Sara Mac Photography…Her story

 “What should people look for when searching for their Photographer?”

Written by: Sara McClure

First of all I would like to thank Events by Ashley (http://eventsbyashley.blogspot.com) for having me featured on her blog. What an honor. It totally made my snow day!

About 10 years ago I packed up the things I considered important, and headed East to Nashville, Tennessee. I had a little 2 door Chrysler Sebring packed with enough clothes that would fit for the fall, pictures that made my heart smile, and myself. I made the 12-hour drive with my best friend / soon to be roommate with no clue of what the future had for me. I had enough money to live on for about 3 months. No job. No plan. I was ready to live in a big city!

Were my parents proud of my move? No, my dad left all of my things outside in the rain “on accident.” My mom, yes. I remember talking to her when we were a little past St. Louis and she said “Sara, there is a song on the radio and she is singing about a bird {http://youtu.be/roPQ_M3yJTA}.” She said she was proud that I was strong enough to move to a city where I only knew a handful of people and that the song reminded her of my spirit and journey to the unknown.

Once I arrived in Nashville, I became part of the Jonathan’s family {http://www.jonathansgrille.com} in Franklin, Tennessee. There I would find life long friends who would later be my biggest fans!

What does all of this have to do with photography? It’s my story of how I became a “photographer.” I was a typical 25 year old kid daydreaming while driving to work one day and I heard a commercial for Nossi College of Art and Digital Photography. I thought to myself, hmmm “why not?”

I called the school right then, set up an interview and called my dad and told him I had found my purpose. He told me I needed to find a job that I love and that I wanted to do everyday. If that was being a photographer, he was happy for that.

So fast forward from 2007 to today. I graduated from Nossi College of Art with a Digital Photography Degree. I worked with some of the best photographers in Nashville. Ace Photography ( http://acephotographs.com) & Evin Photography (http://www.evinphotography.com) were my two favorites. They taught me the basics of what I needed to know before moving back to KS.

Why did I move back to Kansas?

Momma Mac (My mom) was diagnosed with stage 4 incurable lung cancer in October 2008. After finding the cancer was untreatable we also learned that it had progressed to the brain and she had 26 legions on her brain. WHAT? Cancer was what she called “her wake up call.” She didn’t let it get her down and I often joke that I took 2010 off. In 2010, I got to spend all of my time with my mom, even some fun vacations in between. During my free time I shot weddings that summer, including one in Hawaii and Charleston, South Carolina. I was blessed to be able to run back to Jonathan's to fill my piggy bank up when it was low. But I got to spend the time taking care of the one person who was the most important part of me. My mom.

 This slideshow was from some images from a photo session with my mom. The photo shoot was her idea. She wanted “NO PHOTOSHOP” done afterward. I can remember this day like yesterday. We had so much fun taking the pictures! Enjoy this little slide show http://shareitvideo.com/watch.php?v=241555628792201

 I didn’t plan on being a full time photographer. It just worked itself out that way. I tried and tried to get a “big kid- grown up job” upon my arrival back in to Wichita. It just didn’t work out to my favor. After one last sales interview job, before walking out the door the nice gentleman asked me, “Sara, one last question, how motivated are you?” I thought to myself. WOW. Here I am sitting, waiting for someone to see how awesome I am (so I think), and this guy reminded me that life isn’t handed to you. You have to hustle to make it work but I wasn’t making it work!

The question Ashley has asked me to write about today is:

 “What should people look for when searching for their Photographer?”

 Photographers today are everywhere. They all have different price tags and different products. Be sure to shop around for all the details that come with the photographer’s session fee.

Ask questions like:

*Ask your photographer to see his/her pricelist before your shoot

*$150 for a session fee. What is included with the session fee?

* Do you offer phone, e-mail, or a private consultation’s for wardrobe, picture styles, and products that your studio offers?

*How do we view our photos after the session?

*I would prefer to see printed proofs in person. Does your studio offer this?

