Blog
Stuff in the ‘outdoor photos’ Category
Fun and Talented High School Seniors
— 12/02/2016 by Monika Wertman —We had some fun and talented High School Seniors this year. For the first time ever, we also had seniors late into fall, which made for an interesting journey into colors, leaves, cool weather and locations.
Here is looking back at some of the fun we had and some of our favorites from this year. We spanned the interests these young adults had as well, giving us an opportunity to play with some new ideas as well as explore what makes these students tick.
There was Jake, a Criminal Justice major at our local technical high school. He also plays lacrosse but plans to go into law enforcement so we reached out to our friends at the police to arrange for some unique photos.
Jake also loves his pooch, so we incorporated his pet into the session as well.
Showcasing both his love for his major in high school and his love for lacrosse led to this image:
Then we had Amanda who plays several sports, balancing her love for sports with her academics and who had several ideas of what she wanted out of her session, something we always discuss in our consultations and implement as much as we can, giving it our own unique twist.
Amanda is a very pretty young lady and we felt that we should showcase that as well as her athleticism.
And then we also created a composite for Amanda as she is also in the marching band at her high school.
One more as it is our favorite from this session:)
Another male soon-to-be graduate we worked with this fall wanted to go hike to Wolf Rock, described to us as a walk, that turned into quite an adventure as I discovered that wearing heels was not very practical as we had to actually hike up a mountain for this session.
This young man also had his own ideas and we took advantage of what nature supplied.
Another one of our girls this year is an artist and we showcased this both in studio and out at a local park as well as downtown. Here are some of our favorites from this lovely young lady’s session:
Jimmy is a theatre student at our local Performing arts high school and was a lot of fun to work with. His session was off the cuff, as he did not originally want to get his senior pictures done and followed mom’s lead when she made him do it. We had a lot of fun improvising his session and got some great shots out of it.
The following image is at the old YMCA building downtown he used to swim at as a child. Sweet memories.
And this in the back of Barbara Ingram School of the Arts, his high school.
Another favorite from this fall is the following sweet gal, also a theatre student at BISFA, Bailey, who was wonderful to work with. Her acting talent was very apparent and we had a hoot working with her.
Our local theatre was gracious and let us use the space for the first half of our session. The folks at the Maryland theatre are always great to us.
We then travelled up to Bedford, PA for outdoor pictures and a place Bailey’s family is very fond of. We love exploring new places and this one was a gem.
Our last senior for this fall is a young musician, also at BISFA. He plays the tuba, sax and flute and is a very enthusiastic musician who was open to great ideas and willing to give everything I suggested a try. This was a treat for us as he was the first classical musician I had ever worked with and the first one who plays wind instruments. This session was a fun adventure.
yes, we had to play with the smokey feel of a club.
great textures in our alleyways downtown
and who can resist the sax?
I hope you have enjoyed our look back at some of our favorite seniors from this year. Please vote for your favorite image. The winning senior will receive a magnet of their favorite image and you will be added to a drawing for a free family session for up to 5 people just for voting. What could be better?
Call us today for a free consultation to find out how we can customize a session of any kind for you and yours. We will be glad to work with you. 301-693-3021
What to do to prepare for a successful Photo session
— 08/22/2016 by Monika Wertman —What to do to prepare for a successful Photo session.
In this post we will focus on some of the things you as the client can do to ensure that your session with us will be successful and productive.
Whether you plan to book us for a family or senior session, a glamor/boudoir or a couple’s session or a newborn session, there are a few things that you as a client can do to prepare for your time with us and to ensure that you will not only have a great time during the session, but that your pictures will turn out great. You will, of course, assume that we will do everything in our power to ensure these things as well, and we do, but you can help make it just a wee bit easier for us.
