfit in it's own ziplock bag and hang it on the hanger with that outfit. It will make changing clothes that much faster and you won't leave something behind by mistake. If you are featuring a particular sport, bring everything to do with that sport. Glove, bat, shoes, basketball, football pads and helmet. It's better to have all of it and not need it than not have it and wish you did.

Your hair and make up should be the way you like it best. Have your hair trimmed and colored about a week before your session to be sure it looks it's best. Wear makeup as you normally wear it. Adding extra makeup so the camera doesn't wash you out is a myth. You don't want to look back at your photos and think, “Wow these are pretty but I never look like that.” Just be yourself in every way.

Be sure to drink plenty of water and get plenty of sleep the week before your session. This will insure your skin looks it's very best. Don't worry if you have a breakout. Blemishes are easily removed in your final portraits so don't stress about them at all. Just enjoy the day.

If you are bringing a pet try to have it groomed a few days prior to your session. And please have an option for your pet after we are finished with them. It's a good idea to have a friend take them home. Our studio will feel very strange and overwhelming to them so there is a good chance they will be distracting during the rest of your session. Be sure to have a leash and special treats or toys so your pet will feel less anxious.

If you have a lot of items to add to a particular theme such as trophies and medals be sure to come about 10 minutes early for your session so you have plenty of time to carry them in and organize them prior to your session.