fbpx

Blog

Stuff in the ‘family photos’ Category

An Engagement Session in the Cold Weather

— 01/26/2016 by Monika Wertman —

It is cold out and while we warm the house with fires and just came out of the most festive season of the year, many young couples also got engaged. I recently worked with such a couple, though he had popped the question before the typical season during which many guys do so and we were able to get the engagement photos done while Christmas décor was still up.

engagement photos

 

We went outside for several of our shots, for 10 minutes at a time because it was too cold to stay out longer than that. This is a very sweet couple and very cute together. The lovely bride has been a client of mine for a while and I was thrilled to share this fabulous change in her life with her.

 

engagement photos

We started our session at 4 in the afternoon as they life by an open field with a mountain range in the background and fabulous sunsets in the evening. As with all sessions, it is all about planning it out. For our engagement sessions we allow about 2 hours for shooting, changing clothes and moving about between different locations. We include a consultation during which we decide how to style the session to our couples’ tastes, how to offset the imagery we capture during the engagement session with what we will capture the day of the wedding, and discuss wardrobe, what colors photograph the best and what story we want to tell.

engagement photos

 

We have fun planning and the day of the session goes smoothly because we planned. Even if a detail goes astray, we adjust and the end result is great imagery our couples are proud to hang on their walls.

engagement photos

 

What is important to keep in mind when you select Wertman Photography for your wedding and engagement photographer, is that we shoot to create artwork for your walls. We capture sweet moments you may want in an album or book, plenty of images we can create safe-the-dates from or a guestbook, but you will have several images to choose from to decorate your walls with. These will be meant to be at least 16×24 inches and you will have the option to get them printed on canvas, metal or in framed fine art prints.

large print engagement photos

 

Please explore our wedding/engagement gallery to see more samples, like us on facebook, twitter and instagram. All the links are on our site. We would love to add you to our favorite clients.

Maternity Photos with the Growing Family

— 01/13/2016 by Monika Wertman —

I know that this is wedding and engagement season, but at our studio, it is also baby bump and newborn season. We have three families who are expecting an addition to their fold within the next month or two and one family who already welcomed their newborn just before Christmas. We have the privilege to photograph that little sweetheart tomorrow.

 

Some of our families prefer to keep their photos private and we always respect their wishes, while others have agreed to share. While some of our expectant parents will be new to parenthood, others have done it before and all of them are equally excited to welcome this new member of their family into the fold.

maternity rachel

 

This post will be about a growing family who cannot wait to see the little one in person. This mom, while having done the motherhood thing before, had not done maternity shots with her girls and was excited to have the experience this time around.

maternity rachel

 

We incorporated the entire family into the session, got some shots of mom and the girls, some of dad and the girls, some of all of them, some of the girls playing with baby clothes, some shots of mom by herself and of the couple by themselves.

wertman photographyrachelmaternity-

One of my favorite images from this session is the feature image of both mom and dad, lost in the moment, just focused on themselves. There was a lot of laughter during the session, a lot of cutting up and being silly, but in this moment there is quietness and contentment. It is sweet and special.

babybump

 

This was phase one of two and I cannot wait to capture this sweet family after the little one arrives. I am sure that it will be a fun filled session with lots of energy, producing some great shots of not only the newborn addition but of all of them.

Please feel free to browse all of our galleries for ideas and don’t hesitate to call us or contact us via email if you have a special request.  Chances are we have done it, even if it is not on this site, as mentioned above, some expectant moms prefer to keep their session private.  If you are inclined to show more skin during your maternity session, feel free to browse the boudoir gallery for ideas, and again, ask us, as the same rules apply for that gallery as well.

Maternity session pricing starts with the same rate as a family session, but if you want more, we can accommodate for an additional fee.  Ask us for details.  301-693-3021, or go to our contact page to send us an email.

Senior Sessions – not just for High School Seniors

— 12/22/2015 by Monika Wertman —

Senior Sessions are not just for High School Seniors

 

This past year we had some interesting senior sessions. Most were what you would expect, high school juniors getting ready to take on their senior year, but there were a few that did not fit that category.

