H2 Photography - Holly Gross Photography

2011 Holiday Cards!!

2011-12-06T00:19:00.001-07:00

It's that time of year again! Time to pick your holiday cards!! This year I have 25 different samples! Some are from years past, most are new! All are customizable!

H2 Photography is offering custom Holiday photo cards!

Choose from 25 different cards {with envelopes}!

[Click image to inlarge]

Photo cards are 6" x 7.5" {only requires one postage stamp}

All text is customizable

Other sizes available upon request {additional fees may apply}

$50 for a set of 50 cards, *additional sets (of 25) may be purchased at reduced pricing.

Contact Holly with all other questions

2011 Holiday Mini Sessions Are Here!

2011-11-08T16:53:00.010-07:00

2011 Holiday Mini Sessions Are Here!

Has anyone else started the countdown? Or started Christmas shopping? There are only 46 days until Christmas! That means … it’s time for holiday mini sessions! A mini session is a great way to get a beautiful family portrait for your holiday cards. And because pictures make great gifts for parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles and others, it’s a great opportunity to cross some family and friends off your Christmas list! Want to give the gift of an H2 Photography session? Gift Certificates are also available!

(click to enlarge)

Mini Session includes:

Mix of posed and natural family shots
Individual shots of children if desired, mix of posed/natural depending on age
Approx 25-50 final edited images posted to an online gallery for you to proof and order ala carte prints
Password-protected gallery of all images available for purchase
Partridge in a Pear Tree - one (1) high-resolution JPEG digital image of your choice, for you to download for your personal use
Turtle Doves Session - Three (3) high-resolution JPEG digital image of your choice, for you to download for your personal use
Golden Rings Session - Five (5) high-resolution JPEG digital image of your choice, for you to download for your personal use
Turtle Doves & Golden Rings includes 50 custom designed photo cards (designs coming soon!)

Wednesday November 16th
Location: Gilbert Riparian Preserve

2:10-2:55 PM -
3:00-3:45 PM -
3:50-4:35 PM -
4:40-5:30 PM -

Sunday November 27th (Thanksgiving weekend)
Location: Scottsdale Civic Center Park

2:10-2:55 PM -
3:00-3:45 PM -
3:50-4:35 PM -
4:40-5:30 PM -

Saturday, December 3rd
Location: Gilbert Riparian Preserve

2:10-2:55 PM -
3:00-3:45 PM -
3:50-4:35 PM -
~~4:40-5:30 PM~~

Sunday, December 4th
Location: Downtown Chandler

3:00-3:45 PM -
3:50-4:35 PM -
4:40-5:30 PM -

Mini Session Details/FAQ:

Mini sessions last 45 minutes and are ideal for smaller families or updated portraits of the kids – perfect for getting the latest family picture for your holiday cards! We can actually take quite a few shots in that time frame and try to get as many posed and natural looking shots as possible in that time frame. We move quickly, so please ensure you arrive 10 minutes before you session starts so we can get going on time. We cannot make up time on the backend.

Mini sessions are limited to families of 6 or smaller. If you have a larger family, we recommend you book a full hour session so we can accomplish all the different shots typically needed for larger families.
Sessions are booked on a first come, first serve basis. All bookings do require a $100 retainer to hold your spot. The balance will be collected via paypal before your session or by check at your session. When you book, we will send you a contract, more details, tips for what to wear and shoot location and parking details.
The session will include high resolution sized image of your choice that we will email to you after you choose it from your gallery. High res files can be printed up to 8×10 but not any larger, pixelation will occur.

Not All Race Horses Have A Happy Ending...

2011-08-26T21:03:00.001-07:00

But these two will! My dear friend, gets these beauties from the local race track and trains them to do other things besides race. Belle and Riley are the two she has right now. They are simply beautiful animals! You can tell something is going on in Riley's head just by looking deep into his eyes.

Riley

Belle

Lights, Camera, Smile!

2011-08-25T21:20:00.000-07:00

Last year when I went to Iowa, I got to photograph Mindy's family, and again this year! I love seeing how much these boys have grown! They are just so handsome!

Models in the Making...

2011-08-12T21:15:00.000-07:00

I had a chance to photograph Savannah again, who is such a doll! Plus, her little brother, Logan! That boy has the most amazing eyes! Actually, they both do! They pierce right through you!

Norman, Lilly, Gus, & Wilson

2011-08-10T16:29:00.001-07:00

I had the most fun shoot the other day, I was called to photograph these sweet, adorable pups! When she said 4 dogs, I almost died, but they were pretty manageable! Norman, Lilly, Gus, & Wilson are the sweetest Daschunds! I told her if she was missing one, to check my bag. Bring on the fluff!

Mini Golden? Yeah!!

Love his mohawk!

It's totally not in focus, but really, how adorable!

Summer Special!!

2011-07-26T11:41:00.012-07:00

There’s something magical about summertime. The kids are out of school, mom and dad often use vacation time during the summer months in order to spend time with their family, and outings with friends and family become ever so popular. Trips to the beach, Fathers Day, and The 4th of July as well as others are things everyone looks forward to. More often than not such holidays and events become cherished memories for those who participate in them. Each event only happens once and many who share in the good times wish there was a way to keep such celebrations and trips alive.

Need some ideas? How about little girl tea parties in the meadow (let’s plan this together!), pool parties, children’s sleep-overs, a trip to the petting zoo, an all-star baseball game, bar-b-ques, river trip, fund raisers, homecomings . . . you get the idea . . . whatever you’re doing, how about capturing those special summer time memories in beautiful picture fashion?

Each session can be up to 45 minutes long, it's hot outside and I want to keep everyone fresh! Sessions can be at any time of the day, though, I suggest early morning or late afternoon.

Summer Photography Special: For a limited time, all sessions in August & September will be $95 (tax included)!!! THAT’S RIGHT. Can you believe it? You’ll get: up to one hour session and images on my website for download with 8-10 fully edited photos! (Additional photos may be purchased from the session at an extra cost.) Sessions can be indoors or out and can include up to 5 people!

