Catherine Lewis Photography

Take a look at me now!

2012-01-09T15:13:00.006-04:00

Welcome!

Whether you're here for the first time, already a client, or thinking of becoming one, I'd like to ask you to look through the various pages by using the tabs. If you're a client, you will probably notice some changes. If you're a new visitor I hope you like what you find here.

In case you don't really have time to browse around though, I am going to give a brief summary of the most important changes right here so you can get on with anything else you need to do today.

First off...about the person taking your portraits.

I'm 55 years old, have a strong (self taught) background in all things art related, from colored pencil portraits to quilted wall art and am currently starting my 2nd year as a photography student, and am in the "portfolio building" stage of starting a portrait business. Both lifelong goals that I am finally able to work towards achieving.
I've been called a "marketing guru" and a "crocheting goddess" by one friend but I'm really just a Capricorn, or as I like to say a stubborn goat who will plunge full steam ahead with what I want to do, even if I'm not quite sure how to do it! I LOVE challenges! And learning as I go :-D
My friends all admire my strength, "stick-to-it-ness", creativity, and talent.
My Mom always said I was stubborn (there's that goat thing again!) and determined, which I guess is a good thing to be at times.
Clients love that I am so patient, caring and take the extra time to capture beautiful portraits of their children.

About Catherine Lewis Photography.

What I offer you:

A photographer who schedules one session a day so that you, your family, your children and babies will all have as pleasant an experience as possible in a stress free atmosphere.
Plenty of time for feedings, multiple clothing changes, and just plain old fun!
Props that are simple, clean and often unique or handmade by me.
I also encourage you to bring items that you might like included in portraits like your child's favorite toy or blankie.
While some photos are posed, I prefer to take more natural, almost candid shots and really like photos where family members are interacting with each other.
My style reflects my personality: relaxed, warm, inviting and friendly. In fact, I tend to treat clients like good friends, not as folks I have just met.
A handicapped accessible studio
A photographer who has 28 years of personal experience caring for two special needs children of her own,specifically Down Syndrome and Asperger's Syndrome, as well as several years of being a daily caretaker of a special needs infant and also a special education teacher's aide, and who would love the opportunity to capture beautiful images of your exceptional family members, either children, teens or adults.
Studio hours that are geared towards stay at home parents with younger, preschool age children, as well as Saturday morning/early afternoon hours for more traditional family sessions.

What you REALLY want to know!

How much do I charge? As I stated above, I am still a photography student and over the past ten months have been working towards starting my own portrait business. I suppose I COULD charge what I think I should be making in a few years, but when I began this I did it with the goal of making professional portraits available for people of every income level. While technically I don't consider myself a "professional" yet, my clients all love the portraits I have done of their families, refer me to their friends and schedule repeat sessions with me.
I would like to add here, that unlike a lot of other new photographers, these clients (with the exception of one) are NOT family members or friends that have been helping me get started. They are people who responded to a free offer and who have become real clients since then.

I know what you're thinking...." That's nice but you haven't told me what you charge yet!"

One more thing, I LOVE having portraits on the wall where I can enjoy them and not hidden away in a file somewhere on my computer. While I prefer my clients to choose actual paper portraits too, I understand that many would really rather have digital images so I offer them, both as a package with limited rights to print copies or as lo-resolution watermarked images for web sharing. However, please understand that if you print them yourselves I can't guarantee the quality of the print.

Now back to the big question. In a nutshell, I have 3 packages, which start at $80, The Aquamarine, The Opal, and The Ruby which include print credits, prints and digital files (Click here for full details). Also available are ala carte prices. Session fee is included in the package price. However, if you choose to order prints and not a package the session fee is $50.
"Baby Steps" is a special baby package which costs $300, includes FOUR 2 hour sessions and lots of goodies! (Learn more here)
To help with my goal of offering portraits to everyone, I also offer payment plans.

What you NEED to know:

Studio Policies:

When you book a session I require a $20 deposit. You will soon be able to pay that via Paypal if desired. This deposit is to hold the date for you and will not be refunded if you cancel (except in case of illness and IF you reschedule) or do not keep your appointment.
On the date of your session the remaining $30 of the session fee must be paid.
Sneak peeks will be available the day of the session, between 10-20 photos with edits will be available for viewing in an online gallery no later than 3 weeks from the date of your session.
Galleries will be available for you to view and order from for another 3 weeks, then closed. If you need them to be reposted, there will be a $10 fee to do so.
Due to the custom nature of photography, 50% of your print order OR at least 50% of your remaining balance must be paid, with the remaining balance due at the time your order is delivered to you.
Your prints will be available within 2-3 weeks of ordering and after your payment has cleared.
Payment options for the Baby Steps plan is different and will be discussed at time of booking.

