When to Schedule Your Senior Session | Top Tips from Buffalo Senior Photographer | Emily Karr Photography

March 26, 2019March 26, 2019 emilykarrphotography

You may be surprised to learn that you should schedule your senior photo session WHILE you are still a junior…. that’s right… BEFORE you finish your junior year. Here are several points to consider when scheduling a senior session.

Top Reasons to Schedule Your Senior Photos While You Are Still a Junior

Limited availability – Specialized photographers accept a limited number of sessions per month. Most photographers book several months in advance. You won’t want to wait until summer because you might not be able to get an appointment on the photographer’s calendar. Advance scheduling means there will be a spot reserved just for you!
Unpredictable – We totally get summer sports & summer jobs. We know you have a limited time to practice, make money & hang with friends. We also know there are extra practices added sometimes, call-ins at work & family vacations. The earlier you schedule your senior session, the more likely there will be an opportunity to reschedule if something comes up.
Planning – Emily Karr Photography specializes in custom artwork featuring you. Sometimes sessions take more time than others to plan the perfect location. We want your session to be the best experience ever & encourage you to schedule your senior session as early as possible. Planning in advance also gives you time to get your hair cut & styled, a manicure & plan the perfect outfits. Speaking of outfits… sports jerseys… if you play sports, be sure to ask your coach for access to your jersey. Some seniors have been frustrated by the inability to obtain a jersey during the summer months.
The Weather – this may seem like a lame reason, but we live in Western New York… rain & wind tend be reasons to reschedule your session. We encourage you to schedule early, again, so there are opportunities to reschedule. Weather is also a factor for those who would like winter sports images such as skiing, snowboarding & snowmobiling. We can offer you a winter session, but once the snow has melted, the opportunity has passed.
Yearbook Deadlines – Yearbook deadlines approach rapidly once you’re back in school. All of our images are hand retouched to ensure you look your very best. We do require enough leeway to get images retouched & into the yearbook advisor.
Pricing – Many photographers offer discounted pricing if you book your session early. Emily Karr Photography offers BOGO Senior Sessions. Book your session & bring a friend for free. (Feel free to charge your friend for 50% of your session fee.) Many photographers also offer booking specials & bonus products for booking early.

What’s Next?

Are you ready to get the ball rolling & book your senior session? Click the HERE to learn more & book your session.

Studio News

Journey to Master Photographer | Buffalo Newborn Photographer

March 11, 2019March 25, 2019 emilykarrphotography

In January, Emily traveled to Imaging USA, in Atlanta, GA where she was awarded her Masters of Photography Degree. You may wonder what that means exactly, so we will tell you.

A Master of Photography (M.Photog.) is awarded through demonstration of superior photographic skills in the International Photographic Competition. It’s necessary to earn 13 exhibition merits plus 12 additional service merits to achieve this prestigious degree. Emily achieved each of these merits with solely client work, including newborns, high school seniors, & weddings.

PRESS RELEASE:

Springville, NY Photographer Earns Master of Photography & Bronze Medal for 3^rd Year in a Row in International Photographic Competition

Emily Robinson, M.Photog., CPP, QNP of Emily Karr Photography was recognized for superior image making and photographic service with a degree from Professional Photographers of America in Atlanta, GA on January 21, 2019—Emily Robinson of Emily Karr Photography in Springville, NY has earned the Master of Photography degree from Professional Photographers of America (PPA). The degree was presented to Robinson by PPA President Stephen Thetford, M.Photog.Cr., CPP, at the association’s annual convention, Imaging USA, held January 20-22, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Master of Photography degree is not merely a piece of paper. It means that Robinson has met the standards of excellence set forth by PPA. She has been awarded this degree in recognition of her superior photographic competence demonstrated through photographic competition, advanced education and service to the profession. In 2019, she was one of only 95 recipients internationally. Robinson’s degrees—and all the expertise they require—illustrate her accomplishments and talent as one of a select few.

Robinson also received a Bronze Medal in the International Photographic Competition for the 3^rd Year in a Row for her newborn work. All meriting images were captured during actual client sessions. Robinson strives to create artistic, competition worthy images for her clients in every session. She feels that when clients are looking for a professional photographer, quality should surpass quantity. She feels that images of your loved ones should be displayed throughout your home for generations to admire & she feels so blessed to work in a job she loves.

