A photographer friend of mine had this on her blog and her facebook - Steve and I laughed so hard we almost wet our pants!!!!!!!! This is our life - and I am going to say yes - we are this cool!!!! (especially Steve - this is exactly what he is like when no one is around - just ask the kids!!!!!) Thanks Ursula - You made our day here's hoping this makes all of yours as well!!!!!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Summer Newsletter
I am soooo excited!!!!! Beka and I have been working all summer (oh yeah, and Steve too!) on new ideas for the business!!! One of these ideas was a newsletter - one that would highlight who we are and who our clients are - not just push products and specials (although we did mention a few - but just a few I promise). Our first edition - Summer is finally out - take a look and let us know what you think!!!!
-Laurie
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Raw vs Rendered Images - at a wedding
We have had many of our clients ask us recently about the difference between rendered portraits and raw images. Steve always loves to start his stories to our girls in this fashion so in honor of him...When I was a kid...photographers took almost the exact amount of images as they showed their clients. When my husband and I got married it was a big deal that our amazing photographer, Henry Glover, took over 300 images!!!! My dad being a wedding photographer himself was shocked - and after cleaning out our firebox this summer I know why he was - the bill to just to process those images was well over $300 - and that was only to be able to see the "raw images" YIKES!!!!!! No wonder my dad was shocked!!!! With his average wedding bringing in about $400 total there was no way he could afford to be that frivolous with his film (For those of you in the younger crowd - film is like the old time version of a memory card)! Anyway, that is why wedding photographers typically shot 120-150 images at a wedding and that was it!!!! Then came digital...Fast forward to our last wedding... a small wedding at the bride's home where we shot a total of 1194 usable images (yes usable that is after I deleted about 200 because they were too dark, blurry, or I am in the middle of the frame fixing someones hair) - WHAT A HUGE DIFFERENCE!!!!!!!! So how do we handled all of these images? Well the first wedding we did we "rendered" every image the bride saw - so we picked or favorite 150 images and spent hours photoshopping every detail of the images! we did this twice - because in the end the same 25 were chose over and over again - there were a few differences between the bride's family and the groom's but most of the same images were chosen over and over! However - brides would call back multiple times saying, "I know you took one of my sister and our Uncle Harry - I did not see it do you have that image?" and then Steve and I would "render" another few images and post to our website.
I found out quickly though that brides did not necessarily want a picture of their sister and Uncle harry but they needed to see it as it was a memory they had at the moment. So now I had a problem that needed a solution! Steve and I are very particular about the portraits that leave our studio - not because we are uppity but because in the days of digital cameras we want our clients to know that our images are worth the money they are paying - not only do we take time to take the portrait but we spend hours making them beautiful pieces of art to be enjoyed for generations. However to truly charge what we would need to "render" 1194 wedding images would make us out of everyone but Donald Trump's price range. So what to do what to do??????
So we are experimenting - We have decided to put up all the "RAW IMAGES" of our wedding on a secure website with a password given only to the bride and groom - of course they can share it with whomever they choose. These images are the usable photos that be used to create a "RENDERED PORTRAIT" Our brides can then see all of their choices and choose the images which become rendered.
PLEASE NOTE!!!!!
ANY image purchased from our studio for printing is Artist Rendered even if they are shown on the website only as a raw image !
And since a picture is worth a thousand words here is the picture version of my ramblings...
.
I found out quickly though that brides did not necessarily want a picture of their sister and Uncle harry but they needed to see it as it was a memory they had at the moment. So now I had a problem that needed a solution! Steve and I are very particular about the portraits that leave our studio - not because we are uppity but because in the days of digital cameras we want our clients to know that our images are worth the money they are paying - not only do we take time to take the portrait but we spend hours making them beautiful pieces of art to be enjoyed for generations. However to truly charge what we would need to "render" 1194 wedding images would make us out of everyone but Donald Trump's price range. So what to do what to do??????
So we are experimenting - We have decided to put up all the "RAW IMAGES" of our wedding on a secure website with a password given only to the bride and groom - of course they can share it with whomever they choose. These images are the usable photos that be used to create a "RENDERED PORTRAIT" Our brides can then see all of their choices and choose the images which become rendered.
PLEASE NOTE!!!!!
ANY image purchased from our studio for printing is Artist Rendered even if they are shown on the website only as a raw image !
And since a picture is worth a thousand words here is the picture version of my ramblings...
