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.

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge: Back To School

I wasn't a winner last time but that won't discourage me, I am back with another entry in another I Heart Faces photography contest!  This week's theme is "back to school" and I couldn't wait to post a pick of my own little Cobybear headed to his first day of pre-school.  I Can't wait to see the other entries and to find out who will be the winners!

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge: Beautiful Eyes

Thanks to a fellow photographer, I just learned about this great contest from I heart faces.  This is my entry into the contest which is focused on "beautiful eyes," and I think this girl has a stunning pair!  I can't wait to enter many more of their weekly contests and if you are into photography, you should too!

Sneak Peek: Edwards' Reception: Houston, Texas

I feel blessed once again, to have been asked to photograph another couple in love!  This gorgeous bride is someone whom I have known since elementary school and through the power of Facebook, we re-united once again.  It was obvious Erin and Michael were such a happy couple, as their faces couldn't hide their love for one another throughout the evening.  The wedding reception took place at 7 Riverway at the beautiful Omni Hotel.  Everything about the evening was very reflective of all the Galleria area has to offer.  Several weeks before, the couple had said their "I do's," in the tropical state of Hawaii....a destination wedding I would loved to have photographed....ahhh a girl can dream!

Sneak Peek: Dalton & Balderas: Bridal Portraits

Following the wedding ceremony, we loaded up and made a trip down to Galveston, Texas to photograph the bridal portraits for the new Mr. and Mrs. Dalton.  We had a blast and found some very cool places for this urban themed shoot.  Galveston never ceases to amaze me with its variety of locations available to the portrait photographer. 

Sneak Peek: Dalton & Balderas: The Wedding Ceremony

This past week, I had the pleasure of photographing Stephen and Xochitl's wedding at St. James Catholic church in Spring, Texas.  I have known Xochitl since we were kids and after meeting Steve, I couldn't think of a nicer couple and I really enjoyed the time we spent together.  I hope to photograph more of their sweet family in the very near future.  The challenges of photographing a wedding are many, but with a bride and groom like these two, it couldn't have gone better.  I learned a lot and feel I made a small splash in the world of wedding photography and hope to do it again soon!

Kemah, Texas: The Boardwalk

Being that this weekend is the upcoming Kemah Crawfish Festival, I thought I would post about the city and share some of my favorite pictures I have taken there.  Although, not as big as the crawfish festival in my hometown of Spring, it is still a fun time to be had by all.  This is a project where I stepped out of the box and wanted to work on long exposures using the tripod.  So I thought, what better objects to capture at night with long exposure than moving and whimsical carnival rides?  I think I could do it better now, with the knowledge and growth I have achieved in my photography, but I was still quite proud of the results that I achieved.  If you are looking for a new adventure in your photographic journey, doing long exposure photography on the boardwalk is a great place to start.
     I will absolutely be back! Be prepared though, people get both weird and curious about your camera on a tripod!  They will either think you are working for the park and taking pics for advertising, are a journalist, or they might even come up to you in a sketchy sort of way and ask "Did you photograph me? I didn't want to be photographed." That is the reaction one, somewhat off-putting guy who looked as though he could have been a member of the group Nirvana, said to me. Most people however, will love to strike up a conversation with you!  So go out, have a good time at the festival this weekend and remember to bring your camera and capture the sights and colors of the boardwalk.

League City: Bluebonnet Mini-Session: Children

I was so glad the month of April was finally here to do some stunning bluebonnet sessions.  I had been given a tip and also read on another blog that there was a great field of the official flower of Texas right here in League City.  Unfortunately, the bluebonnets were not in their prime and probably due to the heat and lack of rain, they were starting to disappear.  The evidence of people who had come before us was still very visible in the flattened mounds of the flowers.  This made me sad and we tried to leave as little impression among the blooms as possible while we were there.  There's nothing more unfortunate than getting to a site and realizing people were not as considerate as they could have been with the fragile flower and thinking about the people who would come after them to photograph the same scenery.  I feel blessed to have even gotten these great pics I post now. I hope to see many more in my area next year, but if there aren't, I'm sure I will be making a trip out to Brenham.

Sneak Peek: Jessica, Hunter & Erin

I always love the chance to get out of town and have a fresh location to photograph in.  This session took place in Lufkin, Texas and is with my dear family members, Jessica, Hunter, & Erin.  I hope to photograph them again soon and take advantage of more historical scenery which the rural area of East Texas has to offer.

Sneak Peek: Casen

I had the pleasure of photographing a long time friend's son, Casen this past week at Mercer Arboretum.  This is a great place in my hometown of Spring, Tx. I can hardly wait to get back over there and take more pics!

San Jacinto Monument

Need more places to photograph?  The San Jacinto Monument and Texas Battleship are great places for photography.  Don't think you need a fancy lens either to get great shots.  All of these were taken with a "kit" lens, 18-55mm.  All you need is a good eye for composition and a beautiful sky as your backdrop.  This is a great place to take kids or take an out of town family member who has a strong interest in history.  The site is amazing and I highly suggest you pay to see the movie shown within the walls of the monument, which gives you detailed information about the battle of San Jacinto.  There is a wonderful observation deck at the top of the monument which allows you to see the battleship.  Explore, photograph, tour and learn about Texas history and the men and women who lost their lives protecting this state.

Film...A dying art?

Although film is still very much alive in the world of fine art, it is a fact it is becoming more and more scarce.  In 2007, I opted to take a photography class where I could learn film photography and developing in the dark room.  We had a choice between digital or film and I jumped at the chance to do film since I hadn't done it in high school.  There has been nothing more educational with regards to learning proper exposure, dodging, burning and how to develop for printing processes.  I can testify to the fact that the availability of film has become dramatically limited in the last couple of years.  By the time I was finishing up my semester, I had already had to switch to buying the black and white from another store 3 hours away or online as my previous vendor could no longer guarantee their supply.  If you ever have the chance to take film photography, DO IT! Spending hours in the darkroom was both fun and relaxing and schools have become just about the only place you can have access to one.

Sneak Peek: Jordyn: Aka: "Baby J"

I had such a good time photographing Jordyn this morning, her mommy Stephanie is one lucky girl to have such a cooperative baby. Jordyn is a gorgeous girl and I hope these photos do her justice.  I can't wait to photograph her again when she is ready to sit up for us.

Galveston, Texas

Before I began photographing people on a regular basis, I photographed the world around me.  I always picture that this is how most photographers start out.  When you first begin, you start thinking there is nothing interesting to photograph where you live. But after you learn to view the world as the camera views it...you realize there are beautiful images waiting to be captured everywhere!

Galveston is a wonderful place for capturing anything from nature to architecture, to people and everything in between.  Even your next ferry trip can be a photographic adventure as was mine on this day.  Take a drive to parts of Galveston you haven't been before.  For me, it was Bolivar Peninsula, a place ravaged by hurricane Ike.  However, this lighthouse has stood the test of time and managed to make it through several huge hurricanes.  I hope you enjoy these as much as I enjoyed taking them.