#istilldolove Campaign Couples Survey - PREMIER BERGEN COUNTY PHOTOGRAPHER

Do you have an #istilldolove?

I want to hear from you!

No matter how long you've been married, you can have an #istilldolove! The kind that forgives quickly, puts family first, loves unconditionally, laughs, cries, supports, and is patient. The kind free of harmful vices like addiction, infidelity and pornography.

If you haven't read my first post about this kind of #istilldolove, you can read more here.

The response I have gotten from this campaign has been so amazing, I've received texts and emails from clients, friends and family, all about how they show their #istilldolove to their spouse. It has made me so happy! I'll be sharing more in the next week!

NOW I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

JOIN MY CAMPAIGN ON HEALTHY MARRIAGES BY CELEBRATING YOUR OWN

Fill out the couples survey below and hit submit for your chance to be featured right here on my blog.

I'll be sharing some of your great ideas to continue celebrating your unique #istilldolove.

(your answers will remain private unless specified by you)

#ISTILLDOLOVE Couples Survey

Interested in BOOKING one of my #ISTILLDOLOVE Photo Sessions with you and your spouse? The time is now to book! I also offer gift cards.

It is a perfect Valentines Day gift to give to your spouse! Contact me for more details.

HALLEYANN PHOTOGRAPHY

PREMIER BERGEN COUNTY PHOTOGRAPHER

Why is it important to find the RIGHT Infant Photographer?

Premier Bergen County Infant Photographer - Halley Ann Photography

You have found out your are expecting, congratulations! Now that you know your due date, it is time to start thinking about who you would trust to take your little bundle's first photos. But who do you hire? How do you know they are worth your time and money? And why do they charge SO MUCH MONEY??

In this post, I will share with you all you need to know about picking the right Infant Photographer for you.

GOLDEN HOUR:

1. Firstly, it is important to hire a photographer that knows the "Golden Hour" of newborn photography and requests that time frame of you.

Believe it or not, most photographers (if they know what they are doing) book infant photo sessions for when your baby is 1-2 weeks old! Seems early right? There is a good reason for such an early time frame that I like to call the "golden hour" of baby photography.

The Golden Hour of infant photography begins the first few weeks of your baby's life. It is the perfect time to capture your baby in their freshest, most sleepy, and compliant state... Meaning, once your baby is asleep, your photographer will be able to pose your sleeping baby much easier than an older baby. Your chances for your photographer to be able to move your baby around into those sweet peaceful poses goes waaaay down past the two week mark. Any older and your baby will have a harder time falling asleep and will be less likely to tolerate being moved around or positioned after they have fallen asleep. You want your baby so sleepy they will allow your photographer to safely position them into any sweet position.

This all means, if you don't do your homework, you could end up with a lot of not-so-sweet-and-peaceful photos of your brand new baby that you just invested a whole lot of money for. Additionally, and unfortunately, you will be too late to hire that one photographer that you really loved but passed on to save a little money because the Golden Hour will have already passed. Newborns grow so fast and the window of time is so short so don't waste your money and time, go with the best photographer FIRST! This brings up my next point.

JUST LIKE YOUR WEDDING:

2. Think back on your wedding day. It was a magical day, culminating the love you and your partner share as well as a celebration of all the planning and effort put into that day. When you were researching your wedding photographer, did you look for the best? Of course you did! But why? Because you new it was one of the most important days of your life and you wanted to hire someone that could capture not only the day, but the emotion, the love, the friends, the family, and the feelings of that day right? And you knew you had to have the best because your wedding day is a one time thing, you can't go back and "redo" your wedding day if you didn't like the way the photos turned out.

With all this said I BEG you to think of your prospective infant photographer as if they were your prospective wedding photographer. If you think about it, weddings and infant photo sessions have a lot in common. Much like your wedding day, infant photo sessions have a very narrow window of time to capture the moment before the moment is gone! The "golden hour" of infant photography is like your wedding day, once it has past, you will never get the opportunity back to have those precious moments captured. So book the best!