.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Katie Class of 2011
I love Senior Season... and I especially love it becuase of sweet people like Katie. Katie was so quiet and reserved in the beginning of the session but as we dodged cars and watched as many crayons bravely gave up their lives for the perfect shot the true Katie came out!!!! Then the fun started - after hours of scouting all the perfect locations possible from Pelham through to Tallahassee we came back home exahusted and full of beautiful images!!!!! I can't believe you are old enough to be a senior Katie but you sure are one of the most beautiful ones I know!!!!!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
And the password is....
I did not mean to cause so much confusion on the password to the proofs - here is how it works...
1. put in your email address - this email will be used to follow your order - it is not a specific one that we know already.
2. password: the password on all three days is the same it is the name of the director of the studio in all lowercase. The reason we do not just give you the password is so to help ensure the privacy of the dancers - this way only the people associated with the studio and their friends and family can acess the site.
If this does not work for you please feel free to call Steve or Laurie at 229-294-9694 or 229-221-3830. Thanks!!!!
1. put in your email address - this email will be used to follow your order - it is not a specific one that we know already.
2. password: the password on all three days is the same it is the name of the director of the studio in all lowercase. The reason we do not just give you the password is so to help ensure the privacy of the dancers - this way only the people associated with the studio and their friends and family can acess the site.
If this does not work for you please feel free to call Steve or Laurie at 229-294-9694 or 229-221-3830. Thanks!!!!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Flint River Dance Arts
What a privilege it was to be able to photograph this year's recital. Steve was thrilled to accept the challenge of photographing so much action in such a quick time!!! The dancers were amazing and hopefully these images will show just a glimpse of their beauty. You can find the proofs by going to our website and clicking on the word proofs which is located all the way to the left under the heading Blog and More.
It will take you to our proofing page. Simply click on the dance recital and enter your email address. Once you have entered your email you will be prompted for a password which is the the dance instructor's first name in all lowercase letters (After 30 years I am sure everyone knows it). You will then enter the first page of many. You can change pages at the top right of the screen. Each performance has a seperate screen. Steve was able to shoot over 1,000 images each night, specifically trying to get each dancer.
*** 2 things to note***
1. These images are performance images which means sometime the focus is slightly off and the lighting maybe harsh. However with any order which is placed online we will hand edit the images to enhance their quality as best as possible.
2. Although Steve made an attempt to catch every dancer at their best, it is not possible to predict and plan every move. So if somehow your little one's image was not of your favorite moment we are very sorry.
Because of these two considerations, we have drastically reduced our studio prices for these images. Image prices are:
4x6 images - $4.00 5x7 images - $7.00 8x10 images - $12.00
If you would prefer to place your order with a check you may call the studio at 229-221-3830 to place your order.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call Laurie or Steve Walton at 229-221-3830 or 229-294-9694. Thanks so much!!!!!!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Flint River Dance Art and Dance South
Recital Pictures
Hey All! The Recital pictures are turning out amazing. We are working on sorting through the images and will be posting them on the website next week. Please check back with us on Wednesday to see the pictures. E-mail or call us if you have any questions.
Recital Pictures
Hey All! The Recital pictures are turning out amazing. We are working on sorting through the images and will be posting them on the website next week. Please check back with us on Wednesday to see the pictures. E-mail or call us if you have any questions.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Meet Becca...
Oh Hapy Day!!!! Oh Happy Day!!!! God knows the desires of our heart...and in to our lives walked Becca. Becca was one of our beautiful brides a while back ( look at how beautiful she is...) and is now one of our new mommies (her newborn shots are coming). Becca just moved to Pelham with her wonderful family and in talking with her we realized that God was bringing us together for more than just more pictures. Becca has now begun working with us as a consultant (this is a fancy way of saying we have not come up with an official title for her yet). So far this means that after you call the studio, Becca will follow up with a phone consultation to help us know what is important to you. She will also be meeting with you to go over our packages and product offerings. The most important thing she is already doing is keeping us organized!!!!! She has already revolutionized our calendar and corrected my typos in our baby plans...and just wait - she comes armed with post-it notes and an organizer all the time! I LOVE IT!!!!! I finally feel like I can breather again. Anyway I am sure you will all love her as much as we do, but so you can feel like you know her (and "who her people are")here is a little Q&A with Becca.
