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!?" 

© 2018 Jared M. Burns Photography
Snohomish Family Portrait Photographer
www.jaredmburns.com | 206.659.7468 | info@jaredmburns.com

What does your headshot say about you?

Recently, I presented to a group of business networkers and asked a key question in a way most had never thought about. The question was, "Who would you want to do business with?" On the projection screen, I featured the headshots of several actual people doing business. Some of those images were not mine so I can only describe them to you...

1. A sloppily dressed CEO with head shaded by an oversized hat

2. A real estate agent in an awkward stance holding a "Sold" sign

3. A receptionist in front of the office ficus tree

4. A sales woman with her husband and daughter's faces half cropped out

5. A professionally dressed, well-poised woman with a confident look and engaging smile

Which of these do you think people said they wanted to buy from?
Of course, 100% of the people in the room raised their hand for #5 with the professional, friendly, confident woman.

The "Ah-ha" moment came next as they realized "This is how their customers are shopping for them!" We are all human and, like it or not, we judge a book by its cover before we choose to read it. In the same way, potential clients are evaluating you right now by the way you present yourself online. They first want to see how much you believe in what you do before working with you.

Click to see how we helped out headshot clients shine!

In the online world, you have only one second to make a first impression. Your image precedes you like a digital handshake showing you are confident and capable.

Who needs a great headshot?

• Are you in a business that works directly with customers?

• Could your first impression be improved?

• Are your "about me" page or social profiles lacking?

• Do you want people in your area to see you as confident and capable?

• Would you like customers to feel a connection to you?

• Do you want more online customers contacting you?

Do any of these questions resonate with you? The number one thing to remember is clients are going to buy from people they feel they could like and trust. 81% of them will check you out online before they ever contact or visit your business...and that number is growing every year!

So what does your headshot say about you?
 

Contact us today to learn how we can help...

© 2018 Jared M. Burns Photography
Seattle & Snohomish Professional Business Headshot Photographer
www.jaredmburns.com | 206.659.7468 | info@jaredmburns.com

What Authors Need to Know About Headshots

It happens to me a few times a year. An author calls me up needing new head shots for the next big book release. They explain they will require full copyright. This is an odd request for just a simple portrait so we’ll dig a little deeper, asking, “What do you mean by ‘Full Copyright?’” The author then proceeds to describe a “License.” 

“Okay, you mean, can we license the image for you?” I reply.

“No” they say with conviction, “I must get the full copyright transferred to me.”

I must pause here and acknowledge it is the members of the photography profession who are solely responsible for perpetuating this confusion between the meanings of Copyright and Licensing. Prospective clients are only repeating the term that has been ingrained in their memory for years now. On behalf of the photographers who have misused the word copyright, I apologize.

Let’s start over and see if we can’t unpack their meanings in a way that is much easier to understand...

• Copyright: The person who created the original artistic work has the exclusive legal rights of ownership from the first moment of creation.

• License: The owner and originator gives someone permission to use the work that they have created.

It can be argued that the legal definitions are actually more complicated, but with respect to making a portrait, they’re quite simple. Both terms are designed to grant a specific kind of right to an individual. However, one is specific to the creator and owner of the work, the other is a grant from the owner to the one who wants to use the work.

Consider these three common scenarios…

1. I purchase and install Microsoft Windows 10...do I now own the entire Microsoft platform or am I granted a license to use the software?

2. Your friend downloads U2’s “Where the Streets Have No Name” on the iTunes store...are they now the exclusive owner of the song or just granted a copy to download and listen to?

3. Blackstone Audio is going to produce an audio version of your book...will you and your publishing company relinquish all rights and ownership of the book to Blackstone or will they be granted a license to read, record, and distribute the audio version?

So when an author asks a photographer for full copyright on a photo, do they actually mean they want the photographer to (1) send them the master files, (2) transfer all ownership over to them, (3) destroy the original copy, and (4) never have the right to show the image in their photography portfolio? Likely, this is not what the author actually meant.

What the author really wants is the right to reproduce the image on the inside cover of their book, include the image with a press release or media kit, upload one to their website or social media profile, and print something up for speaking engagements.

Of course, we can license this for you!

You can view more examples of professional head shots in our headshot gallery.

Contact us today and ask about the hassle free licensing we provide with professional headshots. 206.659.7468

-JMB

© 2016 Jared M. Burns Photography
Seattle & Snohomish Business Headshot Photographer
www.jaredmburns.com | 206.659.7468 | info@jaredmburns.com