Portrait and commercial photographer based in the Niagara Region of southern Ontario.
Saturday, February 9, 2019
$99 Portrait Session Promo!
Winter is the time for studio portraits! As you and I know, kids grow so darned fast. Now is the time for a professional studio portrait session at my Niagara studio.
Whether it be for dance, sports, music, kids, fashion or whatever concept you can imagine, you are guaranteed to love what I create for you and your family.
Shy kids? Bold kids? Sassy kids? Quirky kids? Quiet kids? One of the best compliments I frequently get, is that I've managed to capture the personality of the child, no matter what they're like.
For just $99 you'll get a one hour portrait session, style and concept consultation, in-studio ordering session and an 8x10 print with the corresponding digital file.
This can be for any type of studio portrait session (excluding business portraits) until March 16.
Contact me today so we can start designing your session!
I've photographed this cutie 4 times already, and he gets cuter every time. I created an app that can be installed on a mobile device, and is an ideal way to show off your images to friends and family. I believe that the ultimate way to display your most favourite images is with a wall portrait. Of course, you can't very well carry a 20x30 flushmount around in your pocket. So when my clients purchase a wall portrait, I create an app for them for free! Check out Cobain's app at the link. We did some shots in the studio and went outside to my backyard to get more playful kid shots.
Portfolio building child model call for my Fort Erie studio.
Are people often telling you that your kid could be a model? If so, they might be a good fit for this experience.
I’m really looking forward to trying out some lighting ideas and enhance my portfolio with stunning, new images. Winter is always a very slow time for my business, so I hope to keep busy while improving my studio skills.
Over the last few years I’ve narrowed down the type of photography that I do, in order to concentrate on what I enjoy and excel at. I no longer book weddings, events or newborns. What I really love to do is photograph individuals, and try to capture their own unique character. It is my goal to become the #1 portrait photographer in the Niagara Region, especially of kids. To that end, I’ve been successfully working on my website SEO, but I want more outstanding images to keep viewers on my site.
I’m not interested in just shooting pretty pictures in casual wear. I want to create images that truly stand out from the endless competition in this industry. Wardrobe is one of the vital keys to creating unique portraits. I will chose participants for these sessions based in part on the clothing they’re able to bring for the session. The more unique the better! For example, here are some possible options:
*dancer
*athlete in uniform (gymnastics, football, equestrian, martial arts, etc.)
*high fashion or prom dress/tuxedo
*vintage clothing and hats
*hip hop
*funk*
*steampunk
*wild hair and makeup
*goth
*whatever weird and wonderful idea you have!
DETAILS
One girl or one boy. Ages 5-18 years old. If they’re on the younger end of that range, they still need to be comfortable and cooperative in front of the camera.
In addition to suitable clothing, the participants must be genuinely excited to participate and are able to follow simple instructions. Whether they can smile naturally at will is not important, as I love neutral expressions for portraits of kids, but they absolutely must want to be there for this experience.
These sessions are for me, to expand my portfolio, so all creative decisions will be based on what I want or need for the session. If you specifically want pretty pictures with big smiles, then you’re welcome to book a paid session and I’ll do whatever kind of photos you would like.
The session is free, but that’s it. Parents do not receive any images for free (though I will offer digital files at a discount).
Date and times must be booked in advance. If something comes up and you need to postpone, please provide at least 24 hours notice.
A parent will be required to sign a model release form giving me permission to use the images for promotional and advertising use and contests.
You must ‘like’ my Facebook business page.
We must be or become Facebook friends.
You will be encouraged to write a Google review about your experience.
Any images that I post from the session will be watermarked. I can share them to your page if you like, but you do not have permission to download any of the images unless you purchase them.
I will plan the lighting style, background and overall goal of each session according to my own creative vision. There is no way of knowing how many (if any) images will merit inclusion in my portfolio. It could be zero or it could be a few. If you would like to see all the proofs from the session, you’re welcome to book an appointment to view them, but they will not be available for online viewing. Booking an appointment is the only way for you to see all the proofs.
You will not be allowed to take your own photographs during the session.
While nothing but the session is free, I greatly appreciate the participation of the child and parent(s) who will be involved. So I will offer a large discount on my digital file prices for these creative sessions.
One full resolution, fully edited digital file with permission to print and post- $25 (regularly $50)
Ten full resolution, fully edited digital files with permission to print and post - $200 (regularly $350)
Naturally I would hope that a lot of parents won’t be able resist buying some images as I do have to feed my family and keep the lights on but.. once again, you do not have to purchase anything at all, but you do not get any images for free and any images posted online by me, belong to me and cannot be copied, downloaded or reproduced in any way unless that image has been purchased.
That’s a lot of information and I hope you’ve read and understood it all. If there’s anything you’re unsure of, just ask. Your questions will help me refine this lengthy text. If you would like your child to be considered for this, I’d prefer that you email me as it’s much easier to keep emails organized than Facebook messages.
My studio is at 2077 Stevensville Rd., in Fort Erie. Just a few minutes from the QEW.
Please include your name, child’s name, age, the type of wardrobe you’re thinking about for the session and a photo of your child (if I haven't photographed them before). Also a general idea of availability would be useful.
Friday, November 3, 2017
Some thoughts on professional portraiture quality and service...
