What’s your background? I’ve been a photographer since 1990, and I have a Professional Photography Certificate from the New York Institute of Photography.
What’s your philosophy on photographing kids? KISS - Keep It Simple, Smarty. I try to give a minimum of direction, and do lots of candid photos as well as posed ones. It's so important to just let kids be themselves. This is especially true with kids under 5, who don't always "smile for the camera" on cue. Forcing them to do something doesn't work.
Why don't you have a lot of pictures on here? I don't want to bore people to death with endless pictures. That kind of reeks of, "Gee, aren't I great??!!" to me. I figure, you know in about five or six pictures if you like my style or not.
Where do you do the sessions? Anywhere you like! I do prefer to shoot in your home, or in
a place you select, because the child will be more familiar with that setting, and thus, more comfortable. Your child's comfort is the primary thing with me.
Will my child be safe during the session? Yes. Everything is geared toward safety. Using natural light as I do is especially safe - no electricity to deal with. And the kids can't knock over any lighting equipment and get hurt. We will, however, have to be careful around a tripod if I set one up.
How flexible are you during a session? Extremely. You have to be ready for anything when photographing kids. They'll get tired, their attention will wander, their moods change, they'll vomit on you (yes, that's happened to me)...just expect the unexpected!
How do you deal with things like braces, skinned knees, etc.? I’m an adult braces wearer. I’m fine with that, but a lot of kids are self-conscious about it. We can ask if they’d like to smile “open-mouthed,” or closed. And as far as skinned knees, etc., well, that’s what photo editing software is for.
How do you handle children with physical challenges? I’ve been on crutches, a walker, a wheelchair, a cane, and a medical boot. Twice, actually, for foot surgery. So I know what a physically challenged person goes through, for the most part. If your child is facing such challenges, let me know, and I’ll do everything I can to help.
Do you use any kind of props? I encourage parents to use a favorite toy, dress the child as he or she likes, and play music they like. I will use whatever you want. But generally, let’s play it by ear and see what works.
How involved do you want the parents to be? Very involved! You know your kids. You know what they like, what they don't, when they're tired, or scared of something (and having their picture taken scares some kids), if they're really into having their picture taken...or if they're having NONE of it! I might even "recruit" you into being my "photo assistant." True story: the little girl in the pink and white dress in the Portfolio section was, shall we say, not into it that day. Her mother and I finally got her to smile when I asked Mom to hold a reflector (a piece of lighting equipment) off to the side, out of camera range. Hey, it worked...
How long does a session usually take? As long as it takes, but sessions usually take 2-3 hours, at most. We’ll stop when you or your child get tired. We'll take breaks as needed. (I’ll probably need one, too!) I only book one customer a day, so you have me as long as you need me. I'm all yours! And since this is a package deal, the price stays the same, no matter what.
I noticed all the pictures on the Portfolio page are in color. What if I want black and white? I give you both color and black and white. Check out the Business page for more details.
Can we reschedule if my child gets sick, or something else comes up? Absolutely.
Stuff happens with kids. Just let me know as soon as possible, and I'll reschedule you for no additional charge. I'll keep my calendar open for you.
Contact me if you have any other questions, okay?
What’s your philosophy on photographing kids? KISS - Keep It Simple, Smarty. I try to give a minimum of direction, and do lots of candid photos as well as posed ones. It's so important to just let kids be themselves. This is especially true with kids under 5, who don't always "smile for the camera" on cue. Forcing them to do something doesn't work.
Why don't you have a lot of pictures on here? I don't want to bore people to death with endless pictures. That kind of reeks of, "Gee, aren't I great??!!" to me. I figure, you know in about five or six pictures if you like my style or not.
Where do you do the sessions? Anywhere you like! I do prefer to shoot in your home, or in
a place you select, because the child will be more familiar with that setting, and thus, more comfortable. Your child's comfort is the primary thing with me.
Will my child be safe during the session? Yes. Everything is geared toward safety. Using natural light as I do is especially safe - no electricity to deal with. And the kids can't knock over any lighting equipment and get hurt. We will, however, have to be careful around a tripod if I set one up.
How flexible are you during a session? Extremely. You have to be ready for anything when photographing kids. They'll get tired, their attention will wander, their moods change, they'll vomit on you (yes, that's happened to me)...just expect the unexpected!
How do you deal with things like braces, skinned knees, etc.? I’m an adult braces wearer. I’m fine with that, but a lot of kids are self-conscious about it. We can ask if they’d like to smile “open-mouthed,” or closed. And as far as skinned knees, etc., well, that’s what photo editing software is for.
