Warner turns 1- Chico Children Photographer

I have been waiting for this session for almost six months now! In November I did Warner's six month photos and we talked about what we wanted to do for his year session. I had mentioned to Jhoana that I had seen cake smash sessions and I really wanted to do one, but hadn't yet. She was thrilled with the idea! Fast forward six months and we met at the location we originally photographed her maternity photos. Warner is such a sweet boy and so small! We took some photos of him nice and clean and then we let him dive in to the cake. Well, that's what we expected. Warner was so funny, he seemed really confused by the cake, not quite sure what to make of it. Jhoana actually had to help him eat it at first because he was too intimated by it! After taking a few bites he would shake his head and get the funniest look on his face. We were cracking up the whole time. Eventually he did start to enjoy himself though! I just loved his session. Honestly, one of my favorite parts of being a photographer is witnessing such exciting times in peoples' lives, watching them grow and change. I was there to witness Warner growing in his mommy's tummy, when he was less than two weeks, and now a year old. I can't wait to see how he changes through the years!

My boys- Sacramento Children Photographer

This was kind of an impromptu photo session, but I just love how the photos came out! Asher is typically very easy going in front of the camera but this time he had a little bit more difficulty, not that you can really tell from these photos! He's such a goof ball and I just LOVE seeing his personality develop. Josiah on the other hand, usually runs when I pull out the camera but he was ready for his close up this time! I'm so glad I took these photos when I did because just a couple days after the field was mowed down. I just love these boys so much and I'm so incredibly thankful that I can capture their personalities and freeze time. As I'm sure any of you other parents know, time goes by way too fast! These photos were taken a few weeks before Josiah's birthday and Asher had just turned 11 months. I can't believe in less than one week Asher will be one! I know I am a bit behind posting this, but that's okay! Can't wait to share more of their birthday photos!

Thoughtful Thursday- How to Chose a Photographer

This subject has been on my mind a lot lately. Of course there's the most obvious way to chose a photographer, by their work. Honestly though, I think there is so much more to it than that. A photographer can take beautiful photographs but what if the process is not a good one? I've heard it from clients before that they have had a not so great experience with a previous photographer. Recently a client of mine was in Hawaii and had gotten some photos taken. During the session the photographer didn't really know very many poses or had very many ideas. I partially get that, maybe it was an off day. I've had sessions where my brain just will not function. It happens to the best of us, but moving on. When the session was over they were told it would be a week and a half. Now it has been over two weeks and the photographer has not showed them any of the photos, contacted them or returned any of their calls. It makes me really sad to hear of someone not having a good experience! This situation is what really put this topic in my head. So these are the qualities and aspects I believe you should look for when trying to find a photographer. This goes for any type of session or even an event.

1. Does their style fit your style?

            Do you like more natural editing, vintage, more enhanced? If you like more natural looking photographs you don't want to choose a photographer that goes overboard with Photoshop. Pay attention to the peoples skin in their photographs, that is usually the first giveaway if they are "Photoshop happy".

 

2. Do you like the way they pose their subjects?

           One style of session that is becoming more and more popular, and a style that I am migrating towards, is what's called a "lifestyle" session. These sessions are supposed to be in the moment, a memory. Is that something you are looking for or do you like more traditional posing? Always look at more than one session from a photographer to get a better idea of their style and how they pose their subjects.

 

3. Can you find good reviews from previous clients?

          This is very important. In no way am I saying that my clients bad experience with the other photographer is her fault, but if she had seen the comments on the photographer's Facebook page, she probably would have thought twice about using her. You are paying money, and most likely at least a couple hundred dollars for your photo session, the last thing you want to do is look at your photographs and remember the bad experience instead of cherishing the happy memories that were captured.

 

4. (This one is for weddings) Have an engagement session prior to the wedding.

        I think this is huge for not only for the client but the photographer as well. Your wedding day will be one of the biggest, most memorable days of your life. Do you really want the first time you work with the photographer to be your wedding day? I think this is so important that I include an engagement session in my wedding package. What if you don't connect with the photographer, you don't like how they posed you or how the session flowed? On the brighter side, if you finish up with the engagement session and it was amazing and you love the photos, you know that you will be able to relax on your wedding day. I have noticed that the couples I do engagement sessions with are more comfortable with photos on the wedding day.

 

I think these four points are the most important aspects when trying to find the photographer that fits you. If you are wanting a photo session and not sure, I am always open to talk! If you are in my area, I love meeting with clients prior to a session. In my opinion, it's a photographers job to give you not just great photos but a great experience. I strive to do that with every client I have.

 

I hope this helped anyone who is not sure how to go about finding a photographer. Also I just so happen to know an AWESOME photographer! (wink wink) If you are interested in a session message me at jhallphotograph@gmail.com

 

Jessie

Jackie & Daniel- Sacramento Engagement Photographer

Jackie first contacted me a couple years ago about photographing her wedding, but they had to postpone it. I was so happy when I received another email at the end of last year saying the wedding was finally happening and she wanted to hire me. Well, it still didn't work out because lines got crossed and the date was changed to a day I was already booked for another wedding. We were both HEARTBROKEN! There was nothing we can do except move forward. It was definitely bittersweet shooting their engagement session. I had so much fun with this couple. As you can see from the photos below, they were so natural in front of the camera. The love they have for each other is so evident that I really didn't have to tell them how to pose. I actually had to tell them to slow down because they were doing so many cute things! We started off in a field behind my complex. You really never know where you can find beauty. Then moved over to a pier behind Scott's Seafood on the River. The session wrapped up as the sun went down. It honestly was one of the best sessions I've done so far. It made it a little hard to know I wouldn't be able to shoot her wedding. Thankfully, I had a photographer friend open that day that I know will take good care of them. I truly wish Jackie and Daniel the best and hope to photograph them sometime in the future. This was truly my favorite engagement session to date. (Do I say that a lot?) Thank you again for letting me photograph your engagement session Jackie and Daniel!!!