cropping

**click to enlarge**
I can't remember if I have posted about cropping here on the blog before. If not, it's worth revisiting. This is the same image cropped to various sizes. A 4x6 allows for the most room on the long end of the image. 16x20 and 8x10 crop into the image the most. This can be frustrating if you have a portrait of a child standing and using most of the vertical space. Cropping to an 8x10 might chop off part of the head or some precious little toes. If you get a cd from me and find that printing a certain size is cutting too much into your image, let me know and I'll help you through it. There may be more space in the original file or I might be able to add more digitally.

cute bookmarks!

Just thought I'd share Megan's Valentine's. :)

LOVE Letters

Wow, it's been a while. My New Year's Resolution is definitely to keep this blog updated. It was quite a busy and stressful Fall in the Mandel house. I am ready for 2009! Our LOVE Letters mini-sessions are just around the corner. This year, there are several digital packages to choose from. Each one has a freebie or popular discounted product.

The Hug - $300
This includes:
* 30-minute session
* A high resolution cd of gallery images including one image spelling out a
LOVE letter word
* Your choice of 25 postcards, 50 bookmarks, or 50 mini-folding cards

The Kiss - $400
This includes:
* 30-minute session
* High resolution cd of gallery images including one image spelling a LOVE
letter word
* One framed storyboard

The Whole Package - $500
This includes:
* 30-minute session
* High resolution cd of gallery images including one image spelling out a
LOVE letter word
* Your choice of 25 postcards, 50 bookmarks, or 50 mini-folding cards
* One framed storyboard

To book your session, a $150 deposit is needed. The other $150 is due at the time of your session. After you view your proofs, you can decide which package you'd like to go with.

Apple Farm

Last year I posted about Riley's Farm. It's so much fun. This year, we went to parts of it that we've missed in years past. It wasn't crisp and cool like usual, it was hot! I met up with some photographer friends and their kids. I thought I'd share some photos from our day. ;)

Since it was so hot, we let the kids run through the sprinklers. I love this shot of my friend's little girl. Getting wet sounded fun at first....

Colors!!!! And a Mini-Session Update....

I was recently asked what color backgrounds are available so since I made this little guide, I thought I'd share it here on the blog. The paper backgrounds (everything except black, white, and multi) are best for babies and close-ups. Click the image to enlarge:
An update on Fall sessions....Saturday mini-sessions are booked through November but I will be starting a waiting list. If there are just a few families on the waiting list, I may just add them at the beginning or end of one of the days that is already scheduled. Or I might do a day in early December. Weekday sessions are still available.

Fall Schedule Updates

I hope some of you still check this blog. It's a lot easier than doing a newsletter. I wanted to let you know that there will be no more weekend dates added to the calendar until December. If you would like to book a session on a weekend day that is already a scheduled shooting day, please contact me and we'll do our best.

Also, I have gotten a very good question recently regarding print credit vs. cd for full studio sessions, park and beach sessions. You do not have to decide ahead of time whether you want the cd or the print credit. You can't possibly make a decision until you see your portraits. You might have a couple that you love and want as big canvases and would want to use the print credit. Or you might love every single image so much that the only logical choice is a cd. The cost is the same so the decision can wait until you see your gallery.

I just think this is cool :)

I finally have my name as a domain name. If you can't remember www.photobymitzi.com or you keep putting in extra letters or words, your problem is solved! Now you can just type in www.mitzimandel.com and you'll find me!

If you didn't receive the last newsletter (sign up for it over on the right to stay in the loop), new holiday mini-sessions have been added to the calendar. If things go smoothly, I *might* do another day in December but those are definitely IT for Sept-Nov.

It's never too early to think about Christmas!

And because every post needs a picture, this is my Logan and his future wife after posing so lovely dovely for their portraits. I told them they could give each other a little kiss and this was their reaction!

PS...Logan picked his own outfit after MUCH thought.