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Last year, about this time, we tried something all new for DHPD. Low price, big value photography. Our "One Great Shot" sessions were such a hit last year we are going to continue to offer them. THIS year it's back; but with a twist! We will have a "Back to School" set along with our traditional natural light set. We will still be offering value packages starting at only $15 but this year, you can choose one or both of our outdoor sets! F For years, we wanted to offer something lower priced in order to fit everyone's budget, but still provide good, quality portraiture and allow us to stay in business. We finally figured out this is the best way to do it. Think "school picture packages" but with a natural light, outdoor setting in the Dena Howard Portrait Design style. This is a ONE TIME A YEAR deal on great pictures at dirt-cheap prices. You don't want to miss ou "One Great Shot" is perfect for kids aged 1-5 who aren't able to get school pictures OR if you just aren't satisfied with your school-age childrens' regular school pictures. This would also be great if you need to update your child's pageant headshots. We will by no means be giving up our custom portrait sessions but feel that there is a real need for quality pictures for a lower budget. We won't be able able to offer this more than a couple of times per year so go ahead a give us a call to book!! The only catch (well, it's not really a catch, but you get the gist) is that this is for children ONLY. One child per package only. If you want a portrait of your children together OR a family portrait session, you will need to book a regular session.
Sitting fee is $10 for either a one or two pose session with packages starting at $15. Your package order form will be emailed to you when you book your session and must be filled out, turned in and paid for at the session. Please don't be late for your appointment as we are scheduling appointments every 10 minutes. All sitting fees are non-refundable but may be transferred. Can't wait to see you there! Big changes are in store for you and for us! We are now offering all sessions for just $50.
The past 5 years have been great for Dena Howard Portrait Design but now we're making some changes and bumping things down just a notch or two. The studio has been in a state of BOOM over the past year and we feel that we need to cut things back so that we can stay on top of it. First of all, we are only going to be booking NO MORE than 2 sessions per week. With only 3 of us, we can't keep up with the demand a full-service studio offers. We've also experienced a huge increase in product prices. We have 2 choices. We can either raise prices and keep things the same OR we can lower prices and serve more clients. So guess what we're going to do? LOWER PRICES!! We will only be taking studio sessions for newborns, baby's first year and seniors. All other sessions will be on-location. We are also making changes in what we offer. Although we will still offer products and wall portraits, we are now offering digital collections starting at only $150! So what does this mean for you? Right now you can book ANY session (even newborn and seniors) for only $50. Session prices good for a limited time only. Don't delay and call us now to book your session! 828.835.2088 Why you need a professional headshotWhat look do you present to your clients? The image that you present should represent the persona you want your clients to identify with. You should always update your headshots every one to two years or when you have a significant change in your looks. When thinking about getting headshots, there are many things to consider but ultimately only two hard and fast rules. 1. Look professional 2. Look your best Now, here is a list of things you might want to consider.
3 Surefire ways to know that you need a professional headshot
Business vs. Natural Headshots"Business Professional" headshots are the most traditional type of headshot. These are normally shot in a studio under controlled lighting situations and show only the head and shoulders. Below are a few examples of business professional headshots. "Natural" headshots are usually shot with natural lighting using environmental props such as trees, landscapes, etc. Although these are called "Natural" they may also be shot indoors using natural light coming from a window or door. Below are some exampes of natural headshots taken both indoors and outside. As you can see, there are many different styles and looks for your business headshot. To see additional poses and looks, you might want to check out our Pinterest headshot inspiration board.
Most of my blog posts come with lots of pictures. This one, however, has none. Nope - not a one! I'm here to impart to you my all-knowing wisdom on babies. No, seriously, I definitely don't know all there is to know about newborns but I did have 3 and I still come into contact with LOTS of babies in my studio. Some seem like the perfect baby ... sweet and sleeping. Others are a little on the fussy side. Now, there is this thing called "The 5 S's". Dr. Harvey Karp observed it and wrote about it in this book here >>> The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep. My advice? Buy it and read it! Seriously. You won't regret it. But wait! Finish reading this blog post first because I have a little tip for you! The most common cause of fussiness that I've seen is just that baby needs to burp! Although I've had a few offers to move in just so I can put babies to sleep, here are some helpful tips and tricks to try with your baby at home. Burp that baby!Gently pat your baby on the back while leaning him (or her) across your hand, shoulder, or on your lap. If you are bottle feeding, burp every 1-2 ounces for newborns. Breast-feeding mommies need to burp baby when switching sides. Sometimes it can take up to 6 or 7 minutes for baby to burp so don't give up. Burping is a natural result of eating and drinking. We all need it whether we've consciously "swallowed air" or not ;) Try the 5 S'sSwaddling: Wrap that baby! Just not too tightly. There are tons of videos on youtube about how to swaddle a baby. If you don't know how, learn. It's a lifesaver for those babies who have an exaggerated moro (or startle) reflex. You can read more about natural baby reflexes here if you're interested. Side or Stomach position: I think we all know what this means. Swinging: If you don't have an infant swing or rocking cradle, you can always place baby securely in your arms and twist your body gently back and forth. When used with the next 2 "S's" it seems like a miracle ;) Shushing: You know that sound. Most of us are really gentle about this but there's no need to be. The louder the better. Just think about it. Baby has just spent 9 months floating in water with the sound of mommy's heartbeat right there above her! Can't you just imagine how loud that is? It must seem awfully cruel to a baby to go from the gentle rocking of mommy's movements and the constant sound and feel of her to a cold baby mattress. So yeah, pick that baby up and swing and shush her! Sucking: Baby's have a natural instinct to suck. Of course it's necessary for eating but equally important is the exercise and comfort it gives to your little one. So be it a pacifier or his fingers, let him suck. SO THERE YOU HAVE IT! My all-knowing wisdom (just kidding) on comforting a fussy baby. NOW, go buy that book and get to reading.
