Mistake #4 Is A "Silent Destroyer" Of Bat And Bar Mitzvah Portraits!

    Most kids don't understand (or don't want to admit) that they get nervous in front of a camera.  And they don't know what to do about it.

    You see, there are over 30 muscles in your face. And if you're tense, these muscles tense up and then you won't like the photographs. You won't know why you don't like them. You just won't. 

One Of The Keys To My Success In Photography Is That I Will Not Photograph Any Family Without Having Met Everyone In Advance. 

    And what's the purpose of this? 

    Yes, we're going to talk about clothing and all the other things including what is most important to you, Mom, and Dad, and what important relatives will be joining you, especially those who might be in the Candle Lighting ceremony. 

    But the main purpose of this time together is to give you the chance to meet me, get to know me, and see just how well we are going get along on this most important day.

    You will see the studio. I'll give you a tour of our work. We'll spend time with each other so you begin to feel comfortable and confident about how you can trust me and take my advice based on years of experience and years of photographing your friends at their Bat or Bar Mitzvah.

This Is Going To Make An Enormous Difference In How Natural And Confident You Look On The Day Of Your Photography! It's Almost Like Magic! You Will Be Impressed!

    I can't stress this enough. You see, most photographers just are not willing to do this. Why? Because it takes time. Lots of time. All they want to do is crank people through their studio like a "factory."  They want to do your photograph as if they were building a car. They want to put you on the assembly line and run you through, click-click-click-turn this way - click, etc... Next person please.

    I will not do that to you. Ever! We're going to meet ahead of time and we're going to treat this as if these were the most important photographs of your life - because they are.

    See what a huge difference this will make in how you feel on the first day of your photography and then the day of your service?  You'll feel great. We will already know each other when your big day comes. You'll have seen the studio.  You'll know that what you're wearing is perfect.  You'll know that your hair is going to look perfect. You'll know that no blemishes will show!  So you'll be confident, and excited - not nervous and apprehensive. 

    Remember: these images will be seen by ALL your friends and family and you want to look GREAT! And you WILL!!

Mistake #5 Will Ruin Your Mitzvah Photographs If You Aren't Aware Of It!

    Most families don't realize that it takes longer than 10 minutes to create outstanding portraits. And you and the photographer cannot be rushed!

One Of The Unique Things That Separates Me From All The Other Photographers In The Area Is That I Take All The Time That Is Necessary To Create Portraits That You Will Be Proud Of. Photographs That Your Friends And Relatives Will Really Like - Yes Like!

    That's what I'm all about. We're not going to rush you like it's a factory. We're going to help you through this whole thing.  These images are important to you, so we're not going to rush through this. 

    And since many families want some more 'formal' images on the Bimah with the Torah and perhaps your Rabbi, Thursday afternoons often work. And believe me, we won't be rushing!

    And when we meet, I will have NO other appointment to run off to - only YOU are important on that day!

    And on the day of your service and celebration, you will have so many things to think about and you will forget about me. I'm in the background. I'm not running anything that day.

    No, I'm there as a creative historian, recording for all time the beauty, emotion, and love of the day. Oh, and yes: the FUN! Your party will be the BEST, and you will have the photographs to prove it!!

Mistake #6 "Family Portraits Have To Be Created In A Professional Studio - And They Have To Look Stiff and Boring."

   WRONG!

    If you're like most people, when you think of a PROFESSIONAL family portrait session, you think of all of you gathered in front of a "painted background" in a photography studio or area mall, posed unnaturally, and all saying "cheese" as the photographer snaps the picture. 

    Now, is that something any family will cherish for a lifetime? I don't think so. Yes, it may capture the whole family together, but it will never capture your family relationships - your family's love.

    Imagine instead: All of you are gathered in the sanctuary and the Rabbi is there to greet you. The backdrop is the Bimah, the Arc, and the sanctuary...your sanctuary, where your service will take place, where your memories will flourish. 

