hoo-has and what-nots

Hoo-Has and What-Nots

my humble opinion

Lately in one of my amazing photographer's groups, a discussion came up about seeing "naked children" on facebook.  This sparked a heated debate from both mom and professional point-of-view.  Well, I have never been one to keep my opinion to myself, so here goes my two-cents.

I am like every other mom on the planet.  I think I have the cutest kids around....their little naked tushes included.  Naked little newborns make for some of the most beautiful portrait photography there is.  My four-year-old will fight me to the death over putting on a shirt, and when it's just the two of us here, I let her run shirtless.  No biggie.  I take pics of my youngest two children in the tub.  No biggie. But understand something, moms and photographers....unfortunately we live in a society crawling with pedophiles.  They are strangers.  They are authority figures.  They are relatives.  They are neighbors.  They are who we might least expect (do you think the mothers of those molested by Sandusky suspected him?).

Never assume you don't have a lurker on your "friends list", oogling at what you see as innocent images with malicious intentions.  Just simply don't put it out there.  No one wants to see your kid's hoo-has and what-nots.  I know we as mothers see the innocence in the photos, but fact is, nude photos of children over the age of one are considered child pornography.  It's illegal.  Keep those booty-laden bathtub pics at home (unless there are enough bubbles to hide ALL their little parts).

Recently I saw an image on a photographer's page of a child wearing something resembling a stripper's costume.  I commented. ( Okay, slap my hand- I NEVER should have done so- it is not right or professional to comment anything negative on a photographers page. If you have an issue you think should be addressed, privately message them.)  But in my humble opinion, a three year old shouldn't be portrayed in that manner.  It's too easy this day and age to find out where someone lives, DON'T ADVERTISE children or depict them in a sexual manner.  Just don't do it.

So to the lady that posted full-frontal nudity of her innocent daughter on facebook, please, for the love of God (and your child), keep those photos to yourself.  It's not fair to the child for her body to be displayed in public.  To the photographer that posted the toddler in stripper attire, please, if you photograph a child in that manner, don't share it on facebook, or anywhere in public.

Peace, love, hugs and respect for our children.

P52 | Bumpy

P52 | Bumpy

I would like to thank my new friends for welcoming me into their P52. I look forward to the weekly challenge.

Now, head on over to the Erin Norman Photography Blog and check out her interpretation of this weeks inspiration, bumpy.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Leah Nicole

Modern Whimsy Action Collection

Coming soon....

top image: Angelic Skin +Frills

bottom image: Grim

© Swoon the Moon

(processed with Daydreamer, Better, and Just Because)

before and after shown at top of this post

(processed with Angelic Skin, Elizabeth, and Just Because)

© Swoon the Moon

Now. What makes amazing actions even better?

Amazing Textures.

24 versatile textures that will make images into art.

for this stunning image, Tony used "Dare"

Stella used Dreamer's Eyes and Cradle to give this image a vintage appeal.

© Swoon the Moon

And together....well....

The results can be subtle

or vintage...

Or somewhere in between.

Whatever your editing style, these textures and actions will bring new life to the way you work.

A special thanks to Brook Bikneris, Cecily Cook, Stella Reynoso and Tony Grisier for testing the actions and textures, and sharing the beautiful results with me.

Mia

Sweetest Mia

Meet Mia. I have had the pleasure of photographing her twice this year.  I find it to be such an honor to document the milestones in the lives of little people...

Isn't she beautiful?

The Price of Memories

The Price of Memories

Let's say the house is on fire, (God forbid, but for the sake of this discussion let's say it).  You, the kids and the pets are out safe. You can save ONE material thing....what would it be? Grandma's brooch? Your $400 Marc Jacobs handbag? Your $1,100 Jimmy Choo Espadrilles?

