tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27468873752758194532024-03-13T12:56:09.174-07:00Sarah Eldridge PhotographyThis blog is a tool used to display the photowork done by myself for session based portraits or fine art photography. It is also an outlet where people can learn about me as a photographer to see whether the style of my work fits their preference.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746887375275819453.post-77742804161502131562011-10-28T09:20:00.000-07:002011-10-28T09:20:32.028-07:00We've Moved ~Hey there! <br />
Check out the new blog <a href="http://saraheldridge.blogspot.com/p/thanks-for-stopping-by.html">here... </a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JRX4TSfPNP8/TqrWG4uIF1I/AAAAAAAABcs/g_XYKnDvmQk/s1600/-41-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JRX4TSfPNP8/TqrWG4uIF1I/AAAAAAAABcs/g_XYKnDvmQk/s640/-41-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746887375275819453.post-49849514992338133592011-09-29T09:41:00.000-07:002011-09-29T09:41:19.693-07:00Meet Noah~Noah is one of the most beautiful babies that I've shot in a long time. His pink skin was so soft and his peach fuzzy hair shimmered in the soft sunlight. He's one of those little guys that makes my job so much fun. As I walked into Natlie's house, I saw the gorgeous paintings that her grandfather did, and I thought to myself - now here's a girl who loves art. My heart was leaping! As I began shooting, I knew I wanted the pictures of this beautiful little man to be more artistic... more timeless... more 'capturing the moment' than just shooting a portrait. <br />
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Natalie fell in love with every image of her little man. Here's a peak at some of <em><u>my</u></em> favorites...<br />
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<br /></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746887375275819453.post-75278674360298029782011-08-31T18:12:00.000-07:002011-08-31T18:12:08.831-07:00COUPLES EXTRAVAGANZA!So, I'm updating everything. EVERYTHING.<br />
And that means I'm updating all of my imaging and pictures for the website and 'coming-soon' blog. BUT...<br />
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I need to update my couples images.<br />
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Here's the deal, I'm offering sessions to couples in love - married, engaged, newly together, whatever - the entire session fee is $20. TWENTY BUCKS!!! Trust me, <em><u>NOT</u></em> gonna happen again. This is a one time deal so, if you know someone... and we all do.... tell them to contact me as soon as possible. <br />
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They'll get a write up with their love story on the new blog when it's released. <br />
*AND*<br />
40% off all images and products they decide to order <em>(provided they order within 2 weeks of seeing their online gallery)</em><br />
*AND*<br />
I'm throwing in low resolution images for web-sharing.<br />
*<em><u>AND</u></em>*<br />
If they tell me you referred them, you get $25 off your next session fee....<br />
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We're talking, win/win for everyone.<br />
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The only catch is that they need to contact me before September 15th. Email. Facebook. Phone. Somehow, get a hold of me, and you/they can take advantage of this ONLY HAPPENING ONCE kind of event. <br />
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746887375275819453.post-25878635517672703502011-08-26T12:51:00.000-07:002011-08-26T12:51:47.366-07:00Newborn PhotographyI absolutely love babies. Actually, I'm crazy about them. There's just something so gorgeous about the smell, and the tenderness that makes me all giddy. Tomorrow I get the privilege of shooting newborn portraits for a family that has become dear to my heart. Mimi (baby's grandma) is my Ethan's Sunday School teacher, and ... well, I'm not sure what they're going to call grandpa, but these folks have been special to me and my family for quite some time. It's an honor to shoot new grandbaby's pictures! I'll post some as soon as I can.<br />
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In the mean time, I want to give you some REALLY helpful tips. Here are some things that you can do to help your newborn session go as smooth as possible. We all know, crazy things happen. Unexpected things. It's par for the course, and we roll on. But the key to a great newborn session is to keep everything very relaxed. After all, we're trying to capture the beauty and wonder of a new life... not the stress and anxiety of a photo session. <br />
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<li>About the house – don’t worry about it. You just had a baby! I’ve had three of my own, so I know how crazy the house can look during those first days. I’m not there to write scandalous stories about your dishes-a-plenty, or the baskets overflowing with laundry. I’m there to do a job, and I’m not there to care how clean your house is.</li>
<li>Loosen baby’s diaper 30 minutes before session time. It’ll help get rid of diaper imprint marks, and may just loosen up what’s in their tummy to move on out. </li>
<li>Make sure the house is warm. Ideally, you want it between 80-85 degrees. As adults, we’ll be roasting, but baby will be toasty and happy. </li>
<li>Collect any items you want to use in your images beforehand. Monogrammed blankets, heirlooms, anything that’s special to baby and this new season. We’ll go through them and determine what will work best for your pictures.</li>
<li>If you want pictures of baby in the nursery, make sure the blinds and curtains are open for enough light. No need to clean. Just make sure clutter has found it’s way to a closet.</li>
<li>Decide if you want pictures of you taken with the baby (which I WHOLE-HEARTEDLY encourage) or if it’s just baby. Keep in mind, there is nothing more beautiful and precious than the bond between a new baby and mama/daddy. </li>
<li>A mother’s smell is so recognizable (and sometimes distracting) to a baby. It may be necessary for mom to leave the room for portions of the session. Trust me, it’s not meant to hurt your feelings, but only to allow me to get the baby thinking sweet sleep dreams, instead of hungry milky dreams.</li>
<li>Be patient. If baby gets fussy or alert, don’t stress out. A new baby is very attentive to anxiety and we want to keep the atmosphere as mellow as possible. We’ll try to get baby as comfortable again, but if that just doesn’t seem possible, we’ll take a break or we’ll work with what he’s giving us. Sometimes, the best pictures come when the baby is following our plan. </li>
<li>If there is ever a pose that we’re using that makes you feel uncomfortable, just let me know. </li>
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Now, I can't stand having a blog post without an image, so I'm going to give you something from the very first newborn shoot I ever did. <br />
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I can't wait to spend some time with Noah tomorrow!!!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746887375275819453.post-33238959304068686042011-08-22T10:18:00.000-07:002011-08-22T10:18:41.187-07:00Helping With The Dollars~It’s the time of year when I tend to change things up just a bit. <br />
I don’t know why it works that way. Really I don’t. Most people reinvent things at the first of the year, but for some reason, that seems to happen for me in the late summer/early fall. Maybe it’s because the holidays are just around the corner, and I tend to really come alive during that time. Maybe it’s because a new school year is beginning, and I just ride that wave of new beginnings.Anyway, I’ve been taking a look at the business, and I’ve made some decisions that are solely in your benefit. <br />
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I’ve been writing about money a good bit, lately, and I figured that - with the last few posts encouraging people to better value their family photography – it might be wise to give a little practical help. I’ve always been the type of person who likes to know all the steps to achieve a result.<br />
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For example, I have this phrase seared into my brain: “Do not grow weary in well doing.” Great! Don’t grow weary… But HOW, I ask. I still have to do the same things. My load has not been lightened. When I learned the <em><u>how,</u></em> I felt much better prepared. I knew exactly what tools to apply in order to prevent weariness, despite the fact that my circumstances were exactly the same. <br />
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After the last three post you have a better understanding of the value of quality portrait photography. You know why it’s <em><u>worth </u></em>more. You know why paying a professional photographer <em><u>benefits you</u></em>. But – let’s face it – the economy isn’t fantastic, and more and more often it feels like money is tight. <br />
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“So, what’s the answer when you’re faced with the struggle between what you need vs. what you can afford?”<br />
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I’ve made it easier for you by giving you some great options. <br />
First, I’ve split the payment system for you. Instead of paying a large chunk at one time, we separate the payments between the session fee, installment 1, and installment 2. Here’s how it works.<br />
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<u>Session Fee</u> – this is due when the photo session is booked. It reserves your spot on the calendar and no one can take it out from under you.<br />
<u>Installment 1</u> – this is due when the viewing/ordering session is held. We sit down together to place the order for your pictures/products and go through the list of what you need to purchase, along with all the proofed images. Once we have the total cost for the entire order, we’ll split it down the middle 50/50. Installment 1 is 50% of the total order.<br />
<u>Installment 2</u> – this is due when the pictures/products are delivered or picked up. Installment 2 is the remaining 50% due for the order.<br />
