Saturday, July 24, 2010

Push the Business On

Every once in a while a photographer gets a really cool gig that allows them to hang out with amazingly cool people. Well, folks, that was me earlier this month. THE AXIS hired me to come in and take photos for a package of promotional material. This was covering everything from head shots,  green screen, studio shots, and a ton of fun material. These four guys are totally rad and great individuals! Each one is an amazing musician that I simply adore.

Miguel, Milad, Darius, & Cho (left to right)




When you are surrounded by genius people it seems that a great sense of humor is necessary. The dynamic between the five of these men is almost hard to match. Their music recording studio is located in the South Side Loft Building in Dallas. 

During the studio part of our session I was graced with the amazing music these guys put together. Groovy house beats were playing from the headphones as we crammed ourselves in the vocal recording box to get the perfect shot. Being around these guys reminds me how much I miss writing electronic music myself ( Thats a whole other life I haven't mentioned on this blog) I definitely left inspired after this session. Good job guys :)





Shari is one of their recording aritsts! What a beauty! She was a doll and so easy to work with!

                                                       


                                           



To book a session: Leaha@popography.org

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Stork Delivery!


Pregnancy- something I know all about right now. I'm currently 6 months and counting. I'm starting to notice that going on photo sessions is getting to be quite the challenge. Laying on the gravel back road to get that really cool angled shot is getting harder and harder. Jumping up on that pool table to get new perspective is challenging...trying to get down is even MORE challenging!

It is always an extreme pleasure to get to work with a beautiful woman in such an intimate time of her life. You never know what kind of girl you're going to get when you schedule a 'maternity' shoot. Personally, I'm the "keep your clothes' on type of chick and that probably doesn't make for much of a cool session :)
Every once in a while you get an amazingly gorgeous girl who is willing to bare it all...almost :)


Bellies are so intriguing. I mean, belly buttons alone are super cool to me! Their is such beauty in the body of a pregnant woman. The curves and lines and glow of her are gorgeous!! It really should be celebrated and put in print for you to always cherish!

Mishan was married on the SAME DAY as our session! Not only was she glowing from the inside out, but she was giddy and full of pure EXCITEMENT! The room was radiating with joy. We sent her newlywed husband downstairs to relax at the bar with some friends. I knew after a nice cocktail he would come back nice and comfortable for his shirtless debut :)

We were shooting at a loft in Dallas (SOUTHSIDE) This place is super cool and this grey wall is becoming one of my favorite places for intimate sessions. Here's the funny secret--its part of my friends professional recording studio. The wall I love is right outside of the studio but there is a glass door to the outside. So in the middle of the session you could very well get someone waiting on the elevator peeping in at what's going on! :) It's an added bonus of excitement. We were able to capture some very intimate shots that I wouldn't want to show on my blog, but they were rather amazing! The great thing about working with someone with an open mind--there are no limits.
Mishan is absolutely gorgeous. I don't think she is capable of a bad session! I'm so happy for her, Eric, and baby Elan. May God continue to bless your life with every step you take.


Best to you,
Leaha

Leaha@popography.org -----> Email me for Maternity Session info!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Why Pay more for Custom Photography?

Why Does Custom Photography Cost More?

The digital revolution has brought amazing flexibility and ability to control various factors during the image taking and making process.  Photographers, the hobbyist, the professional, the amateur all benefit from this ability to manipulate pixels.  However, with flexibility comes a price.  Digital camera equipment is still considerably more expensive when you factor in its’ lifespan, the need for additional resources for processing those images, the time it takes to get a usable image and the effort that goes into creating a work of photographic art.
We all know that you can go to the local Walgreen’s and pay a $1.99 for a print - as a client you may wonder why you may pay upwards of $50, $70, $90 for a custom photography print.   Photographers hear this statement every once in awhile:
“How in the world can you charge $60 for an 8×10 if it costs me less than $2 to print at x store?”

