PORTRAIT T H E
E X P E R I E N C E
SENIOR
merritt portrait studio | 2018 j e n n i fe r koski n e n , p h oto g rap h e r |
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greetings,
GORGEOUS! I’m excited to get to know you! You’ll quickly learn that this is about something much deeper than taking a few yearbook pictures.
THIS IS A UNIQUE STORYTELLING OPPORTUNITY.
My question for you right now is this:
HOW DO YOU WANT TO TELL YOUR SENIOR STORY? Let’s dream together and collaborate to design the perfect photo session to show the world how YOU want to
Designed
to
be
empowering,
spontaneous and fun, this session
be photographed!
awesome. I’ll make you feel like a
- jennifer
star while we wander, laugh, and tell
c: 970.708.2065
is an excuse to celebrate YOU, your style, your quirks and your inner
YOUR story in photographs.
e: jennifer@merrittdesignphoto.com
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TABLE
OF
CONTENTS 5 design: LOCATION 6 location: URBAN 8 location: NATURAL 32 location: MOUNTAIN 44 location: PERSONAL 48 location: DESTINATION 58 styling: WARDROBE 68 the SESSION 74 the INVESTMENT 78 the BOUTIQUE 80 CLIENT LOVE 84 about JENNIFER 88 about the
PROCESS
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... and so the
ADVENTURE
begins...
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the senior portrait experience:
THE PROCESS
book design prepare session reveal cherish
sessions are booked with a $150 retainer which confirms timing and location, as well as setting in motion necessary location permits, makeup artists, etc. we’ll sit together over a coffee and design your session details, from timing to style and location, and consider any other parts of the story you want to tell prior to your session, I’ll send you a list of wardrobe suggestions and other tips to help you arrive feeling 100% prepared for an incredible photo session your photo session will be spent exploring to find best light. you can expect to laugh and get enough direction to help you feel relaxed and confident you’ll see gorgeous, PRINTED proofs at your ordering session, and you’ll get to hold samples from our boutique line to pick out your story-telling products your order will be created for you with utmost attention to detail, printed on highest quality archival materials, designed to be cherished for generations
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l o c a t i o n “ photography
is a
l o cAFFAIR a t i o n LOVE l o with c aLIFE” t i o n - Burk Uzzle ( i t ’s a bo ut t h e ligh t)
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session design | on choosing a
LOCATION
Your location choice is more flexible than you might imagine. If there’s good light and some areas to find shade, I can make almost any location work. To a large degree, the background for your photos should be just that: background. That being said, the most important part of this decision is that it sets the mood for how you’ll FEEL on your session. If you feel good, you’ll rock your style anywhere!
Most portrait locations fall into these general categories:
URBAN NATURE & GARDEN MOUNTAIN SPECIAL TO YOU DESTINATION The following spreads are designed to show you photos from each category to help you visualize what’s possible.
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location feature:
URBAN
M
y background as an architect
To the right are some examples
shapes how I see light and
from different parts of Denver. In
composition in the city. People now
the pages that follow, enjoy senior
contact me specifically requesting
“stories” which give you an idea for
my urban portrait work.
how much variety is possible in one walking session.
Our city is alive with culture, vibrant color, and
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texture,
light
If you love the energy of the city, if
for
you’re comfortable with the buzz and
unique compositions and gorgeous
the vibe, an urban session could be
portraiture.
the perfect fit for your personality.
My job involves a lot of improvisation
Parts of Denver also allow for hybrid
and therefore it’s less important than
sessions, with natural feeling photos
you’d imagine to pick the perfect
even in the heart of the city. Let me
starting spot. If you have a favorite
know if you’d like an urban/natural
part of town, let’s meet at a coffee
session and I have several location
shop and wander out from there.
suggestions to offer.
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opportunity
bouncing everywhere
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location profile: theater district
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location profile: lodo
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location profile: union station neighborhood, continued
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Trinity’s
ART STORY As an aspiring actor with an extraordinary and unique look, we wanted Trinity’s session to have a hint of an artsy, cinematic edge. The streets around this part of Denver provided the perfect backdrop, texture and urban light for her sense of style, and we experienced serendipitously perfect, ever changing light all day. What an absolute joy it was telling her story in photographs. j e n n i fe r koski n e n , ph oto g rap h e r |
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“OMG
.
