It's that time of year you are planning some cute Halloween outfits and the Holiday outfits you want to put your kids in for pictures. After all the stress of color coordination you want to make sure you preserve your memories in the best way possible. But, studio photographs can be prohibitively expensive and more commercial options can be lacking in quality. I got my holiday pics last year at Sears and was pleased with the results but ended up buying one of the packages that were on the pricey end. I didn't even use all the pictures--they're still sitting in the packaging.
So, this year I decided to investigate the freelance photographers in our area. Some of them are just starting out and some have lots of experience. You will find a wide variety of styles and prices. Hopefully, you will find a good fit!
Alicia Simone
portfolio: http://aliciassnaps.blogspot.
-What is your background? What led you to photography?: I have always been interested in Photography. I wanted to go to College for it, but the lure of Wall St. was very strong. After a career as an event planner, an internet producer and my lifetime position as a mom of three, I was given a DSLR for a Christmas present and it changed my life!
-Have you had any formal training? I have taken a basic photography course at a local continuing education school and a portrait class in NYC. Other than that I have devoured every book in the Bergen County library system.
-Approximately how many clients have you served; how long have you been in business?: I only started my business in the early summer. I have served about 10 families, but things have really taken off this fall and I am fully booked every weekend until Thanksgiving!
What kind of equipment do you use? I use a Nikon D90 camera, a Nikon 70-200 2.8 lens, a Tamron 28-75 2.8 lens, and a Nikon 50 1.8 lens. When shooting with a studio setup I use 2 Alien Bee Strobes.
-What areas do you do--infants, maternity, children, families, etc. My usual mix is families, children, and babies. I have also done prom pics.
-What is the sitting fee?: How many ppl are included in the sitting fee? My fee is $300
-What are your package prices? How long are the sessions? My fee includes up to an hour an a half session. For that fee I deliver 20-30 high resolution edited images on CD and a printed set of 4x6 images. From the CD, my clients can print as many images as they want, in large formats as well.
-What locations are available: at my house/studio/on location? I will shoot on location within a 15 mile radius of Ridgewood NJ. For further travel, I charge a fee. I have shot at client's homes, parks, private clubs and even on my lawn. When shooting infants and babies, I shoot at my home in my studio.
-other add ons (black/white, special treatment, etc.): I deliver color and black and white images - the treatment depending on how I think an image will best present.
-how to make an appointment: call my cell: 201-838-8894 or email me at aliciadsimone@yahoo.com. My next outdoor date available is Thanksgiving weekend. I can shoot indoors Tues/Thurs. mornings anytime.
-What are your specialties: kids and babies
-Why should someone pick you (i.e., affordability, experience, maternity, newborn?) ? I think someone should choose me because I can offer more than the average mall-type studio. My images are of a better quality and due to the fact that my clients can print their own images, everyone in the family can have a great picture of their child! I take between 200-300 photos during a shoot.
-Any special offers right now? 10% off for readers from this article ... mention at the time of booking.
MIRABEST comment: She's just starting out but looks like she already has a good following!
Elizabeth Kirat
-What is your background? What led you to photography?: Art History. I've always been the one with a camera. My first "real" camera, my mom bought me before we went on safari when I was about 18. I haven't stopped taking pics since then. I started to focus on children when my daughter was born in 1997
-Have you had any formal training? Yes, I am always attending courses, workshops and seminars related to photography. I always want to be on top of what is going on in the world of digital photography and feel that I can always learn something new from someone.
-Approximately how many clients have you served; how long have you been in business?: In biz about 10 years, served many, many people, about 250 year on average, including mini and full session clients
What kind of equipment do you use? I am a Canon user, my fave lens right now is the 85m fixed lens, I have lots of studio lighting equipment and modifiers.
-What areas do you do--infants, maternity, children, families, etc. I specialize in children, newborn all the way up. I don't photograph families or adults.