Robinson earned her Certified Professional Photographer in 2012. She became Certified in Newborn Safety in 2018 & earned her Qualified Newborn Photographer in 2019. She feels safety is a very important aspect that is often overlooked in the photographic industry, especially where newborns are concerned. She wants her clients to know that safety is something she takes very seriously. She also feels that photographers should continue to hone their craft & always be open to learning. She loves learning new techniques as well as teaching & mentoring other photographers.

Robinson was also elected to PPA Councilor in 2018 & will serve a 3-year term representing PPA & the photographers in New York. Emily Karr Photography is a boutique studio which has become a destination for newborn portraits as well as high school senior photos. Emily also accepts a limited number of local & worldwide weddings each year so she can devote one-on-one attention to her clients. She also offers mentoring to fellow photographers & has recently formed a new PPSNYS Chapter, Western New York which meets monthly in her studio.

About PPA Professional Photographers of America (PPA) is the largest and longest-standing nonprofit photography trade association with a 150-year history. It currently helps 30,000+ pros elevate their craft and grow their business with resources, protection, and education, all under PPA’s core guiding principle of bridging the gap between photographers and consumers.

For more information about scheduling a consultation or session, or for mentoring opportunities, please contact:

Emily Robinson, M.Photog., CPP, QNP

716.794.3161 | emily@emilykarr.com | www.emilykarr.com

Emily is proud to be able to create merit-worthy images in her day-to-day portrait sessions & strives to “get it right in camera”. When clients choose Emily Karr Photography, they’re choosing quality imagery with a custom tailored experience they can’t get anywhere else. Emily knows it’s an honor to be trusted with brand new, delicate babies & once in a lifetime moments in clients’ lives. With once in a lifetime moments, there are no do-overs. If you’re looking for quality, one of a kind newborn photos, high school senior portraits or wedding photography, look no further.

Uncategorized

When to Schedule Your Newborn Photo Shoot | Top Tips from Emily Karr Photography

January 25, 2019March 24, 2019 emilykarrphotography

You may be surprised to learn that you should schedule your baby’s newborn photos WHILE you are still pregnant…. that’s right… BEFORE you have your baby. Here are several points to consider when scheduling a newborn session.

Top 5 Reasons to Schedule Your Newborn Session While You Are Pregnant

Limited availability – Specialized photographers accept a limited number of newborns per month. Most book several months in advance. You won’t want to wait until after your baby is born to schedule your newborn photo session because you might not be able to get an appointment on the photographer’s calendar. Advance scheduling means there will be a spot reserved just for you!
Unpredictable – Newborns often arrive on their own schedule… Unless you have a c-section planned, your baby could arrive 2 weeks before or 2 weeks after your due date. That is a window of an entire month! Experienced newborn photographers are aware of this & schedule clients accordingly.
Baby’s Age – Most newborn photographers prefer to capture newborn photos before your baby is ten days old. Newborns under 10 days old still enjoy being curled up in womb-like poses & this is the stage you’re going to want to remember. If an extended hospital stay is required, don’t worry, we’ll still get beautiful images for you!
Planning – Emily Karr Photography specializes in custom artwork featuring your family. Sometimes sessions take more time than others to plan, obtain props, etc. We want your session to be the best experience ever & encourage you to schedule your newborn session as early as possible & while you are still pregnant.
Maternity Session – many newborn photographers also offer maternity sessions. Celebrate the miracle of pregnancy with a maternity session! At Emily Karr Photography, we create a belly cast during your maternity session. This is a very unique & personal prop. We will pose your baby in it during your newborn session. There’s truly no prop like it!

What’s Next?

Do you want to learn more about a Newborn Photo Session with Emily Karr Photography? Are you ready to book your own buffalo newborn photo session? Please complete this contact form & we’ll be in touch soon!

Uncategorized

Top Baby Gadgets of 2018

January 1, 2019 emilykarrphotography

There are literally MILLIONS of baby gadgets out there & the process of choosing may seem quite daunting. We’ve polled our clients & consulted some trustworthy resources to bring you a list of some of the best baby gadgets of 2018. As a parent, I always looked for products that would make life with a baby easier. I always valued data like this. Who has time to research it all? We use some of these in studio & just love them.

