Generally I correspond with clients both via email and phone prior to their session multiple times.  We chat about clothing, location, session choices, and the style they want their session to have.  A touch base always occurs a few days before, giving the clients the chance to ask last minute questions – or sometimes to simply calm the nerves! 

As I stated earlier – the session is the smallest part of this process.  But before the session even begins – additional time is spent looking through wardrobes, re-arranging furniture, finding the best shooting location and answering questions.  THEN – we shoot and have fun!  A post session discussion occurs as we wrap up.  Again, questions are answered, the when, how, and where do I see my photos is all covered!  Samples of wall pieces are also brought along, so a client can see the products, and sometimes even look at one in the space their considering for their own in their home.   A big help if you are a visual learner!

The computer time is next - uploading, backing up, and the first run through finding the cream of the crop images!  Personally, I also look at various exposure and processing options – to find the perfect fit for each image!   Once the gallery images have been selected further editing using Photo Shop is then done to polish them up!

Now it’s time to get the clients involved again!  An email usually arrives to my clients announcing that their gallery is ready – along with a preview image or two! Everyone enjoys the sneak peek!!!!  And I LOVE sharing them!  We coordinate a time/day to view the gallery together - and have a phone consult to discuss and place the order.

So you’d think that would wrap it up right?  NOPE!!!!!!   At a minimum – the order needs to be placed, an invoice prepared and sent, and emails with confirmation of payments received, as well as when to expect their beautiful portraits!!!!    With some orders, even more time is spent… here’s a sampling from a recent client’s session!

She knew she wanted to display many of the images, and decided on wall pieces, but needed help with the layout.  Most of us do better when we can SEE what is being talked about.  And this is exactly what mocking up wall displays does!  Sometimes it makes it very clear what we don’t want, and helps us arrive quickly to what we really do want!  This client and I spent quite a bit of time chatting on the phone about size options, and layouts.  I want to be sure and say that this process is NEVER rushed.  It can’t be!  And as I told her – I’d much rather take more time, and know she’s comfortable, and confident with her final choices, than rush an order and worry about second guessing the selections!  Today was our last meeting - I drove over to her home, re-looked at the space, and brought a scaled drawing of the final layout for her to look at.  I know she was very happy and relieved to have me there, and she’s so excited for her order to be placed!  THIS IS WHAT YOUR EXPERIENCE SHOULD BE!  This is what makes custom photography unique.  Excellent portraits is one piece, but clearly….. there’s much more to a session with me than just that

This makes boy number 3 for this wonderful family!  I really love when I get to work with families as they grow.  I’ve taken maternity pictures, family pictures, and newborn shots with them – so obviously I’ve gotten to see first hand how they’ve expanded!  It’s honestly so much fun for me to see the enormous changes that go on with little ones – and how much a new sibling can resemble an older one!  Can not wait for them to view their full gallery…

A few weeks ago, I was honored to photograph this family.  We had talked a few times about getting something scheduled – but it just never happened.
The original intention was to capture grandparents with their grandchildren and children.  And if you take a look at these – you see 2 of those three categories
covered.  About a month earlier the grandfather passed away suddenly.  Now I know this family personally – and one of the things that crossed my mind
shortly after was….”we never did those pictures”.   In talking with his daughter, the same thought had run through her mind as well.  It’s so hard to loose
members of our family.  And people often tell you – your memories will help you through – they’ll provide some comfort in the time to come.  Granted our brains
are wonderful tools for that – but they can’t produce a physical image that you can hold in your hands.  There’s something very powerful about holding a portrait in
your own two hands – or staring into it with your eyes as you remember the person who is no longer with you.  Portraits have a wonderful magic
to them – they freeze those moments in time – and are often capable of bringing you right back to the scene you are looking at.  Sometimes to the
point that we can really feel the emotion that was occurring or hear the voices and conversation exactly at that point.   That is invaluable.

So back to the question…. Do you have a current family portrait?  What are you waiting for?  This is the time – you will love your images forever – and they
will immortalize your family — don’t wait….  you’ll be grateful you have them.

–
GENINE GULLICKSON PHOTOGRAPHY
www.geninegullickson.net  518.248.0834

The 2010 High School Senior Photo Rep. program is off and running!  I have a handful of students that are eager to participate this year.  These are some of my favorite sessions to shoot   The last few years of High School are such great times in a student’s life!  I really love working with them, and helping them capture their interests, hobbies, and personal style – agh!  I honestly can not wait to dive into this next month!   If you read my blog – you’ve heard me chat about this before.  Too many school in this area require students to sit for the cookie-cutter, black drape, shirt and tie boring pictures.  Some even will not list them alphabetically or at all if they submit a photo from an outside studio….WHY?   My opinion …convenience – it would be very easy for a yearbook staff to upload a disc from one studio – already alphabetized etc.  My favorite response….. “Let your Yearbook picture be your Yearbook picture – Let your Senior Portraits be YOU!” If the schools are going to be rigid, so be it.  There’s no reason you need to purchase anything from them, or give that image out to friends/family!  Play the game, sit for 5 minutes, pick a yearbook photo, and book a Unique Session with me to celebrate this great time in your life or your child’s life!  Enough said!  LOL

*Distribute 50 Rep. Cards to friends/family

NO CATCH!    Her daughter is a 2010 Rep!