-What is the sitting fee? How many ppl are included in the sitting fee? I have a $50.00 sitting fee for up to 3 people in the studio. Location fee starts at $100.00
-What are your package prices? How long are the sessions? I don't offer any packages, I do have some incentive pricing, where if you spend a certain amount, you are entitled to a bonus gift that is not available for purchase. Regular sessions, Ilike to tell people to expect an hour. We will shoot until I feel that I have what I need for the session. i like to keep enough time for breaks, snacks, clothing changes
-What locations are available: at my house/studio/on location? I have a studio in Denville, NJ, or will meet you at a location
-What are the individual print prices:
4x6 is $16.00
5x7 is $21.00
8x10 is $30.00
11x14 is $52.00
-How much is it for digital--CD of images: For the whole session $500.00
-Other add ons (black/white, special treatment, etc.): yes, you will see special treatments of the photos in your online gallery including b/w, collages, wall gallery ideas, etc.
-how to make an appointment: Call or email the studio @ 973.216.1382 or photosbyelizabeth1@gmail.com
-What are your specialties: Kids of all ages! I love them!
-Why should someone pick you (i.e., affordability, experience, maternity, newborn?) ? I have years of experience dealing with children, I am VERY patient. I am very affordable compared with other studios that offer the custom photography experience. There is no waiting period, when you come for your appt. you are the only one there.
-Any special offers right now? i am offering holiday mini sessions with Santa on Oct 25th and Nov 8th. You can bring a new unwrapped toy to be donated to a local charity and have a 15 min. mini session.
For MiraBest readers: I would love to offer a Free mini session to your readers (15 min mini session in my studio (weekdays) with 5-10 proofs in on online gallery so they can get the experience of working with me)
MIRABEST comment: For the amount of experience she has (try to find that at the mall!) and the deals she offers she's a true local gem!
Kristen Dvorscak
-What is your background? What led you to photography?: I was a manager at a large Biotech company prior to having children. After my first son I became obsessed with capturing the moments of his life. I read books and took some online classes to refine my photography skills but am primarily self taught. My friends started complimenting me on my pictures and asked me to do some photo shoots for them. Soon after that friends of friends started asking if they could hire me. The result--the creation of "Now and Forever Photography." My slogan is: "Capture your moments now. Cherish them forever."
-Approximately how many clients have you served; how long have you been in business?: I have been in business for 1 year and have served about 50 clients within my first year of business.
-What kind of equipment do you use? I use a Nikon D300. I prefer shooting in natural light /outdoors but do bring portable studio lights to my clients homes for newborn shoots and intimate maternity shoots.
-What areas do you do--infants, maternity, children, families, etc. I photograph newborns, children, families and special events such as birthday parties and christenings.
-What is the sitting fee?: How many ppl are included in the sitting fee? My minimum sitting fee is $175 which includes a digital "uncopyrighted" CD that you can use to make your own prints. I do not require a minimum purchase of prints - but do offer prints at ala carte prices. My prices is uniquely different from most photographers because the digital image CD comes with every package. This saves my clients money because they can print all the photos from the session at CVS, Shutterfly, etc.
-What are your package prices? How long are the sessions? My sessions are between 1 and 2 hours. My most popular session is the 1 hour digital session which is $175 and includes the digital image CD.
-What locations are available: at my house/studio/on location? I am an on location photographer. I do not have a studio. I will come to your house, nearby park or any other location my clients choose. I have some favorite locations to photograph that I often recommend to my clients.
-How to make an appointment: To make an appointment call 2018574374 or email kristen@nowforeverphotos.com Or visit website www.nowforeverphotos.com
-Why should someone pick you (i.e., affordability, experience, maternity, newborn?) ? You should pick me because I am extremely affordable. My prices are comparable to what you would spend at the Picture People or Sadies. The photos you get from me capture the personalities of the children vs. a posed studio/backdrop look which is what you get at other places. I am also extremely laid back. I view this business as a hobby not a job. I love photography and I love children. I truly enjoy the time I spend with my clients. I love being creative and encourage the parents of the children to be involved in the shoot by suggested ideas, etc. I try to make each session with children a playful and fun experience. I have 2 children of my own (newborn and 2 year old) so I understand the needs for snack breaks, potty breaks or just a plain break during the session. I consider each photo shoot a success if it is an enjoyable experience for the children AND the parents.
