One of the things you pay me for…
So in my description of what you are paying me for I list post processing. Which most clients eyes just glaze over. Photographers are ALWAYS trying to find new ways to give their images some umphffff or differentiate themselves.
Nichole Van’s actions are some of my favorites (http://shop.nicholev.com/?splash ) and you can see some of her FANTASTIC work here: http://portrait.nicholev.com/?splash
I’m finally catching up on what has been a crazy year so I wanted to give you an example of a couple friends I shot in July and just had time to give them their “quick and dirty” proofs. So that is my “BEFORE”.
I’ve been wanting to play w/ higher contrast and textures, so I will list the actions I used for my “AFTER” if any of my photog friends are stopping by!
For the clients that have popped over to her site and are shocked at the price of these actions, textures, etc and if you tried them would see the amount of time it takes to REALLY learn photoshop (which I am still learning after 5 years and hope to be in another 20)….just think this is part of WHAT YOU PAY ME FOR….to obsess over the best actions, figure out how I want to tweak them and don’t mind paying for them because this is PLAYING for me and I LOVE IT! 
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The Flash Player and a browser with Javascript support are needed.Mothers Day Spot Snapshots
For all of the mothers day mini session participants, here is a sneak peak at the park and what it offers.
Keep in mind these are just quick snapshots that I took to give you an idea of what to expect.
On day of our pictures Jason will be there w/ flash, an umbrella, and other things to help get the lighting right.
The sunset pics I took today were just kind of gravy, but I had to take them (sorry).
The pictures are in order of our loop.
Make sure to park at the parking lot that is most southern (there are 2).
Once at the parking lot you will pass a grassy field and there will be a playground on the right.
WARN your kids that this will be their treat at the end – because you have to go right past it.
Then there is a trail that goes downhill to the beach area.
Notice Andre’s WHITE tennis shoes in one of the pictures…I kept this to show you what NOT to do.
It was a green background w/ his orange jacket and the first thing you notice is his WHITE shoes.
(Remember when I warned you about coordinating socks and shoes???? – here’s an example of what NOT to do).
The bottom of the hill is the beach area. Keep in mind how your kids react to the water and what you are comfortable with.
There’s wonderful driftwood and lots of pepples to throw if you want some closeup shots of the kids that way.
Next there are also a few cabin like structures (one w/ a fireplace).
The last few pictures show Jason trucking up the hill (so you realize how steep this is – although I have pushed all 3 kids up this hill by myself so it’s possible).
Lastly we go across another grassy field and back to the playground (where the kids can play….yaaaay).
Lastly, I had to snap one quick shot of the pier that was starting to light up – guess we stayed to long to play with the zip line swing near the playground.
Click the thumbnails below to open up the small pics and use your arrow keys to go back and forth between them. Use the escape key or hover over the bottom of the window to find the close link.
What NOT to wear playdate and suggestions!
Hi Everyone, After seeing some horrendous post on some of my photography forums about clothing clients had chosen, I decided to host a “what NOT to wear playdate”. All of the moms brought their kids in 2 outfits – a cute set that they would want their kids in and another set they wouldn’t. I had given them the same list I have given all of you and I will restate it here again. So far I have had no problems (thank you to all of my wonderful clients), but thought I might be pushing my luck if I didn’t bring it up again.
1. No short sleeved tops and shorts (any skin away from the face, will distract from your expressions).
2. Dark shoes and socks please (remember the picture of my son w/ the white tennies?)
3. Avoid bright colors or patterns (esp character patterns).
4. Jeans are always good because they don’t show dirt as much if the kids decide to roll around on the ground.
5. Solid colors that coordinate are your safest bet.
6. You are welcome to email me if you have any questions!!! So with all of this in mind, I will show you all of the pictures.
Keep in mind w/ all of the kids it was at the end of the day, right before popsicles and I didn’t feel like moving them out of the sun, so besides all of the horible clashing, the lighting is horrible too, but you still get the idea.
