Batavia N.Y. Photographer Documents Baby's Baptism
/Baby C’s Baptism
What an honor. An honor to document such a big milestone for this family. This little boy was surrounded with so much love on this day; I was so happy to have been able to witness it. Don’t just hire a photographer for your annual family photos. Having them their for big events such as this one is incredibly helpful! As a photographer, I always just shoot the images myself because I’m a total last-minute planner (and usually pretty controlling when it comes to events), but sometimes it’s best to give your full attention to the event rather than trying to document it all on your own. Being fully present is a gift that has, seemingly, been lost this day and age.
Plus, YOU GET TO BE IN THE SHOT; which is the most important reason why you should hire your Batavia, N.Y. Photographer to document these milestones for you! You would never get these images if you were the one trying to capture it all. Don’t be me, just book me! LOL!
Contacting Your Batavia, N.Y. Photographer
/I had an exchange with a potential client last week, and I just wanted to brag on them for a moment. I grew up in a time where if you wanted to hire a service, you had to speak with them over the phone or in person; the internet was in its baby stages and cell phones were a luxury when they were created. My oldest memory of a cell phone, and I’m certain many of you all can relate, is Saved by the Bell. Who knew that we would all be a Zack Morris one day?
With that, we have created this bubble where we hide behind our phones and computers to communicate: we text, we email, and we dm. We have created a barrier of protection that allows us to retreat should something not go as we had hoped. I am totally guilty of communicating this way with people simply because it’s convenient to do while I am busy doing something else. If I talk with someone over the phone, I can’t get anything done. I’m the type of person who, if I accept a phone call in the store, will get my 10,000 steps in walking up and down the aisles while getting nothing on my list because I’m too involved with the conversation than the original task at hand, so, in short, I get it, but I also hate it.
Why? Getting ghosted is frustrating. I really wanted to do more automation in my business this year so that I can delegate my time more wisely in my business and in my personal life. The one thing I wasn’t willing to automate was my response to clients- although I did consider it. I love having that first conversation with a family that is looking to book a session with me. I love hearing all about your wishes and hopes for your session, and I love hearing about the fun facts you share with me when inquiring. At some point it’s necessary for me to share my pricing. I recognize that everyone has a budget; I get that! I don’t expect to be everyone’s photographer. In fact, I don’t want to be everyone’s photographer- that’s a lot of pressure! But, what I do want is to not be ghosted when my pricing doesn’t fit your budget. I spend a lot of time curating responses unique to your needs. I would appreciate a simple “I’m sorry, but this is bit more than we were planning to spend. Thank you for your time.”
That’s exactly what this woman did! She didn’t leave me hanging. She showed her appreciation for me taking the time to get back to her. It’s not just one simple email, it’s multiple so I can get a good sense of what people are looking for. I know that there’s this illusion that having photos done in this digital world means “free” images simply because I don’t have to pay for the film, paper, and processing to create an image (which is not totally true either, but that’s a post for another day), but it does take a lot of time to create those images, and it’s important to respect that.
Time is one of the most valuable things we have in our lives simply because we don’t have an unlimited supply of it. Time is fleeting. Value yours and value others.
Mini Photo Session vs Full Photo Session
/Mini Sessions have been on the rise for years now, but I still get clients that are unfamiliar with the difference between a full session and an mini session so I decided to put together a little post discussing just that.
Mini Sessions
Let’s start with a mini session: I think the name says it all, or at least basic concept of it. However, there’s more to a mini session than just a shorter session. Here are a few bullet points.
Significantly shorter than a full session: You will see a variety of mini session lengths depending on the session and photographer. You might see them anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes. It’s important you ask the photographer you’ve booked with how long the session is expected to last.
Themed: Mini sessions typically have a theme: Easter, Mommy & Me, Spring, Christmas, etc., so you will have to be accepting of the setup the photographer has created for their mini session; there’s no special requests for certain backdrop or props, this is where the photographer gets to have creative freedom. Below I have added a few images from minis that I’ve hosted. I’m not huge fan of props, so my theme is typically found in the location (accept in the studio), but you’ll see that we did Tree Farm, Christmas, and Halloween Costume Mini Sessions.
Location, date, and times chosen by photographer: These sessions are held on a date at a specific location that are both chosen by the photographer. Additionally, you have to share your session date with multiple other families, and when I say “share” I don’t mean that you will be taking turns getting your photos done with other families but you will be expected to perform for the allotted time until a new family shows up for their time-slot.
Lower Price Point + less images: These sessions are typically at a lower price point due all of the things I discussed above, but, also, because I am giving you fewer images than I would with a full image. With a limited time frame, it’s hard to offer a larger amount of images simply because you don’t have the time to create a larger gallery.
Mini sessions are really great for updating portraits of your children + family, and you can save money doing a mini session vs a full custom photo session, but there’s also some pros to booking a full, private family session. Read on to learn more about a full session with your Batavia, N.Y. Photographer.
Full Session
Now let’s talk about a full session. These sessions are much more customizable to the needs of you and your family, so read below and decide what style is best for you.
Choose a date that works for you: When you book a full session you can pick a date/time that works best for your family’s busy schedule. I know that during the summer our family schedule is far more limited than the winter months, so being able to pick a date that is free on our calendar vs. waiting for a mini session would be much more convenient for us.
Pick your own location style: I’ve had requests to photograph families on their own property, friend’s property, specific parks, and just a certain location look, so it’s nice to have that flexibility when styling your custom session. Plus, you get a unique look that other families might not have in their images.
Longer session: Full sessions (for me) are around 60-90 minutes long, and I schedule them as close to sunset as I can for optimal light. Giving this amount of time helps with children who may be a little shy or nervous, and it let’s me get a little more creative with poses and allowing extra time for play.