Mention MiraBest Blog and Get 10% off session fee.
MIRABEST comment: I actually know Kristen from a playdate we had awhile back (so I'm a bit biased). But her photos just hit me in the heart like no others. She has that Anne Geddes quality (don't know how she gets them to pose like that!) and her prices are so reasonable. She just gave birth to her second child so probably needs some time to get back in the game.
On the Edge Photography
http://ontheedgephotography.bl
Background/training: After spending years as shutterbugs with their own families, years of shooting landscape and cityscape photography, and 3 years of nature photography classes together, fellow classmates Suzy Rosenberg and Lorraine Gillman founded On The Edge Photography in 2007. "We just have so much fun shooting together, while combining our skills and passion for nature and kids photography as a creative venture. We discovered that people love our photographs for their spontaneity, their purity, their joy."
Suzy and Lorraine have done solo and group exhibitions in New York and New Jersey: at libraries, cultural centers, nature centers, local universities, boutiques, and restaurants. Our art photography has sold locally, and Suzy's nature and farm photography has won numerous awards. We also regularly donate our photographic services to community organizations such as schools, local sports teams, and houses of worship.
# of clients: Since we devote about half our time to other solo and joint photography projects and shows, we limit the number of clients we take - we probably have around 30 to 40 clients since we opened our business in 2007 and we're thrilled that many families come back to us for yearly portraits and parties. For us it's about getting great photographs that reveal something new, something special, something beautiful. We're both Canon lovers and use a variety of their cameras and top of the line Canon lenses.
Our sitting fee is $200. This includes at least one and a half hours with 2 photographers at your home or a great outdoor location nearby. We are located in Fort Lee, NJ and travel to clients all around Bergen County at no extra cost. We don't limit the number of family members in our sessions. Sometimes baby sessions can take more time if necessary - we're really patient and we wait for naps, feeding, changing, whatever you need. Spending enough time with clients really allows kids to feel comfortable and warm up to us.
Package Prices: Print prices are a la carte and quite reasonable. Fully edited DVD's of all the high resolution, original quality images from your session or party start at $200. We find clients love this option so they can reprint, enlarge up to huge sizes, and keep their own digital negatives. That way they can have total control over whatever photos they want, whenever they want.
Specials: Our Holiday Special features portrait packages starting at $300 (includes portrait sitting and 2 fully edited high resolution dvds). We also run party specials as well: check our blog for details. We are happy to provide MiraBest readers an additional 10% discount on any of our portrait or party packages.
To make an appointment, feel free to email Suzy or Lorraine at ontheedgephoto@gmail.com or call (551) 486-4297. You can check out our work at http://ontheedgephotography.bl
Specialities: children, babies, families; candid, natural, fun portraiture, celebrations; we love using natural light and photographing outdoors. Lorraine specializes in cityscapes and Suzy specializes in farm life. Both of us spend much of our time photographing the Hudson River through the changing seasons.
Why pick us? We have the ultimate customer service and make your portrait session convenient, relaxing, and fun! We want to get to know you and find out what you like in a photograph, what styles you are looking for. We take time to discuss clothing options and pick out locations together. We work with you to customize your session and photographs. In our event photography, we focus on the details, the moments, the unfolding story of your special day. We strive to bring out the essence, beauty, and emotions of the celebration, the fleeting joy that only a photograph can capture.
MIRABEST comment: Top notch experience, great testimonials, and good Holiday specials: you better book now!
I LOVE this post!! Been thinking about going to BRU to get some portraits, but not after this article! Need to do some research and book before these gems are snatched up!
Posted by: Laura | October 13, 2009 at 10:47 PM
Love the one with the baby on a basket, very cute, reminded me my kid at that age.
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