| A family portrait captures something fleeting and | | | | photographic paper used will have been produced |
| short-lived and turns it into a family heirloom; | | | | professionally. All these form part of what you are |
| something that not only you, but hopefully your | | | | investing in - a great product that will stand the test |
| children's children will enjoy and appreciate for many | | | | of time. |
| years. Whether it's the arrival of a new baby, a | | | | OTHER OPTIONS |
| special anniversary or a significant birthday, choosing | | | | It's worth remembering that your choice isn't limited |
| the right photographer to capture your family | | | | to just frames and canvases. Nowadays, there are |
| memories is an important decision, but with so many | | | | many other options on offer, from coffee-table |
| photographers out there, how do know who is the | | | | books (perfect for a collection of baby photos or a |
| right one for you? This step-by-step guide will help | | | | gift to grandparents) to calendars, and even greeting |
| walk you through some of the points you should | | | | cards for Christmas, birthdays and other occasions. |
| consider before booking a family portrait. | | | | PRICING |
| FAMILY PORTRAITURE - AN INVESTMENT FOR | | | | When it comes to family portraits, most professional |
| THE FUTURE: | | | | photographers will have a session fee plus a range of |
| A family portrait session is an investment; it's about | | | | differently priced products from which you can |
| creating something that will grow in value over the | | | | choose. |
| years. Therefore, it's important that you and your | | | | SESSION FEES |
| photographer are a good match in terms of your | | | | Many studios have fairly low session fees; as you are |
| expectations and what they have to offer. | | | | coming to them, there are no expenses involved in |
| STYLE: | | | | travelling to your house, the session takes place in |
| Every photographer will have their own style; this | | | | one location only, and is of a limited duration, since |
| could be high-key where portraits are taken against a | | | | yours will not be the only one that day. Generally, |
| white backdrop; low-key or classical where the | | | | you will find your investment for an on-location |
| lighting is more subtle and the mood of the | | | | portrait session will reflect the additional time and |
| photographs is more thoughtful; or location | | | | cost involved in the photographer coming to you; this |
| portraiture, taken either at the client's home or | | | | is a more tailor-made approach, and they may even |
| outdoors, whether that be a park, woodland or the | | | | pay you several visits:- |
| beach. | | | | - For an initial pre-meeting where they get to know |
| Take a good look at the style of portraiture that | | | | you and find out your likes and dislikes. |
| each photographer offers and decide if it matches | | | | - For the session itself; this could be held in more |
| your expectations. Do you favour a formal or | | | | than one location, and often lasts longer than a studio |
| informal approach? Are you more comfortable in a | | | | session. |
| studio or at home? Are you a fan of black and white, | | | | - A private viewing afterwards. |
| or do you prefer colour? Maybe you'd like a mixture | | | | - Delivery of your products. |
| of both. | | | | - Don't forget that you're not just paying for them |
| THE END PRODUCT: | | | | to show up on the day and take some pictures. |
| What do you want to finish up with after your | | | | Neither are you just paying for the paper that your |
| session? Some framed prints? A canvas? Or maybe a | | | | images are printed on or the wood and glass that go |
| coffee table-book which contains all your favourite | | | | to make up the frames. |
| images? If you think about this beforehand, you can | | | | Here's what you're really investing in:- |
| explain to your photographer what you would like, | | | | - Training over a period of years - not just in the |
| and they can then tailor the shoot accordingly. This | | | | technical aspects of photography, but in knowing |
| will be the lasting memento of your portrait session; | | | | how to use light properly, the aspects of |
| something that you display proudly on your walls or in | | | | composition, and posing |
| a book and that will make you smile every time you | | | | - Experience - gained over a long period of time and |
| see it. Once your children have flown the nest, this | | | | many hours of shooting and learning |
| will be your tangible reminder of a special time in your | | | | - Time spent getting to know you |
| lives. Here are some points to consider. | | | | - Time spent uploading your images after the session |
| DECOR: | | | | - The application of post-production skills to each |
| The end product will very much depend on the | | | | image to enhance it |
| décor of your house - is it traditional or | | | | - The design of print/album layouts |
| contemporary? Professional photographers have | | | | - The presentation of your images in a series of |
| access to a wide range of unusual and beautiful | | | | beautiful products and their delivery to you |
| products, all designed to enhance your photos and | | | | - Artistic vision |
| really bring them to life. These can range from prints | | | | - Talent |
| in a variety of different frame styles, to canvas | | | | All these things contribute to the production of the |
| wraps, acrylic pictures and coffee-table books. It's | | | | highest quality of work that both you and your |
| also worth remembering that styles of photography | | | | photographer can be proud of. When you go to a |
| and presentation change; do you want something | | | | top-class restaurant, you're not paying solely for the |
| that's very trendy and up to date, or would you | | | | ingredients of the fabulous meal you're eating; it's |
| prefer a more timeless look? | | | | everything that's contributed to giving you that great |
| WALL SPACE | | | | experience - the skill of the farmer who has grown |
| The size of display should be appropriate to the size | | | | or reared the food; the chef's expertise; the |
| of the wall; for instance, if you have a large house | | | | ambience of the restaurant; the knowledge of the |
| with lots of wall space, you could make a bold | | | | waiting staff; and last but not least, the costs that |
| statement with a large piece of wall art; however, a | | | | go towards the running of that restaurant as a |
| framed 10" x 8" of a family group will disappear | | | | successful business. That's what makes the |
| against a big wall, and the faces of each person | | | | difference between the price of a takeaway and |
| won't be visible when viewed from a distance. | | | | your restaurant meal, a print at a high-street lab and |
| A small wall space, on the other hand, might be | | | | the services of an experienced photographer who |
| overwhelmed by a huge framed print or canvas, | | | | can guide you through the whole process and ensure |
| especially if there isn't enough space for you to stand | | | | that you end up with the portraits you deserve. |
| back and view the picture from the right distance. In | | | | And don't forget that unlike the meal, the results of |
| this instance a collection of smaller pictures arranged | | | | your portrait session will not disappear; they will last |
| in a group could look very attractive. | | | | for a very long time, and will be enjoyed not just by |
| QUALITY | | | | you and your children, but hopefully for generations |
| You will find that the quality of products offered by | | | | to come; in other words, the return on your original |
| professional photographers is far removed from | | | | investment is guaranteed to grow - which is more |
| anything you can buy on the high street. Everything | | | | than can be said for most other things these days! |
| from the frames, mounts and glass to the type of | | | | |