Using props for your portrait sessions

Planning ahead for your next portrait session? Props can help add a special meaning to your newest pictures, or help them stand out from the rest. Here are some ideas.

* Family heirlooms: Do you have a special piece of furniture or article of clothing that has been passed down through the family? One of my customers is lucky enough to have a house full of antiques passed down for four generations. We posed her new baby on her great grandmother's beautiful gold sofa accessorized by her mother's hand-embroidered pillows. The effect was not only beautiful, but very special to my customer.

* Clothing: Some of my customers have used heirloom baptismal gowns, gifted booties or blankets, handmade dresses, and colorful hats to add meaning or style to their children's portraits. Other favorites are princess dresses or other costumes that your kids love. One grown-up customer wanted her family pictures taken while she was wearing a colorful vest that her grandmother made for her.

* Accessories: Special toys or "lovies," colorful umbrellas, giant lollypops or sticks of cotton candy, mirrors or balloons can all accessorize your pictures. Feel free to be creative, or ask me for ideas before your photo session.

* Furniture: Like the heirloom sofa mentioned above, furniture can be used to make your pictures beautiful and interesting. Some little kids love chairs that are just their size, and I've taken some sweet photos with siblings playing on their parents' big bed.

Props aren't always necessary, and there are always some wonderful, spontaneous shots to be taken during any portrait session as your child interacts with nature or your family. Yet props can add a fun or sentimental dimension to your next set of pictures, and together we can make your family pictures unique and truly something to treasure.

Photo in Ballantyne Magazine

The pictures taken at the fall festival at South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church have been getting more publicity!

The photo to the right landed in Ballantyne Magazine (page 18 of the Winter issue). Click here to see it online.

I heard through the grapevine that a second photo of the festival made it into the Charlotte Observer. Unfortunately, I don't get the paper and I'm unable to locate the picture online.

I'm thankful that the pictures have brought attention to this church and their efforts to support the community!

Thankful for a Busy Fall

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I'm thankful for many things, including a growing photography business. This has been my busiest fall season yet!

The Charlotte area has experienced a lot of cloudy skies this fall. From my perspective behind the lens, the weather has been wonderful. The colors in the clothing and autumn leaves have been so vibrant against the gray skies.

I've posted much of my ongoing fall portfolio on my web site: http://www.jraephoto.com.

Special for Facebook Fans

If you become a Facebook Fan of J. Rae Photography and complete a photo session by year-end 2009, you will get a free custom holiday card design. Just pick your photo and your design, and I'll put a .jpg image together for you to print.

To view holiday card options, go to the Holiday Card section of the "Galleries Page" on my web site.

Happy Holidays!

Printing recommendations

My service always includes a customer's quality pictures on CD in high-resolution .jpg images. Customers often ask me where I recommend that they print their photos. Here are my thoughts:

* For pictures meant to display, I recommend Mpix. Mpix is a custom shop that optimizes each print. You have to sign up for an account and upload your pictures with Mpix. Once you are a member, your product choices are virtually limitless. Large prints, gallery wraps, cutouts, wall hangings, printed mugs... it is all there.

* If you are most interested in price, try WinkFlash. Per print, this company is the least expensive that I have found. Last I checked their site, they did not guarantee delivery dates. Be aware that it might take longer to get your prints delivered during busy times of the year, like the holidays. Prints can be made with either a glossy or matte finish.

* A convenient option - at least for those of us in South Charlotte - is Target.com. Target partners with Shutterfly, Kodak Gallery and Photobucket, so an account to any of these sites is required. You can have your prints made at your local Target store, where you can pick them up the next time you are shopping (and you can save on shipping costs too). Most prints can even be ready in less than an hour. Note that pickup is not an option for matte prints.

* Wal-Mart and Costco are also good low-cost sources for prints. Just be aware that the lower-cost options may not provide the best quality prints.

Happy Holiday Card printing!

