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You never really know what’s happening outside the frame. Look at this lovely, poised expression for a headshot!
Contributing to the authentic smile was the subject’s daughter- cheering her on. 😃
It’s ok if plans change and your four-year-old comes in with you! I have kids of my own and I’m used to someone nipping at my heels while I work.
Moms are pretty awesome people- this one, especially, because her daughter shared some pretty useful information with me: “My mom has food in her purse.” 🤫😆
If you don’t have company specifications, it’s useful to have a headshot that can handle many purposes. Profile pictures for platforms (could be square, might be circular). Business cards (could be vertical, might be horizontal with dead space for text). Social media (any format, although some platforms display certain ratios to better advantages).
I keep all this in mind when I shoot. Your headshot should meet your expectations in every situation, even the ones you haven’t imagined yet! When you book, tell me about your business and I can help you brainstorm possible scenarios to be prepared for.
Here’s Nikki, with a perfect range of photos for her new role as realtor serving both Missouri and Arkansas.
It’s traditional for many families to celebrate Christmas with an annual photoshoot. I dearly love my faithful patrons who come to Calotype, year after year, to make sure their kids have these childhood memories.
When I knelt down to greet these kiddos as they came in, the youngest put her tiny, slender arms around my neck right away in greeting. It had been a year since she had been to the studio, but she felt right at home.
We start out with a traditional, elegant family portrait.
Naturally, the personalities of the kids come out quickly.
Mama and Dad look fine, so let’s document that…
Next, I photograph the kids together.
And separately ⬇️
Little sister watched big brother being photographed, and when it was her turn she ran up to copy his pose.
But she had a few poses of her own, too
I coaxed them together for one last image.
Ready to make your own family memories? Call the studio at 417-658-8865 or email me.
Not sure what kind of headshot you need? That’s completely okay! Many people don’t know exactly what they want until they see it.
If you don’t have company specifications that dictate what background or pose we use, let’s be creative and have fun! I tell my clients- “Let’s try it. No one else will see this but us. If you don’t like it- delete. ”
I’ll guide you through different poses and expressions. I suggest a quick shirt change or two so you can see what colors give the best result- you might be surprised!
You’ll come back in an hour to see all the images I created. We’ll sort through them by initially removing the immediate “nopes.” Then we’ll compare the remaining images, one by one, until you have it down to the best of the best. Instead of wondering “I wonder what it would have looked like if …” now you can know!
You don’t have to come in with all the answers—just come as you are!
I just had a tough request: Newton Co. Public Administrator Joy Williams needed a new headshot and challenged me to create an even better one than the last one I took! 😬 🫣
Here is a photo of the headshot she's currently using- I agree, it’s lovely and I’m proud of it. I love how her angled pose works with the text on the card. Her skin tones reproduced well, even though the printing lost much of the original contrast of the image.
(If I could improve, I would have added more separation light on the hair, but this was taken several years ago when I was in the phase of “all or nothing” regarding separation light. Your hair either glowed like an angel announcing the birth of Christ, or tried its best not to be noticed by anyone).
Back to 2024, where Mr. Separation Light and myself live on easy terms (when I remember to invite him over), Ms. Joy is back at the studio for her update.
She recently won an award, so we included that as part of the Session!
This minimal, strong pose (above) ended up being her top favorite. It can be used as shown, or cropped closer for profile pictures (or business cards).
I appreciate my loyal clients who come back for more headshots! Ask and I have a special offer, just for you!
If you’ve seen my work on my blog or LinkedIn, you already have an idea.
If you like what you see there, we’re a good fit. If you want something different, you’re welcome to reach out and ask- but for the most part, I have a certain style and “way to see the world” that is not going to drastically change overnight.
But here’s the catch: your photos will naturally be different—because no two people are the same.
