Simple Family Photographs
Fox Cities Family Photographer
When you first decide to start a business it’s usually not really a decision. At least in my case it wasn’t. I had purchased my first DSLR shortly after college and started snapping pictures around the yard and of my nieces and nephews. After sharing them online (thank you free social media platforms), friends and family would ask – ‘can you take our picture?’ Of course I would say yes, an extra $35 in my pocket for a short afternoon’s worth of work… no complaining here!
Then things get out of hand and you just keep going and quit your full time job to start a part time gig to ‘be sure’ your bills are paid and things keep growing with that business you started 4 years prior so you quit the part time job because FULL TIME PHOTOGRAPHER sounds pretty dang great… *takes a big breath!* You know where this came from right? My friends and family grew it for me!
It’s true. Had they not asked for those early years, I wouldn’t be here. And the best part, they keep asking! I’m honestly blown away when friends, family and acquaintances keep asking for sessions. The support and loyalty to Caitlin Claire Studio is very humbling.
Bob and Daali are just those people in my life. Friends (who feel like family) for a few years now, I was thrilled to hear of their new babe on the way and just as excited to see their inquiry roll into my inbox. I know Caitlin Claire Studio has come a very long way since those $35 session days (growth yo!), so families who continue to support this business and my family are never taken for granted. And I’ve said this before – it is such a compliment when someone I know, outside of photography, reaches out for my services. That trust is something I hope to always hold tight to.
Ask and ye shall receive. Or just wait around and it will come because no one asked for it but it’s important for me to share. Here are my remaining dates in 2019 (maybe give or take a few depending on future circumstances…)
September 19
September 24
September 26
October 3
October 17
October 22
October 24
October 29
November 2
November 5
November 7
November 9
November 12
November 14
November 16
November 19
November 21
November 23
November 26
Not a single person I know would say otherwise. Well, maybe a few, but this note isn’t for them. HA! Or maybe it is, because they celebrate their Dad on Mother’s Day, like I celebrate my mom on Father’s Day. Let me start this over…
Celebrating them on a daily basis is easily overlooked. Just like drinking enough water or getting the recommended 30 minutes of elevated heart rate can be. I’m here to help remind you, and help you celebrate… with photography!
If you’re still not quite sure what to get your Mom or celebrated parent figure for Mother’s Day this year, may I suggest a family photography session?
This session can be for a new mom, an experienced mom, a grandma… Plan for just your immediate family or the whole she-bang! We will photograph your whole group together and all the breakdowns too, no need to plan for separate days to photograph everyone. Buy your session today and plan for a day later this summer or even fall. But don’t wait too long to pick those dates, the calendar stops for no one!
Oh, hello winter maternity session. Thought I’d squeeze you in since snow is in the forecast here in Wisconsin! Also since you’re a few months old and baby Eloise has arrived I feel comfortable sharing these images publicly.
Mom & Dad didn’t make it ‘social media official’ that baby number two was on the way until she had already arrived. I appreciate and respect family wishes about their images, even if that means I need to keep images on the down low. It’s not my right as a photographer to make your announcements for you, it’s my joy to celebrate them with you! So if families ask me to hold off on posting, I’m happy to do so.
Client priorities over social media sharing. Always.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!