These are truly gorgeous Jennifer! Thank you for taking such phenomenal pics of my girl - you captured her perfectly.” - Trinity’s mom
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location profile: highlands
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location profile: riverfront
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location profile: street art
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location profile: old denver
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“
My deepest gratitude
to Jennifer for capturing the very essence of my New York vision in the Mile High City.
I am absolutly in love with the outcome of my senior session. The photos are proof that even for a second everything can be perfect.” - Josette.
Josette’s
CITY STORY Josette’s vision for her session was inspired by the character Carrie Bradshaw of “Sex & the City.” She actively prepared every detail, right down to special ordering this head-turning tulle skirt! NYC was a central character of the show, so we decided to use a less recognizable and historic part of Denver as the backdrop for her fashionable urban photo shoot.
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location profile: 17t Street Old Denver, continued
Josette’s full session can be viewed on the blog at merrittportraitstudio.com j e n n i fe r koski n e n , ph oto g rap h e r |
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location profile: museum district
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Anna’s
FASHION STORY The art museum district in central Denver was the perfect location for Anna’s stunning, grounded confidence and beautiful sense of style.
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if your
dreams
don’t scare you... they’re not
big
enough
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location profile: Art Museum neighborhood, continued
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location idea:
NATURAL
Oh, Colorado.
Spring sessions present the rare opportunity (for senior sessions anyway)
Sunshine, outdoors, the best weath-
to capture the height of the cherry
er in the country (in my experience
blossoms. If you book early and want
anyway). We’ve got it all so if you
to shoot in spring of your junior year,
love to be out in nature, I’d love to
I’d love to photograph you in the
capture you in your element!
brilliant colors of this season.
We have a great variety of city parks,
A few ideas for locations include:
spectacular all year long. For sum-
Wash Park, Chessman Park, City
mer sessions I like to schedule us just
Park and Civic Center Park. Denver
a few hours prior to sunset to take
Botanic Gardens is also spectacular
advantage of the warm light and
(note permit fee of $100). And finally,
long shadows of the late afternoon
the area near Greenwood Village
and early evening.
along the Highline Canal is quiet and has a wild beauty all its own.
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location profile: open space
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luminous |ˈloōmənəs| adjective
physics relating to light as it is perceived by the eye. { of a person’s complexion or eyes } glowing with health, vigor, or an emotion : her eyes were luminous with joy
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location profile: wash park
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location profile: Wash Park, continued
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location profile: denver botanic gardens
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Catherine’s
BOTANIC GARDEN STORY The magical light of a late summer day fit this graceful, talented, bright and kind young woman in a way that took my breath away. She moved like a goddess in her two absolutely picture perfect tulle skirts, which she made from scratch for her portrait session.
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“
always be on the lookout for the presence of
wonder - E. B. White
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location idea:
MOUNTAIN
I lived in Telluride for almost 13
Lair o’the Bear park is the easiest
years. I LOVE the mountains. They
mountain location to access from
are home to me. And I don’t get
downtown Denver, just up the road
back nearly often enough so if you
from Red Rocks park. It offers gor-
want to shoot in the mountains... let’s
geous alpine scenery year round.
do it!
A small river runs through the park, and there are miles of trail I have yet
Most of the mountain locations
to explore with clients, including a
around Denver do require a special
higher alpine loop if you want more
permit to photograph even portrait
“vista” than you’ll see in the current
sessions. Lucky for you, I happen to
crop of photos I have here.
purchase an annual permit to photograph at any of the Jeffco parks.
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Let’s go for a hike!
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Cooper’s
MOUNTAIN STORY Cooper’s mid-October session was perfect to capture his favorite season, photographed at Lair o’the Bear Park
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location idea:
PERSONAL
If there’s a location that means some-
Perhaps you’re a swimmer, or dancer,
thing to you based on your interests,
or performer. Or maybe you love the
hobbies, obsessions or passions, let’s
art of a certain museum, or your el-
talk about photographing you doing
ementary school garden (both ideas
your thing.
from sessions you’ll see in the following pages).