Secondly, much like your wedding day, the images captured of your brand new baby will help you remember them better in this tiny stage of life. Your child as a tiny newborn only lasts so long. You want the best to capture them in this special and fleeting time of life because lets face it, being a new mom is tough, between the nightly feedings, all day feedings, crying, diaper changes, healing and recovery it is ALL A BLUR. It is hard to fully appreciate (or even remember!) what your little one was like over all the exhaustion of just being a newborn mommy. You need someone you can trust to capture this time. You will be SO glad you did!

Thirdly, and quite possibly most importantly, much like your wedding album, your baby's infant album will become a family heirloom, something to treasure for not only the rest of your life, but your child's life too.

I have 3 children and let me tell you, they have their baby photo books memorized!

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR:

3. If you go with a sub-par photographer to save a little money... you usually get what you pay for. So do your research! Ask your prospective photographers how long they have been doing infant photography. Ask them how many baby's they have done sessions for. Ask them anything you like to ensure you are getting the right fit.

Try to find someone who has been at it for a few years.

Go back through their work, their website is a good place to start but that is an easy place for photographers to showcase only their best work. Not all the photo sessions that didn't go so well. I would recommend finding them on social media and going back through some of their old posts.

Here are a couple things to watch out for:

1) Have they improved over the years? Is their style relatively the same? Or are they wishy washy on how they edit their photos? Sometimes you may book thinking you will get one style you love, but end up with something totally different. I have been photographing infants for over 10 years now. My style has evolved over the years, but not to any great extreme. My returning clients have been very happy with their albums year after year because I have been consistent. Consistency and quality are important!

2) Are their images over exposed or under exposed? Sometimes too much exposure can wash out all the beautiful details of your baby. And at the same time an under exposed image leaves your images looking too dark.

3) Are their images blurry? A good infant photographer knows how to take crisp photos, focused on the baby's face. The rest of the image should be softly blurry though, this is called a good depth of field, which makes your baby's facial features pop and makes the rest of the image soft. This also means your photographer knows what they are doing and have the correct equipment (lens) to create this soft look. Your baby is not moving, they are asleep, so you can't blame the blurry face on the subject!

4) Too much fluff? Do they over do it on the props and backgrounds? Sometimes over doing it with props, bright colors and busy backgrounds can be distracting and is a disservice to your beautiful baby. You want a photographer who showcases your baby, not all their fancy props and backdrops.

5) Do they offer in-home or in-studio photography? I hands down, always prefer an in-home photo session. In-home infant sessions allow me to fully capture the family in their element. It allows me to capture their family in a very personal and intimate setting. Their is nothing better than a new mama snuggling her little one in the nursery she worked so hard to design and set up for her baby or a dad rocking his little bundle in the same rocking chair his mother rocked him in when he was a baby, or a couple enjoying their new baby comfortably and intimately in the comfort of their own bed. It creates personal, one of a kind photo sessions... every time that you will cherish for a lifetime.

I've been inside many different homes, sat and talked with all different types of new moms and dads. I am always amazed at how much of their personality comes out in their album when we shoot in the comfort of their own home. No two albums have been the same, but each have been unique and special to each family... something they can treasure for years to come.

So opt for the photographer that puts a focus on In-Home Infant Photo Sessions

6) Awkward poses. This one probably goes without saying but if you see some poses that make you cringe a little... like a dad without his shirt on (this always makes me cringe!)... it's probably best to move on.

7) Do the babies look safe and peaceful? I’ve seen some unnerving set ups around the internet, babies hung in a sling from a stick, or balancing inside something hard like a wood bowl with no soft blanket. If the baby looks uncomfortable, it probably is. Posing a baby correctly and safely takes years of training and experience. This is your brand new baby we are talking about, let's not take any chances with their safety!

