Wild Kin WanderingWild Kin Wandering
WITHOUT THE distracting BACKGROUNDS & cheesy GRINS,
JUST YOUR KID BEING YOUR KID
If we all looked for magic the way they did, the world would be a better, kinder place. A place filled with adults who can’t wait to get out of bed in the morning and just, well, live (you know, the way your toddler does!). A place of miracles.
When I make a portrait of a child, my motivation is to get a glimpse of the world the way they see it. After all, these little philosophers can teach us a lot about how to be.
It’s for this reason that I never tell them how to be. I don’t force expressions, and never use the words “say cheese!” I make (with their help) artistic and authentic portraits of childhood.
and distilling their personality down to a solemn pensive look, or an expression exuding joy or humor. If you’re anything like me, you probably feel that school portraits are often uninspired.
For many, the words ‘school portraits’ evoke images of cheesy grins, awkward hand positions, and contrived poses. But like me, you probably want to remember exactly what your tiny human looked like in Kindergarten, or that year before they moved on to Middle School (it goes so fast!).
You want to remember who they were at that moment in time and to capture all those important details sans distracting backgrounds and other elements that take away from the true subject of the image, your child.
I've bought my share of subpar (that's being kind) school portraits. Heck, I've been in my fair share of crappy school portraits (seriously, laser backgrounds should be illegal).
But it's a little known secret that school portraits don't have to be terrible. They can be timeless, emotive, beautiful, and yes, even real.
Children are special. Childhood should be protected, honored, and remembered with authenticity. The right school portraiture can do that.
I grew up in central Pennsylvania where I first cultivated my love of hot pretzels, beer cheese, cozy pubs, and hiking trails that look like they came right out of the pages of a storybook. Grad school took me to New Orleans and, more importantly, King Cake. And a move to the West Coast introduced me to the new loves of my life: Beecher’s Mac and Cheese and photography. Yep, I’m pretty food oriented.
Since living in Louisiana, my family has “settled” in lots of places and has lived in all four corners of the United States. We just moved back to the PNW after a couple years in the desert, and my not-so-secret dream is to build a cob home on Whidbey Island and homestead. I love the desert, but the mossy, drippy green that is Washington State speaks to my soul.
Mostly, I just want my children, my wild kin, to grow up with a sense of wonder, wander, and a strong passion for protecting this planet. And I want that for your family, too.
Whatever your family’s “wild” is, I’m here to help you find it.
No matter what race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, abilities, or where you are from, you are safe here.
Black lives matter. Women’s rights are human rights. No human is illegal. Love is love. And yeah, science is real, too.
Everything from viewing the proofs to ordering print products is done online. Families are provided with links to password protected online galleries where they can view proofs and order images. 2-5 images will be presented for each child in both color and black and white, giving parents more options from which to choose. I offer 4 different print packages and 2 digital negative collections. Additionally, boutique products, such as custom gallery wraps and a la carte print items, are available for purchase.
The school does not have to worry about printed proofs, order forms, or handling/processing money. The online system takes care of everything, easy peasy!
I also take staff photos and provide the school with all high resolution digital files taken on photo day to be used by the school as it wishes.
My rates are very competitive. I offer a range of collections and a la carte ad-ons to fit every budget and nothing is due until proofs are received and orders are placed. All profit comes from placed orders. I love schools and support their efforts by donating 10% of the net profit to each school I work with!
It is not likely that we will have to make adjustments because of the weather, but in the case where there are thunderstorms or unsafe conditions, it may be in our best interest to select another day. Clouds will not deter me (it’s the Pacific Northwest, after all!). Rain will keep me from shooting only if it is intense and windy. I will make every effort to stay on schedule despite the weather.
I am an entirely online operation. Proofs are released for viewing through an online link, and all orders and payments are, likewise, processed online. The school does not have to worry about printed proofs, order forms, or handling/processing money. My online system takes care of everything.
After I shoot the images, it will take approximately 3-6 weeks before proofs are released to the parents. The order deadline is one week after proof release. Once all orders are in, products will begin to arrive 2-4 weeks later. I will personally hand deliver all of the products to your school.
2-5 images will be presented for each child in both color and black and white, giving parents more options from which to choose. There are 4 different print packages and 2 digital negative collections. I also offer custom gallery wraps up to 16”x20” and other a la carte print items.
I love schools and support their efforts by donating 10% of the net profit! Please allow up to 6 weeks after delivery of school products to receive this gift
I also take faculty and staff photos and provide the school with all high resolution digital files to use in school advertising, yearbooks, school ID’s, etc.
Participation is not required. I will shoot portraits for every child on campus, and provide proofs for each child I photograph. Proofs will be provided digitally and because of this your teachers will not have to worry about collecting un-purchased proofs or order forms. If parents do not want to participate, they are not obligated.
No problem! This is a unique service and, as such, does not have to replace the services currently provided by your already-contracted portrait photographer. As a parent myself, I can assure you though that your families will see value in and treasure the images I provide. Artistic and authentic images that many do not realize are even possible in a school portrait setting.
It all starts with an inquiry! Once you’ve inquired, I’ll quickly respond and we can set up a time to chat about all the details.
On picture day I will have an assistant with me to facilitate the process and minimize any school day interruption.
I’m a former forest preschool teacher and generally just talk with and listen to the kids to capture a variety of expressions that are genuine.
