Gosh, you are expensive! Can I get a CD with that?

Reprinted with permisson from Koppi Write Photographys' BLOG! I couldn't have explained it better myself!

Most of my clients value the professional, custom photography that I provide… others are just looking for a bargain.

“$45 for a 4x6? I can get it printed at XXXXX for only $.19!”

And this post is primarily education for those of you who have thought that very same thing.In essence… yes you COULD get a 4x6 print at the local store printed for cheap, but ONLY if you had the digital image (which must be purchased from me), because it is illegal to have something printed that you have swiped off of Facebook or your online gallery. So let’s say you bought the digital image ($100 each or collections starting at $800). You have an image that has been prepared to be printed at my lab.

“What does this mean?”

If it is red on my monitor, it will print red, NOT some weird shade of pink or orange. Red will be red. Blue will be blue. You get the picture (pun fully intended). If you take it to Big Box Store A and have it printed it may have a green tone…Store B may be more red… Store C may be WAY off. The thing is, printers vary, quality varies, just as price varies. You could get a Canvas printed at some off the wall online printer for cheap… will it be the same quality as the canvases I sell… doubtful. Will it be good enough to hang on your wall, maybe.

Let’s break this down for all you number people: Example of Cake Smash session.

I do cake smash sessions complimentary, as a service and fun session for my clients. A lot of work goes into these sessions.

• 30 minutes of communication/scheduling between Koppi Write & client
• 30 minutes to go get cake (or make cake) $10 cost to me
• 15 minutes travel to studio• 15 minutes of set up time before you arrive at the studio
• 30 minute session (shooting time)
• 30 minute clean up (here at the studio, all you have to clean is kiddo)
• 15 take down set time
• 2 hours image processing (uploading to computer, editing, backing up etc)
• 1 hour uploading to online gallery, posting sneak peeks etc. (2 if you are proofing in person)
• 1 hour client communication about ordering
• 30 minutes processing order
• 15 minutes checking order/preparing for shipping or pickup
• 15 minutes taking to be shipped
• * Add another 30 minutes of travel & 15 minutes at studio if you pick up order

Grand Total of time for ONE 30 minute session: 7 hrs 15 minutes (on average).

Remember… the cake smash session is complimentary. I do not know many people that will work 7 hours for free… would you? I do it because I LOVE my job, my clients and my ART.For longer sessions or weddings we would obviously add time in to the session and image processing, but I think you guys get the idea.

“Ok, now that I know this…what does it have to do with your pricing?”

Consider the costs. If you purchase your FAVORITE digital image for $100 from me. That 4x6 print you wanted just cost you $100.19. You can print a gazillion prints from that one image, I am being compensated once. You want a specialty item (canvas, standout etc) only and found some off-the-wall lab to print it for $80. Good for you, but now the price of that product is $180 because you have to buy the image to use. Isn’t it worth it to pay a little extra to get the quality product from me?

I LOVE photography, it is my passion. I work hard to learn new techniques, lighting, posing. I am always looking for a way to hone my skills. But it is business. MY business. It is livelihood for my family, food on our table, and clothes on our backs. That is what photography is to me. The math is easy. Working 7 hours for free will not provide the things needed for my family. Selling $5 4x6 prints or giving you a CD of all your images won’t either!

So… what are you getting for your $45 4x6 print (5x7s & 8x10s are priced the same)? You are getting professional quality products, services and art. You are getting me. My heart, my soul and my passion. You are getting your precious memories preserved by a professional who has everything to lose if you don’t LOVE (and purchase) your images.

Thank you Koppi for letting me share this very informative article! Visit Koppis' website here.

Images By Kelly Photography - 2010 Mothers Day Special

2010 Mothers Day Special - Images by Kelly Photography
( valid April 11th, 2010 - May 16th, 2010)

Get the WHOLE family together for this special and share the cost! Make some new memories!