*Does an on-line gallery come with my session? How long do I have to order?

*What happens if I can’t order all at one time or by the time provided?

*Who can access my gallery?

* How can my friends and family see my photographs and is there a web friendly way to share my photos?

* What are digital images vs. web sized images?

* What does copyright mean?

* What are web-sized files in comparison to Digital Files?

While searching for your photographer, keep in mind that every photographer has a different style and approach to their job.

What defines Sara Mac Photography {http://saramacphotography.com/#} ?

I prefer to shoot outdoors. A typical photo session for me is outdoors (with exceptions to newborn photography). My style is modernly rustic, with a vintage feel, and always fun! I put babies in boxes, pose families on old wood crates, and bust out blankets older than my dad! I live in the country and I love wide-open spaces, old barns, dirt roads, and the simplicity that the country offers.

So often people search photographers based on price. I totally understand this idea. I often ask myself ,”Sara, what is the value of what you are about to purchase.” Ask yourself this question when searching for a photographer. Sometimes it’s okay to splurge on the things that will be passed down from generation to generation. 

 When choosing a photographer:

Rule # 1: Style?

Does this photographer shoot the way you see? By this I mean if you are looking for someone to capture that pretty evening light in an outdoor setting, does this photographer have that on their website? 

 Rule #2: Expectations

Something that is very important when picking a photographer is discussing expectations. Say you have a photo collage you need updated. Is the photographer willing to work with a“shot list” for you keeping in mind what photo orientations you need. Be sure and pre-discuss a timeline of when you will see proofs and after the session approximately how long it will take to receive the final images.

 Rule # 3: Details

If you are into details, make sure your photographer is too. This mostly applies to weddings. Sometimes photographers can get caught up in the technical side of things and lose site of the “little things.” As for me, details are my favorite part of a wedding day. A bride and groom don’t get to see their wedding day happen together. They get “their side of the the story” until after the wedding when they get to sit down and view their images together. My job as a photographer is to tell their WHOLE story from beginning to end and not skip any “details”. I picture couples sitting together looking through their wedding photo’s and laughing, crying, and saying you did WHAT? You cried… Awww, how cute.

Here is a link to my most recent wedding from November http://smphotoblog.com/amy-and-michael-parks/

 Rule #4: Be reasonable when setting up a photo shoot

Most photographers’ book out about a month in advance, sometimes more than that. If you want to get on the books with your favorite photographer call ahead!

Rule #5: Have fun

Pictures don’t have to be boring!! These pictures will be with you all your life. So, show up, be ready to smile, and have fun. If you have a party pooper, bribe them with something that makes me them happy! 

 Rule #6: Forecast

Imagine yourself One year from now where do you see these photos?

 I have enjoyed sharing a little bit of my ideas with you. If you would like to keep in the loop of what is going on in my world please feel free and follow me. I enjoy each day given to me for sure!

To get to know Sara Mac follow her:

Instagram: http://instagram.com/saramacphotography

Website:http://saramacphotography.com/#

Blog: http://smphotoblog.com

Twitter: saramacphoto

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/saramacphoto/

Inspiration from Ash and Ash Co.

Guest Blog post written by Ashley Shoemaker

 

"Our company began as a small business, in a small town, just outside Lincoln, Nebraska. As the demand and interest continues to grow for our jewelry, we have designed a website to help YOU custom make your orders and

purchase orders online.

     As a custom made jewelry company, we believe that each order should be made how YOU want it, not how we want it. Ash &Ash Co. makes handmade women's cuffs, men's cuffs, kid's cuffs, team cuffs, cross bracelets, necklaces, family tree necklaces, toggles, and key chains. We use quality leather and Swarvoski stones on all of our creations and can custom make any order! Please take a look at our website and contact us if you have any questions. Remember YOU design it, we make it, YOU wear it!"

