Things That I am Thankful For - Northern Virginia Photographer

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, and this chilly day that makes winter and the Holiday season seem real and upon us, I'd like to share with you some of the things I am thankful for. From a photographers perspective, of course!

I am thankful for awesome clients. 
I belong to a lot of Facebook groups for photographers in my region and all over the country. Photographers can sometimes use these groups to vent or get an additional perspective when they find themselves in a tricky situation. I am thankful for awesome clients, because it is extremely rare if I can ever identify with these other photographers! I've read that you should hold yourself in the manner of the client you would like to attract, and I am so happy to report that all of my clients are awesome. They're understanding, laid back, friendly, and always seem to value what I'm worth and the service I am providing. Rock on.

I am thankful for Lens Pro to Go.
When I shot one of my first weddings after moving to Virginia, I knew I couldn't get by on one lens. Can you believe I shot my entire first wedding with only my 50mm? I looked all over the internetz for Lens Rental companies and decided to go with Lens Pro, and haven't looked back. They're so friendly, personable and you can tell they're not automated robots running everything. Need a lens? They're your folk. Without the ability to rent lenses, I'm pretty sure I'd be broke from buying everything my little heart desires.

I am thankful for my parents. 
As a working mom, each time I head out to a session I require someone to watch my kids. I am so grateful to live just a few miles from my parents (and my sister) who help me out week after week by watching my kids when needed. I don't think I could do this job without them. The amount of mom guilt I think I would feel leaving them with "strangers" day after day would eat me up over time. I can head out to a shoot knowing they're with family and feel okay about it. They are always willing and always shame me when I contemplate getting a babysitter to give them a break. Without their help, Kelli Brewer Photography would most likely shut it's doors. I don't technically have doors, but you get the idea.

I am thankful for my husband.
Adam, the Mr. to my Brewer, has always been incredibly supportive. He always encourages me and pays me compliments, not because I'm down on myself, but because he generally believes in me. He lets me "do my thing" and never complains. Well, most of the time.

I am thankful for "What Should We Call Wedding Photography". 
I found my way onto this blog about a year ago. Whenever I need a break from editing, I head here. Only photographers will truly appreciate just how hilarious it is and I love that each post references pop culture favorites. I find myself laughing out loud - literally and loudly - every time I visit. One such gem:

I am thankful for my inability to be in two places at once...
...because if I could, I wouldn't have had a need for a second shooter, and I would have never met Chance Hammock. Online friends for months before we finally met, it was shooting the biggest wedding I had to date that required some help. He was the only photographer I had a decent relationship with in my short time back in the area, so he was where I went for help. If it weren't for that wedding or that business, I would have made a connection with him or his wife, who I count as some of my very best friends.

I am thankful for having a degree in Graphic Design.
Being a graphic designer has saved me a lot of mulah over the years. Just one other thing I have total control of in my business! Designing forms, logos, print and press items - that's my idea of a good time.

I am thankful for Hulu, Netflix... and my sister's Xfinity package. 

Outside of being on location and shooting, all of my work takes place at the computer. I spend a lot of hours editing mostly, but also updating the blog (*waves*), keeping up with social media, working on galleries and your orders, etc. It can get really boring and repetative, which is why I have two monitors - one for work, and one for play. I watch a lot of online TV and movies as a result and I am always on the hunt for new shows and things to watch. Thanks to these marvelous modern innovations - and my sister's premium channel subscription - I never seem to run out of things to help keep me busy!

I am thankful for you.

Yes, you. Whoever it is that's reading this. Over the past few weeks I have gotten more emails than in the entire few years my blog went live. Emails of your support, describing the obscene amounts of time you've spent on my blog and the things that you've learned. These messages make my day, as they usually come right when I need them. During dinner prep when two kids need my attention at the EXACT SAME TIME... As a photographer just starting out, these behind the scenes posts or the tutorials I try to post were invaluable. I want to be open to help others that were like me, and I love sharing and answering questions that I can. I'm so grateful anyone bothers to read these posts outside of just looking at my work, and for that I am incredibly grateful. 

Katie & Ryan - Manassas, VA Photographer

A few weeks ago I posted the below photo as a teaser on my Facebook page, explaining there was story behind it. When initially getting to know Katie and Ryan, I asked how they met, how he proposed, etc. Katie described it like this: "On our 4 year anniversary he set the lock screen on his phone as a picture of the ring and when I went to use [his phone], I saw [the picture of the ring] and then he proposed!" I knew immediately when we scheduled our session I wanted to capture their special story and moment!