Charlotte Observer Photo

South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church asked me to photograph their annual Fall Festival. One of my pictures made it into the Charlotte Observer on November 1, 2009. Credit was given in the print edition.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/276/story/1029074.html

The Fall Festival is a free event - complete with a cake walk, bounce houses, mini golf, games, cotton candy, and hot food - given by the church to the local community.

Which location: home or park?

Although I have access to a formal studio, I am primarily an on-location photographer. I started my business going to my customers' homes for the photo sessions. Now I take most of my pictures at local parks. There are advantages to both locations.

* A young child or toddler may feel more comfortable at home, and more focused on the camera. A new park can be a significant distraction. The natural background may be beautiful, but the child may not be happy with our expectation that they freeze, smile and look at the camera. There are too many other fun things to do! (Don't worry - if this happens to your child, I have a few tricks up my sleeve.)
* Conversely, older children might be more excited about a portrait session at a park setting. The photo session is more of an special event to look forward to.
* A park can provide a beautiful, natural setting for portraits. And there is usually a nice place in your home - back yard, front porch, children's room - that also makes for a nice background for your pictures in addition to providing a sentimental touch to your photos.
* During inclement weather, a photo session at a park will have to be rescheduled, whereas one at your home might be kept. As your photographer, I certainly do not mind rescheduling. However, it might be an inconvenience to you, and something to consider before you decide on a location for your pictures.

Home or park? The choice is yours!

What (Not) to Wear

Many new customers (mostly mothers) often ask me how to dress their family for portraits and group pictures. Here are a few of my suggestions:

* Earth tones are great for outdoor pictures because they compliment the colors found in nature. Try to dress family members in similar tones.
* Be cautious of mixing light and dark colors between family members. A person dressed in white is going to stand out in the picture; a person dressed in black will not. Sometimes this can be an ok color combination, however; for example a baby can be dressed in white to stand out from her parents dressed in dark colors.
* The focal point of a portrait is the face. Adults should avoid clothing with a busy pattern or a bright color that might take the attention away from the face. Children can get away with bright colors and busy patterns more than grownups.
* For adults, avoid sleeveless clothing or bare shoulders. An otherwise flattering pose might make the arms and shoulders appear larger than they are.

All of these guidelines can be broken if you have an article of clothing that is special to you, regardless of the condition, pattern or color.

Here is an example of a family that was very coordinated!

Before your photo session, feel free to visit my portfolio on my web site (click on "Galleries") to get an idea of what colors and styles appeal to you.

Facilities Photos

To all of my facilities and corporate real estate friends: Here is a web site that highlights what good photography can do for your business. Illustrate the types of services you perform, and project your employees as they are - a qualified team.

http://www.tmt-usa.com/

These pictures were taken by Brian Osborne with the Professional Photography Group. Contact me or Brian regarding our photography services.

Book Project

This morning I took pictures of seven models for the book project mentioned earlier. What a great experience! I look forward to sharing more about the book as it gets closer to publication.

Ballantyne Country Club

I am pleased to share a link to some wonderful real estate images that a business associate took for Ballantyne Country Club, a prominant development in South Charlotte. Brian Osborne with the Professional Photography Group took these photos. He and I have partnered on two commercial projects and I look forward to doing more business with him. Please give me a call to inquire about our professional real estate photography.

http://www.ballantyneclub.com/Club/Scripts/Home/home.asp

Fun with the camera

I had fun shooting the first of several sesssions for a book project this morning. My friend, Lisa Brownstead with Pretty Postures Yoga Parties (http://www.prettypostures.com/), is writing an inspirational book, and I was thrilled to be invited to provide the pictures. There will be more posted about the book as it progresses and is finally released!

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog! This site will highlight the services that I provide businesses and organizations. J. Rae Photography and partners are available for assignments in the Charlotte, NC area to photograph real estate, events or images for promotional material. I am also available for Photoshop projects.

I can be contacted at jraephoto@carolina.rr.com or 704-287-9628.