Every person is different and I can’t do the exact same thing twice. I’m terrible at copying. If you want me to freeze, show me a Pinterest picture and tell me recreate it. I will hyper-focus on things like lens focal length and lighting pattern (even though people are most likely only seeing the outfit or photogenic subject). There’s something inside my brain that always panics about doing something exactly like the source- this is true for my music, my writing and my photography. If I have to play a piece exactly like it’s written, I dread it! (Which is humorous, because I’ve heard many people are the opposite and panic when they have to come up with something on their own. This is a subject I’d love to explore over coffee with my creative-loving friends!) Back to the original topic of this paragraph: “Your pictures will look very similar to work in my portfolio, but a little different because you’re a little different.”
It’s natural, and I have a plan to help you.
First, make sure you like the pictures you’ve already seen. I tend to be classic and more formal, more so with my lighting if not all my poses. If you don’t care for my take on headshots, keep looking around until you find a photographer that resonates with you.
If you like what you see but are still uncertain about how yours will turn out, help me by bringing some “raw material.” By this I mean “clothing options.” Different blazers, different colored tops, sleeve lengths, necklines, etc. Three to five should be good. Bring only what you love- if it’s a shirt you hate you won’t suddenly love it just because I photographed it. Don’t bring three things that are exactly alike except different colors- for example, men bringing one suit with one white shirt but three different ties. That won’t make much of a difference.
Let me shoot some bad pictures. Yes, I’ll take some pictures that will make you shout, “Heck, no!” And I’ll take at least one that will make you laugh out loud. Do you know what horrible thing is going to happen when I take a bad picture and you see it? We’re going to delete it. And no one will ever see it again. But afterwards, you’ll be left with portraits that look really, really nice. You’ll smile when you see them.
There’s a story of an art class that was divided into two sections. One half had the goal of making a piece of art every day for a semester. The other half only had the goal of making one incredible piece of art for the semester deadline. At the end of the class, the group that made art every day had produced several beautiful pieces (albeit several crumpled, rejected flops, too). But the group with the pressure to produce only one, beautiful work never did come up with anything. They couldn’t agree on what to create, and the dissension caused by the strain of perfection produced zero results. The group that actively practiced produced far more superior than second class pieces. Nothing bad happens if you let me take my shots while I look for your best angle. It’s my job to show you different perspectives so you can sort through and pick the best of the best!
Now let’s look at pictures. Here is Lacie, who brought me plenty of raw material in the form of clothing AND facial expressions. She gave me the freedom to explore and create something unique for her. Did she have any “bad shots”? You’ll never know! ;)
One summer activity I’m currently enjoying is increasing my LinkedIn connections. I’ve had LinkedIn for years but didn’t take the time to understand it. It seemed boring and came across as slightly insincere because I despise vague corporate sayings like “Dynamic solutions.” 🥴
However, I’ve found that LinkedIn has some aspects that are agreeable to my current stage in life.
1️⃣ The user experience. It’s not visually overstimulating. I enjoy clean lines and restful graphic design. Obviously, you can’t beat a book 📖 for this experience- ha- but in the social media category, LinkedIn does well with this.
2️⃣ The pace. It’s not frenzied. You can like and comment on someone’s post from three weeks ago and we’re all cool with that. There’s no pressure to always post what’s on your mind. (I really don’t want to know what’s on everyone’s mind at every given moment! I wish folks would weigh their thoughts carefully before posting- maybe even leave me lost in the mystery! I am truly ok to go a few days without hearing from you).
3️⃣ The mindset. We’re here to connect. I believe all humans crave connection, in one way or another. Real-life interactions are still the most effective way to connect, but it’s neat to have an online “Connection Bank” with photos and descriptions to review accordingly. I enjoy seeing the occasional achievements, photos of a networking lunch, a new building addition, etc. I can look at your work history if I’m curious. Then I go on out about my life and don’t feel the compulsive need to check for new dopamine candy. This seems a sustainable social media mindset to me.
I’m also full of care with whom I choose to connect.
Robin Dunbar, a psychologist, has proposed a mental limit to the number of meaningful, stable connections we can have- he says it’s around 150. Beyond that, he believes we see diminishing returns. I can see why he proposes his theory, because we all know we don’t have the mental bandwidth to have real relationships with every single person on the planet.
