“More Scarves than Tank Tops” October 30, 2008

I found these words coming from my lips when someone asked me if I thought I had acclimated well after moving here from Santa Barbara six years ago.  “Well” I said, ” I do own more scarves than tank tops now!”

So, I think it might be official.  I am now a north-westerner.  I own multiple fleeces, one for “going out”, one for camping, or yard work, and I own WAY more scarves than tank tops.  I also wasn’t all that bummed to see August go by, giving way to the most beautiful fall I have ever experienced.  This is an amazing place we get to live in, and I am loving it!  Take a good long look outside, the leaves are on fire, and they won’t be around for too much longer.  I love the crisp air, I love the smell of pumpkin spice anything (lattes, candles, muffins, etc.).  I love putting on wool socks at night, and lighting a fire to keep warm.  What are your favorite things about this time of year??

Wedding Photography ~Rates and Albums October 28, 2008

Hello Everyone!  I just wanted to do some elaboration on my rates, because I got a comment that the album was too expensive, at $1000.00.  Now, here is the thing.  At first glance, without any research, or knowledge of wedding albums, I can absolutely see how $1000 can seem like an awful lot for a wedding album. 

However, there are a few things to consider here.  One, is quality.  The quality of two things make or break an album.  The first, is the design.  Design is an art form, and just like any other art form, it can be really great, or well, not so great.  It can evoke emotion, or it can simply be a collage.  It can artistically and beautifully represent a day that you spent nearly a year planning, or, again, it can just be a collection of photographs.  I believe, in my heart, that given the two options side by side, anyone would choose a professionally designed layout.

The other thing to consider, is the quality of craftsmanship.  There is the quality, feel, suppleness, and sustainability of the leather cover.  Again, this is something you keep for a lifetime, and really beyond by passing it down to your children.  Synthetic materials simply cannot withstand time the way real leather can.  Next, the binding of the pages into the book is extremely important.  Many companies offer flush mount albums, but as you open the album, the book does not really lay flat.  The seam that is inevitable stands out, and there is a bit of color loss along the seam.  The glue sometimes begins to crack right away, or it shows through the insides of the covers.  None of these things are a good thing.  So, I believe, given the two choices side by side, today’s bride would rather have her memories preserved in the most beautiful, quality way she can.

Currently, the “average” wedding photographer is charging somewhere around $3200.  This is without an album!  Not to say they are doing anything wrong, I just choose to do it differently.  My package starts at $2000, includes an engagement shoot, 6 hours of photography by myself and my assistant, and an on-line presentation of the wedding photos to share with friends and family, who can also purchase directly from Pictage.com.  Should my client wish to add an album for an additional $1000, they will be receiving an album that is actually worth something more like $1800.00!  By having it as an add-on, I feel I am giving the most value, the most choices, the best options.  Just because someone is not spending $7000 on their wedding photography, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have access to the same albums, right?

Zach & Aimee’s Family Portraits October 27, 2008

 

I am so glad to see this family again!  It has been an entire year since our last shoot, and as I expected their two girls are as cute as ever!  It is hard to believe an entire year has gone by!  We took full advantage of an amazing fall day out at Rattlesnake lake last weekend.  It was unbelievably gorgeous, and as always Zach and Aimee had their girls smiling, running, playing, and giving me ample opportunity for great shots.  Above are just some that caught my eye immediately.  So nice to see you again, and we’ll be in touch soon!

Weekly Gratitude Journal October 26, 2008

Okay.  I’ve been meaning to do this for awhile now, and am finally forcing myself to start.  I think especially with the holidays, well, they are upon us actually, and these scary economic times, I’ve had a lot of things on my mind lately.  Like my family who I miss dearly, my friends in California, who I miss dearly.  Things like the fact that I have a home that I love, I have a good part time job that pays well,  and I have a career I’m working on.  I also think about things like how hard it is going to be to afford a family of my own, and I think about all those families who have lost everything financially lately.  Well anyway, what I am getting at is I think you can do one of two things: be positive, or be negative.  Period.  So I am trying to be positive, and one of the best ways to do that is a gratitude journal (thank you Oprah).  I think it would be great if every week we all took just a few minutes out of our busy lives to stop and smell the roses so to speak.  Just jot down a few things that make you smile.  Here are some of mine:

I have a husband who is truly my best friend.  I love our home, even though it isn’t perfect.  I have good health.  I have a great relationship with my mom.  My dog makes me unbelievably happy.  Every shoot I do I have that one special image that takes my breath away.  I have a reliable car.  My best friend is also my neighbor.  My blog just passed the 4000 visitor mark.

Now you try.  Then sit and read it a few times.  Think about how lucky you really are.  And for the rest of the day, and ideally the rest of the week, when you are having a bad moment, think about this list, then smile… and relax.

2009 Wedding Photography Rate Update October 23, 2008

I just had a great meeting with my trusty adviser.  I have nailed down the two companies who I trust to do my album work for me, and have updated my site to reflect the new pricing.

Wedding coverage will begin at $2000, without an album.  8×8 Leather Bound albums featuring the client’s choice of ten out of twelve-fourteen layouts is an additional $1000.  Each additional layout after the first ten is an additional $100.  Little KISSes, or small pocket sized versions of the album can be added to the order at 9 for $325.  These make excellent thank you gifts. 