Pre-session prep: With all of my custom sessions I give my clients much more attention when it comes to planning. These are custom sessions and I have to ask a lot of questions so that I can create a unique experience for you and document your family as they are. This also helps me pick the right location based on your requests and bring props that go with the style you’re looking to achieve.
Wardrobe styling: Picking out clothing that all goes well together without matching can often feel like a daunting task. It’s hard enough picking out clothing that suits you the best, imagine having to do it for every member of your family AND have it all look good together AND photograph well; it’s hard! This is where I come in and offer a helping hand. Some photographers have wardrobes they allow their clients to wear, but I’m not quite there yet, so the best I can do is offer my expertise over text, email, or social media. It’s one of my favorite parts of the process, but it’s not one that I extend to my mini session clients. Not because I don’t want to, but because there’s just not enough time to do that for all the bookings for that specific mini session.
More images: Because we have more time to create more images, I can give my clients more images with their full session.
You get the photographers undivided attention; no interruptions from waiting families: That’s it! I have nothing more for this bullet point.
Winter Maternity Session with Batavia, N.Y. Photographer
/Even though I loathe being cold, I will put my big girl pants on (plus 12 extra layers) and show up to your Family Photo Session with bells on because this time of the year is, visually, really beautiful. I’d be lying if I said I never wanted to see those big, beautiful snowflakes blanket the earth ever again. Unfortunately, we were not gifted snowflakes for this maternity session, but I still love the subtle bit of snow on the ground here. It time stamps her pregnancy and the season that baby will be born.
This is Mom & Dad’s 2nd baby, and I can’t wait to meet her in just a few short weeks! I feel like it was just yesterday that we were out in the woods documenting their 1st pregnancy.
Time is such a weird thing; there are moments that feel like they take an eternity to get through, then you look back and can’t believe that that very same thing that felt like it was dragging on is now over. Pregnancy is one of those things. I remember my very first pregnancy- it felt like I would never meet my baby, and now he’s coming up on 15.
I’m sure Mom and Dad feel the same way about their 1st born, but I think babies look good on them so they should just keep ‘em coming. They are the most amazing parents; so patient and sweet with their daughter. There’s not a doubt in my mind that baby #2 will be doted on just the same, and they make pretty beautiful babies, so…..
Check out their sweet little family below.
If you’re looking to book a maternity session with your Batavia, N.Y. Photographer, please message me HERE.
Then vs. Now- the journey of your Batavia, N.Y. photographer
/Hey, hey! It’s time to get vulnerable for a second.
As a professional photographer I always get asked the question, “how long have you been a photographer?”. I believe the actual question should be “how long have you known how to use your camera properly” because my love of photography and actually understanding photography are two different things. You can have both of these, but if you don’t have both of them together, there is no room for improvement in your craft. This had me thinking that it would be fun to do a then vs now, and not the typical “then vs. now” where people share their 2 years ago of knowing what I was doing with my camera vs now, but a true before of when I thought I knew what I was doing, so I dug waaaaay deep into my archives and found this image that I remember being so proud of.
So proud of for two reasons: This is my first born son so naturally I was just so proud to be his mom. I remember seeing new Moms with their new baby out in public and they always had a blanket over them. Not me! I wanted to show off this sweet little nugget of mine. Of course he was covered when we were outside, but the minute we were in a building I couldn’t wait to rip that blanket so everyone could see his sweet face, and two, I thought it was a really great shot; he is smiling a little bit, the lighting is sufficient, and I was able to pose him in a basket and still get a good shot of his face. Thing is, this photo is when I was shooting with my “fancy camera” on Auto. I had not a clue what settings were. I was that person that thought because I had a fancy camera that it (my camera) would know what I wanted to achieve and do it. I realize now that my camera on auto meant that it would take an overall reading of the the entire scene and choose the setting based on that. I remember getting so frustrated when the shutter wouldn’t go as fast as I needed it to or when my highlights were blown out and the entire scene looked grey. I also remember when my camera finally got that good shot. Getting that one good shot made me feel like I was finally figuring it out, but then all of those other issues would creep back around again. It was vicious cycle, and I’m SO happy to not be there anymore. I mean, I’d love it if my 6’, 9th grader was tiny again, but…..
P.S. I attached a photo of him at the bottom, so it’s a good “then vs. now” of him.
It wasn’t until I had my second son that I realized I had zero clue what I was doing. I figured this out because I wanted to improve my skills and get better shots, but I wasn’t sure what exactly I need to do to get them. The world of photography opened up for me when I started with a simple question asking about how to prevent blur in my action shots. That one little search got the ball rolling. I was learning about all of these settings and shooting like a mad person because I wanted to improve my skill. I was hungry for content. I wanted to be able to go into a session and know exactly what I was doing. I wanted to look at a scene and know straight away what I had to do to nail focus, exposure, and still remain creative. I didn’t want to choke. I wanted to be able to troubleshoot on the spot, but I couldn’t do that without knowing how my camera worked. If you have worked with me you may have experience a time where I have had to troubleshoot my camera, and while I still (silently) have a moment of panic, I remind myself to calm down and go down the list of things that could be the problem based on the issue I’m having.
Let’s move past the technical side of photography (settings) and move to composition/posing. As you can see here, the first shot is not really a flattering angle (even for a baby where it’s next to impossible to make look bad), because emphasizing the nostrils is never a good idea. Now, if you look at the 2nd baby, I learned to shoot at another angle and it is a huge improvement from the first. Next, styling: We can all agree that the styling of the first image is on-point. LOL! But, let’s be real…I’ve definitely come along way, and I realized that props can make or break an image. In this case, those eggs + Easter grass + hand towel (?) totally broke this image. Let’s all just focus on that sweet face.
