We all know it, we’ve all answered it.  It’s the question that professional photographers dread hearing from clients.  “Where are the rest of the images?”

Typically, photographers provide clients with an estimated number of images they can expect to receive from their session.  However, they also shoot a lot more at the session.  So why aren’t those shared?  What if you don’t think you see an image you imagine you would love when it was shot?  What if you feel that something was just missed?  How come you can’t make the final call?

In short, you hired a professional based on what you saw in their portfolio, and their ability to replicate that consistently in their gallery presentations. You really just have to trust that the photographer has made the correct call in what to show you.

“Fine.  But honestly, where are the rest of the images and why can’t I see them?  I heard you shooting almost 2-3X as many as are in the gallery.”

Photographers overshoot – the degree to which they do that, depends on the photographer, and the type of session.  Some photographers have a low shoot ratio (low number of shots in relation to number of keepers), and some have a high.  The reasons behind over-shooting can range from uncertainty about a situation or lighting, the inability to perhaps capture that one great family shot (eye blinks, expression changes), gear issues (trying a shot with a couple of different apertures, crops or angles), or  simply not wanting to miss anything at the session.  Whatever the reasons, the photographer never believes at any point in time that they will show you everything they shoot.

Add to this, sometimes the photographer is testing out the light or just getting a feel for how you look behind the camera.  Sometimes they want to shoot and move around you, to figure out just what makes you look best.  Sometimes, especially in group shots, they are shooting quick because they are hoping that the one person whose expression or behavior isn’t cooperating will turn it around without them having to address is, and that additional swapping and merging won’t be necessary.  Sometimes they are trying something new and there is never an intention that it will be shown, unless it surpasses their expectations.

And sometimes, the shot just isn’t good. Maybe there was action blur. Maybe your eyes were closed.  Maybe a zipper was undone or a hand was not where it should be. Maybe they could see something inappropriate that required adjustment.

But whatever the reason, the photographer is showing you a gallery of images that has been culled and edited based on their experience of what will best represent their work that you hired them to create.

For every gallery that comes out where the client wishes they saw “more,” there is a client that wishes their photographer had more carefully edited down.  When clients are shown too many images, unless all are spectacular, they are left with the feeling of “These 5 family shots are all identical, I wonder if she felt she had to include them all because she didn’t like the rest?”  If a gallery is comprised of a few great shots and the rest “filler,” you will not feel any more satisfied than you would if you saw ALL the images.  And inevitably, if the photographer decides to include a sub-par shot from a series, that is the one shot the client will focus on and remember.

So unless you feel that entire segments of your session are truly missing, or your photographer has provided you with no explanation, but less images than they promised you with your session fee, trust that they have culled their images, edited out the unusable or exact duplicates, and provided you with the range that they feel most represents their style.  Quite often, asking for “more,” just because you believe more were shot, and for no other reason, will not net you with anything else that is usable, or that you would want.

As a client, do your homework and invest in someone that has the experience to create consistent galleries with variety… discuss your session goals, as well as what you can expect to receive as an outcome (not just volume, but a general idea of what is included in the gallery), and put your faith in that what you are seeing is the best of the best and enjoy what you receive rather than question or wish for what you did not!

Article courtesy of Design Aglow.

Back by popular demand, my next basic photography class is scheduled for Saturday, March 16th from 9:00 am to 11:30 am at the Flying Horse Athletic Club!  Space is limited to 10 attendees in order to ensure quality instruction.

This 2.5 hour class is $90 and will include:

• better understanding of your camera’s manual settings (ISO, shutter speed and aperture)
• lens selection
• composition
• basic posing and natural lighting techniques
• secrets for getting your subject to cooperate in front of the camera (if time allows, we’ll either practice on each other or a model I bring in to class)

To register, please click the “buy now” tab below.

My next basic photography class is scheduled for Sunday, June 24th, 1:00-3:30 at Baby Cotton Bottoms.

Register HERE by June 1st to receive the early bird special of only $90.  Cost will increase to $100 after June 1st.

With the holidays approaching and your session on the books, I thought I would get you guys thinking about what to wear!  So many of my clients manage to pull together adorable wardrobes, but there are those of you out there that I know would love a little advice on the subject.