For me the answer is simple. There is a suitcase of memories under my bed, and they are priceless. There are photographs from my childhood. My youth. The birth of my children. Their milestones. My wedding. They are simple pieces of paper that posses images from my life, and to other people they wouldn't be worth a dollar...but to me would be worth their weight in gold (and believe me, this suitcase weighs about 75lbs).  Now, I know I am not the only sentimental on the planet that values those irreplaceable pieces of paper, so why is it that people are so hesitant to spend money on photography?  Why is it that brides will buy a $2,000 dress, $700 centerpieces, $3,000 catering.....but skimp on the photography? After all, after the big day, what's left? The images are.  So why is it that lately everyone wants to negotiate prices? I don't go to Walmart and ask the cashier to take $5 off the pack of steaks she is ringing up.  I don't go to the salon and ask my hairdresser to give me a cut and color, but only expect her to charge for the cut....So why is it everyone wants to negotiate the cost of photography?


Another thing that baffles me....people will spend $1,200 on a television that they will use for 3-5 years, or $1,000 on a weekend getaway at the casino....but won't consider spending a few hundred bucks on memories that will last a lifetime. That will become heirlooms cherished by their children's children....


A DAY IN THE LIFE:
I'm not whining, I am speaking for a lot of us in the photography community.  Frankly, I do the same amount of work whether the client purchases 1 image or 50 images, so it hurts when I offer more than fair prices (do the math here...$250 for a 2 hour session with CD of 25 images....comes out to be about $9 an hour for me). I spend 2 hours shooting a session (using a senior portrait session as an example), 12-20 hours editing, arrange for childcare, pay for gas, pay to host websites, manage blogs, email, social media and purchase THOUSANDS of dollars worth of equipment, pay taxes, blah blah blah....only to feel like that what I do isn't valued.  I am not getting rich off of photography, believe me,  and all I hear lately is "how can I get a better price?"  You can't. Well, not from me anyway.  Not for a 2 hour session and not for a CD.  I am standing up for myself, for my work, for my talent, for my time.  BECAUSE I AM WORTH IT. YOUR MEMORIES ARE WORTH IT.

If you would let your photographs burn in the fire, then I am not the photographer for you.  If you would go back in the blaze for those precious memories on paper, then I'm your girl.  I put my blood, sweat and tears into this business, because beautiful images mean the world to me.

{CUTIE PIE CONTEST} Winner Announced!

First of all, thank you to each and every one of you that participated in the contest, I think all the participants are cutie pies, for sure!

The Cutie-Pie with the most likes is McKenna, 8 months old. Congratulations, McKenna!  Mom or Dad should email SwoonTheMoon@gmail.com to set up your session, which includes a cd of images with print release.

As a thank you, I would like to also offer all participants a discount on session fees (20% off!) and a bonus 8x10 with any paid session.

Thanks again to everyone that participated in the Swoonalicious Blog Giveaway!

WEDDING PACKAGES

Wedding Investment

"When Your big day has come and gone, the images will be what is left to cherish of it.  The cake, the flowers, the food, the invitations...will all be gone, but images the last forever. They will be cherished by you, your children and your grandchildren...."

BY THE HOUR PHOTOGRAPHY WITH ONLINE GALLERY:
$250 first hour, $175 each additional hour
•Includes one photographer's time shooting, equipment for your specific wedding needs, travel expenses within 50 miles of Columbus, MS and photographer's time editing the images for the gallery
•Includes online gallery
*BY THE HOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE PRINTS. You may, however, purchase print packages or CD with print rights at a 30% discounted rate.

OPTION 1: $1995
•1 Photographer, 5 hours
•Includes choice of engagement session OR bridal session
•Includes password protected online gallery of all images for 30 days
•Includes either 50 images (photographer's choice) on cd* with print rights OR a $300 print credit
•Includes (3) 12x18 ready-to-hang canvas gallery-style wraps
+Add second photographer for $200

OPTION 2: $2295
•1 Photographer, up to 7 hours
•Includes choice of engagement OR bridal session
•Includes Online gallery of all images for 60 days
•Includes 80 high-res images (photographer's choice) on CD sized to print up to 8x10
•Includes (1) 16x24 ready-to-hang canvas gallery wrap
•Includes (2) 12x18 ready-to-hang canvas gallery wrap
•Includes $150 print credit
+add a second photographer $200

