leaf-ing...

H+D Photography will be leaving on vacation from November 24th - 29th. Any emails, phone calls, orders and questions will be answered or returned after then! Thanks for you patience!

#67 - Check!

So - the first accomplishment of my 101 in 1001 list has finally arrived! We now have branded notepads, business cards, and reproduction releases for digital images! If you know us, you know that we are suckers for great packaging and innovative design. We do not claim to have either of these with our simple design, but we are sooooooo happy to finally have something to show for the work we are putting into our little brand. We will be getting some additional things as the year goes on but we just wanted to give you a sneak peak of the cute stuff you might be getting with your prints, discs, and gift certificates!

Happy Weekend! :)

Session FAQ and Excuses

“What should our family wear? All the same color? White shirts and khaki pants? What about the kids?”

We always tell our clients – where what makes you feel comfortable. When you feel comfortable, you look comfortable and happy! Trying to be stuffy and overdressed for a session is no fun at all, for you or for us. So do yourself a favor, and just be you. Wear everything your mom told you not too! Wear stripes and plaids and layers, have fun with matching different colors for kids. Wear cute jackets, shoes, and hair bows. You can be stuffy when you get your photos done at Olan Mills or Kmart. We are about capturing your family just as it is: happy and in the moment. Wear your favorite HUGE earrings, your cutest jeans, the cowboy boots your daughter refuses to take off! Florals, print tees, and layers are definitely in! Here are some of our suggestions for kids and parents:  Mini Boden, Matilda Jane, JCrew - two images courtesy of JCREW, TARGET.

“Where should we have pictures done?”

When thinking about a location for your shoot, do this: Think to yourself, is there a place that my family loves to be and have fun? Is there an interesting place up the street that would be so cute for pictures? Old buildings? Fields? Barns? Your own home? Playgrounds? So many times, parents want pictures of their kids with blooming flowers behind them that they forget that the pictures that they value the most of their kids are the ones where their personality is shining through. It’s the photograph of your kids giving the biggest laugh or smile that really touches your heart in ways a posed, forced “cheese” photo will never do. So pick a place. Have a picnic. Bake cookies with your kids and have us come photograph it. Be creative. Bring props! Use your own backyard! Bring a wagon! We are up for anything!

“How long does the session take?”

It lasts about 1-2 hours depending on subjects. Sometimes it takes us longer to get kids to warm up to us, and that’s fine! And other times, we are in and out in less than an hour. We just take our time and try to get the best shots possible of you and your family!

“My kids are crazy: the terrible twos or the dreaded tweens. I’m so sorry”

Just relax. Forcing kids to do what YOU want will never, and I repeat never, give you the kind of pictures that you want. Saying, “Look Johnny! Smile Susie!” This will just frustrate your kids and you and then nobody is interested in taking pictures anymore. We are champion distracters of children and will get down and dirty for the real smiles we are looking for. Just take a deep breath – and let your kids be who they are for us. There’s no need to impress us; we have seen it all! Kids will throw tantrums and not want to show their teeth. It’s inevitable. They will refuse to smile, even when things are funny. Let them show us their missing teeth if they want too, have hair in their face, let them drool - let them just be! Its what it all about...the perfectly un-perfect.

“We are not very photogenic.”

We hear this about every time we photograph someone. And the truth is, when you relax and just have a good time with us, you will find that your pictures reflect that. Looking and feeling happy and relaxed, can do wonders for your photogenic qualities! So do it!

“When I lose 10 lbs, I’m gonna get our family pictures done.”

Listen up Moms everywhere! I was reading a blog of one of my favorite photographers and she just had a post entitled, “Is there a perfect time?” And she had these fantastic words to share.

“Its easy to say – I’m too fat.

I have too much going on.

We’re too busy.

Maybe next year.

But I just want to say STOP IT! We need to take the time to appreciate the value of family photos, if not for ourselves (because we’re too fat or whatever), then for our children.  In 20 years, your children are not going to say, “I really love this photo of my family but I wish my mom had waited until she lost some weight. We never know what tomorrow will bring our way. And life is quickly racing by…”

Life's about LIVING, not about waiting. Book your family session today!

Book Cover Design: Gravely Mistaken by Janis Ann Parks

We can hardly believe its time to say this but - we are so excited to have designed our first book cover! Complete with our own images!

Local writer Janis Ann Parks was working with our friend Dan Pearson (of Augusta's Medical Examiner newspaper and Drug of Choice Brand Coffee) on her first published book project doing some copy editing, and he mentioned us to take some photographs for the book cover. Of course, we jumped at the opportunity to work on something so big for her! (and for us!)

The book is considered Historical Fiction because it is a story based around events that happened here in Augusta at the Medical College of Georgia!