I am so excited to spend this weekend with this awesome couple - we had such a blast at our session! I can't wait to see how the wedding day unfolds and all the awesome things that await us. I mean, cake AND cinnamon rolls? Come on, this is gonna be one heck of a party!

Styling Your Session - Woodbridge, Virginia Photographer

I originally put together a "how to dress for your session" blog post months ago. I didn't realize that I'd never posted it, but I'm glad I didn't. Looking it over I realized TOO MANY WORDS. As a photographer, I'm obviously a visual person. Getting wordy for the sake of getting wordy is not my style. So, less words, more visuals!

I figured the best way to help you put together your session outfits was to take a look at past clients and learn why their clothes are working for them:

Here are a few things this family can teach you about dressing for your session:

• Don't be afraid to mix prints!

• Pick a color and use multiple shades of that color to coordinate

• Khakis and jeans work great on the bottom when working with your "color" up top - don't be afraid to mix jeans and khakis in the family!

• If you want to wear white, keep the pops of white small - white and the camera don't always get along. The white pop of her collar and stripes are just enough!

• Use items you already own - see that brunette gal on the left? Her dress was a few years old, but it worked perfect for the session! It's so much easier to accessorize with color to tie people in or buy smaller pieces instead of whole new outfits. Cheaper too!

Here are a few things this family can teach you about dressing for your session:

• Again, don't be afraid to mix prints! Here we have polka dots, and two types of plaid. 

• Be mindful of the size of stripes and prints - notice the mosaic effect on the climbing boy above? The smaller the print, the more obvious that will be and unfortunately there isn't much photoshop can do to save it. Sometimes it shows up in the picture, sometimes it doesn't. 

• Don't be afraid of texture! I love the sequins in the sweet girl on the left. Texture - whether it's rouching, sequins, sweaters, ribbons, flower appliques - can add a real pop to your outfit! 

• Notice the different shades of blue and tying Mom in with the little man by pulling out that small hint of green on his shirt. Her large palette of color really makes him pop! 

• All but two things from this photo were already in their closets!

Here are a few things this couple can teach you about dressing for your session:

• Nothing pops in photos quite like red - I LOVE IT. Jewel tones, like fuchsia, turquoise and mustard colors also add gorgeous pops of color.

• Don't forget about accessories! Belts, scarves, bracelets, hair bows, and other small details can really help pull in colors from your palette.

• Finding a color and working off those shades really makes shopping easier - notice the navy and sky blue pairing?

• Choose the pickiest person's outfit first - for our family, that's me. I want to be confident, so I have to love what I'm wearing. This might be the same for you, or you may want to work off a toddler who has an aversion to textures or tight clothing. You don't want to put together a wardrobe only to have the most sensitive member of the session hate it, causing you to have to start from scratch.

POLYVORE IS YOUR FRIEND, BEST IN FACT

Have you ever heard of Polyvore? Well, maybe you haven't, but have you ever seen images like the above all over Pinterest? I can almost guarentee those images come from Polyvore, which is a shopping website that allows you to create "boards" of fashion, acting like floorplans and color swatches that an interior designer would create for you.

You can create a board searching all your favorite sites - Kohls, Old Navy, Target, etc. You can place items next to each other and see how everything works together as a whole... from the comfort of your home. Without spending a fortune and having to take things back later.


So, summarize:

Happy shopping! If you ever need help coordinating your outfits, I am always happy to play stylist! =)

The Lundwall Family - Northern Virginia Photographer

Remember that business trip I can't shut up about? Well, this is it! A few weeks ago the Lundwall family blessed me with a milestone - being flown out to shoot a session with a client. All expenses paid, upgraded seating (heck, I didn't even have to pay to check a bag or for my soda - that's like first class in this economy!), lodging and car for my stay. 

Immediately when I realized this dream was becoming a reality, we got planning. Ashli and her family have a long history of professional photos but they'd not yet done anything formal. And honestly - neither had I. Dressy casual is usually the best fit for most clients. As you can see, Ashli has a finesse when it comes to dressing her and her family. I just loved how everything worked together and how the formal clothes elevated the session. 