    You'll remember receiving your own Tallit, each Aliyah, your d'var Torah and Haftorah portion. And the Shehecheyanu at the conclusion of the service (imagine: your friends and relatives reciting a prayer of thanksgiving for  YOU!). And your acts of lovingkindness through your Mitzvah Project. And then there are, perhaps, some gifts from the congregation, the Men's Club, the Sisterhood, B'Nai Brith, and the Jewish War Veterans.

    Wow, so many memories to keep.

    OK... so it all seems like a lot of work now as you are preparing for it, but looking back on it you will be so pleased that you worked so hard and did so well.

    And you'll remember working with the Rabbi, Cantor, and Mom and Dad, strengthening your connection to Judaism. 

   These are memories you want to keep.

   We understand this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, don't we?

If you want to chat, no cost or obligation of course, please call right away. I can't wait to talk to you about your mitzvah portraits!
CLICK HERE. 

Now, I Know What You Are Thinking: "Give Me A Break.  This Is Just A Photo."  

    Well, yes, but it's your BAT or BAR MITZVAH photography and albums, and you will never have them again. And all the people who matter to you are going to see this photography. So let's make darn sure it's fantastic!  Right? And that's what you'll find with me - I know how important this is and care enough to make it all the BEST!

    It's not the camera I use. It's not the locations (though they are important). It's not the computers I use during retouching. (Although I use the best of everything!) The thing that separates me from everyone else is how sincerely I want to help you look absolutely perfect - stunning - fantastic - better than ever - in all of your photographs. And by doing that, your memories will be the best!

Mistake #7 Is A Little Technical, But
Extremely Important To You! 

    Families (and an awful lot of photographers) don't realize how important light is in photography. The wrong light and the wrong direction of light can add up to 27 pounds to you in a portrait, and also bring out your worst features!

    It's really a matter of life or death in portraiture. The light is the "paint brush" with which I "paint" your family portrait.  It's very important!

    Now, one of the things that separates my photography from all the other photographers in the area is that I have studied light from theatre through portraiture since I was a young man (OK, so I started in the theatre as a boy... I just felt better saying "young man"!).

    I understand that there is only ONE type and direction of light that will help you look your VERY BEST.  Only one. And this is different for every person!  Again, that's another reason we must meet you in advance, so we can determine the very BEST LIGHT for you and be ready for your session date and time.

You See, There Are Five Major Highlight Areas On Your Face. And They Must Be PERFECTLY Lit, Or You Won't Look Your Best!

    Also, I don't want to get too technical here but since you're still reading this, you realize how important these portraits are and you sincerely want to look your absolute best.  

    So... the "Transition Zone" of light, between the highlights and the shadows is what "paints" the contours of your face and brings out your personality and "SPARKLE." So we want to be darn sure that this "Transition Zone" is perfect, too!  I could go on and on, but you get the idea.

    Also, light is equally important for outdoor photography, if you choose to go outside! It must be absolutely PERFECT if we are to create a portrait of you which truly "Sparkles."  So, the type of outdoor portraits you like will then determine the perfect TIME OF DAY to create the portraits. It's so important.

Mistake #8 Determines A Great Portrait Or A Terrible One!

    Nine out of ten people don't realize how important posing is. The most important word when it comes to posing is "NATURAL." You absolutely don't want to look stiff and fake! One of the most common comments we hear from our clients is how "natural" the portraits look. Our families love how good they look, but they also love how "natural" they appear in the images.

    You see, I understand that you want to look really great, but also you don't want to be put into some weird, stupid, pathetic pose that makes you look stiff and unnatural. 

    I'm talking about the portrait session before your Bat or Bar Mitzvah. I'm talking about the time in the sanctuary when we have time for photography. Believe me, the images at the party will be tons of fun and keep all your joyous memories, but here I'm talking about the portrait session on, say, Thursday before your service.

    Yes, I will "guide" you so the composition and "look" of the portrait is really great.  But I will NOT push you around nor put you into unnatural positions that are just plain crazy looking. You and I will work together to help you look confident, comfortable, and just plain great.

This Is Extremely Important To You! Don't Miss This: You Want To Be Sure To Select A Photographer Who Will Not "Manhandle" You With The Posing. 