It’s hot and time for some serious fun. So gather your family, friends, or whoever you want photos with and take advantage of this SPECIAL offer for some fresh, fabulous and down right FUN photos!

I have limited availability so email us to guarantee your spot!!! These will all be held on location at various spots here in Phoenix and surrounding areas.

*children must be 6 months or older, this session will not be applied for newborns. $10/per person charge over 5 people.

Drew is 3!!

2011-07-23T21:44:00.002-07:00

I've been watching Drew grow up and he's an absolute cutie. plus, he has the most amazing big brown eyes! He just turned three! I cannot believe how time flies!

Anne + Jeff

2011-07-15T15:55:00.002-07:00

I love it when a client views my work from another wedding and loves it so much that they must book me! H2 Photography flew out to Chicago to enjoy some cooler weather with this adorable & goofy couple!

And the Winner Is....

2011-07-08T13:57:00.009-07:00

Thank you all for your many entries in the Location Contest that just ended. I checked out over 15 locations, all submitted by my great clients!

It was hard choosing a winner because I loved so many of the places mentioned, but the overall decision was made based upon the uniqueness of the location and how well suited it would be for portraits.

Anyway, I know no one cares why it was chosen — you all want to know who was chosen.

Winning Client: Amanda W.!!
Winning Location: Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch

Amanda wins a FREE session at the location submitted ($175 value- waived for the session fee) and a $50.00 print credit to be used toward the purchase of the portraits taken that day.

This location is very cool and very well suited for photography. I know many of my clients in and around the area will enjoy this location.

Amanda, I will be in contact with you shortly to help you claim your prize!

Thanks again to everyone who participated. I’ve got some great clients and truly appreciate your responses.

Stay tuned — I’m getting ready to announce some summer session details in the next few days.

Todays the Day

2011-06-30T12:02:00.005-07:00

Just a reminder to submit your entries for the location contest by midnight tonight, June 30, 2011 for your chance to win a complimentary session (NO session fee!) and a $50 print credit to be used toward the purchase of your prints.

I received 3 new entries this morning so I will be spending the weekend checking them out. Any entries submitted between now and midnight will be looked at tomorrow before the winner is chosen.

Don’t miss your chance to win a free session – submit your entries now!

PS- Stay tuned for the announcement of the winner (by the 8th) and also for the details of the upcoming session opportunities.

Location Followup

2011-06-15T13:56:00.000-07:00

I wanted to take a minute to thank everyone who has sent in their entry for the ‘Location Contest’ (see previous entry for details) so far. The contest is open until the end of June, so keep the entries coming – there is no limit for how many entries you can submit.

I have received more than 10 entries so far and I have already checked most of them out. You all have a great eye!

It’s going to be very difficult choosing a winner because all of the locations look great, but ultimately the decision will be made based upon which spot is the very best suited for photography.

Thanks for your participation so far, I have enjoyed looking into all of the locations you’ve submitted. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions!

Location, Location, Location IOWA!!

2011-06-06T21:40:00.003-07:00

It’s time for someone to win some prizes!

Guess what Iowa! I'm going to open my Location, Location, Location contest to include you too! I’m always looking for cool new locations to photograph my clients when they prefer an outdoor setting. So, if you have a cool location in mind then please pass it my way. Here are a few things to keep in mind – I currently frequent a lot of the public parks so those will not count as qualifying entries, also I try to keep my clients costs down, so I really love free locations. I love areas with a lot of shade and plenty of color. And, as always, the place should be child friendly. It can be anywhere in Ames or surrounding 10 miles.

Contest Details:

Email me at Holly@H2photography.biz with your location entry spot.
Please title your e-mail “New Location Contest Entry - Iowa”.
Entries will be accepted through August 8, 2011.
I will personally visit each of the location entry spots and determine which one would be the best for portrait sessions.
I will e-mail the winner and then make an announcement on the blog on August 13th, 2011.
Photo session must be used between August 14-19, 2011

Here’s what you win!

The winner will receive a COMPLIMENTARY portrait session at the winning location!

*The fine print: “complimentary session” means the current session fee of $175 is waived for the contest winner at the winning location.
Any questions? Feel free to email me! I can’t wait to check out your entries and share the winning images!

Be creative and keep the location ideas coming. There is no limit on how many entries you can submit

Location, Location, Location!!

2011-05-01T13:48:00.005-07:00

It’s time for someone to win some prizes!

I mentioned in my last post that a contest was in the works and it’s time to reveal the goods. I’m always looking for cool new locations to photograph my clients when they prefer an outdoor setting. So, if you have a cool location in mind then please pass it my way. Here are a few things to keep in mind – I currently frequent a lot of the public parks in the East Valley so those will not count as qualifying entries. I love areas with a lot of shade and plenty of color. And, as always, the place should be child friendly. It can be anywhere in the east valley or Scottsdale/Phoenix.

Contest Details:

Email me at Holly@H2photography.biz with your location entry spot.
Please title your e-mail “New Location Contest Entry”.
Entries will be accepted through June 30, 2011.
I will personally visit each of the location entry spots and determine which one would be the best for portrait sessions.
I will e-mail the winner and then make an announcement on the blog on July 8, 2011.

Here’s what you win!
The winner will receive a COMPLIMENTARY portrait session at the winning location!
*The fine print: “complimentary session” means the current session fee of $175 is waived for the contest winner at the winning location.
Any questions? Feel free to email me! I can’t wait to check out your entries and share the winning images!

Be creative and keep the location ideas coming. There is no limit on how many entries you can submit

The S Family

2011-04-18T16:41:00.001-07:00

Spent a wonderful afternoon with the S family! It was a little windy all day and things were flying everywhere. But we had a great time.

Hoppy Easter 2011

2011-04-15T20:08:00.006-07:00

Hoppy Easter 2011 was a huge success! The kids all had a blast playing with Mr. Hoppy!

Hoppy Easter!!