As for location, when I knew I would be shooting in Utah, this orchard is where I wanted to shoot. For years I have melted over sessions I have seen shot here. As you scroll through their session, I think it will be clear why this gorgeous location was my first choice! 

Lundwall family, thank you so, so, so very much for taking a chance on this photographer. I hope I was worth the trip!

My After Session Workflow

Originally this post started out as part 2 of my "Organizing Your Photos" series. As I started to put together the post in my head, I realized it was becoming (and could double) as more of a "what happens after your session workflow" post. So, if you're wondered what happens to your images following a session - at least here at Kelli Brewer Photography - here we go =)

1. Enjoy an awesome session with an awesome photographer (I think so anyway)

Just recently I detailed what a session is like for me - what order I try to shoot in, how I keep kids happy and basically a rough view of how I like to spend my hour or two with you. Yup, I jump like a fool, contort in crazy positions, and try to make your kids my best friend in the first 10 minutes they meet me. After the session, your work is done.

The waiting begins.

2. Create a folder for the Client

I have a drive where I keep all my clients images. Everyone is organized by their session type (Family, Newborn, Event, Portraits, Wedding) followed by their name. A lot of other photographers often organize by date, which I would personally find really confusing. I identify all my clients by name, and that's the easiest way for me to find them. For multiple sessions by the same client, I simply add the year to their session name or month if they're super awesome frequent clients.

So, let say Marge Simpson emails me about requesting a file. I remember she had a newborn session, immediately scroll down to my newborns and find Newborn - Simpson, Bart and I'm good to go.

3. Upload all the Files

After the session, I immediately come home and download all of the files to my computer. I am absolutely paranoid something will happen to them (and by something I mean my 3 and 1 year olds) if I let them sit on the cards in my camera too long.

I create two folders - Roughs and Finals. All of the files from your session are uploaded into the Roughs folder. I shoot in RAW + JPG, so there are ultimately two copies of your photos.

4. I slice and dice your Files

It's time to look at the files and decide which ones are keepers and which ones are banished to the trash. You're thinking, "what! the trash!" but not every picture I take is a keeper for various reasons. Your husband blinked. I was adjusting the exposure. Aunt Mary wasn't looking. Many reasons. In fact, I've covered at length what happens to your session files and how I decide which images to keep and which ones I toss. This process takes me a few days because I like to kind of let things "marinate".

Now, are the images gone forever? No. Remember how I said I essentially have 2 copies of your photos? When I'm deleting, I'm deleting the JPG files. The RAW file is still there in case I need it when I'm presenting your gallery. But remember - there's a reason it was deleted.

Just ask Beyonce:

5. Edit, Edit, and Edit Some More

Once I've narrowed down all the session images to those I will present to the client, I begin working my magic. This is my favorite part. After the kids are in bed, I am so excited to get to my computer and begin working. My idea of an awesome Friday night is sitting at my computer, Photoshop on one monitor with Netflix or a movie on the other, a coke on the rocks and Facebook when I need a break. I love making the most out of my images.

Take a look at this before the after (hover over the image - may not work on mobile devices)



*During my busy season, it's important to make the most of my time. Once I've culled all the files, sometimes clients are invited to look at the unfinished files and select only the images they intend to order, which will then be edited. However I choose to present the files to the client, they each see the same number of files.

6. Upload - Part Deux

Once all of the best images are edited, it's time to get them ready for the client. All of the images are uploaded to a private gallery, using Zenfolio. It's hands down my favorite gallery software. I have customized it like a boss, and I love it!

From there, I can breathe a sigh of relief. The images have been delivered to the clients and for the most part, my work is done. All of the products I have available to my clients can be purchased from their galleries. Everything is done online so my clients can purchase on their own schedule and browse their gallery without feeling rushed. Prints are automatically fulfilled by a professional lab and in the chance I have to fill an order, an invoice comes in and I'm pushing out orders right and left.

I don't offer packages (everything is a la carte) because I don't want people to buy product they don't need just to fill a package. I also don't require a minimum purchase - again, I want clients to buy what they need and what they love. I don't see the sale number as a reflection of how happy a client was with my work or the experience I provided. Everyone's budget is different.

So there you have it. A behind the scenes look at what you don't see after your session. Did I spoil the magic??