The Baby Shusher – Sleep Miracle Soother. We LOVE the baby shusher & use it during our newborn photo sessions. It provides a constant shushing sound that soothes baby back to sleep. Many of our parents have purchased one & say they’d never go without it.

Fisher Price Rock ‘N Play Sleeper with Smart Connect has two speeds & two customizable modes for nap-time or nighttime. It plays soothing sounds & music, has a light show & optional vibration. Control the rock ‘n play sleeper from the convenience of your smart phone. Let’s face it – sometimes you just need a safe, soothing place to entertain baby while you’re making dinner.

Baby Brezza Formula Pro – this thing is unreal. It’s like a Keurig for babies! Fill the separate water & powdered formula reservoirs then, at the push of a button, get a bottle of perfectly mixed formula at the perfect feeding temp. No more measuring, mixing or heating in the middle of the night.

Infant Optics Baby Monitor – has an interchangeable lens so you can get the best viewing angle of your baby. This may seem silly but not all nurseries are created equal & sometimes you need to zoom in or prefer a wider angle. You can pan/tilt/zoom remotely as well.

Baby Brezza Food Pouches – baby food is pricey & many parents prefer to know exactly what baby is eating. These pouches are great! They’re inexpensive, reusable, durable, have a wide opening to easily fill them & they’re dishwasher safe!

Nested Bean Zen Swaddle – can’t swaddle to save your life? No problem! These little swaddle sacks are awesome! They are so easy anyone can use them. Our parents have reported the swaddle sacks with velcro closure often startle their babies, so this one is a top pick. The sacks are lightly weighted to mimic the feeling of being held. Parents say their babies sleep longer & more soundly within a few days of using these. Who couldn’t use a little more sleep?

We hope this list was helpful & you’ve enjoyed learning about some of the top baby items our parents can’t live without!

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Meet Addison | Derby NY Newborn Photographer |Emily Karr Photography

December 31, 2018 emilykarrphotography

Meet Addison | Derby NY Newborn Photographer | Emily Karr Photography

Capturing Addison’s newborn photos was a bitter sweet experience for me. You see, I watched her mother grow into a young woman. She use to babysit my own children, and I photographed her wedding a few short years ago. First of all, it made me realize that I am getting OLD. Secondly, it made me realize how quickly time passes. I realized in that moment, that my kids are about ready to fly the coop. Where did all of that time go? I started thinking back to when my own children were newborns and now, they’re both driving & nearly out of high school. I hope I’ve given them all of the survival tactics they need to encounter this crazy world we live in. Anyway, I digress.

Addy was just perfect for her newborn photo session! She didn’t make a peep & seeing the pure joy on her parents’ faces gave me a warm fuzzy feeling. I really am very blessed to have such wonderful clients who have become friends through the years. It’s truly an honor to watch their families grow. Tiff & Jake, thank you so much for sharing your sweet little 7 pound, 4 ounce bundle of joy with me! She truly is a treasure & I look forward to watching her grow.

Have you ever seen such an inquisitive 6 day old baby girl???

So much love in one image…

All furs & wraps from Custom Photo Props

Backdrops from Intuition Backgrounds

I just love newborn photos with simple set ups that allow the baby to really shine. Isn’t she precious?!

To Book Your Own Session or For More Information:

A limited number of Signature Newborn photo sessions are available each month. To inquire & schedule your own free consult, please email us at emily@emilykarr.com or call 716-794-3161.

To view more newborn photo session images, please visit our portfolio

Uncategorized

HOLIDAY mini Sessions with Emily Karr Photography

November 12, 2018December 7, 2018 emilykarrphotography

Holiday Mini Sessions are HERE!

Thanksgiving is my favorite time of year. The whole family gets together. First we accomplish all of the food prep. Then we play games, watch movies & relax while the amazing smells fill the house. Each year following dinner, we look at the old framed portraits of our ancestors on my mom’s living room wall. The kids affectionately refer to them as “the scary people” because no one ever smiled. Cameras were not as advanced as they are today & it took minutes to capture one image. As a result, people had to stay in the same pose, with the same expression, for minutes at a time. Can you imagine? Each year, we also take new photos. It’s important to remember the new babies, toothless smiles, soon-to-be-leaving-the-nest teenagers and our elders. The older I get, the more I realize how short life is & how tomorrow isn’t really promised to anyone. Memories return because of photos & I encourage you to make photos part of your holiday family traditions each year. Cherish your images while you’re here & leave something behind so future generations can get to know you. It’s really pretty incredible to look back through old photos and see how far we’ve come.

This year, we’re pleased to offer 2 different holiday mini session options. Read on to discover all of the reasons why you need to book your holiday mini session with Emily Karr Photography.

OPTION 1: Oh What Fun! Holiday Mini Sessions

Geared towards children & the magic of the season, we have several stops built within our Christmas set. Our first stop is a bed with holiday stories. Bring your favorite holiday book or use one of ours. Kids can wear holiday sweaters, dress clothes or pajamas in this set. Our second stop is a Christmas tree w/ presents. Holiday attire is great here! Finally, they’ll stop at our outdoor scene complete with snowy trees, sled & park bench. We recommend either holiday sweaters, dress clothing or outdoor winter attire with this set. All three looks are included in your session. You can change clothing if you wish, but it is not a requirement.

When: November 12 – November 20, 2018 (appointment required)

Session Fee: $50 – weekend session, $25 – weekday session. Portrait packages range from $95-$395 with many unique add ons, or you can purchase a la carte.

Remember the magic of Christmas. Get your holiday cards out of the way & get a great gift for grandparents while you’re at it!

OPTION 2: Home for the Holidays Mini Sessions

Home for the Holidays Mini Sessions are perfect for everyone! They are designed to be quick & painless & are a gift that everyone will love. Sessions are captured on a timeless grey toned backdrop which will match any decor.

Session Ideas: Traditional Family Portraits (parents & kids), Generational Family Portraits (great-grandmother, grandmother, mom, children), Siblings, Engaged couples, Expectant parents

When: November 23-December 4, 2018 (appointment required)

Session Fee: $50 November 23rd & weekends, $25 weekdays. Portrait packages range from $95-$395 with many unique add ons, or you can purchase a la carte.

What To Expect

Expect great images at a great price! Our mini sessions are an affordable way to get quality images at a fraction of the cost. Take advantage of these great offers while they last! Sessions last approximately 30 minutes and are held in our Western New York Studio located at 84 East Main Street, Springville, NY 14141. Images will be back in time for Christmas gift giving as long as you return to place your order before December 10, 2018 (appointments will be scheduled before you leave your portrait session). All orders must be picked up by 12/22/18 as our studio will be closed from 12/23/18-01/02/19. Happy Holidays! We can’t wait to meet you guys!

Services

To All Moms | Buffalo Newborn Photographer

September 20, 2018December 7, 2018 emilykarrphotography

To All the Moms, Old & New | A message from a Buffalo Newborn Photographer

Read more for a special message & offer from Buffalo Newborn Photographer, Emily Karr Photography…

If you’re a mom, you know that those first few weeks with your new baby are exhausting. You may pray they go by quickly so you can get some relief from the spit up, dirty diapers, crying & sleepless nights. I promise you that it will go by more quickly than you ever dreamed. I truly believe Trace Adkins said it best with his song, “You’re gonna miss this”.

You’re gonna miss this… You’re gonna want this back…You’re gonna wish these days hadn’t gone by so fast.

It really does go by in the blink of an eye. Everyone says it & you may not believe it yet, but you will. I’ve been there too. My kids are pretty much all grown up & the moments that they actually need me are rare these days. I constantly question where those sweet babies I brought home from the hospital went.

Certified Professional Newborn Photographer Mom & Baby

Why am I telling you all of this?

There are some moments in life where hiring a professional photographer is the best decision you can make. The first year has some of the most important milestones in a baby’s life. Your baby will grow & change so much that first year… She will learn to roll, sit, stand, walk & talk… her little personality will develop into the future woman she’ll become…

This is the beginning of her entire life… How will you remember it??

Professional Photography

I encourage all new parents to invest in professional newborn photography within the first 5-7 days. Your baby will never be as little as they are when you bring them home from the hospital. Celebrate & document that littleness before it’s gone. I have spent years mentoring with some of the best professionals in the photographic industry to develop a style that is safe for your baby & one that produces beautiful images time & again. Sharp, beautifully styled & edited images to remember these moments are what you should be after & are what I deliver. Someday your baby will wonder what she looked like when she was fresh & new. Will you have images to show her?

Print, Print, Print!

How many of you dislike your wedding images or failed to print a single one off the disk you were given? I hear that a lot in this business & it breaks my heart… the most important moments in your life are the ones that you should have displayed on your walls. They should not be sitting in a junk drawer, unprinted and unadmired. Wake up to them in the morning. Let them be the last thing you see before turning in at night. Marvel at how your family has grown. Show your children that they’re important & they matter. Let your images be the one material possession you would grab in the event of a natural disaster.

Quality Rather Than Quantity

At Emily Karr Photography, Buffalo Newborn Photographers focus on quality rather than quantity. We’ve spent 20 years in training to “get it right” & we take the time that is needed to get the very best for you. We know custom photography can be a bit pricey for some, but we promise you, it’s worth it. We wanted to let you know that budget friendly options DO exist. If you want the full experience & have to have all of your images, payment plans exist… if you’re happy with a handful of high quality images to remember this stage, there are shorter sessions for that too. We can capture the moment, or we can capture the whole story… that decision is entirely up to you. Regardless of which option you choose, know that you will always get our very best. To view some sample images, please visit our newborn gallery.

Special Offer

If you took the time to read this entire blog post, thank you!

To get started, here’s a sweet little offer for you…. We are offering $99 Newborn session fees now through October 31, 2018!

To reserve a spot on our calendar, you must pay your session fee & complete an in-person or telephone consult by October 31, 2018. Your session must take place before June 30, 2019. A limited number of these sessions exist, so book early to ensure availability. Your session will include up to 90 minutes of in-studio session time with the newborn only. You can add parents & siblings & we will cover this in the consultation. Adding parents/siblings will also add some time to your session. You can expect to view approximately 20-25 images from this session at your reveal appointment approximately 2 weeks after the session. You’ll get to choose your favorite images & place your order at the Reveal. This offer covers the session fee only. All prints & products are purchased separately. All newborn sessions must be booked by two weeks prior to your baby’s due date to ensure we have room in our calendar. Ideally, these sessions will be booked by 32 weeks gestation to give us plenty of time to plan for your custom session.

Services

Buffalo Photographer | 1st Place in 2018 Shutterfest Image Competition

April 12, 2018April 12, 2018 emilykarrphotography

Buffalo Photographer Earns 1st Place and 3 Merits at 2018 Shutterfest Image Competition

If this Buffalo Photographer has been quiet for awhile, it’s because I was out of town for a bit. I had the opportunity to attend Shutterfest in St. Louis, MO again this year. Shutterfest is an event like no other. There are speakers galore… concept shoots going on long into the night… models everywhere & lots of networking. My friend & long time mentor, Sal Cincotta, has run this event for the past 5 years & it just keeps getting bigger & better. If you’re a photographer, you should totally check it out. The Shutterfest crew is like family & they’re so happy to help one another out.

Part of the Shutterfest experience is the image competition. People ask me all of the time why I compete. I do it for several reasons. The feedback you get from judges is invaluable. I’m not perfect; no one is. If I can learn a way to better my images or be more creative, it only helps my clients & my everyday work. I compete in several competitions each year for the feedback. For those of you who don’t know about image competition, a score of 80 or above is “deserving of a merit”. 76-79 is considered average. I strive for at least an 80 with every image I capture in my Buffalo newborn photo sessions, Springville senior photo sessions & Western New York weddings. My clients are important to me & creating quality imagery is paramount. I want my clients to look back at their images every day & love them.

Merited Images:

This year the following images merited. There is a story behind every image & I’ll share a little bit of each one with you.

“Woodwind”
This is Sarah. She is a class of 2018 West Valley High School graduating senior. She plays the flute & I wanted to do something creative. “Woodwind” is the perfect title for Sarah’s blowing hair, music & her woodwind instrument. It was a pleasure creating this image for her & I look forward to creating fun images for the class of 2019 Senior Photos I’ll begin capturing in the next few months.

