You Oughta be in Pictures

Remember all those trips you took and someone was always missing from the photos? It's time for you to be get back in the picture and enjoy your family and friends. School's out, vacations are in full force and we have a way for you to truly enjoy your next vacation, retreat or special occasion, whether this year or beyond.

A little background. As a professional photographer, I take a lot of photos...it goes without saying right? When I get a break and take a vacation, I usually leave all the equipment behind, grab my little point and shoot, and even with that, take it out only for a few "we were here" type of shots. I want to enjoy and actually experience my vacation and not photograph it and experience it later. Does this sound familiar? Do you spend half your time taking pics which end up blurry or never leave your cell phone? Is the family tired of mom/dad taking their photo for the 100th time? "Selfies" anyone? If you're the type who likes to photograph every moment of your vacation then read no further.

If you'd like to leave all the gadgets behind but still have those moments to remember, then this may be just the ticket for you.

Imagine taking a wonderful vacation or going on a retreat with your family, loved ones or friends, and enjoying each moment, camera/gadget-free. A few days later after arriving home, you're sent a link to all your photos of all those great memories you just had. But wait, who took those photos? That's where we come in!

What we're offering:

  • We meet you on your vacation, retreat or other special occasion and tag along with you to capture all your best memories.
  • You get to enjoy your vacation and have professional photos of it without the hassle. You cover the travel expenses plus a fee for the service and I provide all your memories.
  • Every outing is different and we will work with you to find the right balance, but generally, our shoot fee will be around $800-2,500 for the entire trip. All the photos (low/high resolution) we take are included in the package.

This isn't for everyone, but having professional photos of a family retreat, reunion or other outing without missing any of the action may be the perfect way to go. Contact us today to discuss your next camera-free vacation or retreat and find out what you've been missing.

Weather or Not

A few weeks ago, we planned a photo shoot down on Lake Washington and the forecast called for rain, but our client was hopeful that the showers would hold off. The morning of the shoot, there were some clouds around, but no rain, so it was a go for the outside shoot. It turned out great, we had plenty of sun and great weather, and our clients were happy with the experience and their photos.

When we plan an outside shoot, we usually incorporate contingency plans in case the weather doesn't cooperate. We can still shoot inside the studio or reschedule it for another day that that includes better weather.

The best time of day for shooting outside is early in the morning or later in the evening with an hour or two after sunrise or before sunset. We also use portable lighting to enhance and improve the scene of your choice. Sometimes, you may only have a certain time-frame to schedule in. We are flexible and will find a solution that is right for you. No matter what you're goals are for your photos, we can accommodate them. Whether it's outside, inside or even both during the same day, we have you covered.

Taking Great Photographs

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A friend asked me the other day, "How do I take great photographs?" She wasn't speaking of taking the photos herself, but being on the receiving end of great photos. She had worked with other photographers with mixed results and had asked all of them the same question and didn't receive a good answer, and in some cases, an "I don't know". Wow!

Part of getting great photos is the experience. You will get great photos from us, but you won't be thinking about that as we go through your session. In fact, you may at some point get so immersed in our shoot that you may forget about it altogether.

We also provide helpful direction in our shoots. I mentioned some of the things to my friend that are helpful, even crucial, to getting great shots (connection, expressions, angles, lighting, environment, etc.). Since we are all individuals in our looks, personality and build, we tailor our direction to each individual which provides the best photos of YOU. Most clients aren't trained models, but you may feel and look like one by the time were finished. We have fun, share a few stories and leave with you some great memories...and photographs.

Stop by and visit our studio to find out more or give us a call. There's a never a consulting fee and we'd love to chat about what we can create for you.

Customized Photography

In world where everything comes in small, medium or large, is there still a need for custom fit? We say yes! Whether it's jeans, shoes, a bike or even a new car, we want something that says, "me". We're surrounded by a mass-produced culture and all the products that go with it, but craftsmanship is still alive and well…especially at Chasing Light Studios.

Sometimes "custom" comes with a custom price-tag or a hard-to-produce, slow-to-ship product or service. At Chasing Light Studios, each client and shoot is an original and we consult with you to design a session that works for your needs. Our sessions are purposeful and enjoyable…as a client was leaving from a her shoot, she mentioned, “that was a lot of fun!”. We have a flat fee for most portrait shoots and clear and simple pricing for photographic products.

Finally, shooting outdoors is currently a popular option and we are experts at on-location shoots, but a studio shoot can be just as good and we get creative here. We have access to multiple backgrounds and setups all during one shoot that offer a variety of styles. We give you many options during and following the shoot including how you want your photos processed.

Let us know what we can create for you.

Personalized Service

During college, I worked at several companies where excellent customer service was ingrained in the culture. I quickly learned that the type of service you offer can and will define you. Through my career as a designer and photographer, I've worked to provide clients the service they want and expect from professionals.

Our business is part art, science and psychology. We get to know you in our brief time together, learn what you like and don't, plan out your shoot, and take photographs you'll love. After most shoots, photos are turned around in just a few days for you to view in our studio or online.

Sometimes you may want something tweaked, have some changes or want a different photo than originally requested. Contact us and we'll get it turned around quickly...usually in the same hour.

We understand there are many choices for your photos. We're a small business that provides detailed, personalized service and we're about building relationships that last.

Give us a call...you'll be happy you did!

Show & Tell

The name of our Blog is, "Show & Tell". There's a reason for this as with everything we do. People like to tell stories—some do it with words, while others do it with visual media. We're fans of both kinds!

We have clients who have sent us photos they like and want to emulate in their shoot, while others describe for me what they want, and still others who leave it up to us and let the session follow its own course. A little serendipity can be the secret sauce!

The great thing about our work is the people we meet and work with...all different and diverse, which makes our sessions that much better. We want your personality to stand out and your photos to reflect you. The way your photographed and how we process your photos helps in that connection.

All of our sessions are customized to fit your needs as no two are alike. There may be some similarities, but we work with you to determine the look you're after and the best way to capture that.

I've posted a photo from a recent shoot that has been processed in three different ways. There's nothing right or wrong about any of them, but one may better reflect the personality of the individuals and mood of the shoot better than another. You may want to match your photos to a room in your house, compliment other photos, or do something completely different. We also have great options for printing and mounting that reflect your style and decor.

Whatever your needs, we can design a shoot just for you.