In 2016 I will no longer be doing (or attempting to do) newborns. Newborns are not my thing. I don't get excited about newborn sessions, I don't have the desire to invest in props, in lighting, in mentoring. I just don't want to be a newborn photographer. There are so many amazing local newborn photographers that knock it out of the park. They are trained, they have invested and they are just flat out amazing at what they do. That's just not me. Why be mediocre at something I have no heart for. I am choosing to excel and invest in what I am passionate about, in what I love to do.
So what is it that makes my heart pitter patter? Families, lifestyle, children... documenting these moments that would otherwise be forever gone. Instead of the posed newborn photography, I will be offering hospital or in home lifestyle newborn photography. These will take place 1-2 days after delivery in the hospital OR in home 5-7 days after delivery. These will be documentary style and will focus on capturing the connection between mother/baby, the little details that are so soon forgotten. The dry flaky skin, the wrinkly fingers and toes, the umbilical cord, the first bath, the first time a sibling meets the baby. All things that will be captured and edited timelessly and beautifully.
I am still in the process of building my lifestyle newborn portfolio. If you or anyone you know is pregnant and due between Feb- May 2016 and would be interested in a discounted session, please email me at lindsaysagephotography@gmail.com
So, what else gets me excited? Families. Documenting families with children. I love taking a family out into the woods or out onto large open land and capturing all their beauty. We are always certain to get some posed shots for grandma but the shots that will be cherished 10, 15, 20 years from now are the shots of daddy spinning his little girl and the laughter you will hear as you see that huge smile on her face.
Or when you pull out that photo of your shy little 2 year old with his head nestled on his mommy's shoulder. The feeling that you want to remember the rest of your life but you know with each passing year the memory will fade.
This. This is what I love. This is what I'm passionate about. This is what makes me giddy about photography.
You want to know what is more perfect than a photo with everyone smiling at the camera? A photo where you see the genuine look on someone's face... the actual face that mom and dad make when they are looking at their sweet baby girl. The look on their faces that lets you see just exactly how smitten they are for that child. That is 100x more perfect and in 10 years you will be able to feel that emotion and remember that day a lot easier than if you were all force smiling at the camera. This is what makes me feel all the feels.
Couples! I love love <3 Yep, I love mushy things, I love gushy things. I love seeing a couple in love. Therefore I love capturing love. This love is different than capturing the love between parent and child. And with that being said, I must talk weddings before I go any further in my love talk. I have done a handful of weddings now, being a wedding photographer is a lot like being a newborn photographer. There is a great amount of time involved, a great amount of investment and definitely a specific skill that is needed to be a great wedding photographer. With as much as I love love, I don't love photographing weddings. It is stressful and time consuming and I have found that I do not have the desire to grow in the wedding photography business. I would, once again, rather focus that time, money and energy on being the best at what makes me feel best. For 2016 I will only be offering wedding packages May - September and they will be for small, outdoor weddings only. I feel that in order to perfectly capture an indoor wedding, off camera flash must be used and at this time I just don't feel it is beneficial for my business to invest at this time.
Back to couples though, I love engagement sessions, crap you don't even have to be newly engaged... couples should get their photos taken. I've done a few empty nesters recently and I can tell you, sometimes they might feel a little awkward but the photos are priceless not only to them but to their children. Having a photo of your parents engaging with one another, the look your father gives your mother, the way she still giggles when he whispers something to her.... it needs to be capture. You need to take the Olan Mills Church Directory picture of your parents off the shelf and buy them a couples session for their anniversary this year. It will be priceless, I promise!!
Ok, I'm almost done. I hope I haven't lost you yet. Here's what we know so far, in 2016 LSP will be focusing on families, couples and lifestyle newborns. All that means, is that I will be focusing my efforts on these types of sessions. February-May I will be focusing on building my lifestyle portfolio. In July of 2016 I will be attending a workshop with the amazing Sarah-Beth Photography based out of Indianapolis. She is the best of the best in family photography and I can't wait to learn from her. All of this will be in preparation to have one of the most amazing Fall seasons, where I can give my clients the best of me.
Lastly I just want to clarify a few things that I will NOT be taking on in 2016:
Styled Newborn Sessions
ONE year cake smash sessions
Indoor Weddings
Styled Studio Sessions
I am going to stick with what I know and love... aside from the newborn lifestyle sessions, all of my sessions will continue to be done at an outdoor location. My sessions will take place 60-90 minutes prior to sunset (Spring is 6-6:30pm start time, Summer 7-7:30pm start time, early Fall 6:30pm start, late Fall 4:30pm start time).
So I've covered most of it but not all (high school seniors, children), a detailed list of what I will be offering and the investment involved will be posted on my website under "investment" so check that out or email me at lindsaysagephotography@gmail.com if you have more questions.
If you've stuck with me through this post, thanks! It means a lot to have your support. I hope to work with you in this upcoming year, I think it's going to be realllllly good!!!
Lindsay
