Do you think professional family portraits are important?

 

I grew up in a family where taking professional family portraits, was a must.  Almost every year my Mom arranged for us to have our picture taken by a professional.  We would use the picture for our Christmas card and then have a few framed for the walls.  Invariably my Mom would also buy them for the grandparents and give them away as gifts.  When I started having my kids, I continued the tradition because I realized how important it was to capture the different stages of life through the eyes of an expert.

Funny enough over 21 years ago, my aunt arranged for an extended family portrait of the entire Whitaker family as a gift for my grandparents.  And guess who was the photographer?  Prasad, my newest sponsor.  I know, can you believe it?  Super ironic !  The photo shoot went miraculously well, considering there was 17 people they had to account for, including little kids.  My mom found the picture for me yesterday, so I could share it with you.  Of course we argued over exactly how old everyone was.  Lou thinks he was around at the time, but clearly we weren’t married yet, as he isn’t in the picture, but I am pretty sure we were dating at the time.  It seems like we have been together a lifetime, well half my life, at least.

Well, last month I was at a neighbors birthday party and I was reintroduced to Prasad and his wife Maria.  If you will believe this, Prasad and Maria live about 15 houses away from me on a cul de sac at the end of my street.  Maria and I got to talking and really hit it off.  By the time I walked home, she had already befriended me on Facebook and started following my blog.  She mentioned they may be interested in advertising on my blog.  I was super excited at the thought of having such an awesome sponsor but then I remembered my best friend in Arizona is a photographer.  Oh well, “they probably won’t really want to advertise with me, so I won’t worry about it until it happens.”  Well, last week they asked if we could sit down and talk about a partnership.  I was so excited but decided I needed to text my best friend.  I told her about my opportunity and because she is a true best friend, super supportive and a huge advocate for  “real photographers”, she gave me her blessings.

We arranged a meeting for Monday and they walked down to my house, since TT was napping.  We talked about the unique approach they take in creating a piece of art through photography.  First they meet with the client and learn about their interests, their passions, the color palette in their home, their style, etc.  They really get a sense of the environment they live in and what type of look they want to create in their photograph.  Prasad will then suggest locations for the photograph such as their studio, the home, the beach, the hills, anything that relates to the family.  He will then give suggestions as to what color and style of clothing would work best in the photograph.  We also discussed children with special needs and or just “busy ” kids that have a hard time sitting still for pictures.  He suggested for a child like Tiara, he would take her picture in the environment she is most comfortable, her home.  For other children, he spends a long time talking with them,playing and getting comfortable with one another.  He also snaps the photographs while they are interacting with other family members.  None of that sit, pose, say cheese, stuff.  It is a much more natural and organic approach.

After they explained the process leading up to the sitting we then walked down to their home so I could see their studio first hand.  IT IS BEAUTIFUL!   They have a gorgeous garden out back perfect for outside sittings, a huge studio upstairs for portraits, a bathroom filled with makeup and hair supplies, a lounge and a showing room where you will view all the photographs on a large screen, while trying to decide which you love the most.  And now for the greatest part of their whole process, Maria.  Maria is an oil painter and has taken her artistic skills with the brush and transformed them to Photoshop.  She takes absolutely every proof and slightly touches them up so you look “like yourself, but on your best day.”  She can, ready for this, take off 30 pounds.  OMG, I know.  We talked about how the Moms are always the ones who arrange for these special sessions but are always hesitant to book the appointment or be in the picture because they are waiting until they  “lose 15 pounds, get Botox, wait for their hair to grow, etc… ”  But as you know, life is short and it is super important to capture those different phases of life with your family, so women stop worrying and smile.  I found this article, The Mom Stay’s in the Picture, on Prasad’s Facebook page and shared it on mine.  If you didn’t have time to read it, I suggest you read it now.  It will really make you think.

 

So in conclusion, If you are looking for a professional photographer that will make the process of creating art from photographs, seamless, easy and actually fun, you have found your people!  Prasad Photography.  Plus, if you mention my name, they will give you a $50.00 discount off your order.  

Don’t worry, there is still enough time to create the perfect Christmas Card photo.  If your kids are off in college, make your appointment now for a session during the holidays when they are back in town.  You won’t be sorry.  A few more examples of their amazing work…

 

 

 

Have a wonderful weekend!

xoxo tiffani

My Monthly Sponsor, Prasad Photography

(949)548-1815