A Look Inside Frozen Moments Portraits

It makes me sad each time a bride mentions that she is going to select her photographer based on price rather than quality. (Read two brides’ experiences with not researching their photographer and choosing the lowest price.

You probably hear and see it everywhere; “your pictures are the only everlasting memory you’ll ever have.” It really couldn’t be more true. Rather than basing your decision on low cost, consider asking your photographer if they would be willing to accept a payment plan. Frozen Moments Portraits offers an affordable payment plan tailored specifically for you, so you can have those pictures that you always dreamed of!

Basic packages require only a 30% retainer fee to reserve the date. Payments may be scheduled monthly, bi-monthly, or tri-monthly depending on your budget, with the balance paid within three months of your wedding. 

Interested in the full wedding experience but worried about payments? A $1300 retainer is required to hold your wedding date exclusively. Just like the basic package, payments may be scheduled monthly, bi-monthly, or tri-monthly depending on your budget. The biggest perk of Experience is that the final balance ($1000) isn’t due until a month after the wedding!

To sweeten the deal even more, you are able to make credit cards payments (via Paypal)!

Your should feel comfortable with your photographer, so don’t hesitate in asking for payment options :)

I just received this email. I didn’t even care that she spelled my name wrong (a big pet peeve of mine); I teared up instantly:

Dear Kerry,

Not sure if you will remember me, but I was a bridesmaid as my cousin’s wedding in September. I just finished looking through her album you gave her and I have tears in my eyes. Don’t worry, you didn’t do anything wrong. I did.

I got married last year, April 16th. When I started to look for photographers, I was pretty much just focused on price. I found a photographer (Amanda) offering a disk of all the pictures, album, and photography for the entire day for only $800. There’s no way I could beat that incredible price, so I booked her.

On the day of the wedding, Amanda was supposed to arrive at the church at 11:00 to take pictures of myself and the girls getting ready. Minutes passed and I began to really get nervous since the ceremony was supposed to start at 12:30. Finally, she walked in (it was 12:07, I’ll never forget that). No apology. Nothing.

I didn’t let this ruin my day. I put a smile on my face as I began my walk down the aisle. By the time I saw Greg standing ahead, waiting for me, I had forgotten about Amanda.

About an hour into the reception, as my maid of honor and I were having a blast dancing to “Shout!”, I was tapped on the shoulder. Amanda told me that her camera “had died” and she couldn’t take any more pictures. I asked if she had another camera…she didn’t. Fighting back tears, I just told her to leave.

It took about 2 months to get my disk and album, even though she had told me it would be 2 weeks. When I looked at my pictures, that’s when I really broke down. The pictures on the disk were either really dark or really bright and almost all of them were blurry. My guests took better pictures. The “album” wasn’t what she had showed me when I hired her. It was a book, like you get from SnapFish. Even that wouldn’t have been so bad if at least the pictures were decent.

My heart was broken but I did it to myself. I was so focused on getting the lowest price that I didn’t pay attention to getting an actual pro that really knew what they were doing.

I really am so happy that my cousin didn’t do what I did, so at least she has the best photos and a beautiful album to look back on her wedding day. I know she already recommends you to other people, but I wanted to let you know that I will also recommend you to anyone who is looking for a photographer.

Veronica

As a photographer, one of the questions I am asked most is WHY I am a photographer. After a lot of thinking, I have decided to share the real answer.

Back in high school, I always had a camera on me. I’d snap random pictures of my friends (later to find out the pictures were terrible, oh those good ‘ole days of film), just goofing around. Like many kids on their last day of the school year, I spent more of the day taking pictures. At the end of the day  I realized that I hadn’t taken a picture of my friend, Matt.  Knowing that neither one of us wanted to miss our bus ride home, I shouted out to him that we would make a point to take a picture the following year.

Matt passed away two weeks later.

My nan (grandmother) was sick for just over 10 years. Just before she became ill, I had taken a picture of her and my pop at a family party. While she was sick, she refused to let anyone take any pictures of her. She passed in 2010 and I was left with that one single image. Although I cherish this image, I know that in time it will fade to a point where it will be difficult to see. Had a professional taken it, not only would the print quality be greater but it would be guaranteed to last a lifetime. Most importantly, I would be able to see more of who she was; the lines of her face, the sparkle in her eye…

Fast forwarding to today, one of my closest and dearest friends, is very ill. His life expectancy barely reaches 30. The worst part? I don’t have a single picture of him. That’s right, I’m a professional photographer but haven’t taken a picture of one of the most important people in the world to me. It’s number one on my to-do list.