How do you handle children with physical challenges? I’ve been on crutches, a walker, a wheelchair, a cane, and a medical boot. Twice, actually, for foot surgery. So I know what a physically challenged person goes through, for the most part. If your child is facing such challenges, let me know, and I’ll do everything I can to help.
Do you use any kind of props? I encourage parents to use a favorite toy, dress the child as he or she likes, and play music they like. I will use whatever you want. But generally, let’s play it by ear and see what works.
How involved do you want the parents to be? Very involved! You know your kids. You know what they like, what they don't, when they're tired, or scared of something (and having their picture taken scares some kids), if they're really into having their picture taken...or if they're having NONE of it! I might even "recruit" you into being my "photo assistant." True story: the little girl in the pink and white dress in the Portfolio section was, shall we say, not into it that day. Her mother and I finally got her to smile when I asked Mom to hold a reflector (a piece of lighting equipment) off to the side, out of camera range. Hey, it worked...
How long does a session usually take? As long as it takes, but sessions usually take 2-3 hours, at most. We’ll stop when you or your child get tired. We'll take breaks as needed. (I’ll probably need one, too!) I only book one customer a day, so you have me as long as you need me. I'm all yours! And since this is a package deal, the price stays the same, no matter what.
I noticed all the pictures on the Portfolio page are in color. What if I want black and white? I give you both color and black and white. Check out the Business page for more details.
Can we reschedule if my child gets sick, or something else comes up? Absolutely.
Stuff happens with kids. Just let me know as soon as possible, and I'll reschedule you for no additional charge. I'll keep my calendar open for you.
Contact me if you have any other questions, okay?
THINGS TO KNOW
By Bear Bear's Mommy, Fortune McLemore
By Bear Bear's Mommy, Fortune McLemore
Fortune
(I'm taking up acoustic guitar and singing. Maybe we can all have a sing-along at the shoot!)
(I'm taking up acoustic guitar and singing. Maybe we can all have a sing-along at the shoot!)
And be sure to visit these links, for helpful resources in doing the toughest, but the best, job in the world: raising a child.
Parenting Sites
Washington Parent- a publication devoted to topics of interest to all Washington parents, like choosing schools, medical issues, family fun, you name it!
Washington Family- a leading monthly parenting magazine in the Washington area, with sections on moms, kids, life, health, ages and stages, adventures, helpful directories, and resources. You can even submit photos to their web site. Gotta have this if you're a Washington parent!
DC Urban Moms and Dads, DC's leading resource for parents. Read about what other parents do, parenting trends, childcare issues, etc., from other parents just like you!
American Academy of Pediatrics - the national organization dedicated to children's health
Arts, Crafts, and Recreation Resources
Roundhouse Theatre helps children explore their creative sides, and helps them see if they have an interest in theater. If you think you have a budding Jennifer Lawrence or Matthew McConaughey in your household, this could be the way to find out!
Fun Stuff Bear Bear Thinks You'd Like!
Pull out the hankies before you read this story, about a 14-year-old girl who lost a bear with connections to her late father at a Disney resort, and got him back, thanks partly to Facebook and some super-kind Disney employees. Bear Bear and I nearly cried when we read it. (Don't tell him
I told you, though...)
Please let me know if any of these links have changed in any way. Thanks!
Parenting Sites
Washington Parent- a publication devoted to topics of interest to all Washington parents, like choosing schools, medical issues, family fun, you name it!
Washington Family- a leading monthly parenting magazine in the Washington area, with sections on moms, kids, life, health, ages and stages, adventures, helpful directories, and resources. You can even submit photos to their web site. Gotta have this if you're a Washington parent!
DC Urban Moms and Dads, DC's leading resource for parents. Read about what other parents do, parenting trends, childcare issues, etc., from other parents just like you!
American Academy of Pediatrics - the national organization dedicated to children's health
Arts, Crafts, and Recreation Resources
Roundhouse Theatre helps children explore their creative sides, and helps them see if they have an interest in theater. If you think you have a budding Jennifer Lawrence or Matthew McConaughey in your household, this could be the way to find out!
Fun Stuff Bear Bear Thinks You'd Like!
Pull out the hankies before you read this story, about a 14-year-old girl who lost a bear with connections to her late father at a Disney resort, and got him back, thanks partly to Facebook and some super-kind Disney employees. Bear Bear and I nearly cried when we read it. (Don't tell him
I told you, though...)
Please let me know if any of these links have changed in any way. Thanks!