Personally
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inspired
sessions
I’ve
done include the area around Civic
Whatever your story, your obses-
Center Park for a few clients with
sion or your favorite ritual, I’d love to
political aspirations; the library for a
photograph you in your element, so
senior who was a creative writer; the
please let me know what makes YOU
Santa Fe Arts district for an artist.
spark.
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neon lights, art, music, animals, books, games, roller skating, gardening, civics, design... what makes YOUR heart sing?
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Zoe’s
LIBRARY STORY The public library was the perfect spot for this creative writer with a passion for books. 52 |
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“
I have no special talent. I am only
passionately
CURIOUS - Albert Einstein
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be
FEARLESS in the pursuit of what sets your
SOUL ON FIRE
Annika’s
SCHOOL GARDEN STORY Annika’s elenentary school garden was a delightfully unique, nostalgic and empowering location for this incredible young woman’s portrait session. 54 |
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Isa’s
MUSEUM STORY What a fun request from Isa to photograph her session inside Denver’s Clifford Still Museum. Making art inside a museum is truly a treat. And it’s even better with an awesome woman to photograph with these paintings! (Note: special permission and a permit fee are required to photograph inside the museum) j e n n i fe r koski n e n , ph oto g rap h e r |
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location idea:
DESTINATION
Are you ready for something bigger? Let’s go for a ROAD TRIP! If you book early enough in the season and you happen to have got a location in mind that falls outside the Denver area, I do offer a limited number of destination sessions.
A few destination ideas include:
Rocky Mountain National Park Aspen, Colorado Telluride, Colorado Santa Fe, New Mexico Painted Mines Interpretive Park Great Sand Dunes National Park
Destination sessions must be booked
SPECIAL PERMITS & travel fees will
in spring, travel available during
apply. I’d love to get you a custom
summer months only.
quote if you’ve got a dream destination session in mind!
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Gabriel’s
CINEMATIC STORY An aspiring actor with a lifelong interest in costume design and character, Gabe had a blast designing the elements of his senior session at the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Cinematic landscapes were the backdrop for his surreal and dramatic senior story. j e n n i fe r koski n e n , ph oto g rap h e r |
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“ good be so
you”
they can’t ignore
- Steve Martin
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If you haven’t been to the Great Sand Dunes at the base of the San Luis Valley, you owe yourself a visit. With a snowmelt creek and the snow capped Sangre de Christo mountains in spring, and vast dunes full of wind-swept sand year round, this location is truly one of a kind.
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“
the
FUTURE
belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their
DREAMS” - Eleanor Roosevelt
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Hannah’s
PAINT MINES STORY I’d had my eye on this location for a while, so when Hannah mentioned she wanted a session in a location that was all her own, this was my first thought. I showed her a few pictures I’d seen, she was excited... and it was perfect.
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Hauntingly beautiful, the Paint Mines near Colorado Springs are a mysterious and evocative natural feature tucked into an otherwise unassuming landscape. The unique geology makes for fantastic light and surreal compositions you won’t find anywhere else. A memorable experience to be sure.
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CHARACTER INTELLIGENCE
STRENGTH
STYLE
t h a t ma ke s b e a u t y. - Diane Von Furstenberg
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STYLE isn’t what you wear: it’s how you wear it
designing your session:
WARDROBE & STYLING The most important thing throughout this process is that you feel like YOU. There’s no need to buy a whole new wardrobe; this should be a celebration of who you are, not how you dress! That being said, a little bit of preparation goes a long way towards making you FEEL great in whatever you bring. I’ll remind you of this in your confirmation, but keep in mind as you prepare: you’ll be walking for your session, so be sure to pack your wardrobe items in a rolling suitcase! More specific wardrobe tips in the next few pages...
