Atlanta Family Photography Tips from Milton, Alpharetta, Roswell portrait artist, Marchet Butler

As an Atlanta-area family photographer, I work with all sorts of age groups and my fair share of pets, not to mention the occasional horse or two. Over the years, I've developed some "best practices" for working with everyone during a session--and I'm going to let you in on my secrets. Here are my top tips to get the best results out of your portrait session with Butler Family Photography.

Get advice on clothing before the session

Besides booking the session, choosing clothes is probably the hardest part of the process! I have a lengthy page about what to wear for your portrait session, and I'm happy to make recommendations. Hint: I generally recommend selecting attire based on where you are going to hang your portraits in your home. 

Complimentary Image Consultation

Clients are also welcome to work with my image consultant and makeup artist, Deborah Fawaz, to determine best colors to wear as well as hair and makeup tips for the session. Deborah has generously offered a complimentary 30-minute image consultation to any client who books with Butler Family Photography during the 2017 season. Thanks Deborah!

Think about having portraits at your home

In general, we come to our clients' home to do most of our sessions. We find that holding the session in a familiar place makes the process go a lot smoother. Clothing options, bathroom facilities, and air-conditioning or heating is readily available. There's also something wonderful about having a family picture in a place that has a special meaning to you.  

Let the photographer handle the smiles

At the session, it's time to let the photographer take charge. That means if a grandchild isn't smiling or a sibling is feeling rebellious, don't scold or reprimand. Kids need time to warm up to the idea of having their portrait taken, so it's okay if they aren't cooperative at first. We have lots of tricks we can use to get smiles. The main takeaway here is that people smile naturally when they are having a good time, so we do our best to make the session a fun experience. Oh, and please, don't say cheese. The "cheese" smile is unnatural and not flattering. We have much more funny things to say to get a better smile (and maybe a laugh) out of that shot. 

Choose a professional

Being a family portrait artist isn't an easy occupation--there are so many moving parts to handle when posing a group, coaxing out smiles, even getting the dog positioned just right all while coordinating lighting, exposure, and other technical aspects of photography. As a Certified Professional Photographer, I've been vetted by my peers and regularly participate in continuing education with some of the top photographers in the nation. You're in good hands when you choose Butler Family Photography!

Contact us for more information about booking your family session.

Marchet Butler is a family, high school senior, and headshot portrait photographer in the Atlanta area. Specializing in fine art wall portraits, she creates one-of-a-kind custom-framed pieces for the home. Contact us for more information about working with Butler Family Photography for your holiday or Christmas pictures this season!

Alpharetta Family Photographer | Roswell Family Photographer

Alpharetta Family Photographer and Roswell Family Photographer

Marchet Butler offers advice on Alpharetta Family Photography and Roswell Family Photography

Choosing the right family photographer
Is it time for family pictures? Are you looking for an Alpharetta family photographer or Roswell family photographer? Consider the following:

Experience
Your Alpharetta family photographer or Roswell family photographer should offer a great experience beginning with the consultation, an continuing through the shoot and into the ordering session. Think about your first contact with a photographer. Do they respond to your email or phone call in a timely manner? Do you feel a connection with your Alpharetta family photographer or Roswell family photographer when you talk to them? Is their personality a good fit for your family?

Then, what kind of experience do they offer during the shoot? When you have kids, it's important to know that your Alpharetta family photographer or Roswell family photographer is comfortable working with children, even when the kids have a meltdown or are extremely shy during the shoot. A photographer with a sense of adventure and a lot of patience will get much better photographs that someone who doesn't have experience working with kids.

Style

When choosing your Alpharetta family photographer or Roswell family photographer, it's important to browse through the photographer's portfolio and see if their style appeals to you. Do you like the images that the Alpharetta family photographer or Roswell family photographer has posted? Are the images consistent in quality? Are a variety of shoots represented? If the answer is yes to all of these questions, you have found a good candidate for your Alpharetta family photography or Roswell family photography. Now, let's consider price.

Pricing
The cost of your Alpharetta family photographer or Roswell family photographer is important, but should not be the main factor in determining whether or not to hire the photographer. In the world of photography, higher cost usually means more experience and better quality. Remember, the portraits you receive from a professional Alpharetta family photographer or Roswell family photographer will be treasured for generations to come--if you hire the right Alpharetta family photographer or Roswell family photographer. Low-budget photographers or photographers that offer "shoot and burn" services are most likely to be inexperienced and inconsistent in quality. The money you "saved" hiring them will have been a waste if you aren't happy with their photographs.

Products
A professional Alpharetta family photographer or Roswell family photographer understands that it's the art pieces that clients truly appreciate day after day: framed portraits, canvases, archival portraits, and other high-quality image products. That's why it's important to pick an Alpharetta family photographer or Roswell family photographer who has a variety of high-quality art products to offer. Here are a few questions to ask your Alpharetta family photographer or Roswell family photographer: Do you work with a professional print lab and other professional vendors to create your products? Are your portrait products archival? Do you offer framing? Do you guarantee your products?

Choosing your Alpharetta family photographer or Roswell family photographer is one of the most important decisions you will make this season, especially considering that these are the images your family will keep for generations. So, invest in professional family portraiture. You won't be disappointed.

photo by Stacey Johnson

Marchet Butler is an Atlanta GA portrait photographer based in Alpharetta, GA. She offers Alpharetta family photography and Roswell family photography as well as portrait photography for babies, children, seniors, and extended families. To find out more about Marchet and her portrait art, go to http://www.butlerfamilyphotography.com.