How Not to have A Mental Breakdown During Your Session! Family Pictures; when you hear these two words what emotions come up? For some it may be excitement and yet for others it can be overwhelming and stressful. Having your family portrait taken is a great experience that you'll never forget. Family pictures help you create and remember fond memories of your loving family at each stage. However, many parents, especially Moms have stated this day can get very stressful and overwhelming. I want to ensure this feeling doesn't happen to you.
Did you know, If you’re stressed it will be on display in your portraits. I want your portrait experience to be filled with fun and your portraits to be carefree and full of fun. Here are some tips you can use during your family's portrait experience to help you relax and enjoy the moment:
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Changes Photographer Clients Will Love
The quarantine has forced business owners and professional photographers more specifically to evaluate our systems and look for ways to improve the overall experience of our portrait clients, like you. From the very start of the quarantine, I began looking at everything associated with the process from the Contact page to installing a Live Chat so you could ask a quick question without having to wait for an answer. In this article I want to give you insight into the different things that have been implemented to help with your overall client experience.
Let's Start at The Beginning
I have partnered with my website developer to do what's necessary to speed up the load time. This will give you quicker access to the website. Determine if you like the work of the potential client and if you would like to work with them. If you're visiting this website, I hope I get to photograph you! In addition to being able to ask your potential family photographer pricing questions, photography location suggestions, and more.
NEWS: Latest After COVID SmackdownDear friends,
With the states of California and Virginia reopening soon, I want to check in and make sure you and your loved ones are doing ok! I also want to let you know Tamieka Smith Photography will be opening for business May 15, 2020, offering family, military event and headshot photography that comply with state and local guidelines of maintaining adequate physical distance among 10 or less people. Unique Christmas Theme Mini Session - CanceledHave you started thinking about your family's Christmas card and what picture you want to put on your card? Well, it's that time of year many families are starting to think about this as well as photographers coming up with creative and unique ways to make a memorable Christmas portrait. If you were on Facebook last week you may have seen many family photographers advertising Grinch portrait sessions. What a cool idea; right. It’s perfect for the holidays – it would make the best Christmas card and it’s unusual and unique. It seems like everyone could see the great possibilities as well. Within days of posting the theme session on her business Facebook page, an Arkansas photographer was getting so many calls for her theme portrait session she booked out quickly and had to initiate a waiting list for next year.  Cellphone WoesDo you have a cell phone? I do and they are popular and convenient to use especially for taking a quick picture of your child or something that may be happening around you. It doesn't matter if you're located in Los Angeles or Washington DC or anywhere in between, Moms are universal in wanting to get that little smile or quirky facial expression...myself included. Now that we're in a selfie generation, even business owners are resorting to taking selfies and using them as headshots. I beg with you, don't rely solely on your mobile device to photograph your family's special moments or your headshots if you're a business owner. Looking at the pictures below you can see why?  Cell Phone vs. Professional Portrait Visit to Northern VirginiaWho loves Facebook, Instagram, and the other Social Media platforms? Whether you own a business or not, more than likely, you're on one of the social media platforms. Last month, the Prince William County Chamber of Commerce hosted a social media panel to help business owners develop strategies to help increase their business visibility and social proof. The panelists included John Fillipone from Western Prince William Chatter, Tamieka Smith (me) from Military Wives & Moms of Woodbridge, Liz Whitt-Lee from Get Social with Liz and ST Billingsley from What’s Up Prince William. Their were a lot of great recommendations such as when is the best day or time of day to post on your business page (to get the most visibility and interaction), what information are people in groups looking to know or asking, and how to introduce yourself (your business) in groups. “The biggest way to grow your business online is find a way to help people without being overly promotional,” Whitt-Lee said. Each business will find success with different social media platforms. That's why it's essential to try different platforms to determine which one will work best for your company. “Don’t worry about being on every platform, it’s too much work for one person,” Billingsley said. “The other thing I say is — don’t hire a kid just saying because they know how to post something, that doesn’t mean they know what they’re doing. There’s a lot that goes in behind it.”  Inside Nova (2019) Best of Prince WilliamCongratulations Tamieka....those are the words I receive a few weeks ago. Tamieka Smith Photography of Woodbridge, VA was voted "Best Artist" by InsideNOVA Prince William. Out of 61 business and companies (27 photographers) list in the "Artist" category, Tamieka Smith Photography was chosen as the top artist. I was recognized by residents of Prince William County and readers of InsideNOVA.  Luxurious Story Box Every time a client orders a Story Box I get really excited for them; because I know they are going to fall head over heals when they receive this luxurious box full of family portraits. The story boxes are beautifully designed wooden box with a luxurious soft touch material on the interior with chrome hinges. The quality of the build is phenomenal. When I received this Story Box I was excited and can't wait for Major Day and his wife to receive this beautiful box.
Fun Summer Activities for Kids
It's a new month and if you're like me, you're on the prowl for things to do with your children during the summer months. I've been looking for several different activities as my boys don't enjoy the same activities. This list will definitely help to avoid hearing the dreaded "I'm bored" statement from your children this year.
Here's list of summer activity possibilities for families in both Northern Virginia and Los Angeles. 
Beach Family Portraits at Leesylvania State ParkFamily photographers like to plan everything in advance (day/time/location/etc.) when it comes to family pictures to ensure we have an idea of what our clients want. However, I like to leave a little wiggle room in my schedule just in case there is a last minute emergency or a need for a last minute change for family's portrait session. A few Saturday evenings ago, I was contacted about my availability for a last minute beach session. Unfortunately, the family had to make last minute photographer arrangement and contacted me to have their family pictures taken. They selected Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge as their location for portraits. As you can see from the portraits the location is amazing for cool and unique portraits. Especially in the Washington D.C. area, there is limited beach access, so this location is perfect for the fun summer family beach pictures. From the pictures below, you can see how amazing the location is and the beauty of this amazing family.  |
Author
Hello, I'm Tamieka, the owner of and photographer behind Tamieka Smith Photography a Los Angeles family photographer in Torrance, CA and Northern Virginia/National Archives Promotion Ceremony photographer in Torrance, CA. I am happy you came to visit the blog! I hope you find inspiration and helpful tips. In addition, to a peek into my life as a family photographer.
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