Regarding this, writer and business coach Naomi Dunford says, “In a minimalist business, we focus on mindful, generous, mutually beneficial relationships, and we connect in ways that matter and feel good, not in ways that drain time, energy and attention.”
Currently, LinkedIn does not drain my time, energy or attention.
Do you have your profile set up? If you’re just starting or re-awakening a sleepy profile, I’m happy to share a few quick tips I’ve learned. Shoot me an email and I’ll tell you a few things I’ve gleaned so far- as a small business owner NOT seeking to be employed elsewhere. Even though my tips are few, it’s still more than I want to mention in this blog post because you’re here for photography news and updates, not LinkedIn coaching, ha.
I will mention one thing that gains more impressions, and that is simply using photos. Sometimes I use one, sometimes more if it tells a more satisfying story. For me, I like to post a professional portrait or two that I took, then perhaps a behind-the-scenes or pull-back shot to give more detail about the circumstances surrounding the photoshoot. The photos don’t always have to be professional- I have posted casual iPhone snaps that also gained traction. I think the key is giving viewers quick information at a glance.
Example of a pull-back shot showing more information about the circumstances surrounding the product- in this case, the photoshoot. Thank you to Arvest for sending their wonderful employees to Calotype for headshots!
Are you mildly stressed about what to write on LinkedIn? Posting photos is an easy solution! Gather a pile of images including:
your headshot
different views of your place of business
your office
you at a networking event
your happy customers
your product
you creating your product
you thinking about creating your product
your walking with your dog while you recover from creating your product
photograph a review someone left or a kind email response from a satisfied customer
take a picture when you are delivering the product, or simply locking the door and heading out for the weekend
Start saving all these to a folder and drip, drip, drip them out slowly a couple times a week, over the course of a few months. It’s sustainable and an easy way to stay in front of people without bragging, pushy-selling or claiming to be a thought-leader guru.
Here’s a great social media picture captured by my friend and client, Sandra McMahan. Many of you may know her- she loves to take pictures around Neosho and Bentonville and wherever else she goes. I was photographing her for her 75th birthday and she took this photo of me in the camera room ⬇
Thank you, Sandra McMahan, for this photo of me in the studio!
Creating attractive portraits while being authentic intrigues me. This is one reason I love the challenge of photographing headshots for ordinary business people. My clients have hired me to make them look their best, but my photography must be true and not oversell their image. If you want me to take professional, interesting photos that you can proudly post, call me and let’s chat. (Or email me, if you’d rather poke your eyes out than call).
Here are a few options I offer:
1. Headshots in my studio- very good and very fast turnaround; book online.
https://www.calotype-photography.com/photographer-headshots-joplin-mo
2. Headshots at your place of business- very good, not quite as fast- call to book because there are a. two levels and b. we need to determine the best choice.
3. NEW PRODUCT FOR SUMMER 2024 :
If I’m already at your workplace for headshots, I now offer an add-on social media package to capture businesses in action! I showcase you and/or employees in action, your building, offices, and day-to-day activities—all from the most flattering angles. Depending on the size of your operation, this may take as little as 15-30 minutes and yield a few month’s worth of quality posting material!
Call me or email if you’re interested! Or… message me on LinkedIn. 😉
I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with Matthew Ruth, the Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of the State of Missouri for 2024-2025.
Thank you, Matthew, for choosing Calotype Photography for your headshots!
This little curly head has been photographed by Calotype since her first birthday. (I know a lady is not supposed to reveal her age- but- I took her father’s senior pictures). 👵 🫢
Now in 2024, we photographed her along with two siblings that joined the fun along the way (pictures at the end of this post).
As I chatted with her parents about how fast time flies, it reminded me of all the fabulous images they are fortunate to have throughout the years. I went back through the archives to find some early pictures to share!
Here she is in her solo act, before the siblings came along.
Time marches on, and just when life falls into routine.... disorder arrives!
This particular Disorder had curly hair, too, along with beautiful eyes and her own personality. Enjoy these special photographs of the Original Birthday girl in her new duet role.
