A Change is Comin'

“Smith Family Photography is a Central Texas based portrait photographer serving Waco, Mart, Groesbeck, Mexia and the surrounding areas. We strive to provide a fun, modern, and creative photography experience while creating wall art that showcases your family.”

— Anna Johnson-Smith of Smith Family Photography

Smith Family Photography has been a business for over 4 years now.  When I decided to open this business I had one vision, which was to provide families with meaningful portraits that would be displayed as pieces of art and treasured for generations.  You can read more about my "why" here.  However, over this past summer I began evaluating my business just as I do every single summer and for some reason, it hit me smack dab in the middle of the forehead!  My goal never changed over the years, BUT I wasn't providing my clients with the experience to meet this goal either.  It was so obvious!  Why didn't I see this in the beginning?

Every single year until now we have had a session fee that was not dependent on the amount of people included in the session.  This will remain the same as it is a big pet peeve of mine when large families are priced higher than small families.  This session fee includes many things, but it mainly covers the expenses associated with the session itself (time, fuel, equipment, etc) and has nothing to do with the actual images.  The images are purchased separately as you like with no minimum requirements.  The session did include a $35 credit to use towards the purchase of your images, which was enough to cover the Basic Print Collection.  This collection included one 8x10, two 5x7s and 8 wallets.  Suddenly, this collection seemed so silly and totally against the original vision for Smith Family Photography!  Where was the wall art??  It certainly wasn't a tiny 8x10 unframed print!

Seriously, if my vision was to provide families with portraits that would be treasured as wall art why was I only giving them an 8x10 and two 5x7 and 8 wallets?!?  Now that I realized I was not providing my clients with what I visioned, I had to find a way to give them something special - something that only I could provide them.  Something that would be so unique and special that it would be treasured for generations to come.  And that something would be a custom hand crafted piece of wall art which would be known as Memories Art Print © by Smith Family Photography.  A certificate of authenticity is also included with each Memories Art Print © by Smith Family Photography.

Memories Art Print © by Smith Family Photography

Each session will now (beginning on sessions booked after September 1, 2018) include one Memories Art Print © by Smith Family Photography rather than a $35 credit.  This new hand crafted piece of wall art can be customized directly through your online gallery with your choice of wood in brown, natural or gray.  

Another way in which I can better meet the needs of my clients is by providing them with complimentary digital images for social media sharing.  These complimentary social media images will accompany any printed product that is purchased as an 11x14 or larger - even if you do not purchase a collection.  This will allow you to share your favorite images with family and friends online via social media without a watermark going across the entire middle of the image.  

We have also simplified our product line and created a tab on our website titled, "Investment," which explains each product, as well as provides prospective clients insight into our different types of sessions:

• Families, Children and Newborns
• Seniors
• Weddings

We now have four collections to choose from, as well as al a carte professional products.

Collections

• Art Print Collection
• Memories Art Print © Collection
• Canvas Collection
• Metal Collection

Al a Carte

• Professional Photographic Prints, lustre and matte
• Art Prints
• Canvas Gallery Wraps
• Vivid Metal Print
• Coffee Table Book
• Custom Pendant

I'm so excited to FINALLY be providing my clients with the experience I originally envisioned!  When I began this business venture I asked myself what types of products I should offer - digital images, prints, canvas wraps, metals, etc.  I chose my product offerings from thinking about what my best friends would like to receive from me since I knew I wanted to treat all of my clients just like I would treat my best friend.  I feel this change truly reflects that.  I'm so excited about this change and I hope all my clients will be as well!  

It's Time for a Transition

I began my photography business for several reasons.  One of which being a particular need that I had as a mother of 6 children.  I needed a professional photographer that could provide my family with professional wall art that did not cost an arm and a leg.  Many photographers charge per person, which is costly for a large family.  I don't really understand this extra charge from a photographer's standpoint.  Our large family isn't eating a meal with you.  We aren't asking for a full 2 hours of your day.  Our session will be the same amount of time as any other session.  So why the extra charge?  For this very reason, my session fee is the same for 1 person as it is for 10 or even more.  

The other reason being I HATED receiving a disc or an email with photographs that were for the most part, unusable in my opinion.  Sure I had 80 images on a disc with a print release, but out of those 80 I could barely find enough to fill the frames on my walls!  I would then upload those few images to a consumer retailer, such as CVS or Shutterfly, only to have those products again not meet my standards.  Those products began fading after a few short months of being on our walls.  The colors looked nothing like they did on my computer screen.  I wanted high quality wall art that would last a lifetime.  

