10 things to talk about now with your 2025 grad!

1. When is the yearbook image due at your school?

   • Don't count on the schools to get that information out to you in time! They are busy and overwhelmed and most fall short!

   • We track the yearbook deadlines for you here: YEARBOOK DEADLINES

   • Planning example: If yearbook submissions are due October 1st at your students school, you should have the grad's shoot completed by August 1st. (That is weeks away right now!)

2. Which photographer do you feel comfortable with?

   • Does your grad like and connect with the photographer?

   • Would their artistic style represent your grad and their personality? SEE OUR STYLE HERE

   • If these things click, you will have much better success with the final portraits. The only way to truly know is through an in-person meeting.

3. What is the budget?

   • Some parents choose to invest as much as $7000 and some invest less than $2000. Which is right for you?

   • When it comes to these memories, carefully weigh "the value" vs. "the cost."

   • Knowing your goals ahead of time can save you some frustration later. Not all photographers are created equal.

4. Where will the portraits take place?

   • Do you have access to any exclusive locations? If so, it might make the portraits extra unique!

   • Not sure where to start? Don't worry, we have countless ideas and can make some suggestions you will love once we get to know your grad!

5. How many outfit changes will you want?

   • There is no right or wrong answer. You need only consider that the more time spent changing clothes will result in less time photographing...or that more time will need to be added to cover the additional outfit changes.

   • We generally recommend 2-3 outfits in a 2-hour sitting.

6. Are we going to include family portraits at the same time?

   • Some senior grads want to make the portrait session all about them. I get it and they deserve it!

   • If your grad is open to family portraits, we'd love to accommodate that too! We would then recommend splitting the session 1.5 hours for the grad and 30 minutes for the family.

7. Will the photographer allow us to have custom control over the products we want?

   • I can't speak for all photographers, but our desire is for you to have full control. We have abandoned packages because we never want you to feel locked into something you don't like or want.

   • When it comes to our way of doing things, you only have to pay for the images you truly love on the products you want for your home.

8. What is our backup plan if the weather goes bad? (And sometimes it does!)

   • With us, we've already got your backup plan! Our business model is not to shoot on volume, cramming people into every possible time slot, which allows us lots of flexibility in a weather event!

9. But what about hair and makeup services?

   • If you have a hair and makeup artist, that's great!

   • If you don't have one, we can get you access to our hair and makeup artist! She is one of the best around and only works with professional photographers.

10. Is the photographer dependable?

    • If you have a photographer in mind, check out their reviews on Google. Read the good review. Read the bad reviews too and note how the photographer responded to the complaints to try and make things right. A little advanced research can save you from a costly pitfall!

    • Talk to them on the phone or meet with them in person. So much can be learned through a little relationship.

    • When it comes to our work, we guarantee it! (Who else does that these days?) It means, if you don't love the final portraits, you don't have to pay for them!

Does this feel like a lot to worry about? It is a lot. We know how much planning and preparation it takes to get your kid through the biggest year of their life, we do this all the time. If we can lift this one burden for you and make it easy, we are eager to help! Let's connect!!

Get the ball rolling early and ride the momentum across the finish line later!

Or call us on the phone

206.659.7468

(Remember to leave us a message, we might be out photographing!)

Snohomish photographer cracks time barrier, seeing into the past

SNOHOMISH, WA - In a mind-bending discovery that could put H.G. Wells to shame, businessman and self-proclaimed Time Photographer, Jared M. Burns, has unveiled an astonishing breakthrough in the art of photography. Burns claims to have stumbled upon a peculiar contraption during one of his late-night eBay escapades - a $7000 piece of equipment from overseas that allegedly allows him to capture moments in the past.

"This ain't your grandma's camera," Burns quipped while adjusting his fedora and twirling an imaginary time-traveler's mustache. "I like to call it the 'TemporalSnapper.'"

According to Burns, the manual for the TemporalSnapper - translated from an ancient, obscure dialect only decipherable to multilingual parrots - outlines its use of time-flip technology, chrono-cogs, and quantum hamsters (don't ask) to create images that transcend the constraints of spacetime.

"It's all about nailing the 'when' as well as the 'what' in the exact same moment," Burns explained with a sly grin. "You know you've done it when the image starts whispering 'tick-tock'."

But here's the kicker that will excite most: Families who have their portraits made by Burns today will then in five, ten, or twenty years be able to revisit their yesteryears each and every time they view the mind-boggling time image.

Naturally, our skeptical minds couldn't resist probing deeper into this temporal enigma. We summoned the Jenkins family to be part of a live demonstration. As Burns snapped a portrait of the Jenkins, the beautiful family moment was converted into time art right before our very eyes. Within seconds, the family also reviewed the temporal image for themselves, and the youngest daughter, Emma, exclaimed, "Mom, Dad, that is me from just a moment ago!"

