Saturday, February 21, 2009

Tiny Little K...Tahoe Newborn Photographer

She has wisdom behind her eyes, at only 3 weeks.
And so much hair!


Very expressive little fingers...






I heart baby feet!


Baby gang signs...so adorable!


Little Butterfly


Big Yawn.


Oh, so much to look forward to little one...

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

About Your Photographer and Your Session

About K Van D Photography

I love to watch families. I see something in the way they connect, hold hands, and look into each other’s eyes. There is a spark there. It is a spark I see in my children, my husband, my family. It is a spark I want to capture so I can relive it and cherish it and celebrate it whenever I want to.

This is what I want to do for you.

For the most part, I enjoy candid, natural photography. I want to capture your family being themselves, your children as they really are, you as you might not even be able to see yourself. I love to capture interaction and spirit, so although I do not use the kind of studio backgrounds found in posed portrait photography, I may want to capture your family bowling, hanging out at the library, washing the dog, or eating pancakes at IHOP. The ultimate goal is to have fun, to be yourself, to be captured naturally with each other. Relax. Enjoy each other and yourself.

Don’t stress out trying to get ready for this photo shoot. Wear what you look and feel good in. Wear your hair the way you always do. Don’t overdo the makeup. You are going to love what we get out of this, because relaxation and ease translate beautifully on camera.

I want you in your everyday mode. I want your kids in mismatched socks, you in your favorite jeans, your family as you are everyday – unique, natural and beautiful. Life isn’t perfect, and I have no interest in posing everybody for that “perfect family portrait”. I will never ask everybody to “look at the camera and smile”. When I am going through your session later, your “perfect family portrait” will not look like anyone else’s – ever. It will be amazing and beautiful and it will be quintessentially you.

Basic Information on Your Images

Many photographers won't sell you the digital files of your images or require a minimum print purchase before selling them. I have allowed for an incredibly liberal approach to image pricing for my clients. I offer digital negatives in my packages, which is a unique and very valuable thing.

This means that after our session, you have the option to choose a package that includes a disc of your images. I have packages that range from being strictly digital in nature to more traditional. If you purchase a package that includes digital negatives, you will be granted a Personal Use Copyright Release and will have the freedom to print and enlarge the photos from your session at your convenience, as well as own a digital copy for back-up purposes.

I realize that in this technological age, photos are just as likely to be displayed on screensavers, iPhones, Facebook accounts and digital frames as they are to be in a traditional frame on a desk or wall. So, the digital packages include digital images on DVD both in low-resolution versions for online sharing and high-resolution versions for making prints. The low-resolution image versions include my logo and website.


Your Session Includes…

A one to three hour shoot either at your home or at a location of our choosing. (Travel within the South Lake Tahoe area is included in the session. Residents of neighboring communities please inquire about my travel rates.)

Approximately 25-35 proofs for your personal viewing pleasure.

Session prices begin at $75.

But It Does Not Include…

Session fees do NOT include any images; on CD or otherwise. To obtain images, you have several collections to choose from.

Collections begin at $250. Prints may also be ordered ala carte, prints begin at $20 each.
For complete pricing information, please contact me.


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Session Details

What to Expect


It is my ultimate goal to create a customized experience based on the unique qualities and characteristics of my subject matter. Before your session, we will discuss any ideas you may have as well as shot requests for your session. We will also discuss you may prepare and what you can expect once I arrive on location.

If the session is at your home, I will want a tour, first thing! I want to see where your family spends time, what you guys do, and I will be looking for great natural light in pockets of your home. Because I try to work exclusively with natural light, I may even want to rearrange a little bit, so that we can bring some of the things you love in your home in one central location that has the light I am looking for. We will also spend this time getting to know each other, and discussing any specific shot ideas that you may want to attempt.

At the session, I will work to put you at ease and capture the images you have requested. I collect shots I see on the internet all the time, thinking “I need that shot of my family/baby/self. I encourage you to do the same thing. I will bring my portfolio for you to get ideas from and if you have collected photos we can look through those and see what we may be able to accomplish. I believe photography is a collaboration between the photographer and the subject, so I encourage your input and ideas.

If we are doing a Maternity or Newborn shoot, I will certainly bring some backdrops and blankies and props like baskets. I want to capture you and your baby your natural and familiar surroundings, so get creative and let’s find a way to incorporate vintage outfits, family heirlooms, and special gifts that mean something to you. You have all sorts of things in your home that would be so much cuter with your baby in them – salad bowls, planters, hatboxes…so keep things like this in mind for your session.

The Location

All sessions are shot on location in an outdoor or indoor setting in the South Lake Tahoe area.

(Travel within the South Lake Tahoe area is included in the session. Residents of neighboring communities please inquire about my travel rates.)

The Images

After allowing time for processing and editing (generally 10-14 business days), you will receive PDF proofs of 20-25 images from your session. Your selection will include images in fine art color, and black and white. From these, you choose the images for your CD or may request additional retouching or special edits. (See below for rates).

Once your selection is finalized and final payment has been made, your CD will be mailed within 7-10 business days. Along with your CD, you will receive a Personal Use Copyright Release signed by the photographer and tips on making prints from your CD. The high resolution images on your CD will allow you to have prints made generally up to as big as 11” x 14.”

All images created by Karmen Van Derven or K Van D Photography may be used for her website, blog, portfolio, and promotional materials. All images are protected by copyright law.

Photo Retouching

All images receive basic retouching before the proofs are emailed/presented to you. Additional photo retouching is available at an hourly rate of $25/hour with a minimum charge of $15. Your photographer can give you a quote before you order extra retouching.

Payment

A non-refundable retainer of $50 is required to book your session. The retainer will be credited to your session/package price at your session.

Family is very important to me, and I am excited about meeting yours. It is also important for me to be with my own, so I book limited sessions per month. I am sometimes booked sevral months in advance, so call to make your appointment as soon as you know when you would like to get together.

Canceling or rescheduling 24 hours or less in advance of your session will result in the loss of the retainer. Exceptions due to sickness, emergency, or inclement weather will be at the discretion of the photographer.

The balance of the session price is due at the beginning of your session. For additional images, special edits, retouching, or other services not included in your package price, payment must be made before prints are ordered.

I accept:
Personal checks
Cash (Please do not mail cash.)
PayPal (add an additional $3 service charge per transaction.)