Here is how:
#1 Schedule a consultation with us prior to the date of your session. We offer consultations with most of our sessions, in fact make them mandatory for some. Even if you have booked a session for which we do not require a consultation, book one anyway. During this time we will plan the where and when, what you should wear etc. For a family session, this can be discussed over the phone if you are super busy, and with children, you are. We understand this. For a senior, boudoir, engagement or couples session, an in person consultation is best and highly recommended!
#2 If you plan on bringing your pet to the session, please inform us ahead of time so we are prepared with water for your pet and by having anything he may bounce into out of the way.
#3 Discuss your wardrobe with us. This can be a simple discussion of color choices or be more involved such as what it is you are planning to wear and if you have questions on what form of clothing photographs better. If you plan to wear formal wear, please let us know so we have the studio set up accordingly if we are shooting inside. If we are planning on outdoors only, and we are dealing with high heels, please let us know, so our plan does not involve you climbing over rocky and potentially muddy surfaces.
#4 If your session includes several clothing changes, organize them before you arrive. Changing time will go more smoothly and take away less time from your session. ( A few months back we had a family of 8 with three clothing changes, the mom was fantastically organized. I have never seen anything go more smoothly! It was impressive)
#5 We will most likely ask you this, but in case we do not, please let us know what ages your children are. This applies to an in studio session as we’ll as an outdoors/lifestyle session. We love working with littles, but want to know ahead of time so we are prepared with props and location choices that are age appropriate.
#6 Women and girls, please wear makeup, even if you generally don’t do anything more than mascara, do a bit more for your session, especially if it is a senior session, a professional headshot session or a glamor session. (we offer professional hair and make-up services starting at $85 if you are not sure what to do, and include these in all of our regular glamor and boudoir session) Wearing make-up ensures an even skin tone and guarantees fantastic results for you. On this note, do not fret if a pimple pops up the day of your session. We remove blemishes in post production.
#7 If it is a hot summer day and we are shooting outside only, please bring some water with you. We always bring some, but it helps if our clients come prepared as well.
#8 Please arrive on time!!!!!!! We set aside your session time plus 15 minutes. If you run late, you eat into your session time, which gives us less time to create the images we want to create for you. If we come to your home, please be ready for us. We generally arrive 5-10 minutes early so we have time to set up.
Wertman Photography has several shooting spaces within the studio, including a private dressing area. When we go on location, we can bring a pop-up tent for clothing changes as well. Together we will create great images that will stand the test of time and will preserve precious moments for you for years to come!
Celebrating Love
— 07/15/2016 by Monika Wertman —A few weeks back I had the pleasure of helping a lovely couple celebrate their love for each other during their engagement session in Harrisburg, PA. Sometimes engagement session can be a bit of a challenge as it takes the couple a little while to be comfortable in front of the camera. I do my best to help them forget that I am recording their affection for each other, but the groom in particular often does not loosen up until we are about 20 minutes into the session.
These two were different and it was very easy to work with them, as they seemed to immediately forget I was there recording their every move. I was able to capture sweet little moments as well as lots of laughter. When I did insert some instructions, they were carried out quite naturally and as a result we got some great imagery.
We walked all over Harrisburg, starting at the water front and working our way to the government buildings that are surrounded by a beautiful park.
I love shooting in locations other than the studio’s hometown as it gives me the opportunity to incorporate architectural elements not found in Hagerstown. Harrisburg has wonderful bridges, old buildings and great architecture that create a wonderful backdrop for any photoshoot, but lend themselves especially well to an engagement session.
The weather held out nicely for us as well that day, staying sunny with wonderful clouds in the sky. The forecast that morning called for rain halfway through our scheduled session time, but we were lucky and the rain held off until after we were done.
At Wertman Photography we include engagement sessions in our wedding packages, as it is important to work with the couple before their wedding day and a pleasure to get to know them during the process. During the engagement session we have time to explore what each of them likes, how they act in front of the camera and how we work together as a team to create good imagery. For me, gaining this knowledge before the wedding day, makes it easier to prepare for the big day as the couple and I have gotten to know each other better. It paves the way for great communication in the months leading up to the wedding.
