It's that time of year again! Time to book your holiday storytelling session. This year I'm doing things a little differently. Because I am so passionate about capturing the beauty in the unique rhythm and rituals of your family, I am only offering in-home sessions this holiday season. And don't worry, we will get a nice posed photograph suitable for holiday cards and all that good stuff. Here are some FAQs that you may be wondering about:
Tell me again, why are you only offering in-home sessions?
The short answer is: your home is where your story is. There is no more perfect a backdrop than the home that your family has made together. These are where your memories are made. The paint on the walls, the furniture in the dining room, the kids art posted on the fridge are all beautiful details that are uniquely yours. Five, ten, twenty years from now when you look at the photos from your session, your marvel at how small the children once were and chubbiness of their cheeks and toes, but you'll also notice your old beloved cat snoozing in the background or the art on the walls or the glider you used to sit in each day to nurse. Another reason I prefer to shoot in your home is that this where your family, especially your children, are most comfortable. They feel safest there, and because of that, they are usually much more open to being photographed than outside at a park in the middle of the fall. In your home, I photograph your family on your terms.
You call yourself a documentary photographer. How does that work when photographing families?
I follow the action. It's really as simple as that. I don't pose you (unless it's for the holiday card shot I mentioned above). When I come into your home, I get to know you and your children. I get down on the floor with them and play. And as I start build trust and comfort, I begin to photograph them doing what they do-play, laugh, cuddle, and even cry at times. I don't direct you, unless you need a little help getting an activity going. My job is to stay out of your way and capture you doing what you do as a family.
But my house is a mess!
You might already know what I'm about to say. Your stuff is part of the story. And don't worry, you and your family will be the stars of the show, not your stuff. I have a few camera tricks that I use to minimize any distractions in the photos. But at the end of the day, your house is lived in and I fully expect it to look that way. And your stuff provides texture and color to the pallet.
Can you show me some examples of in-home sessions so I can get an idea of of the type of images you'll capture of my family?
Of course! Just click on the links below to be taken to a few recent in home-sessions:
http://www.halonaphotography.com/blog/2015/2/9/oakland-family-documentary-photographer-the-t-family
http://www.halonaphotography.com/blog/2014/12/17/8bjogvqjjokfed0olm95yxkqzmo7sd
http://www.halonaphotography.com/blog/2015/2/27/tf0x9btyosc5bj17241vl2k0y3xvz2
When are you scheduling sessions and how much do they cost?
I am scheduling sessions from September through December. Most session openings are during daylight hours on Saturdays and Sundays, but I can also work to make a few weekday sessions work.
Sessions are $350. That includes the session fee, a web gallery of fully- edited story, and 5 high res images. Other packages are available should want to purchase a few additional images or your full story.
Ok! I'm ready to book. How do we make that happen?
Awesome! Just click the "Contact" link above and drop me a quick line to let me know you'd like to further explore booking a session. I will then send you pricing info and brief questionnaire that will help me get to know you better and plan for your session. I look forward to it!