2011-04-01T13:31:00.005-07:00

Email for time slots. Hurry there are a limited number

An Evening at Tiffany

2011-03-17T13:34:00.004-07:00

Kapp Kappa Gamma Scottsdale, asked if I could photograph their Event with Tiffany & Company. Who Wouldn't want to spend an evening looking at sparkles!

Kappa Krush 2011

2011-02-12T13:51:00.007-07:00

Recently, I started working with the Kappa Kappa Gamma girls from ASU. They are so much fun and remind me of my college days!

Procrastinators Gift Guide!

2010-12-23T10:48:00.001-07:00

Perhaps you're reading this right now thinking, "Well, this isn't for me, I'm not a procrastinator, no way!" But then you gaze over to the empty space underneath your tree and feel a grip of panic seizing your breath. Perhaps you are like me and filled with creative ideas but always run short on time and end up in a non-fulfilling gift scramble. Never fear, I have compiled a list of simple solutions that still honor your creative genius but won't break the bank or keep you up til the the clock strikes midnight.

1. H2 Photography Gift Certificates!

Of course we're not biased at all, but we sure do think that our new gift certificate make a great gift for the amazing people in your life! We get lots of people who tell us that they want to buy a Session for their friend/daughter/boyfriend/cousin but just don't know what session to pick. Well, now you can take a deep breath and relax because with our Gift certificates you can give a great gift that they can choose themselves! AND you can finish up your shopping while sipping cocoa in your PJ's!

2. A Couple's Date Night

Trying to figure out the perfect gift for your friends that have everything and still coming up short? How about putting together a date night! Movie tickets, some candy, and even a little card to provide babysitting if they have little ones is an adorable idea that any couple would think is a delicious treat! Wrap everything in a cute basket with some tissue paper, and be the hit of the day!

3. From ME to YOU Coupons

Most of us remember doing this as children for our parents, but how about making some coupons for things you can do for your loved one in the future? Taking a car to get washed, making him or her breakfast one morning, and letting them pick the movie next time you go out are all sweet ideas that you can create coupons for. The only trick is that you need to honor them, so remember, don't make promises you aren't willing to keep!

4. A "Warm Cozy" Basket

What's better than being cozy in the winter? I'm a huge fan of all things cuddly and warm, so a cozy basket would be right up my alley! Get a basket and fill it with a warm blanket, fuzzy socks, a coffee mug, and some hot chocolate mix, and you're set! It's inexpensive, fun, creative, and most importantly, COZY!

5. A Future Plan

Don't have lots of time right now to get out of town and go somewhere together? Make a plan for a future weekend and then take care of all the arrangements! Pick somewhere you think he or she would like to go, and then print off photos or brochures. Tuck everything into an envelope and slip into the top of their stocking. Everyone knows that the best gifts come in small packages, and whether it's a night in the mountains or a picnic at the beach in the Spring, having a day or weekend planned by you would be a blast to look forward to!

Procrastinators, it's time. Hit the internet, your local Target, the craft store, or the movie theater this afternoon and unleash your creative genius on your friends and family! Trust me, you'll be glad you did. :)

Ho Ho Ho Happy Holidays!

2010-12-22T10:35:00.002-07:00

Well, here we are in December! The year is behind us, and it's time to start thinking about what this next year will bring. But before we start making lists of our New Years' resolutions, let's just take some time to relax and think about all of the things 2010 has brought to us. If January is the month of resolution, shouldn't December be the month of reflection?

As I sit here with a cup of hot chocolate in my hand (a December staple for me), I'm thinking of all the changes that have happened in my own life this year. It feels great to look back on a year and see more success than failure, and from the failure see lessons learned. If there was a standard by which a year could be judged, for me it would be that looking back in December I would be able to say, "I am in a better place now that I was this time last year". I am thankful that this year, this is true for me. As I look out my window to see twinkling lights, it's tempting to start planning the coming year, and where I'd like to be this time next year. But this year, I'm going to take the rest of the month to live in the present and enjoy the season that I am in. Planning can wait a week for January!

I would also love to take this opportunity to wish a very happy holiday season to you from us here at H2 Photography We are so grateful for your constant love and support of the company, and many of you have been influential in our lives this year. So many of you have taken the time to blog, email and call us to share your happiness with us, and it makes us feel very proud to work for this company. We LOVE communicating with you, and we are very thankful to have an audience who is willing to communicate with us as well.

So as you read this, grab a cup of cocoa and a cozy blanket and snuggle in! We'll see you next year!

More fun new things!

2010-12-16T23:15:00.003-07:00

I'm sure you're really wanting to know what they are... well here we go!!

INTRODUCING....

{The Referral Program}
For every new client that you refer to me, you’ll get $25 off your next session (or package)*. The person you refer will get a free 8×10 print. There’s no limit on the number of people you can refer, so it’s possible to earn a free session! Just make sure each referral mentions your name so that you can receive the credit!

*Credit will be rewarded after the referral’s session has been completed

{Gift Certificates}
Gift certificates are a fantastic gift for baby showers, weddings, birthdays, anytime! They are available in any increment but must include the full session fee. Just shoot us an email and we'll get it all set up!

It's MY Birthday!

2010-12-06T23:45:00.003-07:00

So I'm introducing something just for you! It's called the Birthday Session! I'm sure you're going to love it!

{Birthday Session | FREE}

I offer a complimentary 30 minute mini session with the birthday boy or girl for any one who has had a full length paid session with me in the previous twelve months. Birthday sessions include a private, password protected online gallery with 6 individually processed images from the session. The complimentary session does not include prints or products, but these may be purchased separately.

The P Family

2010-12-03T23:17:00.001-07:00

Wow, talk about an amazingly beautiful family!! Little Elliana is so precious and flashes those adorable smiles when she wants! She sure is a handful! But you can't go wrong when you have such amazing subjects!

Terra + Joe

2010-11-13T12:33:00.001-07:00

Terra and Joe had a beautiful fall wedding. The weather was perfect for this outdoor day! They had a beautiful sunset ceremony! Congratulations to them both!

A day of Wine and Roses...