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Secondly, to make things even easier, I’ve decided that I will begin accepting payments via PayPal, as well. It has been so secure and reliable for years, and I finally feel comfortable offering this as a payment option for your images. The great thing about PayPal is that you can set up any type of credit card to be used with your account, giving you the freedom to make monthly payments if you need. <br />
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Money is tight. Things aren’t always easy. I know. I just can’t stand the idea that portrait photography is one of the first things that gets set to the side in times like these. I suppose it breaks my heart because I'm so guilty of it. When Elise was just a baby, Derrick and I were living on one income with a budget so tight that we could barely breathe. In her first year, I had only two photo sessions done for her. Did you get that? TWO sessions. Didn’t even have her 1-year pictures taken. And the boys – None. Zilch. Not a single portrait of my boys…AT ALL. I can tell you, as I look back, it breaks my heart. I have snap-shots, and those are precious, but they’re not the work of a professional, and they’re not the quality of a portrait. <br />
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Now, my kiddos are older and I shoot their portraits every 6 months… WITHOUT fail. Elise is old enough now to be enamored with her baby snapshots, and she pours over her baby scrapbook several times a year. Both the boys have books – neither are anywhere close to being done. I can tell that it hurts their feelings, too. Especially Evan. <br />
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Please know that when I share with you about the importance of those pictures, it’s not coming from a business woman. It’s coming from a mom… One who’s had to explain to their child why there’s not pictures of him. One who’s had to piece together various snapshots for school projects because there isn’t a family picture of all of us together. One who’s had to apologize to their child.<br />
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Something happens when my kids see their pictures – old and new. They see themselves as valuable. They know their memories are valuable. It happens as they get older. Ethan doesn’t get it as much as his big sister. Elise, though, she lights up in a very special way when we look at her pictures together. It’s like a message from me to her, without words, that says – I love you so much that I want to keep this moment forever. She TOTALLY gets it.<br />
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When I showed Evan this picture of him and I together, he smiled really big and said – “I love my mama.”<br />
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I wouldn’t trade that moment for anything money could buy! </div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746887375275819453.post-24148901757640515562011-08-21T04:53:00.000-07:002011-08-21T04:53:02.666-07:00Dollar for Dollar IIIThere once was a ship that cost a company millions of dollars. Much to the dismay of the company, something had gone wrong, and the ship was stuck in the dock. They decided to call various “experts” who, in turn, spent weeks trying to fix the issue in the engine room, and spent thousands of dollars. All to no avail. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>image courtesy of <span id="rg_hr">usstexasbb35.com</span></em></td></tr>
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Finally, they called an older gentleman who came in with a small tool bag and a hammer. He immediately began pinging on various parts of the enormous engine with his hammer, and finally settled on one area. He spent just a few minutes more, pinging in what seemed like random places, and then took out a few more tools to fix whatever was wrong. <br />
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After a few moments the man stood up, looked at the captain, and told him, “Start her up.”<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>image courtesy of <span id="rg_hr">historicalstockphotos.com</span></em></td></tr>
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The skeptical captain grumbled as he marched to the engine room, and then marveled in disbelief as the engine roared to life. The old man tipped his hat, grabbed his bag of tools and gave a polite wave to the staff as they stared, dumbfounded by the man. All those experts had come on board for weeks, spent ridiculous sums of money, and the ship remained lifeless. Just a couple pings from a hammer in an old man’s hand, and the thing was back in business!</div>
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A few days passed and the office received a hand-written invoice from the old man for $10,000.<br />
The accounting department called him immediately, for all the rumors from the staff told that this man had only spent ‘a few minutes’ fixing the ship ‘with his hammer and a couple of other random tools.’ They asked him why the bill was so high, wondering if, perhaps, he accidentally added a couple of extra zeros to the number.<br />
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The man confidently respond:<br />
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“In fact, the time was worth $1,000. The other $9,000 was for the years of experience and the ability to discern the issue as quickly as possible for the company.”<br />
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Many are the people who think that starting a photography business only requires the use of a camera and a computer. Many consider themselves experts in the art of photography. The truth is, a camera doesn’t make someone a photographer any more than a plane makes someone a pilot. Mark Cuban may own the Dallas Mavericks, but a professional athlete he is not.<br />
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The value in hiring a professional photographer is intrinsically related to the value of your images. Do you trust your only newborn pictures of your first child to a young person with no photographic training? Those are moments you will never have again, and there’s no margin for disappointment. <br />
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The only things that link you to your memories are your pictures. How valuable are your memories to you? Will you cherish them forever? Will the beautiful faces of your children decorate your walls and bring your home to life? Will you share them with your family? Will you pour over their baby pictures as they grow up? And what if something were to happen? What if your son were to join the military and be stationed overseas… would you gush over every image of him that you could find while he was gone? Of course. We all would. <br />
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What makes an image so valuable is the relationship and connection you share with the person in it, and the moment it captured. So, why would you want your professional portraits to be of mediocre quality with less than genuine expressions?<br />
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It all boils down to this – custom portrait photography is more expensive because it is more valuable. The dollars and cents you spend pay for the experience, quality of work, quality of professional relationship, authentic expression, completely customized products, carefully hand processed final images, archived files for later ordering if necessary, consultation services, AND a session that is completely designed to be uniquely yours. <br />
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Even more than that, in terms of the photographer, there is a huge difference between someone who has simply picked up a camera and started pressing the shutter button, and someone who has devoted their time and money into becoming educated, skilled, and consistent in the quality of images they produce. In thinking about a photographer's value, consider whether they are building a sustainable business, or if they are simply shooting for cash. Have they honed their skills? Is there diversity in their portfolio (meaning, does every newborn picture look the same, or are they unique to the family)? How long have they been investing their time and money in the building of their business? Would you be a new relationship, or a temporary client with $ signs attached? All of these things are contributing factors.<br />
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That’s it. Money=Value. You cannot compare a chain store photo shop to a custom portrait studio any more than you can compare a gourd to a green bean. The only similarity is that there’s a camera involved. What you have to decide is the value of the experience… knowing the experience extends for generations to come each time someone sees the picture you purchase.<br />
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I’ve given you three full posts laying out the reasons custom portrait photography doesn’t cost the same as a chain store, and the difference in value between the two. Only you can determine what is valuable to you and your family.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746887375275819453.post-81469701094714588052011-08-20T16:48:00.000-07:002011-08-20T16:48:30.761-07:00Dollar for Dollar II~Welcome to Part II of our installment in the quest to understand – <br />
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<em><u>Why does custom portrait photography cost more?</u></em></div>
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Let’s begin by saying that – in reality, comparing a chain store photo department is TOTALLY different than a custom portrait photographer. It’s apples and banana’s my friend. They’re not even the same shape, my friend. <br />
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But, for the sake of education, we’re going to take a few minutes to explain why the prices are different. We won’t discuss the fact that chain store photographers are mostly unfamiliar with the rules of composition, the technical aspects of the camera they’re using, or the effect of various forms of light as it relates to aperture, shutter speed, and exposure. Most of the time, they’re employees uneducated in the field of photography, who have been trained to use the company owned and supplied camera in the same way a fast-food employee is trained to use a deep fryer. And we won’t talk about how a chain store model is geared toward getting the highest volume of customers in the door, and then offering the same exact experience to each person. Nothing customized. Nothing personal. And we won’t talk about how they herd you through the system like cattle. <br />
