Okay you guys…I am first going to pre apologize for run on sentences, skipping around and straight out bad writing! I am a photographer, not an English professor and English just so happened to be my worst subject (I like math…yep, that’s right!). I just wanted to share some thoughts about my photography, so don’t judge HA HA HA!!! So here we go…

When I first start photography, I wanted to do it because I wanted to capture my kids. I began reading, practicing, messing up, doing bad, reading some more, practicing some more and finally I was able to take a shot with out motion blur, bad exposure, horrible composition, etc. I admit that I was one of those moms with a camera who wanted to jump right into photography, but I soon realized it didn’t work like that.  Photography is a LOT, and I mean A LOT, of work. Some people just have it and although some say I had it, I wasn’t quit sure. From as far back as I can remember, I never really believed in myself. So you can hear over and over that you are great, but until you BELIEVE it, you aren’t going to get it, if you know what I mean?! So I did what any other photographer starting out does…I didn’t charge much and I did a LOT of free sessions. This was good for one reason only…I needed to learn! So, some time goes by and I decided after too many people telling me that I MUST raise my prices, that I would do just it, but then I had no sessions coming in. In my mind, no sessions = I must suck. That little voice in my head told me I’m not good enough, but I’m now ignoring that little voice because I AM good enough!

So here we are going into 2010…I started in the summer of 2006 taking clients and I have met SO MANY nice people along the way! I have had my ups and have had downs. Have had past clients move on to other photographers and I have had clients who come back! I have days when I say “why am I doing this” and days I say “I LOVE doing this”!! I’ve been blessed to have a talent in photography and I think that is truly awesome!

So let me talk about what is new for 2010!

There will be a price increase. I struggled with this decision, but after many weeks of thought, I know I am worth it. There will always be a photographer cheaper than me willing to work  for nothing. I realize that by raising my prices, I risk losing some clients and that makes me sad because I have met so many AWESOME people!! I put a lot of time into my photography from the start to finish trying to make my client’s sessions as enjoyable as they can possibly be.  When you are paying for custom photography, you aren’t just paying for a piece of paper, you are paying for an image of your baby/child/family for you to have for the rest of your lives. I proof each image from your session individually to make sure you will get the best possible product. I print at a professional photo lab that sprays to protect and ensure the best quality print. I choose images that I, as a mom, would want on my walls and I make sure those images are shown to my clients. There is nothing better than getting to see images you LOVE every single day displayed in your home! In fact, I have a big (24×30) collage on my little living room wall and I can’t tell you how many hours I have just spent looking at it and remembering my kids when they were younger! I love it…just love it! Time will go on and our memories will fade, but having images all along the way is just such a great blessing! So with that said, remember that custom photography is a lot more than a quick photo session and a piece of paper. From the time you set up your session to the time you get your images (and even after) you are getting one on one attention!

And now to the fun stuff!

1. I have some fun new client rewards punch cards for 2010! These are like any other punch card, the more you come the more you get! Each session you have with Melissa Davis Photography you will get a free 8×10, then a mini storyboard, an 11×14 print, a 10×20 storyboard and then finally a free session. If you are interested in one of these cards, please let me know and I can mail one (or a few) out to you! m@melissadavisphotography.com

2. Each new client will receive a referral card to go in their file. For every 5 referrals (who book and have a session), they will get a free session and a 10 x 10 collage. If you aren’t a client, but would like to earn the same, just let me know! Anyone is welcome to play along! m@melissadavisphotography.com

2. Melissa Davis Photography will be offering three new products! Canvas, session albums and photo boxes!

CANVAS: Gorgeous fine art gallery wrapped canvases are a  gorgeous way to display your images in your home. Starting at 16×20, they will make your friends and family say “wow” as a focal point in your room.

SESSION ALBUMS: 8×8 book album designed with your choice of layout to showcase your session images. Inside pages are printed on art watercolor paper and adhered to heavy black card stock. Carry it in your purse as a brag book, take it to work, or display in your home as fun and gorgeous way to show off the pictures from your session. These also make GREAT gifts for grandma and grandpa.

PHOTO BOXES: 5×7 image boxes provide a personal and upscale way to store and display all of the images from your session. Customize the cover with your favorite image, set it out for everyone to see and then show off your prints to family and friends when they come over.

so there you have it! Did you make it through?!! If so, thank you for reading! Melissa Davis Photography will be down until the new year (just a tad after actually) and all changes will be made and ready to go!

OH OH, I can’t believe I forgot something (well two things!). Also new for 2010, personal slide shows and a new shopping cart for orders.  All proofs will be displayed in your own private slide show with music to match! No more gallery with boring thumb nails…You’ll get to show off and view your personal slide show to friends and family! Then your ordering process will be a lot easier with a shopping cart check out!