This is a gentle reminder that we all start somewhere. We all have beginnings that we look back on and feel embarrassed about. It’s important to ask yourself, where would you be without that beginning. This feels like those stories talking about having a dream and $100 in your pocket. Who knows, I was 23 and a server when I took this shot. I probably only had $100 in my pocket. Hahaha!
Here’s to continuing my learning journey as a Family Photographer in Batavia, N.Y.
I never want to be the best at what I do. I’m always thirsty for learning new techniques- as any person should be in their field of work, because if you’re not learning new things in your craft, what are you even doing? I believe in this so much that I decided to write more. I know I’m not the best writer, but I’m really hoping that if I just keep on clicking on this keyboard that I can create quality content with a twist of humor. If there’s anything you’d like for me to write about pertaining to photography, please drop it in the comments below. I look forward to reading them!
Signing off,
Marie Bohn
Newborn Lifestyle Session in LeRoy, N.Y.
/Meet Baby N
My favorite way to photograph newborns is in their home. I love them because it allows me to just keep it simple and focus on the newest member of your family without all of the extra props. I was also able to re-create some shots for this family that were done with their other 2 boys as newborns. I.e. Check out the tractor shot- Mom was right next to baby, safety first-!
It’s also nice when you have other children because it allows them to be comfortable in their own home, and they can run and take breaks as needed while I’m working with the baby. They can play with their toys or grab a quick snack if they’re hungry, and sometimes kids just perform better when they are in their safe place- especially shy littles.
These boys are always a ball of fun to photograph, and I was even called “Mrs. Bohn” for the first time by a child: talk about manners! We always do their family photos at their home, which is always so much fun because they have so much property that I can create a different look every time I’m there. I also really love their big beautiful farmhouse! Check out a few sweet images from their session below. I even documented a big smile from baby N. I am always SO happy when this happens!
To book your lifestyle newborn session with your Batavia, N.Y. Family Photographer, message me HERE. I look forward to meeting you!
6 Tips To Prepare Your Pet For Family Photos
/Meet Charlie.
Charlie is about as well behaved as they come. If I had the choice to photograph one pup for the rest of my career as a photographer, he would be my first choice. He also has a baby sister named cricket, and she’s pretty amazing, too! First off, look at how cute he is! The only “flaw” he has is that he’s incredibly awkward when asked to “smile” for the camera. He is trained well, but we have found that his best photos are during play. I guess the same could be said for the majority of people who are not used to being photographed professionally.
working with pets during your family photos is similar to working with infants and toddlers; they have the attention span of an ant and a mind of their own and it’s up to us to rein them in. there are a few things we can do to prepare them to be their best during your family photo session. Below are just a few tips on how to ready your pet.
Pamper them: You get your hair, nails, and make-up done for your photos. Why not do the same for your pet. Give them a little spa day so they look their best on photo day. You can do this with a professional or do it yourself.
Include them in the questionnaire: I send a questionnaire over to my clients to let me know who is being photographed and tell me a little bit about each person. If your pet is being photographed, please don’t exclude them from this questionnaire.
Feed them: Again, your pets are just like children. You don’t want them to show up to a session with an empty belly.
Walk them: Dogs can get pretty excited when meeting new people. This is normal, but it’s important that you expend a little energy before your session. I wouldn’t tire them out completely, but by giving them a 15 minute walk prior to your session time will allow them to be more calm at the start of your session. Plan to arrive to your session about 20 minutes early so that you can let them do this.
Treats & toys: Reward your pet when they’ve done a job well done, but try to not overuse these; we don’t want sick animals. Toys can be used by the photographer to catch the attention of the pet.
Be patient and have fun! Remember that we also want to capture playful moments and the genuine personality of your pet, so don’t be afraid to love on them just like your kiddos.
That’s it! That’s all I have. If you have any additional tips/tricks or questions for your pet in particular, please drop them in the comment section below and I will answer them as soon as I can. Happy Monday, y’all.
How to Protect your Photos: Batavia, N.Y. Photographer explains.
/Storing and caring for your family photos is crucial so they can be shared for a lifetime and for future generations to enjoy. Below are a few tips on how to do just that.
Prints
Obviously we want to display prints on our walls, but we do run out of space and have to update images along the way, so what are you to do with those prints to ensure quality for the future?
Be sure that whatever you store your prints in is an acid free material; This includes when you are planning to frame them on your walls. You want to make sure you have acid free matting and glass. Use archival sleeves to store prints.
Store them in a cool, dry place. Less than 75 degrees is best.
Avoid displaying and storing them in direct sunlight; this will fade your images over time.
Keep in a low humidity location, but not too low. You want to discourage mold growth (too much moisture) and brittle photos (to dry).
If you want to take extra precaution to protecting your images, have extra prints made and store them in a secondary location (off-site).
Digital Negatives
We live in a digital age and so with that comes photographers giving digital negatives (jpgs) instead of just prints from their sessions so I think it’s important for you to know how to care for those types of files too. There’s really only a couple of rules for this.
Always, always, ALWAYS save your digitals in multiple locations; external hard drives, cd/dvd, multiple computers, etc. Your family photographer only has so much space to keep images, and many dump images after a certain period of time, so don’t rely on them as one of your back-ups
Print them in different forms: prints for the wall, 4x6’s to store in a table top box, and/or an album. Then, refer back to how to care for your prints.
What to Expect from your Batavia, N.Y. Photographer in 2023
/
Happy Friday, y’all!
I have a couple orders of business with this blog post: First, discuss what to expect when booking your session with Marie Bohn Photography in the New Year & 2023 Family Session Pricing.