Option 1: $ 125.00

1 hour shoot on location ( your home, the zoo, downtown or a park)
Private on-line gallery
Spiral Proof Book (15 images)
(1) 8x10 print
(16) wallet prints
Boutique Packaging

Option 2: $ 275.00

2 hour shoot on location (your home, the zoo, downtown or a park)
Private on-line gallery
Spiral Proof Book (30 images)
(2) 8x10 prints
(24) wallet prints
3 minute DVD montage
Boutique Packaging

Option 3: $425.00

3 hour shoot on location ( your home, the zoo, downtown or a park)
Private on-line gallery
Spiral Proof Book (30 images)
(2) 8x10 prints
(32) wallet prints
(1) 16x20 wall portrait
5 minute DVD montage (2 copies)
Boutique Packing

** Options 2&3 includes photography and a videographer ** Get the WHOLE family together and create some new memories! Purchase additional DVD's for $25 each.

Option 4: Gift Certificate for one of the options above!

Gift Certificates will be valid for 3 months. Book your session when you are ready!

All sessions will include posed portraits and documentary portraiture as you spend time together as a family enjoying a day at the park, the zoo, downtown Syracuse or even at home.

Purchase an 8x8 Custom Coffee Table book after your session for discounted price of $175 (regularly $250). Coffee Table books include twenty pages featuring images from your session creatively displayed throughout along with graphics, memorable quotes and sentiments. Coffee Table books make a treasured keepsake to be shared from generation to generation!

Feel free to contact me at 668-2045 or by email at glory2045@twcny.rr.com with any questions or to book your session.

Win a FREE Boudoir Session { BLOG }...

What a great way to start the New Year. One lucky FAN will receive a Boudoir Portrait Session, absolutely FREE! The winner will receive a one hour Boudoir Session, 11x14 mounted print and 8 wallet prints. A great gift for the man in your life or for YOURSELF!


Here's all you have to do:

Become a FAN of my Facebook page by clicking here

Then leave a comment here on the BLOG with why you should win the Boudoir Session. I want to hear your story, why should you win? Did you overcome a lot of obstacles in 2009? Maybe you are a single mother working two jobs to support your children. Or maybe you're the one that is always helping everyone else and it's your turn for some pampering and to feel beautiful. I want to know.

It's that easy! I will choose one deserving winner. It could be YOU!

Winner will be announced here on the BLOG and on my Facebook FAN page on January 22nd! Must live within 40 miles of Syracuse area to be eligible.

Senior Portrait Sessions { BLOG }

Senior Sessions: $200

It's your time to SHINE!

Think outside the BOX! Share your ideas with me. Looking for an urban style shoot, vintage, elegant, chic or hip. Let me know and we'll make it happen together. It's all about YOU!

My goal as a photographer is to create images that are different, FASHION-INSPIRED and a great reflection of you! Your session can take place downtown, at a park, beach, in the studio or a combination of locations for images that are as UNIQUE as you!

Still booking 2010 Senior Sessions!

All Senior Sessions Include the following:

2 hour photo shoot on location
Unlimited wardrobe changes
Private on-line gallery
8x10 Print
16 Custom Wallets
MySpace CD
Digital Yearbook Photo or 16 extra wallet prints

***Refer a friend and receive a free 8x10 print from your session!***

Some of the High Schools are now requiring yearbook photos be taken indoors with a gray background. If you choose to have your Senior Session on-location I will be unable to provide the yearbook photo for you. You may however receive an additional 16 wallet prints to replace the yearbook photo. Who doesn't need more wallet prints anyways?

Before & After { BLOG }...

Just an example of what can be done nowadays with Digital Photography and some post processing and of course Photoshop! On the sample image below, I added the Vintage Blush Action from the CoffeeShop. Then I added a fun texture on top of that at a low opacity and erased it from their faces. For the final step, I added a vignette to darken the corners a bit.

I may have to order a canvas of this print for my studio.

The final image:




The original image:

What to Wear? { BLOG }...