I am constantly striving to find ways to better meet the needs of other families that are like ours - they want high quality wall art without going into debt to do so.  As expenses continue to rise, I am forced to find ways to cut expenses so I don't have to raise the price of the session fee.  During this time, I found a new program that bundled online galleries and custom mobile apps!  I have to admit change is hard, but I am determined to learn a new program to keep the session fee as low as it can possibly be so I can still offer my amazing clients the same great wall art options through an online gallery.  

Perks

• You can view the images in your online gallery as a slideshow with music!

• You can actually see the images on a wall so you know what size would look best!

• You now have the ability to crop your images!

Cons

• It's a new program so I am learning too!  

Click here to check out a sample gallery with in the NEW program!

Here is the way a 16x20 piece of wall art would look on this wall.  

Here is that same image as an 8x10 piece of wall art. 

We are transitioning to this program slowly, but it will be fully switched over by July 27th, 2017.  After this time, any prior custom mobile apps will no longer be available UNLESS you contact me asking for me to put together an app in the new program.    

We can't wait to hear what you think of these exciting changes!  My favorite thing about this new program is the ability to see photographs in various sizes on walls.  You can even send me a photo of a wall in your home and I can upload that for you!  This makes is so easy to ensure that you are investing in the size you truly want to showcase your family in a particular room.

Hard Earned Cash

Most of us work hard for our money.  Most of us need our money to stretch as far as it can possibly go.  However, we all have different priorities as to where we will spend our hard earned cash.  

Let's just take an example from my own family.  One of my kids LIVES for all things XBox!  To this kid, XBox is the very reason he wakes up each day!  He works hours upon hours to get a nice check just so he can spend money on games and gear for the XBox.  No one else in our family understands this.  The XBox is not important to anyone else in this house.  The XBox is his number one priority at this stage in his life.

My oldest son seems to spend all of his hard earned cash on underwear.  My youngest boy prefers to spend his money on anything hunting or fishing related.  My point is this...we all have different priorities.  There's no wrong or right choice.  It's just what's important to you.

I obviously value professional photography and professional wall art.  I am proud of my family and I want to showcase that in my home by hanging their portraits on our walls.  I want guests to visit and walk over to them and look at them.  More importantly, I want products that will last a lifetime.  I want wall art that will be around for generations and generations.  Just think about the old photographs your family has.  Which photographs are still in good condition after 5 years?  10 years?  20 years?  50 years?  I can tell you exactly which ones because my grandmother is a HUGE genealogy fan!  The photographs that last are those printed at professional labs rather than consumer labs.  It has always been that way and it was more than likely always be that way.  

I'm not saying that I ONLY print photographs at professional labs.  All the snapshots on my phone are printed at consumer labs - Shutterfly or Free Prints to be honest.  But all of our professional portraits that I hang on our walls and display as wall art, are printed at a professional lab.  What's the difference you ask?  A lot!  And we as consumers tend to go for the "cheapest" and most convenient option, such as a disc of images (that won't last a lifetime by the way and neither will cheap prints).

Let's think about little things, like an oil change.  When I get an oil change, I go to someone that can do it quickly without breaking the bank.  However, as things become more important to me and my family, I tend to spend some more time and money.  

Let's use tires as an example.  When I was a teenager I had a front tire blowout at a high rate of speed.  The car went off the road and flipped several times, end over end.  I survived thank goodness and my worst injury was a broken femur.  Tires are not something I purchase based on price or convenience.  I choose to go to someone I trust 100% to make sure my tires are going to be as safe as possible for me and my family.  

Let's jump to photography.  Where is that on your list of priorities?  Is the product something you want done as cheaply as possible with the greatest convenience?  Is your idea of family photos showing up at a location with little guidance from the photographer as far as planning outfits, locations, etc, receiving a disc of images, and then going to WalMart of Shutterfly to have them printed?  Or do you expect more from a professional photographer?  I personally expect guidance in planning, answers when needed, with the end result of professional wall art hanging on the walls in my home.  

Often times you get what you pay for.  Photography isn't any different.  

More Than A Picture...It's Wall Art! Part Five: Collections

We are going to continue our discussion about wall art in this blog post.  This is the fifth and final part in our five part series on the topic of wall art for your home or office. 

In the first part, we discussed the reasoning and beliefs behind offering our clients professional quality wall art opposed to pictures.  We then began discussing the first type of wall art that we currently offer - collages. 

In the second part, we discussed the differences between print quality with three local retailers in the Central Texas area and compared those prints to a professional lab's prints.  There really is quite a difference!

In the third part, we discussed the differences between a canvas gallery wrap from a professional lab and a local retailer.  As with prints, there really is quite a difference!

In the fourth part, we discussed a new product that we are offering - metal prints!  These prints are actually printed on aluminum and so vivid that you must see it to believe it!

Part Five:  Collections

We are now offering five collections in our online galleries!  And as always, you can choose a collection or choose prints a la carte.  The choice is yours!

