The Portrait Sesion…
Why have a custom portrait created? Easy Answer! It’s because you deserve something special! Our clocks only move forward. Our babies grow UP, we all AGE, and when when loved ones are lost, only your memories and portraits remain. A portrait keeps a memory alive in a way our brain can never achieve. Portraits are to the eye, what love is to the heart.
Relationships, preparation, planning, and serious knowledge are the key to successfully creating amazing portraits. I believe in taking the extra time necessary to be sure I am knowledgeable about the location requested by my clients. This ensures my portraits will be a unique vision. I meet ALL my clients prior to our sessions, except where the group will be large, and some are from outside the area making it impossible. Additionally, I bring an assistant to family and pet sessions, as well as backup equipment (just in case we need any extra lighting, or in case something fails). As an artist, I create portraits, not pictures. There is a difference between creating a portrait, and taking a picture. Additionally, I do not “shoot pets” nor do I “shoot families”. I am a portraiture specialist, and I am passionate about my craft. Serious planning, extensive thought and research are a part of each portrait, regardless of whether the subject is one or many, animal or human.
If you’re busy, have kids, etc. I’m happy to have coffee, come to the house, or sit with you on the sidelines of a soccer game, or poolside at the YMCA for our consultation. My promise is to create a custom piece of art that will absolutely thrill you, or your money will be refunded with no questions asked.
Consultation & Planning:
We will meet for a no cost consultation. This is the time where we not only become better acquainted, but I truly understand what it is you need/want. We’ll enjoy a cup of coffee or tea (or whatever). Our visit will last approximately half an hour to an hour, and while we become acquainted, we will cover the following types of questions, which will also help me immensely in my own planning for the session:
- Purpose- Is the intention of this portrait to be a gift, to hang in your home, or both?
- Location - Where would you like your portrait? Is there a special place – something that really speaks of you or your family?
- Products and Services – I will present my product lists and samples, we will discuss appropriate sizes for the final portraits, and prices. We may need to visit your home and view the wall where you’ll display your portraits to measure and determine the best size. I promise you there will be NO high pressure sales. NONE. The home visit will last approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
- Past Experiences - Tell me about your past experiences having a portrait made. What did you like? What did you not like? Why? Do you have reservations about any aspect of the session? How do you feel about having your portrait made? If you’re nervous, don’t worry. We’ll be so busy having fun, you’ll never think twice about it!
- Pets - Would you like your pets included in the portrait, or would you like portraits of your furry (or feathered/scaled) family members? It’s important to understand any fears or naughty habits your pet may have. This allows me to be properly prepared.
- Display Location - Where will you display your portraits? In your office, home, or both? Knowing where the final portrait(s) will be hang is paramount to ensuring the PERFECT image is captured for the perfect place in the home or office.
- Clothing - We’ll discuss wardrobe. Yikes! Don’t worry, you won’t end up in matching uniforms. Your style is as much a part of you as your voice, your laugh, or personality. It’s important to know, especially for family portraits, because color harmony in your garments allows a contrast that will naturally draw the eye to your family or group in a portrait session, not the clothing.
- Meet the Family/Pets - For family portraits, after the initial meeting, I prefer to have a second consultation in your home to meet your family. During this time, we’ll spend a quick half hour, I can meet everyone (so I am not a complete stranger when we go for the session), and you can share with me where you plan to display your portraits.
The Portrait Session:
Let me state that I am not a clock watcher… When I work with an individual or family, or pet(s), I work until we achieve success, and I also respect your time, as well as mine.
When working with children, or older family members, it is very important that the portrait session is smooth, while some subjects may move too quickly, and some may not move quickly at all, and some may never stop moving. Children get fidgety, older members tire quickly, and pets, well, pets are pets. This is one of the main reasons I am careful to have visited and know the area where we’ll have our session, whether the location is a park or your home. My quick home visit may involve me photographing the locations to use for the portrait (fireplace hearth, staircase, front porch) to help me with planning.
