On Paper.... Cherilyn David Pricing in General

Anyone who knows me, knows I am all about customization, all about the intricacies that make every person, every day, every molecule, different. It is for this reason that creating cookie-cutter packages and perfectly square pegs, is difficult for me. But here I am doing it. :)

Below are my prices "in general." If something here suits you perfectly, awesome! But if nothing does, don't click away. Tell me what you're looking for and I will create a custom pricing package for you. I love the opportunity to learn the needs of my clients, so that I may come closer to pleasing them all.

Wedding Info can be found in Blog entitled "Something Borrowed..."

"Follow My Toddler" 90-minute Session, $125

We all know toddlers are unstoppable in mind, body and soul! So, though I may have some success getting yours to stand still, I'd rather not try to stifle them like that! So... "Follow My Toddler" is just that. One on one, myself and your one toddler... and away we go. Of course any number of parents and family members are nearby, but they better have worn their walking shoes... because we plan to move! :) These sessions are best in parks, their own homes, preschool... wherever they are most comfortable and happy, where they will see and find much to do and explore. I love talking with parents and determining where the best location would be. As always, flexibility is key and sessions can be manipulated if more than one location is a really great idea! These sessions yield 40-50 proofs, provided online for viewing within 5 days. :)

"Newly Newborn" Brand new baby, 60-minute Session, $75

These sessions are typically scheduled before the babies are even born! This is to guarantee we shoot the baby before about 2-weeks old. Not to worry... if he or she comes early, I will make it happen! :) Babies are amazingly flexible, poseable and peaceful when they are brand new. You will also be so tired, you may not think of getting portraits done and in a month, they will have changed and those moments are gone forever. They will never look the same again. Being so little also provides opportunity for fun shots and fun props. These are one of my favorite! These sessions yield 30-40 proofs, provided online for viewing and order WITHIN 24 HOURS... ordered prints are also rushed, since we know how excited everyone is!! :)
*** $25 Newly Newborn sitting with paid/completed Maternity sittings, with Newly Newborn appointment made!!!***

Standard Cherilyn David Sessions... $50, $75 & $100
These are typical sessions, portrait, one location, one to two subjects.Can be used and manipulated for ENGAGEMENT, SENIORS, HEADSHOTS, etc.
$50... 30-minute session, one location. Yields 15-20 proofs.
$75... 60-minute session, up to 2 locations. Yields 35-40 proofs.
$100... 90-minute session, up to 3 locations. Yields 45-50 proofs.
When multiple locations are shot, local travel time is NOT counted against your session time. Additional subjects $25 apiece. Typically I go over on time. You are guaranteed your time, extra is on me! :) When there are multiple locations... one of your choices can be an indoor mobile studio environment.
All sessions viewable online within 7 days. This can be faster in special situations.

** All sessions by Cherilyn David can also be viewed in person, if you would prefer to be able to ask questions, etc. **

Cherilyn David exclusive... "It's All Me" Photo Journalistic Session, $150

Have you ever seen a music video, a commercial or a magazine ad and thought... I could do that, I would look good in that shot! Have you ever viewed a portrait session set to music and thought it seemed like that person was a star. That's because we are all stars! When we see ourselves at our best, set to music and forever captured on screen, it touches us inside. It makes us puff up like a peacock!! :) The problem is, none of us see ourselves that way. We need a photographer to see us that way, mold us, pose us. These sessions are two hours, tons of fun and attention, include Cherilyn's own wardrobe accessories, 4 locations and yield up to 75 proofs! Viewable online within 7 days. One to two subjects included. Additional subjects $25 apiece, but not recommended... be selfish!! :)

*ALL viewings can be purchased as DVD for $50.
*ALL online viewing is password protected.

Questions? ASK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why I Love Beauty Colleges...

Ok, I will be shamelessly plugging the beauty college I visited today and no, they aren't paying me! lol

Obviously beauty colleges are awesome for the money, you can walk in anytime, etc. But I know, so many people have anxiety about the inexperience, the stylists are still learning and this makes us nervous. Sidebar: Almost EVERY hospital is a teaching hospital, Nurse Practitioners run ERs!! So we trust our bodies and lives with students... just not the HAIR!!! :P

Let me address that first. They have teachers right there! These are full fledged professionals and they stop and grab a teacher to check their work soooo often! The teachers jump in and help, answer questions, answer YOUR questions. They don't just throw them in the pool and go read a magazine.

BUT.. the reason I love beauty colleges.... they still love their work. They are excited about hair, about beauty, they are constantly reading up, learning about new trends, fashions and techniques. They do their own hair and eachother's every other week! They haven't gotten bored, tired, distracted. They are young and excited and it shows!

Xenon in Olathe & Wichita are awesome, cheap, high quality and fun times!! :)

...Eureka!!!