    Almost all the photographers in our region tend to touch their clients and push them around way too much when posing them (in my opinion). Posing is so important and should not be done by sticking you in the middle of your back if you aren't sitting up quite straight enough!  

    Why? Because they're in a hurry. They have another 37 children or families to photograph before the day is over and they can't take the time to "guide" you. They just stick their hand into your back, grab you by the shoulders, and get you to sit up straight. Not only does this make you really uncomfortable, but it also makes you look stiff!

That's Why I Call It "Guiding." I Will Guide You With Words. I Don't Grab You Or Poke You. This Is So Important To Helping You Feel Comfortable! 

    However, I am really picky.  I'll be very careful, and very attentive to detail. I may pick a little at your hair if something is out of place. I may straighten your collar or sleeves. I'll straighten your shirt if it has a funny wrinkle in it.  Don't worry about a thing! We'll make sure you look "like a million bucks"! I'm very picky, but will never manhandle you - and I won't drive you "nuts" with being overly picky either!

Strange, But True... And You'll Be Very Glad...

    Everything must be perfect before I open the shutter. I'll work quickly, but carefully. 

    The key thing with posing is that you look honestly natural. The families I photograph tell me all the time how great their photographs look from a point of view of being natural. They say things like this: "It's like I just sat down naturally by myself! That's exactly how I sit! I can't believe it! How'd you know that?" or "Rachel looks so like Rachel in that portrait. That's really her there!" And you see, that's what "guiding" will do for your portraits, too!

    And most of the time you will do what is most natural for you with little 
coaching from me. That reminds me of a Family Portrait I created for a 
Wallingford family recently. When I suggested that the children pose
themselves in and around a beautiful tree, they actually climbed the tree!

    Now I would NEVER have suggested that they do that (well, not for the first 
pose of the day when their clothes were all neat and pressed), but the pose 
was totally natural and the image was so beautiful.

    We're talking about where your arm is in the portrait. And if your hand is 
in the portrait, does it look natural? How do you hold your body and what 
works best for you? And how do your family members look around you?

So Look At The Photographs Done By Any Photographer You're Considering. Do They Look Natural Or Do They Look "Posed" Or Stiff?

    If you'll look at the photographs I've included throughout this website, you'll see how natural and comfortable these families look. And don't just look here... look at all my other website sections too. And read the comments people have said about their portraits. See how they love their portraits and the way they were treated. It's so important, isn't it?

And if you like what you are reading and just want to chat about how YOU can look your best, please email or call right away. This will be so much fun. I can't wait to talk to you about your Bat or Bar Mitzvah! 
CLICK HERE

Mistake #9 Is Of Enormous Importance! 
Don't Miss This One!

    This mistake has ruined so many family portraits!  It's the mistake of not choosing a photographer who GUARANTEES THAT YOU WILL BE REALLY HAPPY - and who will give you all your money back, if you aren't!

    Here's my personal guarantee: "You will be THRILLED (not just 'satisfied') with your portraits or I will do whatever is necessary for you to be thrilled, or I  will return every penny of your money. No hassles and no hard feelings either. 

    "You MUST be THRILLED with your portraits, and I will spare no effort to see that you are! I absolutely guarantee it!"

    You see, only a photographer who really believes in his work and service is going to be willing to have such a powerful guarantee. So if you speak to another photographer, his guarantee is your first indication of whether or not you even want to work with him. I just can't stress this enough. 

    Ask about the guarantee. Listen to his or her reaction. That will tell you if you want to trust your family memories to that photographer at this very important time of your life.

Mistake #10 Is So Obvious, And Yet Most
Kids Or Their Parents Don't Do It!

   What's this mistake? Not asking lots of questions when you're talking with photographers. 

    Now, since you're still reading this, you certainly have the questions to ask, right? Remember, you are the client - you have all the rights!  You have the right to ask the tough questions before you make any decisions!

    You ask them first about their guarantee and see how they respond. 

    Then you ask them if they will meet with you in person, at no charge, to discuss the clothing, etc, and give you a tour. 

