Death of the Sneak Peek {Johnson City TN Portrait Photographer}

That may have been a bit dramatic, but it sums up about half of the exciting changes for BDP this year!!  I've been wanting to make these changes for several months now, but there never seemed to be enough time in-between clients to make the switch.  Now it's the beginning of the New Year and I believe, is the perfect time!!!  Drum roll please......  

The Death of the Sneak Peek:  I will no longer be posting "sneak peeks".  Why?  I'll be completely honest with you.  It's because I'm selfish, really.  You know that moment of anticipation - the stress of the session is over, you're excited to see your pictures, you get the email saying your sneak peek is up, you race to the computer or phone, pull up the blog and... BAM {the moment}!!!!  Oooooo's..... Ahhhhhh's.....  Maybe even a tear or two at how sweet your daughter looks in that one picture....  Well guess what?  I absolutely hate that I don't get to see any of that!!  I want to be with you and experience that moment when you see your images for the first time.  I want to see and feel the reactions that give me so much happiness and satisfaction as your photographer!  {See - I told you it was selfish.}

I will, however be blogging each session.  This will be done after the client has seen and ordered their images and will still be super exciting and amazing!

But wait!  There's more...

The Birth of the In-Person Ordering Session:  Ordering sessions are nothing new around here - I always recommend them to my clients, but it's not a requirement.  Their images are posted online and they have the option to order without any assistance, or they can come in to the studio after viewing their images to see samples and previews, have help with deciding what to order, etc.  

There's only one problem with that.  You're missing out on SO. MUCH. MORE.  I don't know what the exact dimensions of that wall next to the stairs or above the fireplace is.  I don't know what precise hue of sea-foam green the throw pillows are.  I want to see the walls where your images will hang.  I want to give you a professionals opinion and expertise when it comes to ordering from your session and displaying your images.  It's a service that I've been wanting to add to my business for quite some time now that I truly feel will enhance your experience in so many ways!!!  I'm excited just thinking about it!!

Don't worry - you won't need to dress in your Sunday best or clean the house.  I'm a mom of three kids {four if you count my hubby} and I assure you - nothing can scare me.  I've seen it all.  I want to not only give you beautiful images to cherish for years to come, but a relaxed, happy and stress-free experience where you end up with exactly what you need and want - not more or less.  An experience where you actually use and see your images, rather than throw them into a box that collects dust.  There are so many options available to you - and working together to decide and inform you of which ones might best suit your needs is a service that I'm so excited to include with each session.  

I believe in premium customer service - a service that seems to be dying at a rapid rate.  Just yesterday when returning Christmas gifts, I could've called at least three different corporate numbers for terrible customer service...  But of course, I didn't want to take the time to deal with that mess, so it's probably continuing to happen as I type.  I believe in offering not ONLY a service, but an EXPERIENCE.  To me, there's a huge difference.  I hope that my clients feel they are given that from me - and I think these changes will only enhance that experience.

Thanks again for an AWESOME 2012!!!  Looking through all of your beautiful faces makes me smile.  I'm looking forward to an even AWESOMER {sure, that's a word} 2013!!!!  

And because NO post would even be a post without a picture... I'll leave you with my three babies on the beach in Northern California right before Christmas.  They are my everything.  I want to cry and laugh and smile and cry a little more each time I look at it.  Why do they grow so fast?  That's another post in itself.  

Go forth and take pictures!!!!

Feel the love... HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

I'm officially feeling "slow season".  It happens every year.  At first, it's a huge sigh of relief after the insanity of fall portraits and Christmas orders and Holiday cards etc. etc.  But by the middle of January, I'm ready for some sun and I'm ready to pick up my camera again.  I've got the itch.  So - in the meantime and with it being Valentine's Day and all that fun stuff, I thought I'd spread some love by offering all of my amazing and wonderful 2011 clients a crazy opportunity: get your session on disk (complete with custom packaging and a print release) for HALF OFF.  Yes, your eyes read that right.  50% off.   Can you feel the love yet?  

Grab this chance while it lasts - sale ends Feb. 26th!!  Also - make sure you're signed up for the BDP Insider - I'm in the process of nailing down all the details for Spring Mini Sessions!!  These are going to be very special!  I'm working with an awesome vendor (no I'm not going to tell you who just yet!) and let me just say - they are going to be very fun!!  I can't wait!!  So stay tuned and remember - BDP Insiders get first dibs on mini session slots - so get them while they're hot!

Hope everyone is feeling very loved today - and not just by me!!  