Your wedding day can not be recreated, and this knowledge creates pressure for the couple, sometimes more so for the bride as so many things need to be prepared for and run smoothly. Getting to know each other during the engagement session, laying the ground work for trust during that session, takes the pressure off my couples as they know that they will not need to worry about their photography coverage the day of their wedding.
When you first get engaged, you are on cloud nine, floating happily until your realize that you have a wedding to plan. Let us help you take some of the pressure off and make us your trusted advisor for your photography. Know that we have you covered! Call us today to schedule your free consultation and let us show you why your first choice is Wertman Photography. 301-693-3021.
Senior Photos should be a great experience
— 06/10/2016 by Monika Wertman —Now that summer is here and you are thinking about who to hire for your senior photos, let’s look at what you should consider when making your choice:
Whether you are a guy or a girl, you will want to showcase your interests, whether they are sports related, you have a favorite pet, or are into cars or other big toys. Are you into winter sports and would like to get action shots in the snow? Here at Wertman Photography we will be happy to meet you at your favorite location and incorporate that interest into your session.
Now we all know that you want your senior pictures to look different than last year’s school picture, right? How do you accomplish this, you ask? Here are a few tips on what you should do to insure that you will get some one of a kind images from your high school senior picture session:
Spend a couple of months researching the kind of imagery you would like to see. Look through sports magazines and browse the web for ideas and styles. Do you like the edgy, grungy look? Do you want to look like the latest gold medal winner in one of her endorsement commercials, or do you want to look like the girl or boy next door, clean and pristine in your gear?
Once you have determined what look you want, contact us and show us what you are looking for. We will then plan your session and recommend the appropriate length of time we will need to accomplish the look you are after. If you are a football player, chances are you have access to your school’s field, if you are a swimmer, access to a pool may be more difficult. As a skier or snow boarder, we will need to wait for the weather to be cold enough to work in snow. We need to understand exactly what you would like to accomplish in order to give you the session of your dreams.
Understand that special requests require prior planning and that you are asking your photographer for individualized services. She will invest time in your session and you and your family will invest money in return. This tradeoff will ensure a fantastic session for you and great images for your family and you to share and display. After all, your senior session should be an experience you will look back on remembering how much fun it was to create the images you wanted.
Ask about cost only after you have determined whether are the right fit for you. It is important to have report with your photographer to get what you want, when you have fun, the images show it. But do ask, you will want to know how much your family will need to invest in the service and what you will receive in return. Ask about products that are offered and be aware that a boutique studio and a boutique service such as you are looking for and we offer, will offer some great print collections for you to choose from.
Finally, after you book your session and have paid the retainer fee, enter the date in your calendar and arrive 5-10 minutes early at the predetermined meeting point. Your photographer will be there waiting for you and when you are on time all will go smoothly and you will have a wonderful experience which will in turn result in great photos to choose from.
We have worked with some great seniors over the past few years and some great athletes, and are looking forward to adding you to that group. Please feel free to browse our senior and sports gallery for additional images and call us to schedule your session.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Want to schedule Senior Photos?
— 10/23/2015 by Monika Wertman —Though summer is over and most seniors have had their sessions, some of you may not have had them done yet or are already thinking about them as a junior. No matter who you choose, what size session you commit to, whether you are a boy or a girl, you will want to showcase your interests, whether they are sports related, you have a favorite pet, or are into cars or other big toys. Are you into winter sports and would like to get action shots in the snow? Here at Wertman Photography we will be happy to meet you at your favorite location and incorporate that interest into your session.
Now we all know that you want your senior pictures to look different than last year’s school picture, right? How do you accomplish this, you ask? Here are a few tips on what you should do to insure that you will get some one of a kind images from your high school senior picture session:
- Spend a couple of months researching the kind of imagery you would like to see. Look through sports magazines and browse the web for ideas and styles. Do you like the edgy, grungy look? Do you want to look like the latest gold medal winner in one of her endorsement commercials, or do you want to look like the girl or boy next door, clean and pristine in your gear?
