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Tips on Choosing the Right Photographer for Your Family Portraits

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I am the unofficial photographer of the family (read: I own the DSLR) and because of this, 90 percent of my photos are of the DWs. My photos with the two and family pictures are therefore few and far between. Not that I’m complaining, I really don’t like having my picture taken anyway hehe but I do love having my photos taken by a professional photographer. It all started with those graduation school pictures. In high school it was Chat Peypoch, college it was a photo studio whose name I forgot but I remember that I looked so fresh in my grad pic it belied the fact that I was not sleeping and crying over my thesis (I almost got an incomplete!) . Then of course there were our wedding pictures. We booked Mimi and Karl and I have to say, we were spoiled by those two. For DW’s baptism and first birthday, I booked Ging Lorenzo, she’s a N@Wie favorite and she definitely delivered great pictures that we still look at. DW is amused at his chubby baby self hehe.

Here are some of our portraits. Top two are by Ging Lorenzo, bottom two are pics I took of our  Mimi and Karl wedding album.

some professional photos

Last year, I was looking at having our portraits taken again as I figured that DW was old enough to have solo portraits. I looked at the ones available at the malls and I also looked into other professional photographers. I’ve been a big fan of Stork Studio ever since I got pregnant. Their newborn portraits are amazing and their maternity photographs are wonderful (view their gallery here) I decided that the next set of photographs for our next family portraits will be done by Stork. It was really just a matter of when.

And that WHEN came when Sofia Genato, who owns,operates and is the chief photographer of Stork Studio emailed me saying she wanted to work with me!  She was working on new lifestyle concepts and she asked if  I wanted to try one idea with  her.  I didn’t hesitate. I emailed her with a big YES and we scheduled a shoot with her right away! Sofia gave us the Silver Wings Package. (More Stork Studio packages can be seen here.)

Sofia wanted to use a new prop that she just bought from HK. She needed a little boy to “model” *ehem* her new prop.  This ladies and gentlemen is DW in that prop.

DW Stork Studio

Actually that vintage toy car was just one among MANY props that Sofia has. She has so many stashed neatly in her studio (which is so pretty by the way) that you  can make up any theme on the spot.  That bow tie that DW and the panama hat he wore in some of the shoots all came from Sofia’s prop cabinet.

We scheduled a morning shoot that was supposed to last one hour. Sofia worked fast and knew exactly what she wanted so the shoot lasted for only 30 mintues! She’s worked with kids so many times that she had so many tricks to keep DW entertained, relaxed and smiling! Ergo….

stork studio portraits

DW looks so grown-up here. Naiyak ako. We had this blown-up to an 11x14 which is included in the package we chose.

 

Of course, may family pic rin kami. We took pics outside the studio and inside and my favorite is this one which we blew up to a 20×30 print (also included in the package we chose)

IMG_8618

we look so decent 😛

Eto last na lang 😀

DW Stork Studio

naaaks!

We were absolutely happy with the photos and it was really great working with Sofia.  I can’t believe she got all those shots of DW who was really only interested in playing around with the car and with Sofia’s other props to sit still, look at the camera and smile! Sofia is such a pro, so I asked her a few tips on families who are looking to have their formal photos taken.

Here are some of her tips and wise words:

Me (M): Why go Pro?

Sofia (S): Pro photographers are specialized and skilled, they have the best equipment and special training/experience with kids.
M: What are some of the factors a family must consider when choosing a photographer or a photo company?
S:
1) view their portfolio on their website
2) ask about their expertise in handling children and young babies (especially newborns! safety is and always should be #1)
3) ask where they have trained and any certifications if ever and how long they have been a photographer in their field
4) ask around for recommendations and feedback
5) look for quality output and get the best photographer you can afford, it really makes a difference
6) set an appointment and be on time and be nice, much like wedding photographers, they are professionals and should be treated as such 😉
7) after viewing their work/portfolio, know what kind of photos you would like as output – studio vs outdoor and speak to them about it and allow them to create some ideas for you if you are open to doing different 🙂
If you’re thinking about getting your family portraits done I hope the list helped you decide. If you’re thinking about getting Stork Studio I hope our pics helped you din (in a positive way I hope!! LOL!)
Find more about the Stork Studio at

www.thestorkstudio.com
www.facebook.com/thestorkstudio
Twitter: @storkstudio

Thanks again Sofia for our lovely portraits! YOU ROCK!

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Comments

  1. Unfortunately I have to agree with sissy. I also had a terrible experience with The Stork Studio. Sofia was shouting at her assistant for dropping the background props. She also snapped at me several times. I was really shocked because I have read good reviews about her. But I had the opposite experience. My friend also had the same sentiments. We were surprised she was not patient and friendly especially if she specializes in children photography. I would definitely NOT recommend her. Not worth the service.

    Reply

  2. she might correct me and say naninira lang ako so so im clarifying lang ……..siya na raw magtatahan sa baby ko kasi she knows how to handle newborns. told me to get out of the room. i hated that. syempre i wanted to see what was happening. first baby ko yan tapos iyak ng iyak. im sorry but i think its natural that im hesitant leaving her with my kid. she doesnt have kids pa of her own. ako nga natatakot na sa sarili ko, what more to some stranger i just met. and good thing i was there, she kept swearing “shyet” and kept making “ugh” noises all because of the sun.

    she does good photos but i think merong attitude problem lalo na kapag hindi sikat or mayaman ang kausap. sorry nalang siguro ako, im not that rich.

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  3. i actually didnt have that great a time with sofia while she was shooting my newborn at our house.
    in the website, it was indicated that stork studio would bring “lights” so that if natural light is not enough, their modeling lights would be used.
    she came late. almost 2 hours late. didnt bring any lights so when she was taking the photos, she kept swearing and saying na madilim! dali-an daw to tahan the crying baby who was 10days old kasi nawawala na raw sun!! it was 10am. i was really turned off. helloooo, it aint my problem dapat. it was hers! bad attitude porket ba hindi ako taga-dasma?! i am paying her good money! 25k for that?! ugh.
    di ko pinatulan kasi nga naman she was holding my baby! and yaya was there. ayoko mangbastos.
    i hope this doesnt happen to any other moms. my friend said sofia was like that to them as well. saying kulang sunlight coming in. eh my friend said, di ba dapat may dala kang ilaw?! after that, my friend changed photographers na. and so did i.

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    • I also exactly had the same experience. My friend also got the same treatment. You’re right, we’re paying clients and we deserve quality service. I also feel she chooses her clients and decides whether she will be nice or rude to them. I definitely won’t recommend her. There are a handful of children photographers who are better, more professional, and friendier. Don’t waste your money on service that sucks!

    • Hi Clarisse and Sissy –

      Thanks so much for leaving your honest comments here. I’m sorry that your experience with Stork Studio was very different from ours. I do hope that you were able to let Sofia know about what you experienced with her.

  7. Nevs! Sobrang cute ni david! Parang mature hahaha! I wish we can take decent photos of Pablo too. And nice family portrait too! I love it that Dan and David are wearing matching outfits!:) hope to see you guys soon!

    Reply

  8. You have a HEARTBREAKER there, Neva! How gwapo!!!

    Funny you posted this now, because Ton and I were just saying it’s time to hit up Stork Studio for some summer shots. I want to do something outdoors, and they have the best outdoor shots so far among those we’ve seen. :):)

    Reply

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