• Basic Collection - This collection is included in every portrait session fee.  Clients can upgrade if they'd like or choose other sizes that better meet their specific needs.
• Digital Collection - This collection only includes digital images, no prints. 
• Print Collection - This collection includes several prints in various sizes, including one 11x14 print.
• Canvas Collection - This collection includes several prints in various sizes as well, but it also includes a 16x20 canvas gallery wrap.
• Metal Collection - This collection includes several prints in various sizes as well, but it also includes a 16x20 metal print. 

The Canvas and Metal Collections include a complimentary disc of images!

We LOVE to see your beautiful WALL ART on display in your home and/or office!  If you get a chance, send us a photo of your photos!

More Than A Picture...It's Wall Art! Part Four: Metals

We are going to continue our discussion about wall art in this blog post.  This is the fourth part in our five part series on the topic of wall art for your home or office. 

In the first part, we discussed the reasoning and beliefs behind offering our clients professional quality wall art opposed to pictures.  We then began discussing the first type of wall art that we currently offer - collages. 

In the second part, we discussed the differences between print quality with three local retailers in the Central Texas area and compared those prints to a professional lab's prints.  There really is quite a difference!

In the third part, we discussed the differences between a canvas gallery wrap from a professional lab and a local retailer.  As with prints, there really is quite a difference!

Part Four:  Metals

Metal Prints are a completely new type of wall art!  They are incredibly vibrant and clear and allow you to experience your images in a whole new way!  They are truly a show-stopping conversation piece with an artistic edge and offer contemporary elegance to your portraits in a high gloss piece of wall art. 

I began offering metal prints in February after a fellow photographer was raving about how vibrant and clear they were.  I decided to order two - one in each type of finish - to see what all the fuss was about.  I opened the package and seriously was amazed!  The metal prints were so impressive!  Photographs of them do not do them justice at all!  They must be seen with your own eyes. For this reason, I bring them to each session to show our clients.

Metal Prints are available in two different finishes - a white base or a metal base.  Metal Prints are essentially images printed on a sheet of aluminum.  They can be mounted in three different ways:  magnet mount, float mount, and metal easel.  The magnet mount simply means that there is a magnet on the back so that the metal print will stick to any metal surface, such as a refrigerator.  A float mount means that the metal print has a mount on the back with a hole in it so that it can be hung on a nail or tack directly on your wall.  The metal easel means that there is an easel that is attached to the back of the metal print so the print can sit on a table.

Examples of the Metal Prints in each finish - white base and metal base. 

At Smith Family Photography, we offer metal prints in two popular sizes - 11x14 and 16x20.  If you'd like one in a different size, we can definitely do that as well! 

Check back next week when we discuss Part Five:  Collections.

More Than A Picture...It's Wall Art! Part Three: Canvas

We are going to continue our discussion about wall art in this blog post.  This is the third part in our five part series on the topic of wall art for your home or office. 

In the first part, we discussed the reasoning and beliefs behind offering our clients professional quality wall art opposed to pictures.  We then began discussing the first type of wall art that we currently offer - collages. 

In the second part, we discussed the differences between print quality with three local retailers in the Central Texas area and compared those prints to a professional lab's prints.  There really is quite a difference!

Part Three:  Canvas

Canvas gallery wraps are a classic way to showcase your family portraits!  Just as we discussed in last week's post with regards to print quality, the same is true with canvas gallery wraps.  Simply put, you get what you pay for. 

When I first began my photography career, I had a fellow photographer that helped me with the business side of things.  She ordered a canvas from an online retailer and was horrified when she received it due to the quality of it.  I remember it clearly, she told me that it was "fine," but she did not feel it was professional quality and felt that her client deserved the best.  She promptly ordered the canvas from a professional lab and was so much happier with the results.  Upon hearing about this, I wanted to see the quality for myself so I purchased a few canvases of my own family. 

I ordered one from CVS for less than $20 on a 50% off sale.  Upon first look and having little experience with canvases at this point, I thought it looked alright.  It didn't amaze me, but I wasn't disgusted either. 

I then decided to order one through Shutterfly for about $90 full price.  Again, it looked alright.  It was pretty much just like the CVS canvas.  I honestly expected a difference in quality due to the increase in price.  I did not find that to be true in this case. 

I then decided to order a canvas of our daughters for my husband on Father's Day from a professional lab.  Yes, there was an even larger price difference, but when I received it I was AMAZED!  The quality was substantially different and worth every penny!  The professional canvas felt much more sturdy and looked vivid, whereas the other canvases looked dull.

