]]>
Being a photographer provides constant insight into what it takes to create a special place for those I want to work with. I’m challenged every day to be more than someone who desires a fully booked calendar and successful business. I’m an artist with a vision, and that vision involves making people feel valued as well as helping them value their lives more with timeless imagery!
How I execute this vision extends beyond my camera knowledge and the creation of beautiful photographs. It extends into my people skills, being able to correct website glitches, communicating concisely, and simply making sure my interactions with others are genuine, helpful, and positive. Every day, I'm challenged to take this further and constantly refine the portrait experience for others. Sometimes it seems like a never-ending process, but the process itself ultimately gives me insight into the behind-the-scenes value that needs to back up every good photograph and marketing concept!
Creating content for business owners and leaders so they can represent themselves in the best way possible, is something I thrive on. This often involves taking headshots, team photos, images of products, and branding photography.
It's exciting to get down to the heart of what people are all about and help them get their message across in a well-represented way using great imagery.
Good ideas are exciting, and new horizons even more so. When entrepreneurs, business owners, or leaders of organizations catch wind of a new direction to pursue it’s easy to jump ahead into talk about how exactly they wish to present their concept to the world. Yet, in the usual excitement that surrounds change and growth, there is something important that almost always gets overlooked. Nearly all of us (me included) have been guilty of overlooking this to some degree when we are fixated on growth regardless if the growth we desire is more sales, employee recruitment, business expansion, or interest in a particular cause.
What we often miss is...COMMUNITY!
As human beings we are community driven, and if we want our ideas and dreams to see success, we need to be able to slow down and value what community already exists within our reach that will serve as the launching pad for the next exciting venture we look forward to.
The value of community needs to be so great that when our sights are set on change and expansion, we are first prompted to look at those nearest us and ask them if they have what they need to do what they need to do, and really listen to where they are coming from. Are they equipped? Do they feel valued? Are their voices heard? Are they on board with our new vision? Does the new vision involve making the lives of those already around you, better? Is the community environment one that is so great that the existing participants will be your greatest asset when it comes to getting attention from your target audience? Let’s back up for just a minute and think about that last phrase, shall we?
Target Audience
Business owners and community leaders put A LOT of time and energy in determining target audiences and capturing the attention of those they wish to be within their circle of influence, yet it would serve us all well to turn around and look at how we are improving the experiences of those who are already alongside us.
We cannot treat past clients or employees who signed on years ago like old news. If we would only slow down and invest in these people first, whatever marketing campaign we decide to take on will gain an extremely solid foundation.
I’ve worked for companies in the past that had awesome marketing campaigns for employee recruitment yet did not provide their existing employees the resources they needed to do basic jobs efficiently. I’ve also worked for companies whose marketing completely matched
the environment and family atmosphere they fostered among their employees and because of this, growth was inevitable. I have also watched impressive social media accounts and websites boast top-of-the-line graphics and content while being absolutely void of any real depth or meaning. Similarly, I’ve been a customer who can tell when the person I am doing business with doesn’t care about my needs or retaining my respect any longer and has moved on to other endeavors.
If you wish to elicit a genuine response from people you need to figure out why it’s so great to be a part of the vision you have, or own the products you're offering, or have the service experience you provide.
Put a voice behind what you're doing, use that voice to enrich others, then, show the world what you are doing and how it improves the lives of those already around you!
Do some serious soul searching here and get to the heart behind what you want to accomplish. Don't create hype around something you wish to see take off overnight and essentially be unapproachable or act like you are running a one man show.
Ask yourself why people should join up with your cause, product line, vision, or company, or pay for your services. Help them to be excited about choosing you and let them be a part of what you are doing. We must give people more than empty social media posts or cool merchandise. Ask yourself if you are giving your existing clients, coworkers and peers, the best experience you can provide, then figure out where you can do better!
Marketing needs to be about what you are doing to improve the lives of those already with you as well as those you want on board moving forward, otherwise you’re just another meaningless commercial begging for attention.
We cannot merely toss content out there
(no matter how good it is) and expect people to get excited about what we are doing. We all can do better than this! Your marketing needs to match the level of care and sincerity that you are investing into those you wish to reach. High-end imagery might as well be a homemade flyer typed up one a word document with a bit of free clip art scattered across it, if you aren't ready to really put some heart and soul into all that you are bringing to the table.