One question I get asked a lot is what should we wear to our photoshoot? Well here's a well written guide by fellow photographer Brea of Cye Photography who has kindly given permission to use this article. It will be very useful for you if you have just booked a session and need help coming up with an outfit for you and your family.

Show me your personality! You are more than just khaki pants and a white dress shirt –show it! If red is your favorite color, wear red. Like stripes? Great! Bring them with you. Simple patterns and bold colors look great on in person AND in photos. Choosing a bold color that is similar to your eye color is an awesome choice too.

Add LAYERS and TEXTURE. Think scarves (light weight or winter weight), hats, jackets, blazers, ties, denim, knits and corduroy. Long sleeves under short sleeves, leggings under skirts/dresses. Fun shoes like tall boots or sassy heels. A variety of textures will give your photos some extra punch to go with your great smile.
Be a head turner. Wear the blazer that fits just right. Or that dress that makes you feel like a million bucks. It’s a fact; clothes that make you feel good make you LOOK good. If you have the option, why not wear something that makes you want to smile?

Avoid logos, bold patterns and character-wear. Leave Dora and Diego at home. Character-wear and logos may be precious in person but will leave you clueless in twenty years when you look back on your photos and try to figure out who that is on your child’s shoes. Keep it timeless and focused on your faces, not your clothes.
Along the same lines, pick clothing that fits nicely. It should be neither too tight nor too loose. The clothes should hang on the bodies well, without folding or creasing. And always dress for full-length shots, which means socks and shoes that also match and are in good shape. A lot of times barefoot is best, weather permitting.

Of Special Note:

Kids:

Think personality. Cheerful, fun prints, polka dots, stripes, camo; whatever showcases who they really are. Add some layers and texture (maybe even a tutu, pettiskirt or tie) and voila! Instant photographic art. Most kids aren’t comfortable in formal dress and occasionally it can show in their pictures. So, if you have your heart set on your little angel in a suit and tie or an elaborate party dress, make sure to bring a second outfit that is more casual and comfortable.

Families & Couples:

Coordinating but not matching. Don’t over-match! The whole group does not have to wear black t’s and denim. Why not shake it up a bit and show some of who each person is as an individual within the whole? Mom should be the belle of the ball in a dress/skirt or fashionable jeans and ideally, heels! Make sure everyone dresses at the same level of formality; either all dressy or all casual, in similar or complimentary color tones. Examples could be earth tones, jewel tones, sky blue and chocolate brown, etc. Or coordinate the family in red, black, white & gray. Mix and match colors/patterns/textures.

Maternity & Newborn:

Be who you are. For maternity, we suggest some simple basics: jeans with a real waist, tight tops that hug the belly, a beautiful dress or flowing skirt and a flattering, comfortable, yet attractive, bra/cropped top/sweater, possibly with a beautiful print. After all, most of this session will be all about the belly. For your precious newborn, au naturale, or just a diaper, is best. We want to capture those beautiful bellies, tiny toes and tooshies. If you have a special outfit be sure to have that ready to go as well.

Portraits in the Park...

My first annual "Portraits in the Park" mini photo sessions at Onondaga Lake Park were a huge success! I had so much fun and I hope the families did too. They were all amazing and I could see the love they all had for each other. I even got a hug from two year old little Jacob. This is why I love my job! Thank you so much for letting me capture some of your precious memories.

I'm already planning a few more of these mini-sessions for 2010.

Urban Kidz - Jaidah {BLOG}

Where do I begin with this spunky little 4 year old! She's the cutest little red haired, freckle-faced kid I know. And smart too. She even told me I didn't know how to count because I always say "one more" and take ten more pictures, lol.

This was for my new Urban Kidz sessions and we shot on location in downtown Syracuse. It's all about fashion for these custom portrait sessions. More details and pricing on my website.

If you like Jaidah she is a local model for AMS Models and Talent. Check out her portfolio on their website.