2010-11-05T16:30:00.006-07:00

My brother Brad has finally said I do! He picked the most amazing woman too! Brad and Emily were married in beautiful Napa, California. They had an intimate weekend with family and wine tasting! It was great to photograph such an amazing couple! I wish them the best and love them both!

Spooktacular Halloween was a huge hit!

2010-11-03T14:42:00.005-07:00

We had a wonderful time on Halloween photographing the vampires, monkeys, ninjas, and princesses! Based on the rave reviews, H2 Photography is definitely going to make Spooktacular Portraits an annual event! Here is just a sampling of the creepy costumes we had this year!

Spooktacular Halloween Portrait Special!

2010-10-27T16:12:00.004-07:00

Who doesn't love the fall? We have beautiful leaves and cooler weather! In honor of one of my favorite holidays, Halloween, I am going to offering free costume shoots October 31, during Trick or Treat 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. No appointment needed, just walk right in and I will be pleased to get some awesome shots of your sassy cowgirls and scary skeletons. The following week I will email you one Halloween portrait (printable up to 4x6 with studio logo) & they will also be posted online and available to purchase in larger sizes.

Please contact me with any questions or more details.

Click to enlarge

2010 Holiday Mini Sessions!

2010-10-26T21:31:00.008-07:00

It’s that time of year again, holiday portrait time! The busiest time of year for those of us photographers in Arizona who shoot both weddings and portraits because it also happens to be wedding high season.

Mini Session includes:

Mix of posed and natural family shots
Individual shots of children if desired, mix of posed/natural depending on age
Approx 25-50 final edited images posted to an online gallery for you to proof and order ala carte prints
Password-protected gallery of all images available for purchase
Turtle Doves Session - Five (5) high-resolution JPEG digital image of your choice, for you to download for your personal use
Golden Rings Session - Ten (10) high-resolution JPEG digital image of your choice, for you to download for your personal use
Plus 50 custom designed photo cards

Click to enlarge

There will only be 3-4 sessions available per day, so please reserve your spot early. All sessions are available on a first come, first serve basis, so please contact me as soon as possible to reserve your spot!

AVAILABLE DATES & TIMES for November 2010
Saturday, November 13
Location: Downtown Chandler

2:10-2:55 PM
3:00-3:45 PM
~~3:50-4:35 PM~~
~~4:40-5:30 PM~~

Sunday, November 21
Location: Old Town Scottsdale

2:10-2:55 PM
3:00-3:45 PM
3:50-4:35 PM
~~4:40-5:30 PM~~

Tuesday, Nov 23
Location TBD

2:10-2:55 PM
3:00-3:45 PM
3:50-4:35 PM
4:40-5:30 PM

Sunday, November 28 (Thanksgiving Weekend)
Location: TBD

3:00-3:45 PM
3:50-4:35 PM
4:40-5:30 PM

Mini Session Details/FAQ:

Mini sessions last 45 minutes and are ideal for smaller families or updated portraits of the kids – perfect for getting the latest family picture for your holiday cards! We can actually take quite a few shots in that time frame and try to get as many posed and natural looking shots as possible in that time frame. We move quickly, so please ensure you arrive 10 minutes before you session starts so we can get going on time. We cannot make up time on the backend.
Mini sessions are limited to families of 6 or smaller. If you have a larger family, we recommend you book a full hour session so we can accomplish all the different shots typically needed for larger families.
Sessions are booked on a first come, first serve basis. All bookings do require a $100 deposit to hold your spot. The balance will be collected via paypal before your session or by check at your session. When you book, we will send you a contract, more details, tips for what to wear and shoot location and parking details.
The session will include high resolution sized image of your choice that we will email to you after you choose it from your gallery. High res files can be printed up to 8×10 but not any larger, pixelation will occur. The session also includes 50 custom designed holiday cards (a $50 value)

New Packages!

2010-09-27T17:38:00.006-07:00

Everything you thought you knew about H2 Photography has changed! Well, except that we love to have fun sessions, have amazing photographs, & awesome clients!

Session Fees
All H2 Photography portrait sessions include up to 2 hours of time at your home or on location; an online gallery for sharing your images with family and friends, a $50 print credit, as well as a CD with all images printable up to 4x6 with studio logo. For your convenience the session may be paid via personal check or Paypal. A $75 non-refundable retainer is due at time of booking to hold your date and time.

{Child's Portrait Session | $175}
Devoted to your child, newborn to teen. This session focuses on your child at this very moment, preserving their precious faces forever in portraits. The child session includes coverage for up to 3 children under the age of 17.
*For sessions with more than 3 children, an additional $20 per sibling is required

{Senior Portraits Session | $175}
For your teen as they begin their journey into adulthood. Sessions may last up to two hours and include both natural light and studio photography. Multiple clothing changes are welcomed and encouraged to allow a variety of proofs to be shown. Feel free to bring props.

{Family Portrait Session | $200}
The family session places emphasis on creating a beautiful storytelling portrait collection you are sure to cherish for years to come. Attention is placed on capturing the loving bond and unique traits of your family as well as the child(ren) individually. The family session includes coverage for up to 5 people.
*For sessions with more than 5 people, an additional $20 per person is required

{Bumps to Babies (Maternity & Newborn) | $300}
Bumps to Babies with H2 Photography includes two portrait sessions: your maternity session (scheduled during the last trimester of pregnancy) as well as your newborn session (scheduled before 4 weeks of age) and 50* custom designed birth announcements.

The first Bumps to Babies session focuses on celebrating the natural beauty of the expecting mother. Then, once your new baby has arrived, I will come to your home to preserve this special time as it pertains to the newborn, both before, and after his/her arrival. I welcome and encourages the partner, as well as other siblings, to play a cameo role during the Bumps to Babies sessions.

Maternity sessions are only offered through the booking of a Bumps to Babies session. If a maternity session is not desired you may schedule a session for your newborn by booking the Child or Family Session as mentioned above.