OPTION 3: $2795
•2 Photographers, up to 7 hours
•Includes engagement session with your choice of 10 images on CD with print rights
•Includes bridal session with your choice of 10 images on CD with print rights
•Includes online gallery of all images for 60 days
•Includes  all wedding images on USB, sized for sharing on the web via facebook or email
•Includes 120 high-res images on cd sized to print up to 8x10 with print rights
•Includes (4) ready-to-hang canvas gallery-style wraps
•Includes $200 print credit
•Includes 20% off additional print orders through web gallery

OPTION 4: $3295
•2 Photographers, up to 8 hours
•Includes engagement session with 15 images on CD/USB OR $250 print credit
•Includes bridal session with 15 images on CD/USB OR $250 print credit
•Includes rehearsal coverage*
•Includes online gallery of all images for 60 days
•Includes all wedding and rehearsal images on CD, sized to print up to 8x10
•Includes 4x6 spiral bound book of photographer's favorite images
•Includes 10x10 heirloom storybook
•Includes (1) 16x24 gallery-style canvas print
•Includes (2) 12x18 ready-to-hang gallery-style canvas prints
•Includes $300 print credit
•Includes 30% off additional prints ordered through online gallery


OPTION 5: $3795
•2 Photographers, up to 9 hours
•Includes engagement session with all images on CD
•Includes custom guest registry book using images from your engagement session
•Includes bridal session with all images on CD
•Includes rehearsal coverage*
•Includes online gallery of all images for 60 days
•Includes all wedding and rehersal images on CD, high-resolution for printing any size
•Includes 4x6 spiral bound book of photographer's favorite images
•Includes 3 accordion-style custom printed books
•Includes 10x10 heirloom storybook
•Includes (1) 20x30 gallery-style canvas print
•Includes (4) 12x18 gallery-style canvas prints
•Includes $400 Print Credit
•Includes 35% off additional print orders through web gallery


OPTION 6: $3995
•2 Photographers, up to 12 hours
•Includes engagement session with all images on CD
•Includes custom guest registry book using images from your engagement session
•Includes bridal session with all images on CD + 16x20 mounted print
•Includes rehearsal coverage*
•Includes online gallery of all images for 90 days
•Includes all wedding and rehersal images on CD, full sized, high-resolution files
•Includes 3 accordion-style custom printed books
•Includes 10x10 heirloom storybook for bride and groom
•Includes (2) 5x7 custom "brag" books for mothers
•Includes (2) 16x24 gallery-style canvas prints
•Includes (1) 24x36 ready-to-hang gallery-style canvas print
•Includes 4 gift/desk prints (your choice)
•Includes $550 Print Credit
•Includes 50% off additional print orders through web gallery
•Includes photographer's travel for mileage of up to 200 miles



*if rehearsal will require over-night stay for out-of-town location, hotel accommodations will apply
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***ADD REHEARSAL COVERAGE TO ANY PACKAGE FOR $150. INCLUDES UP TO 50 IMAGES FROM REHEARSAL ON CD WITH PRINT RIGHTS.

The Fine Print:
A deposit of  20%  is required to save the date. The remaining balance is due no later than 14 days before ceremony.  Payment arrangements can be made for your convenience, and credit cards are accepted.
Images on *CD are sized to print up to 8x10. (Unless specified otherwise)
You may upsize specific images for an additional $25 per image

ALL PACKAGES INCLUDE MY TIME, CREATIVITY, EXPERTISE, EQUIPMENT AND TIME EDITING, WHICH CAN TAKE UP TO 40-120 WORKING HOURS. Please take those factors into consideration when assessing wedding photography prices.  When Your big day has come and gone, the images will be what is left to cherish of it.  The cake, the flowers, the food, the invitations...will all be gone, but images last forever.

Traveling outside of a 50 mile range of Columbus, Ms is 40¢ per mile.  If distance requires hotel accommodations,  they will apply in addition to pricing.

Please feel free to call or email if you have a specific need and do not see a package to meet your needs.

Thanks for considering my artistry. I hope to be able to document your special day with precision and creative flair.
-Leah Nicole