I only have two mini session events for the rest of the year! If you would like to be put on the waiting list for when these open up for bookings, please comment below and let me know which session and time slot you would like and I will put you on the list! First come, first served. There are only seven time slots for each of these events!
Hey, guys! Taylor is one of my senior representatives for the Class of 2015! She was amazing to work with! She used to model for a company not too far from here. We had a blast at Bays Mountain and downtown Kingsport! Taylor plays softball and basketball, she is a club member of student council, DECA, Culinary, and HOSA. Talk about a busy high school career!
Here are some of my favorites from her senior session! This young lady is going places!
If you Google “what is custom photography”, you’ll get a page full of answers from different photographers. From Wild Hearts Photography, “Custom photography means that I offer a service that is specifically “customized” to each client’s needs.” From Daisy Rain Photography, “Custom photography is about finding someone who will photograph your family, give you devoted 1:1 attention without worry of the next ‘in line’ or the feeling of a crowded portrait studio.” One studio describes custom photography as a luxury. Another says that custom photography is not for everyone. While this is all true, it all comes down to this: custom photography is just simply about you. You – the client – and your family, spouse, newborn or wedding.
Custom photography to me is also very simple. I have been taking photographs for years upon years. Portraiture has come to me more recently, and while I am still learning, it is quickly becoming my favorite thing. While there are some poses involved, a lot of my photography is candid. Before your photo session, I’ve talked with you about your style and what style you’d like for me to capture during your session. Custom photography to me is being able to create a spectacular session based on your wants, your style, and what you want to be able to display in your home, or a “custom” session. Custom photography is an investment for the future. Are you really going to want to display an awkwardly posed photo from a boring Wal-Mart session in a few years? Even in just a few months, you will probably think the white backdrop doesn’t compliment your skin tone or just simply makes everyone look unhappy. Now, let’s pretend you had a custom session with me. Imagine a beautiful canvas of a candid photo of the family all busting out laughing at your favorite park because the family dog did something goofy. You’re going to want to leave that canvas up for a while, family dog and all!
Let’s go back to where I mentioned that someone said custom photography is not for everyone. The most common reason I find that custom photography isn’t everyone’s cup of tea is because of the cost. Custom photographers charge more than your boring photography studio experience. I will get into this in my next blog post, but custom photographers (including myself) put up to 19 hours into just one session. Let’s go over that again… up to 19 hours. What do you get at Wal-Mart, Olan Mills, Target or JC Penny? A 40-ish minute session, literally zero or very little post processing, and prints that are ready same day. Say what? Same day prints sound awesome, right? I’m going to be honest, yes. Same day prints are awesome, but are they even realistic in the tiniest sense? Not really. Same day prints just tell me that no one really paid attention to your portraits and are just following the guidelines of their company and providing the paying consumer the bare minimum for their hard earned dollars. Are you really going to want to display that portrait of your newborn pride and joy if the poor thing scratched their face before the picture? I wouldn’t, and you shouldn’t.
Custom photographers pay particular attention to the details. We know that you most likely don’t want to remember that day your baby scratched their face. We know what angles look best for what body types, we know what lighting looks the best on who. Knowing that your final images are the result of your photographer actually caring about your family and the moments that happened in your favorite park, and the fact that they cared enough about them to stand by the images you receive with their name on it is enough to choose a custom photographer in itself. Custom photography is unique to you. I stand by my clients by saying that literally no two sessions of mine are the same. If I have two sessions wanting to go to the same park, I will spend my time before the session scoping out new areas in the park. That level of commitment is something that is hard to find nowadays with everything becoming streamlined to produce the quickest results. With me as your custom photographer, I can guarantee that you will never settle for anything other than custom photography again, whether you become a repeat client, or find a different photographer.
Let’s recap. Custom photography is unique to you. Custom photography is an investment for the future. Custom photography is knowing that your final images were created with love and by someone who cares about your family. And why should you choose a custom photographer? Because a studio isn’t going to put even remotely the same amount of time and love into your session. You might be paying more in the end, but the results will last a lifetime and longer.
Until next time with part two!
Lakyn
Yesterday, I had the privilege of experiencing the Mountains of Madness Fest. Band photography isn’t really my thing, but I had a lot of fun and it was a great learning experience (i.e. forever using a super fast shutter, LOL)
Well, I’ve done it… no. We have done it. I’ve gotten to 500 likes on Facebook in just a short 248 days (that’s averaging two likes a day, which is a huge deal to me) of actually having a Facebook page for my business. It wouldn’t have been possible without all the shares, likes, and comments from my supporters. It wouldn’t have been possible without the encouraging words from my parents, my grandparents, my best friends, my boyfriend, and even the occasional glance from my cats, letting me know they care just a little bit. I’ve been pushed to my limits and even thought about giving up (often times immediately followed by a naaaaaaah). I love photography so much, and thank you guys for letting me be your photographer in 2013/2014.