{Just One Year | $450}
Our Just One Year program consists of three custom portrait session for your child, which take place at any time within one calendar year from joining the JOY program. Enrollment is limited and only available on a first come first serve basis.

The JOY enrollment fee of $450 is due upon booking your first session. JOY program members receive one complimentary desk print of their choice (up to 8x10 in size) with each portrait session. Additional portraits may be purchased a la carte.

A typical session might be held at 3 months, 6 months and one year of age. Another option might be 4 months, 8 months and one year. JOY Sessions are not limited to babies. Perhaps you’d like to document your toddler’s growth over a year. Consider the JOY program for spring portraits in his Sunday best, another session in the fall, then conclude your JOY session with a birthday session. Children of all ages are welcome in the JOY program; our only requirement is that all sessions take place in Just One Year.

Each JOY session lasts approximately one hour, taking place at your home or a location of your choice. With the shorter nature of these sessions, we recommend limiting clothing changes, to typically no more than two. Your portraits will be professionally edited by H2 Photography. Upon completion of the editing process you will receive information on viewing your images online and purchse from your gallery.

Your Childs JOY plan is a “single subject in the photograph” promotion only. If you choose, you may add additional family members to one of your JOY sessions. An additional session fee of $20 for each additional person.

Upon completion of your final JOY session you will be presented with a custom 10x20 storyboard featuring your favorite image from each session.

Print Pricing

There is no minimum order requirement – I only want you to purchase portraits that you love.

8-Wallets | $7.00
4x6 | $5.00
5x7 | $10.00
8x10 | $20.00
8x12 | $20.00
11x14 | $30.00

Gallery Portraits include 16x20, 16x24, 20x24, 24x30 Prices by request
Square prints and other sizes are readily available
Images are also available on canvas. Please contact for sizes & pricing.

{Digital Negatives | $200}
Are available for purchase. High-resolution files enable you to obtain unlimited reprints of your favorite session images from the lab of your choice. Digital negatives will print nicely up to 11x14 in size.
*H2 Photography retains the copyright of the purchased negatives. Purchased negatives may not be used in contests, sold to third parties, or used in your own promotional materials without our written consent.

[Proof Book | $60]
Proof books are multiple image contact sheets bound together with a spiral coil for easy photo viewing

[Custom designed Cards]
$50 for a set of 50, *additional sets (of 25) may be purchased at reduced pricing.

As you can see, there are a lot of changes & a lot of new things! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me!

[The Guarantee!]

Having worked with children of all ages and adults, we know that occasionally everyone wakes up on the wrong side of the bed, has a bad hair day, or just doesn’t feel like smiling. If YOU are not satisfied with the quality of your images, we will invite you back for another session at no additional expense. We want you to leave with those memorable images.

Photographers come join me!

2010-09-26T17:11:00.001-07:00

Are you a Photographer looking for a great website to help you sell your images?

I'm using a PhotoShelter website to handle online sales, high resolution file distribution, SEO and more. It's a great way to attract new clients, show my work professionally, and do business with clients online. And I think it might be a great fit for you too.

You can use the image link below to save some money on sign-up!

I think you're really going to like what you see, so come join me on PhotoShelter!

Click the image below and save $30 with your one-time referral discount!

2010 Custom Designed Holiday Cards now available!

2010-09-21T19:51:00.001-07:00

H2 Photography is offering custom Holiday photo cards!

Choose from 16 different cards {with envelopes}!

Photo cards are 6" x 7.5" {only requires one postage stamp}

All text is customizable

Other sizes available upon request {additional fees may apply}

$50 for a set of 50 cards, *additional sets (of 25) may be purchased at reduced pricing.

Contact Holly with all other questions

1. CandyCane

2. Chestnut

3. ho ho ho

4. Jolly

5. Snowmen (snowmen are customizable)

6. Old Fashioned

7. Holly

8. Let it Snow

9. Tree

10. Blue Damask

11. Candy Stripes

12. Floral

13. Colorful Snowflakes (colors may be changed)

14. Evergreen

15. Old Fashioned - 4 photo

New H2 Photography Launch..

2010-09-18T10:47:00.002-07:00

Is right round the corner! I'm so excited to share all the new things H2 Photography will be doing!

What to Wear to your Photo Shoot

2010-09-11T15:23:00.000-07:00

Picking the right clothes is one of the most frequently asked questions. Here's my guide for deciding what to wear to your photo shoot. (This is basic advice for family and group photo shoots, but much of the advice can be applied to individual shoots as well.)

Step 1:
Choose clothing for one person first

You don't have go out and buy all new outfits for your photo. Most times, you can get a great look by building your clothing around one person's outfit. It's usually best to start with the person in the group who has the least amount of clothes or who is hardest to pick an outfit for. Look through their closet for a great piece you want them to wear for the photos. You might also consider buying an outfit for that person and going from there.

Step 2:
Build the rest of the group's outfits based on the first person

Now that you've got one person's clothing done, you can build the rest of the group's outfits.

General rules to remember when choosing outfits

Keep in mind where you are going to be shooting
Are you going to be indoors or outdoors? Is the area paved, muddy, rocky, or grassy? What kind of colors would look best in that setting? If you will be outside, it's a good idea to wear clothes you would be comfortable sitting on the ground in.

Stick to one style
Make sure everyone in the group is wearing one style of clothing such as classy (formal wear, suits, dresses, etc.), casual (shorts, t-shirts, sandals, etc.), or contemporary (a mixture of classy and casual--like a dressy top with jeans and heels).

Avoid loud patterns or huge logos or words on an outfit
Smaller patterns on part of an outfit look fine, but keep it to one or two people in your group. Patterns should compliment each other, not draw attention away from the main subject of the photo, you!

Colors don't have to match, but they do need to go together.
Clothing from the same color pallette or based on colors in one outfit tend to create a cohesive look without feeling too "matchy." We love fun and vibrant colors; they help the portraits "pop" off the screen or print, but remember, the emphasis of the photos should be on your faces, not your clothing.

Think about shades of black and white.
Since your package may include images in black and white, you will want to think about how your outfits would appear in those shades.

