How I Will Help You Tell The Story Of Your Child
Through Emotional, Sensitive Portraiture…

Dear Loving Parent,

Can you relate to this at all? I wake up every morning and wonder where the time is going. Do you ever do that? Have you noticed that, the older you and your children get, the faster time seems to fly? I’m very lucky - I get to see my grown-up children Lucas and Emily on a regular basis. They both live here in Silver Spring too. The times when they were growing up will always be precious to me, and I am thankful that I have more than just the memories to help me relive them...

There’s Nothing Like Being A Parent. You’ll Do Anything For Your Child. And When Your Can Capture Their Essence In A Portrait, It’s The Most Wonderful Thing In The World...

Imagine this: I have this great professional photograph I took of my daughter, Emily. She is 12 in the portrait, it’s outside in a garden of grasses and flowers and she looks very grown up and elegant, but her knee has a scrape where she fell the day before. There’s so much emotion in this single image. To me, it’s about being a child one moment and trying to be a grown up in the next. My favorite portrait of Lucas tells the story of growing up too. He is sitting on railroad tracks in his jeans and sneakers with a graffiti wall behind him and his face is turned to the side and lit from the sun. For me, the portrait tells all he went through growing into a young man and where the future was taking him. It is an awesome image. He actually wasn’t interested in having his portrait created at the time but, when he saw them they became some his favorite images too.

What would a photograph like that of your child mean to you in 20 or 25 years? There’s still time, but every day, your child’s smile changes a little.

These Kinds Of Photographs Are Not Accidents. They Are Not Snapshots. And Yet They’re Not “Posed” Or Unnatural In Any Way.

You know your child better than anyone else in the world. You know his or her “real” smile, and you know his or her “fake” smile. But, you know what? Other people can tell the difference too. We all can. You’ve seen photographs where you could tell the photographer just posed the child and said “say cheese!” The lighting may have been good. The background might have been nice. But that fake expression that happens when a child is prompted to smile - that just makes the photograph look like a snapshot instead of a special captured moment in your child’s life.

Imagine How Wonderful Your Child’s Expression Will Be When The Photographer Has Become Your Child’s Friend.

Children are very smart. They don’t just blindly trust anyone. And they never show their true expressions to someone they don’t know and trust. I’ve worked very hard over the past 20 years to be able to capture priceless expressions.

That’s What Makes All The Difference! The Perfect Portrait of Your Child Is Priceless - And It’s only Possible If The Photographer Understands How To Work With Your Child To Bring Out Those Natural Expressions.

Most photographers don’t even meet your child until it’s time to create the photographs. So, your child is sitting there, under all these bright lights, in a strange place, in front of some strange person he or she has never met before. How scary is that? It’s no wonder most photographers have to resort to telling children to “say cheese” in order to get any expression even resembling a smile.

But That’s Not Good Enough. Your Child Is Only Going To Be This Age right now - You Deserve The Perfect Portrait To Capture This Moment In Time Forever.

When you find the right photographer, a photographer who doesn’t merely understand photography, but also understands how to capture your child’s best expressions, you have found a new friend you will value for the rest of you life. This photographer is going to do something for you that no one else in the world can ever do - this photographer will stop time, and capture a cherished memory that you will be able to relive every day of your life.

Nothing means more to me than family memories. No one (other than maybe the rest of your family) understands what your child means to you more than I do. That’s one of the reasons I became a professional photographer - I want to help other parents hold on to their family memories forever, and never regret not having a special photograph of their child created.

Question: “Just Suppose Someone Were To Create The Perfect Portrait of Your Child - One Where Your Child Looked Better Than Ever, Happier Than Ever - A Portrait That Meant The World To You - What Would That Be Worth?”

No price tag can be put on your family’s memories. They are and always will be priceless. So, why would you ever want to gamble with those memories? It’s just a question of whether you believe a portrait of your children could really mean that much to you.

If you were sick, and had to go to a doctor, would you want the “cheapest” doctor, or the best one? Well, there’s really no question. It’s the same thing with your family’s memories. You can certainly find a cheaper photographer in town. But there are other things to consider than just price...

Time is the one thing that none of us have enough of. It’s the one thing that money can’t buy. It’s the one thing that we all would give just about anything for. Through photography, we can hold on to the moments in our lives that we wish could last forever. And, if it’s done correctly, these same photographs can become works of art that we display in our homes for everyone to see and share.

Don’t Make The Decision As To Who Will Photograph Your Child Until You Chat With Me. There Are Things You’ll Want To Ask The Photographers...

There’s no cost, and no obligation to just chat with me, and it will make the whole difference as to how great your portraits will look. My studio number is 301.565.4900.

Don’t worry. I’m not going to try to “sell you” on working with me. I’m already very busy, and I don’t need to pressure anyone to work with me as a photographer. I’ll just talk to you about your portraits, and help you discover what your photographs could be like.

If you decide to have me create your portraits - great. If not, no problem.

But There Are Things You Should Know About Looking For A Photographer...