Q- So Becca, "Who are your people?" (i just love pretending I am from here and saying things like that)
A- My handsome husband is Cody Shiver, we two precious little ones, L and J. My parents are Paul and Virgina Lea Rothwell from Jesup, GA. My wonderful in-laws are Rosemary and Turner Eubanks from Pelham and Dwayne and Kathy Shiver from Albany, GA.
Q- Where did you grow up?
A- Bullard, Texas. It's a small town outside of Tyler, Texas on Lake Palestine. Population: 890. So, yes Pelham is bigger than my home town.
Q- Ok, so how did you get to Georgia?
A- Hahaha! I used to tell people that God had a sense of humor and that's how I ended up in Georgia, but now I know that God had a divine plan. Basically, I graduated a year early from high school and attended college in Cleveland, Tennessee and eventually transferred to Georgia Southern University. Part of his plan for me included starting a campus ministry and investing in the lives of some great kids. Part of his plan was to make some amazing girl friends and walking life with them. And the best part of his plan thus far was meeting my husband and having our two babies.
Q- What did you major in?
A- Which one? Well... I changed my major 7 times in college, but eventually settled down with Geography, Sociology, and Business with a minor in Writing.
Q- Was it in your campus ministry where you learned administrative skills?
A- I was the events coordinator and assistant to the campus pastor. I think it's where I learned everything I know about my skills! My favorite things to do were idea exchange with the pastor and students. We could stay up for hours talking about events to do to draw students in or ways to market the ministry, then it was my job to make those ideas into reality. I was truly the face of the ministry and worked with the community and the school on a weekly basis. I wore so many hats; I had to quickly figure out my strengths and weaknesses. Organization- strength. Written and verbal communication - strength. One on One mentoring- strength. Preaching, Deep Philosophical Thoughts, Music, Political niceness- weakness. But, after college graduation, I was the office manager for a commercial construction company and that's where I gained a lot of business experience.
Q- So, you are going to bring your strengths to help Steve and Laurie?
A - You bet! Let's face the facts... In The Moment has exploded, BOOM! And to keep up with the demand, they need a little helping hand in some areas. If I can come in and do paper work to keep them taking beautiful pictures of your children, then only good things can come from that.
Q- You seem very verbal, is that something you grew into or have you always had a way with words and communication?
A- Oh, I can communicate! My older brother talked for me until I was about 3, but one day I started talking and it was all over from there. In junior high I started competing in speaking competitions and writing little short stories. I went to college originally on a drama scholarship. I've just used that experience in more productive areas of my life.
Q- Drama and writing, what other creative outlets do you have?
A - Well, I don't preform any longer, but I do write. I have such an active imagination and an extensive vocabulary that I love to put fiction to paper. I've dabbled in interior design, but in this day and age with Home and Garden TV and countless design magazines, everyone is an armature designer. I am very crafty, though. But, I can scrap book with the best of them and set up a ball room for a formal wedding, and if push comes to shove, I can make 5 bridesmaids flower bouquets in less than an hour. Just don't ask me paint you a picture, take a good picture of you, or sing you a song!
Q- Do you have any goals set for yourself this year?
A - I have recently found a joy for cooking. I'm a Rachel Ray sort of cook: no measuring and put it out in less than 30 minutes. I want to learn some new recipes all the while losing weight. I also have it in mind to write a guide of gift giving. My love language is giving and I get it honestly from my grandmother and mother. I have lists and lists of ides of gifts for any budget exchanged between a vast combination of people. For example, I think a perfect gift for a set of hostesses at a baby shower is to give a new mother gift credit with In the Moment for any baby package of their choice. Or for a parents 30 year wedding anniversary, I think all the children and grand children should schedule a family portrait session with In the Moment and give the parents a beautiful gallery wrap for their living room. LOL. I've thought about writing a blog on it; maybe I should actively look into that.
Q- So are you excited to work with Steve and Laurie?
A - I am! This is what I love to do and what I'm good at. To be able to work for such great people and get involved with the community is thrilling to me.
Q- So Becca, "Who are your people?" (i just love pretending I am from here and saying things like that)
A- My handsome husband is Cody Shiver, we two precious little ones, L and J. My parents are Paul and Virgina Lea Rothwell from Jesup, GA. My wonderful in-laws are Rosemary and Turner Eubanks from Pelham and Dwayne and Kathy Shiver from Albany, GA.
Q- Where did you grow up?
A- Bullard, Texas. It's a small town outside of Tyler, Texas on Lake Palestine. Population: 890. So, yes Pelham is bigger than my home town.