The good news is, the choice is ultimately up to you. There are many wonderfully talented photographers out there and once you find the right one. You won't want to let them go! They are like your favorite hair stylist, once you've found your match, no one else will do. And I feel the same way about my clients, they truly are friends and family to me. I have families who hired me to do their engagements, wedding, infant, and family photos year after year. I feel like I am just part of the family and I LOVE it. My clients are the best. :-)

For questions or concerns, feel free to contact me.

Halley Ann Photography

PREMIER BERGEN COUNTY PHOTOGRAPHER

w w w . h a l l e y a n n p h o t o g r a p h y . c o m

Like what you see and want to learn more?

How to Prepare For Your Upcoming Infant, Newborn or Baby Photo Session

You've committed to booking your first Newborn Photo Session with your favorite local photographer and have brought home your new little bundle! Congratulations! There is nothing more personal and intimate than bringing your new baby home for the first time. There is so much love, anticipation, anxiety, stress, pain, exhaustion, excitement and peace all wrapped into one week. And now you're ready to start getting ready for your baby's first photo shoot. That sounds stressful, among all the other emotions of your first few days at home with your baby, lack of sleep, lack of freedom, lots of people (and their kids!) wanting to hold your baby (good intentioned but germ filled) and now you have got to get your house and yourself ready for a perfect stranger to come in and move things around and touch your baby who you worked so hard to bring into this world??? Of course your stressed!

But you don't have to be.

You've come to the right place to get all your answers and a little bit of peace of mind.

Follow this guide I use for all my clients to help calm their nerves before their upcoming Newborn Photo Shoot

WHAT TO EXPECT

GETTING YOUR HOME READY

• Crank up the heat. Babies love to be warm, and we love to undress those sweet little bundles to capture them in their most natural state. So crank up your heat or turn down your AC to around 80 degrees about 20 min before your session.

• Pull out any textured blankets, baskets, headbands, hats, diaper covers, etc. you have on hand that we can incorporate. But no need to stress! I will provide enough of everything we need if you don't have any of these items.

• Heirlooms. Think about something special you could use for your session with your baby. Maybe a blanket your baby's grandmother quilted, a gift your baby was given like a small stuffed animal or tiny bracelet, or perhaps something from the past like your grandmother's wedding ring. The sky is the limit so start thinking now.

• Make way for windows! I like to use natural light for infants so I will often use your largest, brightest window space for your infant shots.

• Tidy up... a little. Listen, I get it, I am a mom of 3. I don't expect your home to be immaculate, but I do like to move around your house and use different elements of your space including the nursery, the living room, windows, and your bedroom so tuck away anything you feel necessary to feel comfortable with me in the various rooms of your home.

 

 

WHAT TO WEAR

• Solids, neutrals, no crazy prints. I like for the baby to be the focus of your album, not your clothing. Think of yourself as your baby's canvas.

• Coordinate with each other. But don't be too "matchy". I.e. matching white shirts and jeans are far too similar and distracts from the natural, real life album you are looking for.

• Parents and siblings should wear tones that are similar and go well together but don't wear all the same thing.

• Do your hair and make-up but keep it simple. Remember, you will be in the photos but it is your baby who we are showcasing. And a little honesty and simplicity makes your photo session seem more honest and real life.

• For more, see my blog post on what to wear!

• Email me with any concerns or if you need some wardrobe advise. I am happy to assist!

 

 

 

 

 

 

PREPARING YOUR BABY

• Well fed. Feed your baby before the session starts so they have a nice full tummy.

• Don't rush your baby either. If you are still feeding your baby when I get to your home, don't stress, I can sit and chat with you (or your hubby if you want a little privacy) and get things set up while you focus on your baby.

• Don't scour your baby's closet. With the exception of maybe one special outfit, we typically undress your baby not dress them. Putting babies in clothing for photo sessions tends to distract from your baby so no need to pull out all your favorite outfits, your baby will be better showcased with less. A hat, headband, or diaper cover will suffice (which I can provide).