In writing my bucket list, I decided my blog should incorporate how I am working towards each item on my list, a little everyday. So I am going to do that.... of course my studio is on the list and my blog is centered around my photography, so it will all fit together. Here goes...

My firsy epiphany is that I feel already fake and plagiarist even using the term Bucket List... from the movie with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson. I'm sure the term was born long before that, but it was certainly not MINE! :)

So... let's say this is my Bowl O' Dreams!

Bucket List

I'm sure you all know... but if you don't..."Bucket List" is the list you have of things you want to do in your life!

Cherilyn’s Bucket List
(in no particular order)

1. I love bridges. They’re pretty and ornamental and I love them. My favorite is the Bow Bridge in Central Park, New York, from the movie Serendipity. It’s actually been in some other movies that I can’t recall just yet. I want to go to NY, sit on it, walk on it, take pictures of it and Caisla on it and have pictures taken of us together. The best part is, the Bow Bridge is beautiful any time of year!
2. My father and his family are from Westerly, RI. I want to travel and spend some time there, see their homes, etc.
3. I missed my prom. I want it back. I want a date. I want my date to surprise me with it. I don’t want to be the old lady at the prom.
4. I want to sing the National Anthem at the opening game of some sporting event. Doesn’t have to be national or televised. I’m not picky.
5. Paris, Eiffel Tower
6. I want to successfully complete a 10k.
7. Seattle, Space Needle
8. Ski, learn to ski, ski well. Taos?
9. Scuba. Not snorkle… scuba! Takle underwater pictures.
10. Learn to fly a plane.
11. Reopen my studio… all things me.
12. England
13. Be published by a reputable publisher, have a book signing.
14. Complete a beautiful, multi-teared, traditional wedding cake and get paid for it.
15. Australia
16. I want a breast reduction. B-
17. Complete all of Caisla’s quilts. (3)
18. Perform in a live play/musical.
19. I want to weigh 145 lbs!!! 1/4
20. Learn to play piano.
…that’s all for now.

By All Means.... television doing more for the already privileged!!

When I first heard about the new show coming to NBC, Who Do You Think You Are?, I was very excited. I volunteer at the local library, helping common folk research their lineage.

I was excited, that is, until Sarah Jessica Parker's face flashed across the screen. I like her too, in New York, in the city, at lunch with the girls or spooning with Big.

I totally love the idea of the research, the tracking of the ancient ancestors. But the six people being researched are wealthy celebrities... two of them married! They can afford to have someone research their families. There are professional Geneologists that do just that. They can afford the plane tickets to chase the clues all over the globe, the costs for vital documents. Why not do the same great show, for people that will never be able to afford it otherwise?

I see and help a lot of people looking to make that connection. They come to the library, because it's free. Otherwise, they would be on their own. I just think, especially in these hard times, it's hard to see people given something they can get themselves, while the fans who have made them rich, watch.

Swap the Prop, 2010

Save the date… for my first annual…

Prop Swap 2010

Hosted by Cherilyn David



I have met some of you at the recent get together hosted by Leigh Miller… feel free to forward this to anyone you think would have fun!

Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 6th, 11am, for “Swap the Prop!”

Just as it sounds, the prop theme is really an excuse to get together, break bread, share secrets and have some laughs! I am not a huge prop girl, but there are some I like to work with and others I dream up all on my own. But I hate doing anything too often… or even twice if I can help it! But who wants to buy a prop and use it once right? So… let’s swap the props! This will go like those infamous holiday gift exchanges, bring a prop or two or seven! You’ll be labeled for the number you’ve contributed, throw your name in a hatbox and after we’ve eaten and gabbed some, the games will begin. We won’t be doing any “stealing,” but of course swapping on the side cannot be discouraged! Feel free to bring a sample print of your prop in action if you want to be a fabulous mentor! J

There will be food, beverages, door prizes and some other fun stuff. BUT the best part is the getting together and blowing off some steam before the big wedding season kicks off!

Treat this like you’re walking into a casino, guaranteed to have fun, friends and go home with something new… to you. If you have a prop you are super attached to and hold near and dear… don’t bring it! LOL

Bring something you are ready to part with and you will not be disappointed!

If you are only a wedding shooter, 100% locale, have nothing to spare or just don’t use props….

COME ANYWAY! You can watch the rest of us and the food and friendships are free! The chance to get together is the most important detail!

I know how to throw a party… but this is my first PS… I promise to take notes and improve in time for… you guessed it…

My Second Annual Prop Swap 2011!!!!



www.cherilyndavid.com

This is a “save the date!” Just mark your calendar and please FB or email me that you’re interested… even if it’s a maybe. Proper invitations with local venue to follow!

