Muskoka Gravenhurst Bracebridge Photography School Photos Done Better

October 1, 2018 update: The child portrait photography sessions described on this page have been surprisingly popular, filling my schedule quicker than expected. A few remaining October bookings can still be made but the spots are getting taken fast. Soon a waiting list will need to be created. In the event a client needs to cancel or postpone their appointment that portrait session time will become available to those on the waiting list.

Child portrait photography in Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Barkway and Ryde

As a homeschool parent (unschooling), and child portrait photographer (over 35 years as a professional photographer specializing in events, sports and candid children’s portraits), I’ve been happily able to avoid getting caught up in the cost and madness of public school photos. But it wasn’t always that way. During my school years I had my own fair share of school photos. All were filed away immediately and never seen again. If I could find one now I’d share it here, but the best I could do was to share the next closest thing to one of my old school photos. The photo above is one of me taken in Ireland. I was wearing my school uniform, and as it appears to be intact, I know the photo must have been taken in the morning before going to school. Apparently I was somewhat energetic and mischievous so by the end of each school day, or by the end of first recess, that uniform and I was usually in a shambles. The picture shows how I almost managed to bounce out of the frame as the photo was being taken. Though it was a missed shot, it’s still better than any school photo I ever had done!

Is the expense of school photos really worth it?

The expense I see parents having to pay for laughably poor photography always shocks me. School photo companies boast that they can get away with spending less than thirty seconds on each child’s photo, so it’s not surprising those companies have earned such a reputation for producing poor results! Most of the work isn’t in the photography at all but in trying to convince parents to buy the stuff. It’s virtually the very same assembly-line recipe people in organized sports face each year with their team and individual posed photography.

Some parents don’t mind the expense of school photos and will play along each year for the laugh they get out of seeing those photographs. For them it’s a bit of fun to have the annual silly school photo added to their family collections. But for many parents the high cost for junk photos isn’t a laughing matter. It’s no joke to me either. I consider it a pleasure and privilege to do child portraits and enjoy taking the time and care to do the best work I can. Kids deserve it!

A better alternative to school photos

I’m offering an opportunity to have photos done with proper time, attention and care, for families who have decided to opt out of buying photos done at school (in the areas of Gravenhurst, Bracebridge Barkway and Ryde). I specially invite families who are opting out of school photos due to cost. Homeschool and unschool families are also welcome!

I devote real time to each session, (not just 30 seconds per child!) so my availability could fill up quickly, likely turning this into an extremely limited opportunity. If I become overbooked this opportunity could get extended to the end of the year, and into next. If extended, more photo sessions can be accommodated, and it creates the opportunity for families to have additional photo sessions done in other seasons (i.e.: to have Christmas, birthday and Easter photos done).

What you will get:

A mini photo session at a mutually convenient location. A “mini” session is typically about 15 minutes long but isn’t strictly limited to that time-frame. If the child’s interest and attention allows, and if you and I are available, the session could run longer. The object isn’t to simply capture a ridiculous quantity of photos but to work until I’m satisfied that good quality photos have been taken. It’s always about the quality, not the quantity!

The “mutually convenient location” is one we’ll discuss before your session. I much prefer to shoot with available light and preferably natural light. It takes more time, skill and experience to work without relying on artificial photo lighting, backdrops etc, but I feel the superior results are well worth it and much more personalized to the individual. For me the best locations will mainly be outdoors (I’m open to considering exceptions) in or very near Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Barkway and Ryde.

Once all the photos are taken I’ll take the proper time and care to edit and process every picture one at a time. When the photos are complete they will be placed into a password protected gallery page created for your personal photo collection. The photos will be displayed at a good size for viewing on screen. Files suitable for printing are also available to you by request, and at no extra charge.

Price:

The goal is to make quality child photography accessible to local Gravenhurst and Bracebridge families who are opting out of school photos due to cost – and to make this available without excluding everyone else! I want to be fair and accommodating so all can be included. In that spirit of inclusion, the price for this work may be decided by donation representing whatever you think is reasonable (and can afford). I suggest a minimum donation of $25, but if that is a difficulty please let me know so I can create a solution for getting your photos done.

Please be assured, that no matter what you decide to pay, a full satisfaction guarantee still applies. If you’re not happy with the work you may opt for a re-shoot or full refund.

While providing child portrait sessions as an alternative to school photos, I’m also busy shooting other assignments, events, hockey games etc. My availability to book child portrait sessions is rapidly becoming limited. If you’re interested in taking advantage of this opportunity and want to book your session, or if you have any questions, please contact me today!

The gallery section below displays a small sample of my candid and semi-posed child portrait photographs. In this collection I wanted to show examples of uncomplicated head-shot style portraits as well as some which take advantage of interesting locations and settings. It is also nice to find ways to incorporate the child’s interests or culture into the photos so I’ve included some examples of this too. Those photos demonstrate how it’s possible to naturally capture the personality and individuality of the child in ways that are never possible in school or posed studio photo sessions.

Some of the photos were taken for First Nations groups and activities I’m involved in. Many First Nations families feel it is much more meaningful when their photos are taken with natural light and in a natural setting. Shooting without falling back on studio lights and backdrops takes a lot more experience, skill and time, but the extra work is well worth it as it frees me to be creative while working with the personalities, environment and lighting around me. For a little more insight into my approach to doing child portraits please see this post where I emphasize how important it is for the child to be the star of the shoot and photos, not the photographer.

Please share online with friends or post on your bulletin board

If your Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Barkway or Ryde area business, community group or non-profit organization feels this special photography service will be of benefit and interest to your clients, please feel free to download and print the flyer. Be sure to click the flyer image to get the full print-size file. The flyer, in jpeg format, is set it up for easy monochrome printing or photocopying on ordinary letter size paper.