Okay, enough sappy stuff, let’s get on with the rules for this HUGE giveaway. I’m giving away $650 worth of sessions.
I’ll be picking three different winners for the following sessions: Belly to Baby Package, Full Session Package, Mini Session Package. All packages include sessions, free digital downloads, a print release, and a password protected viewing gallery where you can purchase prints through my professional lab.
THE RULES:
1) If you haven’t already, you must like Lakyn Hayes Photography on Facebook.
2) You must share this post on Facebook.
3) Comment and tell me which session you would like to be entered to win!
4) Tell all your friends!
The deadline to enter is July 21st, 2014, and the winners will be chosen on July 25th, 2014 via random.org. Out of state participants are welcome to enter, however will be required to cover travel costs outside of 50 miles of my studio address at .50 cents per mile. No one person will be able to win more than one prize. You cannot enter for more than one prize. All prints sold separately.
Tracy is another local photographer here in Kingsport. She runs Daisy Smiles Photography and is a huge inspiration of mine! When she contacted me to model for my upcoming My Pup and Me sessions and let me know her and Bella’s story, I couldn’t resist. Bella is such a special dog with a strong will to live, and her momma is just as special for helping her through a rough time. I’m so honored to have been able to capture these images for them and I hope they will be cherished for years to come.
I had a model call for my mini sessions coming up in August and Eli and his Great Dane, Max made the modeling cut! However, his new brother Sean got to join us! The more the merrier I say. I think they really like Max. 🙂
I wanted to fill my blog people in on a little thing I’m putting together for the first weekend in August. I’m starting to take bookings for My Pup and Me Mini Sessions for August 2nd and 3rd. Here are the details:
If you book with me before Friday, your 8″x10″ will be upgraded to an 11″x14″! This is a great value and it is helping a very important cause for our community. If you are interested in booking, there is a 25% retainer fee due to hold your date and time slot! Email lakynhayesphoto@gmail.com or message me on Facebook to book!
I’m looking for newborn models that will be born in late September! These modeling sessions will take place in October in my studio. I need these models to represent the new branding of my newborn sessions. These sessions are going to be fully styled to represent my new branding of “Pure. Vibrant. Timeless”. Forget sessions that date your images. These sessions will feature soft, vibrant colors and natural, handmade props. If you know about newborn sessions, you know that getting a free one is hard to come by! Here’s how you can apply for your baby to be a newborn model.
1) I’m looking for one baby girl and one baby boy.
2) Must be due in late September.
3) Must be willing to travel to my studio in the Kingsport, TN area.
4) Must be willing to pose with baby for at least one photo.5) Babies must be less than 14 days old on October 4th.
Please email lakynhayesphoto@gmail.com to express your interest in your baby becoming a model. Please include your name, the babies name, your due date, and why you think you’d be a good fit for this new adventure. If you are selected you will receive your maternity session for 50% off!
Hey, y’all. I’ve had such a great year and it’s only half way done! I can’t wait for the next half and what great things I just know it’s going to bring me. I am looking for testimonials and recommendations to post on a new page on my website! You’ll be featured with your name and a picture from your session! If you’d like to leave me a recommendation or testimonial, you can use this link: http://ow.ly/yCNEQ.
Here are some testimonials I’ve gotten already!
“I really love my bridal photos and wedding pictures! I had such a fun time taking them! And they turned out beautifully!”– Kylie Connelly
“Wonderful photography and really great to work with!”
– Allison Witt
“Lakyn did an amazing job with my family portraits. She was very professional but was able to maintain a carefree experience. It can get crazy sometimes trying to get a family together and picture perfect especially when animals and babies are involved, but she managed to keep it all under control. Even her ideas for poses and placement for everybody was just wonderful. I love love love all my images and can’t wait to do another session with Lakyn Hayes!”
– Britney Delgaccio
“Lakyn, you did an amazing job on all of Cooper’s birthday photos! I’m having a hard time picking out my favorites to post! I’m so proud of you & what you’ve accomplished so far & where your heading with your career! I’m excited to see how far you can go!!! Love you! And thank you again!!”
– Jonnie Hayes
“Lakyn is awesome!”
– Raechel Witt
“Excellent photographer!”
– Lee Morrall
“Done an awesome job chasing my 3 year old around and getting great shots!”
– Cheri Anderson Burke
Lakyn Hayes | Wedding Photography in Kingsport 