Photographing families is truly a privilege. I know for our busy family of six, anyone who gets us in the same place at the same time, dressed, and on our best behavior (bribes not excluded) is privileged. Just sayin’. Not because we’re so super special, but because it just doesn’t happen often.
It’s not that we don’t like each other, but finagling the schedules of three teenagers and one very busy (three-sport-in-one-season) 10 year old has it’s challenges. However, on the rare instances that those moments happen, and my hair happens to look decent (because it’s been professionally coiffed), and our outfits are sort of in sync (because I’ve spent a month shopping for them), and everyone is in a good mood (because they know there’s ice cream afterward), it’s sort of magical. I’m not taking about the pictures, I’m taking about the photoshoot itself.
With the stress of (and psychotic behavior associated with) prepping my family, behind me, I feel light and free. My husband, who has psyched himself up for “the torture hour”, starts to realize that the shoot is actually kind of fun – and makes his wife happy (he’s a shrewd man, he’s probably thinking about what that could lead to). The kids are sort of goofy and playful. Maybe they’re putting on a show for the photographer, or maybe they are just being good because they don’t want me to zap them with my mom-stink-eye. When we’re all together during that golden hour, the heavens seem to open up and bless us in a way that I can’t explain.
I want to bottle that up.
Those feelings. The memories. The laughs. The details. And the photographs do that. I promise they do. The photographs adorn our walls and our desktops, our social media, and the homes of our loved ones – where they have frozen a moment in time. For that I am grateful. So much so that I have built my career on freezing these moments for others. And I LOVE IT.
In fact, I’ve always thought that the photoshoot itself is it’s own fun family memory. Families just seem to be in a good place when they’re getting photographed. A best-version of themselves. Maybe not so much during the car ride on the way to the shoot, but during the session all seems to be right in the world and on countless occasions we have gone over time because we were all having so much fun.
As a photographer, I’ve noticed that there are some beautiful details that I can’t freeze. The sound of a three-year old’s voice, the way a baby takes his first steps (or that awkward army crawl), the leaps, the landings, the way kids move when they’re excited, the sound of those sweet giggles, the magic tricks, the sibling races, the games… Those moments elude photographers. I try to freeze them, truly, I do. But you can’t put a rainbow in a jar, nor can you hear a child giggle through a photograph.
I dreamed that one day I could find someone to video our photoshoots – to capture those precious in-between moments that we lose when we freeze time.
Enter Leah from Selah Films.
Leah and I started working together on a few projects over the winter and when I saw her work, I knew she was the person who could bring this crazy dream of mine to life. I was overjoyed when she was as excited as I was to offer Mercy Street’s clients an opportunity to have a heirloom family video as part of our photography package.
I contacted one the families I’ve had the pleasure of photographing over the last several years and they were down with being our pilot family.
Meet the Creswells. (Click to view video)
If you are interested in getting a video with your photography package, please contact me as soon as possible. Since both Leah and I have to be available for the session, it take a little bit of extra lead time and coordinating, as we’re working with the schedules of three parties.
Here are some Q&As about the video package:
Does the shoot take longer than a normal one hour photo session?
No, Leah and I shoot together, so while she is videoing your family, I am photographing you.
Are the photos from the shoot incorporated in the video?
Yes, you’ll see a few of the photos I take incorporated into Leah’s film, but it’s not a slideshow of your images, its actually a film of your family with only a few photographs in it.
The family in your pilot video seems to be doing more playing than having a photoshoot. How is that possible?
We coach families who wish to incorporate video into their photoshoot to bring things to do. Bubbles, balls (football, soccer..), frisbees, etc. When filming a video it’s important to have movement. Bring things that interest your family. Of course, not all the shots will incorporate balls and bubbles, but prepare to have some real fun.
Are you in our video?
Um no. Unless we are actually related. I will stay out of your family film and Leah will stay out of your family photos. The film and the photography is about you and your family. And as much as we love me, I will keep myself positioned out of site! 🙂
How long are the family videos?
They are 1-3 minutes in duration.
Is this only for family videos? Can I do this for other types of sessions?
You can add the video option to cake smash shoots, senior portrait sessions, engagements, sports, or friends shoots.
Can we get a video with Leah if Lynn is our photographer?
Yes! Lynn’s sessions are just as fun as mine, maybe even more so!
How long do I have to wait to receive the video?
You will have your video within 2 weeks of the shoot.
How is the video delivered to me? Do I have to wait for it to be burned onto a CD and mailed?
CDs are so 10 years ago. The video will be delivered via digital download. This is the quickest and easiest way to get your video to you!
Will I receive a social media video teaser?
If you would like a social media teaser video (less than 1 minute long), just ask Leah and she will create one for you. (Request must be made prior to delivery of the full length video)
Can we choose our own music?
Probably not. Most popular songs cost a gazillion million dollars to get the usage license for, so Leah uses licensed music that is less popular. If you have a gazillion million dollars that you’d like to spend on music, just let Leah know and she’ll help you get the song you want!
How much does it cost to add the video to our photography package?
The cost of the video is $250 and only offered to our clients who purchase their full photo gallery of digital images.
When is payment due?
Payment for video and photo package is due in advance of the shoot.
Can I get just the video, without the photography?
Um, why on earth would you want to do that? Just kidding. Sort of. 🙂 You can probably twist Leah’s arm and coerce her into doing this for you. Contact Leah at Selah Films to inquire about her video offerings. (I will warn you though, her video offering is significantly discounted, when purchased in conjunction with the photo package through Mercy Street Studio).
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