I am extremely proud of the albums I have to offer, and very confident in the craftmanship and quality.  On your first anniversary you only have a few things left over from the wedding:  your spouse, your rings, your memories, and your photographs.  What better way to preserve them than a stunning album?

Simple right?

Rattle Snake Lake Shoot Scheduled For Saturday October 22, 2008

The sun should be out, and I have a feeling Saturday will be a beautiful day for family portraits.

Put on your scarves and hats, round up the kids, and meet me at Rattle Snake Lake!

Various slots are still open, and the time is just right to get family portraits done before the holidays.

Please contact me at sumhopkins@netscape.net or 425.281.1438 to set up an appointment!

Good Samaritan October 21, 2008

I just wanted to thank the good Samaritan I crossed paths with yesterday.  While driving up Novelty Hill, right around Trilogy, traffic came to a stop.  My husband looked ahead, and realized that there was a dog in the road, and he looked injured.  This was also moments after a thunder storm began, so many dogs, like mine, were scared and anxious about the loud thunder.  We didn’t know what to do but we knew that we wanted to make sure no other car hit this dog, so we stopped and got out of the car, without a real plan.  The car in front of us, a white SUV, had already opened its back passenger door, and a pair of little hands was trying to coach this poor pup into the car.  The woman driving said, “can you help get this guy into our car?  He isn’t ours, but we’ll take care of him.”  Cameron scooped the little injured guy into the backseat, where he thankfully sat down next to a little boy.  If she hadn’t taken control of the situation, we would have.  It is so refreshing to see a stranger helping someone, or something in need.  Think about how you would want your pet treated if he ran away frightened, and got hit by a car?  Or your child if he were lost?  Or your grandparent if they needed something.  Lets all keep in mind that we are not that different from one another, and sometimes a helping hand can change someones life, if not their day.

One last hurrah October 20, 2008

My husband and I took two of our buddies, piled into the Tahoe, and headed out to the middle Fork of the Snoqualmie river for one last hurrah.  Yes, it was very cold, but no rain so really as long as you stayed right next to our roaring fire, you felt just fine.  Kona had a blast doing what she does best: obsessing over rocks.  Yes, rocks.  I know, seems really strange, and it is.  She will even dip her entire head under water to fetch the particular rock you threw in for her.  She is hilarious, and still in bed by the way.  We call them camping hangovers.  She plays so hard that when we get home she stays in bed for days.  Not a bad life huh?

I experienced a back muscle spasm for the first time, and it is very painful at times.  I didn’t even hurt myself lifting, or running, or anything like that.  I was just sitting there, and felt an odd pinching snap in my back.  For the entire camping trip I had to be really careful, not lift or carry anything.  Good thing I had three strong men to do all of that for me   I am the master chef though, and I set up a chair next to the camping stove and was still able to turn out some really good meals, if I do say so myself.  All in all, we were able to eat, drink and be merry.  We had one really fun day and night, and the next morning ate breakfast burritos, and then headed home.  I am always so happy to have that hot shower after camping.  There is nothing like it!

Album Design October 16, 2008

Well, you live and learn, and then you do more research!

It is amazing how in depth wedding album design can be.  I am working with all new vendors for 2009, and offered those services to my 08′ brides as well if they wanted to switch from what was on our contract.  This meant that the cost of the album went up from what I factored into the contract, but I really felt I was offering a better product.  So now I have designed an album and am currently awaiting it’s shipment from KISS.  KISS is a great company founded by wedding photographers, and is wonderfully simple, with fabulous customer service.  I am very proud to be offering their beautiful albums to my 09′ brides!

But then there is the design.  WHOA.  Design is it’s own beast, and many if not most photographers are finding that they can’t be excellent photographers, AND excellent album designers.  So I am currently looking into three different design companies to do my designs.  Now, this also means that I have to restructure my 09′ wedding packages, but I really think it is worth it.  Who wants a beautifully bound album, with just a ho-hum design inside?  And I’m thinking what I will do is offer a package without the album, and offer it as an a la carte item to be added to the base price.  This way, I can still shoot for couples with a more limited budget, and there are those who actually don’t want that fancy album.  Then for those that do, I’ll be able to offer the most value, the highest quality design, and the finest binding.  FUN!

I’ll be getting those prices up in the next few days, here and on the investment section of my site:

www.summerdawnphotography.com

Lifestyle Portrait Event: Rattlesnake Lake October 15, 2008

  Hello everyone!  For all of you who have been thinking of sending your family and friends Christmas presents that they will truly adore ( Framed Portraits of course! ) I have the weekend for you!  I’ll be meeting up with an adorable client’s family on Saturday, October 25th at Rattle Snake Lake. 

I have hour slots open from 12:30-4 pm.  Should the weather disappoint us, we’ll move the whole day to Sunday, so please be prepared to be a bit flexible.  This is a great opportunity to get your family out for a few hours, bundle up and enjoy the crisp autumn air.  Think vests, sweaters, scarves, etc.  One of the few times where I would suggest using lots of color in accessories.  So keep the base of the outfit simple and plain, such as jeans and a solid long sleeved t-shirt, and then have fun with printed scarves etc.

The lake should be just beautiful, and what a great backdrop!  Please give me a call:  425.281.1438 or drop me a line: sumhopkins@netscape.net if you would like to set up an appointment!                                        

                                                                  Hope to see you there!!