HOW DOES IT WORK?

How did you make that?

How are they riding on that?

or

What?! Wait… Wha?!…How?! How are they doing that?

These are common initial reactions to my work. It is a little part of what makes this process so fun. Especially for children. That feeling of magic, of awe, of possibility, imagination, of creative potential. Or for adults, that reminder of childhood and how real those moments of make believe can be.

My mission is to capture that feeling and put it prominently on your wall so you can enjoy that little rush of wonder every day.

IT STARTS WITH A LITTLE INVESTIGATION

My dream career as a child was being a detective. Or an actress… or a famous hockey player.

Well, none of those panned out but I do utilize many of those skills in my work. Maybe not the hockey part, but we can’t win them all.

Once you commit to going on this adventure with me I start my investigation. There may even be a little homework. Don’t be scared. It might take a moment but you know the answers already because they are about you and your family. I want to learn as much as I can about your interests, hobbies, movies or books you love, favorite animals etc. Images will start bouncing through my brain and I will spend a few hours making notes, creating quick sketches, researching references you’ve made, and brain dumping ideas.

You may already have an idea in mind. Great! I can then figure out how to make it come to life.

Brainstorming session notes and sketches.

LET’S MAKE A PLAN

Once we settle on an idea I will help with details like hair & clothing (sometimes just a look through the closet or a bit of shopping might be necessary). I have a growing collection of adventure props, headpieces, and weird things I have found in my grandmother’s basement that I am pretty sure will be used some day in a photo shoot.

Based on the final idea, we will shoot in my studio or at a location that makes sense. For some images I will create backgrounds or find quality stock photos (specifically for animals as I am NOT a wild life photographer, who has time for that!)

Time laps of all the images from this family Adventure shoot.

PHOTOSHOOT

Now it is time to bring it all together. The idea, clothes, props and You!

I spend a decent amount of time getting the images I have seen in my head. I will direct your poses and facial expressions. I leave time to accommodate kids melting down (adults are allowed to melt down too, but this happens much less). I also allow time for some extra play and creativity and to capture some simpler images of you and your family.

CREATIVE COMPOSITING AND RETOUCHING

To create that final magical image I may spend 10-30 hours cutting out each person, swapping heads (or other body parts), finding stock photos, intricately piecing and layering all these element together and trying to make it look as realistic as possible while also enhancing the color and mood to make the image come alive.

There is a collaborative element to this as well. I will share screen shots of facial expressions and sometimes a rough mock up of the main image so that you can weigh in on what you like and feels appropriate for you and the members of your family.

Compositing process

MAKE YOUR MANTEL PROUD!

Once your images are ready (2-4 weeks depending on the complexity of the shoot) you will return for your View and Order Session where I will reveal your images and help walk you through the selection process. We will look at framing options for wall art and extras like albums and image boxes. I am even able to use interior photos from your own home to mock up wall art sizes or groupings to scale so there isn’t any worry about ordering the wrong thing.

I source all of my products from professional print labs to ensure quality and longevity of everything I offer my clients. I spend way too much time researching new options to make sure that what I am selling is what I would want hanging on my own walls.

Once your order is placed it takes around 2-4 weeks for the final artwork to arrive and then all you have to do is decorate! Woot, woo!

THE ADVENTURER

Are you ready for an adventure? Do you wish to fly on a unicorn, dangle from a UFO, commune with nature as a tiny fairy? Let’s dream the impossible dream in this highly customized, creative, conceptual portrait that is composited together from multiple images. 

The Group Voyage  $1400 - For up to 8 characters (people and/or animals)

The Solo Expedition  $1000 - Features one person or animal

Ready for an Adventure? See examples!

THE PATHFINDER

Do you like to take the road less traveled? We will explore fun and creative ways to highlight what makes your family interesting using props, costumes, locations, and a little sprinkling of magic. 

Group Exploration  $800 - For up to 8 characters (people and/or animals)

Solo Quest  $600 - Features one person or animal

Take a little trip here to see more!

THE WANDERER

Want to stay more laid back and relaxed?  In this one hour session, either in my studio or a location of your choice, we will keep things simple, classic, and natural. $350

Meander over this way to see examples!

*Creative Commissions cover all the many steps it takes to create your images. It does not include any product or digital files.

See below for starting product prices.*

*Custom quotes are available for projects that involve more than one image idea and for larger groups.*

CREATIVE COMMISSIONS INCLUDE:

  • Introductory phone or video call to see if I am the right fit for your project

  • Consultation at my studio or in your home

  • Creative investigation and brainstorming to find ideas that excite! (not included in the Wanderer session)

  • Time to photograph your family, child, or animal

  • A professional edit of your portrait session, enhancing & culling down to the best of the best

  • Creation of the main Epic Image. For the Adventurer session this means compositing together all the different images (background, animals, people), for the Pathfinder session this means adding a little sprinkling of Magic (perhaps a butterfly or bird, or adding a floral wallpaper in a studio image)

  • An Ordering Session where I help you select the portraits and wall art for your home (including to scale mock ups of your artwork on your actual walls!)

WALL ART & IMAGE BOXES

  • Custom ready to hang Wall Portraits start at $575 (choose from Fine Art Canvas with Float Frame, Framed and Matted, or modern Metal)

  • Keepsake Wooden Image Boxes with matted prints start at $1289

  • Gift Prints (Mounted 8×12 or smaller) $150 available as an add-on to any portrait order

  • Custom Holiday Cards or Announcements are available as an add-on to any portrait order

  • All purchased artwork includes a social media sized digital file