Saturday, November 29, 2008

My Nephew

He's back!!! This little guy has been missing from my blog for quite some time, and to no fault of my own. My nephew, Zach, has had it with Aunt Suzie and her camera and has not let me photograph him in forever. But he's actually starting to come around again and let me take some photos of him. He's gotten SO big, hasn't he??! We managed to get in a few holiday photos in front of the giant tree at Uptown Altamonte.










Friday, November 28, 2008

Elizabeth & the Twins

I might actually get caught up on all my blogging by the end of the year! Here's another holiday mini-session with gorgeous siblings! I have been blessed with lots of twins lately and how cute are these two?!?! I just love photographing them and watching them interact, its the cutest thing. Thank you to your mom and dad for letting me spend some time with you and capturing a few moments with you! Here are just a few of my favorites:





I just love the golden afternoon light




I've got bubbles and I'm making my get away!!

Dale & Tammy + Five

I am convinced that I have the MOST gorgeous clients! This is another example of a beautiful family that I was honored to photograph recently. They braved a chilly Florida morning for me and were an absolute joy to work with. Thank you Dale and Tammy for allowing me the honor to photograph your gorgeous family!








Sunday, November 23, 2008

Miss Olivia

I was truly honored to finally get to photograph this gorgeous little girl. Her mommy, Daisy, is someone who I am proud to call a friend and is also the owner of the fabulous boutique in Winter Garden, Daisy's Children's Boutique & Toy Store. After my first meeting with Daisy at her boutique, I have been dying to photograph her little girl. Seriously, how incredibly CUTE is she?! Thank you Daisy for being the amazing lady that you are and I can't thank you enough for letting me spend a little time with Miss Olivia and capture a few moments with her.



I just love this! Nothing as pure as a child's laughter and happy smile.





Tryce

I had the pleasure of photographing Tryce yesterday and I literally could not put my camera down! I could have taken photos of him all day! Such expression, such a cutie! How freaking adorable is he??!? It was a perfect morning, nice and cool for a Florida day, great for holiday photos! Here are a few of my instant favorites! Too many to choose from! Thank you to Tryce and his awesome Mom for doing such a great job for me! And thank you to Daisy of Daisy's Children's Boutique & Toy Store for the holiday mini-session day!



This one just melts my heart! Someone was getting tired; its hard work being so cute for the camera :)






And this just cracks me up! "I think I just saw a rabbit on a leash"

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Booking for 2009!

I am now accepting portrait session appointments for 2009. I am completely booked for the remainder of 2008 and will not be booking any new sessions for the rest of this year and/or holiday season. If you would like to be placed on my cancellation list, just let me know by sending me an email to suzie@suzieseagraves.com. Thanks bunches!

Monday, November 17, 2008

The Cost of Custom Photography

I recently found this great article by Children's Photographer, Marianne Drenthe/Marmalade Photography. She discusses why custom photography costs so much, compared to the chain mall studios (which I will not name since we all know who they are). Marianne discusses why it costs more to hire a professional photographer to come to you versus going to one of the chain studios. Here is some of her wonderful article, which I couldn't agree to more:

"Even though you pay $1.99 for a print at your local drugstore and paying for film is pretty much a thing of the past (although you still pay for memory) you may be wondering why you may pay upwards of $40, 50, 70, 90 for a custom photography print. Some photographers hear this statement every once in awhile: "How in the world does a photographer charge $60 for an 8×10 when they cost just under $2 at the drug store?"

The answer is multifaceted and has a lot to do with the time, equipment costs, artistic vision and reputation of the photographer, expertise and the usual costs of running a legitimate business.

TIME of the CUSTOM PHOTOGRAPHER:

Approaching it from a time standpoint, for instance let’s imagine if you will that you have hired a photographer who has work that you love and that is traveling an hour to your on location session. Time breakdown:

  • session prep time (30 mins - 1 hour, includes equipment and back-up equipment checks + vehicle checks)
  • one hour travel time TO session
  • 15-30 minutes prep time at client’s home
  • 90 minutes-2 hours with client photographing subject
  • one hour travel time FROM session
  • 30-45 minutes uploading time from digital cards from camera to computer
  • 30-45 minutes time spent backing up the original images
  • 2-5 hours editing time to present you with a diverse gallery of edited images
  • 1 hour prep time getting ready for ordering
  • 1 hour sorting through and checking order
  • 30 minutes-1 hour prepping order for shipping and getting order shipped
  • any additional phone time or time needed for add on ordering, shipment issues, quality issues

As you can see, average client time for a session ranges from just under 13 hours to 19 hours dependent on the photographer’s level of service. This is time dedicated only to your session. When the photographer charges $150-$300 for the photo shoot you are not just paying for the two hours of session time, you are paying the photographer for 12-19 hours complete time for your session.

COSTS of the CUSTOM PHOTOGRAPHER:

Regarding equipment costs, a good quality professional camera with a selection of good optical quality lenses and digital storage mediums and computer set up can run from $10,000-$30,000 costs dependent on the photographer. Even though you can purchase a really good quality digital SLR for about $2100, there are still other costs related to photography. A good lens for portrait photography can run up $900 to $2500. A dependable computer system with software loaded for business and creative usage can run $2500 to $8000, dependent on the photographer.

Then come lab costs for specialty products. A good photographer knows the lab is integral to their success. Photography labs dedicated to the professional photographer often cost more and offer a range of products that allows the custom photographer to continually offer new, innovative products for you, the discerning client.

