So many of my client's (yes, you) never make or order prints from their sessions! The most common reason is time. We forget, and time passes, and we never remember to get them printed. Second reason is that we just don't know where or how to display them. I have come to the rescue with some of my favorite ways to display your portraits and session images.

Nine Large Canvases 

My all time favorite way of displaying your session images is a gallery wall of 9 large canvases or framed prints. The image above used 11x14, but any size up to 20x24 would be perfect (also depending on your wall size). This arrangement looks great on an entry wall, stair way, bedroom wall, hall way, or any large empty wall space where lots of traffic may be passing by. Of course, i would prefer canvas over framed printed any day--but framed prints are most affordable. Order in bulk to save more money! Framed prints are also great if you have children--who grow--switch out the print, save the frame.

Total Cost of 9- 11x14 prints: $250 plus tax. Pick up some dark brown or white frames from Micheals (use a coupon) and you can make a stunning wall gallery that will definitely stand out and be a talking piece for years to come. I have luck buying beautiful white frames from Micheals when they price them at BOGO free. Score them for as low as $5/each. 


Small Gallery Wall

This is my second all time favorite way of displaying prints--a small gallery wall of various frame sizes. Usually one large print in the middle followed by 3-4 8x10s and then a variation of 4x6s, 5x5s, and 5x7s. I have had many clients in the past order this particular arrangement. Most popular places are kitchen walls, dining room wall, stairwell, and above a couch in their living space. This gallery arrangement is so easy to hang, you don't even need plan, really. Start by hanging the largest print slightly off center, follow with the 8x10s, and then decorate with the smaller prints around the sides, making sure to leave an inch or two in between, 

Order this particular arrangement in bulk for roughly $200 plus tax. Score some cheap frames from Micheals, or use frames you already own and mix it up! Although I love canvas, this arrangement is better framed--especially when using thin black frames. 

Large Gallery Wall

Last, but certainly not least, is a large gallery wall design that doesn't take much design or talent at all. Pick a variety of sizes with 2-3 larger prints spread throughout. This looks amazing in a hallway, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, or even an office. I love the white frames used above, and I love adding extra pieces like the antlers, horseshoe, and some art. This design could work for anyone--especially if you have a collection of frames lying around with no where to put them. Just start hanging in a random order and it will look magical. No one said the frames had to be the same...pattern and color can make any wall decor interesting. I love this look and it's so easy. 

It will look something like this, for $100-150.
6- 5x7s
8-4x6s
3-3x5s



​Order your arrangement today and get those beautiful session images on the wall!

I looked up the word "mother" in the dictionary hoping for this long extravagant definition of what a mother is...however, I was sadly disappointed. The definition, although short, is "a female parent." Wow, Merium-Webster needs to up their game here. Moms are so much more. 

I became a mother in February of 2011 in the wee hours of the morning. As my little 7 pound 2 ounce baby girl was being delivered, I felt an immediate change or burst of electricity through my body. Call it what you will, but I knew right then I was different. I had changed. Something inside and outside of me was changed. Becoming a mother was one of the proudest moments of my life. Up until then, there was no comparison to giving birth. I remember telling my husband shortly after she was born, "wow, that felt like swimming the 200 fly 10 times over and over." Swimmers--ya feel me? If you aren't a swimmer, basically this is equivalent to dying and being revived again times 10. It was intense, for sure.

