My digital survey is up and running. If you have two minutes I'd really appreciate you clicking through and letting me know about why digital files are important to you. There's something in it for you if you do. :)

Digital Collections Survey

Have a great weekend everyone!

By far the most common questions I get when someone inquires about a session relates to digital files.  My business has always been centered around presenting my clients with beautiful fine art prints and albums to be displayed, and enjoyed daily, in your home.

I have always felt strongly that digital files do not serve you, as the client, well and I always try to communicate the importance of fine art prints and albums when I reply. And, for the most part, I think I do a pretty good job. But the question still comes up so often and I don't really understand it.

The photography labs available to Canadian consumers are sub-par at best so I have trouble understanding why a client would spend the money having their family photographed by a trained professional portrait artist and then have the images printed somewhere where the final product is too blue, too dark, over-sharpened, blurry and just generally doesn't look very good.

I also firmly believe that once you receive your digital images and ooh and aah over them for the next week, they end up languishing on a harddrive.

So please, help me understand. I'm not opposed to adding digital files to my product offerings. It's just that I really don't understand why you want them and what you want to do with them.

Why are digital files so important to you? I'm going to be sending out a survey to my newsletter list on Friday. If you're not currently on the list but would like to take the survey, you can sign up here. I send out maybe four emails a year so your inbox will not be inundated by me, I promise.


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(If you're reading this from a blog reader, you may need to click over to my site to see the newsletter signup box).

In asking you this question, I feel like I need to mention that as I add digital collections to my product offerings, the collections are going to be priced in a way that ensures I can still pay my taxes, insurance, website costs, equipment maintenance and repair, continuing education and compensate myself for the time spent away from my family. Giving away a disc of images along with the session fee would not only mean that I would be working for free, it would mean I would have to pay money into my business in order to keep it going. I love you all but that's not going to happen. :)
 
The survey will be anonymous but I do want to thank you for taking the time to help me create really relevant digital packages. You will have the option to enter your name and contact information at the end of the survey and I will do a random draw for one complimentary photography session. The survey will be active for one week (until Friday February 10th at 5PM PST) and I will do the draw for the session shortly afterwards. The session will take place in the Lower Mainland between April 1st and June 30th so you're welcome to enter the draw if you live outside the Lower Mainland as long as you're planning on being in the Vancouver area sometime during that time period.

And because it doesn't feel right posting without a photo, here was my company yesterday as I was working my way through this.

I know I haven't been posting business stuff on the blog lately but I just ordered Angelo's Valentine's Day cards for him to give to his preschool friends and, since I don't think the under 5 set frequent my blog, I think it's probably okay for me to share here.

A note to my clients: Valentine's cards can be ordered up until the end of the month. Any clients from last year who would like to order Valentine's cards with one of your session images, email me for info.


Aren't they cute? They're little flat 2.5"x3" double-sided cards. We're going to tape a lollipop to the yellow polka-dotted side with some washi tape and Angelo can write each of his classmate's names on the back.

And while we were taking the photograph to use for his Valentine's day card, I think I took two of my favourite photographs ever of my two amazing little people.

I have been debating for some time about whether or not to offer frames. For the time being I'm not going to offer stock frames, however, I've decided I can't hold off telling you about Obrien Schridde. I discovered Obrien Schridde a few weeks ago after hearing about them from a fellow photographer in the US.


My house is fairly contemporary but I've really been wanting to mix things up lately and add in some different home decor. These frames are going to be perfect. The Elegant style is my favourite but I think I'm going to order a couple in the Classic and Beaded styles as well. They're going to look great in my family room but I'm also thinking about a spot in our upstairs hallway.

I will not be stocking these as a regular item, however, I will be placing an order on Monday June 29th. If anyone is interested in purchasing any Obrien Schridde frames, please email me by Friday June 26th.