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styling & wardrobe:
COLORS & SHAPE
COLORS:
SHAPE:
•
•
•
bring colors that compliment your skin tones and coloring
items you bring (don’t bring
tones that bring out your eye
only t-shirts or all similar cut
color are WONDERFUL •
if you love wearing black, feel
so that I can best flatter you in posing, avoid loose or overly
another option in case it is too
baggy clothing •
items that fit you through the
neutrals (greys, earth tones, off-
body are easiest to flatter (boxy
white and whites) photograph
tops make you look larger in
nicely and tend to focus atten-
photos)
tion on you quite well •
dresses, for example) •
free to bring some, just bring high contrast with your skin •
vary necklines and types of
jewel tones work beautifully!
•
that being said, flowy skirts are super fun to photograph!
GENERALLY AVOID: big bold or high contrast stripes, distracting patterns (even a great big floral print, as lovely as it is in person, will often take attention away from you in a photograph)
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styling & wardrobe:
LAYERS & ACCESSORIES
LAYERS & TEXTURES:
ACCESSORIES:
•
•
•
jackets with pockets, yes! (especially if you normally wear them)
carefully as it can distract, but if
different textured layers, like
you typically wear jewelry and it
flannel shirts, sweaters, even a hoodie sweatshirt if that’s your
is part of an outfit, bring it •
thing •
•
jewelry should be considered
texture in fabric of an overlayer
scarves and hats are great even if you’re just holding them
•
glasses, sunglasses either worn
adds dimension without being
or even held can be nice to give
too distracting
your hands something to hold
try thinking “cozy” for an outfit
•
sunflowers. because: sunflowers
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styling & wardrobe:
SKIN.HAIR.MAKEUP.NAILS
HAIR & MAKEUP:
SKIN & NAILS:
The main objective is that you look
•
like... YOU. That being said, here are
days prior to your session to
some tips to arrive camera ready:
keep your skin clear •
•
• •
•
day, please don’t worry about
definition than you usually wear
blemishes -- I can get these in
to bring out your EYES
photoshop! (mis-matched cov-
a bit of cheek contour is lovely
erup is actually harder to pho-
to define your face shape
toshop)
LIPS: guys and girls please keep
•
EYEBROWS & NAILS: please
your lips hydrated and bring lip
trim, clean, polish as you like...
color or chapstick for touchups
just know that nails might be
during the session
in photos and chipped polish
I do have makeup artists to refer
doesn’t photograph great!
ing one to add to your session experience and feel extra fine!
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if you wake with skin issues that
add a bit more mascara and eye
you to if you’d like to discuss hir-
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drink plenty of water in the
styling & wardrobe:
RESOURCES
ON-LINE:
ON FOOT:
I have more resources available on
There’s no need to spend a bunch
my website, including full blog posts
of money to get a great piece to
of many of the sessions featured in
complement a styling idea.
this magazine (and more!) if you’d like to see more photos of seniors
Denver is fortunate to have great
you’ve seen here for inspiration.
vintage shops where you can score great deals on unique items (we love
is
also
a
fantastic
Buffalo Exchange!)
resource for wardrobe and styling ideas, as is Instagram. It’s also fun to
We will discuss all of this at your
look outside of senior photo sites,
consultation, and if you have any
to fashion magazines for inspiration.
further
I have senior inspiration boards @
hesitate to ask!
questions,
please
don’t
merrittphoto on Pinterest.
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take a glimpse:
BEHIND THE SCENES
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your portrait session:
ON LOCATION
we’ll wander, explore, laugh, improvise, look for light... make memories ... and make some photographs j e n n i fe r koski n e n , ph oto g rap h e r |
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book a session with your
BEST FRIEND, COUSIN or SIBLING These sessions are a bit longer, and function as two overlapping sessions with bonus “together time” during each look. We’ll create photos of each of you individually and both of you together.