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Nope – not going there.<br />
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Let’s just talk about the cash. Cold, hard cash. If a print is a print, a photo is a photo, why does it cost more for a custom photographer than for a chain store?<br />
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One word – TIME<br />
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Let’s say you plan to take your children to Sears for family pictures. You call, 5 minutes later you hang up, having put your last name on a time slot for Saturday morning. You get there with your children, and wait in the lobby while they finish up the crew ahead of you. All the while, you’re trying to keep your daughter’s bow in her hair, and your son from getting what only little boys can find all over his white shirt. Finally, the girl – barely 20 years old – calls your last name.<br />
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She ushers you into a cramped room with a narrow background pulled. You wonder – is that the same background the family in front of me used? I wonder how many people’s Christmas cards will have that winter scene? She sets your kiddos on a stool and steps behind the camera. Feather duster in hand, she gives them a tickled and then CLICK – the shutter goes off. 10 minutes later, she’s taken 8-10 shots – you’ve frantically worried about the bow, wiped the tears from your son’s eyes from his stranger/danger reaction to the girl with the rainbow duster, and added at least 10 gray hairs to your scalp. <br />
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“Stranger/danger”-twenty-something takes you back to the lobby and tells you that your photos will be ready to be looked at in 30 minutes. You decide to reward the kids – it was not an easy morning, and ½ hour later you’re back to see your pictures. She brings them up on a computer screen and you see the wonderful product of your morning. That stupid bow!, you think. Little man’s cheeks are still red from the fear you’re not exactly sure if baby-girl is looking at the camera, the duster, or you. <br />
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I could go on and on, but let’s take that – rush-‘em-in/rush-‘em-out model and compare that to what happens in custom portrait photography, shall we?</div>
<ul>
<li>Booking time~30 minutes to one hour </li>
<ul>
<li>Time spent with client through phone conversations and emails</li>
<li>File prep – create file, fill out documents, prepare welcome packet</li>
<li>pre-session prep time~1-2 hours </li>
<li>Studio preparation – planning props, lighting, and backdrops</li>
<li>On-location pre-shoot scouting – includes evaluating light for session time, test shots, and general shooting directions, as well as props for session.</li>
<li>Equipment checks and vehicle checks</li>
</ul>
<li>Travel time~1-2 hours</li>
<ul>
<li>Depending on the shooting location, this would include travel to/from the session.</li>
</ul>
<li>Session day prep~15-30 minutes</li>
<ul>
<li>Setting up for the session includes, camera and cards (spare), tripod, lighting if necessary, prop location and storage for easy access, and final light analysis</li>
<li>Shooting with client/in-session~90 minutes-2 hours</li>
<li>Taking time to get to know the subject to build relationship</li>
<li>NEVER rush the capture of images. We work fast when we need to capture babies and kids in their ‘happy time’, but are fully prepared to relax and take our time if that’s what we need to do.</li>
</ul>
<li>Uploading and backing up images~30 minutes</li>
<ul>
<li>Shooting in RAW takes longer to upload.</li>
<li>Back up of all images better insures longevity and security.</li>
</ul>
<li>Post-processing~2-5 hours</li>
<ul>
<li>Edits are made for blemishes and other faults, such as eye circles, gnats, stray hairs, etc.</li>
<li>Custom white balance, color correction, etc.</li>
<li> This includes everything we need to do in order to present you with a full gallery of edited images.</li>
</ul>
<li>Photo presentation prep~1½-2 hours</li>
<ul>
<li>Inclusion into online proofing gallery</li>
<li>Back up of final edit images</li>
<li>Inclusion into presentation display program for in person ordering session.</li>
<li>Paperwork prepared for in person ordering session.</li>
<li> Files updated.</li>
</ul>
<li>In person ordering session~1-2 hours</li>
<ul>
<li>This includes the consultation regarding images, and the time spent with the client working through everything they need to order, as well as the presentation of sample products and custom work.</li>
</ul>
<li>Order confirmation and placement~1-2 hours</li>
<ul>
<li>Time spent working through your order, image by image, resizing for specific print orders, sharpening images for print, placing the order with the professional print company, and double checking order completion.</li>
</ul>
<li>Order deliver~1 hour</li>
<ul>
<li>Once the order is received, it is double checked against the order placement</li>
<li>Packaging</li>
<li>Client time spent preparing order delivery/pick up.</li>
</ul>
<li>Session/Order conclusion~1 hour</li>
<ul>
<li>Time spent on email/phone with the client as a follow up</li>
<li>Completing file documents</li>
</ul>
</ul>
Just by looking at this schedule, it’s easy to see how a photographer could conservatively spend upwards of 15 hours working for a single session. Consider, also, that a huge percentage of the time scale above is completely non-existent in the chain-store photo department model. <br />
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This, my friends, what your session fee covers… It’s the “time and talent” of the photographer. If you think about a $75 session fee vs. the, let’s say 15 hours spent, you find that your professional is actually making $5 per hour. </div>
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There is so much more to be considered here, though. Think about the cost of the website on which you have a password protected image gallery. Your photographer pays for that. And what about the equipment? If he/she is a bona fide professional, they won’t be using standard equipment. Great images require great equipment, cameras/lenses/high-def cards/lighting/props/tripod/wireless remotes… the list could go on. Trust me, your professional photographer is not editing your photos on Google’s free Picasa. And your images are stored on hard drives, and external hard drives, and CD backups. </div>
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All of this is paid for by the photographer, and it’s NOT going to happen on a $5 per hour budget. There’s a business to be run. Marketing to be done. Samples to be bought for you to see. So, you see, even that $5 per hour doesn’t pay the photographer. It wouldn’t even pay for everything else needed in order to make your session happen in the first place. </div>
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So where does the money come from? How does the photographer make enough money to pay for the business, purchase the products you order, and make enough money to live on?</div>
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The pictures you order. </div>
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Keep in mind that those pictures are NOT printed in the same way as that which you get from the local Wal-Mart. Oh, no, my friend. Totally different product, again. But, if your photographer only charged you the exact cost of the print itself, there would be no business at all. </div>
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The service you enjoy, the session and the attention, the luxury of custom photographic work is fueled by the session fee and print profit working together to bring you a phenomenal experience, complete with professional knowledge and wisdom. </div>
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Because this post has taken so much space and time, I have decided to split it into another installment. Tomorrow, we’ll discuss value…</div>
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Did you hear that? VALUE, VALUE, VALUE… </div>
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How valuable to you think this is going to be when she's 60 years old? </div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746887375275819453.post-19447696241375354082011-08-19T05:16:00.000-07:002011-08-19T10:34:47.688-07:00Dollar for Dollar<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, I’m tackling the hushed topic of money. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Why,” you ask, “are you going down this path? It’s such a beautiful day outside! The birds are singing, the clouds are puffy, the sky is blue, the sun is shining and all is right with the world! Why, on a day like today, would you want to talk about money?”</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because I love you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because those of you who faithfully read this blog know me. You know that relationships, to me, are the most important things that we can build. And I’m trying to help you.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Money? You’re trying to help me by talking about money?”</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yep. Here’s the deal – we’re going to get a little education that will color your lovely minds for the rest of your lives. Be brave. Work through it. You owe it to your families, your kids, and grandkids, and fantastic generations to come. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Alright, fine. What’s this about?”</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buckle your seatbelts, my friends, because - in the words of Heath Ledger: “here – we – go”…</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You don’t know how many times I’ve fielded the question – “Why are custom portraits so expensive? It’s <em><u>just</u></em> a picture, and I can get a picture printed at the drug store for $1.00.”