Halley Ann Photography

PREMIER BERGEN COUNTY PHOTOGRAPHER

w w w . h a l l e y a n n p h o t o g r a p h y . c o m

 

PREPARING YOURSELF

• RELAX. Know that your baby will be in good hands. I have done over 60 infant photo sessions and have been in many different homes. Every baby and family is different and unique and beautiful. We will get the shots that we need, even if your baby is not asleep right when I get there, or if you both got zero sleep the night before and your exhausted, or your little one is just having a fussy day, it will be okay!

• RELAX! Did I already say this?? It is important because your baby is so well connected to you that they know when you are stressed, and a stressed Mama equals a stressed baby!

PAYMENT: Please be ready to pay your infant photo session of $300 in full the day of your photo session. I accept venmo, cash or check (written out to me Halley Stringham). If you are planning to purchase a infant photo package that includes the session fee, your session fee payment will be credited to your package price.

Have you filled out your MODEL RELEASE FORM? Click below if not.

Packages, Prints and Products Pricing →

PREMIER BERGEN COUNTY CHILD, FAMILY AND WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

PACKAGES, PRINTS AND PRODUCTS PRICING

Each photo and product you order has been meticulously retouched as a work of art. It has been enhanced to display the natural beauty of the subjects in the photograph. Because of this, I only print with the finest printing company on the market. One that delivers high quality products and ensures that EVERY photo prints perfectly... EVERY TIME. 

Premium Packages

Click here for special Infant Photo Package Details

Spend $900 or more on Packages, Prints, and/or Products and your session fee is included.

CHOOSE FROM THE FOLLOWING THREE

{CREATE YOUR OWN} PACKAGES

Basic Photo Package   $300

INCLUDES:

• 3 Digital Downloads (High-Resolution, printable up to 8x10 size)

• 2 8x10 Premium Prints or 3 5x7 Premium Prints

• $200 Print Credit (create your own package using the A La Cart product menu below)

Also receive 20% off all premium print purchases with a package purchase.

Plus Photo Package $450

INCLUDES:

• 8 Digital Downloads (High-Resolution, printable up to 8x10 size)

• 2 8x10 Premium Prints, or 1 Mounted 11x14 Premium print

• $300 Print Credit (create your own package using the A La Cart product menu below)

Also receive 20% off all premium print purchases with a package purchase.

Premium Photo Package   $925

INCLUDES:

• Session Fee Included in this package

• Entire Album Digital Download (High-Resolution, printable up to 8x10 size)

• 2 8x10 Premium Prints, or 1 11x14 Premium Print

• $450 Print Credit (create your own package using the A La Cart product menu below)

Also receive 20% off premium print purchases with this package purchase.

Tap on images below to see more product pictures.

A LA CART

Digital downloads

Entire Digital Album (High-Resolution Images printable to 8x10)  $400

Single Digital File (High-Resolution Image printable to 8x10) $60

Please keep in mind when printing with your own printing company, no two companies print the same. Your images may appear too dark, or come out looking blue or green. This is because they use programs that make adjustments to the light and coloring through auto-settings. Printing through Halley Ann Photography ensures every one of your photos comes out exactly as it was intended to be... beautifully.

PREMIUM PRINTS

4X6 Premium Print........$15

5x7 Premium Print.........$25

8x10 Premium Print.......$50

11x14 Mounted Premium Print........$65

16x24 Mounted Premium Print......$85

24x36 Mounted Premium Print.....$110

Mounted prints are printed and mounted on high quality, thin Styrene board to ensure your larger size prints stay crisp and cannot be bent.

