If you would like to help out the Humane Societys in Grand Forks and Fargo, we will be photographing at our Studio in Grand Forks Fri-Sat-Sun…October 24-25-26 and in Fargo at Petco on Fri-Sat-Sun…November 7-8-9.

Many have already made their appointments. You can call 1-800-344-7667 to schedule a time; or we welcome walk-ins. Our times are 10-5 on Fri and Sat and noon – 4 on Sundays at both locations. For a $25 donation; you get a mini-session on one of our sets and a FREE 5×7 compliments of us. We have a number of new products available this year as well as traditional size portraits and greeting cards.

It can be photos of just your pet(s); or the kids and the pet(s) or the whole family with the pet(s). And if you just want a portrait and to donate to the Humane Society….you don’t even need pets. We’ll take individual, couple and group portraits. So here’s the posters for each of the events…..Help out a good cause and call today for an appointment or drop by and see us. 

In Grand Forks we are located in the Grand Cities Mall. Please use the north entrance by Noridian, near the Vitner wine cellar sign. In Fargo we will be at Petco; use the main entrance and you will be guided where to go.

Grand Forks

Fargo

Here’s some of the childrens’ portraits from recent weeks. Some are Birthday shots and some are just fun ’summer’ shots. Think about what kinds of portraits we can do for your child or your grandchild. Remember they change way too fast. Don’t catch yourself wishing you had taken that portrait while you had the chance.

This is a continual interview with Master Photographer Ron Jacobson about Portraits and their business that involves many aspects of photography. This weeks topic will be Childrens Portraits.

I:  There are so many different types of Portraits out in the world today; what portrait is the most prevalent of all your product lines?

Ron: Well, that’s pretty simple…..childrens portraits! Children change so fast, that portraits are able to capture a time in a childs life that’s soon gone.

I: How often do parents have childrens portraits taken?

Ron: Some of the age old, tried and true rules still go for today. That is newborn photos, 3-6-9 month photos, then the yearly photos starting at 1 year old. Sometimes parents will take them at half birthdays such as 18 months or 30 months as well. Plus, we have many parents who will take advantage of our specialty or limited edition type sessions. These might include our ‘fairy’ book session, Christmas with Santa, fishing dock, grandmas closet and many others.

I: Wow, that’s a lot of different photo opportunities; doesn’t it seem like they’re taking photos all the time?

Ron: No; but it can sure seem like it during the childs first year. That’s when most of the physical changes take place, so it’s the time to take the most portraits as each one will be drastically different. Once a child has reached 3 or 4; then once a year is usually good because the changes slow down. And it seems once they enter school, they use the school photos as record shots. At the same time, these the school ages are some of the most fun for capturing lifestyle or limited edition type portraits where the children actually understand and can become part of the portrait session; not just plop them down and click the camera.

I: So, those ideas all sound good. Are there any other tips for parents who would like to have their childrens portraits made?

Ron: Yes, lots of them. We get asked a lot of times about the “big box” portrait studios. You know, the ones where they’re connected with a department store; and their low prices. We don’t even think of being compared to them. They have lights that are nailed down so anyone can expose an image properly, and they are usually a very small area for taking the photos. So we come at it from a different angle. It’s about an ‘experience’. You shouldn’t have to be hurried, and you shouldn’t have other people staring at your child or standing in line waiting for you to be done. Your time with us is your time. No other appointments; and we usually have soft drinks or refreshments along with toys for the children to play with after the session. In fact; many times during the sessions, the children don’t even know they’re having their portrait taken. We discourage the “smile” attitude; but we also understand that sometimes a fun smiling photo is what our clients want. And we offer everything in the way of products from regular prints to bookmarks, books, canvas and fine art prints and much more. We strive to please our clients.

I: Thanks for sharing the information and time with our readers today!

It’s been so busy around here; I’m hoping to catch up with some posts and ideas for our clients.

Here’s a shot celebrating a 1 year birthday!! Enjoy….

We’ve been doing quite a number of kids portraits amidst the insanity of fall in general. This would include Senior Portraits which are still going strong; weddings not evey weekend, but quite a few; school portraits and events; commercial and business assignments and families who have been taking portraits for their walls and holiday giving.

Here’s a few samples to wet your appetite. We can produce special composites, gallery wrapped canvases and specialty cards that will be treasured for years to come.

BTW….there’s an idea for a 1 year old Birthday here as well; see if you notice.

Oh and the composite; what do you think of a title “The Hat Dance”?