Today, Day 3

Today, Day 2

Today, Day 1

**Since a lot of photographers seem to be finding this, yes it is totally fine to link to it on FB or blogs, I don’t mind **

I was originally going to entitle this post “Go BIG or go home” but then realized that my friend Kristina had used that same title for a post earlier this year.  So instead, it’s Bigger Really IS Better.  Below you will see a photo of my lovely Christmas-decorated fireplace mantel.  Totally normal sized fireplace that you would find in any house.  What size do you think the photograph on the mantel is?  5×7?  8×10?

It’s actually an 11×14.

Seriously.  Surprised?  SO often people are hesitant to buy what they term “big photos” for their house.  And my question is, simply, WHY?!?!?!?!! A lot of people believe an 8×10 photo is “big.”  Here is what an 8×10 photo looks like on a normal sized mantel:

You’ll notice it’s pretty much dwarfed by the wall.  It completely disappears in the grand scheme of things.  8×10 for a wall just doesn’t do it.  In fact, an 8×10 is considered a desk portrait, not a wall one.  At the very *minimum* if you are going to even consider putting a photo on your wall, you should go for an 11×14.  And even then mat and frame it to a 16×20.  And then put more than one of them up there.  Below are three 11×14 photographs matted to 16×20 frames that I have hanging in my dining room (ignore the clutter, this was at the height of orders rolling in).  I honestly wish that I had gone bigger.  You’ll see that while the 16×20 size sounds big, on a big open wall, it still leaves a lot of space.  (There is another two feet of wall space below the chair rail.)  The only thing that helps to balance it a little which you can’t see is that I have three MORE of these hanging on the other walls.  But I still wish I had gone one step bigger.  The cluster of frames does help to absorb some space, however.

Here is a 16×20, equal to the framed prints above, back on the same mantel again by itself.  Sounds big when you talk about it, but as you can see, it’s not when put into normal display surroundings.

Back to the point.  When debating print sizes, if you are going to take the time and money to invest in a portrait session, why not have something truly wonderful to remember it by?  One of my recent newborn clients got two 20×24 canvases for her walls and I think I seriously had to wipe off the drool when I opened them up.  Sadly I did not take a photo of them, something I am still kicking myself for.  But they were absolutely AMAZING.  And I recently did a bigger display for the wall over my sofa.  I did two 18×24 prints, two 16×24 prints and two 16x20s.  Now you are probably saying those are HUMONGOUS!!   (Admit it you’re saying that.  I know you are!)   Here is what they looked like all put together (and yes, that is my little monkey hiding behind the table oh and please ignore the couch, came with the house and we haven’t gotten around to replacing it) :

I seriously totally and completely love walking into my living room now.  I love seeing my kids up there big, it makes my heart smile.  This is my family.  The loves of my life.  I love seeing them up on my wall.  And notice that 16×20 (top left) which probably sounded big, how small it looks on a big wall over a full-sized couch.  This post would have been much more effective had I put the photos on the same wall I have my display on, however I had already put the others up.  To help imagine it, an 8×10 is less than 1/4 the size of the bottom center print.  So here is a quick and dirty photoshop job of what that same space would look like with one print.  On the left is an 11×14.  On the right is an 8×10.

Oh and in case you were wondering what one of those “huge” prints looks like by itself  (and, again, I know you were calling my prints huge, I just KNOW it ) this is the 16×24 over the mantel:

So hopefully as you can see, it’s okay to go big.  You don’t have to do a 20×24 (though I wish you would) but do consider at least one 16×20 from your session.  Or a 16×20 framed by two 11x14s.  If you absolutely insist on sticking with that 8×10 size, consider a grouping of six or eight of them together at least!  Or matting it to an 11×14 size.  If you want help and feel lost when considering wall displays for images from your session I am MORE than happy to draw up a wall display idea for you using your images.  In fact when you get your proofs, I will send you a link to the wall display ideas that I have. And if you’d like, I can make suggestions for what to do.  But the important part to get out of this is…

Bigger really IS better.

The Image is Found

Seriously, I love these people. Love.  I want to be BFFs with them.  Their work is amazing, their style is incredible and they just seem so FUN!  When I am asked who I would have photograph my wedding I choose them hands down.  I think I would have them photograph me changing my shoes.  Make sure to check out all of their work.  I am sure you will love them as much as I do.

Life In Motion

I have known Lyndsay for over three years now through an online community I am a member of.  Her work is amazing and her images just shine.  She also has the most beautiful birth photography I have ever seen.  She makes me want to photograph a birth.  (Not familiar with birth photography?  Check out her Birth site.  Stunning.)  Her blog is one of the most entertaining that I read and she does a fantastic job of combining her personal and business lives.

Tara Whitney

Tara is a phenomenal lifestyle photographer based out of Southern California.  Her work is (like the others) just gorgeous.  She captures moments which is, I think, why I love her.  She lives what I dream to do.

Bernadette Uzcategui

Okay so maybe this is cheating a bit.  Bernadette is already one of my BFF photography friends.  She and I worked in Philly together (well not together but you know what I mean).  She started shooting just animals but then worked her way into portraits and if there is such a thing as raw, pure, natural talent, she is it.  Her work is gorgeous, from her commercial work, to her pets to her little guy (who has been seen on THIS blog several times!!) she excels at all of it.  I have watched her grow and am so so proud of her. (And I am staying at her place my first weekend in Philly so yay again!!)

