Snap Click Snap Click Snap Click.
Sound familiar? How many shots does it take to capture your kids in the perfect light? You’ve begged, you’ve pleaded, you’ve even bribed them to pose and “say cheese”. But as summer withers away and those beach days dwindle, you find you still haven’t caught that money shot.
So, before you spend the last few weeks of the season behind the lens of your camera, try calling in one of these professionals to capture your family in their best light.
Meg Bitton Bergen based Meg came to our house ready to work. The on-location, natural light photographer arrived on time and suggested an indoor/outdoor shoot. We started the session micromanaging our kids until Meg (mother of three) assured us that she could handle our two tots without any parental involvement. So reluctantly we tried not to watch or listen too closely- Wait, was that laughter we actually heard? Approximately 80 minutes later Meg guaranteed us she had something to work with. We were still leery. But one week later, her on-line image gallery from our session revealed 20 amazing shots. Only one problem. Which ones to choose?
www.megbitton.com
Sitting Fee $350, prints start at $90
Hartshorn Portraiture Heading down the shore sometime soon? Set up a photo shoot with Mac Hartshorn. Right now through September 12th you can set up a beach session with Mac at Bay Head or LBI. Come October, they will be doing “Autumn in the Park” in Ridgewood. You can also visit their hip studio for your session. The former photog in the fashion industry wanted to bring a unique style to the business when he started his Hoboken outpost in 2002. Always on the cutting edge, Mac controls all artwork and printing in-house to create an amazing finished product. The full service studio produces everything from customized albums to Watercolor prints.
BERGENMAMA SPECIAL: Complimentary 8x10 archival print if you mention Bergenmama
www.hartshornportraiture.com
Photo sessions start at $650, prints are an additional charge
Lyn Ofrane When doing research for this article, mamas asked us, “Did you hear about the photographer who works out of her home in Teaneck?” Well, we tracked down the heirloom photographer of Bergen folklore. While sitting in her waiting room, we perused one of her custom photo books and literally shed a tear- she was no myth. Lyn Ofrane has been building her loyal clientele for over 20 years and it’s easy to see why. Before any photo shoot, Lyn consults with each client to plan the shoot for optimal results. She kept her methods secret from us, but Lyn can put even the most timid or anxious child at ease. Lyn treats her regular clients as extended family, and helps them mark the special occasions in their lives with photo books, mini photo books (perfect for the in-laws), canvases and holiday cards. She even goes as far as offering regular clients annual donations to their charities of choice.
www.lynofrane.com
Prices available upon request
Joanie Schwarz The sheer pitch and tone of Joanie Schwarz’s voice put us instantly at ease. Though she is not native to Bergen, she does travel. The Westfield based Schwarz explains that photography is 80% psychology and 20% photography, and judging from our own experience, we see her point. After working for 25 years on book covers and top magazines, Joanie decided to change direction and go private. She specializes in kids and families. The self-proclaimed dog lover also photographs pets! Animals are welcome on the shoot and her pooch is available for play-dates during the session. Her main goal is to make sure her clients leave satisfied. She has even been known to visit clients’ homes and help them select the perfect photo for a specific wall.
www.joanieschwarzphotography.com
Sitting fee is $300, prints start at $90
Marcia Ciriello When you think photographer, it conjures up an image of a cool bohemian who sees art through a lens. Marcia Ciriello is exactly that image in real life. She’s just a super cool chick who takes great photos. Recently featured on “Bethenny Getting Married” on Bravo TV, Marcia was the shutter fly in charge of Bethenny’s pregnancy photo session. She encourages parents to bring a duffel bag full of clothing options for everyone, especially kids. She never wants the end result to scream “photo session!”. Marcia has been known to serve up drippy ice cream cones for those messy face photos. She loves when her subjects forget she’s there and let her snap away.
www.marciaciriellophotography.com
Photo sessions start at $750/hour, prints are an additional charge
Tara McGlinchey When her hobby became a passion, Tara McGlinchey became a modern lifestyle photographer full time. She enjoys shooting outside and waiting for the perfect moment to snap the shot. She offers storyboards, collages, holiday cards and for those who just can’t decide which shots to keep, a digital photobox. The digital photobox comes with a full set of all prints as well as the digital images enclosed in a pretty keepsake box. Tara also offers mini sessions, an abbreviated version of her full session, which last 45 minutes and result in 8-10 images.
www.taramcglinchey.com
Photo sessions start at $250/hour, prints are an additional charge
So stop going stalker on your kids and book a photo session.
Trust us, it’s a snap.