- Once you have determined what look you want, contact us and show us what you are looking for. We will then plan your session and recommend the appropriate length of time we will need to accomplish the look you are after. If you are a football player, chances are you have access to your school’s field, if you are a swimmer, access to a pool may be more difficult. As a skier or snow boarder, we will need to wait for the weather to be cold enough to work in snow. We need to understand exactly what you would like to accomplish in order to give you the session of your dreams.
- Understand that special requests require prior planning and that you are asking your photographer for individualized services. She will invest time in your session and you and your family will invest money in return. This tradeoff will ensure a fantastic session for you and great images for your family and you to share and display.
- Ask about cost only after you have determined whether are the right fit for you. It is important to have report with your photographer to get what you want, when you have fun, the images show it. But do ask, you will want to know how much your family will need to invest in the service and what you will receive in return. Ask about products that are offered and be aware that a boutique studio and a boutique service such as you are looking for and we offer, will offer some great print collections for you to choose from.
- Finally, after you book your session and have paid the retainer fee, enter the date in your calendar and arrive 5-10 minutes early at the predetermined meeting point. Your photographer will be there waiting for you and when you are on time all will go smoothly and you will have a wonderful experience which will in turn result in great photos to choose from.
We have worked with some great seniors this year and some great athletes, and are looking forward to working with you. Please feel free to browse our senior and sports gallery for additional images and call us to schedule your session.
Anniversary Photos
— 09/14/2015 by Monika Wertman —With the arrival of the digital camera and the addition of the camera to cell phones, the need for a professional photographer seems to be less pressing. After all, we all carry a camera with us everywhere we go and can snap away to our hearts delight whenever we feel like it. We can ask strangers if they could snap a quick shot in front of a tourist spot to commemorate the moment and we don’t miss a thing when our children and grand children take that first step or utter that first word.
There are, however still moments and milestones that need to be documented professionally; newborn pictures, that first birthday, Sweet Sixteens, Quinceaneras, Bar Mitzvahs, senior photos, engagement and wedding photos, special anniversaries and maternity shots to bring it full circle. Of course there are other offerings I will not mention in this blog, as they do not really fit here.
It is one of those special moments that I was asked to commemorate the other week. A husband came to me who wanted to do something special for his wife of almost ten years. He mentioned that they did not have a photographer when they got married and he wanted to surprise her with an anniversary session that would celebrate their love for each other in a similar fashion. After some discussion, I suggested that we could also include their three sons in the pictures toward the end of the session and he got excited.
We set a date and he stopped by to purchase the session as a gift certificate to give to his wife on their anniversary, and told me that she would probably call me to discuss details.
Sure enough, a few days later, the very excited other half called me and we discussed wardrobe, location and how the session would run. At the appointed date we met and while her mom watched the boys, we took off to get the couple shots they were both looking for.
Elvin and Tania are a very sweet and funny couple. I had a lot of fun capturing their personalities and their love for each other. They were up to exploring different spots within our location, resulting in some wonderful images.
Halfway through our session, we returned to the cars, my couple changed their clothes and the boys were unloaded. We now took off to the other side of our location and created some family photos of all five of them, some of just the boys who were somewhat reluctant to cooperate, but were persuaded with the promise of ice-cream, and a few shots that included grandma as well.
All in all it was a great session and I am happy to share it with you. Back to the point I was making at the beginning of this blog, even with the constant access to a camera, the need for a professional session still arises and when you book with us, we will guide you from the first moment we pick up the phone to the last minute of the session. This care continues into our sales session, when you return to the studio about 2 weeks after your session to choose your images. We make it easy for you to select your favorites and discard the ones you can do without and guide you in choosing the right materials for your wall art that we have created for you.
So browse our offerings on our site, call us with questions and to book a session. Whatever you want us to cover, we will take care to do it well and make it fun for you.
Connect With Us:
