|
|
|
|
Vol. LXV, No. 39
|
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vol. LXV, No. 39
|
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
|
 FRIENDLY PHOTOS: “Custom portraiture is different. Every family is different; every child is different. It’s important to capture that moment and tell that child’s story.” Erica Haller of Erica Haller Photography specializes in maternity, newborn, and family photography. |
“I look forward to every session. Yesterday, I couldn’t wait for my one-year-old client to come in! It’s so important that I make this a very special occasion. The mom has planned for this day. With children’s photography, in order to capture a moment, you have to be patient and take the time the child needs.”
Photographer Erica Haller is enthusiastic about her very young clients and their mothers. When she opened the Erica Haller Photography studio at 52 Route 33 in Hamilton six months ago, she looked forward to capturing memorable moments with her camera, and creating images that can last a life-time.
Photography is actually a second career for Ms. Haller. She has a degree in finance, and worked for Dow Jones. Then, taking time off to stay home with her second child, she discovered the power of photography.
“I had always liked photography, and I started taking classes as a hobby,” she explains. “I found I liked it even more than I realized, and wanted to learn all I could. I started with film; I loved that, and it was all black and white. It was a great way to learn. With film, you have 36 exposures to get what you want. You have to be really careful to prepare and set up the shot. It was very important that I learned with film.”
Digital World
Of course, it’s a digital world these days, and that has resulted in enormous changes in the entire photography business. On the other hand, some things haven’t changed. As Ms. Haller points out, the composition of each photo is so important.
“With digital, you can take thousands of pictures, but you don’t want to have to look at thousands of images to find the best one. You still must be very careful to set up what you want.”
Getting it right is crucial, and the advent of digital photography has created many options.
“The purchase of my first DSLR took photography to a whole new level for me,” she explains. “A camera that can capture more colors than the human eye can see makes an imaginable art possible. To me that is what photography is — an art.
“I started out just wanting to take pictures,” she continues. “But I changed my perspective. I wanted to create art, and photography is the medium.”
It all began when friends started asking her to take pictures of their children. She had found her niche, and custom portraiture became her specialty, with newborns, young children, and expectant mothers as the main focus.
Family Portrait
The majority of clients come to the studio, but Ms. Haller also goes to people’s houses and to events, such a baptisms, and to other locations, including parks and the beach.
One of the most important things for me is the planning,” she says. “Before they even come in, I want to learn about them, their home, other children, etc. Our goal is to create wall art. It’s the story of their family. Sometimes, siblings will come too, and we get the beginning of a family portrait.
“Also, we try to make it an experience for them. We give them something to eat and drink, and we have toys and dress-up outfits. All the props. And if it’s a first birthday, we have a ‘cake smash’ for them. We work with a baker, and the mom chooses a small cake for the child. Then, they can have fun with the cakes, get it all over everything, and we get some great pictures.”
A typical session for a child is one hour, and some are very happy with the experience. Others may be uncertain. “If they get overwhelmed, we take a break. We want it to be a happy experience. Some of the kids just love it — they can be real hams. Others can be very shy.”
Newborns — five to 10 days old — are often photographed in black and white because Ms. Haller believes it adds an emotional dimension and intensity. “Sometimes with newborns, we can spend three hours. Mostly, they’re sleeping, but then they can wake up, and it will be a great moment. The sleeping shots are wonderful too.”
Because of the digital technology, customers can see all the photos on a large screen, and make their choices. “Clients can even have pictures of their own living room on the screen, and they can see which image will will look best in their home setting.”
Ms. Haller sends the images to a special lab where they are printed on specific archival photography paper. Albums of various sizes can also be created, as well as separate prints for relatives and friends. Ms. Haller does the framing as well.
“I am the only one in the area to have unique frames with interchangeable moldings and in different colors. They are perfect for the child’s room.”
Client Response
Ms. Haller is very encouraged with the clients’ responses. There has been excellent word-of-mouth and many repeat customers, who are coming from all over the area, including Princeton.
“I only schedule a certain number of sessions per week because so much planning is involved,” comments Ms. Haller. “From the first contact to the finished prints, we spend between 14 and 18 hours with each client. I work by appointment only, including weekends.
“I’m continuing to learn,” she adds. “The technology changes, and computer changes keep coming; you have to make sure that everything is backed up and that things are archived.”
The joy of photographing children and discovering that unique moment is on-going for Ms. Haller. As she notes, “As many moms will attest, children bring endless opportunities to capture a moment so precious it would be gone in a fleeting second were it not for that camera you had on hand by mere chance. That is what I want to capture in the studio. A moment in time you look back on years from now and can feel that moment through the expression in their eyes. My goal is to create beautiful artwork that you will display proudly in your home and cherish forever.”
Custom portraiture is an investment, she adds, but one that will be meaningful for years to come. Credit cards are accepted.
A grand opening will be held Saturday, October 1 with entertainment, music, refreshments, etc. Proceeds will go to raise money for Operation Smile, a charity supported by the Professional Photographers Association.
Erica Haller Photography can be reached at (609) 903-2001. Website: ericahallerphotography.com.