What Can Happen In 10 Minutes

Scroll down.  These are shots made in 10 Minutes.  These things can and do happen in 10 Minutes in our Studio daily.  I decided to throw a 10 Minute FREE Special out there last spring, after doing similar things for Halloween over the past few years.  And I decided to continue that Special for, like....ever.  

Because I just like it.  It is challenging, to set myself up for that.  I HAVE to produce, and there is NO messing around.  My goal is 10 great images in 10 Minutes. Usually I get more than that, sometimes up to 30 if the moment is right. I have a very well equipped Studio in a pretty compact space.  I'm lucky.  Props and backdrops are in no short supply after 16 years of this profession.  I don't charge for 10 Minute Sessions because I get a LOT out of that time.  I get practice.  I get to meet many different people from all sorts of backgrounds and family situations that I might not have met otherwise.  I get to make people happy in a short time frame with terrific images of people they love.  It's a good job.  10 Minutes, always FREE.  

Of course, I have to charge for prints and files.  I wish I was THAT well-off that I could just give it all away. Someday.  But in the meantime, give me a call (712/520-4772) or a text (same number) or a FB message or skywriting or whatever you do, and I'll get you on the schedule.  Folks come in for anniversaries and birthdays and new dresses and to fingerpaint and to do sparklers and night and to chase giant bubbles and to do ANYTHING else they can think of.  It's fun, it's quick for even the crankiest babies--and speaking of babies, it's perfect for a Baby's First Year set of portraits.  I have folks come in every month for a different look and to show the milestones their babies have reached.  It's pretty cool.    

The Nelson Family

Had a busy weekend (are they ever quiet?) and made some wonderful images along the way!  This first set is from the Nelson Family Portrait Session.  They chose Waubonsie State Park, and we were able to work during the Golden Hour (sunset) to capture all the activity a family with two small children can generate.  Wonderful formal, posed shots, and priceless candids were the result, all with some help from Mother Nature.  Waubonsie is gorgeous.  It was a little warm and buggy, but everyone held up well.  Enjoy!

Art Was Her Thing...

She was shy.  You know, when they pull up in their cars, I try to go out to meet them, to say hi to them while they're still strapped into the safety of their familiar car seats, which over the course of the past couple years has molded itself to the shape of their tiny bodies.  And I could tell, when I met this one, that she was going to be a little...shy.  She looked at me out of the corners of her eyes.  She focused on her chubby hands or her  mother's smiling, hopeful face.  I led them inside, to the studio, chatting with Mom, my mind turning furiously to find the THING, the one single THING that would unlock this little girl's personality.  And this time, it came in the first few minutes, before we even started shooting.  Her mom volunteered that she loved to draw.  

"How about I tape up some paper and give her some chalk," I asked.

And that was all it took.

                                                                      She drew. 

She stepped on pastels and looked at the smears of color on the bottoms of her feet.

She had some really cute feet.

She ended up with pastels EVERYWHERE...

     Which opened up other ideas.  

Wings inspired lots and lots of running.  

      And grinning.

 

And tippy-toeing

We did all sorts of things.

Wen went outside and rode the swing.

          And slid on the slide.

And rode the horsie.

And stuck our fingers in the fountain.

 It was a really good time.  Really good.  And she was glorious.  An 18 month old filled with light and energy.  And it worked, because, in those first few moments, we found her THING.  The thing that let her personality breathe for the camera.  Pastels and paper.  That was all it took.  So, when you decided it's time for portraits for your child, and if you sense that "natural ham" does NOT describe him or her, ask yourself, what is their THING?  All kids have something that lights them up, makes them open to showing their innate delight and wonder. Bring it with you.  Mention it.  Talk about it beforehand.  Then, the pictures are easy.