Bring accessories and props that pull together the outfit
Using props and accessories is a good way to get different looks out of a single outfit. Think about things that characterize you and your personality: scarves, purses, shoes, items from your line of work, hobbies, and interests.

Hands and Feet
Often, I will take photos of details like holding hands, rings, and family feet! Remember to clean and trim nails for these shots. For feet, if you have matching shoes or shoes in the same shade, that's a plus. Of course, I love bare feet too.

Clients are always welcome to an over-the-phone consult about what to wear to the shoot.

The T Family!

2010-08-22T10:44:00.001-07:00

I just love to photograph this family! Who can resist this little boys blue eyes and curls! His Grandma said she really wanted photos of the family, and we got some really cute shots! I cannot wait to meet the newest member of the family

Why Does Custom Photography Cost More?

2010-07-25T11:15:00.002-07:00

The digital revolution has brought amazing flexibility and ability to control various factors during the image taking and making process. Photographers, the hobbyist, the professional, the amateur all benefit from this ability to manipulate pixels. However, with flexibility comes a price. Digital camera equipment is still considerably more expensive when you factor in its' lifespan, the need for additional resources for processing those images, the time it takes to get a usable image and the effort that goes into creating a work of photographic art. We all know that you can go to the local Walgreen's and pay a $1.99 for a print – as a client you may wonder why you may pay upwards of $50, $70, $90 for a custom photography print. Photographers hear this statement every once in awhile:

"How in the world can you charge $60 for an 8×10 if it costs me less than $2 to print at x store?"

The truth of the matter is the answer to this question is multifaceted. Much of the cost of a photographic print produced by a professional photographer has a lot to do with the time, equipment costs, artistic vision and reputation of the photographer not to mention expertise and the usual costs of running a legitimate business.

The cost of TIME Approaching it from a time standpoint, let's imagine that you have hired a photographer who has work that you love. This photographer is traveling an hour to your destination to photograph your session. Here is an example of a time break down:

    booking time: 30 minutes to one hour (client contact time + paperwork)
    pre-session prep time (30 mins – 1 hour, includes equipment and back up equipment checks + vehicle checks)
    one hour travel time TO session
    15-30 minutes prep time at client's home
    90 minutes-2 hours with client photographing subject
    one hour travel time FROM session
    30-45 minutes uploading time from digital cards from camera to computer
    30-45 minutes time spent backing up the original images
    2-5 hours editing time to present you with a diverse gallery of edited images
    1 hour prep time getting ready for ordering
    2-3 hours time with client for ordering images
    1 hour sorting through and checking order
    30 minutes-1 hour prep time for delivery
    30 minutes-1 hour getting order shipped
    any additional phone time or time needed for add on ordering, shipment issues, quality issues

In this example, the time spent per client can range from just under 13 hours to 19 hours – dependent on the photographer's level of service. This is time dedicated only to ONE session. When the photographer charges $150-$300 for the photo shoot (aka SESSION FEE) you are not just paying for the two hours of session time, you are paying the photographer for 12-19 hours complete time for your session.

The COSTS of Maintaining a Custom Photography Business:

Regarding equipment costs, a good quality professional camera with a selection of good optical quality lenses and digital storage mediums and computer set up can run from $10,000-$30,000 costs dependent on the photographer. Even though you can purchase a really good quality digital SLR for about $2500 there are still other costs related to photography. A good lens for portrait photography can run from $900 to $2500. A dependable computer system with software loaded for business and creative usage can run $2500 to $8000 dependent on the photographer. Then come lab costs for specialty products. A good photographer knows their professional lab is an integral part of their success. These labs often cost more and offer a range of products that allows the custom photographer to continually offer new, innovative products for the discerning client.

Discussion on other costs of running a photography business could take awhile so we'll skip many of the intricate details. An overview: the costs of running the business, taxes, studio rental/mortgage if the photographer has ownership of a dedicated studio, vehicular costs, costs of advertising/marketing, costs of sample pieces that the photographer will likely bring to your session, etc.

APPLES to ORANGES to BANANAS: Often times clients will mention to their photographer that X studio in the mall/department store only charges $19.99 for an 8×10 "sheet" or they may mention other things related to discount photography chains. The fact is those discount chains make their money on volume, not on customized 1:1 service. In February 2007 a company who has leased photography retail space in a rather well known discount retailer closed down 500 of their portrait studios across the nation. The reason it happened is simple, you cannot make money on 99¢ "professional" prints if you do not sell enough of them. Interestingly enough – those same studios that offer the loss leader packages often charge much much more for their a la carte pricing vs. many custom photographers (as high as $40-50 for an 8×10).

A little history – the whole reason the big department stores began offering portrait services in the first place was to get you, the savvy consumer, in through their door so that you could spend more money with them in other departments. Your "PORTRAITS" are considered the "loss leader". Your portraits that are meant to symbolize a once-in-a-lifetime stage in your child's life are part of what a store considers a way to get you in there door to spend more money on goods that you might not really want or need but because you're there "anyway" you buy.

Also keep in mind that when you go to a chain studio, as a consumer, you don't have the benefit of 1:1 attention for 2 hours at your home where your child is allowed to explore, play and be comfortable in their home environment, nor do you get the experience that many custom photographers are known for as well as the lovely captures of natural expressions. You simply get a bare bones, "SAY CHEESE" experience.

REPUTATION/EXPERTISE of the PHOTOGRAPHER: There is an old story about a ship that cost a company millions of dollars. Something went wrong in the engine room and the ship was stuck in dock. They called various "experts" who spent weeks trying to fix the issue to no avail and at a cost of tens of thousands of dollars. Finally a older gentleman was called in who simply brought in his small tool bag and a hammer. He set about pinging on various parts of the vast engine with his hammer, finally settling on one area. He spent a few minutes pinging in that area, took out a few tools and fixed whatever what was wrong. After a few moments the man straightened up, looked at the captain and instructed him to "start her up." The captain disbelievingly went to get the engines started while the man sat in the engine room listening as the engine roared to life. The man tipped his hat as he exited the ship to the staff who sat dumbfounded because they had seen all the experts come on board for days with their expensive equipment only to have the ship not fixed. This man did it in a few minutes with a few pings of his hammer!