If you're after content, branding, design and campaigning, make sure the community you've created is the loudest part of the message you are conveying. Then and only then, go out and hire a great photographer and content creator who will do justice to the value you've invested into your work and will help you share it with others in a genuine way!
]]>
If you know me, you know I’m a poet at heart. I often feel this helps give my photographs meaning-as I’m always looking to take a photograph that in many ways is a poem about those in front of my camera.
Tonight is New Year’s Eve, and I thought I’d sit down and write a poem to honor the photographer poets out there who know their passion goes beyond social media likes, being entrepreneurs, and making photography their career. They are artists, and will remain so forever.
Enjoy, and happy New Year, everyone!
Here’s to the camera nerd.
The histogram checker,
and kelvin enthusiast.
The quirky,
awkward,
artist.
The poet heart-
who sees with their soul
and frames with their mind.
The user of antiquated gear.
The eyes of whom
sees unfolding moments
frozen in time,
forever.
Seeing the world in black and white,
and simultaneous bursts of color.
The seeker of light
and fantastic dreams;
mesmerized
by dust,
dancing in attic windows.
The discoverer of beauty
among the mundane.
The celebrator of wrinkled brows
and graying heads.
No influencers here;
these are the quiet and patient
enthusiasts of life great and small.
No preset can add meaning
quite like the heart of one
who pauses
to watch laughter rise and fall.
Who knows how to use both
shadows and light,
wonder and grief,
the refined and the rough,
to tell a story worth sharing.
Here’s to the camera nerd-
smeared makeup
and crazy hair-
who lost her shoes in the crowd
because the people
were dancing;
and the photographs
yet to be made
called from the memories
yet to be cherished.
-C.L. 2022
]]>
We have to remind ourselves that others are not inclined to pick apart our photos like we are, and that these images are also about memory making and giving our families a gift and a glimpse into seeing how wonderful and loving and perfect, the unique dynamic they all have together truly is!
Let’s try our best not to allow our insecurities to overshadow the perfect beauty that children and spouses will see in these precious moments.
Being willing to be seen and celebrated as we are, is the only way forward in a world that emphasizes unrealistic perfection, and breaking this cycle is the best gift we can give the future generations.
Summary...
Repeatedly, the best sessions I walk away from are sessions with people who have a deep value of who they are and understand the unique and authentic love they have for their family members. These are the kind of people that are most satisfied with the work we do here at LI.
So…channel that inner celebrity, tell yourself you are your own royal family, cherish your unique beauty, and make a statement with the way you love and interact with those around you and let’s take some amazing photographs together, shall we?!
Stay tuned next week for part two, where we will dive in to the second part of the recipe, that involves trusting your photographer!
]]>
We have this thing we call a "Legacy Session"...
Potentially a new favorite! I give families who book a 1–2-hour session, the option to book a mini at half price, at a later date, in order to include extended family and get that quintessential family shot that Grandma and Grandpa want of all their children and grandchildren. This enables you to have your own personal and intimate portrait experience with just your immediate family, and then schedule a separate time to get everyone else involved to get that specific image Grandma is sure to be placing on the mantle for cherishing and enjoying.
I designed this after recognizing that families need lots of time, and large groups can quickly become weary especially with children involved. A 1–2-hour portrait session is something I will let families include a grandparent or two in, but when extended family members also want to be present, it's time to schedule a separate date. When it is all about that wonderful group shot, I let you book a mini at a discount and everyone wins!
Lamoureux Images truly would not be what it is without you. Thank you for recognizing the value of my work and inviting me to preserve your memories. If you would like to receive my complete Portrait Guide for Lamoureux Images, simply send an email to [email protected] and we will start the planning process for a wonderful portrait experience.
-Caitlin
What makes a meaningful portrait experience?
If you’ve read my blog post (https://www.lamoureuximages.com/blog/2019/11/a-clients-guide-to-successful-family-portriats) about preparing for family portraits, then you realize that I understand the expectations, stress, and planning that goes in to getting your family members on board and ready to pose for the camera.
There’s no doubt that the holiday season heightens the pressure and stress you feel especially when you are rushing to get Christmas card portraits taken, designed, printed, and mailed in time before December 25th!
Next year, I will be expanding my Christmas portrait experience to entail a lot more that will help take the tedious steps out of Christmas portraits, but this season, I’m specifically taking time to design a portrait experience that is completely removed from the holiday hustle.