Q- Ok, so how did you get to Georgia?
A- Hahaha! I used to tell people that God had a sense of humor and that's how I ended up in Georgia, but now I know that God had a divine plan. Basically, I graduated a year early from high school and attended college in Cleveland, Tennessee and eventually transferred to Georgia Southern University. Part of his plan for me included starting a campus ministry and investing in the lives of some great kids. Part of his plan was to make some amazing girl friends and walking life with them. And the best part of his plan thus far was meeting my husband and having our two babies.
Q- What did you major in?
A- Which one? Well... I changed my major 7 times in college, but eventually settled down with Geography, Sociology, and Business with a minor in Writing.
Q- Was it in your campus ministry where you learned administrative skills?
A- I was the events coordinator and assistant to the campus pastor. I think it's where I learned everything I know about my skills! My favorite things to do were idea exchange with the pastor and students. We could stay up for hours talking about events to do to draw students in or ways to market the ministry, then it was my job to make those ideas into reality. I was truly the face of the ministry and worked with the community and the school on a weekly basis. I wore so many hats; I had to quickly figure out my strengths and weaknesses. Organization- strength. Written and verbal communication - strength. One on One mentoring- strength. Preaching, Deep Philosophical Thoughts, Music, Political niceness- weakness. But, after college graduation, I was the office manager for a commercial construction company and that's where I gained a lot of business experience.
Q- So, you are going to bring your strengths to help Steve and Laurie?
A - You bet! Let's face the facts... In The Moment has exploded, BOOM! And to keep up with the demand, they need a little helping hand in some areas. If I can come in and do paper work to keep them taking beautiful pictures of your children, then only good things can come from that.
Q- You seem very verbal, is that something you grew into or have you always had a way with words and communication?
A- Oh, I can communicate! My older brother talked for me until I was about 3, but one day I started talking and it was all over from there. In junior high I started competing in speaking competitions and writing little short stories. I went to college originally on a drama scholarship. I've just used that experience in more productive areas of my life.
Q- Drama and writing, what other creative outlets do you have?
A - Well, I don't preform any longer, but I do write. I have such an active imagination and an extensive vocabulary that I love to put fiction to paper. I've dabbled in interior design, but in this day and age with Home and Garden TV and countless design magazines, everyone is an armature designer. I am very crafty, though. But, I can scrap book with the best of them and set up a ball room for a formal wedding, and if push comes to shove, I can make 5 bridesmaids flower bouquets in less than an hour. Just don't ask me paint you a picture, take a good picture of you, or sing you a song!
Q- Do you have any goals set for yourself this year?
A - I have recently found a joy for cooking. I'm a Rachel Ray sort of cook: no measuring and put it out in less than 30 minutes. I want to learn some new recipes all the while losing weight. I also have it in mind to write a guide of gift giving. My love language is giving and I get it honestly from my grandmother and mother. I have lists and lists of ides of gifts for any budget exchanged between a vast combination of people. For example, I think a perfect gift for a set of hostesses at a baby shower is to give a new mother gift credit with In the Moment for any baby package of their choice. Or for a parents 30 year wedding anniversary, I think all the children and grand children should schedule a family portrait session with In the Moment and give the parents a beautiful gallery wrap for their living room. LOL. I've thought about writing a blog on it; maybe I should actively look into that.
Q- So are you excited to work with Steve and Laurie?
A - I am! This is what I love to do and what I'm good at. To be able to work for such great people and get involved with the community is thrilling to me.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Another life begins...
I love weddings! There is something magical about the fact that for an entire day the world stops and revolves around one couple and their love for each other. I especially love it when I pick up on things that make me know a couple has a special bond. That was the way it was with A and J! I knew it when we took their engagement pictures and they laughed non-stop! But when I saw how a nervous bride began to glow when she saw her husband, how calm she became, I knew. I knew that this couple is what love is about: they are stronger together then as individuals and that is a sign of a good marriage. Steve and I wish you the best!! We hope that you are always better together than apart!!!! 
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Beach Portraits take 2
Here are more families from our beach shoots!!!! What great fun!!!!! Plan to join us next yeaar!!!! 
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Beach Portraits
How far behaind can one girl get I ask you???? Apparently pretty far behind. Christmas knocked me right onto my behind - and between that and our children being sick, my being sick 3 seperate times and then Steve sick just intime for Christmas...well there you have it. Anyway in October we had our first beach shoot at St. George Island and Destin Beach. It was wonderful!! We were even luck enough to get a family portrait for ourselves as well. Here is part one of what will definately end up being an annual traddition. We will book early for next year as the slots filled up very quickly this year!!!!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas...
