The dreaded P word!

Pinterest. Pinterest. Pinterest!!! 

Ugh....sometimes I really REALLY dislike Pinterest. To me it can me "that dreaded P word" Now don't get me wrong. It is a great resource for great ideas! I Pin ALL the time. I love being able to have a virtual cork board with all my crazy ideas in one place. All those recipes that I try to make, all the health and fitness encouragements that fall short [for me] and ALLLL those DIY projects...oh i'm in heaven when I open that board!!

...But lets get back on track... 

I'm pretty sure the majority of you Pin. And somewhere in your pins there is a board for photography ideas. Whether it be poses or pictures you like. It could be for family sessions, baby sessions, cake smashes, weddings, boudoir, beautiful vistas...the list goes on. And as much as I love pinning all these amazing ideas to have and reflect on when the time comes, here is why I can really dislike the whole concept. 

1. It creates a unrealistic expectation for the client. 

I mean think about it for a second. The client has all these ideas they absolutely LOVE! And because they have a visual of how they would want the photo to look, when the final product is returned to them and its not the same, there is sadness and disappointment which can affect the photographers reputation. 

2. It hinders the photographers creativity.

Providing your photographer with these idea, helps them prep. Yes this is true but now your photographer has the daunting task to provide a product that isn't his/her work. All photographers are different. We have different shooting angles that we prefer. We have different editing techniques. We have different exposure styles. We all have our own vision.

In conclusion. Whether i'm your photographer or you decide to work with some other amazing talent. Show us your ideas! Brainstorm with us about your session. We ALL love to hear from you and understand your ideas and thoughts. But also, let us be creative with you. You've viewed our work...now all we can ask is that you trust us to provide you with a product that will be treasured for a lifetime. :)

Until we chat again! 

Ashley Kingsley 
Kingsley House Photography  

The Beauty of Creative Crops

Good afternoon all you fabulous people! Sometimes, I get questions about why certain parts of a photo are more blurry then another part or why certain parts of the body are cut off. Today I want to focus and share with you a little about [my opinion on] creative crops - parts that are cut off ;)

When I started my journey into the world of photography, I was so focused on capturing the smiles and centering my subject into the frame so that no detail went unnoticed. Looking back on those first captured moments, I now realize that there was very little creativity and individuality in my images. Learning about copping the body [in camera] properly can do wonders to a image.  

My boudoir photography is a good example of this. Women and men, purchase boudoir sessions as gifts for their significant other [for the most part]. They want to give them something sexy...something intimate. Now, during my sessions I coach my subject into a pose. I snap a few photos...but then move in closer to catch the details - The curve of the hips and waist. The spot where the neck and shoulder meet. You get the idea. Capturing those details as well as full body shots, allow more emotion to seep into the image and it brings the images to life. And lets not forget about leaving some things to the imagination. 

But enough of my rambling. Below are a few examples of what i'm talking about. 

Here you can easily tell where I was focusing and drawing attention to. 

The last two photos i've cropped out the top potion of this young ladies head. I did this because I didn't want her to look like she had no head at all even though that's not where I was focusing on.

Now, please don't misunderstand me. I am NOT by all means a expert at this and I don't claim to know everything. I constantly do research to keep myself learning this field. And from what I have learned, practiced, and researched, sometimes things just seem to turn out amazing when I push myself to try something different! 

<3 <3 <3

Until we chat again! 

Ashley Kingsley 

Kingsley House Photography

Package and Price Adjustments.

Good afternoon and happy SPRING!!!

ANNOUNCEMENT!

Starting May 1, 2014 The new packages/price adjustment will take effect. The changes are as followed. 

Family. Couples/Engagement Sessions:
-$120.00
-1 hour session
-15 edited images on disk. 
-Print release

Maternity sessions
-$120.00
-1-2 hour session (time determined by expecting mom and her comfort level)
-15 edited images on disk
-Print release

Head Shots
-30 minute session
-$50.00
-3 edited images on disk
-Print release
-*Editing style is more glam - meaning the photos are more high end, fashion forward touch ups then normal. There will be NO body manipulation (elongated legs/neck, enhanced bust etc...) 

Boudoir

Package 1:
-$150.00
-1 hour in studio session.
-10 edited images on disk
-1-2 wardrobe changes. 
-print release.

Package 2:
-$225.00
-2 hour in studio/outdoor session
-15 edited images on a custom USB card. 
-3-4 wardrobe changes
-Print release.
-*Hair and Make-up is available with this package for a additional cost. Roughly a $75.00 service fee to the artist.

Package 3:
-$375.00
-4-6 hour in studio/outdoor session.
-20-30 edited images on a custom USB card. 
-2 pocket size accordion booklets with printed images for a discreet gift for that special someone. 
-Hair and Make-up included. 
-Print release

I'm debating if I should "name" these boudoir packages. Any thoughts or ideas?

***Also, Couples Boudoir Sessions are in the works as well, however those details will NOT be released until further notice and WILL NOT take effect in May. 

Thank you everyone! 

Until next time,
Ashley Kingsley