Advantages of Professional Quality Canvas Gallery Wraps

*  A solid wood base creates a very durable, no-sag surface

*  The tightest, cleanest canvas corners in the industry

*  A thick, black backing that comes standard with hanging hardware and wall bumpers

*  UV-free protective coating allows the product to be wiped clean with a damp cloth

An example of a canvas gallery wrap printed from a professional printing lab.

At Smith Family Photography, we offer canvas gallery wraps in two popular sizes - 11x14 and 16x20.  If you'd like one in a different size, we can definitely do that as well! 

Check back next week when we discuss Part Four:  Vivid Metals.

CARDS for GRADS!

It's almost that time if you have a senior...time for graduation!  I can tell you that this school year has FLOWN by!  Graduation is a few months away and I promise you, it will be here before you know it! 

At Smith Family Photography we can help you with Graduation Cards/Invitations!  Throughout the entire month of March, mention this blog post and you will receive a 10% discount off your card/invitation order...whether we took the photographs or not.

We offer four types of cards/invitations - Slim Line Cards, Foil Pressed Cards, Flat Cards, and Folded Cards.  Each type of card will be customized for your senior and presented to you for approval before ordering.

Slim Line Cards

Slim Line cards are single sided 4x8 cards that are printed either vertically or horizontally on photo paper.  They typically contain 1-3 photos with details about the event.  Slim Line Cards are sold in sets of 25 and envelopes are included. 

4x8 Slim Line Card

Foil Pressed Cards

Foil Pressed Cards are 5x7 cards that are printed on photographic card paper.  The front side has foil lettering available in gold, opal, red, silver, and black.  The back side is blank for you to customize with details of the event.  They are sold in sets of 25 and include envelopes. 

5x7 Foil Pressed Card

Flat Cards

Flat cards aresimilar to Foil Pressed Cards with the exception of no foil lettering.  They are two sided and typically include a photo on the front with the details of the event on the back.  They are sold in sets of 25 and include envelopes. 

5x7 Flat Card

Folded Cards

Folded Cards are the "normal" card with a front cover, back cover, and inside panels.  All four panels (front cover, inside panels, and back cover) can be customized or left blank for you to write your own personal message. 

Contact us today for your customized graduation cards/invitations!  And remember, during the entire month of March you will save 10%!

More Than A Picture...It's Wall ART!

It's more than a picture, it's wall ART!  That sounds fascinating to me, but what does that actually mean?  This topic is going to be a five part series, with each part focusing on a certain product that we are offering our clients.  If you visit the "About Me" page of our website you will find a lot of information about us and our beliefs.  We believe that if you are putting in all this effort for photographs, you want products that are quality - you want products that will last a lifetime. 

“We strive to provide you with the service that you and your loved ones deserve. With that being said, typically a great amount of planning and preparation goes into a photography session - everything from deciding on a photographer, choosing coordinating outfits, choosing a location, etc. All of those factors take a great deal of time and energy! We want that time, effort, and energy to shine in your portraits! For that reason we have a large selection of print products to offer you in your personal online gallery - everything from standard professional prints that will last a lifetime to beautiful canvas gallery wraps and vivid metals. The products that we offer are professional quality and will last a lifetime. They will become cherished memories for generations. They will be beautiful pieces of art that are displayed on your walls for years to come. ”

— Anna Johnson-Smith at Smith Family Photography

Part One - Collages

Collages are a popular item that we began offering last July.  I personally have always loved collages, however I wasn't sure that others shared this same love until one client received her online gallery and adored her family photographs, but asked if I could create a collage for her with certain images.  I told her that I'd love to put something like that together for her and she loved it!  After that I began contemplating the inclusion of collages in each online gallery.  I began planning and finally decided to include at least one pre-made collage in each and every online gallery and provide the option for building a personalized collage if the pre-made ones do not meet your needs and/or wants. 

Since the introduction of collages in the online galleries, nearly every client chooses at least one collage!  They have become THAT popular!  They are a great way to display your favorite photographs on one print.  This makes them a perfect addition to your wall of photographs, as well as a perfect gift for friends and family. 

An example of a customized collage that was ordered as an 11x14 print.

Most collages are ordered in print form, however sometimes they are also ordered as a canvas gallery wrap.  I had a client show me a wall display of various canvas gallery wraps to make an art piece for a wall in their home.  She wanted a large canvas gallery wrap, 30x30.  I put together a customized collage that was very similar to what she was looking for with separate canvas gallery wraps. 

An example of a customized collage that was ordered as a 30x30 canvas gallery wrap.

As you can see, collages are a creative way to display your favorite photographs from your session!  The sky is the limit and I love creating one of a kind pieces of art that are printed at professional printing labs so you know you are receiving a quality product that will last a lifetime plus some. 

In two weeks we will continue this topic with Part Two:  Prints.