</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you asked that? Maybe you’ve just wondered it to yourself as you’re looking at the latest chain store flyer advertising 8x10 prints for $7.99. Or, maybe you've wondered exactly this as your pondering the annual holiday picture package that offers you <em><u>thousands</u></em> of small scale prints for ONE LOW PRICE!!! Who cares that it's <em><u>thousands</u></em> of prints of <em><u>the same</u></em> pose? (No customizing, please. Should you choose to customize your package, well that'll cost you out your nose. But hey - who cares when you get so many mini-wallets that you could send one to every soldier in Afghanistan?! - after you cut them out yourself).</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We live in a very strange consumer driven society – one in which we expect extreme quality with no contribution requirement. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"What, on earth, does that mean?" </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just this, our society wants the world at our fingertips, and we don’t want to pay a dime for it. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tragedy is that we don’t even realize how our standards for quality have plummeted because of our unwillingness to pay for a better product and service. Somehow, we’ve become satisfied with a thousand prints of one single posed picture, thinking we are getting a steal! Our mouths have become so used to horrible $1.00 cheeseburgers, that when we go to an authentic burger joint, complete with a waitress for our table, we gasp at the thought of paying the $10.00 they charge.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suddenly, we’re getting our own drinks at a drink station. We’re cleaning our own tables before we sit down. We’re standing in line, waiting for a mass produced frozen product. And we’re okay with that. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It wouldn’t be so bad if we actually appreciated the $10 burger – and all that goes into it. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, let me make this disclaimer. I’m not down on chain-store photo shops. Not at all. It serves a need for some people, and that is important. After all, not everyone can afford custom work. And not everyone values photographic art.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All I’m saying is that custom work, custom art – it’s valuable. And you’ll never get the quality of the $10 burger, complete with service, atmosphere, and experience, when you’re only willing to pay a buck… </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tomorrow I’m going to spell out more about the distinctions between chain store photography and custom portrait work. We’ll compare burger to burger, (actually, photo store to custom work) and clearly differentiate the separation in value between the two different types of photography. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, you’ll know EXACTLY why custom portrait work is so much more valuable than photo-store offerings. In the mean time, let's take a look at one more beautiful custom image that - ahem - could never have been captured in a chain-store shop...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See – that wasn’t too painful, was it?</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746887375275819453.post-29236653953088416412011-08-16T04:55:00.000-07:002011-08-16T12:43:16.050-07:00Beauty QueenI shot this beautiful baby girl last weekend, and couldn't wait to get her parents the proofs. And let me tell you, she is just as sweet as she looks! Even though we were shooting in the late afternoon, and she was working without a nap, she was still just as perfect as she could be.<br />
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Here are a few of my favorites!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SuFSW_k5IkA/TkpWqSPsp2I/AAAAAAAABaE/DtOM_mw8Z9A/s1600/Claire-3+bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" naa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SuFSW_k5IkA/TkpWqSPsp2I/AAAAAAAABaE/DtOM_mw8Z9A/s640/Claire-3+bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o-DNKnBDQcI/TkpWuLCK37I/AAAAAAAABaM/NGwbWbuiSZM/s1600/Claire-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" naa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o-DNKnBDQcI/TkpWuLCK37I/AAAAAAAABaM/NGwbWbuiSZM/s640/Claire-8.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_gjiy8yL5pY/TkpWvD6NNlI/AAAAAAAABaQ/v9ubjoTOyws/s1600/Claire-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" naa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_gjiy8yL5pY/TkpWvD6NNlI/AAAAAAAABaQ/v9ubjoTOyws/s640/Claire-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0uaj6svda0/TkpW3pPhOkI/AAAAAAAABac/8ZKRiluldQw/s1600/Claire-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" naa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0uaj6svda0/TkpW3pPhOkI/AAAAAAAABac/8ZKRiluldQw/s640/Claire-38.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Okay, so everyone knows that we're in South Georgia. And it's H.O.T. - HOT!!! By the time we were 1/2 way through the shoot, all of us were starting to sweat. I'm <em><u>sure</u></em> my face was 3 different shades of red by this point, because we started shooting really fast. I was all over the place with my camera, and baby-girl was exploring this new grassy park, and chasing the bubbles my daughter was blowing. Her cheeks were getting more and more rosy, and her hair was starting to saturate... but I just couldn't hold back the fun she was having!<br />
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This precious baby girl is the first newborn that I worked with, and I was so honored to take her 1 year pictures as well. Here is Claire as a newborn...<br />
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And here she is now...</div>
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I love watching kids grow!</div>
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Just a quick plug - if you're interested in pictures for Christmas (prints, cards, etc.), let me know as soon as possible, and we'll get you <em>'on the books'.</em> We start shooting for Christmas in the fall, and the schedule fills up quickly. The entire month of August is already booked!</div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746887375275819453.post-6210739113959149122011-08-11T09:38:00.000-07:002011-08-11T09:38:32.759-07:00Back To Life ~Oh my goodness. <br />
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I cannot believe how long it’s been since I’ve posted to this blog. It’s just not right. So, this is going to be wordy (because, if you know me, you know I'm a 'wordy' person), but I have excuses to make. If you're interested, read on. If not, skip this entry and move on to the beauty queen I'm featuring...<br />
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In an effort to make up for my regrettable negligence, I’ll spend this week catching you up on what pulled me away from my home computer in the first place. If you read this blog regularly, I don’t want you to feel slighted… I haven’t really posted anything to Facebook all summer either. <br />
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Sooooo – here’s my top 10 excuses for my summer distraction.<br />
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1. Kids on summer break from school<br />
Yep, the kiddos <strike>are</strike> were out of school (yep, it took me so long to write this, my kids are no longer <em>out </em>of school), and everyone who has kids in school knows exactly what that means. There’s something that happens to them when they collectively breathe a long sigh of relief – especially my older ones. It’s like, with one long breath they say, <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><em>‘no more hours of homework, note cards memorizing vocabulary words, required reading, science concepts, flash cards, multiplication, division, fractions, or percentages. No more memorizing historical characters. No more writing assignments and standardized test preparations. No more school lunches, and breakfasts, and recesses with kids who aren’t always nice. No more getting out of the bed at 6am and no more hours on the bus.’ Yeah, Evan and Elise both said it in one long sigh. </em></span></div>
Ethan, however, is just happy to do whatever. “School?” he says. “No problem! I got this.” <br />
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2. Working loaded hours at the office<br />
It’s enough to say that it’s been hectic. REALLY hectic. I’m thankful that things are starting to calm down now, and that I can get back into some semblance of a routine. It’s never fun to lose sleep just because you’re worried about the next day’s to-do list. <br />
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3. And then exhausted evenings crashed on the sofa or by the pool<br />
Needless to say, with a really crazy hectic pace at work, the evenings became solid r&r. I sat by the pool a lot, and watched as my summer swimmies took to the water. By now, meaning August, they’re more casual about swimming, but at first, I couldn’t keep them away from that glorious water. And, while my qualities as mother-of-the-year contender can be debated, I will clearly state that I would rather be watching the kiddos swim than blogging away at my computer – for obvious reasons… safety being the main primary, and - well - I just plain love 'em. Summer sun – silly kids – laughter – splashing – lemonade evenings… WHAT COULD BE BETTER????<br />
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4. Family vacation to my parents house, and Holmes Beach<br />
For one week, Derrick and I took the kids to my parents’ house in FL. They were amazing, as always. Mom and Dad hung with the ‘chillies’ (as my mom calls them) while Derrick and I got some much needed time alone. It was a great spot. The condo was okay, but the food?! O…my…goodness!!!! I’ve never had scallops that fantastic in all my life! Oh, and the shopping. I forgot how nice it was to shop without someone saying – “Are you going to buy me a toy?”<br />
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5. Shooting hiatus – I took June/July off from portrait sessions<br />
Just a little time off. For good reason. I could say that it was all because I just needed some down time, but there were additional reasons, as well. I didn’t want to schedule any more sessions until….<br />
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6. CAMERA UPGRADE<br />