2011 Holiday Card Designs from Brandilyn Davidson Photography

I still am in shock that it's that time of year again and I know I'm late in posting these... but here are the holiday card designs Brandilyn Davidson Photography is offering this year.  It's so insanely hard to decide on templates... but this is what I narrowed it down to:

{Please keep in mind that these are simply ONE version of each card design.  Colors, text, etc. is customizable and each card design is also offered as press printed (my fav!) - either folded cards or flat, printed on each side.  All cards include white envelopes and are 5x7 in size - with the exception of the ornament cards which are roughly 5x5 and the tri-fold design.}

Holiday Cards are available to ALL of my clients - contact me if you'd like to order cards using any session from this year and would like me to re-post your gallery!!

- New 2011 Holiday Card Designs -

Merry Christmas Chalkboard Designs (all press printed designs)

- And some favorites that I'm still offering from last year -

{How could I not offer the amazing ornament cards??}

Holiday Card Pricing: printed on high quality photographic paper, one sided.  Includes white envelopes.

$45/set of 25 

$80/set of 50 

Press Printed Holiday Card Pricing: printed with the most advanced technology in digital press printing, includes front and back printing or folded, printed on both sides - these are gorgeous!!  Includes white or parchment envelopes.  

5x7 Flat Press Printed Cards

 $60/set of 25 

$110/set of 50 

5x7 Folded Press Printed Cards

$75/set of 25

$140/set of 50

5x5 Tri-Fold Press Printed Cards

$80/set of 25

$150/set of 50

** Add some luxury... Pearl Paper available for $.75/card

Ornament Card Pricing: Round roughly 5x5 in size, press printed on the front and back, topped off with a ribbon for hanging.  These wont be thrown out after the holidays!! {5 styles to choose from}

$80/set of 25 (includes 5x5 envelopes)

$150/set of 50 (includes 5x5 envelops)

** All holiday card pricing includes envelopes as well as up to three customizations.

Product Images {East Tennessee Portrait Photographer}

I've done this a couple times with a "featured product" of my choice, but thought it would probably be really helpful to give you a visual of {almost} every product I offer.  I will also be able to refer clients back to this post in the future if they are unable or don't want to come in for an ordering session.  Again, everything looks better in PERSON - when you can touch it and hold it in your own hands.  But this is second best - and better than nothing!  Enjoy the visual aids: 

CUSTOM DESIGNED HARDCOVER PHOTOBOOKS

{includes 20 pages, layflat design, as well as your choice of customization for cover, background color, text, etc.  Pages are coated with UV protection and the binding is of the highest quality.  Books come in three sizes: 8x8, 10x10 (pictured) and 12x12 and are an amazing way to capture your session in one gorgeous product!}

IMAGES ON DISK

{When you purchase images on disk, this is how you'll get them!  Inside you will find important information, your print release and most importantly, your disk!  When you go to have prints made - everything is in one convenient place - and it looks cute!}

ACCORDION WALLET BOOKS

{These are the most adorable little things EVER!  With a beautiful black leather exterior, the cute book folds out accordion style to show off 10 of your most favorite images.  These make awesome gifts - and are great for keeping in purses to show off your most favorite people!}

SPIRAL BOUND BOOKS

{Spiral bound books are just that - images printed on photographic paper, bound in-between a front and back cover with a spiral spine.  Books can include all of the images from your session, or just your favorites.  The cover is completely customizable and you have your choice of an easel back (to flip over calendar style) or regular back (for a book style).  A great way to capture your session!}

Spiral Bound Books come in four sizes: 8x10, 5x7, 5x5 and 4x6 (not pictured below)

STANDOUT MOUNTS

{I get the most questions about this product.  A standout mount is a photographic print that is mounted on a sturdy plastic board.  There are several options for side colors, such as white or black (both pictured below) as well as birch, brushed metal and mahogany.  These are a wonderful alternative to a gallery wrapped canvas and come complete with drilled holes - making it ready to hang on your wall!}

For an additional design fee charge, you can turn a standout mount into a storyboard!  

STORYBOARDS

{Storyboards are awesome!  They are a wonderful way to showcase your favorite images to create a "story" (hence the name) and are completely customizable.  This is simply one out of hundreds of designs and has been custom matched to the client's daughters room colors.  I always tell clients when it comes to storyboards, the possibilities are endless!}

PRINTS

{All prints sized 11x14 and larger are mounted for protection.  I get asked a lot what this looks like and it's hard to capture in a picture - but hopefully these two images below can show you how the larger image (black and white image) has a slight thickness to it.  It is mounted on a 1/4" thick styrene board.  The smaller image (in color) is an 8x10 regular print.} 

GALLERY WRAPPED CANVAS

{This are hands down my all-time favorite product.  This is definitely something you must see to appreciate the beauty of. Your image is printed on the finest canvas and then wrapped around a wooden frame.  It's completed with backing, a wire for hanging and bumpers for protection.  It is then sprayed with a UV coating which protects your artwork from UV damage as well as humidity and other environmental factors.  It will literally last a lifetime (and then some).}

