There are a few changes this year at SMP so I wanted to make sure you understand the pricing and policies for 2015.
To book a session, you’ll be asked for a deposit. The deposit secures your session date and time. You’ll be sent an invoice and it should be paid within 48 hours otherwise your date will become available again. Once the session is booked, you’ll receive a Welcome Guide. This is new for 2015! I put together a bunch of tips and advice to help you prepare for your session. Along with the Welcome Guide will be a Client Questionnaire. This is also new! I really want to personalize each and every session this year. The Questionnaire will help me get to know you better. I’ll ask about the kids, what they like to do, their favorite snacks, toys, how you spend your free time, and so on. The more information the better!
After the session, you’ll view your images in a password protected gallery online in about 3 weeks. I know it’s a long time to wait, but I’ve got a life too! My girls keep me very busy, mostly chauffeuring them around, and I try my best to be present when we are all together. While you’re waiting, you’ll see sneak peeks pop up on social media. Sometimes I’ll shoot behind the scenes stuff for Instragram or one or two edited images on Facebook.
Once the images are ready, you’ll get an email from me. You’ve got 3 collections to choose from – a Print Collection, a Digital Collection, and the Ultimate Collection. The prices you see are for ALL of your images, whether it be in print or as digital images. This is new for 2015 and I’m so excited! Why? Well, every time I sit down to edit your images, I spend hours behind the computer making them look the best that they can. And it breaks my heart for you not to have all of those lovely images. Even if there are some that you wouldn’t necessarily hang on your wall, they still tell the story of your family. I know that’s what I would want. For me, pictures of my children are a link to the past. My memory is terrible. With all of the things floating around in my brain (running a business, taking care of 2 kids, a house, a dog, etc), it gets harder and harder for me to remember things. When I look at pictures of my kids, I am instantly transported to that time and place. It’s so important for me and I hope it’s important to you too. I treasure them so much, but I realize it’s not a priority for a lot of people. I totally get that portraits are a luxury, but I urge you to consider doing it at least once a year, even if it’s not with me (but it totally should be!).
The Digital Collection and the Ultimate Collection both include a print credit now. This means instead of me guessing what your favorite products are or what you’d like to hang on your walls, you get to choose. You can take the print credit and choose something from the a la carte menu that is the same cost. You can even combine items to equal the cost of the credit. The idea is for you to choose a piece of art to hang on your wall since so many images these days end up sitting on a computer hard drive. Whether it’s a canvas or a beautifully framed 8×10, get those pictures up on the wall!
You are also welcome to order from the A La Carte menu. Please note there is a $200 minimum when ordering a la carte. This is new. There is no minimum order when choosing a collection though.
A few more updates …
Newborn Sessions – I no longer have a studio so newborn sessions will take place on location for the time being. Newborn sessions will not include posed shots on a beanbag. Instead, they will be lifestyle sessions that will capture your new family in your own surroundings. I’ll focus on memorable details like baby’s nursery, their tiny fingers and toes, how they look snuggled up on your shoulder or in your arms, and so much more. In home sessions rely a lot on proper lighting so I may ask you to send a few quick pics of the inside of your home to see how much available light there is. Here’s a look at what a lifestyle newborn session looks like. http://www.stacymaephotography.com/location-lifestyle-newborn-session/
Availability – Light is so so important in photography. It can make or break an image. My favorite time of day to shoot is about 2 hours before the sun sets. There is such a gorgeous warm glow at that time of the day. All family and child sessions in 2015 will be scheduled as close to sunset as possible. I totally understand that this may not be ideal for families with small children, but I’m asking you to take a leap of faith and trust me. Taking a break from your normal routine may actually end up being good for everyone. Plus, my goal for every session is to have fun and create a relaxed environment. I don’t want you to think of family portraits as a stuffy, boring, stressful thing that everyone is being forced to do. I want you to look at it as an opportunity to connect with your family and enjoy each other’s company. I am available weeknights as well as Saturdays. Because there are only 4 (maybe 5) Saturdays a month, I typically book 2 or 3 months in advance.
Mini Sessions – Make sure you are a fan of Stacy Mae Photography on Facebook and that you are signed up to receive emails from me so that you can stay up to date about mini sessions. As always, mini sessions are on a first come, first serve basis. They book up super fast so to be fair, I have to book sessions in the order people respond. Mini sessions are not suitable for families or newborns because of the time limit, unless I am offering a special day of family mini sessions. Past clients are able to book a mini session at any time throughout the year, but new clients are limited to mini session events.