    Then you ask them if they will guarantee that they'll remove any and all blemishes you might have at the time of the photography. (And while you're at it, ask about those pesky facial wrinkles and the few extra pounds we all seem to suffer with: Mom and Dad will love to know THIS answer too!)

    Then ask them about how they light the hair perfectly? Ask them about your own hair and how they will be sure to display it correctly. 

    Then ask them how much time they are going to be with you. And do they do outdoor portraits at a location meaningful to you, as well as indoor portraits. 

    Ask them if they understand the importance of the correct lighting of the "Five Major Highlight Areas."  Ask them if they know what a "Transition Zone" is. 

    Ask them if their posing is natural or more "posy and stiff."

    Ask them if the images they are showing you they actually created, and did they do the artistic enhancement or did they farm it out.

    See how much you have learned so far? Pretty amazing when you think about it, isn't it?

Mistake #11 Can Ruin Everything!

    What's this mistake? It's choosing the WRONG PHOTOGRAPHER FOR YOUR MOST IMPORTANT PHOTOGRAPHY.  Everything depends on that one decision. 

    And hopefully, now that you know these 11 HUGE Mistakes That Most Families Make, YOU won't make those mistakes! You'll be able to choose the right photographer for you, based on all this new-found information you have!

     Now, I may not be the right photographer for you. My photography isn't for everyone. And my calendar is really filling up quickly... and it pains me to have to tell a family that as much as I really want to work with them, I just can't because my calendar is already full.

    And you know: I limit myself to 24 B'Nai Mitzvah a year, max! I prefer to hold it to 20. I just can't be creative 100 hours a week and I simply MUST be ready and fully creative when it's time for your Simcha.

    I just don't understand how other photographers can cram in so many major events in a week and still be creative for YOU.

    And then again, some families don't feel that preserving their memories is very important and would rather spend everything on food and drink at the party. Hey, that's their choice, and I appreciate that. But that's not a family that will ask me to join them.    

    But the fact that you're still reading this means I probably AM the right photographer for you. Because we care about all the things I've talked about here. But the only way you'll really know for sure that I am the right photographer for you is for you to contact me.

So What Should You Do Right Now?

Now, while it's fresh in your mind, send me an email or pick up the phone and call me so we can chat. No cost. No obligation. No sales pitch. We're way too busy for that. But we can find out if your date is still available on my ever-tightening calendar.

CLICK HERE to find the email address and number to call.  

    We'll just chat. You can ask any questions you have.  We'll see what my calendar looks like for your Bat and Bar Mitzvah date. If I'm still available, and if you'd like to, we can set up a time for you to come in and I can show you around the studio and chat a bit. There's still no cost or obligation. You do not need to make a decision to hire me before you come in and chat! No way!

    Then, after we chat in person, if you feel you want me to create your portraits and join you at your Bat or Bar Mitzvah, fine.  If not, fine also. I am here to help you in any way I can.  But I won't pressure you into doing anything you don't want to do. The decisions are completely up to you.

However, Act Immediately! My Schedule Is Almost Completely Full At The Time I'm Updating This Site. I Limit Myself To A Maximum Or 24 Bat Or Bar Mitzvahs A Year (And I Prefer To Hold It To 20), And My Calendar Fills Up Very Quickly. 

    But I must say right now that  time is taking away so many of our precious memories, isn't it? 

    Remember that wedding photo of Pam and me and my horrible red zit? Somehow I remember that red zit, but I've forgotten much of the joy at my wedding. We remember what he have in photographs and the rest fades from our minds very quickly. Way TOO quickly.

    And time is filling up my calendar much too quickly too. Though I want to save space on my calendar to be with your family and stop the clock from stealing your most important memories, I can't if I'm too busy.

Time is Moving on!

    I try to reserve times for people from school districts whose students I have photographed during one event or another. Students from Strath Haven, Radnor, Upper Darby, Garnet Valley, Ridley, Springfield, Rose Tree Media, Sun Valley, Haverford, and others. 