If you’re like most parents, when you first thought of having a portrait created of your child, you probably pictured in your mind a tiny background, some bright lights, with your child sitting cross-legged on a stool looking nervous. Maybe you even thought of a family member or friend of yours who fancies herself as a “bit of a photography buff.” Maybe you thought of having this person do a quick photograph of your child, and you’d call that good enough. You’re not alone. Most parents think this way at first...

...but then, maybe you realized that this portrait of your child is so important, you’re not going to trust it to just anyone. Believe me, you’ve made the right choice.

The 5 Vital Things To Look For In Your Child’s Photographer - The Secrets 99% Of All People In The World Don’t Know:

By reading this far, you must at least be considering having a portrait of your child created. Well, that’s great - you will probably never make a decision that will bring you more lasting joy. However, there are some things you need to know before your son or daughter steps in front of any camera. By the time you finish reading this webpage, you will know everything you need to know about how to have the perfect portrait of your child created - the one you will cherish forever!

There are 5 Vital things you must look for in a photographer! If your photographer is missing any one of these things, your child’s photographs will be much less than they should be. Demand that your photographer does each and every one of these things!

You may feel like having a children’s portrait done is going to be a lot of work on your part. Well, it isn’t! As long as you know the information on this website, it won’t be any work at all on your part.

.... So, let’s jump right in!

#1 Demand That Your Photographer GUARANTEE You Will Love Your Child’s Portraits.

Most photographers will not do this! Just suppose you had a portrait created, and your son or daughter didn’t look natural in it. The photograph was “ok,” but it didn’t turn out spectacular. Should you have to pay for it? absolutely not! I believe strongly that no one should ever have to pay for a photograph that isn’t perfect.

If Your Child Doesn’t Look The Happiest & Best He Or She Has Ever Looked In These Photographs - You Don’t Pay Me For Them.

That’s my guarantee and personal promise to you. These photographs will be completely meaningless to you unless they convey the real emotions and personality of your child. That’s the only real reason to have a children’s portrait created.

Obviously, I’m totally confident that the portraits I create for you will be well beyond anything you imagine. I believe completely that these photographs will become your most prized possessions - that, if your house were on fire, you would grab them on the way out of your burning home. I’ve devoted my life to photographing children, and that’s why I can’t wait to photograph your child for you.

So, To Restate, Here’s My Fantastic Double Guarantee:

If you are not thrilled with your photographs - if you are dissatisfied for ANY reason at all, I will do two things for you:

1st - At no charge, I will photograph your child again, and make sure that anything that wasn’t perfect is fixed, without you paying another cent.

2nd - If I am absolutely unable to thrill you - if I’m unable to create a photograph that you feel you will cherish forever, I will refund every penny you invested in them. You don’t pay for your photographs unless you love them beyond expression! If I don’t end up being your photographer, make absolutely sure your photographer offers this strong of a guarantee. If they are professional and really good at what they do, they should back up their work by taking all the risk off of you.

#2 Meet Your Child, And Become His Or Her Friend - Ahead Of Time - Before The Session.

No child is going to look natural and vibrant on film if they don’t know and trust the photographer. That is just a plain fact. Plus, besides making the photographs turn out so much better, think of how much more fun your child is going to have during the session if the photographer has become his or her friend! There’s absolutely no reason why your child shouldn’t enjoy having these portraits created. In fact, if your child is NOT having fun, the photographs will not turn out well at all.

There's no cost for this pre-session meeting, and it will only take about 15 minutes, but by the time those fifteen minutes are up, you and your child will be so comfortable with me that when I do the actual session, the expressions will be perfect, natural, and priceless every time.

If I don’t end up being your photographer, make absolutely sure your photographer will meet with you and your child ahead of time, and at no charge. I can’t stress enough what a difference this will make!

#3 Your Photographer Should Be Able To Create The Images In The Studio Or At Your Home Or The Park.

First of all, as I mentioned earlier, one of the biggest challenges for a photographer is making your child feel totally comfortable, thereby getting totally natural and fun expressions on film. Well, in addition to meeting the photographer ahead of time, one of the best things for your child is to create the photographs in a location that is familiar or fun for the child.

Where’s the place most children are the most comfortable? In or around their home. We can create fantastic photographs right there in your own backyard! Or, suppose we go out to a park somewhere, or playing a pile of leaves. At home will be a personal and unique setting.

One way to make the studio session unique is to bring personal items that can be incorporated into the portrait. How about that antique rocker that you sat in as a child, or the quilt grandmother made. Our studio is very relaxed and it has a nice open airy feeling. Children seem to be comfortable here too. In fact, sometimes I can’t get them to leave the camera room!

Misconception About Your Child’s Photography: “There’s No Rush To Have A Portrait Of Your Child Created Right Now.”

Before we continue with the 5 things your photographer must do, let’s talk about this for a moment. So many people think they have all the time in the world to have a portrait of their child created.

But, you know how things are. If you don’t pick up the phone right now, and at least call me to chat about your child’s portrait, you will probably get swamped with other things, and forget all about it. Then, before you know it, a year - two years - five years have gone by. How different will your son or daughter be by then?

