P.S. Mothers Day is just around the corner. If your looking for a gift for that special mother we can get Gift Certificates to you in time for gift giving on Sunday. Email bowesphotography@shaw.ca or call 403 966 7917 for more information.

Having started out in photography shooting film I have a hard time understanding this craze in the industry over files. It seems that so many people looking for portrait sessions these days are more concerned with obtaining files than quality photographic art. Back in the day (ha! now I sound old) of film no one asked the photographer to give over their negatives and photographers never offered to give them. It used to be that the main purpose of hiring a professional photographer was to create beautiful images that would become art for the walls or for albums. Heirlooms to be passed down for generations.

The reality of it is, most of us are far too busy to DO something with those files, they end up sitting on the computer and they wait. Wait until we have time to get to them…..and they just wait and wait. I really believe that if you are investing in custom portraiture, (because a great photography experience is an investment) you should really consider what it is you want from that experience. What do you envision doing with those images. I am pretty sure most people don’t see themselves gathering around a computer to oooohh and ahhhh over the images a couple times each month.

This is one of the biggest reasons why in my business I do not sell files unaccompanied by prints. I feel that if someone is going to invest in my services they need to leave the experience with something to show for it. To me, that something should not be just a disk of files. I feel that if someone took time to choose me over the many other photographers out there they need to have something tangible and real in their hands to share and show off and especially to pass down. If they are investing in my art I want them to have ART when we are done. Art that I have quality control over, and can ensure is printed at the right place in the way I intended on the highest quality archival materials. I see no point in investing in professional photography and then having all the images printed at a sub par one hour lab. It would be kind of like paying an award winning chef for his gourmet recipes then having McDonald’s prepare them.

Professionally printed albums and prints are not going to become obsolete over time as eventually the Cd’s and DVDs we use now will, when new technology comes along (think floppy disks, cassette tapes, 8 tracks, vhs etc.). You are not likely to cuddle up on a couch with your children or grandchildren and flip through the family memories that are on a disk, you are not going to walk into a room and smile every time you see your family smiling down at you from a disk, like you would a framed print or collection of prints on the wall. I am not saying people should not ever have their images on disk, or saved to their computer, it is a very valid form of backing up…what I am saying, or asking you to consider is…

what would you rather pass down to your children?

this?

or this?
(this mama chose a huge gallery wrapped canvas to hang above her bed)

or this….(excuse my shoddy product photography. I’ve never claimed to be good at that )

(These images of my own family were taken by and are © Tara Morris.)

I can’t even tell you how much joy I get out of seeing these images above my fireplace. My kids love seeing them there too, especially my youngest who likes to point out who is who and talk about what we were doing.  I have written each of my children a letter to attach to the back of their canvas. My husband will do the same and then one day they will each receive 2 canvas’ with a letter attached to the back from each of us. Because these are professionally printed I know they will last and one day make a wonderful one of a kind gift to each of them. I will always choose art.

Up next in the carousel is Julie Tauro, Kitchener Waterloo child and family photographer, women’s portraits. She is writing about light – studio and natural and what clients might want to consider about both options

Thank you for another wonderful session C family. It was so great to catch up since I saw you last.

WEBSITE :: FACEBOOK

website :: facebook

website :: facebook

If your a frequent visitor to my blog you know how the carousel works. If your new then let me explain;

The blog carousel is a monthly event. The purpose of the carousel is to get us doing something for ourselves and to push ourselves in a different way. Its for fun and personal exploration, that’s it! Each month we have a theme and we will photograph or find images that, for us, represent that theme. At the end of my post you will find the link to the next person in this carousel, please be sure to check out her post and leave a little love. Also if you want to play along feel free to post your own versions on your blogs with a little info on what your doing and then you can come leave your link in the comment section below so I can be sure to check out your post too.

Click here to view past installments of the blog carousel I’ve posted.

So, here is my attempt at “macro”. It was lots of fun to play and it sparked some inspiration for some ideas. These may not all be actual macro images but whatever, I liked them so I am showing them!!

Be sure to check out my friend, Baton Rouge, newborn, child and family photographer Anna-Karin Skillen‘s macro images for this months blog carousel.

Every year these sessions book up within a couple of hours of posting them. Last year I had a few previous clients who were unable to get one so this year I gave previous clients a one day advanced booking head start. This information was posted on the facebook page so if you are a previous client and missed that please head over there and “like” the page so you can get those sorts of updates. As usual, within 2 hours I had booked all 8 of the available session spots.

For those of you who are not previous clients and did not get a chance at booking a spot I have decided to add 5 additional sessions to my calendar (and may consider more depending on demand). The sessions will take place the weekend of April 13-15.

WHO : these sessions are for…. MOTHERS! All mothers! Expecting mothers, new mothers, grandmothers, great grandmothers (what about a generations image?). Gift it to a friend or sister or aunt who is an amazing mother. Gift it to yourself and some day pass the images down to your children…..who wouldn’t love a timeless image of themselves with their mother?

Please note : these sessions cannot be used as a “newborn” session. Those sessions take much more time to do right. You are welcome to come in with a newborn but just be aware that the focus will be on the relationship images and I cannot guarantee that we will do any of baby alone.

*** Be sure to read all the way through, I am also running a contest where you can win your session. Details are below.

THE DETAILS :
I am really excited about the new collections and product offerings. This year you will also have the option to have a lighter background as shown here, or a darker background like the one used last year. Due to time restrictions you will have to choose just one of the options. All sessions are in studio, located in the SE of Calgary.

Times will be reserved on a first come first served basis. Please email me ( bowesphotography@shaw.ca ) with your preferred collection option and background choice.

WIN YOUR SESSION

I am also holding a draw for one lucky person to “win their session”. This draw is open to everyone, those who have not booked, missed out on booking or who have already booked as well. Contest starts tonight (Thursday March 22 at 9pm).

Here is what you have to do…

1) Hit the little facebook “like” button on the bottom of this post.

2) Go to the Bowes Photography -baby art facebook page

3) Find the Celebrating Mothers promo ad (same as posted above) and TAG yourself. (will be posted at 9pm tonight)
You must tag yourself, not just “like” the image for your entry to count. If you need help figuring out how to do that just let me know.

Everyone who has tagged themselves will be entered into a draw. If you have already secured a date/time you can still enter, if you win the prize will be applied to your booked session.
If you don’t have a booked session and you win you must be able to come for a session and time over this mini session weekend that I will specify.
One winner will be chosen and will receive a “Collection One” session.
This contest is open to anyone and everyone in the Calgary area (or willing to travel).
Contest will end Tuesday March 27th and the winner will be announce on the facebook page.
No other offers of promotions can be used with this prize.
The prize has no cash value.

I am super excited about this years sessions and all the wonderful families I will get to meet for the first time and all those families I will get to see again.

Our popular annual “Celebrating Mothers” mini sessions will be opening up for bookings later this week. Be sure to keep an eye out here on the blog as well as on the facebook page for details.

Just a quick share of a couple of my favorites.

WEBSITE :: FACEBOOK

Be sure to check out the brand new session/collections associate photographer Gina is offering. You can find that on the main website.

WEBSITE :: FACEBOOK