BOOKING NOW! (Take a look at the previous blog post for a little something extra if you book early) Session date is Saturday, March 22 with a sitting fee of $10 per child. 15 minute sessions with view and order on the same day. Packages will start at $50 and we will be offering print and digital packages. Sitting fee is non-refundable. Now for the fun stuff ... If you need some "What to Wear" ideas, check out our "Easter WTW" board. Also, if you haven't read our post "What's the difference in a mini-session vs. a custom session?" take just a second and read it. There's lots of info and a neat little graphic on just what you get with a mini session. These differences are just an example and each mini-session is created uniquely. Ok now - get on it! Give me a call and get your spot reserved! 828-835-2088 OR if it's easier for you, scroll on up to the top and click one of the little social media icons to connect with me on facebook, pinterest, twitter or google+
While the snowy, cold weather has been great, I am ready for SPRING!! We're working on Easter mini's as we speak! If you came in for holiday portraits, you will know exactly what to expect. This year we're featuring vintage fabrics, creamy bead-board, antique quilts and some down-home southern goodness! I'm just in the brain-storming phase right now, but here is a quick little peek at what you have to look forward to. To help you out just a bit, imagine your kiddos in those scrumptious little Easter outfits in a shabby-chic set fit to rival any graceful southern home. ;) Can't wait!! OH! We have set a date! Easter mini's will be on Saturday, March 22 at our studio in downtown Murphy. Want to go ahead and ensure your spot for Easter minis? Pay your sitting fee by February 21st and get a FREE 5x7! Sitting fee is $10 per child and packages will start at $50. Session spots WILL be limited! Set design will only accomodate up to 3 children and is recommended for ages 6 months to 12 years.
Give me a call at 828-835-2088 or email dena@denahoward.com for more info or to book your session. I recently saw a post showing post-processing techniques using film and the darkroom. Photographer George Hurrell had processed an image of Joan Crawford and it was absolutely breath taking. The link to see his before and after is here. The great photographers of the 1900's either processed their own images or sent them out to a lab for processing. The majority didn't sell or even show images with no processing. I'm going to take a leap though and show you what I get straight out of the camera and what that same image looks like after processing. I'm using the same techniques used in the darkroom, only digitally applied using Lightroom. No actions, filters, etc. Just plain ol' hand-retouching using dodge and burn and local exposure adjustments. This image is a color before and after. You can see how color adjustments, contrast adjustments, dodge and burn draw the viewer into the subjects eyes make for a more pleasing portrait. This "Before" image is straight out of camera with only de-saturation and the "After" image using traditional processing techniques. Isn't the processed image so much more striking? Gone are the muddy skin tones and lack of contrast.
$5 SESSIONS! For real? Yep! For real. These will be great for a last-minute high school senior session; if you already had your senior portraits taken and weren't happy with them; OR if you'd like a session for graduation invitations. So, what's the gist, physicist? (You'll have to excuse my big bang vernacular ... I've been snowed in for 3 days and guess what was showing in my house? ;) These sessions are for CLASS OF 2014 ONLY and there are a few limitations.
READY TO BOOK YOUR SESSION? Scroll down, choose the number of outfits, and click the button! THEN - give us a call at 828-835-2088 to set up your date and time. Please note: ANY SESSIONS PAID FOR OTHER THAN CLASS OF 2014 SENIORS WILL BE REFUNDED. I am in need of some models for a variety of different things.
#1 - I have some new props I'd love to try out ... for this I need 1 or 2 NEWBORN BOYS and 1 or 2 NEWBORN GIRLS -- due date between February 5 and February 20. Parent must sign model release for marketing and promotion, session will be free, prints may ordered from session. Session will be limited to one or 2 prop sets. #2 - 1 BOY, 1 GIRL: 3-5 YEARS -- available last week of February. Parent must sign model release for marketing and promotion, session will be free, prints may ordered from session. Session will be limited to one or 2 prop sets. #3 - Mother and child OR Father and child: 9-20 months -- parent must sign model release for marketing and promotion. Parent will receive 1 high-res image with the opportunity to order additional images. Must be available February 22, 2013 from 2-2:30pm. Please send image of child (if interested in 2 OR 3 above) to dena@denahoward.com No phone calls please. E-mail if interested. |
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