I’ve been spending a lot of time trying to make my business a little more seamless during the booking process. Over the years I’ve spent so much time putting together emails with all of your session prep information, only to receive a message from a client saying it never came through. This year I am delegating a little space on my website just for you in hopes to avoid lost information. This is something that will take some time to get together because it’s all new to me, and there’s been a lot of trial an error along the way, but I’m super excited to have all the information in one area with just a link for you to click! It will include all pre-session prep, day- of session “what to expect”, and post session expectations. I have been trying to keep it as short and sweet as possible, but there’s a lot of information that needs to be shared to fully prepare you and your family for your family session, but I will do my best to simplify it for you because I know life can be crazy, and who has time to read long-winded articles.
Next order of business- 2023 Family Session Pricing
Every year the rent at my studio increases. I’ve kept my pricing the same for 7 years (with the exception of my mini session pricing). This year I am at the point where I am finding I need to make the increase to cover the rising cost of my studio space. I have done my best to keep the same pricing, but as the world changes, I need to, too. I hope that you all still continue to come to me as the price change is “only” $50, but I do understand if you need to go elsewhere. I did run 2022 with the pricing for my new inquiries only and it went well, so ALL clients booking in 2023 will be subject to this new pricing. If you have any questions regarding this price change, feel free to message me.
Thank you for your continued support, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Tips on how to Dress for your Winter Photo Session
/How To Dress for Family Photos- Winter Edition
All too often I am asked “what should we wear?”. I love helping my families pick out their outfits for their portrait session, but sometimes it can be a bit of a task trying to do it over fb messages, email, or text. This had me thinking: Maybe I should put together a blog (or blogs) on how to dress your family. I have decided to break this down into a few different articles. I will base some off of dressing for the weather, how to mix & match textures, colors, and patterns, and how to dress for studio sessions vs. outdoor sessions. This post is going to be the winter edition. I think people struggle with this the most since they want to look good and stay warm. Also, if you want a successful winter family photo session, it’s important that your kiddos are warm. Cold kids do not perform as well. Let’s not forget the babies! Babies do not have the ability to get up and run around to keep their bodies warm, so it’s important that your baby comes with more layers than you. A basic knit snow suit and/or a blanket will benefit your little one greatly.
Layers
Selecting clothing for your photo session can be a daunting task. You want everything to be perfect and pair well together. I find this task feels exponentially worse when it comes to picking out clothing for your winter family session; you want to look stylish without all the bulk. Layering is the #1 thing I always tell families to plan for in their winter wardrobe. Not only does it keep you warm in below freezing temps, but it can create a whole new look should you get too warm during your session and wish to remove layers.
Pictured below is one of my favorite outfits I picked out as an example for you all today. This plaid dress is so freaking adorable! With this I would put a layer under the dress (long sleeve t-shirt material) for added warmth without adding bulk. I paired it with this adorable coat and these faux leather pants to give it a little edge but also a different texture. As far as footwear goes, I would do a boot with wool socks (wool is moister wicking).
2. Hats & Gloves
You can wear hats and gloves and still look cute during your winter portrait session. This is a very crucial step in wardrobe planning if you want to keep warm during your session. Why? Because you lose most of your heat from your head and hands. It’s important you protect them, and this step could be the cheapest one you make and will have the most impact. You could go fancy if you wanted to but it’s not necessary. A leather glove or a fur hat (which photograph beautifully) would be a more elevated look but the most cost-effective route would be just a simple knit hat and gloves. These often come as a combo pack. You can keep it simple with just black, cream or brown -OR- you can add a pop of color with these accessories. In the photo below I picked out this very simple outfit but buy adding the pop of color it elevates the whole look. I would add and under shirt, a puffer vest, and brown boots to finish this look.
3. Colors or Nuetrals?
This is up to you! Ask yourself: what look am I trying to achieve? Me personally, I love both looks, but I know that I am a person who really loves color. I have color all throughout my home and would want to wear pops of color in my winter photo session. Color really makes you pop in a wintery scene, but you can get a similar affect with neutrals. You do that by adding different textures. Below are examples of both, and you can easily add hats and gloves to both of these outfits to add extra warm.
I hope this post was helpful to you. Please comment with any questions you may have and I will do my best to help you in any way I can. Be on the lookout for my next blog post regarding how to dress for your Family Photo session.
My favorite shops to purchase clothing from are H&M, Zara, Joyfolie, ASOS, Baltic Born, Lulus, Janie & Jack, and sometimes Amazon (always check reviews!). If you need local, Old Navy, Target, and Marshalls all have good options, too.
Happy New Year to you all.
4 Tips on How to Manage Fussy Children During Portrait Session
/Fussy children during your photo session can be stressful. I have 3 children of my own; I get it! And, they’re all boys- which seems to be more difficult to convince them that family photos are important. Now, I must admit that these are not fool proof tips and there are some children that are unbreakable, but they do work most of the time and are always worth a try.
Tip #1
Be Empathetic: Some children start the session with strong emotions, and that’s okay. You have protected your children and taught them stranger danger since they were born and now you expect them to perform for a stranger. As your Batavia, N.Y. photographer, I try to put myself in the shoes of your little ones. I read their body language and develop a plan based on the energy they are giving me. Maybe they are hugging your leg and hiding. This shows me they are a little shy and probably a little nervous. Maybe they are clutching you and crying. This tells me that I am not to be trusted just yet and must earn it. I must show them that I am not here to cause them any harm. These two things tell me that bringing out the camera right away is not the best idea if I want to win them over. They need time. They need time to assess the situation and get comfortable with their surroundings. Never push if your children are not ready. Be patient and they will come around. If you know your child requires extra time, make that known to your photographer so that they can give you ample time. This is also why I tell parents to never let their child(ren) fall asleep in the car on the way to a session. Could you imagine falling asleep in one place and waking up in another, meeting a new person in a location you’ve never been, AND you are expected to put on your best face?! That’s going to be a negative for me.