If you like what you've read and would like to have your portraits done in a warm, friendly environment contact me by using the contact me tab on the on the left side of the page, email me at catlewi@yahoo.com, or call 401-365-0303 to book your session today! Everybody is welcome!

BTW, I love referrals and happily offer rewards to clients who send folks to me! In fact, if you SHARE this post with your friends AND book a session, you will receive a $10 print credit towards any print from your session!

New portraits

2012-01-05T21:21:00.000-04:00

I'm a little behind in posting new images from the last couple of sessions. In November I had a couple of cute cousins come to my studio in Pawtucket, RI for photo sessions. Here is a tiny sample of what was happening that day, more photos of these adorable babies can be found by clicking the "session images" tab.

My gift for YOU!

2011-12-24T11:16:00.002-04:00

As the year draws to a close, and we begin preparing for the new one, we often think of things we can do to change ourselves, or things we can do to help others.

I am one of the the "improve myself " resolution makers. For some reasons those resolutions usually fail.

Therefore, for 2012 I have resolved to change direction and do things that will help others in some way. Which, I truly believe, will ultimately improve me also!

Having said this, here is my gift to YOU for 2012.

To clarify a couple of things, you may choose an 8x10 or two 5x7's for the prints, the digital images are included with either print size. Also, the digital images will be edited, watermarked images sized for web sharing only.
HOWEVER, because this is a gift for you, if you would rather have digital images that you can print, you may choose to get them and NO PRINTS.
When calling or emailing about this offer, please refer to it as the "Sweet Deal".
My studio is located in Pawtucket, RI, is handicapped accessible, and has parking available.

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-24T01:54:00.000-04:00

In the style of....

2011-10-22T10:16:00.003-04:00

Today begins the first of a monthly series titled "In the style of..." during which I will be challenging myself to take photos in the style of some of my favorite artists or photographers.

This first one is based on my favorite artist, Georgia O'Keeffe and her huge flower paintings. I have always wished I could recreate her work in my own paintings, but lacking her skill, I have turned instead to attempting to do so with my camera.

Georgia O’Keeffe was born in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin in 1887, where at an early age she longed to be an artist. She studied art for several years and although her student work was well received she found it unfulfilling, and for a short time abandoned the fine arts. She worked for a short time as a commercial artist before turning to teaching.

In 1915, she again turned to painting and it was then that a friend, Anna Pollitzer, showed some of her drawings to Alfred Stieglitz, a photographer and the "291 Gallery" owner. After two years he had convinced her to move to New York to paint full time. Six years later they were married and began one of the most well-known collaborations of the modernist era. It was in the 1920's that she began painting her large canvasses of "lush overpowering flowers filled with dynamic energy and erotic tension". These remain some of her most famous work and are my personal favorites.

Of these paintings, Georgia had this to say: "Most people in the city rush around so, they have no time to look at a flower. I want them to see it, whether they want to or not."

So here is my large flower photo, in the style of Georgia O'Keeffe.

If you would like to read more about Georgia O'Keeffe's life and work please visit these two sites, which were very helpful to me.

Ellen's Place which has a wonderful amount of information about Georgia's life and work as well as some images of her paintings.
PBS which has an article about her in their American Masters series.

I hope you've enjoyed this brief peek into the life of this amazing woman artist and also my photo! If you have, please leave me a comment. Also feel free to leave the name of your favorite artist or photographer and you might see a photo done in the style of your favorite one month!

Holiday Gift Ideas!

2011-10-14T12:45:00.003-04:00

There's only 37 days, until Christmas (but who's counting!) How are you doing with your Holiday shopping?

Do you have people on your list that are hard to buy gifts for because they have everything?

Have you considered giving them a "GIFT of MEMORIES"?

A gift portrait for grandparents of the grandchildren or great grandchildren!

An engagement photo session for a newly engaged couple. In fact, here's a GREAT idea, have the groom to be book a couples session and he can pop the big question during it!

Expectant parents might love receiving a maternity/ newborn photo session or a gift card

for a baby plan to document the new baby's growth through the first year.

There are many other instances where the "Gift of Memories" would be a great gift!

As MY early Christmas gift to YOU, I am offering a 12-25 special for any "Gift of Memories" bookings made now through November.

$12 off my session fees and a 25% discount off any print or package ordered.

Maybe you celebrate Chanukah or Kwanzaa instead?
If you give anyone a gift during the holiday season you are eligible for this discount!

No time for a portrait session during this busy time of year?

Gift certificates are available now through November and will also receive the 25% discount.

Contact me today (401-573-6539) for help with your Christmas list!!

Help me choose ONE!