Yep! <strong><em><u>So jazzed</u></em></strong> about this. (Nerd alert!) If you’re a camera junkie like I am, then you’ll appreciate this little digression into tech talk. I invested in a full-frame Canon 5D MarkII, and I must say that I could not have made a more fantastic decision. It’s incredible the way it handles noise in high exposure, and is super fast. Notice, I didn’t yet mention that it records video in high-def… We’ll talk about that later. (Digression complete)<br />
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7. Getting ready to go back to school - translate - going back to school<br />
Oh the wonder of school supply shopping! Ethan, having just turned 5, stunned us all with his vocabulary on our supply shopping morning. Here’s a sample – <br />
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Mom – What’s 100-17<br />
Kids – silence<br />
Mom – Okay, what’ 100-10<br />
Elise – That’s easy. 90.<br />
Mom – Well, what’s 90-7<br />
Pause<br />
Ethan – 83!!!!!<br />
Elise – (eyes as big as dinner plates), I was going to say 84<br />
Evan – HE JUST GUESSED!!!!<br />
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And another sample –<br />
Ethan – Mom, look at all that tall grass (he said as he pointed to the overgrown brush in the pecan orchard). That is a great snake <em>habitat</em>!<br />
Mom – What? <em>thinking - surely, the little man didn't just say <strong><u>habitat</u></strong>. He only JUST turned 5!!!</em><br />
Ethan – That’s the kind of <em>habitat</em> snakes like to live in. <br />
Mom - <em>Yep, he said 'habitat.'</em> That' right, Ethan. It's a perfect snake habitat!<br />
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And my favorite sample – as people were shoving and arguing with strangers about notebook paper, folders, and glue, Ethan says (in a voice as loud as he could without screaming)<br />
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Ethan – Don’t they know that people are more important than school supplies?! Why are they being so rude?! (you should have seen the looks I got after that. Needless to say, we hurried out of the store with less than what we were after.)<br />
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8. Getting ready to go back to ballet<br />
Yep. It’s that time again. Elise has blossomed into this girlie, lip gloss loving, creature that has fallen in love with a good mani-pedi, and was more excited about getting sized for her ballet, tap, and jazz shoes, than she was about her school supplies. We’re not totally sure what to make of that… yet. <br />
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9. Getting ready for a soccer try-out with a new league<br />
My Chandler-man has been at it for weeks now - working out to get ready for a soccer try-out with a traveling team. Frequent have been the evenings that had me running soccer drills in the front yard. Evan works and sweats (despite his severe loathing of Georgia summer heat), and then runs, and dribbles, and shoots. All the while, Ethan subtly tries everything he sees big brother do. We stay ‘mum’ about that to Evan, or there’d be war, complete with the phrase “STOP COPYING ME!!!!” Ironically, last night Evan offered to be Ethan’s soccer trainer at the house. He said, and I QUOTE, “Dad can train me, and I’ll train Ethan.” Those are valuable words, my friend. <br />
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10. Did I mention the extra time at the office and then exhausted evenings that followed? Oh, well, August had me recovering from that….<br />
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So, you now have an idea as to why I’ve been so … gone. But no more. We’re getting back into the swing of things, starting with some regular blogging about the summer, complete with pictures (though I know this post is painfully missing the visual images - they're coming). If you know and love the Eldridge clan, stay tuned, my friend. <br />
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And for those of you who are more interested in the business of photography, I have some things coming up for you, too. Here’s a little teaser – I had my first photo shoot with the 5D MkII, and I’ll be putting more images out there for all to appreciate, but I'll add one of my favorite's here. Have I mentioned how much I'm loving my new camera??? Does it show???<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mzODdeVTJJA/TkQFBEtGj2I/AAAAAAAABZ8/7W-EUI6USpQ/s1600/Claire-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" naa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mzODdeVTJJA/TkQFBEtGj2I/AAAAAAAABZ8/7W-EUI6USpQ/s640/Claire-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loving those baby blues!!!!<br />
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746887375275819453.post-22908977513894548792011-05-10T19:01:00.000-07:002011-05-10T19:01:51.696-07:002011 Ballet and Jazz Portraits ~<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One of my favorite things in the entire world is dance. I love the expression... the emotion... the power of dance! I always have. One of my favorite childhood memories was the day I was sitting in my bedroom by myself, and my daddy brought me a present. It was for no reason... not a birthday or any other holiday. It was just because he loved me. When he pulled it out, it was a porcelain ballerina from swan lake that was about 12 inches tall. When I wound her up, she would spin to the theme song from the ballet. Oh, I loved that gift.</div>
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My daughter has taken a dear love of ballet, as well. She's not a huge fan of her tap class - hence the reason there are no pictures of her in her tap shoes - but she loves her ballet. She flutters and gracefully spins all over my house... and I love it.</div>
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Here are her dance pictures for this year ~</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xOmCejbs94M/TcnpFaVjT0I/AAAAAAAABYc/TTZa47KKz78/s1600/Elise+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xOmCejbs94M/TcnpFaVjT0I/AAAAAAAABYc/TTZa47KKz78/s1600/Elise+1.jpg" /></a></div>
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This is my favorite of her...</div>
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This is her favorite:</div>
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Yes, that's eye liner. She had just come from her dress rehearsal when we shot these. NOT an everyday occurance... just in case you're wondering!</div>
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746887375275819453.post-78977462410249184872011-05-05T18:59:00.000-07:002011-05-05T18:59:23.899-07:00April 2011 Eldridge Portraits ~ Around the Eldridge home, we've barely had time to breathe this spring. We LOVE spring, and when the afternoon was look especially beautiful, we decided to take advantage of the moment and work in our spring portraits. This is what we came up with.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9BQ9JPsoaw/TcNUwdFm_aI/AAAAAAAABUg/ZU0K0rghnqo/s1600/Eldridge032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9BQ9JPsoaw/TcNUwdFm_aI/AAAAAAAABUg/ZU0K0rghnqo/s640/Eldridge032.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746887375275819453.post-8368370358164805772011-05-05T07:03:00.000-07:002011-05-05T07:03:42.049-07:00We're a little reflective around here this morning. <br />
<br />
That might be because of the ordeal we went through with my son, and it might be because of some other things going on in the family. It really doesn't matter either way. The point is - today I'm posting a little more reflectively .... you'll see<br />
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<ol>
<li>Family is priceless. - Through the wake of the many lives tragically affected by storms and floods over the past few weeks, and with my own family struggling with it's own tiny battles, I have been more keenly aware of how absolutely precious our family relationships are. You can't replace them. And if they are damaged the pain is so deep that words fall empty in their attempts at explanation and sympathy. I can't imagine having lost my little guy. And to lose without the ability to look into pictures to see his crazy smile would be even more tragic (if that were possible).</li>
<li>Life is priceless. - I've spent the past month very wrapped up in the 'accomplishing' of life, and very little time enjoying the 'living' of life. Last night, as I watered my roses and listened to my kids playing in the yard, I was struck by how precious small moments like that are. You can't replace them.... you just can't.</li>
<li>Relationships are meant to be connected. - It's so easy to get on facebook, or twitter, or even this blog and write something that you want people to know. Then you wait for comments, and if people you know relate, they'll comment back. Occasionally, you might 'chat' with someone, but I've lately missed the engagement of real relationships. Facebook is not engagement. It's just words and information. People don't know how you feel until they see your eyes, hear your voice, and connect. It's a big deal. Let's not neglect that. Without those relationships we are very lonely people.</li>
<li>Sometimes hope is hard. - Yeah, this one's a doozy for me right now. It has been all year actually. I like to live in a positive, happy place, and for me - that happens when I know a certain amount of hope in my heart. Keeping it real - sometimes I'm not good at focusing on the hope I always have. I tend to see the struggle and difficulty first, but - THERE IS A LOT TO BE HOPEFUL ABOUT. I just have to keep in the front of my mind that there is an abundance of good in my life. So many people have harder struggles than I do. And I have to remember... I don't know everything. (wink*wink - But don't tell Derrick I admitted that!!!)</li>
<li>Summer is coming. - Tell me, who couldn't use a tall lemonde in the lounge chair watching the kiddos playing in the sprinkler kind of evening? Just a few short weeks and things will SSSLLLLLOOOOWWW DOOOOWWWWNNNNN..........</li>
<li>Thank God for my camera. - it's not about perfection, people. It's about the importance of history. Remember to take it with you. You'll thank me later.</li>
