Hello, Amare families!
My name is Shelby – I’m going to be taking school portraits of your children again this year, and I am already so excited and grateful. I’ve gotten to meet some of you, or we’ve at least met through emails if you’ve had a child at Amare the last 5 years — but for anyone new, I wanted to introduce myself and my approach to school portraits.
First off, I couldn’t be more excited to be providing you with Fine Art School Portraits. I believe strongly in their value, and I want to provide an amazing, easy, and more personal experience to all the families at the schools who have chosen me to photograph their children.
A little about me: I have been photographing weddings and a variety of portraits full-time for close to a decade. In 2018, I came across this new approach to school portraits and immediately started making plans to transition out of weddings and into schools, while continuing my family and lifestyle newborn portraits. I’m a Nashville girl; 9-years-married to a kind & hardworking mandolinist, and we are expecting a baby in the spring.
Some questions you may have:
What is a fine art school portrait?
Fine Art School Portraits are a new approach to school photos. No cheesy, inauthentic smiles or strange, distracting backgrounds. The background will be black and the photos will be simple and classic. Instead of forcing a cheesy or unenthused grin, I will encourage the children to be themselves and will do my best to capture a small variety of their unique expressions.
Click to see more Example Photos and read more about my approach!
When will Shelby will be taking photos at Amare?
This Wednesday, October 23rd and this Thursday, October 24th
The school staff will let you know which day we expect your kids to go. Just planning to have your kids picture-ready on both days is a safe bet, if their outfit/hairstyle is important to you!
If needed, I will schedule one final Makeup Day before Christmas Break, to get absentees.
What should my child wear?
Please follow Amare’s normal dress code! I recommend avoiding graphics, text, or neon clothing. All shots are shoulder/chest-up. Remember the background will be black, and choose accordingly!
Are these portraits expensive?
No! Don’t let the “fine art” title scare you — these are still school photos, and are priced accordingly! Very comparable to the big, traditional school portrait companies.
How will I order?
Within three weeks of our last photo day (Oct 24th), you will be emailed the link to a school proofing gallery. There will be 2-5 images of each child. Images will be given in both color and black + white. I do not choose which photos you print; you do. You will be able to order prints, canvas wraps, digital files, and retouching services directly from the viewing gallery. The ordering process is simple and secure. Once the galleries are released, the gallery will be live for about 14 days. ALL PRINT ORDERS MUST BE PLACED IN THAT TWO WEEK PERIOD. Once orders have been placed, your photos and/ or canvases will be delivered to your school within 4 weeks. (Digital files are automatically emailed immediately after your purchase, and there is no time limit/due date on purchasing digital files!)
Thank you for reading this! I am honored and excited to be providing these portraits for Amare. I so look forward to this every year! I hope to craft portraits that do your children justice, and I hope you cherish these photos.
Grace & peace,
Shelby