When was the last portrait session you experienced that truly felt like a real treat? That wasn’t a ‘to-do’ but rather, a gift of a time that was intended to help you slow down and reflect on what is, rather than what needs to be done? That finds you not trying to work your schedule around 5-8 individuals, make sure everyone is in a good mood, time everything just right, smile for the camera, and then strike out to tackle the next thing in your life that needs tending to?
Enter, Heritage Portrait Sessions.
I would like to invite you to gift yourself or a loved one to a portrait experience that is more like a date, that is after the holidays, and that is tailored for tiny groups of two or three that truly hones in on who you are and what specific people mean to you.
Heritage Portraits will be hosted indoors in a charming environment.
Gift vouchers can be given over the holidays, and your actual session will be held in late January once your busy schedule begins to finally slow down.
I want you to breathe a deep sigh and think on the meaningful people in your life who you would like to share something like this with.
Our goal will be to capture timeless images that will remain on display in your home through the decades, and passed on as keepsakes through generations.
These sessions are intended to celebrate relationships that have grown throughout the years, with people who have impacted you in a priceless way: siblings, a parent and child, an aunt and niece, adult grandchildren with their grandparent, a three generational keepsake image, a photograph of your newborn with their grandparents, a time to cherish and celebrate a milestone anniversary, or, simply the opportunity to photograph and celebrate a matriarch or patriarch in your family, or also, a time to bring in a best friend that means more than family to you, and capture portraits together with them.
What a gift!
These sessions will include one framed 5x7 that will be shipped to your person of choice in the weeks following your portrait experience.
For more details, visit the Heritage Portrait page: https://www.lamoureuximages.com/heritage-portrait-sessions, or fill out my contact form so that you can begin the process of truly gifting someone this Christmas with a priceless experience.
]]>
Caitlin
3. Don't feel pressured to have perfectly behaved children!
During the session, don't allow the moods of your children or their energy to add pressure on yourself.
I promise, your photographer isn't judging you if your kids aren't behaving like angels!
It will be tempting to constantly prompt your children, call their names, tell them to 'come here' or 'sit down', ect.
Try to avoid this! Primarily for my sake. The moment you look away to chide a child, will likely be the exact moment they turn and toss an adorable smile my way, but then guess who is not looking at the camera: mom and dad!
Recognize that there is A LOT going on from your child's perspective. A lot of voices talking around them, mom and dad giving them instructions as well as a stranger telling them what to do. This can be overwhelming for them, and you.
4. Resist the urge to insist, and avoid making it difficult for your photographer to communicate with your children.
Resist the impulse to insist to your child that they must do what is being suggested. Our goal is to not force anyone do to what they do not want to do.
Your photographer also desperately needs to be able to communicate to your children. 80% of the time whatever the photographer suggests, won't be headed, and that is ok! Just make sure your photographer has the ability to speak softly to your children without having to talk over you.
During this time, limit your words to encouraging phrases to your kids, rather than threats to take away treats or surprises that might have been promised if they behave.
Resist placing the burden on yourself to wrangle everyone in, and control the scenarios.
That's what you are paying the professional for. If your photographer needs help in a certain situation (for instance, if your little one just decides to run at high speed in the opposite direction), she'll be sure to ask for help!
Many times, my personal style has been to kindly follow the child's lead in order to get the perfect, happy shot. If you have followed me long enough, you've noticed that few of my family photos are rigid images of everyone looking right into the camera. Most of my images, are the result of being flexible to the whims of the little people in the group. Embrace the unpredictable!
5. Shift the focus if the kids get anxious.
When a few family shots prove to be 'enough' for a while, and the kids need a moment to break away, roll with it and don't worry about chasing a runaway. This is a great time to shift the focus to sweet images of mom and dad, or, follow the kids around and snap candids as they explore.
6. Regroup, high five, and speak words of encouragement.
As the session comes to a close, it's great to go for one more good family shot. Come back together (usually to whatever area your children may already be playing near, or at a spot that they pick out themselves).
Keep your words positive, tell your littles what an amazing job they've done, and how proud you are.
Remember through all of this, your photographer is snapping away, capturing those candid and sweet interactions. Focus on your family, not the photographer. Get lost in snuggles and kind words.
Eventually, your photographer will prompt everyone to look at the camera, for one more bright "say cheese!" moment, and then congratulate you and your family on a beautiful time of memory making and documenting the love you share.
~Caitlin
Melissa, thanks for shining bright!
]]>