The Business Side of Things

    Whew! Well, it has taken awhile for me to get here, but I am happy to share a glimpse into my growing business.  The arrival of more of my marketing materials and boutique style packaging has me super excited and ready to tackle the rest of the year.  I still have a few more documents to get printed, but I know what I have is a great start.  In the beginning you expect to have everything fall into place but you quickly find out there is a lot to branding. To tell you the truth, making decisions for me, always seems to be the hardest.  With so many options and styles available these days, it is hard to stick to just one thing.  It is very important to understand that even though the latest and greatest will be coming out next month, you need to know when to settle on something and stick with it.  

    Now to the packaging.  It's no secret there are a wealth of companies offering great products to photographers.  I weighed price and quality and decided to go with www.h-bphoto.com for my print boxes and found that a combination of the "pebblestone white" and "lemon drop" yellow went with my branding materials best.  I ordered the "skinny" style and purchased the bulk package in multiple sizes.  After deciding on boxes, I searched for tote bags next.  I finally settled on the Eurostyle bag, size large, from www.h-bphoto.com.  I considered many other distributors for bags, however, I loved the "robins egg blue" they offered and felt it was an affordable price.

    My templates for printing materials for my business came from an www.etsy.com designer.  I could have done them myself, but felt I was crunched for time and energy during a hectic school schedule last semester.  I knew they were cute and something I could live with for a long time without changing.  My ribbon and tissue paper came from Hobby Lobby and I plan to continue buying these types of decorative items from craft stores and will even stock up on more decorative and smaller bags to add to my collection.  Finally, my templates for items such as my 3x3 round sticker, business card, and thank you card printed on luxe card design were purchased through www.millerslab.com.  The quality of this lab speaks for itself and I am always in love with everything I receive through them.  Their turnaround time is amazing, customer service is top notch, and although they can be pricey, I think it is worth it.  

    For fellow photogs, I hope this helps in your own business endeavors and for the present and future clients, I hope you have a better understanding of the care and attention to detail that goes into my services.  

 

 

What to Wear Wednesday

Back with another edition of "What to Wear Wednesday" and this edition includes a lovely spring like ensemble. Many of these looks come from retailers such as Old Navy and Children's Place and are very affordable looks for the entire family.  Simplicity is key and it doesn't take designer digs to generate great looking family photos. 

Why this works?

By keeping with matching denim shades and everyone's hues of pink and blues so similar, you create a coordinating color palette which still expresses each person's individuality. Dad and son don't have to wear pink in order to coordinate with mom and daughter. That is something many males will appreciate!

Layering is also another way to create the appearance of matching without each person having to wear the same thing.  It allows for different looks to be achieved for both your family and photographer.  Take advantage of this effect before our Houston weather makes layering a near impossibility and use it to add variety without having to haul half your wardrobe with you to an outdoor photo shoot.  Your family and photographer will thank you for your efficient use of clothing, time, and effort in making your shoot go off without a hitch!

With the upcoming Easter holiday, use it as a chance to try out your own coordinating ensembles and make your average family photo look even better this year.

Stay tuned for the next edition of "What to Wear Wednesday!"

Have any comments, suggestions, questions or ideas for the blog? Let me know!

Sneak Peek: Lowry Family/Maternity: Houston, Texas

I love taking photographs, but what I love more is seeing two people who I have known for many years now, go from being high school sweethearts to creating a beautiful family! James, Krystl, and Aubrey couldn't be more of a pleasure to be around and their laid back style is what I love most about them. Little "rollie" as their soon to be addition is often referred to as, is going to be one lucky baby to have a family like these three!

What to Wear Wednesday

     I am happy to present another edition of "What to Wear Wednesday" with you!  Just like last week, the majority of these looks can be found at oldnavy.com and are all affordable options for outfitting the whole family this winter season.  Many people opt to wear black for their portrait session as it is both slimming and simple, but here is a way to incorporate blacks in your session without using the old standby black shirt and jeans.  
     This color palette consists of black, grey, and white and will appeal to even those that are black wearing purists (guilty as charged!) I have always loved black and literally have to stop myself from filling my closets with black shirt, after black shirt, after black shirt.  If you are like me, then these looks are a must have.