Tip #2
Give them a break: Your children have feelings just like you and me. The only difference is they haven’t been afforded the full experience on how to manage those emotions just yet. Maybe they started off their session strong but about 15 minutes in they just aren’t having it anymore- Give them a moment. Allow them to have a snack or a little drink. Give them some time to gather their emotions and bring them back when they’re ready. A good family photographer will also be able to pick-up on these cues and should be able to change it up to create a set-up that will be more appealing to your little one: This might be throwing them in the air, giving them some tickles, standing and walking, allowing your child to run or jump, etc. Kids are unpredictable and we need to be able to adapt to their needs.
Tip #3
Positive words: I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count the amount of times I’ve told parents that yelling at your children will not work to correct their behavior during a session. In fact, I’ve physically seen a child get worse because of it. Why? Your child is having a moment and needs that time to process it. Yelling at them actually shuts them down and makes them even more upset. Not to mention, it embarrasses them in front of a new person. If you have ever worked with me, you have probably heard me tell your children that they are doing a great job and how amazing they are, and that I appreciate them for doing a job well done. I always tell parents that if your child is not harming anyone or themselves, all play and silliness is okay with me! I get inspired by your children. Do I like children who follow directions well? Of course! But I also love those free-spirited children who force me to get creative.
I remember becoming a parent for the 1st time. I loved seeing the world through his eyes. It’s a perspective I’ve seen before but was lost in my growth. Give me that with your children, too.
Tip #4
Embrace it: Sometimes kids just have bad days- Adults do, too! They just don’t know how to, as my SIL is told often, “fix their face”. In this situation I just say to embrace it. This stage of their life won’t last forever, so it’s important we document who they are in that moment, and if that means RBF, then that’s what we get. Another option is to literally embrace them! Hold them close with their face away from the camera and just give them all the love. Even though you can’t see their face, your love will still shine through by a simple snuggle. These offer a more emotive style session and can leave you feeling excited to share this sweet moment with the world just as much as an image with their smiling face.
And that concludes my list. I hope you found it helpful. If you have any other tips that you have used and work well, I’d love to hear from you!
New Year + Mistakes Made = New Goals
/As your Batavia, N.Y. Family Photographer, it’s hard to put into words how grateful I am for another successful year with you all, but I will do my best.
Every session always starts with little butterflies in my stomach and ends with my bucket full; I don’t anticipate this changing- It’s my process. Your photos aren’t just photos to me. I have seen families lose loved ones. I have seen babies grow in front of my lens. I’ve captured images parents didn’t think were even possible. Your photos will hang on the walls of your home and be shared with all of your friends and family, whether it’s through social media and/or holiday cards. Your photos will carry you through the hard times and offer you a little nostalgia through the good. I have to get it right, and sometimes I’m not afforded the opportunity to shoot it again. I know you share this feeling with me. Thank you for sharing your life events and sweet little moments with me.
Every year I learn a little bit more, and I always appreciate the patience you gift me as I navigate busy seasons. Because of this, I am working on ways to be more efficient in the new year for you. I am, also, having to add some things that I was hoping I didn’t have to, but I have to remember that, even though a majority of my clients are kind, trusting, and valuable to me, there have been a few bad apples this year that are forcing my hand to make certain changes so that I can be more available to those that deserve it.
Things that will change: In the new year I will no longer hold a date unless your session fee is paid within 24 hours of booking. If it’s not, your date will open to another client that wants it. By doing this, it will allow me to open more dates to families who are booking last minute, because we all know life can easily take over and we forget to book. Also, I will no longer be doing a rush edit on certain images before you’ve selected and paid for your collection. Which leads me to timeframe for selections: you will have 2 weeks to pick your images. If you have not picked your images in that time, your gallery will expire and there will be a fee to have me activate it again. By doing this I will not be editing your summer images during the busiest season for photographers: Fall + Christmas. This in-turn will allow me to give my full attention to those sessions that were just completed.
*I also recognize that life can get busy at times and we need some grace. To which I say: please, just communicate with me! Let me know what you need. I’m a pretty reasonable person, and I only want to make your experience seamless and positive. Speaking of positives…..
New Additions: I’m not a huge fan of minis simply because I enjoy giving my undivided attention to one family at a time, and that’s hard to do with 15-20 minutes, but I do recognize that some kiddos are best with shorter sessions. So, I’m hoping to open up more mini session options for you all. With that being said, I want to hear from you! I will not do Fall minis, but I am curious what type of mini sessions you looking for in the new year. I typically only do Spring, Tree Farm, Studio Christmas, and this year I added Santa minis, so what other things would you like to see? I would like to do more stuff in the studio, if that helps. Drop your comments below or on the FB post I plan to share.
Finally, I’d like to hear what you have found helpful in my prep for your session and what you feel didn’t work for your family. Additionally, what do you think would be beneficial to add to the prep? I do plan to create something that is more geared towards wardrobe, because that seems to be what families struggle with the most.
I will leave you with these adorable faces that I love seeing year-after year. I wish you all well throughout the holiday season and look forward to hearing from you and/or seeing you soon.
Much love,
Marie Bohn (Batavia, N.Y. Family Photographer)
Christmas Mini Sessions in Batavia, N.Y.
/Holiday Mini Sessions are a great way to document your family during the holiday season and grab a last-minute photo for those holiday cards. This year I am excited to announce that I will be offering 3 different types of mini sessions.
Studio Minis (will be held at my photo studio in Batavia, N.Y.)