<li>Growing up is hard. - It's not just hard for the kiddos doing the growing, but it's hard for the mom's, too. My oldest two are getting to the age where they are developing into their own persons, and I inevitably have to come to terms with the fact that they might be different than I've planned. Elise is a complex blend of lacey, frilly, baby-doll, princess, and a goal driven competitor. I have to prepare myself for the moment she decides pink is no longer her favorite color - among other things. Heaven forbid she might not LOVE Laura Ingalls Wilder's On The Banks of Plum Creek!!!</li>
<li>Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming swimming swimming. What do we do? We swim! - Okay, well life doesn't always go exactly according to plan. My tendancy is to drop to the floor and cry until I get my own way. (real mature, I know.) I'm doing what I can to "just keep swimming, just keep".... you get it.</li>
<li>Did I mention that summer is coming? - Yeah, it deserves a second shout out.</li>
<li>Go on admit it. - Don't be afraid to admit that you can't do <em><u>everything.</u></em> I mean, really. Can you save the planet, coordinate the social extravaganza of the year, work full-time building your retirement (and your kiddos college fund), plan every dinner on a calendar, clip every coupon, shop every grocery store sale, plan AND ENJOY semi-annual family vacations, save the rainforst, and every animal on the endangered species list. All the while advising the crew in your care on their every decision. Yeah, that doesn't include the yardwork required to win 'Yard of the Month!' Relax. It's okay..... you don't have to...... neither do I.......</li>
</ol>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746887375275819453.post-45175239994860607712011-04-28T07:33:00.000-07:002011-04-28T07:33:39.314-07:00I'm sitting here in the hospital with my little man. Camera at home, so no pictures. Actually, the last time I was at home was Tuesday morning and that was only long enough to shower, change, and get back to my little boy. Right now he's calmly tucked into his hospital bed, elevated for easy tv viewing, watching the ever appropriate Disney cartoon movie. <br />
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Being here has gotten me thinking. Mostly, my thoughts have been on my family lately, and that's completely understandable. It's been a long week.<br />
<br />
I'm ashamed to say that I haven't been shooting my family very much lately. I could blame it on Evan's busted arm, busy school-soccer-ballet schedules, whatever. The truth is, I've been leaving my camera at home a lot and just lived in the moment. I've enjoyed it some, but looking back it has made me somewhat sad. Easter came and went and I didn't have any pictures of Easter egg hunts, or baskets, or coloring eggs or anything. <br />
<br />
In my own defense (it's sad when you have to defend yourself to yourself), Ethan's been very sick. <br />
<br />
But I think it signifies something a little deeper. I haven't shot much since mid-March. Looking back I find that's so sad. Things happened in those months that I can't get back. My parents came and stayed, spring break came and went, spring started and soccer started and ... well... life happened. And all of it happened without my camera in hand.<br />
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I've missed it. I even missed getting a shot of Evan with the cast on his arm.<br />
<br />
UGH!<br />
<br />
Listen, memories fade over time and you can't get them back. Days go by and time passes. I started the book with images for each month, and I really am excited about the idea of being able to go back and look through the year. <br />
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Take my advice - don't miss the moment. Get out your camera, and even if everything is not perfect - the light, the atmosphere, the stuff - it's okay. It's more important to have the memory, than to have time fly past you without a record of it to go back to. <br />
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I know I'm just rambling now. Lack of sleep, harsh hospital lights, and a very sicky baby will do that to your mind, I suppose. So - I'm signing off... with a renewed decision to not let the little memories of life pass us by without being captured in camera.<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746887375275819453.post-72003829236803316222011-04-26T12:26:00.000-07:002011-04-26T12:26:25.985-07:00Vacancy~I know. I've been missing lately. I'm actually trying to post more, and that's what has me in front of my laptop while my baby is watching PBS kids while lying in a hospital bed. He needs to be napping, and he's almost there. That's what has me typing instead of playing dinosaurs with him, or reading the story books his Gran brought him.<br />
<br />
I have some Easter pictures to post about a serious cutie pie. Matthew is such a handsome little man, and so very busy. He wasn't much interested in Easter props, but his pictures are so handsome! I'll post those as soon as I can get home and blog from the computer in my living room instead of sitting on the fold out sofa in the pediatrics division of our local hosp. <br />
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I'll be back soon...<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746887375275819453.post-89588881648859747572011-04-11T05:01:00.000-07:002011-04-11T05:01:28.669-07:00Can't be better said~Just can't argue with Eugenia Huici de Errázuriz <br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>"Everything has its place in life. Even objects guests don't normally see should reflect one's tastes and beliefs."</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><img height="640" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/Eugenia_Err%C3%A1zuriz_by_John_Singer_Sargent.jpg" width="483" /></span></div>
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746887375275819453.post-58671510038837224842011-04-09T06:21:00.000-07:002011-04-09T06:21:47.511-07:00Style Statement...Fun weekend reading! Grab your coffee, (or tea, or lemonade, or whatever feels you enjoy) and take a few minutes to enjoy a fabulous exploration...<br />
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<a href="http://www.stylestatement.com/"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Style Statement</span></a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746887375275819453.post-86963598819555512132011-04-08T11:20:00.000-07:002011-04-08T11:20:24.468-07:00Style StatementI am a Style Statement advocate. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="640" id="il_fi" src="http://authenticorganizations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/style-statement.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="503" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Janis Nicolay</td></tr>
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I'm passionate about it. Not nearly as passionate as I am about my relationships, photogprahy, or other significant priorities - but I would DEFINITELY SAY that this book has completely revolutionized so much of my life. <br />
<br />
The premise is this:<br />
Each person is unique. We all have our idiosyncratic preferences that make us feel more comfortable, and because we're so multifaceted, identifying ourselves in one single category of style excludes the blending factor. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
I can take a style quiz and find out that I lean toward sophisticated style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what about that part of me that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>loves</u></i> Rachel Ashwell’s Shabby Chic?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s not as sophisticated as it is vintage…. And so I’m in a quandary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My style quiz example doesn’t capture the part of me that appreciates a weathered armoire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="640" id="il_fi" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_q5zWG2VKezA/S5QM8Gaa-FI/AAAAAAAABQ0/Is9SlrKGKkM/s640/laura+ashley+armoire1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="486" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as seen at <a href="http://www.junkinescapdes.blogspot.com/">http://www.junkinescapdes.blogspot.com/</a><br />
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But does that mean that my entire home needs to be filled with antique candelabras, loose fitting slip covers, and flaking wood?<br />
<br />
Style Statement is based on the idea that your preferences are split – and decidedly <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>not</u></i> split down the middle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, they propose that it’s an 80/20 blend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, 80% of my style preferences are based on one thing, and the remaining 20% is based on something else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YES!!!, I thought as I discovered!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>can</u></i> marry sophisticated style with feminine romance! <br />
<br />
So, back to the book, it is a fantastic journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least it was for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;">Why is this important, so you ask….</span><br />
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Simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you make your decorating, fashion, food, vacation, whatever, decisions based on your blend, then your surroundings reflect what you love and you feel more at peace with yourself in the midst of life’s details.<br />
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Now, let me just put this out there, if you’re not happy with your life in general, you may need to do more than just <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>identify</u></i> your style statement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the implications made are far reaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re more comfortable in your environment, then you may feel more secure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if your clothing choices reflect your style statement, you’ll feel more confident – more you and less like an impersonation of someone else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little confidence and security can go a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>really </u></i>long way! And that's just the beginning...<br />
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Practicality, my friend.<br />
