This month, in honor of Mother’s Day, I’m holding my first BIG contest for residents of Northern Virginia – a portrait and print giveaway! This one is especially big because not only does the winner receive a free session, they win a collection of prints… all valued at over $700. Why? Because not every family afford a professional photography experience — but every child deserves one!
Entering is easy – just “Like” Kristina Hopper Photography and Design on Facebook, give the contest app permission, then fill out the Facebook form. You’ll need to submit one photo of your child or children and write a short paragraph on why they should win.
The entries will be judged on both the cuteness of the kids and your description – be creative and there’s no need for professional photos – those will come when you win!
Good luck to all! (Don’t forget to read the official rules.)
Can’t wait to see the entries!
Professional photography makes a fabulous present, no matter how you package it. Amy and Anne are two young professionals who recently moved away from their parent’s home. Since their family doesn’t get to see them nearly as much as they used to, their mom decided to give their dad a fitting birthday gift – a photography session of the girls and a beautiful collection of prints.
We were pressed for time, however… typically a session is scheduled 2-3 weeks after booking, post-processing takes 1-3 weeks to complete, and finally prints arrive one week after favorites are chosen. We had less than a month to get dad’s gift to his birthday lunch so we improvised – with spectacular results! We fit in our session in a rare open Sunday, then after some speedy processing I prepared a sweet gift card for dad with a link to the ladies’ online web gallery. Not only did he get the chance to see all of the photos from the girls’ session, he got to pick out HIS favorites, a nice little bonus!
Q. Why do you schedule newborn sessions so soon after they are born?
A. The earlier the better, and I aim to schedule our session between 4-10 days of their arrival! Before babies reach their second week of birth they are the sleepiest, and it is easier to curl them up in cute, snuggly poses. It is definitely possible to schedule a session past 14 days, but your baby will likely be much more active and super curious about the camera. Newborns also start breaking out in baby acne, developing dry skin, etc. the older they get. That’s perfectly normal, but it takes more time to process the photos.
Q. Why don’t you shoot in the studio?
A. New mothers and fathers are most comfortable at their homes, with all of their baby’s necessities at hand. Since the session takes 2-4 hours, I want to make sure they have the opportunity to relax the entire time and take breaks if needed. Shooting in the parents home also helps me get an idea of what style of photographs would look best with their decor. And don’t forget the nursery! At some sessions we will shoot in the nursery, which will add another personal touch to your photos.
Q. Why do newborn sessions take so long?
A. I schedule every session in a 4-hour block because baby portraits are a bit different than every other kind. Newborn temperaments vary greatly each day and I would never force a child to sleep or wake up at my whim. I work around your little one, capturing the precious moments that only come when they are comfortable and happy. I also need the extra time to set up props, meet your little one, and clean as the shoot progresses. All of my props get messy and this is completely expected! Don’t be upset if your newborn has an accident. Since we work without a diaper part of the time, this ALWAYS happens. I haven’t been at one shoot where it hasn’t. My blankets/props go straight into the washing machine when I get home.
Q. Why do newborn sessions cost more than other portrait sessions?
A. Newborns sessions are the most delicate of all. They take longer to photograph, and the photos take longer to process. They also require more props and more prep time, which results in the higher fee.
Below are some new ways to show off your photos. Cool frames – to buy, to make, or to give as gifts!
Fun
Love these Magnetic Polaroid Frames. Decorate your shots with a little retro love, and they’re easy to change.
Sometimes I wonder why I chose a profession that forces me to wake up at 5:30 a.m. on a weekend. True, I’m a morning person, but six days a week of groggy mornings a bit much for anyone. So why do I keep doing it Saturday after Saturday? Because that’s what it takes to make a gorgeous photograph – and that’s my job – (and I’m sure I subconsciously love it?)
Early rising is about catching the right light. The first and foremost important factor in all of my shoots is working with great light, and if we’ve booked an outdoor session that means I’ve probably scheduled it before 9 a.m. or directly before the sun sets.
Good light, or at least the light that works for my style of shooting, is soft and even and makes things look interesting when it hits the earth — that happens in the wee hours of the day (or under overcast skies) so it can’t be wasted!
I tend to ask a lot of questions, and it’s not because I merely inquisitive. They are an avenue of means to help me deliver the best photograph I can create for you. Here are three important questions I pose to all of my portrait clients:
1. How are your photos going to be used?
This is essential in helping me determine venue, gear, wardrobe… just about everything for your shoot. Are you posting these photos on Facebook, hanging them on your wall at home, giving them as gifts or all of the above?
The first impression you make should be the best. In an age full of noise – twitterfacebookflickrtublerlinkedinmashable… etc. etc. etc., you first impression will likely be your last, unless you make it memorable.
These days a website is like owning a property smack dab in the middle of the chaotic streets of NYC. You’ve got millions of neighbors all vying for attention. When you walk into that store, how long are you going to stay if you don’t see any smiling associates there to serve you? Having a high-quality website is essential in gaining and serving repeat clients, and having a high-quality headshot is essential in capturing that client’s attention in the first place.
I was happy to be outside most of this past weekend reveling in our gorgeous, cloud-free, 75 degree weather (reading photography books of course). Being a DC resident on these days is particularly sublime, because the collective mood is jovial and content. It seemed as though everyone came out to play, including parents, pets and the wee ones. So much so that at one point I felt out of place sans a stroller or furry friend. Not surprisingly though, the most common accessory I noticed parents carrying, other than a diaper bag or Frisbee was a digital camera. Time to whip out that awesome albeit dust-collecting Christmas present!
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Choosing the Right Resolution
Has the term high resolution or low resolution ever confused you? I’ve noticed a widespread misconception that high res = “large”. I’d like to debunk that myth and help clients recognize what constitutes a high res photo and when to use it.
Rather than detailing the mathematics behind the difference, let me share the basic standard: A low res image, suitable to view on a computer screen, is 72 dpi. A high res image, suitable for printing, should be set at a minimum of 300 dpi. Why? Printers are capable of outputting a much higher quality photograph than an monitor’s screen can display. A photograph of 72 dpi that looks great on screen will print fuzzy and blurred.
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