Maraya || Class of 2019
Author: Caitlin
Hortonville Wisconsin Photographer
Carolyn || Class of 2019
Appleton Newborn Photography Studio
Piper Josephine
Piper was officially (and unknowingly), the last newborn I photographed in my previous studio space. Since moving, I’ve been playing catch up with online galleries, blogs and studio life in general. But looking back on these images fills me with so much joy. To know so much can change in 3 months time is a great reason to KEEP WORKING!
And to think, this sweet babe has also changed so much in 3 months! All the more reason to take photographs regularly and enjoy your life in this very moment. I don’t know how to express any differently than I’ve been doing so for the past 5+ years, how important I believe photographs to be. At least not in words. My heart knows how. But sharing from the heart and really having people hear you is HARD!
But you know who hears me… parents. Especially the ones who have been in for family pictures and return again for second, third and even fourth sessions. The value they put on photographs does not escape me. I’m so grateful there are people out there who love photos just as much as photographers do. To be called upon to help remember joyful memories in one’s lifetime is the greatest honor. Paul and Allison, thank you for asking me into your joyful story!
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Appleton Casual Headshots
Keir Dvorachek
My brother Keir has been helping me left and right at the studio. From building and hanging custom curtain rods, and installing shelving on concrete walls, to modeling for impromptu headshots so I can test lighting. He has been around for it all since the beginning of February. I honestly don’t know what I would have done without him these past few weeks as I get settled in this new space.
Asking for help isn’t always easy, but Keir never put up a fuss or made an excuse for not being available during this process of mine. He offered (and continues to do so), his skills and time in anyway he is able. I am a very lucky sister to have him around!
Today is his birthday, so I thought it might be fun to share his gallery of images from our most recent photography session in the studio. Happy Birthday Keir, hope your day is just as amazing as you are!
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Appleton Wisconsin Newborn Photographer
Beau James
I feel as if I’ve been repeating myself quite a bit lately. Don’t read that as irritation at all! I have been repeating my joy for products, sessions and clients so much lately as I transition into a new chapter for Caitlin Claire Studio. As many of you know, I moved into a new studio space February 1st and have been running full speed since. This fresh reality has me vocalizing all of my internal thoughts to you, the clients and followers, with even more passion than before. I’m finding it very valuable to share the whole picture with those who care to follow along.
Today, I’m sharing once again my happiness from in-home newborn sessions. I like to offer clients different options for session types because we are not all the same, not even close…
Jim and Jenni welcomed baby Beau into their world on January 1, 2019 in the most surprising way. (You should definitely head to their Instagram post to read the fun story!) When first confirming their newborn session with me, they leaned towards an in studio session but quickly changed their minds as the time drew nearer. I’m so glad they did! Beau’s nursery is one of the cutest I’ve seen and photographing all the personal touches was very special. You don’t need to have a perfectly finished nursery to schedule a lifestyle newborn session though, sometimes the favorite images are captured snuggled in bed or in an unfinished office space. Take a peek for yourself!
Prints vs. Digitals
Oh the unending debate! I receive so many inquiries that start with, “I’m just looking for pricing.” Or, “I really want to own all the digital files.” Challenge accepted!
As a photographer in 2019, I find the desire to own all of the images that have ever been taken of my own face completely acceptable. Trust me, I get it! I want to know that they are there at the click of a button for me to share, email, print, decoupage, and post time and time again on social media for years to come. You know what? I don’t do ANY of those things with pictures of me from the past. You might be asking, what the heck does she do with her pictures? I look at them, ON MY WALLS! Yes, I print and hang my own family pictures to enjoy multiple times a day as I walk around the house looking for a snack or avoiding the laundry. To be fair, most of them were hanging in Nashville and are now in transition back to Appleton as I renovate and settle into my mom’s upstairs. I can’t wait to get them back where they belong, on my walls, because THAT is where they make me the happiest.
As for all of the pictures I haven’t printed. Sure, I still take a peek once in a while. They can come in handy if I have a random photo project that pops up, but seriously, they live on a hard drive in a drawer in my desk. That’s it.
When a new client comes to me and says, “I really want to own all the digitals.” I ask, “Why?” I want to know YOUR reason, because I already know mine. I KNOW more joy comes from printed pictures on a daily basis than digital files. I KNOW that you’ll smile as you page through albums and boxes of prints. And I KNOW you’ll almost always get more out of your investment when you buy a print instead of a digital file.
To be fair, there is a time and a place for digital files, which I point out below in the FAQ on this topic, and if a client’s needs lineup with digital files being the best investment of their time and money, I will not lead them away from it. However, I would hate to leave anyone hanging by handing them a USB of files, and no idea of where to turn to next.
Listed below are a few questions I’m regularly asked and a bullet point list of why I feel in-person ordering sessions are best for my clients. If you think of any great additional points on this topic, I’d love to hear!
FAQ
You talk about printing pictures quite often, do you offer digital files at all?
YES – of course! I would never take away the opportunity for a client to have access to their sessions in a digital format. Every session is different and every client has different needs. I’m here to listen and deliver appropriately.
Why are digital files so expensive? It doesn’t cost you much to sell them.
When I sell a digital file, I’m selling more than space on a USB or hard drive. I’m factoring in the equipment, time and skill that went into creating your final image. Once purchased, you have the chance to print it as many times as you would like, and use it for all of your personal adventures for years to come! I don’t believe it would be fair to either of us to devalue the product in question simply because it doesn’t take up much space in our digital world.
What if I don’t buy the digital files and want to order more pictures at a later date?
You are always welcome to email me with a fresh order request – I NEVER delete files. Since starting my company in 2014, I knew it would be important to share this news time and time again. Backing up files is something I do regularly and on multiple drives. Heaven forbid anything ever happened to your prints. I am here to reassure you they are always safe in my possession for you to obtain another copy.
Points to consider when choosing which route is best for you.
- Having an in-person ordering session makes your life easier. I walk you through ordering correct types and sizes of artwork as well as the unknown technical side of ordering.
- You will be able to view tangible sample products vs pixels on a screen when deciding what products are the best fit.
- Ordering your prints holds me responsible for the quality of your final products. I have your best interest in mind when selecting print labs and hold them to high standards. You will never have to worry about misprints or low quality pieces because I inspect everything that my clients order before it goes home with them.
- Most clients will never print ALL the pictures from their session, so why buy them all?
Still hung up on wanting to share your favorites on social media? You can! Any images that are ordered as prints/products will also be received as web images. We might not be able (or want) to invite everyone over to our homes to see our new pictures, so sharing web images is a way to spread a little more joy to friends and family!
I hope these thinking points help you decide upon your next session investment with confidence!
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Aspect Ratios & Cropping Images
Caitlin Claire Studio
When I sit down for an ordering session, one of the very first things I discuss is full frame cameras and aspect ratios. Surprisingly, it can be a tricky thing printing an 8×10″ print or a 5×7″ or an 11×14″.
Full frame cameras (what most professionals have) use a 2:3 sensor. This unfortunately doesn’t relate to every print size. Which for me, is why I photograph similar poses and angles from multiple distances as I work. I am very much a visual person, so I’ve laid out a few examples below of how different size prints affect image compositions. If you love a good read that involves numbers, ratios, etc., then I highly suggest THIS BLOG POST over on Paint the Moon.