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–
GENINE GULLICKSON PHOTOGRAPHY
www.geninegullickson.net 518.248.0834

Just in time for this weekend, Holiday photo tips to save the day

PHOTO TIPS:

1.  Flash:  Not the easiest thing to work with – but sometimes just necessary!  If you’re at a gathering during the day…try to turn your flash off.  Set the ISO, which is basically the camera “film” speed, at least at 400.  Take a look around the room, and try to find natural light by the windows.  You’ll get beautiful soft filtered light, that makes for gorgeous photos!  At night, or in dark spaces, you will have to use a flash.  Keep in mind that your camera’s flash only really works up to about 6 ft. away.  So stay close!  Also, if you have an attached flash system – see if you have the capability to adjust the position.  On “shoe flashes” you should have a release button to adjust the angle and direction the flash is set up in.  If possible, extend the flash straight up, then slightly tip it to point behind you!  Ideal position would be if the flash is firing where the wall and ceiling meet directly behind you.  If you can’t tip it back, then position it straight up and down, bouncing off the ceiling!

2.  Composition:

A. The biggest mistake that people make taking photographs is being too far away!  Often I tell clients that the background isn’t all that important – especially when you’re in a house!   What you’re photographing are the people, not the bookshelf!  LOL   When you look through your viewfinder – take specific notice of how much background is in your frame.  Before you click your shutter – take a step, or a few steps closer to your subjects!  Don’t be worried about if the top of someone’s head is slightly cropped, you’ll be focusing on their faces and expressions!

B. Probably the second No-No people don’t realize is NOT TO CENTER THEIR PHOTOS!    Think of your viewfinder as a Tic-Tac-Toe grid.  You do not want the focal point of your photo to land in the center. It’s visually boring!  Where you do want to focus the attention is the corner points of that center square.  Those land 1/3 of the way into the frame.  So maybe start by centering the photo – then shift yourself so the person’s eyes are landing at either the top Left or top Right point of that center square.  Basically just shift a bit left, right, up or down…you’ll be much happier with the results!

3.  Candid Shots:

Looking for real smiles, and emotions?  Resist the urge to say “Say Cheese and Look at the Camera!”  When you see family or friends laughing and enjoying each others company – sneak over and fire off a few frames!  If they are looking at you, try to crack a joke, or remind them of a funny story that gets the giggles going again!

Wishing you a Wonderful Holiday Season – and Happy Photo taking!

2009 in Review…

It’s hard to believe that there is only 2 weeks + left in 2009!  It seems to always start to fly by once the Fall hits.   Many of you know that before photography – I taught elementary ed. in Niskayuna.   It’s a regular practice for a teacher to self-reflect.  Now I’m not talking about requirements, just day to day, or lesson to lesson reflections.  Although my teaching days are behind me – I still find that routine very much ingrained.   I love looking through proofs from a session – and discovering what I walked away with.   I mentally prepare before a session – and generally do have an idea of what my client is looking for, as well as ideas I have in mind.  However, the best photos are always a result of just letting the session unfold in front of me!

In preparation for 2010 - I’ve had the chance to go back through the sessions from the year.  I really was honored to meet and work with so many wonderful families!  Maternity and Newborn sessions begun 2009 – working with many expecting mothers, and some absolutely beautiful newborn babies!  As I reviewed these images, I really noticed how much I do stick to my style, or maybe better said – my vision of what should be documented during these sessions.  I LOVE the lines that my eye is drawn to.  The roundness of a belly – the delicate wrinkles of newborn fingers.  These details are so precious – that I  focus on them.   Two words to sum it up…. ”detailed simplicity” 

Boudoir was a new area that I worked with this year – and how much fun it is!!!  The nerves were always there – but quickly diminished and turned to laughing, joking and relaxed smiles!  The women I worked with were stunning. And I’m thrilled to know how beautiful they felt when they viewed their images.   Hoping to really work in this are more next year – keep the idea in your head … it’s the perfect gift – and although it sounds crazy…Valentine’s Day isn’t far off!!!

As we moved into the warmer months – the family and children sessions became more popular. I met the owners of Felthousen’s Greenhouse and Florist in Niskayuna, and joined them for their Spring Event.   Not much cuter than little kids and baby chicks!    Again, looking at the families I worked with this year - there’s a common thread to their images.  Playfulness!  Of course I’ll pose everyone and ask that everyone look at the camera – but that’s not my goal.   Natural interactions – squealing laughs and tickles….those are the elements that make amazing Family Portraits!

In addition to family sessions, the summer brought some High School Senior sessions as well!  One of my favorite thing to do, is to help Seniors really celebrate who they are!  I love hearing about their hobbies, seeing their clothing style, and seeing the excitement in their eyes as they talk about what the next fall will hold for them!!!

September, October and November were loaded with family sessions, generally with the “HOLIDAY PHOTO” the number one priority!   So many great families!!!

I honestly can not say enough about the wonderful people I’ve worked with this year.  I’m honored that so many of my clients have chosen to work with me year after year – and am appreciative of those who contacted me for their first sessions.

Best wishes for a delightful holiday season – full of laughs, good health, and of course wonderful photos!

Looking forward to seeing you in 2010!

She’s exactly the kind of Mom I thought she would be – Amazing  

So glad we’ve reconnected…

These balloons were sent off in honor of something, so the excitement was ellivated!  A wonderful session, and adorable family.