Picking the right Photographer

Picking the right Photographer  

Not all amateur photographers are created equal, the best way to guarantee that you receive quality work is to hire a seasoned professional. One with a solid background, to draw from.  I have put together some of the differences between an amateur and a professional.  

An event such as your wedding day is not worth risking your memories, by choosing an amateur.  Don't choose  a hobbyist. Choose one with experience you can count on.  Your photographs are memories frozen in time, and worth paying the difference between great memories and amazing memories.   

Amateur vs. Professional 

Amateurs 

1. Amateurs sometimes lack the experience to adapt quickly to changing environments. 
2. They tend to work on the automatic settings rather than RAW, because of there lack of training and experience.
3. Amateurs tend to have entrée level equipment.  
4. Offer only digital copies, or prints from stores like Wal-Mart. 
5. A lot of amateurs only use Face book as they web site. 
6. Amateurs are usually much cheaper. Saying that, "you generally get what you pay for".
7. They are weekend warrior, hobbyist, or part time photographers.
8. They generally work alone. 

       Professional 

1. Professionals generally have more overhead, which drives their prices up. However, professionals have things such as liability insurance, high end equipment and Studio locations.  
2. Most professionals have back up equipment in case of equipment failure. 
3. A professional has a wide range of products from digital, print, canvases, and many other product options.  
4. They will give you a time line for post production work, proofing, and final product. 
5. A professional has a business licenses, takes payments multiple forms, and some even have payment plans.
6. A professional will have a website, and several kinds of social media  
7. Full time Job
8. Works with other professional photographers and skilled artists. 

In a nutshell, you’ll pay more for a seasoned photographer, but the resulting photos will hopefully speak for themselves.

In closing when you have your, in person consultations take the time to get to know your photographer.  A photographer's charm and ability to put everyone at ease, is as important as the actual photography. With experience comes not only the knowledge of  how to photograph, but also how to act during a photography session, or event. Remember you’re hiring a person or people for their time and talent.  They didn’t become a professional overnight.  The bottom line is, photographers work hard, they have home, family, and expenses just like everyone else.  

A discount photographer normal end up with discount work, your memories are worth their weight in gold.  A Professional has the experience, the drive, the equipment, and the time to give you high quality work which is wroth the premium price.  

Photo Editing

      Quick update about our studio, we are Open and Running.  If you stop by please excuse the mess, we are still moving in and getting ready for our Open House May 16th!  We have had some great publicity lately, thanks to the FrederickNewPost, and www.Gladevalley.net Today we are meeting with the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce’s. Thank you to everyone who has helped us grow and please keep spreading the word about us! 

We give the utmost care in preparing and taking your pictures. That being said, giving you the best customer service takes time. We want to make sure every detail of your pictures is the best it can be. We will set a time and day for your to preview your pictures, and make sure that yourmemories are preserved for a lifetime. 

Wedding pictures are one of the most important days you will have, and we can make that a special time for you. We have many different packages and special extras for you, and your fiance. There can be up to a 1000 or more pictures taken at your wedding. We will take the extra time to make sure you get the best pictures possible. We can do onsite and offsite pictures, and even add a special place you may have been together. Let us know what kind of pictures you want. We are as excited as you are to make this day one you will never forget.

Our timeline is tailored to our clients needs.  An in studio session with limited numbers of photographs and poses can typically be handed while you wait, or up to a day depending on our client load for the day.  A large wedding up to 12 hours of photographs before, during and after the ceremony, will need a little more time. We offer what we like to call a sneak peek that is  normally posted to social media, with your permission only of course. If you would rather not have pictures posted in Social Media, please let us know.  Next we have a meeting with the client which we show our proofs thus-far, and discuss enhancements, final prints, and products. We will give you a time frame at your first meeting with us, so that you will be up-to-date through out the process.

When editing photographs we strive to produce a top quality product. Editing is more than just straightening  and cropping, your pictures. They are your precious moments locked in time. Taking photographs in our studio, where we control all aspects of our environment, is always a quicker process. Offsite pictures deal with,  lighting, shadowing, background, obstructions, and the human factor. Be assured that we will take the time to make sure all of your pictures look amazing.    

In closing whether its one picture or ten thousand pictures, editing can make the difference between an okay picture, and one that is jaw dropping. Our qualified photographer will give your pictures the time necessary to add an extra special touch to your pictures.  

Quality work takes time to produce. At Lyon Den Pictures, rest assured that your pictures will be given the attention it deserves, with the quality you expect.

www.LyonsDenPictures.com

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/economy_and_business/retail/lyons-den-pictures-offers-photography-in-and-out-of-studio/article_9b35cf5a-effd-507c-8a84-b35b76613043.html

Not really a blog however I was featured in the Frederick News Post.  Thanks for looking

Spring Photo Sessions what to Wear

Spring Photo Sessions what to Wear;

Spring has sprung and its once again out-side photo time!  We all would like for our photographs to be the best.  However there are several simple things that we can do to take an okay portrait and make it a WOW portrait.  

Lets start with colors. Photographs pop with different color outfits, when parents wear neutral color and children have on brighter colors, you can see a greater difference in the individuals.  When picking your outfits out try to stay with in your class of color for example cool colors or warm colors.  If you have two different colors in your outfit you should try to have the darker color on the bottom, and lighter color on top.  Also try to stay away from everyone looking the same, or wearing crazy outfits with small patterns which may show up funny looking on the finished photograph.  Most importantly wear clothing that feels good to wear. No one likes to wear poorly fitted shoes, so why would you wear something that does not have a good feel.  When we feel good, and have fun it shows, and our photographs capture that great moment.  

April Showers

Talk about April showers.  Our business is booming, and we are preparing to open our studio in thirteen days.  I have been busy, busy, busy.  Yesterday I was able to take a break and spend some time with the family.  I went out and took photographs of a couple old and historic buildings around Frederick County.  I am building my list of location's for possible Shoots. They say do what you love, and you will never work another day in your life, so true.

The first three photographs are from the Old Mill next to Ceresville Mansion, near Walkersville, MD.

The last two are of Schifferstadt House, at Baker Park in Downtown Frederick, MD.

Hello to Lyons Den Pictures

Hello everyone out there in Blog land.  My name is Stephanie Lyons and I am the owner and head photographer for a my business Lyons Den Pictures.  We are located in the heart of Walkersville, in Frederick County, Maryland.  I hope you will follow me on my journey.  We are about to open our first photography studio.  It is a very exciting time for my family and I.  I plan to share my story about opening our studio.  I will also take time to write about my tips and tricks about photography and what I've learned along the way.  Please check us out at  http://www.lyonsdenpictures.com/Blog, or at our web site www.lyonsdenpictures.com.     #Lyonsdenpictures