In 2024, this ringleted young lady steps into her latest performance as Mother Hen.
Little bro doesn't quite know what to think, but I’m confident he'll adapt. (Do you think he'll have curly hair, too? We'll find out next year when they're all back for more portraits!)
And here they are, in their 15, 12, 9 and 6-year-old glory, respectively.
Oh, and a porg (bottom pic). My youngest does not leave the house without a stuffy or two and this was her companion of choice today. The porg with his sweet face and aggressive teeth fits really well with her personality.
Just the facts:
Weather forecast for Neosho Prom night was 🌧☔💦⛈
I decided THE DAY BEFORE PROM to open up the studio and offer fun, fashionable prom pictures for parents who wanted something a little more elevated than just park snaps alone.
I didn’t even have time to send out an email- sorry! I texted a few loyal clients that had prom-goers and asked them to tell their friends.
I booked 16 kids and we had SO MUCH FUN. I mean, getting dressed up for prom is fabulous. When you feel confident in front of the camera, it shows!
Oh, they canceled prom. Right while were taking pictures. ⁉ (Tornado threat). TECHNICALLY they rescheduled. But we have prom pictures anyway- all ended well. Let’s just call it a dress rehearsal.
Here are some of the kids photographed- they were fantastic!
Graduation season is just around the corner, and with May approaching fast, now is the perfect time to capture your soon-to-be graduate's special moment with professional portraits.
Most people immediately think of a high school senior embarking on a new chapter, but what about your 8th grader taking the big leap to high school??
Remember:
8th grade graduation is a BIG deal! Celebrate this crucial growth phase before the whirlwind of high school begins. Academically, some changes include increased workload (high school classes tend to be more demanding, with more homework, projects, and tests. Time management and organization become crucial) and more subjects (students usually encounter a wider range of subjects, including electives and advanced courses which allow for exploration of interests and potential future paths). But what about TODAY? Before all this change happens, do you want to remember how they are right now?
Their physical features are changing rapidly because puberty often kicks in during these years, leading to changes in height, weight, and voice fluctuations.
They have increased self-awareness: Kids become more aware of their bodies and appearance, which can lead to self-consciousness or body image concerns.
Identity exploration becomes stronger: This stage is often marked by questioning who they are, their values, and their place in the world.
I love these kids with one foot in childhood and one foot stretching toward adulthood- because I have kids there, myself. I absolutely adore getting them in front of my camera, even if it’s a challenge, and pulling out unexpected photogenic views they have never seen before. Many clients tell me, after seeing their photos, that they are the best photos they’ve ever seen of their child.
(Of course, parents look at everything through the lens of love so I know the real “tough cookie” is your child itself- can I make them pleased with their portraits?)
I’m happy to report that yes, even the teens leave quite pleased with themselves! TO BE PRECISE- no young teen has gushed on and on about their pictures, but I have gotten little bitty smiles and subtle satisfied head nods when they see their portraits for the first time. You can take that as you will.
Professional portraits offer:
Exceptional quality: Studio lighting, expert posing, and masterful editing create pictures you'll be proud to display- and your new 9th grader will be proud, too.
Variety and creativity: Capture different looks, backgrounds, and even props for personalized storytelling. Let your child have their say here.
A stress-free experience: I’m happy to handle everything, from wardrobe guidance to posing, so you can keep your focus on parenting this strange, wonderful creature you love!
Invest in their memories, invest in professional portraits! What story will you tell with their graduation photos? Contact me today to book their session before the Saturday calendar fills up! Call 417-658-8865 to book, or just to chat and see what we have to offer. Hope to see you soon.
I recently had the pleasure of photographing Day4, a talented group of four men who share God’s message through song. It was an honor to welcome them into my portrait studio and quickly provide the images they needed.
Day4 is known for their heartfelt performances and dedication to spreading their faith through music. You can learn more about them on their website. The images we created together will be used across their website, social media platforms, and concert posters.
Thank you, Day4, for choosing Calotype!
