Creative Child Photography

Advice needed please

nobody@flickr.com (Squammy) — Tue, 14 May 2013 03:10:39 -0700

Squammy posted a new topic:

I have had great feedback from friends on this image, however I am still not happy with it. For me the baby is standing out too much in a realistic way and I wondered what advice someone can give me on this.

I have never tried doing this before and its completely new to me so any help is greatfully recieved as the baby is my goddaughter and I want to make sure I am getting the best photos of her that I can fro her parents :)

Pose Idea - Help Please

nobody@flickr.com (taylahsmum) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 08:36:16 -0700

taylahsmum posted a new topic:

I have a photoshoot this coming Sunday of a family ( mum, dad and 5 month old). Mum and dad lost a baby and has a teddy bear to remember him by. They are wanting to incorporate this bear (30cm) into a family pic without it looking tacky.... Any ideas as to how to go about this? Would love your thoughts!!

Reply to Unique Children's Party Photographs

nobody@flickr.com (olds_y) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 08:02:43 -0800

olds_y posted a reply:

Try shooting it sort of like a wedding. Most birthdays are themed so capture some of the details such as party decorations/arrangements/set up/balloons/etc... Incorporate some family shots prior to the party starting..or try doing a quick cake smash (depending on age) prior to guest arriving so you have some good cake shots, along with the actual blowing of the cake at the party.

Unique Children's Party Photographs

nobody@flickr.com (Dinouk) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:51:45 -0800

Dinouk posted a new topic:

I am trying to get in to children's party photography and am looking at new and innovative ways to capture those special days.
Most people seem to snap away of the usual smiling and laughing children.
Was hoping for some suggestions on new ways this topic can be approached

Reply to should client see all the photos taken? help please

nobody@flickr.com (Marit Welker Photography) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 08:40:56 -0800

Marit Welker Photography posted a reply:

oh, and regarding showing all of them, I edit down to 30-50 because deciding on more than that is just plain overwhelming. I do that as a favor to them. I may miss a good one, but they have other good ones to choose from. I have trouble going through all of them and I am not emotionally attached to the children the way the parents are. I feel like to help them completely means helping make that decision. If I have a favorite, I sometimes explain why. They usually trust my opinion after explanation but they know their child better so maybe I didn't choose the best. I am there to serve them and delight them. Giving them too many choices is just plain hard work. I am here to do that for them. AND that means sorting down to fewer choices.

Good luck!

Reply to should client see all the photos taken? help please

nobody@flickr.com (Marit Welker Photography) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 08:36:25 -0800

Marit Welker Photography posted a reply:

if you are selling photos, the impetus for purchase is emotion. They will only buy from emotion. We don't invest in photography for any other reason. Each time an image is viewed, the emotion is reduced a little more. My method which has been VERY successful financially and in pleasing clients is as follows:
First, cull the photos down the the best 30-50. Never more unless you are planning on selling an album.
Second, edit the photos for color/ light/ and contrast. Then convert into jpeg if you are using RAW for taking the pictures.
Third, add artistic elements like actions or texture overlays to a few pictures if desired to showcase a few images artistically. Remember you are the artist and you decide what looks best. But you are also a service provider. So choose whether to offer style options or choose for them. (they may not like the style they chose and then blame it on you so some artists don't offer options but offer pre edited images.)
Fourth, prepare the images into a slideshow set to music. I use Emotion Media for this. The slideshow is hd quality, animated, with emotional and beautiful music.
fifth, set an appointment and bring them to your home or studio to view the images. Show by projection. I use Proselest - definitely worth the investment l. THis allows viewing, sorting, organizing, showing layout options, and best of all, displays on pictures of their very own walls. This keeps them for ordering only 8x10s. Then, they see what size it looks like on their walls and they make the decision for themselves. It is amazing. And you don't have to pressure them ever. And best of all, your art is much larger so people can really appreciate it and show it off to their friends.
sixth you have them place the order at the ordering session and send them off with a signed receipt agreeing to copyright restrictions and thumbnails and details about each image purchased. Proselect makes that so easy and so professional looking. Then, the clients feel like it is worth every penny, expect to pay more for such a professional service, and you can charge more. My sales have gone from $250 average to $1250 average in just over 18 months. AND my number of clients have increased as well.
seventh require policies in advance, such as everyone involved in the purchase decision must be present. If they need to go think about it, or talk to their husband, the sales diminish and usually dissappear. I have done online sales, but they don't do well in quantity or time. It is just much harder.

Most of all, I offer a service that helps them make the decision easier and more satisfying. I feel that my clients deserve that!

Good luck!

Reply to Would like your thoughts on this one...Fun or too much?

nobody@flickr.com (Marit Welker Photography) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 08:05:11 -0800

Marit Welker Photography posted a reply:

agree with all of the comments above but feel that the emotion of a baby this age all covered with mess is something that is important to remember as typical for age. I think the emotion of the image overshadows all the other factors. Nice picture.

Reply to All of my groups are dead...

nobody@flickr.com (Marit Welker Photography) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 07:58:41 -0800

Marit Welker Photography posted a reply:

find better groups. I have had good luck with that.

Reply to All of my groups are dead...

nobody@flickr.com (NJ Stevenson|ebbystouch.com) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 14:43:35 -0800

NJ Stevenson|ebbystouch.com posted a reply:

Most Flickr groups are dead or mostly post pictures and go nature. It's a pattern across the board.

Reply to All of my groups are dead...

nobody@flickr.com (Signaturelook_Studios) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 10:08:09 -0800

Signaturelook_Studios posted a reply:

Well that is a good question! I still see people posting, mine included. I think it's of a "show & share" kinda group. :)