Wow, I can’t believe I forgot those two things! I’m so excited about the changes and additions for 2010! And I can’t wait to see who I meet this year!

This is my brother, his fun super cute girl friend and her cutie pie little daughter.  We went for a pic-nic up Provo canyon last month and had to take advantage of the gorgeous changing leaves, so we took some pictures! Gorgeous up there!!!

Okay this one took a lot of work! They practically MADE me climb up a tree and almost die to get this! he he…so glad I did!

Hello again! Only one question this week! But it’s a good one!

#1 My question is about cropping. It seems like I am a wuss when it come to cropping a picture. I don’t know if there are any rules when it comes to cropping but if you could give any tips or advice i think that would be so helpful. Well, one rule that you may have heard of is the “rule of thirds”. First and for most, when I take pictures, I like to have the image look pretty much the way it’s going to look with out much cropping. The more you crop post processing, you more quality you will lose. So when I’m looking through my camera, what I see, is what I want it to look like, if that makes sense??

So the rule of thirds….I found this little diagram on line to give you an idea. When I shoot (or crop) an image, I want the main focus (so lots of time the eyes) to pretty much fall in the top 1/3 or really anywhere besides smack dab in the middle.

There ARE of course exceptions to this rule, but it’s a starting point! Also, when I crop for the web, I use 5×7 because it’s more faltering then lets say a 4×6 or 8×10 crop

Here are two quick different examples of the rule of thirds

If you have any questions this week, feel free to sent them to m@melissadavisphotography.com

I’m heading to my favorite spot in the world tomorrow…LAKE POWELL! My dad bought a boat and docked it there in 1980, the year I was born. I’ve been going there ever since and it just makes me all warm and fuzzy. So I’m leaving you with this warm and fuzzy picture of my sweet little baby girl. It amazes me every day just how gorgeous this little girl is and I am determined to keep her locked up until she is at least the age I am now

Have a good weekend all!

#2

Wow that was a tight contest between #2 and #3! But #2 won by 7 votes! Congrats L and T!  You guys have won a $50 gift certificate to use when you have a session with me!

Keep your eye’s out, because I am going to be featured on Crazi Beautiful Woman some time in the near future and will be giving away a free session and gift certificate!!

Okay, I’m sorry for dragging this out for so long! But I’m here now! It was fun to see some walls with my work on them!

So here is how voting will work. Go to my “contact” page up above and leave my the # of the wall(s) you want to vote for! One vote per person please! So you’ll have to get your friends and family in on this too! Voting will be open for a week and at the end of that time, I’ll post the winner!

#1

#2

#3

Oh, I’ve been wanting to do this for months and months! I always tell clients that I would love to see their walls! Some I get to see because I have repeat sessions, but most, I never get to see! For me, it just seems really odd that MY work is hanging in other people’s homes. but on the other hand, it’s so fun and cool that MY work is hanging in other people’s home! So I want to SEE IT!

So here’s how it’s going to work…

Send me a picture(s) of my work in your home. (to m@melissadavisphotography.com). In a week, I’ll post the pictures for people to vote on. If you are the winner, you’ll receive a $50 gift certificate to use when you have a session with me! So start sending your picture(s) in!

As I look back at this past year and the changes I had made in my 2008 pricing (ie: raising prices, adding collections and offering a digital CD), I have decided to changes things up a bit!

Collections no longer include a leather album (as they didn’t seem to be very popular), which means good things for you for 2009! Because I have taken the albums of of the collections, my collection prices have gone down, offering a little bit more “doable” prices.

I will also be offering canvas this year. I have gotten some for my own home and…well, they are just awesome and can’t be passed up!!

For more information about my pricing changes, feel free to email me at m@melissadavisphotography.com.

I hope everyone had a happy and safe Christmas and New Year! I can’t wait to see what 2009 will bring!

Yep, I moved to Orem! We are renting a house here and we love, love, love it! We were in small apartments for years and now have the room to move around a bit! That is why my blog has been neglected!

Just a few things for you to know:

* Melissa Davis Photography is closed until the new year. If you have a session scheduled, no worries! But I am now booking January 2009 sessions!

* There is going to be some pricing Changes in 2009. The biggest change will be that I will be offering a few different CD packages because I know how popular the CD’s are with Scrapbooking, Facebook, Myspace, and blogs.

I just wanted to take a minute and thank anyone who comes to my blog! I appreciate it more than anyone knows! I hope everyone has a great holiday session! Enjoy your families, friends and good food!