Tree Farm Minis
Santa Minis *NEW*
Follow the links for booking details. Santa minis will be available once I know when he can leave the North Pole for a little fun with the kiddos. :)
Tree Farm: https://mariebohnphotography.bigcartel.com/product/tree-farm-minis
Studio Session: https://mariebohnphotography.bigcartel.com/product/studio-holiday-minis
Santa Minis: https://mariebohnphotography.bigcartel.com/.../santa-minis
Christmas in the City Santa photos
/SANTA PHOTOS- Thank you all for your patience last night. I really enjoyed my time getting to be silly with your kiddos. You can download your image at the link below. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season, and I will see you again next year!
https://mariebohnphotography.shootproof.com/gallery/17059857
Batavia, N.Y. Family Photographer Model Call
/**Mama Model Call**
Hi there, ladies! I am in need of a mama model to advertise my “Mommy & Me” sessions that I will be hosting in my Batavia, N.Y. Family Photography Studio.
-Scroll down for full details-
-REQUIREMENTS-
A mom who can provide a wardrobe similar to the style of the attached images below. I “may” have the white lace dress in the photo below available at the time of the session, but I’m not sure if it will be here on time. If it is, mama needs to be able to fit into at least a M. If not, I would like a dress with a similar boho vibe.
I would love a mama who is 32-36 weeks pregnant, but it’s not a requirement.
At least 2 to 3 children; Children between the ages of 4 to 6, or an infant that is 8m-10m. At least one child MUST be a girl.
Children need to be able to follow instruction well, with the exception of infants. Because….babies.
I NEED a mama who is patient with their children. Someone who can just sit back and let me take the wheel.
Must be available on 2/29 (Saturday) for a morning session. Time will be based on the ages of children.
Must allow use of images for advertising.
NO SPECIAL REQUESTS!
In return for your time you will receive 5 images + print release with the option to purchase more. Scroll to the bottom to find how to apply.
COLOR PALETTE INSPIRATION
HOW TO APPLY
Return to my Facebook Page and find the “model call” post.
-In the comments- share why being a mom is so important to you and, for my own comic relief, a funny story that you’ve experienced while being a mom.
Submit a photo of you and your little ones to either my email at MarieBohnPhotography@gmail.com -or- add it in the comments on my Facebook Page.
Lastly, tag friends who you think I should consider, too.
I will contact you directly should you be selected. Please DO NOT message me. I will be making my selection by this weekend. Thank you for you time, and I look forward to reading all of your mama stories!
With love,
Marie
Today was a Hard Day | Batavia NY Family Photographer
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Any research that I’ve done about how to write an interesting blog post I always see people say that you should just start writing. Don’t stop to correct. Just keep going until you’ve arrived at the end of what you want to say. And, this isn’t specifically just for blogging, but writing in general; books, songs, poems, etc. You can make corrections and changes after. The point is to just get it out of your head and down on paper.
Great! Seems easy. Or is it? Then there’s me….I’m over here nodding my head at all the great advice while simultaneously hovering my pen centimeters above an empty piece of paper just thinking…..better yet, desperately hoping that the hundreds of thoughts and feelings spinning through my mind will magically gather a story, leap from my head and travel down my arm and burst from my pen and appear neatly organized on said paper. Instead, I’m roughly 10 minutes in and all I have for you is a handful of scribbles and changes (which, remember, was “forbidden” while writing), and the only thing I’ve written about is my ability, or lack thereof, to write.
But, how does someone write (and this is where I freeze yet again) or formulate the proper words to express their sorrows in an elegant way? I suppose that is part of writing; putting your feelings into words which then becomes a story. So, with that being said, here’s a story instead of words to describe how I feel right now.
My family moved back to Batavia after being away from the area for roughly a decade. I always say “we left as kids and returned with kids.” When we became parents 12 years ago, we looked to our friends for support. They really were our family, and still are! Our kids played together. We celebrated holidays together. We watched each others kids. They got us through the first years of parenting. These are friends you keep for a lifetime. We made the tough decision to return home about 5 years ago. Leaving them was very difficult, but we were very excited to finally be back with our family. That said, I was very nervous that we wouldn’t find friends like the crew we have in T.N. Great friends are hard to find. That 1st year back home was exactly what I had feared. We had no friends, but that was okay because we were surrounded by family. However, everyone needs a good group of friends they can turn to.
Fast forward to the next school year. This time our oldest was in 2nd grade and our youngest (at the time) was starting UPK. This is the school year that changed our lives. I met the most amazing and supportive group of women any person could ask for, for a 2nd time in my adult life! Our kids hit it off, too! We had coffee dates, play dates, hung out on field trips, met for dinner, and shared group texts that you could probably turn into a book. I had finally found my tribe!
Now it’s time to fast forward yet again, and this is the time my writing may get a little confusing, because at this point my eyes are beginning to fill with water and the paper starts to become a little blurrier. Now we will move through time a couple more years- one of our tribe members was in trouble; it was cancer, and it was here to destroy! To destroy the life of a man we invited into our home and had a few laughs with. A man we shared bleachers with under the hot sun to cheer our kids on at the same baseball games. To destroy a woman who we spilled our guts with over a morning cup of coffee. To children who played and developed a bond with our children. To destroy a family that loves and loves hard! This family is about to face a fight some people couldn’t even imagine, and I always think , why THIS family?! Nobody deserves this but especially not them.
Bravery- Courageous behavior or Character. The quality or state of having or showing mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty
I pulled this definition from the internet; I’m not sure why this family’s name is not listed under the definition because they are the epitome of bravery! When cancer approached them they didn’t hesitate for a second. It was battle time! They wiped their tears and walked the path to the front line. They were ready to crush whatever stepped in their way and, like many, there was a constant shift and change with every visit to the doctor. And, even with this constant shift, this family never lost sight of their faith. They’re optimists through and through, and I think that is what helped them to press on. Every day I saw the family they were smiling and hopeful. I would wave to them as I was picking my kids up from school and there was never a moment where I thought they were facing uncertain death. Until there was. I will never forget this day. I was driving by my son’s school to pick him up. I passed by mom’s van as she was waiting for the traffic to pass so that she could turn onto the road. It was for just that split second of driving by that her face told the entire story; the fate of their future. It was grim.