Little Moon Photography

Amber is, quite possibly, one of the best newborn photographers I have ever seen.  Ever.  Her style and work are just gorgeous.  She does older kids as well, but I feel that she truly shines with her newborns.  Warning, her site and blog will DEFINITELY give you baby fever! And she is super cool in real life as well as I have had the privilege of finding out

That’s it for now.  Maybe later I’ll add some more!

..The In Touch Clutch ™ is the perfect way to stay close to what you hold near and dear. On the train, in a waiting room, between meetings or classes, spare moments can add up to so much. Stay in touch by having cards and stamps at the ready, have your inspiration-filled journals at your side, your products ready to show at a moments notice…

..Made from heavy weight linen, interfaced for added form and accented with unique fabrics that fit your personality and needs. Accent fabric wraps inside to form small interior pockets, perfect for IDs, business cards, stamps and more.

..Two large pockets can hold every thing from cards to notebooks to pen sets, whatever you might need. Each has a pen channel in the center, that comes complete with the wonderful new Sharpie pen.

..Decorative topstitching also adds strength to the form. Two pearl snaps keep the envelope flap beautifully closed.

The ITC shown is my own personal one, you will have the choice of fabrics for yours – I will just have you select which one you want and have it made and sent to you at your house!  It is perfect for business people, for moms, for everyone!  You could do coupons, stamps, notecards, etc.  SO many possibilities and so handy!

So same as usual, leave a comment to enter.  Retweet on Twitter or link on Facebook for one extra entry.  And make sure you come back this Friday because I can promise that you will want in on my last freebie!

**ETA:  This contest will end midnight EST on Tuesday September 22**

1.  I’ll start off the first one with a general HELLO RHODE ISLAND!!!  We love love love it here so far.   We are right in the Edgewood section of Cranston and adore our neighborhood and area.  Within the first week we met a whole bunch of neighbors on the circle, received a loaf of banana bread, got our neighborhood map with everyone’s names and had already been informed of the yearly Halloween parade for the kids to participate in.  This is a WORLD of difference from what we were used to.  Not to mention that we not only have a driveway but we also have grass!  To most people that is a given.  But after four years of Center City Philadelphia where we had to find street parking for two cars and our “yard” consisted of cement and cinderblock this is just about heaven.

2.  I am on the preschool hunt for Nolan.  We visited one center already and are open to more suggestions, preferably in the Cranston area.  RI is small but I don’t want to truck all over town since he’s only probably going to be doing half days.  Ideas, any RI readers?

3.  I dare you not to smile! (Fine, I’m biased because she’s my kid.  But seriously, can you see this and NOT smile?)

4.  I’ll be participating in the Whole Foods Waterman store’s Block Party this Sunday, July 19th from 12-3.  Come out and visit me!!  This is the first time I’m doing anything like this so I’d sure love people to talk to    And if you’re a reader I don’t yet know, stop by and introduce yourself!

5.  I am so excited – there is a product out called a lay-flat album that I cannot WAIT to show to you guys!  They are just gorgeous and I am so excited to add them to my offerings.  Once I can have a free hour to design and order one I’ll take some pictures and show you.

6.  Tip of the week (day? hour?) Do you know that the best way to display pictures on your wall is to go BIG?  While most people think an 8×10 is a big photo, try hanging an 8×10 on an empty wall, then step back and see how teeny it ends up looking.  If you’re going to stick with 8x10s because you fear any bigger is too big (promise, you it’s really really not!!) then do a grouping of them together.  Put together four or six or even ten of them!  For wall displays, I recommend 11×14 as the smallest possible size.  I am designing two wall galleries right now to go above our couch and fireplace.  I can’t wait to see it all put together.  I am going BIG – 11×14, 16×20, 20×20 and bigger!  That’s really the only way to do it if you’re going to do it at all.  Some wall display ideas that I share with clients can be seen HERE.

7.  I have some very cool projects in the works that I can’t talk about yet because they’re not finalized but I am super excited!!  Fun and new / different things for me to do.  I can’t wait!!!!

8.  Is anyone else excited about Half-Blood Prince???  WE ARE!!  I already have a date night scheduled with the hubby for next Tuesday night while the kids are at the beach with my inlaws.  We’re making a nice dinner and then heading out to see it.  Here’s hoping there aren’t a ton of people there on a weeknight.  RI’ers (and MA’ers), any suggestions on theaters to go to / avoid?

9.  Did I mention the beach??  That’s right!  Vacation for me starts this Saturday as we head to Naragansett Bonnet Shores for the week.  Although it’s not really vacation because I’ll be coming back on Sunday to do the Block Party and then again on Tuesday for a meeting.  Still.  Beach time!!

10.  I am starting to work on my Holiday 2009 offerings.  Yes.  Already.  In fact, if you are thinking about booking a holiday session, do it NOW.  Seriously.  Don’t book the actual pictures for now, book your October and November sessions now.  Holiday time tends to get crazy and I have a cut off of usually right around December 1 for sessions.  So if you are thinking about photos, contact me, don’t wait!!

That’s it for today

I discovered The Mini Social a few months ago. You sign up for a membership and get emails about secret sales on some really cute designer kids clothes! The prices are great and the designers are ones you’ll find in local boutiques. I love it because the clothes are always unique and the sales make them affordable.  Plus, your child won’t look like everyone else’s!