Your Photographer, Kelli Summerford
Well lets see.... I was born in 1980 and raised in South East Louisiana, I have lived in Manhattan, the mountains of Southern Cali, the Desert of South Cali, the beautiful beaches of Alabama and the middle of no where Alabama.... I now reside back home in New Orleans. I married a Culinary Artist (chef) 4 years ago and we have 2 small boys together born 11-07 and 5-11. So even though this is my only job I earn money at, I am a full time wife and mother as well, which any other mom knows is enough by it's self.
I always had a talent and a passion for all forms of Art and have won awards for my paintings in the past... I still enjoy painting, jewelry making and other crafts in my spare time. ( Not that I ever have any..lol) I always enjoyed taking photos and looking at photos especially old family pictures. I started Photography as a full time profession around the time I got married. I could not believe the prices the photographers charged, the hoarding of copy rights and most often bad work and thought.... I could do this well..and make people happy.... So I did! At the end of April 2013 I will have shoot 90 weddings. Of coarse portraits just come along with that and I have a lot of fun doing them. I am quite blessed to be doing what I enjoy and still find time for my family, plus I get to contribute in a huge way to one of the happiest days of some couples lives (Often babies come along and rank pretty high..lol). Unfortunately I am not super woman so I don't overbook myself. So book early!!
Check out this write up done on me in 2012, this website came to me and asked me to be on their site, I did not pay for this.
http://www.weddingphotography.org/wedding-photography/featured-photographer-summerford-photography.html
Equipment:
I use only Canon! My main Camera is a Canon EOS 6D Digital SLR Camera (20.2 mega pixels) I also own 2 more canon rebels an T2i and a Xti, I use as backups. 24-105 F/4 L IS lens, 18-55mm lens, 75-300mm lens and a fish eye/wide angle lens. I use a Canon 550ex and a 430ex II flash as well as diffusers and other small things. I usually shoot alone, every once in a while someone will reach out to me and ask to intern so i may have an assistant.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Your pictures are wonderful, why don't you charge more?
I get this question a few times a month. Well first off I have been photographing weddings professionally for 3 years now which is not a long time, but because I am so affordable I have photographed 80+ weddings which gives me a good bit of experience. I did not go to school for this I simply started shooting for free and then 50$ an hour and I have raised my prices every year since. I am not fresh out of school either I am in my early 30's so I know what its like to work for a living and before I starting doing Photography full time I was a waitress and bartender trying to sell art on the side. So I know what its like to work hard for very little, and I find Photography to come naturally to me and I do not find it to be a hard job for the income I earn. So I am more then happy and even grateful to earn what I do especially in this economy.
Someone said to me today well I think you get what you pay for... which is true and not true at the same time. I have had a pair of 40$ shoes out last a 200$ pair. I also keep track of what my competitors charge and I can't even count the new to this business photographers that pop up, want 1200$ per wedding and they have done maybe 2 and the pictures they have in their portfolio are not great. Seems like a lot of people get a good camera and decide to go in to photographing weddings and they want $$$ out the gate. 6 months later they have disappeared from the internet.. my guess is they didn't make it. There are lots of Amazing photographers out there that charge $$$, do a great job and have loads of experience. Most of them also have a ton of equipment they bring as well as a 2nd shooter and even assistants to help set up lights and organize portraits. With me its just me my camera and a good flash. So I don't have other people working with me that I have to pay or over head on a studio and such. My goal is to get there but right now I am happy where I am at, hopefully that makes sense. New Orleans is a destination wedding city and Elopers do not need huge packages but they want great pictures so what I offer is perfect for these types of couples. When it come to wedding vendors it is important that you look into their portfolio, read reviews and just do your home work, don't assume that price means quality, in this business vendors set their price and I find them to be all over the place.
Do you offer a 2nd shooter?
Yes there is currently several other photographers if available that could work w/ me to capture extra memories of your Big day.
Is editing my pictures included in the price or is it extra?
Yes editing your pictures is included. You get a color and a black and white copy of every picture.
How long does it take before my flash drive is finished?
Normally I can have pictures ready to go in just a week, but due to the sudden surge in my business and double wedding weekends. It may take me up to three weeks. I always upload them in groups as I go to your smugmug gallery for a sneak peek.
My friend/relative is a photographer (amateur or pro) and wants to take some pictures at the wedding is this ok?
At this time I do not mind other guest wanting to take pictures, Nor do I mind input and ideas from my Bride & Groom.
However it can be very distracting to everyone else during portraits if other people are trying to take pictures at the same time as me. Most often I will get home and find that the people in the picture are looking in 10 different directions and this can ruin a photo. I try to deal w/ this when it happens and let everyone get a shot, but this does add to the time it takes to do the portraits.
Shots can often be missed as well if other guests jump up in front of me during the ceremony and at other key moments. There have been a few times I miss out on that panoramic ceremony aisle shot for instance due to guest standing in the isle trying to get their own shot (often with a camera phone). So please keep this in mind and tell any of your guests that are photo savvy to be mindful of me and keep it to a minimum.
Can I edit my pictures more once I receive them or do you have them locked?
There is no lock on your flash drive, you should be able to upload them to your computer and do what you will with them with ease.
Are there any logos or watermarks on the finished pictures?
No! These are your memories so my name is not on all your pictures.
Can I share my pictures on Social media ( facebook, myspace etc)?
Of course. I just ask you put photo/photos by Summerford Photography on there somewhere. I load a few to my facebook and you are welcome to tag yourself in them and share with your friends.
Self Portrait 2012
