Charlotte Smarty Pants

Do you know about Charlotte Smarty Pants?  Of course, you do!  It's a great resource and lots of fun, too!  I have the pleasure of being a Smarty Mom this week!  You can check it out here.  Thanks, Ashley!

 Family photo by my sister, of course!

I Heart Faces : Silhoutte

My boys in a rare sharing moment....

Huntersville Family Photographer : This

As a mother, this is what I want other mothers to have.  As a photographer, this is what I want to give my clients.  I'm lucky they are the same thing, and I'm lucky to know this family.

See the whole session here. Thank you so very much, Jean and Jamie.  And big thanks to Kellie for all her help!

Inspiration: Prints and Canvases from High Resolution Discs

Imagine the huge smile on my face when I walked into S's room at her six month session and saw this:

Tara is one of my baby planner clients: 4 sessions + high res files = great value. But, you have to use your files instead of leaving them in that beautiful case.  Here, Tara had four 4x6's, one 8x10 and one 16 x 20 canvas (or 16 x 24, not sure) printed.  They all look great!

I recommend www.mpix.com when you purchase files.  They are the consumer division of a professional lab, and they provide a quality product at a great price.  Please let me know if you need help deciding what to do with your files.  I want you to get the most out of your investment, plus you need to show off how cute you guys are!

Tuesday Tip : Getting the most out of your session - Walls

(All images, with the exception of the gallery guides, provided by Amy Ro, used with permission from her blog post about the same topic.)

The Tuesday Tip is back! And to make up for lost time, it's a little early this week!

This post is for my clients looking to decorate their walls, whether it's a hallway niche or the entire house. I am a visual learner, so I hope this will help you as well.

I have lots of clients say that they want big portraits for their walls, and I want them to get exactly what they want without seeming pushy. I have never had a client say that they wish they had gotten a smaller print or canvas, but I've had lots say they wish they had gone bigger, and then did. When I *say* that the 8 x 10 you're considering for that space is not going to look like you want, you might think I'm trying to upsell, but when I *show* you, you'll see that it really isn't as big as it sounds.

Here is an 8 x 10 on a typically sized mantel:

Yep. That's an 8 x 10.

Here is an 11 x 14.

16 x 20

16 x 24

Now, I know that not everyone wants a single image, so here is a collection over a couch to give you an idea about sizing with a collection. This is a print collection of two18 x 24's, two 16 x 24's and two 16 x 20's. Sounds huge when you say the numbers, but it fills the space very nicely.  Amy says this makes her heart smile.  Love that!

Here is that same space with a makeshift 11 x 14 on the left and an 8x 10 on the right.

It's good to note that a collection does not have to be a large sizes. When working with smaller sizes, quantity would give the impact, not size. A collection of 10 x 10's, for example, looks great.

Also keep in mind the type of piece you want while you're thinking about sizing. These samples are all prints only. If you want gallery wrapped canvases or standout mounts, these are not framed, so think about their actual size when ordering. If you want prints, think about the size of the frame and mat, if any. As always, ordering assistance is a call or email away, whether or not we've had an ordering appointment yet. Gallery guides are helpful in visualizing how your images will look.  Just let me know what you have in mind, and I'll send you a guide with your images in a stylized room. Here are a few samples.

This is not to say that I don't value smaller prints on tables and shelves or in groupings on walls. Love them. That's a topic for another day...

Happy Decorating!

A few more from the beach...

Two beauties

I love these guys!

Tybee Island, GA Destination Photographer : We are family!

We just returned from a vacation with my sister and her family (our first!!), and it was so great to see them for more than just a quick visit!! We live several hours apart, so this was a real treat.  Aside from planning our trip, we also planned to trade beach shoots while we were there.  Lots of brainstorming, list making and packing props and clothes happened before we left.  Lots of wind and uncooperative human light stands happened when we got there.  We made do, though, and although we didn't do all we had in mind, it was still so much fun shooting her family and being on the other side of the camera, too.  I've seen a sneak of what she got, and I luuuuuurve them!  

I love this one!

That boy melts my heart ♥

Isn't she stunning?  And my niece is the cutest thing ever!

Ahhh, love.

I love you guys!!!  We all had a great time!!

Mooresville, NC Baby Photographer : L is one!!!

My sweet baby planner L is one! I can't believe it!

You can see his other sessions here.  What a cutie!

Newborn

Four Months

Eight Months

Thanks, M & J! 

Share this post with friends and family!

If we have 20 comments from different people on this post between now and July 31, mom & dad will receive a complimentary 5×7 of their choice!

Thanks!

www.candyhoward.com

Things Dad does not want for Father's Day:

A tie - Sorry, but he just doesn't.  I don't know who started this or when, but it's not a good idea.

Tools - He wants to pick out his own tools after crazy amounts of research and/or borrow them from a friend, if he wants them at all.

Funny boxers - Ummm...no.

Golf accessories - First, make sure he IS a golfer.  I don't know why retailers think Father's Day = Golf Stuff. Second, I think this goes along with the tools.  He wants to pick this out on his own.

So what's a family to do?

#1 Dad mug - Perennial fav whether he drinks coffee or not and much better than the #1 Dad shirt, which might or might not get accidentally lost.  Whether he admits it or not, the mug is kind of expected, but not in a tie or tool way.  If you are in the Charlotte area, make it even more special at Meg-Art.  Tell 'em Candy sent ya.  It won't get you any discounts; just them I said hello.

Food - Whether you make it at home or go to a restaurant, you can't go wrong with something special for the big guy.

Artwork from the kids if they are small - If they are not, a stick figure from your 13 old is not what he has in mind.

Time, time, time - That could mean time with or without the family.  Don't judge.  It's his day.

Okay, time to get serious.  No matter what you do, be sure to tell him you love him (lots).

If you still need ideas (just trying to help [you didn't think I'd be serious for long, did you?]), you can give him a gift certificate for a session.  Your little guys won't be little for long, and you'll want to document those adoring eyes before they start rolling.  I will leave you with this (no pressure):

Dads, if you are reading this, it's okay to say that you want pictures of your kids.  Bonus: Big points for you!

Got Candy?

No, not that kind of candy!  It's not too late to give your sweetie what she really wants for Valentine's Day!  A session with me!  She can use it for the two of you, your little ones or a session just for her! Call or email today (as in now!) and save money at the same time! Gift certificates are half off from 2pm until 10pm today only! I will send your valentine an email tomorrow morning with her gift certificate!

The fine print:

Payment must be received before email is sent. Email gift certificate is customized and valid one time only.

www.candyhoward.com