The days and weeks surrounding the birth of a new baby can be overwhelming. Even though planning a Portrait Session is fun, when the moment arrives and you already have a rambunctious toddler at home, getting ready to load the squirming, talkative, hungry family up for professional photographs may feel like the last thing you want to do.
However, this is a special moment that will never happen again.
Your only child's world is changing as they become a big brother or big sister, a role they will carry for the rest of their life.
Imagine looking at these images and seeing the transformation: your toddler, once the sole focus, now gently holding their baby sibling. Yes, they’re probably talking the whole time. Yes, they’re going to poke and prod and look in their nose and ears. But they’re going to be adorable during it all, because they’re your precious children.
Come in- make the effort. I can’t wait to show you the results! You'll find it was well worth it.
Feelings break. Take five.
Feelings assured! Back to taking pictures.
Celebrate their First Birthday milestone with a Portrait Session at Calotype.
If you're looking for something elegant and timeless, our studio is the perfect choice for you!
Do you have a kid (whom you love dearly) that makes the WORST expressions in photos?
It might be funny when you're just snapping away on your phone, but when you set aside time for a professional photo shoot, it can be a worry for many moms.
I can tell right away when a subject has an awkward expression. Since I have good manners, I will NOT say- "That looks awkward." 😛 What I WILL do is keep shooting- and I will say something like, "Let's try a few different expressions for variety," to see what I can pull out of my subject.
I have a tremendous supply of tricks up my sleeve that I won’t list here, but if you want to know what YOU can do ahead of time to help avoid awkward or unhappy expressions, here are some ideas.
For a young child:
🍼 DO feed them before hand, and make sure they're rested. Don't schedule right before a nap! If they are very young and refuse to take a nap that day, I suggest rescheduling. It's that important. Hungry, sleepy kids will not give their best expressions.
🏟 Don't have multiple people in the studio with them- if you have a support team (yay!) that's great, but if they're all in my studio talking loudly to Little Junior at the same time, his eyes will be darting every way but where I need him to look. Result- unfocused, slightly disoriented expression.
📵 DON'T show them your phone. Sometimes parents grab their phone out of desperation to play the opening song for a favorite show. Yes, your child WILL look at you, with a half-second of sparkly eyes, then they'll go straight to a look of frustration when they realize it's not actually time to watch Cocomelon. Once that desire has been created but now unmet, they are upset and any further smiles you're lucky enough to get will be forced.
☎️ DO chat with me beforehand and I'll find out what your kiddo likes, doesn't like, etc, and I'll be prepared to talk about trucks, sticks, ponies or whatever brings a smile to their face. If you talk to me over the phone and I'm allowed to be creative, I'll have a session flow prepared ahead of time to walk your child through.
For mid/older kids (9+)
🍕 DO feed them beforehand! EVERYONE is happier when their belly is full!
🙅 DON'T scold them and tell them their expression is awkward, especially in front of me. They may be embarrassed and it doesn’t make them magically produce a better expression. Be patient and let me take a few bad pictures to get to the good ones.
👦 DO bring one of their close friends. In this case, if you have a good friend or cousin that knows the subject well, and they're standing beside me- all they have to do is raise their eyebrows or say one word of an inside joke, and my subject starts cracking up. It works every time at this age!
For teens, young adults, and you:
🍔 DO eat beforehand- see above! Be happy!
🗣️ DO chat beforehand with me about the subject's personality. We'll consider together if bringing a friend is a helpful thing. It may bring out the best expression, or my subject could withdraw. I need to know if the subject enjoys the spotlight, or privacy. I will create the environment that helps pulls out their real side. This could be as simple as shooting with a tripod, where I step aside and talk to the subject while the camera clicks. All of this is planned in advance, which is why I talk over the phone with clients to get all the spoken and unspoken information I can to create a plan for success.
🤗 DO be happy, yourself. If you're doing family pictures and you're stressed, your kids will pick up on it. By discussing everything beforehand, there's no need to be stressed! I have a plan, and I'm here to help you enjoy your life. Moms that try to control everything put a damper on the event- remember, you’re paying a professional so it’s my role to control the event. I have it all planned- step into it, and see what happens!
