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

CONTEST TIME!

We are gearing up for an Autumn jam-packed with goodness! To give it a kick-start, we are hosting our annual CUTIE-PIE CONTEST! 

All you have to do to enter is:

1.) LIKE SWOON THE MOON PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN on Facebook and
2.) email a photo (SNAPSHOTS ONLY PLEASE) of your cutie-pie (ages 0-12) to SwoonTheMoon@gmail.com and make the subject CUTIE-PIE.  Be sure to include the name and age. (if it isn't your cutie-pie, please have the parent's permission.) 

All submissions will be added to an album on our facebook page, where friends and family will be able to vote by "liking" the photo (hint: you must like the page to like the picture).  The most likes wins!

PRIZE:
Winner receives one full family or child session, an online gallery to view all images, 10 fully edited, custom images on Cd with print rights! That's a $300 value!

DETAILS:
First off – this giveaway is in no way sponsored by facebook. By entering – you agree that you are over 18 years of age and are giving information to Swoon the Moon Photography, not facebook.

Entries will be taken from Today until midnight (central time) September 10, 2011. Voting will continue thru September 23, 2011 with the winner being announced September 24, 2011.  Please do not submit professional photos, they will not be accepted.
Winner must be willing to do their session in the Columbus, MS  or Nashville, TN area.

Ready...set.....GO!

F-Stop Frenzy Photo Challenge Entry: HOPE

This is the first time I have ever entered a photo challenge.  I recently came across a gem of a blog, F-Stop Frenzy.  I have learned from and been inspired by the ladies there, and thought I would take the challenge.


The photo I am choosing to represent my version of HOPE is a photo of my daughter, Lily.  Why this photo represents hope to me, is that it symbolizes chasing one's dreams.  I had a dream.  I sang and wrote music as a young girl and a younger woman.  The guitar in the image represents my dream. MY HOPE IS THAT MY DAUGHTER WILL CHASE HER OWN DREAMS, WHATEVER THEY MAY BE.  Whether it's music, art, medicine, it doesn't matter...I just hope that precious little spirit will chase her dreams with passion, with determination, with courage...with HOPE.
"When I look at my daughter, I see myself....ONLY BETTER." --Unknown
With Hope,
Leah Nicole

Not-So-Pretty Bakery

I make ugly cakes.

I love to cook.  I am actually very good at it, and have a reputation amongst my family and friends as "the one that can cook".  My hips and my husband's belly are a testimony to the skill I possess.  That being said, I make ugly cakes.  They taste amazing....but they are U G L Y.  Same goes for cupcakes.  Now, consider for a moment you had a choice....would you choose a beautiful, tasteless cupcake, or a sloppy, moist and flavorful one?  If you choose the latter, check this out.

You won't see my confections on the food network or any of those Real Simple magazines, but they are melt-in-your-mouth and smack-your-granny good.  And for the record, we do not advocate smacking your granny.  If you want to try these yummy RED VELVET cupcakes out, I've included a recipe for you.  Best part? IT STARTS WITH A CAKE MIX, so it's easy....

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting

1  pkg.  (2-layer size) red velvet  cake mix
Required ingredients for cake mix, per box's instructions
1 pkg. (3.9 oz.) Vanilla Instant Pudding
1 pkg. (8 oz.) Neufchatel or regular Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
1 pkg. (16 oz.) powdered sugar (about 4 cups)
1 cup thawed Whipped Topping
1 Package malted milk eggs, white chocolate for shaving, or chopped walnuts for garnishing

1. Prepare cake batter and blend dry pudding mix into batter before spooning into prepared muffin cups. Bake as directed on package for 24 cupcakes. Cool.
2. Meanwhile, beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Gradually beat in sugar. Whisk in COOL WHIP. Spoon frosting into small freezer-weight resealable plastic bag; seal bag (or use a cake decorating bag with tip). Cut small corner off bottom of bag and insert tip.
3. Frost cupcakes with frosting. Top with whichever yummy you choose.  I chose the malted eggs for the Easter look.

I made these cupcakes for my daughters' classes at daycare, only the daycare was closed after tornadoes swept through town last night and the town was mostly without power.  So, here I am, alone with 40 cupcakes.....

~Leah

HAPPY EASTER!

The Full Moon Swoon

Happy PINK MOON, everyone! Did you know....

The name "Pink Moon" came from the herb moss pink, or wild ground phlox, which is one of the earliest widespread flowers of the spring.  Other names for this month's celestial body include the Full Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and among coastal tribes the Full Fish Moon, because this was the time the shad swam upstream to spawn.

"Full Moon Over Fitzroy" by John Carney

I love admiring the work of other artists.  After all, it isn't the tools we have that creates the image, it's the vision we bring to life. See John Carney's FLICKR stream HERE.

Sooo....In honor of this month's beauty in the sky, we at Swoon the Moon are offering a special that's sure to make you swoon!

Book any family, newborn or children's session today, (may take place any time between now and May 30, but session fee must be received by MIDNIGHT TONIGHT), and you receive HALF OFF SESSION FEE and a $50 PRINT CREDIT!!!!

Regular Full Session Price $150
SALE PRICE $75!!!

If interested, just email SwoonTheMoon@gmail.com and make subject "FULL MOON SWOON".  Jess or I will send you a Paypal money request, or you can send the $75 to our Paypal at the same email, just be sure to send a separate email to let us know who you are and what Paypal address your payment came from.  If you have any questions, just call one of us at 662-813-3019 or 662-251-3179 and we'll be happy to help you.

Now, don't forget to check out that full moon tonight!  In the meanwhile, here's something to make you swoon! I may be biased, but it surely makes me!

Stay tuned for a new blog update this week with some very exciting announcements...most importantly A GIVEAWAY!  Everyone have a good week and be blessed!

~Leah