Our memories will fade as years go by, no matter what we try to do to stop it. Pictures are the only memory which will always retain clarity and never fade; the only things to allow us to remember the curve of a smile, the exact shade of eye color, etc.

Professional photography assures that you will have this memory forever. A memory of such a high quality, it will be able to be shared with your great-grandchildren. A memory that could be lost if you choose a non-professional.

I know I say it a lot, but I truly love each and every one of you that has made Frozen Moments Portraits into what it is. One day I hope to find the words to fully explain how much I value and appreciate your support!

I’ve decided to run a client referral contest to win a $25 Visa gift card!

For each person that you refer for portrait, engagement, or wedding, you will receive an entry into the contest. Yup, if you refer 5 friends then you will receive 5 entries. Even better, if you refer a bride to  ‘Experience’ (click here to check it out!) you will receive 3 entries! (Of course, each of the referrals must result in a booked session or wedding).


                                                  The best part?
     For each referral received, the value of the gift card will go up $25!
PLUS
   past clients can still use this in conjunction with client appreciation cards!

Contest ends August 1, 2012, 11:59pm. Referrals must mention your name and contest when booking for you to receive your entry. Winner will be chosen at random and announced on Facebook no later than August 6, 2012. Feel free to share this post with friends!

You wake up in the morning and feel a surge of happiness. Did that really just happen yesterday? You look at your hand and there it is on your finger, the ring. Suddenly, zillions of wedding thoughts start whirling around in your head.

What about everything that leads up to the wedding?

THE ENGAGEMENT

You’re only going to be engaged once, so live it up!

Call the photographer that you heard so much about and set up an engagement session. This will get you some awesome pictures for Engagement Announcements and Save The Dates.

Plus you’ll want a few prints to give out to hang on your wall, gift to parents, and even display at the wedding. To give you a better idea on which sizes you should select for your prints, parents appreciate 5x7s. You’ll definitely want at least one 8x10 for yourself to hang up in your home, as well as a few  4x6s. Many couples have chosen to display an image anywhere from a 5x7 up to a 16x20 at the wedding reception.

THE BRIDAL SHOWER

Traditionally, the bridal shower is a planned by the bridesmaids in honor of the bride. The day is usually a total surprise to the bride, so there is a lot of emotion throughout the day. It’s a great idea to have your photographer included (just have one of the bridesmaids arrange it) to capture the moments that lead up to the big day.

THE WEDDING

Brides sometimes don’t realize how important it is to have her photographer begin photographing as she gets ready. There are many tears as well as laughter that you will definitely want to remember years and years from now.

This is a once in a lifetime experience, so be sure to select a photographer that you can trust. You will want to be certain that you will receive quality prints and albums that will last a lifetime, not fade after a few years. Carefully interview your photographer (hyperlink questions to ask photographer) so you can make the best decision in your investment. Remember, it’s nearly impossible to select based on price. The cheapest almost never offers the best quality and worst case, could be so unreliable that s/he doesn’t even show up on your big day!

AFTER THE WEDDING

The time leading up to viewing your pictures may seem to take forever. As your anticipation builds, your photographer will be working day and night to work on your images, to achieve a final result that will completely WOW you.

 Your gorgeous album will be designed in a way that will not only enable you to feel each moment, but also your grandchildren and great-grandchildren, 25, 50, even 100 years from now. Parent, grandparent, and even bridal party albums also make a great gift!

Most couples choose their favorite image and have it blown up into a larger-sized canvas.

50 YEARS LATER

As days and years go by, your wedding will become a distant memory. Capturing every important aspect of your wedding, as well as everything leading up to it, will not only allow you to relive the emotions in which you felt that day but it will also allow your children and grandchildren to live the beauty that you saw firsthand.

BE A PART OF THE FROZEN MOMENTS PORTRAITS EXPERIENCE

You will never think twice about your wedding photography investment with Frozen Moments Portraits as you relive your memories year after year.

Interested in an all-inclusive experience that will last a lifetime?


Your investment includes:

1 Hour Engagement

Engagement Album

(50) Engagement Announcement or Save The Date 

$100 Engagement Print Credit

Choice of Engagement, Shower, or Rehearsal Coverage

All Day Wedding Coverage (from getting ready until the last dance)

9x13 Crystal Moments Collection (album)

2 Parent Moments Collection

$350 Wedding Print Credit

12x18

(50) Thank You Cards

Image Disk with Engagement & Wedding Pictures (includes printing rights)

No Travel Fees (within EST time zone, wedding only)

This exclusive package is limited to five brides per year.  Available for $5,900.