“A REAL Doll”

This image was a true pleasure to create. You see, I captured their parent’s wedding several years ago… Then, 4 years ago, I captured Morgan’s newborn & then her milestone photos. I love watching my EKP families grow & was so happy when their beautiful mama contacted me & said they were expecting Kate. Kate was a dream baby to work with & I’m so blessed to have captured so many milestones for this wonderful family.

“Return to Sender”

This image was also a ton of fun to create. Are you wondering why Carson is dressed as a UPS worker? His Dad works for UPS so we wanted to tie that in to make something extra special for him! I did change the UPS logo to OPS to avoid any copyright issues for image competition, but you get the idea… My goal when I photograph every family is to tell a story… lots of times 2-4 year old siblings are rather unsure of their new sibling & I recall wanting my own mother to return my brother when he appeared one day too. Haha. Carson was actually quite sweet to Benson & I’m forever grateful to this family for trusting me to capture their most prized treasures.

The biggest surprise with this image is it won FIRST PLACE in the Children’s Category! It was such an honor to earn this award & be featured with the best of the best. I’m very grateful for my clients & to my mentors.

To see all of the winners, click here http://shutterfest.com/image-competition-winners-gallery/

Want to book your own session?

Want to book your own award winning newborn photo shoot or senior photo session with this Certified Professional Buffalo Photographer? Complete the attached form & someone will get back to you soon. We love what we do & cannot wait to meet you! [wpforms id=”744″]

buffalo newborn photographer, mercy hospital baby photographer

Services

Cheektowaga Newborn Photos | The Thomas Family

March 13, 2018March 13, 2018 emilykarrphotography

Cheektowaga Newborn Photos | Welcome Brett

In January, the Thomas Family visited us for newborn photos. Brett’s family opted for a Signature Newborn Session because they wanted to capture their newest addition, Brett & his siblings. He was accompanied by his two beautiful sisters, Ava & Callie. Brett was already 6 1/2 weeks old by the time he came in for his session but as you see, we were still able to get beautiful images of him & his family.

Some Notes About Capturing Older Baby Photos

Some newborn photographers will not work with older babies because quite frankly, it’s generally more difficult. After about 10 days, babies don’t pose as easily because they’ve learned they have space to move & stretch. They don’t sleep as long or as soundly either. At Emily Karr Photography, we never refuse older babies. We love working with babies of all ages. While poses of older babies may be different than poses of brand new babies, we still produce beautiful newborn photos that you will cherish for generations.

We encourage all clients to schedule their newborn photo session within the first 7 days after birth for the greatest possible outcome. If your baby needs extra support after he or she is born though, please don’t worry. We encourage all parents to follow our newborn photo prep guide as well.

Want to learn more about the types of newborn sessions we offer? Click HERE.

Ready to book your own newborn Session? Please complete this contact FORM.

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Products

Springville Newborn Photographer | Canvas Scrolls

February 5, 2018March 9, 2018 emilykarrphotography

Springville Newborn Photographer

NEW PRODUCT – Canvas Scrolls

Emily Karr Photography, Western New York’s premier newborn photographer, located in Springville, NY (just 30 minutes south of Buffalo) is SO EXCITED to announce a brand new fine art product.

Buffalo Newborn Photos Fine Art Canvas Scroll

We now have canvas scrolls! These art pieces are beautifully printed on top quality canvas, in our Springville, New York studio. They are constructed with locally sourced hardwood & easy to hang with a jute twine hanger. The canvases are UV coated to create an archival product that will last for generations.

If you’re looking for a truly unique fine art piece, these are the canvases for you. They are so beautiful in person that you really will fall in love with them! Kindly pardon these quick phone pics 🙂

Java Center Newborn Photos Canvas Scroll One of our favorite things to capture during a Signature Newborn session is the sibling relationship in your family. There are lots of creative ways we can accomplish this & our Western New York parents always love having a truly timeless image with all of their children in it.

Our Canvas Scrolls will be included in our February Specials to celebrate their arrival.

Want your own Canvas Scroll? Contact us here to inquire about your own custom photo session.