Sweet baby boy W

I thought my baby (who is 16 months almost) was still a baby until this morning.

now THIS is a baby- a sweet, calm, 2nd son. I just don't think it gets sweeter than those first few days.

There's nothing in the world like a large print

Lillian and I are approaching our 2nd anniversary of www.theportraitparties.com. We have changed and grown and adapted and learned and are in such a different place from where we started. I thought I would take a moment or two to share with you all some of the reasons and motivations that have brought us to where we are.

When we first started, we just knew we loved taking pictures. We weren't sure we could do it professionally but we were willing to try. We sent out an email and charged a very, very tiny amount and had literally a full house. And it worked out. The photos were beautiful. We had done it with a simple paper backdrop and a PVC pipe frame we had made. We used my garage and dining room (when the weather was bad) and our beginning cameras (Nikon D40 - jamie and Canon 40D- Lillian). And we proceeded from there. We kept our prices low-- very, very low and we had another portrait party a few months later. And another and another. We were in fact, doing it.

And that was about when some big realities started to kick in. We were offering a photo shoot, plus all the editing, and a lot of the digital images for such a great price without thinking of the work that actually went into the process. For example, we had at one point a one hour photo shoot (in New Jersey) that we got paid $100 and in return provided 60 images. (Now we had several sessions that day so the travel costs were split up over quite a few clients) -- but traveling there and back was 4 hours, taking the photos took 1 hour, uploading the photos and backing them up took 1/2 an hour, editing 60 images took 4 hours, posting them to the blog and facebook took an hour, burning the images onto a disc and mailing them out took an hour -- and in the end that one session took about 11 hours of my time. Then you have to remember that I also pay taxes (self employment 15% and income taxes). Fortunately it was on a Saturday so I didn't have to hire a babysitter -- but when it all comes down to it I made less than $3 an hour. (and that isn't even factoring in camera equipment, computer equipment, software, gasoline, and more).

For the first little while it was OK to hardly make anything because it was just exciting to have been hired and exciting to do it. But as we got busier, the excitement faded a little. Both Lillian and I talked and talked and talked about what to do. We simply could not continue under the circumstances.

And yet, we had fallen in love with being a photographer.

At about the one year mark, we each made some significant investments in our cameras and lenses. We raised our prices some. We saw our quantity of photoshoots drop significantly as a result.

But it had to be. We cannot do this for nothing. We have to make it just like any other business. At the one year mark we went from being photographer's trying to run a business to business women who are photographers.

Lillian took some small business classes through SCORE. We met with several advisors. We crunched numbers and filled spreadsheets. We read about so many other photographers and how they were making the same changes we were.

And we had to keep asking -- What is it we provide that you can't get just anywhere? Why should you pay us our prices? What can we do for you?

And so here we are today.

We take amazing photos. Lillian has a style that is uniquely hers. I have a style that is uniquely mine. We have extremely good equipment and impressive editing skills. We have a good repoire with our clients and especially with kids. We take our time and wait for the perfect expression, the just right moment, and capture you . . . being you.

And because we have fallen in love with prints (especially large prints on metal or canvas or framed) our prices now include one large print so that you can experience that joy of seeing your images displayed in your home.

We will spend the time with your family or you or your children until we get it right, and we stand by our work 100%. Once your session is over, in a few days you will be directed to a beautiful and user friendly online album where you can mark photos as your favorites and narrow down your selections. We can help you design the walls of your home. We can help you with ideas for gifts. We can even just send you the link to download your photos instantly if that is the route you would prefer.

Here is my new favorite wall in my house. My kids. 16x20 image on metal prints. In a beautiful layout with lettering. I love it. It is in fact priceless to me.

So give us a call and we can help you create something beautiful that will stop time and preserve those fleeting moments for your family too! There's nothing in the world like a large print to take you back in time and remember what it was like.

Last Minute Portrait Party (a.k.a. Awesome Deal!)