PHOTOBOX

{This is probably my second favorite product... and an absolutely stunning way to present your images.  The completely customizable 5x7 box is filled with 10 mounted 5x7 prints and comes complete with a black easel for displaying your favorite at the moment.  The images can be used for display around the house, as gifts or for keeping in the box.  The box itself is a work of art, and is another product that is so much more amazing in person.}

I think that about wraps it up!  There are a few other products that I offer which weren't shown, such as holiday cards, birth announcements and other custom designed work.  As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you might have!!  Hope you enjoyed this!! 

2011 Fall Mini Sessions!!!!!! {Tri-Cities TN Family Photographer}

{MINI SESSIONS ARE}

Perfect for families or couples who need a few great images for holiday cards, want to give bdp a try for the first time {can't wait to meet you!}, or for those who need some updated images for wall portraits.

{MINI SESSIONS ARE NOT}

For people who want multiple location and/or outfit changes {but you can book a full session for that!!}, for newborn or senior portrait sessions, or for someone who wants all of their images on a disk {this option is not available for mini sessions, sorry!!}

{TO BOOK YOUR SESSION}

Simply email me at bdprophotography@gmail.com or click {HERE} to fill out a contact form and I will get back to you shortly.  ***Please include your 1st and 2nd preferred date/time slots.

Can't wait to see some of you again and meet others for the first time!!  If you know someone who may be interested in this awesome opportunity - please let them know about it!!  

Featured Product: PhotoBox {Johnson City, TN Photographer}

I want to try to start showing off some of the gorgeous products that I offer.  I've said this before, but I am such a visual person, and seeing something is SO much different than reading a brief description of it.  Let me just say though that pictures do NOT do these products justice.  If you really want to see what they're all about, you simply must touch them, feel them, hold them and open and close them to really see how awesome they are.  Did you know that I offer my clients complimentary ordering and/or "checking out samples" sessions?  I know it can be overwhelming to try and figure out the best way to present your images and I'm here to help!

Here's a little taste of the beautiful PhotoBox I offer.  The colors, style and obviously text can all be customized and it comes complete with 10 mounted 5x7's and an easel for displaying your favorite at the moment.  For more info - contact me! 

visual aid - a closer look at some of my favorite products

I am such a visual person.  If I heard "5x7 spiral bound book" {for example} I don't know what kind of image I'd have in my head, but I'm sure it wouldn't be anything close to what a 5x7 spiral bound book actually looks like!!  So for my fellow visual learners out there I put together some images that should hopefully give you a really good idea what some of my favorite products look like!!  

Things have been kind of slow around here, which has actually been nice - I've had a chance to {almost} catch up on editing/albums/orders etc. and scratch a few things off my never-ending to-do list {take pictures of products, check}.

So here are some of my favorite products, or products that I get asked often what they are.  

To start off with - hands-down my favorite product... Gallery Wrapped Canvases:

Next up are mounted prints.  All prints 11x14 and larger are mounted for protection.  Here's what "mounted" looks like.  Basically the image is mounted onto a thick board (roughly 1/4" thick) which prevents it from warping or bending.

Now the standout mounts.  These are another one of my favs.  They are similar to the mounted print in that the print is mounted, however these are mounted to a thick (1/2") styrene plastic.  They are very lightweight and sturdy.  They come with pre-drilled holes in the back for hanging which comes in handy, but they also look super cute sitting on a shelf.  The edges can be black or white.

Yet another one of my favorite products are my new spiral bound books.  These little books are soooooo stinkin cute!!  They include a custom front and back cover, or can have an easel on the back for presentation.  The front and back covers are mounted and the pages are printed on professional photographic paper.  I love the rounded edges!!!  These cute little books are awesome for showing off the images from your session or giving to family members.  They come in several different sizes: 4x5, 4x6, 5x5, 5x7 and 8x10.  

Last but not least I thought I'd take a couple pics of a product that not too many people know I offer: Gift Certificates!!  Talk about an awesome gift - and one that will continue to give and give for years to come.  They can be purchased for any amount, and they're cute too!

I think that's all for now!! Stay tuned for a fun giveaway I have in the works... HINT: mamas with little girls will love this one!!!

weddings... no more. {tri cities tn children's photographer}

I am sad to announce that I will no longer be shooting weddings.  It's a very bittersweet decision for me, as I absolutely love capturing such a special moment and day in the lives of my awesome clients - however ask any wedding photographer - it's a stressful and time-consuming job!!  I'm sure in the future I will shoot weddings again, and will still possibly shoot an occasional wedding here and there, but my main focus at this point in my life is my sweet little family.  I was one stressed out woman - which translates into one stressed out mommy and wife!! haha  I really feel that this decision will help to relieve some of that stress and allow me to focus not only on my own family (although they do come first!), but shooting families, children and babies, senior portraits, couples and individuals - which I love doing so much!!