A few days passed and the man sent the shipping company a bill for $10,000. The accounting department contacted him immediately. Why all the rumors mentioned that this man had only spent "a few minutes" fixing the ship "with his hammer and a few other random tools". When questioned about why his bill was for $10,000 – did he accidentally leave an extra zero on the bill? The man confidently responded: "In fact the time was worth the $1,000. The other $9,000 was for the years of experience and the ability to discern the issue as quickly as possible for the company."

Now I'm not saying that photographers fix large ships but being in demand, being well known for quality work, having a good reputation often costs time on the photographer's part (years of practice, study, experience, etc). A photographer's expertise comes at a cost, their time learning their craft and learning the intricacies of lighting and the commitment put forth on their end to create a persona about their business that oozes professionalism. A great number of photographers go a very long time from the time that they purchase their first good camera to making money at the business of photography. Many photographers, when first starting out, rush in thinking that the business will be easily profitable in no time, how expensive could it be to get a camera and use it to create their dream? These photographers often undervalue what they do because they have the realization that they do not have experience or expertise but are very adept at pushing the shutter on the camera. Many times these casual "professionals" neglect to factor in the cost of business, the cost of equipment, software, back ups, etc.. When you hire a photographer of sound reputation, you are hiring an expert, one that knows that they must always reinvest in their business to create the reputation of being top notch. To create good work a photographer possesses not only sound knowledge in the technical and creative aspects of photography but also good, reliable equipment and back up equipment.

The photographer who desires to be known as better/best/unparalelled reputation-wise knows that the most important thing they can do for their business is reliability and dependability. This is how reputations get built. Good work often is a wonderful side product of building that good reputation.

I hope this (lengthy) article helps shed some light on WHY a custom photographer is a better choice for your family's memories. The photographs that are produced as a result of the professionalism and dedication that your photographer has will be cherished for a lifetime (or more) and great thought and consideration should be placed into hiring who is right for your family's most precious investment.

The H Family

2010-07-16T15:41:00.000-07:00

Kari and her family were my last Iowa photo session. It was a very hot, humid day, but we all managed to survive and got some great photos of the family and Payton! She has these vibrant blue eyes just like her Daddy! I love watching her grow up!

The D Family

2010-07-16T09:58:00.001-07:00

Brayden & Kaedence are two adorable brothers! Brayden was much more interested in the lake than me, which was just fine! Kade was a happy little bean! I had a wonderful morning with the D family!

The S Family

2010-07-14T00:53:00.003-07:00

Wow, look at these heart breakers! Devyn is going to steal all the ladies hearts when he's older & maybe even now! Elly is such a sweet girl, but you can see some sneaky little devil in her smile! They sure kept me on my toes!

The L Family!

2010-07-13T23:03:00.001-07:00

The L family has three adorable little girls! Shaylen, the oldest was such a trip! That girl was so much fun to photograph! Of course, the twins were fun too, I mean, who wouldn't love those cute faces!!

The O Family

2010-07-09T23:51:00.001-07:00

A great family from my Iowa adventure. I photographed Kim's sister's wedding and I always love it when I get more time with the families! Plus, Jillian is so cute! How can you not love that smile!

Kari + Troy

2010-07-01T12:11:00.003-07:00

Kari has been my friend since High school! I was so Honored when she asked me to photograph her wedding! They had a beautiful backyard ceremony, it was a bit hot and humid, but you couldn't expect anything less from an Iowa Summer! She and Troy will live together in perfect Harmony! I can see it! Congratulations!!

What a cutie!

I Love the look on Kari's face...

Lucien in the park!

2010-06-13T14:53:00.007-07:00

Lucien was such a doll to photograph! He has these amazing brown eyes and when he'd smile, awww! Of course, you know babies, they never smile when you want them too!! His serious looks were just as cute!

Christina + Todd - A Sassi Kind of Love

2010-05-25T23:02:00.031-07:00

Christina & Todd were married last weekend at the beautiful Sassi in North Scottsdale, AZ. It was an intimate celebration with friends and family.

Ames/Des Moines, Iowa Area Photo Sessions!

2010-05-20T20:53:00.002-07:00

H2 Photography is now booking sessions for the Ames/Des Moines, Iowa area. I will be in town June 28th-July 3rd and am offering a special on my Portraits of you, family, kids, pets, strangers, whatever!

Please email me for availability and prices.

C Family

2010-05-10T23:03:00.018-07:00

I met up with the C family for a warm shoot! After the forecast called for rain, it ended up being really warm! They were a fun bunch to work with!

Shey having fun in the park!

2010-04-03T12:44:00.009-07:00

Easter Bunnies

2010-03-31T13:46:00.015-07:00

I know an amazing group of women, wonderful mothers, with extremely cute kids! They wanted an Easter themed photoshoot, so we used a cuddly pet rabbit. It was a fun day, the rabbit might not have enjoyed it as much as the kids

Can I post my photographs on my own website, blog or Facebook?

2010-03-26T15:35:00.005-07:00

Photographs taken by me, your photographer, are copyrighted and you do need permission to display them online. Many photographers are happy to hear that you can't wait to show off your images, but will want to ensure the quality of the work being presented. I will present you with web-ready images for you to post, provided you keep the logo on the bottom or give me credit for the hard work!

Mark + Molly

2010-02-16T10:08:00.008-07:00

Mark & Molly were married on Valentines Day at Royal Garden Reception Hall

University of Phoenix, LPN to BSN pinning Ceremony

2010-01-25T13:19:00.004-07:00

The S Family!

2009-12-20T13:24:00.005-07:00

The T Family!

2009-12-15T00:26:00.014-07:00

The T family's first shoot got canceled due to rain, we were lucky enough to get the second one in the next weekend before more rain appeared. Stavros has the bluest eyes, I love how they would pierce into the camera, of course, I had to get him to look at me & he was much more interested in running free!