"It's like magic, but tangible magic we can hang on our wall!" muttered Mrs. Jenkins in a distant tone of wonder.

And if you think this all sounds too fantastical to be true, we've got the science to back it up. Documenting every single step, a team of researchers from MIT had Burns create a portrait of them using the TemporalSnapper. Just two hours later, when Burns revealed the results, the scientists confirmed they were indeed seeing two hours into the past.

Word is spreading fast about Burns' time-warping talents, and the quaint town of Snohomish is buzzing with newfound excitement. Client after client validates Burns' claims with similar stories of how he made it possible for each of them to jump the time barrier to the past.

All of our best attempts to get our hands on the TemporalSnapper were foiled. Further study and reverse engineering will not be possible. Burns never lets it out of his sight, nor will he provide any hints as to how it really works.

So there you have it, dear readers - a one-of-a-kind mechanical device that can whisk you away to the good ol' days in a snap, all for the price of a decent used car. Who needs a phone booth or a Tardis when you've got Jared M. Burns and his wonderous TemporalSnapper? He may not have a Ph.D. in theoretical physics, but he's definitely earned a degree in Temporal Imagery.

Now the past is only a pixel away!

Temporal results are 100% guaranteed or your money back!

Disclaimer: Time Travel is dangerous and The Snohomish Gazette urges readers to exercise extreme caution with any device claiming to be a TemporalSnapper. Previous owners of the TemporalSnapper who dared to use it on their own discovered they themselves were missing from the resulting family image.

When was your last family portrait? 😬

They sat on the couch and stared at each other in disbelief. They had just finished celebrating their youngest child's 16th birthday, and could not believe how fast time was flying by. It seemed like only yesterday they were holding their last baby in their arms.

Suddenly, the wife turned to her husband and asked, "When was our last family portrait?" The question caught the husband off guard, and he had to think for a moment. "It must have been when the kids were still little," he replied, "so much has happened since then."

As they reminisced about the past, they realized just how much their family had grown and changed, celebrating so many birthdays, two graduations, and even the birth of their first grandchild with their oldest. Their last baby had a few more years left in the home, and just like that, they would be empty-nesters.

The wife's eyes filled with tears as she spoke about what it would mean to her to have a current family portrait. It would represent everything they were together in this present stage and the life traveled with all the ups and downs, milestones, and memories. All their family dreams had come true, but so many little moments had slipped by unnoticed while life was busy. They had so much to be proud of and knew at least this moment could live with them forever in a portrait.

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While this is not a real story of any one client, it is a real story of all our clients and the things they've shared with us through 16 years of portrait work. We enrich family bonds through emotional, personalized art, a truly unique visual presentation on the wall that says to each member, you matter, you belong. The ultimate product is not the material itself, but the complete vision and customized experience we provide that led to the special moment in time you can always return to.

Can we make beautiful family portraits for you?

Surprising, new research about Mother's Day

For years, people had been struggling to find the perfect Mother's Day gift. Some went for flowers, others for chocolates, but nothing seemed to capture the true essence of motherhood. That is until millions of hours of research were conducted by countless teams sent to every country of the world leading to a breakthrough discovery: the most perfect gift for a mom on Mother's Day is a portrait of her family.

Researchers found that mothers cherish memories and the bond they share with their loved ones more than anything else. A family portrait is not just a picture but a symbol of the love and connection they share. The research was conclusive, and the world rejoiced at the discovery of the most perfect gift for mothers everywhere.

DISCLAIMER: While we cannot confirm the validity of this study, as it was conducted by sleep-deprived graduate students who were bribed with free pizza, we still feel the need to share their findings. Though family portraits for mom were indeed found to be the number one choice, it should be noted that a personalized rap song performed by the family pet was a close second.

Before you get your pumpkin spice latte

Did you notice the fog in the air this morning? Even though autumn technically does not start until Sept. 23rd, there's no question, the change in season is already here. Before you run out and get your pumpkin spice latte, this is a breakdown of what you need to know about portraits through the end of the year...

September 6th - Nearly all schools are back in session and people are getting desperate to squeeze in their last-minute family or senior grad portraits.

September 6th to 16th - Sunflowers are in full splendor at some of your local farms. It's a special opportunity to create remarkable portraits with a touch of warm, bright cheer!

September 7th to 20th - The weather is still glorious! There is still time to get the late summer look in beautiful outdoor settings. Many people find this is the most timeless look for portrait art that will hang on their walls all year round.

September 21st to October 15th - The ideal time for autumn color! The tree color season is always shorter than you think, just 2 to 3 weeks in all, so plan ahead!

October 1st to 16th - Most area high schools will have a hard deadline for senior grad yearbook portraits in the first half of the month. Don't wait until the last minute!

