Johnson Family Session: Portraits in Smithfield, Utah

Some families are natural in front of the camera, simply because they naturally connect with each other.  It's easy as a photographer getting great photos when just being together gets a whole family smiling, happy, and ready to hug it up!

The Johnson Family was certainly this way. Maybe it has to do with the fact that they are preparring to send Karli off on a mission for 18 months, or maybe because these 3 sisters are just so very sweet together, or maybe it's even everyone's love of the newest, tiny addition to the family.

All told, this family just loves each other. Even their darling dog was just so happy and connected with everyone.

Bitty Basket Sessions

I'm so excited to announce my new Bitty Basket Sessions. As the name in affordable child and family photography, it's important to me to make beautiful photography as inexpensive as possible for my clients. I know new babies don't come cheap, and even though they are so precious and perfect and wonderful, I wanted to find a way to make the cost of newborn photography easier for new parents.

The problem is, newborn photography is hard. It requires getting a room nice and warm and comfy for baby. It requires getting baby to sleep. I have a portable studio set-up that takes 20+ minutes just to set up (and the same amount of time to take-down). In short- newborn photography, as much as I love it, takes A LOT of time.

As we all know, time is money, so long story short, typical newborn sessions are costly. This saddens me when new parents have to forgo gorgeous pictures of wee ones because of budget concerns, so I took the newborn experience and made it bitty.

Bitty sessions mean I bring a basket, wraps, backdrops, and a single light source. Set-up takes less than 5 minutes. We don't worry about doing a ton of different props and backdrops, we just get a few gorgeous, beautiful shots of this little baby before they grow up.

In short (pun intended) this short sessions help make newborn sessions options for everyone!

That's how I'm putting affordability forfront at Photo by Memories.

Bailey Tag-A-Long Session

Want to know a secret? It is probably the best-kept secret here at Photo by Memories and is hands down THE MOST AFFORDABLE way to get some gorgeous shots. 

A while back I learned that sometimes my clients are just looking for a shot or two, maybe for a birthday card for grandma, maybe to show off a new Easter dress. While I often have mini sessions for these needs (think Easter, Christmas, Back-to-school portraits), sometimes they hit in a dead spot. 

Enter the Tag-A-Long session. When you need a portrait or two and can't make a regular session work, I offer tag-a-long minis. They are awesome opportunities to get a great deal on a short session. Here's the details: 

The session for these is only 10-15 minutes. Firm. That means you've got to be on-time or you miss the whole session. 

You don't get to pick the location, date, or time. They are called Tag-A-Long's because I schedule them adjacent to already existing shoots. This puts you a bit at the mercy of availability, but I usually have a tag-a-long available each week, if they aren't scooped up too quickly. 

You get 5-10 images, depending on if you are on-time and cooperative. BUT.....you only pay $30. 

Yes, that wasn't a typo- $30 for a professional session and print release. 

Tag-a-long sessions are perfect for so many little day moments and they are less than the cost of taking your family out to eat overpriced food! 

To get availability and schedule your affordable portrait session, just contact me today!

Back-to-School Portraits: Logan, Utah

July 27, 2015

Summer is so fun! But the end of July brings August and the end of August brings school here in Cache Valley. I'm getting all my clients all ready for school with adorable back-to-school portraits, including a bushel of apples, a darling white-washed chalkboard, and a beautiful, studio location in Logan for these fun and affordable back-to-school photos. 

This year, I've got two packages available. $20 for 4 digital images and $30 for 8 digital images. This makes it straightforward and easy, I think. 

Join us, and we'll get you all ready for school, in style!

See you then!

Behind the Photos: Q&A With A Client

Christy Knighton first used Photo by Memories to capture newborn pictures of her baby girl, Lucy. Her love of beautiful photography can be seen by anyone who enters her home. Carefully framed images and canvas prints line her entry way and living room, showing off her darling young family.

Today, we'll go behind the beautiful photos we were able to capture and get the details on this shoot from the person who matters the most: the client.

Question 1: How did you hear about Photo by Memories?

 I was about to have a new baby and I wanted newborns taken but wasn't sure where to get them done. One of my close friends recommended Photo by Memories to me. She takes her kids to Vikki and told me she was great so I looked into it and I'm glad I did! 

Question 2: What was the biggest thing you hoped to get out of your session?

I wanted to get some good newborn photos, some of my 18 month little girl and some family photos. I wanted some that would be good to display in my home too since we had a new member in our family :)

Question 3: What are some things you did to prepare for your shoot that you were glad you did?

I have seen a lot of lifestyle pictures taken and always loved them so I was excited to get some lifestyle pictures taken of my own family in my home. I searched some lifestyle photos online and a lot of the ones I liked had been taken on the bed in the parents room. I made sure to tidy up our bedroom so we could get some fun shots in there! I am glad I searched lifestyle photos and knew what I wanted. 

Question 4: Would you have done anything different? 

I always get a little stressed and anxious before pictures but Vikki made me feel comfortable and she was so good with my newborn and 18 month old. I was worrying about things I didn't need to be worrying about! Next time I think I will be a little more calm before Vikki takes our family pictures! 

Question 5: What was your favorite image from your shoot? Why? 

Oh my goodness.. I can't pick just one! I really love them all. I love the ones of our whole family interacting together when we weren't posed for the camera. 

Question 6: Was their anything about the shoot that you were surprised by?

I honestly was surprised at how many BIG smiles my 18 month old had in all the pictures! She is usually pretty shy with new people and Vikki is like a baby whisperer! My little girl loved her and Vikki caught so many of the big smiles!