Houston Child Photographer - Christian + Clara

Clara's newborn sneak peeks were posted a few weeks ago. I was so excited to have the opportunity to visit with her again at three weeks for a few more family photos! Clara's big brother, Christian, is absolutely adorable and already excited about teaching his little sister all about trains!!! Enjoy your sneak peeks, Mom & Dad, and thanks for having me back to work with your sweet children!

Portrait Party Dates Available - Contact Me If You Are Interested In Hosting

Portrait parties are an excellent way for friends and family to receive affordable professional portraits in a casual environment without the big investment of a full session. They are great for people on a budget who still want professional portraits or those who need just a few updated portraits.

What is a Portrait Party?
A portrait party is hosted by one lucky guy or gal who invites friends &/or family members to their home, or another outdoor location, for a 20 minute professional portrait session. The host coordinates the guest list, schedules the sessions consecutively, and collects the session fees.
Hosts receive a free 20 minute session before the party begins and a CD with 20 images + a print release for hosting the party. (Please note, you are recieving a full 20 images on CD as a bonus for hosting the party.) In addition, hosts receive a $10 cash for every guest who commits to the party!

Each guest pays a reduced-rate session fee of $85 which includes the following:
* One 20 minute custom photo session
* 10 digitally enhanced photos on CD + print release

How Does it Work?
The host selects an available party date and invites 5 - 10 guests to her home, or other outdoor area such as a farm, park, playground, or other scenic location. A minimum of five guests is required for each party. You may put together your invitations any way you like; however, Evites work great and are free!

When guests RSVP, the host schedules their session time and collects the $85 session fee (cash or checks made out to Jill Ward). Sessions should be scheduled consecutively and 30 minutes apart.

Guests should arrive at least 10 minutes prior to their scheduled session and are not required to stay for the duration of the party.

The host is responsible for collecting the session fees and paying those to photographer no later than seven days before the party. Nothing will be sold on the day of the portrait party - the business end will be taken care of and your guests will be able to relax and enjoy their fun portrait session!

When will guests receive their CD and print release?
All CD's and print releases will be mailed directly to guests no later than ten days after the party.

What are the responsibilities of the hostess?
Before the party: Create and send invitations, schedule a minimum of 5 portrait sessions, and collect the $85 session fee from each guest in advance. Once all sessions are scheduled, mail a check for the total ammount collected to Jill Ward Photography.
During the party: Provide the outdoor location for the shoot and light refreshments for your guests.

What are the benefits of being a hostess?
As a hostess, you work hard to ensure a smooth flowing party and then help your guests get their orders in on time. For all of your hard work, you will earn big rewards!
* A 20 minute pre-party portrait session with NO SESSION FEE
* A CD with 20 images + print release
* $10 cash for each guest who commits to the party!

Host Tips for a great party
Portrait parties should be relaxed, stress-free, FUN events. It is a win-win situation for you, your guests, and your photographer and your guests will thank you for providing them with this opportunity to have portraits they will treasure for a lifetime.

Encourage your guests to bring along any props or keepsakes they want in the photos (special toys or blankets, tricycles, fairy wings, tutus, hats, tiaras, etc...

For added fun, suggest a theme for your party: tea party, super hero, dress up, father's day or mother's day, holidays, etc... If you have a theme, be sure to have your guests arrive in themed attire and think about how you can decorate the shooting space. For fab themed party ideas, check out the super sweet website! I could seriously get lost in this little corner of the web!
Example - if you want Christmas themed portraits, consider decorating an outdoor tree with large, colorful ornaments.
If you choose a tea party theme, set up the shooting space with appropriate props (tables, blankets, tea cups, etc...)

Remember all sessions are shot OUTSIDE in natural light so be sure your chosen space provides a little privacy for the guests - away from the party action.

EXCEPTION - If you are hosting a newborn portrait party and are inviting guests with babies under four weeks of age, I can bring newborn props and backdrops to complete the sessions indoors. There must be a room with LOTS of natural light for these sessions. Newborn sessions can be done outside - just let me know ahead of time and I will bring some of my favorite props for the wee ones!

