Katie Swift
WHEN YOUR KIDS ARE ALL GROWN UP,
what will you remember?
Will it be the heartfelt times you wore flowing 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 the 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 little moments of your life will actually be the ones you hang up in your heart forever.
I won't waste your memories on fake pictures of the glamorous family everyone else is trying to be.
Instead, I'll capture you as you really are, which as you already know, is way more interesting...
Speaking of interesting...
What the people say...
All Sessions Include:
Painless Q&A
You'll get a few simple questions delivered to your email designed to help us plan for your session.
Authentic Location
We'll use your Q&A like a map to direct us towards a location that will provide a meaningful backdrop for your family.
Photo Adoption Center
Your photos are given a professional makeover and then temporarily housed in an online gallery where they all wait anxiously to be given a good home. They especially yearn for kind folks who will turn them into fuzzy blankets and coffee cups...
Digital Images
You'll get ALL the digital images from your session. Quickly and easily overshare on social media with family & friends.
Sessions:
Mini Session
2o minutes
1 setting/backdrop
$325
Moment Session
1 hour
1 location
multiple settings/backdrops
$500
Memories Session
1.5-2 hours
1-2 locations
multiple settings/backdrops
Blog Feature
1 12x12 memory album
$875
Memory Albums:
OFF THE SCREEN. INTO YOUR LIFE.
Vinyl Style:
Inspired by the lost art of vinyl, your family memories are featured in a 12x12 custom designed coffee table album that can be passed down for generations. Endless cover design options available.
FEATURES:
Thin, modern, coffee table style pages
20-40 pages (10-20 spreads) depending on story
Semi-gloss vibrant press printed paper
Endless design options including typography
Creative, funky modern appeal
Spine Design
12x12 large display (same size as a Vinyl Record)
Memory Album: $325
Additional Copies are half off
UPGRADES:
Paper: Lay Flat Fine art Matte Photographic $150
Covers: Linen, Silk or Genuine Leather $50
Classic Style:
For my classy peeps! Your family memories are featured in a 12x12 Album with leather and book cloth cover options and a clean bordered peekaboo image front.
FEATURES:
Thin, coffee table book pages
20-40 pages (10-20 spreads) depending on story
Semi-gloss vibrant press printed paper
Choice of leathers and bookcloth cover options
Classic, timeless appeal
12x12 large display (same size as a Vinyl Record)
Memory Journals:
OFF THE SCREEN. INTO YOUR LIFE.
Your family memories are featured in an heirloom quality fine art photo journal to be treasured for a lifetime and then passed down for generations to come.
FEATURES:
Thick, lay flat pages
20-30 pages (10-15 spreads) depending on session
Fine art matte photographic paper
Choice of leathers and bookcloth cover options
Elegant, heirloom quality
8x10 or 9x12 Size
Memory Journal:
8x10: $425
9x14: $450
Memory Session Upgrade Album to Journal:
8x10: $100
9x12: $150
UPGRADES:
Covers: Linen, Silk or Genuine Leather $50
Digital Images:
BETTER THAN CRYONICS!
Stay Fresh!
All high resolution digital images are artistically enhanced - perfect for printing, sharing and preserving your memories- without even having to freeze your body!
High res digitals come with personal and print release rights which basically means I have full custody but you get them on the weekends. Don't worry- that just means you get to do all the fun stuff! Print them as canvas, share them on Facebook and make Christmas cards to send to family and friends! Just don't manipulate or sell them and mama will be just fine...
Secret's Out!
I know you want your digital images like I want my contacts prescription. This doesn't have to be awkward like that time you leaked out to your eye doctor that you buy your glasses online. I won't take it personal and I won't patronize you by trying to convince you that my product is much better because I'm the professional.
It's 2024 and I believe in you! Take your digitals and fly free! I'll even point you in the right direction by including a few of my favorite printing labs with you!
Of course, if you want to save yourself the hassle of downloading, uploading and organizing photos in the process, order directly from your gallery! Archival prints, stunning wall art, Holiday greeting cards and more are just a few a clicks away...
At Home:
Out & About:
Session FAQ's:
What should we wear?
It's not what you wear, it's how you wear it. Confidence never goes out of style! You'll feel most confident when you're comfortable- when you feel most "yourself." Think coordinate rather than match.
When choosing your outfits, pay attention to how you feel more that how you look and if you're still confused Hello Kitty tattoos always deliver.
Can we bring our dog?
Yes please! Just let me know when you book so we can plan a dog-friendly location. Other pets are welcome too of course! Especially koala bears...
Do you charge extra for extended family?
Grandparents are on the house but each additional family is $50 per family.
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. As long as you stay flexible so shall I!
How and when do we pay?
Do you offer any discounts?
Pay a $100 retainer fee online to book your session and hold your date. Pay the rest no later than the day of your session. I take cash, check or credit.
I proudly support our military and offer Active Duty, Veterans, Reserve, Guard and their immediate family 10% off sessions.
When will we get our goodies?
Typically I have your gallery/story to you in 3 weeks but in peak seasons it may be longer. You can expect your Album to be ready 2-3 weeks after receiving your gallery/story.
Don't worry, following your session I will send you an email with timeline to keep us both on track.
Let's do this! How do we book a session?
Get in touch! Message me on social or click the button below...
Psst...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 just...well more. I have to say, some of my most challenging work has been family sessions.
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 family get-togethers. The best ones were not necessarily him looking 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 dirt road, a 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 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 on perfect smiles and styles and backdrops. It's kind of messy and stressy and it feels a little vulnerable because it really 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 (especially my mom) because of our constant bickering.
And the thing is, in the beginning right after he died I felt so much regret for all the fighting. I bargained with God and said if Bobby were still alive I wouldn't fight with him like I used to. I'd seen the light- I wouldn't let the little things get in the way. But now, after having more time to miss him and process his absence I don't make deals with God anymore. I just miss my brother. I miss our flawed relationship. I miss fighting with him- trying to explain and prove myself to him. I even miss seeking his approval.
Life is weird. Family is too.
My Family Stories:
Want to stalk each other and pretend we're good friends? Me too!
Follow me on Instagram @katieswiftphotography
thanks for stopping by!