I had offered the family a photo session shortly after I heard about the dad’s diagnosis, which was roughly 2 years ago. I said, “just let me know when he is feeling up for it and I will clear my day for you.”, because with cancer you never know when you will have a good day or a bad day. I’m not even kidding you, mom messaged me about a week after I saw her in the parking lot of the school. Her message read, “I want to do these photos now before we can no longer do them.”
My heart broke that day. I knew what her message meant.
This family photo session was so amazing to witness. I feel lucky to have been able to do this for them. That said, I was a nervous wreck! I could not mess this up! My family and I dragged our living room couch out to our front yard so that Dad could have a place to sit should he need a break. I really enjoyed this day. It was filled with the kind of laughter and joy you only see in movies. Hugs and kisses that made time stand still. And tears that struck you to the core! Occasionally I would catch mom and dad lock eyes. It felt similar to the way you look at a newborn baby; with full attention to every detail- the little wrinkles in their skin. How tiny their hands are in comparison to yours. The little white spots on the tip of their nose. How their lips pucker when they are sleeping. All the things you want to hold onto forever because you know that time is fleeting. That is how mom and dad looked at eachother.
Their session was a real gift, and it just put life into perspective. Tomorrow is never promised.
Fast forward a few months to January, 29th 2020- Dad is no longer in pain and the family can begin their healing journey. In this story, cancer won. Today (February, 4th 2020) you were laid to rest. It was a mild mid-30’s outside. Overcast skies and a muddy ground with patchy snow. We gathered to celebrate your life. This day will never leave me. I watched as your wife and mother of your children trembled in grief as she wrapped her arms like a warm blanket around your daughter. The sounds of the church were that of grieving friends and family, but the one sound that may never leave my mind is your daughter weeping in sadness, and it was not just a continuous cry, rather, a cry with valleys and peaks. Moments where you could somehow truly feel her pain. There was hard, gut wrenching tears coupled with moments of calm and understanding. Then came the moment when the church rose and they started to surround your casket to carry you to your final resting place. The tears of your friends and family poured so hard in this moment. Watching your wife grip your daughter and hold her close as we watched your son line up with the pallbearers to carry you out was probably the saddest thing I’ve ever seen. His head just barely reaching the top of your casket, he walked, head held high, alongside of you for one final time. THIS was the moment that will sit in my brain just like a photo in an album!
Ike, I am so very glad our paths crossed. Your family and friends are emotionally broken by your tragic loss, but you built a strong community during your time here. Without knowing, you created a lasting foundation for your family as they face this long road to recovery. With that they will continue to grow and thrive in your memory. You were one of the good ones. We’re sad to say goodbye but eternally grateful to have said hello.
Much Love,
The Bohn Family
You Just Might be "Christmas-ing" Wrong if... | Batavia, N.Y. Family Lays out Christmas for you
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Now that the holidays have come to a close and life can start to drift back to normal, whatever that is, I have decided to write a little Christmas blog post about what I’ve observed during this holiday season. Yes, this may be my business/photography blog, but blogging is also a way for you, my followers/fans, to know who I am as a person. Additionally, to show you that I am a real person with real thoughts behind this computer screen, and I was VERY disappointed to see good people being apologetic for no reason other than what seems to have become the expectations of the season.
I am the kind of person who likes to make people laugh. I really try to make light of most situations. That said, I am very passionate and serious when it comes to showing my children the true meaning of the holidays. I grew up being the family on the other end of those donations that so many kind people donated to. I have yet to have to experience this as an adult, and I hope I never have to, but my children will know that they are very fortunate and to never take that for granted! For me, it’s about family. It’s about eating food until you feel like you’re going to die, and sharing a good laugh with the people you love. It’s about grabbing a coffee and possibly?? undressing a mannequin to get the right size shirt for your sister, because that’s something we will laugh at forever. It’s about watching your father-in-law, the man who has everything, open his “prank box” gift and die of laughter for about five minutes while he’s trying to figure out how to use his paperless butt wiper that you attach to your toilet (not real, y’all. Just a prank!). It’s about seeing your children light up when they get that one gift they’ve been hoping for. The magic of Christmas is those smiles. Those laughs. Those hugs. Those memories you’ve created and will share going forward. Life is too short to be all hung up on the hype of the holidays, and you just might be “Christmas-ing” wrong if you find yourself doing any of these things below.
The first thing I witnessed this holiday season was a complaint about not being invited to holiday parties, and that they were a little depressed about it. Depressed? Seriously?! Listen, people! If you are “depressed” about not being invited to a holiday party, throw your own damn party, and maybe spend some time with someone who is truly depressed, because you are definitely using that word wrong!
Number one- (I saw this post in a moms group on FB. I loathe FB moms groups.) What does posting it on social media resolve other than getting a bunch of people who only know one side of the story upset for you?
Number two- Can we consider that we are all human and it is very easy to forget to add a person to the guest list. I’ve done it a million times! There’s no malice involved. It’s purely innocent and unintentional.
Number three- Sometimes space is limited. We’ve all thrown at least one party in our lives. Let’s be honest, once you start that guest list all hell breaks loose and it seems like you’re constantly adding “just one more person”.
Number four- If you’re going to be so upset over a party, THROW YOUR OWN PARTY! I didn’t know the holidays were about the need to be invited to parties. Honestly, this time of year is so hectic, it’s a gift when I get to stay home in my pj’s, drink wine, and binge on a series or watch a movie with my family. Be grateful for the things you DO HAVE!