Lets get started!
If you are interested in hosting a Jill Ward Photography Portrait Party, give me a call at 281.902.7394 or send me an email through the CONTACT link above! We will discuss available dates and I will answer any other questions you have - as well as make suggestions for possible party locations if you don't think your backyard will do the trick. I look forward to speaking with you and working together to pull off the best party of the year!

Houston Couples Photographer - Maggie + Sam

I recently had the pleasure of working with Maggie and Sam to capture some fun images of them in celebration of Maggie's birthday! This couple was so much fun to work with! They were completely at ease in front of the camera, adorable, and full of laughs! I loved the balloons Maggie brought!!! I hope you guys enjoy your sneak peeks!.

Houston Natural Light Photographer - Post Processing

Levels, contrast, white balance, brightening, noise reduction..... All of these are terms pertaining to post-processing. This is the procedure by which photographers take their SOOC (straight out of camera)images and turn them into works of art.

Each photographer has their own style of post-processing. Some like high contrast while others opt for breezy and etherial looking images. Some photographers add textures to their images and some go for somber and moody results by adding heavy vignettes and bringing down the lights. Other photographers do the bare minimum necessary to liven up their images in order to keep everything looking as real as possible. No method is better or worse than another.... Photography is art and art is subjective.

When you are considering your own family photos, be sure to look at the websites of several photographers in your area to get a feel for what type of images they produce. If you have questions, ask! I've heard horror stories from fellow photographers of clients who hired them based on referrals alone - and who were surprised when the images were not what they were expecting. Research, research, research!!! It's best to openly discuss your options with your photographer before you both invest valuable time and money into a session! You want to be sure you will walk away with images you are proud to display in your home for years to come - and every photographer wants you to be in love with your end result!

On average, I typically spend 8 - 10 hours with clients from initial contact to delivery of their orders! It is truly a "work of heart!" Here are a few examples of my SOCC images and my final results after post-processing. This is where a big part of my time is spent....after the session.

Houston Portrait Photographer - {Shaida}

I met with Shaida and her family for a mini session last week and had a great time getting to know this beautiful young woman. She was recently accepted into the nursing program of a prestigious college and is looking ahead to a very bright future! Here are some of my favorite shots from our session! I will be posting more from her family session later this week! I hope you enjoy your sneak peeks, Shaida! My best wishes to you in all your endeavors!

I loved Shaida's style! Check out her adorable shoes! The soles perfectly coordinated with her top! Oh to be 20 again!

Houston Family Photographer - {Alex + Cameron}

As an on-location photographer, I am forever trying to locate great new places for photo sessions. I often see great spots on the side of the road, but am without a camera or a subject. Later those areas are forgotten. Last weekend, my husband and I took the kids to Galveston to celebrate my mother-in-law's birthday. While there, I spotted the perfect location for a shoot. This time, I was armed not only with my camera, but with both my kids! I wish I could stop the hands of time and freeze these guys where they are at this moment in time. They are both so sweet, funny, and adventurous. They are not worried by the wrongs in the world, they are just living life one sweet, simple day at a time. They are SO loved by me!

Houston Newborn Photographer - {Andres + Pablo - 7 Day Old Twins}

I had the privilege of working with another set of newborn twin boys last week! And just like last time, it was amazing! Andres & Pablo were perfectly content posing for the camera and slept through the majority of the session. We took several breaks for nursing and changing - and their grandmother even made lunch for me! Mom & Dad, I hope you love your photos! I am looking forward to coming back in a few weeks to photograph the boys with their sweet sister, Camila!

Houston Baby Photographer - {First Birthday Cake Smash Session - James}

I had so much fun working with little James! Here are a few of my favorite shots from his cake smash session! The adorable little lion cake was created by Suzanne Faubert, aka The Cake Fairy! Mom & Dad, I hope you enjoy these images of your sweet little guy!!

That last shot is a pull back from the set up - I just want you guys to see how far that cake was flung around the room!!! James had a great time smashing his cake...almost as much fun as I had photographing him!

Houston Family Photographer - {Yogi's Sneak Peek}

This sneak peek goes out to my new friend, Yogi!
He is the furry little guy in the back with the sweet smile and bright eyes! Yogi recently had two new members join his family and he couldn't be more proud! Congrats, Yogi!!! Let Mom & Dad know more sneak peeks of those precious boys will follow soon!!