900 Fan Appreciation Giveaway!

Alright so, I know I'm getting this up a little late, but I wanted to wait for a few amazing vendors to join. The giveaway is running from September 30 until I reach1,100 fans so spread the word! There will be a winner for each item picked via random.org. The winners will have 48 hours to claim their prize then it will go to the next winner. You must email me to collect the prize (hfjernigan@gmail.com) & I will send your info onto the vendor. Good Luck!! Here are the rules:

1. Post on your facebook page "@HeatherAshleyPhotography is having a giveaway on the blog, come enter to win great prizes!" Make sure you use the @ symbol to tag the page & leave a link to the blog. Come back & leave a comment saying you did it
2. Like all of the facebook pages, tell them thanks for the giveaway at @HeatherAshleyPhotography, then come back here & leave another comment saying you did it
3. Follow this blog (click the button on the top left corner). Leave a third comment saying you've done it

EXTRA ENTRIES

4. Follow me on twitter @HeatherAPhotog, leave a 4th comment

5. Leave a comment letting me know which item you'd most like to win & add in something else they do that you love

Lauren Lehmuth Photography

Free session only good for Northern VA (email me if you're unsure if you qualify). If you are in this area & want to win, leave an additional comment stating so!

Heather Ashley Photography

Free prints only available on future session & only good for Culpeper, VA & immediate surrounding areas (email me if you're unsure if you qualify) Leave an additional comment to win this! 

 Punk A Doo's

Handmade cards, blank on the inside

Handmade M/L apron

 Lauren Lehmuth Photography

Free session. Only available to Northern VA

 Creations By Lore

Headband

 Love That! Crochet

Chin strap beanie. Color is winner's choice!

The Little Things

 Headband

 Nataschas Silky Creations

Headband

 Simplistic Inspirations

Hair clip. Blue headband not included
Winner pays shipping

 KNP Actions & Templates

Brilliant eye candy action

 The Embellished Baby

 $25 Gift Certificate

 Splash of Color by Moonlight

$30 Gift Certificate

Shawna Photography

Prints are free, winner pays shipping

Little Whimsy Wears

Robot Bandana Bib (perfect for drooling little guys!)

Heather Ashley Photography

2 Free Prints with next photo session (any size 8x10 & smaller, must be booked in 2011, but session can occur any time there after)

Little Pumpkin LoveLittle Pumpkin Love
Can be added to a clip or head band

Professional Photography

Professional Photography: The difference between corporate studios & pro photographers

Working in corporate/ chain studios for 7+ years taught me the basics of photography. Experiencing the drawbacks and limitations during those years left me with the desire to do more. After learning I was expecting my third child, I decided to pursue photography as an individual professional. I dabbled in on-location photography while working in the studios, but now handle on-location exclusively. This endeavor has taught me exactly why professional photographers also known as on-location and individual studio photographers are clearly the better investment.

In the corporate studios, we were made to follow certain poses and not often asked to think outside of the box to try something new which is tough for those parents that like their children's photos taken often. They end up getting the same posing (and backgrounds) over and over. On location, the opportunities are limitless! If we can get to it, we can photograph it!

The corporate studios are mainly sales driven. They do what it takes to get the most money out of you and, I have to admit, the majority of the time you're getting someone who has had very little training and is definitely not worth $250+ for a CD. Part time employees are hired mainly so the one or two full time employees can have a day off. Part time employees are usually in school and using the job as something to make a few bucks until they graduate. Those part timers go through about a week of training and are then on their own. Now, of course, being a manager I would come to their rescue when needed. Being someone who loves photography, it drove me mad to see someone get terrible photos, but during the holidays? Not a chance I could step in! Managers are forced through corporate policy to book appointments every 10 minutes during the busy seasons and those corporations want the more experienced employees to remain out front doing sales and ensuring things run smoothly. So, not only are you ONLY getting 10 minutes in the camera room, but odds are you're getting it with someone not too experienced.

A photographer running their own business is in this because they love what they do. They get overjoyed when they get that “perfect shot”, then run home and immediately show it to friends and family. They are constantly learning. You don't have your lighting and camera settings set for you on your own. You have to learn how to do that and so much more to earn and keep your client's business. We're constantly looking for new ideas for posing, locations, fun props and themes. I've seen photographers that have been doing this on their own for years and still come to fellow photographers for advice, because the world of professional photographers is always changing and growing. A 10 minute session with a professional photographer is unheard of as we are not limited by corporate mandates, but rather inspired by our own desire to meet and exceed our clients and our own expectations. We then spend many hours editing your photographs to make them perfect for you. It takes a lot of heart, time, and patience and we wouldn't have it any other way. As a result, many of us often develop long-standing relationships with clients as we've watched their families grow which only enriches the experience and product of your captured memories.

So, the next time you glance at a professional photographer's prices, remember to keep in mind all you're getting with us and all you're missing in those corporate studios. Not to mention, their prices are rising so quickly they will soon charge more than most of us! I could go on about why individual photographer's are the true professionals, but all you really need to do to see for yourself is compare a friend's photo taken at one of those studios to a photo taken by someone on their own like the amazing Laura Gordon & Rachel Brenke and let the quality speak for itself. This profession is not just a paycheck. This business is our passion and the proof is in the picture.