Next up- CARDS
Stop apologizing if your holiday cards are late! I always say they’re just early for the next Christmas. If someone is upset that they got your card late, then I think it’s time to make your card list a little shorter next year. You took the time out of your busy schedule to fill out and send cards, the date of their arrival is irrelevant in my book. So, if you are complaining about Christmas cards- GET OVER IT! There are far worse things in life to get annoyed with.
Lastly- GIFTS
When we lived in T.N. it was very difficult for us to purchase 3+ plane tickets and to also bring/afford christmas gifts. We always told everyone that we were their gift! Our family understood. I love giving gifts to people. I always have. So when we moved back home and were in a financial position to be able to give gifts, we did. Every year it’s roughly the same list, but this year I added another person. When I handed over the gift, their response was, “thank you! I’m going to have to put together a new list for next year." HOLD IT!! If you think I’m giving you a gift because I am expecting one in return, you’re wrong! I give gifts because I want to, not because I want one in return. If this is how you are gifting, you’re doing it wrong. I only want you to give me a gift if you want to. Not because you feel obligated to do so. Y’all, I asked my husband for slippers for Christmas! Freaking slippers! But, you know what? I freaking LOVE my slippers!
Now that my vent is over, I would advise all of those that are getting upset over holiday parties, Christmas cards, and gifts to really take a step back and open your hearts to what the holidays are all about.
This is often the only time families all get together, break bread, and reminisce. The gifts. The cards. The parties. That’s all just an added bonus! You know why the holidays are so stressful? Because we seemed to have forgotten what the holidays are really about; being with one another.
Your Batavia, N.Y Family Photographer and Her "Home" Studio
/Welcome to my “home”.
The decision to sign a lease on a family photography studio space in Batavia, N.Y. was not an easy one. I was in my 2nd year of business after moving back home from T.N. My position as a photographer in the community had not been fully established yet, and I am actually still working on that! However, I realized how difficult it was in that 1st year to offer my clientele what they were requesting during the cold and snowy winter months here in Western, N.Y. A studio space separate from my house was the only thing that made sense, so I took the plunge and it has been the best decision I have made.
The next hurdle that came my way was how I make this dingy, old industrial building feel cozy and inviting, as though it was your home! I started by painting everything, I mean, EVERYTHING white, because that’s what trendy, upscale photography studio spaces look like, right?! I used it that 1st year and I just couldn’t find my groove in there. Any setup I created just always felt like it was missing something. I wanted it to feel cozy and invited like a home, but also a space that could be used for professional family portraits. Something was missing. Finally, after much soul searching, I finally realized that it was “ME” that was missing! But, how do I go about finding “me” in my style?
I decided to reflect on the clothing I wear and the decor I have in my home, and what I realized is I love drama! I love bold, rich colors! I’m not that feminine; I don’t love lace and frills. That said, I do have floral curtains in my dining room, but I have paired them with an emerald green bar with brass handles and wooden shelves. I quickly realized that I am not that “light & airy” photographer that I was trying to be in my studio space. It was time I stopped following “the trend” and started to be me. This is the 1st year since painting the walls black that I have enjoyed being in my family photography studio. It feels just like home. My home, specifically. My Limited Edition Holiday Setup was a bit specific, but I love it, and I am so glad other families saw and loved my vision, too!
And, you know, it’s so funny to meet families at the front doors of the building my studio is located in- I immediately greet them, and I can just see their eyes whirling around inspecting every corner of the front entrance. I then bring them up the questionable elevator (that is often locked for service), and down this long, dark and cold hallway to reach my studio. All the while wondering what might be going through their minds. Usually the kiddos are pretty vocal with their opinions, but parents are not so much. I’ve heard from children, “why is it so dark in here?”, “why is the elevator so scary?”, “where are you taking us?” ETC…
Then, I open my studio door. It almost feels like I’ve opened the gates to heaven, based on the sense of calm from everyone. Which is immediately followed by a “WOW! This is not what I expected. It’s so cute in here.” I don’t know if I have ever said this, but I love hearing those words. My sister (we share this space) and I have put so much time, hard work, and money into creating a space that feels like home, and I am so grateful that the families I work with feel that, too!
Have a little looksey inside….
Let's Talk TICKS {insert itching} | Batavia, N.Y. Family Photographer
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As you all know I love me some unpolished foliage. Give me a field full of overgrown beautifulness and I am happy as a clam! Unfortunately, that also comes at a price. Winter is generally “off-season” for family photographers in Western, N.Y. simply because it just becomes too challenging to keep the little ones happy in the colder temps, so that means that everyone who is looking to update their family photos are typically having them done between the months of March and, at the latest, November. As you all know ticks are basically demons that live earth side and can cause some serious health issues. It is, as a mother and family photographer, incredibly important to me that I do everything in my power to protect the families who entrust me with the safety of their precious littles, and so I have decided to compile a list of things to do before and after your family photo session with your Batavia, N.Y. family photographer in attempts to prevent tick bites.
BEFORE
-Treat the clothing you will be wearing for your session with a repellant containing Permethrin. This product is typically good for up to 7 washes.
-(From the CDC website) Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellentsExternal containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone.
Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months old.
Do not use products containing OLE or PMD on children under 3 years old.
AFTER
-Take a lint roller (sticky kind) and run in all over yourself and your child(ren).
-Change your clothing asap!
-While I do suggest a constant check during your session, it is incredibly important to do a full body check right after your session. This means both yourself and your child(ren). In addition to the main areas of your body, be sure to check under your arms, in your hair, private region, and belly button. I would also suggest showering up to 2 hours post session as to remove any unattached ticks and to run your body check.
Also note: The transmission of Lyme Disease only occurs if the tick has been attached for 36-48 hours, so it is paramount you do an immediate check to prevent the spread of Lyme disease.
Now that I am all itchy just thinking about this, I hope that this post offers some valuable information for you and your family before, during, and after your next outdoor family photo session.