Inspired Portrait Photography

            Wow, how fast 6 months can go, here are a few images from the session I created with my own daughter, who is one of my toughest clients. I find it’s harder to photograph my own child, simply because all my “funny” tricks she has allready seen, and isn’t all that amused. But we love her all the same…

We had a gift package available at the recent baby and kids expo valued at over $200.
It included a session, 25 greeting cards, an 8×10 composite, crayons, candy and some other fun goodies from Inspired Portrait Photography.

The Winner of this  random drawing for our gift package is
Casey Miller of Mapleton, Minnesota

Since we had such an amazing turn out at our booth, we  also decided to give away 3 photos sessions to three lucky names, the winners drawn for that $75 value are
Tammy Ecker from North Mankato, Wendy Ellison of Eagle Lake & Katie Georg of Mankato

You’ll be contacted soon to claim your prize!

There’s no other career I can imagine myself doing, ever, other then being a professional photographer. Recently I’ve thought about what I would do if the market becomes so saturated with new photographers, that I would fade away? As many of my friends & clients become knowledgeable in the profession that I, eat, sleep & breath, I wonder who I will continue to make art for?

I’ve decided to let you know, Failure for me, is not an option.

I don’t come from a life a privilege nor do I sit at home with a plan B. I don’t have fancy car, I share a humble mini van with my husband. I put myself through college to be an artist & came out with the hope to better the world through it. There are many sacrifices I’ve made to get here, passed through a few hardships on the way, but by never having the option for failure, I am the photographer I am today.

After speaking this weekend with a mother who is caring for a child, because the child’s mother is Iraq, & also hearing of a family who lost a son, & recently attending a funeral where life was truly remembered in photographs, I will not fail. We can not prepare ourselves for the unknown, but simply capture today. It’s not only my passion, but my call on life.

I’ve chosen to stay on this path, not because of the food it puts on the table, but because I’ve seen lives changed by it. Everyone should know what is it like to be beautiful. I love this career because it can change a person, it helps people grieve, it can give a reason to celebrate.  Photographs bring laughter, tears  & truth.

When I am not photographing your family, I assure you I’m reading about how to do it better,  or attending a workshop on lighting.  I play with kids to discover new tricks to show their genuine smile. I also watch Disney movies-so I have something positive to talk about. I attend social fundraisers, because even before photographs, time is the greatest gift I can offer.

If you’re struggling with the thought of having your (or your family’s) portrait created, and hung on your wall. Let me say first, it’s not about you. It’s about them, everyone else. Every time a portrait is created, I believe a bit of your legacy is documented. Every time you  fill your walls with portraits of  your family, your legacy is shared.

For eight years  I’ve been Inspired to tell your story  in the most honest way. I hope to create your legacy in photographs, it’s never to soon to start.

I was able to book a booth at the baby & kids expo at the last minute. Many people flooded in from 9 am to 2pm, so many so I know I missed speaking with a few of you. Should you have any questions I wasn’t able to answer let me know at sherry@inspiredportrait.com My new canon G11 was with to snap a few quick images from the day.

Thank you to the 150+people who signed up for our goodie basket  (a free session, 25 greeting cards and an 8×10 composite, as well as many other goodies totalling over $200 in prizes) We will draw a winner this week, stay tuned to see if it is you!

by Paul Hanson - PPA Certified, M.Photog.Cr., AFS-MNPPA adapted from www.mnppa.com

Sincere congratulations on your upcoming wedding! If you are like many couples, the time before your wedding may seem both long (Isn’t it ever going to get here?) and short (It’s only how many months before our day?).

Now is the time to search out the perfect photographer for your wedding. Unlike many of the other services you hire for your wedding, your photographer will be with you on your day and will play a large part in the success of your wedding.

Picking out the perfect photographer can be an arduous task, but with the helpful hints we have laid out, we hope it will be easier. In this short article we would like to give you some advice on what may turn out to be the most important decision you make for your wedding – selecting your wedding photographer.

Here are some questions you need to ask every photographer over the phone:

• “I’m getting married on . . . and I was wondering if your studio has my date available.”
  This is probably the most important question you can start with. If the studio doesn’t have your date available, there is no need asking any other questions about your date. If they have your date available, proceed. If they don’t, would they recommend other photographers for you to consider? Assuming they have your date available, you could go onto the next question.
• “We are getting married at . . . and our reception is at . . . and we wonder if you have worked there at these places or places like them.”
  It is a bonus if the photographer has worked at most locations where you are getting married, but it is not essential. Many photographers will arrive early to judge the light, find good spots to use and generally scope out the church. However, some wedding locations demand that the photographer be familiar with their particular situation. If you have an unusual location you might want a photographer to be familiar with that location.
• “We are considering taking the photographs . . . (before or after the ceremony) and we wonder if that is something that you would do.”
  If the photographer will not take photographs at a certain time and you have your heart set on doing it at that time, you would not be a good match. Be certain the photographer will match your expectations on the best time to take photographs.
• “We really like . . . (a certain style, black and white etc.) and are looking for that style. Do you do this?”
  Many photographers have a definite style from which they will not vary. Other photographers are more flexible and will feel comfortable doing special requests. .
• “What range of prices are your weddings?”
  Instead of discussing specific costs over the phone, find out a ballpark cost for the wedding photographs. If you are looking to spend about $3,000 for your photographs and the studio starts at $5,000 you might not be a good match. Try to be flexible, however, when it comes to costs. Generally you get what you pay for when it comes to fine photography.

When you make an appointment with the photographer:

• Be sure to meet the person that would be at your wedding and you are seeing their work. Be sure you are looking at complete weddings, not just”highlight” books. Does their work match with your expectations? Does their studio meet with your approval (neat, clean, well organized)? Remember that you will not be able to see pictures from your wedding, you can only judge the photographer at this meeting.
• Is the studio affordable? Do not compare prices from one photographer to another. If the photographer is affordable, consider them. Remember, average photographs at a good price are still average photographs and may not be a good value.
• Does the photographer have advanced degrees? Minnesota Professional Photographers has three degrees available (Fellowship, Accredited, and Service), and Professional Photographers of America gives two degrees (Master and Craftsman). Professional Photographers of America also confers the title of “Certified Professional Photographer” to photographers who can pass a lengthy test on photography, who submit an approved body of excellent work, and who have excellent personal and business recommendations.
• Does the photographer do this for a living? This is not a day to hire a “part-timer”.
• Does the photographer have a personality that matches yours? Remember your photographer will be with you at your wedding, you should feel comfortable with them.

The most important advice we can give, however, is to book your photographer the minute you make your decision! Do not delay! Good wedding photographers are in high demand and their dates book quickly.

More helpful advice can be found at www.mnppa.com

Inspired Portrait Photography provides wedding photography for Mankato as well as many surrounding towns.