Here is a description of the book from Amazon:

"Grave robbing is a suspected source of supply for the bodies used as specimens in the anatomy classes at the Medical College of Georgia in 1854. Two students, John and Sterling, take a break from their studies one night and have a drink at the tavern. While there, they spy Grandison Harris, the slave purchased to work as a porter for the school. They decide to see what he has in the back of his wagon. A shovel and a body in a bag on the floor of his wagon convince them that Harris is a resurrectionist. The students resolve to play a trick on the porter. Removing the body from its bag and hiding it, John crawls into the sack, intending to scare Harris. But, as the porter climbs in the wagon, the prank goes awry when the horse bolts and runs away. John remains trapped in the bag and when he tries to wriggle free, Harris sees the movement and mistakes the body for an evil spirit. The porter hits the squirming sack with a shovel, takes it back to the cemetery and puts it in the grave. John is either dead or buried alive. Surrounding the mystery are stories exemplifying the best heroic medical treatment of the day including; bleeding, purging and application of plasters for the treatment of Yellow Fever and other maladies along with development of ether anesthesia, surgical procedures, use of laudanum and the practice of autopsy to further medical knowledge."

We couldn't be more delighted with the way things turned out. The book is now available on Amazon for purchase! Support our local writers and artists by buying your copy today!!

She's Here!

Finally! She's here! Our new iMac in all her glory! We are super excited to say that we are officially - mac zombies! :) My parents gave us the oh-so-amazing gift of this baby and we couldn't be more thankful and more thrilled with it! For those who know us, you know that we have been working off of the same laptop for a LONG time now, the one where you apply an action to your photo and chill for about 5 minutes for it to load. I could make a pot of coffee per image while editing it took so long! And now - I'm getting so spoiled! Hopefully having this new computer will allow us to get our weddings and portraits sessions out quicker and more efficiently! 

Coming up...

We are super excited about some new projects coming up and can't wait to share -

but until then...this just makes me happy!

feel the love special!!

call us today @ 706.833.7680 or handdphoto@gmail.com for more information!!!!!

new year, new pricing!

on being thankful...

So we just wanted to take a minute out to thank all our clients for a great year in 2009! This time last year, we were talking about building a website and just beginning to blog our work as our own business - since having always worked FOR someone else. We have certainly come a long way from there! We are excited about what 2010 holds for us and for the new adventures we have to look forward to! If you know anyone who is graduating next year, newly engaged or getting married, or are just in need of some fun, spunky family photographs - drop us a line! We would love to meet some new families and reconnect with old friends through our work! So - thank you clients of 2009! Heres a recap of 2009 - kids, weddings, and us! enjoy!

Custom Photography - Why it Costs More?

I thought I would post an interesting article that I recently ran across featuring this frequently asked question. Its kind of long but its a good read! :)

This is an excerpt from the Custom Photography Series via Professional Child Photographer Consumer Guide : "Why Custom Photography Costs More?" Written by Marianne Drenthe.

"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 and FROM session
• 15-30 minutes prep time at client’s home
• 90 minutes-2 hours with client photographing subject
• 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."

{and the winner is...}

Marissa is now the owner of a case of Drug of Choice Brand Coffee! She referred several friends and fans to beat out the competition! Thanks to everyone who participated in getting our name out there! we are a small little business venture so every little bit helps! thanks for your support! and yay for marissa! :)

{hip hip hooray!}

for supporting us in our first year as h + d photography!!

we are totally stoked (that's right i said stoked - i'm bringin' that back in case you didn't know) about our little anniversary! So it's been one year of picture taking and memory making and we thought it would be nice to do something for the folks who've helped and supported us. So what could that be, we wondered?

Hmmm? Haley -being the addict that she is - suggested COFFEE!!!

(Who doesn't like coffee? Really.) We want to give away FREE coffee!!! Not just a cup.

Not even a whole pot! We want to give away a flippin' case of the good stuff!

Okay okay, so now that we have your undivided attention, here's how to get in on it:

Copy and paste the following to your Facebook status:

"Haley Reid & H+D Photography invite all to check them out on Facebook! 'Friend' them or 'Become a Fan" and tell 'em who referred you! World peace hangs in the balance!"

Be sure they mention that you referred them to us.

Whoever has the most referral wins the grand prize - a complimentary case (2 jars) of Drug Of Choice Brand coffee! (They will be packaged in heavy glass jars that will "undoubtedly become cherished family heirlooms.")

After you've done that check out Drug of Choice Coffee and if ya don't win some from us, pick up your own jars!

daryl recommends the GI Joe blend!

so here's hoping you are the winner! and thanks again for supporting us here at h+d!