Merry Christmas to all...well not just yet but it is time to think about your Christmas Cards. I know I am biased but I feel that Christmas Cards are SOOO important in keeping touch with people. And in the age of face book and blogs it is a rare gift when I get pictures of my friend and family to display. That is why I love Christmas Cards so much. Steve and I actually send out over 150 cards per year (yes the post office loves to see us coming). Even if you do not send portrait cards, actual portraits of your family make a great gift that is not extremely expensive or frivolous (or even the wrong size.)
Maybe you have already had an amazing portraits session with us this year...why not use on of those images in a Christmas Card to send to family friends - you will never be able to purchase portraits at this price I promise!!!
And here is the best part...this year we are offering an early bird discount (and you do not even have to be a Senior Citizen) for anyone who completes there sittings before our shoot at M.A.M.'s on December 5th!!!! 25% percent off your complete package!!!!!! This is a great savings so call and get your appointment quickly!!!!!
OK enough convincing here are the details...
Mini Sessions - perfect for the busy family (20 minutes) 5 finished shots top choose from (yes we take a lot more than this but we narrow it down for you)
This Session includes: 24 cards, 2 5x7's and 8 wallets .... $100
Full Sessions - perfect for playing catch up on all your family's portraits for the year (1- 1.5 hours) approx. 20 finished shots (yes we take more than you can imagine- but we narrow it down for you)
This session includes 72 cards, 2 8x10's, 2 5x7's, and 8 wallets...... $200
So many of you have asked and YES we will have Hype Strype cards this year ... and here is the best part... Hype Strype has TONS of choices this year. They are awesome!!!!! SO how do you see these cards you may be asking... Well for your convenience Hype Strype has provided me with pictures of each design to post this year. Simply follow the link at the end of the blog and go to our online proofing site. Click on Christmas Cards and enter you email address...the password is cards. All of the Hype Strype cards are labeled with HS in the title. These cars are even better than last year they are printed on a great cardstock material and measure 5.5 by 8 inches. They truly make a statement. They also have a variety of fonts and monograms to choose from. OK the nuts and bolts here are our prices for our Christmas Rocks promotion with Hype Strype...
Maybe you have already had an amazing portraits session with us this year...why not use on of those images in a Christmas Card to send to family friends - you will never be able to purchase portraits at this price I promise!!!
And here is the best part...this year we are offering an early bird discount (and you do not even have to be a Senior Citizen) for anyone who completes there sittings before our shoot at M.A.M.'s on December 5th!!!! 25% percent off your complete package!!!!!! This is a great savings so call and get your appointment quickly!!!!!
OK enough convincing here are the details...
Mini Sessions - perfect for the busy family (20 minutes) 5 finished shots top choose from (yes we take a lot more than this but we narrow it down for you)
This Session includes: 24 cards, 2 5x7's and 8 wallets .... $100
Full Sessions - perfect for playing catch up on all your family's portraits for the year (1- 1.5 hours) approx. 20 finished shots (yes we take more than you can imagine- but we narrow it down for you)
This session includes 72 cards, 2 8x10's, 2 5x7's, and 8 wallets...... $200
So many of you have asked and YES we will have Hype Strype cards this year ... and here is the best part... Hype Strype has TONS of choices this year. They are awesome!!!!! SO how do you see these cards you may be asking... Well for your convenience Hype Strype has provided me with pictures of each design to post this year. Simply follow the link at the end of the blog and go to our online proofing site. Click on Christmas Cards and enter you email address...the password is cards. All of the Hype Strype cards are labeled with HS in the title. These cars are even better than last year they are printed on a great cardstock material and measure 5.5 by 8 inches. They truly make a statement. They also have a variety of fonts and monograms to choose from. OK the nuts and bolts here are our prices for our Christmas Rocks promotion with Hype Strype...
An upgrade to Hype Strype Christmas cards is on only $25.00 per 24 cards in the mini session
and an extra $50.00 per 72 cards in the full session.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
As They Grow....
It never ceases to amaze me how quickly theses little one grow up - the last time she came to she was so shy and scared...and now she is a big girl who laughed and played. Growing up is great for pictures but sad for Mommy and Daddy I am sure!!!!
-Laurie
-Laurie
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