Things You Should Know About Your Session
I love taking pictures of kids as they really are.
If you are looking for a picture of your child uncomfortably posed and tightly smiling, I am probably not for you. If you want a picture of your true child...messy and crazy and jumping around (and even occasionally looking thoughtful or smiling) then you have come to the right place.
The session will run for as long as your child does (or an hour-ish, whichever comes first).
I am passionate about children's photography, which means that I try to be extremely sensitive to your child. I have had many children come in to have their picture taken that are dreading walking through the door, and it is my goal to show them that a photography studio can actually be a pretty good time. I believe that it just simply isn't worth it to make a kid suffer for a photo...because then all you have is a picture of your kid suffering!
Feel free to ask me for advice on what to wear...but be warned that I might suggest Superhero Costumes.
Truthfully, I love it when kids come in with their costumes and tutus...but I know that isn't always the most appropriate for a Christmas card or for grandma's mantle. Feel free to bring several changes of clothes (and maybe one tutu?) that we can look through and pick out our favorites at the studio.
I have lots and lots of tricks up my sleeve to get your child to cooperate...
...so try and sit on our super-comfy couch and relax if you can. I may ask you to come over and sit next to me since the babies love to see their mom (and it gives the illusion that they are looking at the camera). If your child is feeling anxious it might be better to keep you just out of sight, because seeing you will just make them cry :) don't worry, you will always be in the room and able to see everything that is going on.
Try to resist asking your child to smile.
Look, I get it, it is human nature. When my kids come in to my studio I ask them to smile even though I know better. I can get most kids to giggle or smile with a selection of knock-knock jokes or blowing raspberries...coaching them on smiling is my very last resort.
Don't be too shy to ask to take a break!
Babies need to nurse and have their diaper changed, toddlers need snacks and to explore their surroundings...sometimes a kid that seems at the end of their patience will have a couple more pictures in them after a couple of goldfish crackers.
There are many things to trip over and break in my studio.
I (of course) try to keep it as kid-friendly as possible, but there are rolling light stands and a storage room full of crazy stuff (that attracts children like moths to a flame). I will talk to your child about what is safe and what isn't, and we can work together to keep everyone safe.
Sometime I have to give incentive.
One of the tricks up my sleeve is a magic treat box that I bring out at the end of the session. There are both sugar-treats and non-food treats in the box...please let me know if you have an allergy/aversion to food treats and I can take them out ahead of time.
I love questions!
Let me know if you have any!
-Amy
A Little Bit About Me, Myself, and I
My love affair with photography started during a series of cross-country road trips I took with my mom in the early 80's. I was a preteen with a Kodak Instamatic X-15 and an endless amount of time and scenery. From the Niagra Falls to the Rocky Mountains, the Redwoods to Boston Harbor, I burned through roll after roll of film.
The trips out east/west eventually petered out in favor of trips to the mall and cruising downtown Traverse City and my interest in photography waned.
When I got my first digital camera in 1999, it was like falling in love all over again. The ability to take endless amounts of photos, coupled with the instant gratification of being able to see your exact focus and exposure (well, as much as was possible on a 1.8" lcd screen) were like a siren song. I was hooked.
So here we are. With two young children I have learned how to speak "two-year-old". Having been married I speak "stressed out bride and groom". Having taken hundreds of thousands of photographs I speak "exposure triangle". With those specific skill sets at my disposal, there was only one sensible career path to take. I love what I do. Capturing a moment in time - of your child's favorite dress-up clothes or the intricate details on your wedding veil - is the most fulfilling part of what I do. I place utmost priority on making a photo shoot fun and stress-free.
Please email me at amy@wurdock.com if you would like to schedule a portrait session, or an engagement/wedding consultation. -Amy
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