Your Session: Getting to know SMS and your Pre-Session Consult

I am going to do a series of posts this week filling you all in on how a Stolen Moments Studios photo shoot works from start to finish!  I find it helpful when I am looking to do something to know how things run and what I am getting for my money, so that is what these posts are for!

In doing your research into hiring a professional photographer you have found us!  Awesome, I love meeting new people!  So you email me at photography@stolenmomentsstudios.com or call (919) 261-7400.  I'm sure you have a ton of questions and I know I have a few for you too!  So we talk for a bit and I ask about setting up a pre-session consultation.  I am going to spell out exactly what that is for you in a minute, but most importantly I want you all to know that you do not have to be set on having a session to have a consult!!  This is a chance for me to better get to know you and your family and for you to see if my style and my sessions are right for you!  

Now that we have gotten that out of the way, more about the actual consult!

Binder with session info, price lists and product examples, your take home folder and a slideshow!

We will meet either at your home or at a local coffee place or restaurant where I will get you a snack or a drink.  I will have my laptop and an information packet for you to bring home as well as items for you to look through and learn more about the studio and our sessions.

You will have time to look through the info binder which has a full price list, product examples and a full walk through of your session!

We will talk about you, your kids, your family’s interests and your expectations for your session.

We will talk about location, clothes, props and what your ideas for your pictures are.  We will also look through a slideshow that I’ve made for your consult based on your family, to help you see what we can do with your session.

I will walk you through a typical session as well as wait times for sneak peeks, online viewing and     explaining how our ordering session and accompanying process works as well as looking through the price list.  This will help you be aware of your options for ordering and lets you start thinking about what options you would like for your home, family and friends!

Your take home folder has a price list, my business card and the information we decided on for your session (date/time/location) as well as some tips for getting ready!

This is also when we will set a date, time and  location for your session.  Don't worry about knowing exactly where and when you would want to have a session, I can show you examples of different locations in the area and talk about what days and times are best for the kind of shoot you are looking for.   

Keep an eye out over the next few days for two more posts, one covering the photo shoot itself and one about ordering and delivery!!  

A special thanks to my kids, Tyler and Katie, for taking a few minutes to be stock photo kids today!! 

My stock photo kids!  Katie's dress was made by the amazing and fabulous LilyM Boutique

2013 Senior Reps

With the school year closing in all too quickly (and already started for some of the kids I know!!)  I am looking for some of this year's seniors to do a discounted senior session in exchange for being a "senior rep" for Stolen Moments Studios!   You will get Senior Rep Cards to distribute to your friends and a full disc of web sized images to share on facebook, google +, etc.  In addition to these promotional materials you will also get extra images on your print release disc!   And THREE free prints for every person who signs up for a senior session using your name!

Here is a breakdown of a what a senior shoot involves.

Senior Sessions are $275 + tax.  But remember my senior reps get a discount!

First you have your pre-session consultation.  This is where I sit down with you and your parents and get to know you, talk about your interests and what you would like from your session.  We will talk dates, locations, clothing, stuff to bring and much much more!    And we usually meet some place where I can get you a drink and a snack, and that is always a plus!

Senior Sessions last up to 3 hours.  In that 3 hours we can do as many as 3 locations and as many outfit changes as you would like!  This is meant to be all about you, who you are and who you are becoming, it will be relaxed and fun!

About a week after your session I will have a sneak peak of some of your images on the facebook page.  About a week later, shortly before your full session is ready for online viewing, I will be doing a post here on the blog about your session and some additional pictures!  A few days later you will get a link to your online viewing album and we will set up your order session.

At your order session we go through all of your pictures and get your print order placed and select the pictures for your print release CD.  This is also when my senior reps will receive their rep cards.

Each Senior Session includes a 15% discount on your print order and a print release CD with 3 picture from your session.  Prints will be at my normal prices, starting at just $15.   

Senior Sessions also include a cap and gown session at the end of the year for another $30 (+ tax)  which also includes a web sized proof disc of that session and 2 pictures on a print release disc!

If you are interested in being a Class of 2013 Senior Rep email photography@stolenmomentsstudios.com or call (919) 261-7400!  I will give you all the information on all the bonuses and fun involved!!!

Super Summer Sessions

Saturday Mornings in July and August I am going to be offering special discount rate mini-sessions! There will be two times available each Saturday morning, 8:30 & 9:45. Each weekend the shoot will be at a different location. The last weekend will be a repeat at the most popular destination.

Sessions will be $75 with tax included in that amount and you will also receive 15% off your print order!

