Yes folks, my sabbatical (of sorts) is now over! I am feeling refreshed, refocused, and ready to get back and helping you capture all those wonderful stages and memories of your lives!!
Back in September I decided to take a step back from my photography to really focus on my family, on myself, and redefining what I really want this company to offer, represent, and stand for. I've done a lot of simplifying, contemplating, but more than anything....being REAL.
Coming back, that is one thing I want my clients to know about me; I am real. I have no desire to put on a facade, to follow trends, or to try and be anybody else. I am honest and I always desire to give clients what they are dreaming of. I am not the most knowledgable photographer out there. Im not the most creative photographer out there. Im not the cheapest or the most expensive. I am not competitive and Im not set out to be the next big thing. I love to take pictures, I love to give clients photos that make them smile. I love to photograph babies and kids through all of their stages and families as they add little members and grow through the years. I love photographing woman and helping them realize their true beauty. I love working with brides (and grooms) and helping capture every fun, sentimental, joyous moment of their big day. I love anticipating the birth of a newborn client and getting to be trusted with taking those very first photos. And I love being able to contribute financially to my family.
So, that said....as I make my return there are several changes that will be put into place with my re launch. One of the biggest changes is MY NAME! Yes, this is big so PLEASE make note!
Dolce Photography will now be known as JENNA LUOTO PHOTOGRAPHY. I made this choice for several reasons; some personal, some business. All in all, it is what's best for me. So, PLEASE make sure to like my new Facebook page and update your bookmark to
Scheduling:
I will be limiting my sessions in a more organized manor. One of the hardest things for me was having to tell someone "No." I want to be able to accommodate all of my clients and work with their schedules, needs, and wishes. However, I have to think of my family first. First and foremost I am a mom and wife. That is the role God has called me to in this stage of my life and I want to make sure that I am honoring that with the respect and love that it is due. So, to be able to responsible on both ends, I am going to try scheduling at least one month out and limiting the number of shoots I will take each month. So, if you know your little one will be six months in May, make sure to contact me in April to get in the books! I will post on Facebook and here on the blog when I am scheduling for each new month. My hope is that by doing this I will be able to accommodate both my client's and my family's needs. (**NOTE: Please contact me with any scheduling inquiries. If it fits for me to fit you in, Im willing to be flexible...as long as it works out!)
Payment:
I will now be asking for 50% non refundable down payment for every shoot upon booking. Because I am booking a month out and limiting myself, I need to be sure that clients follow through with their appointments. (**NOTE: I understand people get sick, work comes up, etc. I will honor that 50% down for a reschedule if I still have openings that month, otherwise I will carry it into the next month.)
Pricing/Printing:
This is a big debate within the photography industry. Do you give your clients the cd or not? For those of you who may not know, one of the main struggle with giving a client a cd with their images means that they can chose to print those images where ever they want. When we as photographers put our name on a photo we want to feel confident that the final image hung in someone's home represents our quality of work. Here is an image that a fellow photographer put together to show the print quality difference between a pro printer and non pro printer. No, this is not an exageration. This truly is the quality difference you get when choosing to print from a budget retailer.
That all said, I feel very drawn to letting my clients have there images for years to come-photo projects they think up down the road, new frame collages in the living room, etc. What I have decided is as follows:
-I will include a cd with the edited images from each shoot.
-The cd will be copyright released for Costco printing. (Any other printing source would be considered copyright infringement.) Costco offers the most professional printing quality accessible to non professional customers (in my opinion).
-I will offer professional lab printing to my clients (I use Millers Photo Lab). I have set my prices at an affordable rate so clients can chose to print the few images they do want immediately printed in superior quality.
**Please note: This is an area of my company that may evolve over time. Just note that it is always my goal to give my clients as much access to their photos as possible, while still keeping the quality of my work represented.
And I think that about covers it! Sorry for the novel, I just wanted to make sure everyone was up to speed with all the changes.
THANK YOU all for your support! It makes it all worth it!