Based on this theory and belief, I’m 80% one thing and 20% something else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a long, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>long</u></i>, LONG journey (because I carefully, honestly, and intensely devoured the book), I have finally identified my blend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Hello, I’m Elegant Feminine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">I'm <a href="http://www.ethanallen.com/">Ethan Allen</a>, <a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/">Pottery Barn</a>, and <a href="http://www.laylagrayce.com/">Layla Grace</a> all wrapped neatly into one little Eldridge package. </span><br />
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What does that mean?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>80% Elegant, 20% Feminine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might not be what you think – but when I see it, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Elegant Feminine, </i>it’s like seeing my own name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">It means I love this chair...</span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><img align="left" src="http://www.jaysonhomeandgarden.com/files/category_images/c_1_41.jpg" /></span><br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">And it means I love this ...</span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><img src="http://ciaointeriors.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/tradl.jpg" /></span><br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">And 20% this...</span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><img height="390" src="http://www.shabbychic.com/images/gallery/one2.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
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Since putting myself through this process I can honestly say that making choices about my life has become so much easier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there is SO MUCH LESS buyer’s remorse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I like a haircut?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Is it elegant or feminine?</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will I love that sofa in 6 months?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Is it elegant or feminine?</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">I read somewhere, "Style Statement is like a really nice first date with your soul." I love that!!! To me, it feels so true. Being drawn to so many different styles, countless times I thought I loved something only to get it home and 2 weeks later realize that it doesn't make ANY sense in my house. It was great at the store - not so great around me. </span><br />
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Next, you’ll see how the Style Statement played a role in the redecorating of my living room, foyer, kitchen, etc… This blog is all about life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s about enjoying your life and treasuring the things you love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be writing about photography in different styles of design, great display for portraits that are in keeping with your style statement, and how important it is to surround yourself with the precious! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Also coming up will be some Easter portraits that have been BEGGING to get on the site! Sit tight, friends. We're starting up the engines, and after a long - and painful on my end - winter, I'm back to blogging about portraits, photography, design, and life. WELCOME HOME!!!</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746887375275819453.post-72181915055669196962011-03-25T06:15:00.000-07:002011-03-25T06:15:07.439-07:00The Time is RightI've waited until the time was right - and it is now.<br />
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Easter is late this year - first Sunday after the first full moon following the Vernal Equinox (yes, I'm a dork because I know that.... I own it) - falling on April 24th. We've designed our Easter set and have it ready to go for the gorgeous spring portrait session and we are now booking session times. <br />
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You can contact me through <a href="http://www.sarah-eldridge.com/">the website...</a> or email me directly at <a href="mailto:sarah@sarah-eldridge.com">sarah@sarah-eldridge.com</a>.<br />
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Ps. I shot Elise's pictures in one of her Easter dresses last night - <em><u>CAN'T WAIT</u></em> to get those posted here. I know I'm biased, but she's just gorgeous!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746887375275819453.post-62070823763378257952011-03-22T09:16:00.000-07:002011-03-22T09:16:39.833-07:00Spring Fever...<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I love spring! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I could probably say that I love every season because, as they begin, I'm struck with the beauty of the change. LOVE the fall leaves as they change colors. LOVE the casual atmosphere that comes with long summer evenings. LOVE the brisk air and cozy fires of a good winter. When I lived in Ohio, I was crazy about watching the snow at night as it fell in front of my street lamp.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">But it's spring now, and I LOVE spring. The flowers, the budding trees, the way life just sort of picks up and ... regenerates. Last night, as Derrick and I were working on the Easter portrait set I felt that swell in my chest that comes when I see something beautiful. The sun was setting, the golden light was illuminating the grass in my back yard, and there were dragon flies <em><u>everywhere</u></em>. (sigh) I wanted to bottle up that moment and keep it on a shelf - only to be taken out at the most stressfull of times. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">For me, Shana Rae with Florabella captures those moments so perfectly, so I'm going to give you some spring eye candy of hers <a href="http://www.florabellacollection.com/site2/">here...</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">That's how I want to feel when I look at my family portraits. It's the emotions of peace, joy, happiness, and heritage all wrapped up into one image that really get to me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotoTheaterCaption" class="spotlight" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/189958_185717001472735_100001033094181_486529_612567_n.jpg" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Last week I shot some pictures of my kiddos that have done exactly that. There's a story here, so I'll tell it, and then you can follow the link to see the images.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I got this idea in my head. It was a crazy wonderful idea that hit me as I was driving home one day. There was this field full of tall red clover stretching for as far as I could focus. <em>They'll cut that down soon,</em> I thought to myself. <em>Last year I wanted some photos of that, and by the time I got around to it, they mowed it.</em> (DING! Lightbulb above my head - as I was driving - not a safe thing for me). <em>What if I take my kids out there to shoot this weekend. They don't mow on Sunday's, I'm sure. Who cares that it's on the not-so-great part of town? We'll do it during the early evening when there won't be much traffic. BRILLIANT!!!</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The images were coming out beautiful. I could feel the excitement of what we were getting in camera, and I had a location 2 spot just down the road that we were going to hit as we went home. The light was slowly fading, so I loaded the kids in the jeep and packed my camera. Evan, in one of his more helpful moments, decided to turn the car on - but he didn't turn the key all the way. My poor little jeep started to fire... and then went dead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Dreaded thought - <em>OH NO!!! I'm on the not-so-great side of town... with my children... without a cell phone... and a dead car.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">To make a long story a little shorter, my father-in-law became my rescue after a couple of very nice people offered to help. Location 2 didn't happen, but when I look at those pictures - the ones in the clover - my breath catches in my chest and I smile. I'll have them forever... the moments of their personalities that are gorgeous, with the gorgeous light, and the gorgeous field. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Just a thought - if we don't catch our memories in image, they're lost forever, only to be remembered as best we can through the filter of our own minds. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">You can see the images from our session <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=118891271462831&aid=49315">here...</a></span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746887375275819453.post-44907087501556868842011-02-28T13:45:00.000-08:002011-03-01T07:20:51.452-08:00Bella's Baby Buttons<br />
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Can I just tell you how much I love babies? <span style="font-family: inherit;">I really think that I could spend an entire lifetime doing nothing but holding, snuggling, cuddling, cooing at, smiling at, and nuzzling those perfect little angels. I don't know what it is, but I seem to come alive when I get to spend time with them. </span><br />
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I can think of no better way to indulge in this lovely cuddly obsession of mine than to open the business to a plan in which I get to pour out all my baby affection as much as possible! Well, I could have another of my own, but that would mean my family would outgrow the car... and the dining room table.... among other things. Better option~<br />
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INTRODUCING BELLA'S BABY BUTTONS<br />
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What is it? Milestones. That's it. It really is simple. <em>Bella's Baby Buttons </em>is a program where we mark the milestones of your little one. This isn't about Anne Geddes dressing up newborns like butterflies and peas in a pod (though that was ridiculously cute!!!)... but it's about capturing your little ones in all their perfection as they really are. <br />