My favorite, what NOT to wear outfits!!
and
(E, you DO get a door prize for the brocade vest…I took and extra pic for you for your avatar)… and if you can get past the outfits, the boys had so much fun
and here’s the gallery if you are interested!!! There’s a ton – in no particular order! I included a couple of the garden because it was a beautiful day!
click any of the thumbnails and then arrow back and forth to see the next or previous picture
Mother’s Day – mini sessions
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For all of the people that have asked, you can reach me at lrmerideth@yahoo.com
Thanks again,
Leya
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I am still deciding on locations. This will probably be a Lincoln Park in West Seattle
( Link to Lincoln Park ). The park is 135 acres (1/2 in wooded setting and 1/2 on the beach). So the backgrounds will be green trees, wooden stairs, brick / stone walls and the ocean w/ large pieces of driftwood). Seward park is my backup location if something falls through.
I chose the weekend after mother’s day, thinking dad’s could give mom the session and pics for a present. If you are really strapped you might ask Grandma, if she wants in on this as her present (Mom-in-laws too). Because you get the digital files you can share w/ all moms and grandmas that would be interested.
I tried to go through emails of everyone I thought might be interested (or who mentioned they had family or friends that would be interested). If you do not want to receive these emails in the future, just email me and I will take you off of my list.
What I’m proposing?
20 minute session with the intent of spring pictures and a great mother’s day present.
Probably 5 – 10 proofs within this timeframe.
I would book the sessions every half hour for 8 hours.
Why would I do this?
Some people weren’t able to get a session booked this spring.
Some people just want a few good pictures.
Some people are too busy to invest more than an hour (including travel).
This is a great way to get something for Mother’s day that’s not cheesy or spent too quickly.
With the times as they are some people are only able to afford a smaller session.
I’m still short on time, so I’m trying to help all of my interested clients at one time.
When would this be?
Saturday, May 16th 8:00 – 5:00 – you pick the 1/2 hour timeframe that works for your family
How much will this cost?
$50 for the session
$7 for each digital image you choose
Where will this be?
Lincoln Park – West Seattle
What will it include?
A 20 minute session. With an option to purchase any of the full resolution digital images for $7 a picture.
More details:
Lincoln Park, there is a small loop (steep hill, but stroller friendly) that has the wooded areas at the top with the water / driftwood background at the bottom. The trail is lined w/ brick walls and wood ranch type edges. There’s also steps that are great for family shots. There is a playground at the top of the trail. I would warn the kids beforehand that this will be the reward when we are done with pictures. If it rains there are enough covered areas that we would still be able to get great pictures. Again, this will be a 15 – 20 minute walk (loop).
How should we dress?
Bring 2 layers of outfits, – 1 under layer (that coordinates all peoples outfits) – 1 outer layer with umbrellas and coats that match
Hopefully the weather will cooperate and you will not be getting rained on in the pictures, but I would prefer the kids are comfy.
How do I sign up?
Email me that you are interested (which date and the time that you want). I will update a list on my blog with names – first come first serve. Once we have enough families responded to make it worth Jason and I leaving our kids(probably 6 – 8 families), I will email you with a request for paypal ($50 for the session).
You are not secured the spot until I’ve received the payment (sorry, but I had a few people cancel at the last minute this last summer w/ no deposit and can’t afford to be waiting for nothing). Paypal is quick and easy.I will email a confirmation. Please email me if something is not clear or you have questions. Thanks so much, Leya Stefanski
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HERE’s the LIST:
I have enough emails to make it worth getting a sitter for me and hubby (who will be my assistant).
Here’s the list:
Saturday, May 16th
| 8:30 – 9:00 | Cindy W & family |
| 9:00 – 9:30 | Danielle G & family |
| 9:30 – 10:00 | Jenny S & family |
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Meredith & family |
| 10:30 – 11:00 | Elizabeth H & family |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | Melinda & family |
| 11:30 – 12:00 | Tanya P & family |
| 12:00 – 1:00 | Lunch |
| 1:00 – 1:30 | Renate & family |
| 1:30 – 2:00 | Jansy & family |
| 2:00 – 2:30 | Suna & family |
| 2:30 – 3:00 | Alicia B & family |
| 3:00 – 3:30 | Ivonne M & family |
| 3:30 – 4:00 | Lena C & family |
| 4:00 – 4:30 | Jenn H & family |
| 4:30 – 5:00 | Ameo & family |
I will add the quick snapshots of the location so you have a better idea on how to dress later today.
