Deciding on where to have your portrait taken can be a trying
experience. There is no shortage of portrait studios, which are available in
ample numbers in most areas of the country. Finding a studio is certainly not
the issue, however, finding a quality studio that will provide you with a final
result that meets your stylistic and aesthetic preferences is an entirely
different story. Let's take a look at some of the key components to look for
when selecting a portrait studio.
A portrait, whether it is for yourself or you and your loved
ones together, is something that you will want to have done right the first
time. Some families that decide to have their portraits taken do so once a year
at most, while the majority may make the arrangements for a family photo shoot
only once every few years, if that. If you pay attention to the following
ideas, you may be able to help ensure that your portrait studio experience is a
positive one.
Pricing
One of the first things that you will want to consider is your
current budget in searching for the perfect portrait studio. Many studios offer
a wide range of packages, priced from below one hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. You will do yourself a huge favor in the long run, by
establishing a budget or at least a general idea on how much you intend to
spend on your portrait. One more thing to consider when it comes to price, is
that you may not always get the best quality portraits just because you are
paying more at a particular studio. However, your portraits are going to be with you for a long time, so don't skimp on value and wind up with something you won't be happy with.
Testimonials and Portfolio
Any trustworthy and reliable portrait studio will be able to
produce testimonials and references from past clients and customers. If you
were already referred to this portrait studio by a family member or trusted
friend, then this will likely not be necessary. If this is not the case, you
will want to talk to the owner or photographer about procuring some reviews and
feedback from past clientele. This may be your only way to ensure that the
studio you are going to will give you the results that you're looking for. One
other way to gauge the abilities of a portrait studio is to simply ask to see
their portfolio, which will likely show their best work. This is not always the
most reliable way to judge a studio's overall work, however, it is certainly
better than going into it with no knowledge whatsoever. You can also check on the studio's website for a portfolio, as well as links to reviews.
Indoor vs. Outdoor
Some portrait studios specialize in strictly indoor portraits
and photographs. You will want to make sure that the studio you are going with
meets your needs. If you were hoping to have your family portrait taken outside
in a snowy landscape for this year's holiday Christmas cards, then you may be
quite disappointed if the studio you select only offers indoor photographs.
Pets
Pets are a part of the family too! Some portrait studios welcome
furry creatures with open arms, as they understand no family portrait would be
complete without them. Others take a more reserved stance on allowing animals
in the studio, and if your dog or cat is a must-have in this year's family
portrait, you will want to make sure that you address this issue before you
become too set on one particular portrait studio.
Choosing a portrait studio can be an easy process if your needs
are simple. For families with pets and other specific requests, choosing a
studio carefully is very important if you are going to have a positive
experience at your next family photo shoot.
If you're located in an area served by Andrae Michaels, we encourage you to take a look at what we offer.
Our Colorado Springs Studio:
621 West Colorado Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80905
(719) 434-6534
Our Denver Studio:
110011 E. Hampden Ave.
Denver, CO 80231
(303) 368-4458