Discussing other costs of running a photography business could take awhile so we’ll skip the intricate details. There is of course much more: including costs of running the business, taxes, studio rental/mortgage if the photographer has ownership of a dedicated studio, vehicular costs, costs of advertising/marketing, costs of sample pieces that the photographer will likely bring to your session, etc.

APPLES to ORANGES:

Often times clients will mention to their photographer that X studio in the mall/department store only charges $25 for an 8×10 or they may mention other things related to discount photography chains. The fact is those discount chains make their money on volume, not on customized 1:1 service. Did you know that in February 2007 a rather well known discount department store that started in Arkansas closed down 500 of their portrait studios across the nation? The reason is simple, you cannot make money on 99¢ "professional" prints if you do not sell enough of them. Interestingly enough those same studios that offer the loss leader packages often charge much much more for their a la carte pricing (as high as $40-50 for an 8×10). The reason the big department stores began offering portrait studios in the first place is to get you in their door so that you could spend more money with them in their other departments, the true "loss leader".

Going to a chain studio, as a consumer, you don’t have the benefit of 1:1 attention for 2 hours at your home where your child is allowed to explore, play and be comfortable in their home environment, nor do you get the experience that many custom photographers are known for or the lovely captures of natural expressions. You simply get a bare bones, "SAY CHEESE" experience. Keep this in mind when selecting a photographer.

I hope this (lengthy) article helps shed some light on WHY a custom photographer is a better choice for your family’s memories. The photographs that are produced as a result of the professionalism and dedication that your photographer has will be cherished for a lifetime (or more) and great thought and consideration should be placed into hiring who is right for your family’s most precious "investment." Chain mall studios may be cheaper in these hard economic times, but in the long run... you ultimately get what you pay for.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

In Print

A few weeks ago, a local attorney asked me to photograph him for an upcoming article the Florida State College of Law was writing on him. Tom Cloud is a Shareholder at the law firm of GrayRobinson here in Orlando. The FSU College of Law Magazine just came out and here is the article featuring my photo!


Friday, November 14, 2008

Olivia

I was honored to photograph Miss Olivia back in June for her first birthday and got to see her again last weekend for holiday photos. I can't believe how much she has grown! What a beautiful family they are! And how cute is she in her holiday dress?!?! Luv her!! Here's a quick sneak peak!





Thursday, November 13, 2008

Emma, Zoey & Luke

Wow, busy holiday photo season = no time for blogging! These past few weeks have been crazy, nonstop with very little eating or sleeping! I wanted to get up a preview of two of my favorite clients, Emma & Zoey. This is the 3rd time I have photographed them and they keep getting cuter and cuter! I could photograph these girls all day because they are so freaking adorable! Like a few of my other clients, Emma & Zoey now have a little brother since the last time I photographed them....Baby Luke!! We had a blast playing in the huge weeping willow tree, as you can see below! Here's a sneak peak.

Zoey peeking at me thru the willow tree branches


Emma peeking at me thru the willow tree branches






This reminds me of a Gap or JCrew ad


Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Watson and Pierce

I truly love what I do and getting the opportunity to meet such amazing people and beautiful children! I am so blessed for amazing Clients. I was honored this past weekend to photograph Watson and Pierce and their gorgeous parents for the first time. Pierce was my first "hat baby"! I was so excited and how cute is he??! Big brother Watson fed the ducks and had a blast! I just love the light right before sunset, this is my favorite time of day to photograph. Thank you for the privilege of photographing your family and getting to meet your adorable children. Here's a sneak peak!








Pain Solutions Magazine

I am thrilled to announcement my involvement with a brand new magazine, Pain Solutions. One of my awesome Clients has started this new magazine that is going to be centered around pain management and alternative solutions. I have been brought on as Senior Photographer and I am SO excited to be a part of this new venture. They are hoping to have their debut issue out in May '09, but I will keep you updated. You will be able to find it in physician offices nationwide, as well as Borders, Barnes & Noble, etc. My first assignment was headshots of all the Team Members, which was a pretty easy one given that they are all gorgeous!



Monday, November 10, 2008

Jackson, Lilly & Patrick

I was honored to photograph one of my favorite families again for the holidays and since last year, they have a new addition! Baby Patrick just started sitting up on his own and is so incredibly adorable, I can't stand it! Jackson and Lilly have grown so much in this past year. I can't even believe it's been a year and we're doing holiday photos again. But here's a sneak peak of this gorgeous family!






Friday, November 7, 2008

Sara Cate

The holiday sessions are in full swing and things are crazy busy! I love holiday sessions because I get to see little ones I had photographed the previous year and how much they've grown, plus I get to meet a lot of new little ones.. like Sara Cate. Oh my gosh, how cute is she?!?! Her dress and shoes were to die for! I photographed Sara Cate and her gorgeous parents for the first time and she was a little under the weather but you would have never known it. She did great and I think I wasn't the only who one who had a blast! Here is a quick sneak peak. Thank you so much for allowing me to photograph your beautiful family!










Sunday, November 2, 2008

Madison & Mackenzie

I got to photograph two of my favorite little girls on the planet again, Madison & Mackenzie! I've been photographing Mackenzie since she was born, and her big sister Madison forever. They have both grown SO much since I last saw them. I didn't think it was possible for these two to get any cuter but they have proved me wrong! How adorable are they??! I love getting to watch them grow up thru my photos. Here's a sneak peak.



Mackenzie before


Mackenzie after! Too cute!

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