I have been working toward a healthier Julie for the past three years. In the last few months the change has been visible on the outside, and I’m surprised at how much weight I have lost in my face! When I look at older pictures of myself, I feel like my face was puffy and my features less defined.
Me, early 2021- photo by Clara as we tested a light in the studio.
November 2023-feeling jolly, less puffy and more blonde :)
Losing weight can make a difference in your facial features. It’s satisfying to look in the mirror and see the results of your hard work paying off!
To all my fellow travelers on the journey to better health, I have an idea for you. Come in and have your headshot taken NOW because your current self is worthy of care and attention.
Once you reach your goal weight, let’s celebrate with a new Headshot Session at 50% off! Becoming healthy is a process, and experts in goal setting recommend that you celebrate your accomplishments to keep the energy going. I can help you celebrate with a photoshoot to document this achievement!
Here are your action steps.
- Book your “now” headshot. You can email me or call the studio 417-658-8865
- Enjoy the experience- it’s fun- no matter how you feel about your current self, I guarantee you’ll find something attractive in your images because that’s my specialty!
- AND THEN- go about your life and continue your daily journey toward health. Take as long as you need.
- When you’ve reached your goal (or even ONE of your goals) call me and let’s do another photoshoot! I’ll take 50% off the price of your “Celebration” Headshot and we’ll cheer together!
I want to help you feel good about yourself in this moment, while offering support for the future version of you.
Details: Offer good for full price headshots taken December 2023 and later. There is deadline for you to reach your next mileston- take as long as you need! However, Calotype reserves the right to end the promotion at the sole discretion of the company. For individuals only- does not apply to group shots. Studio only.
As a small-town portrait studio, I love the comfort and control of working in my studio. But when a customer has a special location in mind, I'm willing to travel. One location that I've come to appreciate is Grand Falls in Joplin.(Locals just call it “the Falls”)
Neutral Rock Colors: My favorite feature of the Falls is the neutral color of the rocks. Unlike common photography location choices of grassy fields or parks where green light can reflect from the grass/trees into eye sockets and necks, causing ghoulish color casts- the neutral rocks at the Falls avoid this issue entirely! As a bonus, the muted color helps make skin colors look vibrant and healthy against it. I personally love warm, glowing skin and I’ve noticed that brightly saturated colors make other colors around it seem dull in comparison. Whereas- muted colors seem to make other colors seem vibrant. So if you want to surround your skin with muted colors and you don’t want to be in the studio, the Falls are a good choice.
Aesthetic Appeal: A finished wall portrait with mostly neutral scenery is a timeless addition to any home. The natural, calming tones of the rocks blend well with how most people in the Ozarks currently decorate their homes.
Windy Conditions: If you’re not a fan of the windblown hair look, this might not be the ideal location for your shoot! It’s always windy when I go. Maybe it’s just the times I’ve chosen…? I personally love a windblown look because I like a sense of movement in pictures, but I’ve noticed the majority of my clients don’t love it when they see their pictures. Specifically- moms don’t like it on themselves. The don’t even notice it on their children, and sometimes even love it without knowing why the love it… but they will use wind-blown hair as an excuse to not purchase an image of themselves. Funny how they see their kids through the lens of love, but focus on fault-finding with themselves… but that’s another potential blog post! 🤪 😵💫
Difficult Access: Another consideration is the accessibility of the Falls. The path down to the water can be challenging to navigate. If you have mobility or balance issues, or if you're planning a shoot with a young toddler, I wouldn't recommend this location. The risk of tripping or falling is significant.
What do you think about Grand Falls? Do you have tea to spill about your experience being photographed there? Email me so I can share with clients considering this location! And enjoy this family of three, photographed early November, enjoying a sunny morning at Shoal Creek.
Bruce Michael is wondering when his mom will stop taking pictures.
Have you ever thought, “The rules that apply to other people don’t really apply to me?”
I did!
In the past, my quick-but-not-accurate mind thought I was incredibly gifted and, by the strength of my abundant, extra-special brain cells, I could accomplish more than others in the same amount of time.
