Tuesday, August 24, 2010

The new Studio!

We are officially moving into the new studio! It's just a shell right now, as we are still going through the process of getting all our permits and inspections, but once the OK is given, we will be working like crazy to deck it out!

Keep checking back for progress updates and dates for our grand opening. You won't want to miss it!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Senior Photos

Seniors, it's less than a year away. The biggest moment in your life to date is coming... Graduation! You also have decisions like college, moving and so many other things that you never had to think about before.  But before you walk the stage, make an EASY decision. That's using J Photography and Design for your senior photos.

You are going to have to make more choices than a bride getting ready for her wedding this year. Looking back to my senior year, I know I would do some things different. One of those is who I chose for my senior portraits. I went with the boring old photographer that paid the school more than the other photographers to get the privilege of being the "recommended" guy. This is usually a chain company, that sends out an UNTRAINED person that sets up the lights and props the EXACT same way at every school, for every person. I know because my senior photos were the EXACT same as my friend's photos. Dont be like everyone else. You are unique, so show it to everyone! 10 yrs from now, when everything else is a faded memory, those photos will still be here. Make them count!

Some things to think about when choosing a senior portrait photographer:
  1. The school can't force you to use "their guy". They will encourage you, because that guy paid them more than anyone else, and if he does alot of business, he will pay more than anyone else next year too.
  2. Look at the photographers' recent works. Has he shot senior sessions before? Do you know someone that used him before? What do they think of him/her? Does the photographers' style look like something you want to be part of?
  3. Does the photographer go out on location to capture YOUR personality? Don't settle for someone who makes you adapt to theirs'!
  4. Don't price shop! It is perfectly OK to have a budget and stick with it, but be realistic. Someone offering a whole day of shooting and everything on CD for $50 is probably just practicing on you. Your friend who has a camera might take cool myspace pics, but how do they stand up to large printing? Finding someone with a proven reputation and professional business practices will ensure there are no "oops", and you can make a billboard from that print if you want to. If you see a photographer you really like who is out of your budget, call them anyway and talk to him/her. Tell them your budget, what you want, what you like about their work, etc. Many times a deal can be reached, and everyone walks away happy. I do this all the time for people and making a custom package is one of the many reasons to choose J Photography for your senior photos!
  5. Be unique! 90% of your senior classmates are going to use the school's "recommended guy". I don't know about you, but I hate waiting in line for the same thing everyone else is getting. It's just like the lunch line or going to the doctor's office for a shot, and that's no fun. With J Photography, you spend one on one time with us, and get a customized session that fits your style, personality and attitude! I have never seen anyone with an attitude that matched a fake bookshelf and generic graduation gown.
J Photography

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Friday, August 13, 2010

No more session fees.

That's right. We are changing things up a bit from the norm. J Photography is doing away with session fees on any single occasion portrait session. Weddings and First year packages are unaffected, because they never had this fee to begin with.

  Our goal is simple. We know you will love the photos, there is no doubt about that. We know that you are going to buy photos, well, because you love them. So what we want to do is change how you spend YOUR money. You simply book the session, pay a small amount to reserve the appointment upfront, and that is credited towards prints. There is a minimum purchase of $200, but you spend $200 and you GET $200 worth of products. No mandatory packages to rope you into 400 locket size prints you don't need or anything like that. We will still honor our discounts for $500 and $1000 initial orders as well, so there is no question that we want (and love) your business.

 Also, by popular demand, we are going to start booking more theme sessions per year. Right now we do 2, maybe 3. The goal is to have one every month. These will be specially themed/propped sets and special pricing for the 4 days of the shoot. Pricing for these start at $75 and will follow the same path as our no sitting fee model.

UPDATE ON THE STUDIO:
 As many of you know, we are growing. ALOT. We need space that is our own with room to grow, and we have been looking. In all honesty, I am not sure when we will be moved in, but things are starting to come around. Narrowing down properties has become really easy, finding a space that will work, in an area that we WANT to be in, not so easy. I promise once we do find a location, there will be a huge opening party with gallery work on display by other local photographers and free food/drinks. No clowns though, they are weird and scary.

As always, send me an email if you have any questions or just want to say hi. Tamara and I love to hear from everyone!

Jason

J Photography