2008 November | ESSENTIAL IMAGERY, Philadelphia photographer

You'd love to have a family portrait session that fully captures who you are, how you connect, and how much affection surfaces when all the members of your family are present within the camera frame.

We're happy to capture your family in our studio, complete with gorgeous light and minimal distractions, or in your comfy-cozy home full of familiar toys and routines. No matter where our session takes place, we'll delight in your delight. And we'll encourage you to pay attention to one another instead of the camera, because there's no 'add happy' button in Photoshop.

We don't care whether you're barefoot or wearing fuzzy slippers, and we won't be sending over a twenty-page list of suggestions about what to wear. (We can make you look beautiful in sweat pants if you love each other.) We just want to capture your family. Your habits, your quirks, and your love. And when you view the images we've created together for the first time, we want the depth of love you feel for your family to grab you by the collar and bring tears to your eyes.

The video below provides a peek at how portrait sessions unfold. If you have questions or would like to schedule a portrait session, click on the 'Contact' link above or call 215-206-3689. Oh -- and thanks for stopping by, lovely!

-- Kristen & Haunani, Essential Imagery owners

P.S. That's Kristen up in the header -- Haunani is camera-shy.

Monthly Archives: November 2008

BLACK AND WHITE AND HOLIDAY ALL OVER.

There’s something really stunning about black and white, especially when applied to adorable little ones…

In other news:

* There are FOUR total spots, ever, left for pre-holiday shoots. And that’s pushing it, but I’ve been asked, and I can’t stand being bored and/or taking time off, so…FOUR.

* You can buy Essential Imagery gift certificates — just e-mail me {kristen@essentialimagery.com} and we can discuss what you’d like. {Hint, husbands, hint hint!}

* Planning a rockin’ holiday party? In keeping with the not-good-at-being-bored theme, I’ll come on over for the party, create a rockin’ photobooth, and keep your guests entertained while they sip champagne and nibble hors d’oeuvres. You provide the mistletoe, I’ll provide the awesome. (The cost? 90 minutes of photo-tacular-ity and the CD to create happy little holiday gifts for your guests…$495.)

* Know someone who’s about to pop? Newborn shoots can be scheduled up to 9 months in advance.

* Hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving!

Posted in Philadelphia children's photography

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THE BIZ. THE FAMILY. THE HOLIDAY.

Haunani is pretty much the best thing since sliced bread. She’s the other half of the business — the part that endures vendor payment, bookkeeping, marketing efforts, shipments, packaging, and all the other stuff I’m really, really terrible at doing. (She even pays my all-too-frequently earned parking tickets.)

Haunani’s family swung by for their annual (much-dreaded, though endured) portrait session. And um…they rocked it out. It was delightful to see Haunani all bouncy, because Kekoa’s home from Penn State for more than 24 hours *and* her favorite meal is on the horizon: Thanksgiving turkey!

Yes, people, that’s two Eagle scouts and a displaced Hawaiian:

Obviously, some sort of secret man code that falls short of the college crowd:

Much love to your family, Haunani, and to all of you celebrating the very bestest holiday based solely on food in the history of the universe. Enjoy each one of your 4,000 calories!

Posted in Philadelphia family photography

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THE BUFF.

After a client’s epic search for maternity clothes that aren’t awful, she gave up and went in the (almost) buff. She said it would have been a lot easier to do if she could drink a bottle glass of wine beforehand.

This got me thinking…for those of you non-pregnant women, I’ll be offering boudoir sessions during the winter months to keep my boredom at bay. Bust out the lace, the garters, the…pashmina, and we’ll make the best holiday/valentine/birthday/father’s day present imaginable. (Of course, if you *are* pregnant, maternity shoots continue, as usual.)

The session + 12 of your best boudoir images in a leather album = $650. Make it a girls’ night out — 3 or more chicas, each with their own separate shoot — and each boudoir fee is reduced by $50.

Posted in kristen tells all

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KID POPSICLES.

A conversation I had during the grand tour:

“I know Mark Wahlberg and M. Night.”

“Like, M. Night Shyamalan?”

“Yah.”

“Oh. How do you know ‘em?”

“They filmed a movie in our backyard.”

With a lead-in like that, how could we *not* shoot in the backyard?

Mom and Dad asked if I could maybe try and possibly get it to look like it wasn’t just a tiny little bit of snow that fell yesterday, jokingly. So, I put the kids in a snowstorm. It was *definitely* cold enough to snow.

Yah, her little hat-glove-vest combo is the best thing ever. Shortly after this, Lexi whispered, “I’m a popsicle” and we went inside.

Posted in Philadelphia children's photography

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COZY.

Right, so, this has been the frenzied week of proofing and lab orders (yep, I placed 16 orders today, thanks)…so there isn’t a whole lot of new client work to show off. There is, however…SNOW!!!!!! I grew up in Western PA, where it snows roughly 3000% more than in Eastern PA, so it’s still magical here.

Outside: