A Goodbye Swiftly Approaching

While I love my clients and consider myself very blessed to have had the opportunity to work with so many amazing families both in the OKC Metro and Ft Smith, AR areas I must admit that I have grown increasingly agitated with the direction I have allowed CQP to venture. I have let something I was once so passionate about become something I consider a “job” and that is something I hoped to never happen with my love of photography.

That said, after nearly three years of being in business, small changes here and there, viewing of a three-day online workshop conducted by one of my favorite photographers, and talking it over in great detail with my husband … I have decided that June 1, 2012 will mark both the three-year anniversary and the end of CQP.

For those participating in CQP’s Mini Session Plan, all will continue as initially outlined for the duration of this year … I will be back August 1, 2012 under a new name and with new practices in place … as always I look forward to and enjoy my time spent with your sweet kiddos every month or so and am greatly appreciative of the fact that you chose me to capture their essence throughout the course of this year.

For all others, business will continue here as usual at CQP throughout the next month or so. I will continue to book and conduct sessions throughout March, April, and May but will not be accepting any bookings for June 1^st  through July 31^st, instead spending that time preparing and finalizing plans for … you didn’t think I’d give the name out so quickly, now did you

With my turn of business will come a new Facebook page among other things. If you would like to ensure you’re notified of the launch of my new page, staying up to date on new practices and products, stay tuned to my current page (https://facebook.com/CQPhotography) or contact me with your email address and information will be sent out once it’s ready to go public.

Looking forward to all that is to come,

Crystal

… It’s time …

This is a post I have been contemplating on posting for the past week, today it is time …

I started this year with grand ideas of how I would run my business in 2012. I was convinced I would do things a certain way and stand strong in the decisions I made. Thirty five days in and I’ve already went against something I was determined to do this year … require a retainer/session fee of $40 (for regular sessions) or payment in full (for mini sessions), either type non-refundable, at the time of booking. Why that is so hard for me, I’ll never know … but now, after enduring no shows and last-minute cancellations I have to take a stand.

As much as I love my clients (past, present and future) I must start requiring session fee or full amount, depending on the type of session, at the time of booking. Like you, my time is valuable and I have to start behaving as such.

If for any reason you must cancel, I would appreciate at least a 24 hour notice and ask that you reschedule for a date within the next 30 days (if initial booking was for a regular session …  if for a mini, I will do my absolute best to get you in within the allotted time frame for that particular mini, if I am unable to do so payment will be applied to the next planned mini session). Failure to do so is a forfeiture of your retainer.

Fee may be paid via PayPal, Credit Card through my Intuit system, or Check/Money Order made payable to “Crystal Qualls”

I apologize for the inconvenience …

If you have any questions please contact me via email at cgqualls@gmail.com and I will be more than happy to answer them.

Thank you,

~  Crystal ~

A Look Inside

I haven’t blogged in 39 days … at least not on here where it should count since this is my “blog” …

Facebook has become a consistent means of blogging for me, always has been really, though I’d love to have a consistency over here as well …

I’m wondering if I use this to open myself up to my clients (past, present, and any potentials) if it will help me in having a bit more consistency … nothing to lose so figure I’ll give it a try.

For those who keep up with my Facebook page (https://facebook.com/CQPhotography) you know that my stepdaughter is a returning contestant in the National American Miss Pre-teen Oklahoma pageant taking place this summer in Tulsa. This is our second year to prepare and compete … “our”, at one point I would never have uttered that word, the statement instead would have been “This is HER second year to prepare and compete” … but it really does take an army. Getting her ready is costly but to see her doing something she loves so much is pretty well awe-inspiring. Last year’s preparation turned her into a young lady with goals and instilled a dedication and determination in her I, personally, would never have thought possible. Luckily she’s become quite the little “self promoter” and since NAM encourages girls to obtain sponsorship from family, friends, and area businesses she’s jumped right in for the second year in a row. I’m sure many of you have noticed the “auction” that has been running on my FB page the past few days, all items were donated from businesses in both our area (OKC) and her mom’s area (Sallisaw) with permission given to us to auction them off with all funds going to her entry fees for the pageant. Please don’t be annoyed but the plan is an auction a few days for the next two to three months …

As another method to obtain the necessary funds, she is selling “Good Luck Wishes/Raffle Tickets” for $5 a piece from now until February 10th … if you choose to purchase a ticket, we encourage you to send a short message with words of encouragement to Miss Jazlyn and you will be entered into a drawing to win a free one hour session at the location of your choice with me sometime in 2012. This opportunity is open for those in the OKC area as well as the Van Buren/Fort Smith/Roland/Sallisaw areas in eastern Oklahoma/western Arkansas.

She is also gathering items to have a yard sale in the upcoming weeks, both at our home in the OKC area and at her mother’s home in the Sallisaw area, if anyone in either area as anything they would like to contribute please contact me via email or phone and we’d be more than happy to come pick said item(s) up.

As always we appreciate the support given, whether it simply be words of encouragement … a bid on an auction item … purchase of a “Good Luck Wish/Raffle Ticket” … or a donation of yard sale items … my clients are some of the best around and for that my family and I will always be grateful.

Thank you for reading, thank you for following, and thank you for enduring what’s sure to be a few months of very intense fundraising efforts on behalf of our daughter!

Love Crystal Qualls Photography & Family

Just Can’t Take it Anymore!

So, many of those who follow my Facebook page may have noticed mention of a new logo … not just a new logo but a whole new branding kit!

Several weeks back I entered a contest being sponsored by Beautiful Photo Props (https://www.facebook.com/#!/BeautifulPhotoProps) , where winner would receive a new branding kit by the wonderful Mrs. Susie Liberatore of Visions 2 Images Design & Photography (https://www.facebook.com/#!/Visions2imagesdesign), whom I’ve previously had the honor of working with (she created my current logo).

As I’m planning a number of changes for 2012, I was looking to have a new logo created to reflect said changes so finding I had won such an amazing prize came at the perfect time for me!

Mrs. Susie worked quite hard on creating the perfect logo for me, working & reworking various images until it was something I fell head over heels in love with (so … if you’re looking for a logo then check her out, oh, & make sure you let her know that I sent you).

Now … I am going crazy waiting on January 1, 2012 to roll around & found that I just can’t wait any longer … I have to show someone besides my husband. So … here you go!

The following images will be the new look for Crystal Qualls Photography in 2012 …

Changes Changes Everywhere!

Ok, my blog following lovelies and those who have stumbled here via the wonderful world of Facebook or other such internet site … this posting, as you may have gathered from the appropriately worded title, is about the many changes that CQ Photography will be undergoing … changes that will affect you if you choose to allow me to capture your wonderfully beautiful memories.

Since beginning in 2009 I have been strictly on location and willing to capture anything that was presented before me. My wonderful husband was quite supportive and always ensured that he held a job that would, for the most part, work around my schedule of being both owner and photographer. Now that he has acquired a job that has been a dream of his for several years now, things for me must change.

In January 2012 CQ Photography will be opening the doors to an in home studio … both Tracy (the wonderful husband previously mentioned) and I have been hard at work gutting what was once our spare bedroom turned office. Now that his hours on the job have picked up I have taken to designing, remodeling and decorating the space on my own. While it isn’t coming along quite as quickly as I would hope, it is coming along none the less and will soon be an area that I will be glad to open up to clients.

Now comes the additional changes …

1) No longer will CQ Photography be opened in any way, shape, or form on Sundays.

This means no sessions will be done or edited and no return of emails, texts, phone calls or Facebook messages should be expected on Sundays.

I treasure time spent with my little family and want to enjoy our time in fellowship and worship with our church family and with each other.

2) Saturdays will be very limited and will be open for booking at my discretion

3) While I strive to provide outstanding customer service to clients new and old, I feel I should have the same respect as any business owner when it comes to hours of operation. All phone calls, texts, emails and Facebook comments/messages will be responded to at my earliest convenience from 8am – 5pm Monday through Friday … those received outside of that time frame will be responded to as soon as possible on the next available business day.

4) Holidays Plus Other Closings

As a photographer, working on the holidays or other special occasions has become second nature to me … many times I’ve voiced to both myself and to Tracy that I would not book, only to end up doing just the opposite because I hated the idea of turning anyone away.

Now is the time to be strong and allow myself time to enjoy my family … CQ Photography will not be accepting bookings or doing any business related activity on the following dates in 2012 :

January 1st

February 14th

April 6-8th

June 23rd – 24th

July 4th

July 14-15th

September 14th-16th

October 4th

November 22nd – 25th

December 1-31st

If needing a session within any of the time frames listed above I will gladly recommend other local photographers.

Other closings may occur throughout the year that aren’t listed above … the best way of keeping up with them is to view the calendar on my Facebook page at http://facebook.com/CQPhotography

5) No longer will CQ Photography be booking for weddings and/or receptions.

As much as I’ve loved capturing the spontaneity that occurs throughout the time devoted to a wedding and/or reception I can no longer allow myself to capture those moments. I can recommend some wonderful photographers in various parts of the United States who would be delighted to capture your big day.

6) Many of you recall my mention of an in home studio and are wondering how this will affect your plans of a session with me. At this time the “studio” is large enough only for newborns and children up to high school seniors. Family sessions, unfortunately, will not have access to studio portraiture with CQ Photography at this time.

Keep in mind that a family session may be done but only if done along Main Street Bethany or on the SNU Campus for the time being.

I apologize for any inconvenience these changes present to you, my wonderful clients, but I must do what I feel is best not only for my business but for my amazing little family as well.

Thank you for your understanding

~ Crystal ~

Maddox is turning 1

While I have had the opportunity to cover many 1st Birthday Parties I had never got to do a session one on one with the soon to be birthday child in which they were allowed to smash a cake that was created just for them …

Tuesday evening, that all changed when I met up with Maddox and his mom at a local park.

Here are just a few of the moments captured during that fun time …

I’m ready to book, what’s the price?

Here at CQP we strive to remain affordable, but realize that everyone’s idea of affordable is different. That’s why each session is $100 for approximately one hour and is broken down into two payments …

Sitting fee

 Is $40 per family unit (this consists of a mother and/or father as well as children) and includes one location. Sessions will last approximately one hour and additional locations may be purchased for $20 each.

This fee is due upon booking and is required as a non-refundable retainer to hold your date. If for any reason you must cancel, I would appreciate at least a 24 hour notice and ask that you reschedule for a date within the next 30 days.  Failure to do so is a forfeiture of your retainer.

After your session is complete please allow 1-2 weeks for your photos to become available.

Cost of digital CD : $60 and is due at the time of session

Payments

CQP accepts all major credit cards through Intuit and PayPal (there is a 4% fee for using PayPal)…cash…money orders and checks made payable to “Crystal Qualls”

There will be a $25 fee incurred for any returned checks … on top of what is owed for session and/or digital CD

We also offer packages that when purchased can actually save you money in the long run and do offer “themed” mini sessions periodically throughout the year …

Details on packages and mini’s are available upon request.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me directly!

~ Crystal ~

I’m ready to start preparing for my family session, what do I need to do?!?

First off let me say thank you and that I am so excited that you decided to book me for your family photos. Together I know that we can and will capture some great images and memories that you will love and cherish  for years to come! Below you will find a few ideas based on various questions that I get asked. I hope you find this post helpful in preparing for a session with me and as always feel free to contact me personally with any questions you may have.

 Where do you want your session?

I am currently both an on location photographer for family and senior sessions, meaning that the majority of my work is done outdoors, at the home of my clients or any indoor location we can find that will allow portrait photography, as well as an in home studio photographer for the little ones in your life.

Outside locations can be any place you want! If you have a suggestion, I’d love to hear it! If you’re stumped and would like, I can give you several options to choose from in and around the Metro Area.

What should I wear?

This is a very popular question! I suggest trying on  your clothing ahead of time. Make sure all fits well, is cleaned, pressed (if you’re the polar opposite of me and can actually operate an iron without fear of ruining the clothing, lol) and have no missing buttons or tears.

Tip 1 – avoid large logos, lavish designs, floral patterns, stripes, characters, wording as these things tend to distract from faces and expressions in a photo!

Tip 2 – don’t be afraid of color! Pick 3 that go well together and then give everyone an option when picking out their wardrobe, you won’t be disappointed!

Tip 3 – pick a pattern, but don’t go crazy with them! 1 or 2 patterns per family is absolutely perfect!

Tip 4 – dress kids in clothes that will be comfortable to them. While all parents, myself included, think it is so cute to dress our little ones up in their nicest clothes and pose them this way or that for photos, if they’re not comfortable the likelihood of getting a natural smile is slim to none.

Tip 5 – when wearing white, keep in mind that depending on our shooting situation, the outfit may become “blown” and details may be lost.

Tip 6 – while black ‘is slimming’ it can also cause you to get lost in the picture depending on our shooting location … it also tends to pick up lint and everything else, so if black is a must have for your photo shoot remember to bring along a lint roller to pick up any distracting items.

 When should I book my session?

As my family obligations keep me hopping I suggest booking early, as this gives you a greater chance of reserving a date that works best for you.

Session Times …

Please be on time for your photo shoot! I do ask that as a courtesy you give a 24 hour cancellation notice and No Call/No Shows will NOT be re-scheduled. If you are going to be more than 15 minutes late, please call or text. Without a phone call or text, I only wait approximately 15 minutes at the location. Anything more will need to be re-scheduled. This applies for those sessions scheduled for my in home studio as well.

What Happens If It Rains?

If your session was set to be done outside and finding an indoor location is not an option then I do re-schedule any rain outs for the next available date. I try my best to get it within 30 days of your original appointment, but sometimes my schedule does not permit me to do so … rest assured your session will be done as soon as I possibly can though.

So I’ve booked a session with CQP … what have I gotten myself into?

I want to bring additional people to a session with me … people who will not be in my photos … is this acceptable?

While bringing a friend or additional family member(s) to a session please keep in mind that if choosing an in home studio session the available area is quite small and they could prove a distraction to your little one while I am trying to work with them. If choosing an on location session, CQP has no problem having additional people present but ask that they keep all phones or cameras they may have brought with them put away until after session is over as CQP will be the exclusive photographer for the booked session.

What Type of Images Should I Expect to See After My Session?

Everyone has different styles & ideas so before ever booking a session with me I ask that you browse around my albums over on Facebook at https://facebook.com/CQPhotography to make sure that we are a good fit idea wise.  My plan for 2012 is to offer both on location lifestyle & in home studio portraiture … while I’ve spent the majority of my time span as a photographer focusing only on the lifestyle aspect a large portion of my work shows un-posed & relaxed photos … I hope this is something I am able to implement even once I transcend into the in home studio work as I have never been one to rigidly pose my clients for any session.

For all sessions, I try to provide both a classic color image & a black & white image to bring out the character of the subject. So you may receive two styles for each photo, but not always though … it really just depends on what the resulting photo “calls” for.

How Many Images Will I Get?

Each session number varies as each session is never the same. I’ve had sessions where I’ve given up to 100+ images & others as few as 10. Some children, some families even, enjoy taking photographs while others don’t. If a child runs around during the whole session with his/her face looking at the ground or family members seem disinterested, choosing instead to stay buried in their phone your disk will not be as full as others.

How Many discs Do I Get?

Each session comes with 1 disc. Each additional disc is $20 whether it is to give to another family member or replacing a lost disc. The only exception to this is with extended-family sessions where each family will receive their own disc from the session.

How Long Do You Keep My Images?

I keep your photos stored on my desktop for approximately one month before transferring them to an external hard drive.  If you believe you may want another disc or there is a particular image you have questions about you have 1 month from the time initial disc is sent out to let me know. Once you have your disc, it is your responsibility to let me know of any issues you may have…

Do You Always Post a Sneak Peak to Facebook?

I usually post one or two photos per session to a Facebook album allowing me to keep my advertising costs down to a minimum which in turn allows me to keep my costs affordable to you! Please ask ahead of time if you do not wish to have images published due to their being a gift or there are extenuating circumstances.

Can I Tag Myself/Use the Images on My Own Page?

Most definitely! In fact, I encourage you to do so BUT, and this is a big BUT, please respect my work and my logo and DO NOT CROP THE IMAGE IN ANYWAY! My logo must remain intact! If I notice you have done this, I will send a private message via Facebook or email asking you to fix the cropping, if it goes unfixed further action can and will be taken.

So…I hope the above topics have helped give you an idea of what exactly you’re getting into when booking a session here at Crystal Qualls Photography! But as always if you have any questions feel free to contact me!

New Referral Program

I’ve always felt it true & voice it from time to time but just wanted to take a moment & reiterate the fact that  I absolutely love my clients! Not only do I have repeat
clients who book with me several times throughout the year, but I have amazing clients who share their photos & tell their friends
& family about the experience(s) that they’ve had with me! Because you all
have been so great to me, it’s time for me to “be great to you”. As of today, I
am introducing a new client referral program!

Referrals are the best compliment that one could give another! Each time you refer a
new client who books a photo session with Crystal Qualls Photography, you will receive a
$25 credit toward your next session! You can choose to accumulate your
referral dollars (until you receive a FREE session) or you can use them immediately. It’s up to you! Another great thing … there is no limit on the
maximum number of referrals you’re allowed. Yes, it’s really that simple!

So, send your friends & family over to my Facebook page (https://facebook.com/CQPhotography)
& have them “like” the page. That way they can browse through the posted photos
I’ve shared & see if they like my style & feel we would be a good working fit.
Tell them about your experience with me!  Then, tell them about
this program! After all, as soon as your referral has their first session they
will be eligible to begin earning referral dollars as well!

For those of you who haven’t had a session with me you can get in
on the action, too! Give me a call, send me a text, or drop me an email to set
up an appointment & after your session, start referring away!

*The client that you refer must mention your name at time of booking, pay for
in full & complete their regular session (not applicable for mini sessions)
to receive your referral credit.