Why this works?

1. Black, white, and grey are a perfect color palette for both color and black and white portraiture.
2. These looks are flattering for mom, dad, and children.
3. These outfits incorporate trendy layering while still keeping the looks streamlined and clean enough for family pictures.
4. And of course, they all coordinate well together and have been kept within the same tonal range.
5. This color palette will go well with almost any type of background or setting your photographer chooses, they will love you for it!

Do not be afraid to implement scarfs and pops of color using shoes that add just a little extra.  These show both your personality and add just enough visual interest to not distract from the real stars of your photos...your family!

Free Session and Print Package Giveaway!!!

Due to some issues with entries for the January 25th contest Kara Rice Photography must announce there are no winners...however, I have increased the giveaway and made it much easier to enter with PunchTab.  This giveaway is completely free and valued at over $200.  I am offering not only a free session but a free print package as well!  This is my most valuable giveaway yet and with my new PunchTab application entering is easier than ever.  This giveaway will run through February 14th at 11pm cst.

What To Wear Wednesday

    Lately, I have realized that my blogging is not up to par with what it could be and needed an intervention.  Looking at sessions is great but I, along with other photographers know that potential clients are looking for more direction than just where to stand when taking their family photos.  This brings me to one of the most common questions I receive, what do we wear?  This simple question can really make or break your photos regardless of the skill level of your photographer.  Clothes can either enhance your best assets or show your worst flaws.  It is however, not just due to your body, but due to the way the camera and photographs translate people and objects.
    This brings me to my newest blog installation of What to Wear Wednesdays!  Because clothes are so important in photography, it gives me great pleasure to shine a spotlight on this area and help clients bring out the best in my sessions with them.  You might have heard in the past about some hard and fast rules with what to wear for your family portrait sessions, or any photography session for that matter.  Times are changing and so are some of the views on these former rules.  Up until recently, clients were told for everyone to be wearing the same bottoms and same tops in order to get the best looking family picture.  This rule is no longer and has become a thing of the past as many people have steered away from the "matchy matchy" look these photos created.  I for one, am glad. 
    Also, certain colors and even patterns were avoided and I believe this was due to certain studio background set-ups.  You know the ones, with the busy, almost neon blurry streaks? Yep, those.  The same ones many school companies used.  I believe backgrounds were so busy that they often clashed with anything other than very simple outfits.  Now that outdoor photography has become so popular, backgrounds have become more natural and simple so as not to distract from the most important aspect of the photograph...YOU! 
    The set I have presented for this first edition of What to Wear Wednesday is a perfect example of where wardrobes and photography are headed.  Coordinating your color palette is key and sticking with 2, 3, or 4 colors keeps things simple and easy to manage.  Here we have used blues, reds, and whites...not only patriotic, but perfect for upcoming Valentine's Day.  

Here's why this works:

1. No large distracting words or logos (This rule rings as true today as it did 20 years ago.)
2. Reds are the same tone. (I didn't combine orangy reds with burgundy but instead, kept the same shade and tone of red.)
3.  Denim, whether skirt or jeans were all a very close shade. (No acid wash with black jeans!)
4. All are either short or long sleeve. ( I tend to have my clients steer clear of sleeveless clothing.)
5. Each family member coordinates with one another. (The key is to think of each outfit combining to one outfit, all outfits work together to achieve a streamlined look.)


I hope you enjoyed this week's installment of What to Wear Wednesday and I can't wait to be back with some more ideas for your next family portrait session.
    

Terrell/Moffett Wedding: Diboll, Texas

I had the pleasure of photographing one of the sweetest couples recently in the little town of Diboll, Texas.  If you don't know where Diboll, Texas is, chances are you drove right through it on highway 59.  Diboll will always have a place in my heart, as it is where my father grew up and a place where some of my family still reside.  This sleepy, little town is home to the lumberjacks and Temple-Inland and can be found just a few miles south of Lufkin.  Jonathan and Jennifer had a lot of fun that day and their tables at the reception were adorably decorated with all their favorite things. Right now they are in Colorado for their honeymoon...jealous!  I should have stowed away in their luggage because the sites and photo ops are abundant in the Rocky Mountain state.