2011-10-11T11:27:00.000-04:00

I need to pick the best photo from these eight and am too close to them, which is making it impossible for me to choose. I love them all! So I'm turning to YOU for help!
Which one would you pick as your favorite?

Call for Fall Photos Contest

2011-10-09T13:57:00.006-04:00

What does fall mean for you?

Does it mean a chance to go out and take photos of Nature in all her glory as she prepares to sleep for the long cold winter?

Do you look forward to the peace and quiet that the kids going back to school brings?

Do you enjoy planning all the baking that goes along with cooler days?

Are you the type who will steal a day here and there to enjoy the few remaining nice days left in the year?

Or are you a quilter, who begins going through the stash and planning all the quilts you'll be making over the winter?

Whatever fall means to you, I'd love to see a photo of it! So here's the offer and the rules!

Leave a comment below telling me you're entering then email your photo to me at catlewi@yahoo.com you have until Oct. 22nd to send your photos which I will add to the Fall Call album on my page. To avoid your photo getting being overlooked, please use FALL CALL in the subject line of your email.
Beginning Oct 23rd, have your friends and family go and vote by leaving a comment on their favorite photo!
On Oct 31, the 3 photos with the most comments will receive a prize!
First place wins a free session and a $50 print credit towards any purchase made from that session.
Second place will win a free session and a $25 print credit.
Third place will win a free session and a $10 print credit.

Only 2 requirements, you must live in the Pawtucket, RI or surrounding areas, and voters must "like" my page to vote! Make sure to spread the word also, if I don't get at least 10 entries (and you can only enter one each!) I will have to cancel the contest.

Help me help you celebrate the beginning of the season of giving by entering your photos today so I can give 3 lucky entrants these prizes!

*This contest is not in any way affiliated with or sponsored by Facebook! *

Rub a Dub Dub.....

2011-10-04T12:37:00.000-04:00

....here's four images of a baby in a tub!

Down Syndrome Awareness special

2011-10-01T08:33:00.042-04:00

Hi, my name is Joshua and I want to remind everyone that my Mom is offering a special portrait package for families with members who have Down Syndrome this month.!

This special is only available for families with members who have Down Syndrome and are able to go to my studio in Pawtucket during my normal hours*. Portrait session DATES must be booked during the month of October, however, the actual portrait sessions can be held any time between Oct 1, 2011 and Dec. 31, 2011, upon availability.

ALL eligible families that book portrait sessions will receive:

* A 25% discount off my session fee

*A $50 Print Credit

* Five edited, low-resolution, watermarked digital images emailed to you which can be shared on internet social sites or emailed to friends. (These images are not suitable for printing!)

This offer has a value of $140.00 and is available to you at the special price of $50.00! (Total amount is due at time of booking your session)

In addition, everyone who books a session will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a FREE 11x14 portrait (value, $50.00) using the pose of your choice.

One winner will be chosen at random from booked sessions on Oct 31. by my son Joshua, who will pull the lucky winner's name from a hat! Portrait prize will be available after your session has been completed and any additional prints ordered have been paid for.

If you're interested in booking a session or know somebody who might be, email me at catlewi@yahoo.com, using "DSAM Special" in the subject line. Or simply "Contact Me" using the Tab on the left of the page!

Have a question about this special offer? Please ask it in the comment section, as it may also benefit other families who may have the same question!

Baking & Photography: peas in a pod

2011-09-29T18:32:00.001-04:00

"A photograph is like the recipe. A memory the finished dish"
Carrie Latet

Of course this may be fairly obvious, but some people may be wondering what these two very different activities could possibly have in common.

If I wanted to be very literal I could say that both require certain ingredients and special equipment, flour, eggs, butter, mixer, oven etc for baking, camera, lens, settings (ISO, f stop etc) for photography and let it go at that.

However, in this post I'll be comparing these two things which are basically not alike, yet do share certain kinds of similarities. Hopefully while doing so I will help people realize what the difference is between just making a cake (taking a snapshot) and having a cake made (getting professional portraits taken). Why they each have their place in our lives at certain times and why one is worth the extra money at others.

I'll be the first to admit that I am a "make the cake" type of Mom & Nana. I used to make some pretty nice cakes for birthdays and holidays but have kind of been slacking off a bit lately, although I still try to personalize them for the person they're being made for, like the one I made for my grandson this year.

Beautiful isn't it? Well ok, maybe this isn't the best cake in the world, but he loved it, especially the skull on top! I equate this cake to my old Kodak EasyShare camera, which has been passed on to the same grandson.

Why? Because both are easy and uncomplicated.

