Contact Amy at amy@speedoflifephotos.comor (618)628-3201 for more information about Maternity and Newborn Sessions or to schedule yours today.

Learn more about Speed of Life Photography’s Maternity and Newborn portrait sessions

See more of Speed of Life Photography’s Maternity and Newborn Portraits

O’Fallon IL,  Belleville IL Professional Photographer

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V Family – thank you so much for choosing me to photograph your family again!

Contact Amy at amy@speedoflifephotos.comor (618)628-3201 for more information about Child and Family Sessions or to schedule yours today.

Learn more about Speed of Life Photography’s child and family portrait sessions

See more of Speed of Life Photography’s family Portraits

O’Fallon IL,  Belleville IL Professional Photographer

Join us on Facebook for updates about our Portrait Sessions

Connect with Speed of Life Photography on Google+

After I complete a Signature Portrait Session with a client I schedule an in-person Ordering Appointment. This meeting usually takes place a week or so after our session. I believe it is important for my clients to get to see their images for a bit before we sit down together. I post an online gallery a day in advance which gives my clients a chance to look through their session gallery with their family.

I know that it can be completely overwhelming to go through 30 images and decide what to do with them:

What should go on the wall?

Should we get an album?

Which ones would Grandma like best?

To help my clients go through this process, I create some wall display ideas and collage ideas and put those in the online gallery. Here are a couple of popular display ideas.

This 20×20 collage idea gives clients an idea of what is possible with their images.

When my clients and I sit down for our actual appointment we spend some time reviewing the images to pick out their favorites. I walk around their home with them to help measure and decide what size images will work best in a specific location. I bring along different sizes and samples of prints, canvases, and float mounts so we can really see how a 20×24 will work above the fireplace. I also bring along frame corners and albums. It is so much easier to decide on what products will work best for your family when you can really see and touch them.

I have created my Ordering Appointment experience to be one that I would enjoy as a client. I help my clients select products that work best with their budget and their home decor. I do not create a high-pressure sales situation. Many of my clients order at this appointment, but others prefer to wait a day or so. I leave the online gallery up for one week and am happy to give my clients this time to decide what images and products they want to showcase their beautiful images.

Ready to schedule a Signature Session complete with In-Person Consultation for your family? Contact Amy at amy@speedoflifephotos.com or (618)628-3201

View Amy’s favorite portrait session images

Learn more about a photography session with Speed of Life Photography

Contact Amy at amy@speedoflifephotos.comor (618)628-3201 for more information about Maternity and Newborn Sessions or to schedule yours today.

Learn more about Speed of Life Photography’s Maternity and Newborn portrait sessions

See more of Speed of Life Photography’s Maternity and Newborn Portraits

O’Fallon IL,  Belleville IL Professional Photographer

Join us on Facebook for updates about our Portrait Sessions

Connect with Speed of Life Photography on Google+

I have always thought it was important to help my clients prepare for their session. For many years I had a phone conversation about a week before the session to check in and make sure that I answered any questions they had. I usually reviewed clothing options and their expectations. However, while I felt the phone call was adequate, it was just not quite enough to truly help me and my clients prepare for their session. Last year I began offering an In-Person Consultation and I am just thrilled with the outcome. These consultations are included in your session fee and make your experience with Speed of Life Photography even better.

Today, when you schedule a Signature Session with me, I make two appointments with you. The first is for a brief, In-Person Consultation and the second is for our session itself. The consultation usually occurs in your home. This gives me a chance to see your decor and the way you currently decorate with photographs. We will spend some time talking about what you plan to do with the portraits from our session. We will also review clothing and what to expect for the session and beyond. You will also get a chance to see some of my products, including my gorgeous session albums. They are the perfect way to show off your beautiful images to your family and friends.

This meeting also gives us a chance to sit down and chat. My goal for our session is to create genuine images of your family interacting with each other. I want to know what makes you laugh and what do you enjoy most about each other. I feel the relationship that we have as photographer and client is vital to creating portraits you will adore. I want the outcome of our session to be beautiful images that you will cherish for years as well as a fabulous experience that will bring back fond memories.

Ready to schedule a Signature Session and In-Person Consultation for your family? Contact Amy at amy@speedoflifephotos.com or (618)628-3201

Since it is no fun to post without an image, here is a little taste of what is going on outside my door today.

View Amy’s favorite portrait session images

Learn more about a photography session with Speed of Life Photography

Style

The photographer’s style should match your personal style. If your style is traditional, a photographer that uses classic backdrops and poses may be your best choice. However, if you’re laid-back and casual, look for a photographer who captures relaxed and natural poses.

Don’t stop at the photographer’s images! Read through her website and give her a call. A strong rapport with a photographer can really make the difference between a good session and a great one.

Reputation

Hiring a photographer is a lot like hiring a roofer. You want a professional with a reputable business, satisfied customers, and the equipment, skills, and knowledge to get the job done right.

Look at her online reviews and her Facebook page to see if she has satisfied clients. Also, take a look at her website address. If it includes “wordpress” or “wix”, it is a free website which means she may not be taking her business as seriously as you might like. A photographer who has created a registered business, pays taxes, and has insurance, will take that same careful planning and apply it to working with you.

Price List

Before you review her price list, think about how much work YOU want to do before, and after the photo session. Do you want to:

• Research clothing ideas, or have her guide you towards choosing the perfect outfits?
• Figure out what to do with your prints on your own, or have her design a display of your images that are framed and ready to hang on the wall?

Don’t just look at the price of an 8×10. Instead examine her packages and services, and compare them with your needs and wants.

Finally, decide if you want the image files. Your first reaction may be, “Yes!”, but consider what you will do with them. Do you want a disk with hundreds of images, just your favorites to share online, or would you prefer the photographer make the prints for you.

Let’s Review

Choosing a photographer is a personal decision that should be based on your family’s needs and wants. Look for someone who has a photographic style that compliments your own style, has the knowledge and skills to create great images, and meets the needs of your family budget while still giving you a fabulous product. If you research your options, you will likely have a much better experience. Family portraits should bring you joy right now and be a lasting legacy for future generations.

Ready to schedule a session for your family? Contact Amy at amy@speedoflifephotos.com or (618)628-3201

View Amy’s favorite portrait session images

Learn more about a photography session with Speed of Life Photography

$35 at the door.

Learn how to get the most out of your DSLR and use the Manual Mode. Amy will explain ISO, shutter speed, and aperture and walk you through the steps of how to properly expose an image. Bring your camera.

Please RSVP here or by emailing Amy.

Follow Speed of Life Photography on Facebook to find out about all of our upcoming classes.

Learn more about a photography session with Speed of Life Photography.

$35 at the door.

Whether you have a Point & Shoot or a DSLR this class will help you take better photographs. Amy will review some of the settings on your camera, talk about using light properly, and discuss using creative composition. She will also review how to fix common photo problems.

Please RSVP here or by emailing Amy.

Follow Speed of Life Photography on Facebook to find out about all of our upcoming classes.

Learn more about a photography session with Speed of Life Photography.

$35 at the door

Amy will lead a group discussion providing constructive criticism and critique on your images. Bring up to 4 images to share with the group on a flash drive. Each member of the workshop will have the opportunity to share their images and offer opinions and suggestions to other attendees. You are welcome to remain anonymous when we discuss your images. This is a great opportunity to discuss images with other photo enthusiasts. Professional and amateur photographers are welcome.

Please RSVP here or by emailing Amy.

Follow Speed of Life Photography on Facebook to find out about all of our upcoming classes.

Learn more about a photography session with Speed of Life Photography.