Men's Headshots

Photographing children, while challenging, is nothing compared to photographing your own husband for a headshot. But those kind of images are very much in need and we can do them here at theportraitparties.com -- It will be comfortable, fun, and you are guaranteed to love the result!

Mr J Turns Six | New Canaan Portrait Photography

This handsome little boy is my son, who turned six recently. Okay, he turned six in October and I am just now posting the session. It's been a busy few months! Happy Birthday, my favorite son!

~Lillian

Last Call for Family Photos

Here are some I took from last year. Don't let the year slip away from you.

It is always amazing to look at photos from a year ago and realize that even though it feels like not much has changed that things really have-- the kids are taller, the baby is a toddler, baby teeth have been replaced, and more. . . Preserve each year -- email today to set up a time. Our last portrait party of the year is scheduled this Saturday.

STOP CMV -- theportraitparties.com giving back!

Perhaps one the most rewarding aspects of starting this photography business for Lillian and I has been the opportunity to give back to our community. We have volunteered our photography at schools, in auctions, and at charity events. Last night Lillian and I took the "handraising" photos at the Stop CMV event cocktails for a cause. We set up a seamless white backdrop with studio lighting and the attendees came and wrote "STOP CMV" on their hands and posed for a picture. It was a fun evening. Thanks to Casey (the person hosting this huge event) for inviting us to participate!

 These were the most beautiful sisters!
 Here is one of the sisters getting her hand written.  (I just loved the Christmas tree lights bokeh!)
 And here is a fun one showing some of the behind the scenes as Lillian was directing a group!

A Special Family in so many ways!

I loved this photo shoot for a lot of reasons. First, it was the last photo shoot of the year with the beautiful fall colors. Second, we are good friends with the family. Third, it was my first time photographing a family with a child (and a teen)who has special needs. And fourth, it was their first family photo shoot since their oldest was one year old. 





I'll admit to being quite flattered when the mom posted this on their online video from the session.

"It takes a special person to capture [our son] how we see him, show how much we love our family and let me know when my pose might make my butt look big:)"

and this

"The last time we took family photos was when our oldest was one. I now look at family photos like going to the dentist. It can be scary and stressful but when you walk out with clean healthy teeth it is all worth it!"






Who knew that photography could be compared to a dentist?







The whole experience made me sit back and wonder just how many families are in similar circumstances? How many beautiful, loving families do not have photos of them hanging on their walls simply because they are not entirely typical?






I truly believe custom photography (like www.theportraitparties.com) can make this happen for you. For starters, we can come to you. In this photoshoot I met the family at their home and just followed them as they went on a liesurely afternoon stroll. There was no studio to drive to. The situation was familiar. And if your home wasn't where you wanted - we could meet you at a park, at a friend's house, or even at a city street.





Next, we will take the time to know what will work best. Perhaps your whole session needs to be shot from a distance (so that your child with special needs doesn't even notice our presence) or maybe there are other concerns. We will listen to you (the parents) about what strategies have worked and we will patiently try them.






We can adapt quickly to changes in lighting and work hard to capture your family being as you really are.




No, of course the photos won't have the "studio" look about them. But they will shine with the warmth and love that exists in your family . . . and isn't that even better?





So if you are in one of these special families, if you have hesitated to get your family's portraits done, and if you want to capture your family at its best then email us.





Or maybe you know just the family who this would be perfect for? Maybe you should buy them a gift certificate? or share this post with them on facebook?




There is no time like the present time.




Additionally, for families with special needs we will put together a complimentary video of your session -- because sometimes a still photo just doesn't say it all.

Darling Sisters

Miss H | Trumbull Childrens Photography

 

This little cutie happens to be my niece, who was visiting last month with my sister.  I loved having the opportunity to do a session with her.  She was so good at smiling, I loved it!


I purchased three new backdrops recently that I tried out during her session.  I think they are going to be a lovely way to get through a looong Connecticut winter when I can't do sessions outdoors!

Which one is your favorite?

~Lillian