The H Family - Portraits in the Park

2009-11-29T00:50:00.001-07:00

Photographing Lindsay and her family was a blast. Tanner has so much energy, he had me chasing all over after him.

The M Family - Fun in the Park

2009-11-15T23:24:00.002-07:00

Met up with the M. Family in the park. It was a perfect day for some fun photographs!

Mark + Deana - Romance in the Mountains

2009-09-28T00:07:00.009-07:00

Photographing this wedding was a breeze - Deana and Mark were a pleasure to work with. They had a beautiful wedding at the Log Haven in the mountains of Salt Lake City. Mark is a photographer as well and it's always awesome to photograph another photographer.

Owen Turns One!

2009-09-14T22:31:00.005-07:00

Owen turns one this month! He was a little shy at first, but warmed up fast and was posing and having all sorts of fun!

My boy is growing too fast!

2009-08-28T22:23:00.010-07:00

My boy is just growing up way to fast. I waited just a bit too long to take his 8 month photos, he was much more interested in crawling around to explore than sitting for a session. If I'd have done them the week before, he would have sat just perfect! We had so many great photos, that it was hard to choose which to post.

He decided playing with the dog was much more fun

So she got her photo taken to show off

That's it, I've had enough!

Gayle + Nathaniel

2009-06-24T21:24:00.020-07:00

Gayle & Nathaniel had a beautiful outdoor wedding at Ocotillo Golf Club in Chandler, AZ. The day couldn't have turned out more beautiful!

6 months flys by

2009-06-15T19:52:00.003-07:00

Something happened, time has gone too quickly, but adorable Carter is 6 months! He has such the personality now. We love him!

What Is Custom Photography?

2009-05-22T21:32:00.005-07:00

The photographic art you choose to place on your wall is ultimately the result of the vision of the photographer. This vision, coupled with what you wear to your session, the environment, the lighting, even the mood the subjects are in at the time of photographing creates the work that you will want to proudly display on your walls forevermore.

Your first step in the process is more about determining who you are, who your family is and then seeking a photographer that reflects your style. For instance let’s say your family is extremely outdoorsy and loves playing at the lake or local park. You start determining what style you like, browse through photography website portfolios and determine if any of the styles exhibited there would be a good fit with your life and family style. You have already determined that you should probably seek out an outdoorsy photographer and then begin narrowing the field down a bit.

What custom photography ultimately is all about is choice and experience (as in THE experience). Custom photography is about finding someone who will photograph your family, give you devoted 1:1 attention without worry of the next ‘in line’ or the feeling of a crowded portrait studio. A custom photographer will typically show you a fairly extensive gallery culled to only show the good images that meet the photographers’ creative sensibilities. Often the images are fully edited images-color corrected with blemishes and undereye circles removed. Custom photographers are also known as boutique studios, offering a range of products and unparalleled service. Think Lexus vs. Hyundai, think Nordstrom vs. WalMart.

Remember - A custom photographer should have you, the client and your experience in mind.

Posted with permission by Marianne Drenthe of http://www.professionalchildphotographer.com.

Carter Kansas is 4 months!

2009-04-19T20:45:00.006-07:00

Those eyes just keep getting more blue! He is growing up to be quite the handsome young man!

Allison + Jeff

2009-02-23T00:28:00.005-07:00

Allison & Jeff were married on Saturday, February 21st at the Desert Botanical Gardens. It was a picture-perfect day, filled with fun and family!

Carter is 1 Month!

2009-01-11T12:37:00.003-07:00

He just might be the most photographed baby in Arizona!

Adorable Carter Kansas

2008-12-31T06:31:00.007-07:00

Welcome to this wonderful world baby Carter! I'm a bit biased on this shoot as he is my adorable baby Carter! He was the perfect model and never complained. You'll be seeing lots of him!

Christina + Russ

2008-10-20T22:29:00.008-07:00

Christina has been a friend of mine since high school, so when she asked me to photographer her wedding, of course I said yes! These two love birds really know how to kick up their heels and party! I couldn't be happier for them!

Hawaii 2008

2008-09-13T16:53:00.012-07:00

Aloha again!! We decided to take another trip to Hawaii, only this time we decided to visit the Big Island! The island is home to Mauna Kea, the tallest mountain in the world, measured form its base at the sea floor, to its highest peak, which makes it taller than Mount Everest! The island also contains the southernmost point in the United States (Ka Lae) & is home to some of the worlds best beaches, including black sand & the very pretty Green Sand Beach (Puu Mahana). We had so much fun and here are a few of my favorite images from our trip!

Views down from the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station on Mauna Kea

Lava Beaches

Waipio Valley & Black Sand Beach

Mike & me

Ka Lae

Just like Heaven

Lots of sea turtles nesting

Akaka Falls - 422ft

We did a Volcano/waterfall tour

Lava enters the Pacific @ Hawaii volcanoes National Park, increasing the size of the island

Kaunan'oa Beach - has been voted "The best beach in the world" twice by Conde-Nash Travelle

Kilauea Volcano

Sweet Little Lily Marie

2008-08-22T18:35:00.004-07:00

Lily is the newest addition to a friend of mine's family. Shelly, Troy, & big brother Riley are proud to welcome Lily Marie into the world.

2008 Kappa Kappa Gamma Convention

2008-06-25T19:10:00.021-07:00

The 67th Biennial Convention of Kappa Kappa Gamma took place at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix from July 26-28th. Nearly 1000 Kappa women of all ages were in attendance. There are now 302 KKG Alumnae associations in the US and Canada and 134 active chapters. I was asked to be the local artist and gladly accepted. Images were sold in the Blue Owl Boutique & a portion of the proceeds went to the Leadership Academy.

Wildlife

Macro Flowers

Landscapes

We Love Our Mom!!

2008-05-28T15:02:00.012-07:00

Laura & William wanted to give their mother a special present this year. So they cut out letters and we went to the park. Such great kids!!