You see, time is ticking.... and it’s never going to stop.

First, Your Child Takes His or Her First Step. Next, Learns To Ride A Bike. Later, Gets A Driver’s License. Graduates From High School. Gets Married. Starts A Family Of His or Her Own.

These are precious times, and although things will change, this moment never has to slip from your fingers.

Don’t put this off. You know how life is. We put things off, and before we know it, everything has changed. If your life is half as crazy as mine is, year after year you find yourself frustrated at the things you wanted to do, and never got done. A portrait of your child - as he or she is right now - is something you deserve.

Plus, You Will Save $100 By Acting Right Now!

Just suppose you call my studio and chat with me. Just suppose you decide you would like me to be your child’s photographer. As long as you are one of the first 43 people to call me (for your free chat), I will deduct $100 off the creation of your child’s portraits - no matter when you decide to have the portraits taken with me!

What does that mean? You don’t have to actually have the photograph created immediately - just call me to chat. If, after that call, you decide you want me to be your photographer, I’ll photograph your child for $100 off my regular fee.

What Should You Do Right This Second? (and why?)

Pick up the phone, and call my studio. 301.565.4900 or click on the contact button and leave your name and information. Even if it’s after business hours, still call right now. I’ve got an answering machine that is just waiting to cheerfully take your message, and I’ll personally call you back so we can chat. Just let me know when is a good time to call you back. Don’t worry; I’m not going to try to “pressure” you at all into working with me. Plus, there’s no cost at all for us just to chat.

When you call, we’ll chat briefly about the things you need to know. I’ll tell you a bit about me. I’ll answer all your questions about how to prepare for your child’s portrait - including things I don’t have time to put in this letter. It won’t be a long call, but it will be one of the most important calls you make.

#4 The Photographer Must Allow At Least One Hour To Photograph Your Child!!

This is a biggie. Most photographers are trying to crank so many sessions through in a day; they only have a short amount of time to photograph each subject. Did you know that the average child photographer spends only 12.5 minutes photographing a child? That’s not right!

Fine children’s photography is like a great meal in a fine restaurant: It can't be rushed. The photographer is like your personal chef, preparing the meal for you. The photographer is going to have to “add all the right spices” into the photograph to make it just right. This takes a bit of patience, and a lot of focus. If your photographer knows that in about 15 minutes the next client is going to show up, you’re not going to get the attention you deserve.

Now, it may not take the whole hour to photograph your child. However, I always set aside at least one hour for every child session I book. I’ve done some sessions that only took about 20 minutes or so to get a number of stunning images, but the point is - it’s vital to leave that much time open. Don’t let your photographer rush through this. Remember, these are your memories, and it’s up to you to make sure your photographer realizes his or her responsibility to you and your child.

If I don’t end up being your photographer, make absolutely sure your photographer spends at least one hour creating the perfect images for you - this cannot be rushed!

#5 Make Your Child Feel Totally Comfortable By Using A Favorite Stuffed Animal, Pet, or Toy.

I love this part. You see, this is a two-fold benefit here. It’s going to make your child so much more comfortable, and at the same time, it’s going to add yet another level of personalization to the final photographs. As you know, children love familiarity. Nothing can calm them down like that “security blanket” they love to haul around the house, or that special beat-up raggedy old stuffed animal that Grandma gave them on their first birthday, or that cherished family pet that is like their best friend.

Imagine the wonderful photographs that will come from allowing your child to play with something that is so special to him or her. Some of the most emotional and memorable portraits I’ve ever created involved a child playing with a toy or a pet or even a family music box. We’ve all seen children almost seem to “slip into another world” when they play with certain things. Those are the moments I live for, and those are the moments I’m going to capture for you on film.

Why Your Child’s Portrait Will Become More Valuable To You Than Anything Else In Your Home:

Do you have a photograph of your child that, if you were running from your burning home, would be the one thing you save (other than your family members, of course) on the way out?

Do you have a photograph of your child that means that much to you? Now, I’m not talking about a “snapshot” that was taken during a family outing on the Fourth of July. I’m talking about a wonderful photograph, created by an artistic photographer that not only captures your child’s true expressions and personality, but also does so in a way that you’d be proud to display in your home for the rest of your life.

It’s Not Too Late. This Moment, Right Now, Can Be Held Onto For The Rest Of Your Life - For You To Share With Family And Friends.

You don’t have to make a big decision right now. You don’t have to choose your photographer - you don’t even have to decide that now is the time for your child’s portrait. Just take one small step toward holding onto your child’s happiest moments.

Just Call My Studio, And We’ll Chat. And, If You Decide You Want Me To Create Your Child’s Portrait, Save $100 Off Of The Creation. It’s All Up To You.

You can call any time. If I don’t answer, just leave your name and number at the beep, and I’ll call you back. If you’re thinking of this photograph as a gift for someone, let me know, so when I call back, I only ask for you, and don’t spoil the surprise!

The Perfect Portrait Of Your Child Is Only One Phone Call Away...

It will be a call you will be glad you made for the rest of your life. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Barbara Glaeser

Certified Professional Photographer