The other day, I read this touching post by a fellow photographer, Jeanine, at Fotails Photography.  I am copying her words and the words of her client into this blog but you can also view her original post here:

http://fototails.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/a-letter-on-my-doorstep-portraits-are-more-than-paper/

This morning I woke to an anonymous, absurd and angry email regarding my pricing.  At first, I was hurt.  I work very hard to ensure that my clients are happy and that I provide and capture moments that they can treasure forever.  Though I know and understand that my pricing may be too much for some, I like to think that the photographs themselves are priceless.  And, honestly, if I could do this for free all of the time, I would!

My second reaction to the email was to laugh.  This person really took the time to write an angry email using curse words and childish comments.  Wow.  I had to smile as this was my first official “hate mail” and I’m thinking that means that I am moving on up.   Ha!

Anyway, the post by this photographer helped to put things back into perspective.  I’m not smart enough to cure cancer , I’m not steady enough to be a surgeon, I’m not funny enough to be a comedian and make you laugh but hopefully I’m just talented enough to help families preserve the precious moments that they have with each other.  All I’ve ever wanted out of any job is gratification and the knowledge that I can do something that means something to others.  Being a photographer gives that 100 fold!  The letter below is certainly proof.

 

A letter on my door step. portraits are more than paper.

There will be no portrait photos in this post.  This letter wasn’t mailed – it was at my doorstep when I got home a couple months ago.  I read it, I cried, and read it again – probably a hundred times by now.  It wasn’t easy to read – and honestly, as much as it validates what I do for a living – I wasn’t sure I was going to share it either – Until today, when a past client said that my print prices were too expensive.  If you choose to read through the letter, you will know why I’ve finally chosen to share it.

July 2nd, 2011

Jeanine - 

Today I am writing for a couple of reasons.  I have some quiet time at the moment and need to get a couple of things off my mind.  I will leave this for my husband to deliver to you when he is ready.

You photographed my wedding, you photographed my first pregnancy and my first baby.  I contacted you awhile back to photograph my 2nd child and family.  After getting prices and realizing I would want all of the pictures as we love your work – I decided against spending $500+ – which is what I normally spend for portraits and prints with you..  Please know it is not because I don’t value your amazing eye, or how much we love the experience.

That week that I decided to NOT do a session with you, this is how I spent some money.

On Sunday I called and cancelled our session.  Monday I went out and got my hair cut ($39+tip), and colored ($65), Thursday I had my nails done ($24), my family went out to dinner at a somewhat expensive restaurant for no particular reason costing us $79 + tip.  This was just 4 days since canceling our session, already totaling over $200 for un necessary things.  My nails only lasted about 2 weeks, my hair is gone, and seven weeks passed when I got the phone call from our doctor.  It was not something I expected and the cancer has spread very quickly.  I will be leaving my husband, my 6 year old girl and my now 2 year old – not by choice.  It is very hard for me to talk about it which is why I need to write you.

I watch your Facebook page and your posts about the value of a photo and if I could give back all of those things that I purchased this few weeks after I cancelled my session with you, knowing what I know now, and have that session, well… I would do it in a heartbeat. 

Now my time is done and there are no more chances for me.  The next time someone cancels a session – my wish is that you forward this letter to them.  Time is fragile, it is gone before you know you had it.  If you charged $200 for one print it wouldn’t be enough for what it is actually worth.  I cringe to think that my priorities were a manicure over a memory to pass onto my babies and husband.

My love and thanks for what you have given us from past photos.  I am so sorry that I did not see it as more than paper until now.

Karen L.

Like I had said…. I am attempting to catch up on my blog posts!!  Since this portrait session focused on getting one individual photograph, I figured it was an easy post. 

I just love these girls!!  Their mom had the idea for the portrait and we collaborated together once again this year, with these two beautiful sisters, to create a unique, fun and magical Christmas portrait.  I hope you enjoy this!

Shew!!  Where do I start with this fabulous wedding?  Basically it was all about the “Sauce” (aka The Groom’s Father).  I was told by many people that Sauce was a “blog stalker”.  I thought to myself….. “Oh, so, he’s the one?”.    Anyway, it just wouldn’t be right to not mention him here… since he will probably be the first to see this post!

This photo is for you, Sauce.  Thanks for being a fan!

Okay, okay…. so, this wedding was really all about ERICA & ANTHONY!!!  These two are absolutely fantastic!  They are fun, laid back, energetic beautiful and cool all at the same time.  Below I am going to list just some of the things that made them and their wedding day so awesome:

- the bride described the wedding day as “My big fat Italian wedding”…. and didn’t disappoint

- the huge and very fun wedding party (I think I could say something about a taser gun here…. but won’t)

- the giant party bus that included drinks and mini soft pretzels (my favorite!!)

- they stopped at their local watering hole, McGillicuddy’s, after the ceremony for a shot of liquor

-  their wedding party was announced wearing costumes (including a man in an overweight nude woman suit!), holding signs, throwing candy canes, playing with noise makers, creating dance moves…. and the list goes on!

- there was an impromptu karaoke singing of “Love Shack” by the B52′s

- multiple people were picked up and put on shoulders on the dance floor

- nearly all 300 guests got up to dance

- Anthony & Erica are completely in love and know how to have fun… they also have great families and friends

This list most definitely could go on and on….. It was simply a fabulous wedding!  Danette  Pascarella (whose wonderful talent is also featured in the photos below) & I had a great time photographing this wedding.  It was the kind of wedding that when we left we just kept saying, “Man….I love this job!”.

Thanks, Erica & Anthony!  Many congrats and best wishes to you both!

Shew!!  I’ve been quite behind on my blog these past few weeks.  With the holidays, family gatherings, Portrait and Greeting Card rushes, etc… I haven’t had much time!  My New Year resolution is to get this thing back on track.

Thanks all for your patience!!

Happy Holidays and early New Year!!

What’s a blog post without a visual?  Here is a rendering that I had created of our cat, Santucci.  And, yes, Carl now wears a t-shirt with this image. 

Yay!  Another Center City portrait session.  I love these!  Sam and her mom were so much fun.  Sam has always made my job easy throughout the years.  She is full of personality and style (she even picked out her own wardrobe!).  She is enamored with dogs and pigeons, 2 of my favorite animals as well.  It was cute to watch her chase after the pigeons.  We wandered the streets, stores and parks around Center City.  It was a great day overall. 

Below is one of my favorites from the day…..