    And from theatres including Young People's Theatre Workshop, Upper Darby Summer Stage, The Players Club of Swarthmore, Garnet Valley Summer Theatre, Narberth Community Theatre, Rose Valley Chorus, and more. 

    Also from Ohev Shalom, Temple Sholom, Beth Israel, Rodeph Shalom... well, you get the idea.

    But since I have photographed so many people from New Hope to the Main Line to Wilmington and West Chester to the New Jersey Shore, I can't really hold open every date for someone I've worked with before.... as much as I want to. 

    And my work doesn't get turned over to some high school student or part-time college intern.... since I will know all about your energies, desires, and goals, I will do all the art work starting with the photography through to the enhancement... it's the only way I work... and you have my word on that!

    And that takes a lot of time, too.

I Guess Too Many People Are Asking Me To Work With Them And I Want To Help Everyone, But I Can't. 

    I have to become much more selective so that I can share my time and talents with just the most important people in my life - people like you who share a family love that:

• Demands to be seen as something special these days. 

• Demands to be shared with friends and family. 

• And demands to be remembered for generations to come. 

    Why do I get so busy? I'm very fortunate. Because I have such a great reputation from the families and children I have worked with (and I'm deeply grateful for that). They tell all their friends and then they all call me, and my calendar just completely fills up. I'm even booked into late 2009 (but certainly not for every day! Phewww....).

    Plus, because I spend so much time with each person and family I photograph, I can't photograph as many people as other photographers who have more of a "factory" arrangement! These images are too important to you and your family, and they're too important to me!

    And I can't be creative 100 hours a week and since I need to be my absolute best when photographing YOU, I have to limit the number of people I work with.

    So do you see how my time fills up so quickly?

So if anything I have said here looks  the least bit interesting to you, EMAIL or CALL NOW!  DO NOT WAIT EVEN ONE DAY ON THIS! 

CLICK HERE right now to get the address or number to call.

I Have A Very Special Offer For You...FREE!
(But ONLY if you're one of the first 7 people to call me by

    Because you see, I know that people who read this whole site (and can chat with me about it) care deeply, just as I do. They know how important memories are and how preserving emotions keep our families strong.

    And THOSE are the families I want to work with, and so I want to reward you for caring so much.

    AND, be sure to ask about my Referral and Rewards Program where you can earn enough credits to pay for ALL of your photography!

    Imagine... all of your photography FREE for this most important day just by telling people about me.

    Well, I could go on forever because I really love creating family photography. I love being a member of your family for a day. I care about helping you keep all those precious memories.

    Can you tell that I care a lot about you and helping you with your memories?

    Well, I'd better stop so that you can contact me right away. 

    Email or Call right away. This will be fun. I can't wait to talk to you about your Bat or Bar Mitzvah! 

    But do it now. You don't want to miss the joy of your big day and then relive it year after year.

CLICK HERE TO CONTACT ME

All the best... and thanks for reading this information.

Charles Seymour, Jr.
Photographer/Owner

PS: Email or call now. I have an excellent reputation in the community (I guess you saw that in those great comments above from people who have asked me to photograph the most important day of their lives), and I'll help you every step of the way. So email or call today. CLICK HERE TO CONTACT ME  We'll just chat. No cost, no obligation, no sales talk.  But don't put it off. I know that at this moment, you may not be sure about your photography. That's fine. But please understand that because I spend so much time with each one of our families, we only have 7 session times remaining for this special offer. Once they are gone, you will not be able to get the $127 off any collection or the 11.7% discount off any wall portrait. So contact me right now.

PPS: One last thing. Having your Bat or Bar Mitzvah photography  created is such a personal thing, a family thing, a joyous thing. You want to be sure you select a photographer who is really driven to help you look fantastic YOUR way, not like everyone else! Talk to your friends for whom I have created images. You will see the type person I am and how important YOU are. But email or call now just to chat, while we might still have your date available. CLICK HERE right now. Before it's too late.

PPPS: Want to see more Bat and Bar Mitzvah images I have created before you contact me?  Click here to see some examples.

Click Here For My Mitzvah Blog

Saving Family Memories Through Photography...
Before It's Too Late. Guaranteed!