Thanks so much for everyone’s quick response,
Leya
Holiday Pics – schedule….yaaay
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For all of the people that have asked, you can reach me at leya@littlemonkeyphotography.com or lrmerideth@yahoo.com
Thanks again,
Leya
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I’m so sorry this is so last minute notice. I scouted for 3 months and finally found a location I thought would work. I was going to only offer the November date because Oct is next weekend, but the weather will probably be better next week, so I thought I’d leave it up to you. If you know of someone also, please feel free to forward this.
Also, I tried to go through emails of everyone I thought might be interested (or who mentioned they had family or friends that would be interested).If you do not want to receive these emails in the future, just email me and I will take you off of my list.
What I’m proposing?
20 minute session with the intent of holiday cards.
Probably 5 – 10 pics within this timeframe.
I would book the sessions every half hour for 8 hours.
Why would I do this?
Some people weren’t able to get a full session this year.
Some people just want a picture for holiday cards.
With the times as they are some people are only able to afford a smaller session.
I’m still short on time, so I’m trying to help all of my interested clients at one time.
When would this be?
Sunday, October 19th 8:00 – 5:00 – you pick the 1/2 hour timeframe that works for your family
Maybe Sunday Nov 9th
How much will this cost?
$45 for the session
$5 for each digital image you choose
Where will this be?
The big red barn Pickering FarmsDirectly east of Costco in Issaquah
What will it include?
A 20 minute session. With an option to purchase any of the full resolution digital images for $5 a picture.
More details:
There are a few locations we can go in the gardens.We would do a few posed family pictures at these locations and I would snap candids of the kids and you in between the locations (they are close together and it would be a 15 minute walk for everything).
It will still be outside, but there are trees and a few outdoor structures in the gardens
How should we dress?
Bring 2 layers of outfits, – 1 holiday attire layer – 1 outer layer with umbrellas and coats that match
Hopefully the weather will cooperate and you will not be getting rained on in the pictures, but I would prefer the kids are comfy.
How do I sign up?
Email me that you are interested (which date and the time that you want).I will update a list on my blog with names – first come first serve. Once we have enough families responded to make it worth Jason and I leaving our kids(probably 6 – 8 families), I will email you with a request for paypal ($45 for the session).
You are not secured the spot until I’ve received the payment(sorry, but I had a few people cancel at the last minute this last summer w/ no deposit and can’t afford to be waiting for nothing). Paypal is quick and easy.I will email a confirmation. Please email me if something is not clear or you have questions. Thanks so much,Leya Stefanski
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HERE’s the LIST:
I have enough emails to make it worth getting a sitter for me and hubby (who will be my assistant).
Here’s some pics I took 2 weeks ago (I hope all of the flowers are making it through this weather. If not there is soo much beautiful greenery, I know we’ll do fine).
Here’s the list so far:
Sunday, Oct 19th
| 8:00 – 8:30 | Adrienne & family |
| 8:30 – 9:00 | Carlene & family |
| 9:00 – 9:30 | Tracie & family |
| 9:30 – 10:00 | Brooke & family |
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Julia & family |
| 10:30 – 11:00 | Kristin & family |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | Karin & family |
| 11:30 – 12:00 | Elizabeth & family |
| 12:00 – 1:00 | Lunch |
| 1:00 – 1:30 | Layla & family |
| 1:30 – 2:00 | JJ & family |
| 2:00 – 2:30 | Karen & family |
| 2:30 – 3:00 | Michelle Su & family |
| 3:00 – 3:30 | Nicole & Jon |
| 3:30 – 4:00 | Julietta & family |
| 4:00 – 4:30 | Susanne R & family |
I will add the quick snapshots of the location so you have a better idea on how to dress later today.
Thanks so much for everyone’s quick response,
Leya
Okay, here’s the pics:
I need your help if you’re local in the Seattle area (or eastside)
I am looking to partner with a holiday-ish looking place to do client holiday pictures. I haven’t found one yet. My goal is to be able to offer half hour sessions (maybe even 15 mins), just to get a quick snapshot for the holiday card. I would be able to pay a rental fee or trade for pictures. Do you know of anyone or anyplace that might fit that bill?
Love and Joy – times 2
At the last minute, I was able to squeeze in the U’s. I met them through EMOMs and their twins and little one are adorable. Newborn shoots are alwasy unpredictable, but make it 2 newborns and a toddler and it should have been chaotic. The grandparents helped wherever possible and the overall tone was pretty mellow (except for the 70 plus temperatures I made them endure!!).