I have one last wedding scheduled in May and I just know that it will be the perfect finale.  The bride is one of the most beautiful, sweet, adorable and kind women I have ever met and their wedding is sure to be amazing.  I can't wait.  You can see their gorgeous engagement pics by clicking [HERE}.

In leu of these changes I will be offering some fun themed sessions and discounts in the upcoming months.  The sun is out still there people I just know it!!  Even though it's still cold now, remember that sessions book up fast.  It seems that everyone waits until it gets warm and then it's pure madness!  Get ahead of the crowds and book ahead of time - which will assure that you get the date (and beautiful blossoms/flowers) that you want.

At the moment I am booking slots for MOMMY & ME {mini sessions} - and am offering $50 OFF for the first 5 sessions booked!!  These sessions are scheduled so that your included products will be done in time for Mother's Day - making them the ultimate Mother's Day gift for your Mom/Wife/Grandma/fill-in-the-blank.  Please help me by spreading the word to your family and friends.  Mini sessions are a wonderful way for me to meet new faces and connect with new friends!!!  I greatly appreciate your referrals - it's how I stay in business!

***  Here's the link with the mini session info:  {CLICK HERE}

And at least, I shall leave you with a picture because what would a post be without one?  =)

baby mykael - sneak peek {tri cities tn portrait photographer}

Poor Mykael was not in the mood for pictures yesterday.  He did awesome for the "most important shots" of him in his Virginia Tech uniform holding his mini soccer ball - that is - most important according to Dad.  =) But once we tried to get him nice and into the sleepy naked poses that we love, he was NOT having it!!  We eventually had to reschedule for a later date - which (again Mom and Dad) was no problem at all.  In light of this, I thought it might be a good time to give my current and potential clients some helpful insider info:

1.  {One of} My goal{s} with your session is to give you 20-40 amazing shots that I'd be proud and happy to have you hanging on the walls of your home for the next several decades.  If I'm unable to achieve that for whatever reason, I have no problem rescheduling to a later date.  I have kids.  I understand that they get sick, grumpy, crazy and well - unpredictable!!  Usually we can work through those kinds of kinks, but I never want to force a baby or young child into poses that will end in so-so images.  We're looking for GREAT here people!!  So just please know that I am in no way shape or form a "stickler" when it comes to almost anything.  Maybe I should be more of one, but I'm not.  So - I am looking forward to getting some super happy awesome pics of Mr. Mykael in the next coming months.  =)  

2.  IMPORTANT:  Newborn sessions should be shot right at 7-14 days.  I know this is crazy.  Again, I have kids which means that I've given birth to them and know how insane it is the first several days and weeks (and years!! haha) after you get home from the hospital.  That's why it's so important to know this info. ahead of time so that you can tentatively plan your baby's session before he/she is born.  I think a LOT of people have no idea about this (and it's NOT your fault!!  I would have no idea either if it wasn't part of my job!).  That's why I thought it might be nice to let you know - in case you or someone you know is planning on a newborn session in the future.  Of course it's still possible to get those sleepy, curled up newborn poses that we all love with an older baby, it's much more difficult. 

Okay!  Now for the good part - pictures!!  We didn't get too many shots of Mr. Mykael, but here are a couple of my favorites that I was able to snag.  Enjoy - and thanks again Mom and Dad!

input please?

If you could create your dream collection (photo package) - what would it include? Meaning the perfect package for you - not necessarily some crazy out of this world package of 347 prints.  

For example:

1 - 16x20 Gallery Wrapped Canvas, 3 - 8x10, 5 - 5x7

Or maybe:

1 - 8x11 Hardcover album, 1 - 30x20 Standout Mount, 3 - 10x10 Standout Mounts, 20 - 4x6

OR (the options are endless really - can you see why I'm having a hard time??)

1 - 10x20 Storyboard, 1 - 5x7 Photobox with 40 5x7 prints, 3 - 11x14

I'm doing a poll on my facebook page and would really just LOVE you to death if you could give me your input!!!  And just because I love you - I will be choosing one comment from my facebook page to win a $50 Brandilyn Davidson Photography gift certificate!  So please take just a second to let me know what package would best accomadate YOUR needs.  I really appreciate it!!

Click {HERE} to go to the Brandilyn Davidson Photography page on Facebook and let me know what your dream photo collection would be (and be entered to win a BDP Gift Certificate)!!