The truth of the matter is the answer to this question is multifaceted.  Much of the cost of a photographic print produced by a professional photographer has a lot to do with the time,  equipment costs, artistic vision and reputation of the photographer not to mention expertise and the usual costs of running a legitimate business.
The cost of TIME
Approaching it from a time standpoint, let’s imagine that you have hired a photographer who has work that you love.  This photographer is traveling an hour to your destination to photograph your session.  Here is an example of a time break down:
session prep time (30 mins - 1 hour, includes equipment and back up equipment checks + vehicle checks)
one hour travel time TO session
15-30 minutes prep time at client’s home
90 minutes-2 hours with client photographing subject
one hour travel time FROM session
30-45 minutes uploading time from digital cards from camera to computer
30-45 minutes time spent backing up the original images
2-5 hours editing time to present you with a diverse gallery of edited images
1 hour prep time getting ready for ordering
2-3 hours time with client for ordering images
1 hour sorting through and checking order
30 minutes-1 hour prep time for delivery
30 minutes-1 hour getting order shipped
any additional phone time or time needed for add on ordering, shipment issues, quality issues
In this example, the time spent per client can range from just under 13 hours to 19 hours - dependent on the photographer’s level of service.  This is time dedicated only to ONE session.  When the photographer charges $150-$300 for the photo shoot (aka SESSION FEE) you are not just paying for the two hours of session time, you are paying the photographer for 12-19 hours complete time for your session.The COSTS of Maintaining a Custom Photography Business:
Regarding equipment costs, a good quality professional camera with a selection of good optical quality lenses and digital storage mediums and computer set up can run from $10,000-$30,000 costs dependent on the photographer.  Even though you can purchase a really good quality digital SLR for about $2100 there are still other costs related to photography.  A good lens for portrait photography can run from $900 to $2500.  A dependable computer system with software loaded for business and creative usage can run $2500 to $8000 dependent on the photographer.
Then come lab costs for specialty products.  A good photographer knows the lab is integral to their success.  Photography labs dedicated to the professional photographer  often cost more and offer a range of products that allows the custom photographer to continually offer new, innovative products for you, the discerning client.
Discussion other costs of running a photography business could take awhile so we’ll skip many of the intricate details.  There is of course much more: including costs of running the business, taxes, studio rental/mortgage if the photographer has ownership of a dedicated studio, vehicular costs, costs of advertising/marketing, costs of sample pieces that the photographer will likely bring to your session, etc.
APPLES to ORANGES to BANANAS:
Often times clients will mention to their photographer that X studio in the mall/department store only charges $19.99 for an 8×10 “sheet” or they may mention other things related to discount photography chains.  The fact is those discount chains make their money on volume, not on customized 1:1 service.  In February 2007 leased photography retail space by a rather well known discount department store that started in Arkansas closed down 500 of their portrait studios across the nation?  The reason is simple, you cannot make money on 99¢ “professional” prints if you do not sell enough of them.  Interestingly enough - those same studios that offer the loss leader packages often charge much much more for their a la carte pricing (as high as $40-50 for an 8×10).  The whole reason the big department stores began offering portrait services in the first place was to get you, the savvy consumer, in through their door so that you could spend more money with them in other departments.  Your “PORTRAITS” are considered the “loss leader”.
Going to a chain studio, as a consumer, you don’t have the benefit of 1:1 attention for 2 hours at your home where your child is allowed to explore, play and be comfortable in their home environment, nor do you get the experience that many custom photographers are known for or the lovely captures of natural expressions.  You simply get a bare bones, “SAY CHEESE” experience.  Keep this in mind when selecting a photographer.
REPUTATION/EXPERTISE of the PHOTOGRAPHER:
Being in demand, being well known for quality work, having a good reputation often costs time on the photographer’s part.  Their expertise comes at a cost, their time learning their craft and learning the intricacies of lighting and the commitment put forth on their end to create a persona about their business that oozes professionalism.  A great number of photographers go a very long time from the time that they purchase their first good camera to making money at the business of photography.  Many photographers, when first starting out, rush in thinking that the business will be easily profitable in no time, how expensive could it be to get a camera and use it to create their dream?  They often neglect to factor in the cost of business, the cost of equipment, software, back ups, etc..
Being of sound reputation, a better professional photographer knows that they must always reinvest in their business to create the reputation of being top notch.  To create good work- good equipment, reliable equipment, back up equipment is a necessity.  The photographer who desires to be known as better/best/unparalelled reputation-wise knows that the most important thing they can do for their business is reliability and dependability.  This is how reputations get built.  Good work often is a wonderful side product of building that good reputation.
I hope this (lengthy) article helps shed some light on WHY a custom photographer is a better choice for your family’s memories.  The photographs that are produced as a result of the professionalism and dedication that your photographer has will be cherished for a lifetime (or more) and great thought and consideration should be placed into hiring who is right for your family’s most precious investment.
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I hope you found this helpful and interesting. I know its on the back burner of peoples minds as they budget and decide on photographers. Photography is a gift that I love to give someone to keep for a lifetime. You can look back on these moments with happiness and know that you made a smart investment. The sessions for me are so fun and exciting. I love the bond and the fun that takes place between me and my clients on these little adventures. 

I look forward to seeing what you have to say about this and also booking your next session :)

-leaha-


ROCK That Dress!

Im really starting to try and encourage girls and ladies alike, to rock their dresses! We spend so much time and effort getting a perfect dress for so many occasions and then we hang it in the closet or seal it up in a box for no one to see. I know this because I have done it before! BUT, times are a changing and women are starting to celebrate themselves more and more and I intend to document this!

Lynsey is from Oklahoma and has 3 sons. She was recently married in OCT of 2010. She is the mom to 3 amazing boys and she is very well deserving of celebrating. She is like the superwoman of all moms in my opinion!

Funny story....she actually has lost 2 dress size since she was married. She is arrived at the session and putting her dress on when she pulls out some NEON orange industrial clips. I was laughing...this was going to be fun. We pulled and tugged that dress and tightened it around her cute, petite body. Good thing--it worked...Bad Thing--no shots from the back! hah



Either way it was a great 3 hr session and we had so much fun!!

If you look at these photos and you say---GOSH, I really wish I could do something like that. Guess what--you CAN! And then you might think---I don't know if I can look this great--you CAN! I have an amazing make up artist who will come on sight with you and make sure you are looking FAB! Hit me up and lets get to planning. It is worth celebrating YOU!

Here's my AMAZING assistant and technician, Bobby! He's a lifesaver and has a great eye!












Sunday, July 4, 2010

Lil Miss Katherine

Now this is a cutie patootie! My best friend Bobby of 13 years, comes to me with a special request. His girlfriends daughter was staying at a friends house and he really wanted to sneak her away for a session to surprise her mom! I was all over this. Katherine is 6 years old and going into 1st grade. She's super quiet and LOVES her bracelets! One of her nicknames is Tinkerbell- mostly because she is so tiny!
What a precious little girl. I can't wait to see what her mom says about the surprise collection!

Let's take a look at our little "tinkerbell"








My Amazingly Beautiful Daughter

As a photographer I often find myself forgetting to photograph my own family.  We typically do a Family Christmas photo each year, but rarely do I just take my family out and give them the royal photo treatment:)

So my daughter, Madi, is 13 and very deserving of a fun shoot. She's a character! This was her first full session and she was a lot of fun. I think its so important for young girls to know that they are Beautiful just the way they are. They go through so much scrutiny at school with peer pressures on how to look, act, walk, talk. I really just wanted her to be her and I think we captured that this day. Here are a few highlights from her session!