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.

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.

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!

CONCEPTUAL PORTRAITS

Your people, just a little more legendary.

Conceptual Portraits are built, not just captured. Piece by piece, we shape each image, layering real and imagined elements into something that feels a little like a memory and a little like a dream. 

Because of the complexity and time involved Conceptual Group Portraits are limited to 6 per year.

Group  $1984*  (4 - 6 beings) Does your story need another character?  $100/person or pet

Solo  $1000 Feeling lonely on your solo adventure?  Bring a friend!  $350/person or pet up to 2

 *(birth year of a certain notable artist, not a dystopian novel reference)