 

We already told you about one of them in an older post. He was a college nursing student who graduated this spring. As it happens the session we are getting ready to tell you about was also with a recently graduated nursing student.

nursing school and pets

 

She is lovely young lady who by all accounts was very dedicated to her studies and according to her, her best friend helped her through the long hours and tougher parts of being in the nursing program at Towson University. This best friend is her furry buddy Nelson and he got to be part of the session as a reward for his support.

nursing graduate

 

As you can see in the images, he is a very photogenic cutie and was very well behaved. It is easy to see why he was a big help getting through a rigorous program.

 

We had a lot of fun both in studio and outdoors, capturing some sweet moments between Nelson and Nicole and creating some fun images showing off the season the graduation took place in.

senior photos and pets

 

So when you think senior pictures, think high school, think college, think university. We are not going to hold you to a certain age. Even if you are a non-traditional student and would like to have some unique photos done, call us and we will make it happen.

fun with leaves

 

Please browse our senior and portrait galleries for additional samples of what we can do for you and schedule your session today. If you are looking at a senior year in 2016 or are graduating from college this next semester, now is the perfect time to set a date for pictures to commemorate the event.

 

 

 

 

A Fun Baby Bump Session

— 12/14/2015 by Monika Wertman —

A Fun Baby Bump Session

 

A few weeks ago I drove up to Pennsylvania to create the first of three sessions that have to do with baby bumps and newborns for one of my favorite couples. We photographed their wedding about 2.5 years ago and are now privileged to be part of the process of them waiting for their first child.

wertman photography baby bump-maternity-18

 

We discussed where to go to best show the transition Brooke and Justin are undergoing right now and since Brooke works at The Morguen Toole Company in Meyersdale, PA, the same town the two of them live in as well, we decided that it would be a good spot to do our first session.

 

Morguen Toole is in the middle of renovating their third floor, transforming the space into loft apartments making it a perfect fit for a reveal session that was a bit more artistic. We shot a few images in the bed and breakfast portion of the venue and will return there for the other two sessions, but the reveal portion of our session was done in the unfinished, rustic upper floor.

wertman photography baby bump-maternity-15

 

We had bare floors, exposed beams and brick walls at our disposal and took advantage of it. We got great images and had a lot of fun getting them. One of the things that I love about Justin and Brooke is that their love for each other is so very clear and readily seen. They adore each other and love having fun, which leads to great take-outs and genuine images every time we get together to create memories.

gender reveal

 

The last part of our session was done outdoors, at a little park nearby. Brooke wanted to do some things with glitter, to celebrate the newly discovered gender of the little one. Amongst lots of laughter I was able to capture the fun loving side that keeps this sweet couple going.

glitter for gender reveal

glitter gender reveal

 

Our next session will be in February where we will focus more on a much bigger belly and once the little one arrives we will meet up again to get newborn photos in the same location as we planned out a few shots now to use later in diptych or triptych arrangements.

wertman photography baby bump-maternity-20

 

If you are not sure what those are, you will just need to stay tuned for more to come.

I have added a few shots that are purely maternity into the maternity gallery on our site, so please browse it to see what we are prepping to add baby to later.

Below are the gender reveal announcements I designed for Brooke and Justin.  They were mailed out a few days ago and have arrived at their destinations.

Print  Noel

 

In the meantime, I would like for you to vote on your favorite image within this post, leave a comment below and you will be entered to win a family session for up to 5 people, a $150 value. I am also curious to see if you guess the baby’s gender correctly. This should be easy.

Santa Pictures in the Square

— 12/10/2015 by Monika Wertman —

About three weeks ago, during the 2nd Saturday event in Downtown Hagerstown, we set up a photo booth complete with Santa and a tree. We offered micro sessions at a very reduced price and had lots of families take advantage of this.

 

We gave the children a chance to warm up to Santa, sit next to him, on his knee if wanted and gave them time to interact. We called it the Santa Experience.

santa pictures

 

This particular Santa has been Santa for 49 years now and is still gong strong. Many families dropped by and told stories of how they remember sitting on his knee and how it is neat that now their children get to do the same.

 

Below are a few images to show you how it went.

Wertman photography Santa Experience-45 copy  santa pictures

 

WE plan on doing this on a larger scale in the studio next winter, offering mini sessions that will be priced specifically for that purpose and will allow even more time for your children to interact with Santa and several special print collections will be a part of this offering. We are looking at doing this one weekend toward the end of November before it gets too busy.

santa pictures

santa pictures

 

Please keep us in mind for next year. Going into the home stretch of 2015, you will find us in the square for the donut drop on New Year’s Eve, offering a photo booth similar to the Halloween experience. We will be located within the fire station across the street from Bulls and Bears.

santa pictures

We are looking forward to a great end of the year and would like to thank everyone who has helped us be successful in 2015.