All humans are born with different advantages and disadvantages, but there is one thing that is distributed equally to all: 24 hours of time. Per day. No one gets 26, no one gets 17. The billionaire, the beggar; the modern millennial, the ancient Mesopotamians. We all get to choose how to spend this precious commodity, and I chose to spend my early adult life hustling to outwork the enemy. I calculated that “more was better and faster was best”. (If you are over forty, you know what’s coming and you’re smiling with familiarity. If you’re under forty- please keep reading and take these words to heart).
Many photographers offer “Mini Sessions” because it’s quick cash flow for their business. They’ll do this often around Christmas, because the idea of mini sessions seems fun and holiday-ish; and sometimes people have to have a reason to stop and come in for pictures.
I had seen many other photographers on Facebook offering mini sessions. Plus I had a few people ask me if I did them. I do like to give people what they ask for, so one year I decided to offer mini sessions.
I like clear definitions, so let me explain what a mini session is. Mini means “small in relation to others of the same kind,” and the “same kind” we’re referencing here is a Portrait Session. Portrait Photography, not be confused with event photography or street photography, is aimed toward capturing the personality of a person by using effective lighting, backdrops and poses*. So a “mini” portrait session, by definition, is spending less time to capture personalities, less time on composition, and economizing creativity by using the same lights and backdrop for everyone, regardless if it’s the best choice for a quality portrait. The idea is that the photographer spends little time and little money in hopes the customer get something cute; if not, then no harm is done because it wasn’t too expensive and no one spent much time.
I had my reservations about this, but I really wanted to listen to the two people that asked me about it… so I offered them.
The initial buzz worked- at a low price, people didn’t have to think about it too much and I booked several, quickly.
Then- mini day came. My first one was five minutes late, because life happens and it happens profusely to families with small children. One kid looked scared, one kid had questions, Mom had a forced smile on her face, and Dad had the expression of a man determined to do his whole duty. Curious kiddo Callie (not her real name) was fascinated by the studio and wandered around, touching and asking about everything. Me, too, Callie! I feel the same way when I walk in to a great store! But Mom hissed under her breath, “We only have ten minutes- get over there and SMILE.”
I took the pictures. It only took ten minutes. Maybe even less, because I am quick at what I do. But it wasn’t fun and it wasn’t remarkable.
The day went on, and we had a few kiddos who gave me some good smiles. Some families were very early and waited patiently up front for their turn. We had a funny batch of siblings who were hooting with laughter and giving me hilarious, original poses- but we had to wrap it up because the next kids were waiting in line. I ended the day exhausted and dreading to go through all the pictures I had taken. Because I didn’t have time to check my work as I went, I had overshot in hopes that I would at least get something usable. Now I had multiple mediocre pictures to separate.
The next step was the Ordering Appointment- when people came back to review the pictures. I wasn’t excited to show them the results. Instead of the usual anticipation sparking down to my toes, my heart was apprehensive and I didn’t want to show these second-rate pictures.
If I had been able to talk to them before hand, if I had given myself more margin- I could have done SO much better. Sure, the actual session time was shorter, but Mom still spent the same amount of time getting everyone ready and getting them there. She spent the same amount of money on clothes. She did the same amount of work, and my images weren’t as good as they could have been. I did not like that feeling.
Christmas is a holiday- and the very meaning of the word “holiday” is to celebrate and enjoy the moment! Rushing people through ended up diminishing the moment.
When we feel rushed, it’s stressful to parents, kids AND the photographer. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve discovered that rushing through an enjoyable activity actually makes the activity less enjoyable. Simple things are so much better when you allow time to process it. (I think this is why old people sit on the front porch and talk. They’ve tried the hustle and found it lacking).
My heart’s desire was to listen to people and give them what they wanted. But I’ve learned a few things-
1. People ask for some things because they may not know what else to ask.
2. Regarding “Mini Sessions,” they want them to be “mini” on actual time spent being photographed, but they don’t want to feel constrained by time. (Like how we want jeans to be stretchy but not lose their shape, ultra-trendy but timeless, high-quality but low price, easy to purchase but sold out for others, sexy but conservative, conscious but cheaply produced- you see where I’m going).