Many brides grow frustrated when they are unable to view pricing on a website and sometimes think that the photographer is “hiding” information.  The reason in short: it is due to variables.

Coverage for the day:

For example, you may love the idea of having a photographer for your entire day.  From getting ready until your last dance, you’d love to have it all.  Meanwhile, another bride prefers to begin her day at the ceremony and only include a part of the reception.

Products:

Let’s say a wedding photographer lists a in which you will receive 20 4x6 prints, an album, and a 16x20 print. Most brides will immediately move on from that photographer since he or she isn’t offering exactly what she is looking for. The reality of it is, however, that your wedding photographer is there to put together the wedding package that YOU want and include the number of products that will best suit you.

Date:

If you decide to pull together a last minute wedding, say a month or so beforehand, or even a weekday wedding, most photographers are willing to work with you on costs.  By clicking on a preset pricing page (or receiving a standard email with pricing listed), you lose out on this opportunity.

While I do have “standard” packages, I have never had a bride simply choose a package and not customize it at all.  The packages I have put together are more for example and a basis to go off of.

Frozen Moments Portraits is about getting to know each bride and making sure that everything photo related reflects her (and the groom’s!) personality.  After chatting about details of your day, we can both sit together and put together the perfect package of products, coverage, and pricing to suit you.

    

What would your perfect wedding photography package include?

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and a perfect time to capture your love with a picture.

Book your Engagement/Couple or Bridal Session and receive lasting images that will show the love that you share for each other.          

Or, surprise him with a few shots of yourself.

Receive a 30 minute mini-session, your choice of one of three print packages, and a disk with your five favorite images for $45.99*. All of your images will be prettied up and placed in a private password protected gallery.


Plus, for every five friends you refer that also books, you’ll receive your choice of either a free mini-session or a $15 Visa Gift Card.

The Boring Fine Print:

$45 session includes a Thirty minute session, Choice of 3 print packages (Package 1: 10-4x6. Package 2: 1-8x0, 2-4x6, Package 3: 1-5x7, 5-4x6) and an Image Disk with your five favorite images. Session price includes locations within 15 miles of 19608. Travel fees beyond the radius of 15 miles require up to a $35 fee (contact for exact fee details).

Session must take place on or before March 31, 2012. Contract and payment must be received to hold date. Refunds due to cancellations non-weather related are not available. Session times are available Monday-Friday 2:30PM-4PM and Sundays based on availability (distances beyond 15 miles from 19608 availability varies).

$15 referral card will be given at the end of the promotional period. Mini-session referrals received expire May 31, 2012.

May not be combined with any other offer.

I’ve always had a dream for Frozen Moments. I wanted my brides to endure an experience like they’ve never imagined, create memories that will bring tears for years to come, and form relationships which all of my brides far apart from the usual “vendor-client” type.


I never expected 2011 to turn out the way it did, it all still seems like a dream! I don’t let a day go by in which I am not thankful for every one of my brides, grooms, friends, and other clients, that aided in Frozen Moments Portraits explosion this year. Thank You!


As a closing to 2011, I’ve put together my favorite moments from the year:


    

11-11-11 
A Once In A Lifetime Experience

Still seeking a photographer for your 2011 or 2012 wedding that can capture your personality in every picture?

      Receive the professional photography you always dreamed of, including:

                     6 Hours Wedding Coverage
                     Engagement Session
                     (1) 8x10
                     (1) 5x7
                     (11) 4x6 
  
                     $1111.11 (+tax)




This offer is only valid for weddings booked on 11-11-11 between 11:11am and 11:11pm, so hurry! Enter your information here, be sure to mention 11-11-11!

    

(Sorry, but this may not be used in conjunction with any other promotion or prizes. Travel fees may apply)

Most of my clients have never had professional pictures taken before and I can’t even count how many times a client has said that to me before a shoot (I’ll warn you, I’m not photogenic). They feel that because they always manage to look “terrible” when a friend snaps an unexpected picture with their point and shoot it means they don’t photograph well.  I couldn’t disagree more.

A professional photo session differs a great deal from a few random shots with a friend. A photographer knows which the most flattering (and unflattering) angles are and use it to their advantage.

I start out every sessions by telling my clients where to sit and start chatting. The camera is not up to my face at this point, as I want to ease them into things first. As we get deeper into conversation, I start casually shooting. By continuing to talk, the clients are no longer focused on having their pictures taken, but more so about having fun.

The result? Natural images that express laughter, comfort, and personality – which leads to thinking – “Wow, I look awesome in this picture.”

Every time.