 

Happy Holidays!

 

Please browse our galleries as we are constantly adding new work.  And if you have not gotten the email with details on how to see all of the santa pictures, here is the link:  http://wertmanphoto.zenfolio.com/santa2016

Fall Family Photos

— 11/05/2015 by Monika Wertman —

I have had the pleasure of working with this lovely family twice within the last year. We captured them last fall as they were awaiting the arrival of their second child, and this fall we created photos of the newly expanded family.

 

Last fall we went to a park in Boonsboro, this fall we stayed a bit closer to home and captured new family photos at Pangborn Park in Hagerstown. We lucked out the day of the session, as it was sunny and warm and not a single breeze interfered with getting great images.

family pictures

 

Pangborn Park is a smaller park that is often overlooked partly because it is located at the north end of town. It is a charming little park with a lovely new gazebo, a fountain, which is on during the warmer months, a large grassy area and a nice little lake.

 

When we met, the leaves had just started turning and were still fully stuck to the trees. This created a nice contrast between the green of the grass and the changing colors in the background.

wertman photography Toney family-1

 

The kids hammed it up for most of the pictures and I was able to get some precious moments between the two sisters.

wertman photography Toney family-2

 

 

Here at Wertman Photography it is all about making the little ones feel at ease, we talk to them throughout the session, take our time and click when the going is good.

 

Call us today to schedule your fall session, there is still some time to get into the studio and capture moments for Christmas cards and gifts. As long as the weather holds up we will shoot outdoors as well, if you desire and even into winter, we will brave snow if that is the look you are after.

 

We will be in the square November 14 for 2nd Saturdays, from 3-7pm with a photo booth setup that will feature a Santa Experience. Come see us for a chance to try us out at a special low rate for just that day. Stay tuned to our facebook page for details over the next few days.

 

 

 

At the Hagerstown Prime Outlets

— 09/28/2015 by Monika Wertman —

In this blog post I will switch things up a bit. Usually I tell a story about one of my clients and their session, but we are trying a marketing approach that is new to us and I thought it would be fun to share the set-up.

 

The idea started when I got a letter in the mail about putting a booth display into the food court area of the outlets in Hagerstown. The cost was very reasonable and they caught me at just the correct time, with money left in the advertising budget and phone calls with crazy requests arriving every day. This opportunity, by far, seemed the most cost effective way to spend my money. Another benefit is the time frame. We installed the display today, September 28 and it will be up through the holiday shopping season until January 1.

wertman photography prime outlets

 

The decision about what to show potential clients was not as easy as the decision to give this new-to-us marketing strategy a try. We finally settled on bridal, athlete and seniors. As you can see, the selection shows a nice variety of gestures and poses, while offering a peek into studio lighting and on location use of architectural elements and natural light.  The selection can also be found throughout the galleries, so feel free to find the images if you want to see them more clearly, or go by the display to do the same.

wertman photography, Prime outlets display-6

 

Many couples get engaged over the holidays, so the hope is that they remember what they saw while shopping and will come talk to us about their wedding day, while families will see what can be done with just about any activity and book us for various occasions.

wertman photography, Prime outlets display-5

 

We also have informational materials about senior photos, boudoir sessions and wedding coverage, as well as regular business cards at the display area. Gift certificates can be purchased for any amount all throughout the year and make wonderful stocking stuffers. A sign planting that idea is on display as well.

wertman photography, Prime outlets display-2

We encourage you to check the display out for yourself, please let us know what you think and remember to check in on Facebook throughout the life of the display for contests and drawings. At some point we will probably add a little information collection box as well.  For now, if you can guess where this alcove is at the outlets, or if you want to go and find it, leave the exact location in the comments below and everyone who gets it right, will be entered into a drawing for a free one hour session for up to 5 people, a $150 value.  We will draw a winner at the end of this week.

 

Please browse our galleries, new work is added on a routine basis and you just never know what you may find this time around. Call us today to secure a gift certificate in any amount that can be applied to sessions and as print credit. Gift certificates make the most wonderful stocking stuffers as well!

1 2 3 4