Genevieve Flynn Photography

1 WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON PHOTOGRAPHY?

**What I really want to see above all else is you being YOU. I want to catch the ‘in between’ moments, when your guard is down, you are relaxed and at your most beautiful. It’s not about the perfect photograph; it’s about the perfect moment. I can help you achieve a relaxed state of mind so that you can focus on being with the ones you love and letting you enjoy the moment. I want you to think ‘that was fun!’ at the end of your session, even if you were dreading it to start.

**I also believe in the importance of ‘traditional’ photographs that are well exposed, sharp and to-the-point. They may not be the most exciting thing on Earth but they are VALUED too.

**I love to shoot on location (preferably outdoors), and in natural light. I truly believe that we live in one of the most beautiful areas of the province (and the country!), and I enjoy incorporating the environment into my photos, no matter the season or weather (I also believe we are some of the toughest people around because of our crazy weather, but that’s another story…) There is something about being outside, though, that brings out the playful, joyous side in all of us. It’s infectious and it shows in the images.

**I love colour and playing with light. Backlighting is my addiction. My photos are moody but my style is casual. I don’t do ‘trendy’ editing and I try to shy away from too many overly posed or ‘prop-ey’ Pinterest-type images (as fun as they are sometimes!) I tend to stand back and observe for the most part, but I do understand the need for an occasional nudge or idea; I mean, it’s what I’m there for, right?

**I tend to learn towards the more ‘serious’ side of love; I love brooding looks, big romance, genuine smiles, intimacy, sexiness, getting in real close and putting hands on faces. I will not be the type of photographer who will make you flip, dip, twirl or dance (but if you want to do that, please do! I love seeing how others express their love, especially extroverts who are the total opposite of me.)

**I believe that having physical prints is as VITAL to the process as having the photos taken, and I encourage this belief by offering several print products. The images that you will remember and love are the ones that are on your walls, coffee tables, albums, shelves and frames, not the ones on your hard drive. Even if you don’t go through me, please please please PRINT your photos!

**I believe photography is a service-based industry. It’s not about looking a certain way (trust me, you’re beautiful), or needing to have a certain type of wedding or session or location. It’s not about me, it’s about YOU and your memories.

2 HOW LONG WILL OUR SESSION LAST?

It depends on the session; most portrait and studio sessions last between one and 2 hours (from my experience most young children-and grown men-don’t last longer than an hour before losing interest). Newborn sessions take about 3-4 hours and of course, weddings are full or half day affairs.

3 WILL YOU TELL US HOW TO POSE?

Trust me, I know how awkward it can be in front of the camera (which is why I’m usually behind it!), so the most important thing in my mind during the shoot is getting you comfortable and relaxed. If I can achieve that, then telling you how to pose won’t be necessary. Of course for more ‘formal’ shots I will help with positioning, etc., but for the most part I will only guide you when necessary. I usually try to encourage families and couples to focus on each other, because the natural interactions between you are what make the most beautiful shots.

One quick tip on posing (especially for individuals and couples): Usually, the sillier you feel while posing, the better it will look in camera. Slight exaggeration is best sometimes!

4 WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR TO OUR SESSION?

Of course the most important thing about your wardrobe during a shoot is comfort. If you aren’t comfortable with what you’re wearing, it will show in the photos. That doesn’t mean, however, that clothing isn’t important. In fact, a great outfit can enhance a shoot in many ways. It’s also a chance to try something new, different and fun!

Here are a couple general wardrobe tips (of course these ‘rules’ can be broken from time to time!):

Bright, plain or patterned clothing is usually best for outdoor shoots. Saturated colours (like jewel tones) really pop against natural backgrounds and are flattering on most people. Plaids, polka dots, narrow stripes are all good options as well. White tends to wash light coloured skin out, especially up near the face.
It is best to avoid clothing with large logos or cartoon characters on them (especially on children). This will keep the photos timeless and will keep the focus on the face.
Textured fabrics look great in photos (think dark jeans, cords, knits, etc.)
Accessories can add a punch of colour or personality to any outfit; think scarves, a chunky necklace, fun earrings, a vest (for cold weather shoots), a skinny belt, tall boots, a cute knitted hat on kids, etc. Of course, you don’t want your accessories to draw attention away from your face, but they really can complete your look.
Men should avoid having anything in their pockets like cell phones or keys.
If possible, contact lenses are better than glasses.
It is not necessary for families to ‘match’; in fact, I recommend against it! You can choose options that ‘go’ together, but there’s so much you can do beyond the ‘white t-shirt and jeans’ look! Complimenting colours or a coordinating element (vests or dark jeans, for example) can be plenty to create a cohesive look. You want your personalities to shine through, so if your children like wearing a certain thing, let them, because you’ll want to remember this stage in their lives later on!

If you have any other questions about what to wear to a session or would like a few ideas emailed to you, please let me know. There are several places to get inspiration, including Pinterest, Google, etc.

My favourite local store for children’s clothing is Joe Fresh (from the Superstore). The clothing is affordable, trendy, and adorable!

5 CAN WE TAKE OUR PHOTOS INDOORS?

Yes! I currently do a limited number of lifestyle sessions indoors for children under 1; this means that I will come into your home and will shoot there, using your natural environment. Due to lighting/space reservations, however, not every session can take place inside. I also photograph maternity and cake smash sessions in the studio. All non-lifestyle newborn sessions are done in studio as well.

6 HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO SEE OUR PHOTOS?

A gallery of your photos will be posted within 14-21 days of the session date (wedding galleries take 6-12 weeks). Prints and product orders will take 2-3 weeks to be delivered.

7 HOW MANY IMAGES DO WE GET IF WE PURCHASE A FULL GALLERY?

Depending on the gallery, you will receive between 30-100 digital images in your gallery; newborns are typically 45-60, lifestyle and engagement sessions are 60-90, cake smash and maternity studio sessions are 30-40. Weddings range between 400-700.

8 WHERE SHOULD I PRINT MY PHOTOS?

If you decide to print your own photos from your USB stick, please keep in mind that most 1-hour labs and/or instant kiosk machines (from a department store or pharmacy, for example), will not result in professional quality prints. With fewer and fewer speciality photography labs in the area it can be hard to find a good place to have prints made; for the time being, I would recommend Costco as the main lab in our area. There are also several online consumer print labs that may result in better images. These include MixBook, Shutterfly, and MPix.

9 DO YOU TRAVEL?

I will travel outside of the Sussex area and love the opportunity! Please contact me for travel rates.

10 DO YOU TEACH WORKSHOPS OR CLASSES?

Yes! I have taught several Photography Basics classes and love teaching others about their camera; if you are interested in a private workshop or class please get in touch and keep up with my Facebook page for other announced workshops and classes.

11 WHAT TYPE OF CAMERA SHOULD I BUY?

This all depends on what you are looking for in a camera and what your budget is. For those looking for solid, introductory DSLRs, I usually recommend any of the Canon Rebel models (T4, T5, T6i, etc). I always recommend upgrading from the kit lens as soon as possible to the 50mm f/1.8.