Frequently Asked Questions:
What is photography to you?
Photography is the still capture of real life. Photography is essential to my life. Because I carry my camera around with me wherever I go, I am always looking for and seeing the beauty around me. Sounds super cheesy, but it’s true. Art makes me feel more alive and it brings me great joy. (It brings me even greater joy to share this with people who also appreciate it!)
How long have you been doin’ this?
I’ve been doing photography since 1998. I fell in love with film and loved getting my hands dirty in the darkroom. I shot mostly urban landscapes, and looked for the textures/shadows/lights that intrigued me most. I eventually started taking pictures of children when I was working as a nanny. I worked as a nanny for over ten years and over that time I realized how fleeting childhood moments can be. I took photos of the children I cared for, gaining experience making children laugh and feel comfortable behind the camera. Shortly after I had my son in 2008, I realized that I wanted to share this passion with other people. I feel passionately about catching the real looks, the real laughs, and the real moments that you share and feel as a family. I feel it is so important to remember it all years from now.
Why is your business name “Fitzgerald” Photography? That’s not your last name!
Fitzgerald is my mother’s maiden name. She passed away five years ago, after fighting breast cancer for almost eight years. She was an amazing mother and support in my life. This name and business is a memorial to her. 10% of all my profits go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
So, do you shoot digital or film?
Though I revisit my old film camera for personal projects, I’m a real digital techie nerd now. All digital with my clients. All the time.
Why in the dickens would I pay Fitzgerald Photography when I can just go to the department store in the mall?
Because I am such a small company, Fitzgerald Photography offers each and every one of its clients a completely custom photography experience. From the first contact, you and I work together to make you happy. I want to get to know you and your children. I love to get coffee with my clients or meet with them at the playground if we can. It’s so fun for me to see how the parents interact with their children and how their children play together. I become friends with many clients!
When you hire a custom photographer, you are hiring a person to care about each and every step of the process. This process includes scouting locations that suit your family and needs, one to two hours of shooting time, image backup time (backup backup backup!), several hours tweaking pictures to make sure that each and every one is perfect for you, a second image backup (backup backup backup!), one hour preparing your gallery, however much time we need working together to order your products or prints, several hours preparing and ordering these products (some of which are completely custom and I build from scratch!), packaging, shipment and/or delivery of these products, and every phone call or email that you may have along the way.
Department store and mall photography studios often employ undertrained, overworked young people who do not have the heart and soul to get to know your family.
By choosing a custom photographer, like Fitzgerald Photography, you know who it is that is working with you. You know from step one that I care. The photographs that are produced are a result of the professionalism, passion, and dedication. Great thought and consideration should go into your family’s investment.
How many pictures do you take?
Infinity + one.
Black and white or color?
BOTH!
Do you shoot in Manual?
You betcha. However, I do shoot with auto focus, only because those kiddos are SUPER FAST!
How long does it take to get our shots?
About two weeks.
What should we wear to our session?
I have prepared a what to wear guide/shopping guide with all kinds of tips o’ the trade and stores for my clients! I love to support local and/or independent artists, especially those from Etsy. Woo! After I receive your contract, I will email it to you.
Where do you like to have sessions?
I love to have session where you like to hang out. If this is your house, a park or garden, a playground, farmer’s market, a carnival, one of the many Madison festivals, family bike ride, Concerts on the Square, orchards… I was even talking to a client about doing a shoot at the Willy St. Coop, where she and her son love to shop! I want to go where you will be comfortable and happy as a family. I am open to just about anything!
(Under my “info” section, I have a list of activities for children and families throughout the year if you are looking for ideas!)
Eeek, what if it rains or is unseasonably cold?!?!
I am constantly checking the weather, so if it looks like we might have to arrange a backup location, we will. If it’s still bad, we will reschedule.
Any other Q’s? Wanna talk more? Please email me at FitzgeraldPhoto (at) gmail (dot) com. Or give me a call at 608.215.8048. I’d love to hear from ya!