October 10th to 31st - Pumpkins and corn make a wonderful setting for family portraits, especially when young kids are involved!

October 21st to 31st - Every year a wind and rain storm sweeps through near the end of the month tearing all the beautiful fall color to the ground. The likelihood of bad weather increases with each passing week through the end of the year.

November 3rd - This marks the daylight savings change. The evening light is gone and sessions can only be scheduled on very limited Saturdays. November is also the rainiest month of the year.

November 15th to December 14th - We are wrapping up last of the season sessions and products needed as gifts for Christmas!

Were you planning to get family portraits in 2019? The time to schedule them is now!

Can Family Portraits Boost Mental Health?

Did you know displaying portraits in the home can improve the mental health of your family? I was surprised when I stumbled upon this article citing studies showing a direct connection between photography and a child's improved self-esteem or understanding of family worth. However, as I read on, it made a lot of sense!

David Krauss, a licensed psychologist from Cleveland and proponent of family health through meaningful photography explains,

"I think it is really important to show a family as a family unit. It is so helpful for children to see themselves as a valued and important part of that family unit."

Another psychologist named Judy Weiser in Vancouver who studies the effects of art and photography says,

 "It lets children learn who they are and where they fit...the uniqueness of their own family and its story."

Cathy Lander-Goldber, as a social worker in St. Louis found;

“Displaying photos prominently in the home sends the message that our family and those in it are important to one another, and we honor the memories we have experienced.“

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Simply put, family portraits communicate a powerful message that resonates to the core of every child's being. "I belong."

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In our experience as a photography business, we have found all this to be true! Often, past clients let us know how important the family portraits have become to them. Fathers admit when they get home from work and the first thing they see is the family in the big portrait above the couch, it puts their whole evening into perspective. Mother's have secretly caught glimpses of their children studying the family image. There is also nothing like the pride a mother feels when guests in her home notice the family art because they immediately understand what is most important in this household.

When was the last time you updated your family portraits?

What message are you sending to your family members?

We can't stop them from growing up, but we can preserve a special moment that will live forever! Bring home the family memories as art, it's time to make a statement about what is most precious in your life. Together we can create emotional memories that live on as personalized works of art on your wall.

Learn more about the psychology of portraits…

• Phototherapy: A First Attempt to Consider the use of Photographs in Art Therapy by Mark Wheeler

• What your home says about you by Dr. Linda Papadopoulos

When was your last family portrait?

Summer is coming!

"Umm, no kidding, Jared, everyone knows this."

Well, fire season is coming too!

"Oh, yeah...I hadn't thought about that."

There just one EXTREMELY important thing you must know...

Waiting too long to book your family portraits could cost you. You might be trading the beautiful blue skies of Washington for a thick, brownish-red cloud of smog. While we hate to say it, the late-summer fires are a real thing around here now. 

How long has it been since your last family portrait?

If this summer is the one for you, be sure to plan your family session early! Everything we love about the beautiful Northwest is happening now. We want your family portraits to have that dream look you would be proud to display on your walls for years to come. 

Now is the time! Call us today to get started!

206.659.7468

5 Reasons Summer is the Best Time to Get Your Family Portraits

When was your last family portrait? If you are like most people, you did it when the kids were little, but now years have passed and important stages have been missed. You don't have to let that happen again this summer! Here are 5 reasons that prove this summer is the BEST time for your family portraits!

1. Best Weather!

This is when the Northwest is at its very best with the lush green of the land and vibrant blue skies and water.  You don't have to worry about the winds and rain that can ruin hair and clothes any other time of year.

2. Best Creative Potential!

When the weather is so good, you have options for more diverse locations. You get to take advantage of the amazing outdoor lighting. You can build sessions around summer themes or activities your family identifies with. From the mountains to the water, all the parks and natural areas have been manicured and are waiting for you. 

3. Best Flexibility!

You already know it's hard to get the family together the rest of the year, but summer is a time when everyone's schedules open up and life slows down just a little. It's easier to take time off work during the week. The days are longer meaning families can still do portraits after work in the beautiful golden light of evening.

4. Best Moments!

Yes, the best moments happen in summer. Everyone is more relaxed, the days come a little easier. The family is together more and creating quality memories that last a lifetime. Portraits can persevere and commemorate this unique stage in your family.

5. Best time is before it's too late!

One thing I have learned in photography is that summer is the easiest season to let slip past you. People start with dreams like "This will be the year we finally get the family portrait done!" but, year after year the summer BBQ's, kids sports, travel, yard projects, and big work events steal every last bit of your time...and the family is yet another year older with nothing to show.

The best time is now. Once summer slips away everyone else will be calling us frantically, saying, "Oh my goodness, where did the season go? Is there any way you can STILL fit me in!?"