July 14 Lake Benson

July 21 Yates Mill Park

August 4 WRAL Azalea Garden OR Raleigh Rose Garden

August 11 Pullen Park

August 18 repeat of the most popular location choice.

Get in contact with me soon to schedule your consult and get your session booked!!

Jack Attack!!

Little Jack happens to be the baby of a very very (like from middle school) old friend!!   When I went to Massachusetts for my sister's wedding last year we managed to get together to do pictures when he was a couple of months old. When she found out I was coming up a couple of weeks ago for my brother's graduation, we again worked some scheduling magic so I could do his first birthday pictures!!

I was the first one of my friends to have kids, so it means a TON to me that Becky asks me to do Jack's pictures when I am up.  It sounds silly but it comes down to she knew me when I was even more ridiculous than I am now and still wants me to work with her kid!  

Anyway, here is her fantastically sweet, cuddly flirt of a little boy!  I can't wait to see him (and Mommy and Daddy!!) again soon!!

Big Changes!

I am so excited about some changes I am making to the site and to your over all experience!  I'm playing around with the format of the website and updating all of the slide shows.   I am going to be starting to use a new print lab which will give you so many more options in terms of your orders as well as a better quality picture!  There are a few more surprises in store for you all, so stay tuned!  February 20th is going to be the roll out date for the new site and I will be filling you in on all the new fun then!  That will also be the day when I give out the information for the spring mini-shoots and tell you how you can win one!!

With the super bowl being this weekend, and my house at war, Katie and I would like to leave you with a very loud GO PATS!!!!

Breezybot by Brieshon D'Agostini

I know, I know I promised this ages ago!  Its been a crazy couple of weeks over here, lots of shoots, lots of kid stuff and lots of me stuff!!   

Brieshon is a good friend with 3 kids as crazy as mine!  She makes amazing and creative hand-crocheted items, in just about anything you can think of!

I will start you out with the links, because really Brie's work speaks for itself!  

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BrieshonE

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Breezybot-by-Brieshon-DAgostini

Email: breezybot@hotmail.com

I have quite a few of her items and I can honestly tell you I have a list of things I still want.  Like the Yoda hat, in an adult size for me!  I can not speak highly enough of not only how beautifully made her stuff is but how much my children love their hats, and how much my clients have enjoyed using them.   I had to hide Katie's hat after we got it because it got hot again and she was sweating but insisted on wearing it!!  And the compliments I have gotten on their hats are amazing, I had to have her send me more cards to give people who asked about them!

But here is just a very small sampling of her amazing work!

This was custom made for Katie, a Rainbow Kitty hat

This is Tyler's custom hat, a mohawk hat in bright blue and green

Just because its cute and shows off the back of the hats really well.

And then there is this.  Its mine and its soft and its beautiful and I need to figure out a way to get a picture of it that does it justice because it hasn't worked yet!

Accent Create

Here is the first of my Holiday Shopping Idea blogs.  I wanted to give you all an in road to some other Mommy-owned business I love and use.  Because I know we could all use some more fun idea for Christmas.


The first is Accent Create.  Danielle and I have been friends for a while and I LOVE LOVE LOVE her stuff.  Seriously.  I think I want some of everything she makes.  Plus she is wicked cool and lets me do things like share her booth at the Clayton Harvest Festival!!

She offers both indoor and outdoor vinyl that can be easily applied to any smooth surface such as walls, floors, glass, ceramic tiles, wood and auto.  Really she can make anything!!  She made a good portion of my Christmas presents last year, she has made shirts for me and my kids and my wine glass that she made me makes me happy every time I use it.  I currently want a redneck wine glass, which I didn't take a picture of at the Harvest Festival (crazy!!)

Now not only is her stuff gorgeous but its also affordable!!  Which I know is important to all of you!!  


Here are just a few pictures to give you some ideas of everything she can do!!  If you have any questions email her at info@accentcreate.com.  Check out her facebook page and her website http://accentcreate.com for even more ideas!

Katie loves the umbrella!

She made my kids and I shirts for the harvest festival as well as an awesome tablecloth for me!

Awesome Car vinyl!  When we got me a new car it took me forever to peel it off because it stays on so well!

My totally awesome wine glass!  I also have a drink cup with a straw that I adore for my iced coffee!

She also made me and the kids Team Rock Star shirts for my triathalon!  There was nothing like seeing my kids waiting for me at the finish line in these!

And this super cute one especially for Katie's 4th birthday horse party!