I know the scenario. I've been there myself. Trying to get 3 kids ready for pictures. Hair brushed, hairbows in, bowties straightened and I could go on and on. By the time you make it out the door and into the vehicle, you have at least one kid in meltdown mode. You get to the photographer, turn around from the drivers seat, point your finger and say, "Just say cheese! I just want one good smile!" Then, as soon as you get inside you've gone from one kid to three in meltdown mode. Don't feel bad! You are NOT alone. I would venture to say about half of my clients have this happen every single time they have portraits made. I mean, really, what child WANTS to go to a photographer and sit still for 10 whole minutes, much less an hour!? Let me give you a hint. Most likely your photographer knows what they are doing and can coax out some smiles within a few minutes. The absolute worst thing you can do is try to direct what you want your child to do during the session. Be calm and let the photographer do most of the talking unless they ask for help. This usually results in cooperative kids and at least a few smiles :) Most of my clients already know this and I could not ask for any better parents than the ones that visit me for portraits. I've worked with a lot of them for years and after the first couple of times saying, "Did you get anything at all?" and then being pleasantly surprised at the view and order appointment, we've developed a trust relationship. They normally just give me free rein. Let me show you what I'm talking about. Meet Taylor. I've photographed her since she was a newborn but this particular day she was having some separation anxiety. Mom had just started back to work after getting to spend over a year at home with her and now she was in daycare (had just started that week). The first shot is the very beginning of the session and the last one was less than ten minutes later. Her mom just allowed me to work with her for a few minutes, sitting right beside her the whole time. This helped ease the transition from "She's leaving me here in the floor!" to "Oh, this isn't so bad ... I'll just sit here and laugh at this crazy lady with the camera!" SOOOO, long story short, next time you take your child to have their portraits made, take a big deep breath, let it out and tell your photographer, "They're all yours!" Bless her little heart!!
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It's a brand new year, so for my first post of 2015 what better to share than 2 brand-new babies? (Well, they're not so new anymore but I'm trying to catch up on my blog posts) :)
Enjoy! Jorrden & Jayse 2014 has been an absolutely amazing year here at Dena Howard Portrait Design. We photographed a whopping 144 sessions this year!
This was a year of "FIRSTS" for me. I went on my 1st mission trip WITH my husband (3rd overall). I photographed my 1st birth, first 5th generation portrait AND welcomed my very 1st grandchild into the world. (Now THAT was an amazing experience). I also fell into a creek, got eaten up by mosquitos too many times to count, bruised my knees while crawling on the floor photographing newborns and got lost a few times looking for locations. I wouldn't change it for anything! My photographs can only be as good as the amazing people that trust me to document their lives so from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU to everyone that gave me the opportunity to work with you. You have all shone your light in unique and beautiful ways! $25 Newborn sessions?? Umm, yeah ... you read that right. Newborn sessions will start at only $25 for any sessions booked from Thursday to Tuesday. Not due anytime soon? No worries. Purchase your session and we can tweak the session date as it gets closer to time for your new little one. OR this would make an awesome Christmas gift for someone special!
Elijah got to spend the week with his Nana who squeezed in time for a birthday shoot in between all the hugs and giggles. He was an absolute joy to photograph! Thanks "Nana" for giving me the opportunity to document his very first birthday.
I had so much fun doing this session! I was a little worried getting started because I've been doing her big brother's pictures for years and he always gives me a run for my money trying to get some smiles out of him, but I worried for nothing! Conner LOVES being a big brother and even gave her some smooches. And Miss Maci? Well, she was just a complete angel the whole time.
Enjoy their session ... Congratulations Kevin, Veldia & Conner on your new little addition to the family. You asked for it, you got it! After a couple of years off from photographing familes, we are now offering family sessions again. I have personally trained Kaitlyn Gibby in posing and lighting and want to welcome her on board as DHPD's family photographer. If you would like to see some of her work, take a look at this post >> Urban Family Session
I will still be offering custom family sessions on a limited basis, but Kaitlyn will be handling most of the family mini sessions. Below is info on our fall family mini-sessions. We will be offering these just like we used to with two exceptions. #1 - Scheduled view and order sessions will be online with package pricing starting at $150 and #2 - you can elect to forego the view and order session completely and get a discounted rate of 50% off a 10-image digital download if you order that on the day of the session. These sessions are limited, so hurry and book now to ensure you get a spot! Just a side note ... if you have more than 4 people, you will need to book two sessions. What an amazing session with this family who was the winner of the free family session from the drawing at the Hometown Celebration in Murphy.
This cute little fam drove over from Young Harris, GA for an edgy, urban family session in our quaint little downtown area. This setting really suited their sense of style and the family dynamics were just amazing. Brooks & Evan were all smiles for most of the session! (A little bribery never hurt anyone, right? :) ) Enjoy this sneak peek of their session. Isabella came to us for her senior portraits and I must say ... she is a FABULOUS subject to photograph! Not to mention a whole lot of fun! April & Izzy - enjoy your images!
Some of you may not know what a newborn session actually entails. Well, this is how a normal session goes.
After an initial phone consultation with Mom, I traveled to Andrews, NC (beautiful drive, by the way) to Robert & Stephanie's home. I took my newborn wraps, blankets and throws and set up there. I really enjoyed doing the session at their house. I was able to see that they love antiques and rustic furnishings, which factored in to the way I photographed little Lilyana. Her session took about 2 hours and she only peed on me one time!! That's almost a record! :) We photographed 6 sets and this is the end result. What sweethearts! |
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