Think of colors other than red & black:

Remember, for most of you a family portrait is only happens annually or bi-annually if your lucky. So, dressing in traditional “holiday” clothing might not be a portrait you want to look at year round. Branching out from red and black will help create a timeless feeling and not bullseye your portrait as a “Christmas Photo.” However, holiday colors still look great if that is the look you are going for. I am a sucker for Christmas time myself, so don’t let me persuade you if you had your mind set! I just wanted you to give thought to how you will be using your photos and where you will be displaying them.

Why NOT to match:

There is one thing I would like you to avoid, and that is MATCHING! Instead, just think of coordinating/complementary colors.  I know for some of you the task of coming up with a creative, complementing look is overwhelming. So you think buying everyone a white top and khakis seems like the perfect solution. WRONG! Don’t do it! Matching your entire family is great for traditional portraiture, but that is most likely not why you are coming to me! Below are some samples that might trigger some ideas.  I want your images to be fun, have life and show your personality so lets think outside of the box a little! For laughs I thought I would link you to AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com so you can see what not to wear….or do for that matter, lol.

Why layering is everything:

I can not stress the importance of layering when trying to bring different colors together. It also adds interest and personality your photo as you can see in some of the sample wardrobes below. It is also a wonderful way to hide “problem” areas that some of us Mom’s think we have.

Think about props:

I love adding props to a session! Not anything that screams at you, but an object that lends itself to the location and surrounding. It is also a great way to get kids (and the family) engaged in something and to naturally smile. Good examples are a kite on the beach, a lolly pop at the park, or milkshakes with a down town setting.

Consider a Make-up Artist:

Some of you may feel that hiring a make-up artist is a bit over-the-top, but I can tell you from experience it can be worth EVERY penny!  They really understand make-up for photography which is most often much different than what you are used to putting on. After all, remember that you are investing a lot into this and photos are forever!  I’m happy to recommend a few great make-up artists in the area if you’re interested.

Thanks to my photographer friend for providing this helpful information.

For more clothing ideas, check out the following links:

Missie Moosie Children’s Clothing

Pipsqueak Couture

Matilda Jane

Mini Boden

Janie and Jack

Gymboree

Old Navy

Hanna Andersson

It recently dawned on me that I’ve completely forgot to blog about our Rock The Dress photo shoot!  Also known as “Trash The Dress”, Rock The Dress is simply a chance for brides to wear their dress again (it’s too expensive to only wear once, right?!) and in a location that was different from their wedding day.  We chose to go downtown Colorado Springs for some fun urban shots.  Thanks to Andy Mitchell with Alpine Studios for putting together the following video.  If you’re interested in a Rock The Dress session please contact me for more details.

Trash the dress from Alpine Studio LLC on Vimeo.

My memories of this bunch go back a loooooooong way and I was thrilled to see them again during my visit.  Sarah is a dear friend of mine and we’ve been through a lot together…too much to share in a blog post.  Just know she and her family are all beautiful inside and out!

Don’t forget about Sunday’s trunk show & model search event!  There will be adorable clothes from Missie Moosie clothing at a discount with the opportunity for a FREE mini photo session at the event, hair accessories by Barrellas, cupcakes from Couture Cupcakes, and a great giveaway from The Castle House Spa!  It’s an event you DON’T want to miss!  It’s being held at a gorgeous multi-million dollar home (which is up for sale), so at least come to get a tour of the place…and bring a friend!

I’m so excited to have found this amazing natural light studio in Denver!  I’m even more excited to offer this space for my clients as an alternate location!  I love the clean, white, crisp feel to it all.  It makes colors really POP!  If you’d like your next session here, call me for details!

But for now, meet birthday girl “A” and her proud grandmas who flew in to town for the celebration.  These are just a few of my favorites…the photo of her and her daddy cracks me up because it’s such a typical and instinctive daddy thing to do…dangle their child upside down to make them giggle.  I see it often in my own home.  :)

I am beyond excited to be partnering with Missie Moosie clothing in an upcoming trunk show and model search event here in Colorado Springs at a beautiful multi-million dollar home.  If you can attend, please sign up HERE on my facebook fan page so we can get an idea of a head count.  And bring a friend!!!  Here’s the scoop…