Big bold and beautiful and personal!! This year is all about statement jewelry and “BLING” for brides is trending! Don’t let bridal jewelry be an afterthought for your wedding day. Fashion is all about expressing who you are through the dress you wear and the way you accessorize. With the help of Ash&Ash Co., adding bling and personalization with your ring has never been so simple or cost effective on your budget. Being able to help create your jewelry adds more meaning to a piece. We can help you create your own necklace or bracelet. Create yourself a necklace with your wedding date on it, white pearls, and of course bling! When thinking about what to wear on your wrists you can go simple, or you can layer. You can wear a very simple diamond cross bracelet, or you can stack your bracelets and wear pearls, mixed with bling, and the diamond cross. This is your one day when all eyes are on you so make it meaningful!

Finding the perfect gift can be a daunting task. Your bridesmaids have spent many hours helping you plan, design, and decorate. You, in return, want to find them the perfect give to say thank you. Give them a piece that they can not only wear on your big day, but days after. Initial necklaces, name necklaces, and of course our famous cuffs are always a go to.

 

 Don't forget about the guys! Giving a guy a gift can be hard, but with us we can personalize just about anything! Your soon to be husband can wear a cuff with your special date on it and wont ever forget the day in the future!

 When thinking about your wedding jewelry this year just remember that making it a personal piece is always the best! Time to be fearless and fun because 2013 is all about the bling and personal touch!

 

Find more information about their products and personalization by clicking the link below:

http://ashandashco.com/

 

To see more pictures of their collections, click the link below:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/AshAshCo/photos_stream

A Christmas Proposal

Amy Lucas and Christian Hallberg

Their Story told by Amy:

Christian was away at school and was coming home for Christmas break. He promised me a date that Saturday of dinner and a movie. I was so excited since I hadn't seen him in weeks. On a side note, my mom told me she had won a helicopter flight to look at Christmas lights. My mom wins random things all the time from B.98 fm so I totally believed this sneaky little lie. She told me that she and my dad were going to go on the helicopter flight that Saturday night. I was slightly jealous, but the fact that I had a hot date of my own that night overcame my jealousy!
It was Saturday morning and my mom, being a fabulous actress came upstairs nearly in tears. She said she was too scared to take the helicopter flight and asked if Christian and I would want to take it. (Her dad almost died in a helicopter accident so I was naïve and totally believed her fear). Christian was expecting my phone call and knew that I would ask if he didn't mind if we took a helicopter flight instead of going to our movie as planned. He acted a little disappointed that our plans were being changed but he agreed to go! Little did I know that when I called he was picking up the ring!
I spent the whole afternoon at Christians house just hanging out while

his awesome friends were just up the street at Buffalo park setting up the Christmas lights. I had no idea that 300 yards away, they were assisting in this marvelous surprise by creating 8 ft tall letters big enough to see from the sky.
We finally went to dinner and then set out for the Helicopter light tour. We got there and all of the helicopter pilots and everyone played along. When we arrived they said, "Oh you must be the radio winner!" They had me completely fooled. Christian was acting a little nervous and I thought maybe it was because he had never flown before. We finally got up in the sky and flew over some beautiful light displays when I noticed how close we were to Christian's house. I made a comment about how Christian lived like right beneath us and the helicopter pilot pointed

out that we were over buffalo park.

 Christian leaned over and asked me to look out the window. In giant letters I saw "WILL YOU MARRY ME?" My first thought was, "Aww someone is proposing! How precious!" Then Christian held out a beautiful ring and said, "Amy, will you marry me?" I sat in unbelief as I stared out the window at the most perfect light display I'd ever seen. I kept saying, you are joking! Is this for real? I finally said yes as the helicopter pilots began to laugh at my reaction.

I was still in shock when we landed and I began to cry once we got to our car. We drove to the park to see the lights and hard work his friends had done to make our engagement a success. I can honestly say I couldn't have asked for a better engagement story. And best of all, I get to marry the man of my dreams!

The couple will be married in just 10 days!!!