There is a lot of time and planning put into each and every session, from the consultation, your session experience, Michaela's digital darkroom, your proof viewing, ordering consultation and the final product; your beautiful images packaged and wrapped with care.
The Consultation:
This is an important part, especially when it is your first experience being photographed by me. I like to meet at your home or the location that you prefer to be photographed. I want to get to know you, your family and if you have small children it's a great opportunity for them to interact with me before I start chasing them with my camera. If we have the consultation in your home, I immediately get a sense of your style, colors you like and soon my imagination is filled with ideas for our session. It is also a time to discuss your vision, clothing options and what you plan to do with these images when they are complete.
Your Session Experience:
I believe that children photograph best in a familiar environment or one in which they are free to run, play and explore. Rather than you traveling to me, I will conduct your session either at your home or a location of your choice. I love outdoor sessions showing our beautiful Northwest landscape. We can meet at a local park or there are also plenty of fantastic locations that would make a great backdrop for your families portraits; a friend's farm, the beach, an urban street, the local river, old rustic sheds, broken fences, you are only limited by your imagination. The thing you need to consider when choosing a location is the light, the best time for outdoor portraits is early morning or late afternoon which gives a much more pleasing light resulting in better portraits. If it's cold or raining just dress in rain boots, use a colorful umbrella, wear a vest, colorful hats and scarves look great in photos as well. I want to capture life as we live it and in the NW that means cold and rainy days too. My sessions are fun and relaxed! My favorite images are not when you are all looking at the camera and smiling; my favorite images are when you are interacting as a family, I want to capture those intimate moments that show your love for each other, those are the moments you want to remember when your babies are all grown up!
Michaela's Digital Darkroom:
Back in the days of film, after the portraits were taken, the photographer would process the images in a darkroom. When I first started studying photography I took private lesson from the most wonderful photographer, he taught me the process of the darkroom and how much you can change the mood of an image! It was fantastic to watch the image emerge in the bath of chemicals. I still have a love for film and that process but in the age of digital it is equally fantastic yet different.
I spend a lot of time and care on every image, the digital dark room is an art in itself and I could spend hours upon hours studying and learning this new art form.
Your Proof Viewing and Ordering Consultation:
Before we get together for your proof viewing, I sometimes like to give sneak peaks on my blog, these can also be shared with friends and family. But when we meet to view your proofs and begin ordering, I like to meet at a local coffee shop with my laptop. This is such a treat for me because I get to see your reaction to your images and because I work from home, I love to get out for a cup of coffee!!
Your Images Beautifully Packaged and Wrapped with Care:
We will meet one more time for you to receive your order....... This is also a treat for me, I love to package my work beautifully and present it the same way you would receive something you purchased from Tiffany's!
But it is my hope that this won't be the last time we meet..... Because all of my clients become friends and that is the best treat of all! When you keep coming back for more images and I get to know you even more and I get to watch your family and children grow!!
So that's how it works! I'm looking forward to hearing from you!~Michaela Michaelaphotography@comcast.net