Once I have seen the location, I can give a very accurate estimate of the amount of time to expect for our portrait session.
For family portraits, we’ll create the main portrait. After that, I like to have “break out sessions”. In other words, I’ll group the kids together for one portrait, then create the individual portraits, have Mom & Dad together, and alone. This creates a multitude of options for the family, and also for gifts. Men love having a beautiful portrait of their wives, and Grandparents love having those family and individual portraits of the grandchildren, or kids as a group. The options are limitless.
Don’t be afraid to reschedule due to illness or the infamous Washington weather.
Proofing Session:
The portrait session will be fun, however, the proofing session is going to knock your socks off! This is my favorite time!!! (Though I reeeeallly enjoy the sessions!)
The proofing session allows us to sit down, and enjoy a slideshow presentation of your proofs, after which we will review each image one at a time with a “keep/toss” selection process to narrow down the final images.
I will arrive at your home with my laptop and digital projector. This is a very quick and easy setup, allowing all of us to enjoy the portrait proofs. Be sure to invite Grandma and Grandpa if you’d like! Make a party of it! We will spend about an hour in this process, sometimes more, sometimes less. As we review the portrait proofs, you may ask all the questions you’d like about retouching, etc. I can quickly crop an image to give you an example of how it will look as a final piece too!
When we’re finished, I pull the “no” portraits, leaving the “yes” portraits. We review them again (and also the “maybe” portraits that might be lurking… ) We’ve sorted and now your final portrait choices are ready for selection! At this time, you’ll select your primary portrait, and any others you may have on your list. I’ve created a checklist you can download, to make sure you don’t forget anyone!
Here’s the checklist -Portrait Checklist
Once we’ve reviewed, and you’ve made your selections, the order is created. Payment is due upon ordering for all portraits. Custom framing is available at a very competitive rate, allowing your family portrait to arrive framed and ready to hang.
My offered frames are from a company with over one hundred years of framing experience, an industry leader. These are top of the line, heirloom quality, solid hardwood frames assembled by master framers. I am so sure you’ll be thrilled with your frame I’ll happily replace the frame if you don’t like it – no questions asked.
I’ve ordered my portrait(s), when do they arrive? How do I get them?
I will personally deliver your final pieces to the home for inspection and approval. From the time you select your portrait, to the time of delivery ( including custom framing), expect four to six weeks.
Will I receive printed proofs, or an online gallery? May I purchase my portraits on disk?
As an artist, I value my work, knowing that every piece of it leaving my studio is representative of the quality and beauty of my talent, education, dedication to clients and the industry – everything I stand for!
- Paper Proofs - Paper proofs are available for an additional fee only for weddings and large family portraits (where multiple families are involved in the same image).
- Online Gallery - For large family groups (reunions, etc.) where the family is not in the immediate area, an online gallery may be arranged in advance for a setup fee. The gallery will be available online for seven days. Orders will be delivered to the initial booking client, or may be drop shipped to the family member.
- CDs - Images may be purchased on CD as a part of the family or wedding package.
What locations do you suggest?
Where are you happiest? What is your favorite place, what are your hobbies? Are you/your family happiest with your RV and motorcycles camping somewhere? Do you have a vacation home? Is the lake your favorite spot? Have you ever considered a portrait at Mt. Rainier, or Hurricane Ridge? We can easily work together to find a beautiful location, or incorporate a special location or activity into your portrait.
Will you travel?
Yes. I am not limited to Kitsap County, or even Washington State. Depending on the location, additional travel and lodging fees will be applied as necessary. Cost will be calculated and added to your session fee. For out of the area locations, all travel costs and session fees are due one week prior to the appointment. If out of the country travel is requested, all fees are due one month prior to the event/session.
Thanks again for visiting!
~ nina
360.613.0914
360.674.8175 (mobile)
nina@ninabeheim.com