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Basically, here's the deal. That first year only happens once... The moments are fleeting, and the transformation to childhood happens so quickly! <em>Bella's Baby Buttons</em> program was designed to capture those milestones, as well as give you the opportunity to purchase 4 beautiful custom designed gifts commemorating each new season.<br />
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Check out the <a href="http://www.sarah-eldridge.com/#Investment/Bella Baby Buttons/">website</a> for a full list of details... <br />
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And tell your friends, there is a photographer here in town who is just <em><u>itching</u></em> to love on their babies!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746887375275819453.post-59790227491892272432011-02-24T12:14:00.000-08:002011-02-24T12:18:03.695-08:00On to the next~It's mid-February ... the beginning of 'all things new'. I don't know what it is about February that makes me feel that way. Maybe it's because that's when my birthday is, and with one year older I feel I have to start all things over. I don't know. <br />
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The new business is really starting to take shape. The branding and website are finished, and the hard supplies for my welcome packets arrives today. I'm really excited about that one. It's going to be like Christmas. I know I'm a dork, but I can't help but experience joy and ellation with the purchase of..... drumroll please..... office supplies. (Geek Alert!!!) Arriving today are the folders, and various envelopes (in various sizes with specific branding colors). I've already printed the documents, and now I only need to print the booklets, display cards and other 'what-nots' that go into this carefully designed packet. LOVE IT.<br />
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On another note - still photo related but more family related - my <a href="http://www.beckyhiggins.com/products/">Project Life album</a> came in last week and I am CRAZY in love with this one. Oh, man! I've always been a picture nut when it came to my kids, but I've recently struggled with the idea of how to get an album together with pictures from my family's life that captures the entire year?.... And what do I do with all those pictures that I've taken?..... And what about the soccer pictures that are more snapshots than portraits?...... And what about the little moments?<br />
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I felt like I was missing so much of my family's life because I wasn't preserving it to be viewed later. So, like so many of us, I snapped away at everything. And now all those files are on my computer. I can't exactly purge them out because I had no place to put them. ENTER PROJECT LIFE....<br />
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If you're interested in hearing more about it, head over to the <a href="http://www.eldridgeupclose.blogspot.com/">family blog</a>. I'll be posting pictures and descriptions there.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746887375275819453.post-20316474950353110462011-02-09T09:18:00.000-08:002011-02-09T09:18:46.179-08:00Website~the process...<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">It was such an ordeal!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;">There were a great many... MANY... late nights working with all the details that go along with creating a professional website. Those of you who know me would understand. I'm a perfectionist. And I just won't settle for something if it's not right. </span><br />
At this point I'll mention that it still has some fine-tuning. There are a couple of images on the site that aren't displaying as sharply as they should. Those have to be taken care of. And there's a couple of images that need changed out... it's on my daily-reviewed 'to do' list. But in the end, I'm happy with what I have. It's a good reflection of me. It's well branded. It feels complete. And - in general - I love it. <br />
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On to the next project!!! </div>
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My husband hates that phrase... inevitably it means that there's more work coming! (insert wicked little snicker here)... I'm just kidding. It is true though. He has his projects, and I have mine - all leading our family deeper into this business of photography. </div>
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What's his project?</div>
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You know, that answer varies from day to day based on what need is most pressing. If you know anything about "The Peach House", you'd know that the whole darn thing is an amazing work in progress. And yes, the peaches are still there....for now. Lately we've been painting. Everything. First was my kitchen - then the studio. Now, we're on to the hallway, and the living room. Both are getting major cosmetic rejuvenations! The living room is attached to my studio, and I want to be able to shoot in there, also. Ah, yes. Two birds - one stone.... extend my shooting square footage and update the living room. YEAH!! Somewhere in there is the main bathroom which is still in the middle of a major remodel. We're talking down to the studs, people. That's high on the priority list, as well. </div>
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What's my project?<br />
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At this point I have a lot going on. Ordering materials, samples, equipment (YAY new soft box light, and DOUBLE YAY upgraded Photoshop to CS5 - <em>that's a big deal</em>). Then there's the senior branding, which all has to be designed and printed, along with the site design (more late nights).... and then - MARKETING PLAN. Yes, folks, it's true. There's no business without good marketing. And 2011 is my year to market. I need more clients. Steady clients. Maternity, newborns, children, families, seniors, and weddings....DEFINITELY weddings. Derrick and I both want to build the weddings portfolio and start offering the people getting married in this area more than what's here. More about that later. Seriously... soon. </div>
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Back on the subject - clients... so I'm preparing for 2011 to be busy. And I'm TOTALLY looking forward to it!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_q7ii4pDsopA/TVLMN8rkhII/AAAAAAAABRo/8Z_L3J8ze4w/s1600/4x6PostcardFront+flattened.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_q7ii4pDsopA/TVLMN8rkhII/AAAAAAAABRo/8Z_L3J8ze4w/s640/4x6PostcardFront+flattened.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746887375275819453.post-14831022257774580822011-02-05T06:57:00.000-08:002011-02-05T06:57:18.249-08:00The Website<span style="font-size: x-large;">IS LIVE!!!!! </span><br />
Can anyone say Wahoo? You can check it out at <a href="http://www.sarah-eldridge.com/">http://www.sarah-eldridge.com/</a><br />
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More about the process soon....Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746887375275819453.post-58701274440440549262011-01-26T13:29:00.000-08:002011-01-26T13:29:46.502-08:00So many announcments... so little time!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, everyone knows that I've been literally slaving over that upcoming website. (Insert enormous sigh) - it's been like the commercial for Nationwide Insurance, where the spokesman is talking to the girl on the park bench - and above her head is a GINORMOUS boulder. But it's almost done. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just a few more kinks to work out... just a few more issues to tackle.... just a few more evenings of late night web design. <em>I'll be so glad when THOSE are over! </em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm looking forward to the simpler things in life. Like - shooting, processing, editing, and designing for my photo sessions. Oh - and I'm looking forward to actually sleeping. Alright, maybe I'll forego the sleeping bit so that I can accomplish <em>just a little more</em> before my weary body falls into bed, but the point is - the website's almost done. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm scheduling it to launch Feb 1. It's on my calendar - I've written it in ink so that I'll force myself into sticking to it. That's right, self. You can't postpone what's already in ink. No erasure. No stalling. Deal with it.... enough self direction for the moment - pardon the aside.... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let me give you just a taste of what you'll find. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are several great explanations about the business and about me as the photographer. The best, to me, is the piece about the artistry of photography. <em>LOVE IT.... </em>and there's the introduction of the the 12 month maternity/newborn/baby/birthday package. It's called Bella Baby Buttons and it is <em><u>a steal!</u></em> I'm not kidding. Because it's just the beginning of the program, the products I'm offering with each session are brand spankin' new. Album, canvas, 11x14 image box, 8x10 original proofs that are matted... Easily would cost more than the session fee alone if purchased individually. VERY temporary pricing - but it's a celebration of the beginning. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another great feature is the Weddings program. Truth be told, I absolutely adore weddings. Every single one I've been to had me loopy happy, and I end up wishing I was a wedding planner for weeks that follow. Nothing makes more sense than to build the portfolio and start shooting myself. SOOO - there's a really sweet portfolio building Weddings plan on the site. You've got to check that out too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OK here's the deal. Once the site launches, I'm going to do a write up here on the blog about each of the features. Weddings - Seniors - Bella Baby Buttons ... all of it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And THEN there's more to come.... So many announcements, so little time!!! </span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622079878400124441noreply@blogger.com0