Over the next year, I slowly grew into the "mother" persona. I had my second child just 2 years later, and the word "mother" became even deeper, more intense. My plate became fuller. If you were to look up the word "mother" in my personal dictionary of life, it would read something as follows:

mothernoun  moth·er \ˈmə-thər\

1. CEO of the Household
2. Personal Chef 
3. Vomit Cleaner Upper
4. Housekeeper
5. Taxi Driver 
6. Judge Mom 
7. PhD in Anger Management
8. Hair Stylist 
9. Bed-wetting Patrol Squad
10. Keeper of Secrets 
11. Food Tester
12. Family Therapist
13. Toddler Wrestling Coach
14. Errand Runner
15. Laundry Machine Operator
16. Janitor
17. Teacher 
18. Toy Repair Expert 
19. Finance Manager
20. Art Director 
21. Land Scraper 
22. Potty Trainer
23. Search and Rescue Toy Squad
24. Champion Tickler
25. Lifeguard
26. Daycare Provider
27. Personal Assistant for the entire family
28. No-Thumb Sucking Enforcer
29. Wardrobe Stylist 
30. Personal Shopper
31. Toothbrush Inspector
32. PTA/Preschool Mom
33. Play-date Coordinator
34. Birthday Events Director
35. Sleep Scientist 
36. Scary Monster Patrol Officer
37. Dramatic Story Teller
38. Backyard Safety Patrol
39. Professional Singer
40. Kiss and Hugs Expert
41. Speech Specialist
42. Vacation Coordinator & Tour Guide
43. PhD in Reverse Psychology
44. Separation Anxiety Counselor
45. In-Law Mediator
46. Seamstress of Frilly Dresses and Super Hero Costumes
47. Mrs. Fix-It
48. Fort Engineer
49. Stain Removal Expert
50. Bodyguard

I wouldn't change motherhood for the world--it's what I am meant to be. It's my main hat (besides wife). Here's to all the mother's out there, may you be remembered this coming Mother's Day and all the hats you wear! 

Some of my favorite mom inspired portraits: 

Book your Mother's Day Mini Session here (May 8th only): ​https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=11885016

We have recently increased our digital media pricing for several reasons, and I am here to break it all down for you. Where is your hard earned money going? Let's find out.

1 Digital Image $35
First thing is first, Equipment expenses, repairs, rent, office supplies, gas, advertising costs, permits, licenses, insurance, state business taxes, and varied self-employment costs reduce gross income by approximately 50% every year. That leaves a gross (pre-tax) income from this digital image sale at $17.50.

We are not going to factor in timing here, except to say that the product (image itself) took about an hour of my time to get, process, finalize, and upload. 

However, by giving you this digital image, you will be *assuming* to print the image yourself instead of purchase from my lab. In basic terms--i am loosing money.

• Let's say that you take this one digital image and make 1 8x10, 1 5x7, and 1 4x6 print on your own for  a very minimal cost to you (let's not tell tales here, i know how much it costs at Walgreens to print an 8x10, 5x7, and 4x6). If you would have rather purchased the prints from me, I would have earned roughly $25 in profit give or take a few bucks.

$17.50 minus $25 profit of a very tiny print sale instead (bare, bare minimum) already puts me at a negative loss. And the profit made on that print sale is minimum. You are able to print UNLIMITED amounts of images...imagine my negative loss now. Could be up to $1000's of dollars. 

I am in business to provide for my family, so negative loss on a digital image sale is scary in terms of my business. I could raise the price--yes, I could. But I *want* to be affordable too. So where do I draw the line? It's hard. It's a very tough business decision. No one is perfect, and no one can make the *right* decision all the time. I hope you will take this information to heart and remember this next time you purchase your digital files--more than likely I have lost money. 

My goal here is to be real. I want to be real with you. I want you to know where your money is going after it's invested here. I want you to know hat you are paying a modest living wage (sometimes less, as in this case) for professional services, and in doing so, your business allows a working-class small-business owner to put food on the table and keep a roof over their family’s head!

My last plug: purchase prints from our lab! Not only will you get a MUCH BETTER quality print than Walgreens or Walmart (like x 100), but you will be helping me stay afloat and you will be proud to hang that print!

It's inevitable that my clients, past, current, and future wonder about how I price my photography sessions and where all the money goes. Some clients have no problem investing in what they want; they seem to be able to afford it all. However, most typical clients would appreciate a little understanding on where their hard earned dollar is going when they book a session with us. I am here to break it all down for you and answer any questions that come up along the way!

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