3. And here’s a valid concern of clients- why take a long time to do a Session when the kids (and dads) have short attention spans?
These thoughts circled in my mind, and I dug deeper to see how I could truly help people. It seemed what they were really saying was-
1. I love my children so much and I want pictures of them because they’re growing up and changing fast.
2. Since we’re so busy, I feel bad about spending time on pictures. Can you help me fit it in?
3. I don’t want to feel rushed. I don’t want to wait in line. I don’t want to waste time and money and these pictures not turn out. I really want attention to detail, I want to capture their personalities, and I’d like all this -preferably- in a comfortable, stimulation-free environment. Does something like this exist? Probably not, and I don’t want to seem unrealistic, so I’ll minimize my desires and just settle for that “mini session” because it’s conventional and I hate to ask for more.
A Christmas Portrait Session. Not “mini”, just my customary high quality Portrait Session where I take the time to “measure twice, cut once.” I simply find out with a phone call what’s important to you, where your kids are at (personality-wise) and what is your main concern. Then I hang up and draw out a plan. It takes no extra time on your end- it’s just me getting my download of info so I’m not randomly photographing the next person in line.
For Christmas, I design a large, three-dimensional set where I can move around because different groups/individuals need different poses to capture their personalities.
I space my Session times further apart so there are no issues if you have traffic delays or a toddler meltdown. This gives me time to perfect the details for you. The Session isn’t necessarily longer- I just have wider margins to keep trying if things don’t go as smoothly as planned. Plus, if things are going REALLY WELL and we’re experiencing something magical, I’ve got the freedom to keep going.
It’s not the noisy mall- it’s a beautiful studio that is cozy and welcoming to children. I’ve got mirrors to double-check hair. Dressing rooms in case Dad is coming in straight from work. Soft music. Space for kids to wander and constrained spaces if we need to keep some from wandering, ha.
You ARE busy. You don’t have time for mistakes or low quality, especially when it comes to portraits of your children. Family time is irreplaceable and it gets rarer as they grow**. I don’t want to spend this focused family time on anything less than quality. People don’t get together for photographs often, so I need to make sure it’s a fun experience AND you get long-lasting quality photographs from it.
Christmastime IS magical! Don’t let the world drain the fun out of it. Our 24 hours are a precious gift. Let me help you get the most out of them. I will be thrilled to show you the portraits we make together! I’m feeling cheerful already!
My Christmas Portrait Sessions are available this year on Friday, November 17th and Saturday, November 18th.
I have special packages, only available for holidays. For my time spent creatively photographing your family, my standard rate is a Session fee of 175.00 with prints purchased separately, starting at 125.00. For this holiday event, there’s only a deposit of 100.00 (Friday) or 150.00 (Saturday) which goes partially toward your purchase, partially for my creative time. The minimum package is 399 and includes four poses- four high quality archival prints, plus the high resolution digital files of those prints. Or you can swap the four prints for a larger wall portrait to display as yearly Christmas decor!
Of course, none of that do you have to decide until you see how the photos turn out. Other speciality items will be available, too, like a high-end leather album, a unique Calotype collage, and packages with more poses and digital files. If you sign up for our email newsletter, I’ll send you the special Christmas price list- just click here!
You can book this special event online, choosing either Friday or Saturday.
Questions? I love to chat. Call the studio at 417-658-8865.
*Francis, Kathleen (2007). The Focal Encyclopedia of Photography. Focal Press. p. 341. ISBN 978-0240807409
**Nobody knows this more than grandparents. Bring them in for a few photos with your kids! Please. 😢
These images were taken the first week of October at Shoal Creek in Joplin, when the trees were still green but the brown rocks around the creek provided a fall look.
The site of the falls can be beautiful, but I don’t recommend it for anyone who might be challenged with their balance, since the terrain is very uneven. Want some ideas for your own family Portrait Session? Call me and let’s chat!