Premium Canvas Gallery Wraps

8x10 Premium Canvas Gallery Wrap.....$220

11x14 Premium Canvas Gallery Wrap.....$275

16x24 Premium Canvas Gallery Wrap...$320

20x30 Premium Canvas Gallery Wrap...$500

24x30 Premium Canvas Gallery Wrap...$500

24x36 Premium Canvas Gallery Wrap...$600

30x40 Premium Canvas Gallery Wrap...$700

Gallery Wraps are a way to turn any photo into a work of art. Beautifully hand-crafted Premium Gallery Wraps give you depth, and beauty to any wall space in your home. Premium Gallery Wraps printed on canvas and stretched around a 1 1/2" wooden frame.

Premium Image Blocks

Set of 3 4x6 Image Blocks.......$80 - Pair this set perfectly under a single large Image Block to create a beautiful gallery wall.

8x10 Image Block........................$85 - Pair 2 8x10's with a single large Image Block to create a beautiful gallery wall.

11x14 Image Block........................$100 - Pair this with a set of 4x6 Image Blocks for a personalized gallery wall. Perfect for a small wall space.

16x20 Image Block.....................$140 - Pair this with a set of 3 4x6 Image Blocks or 2 8x10 Image Blocks to create a perfect gallery wall. Perfect

         for a larger wall space. More gallery options and ideas available!

20x30 Image Block....................$170 - Pair this with a set of 2 8x10 Image Blocks to create a perfect gallery wall. Perfect for a larger wall space.

MORE SIZES, GALLERY OPTIONS AND GALLERY WALL IDEAS AVAILABLE CONTACT ME FOR MORE DETAILS.

Premium Image Blocks are printed images wrapped around a block giving the beautiful look of a Canvas Gallery wrap. The Image Block has a similar look to a Gallery Wrap in that the image or design is wrapped around a 1" thick wood block, but is created with a premium lustre image print.

Press-Printed Photo Books

8.5x11 Press-Printed Custom Photo Book......$140

11x14 Press-Printed Custom Photo Book.........$160

Press-Printed Custom Photo Books are a perfect addition to any living room coffee table. They include your entire album printed in a 20 page professionally printed and bound photo book. Also featuring hinged (lay-flat) pages and custom photo cover. These make a wonderful gift to grandparents, spouse, or friends!

See photo examples above

Set of 3 Mini Brag Books.....$75

Mini Brag books make the PERFECT gifts to loved ones, especially Grandparents. Be sure to keep one for yourself to keep in your bag or take to work to share with friends and coworkers! Mini brag books feature Accordion Style Foldout with magnetic covers perfect for preserving your favorite images, printed on high quality photo paper with a hard back Custom Photo Cover.

See photo examples above.

Press-Printed Fine Art Premium photo Albums

8x8 Press-Printed Premium Photo Album (padded with custom cover)......$250

10x10 Press-Printed Premium Photo Album (padded with custom cover)......$275

Large 12x12 Press-Printed Premium Photo Album (padded with custom cover)......$320

These high end Fine Art Albums beautifully chronicle your wedding day or your baby's first year so you can remember every detail for years to come. Baby’s first year goes by fast. An Album makes a cherished keepsake for all the precious moments and milestones along the way. Also great for commemorating Graduations, Communions, Anniversaries, and all of life’s big events. Featuring full-page Album spreads printed on your choice of paper and mounted to high quality thick pages that lay flat. Each turn of the page is a storyboard or collage to help you remember every detail.

See photo examples above.

Professionally designed PRESS PRINTED GREETING cards and birth announcements

Designer Fee.......$30

There is a one time, flat designer fee for every card design order as each card is professionally and individually designed by Halley Ann Photography which takes time and coordination with you to get them perfect for your needs. I work closely with you to design the perfect card for your family.

Pack of 25 5x7 Press-Printed Greeting Cards or Birth Announcement custom designed....$50 per pack

Make a statement with these beautiful double sided greeting cards or birth announcements, printed on premium pearl photo paper that gives your cards an extra shimmery glow, perfect for the holidays or for the announcement of your newest addition.

See photo examples above