Families in Motion

My perspective on family photos is all about real life, real moments, smiles and shadows that capture people in the every day, with the ones they love. Obviously... there's a photographer present, with a camera. The secret is getting that fact to be somewhat forgotten, making clients fast friends, laughing, relaxing. It's an absolute must.

The greatest part about this is getting to see their reaction when they see their beautiful pics! We are all used to stiff photographs in scratchy clothes with pasted on smiles. My clients are often surprised that this is how they really look, happy, excited or even quiet and peaceful.

I encourage my clients and anyone taking pictures to be comfortable, dress the part and remember that they aren't supposed to dread their photography sitting!!

I am working on a super cool new sitting style, complete with music choices and a little bit of a makeover twist. Everyone deserves their fifteen minutes to last forever! :)

In the Selective Corner

I am so sad for Selective Color today. I didn't know until the last couple of days that is was so ill regarded in professional photography circles. Apparently, I have been living in a cave.

I like Selective Color. I know... I am checking the sky for lightning as I type. I agree that it can be over done, done badly and done in ways that are a little too cutesie and just wrong.

I think it's the artist in me...the love of color, the mixer of paints, the collector of swatches. I use color in everything I do. My quilts are compiled of much color consideration. Every room in my house has a theme and a color. Mind you, I love black and white in photography and prefer it for most things. I just love the vague little messages and pause one can cause with Selective Color.

I am in the minority. It's my curse. I shall wear a selected scarlet S on my black and white chest!

Something Borrowed...

Wedding Photography

Next to the birth of one's child, most would say your wedding day is the most important day of your life. It certainly should be, considering the preparation and expense that is involved. It is a collection of moments you can never relive, a once in a lifetime day. Isn't this why good photographs are so crucial? I think I have made it clear, how important and treasured pictures are to me, so I'll spare you any more of that. Instead let me tell you what I think about marriage.

I love marriage. I don't mean weddings and rings and honeymoons. I love marriage. I love and respect the idea that in this day and age, we haven't entirely forgotten how important walking through this life, next to someone, really is. I love anniversaries, I love grandchildren and great grandchildren. I love teary-eyed fathers with their bow ties too tight. I love flower girls who walk too fast and drop too few petals. People cry at weddings, because they love it too.

Unfortunately, weddings can become a crazy affair, so I try not to add to that. I try to be easy and flexible, from our first meeting to your last order. I don't want to be part of the horror stories you tell your friends. I do want to be the photographer you call for that first born, the Christmas cards and that 10th anniversary party.

All of my work centers around what I call "custom pricing." Yes, I have package prices in my head, hours of service, etc. But everyone is different. Maybe you only have wall space for 5x7s, maybe you don't need me at the reception, maybe you want all candids and nothing posed! I'd rather build the package that suits your needs, instead of you trying to squeeze them into something pre-made. I will say that my weddings start at about $3200, but nothing is set in stone.

I will not book a wedding without meeting with you at no charge and seeing what your needs are, so I know for sure they will be met.

The David in Cherilyn David

Every artist, in any genre, goes through this. What will my name be? How shall I sign things? Will I use my name or a studio name? Will my name be my logo?

I have heard so many stories of the way my fellow photographers have come to their names, using middle names, family names; using their children or some other important people and places. It's an amazing thing, because it's this one time in your life that you can choose your name. At the same time, it's crucial, because you can only do it once, if you want the name to stick and last, it's best not to change it later.

Of the last names I have had in my life, I have never really identified or attached with any of them. This has nothing to do with my family, or the other people who have shared these names with me. I actually used both my mother's and my father's last names, at different times throughout my childhood. I kept my married name after divorce, because it is my daughter's name as well, but it is still not something near and dear to me. I may marry again some day.

Of course I wanted to incorporate my daughter in my name, but me being me, her name is already very unique and whimsical with an unusual spelling. No matter how I approached it, it just didn't work. My middle name didn't fit either.

At the end of this mental journey, I wanted something strong and conservative, to follow the feminine fun of my first name. I wanted something that would communicate energy and confidence to my clientele. Next to my daughter, the most important person in my immediate family was a surprising under dog that came up from behind. That photo finish, belongs to my father, David.

My father was not a regular fixture in my life as a child. He was labeled for that absence, for a long time. But absence, was his only crime. He has never hurt me, lashed out at me or intentionally thrown hurdles in my path. There are people in this world, whose absence would be a gift and yet they receive the credit for being around.

I am 34 years old and in my life, especially the last 5 years or so, I have received more support and guidance, from my father and his family, my Aunt & Uncle, his community, his people. When I want to be appreciated and feel like I am important to someone, I find my father. He has treated my daughter with the same unconditional love. His brother and sister-in-law are like my parents as well, their daughters, my sisters.

When I tell him about this, I'm going to give him a business card, a link to the site and a copy of this blog. He will probably cry.

I love you Dad.

cherilyn