Katie SwiftPHOTOGRAPHER"Children make your
life important."
-Erma Bombeck
When your kids
are all grown up...
What will you remember?
Will it be the heartfelt times you wore flowing maxi dresses next to your accessorized mannequins in grassy fields at sunset, bribing them with lollipops to hold still and smile at the camera?
I seriously doubt it.
Ironically, it'll likely be the irritating moments you remember most—whiny babes lifting up tired arms, sticky hands needing "hanitizer" and wipes, baby dolls and Nerf guns littering the halls, tripping you as you stumble into bed.
The simple, shabby moments of your life will be the ones you keep in your heart forever.
We won't waste your memories on fake pictures of the glamorous family everyone else is trying to be. Instead, we'll capture you as you really are, which, as you already know is way more interesting...
These are the wonder years.
You won't want to forget.
Wonder Sessions Include:
Authentic Location
We'll work together to choose a location that will provide a meaningful backdrop for your family's memories.
1-2 Hours
Haste makes waste! We'll take our time together so your family can actually enjoy the memories you're making in front of the lens.
Shop & Share Gallery
Your photos will be invited to stay in an exclusive online gallery for up to 60 days, where you can download images, shop for high-quality prints, and share them with family and friends.
Digital Images
You'll get ALL the best high-resolution digital images from your session to keep forever and print as many times as you'd like.
Family Album
Creatively composed to capture the wonder of this precious time in your family's life, your memories are featured in a beautiful photo album to be passed down for generations to come.
$e$$ion Fee: $875*
*Plus sales tax. No hidden fees. No confusing payment processes or high-pressure "reveals." No minimum print purchase required. One fee gets you all you need!
Family Album
Inspired by the lost art of vinyl, your family's memories are featured in a custom-designed 12x12 modern photo album for you to cherish forever.
Features:
Thin, coffee table book pages
20-40 pages (10-20 full spreads)
Semi-gloss vibrant press printed paper
Endless cover design options
Spine design
12x12 large display (same as vinyl record)
Lemme upgrade ya!
Upgrade to leather, linen, or silk cover: $50
Upgrade to archival lay-flat paper: $100
What the mamas say:
I am absolutely in love with ALL the photos!
-Jaime
The photos were exactly what I wanted.
Original, creative, and most importantly, I can remember the feelings I felt during the shoot by looking at my pictures.
-Mallory
My whole family was speaking your praises.
Even Andrew said,
'she has great energy!'
-Kendra
Oh my gosh!!! I flipping love these!
I love how raw they are and how much joy you captured! The funny faces, the pic of me trying not to pee my pants, the story, the laughs and smiles...
-Heather
Thank you so much for making family photos feel so comfortable...
and for capturing us in such a beautiful way. We've enjoyed working with you every time.
-Amber
This was my first time using Katie and she is wonderful!
She came to our house and took so many beautiful images of my family that I am so grateful to have. I will absolutely use her from here on out!
-Jen
So what are you
waiting for?
Here's how it works:
1. Choose your session date
2. Pay $100 deposit to reserve your spot
3. Check your inbox
Featured Families
Still looking for something?
Need a session that's a bit more...streamlined? We can skip the album and embrace the moment!
Moment Sessions Include:
1 Location
1 hour
Shop & Share Gallery
All Digital Images
$e$$ion Fee: $475*
*Plus sales tax. No hidden fees. No confusing payment processes or high-pressure "reveals." No minimum print purchase required. One fee gets you all you need!
Got Questions??
Where should we take the pictures?
I'm a big fan of "at home" sessions because our most beloved memories are often simple ones, taking place within our everyday lives.
Gathering round the the scratched-up kitchen table, cuddling together on the worn leather couch, and throwing the football in the backyard are simple but meaningful ways we can document your family's life.
That said, if you prefer to do the session elsewhere, I have plenty of ideas and recommendations and will work with your unique family to find a good fit.
What should we wear?
Short answer: Wear whatever you want! We are trying to document REAL life remember?
Long answer: If you want to look a bit "together" then think co-ordinate rather than match. You don't all need to wear white shirts I promise...
Most importantly: wear what feels comfortable and makes you feel confident! Avoid clothes that don't fit properly or that you must constantly adjust.
Can we bring our dog?
Yes, please! Just let me know when booking so we can find a dog-friendly location. Other pets are welcome, too...especially koalas ;)
Do you charge extra for extended family?
Grandparents are on the house, but each additional family is $75 per family. Keep in mind that session time will increase. Expect 30 additional minutes per family.
Can we still purchase an album
if I book a Moment Session?
Certainly! Remember that you will have fewer images to choose from since the session is half the time.
Do you offer maternity
& newborn sessions?
Absolutely! I love the preggers and the babies! Ask me about my special 2for1 babymama packages when booking...
What if it rains?
Or we get sick?
Can we reschedule?
Absolutely. It's friggin' Ohio, after all. But in peak seasons, rescheduling may get tricky. If you stay flexible, so shall I!
How do and when do I pay?
Do you offer any discounts?
To book your session and hold your date, pay a $100 deposit online with a credit card. The remaining balance can be settled no later than the day of your session, either online with a credit card or in person with cash/check.
I proudly support military and offer Active Duty, Veterans, Reserve, Guard and their immediate family 10% sessions. Just let me know when you book and I will apply the discount to the session remainder.
When will I get my goodies?
I typically have your gallery, story and album ready for Story sessions in four weeks. Moment sessions take three weeks. However, I may need 1-2 weeks more in peak seasons.
Shipping times for prints and photo products ordered directly from your Shop and Share Gallery vary, but typically, you should receive your order within 1-2 weeks. Albums take 1-2 weeks after sending to print. Don't worry; I will keep you updated with our timeline as we go!
My Family Musings:
pssst...can I be honest?
Family sessions extend me as a photographer.
The more the merrier may be true, but when a camera is involved, this also means more eyes blinking, more heads turning, more bodies blurring, and, well, just...more. I have to say, some of my most challenging work has been documenting families.
Sometimes I wonder if it's been my most meaningful work too.
After losing family members, my perspective on everything- including family photography has deepened. Many of the pictures at my brother's funeral were ones I had taken, mostly at birthday parties and holiday get-togethers and summer cookouts. The best ones weren't necessarily the ones of him looking directly at the camera smiling but rather the ones where he was interacting with others in some way. A hand on his son's back as they walked down a country road, a soft glance at his wife, massive arms engulfing his baby girl in a closed-eyed hug. Some of the best pictures are blurry and out of focus, but when I look at them now, I swear I can almost feel his mannerisms and movements.
The photographs are how I remember.
This is my heart when I photograph families. My focus is not on everyone being in focus. It's not about perfect smiles and styles and backdrops. It's kind of messy and stressy and it feels vulnerable because it is. Because families don't always get along. Siblings, especially, get under each other's skin. My brother and I fought more than anyone- we used to wear the rest of the family out with our constant bickering. And the thing is, in the beginning, right after he died, I felt so much regret for all the arguing. I bargained with God that if Bobby were still alive, I'd get along better with him. I'd seen the light- I wouldn't be so petty.
But now, after having more time to miss him and process his absence, I no longer make deals with God. I just miss my brother. I miss our flawed relationship. I miss trying to one-up him- trying to explain myself and prove myself- all the ways I tried to gain his approval.
Life is weird. Family is too.
Want to stalk each other and pretend we're best friends?
Me too!
Follow me on instagram @katieswiftphotography
serving Springboro, Dayton, Cincinnati, Ohio & Beyond
katieswiftphotography@gmail.com
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