These days there are more photographers around than ever, all trying to make you their client. Now with the times being the way they are, many people choose a photographer based on price, and I can totally understand that. As a professional photographer supporting my family though, I can't afford to compete on price. So I have to deliver what some other photographers either aren't capable of, or don't have the time to do. A lot of that value comes in how I help clients plan their session ahead of time in terms of location, clothing and timing. At their ordering session, I take the time to help them narrow down the many choices, by pointing out small details that they often don't notice. Then I help them choose the products that best fit their need and budget, whether it be large wall portraits to fill their walls, albums to cherish forever, smaller prints for gifts and desktops, or digital files to allow them to print and share at will. If they're looking for a wall portrait, I have software that I can use to show them exactly how any size of their own portraits will look on their very own walls! I can also provide a personalized app from their session that allows clients and their loved ones to mount the app on their phone or tablet.
Of course, more than anything, I strive to create images that really wow my clients. All good photography starts with good lighting, but that's just the beginning. As a photographer, I'm often imagining what I can do with a well lit, well composed photograph after I've taken it. With years of training in photoshop, I'm able to create more than just a pretty picture. Not every image requires the kind of advanced photoshop techniques you'll see below, but I hope they'll show you what I am capable of.
As winter is approaching, and most of my portrait work will be done in studio, I'm attaching some before and after studio photographs that illustrate what I can do. And yes, this kind of time intensive work does cost more than most semi-professional photographers charge, but for those that appreciate high quality photography, and editing, I think you'll appreciate the differences.
Contact me today to discuss your custom studio portrait photography experience. My studio is in Fort Erie, Ontario and my clients come from throughout the Niagara Region and southern Ontario.
Email me at mail@chrismccooey.photographymail@chrismccooey.photography
View my website HERE
From the camera vs after editing.
Click on each image to really see the detailed work I've done to make these images the best they can be.
Thursday, November 2, 2017
Kids Studio Photography
November Special Offer!
For the month of November, I'm booking studio portrait sessions for kids age 5 to 18 for only $300 and includes 10 digital files (regularly $400). This is for individual kids only. Whether your child is an athlete, a dancer, a musician, a fashion maven or you just want some stunningly cute photographs of your child, I will work with you to create the best photographs you have ever seen of your child. Watch the video for samples of my studio work and see the difference that truly professional photography and editing makes. My studio is located in Stevensville, Ontario just minutes from Niagara Falls and a short drive from St. Catharines.
Outdoor Portrait Photography in the Niagara Region
The beautiful background of the scenic Niagara Region, offers so many opportunities to create stunning outdoor portraits! Whether it be along the shores of Lake Erie or Lake Ontario, or the Niagara River, or one of the many gorgeous parks and trails, or even within our cities and towns, there are limitless options for your outdoor portrait session.
As a professional portrait photographer in Canada, I spend the long, cold winters doing mostly studio portrait photography and using our gorgeous natural environment in more comfortable weather conditions. Family portrait sessions, especially in the fall, are ideal outdoors where kids often feel more relaxed than in the studio with lots of lighting equipment around. Individual portraits done outdoors are completely unique works of art that blend the environment, the natural light, my outdoor lighting and creativity and the expressions and personality provided by my subjects.
While I do a lot of natural light photography when the lighting conditions make that the best choice, my preference is to enhance the natural light with my own mobile studio lighting equipment. At times I use my lighting just to add a spark of life to the eyes, or to create dramatic stylized imagery that stands apart from natural light photographs. Beautiful photography is all about light, and as a professional photographer I feel it is imperative that I am able to use both natural light and supplemental studio lighting outdoors.
I’m always open to suggestions for new locations to try out in the Niagara Region and throughout southern Ontario. I’ve photographed clients in Fort Erie, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Welland, Port Colborne and beyond in order to fulfill the vision of my clients. Planning is key for outdoor portrait sessions both in terms of location, weather and time of day for optimal lighting conditions. Before each session, the client and I discuss their vision and how best to achieve it. This also includes detailed conversations about the clothing worn for the session. As you’ll see in my outdoor portrait photography portfolio, great attention to detail is given to all of these considerations to ensure that clients are overwhelmed by the stunning images I’m able to create for them.
View more images from my outdoor portrait portfolio gallery HERE.
Contact me by email at mail@chrismccooey.photography or phone 289-407-8559 and let’s discuss your one of a kind outdoor portrait session in the Niagara Region!
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Children’s Studio Portrait Photography - Niagara Region
Winter is an ideal time for a children’s portrait session in my Fort Erie studio! Clients from throughout the Niagara Region have been bringing their little cherubs for fun, creative studio portrait sessions since 2009. I enjoy working with moms (and dads… but it’s the kind of thing that moms often handle) to plan out a vision for the session. Some parents just want cute studio portraits to hang on their wall while others like to dress up their kids in costumes, sports wear, princess dresses, vintage duds or a myriad of other ideas. Whatever your vision, I will work with you to create stunning images that you’ll be proud to display in your home.
As a father of a young child, I know that kids personalities and expressions are more than just adorable smiles, though I love them too. My goal is to make photographs that show the unique, quirky, loveable character of your child. Sometimes that includes smiles, but it also includes all the other expressions that are so much a part of who we see as our children. Many of my most powerful images are of a child looking directly into the camera without a smile. The intensity of a neutral expression can be overwhelming!
In my studio you’ll be able to view a variety of modern, ready-to-hang wall portrait options. While you will love all the pictures I take of your children, there are usually a few that are truly special to you. The best way to show them off is on a wall portrait displayed prominently in your home!
The majority of my children’s studio portrait clients come from cities and towns in the Niagara Region, including Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Welland and Port Colborne, to my Fort Erie studio. One of the advantages of studio sessions is that weather is not a factor (except for driving on occasion) so studio portrait sessions can be booked at anytime of day and the lighting will always be perfect.
Have a look at my portfolio of children’s studio portraits by clicking HERE.