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the senior portrait:
INVESTMENT
Your session fee of $295 includes: • • • •
In Person: Design Consultation Photo Session (90) minutes Custom Edit of Approx 50 Proofs In Person: Premiere Portrait Reveal & Ordering Session • (1) Final Yearbook File (printable to 5x7) $150 retainer books your session date & time, and the balance is due on the day of your session. “Sibling Session” fee is $395 for two people, (2.5) hour session and includes above items and (1) final yearbook photo for each sibling (or cousin or best friend)
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the senior portrait:
REVEAL & ORDERING
APPROXIMATELY 2-3 WEEKS
after your
portrait session, we’ll get together again to view your
PRINTED PROOFS. Proofing and ordering from tangible proofs is just silly amounts of fun and much easier than off of a monitor, and I’ve developed a system that gets you to arrive painlessly at the perfect final order for you and your budget. You can make piles of favorites, make note of any desired retouching, etc. AND you’ll get to see and hold our boutique line of products (see next pages). Be sure to bring any family members who will want to place an order to your premiere portrait reveal and ordering session!
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the senior portrait boutique:
STORY TELLING PRODUCTS
PRINTS are FOREVER. All print, image box & album purchases are retouched and INCLUDE the accompanying high resolution DIGITAL FILES as well as a full print release so you can reprint on your own and/or share online. Please note that digital files should never be considered to be archival. Your investment should last for generations, so I strongly encourage you to print your photos!
“what’s a . jpg?” - your grandkids
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product profile: archival mounted/framed prints
FRAMED COLLECTIONS start at $595 (above)
FINE ART MOUNTED PRINTS start at $185
available in lustre or deep matte fine art papers, professionally mounted on archival substrate
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product profile: custom image boxes
CUSTOM IMAGE BOXES
start at $795 hand made with custom cover and 14 mounted 5x7 prints (left)
NEW: LARGE & EXTRA DEEP CUSTOM IMAGE BOXES
start at $985 hand made with custom cover with 23 mounted 5x7 prints or 45 mounted 5x7 prints (below)
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product profile: fine art albums
FINE ART DEEP MATTE ALBUMS
start at $1285
hand bound, printed on lucsious, paper in deep matte finish for museum quality feel. purchase includes full set of proofs NEW Companion Mini albums (great gifts for grandparents)
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“
THANK YOU for such a great experience. My girl walked away feeling confident and beautiful, which as a mama, is a dream come true.”
“I am so blown away by just how beautiful these photos are. We are so glad to have found you!”
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“Jennifer’s work is amazing! We love her
passion
for drawing out
the best in her clients!”
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Now... how do you want to tell
YOUR STORY? In designing your senior portrait session you have a unique opportunity to share with the world a glimpse of who you are in this moment. Your style, your colors, things and places that inspire you can be worked together to weave the tale of YOU, now, at the edge of exciting new directions in your life. My goal is to empower YOU & capture your spark.
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about jennifer:
PHOTOGRAPHER AWARDS: 2016 & 2017 Senior Style Guide HOT 100 Senior Photographer B&W & Urban categories TOP TEN 2016 & 2017 DENVER A-LIST “Best Portrait Photographer” 2016 & 2017 Shoot & Share Contest FINALIST
“ It’s more IMPORTANT
to click with PEOPLE than to click the shutter” - Alfred Eisenstaedt
It’s my love of people -- our stories, our challenges, our stumbles and our triumphs -- that makes me addicted to my work as a portrait photographer. That... and the fact that I see beauty. Everywhere. In people. In light. In shadow. I can’t turn it off. My superpower is in seeing YOU and capturing your radiance. Your personality. Your spark. THIS is why I love what I do... and this is WHY I can’t wait to work with you.
CONTACT jennifer merritt koskinen (970) 708.2065 jennifer@merrittdesignphoto.com merrittportraitstudio.com
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the best
is yet to COME . . .
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the senior portrait
CONSULTATION •
session date
•
session location
•
session start time (two hours prior to sunset)
•
styling ideas & themes
•
interests / special talents and/or passions
•
hair & makeup
•
packing tips for session day
•
follow up questions
•
resources for more information and next steps
•
retainer ($150)
•
model release
ADDITIONAL NOTES :
A RT | S T O RY | L E G AC Y jennifer m koskinen photographer 970.708.2065 jennifer@merrittdesignphoto.com
mer r it tport raitst udio.com
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merrittportraitstudio.com
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