In my house, holiday cards were always an event. They often involved matching outfits (thanks L.L. Bean), and my parents were seldom in them. So until recently, I always assumed that holiday cards were something you did after you had children. Then last year Michael and I spent our first married holiday alone together, and as the cards featuring our married and unmarried friends piled up on our doorstep, I suddenly realized that I really wanted a way to mark the holidays and share them with the loved ones we’d be missing in person. Cue: panicked effort to find a good photo of us at the last minute. Of which, it turns out, there are basically none. So I dragged my dog out into our backyard and did what I know best. But this year, I vowed to do something different. After seven years of no nice photos of Michael and me, I want something that represents this moment we’re at in our lives right now. And when it comes time to choose photographers I trust with that job, there’s only one place I look: APW sponsors and vendors.
Here’s a trade secret: if you don’t want to spend all the moneys on a professional photo of you and your partner, fall is the best time to snag a deal. Many professional wedding and portrait photographers set up “mini-sessions” in late fall or early winter, which are short portrait sessions that you can get for a fraction of a normal sitting fee. We’re talking starting prices of $100 for absolutely stunning photos that only require about twenty minutes of your time. So, to save you from searching, here are a handful of the specials being offered by APW vendors and sponsors. There are even stationery options, so you can save yourself from that search too. And if you’re not seeing anything in your geography below, you can always cruise the vendor directory to find someone who’s nearby.
PHOTOGRAPHY SPECIALS
SMITTEN CHICKENS: 30 minute mini sessions ($150) and $100 off regular sessions
New York, NY
Smitten Chickens has two sweet deals for you guys: 30 minute mini sessions in Central Park or $100 off their regular two hour sessions (which are usually $500). You can set up a session anytime between October 1 and December 21, 2015, and you’ll receive an online gallery for edited images and a print release.
BETTY CLICKER PHOTOGRAPHY: 15-20 minute mini sessions ($325)
Washington, DC; San Francisco, CA; New York, NY
If you’re in Washington, DC, San Francisco, or New York, you can spend 15 to 20 minutes with Betty Clicker Photography for $325. The DC date is November 8, San Francisco is November 16, and New York can book on December 12. You’ll receive 10 to 15 proofs to choose from within a week of the session.
MANALI ANNE PHOTOGRAPHY: ONE HOUR FAMILY OR ENGAGEMENT SESSION ($325)
SAN FRANCISCO, OAKLAND, OR BERKELEY, CA
Manalie Anne is offering one hour sessions for $325 this winter, and the deal is pretty sweet. You can shoot in your home, at a park, or wherever, and you’ll receive fifty photos. The official dates are November 22 and December 6, but she also has weekdays available if you want ’em.
EVANGELINE LANE: ONE HOUR MINI SESSIONS ($200)
LOS ANGELES, CA
If you’ve been looking for the perfect photographer to lead you on an adventure session or to roam your neighborhood, Evangline Lane is your gal! She’s giving out one hour mini sessions for $200 this season. You’ll get a minimum of thirty high-resolution edited images on a personal website and optional printing. Contact her for availability.
DIANA ROTHERY WEDDINGS: One HOUR SESSIONS ($450)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
If you’re looking for one hour of shooting in your home (or a location of your choice) in San Francisco, Diana Rothery will give it to you! Sessions run $450 and you’ll receive fifty to eighty images (depending on the session) of full-resolution edited digital images via an online gallery within seventy-two hours of shooting. There are several weekend dates and times available: November 1 at 4pm, November 7 at 10am, and 10 am and 4pm on November 15, 29, December 5, 6, 12, and 13, or contact Diana for much more weekday availability. You can find out more here.
RITUAL PHOTOWORK: 45 MINUTE SESSIONS OR HALF-DAY SESSIONS ($350–$500)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Here’s the deal, guys: Ritual Photowork is offering mini sessions (45 minutes) for $350… or a complete half-day session (up to three and a half hours) for $500. Both rates are APW only and good through November 15, so you’re going to want to book quickly—date and locations for shooting are flexible.
MARY ELISE REES EVENT DESIGN, KEIRA LEMONIS PHOTOGRAPHY, HEIDI BENJAMIN PHOTOGRAPHY: FLOWER CROWN WORKSHOP and STYLED SESSION ($100–$220)
TROY, NY
This is an absolute steal: these three are offering a flower crown workshop and styled mini photo session for $100–$220. Flower Scout will lead the flower crown workshop, and photographers Keira Lemonis and Heidi Benjamin will offer a basic package of five photos (in front of backdrops styled by Mary Elise Rees Event Design). You’ll have an option to upgrade for professional hair and makeup services or additional images, and will have access to a wardrobe of gowns. Workshop and shoot date is November 15 at 11am at the Takk House in Troy. More details can be found here!
DE NUEVA PHOTOGRAPHY: MINI SESSIONS ($250)
CENTRAL PARK, New York, NY
New York City elopement photography extraordinaire De Nueva Photography is offering mini sessions for couples, expecting parents, and families in Central Park. You’ll nab ten to twenty high-resolution files via download within a week, which will give you plenty of time to print for holiday cards! Sessions are $250 and available on weekday mornings or evenings (and one weekend day: November 22 from 2pm to 4pm) until the holidays.
JULIE SHUFORD PHOTOGRAPHY: 30 minute family photo sessions ($175)
San Diego and Los Angeles, CA
Hey San Diego and LA! Julie Shuford will be offering 30 minute family sessions (and ten edited digital images) for $175. The San Diego shoot date is October 25, and LA is November 8.
LEANNE MICHELLE PHOTOGRAPHY: 90 minute sessions ($250)
Arizona
Lest you think these deals are only available on a coast, Leanne Michelle Photography is offering 90 minute sessions in Arizona anytime you want to shoot this winter. You’ll pay $250 and receive all the best images for download in a private gallery to use however you choose. If you refer a friend and they book a session between October 19, 2015 and January 31, 2016, you’ll get $50 off your own session.
Paper Goods
Lemon Leaf Prints: 25% off holiday stationery
It’s not all photography around here! Lemon Leaf Prints is offering twenty-five percent off Christmas, New Year, and Hanukkah stationery if you buy it before the end of November. The discount is applied on top of regular volume discounts, so head over and see what deals you can snag!
Ink With Intent: 10% off ketubahs and wedding certificates
You guys might remember Ink With Intent from their sponsored post a few months ago, but if not, I’m pleased to (re)introduce you to the people who make the coolest ketubahs and wedding certificates around. If you place an order between October 19, 2015 and January 31, 2016, and use the code “apwholiday2015” you’ll get 10% off your order. Prices are $155–$270 before the discount, so that’s a pretty sweet deal!