I just bought a box of cake mix, added eggs, water, a little oil,baked it, then topped it with a can of frosting and a tube of decorating icing and within an hour I had a cake. I bet many of you do the same thing for birthdays, right? And there is nothing wrong with it at all, if that is the type of cake you want at that time. I certainly wouldn't expect anyone to run to a bakery every time they wanted a cake! Well, unless they were seriously wealthy and that was just what they did. Home made cakes play a huge role in a lot of folks lives, I can almost guarantee that most of us never had a store bought cake growing up in the days when home made meant love.

I'm sure that a lot of you also pull out the little point and shoot camera and grab some birthday pictures with it. Again, nothing wrong with that, in fact I did it myself a few years ago for my son's birthday! It was simple, turned the Kodak on, set it for inside, low light and snapped away without a care in the world, took quite a few because after all, who knew if they'd come out good or not and I wanted to have at least a couple to remember his birthday with. Which is exactly what I got....a couple...these two actually!

Once again, maybe not the best photos, but they serve the purpose they were intended for, to have a memory of that one small moment in time. Like the home made cakes, point and shoot cameras have their place. They are great for sticking in your pocket so you can have a camera with you all the time. Admit it, when you don't have a camera don't you usually end up wishing you did because there was this GREAT shot you could have gotten..if only you'd had your camera with you?

What about other occasions though? If there were a wedding, anniversary, baby shower or something similar? Some of us might still make the cake ourselves, while others might go to the local supermarket bakery and order a cake, customized mostly by what is written on the top of it and color frosting. Although I'd like to think that most couples would usually opt for spending some bucks on their wedding cakes :-) Compare this type of cake to the "My brother just got a new DSLR so he can take photos!" images that your brother with his new camera takes :-)

Both are a step up...kind of. It depends how well the supermarket listened to you or wrote down what you wanted on the cake. I know we've all heard the stories and seen the cakes with misspelled words, etc on them! In fact, I'll share a Bon Voyage cake, made by a chain store, that's floating around the web with you . I can only assume the middle line was part of the directions and were possibly meant as "Best Wishes Suzanne" underneath that add "We will miss you"??? Of course the photos will depend on how well your brother has actually read the manual and knows how to use that fancy new camera!

If he's taking the photos with the camera set on full automatic, well, basically he's just taking them with a nicer looking point and shoot! You may get a few more photos and some might even be pretty darn nice, but what about the one that you really wanted to come out great? You know, the one that has a huge shadow on the wall because he used the flash, but even without that it wouldn't be any good because it is so blurry you can't really tell who's in it? Yea, that one. Well at least you have the other photos he took, maybe. Seriously, I'm sure that some of them came out okay, but don't you secretly wish you had listened when somebody suggested that you hire a professional to take the photos at Great Aunt Abigail's 99th birthday bash?

Small word about the following image. I don't have a Great Aunt Abigail or know anyone who recently had a 99th birthday bash but I did have this very blurry photograph of my son doing the hula so thought I'd use it instead :-)

Then of course there are the people who go to the bakery and customize the cake completely, cake flavor, filling, icing, decorations, everything. It's still a cake, has all the same ingredients and uses the same equipment to make it. However, this cake has something the home made and supermarket cake doesn't have. The experience, training, techniques and skill of the baker. Of course it is also the most expensive option of the three, but as the saying goes, you get what you paid for!

Cake by Ann Prusinowski Smith of Salamanca, NY
If you live close and need a cake, I highly recommend Ann, she does beautiful work. Find her on Facebook!
Photo also by Ann

Below is another of Ann's creations...now THAT'S a CAKE!!

Along the same line of thought. compare portraits of professional photographers from the family member with the point and shoot or the one with the really cool camera. Feel free to compare them with earlier images in this post in fact!

First we have a photograph of a popular cake smash session, usually held on or near your child's first birthday.

This shot was taken by Ashley Hugghins of Hugghins Photography

Please stop by her site and check out the rest of her great work!

Wouldn't you agree that this is a wonderful memory of your child's birthday? I know what you're thinking...yea but this is a cute baby in a diaper, your son was older, and you're absolutely right! My point is that if I had gone to a professional photographer I would have had the chance to have a truly amazing portrait done of my son for his 25th birthday to hang on the wall. Instead of having a couple of digital shots that are still on my computer, where they will most likely linger forever.

Next up, this beautiful portrait of a newborn to go along with the baby shower cake, not that the two went together, but when you see a baby shower cake you usually think about babies, so I once again turned to my professional photographer friends.

This portrait of an adorable baby boy was taken by Rachel King of R&G Photography

I sincerely hope you also go look at Rachel's awesome site!

Again, I wish I had thought to have more portraits done of my children when they were babies. Yes, I have tons of pictures of my kids growing up, but I don't have anything like this! I don't have portraits, I have snapshots. Now that it is too late, I realize I would rather have had one great portrait a year of my children than the hundreds of photos I took. NOT that I don't love all the pictures I have of them, all the silly, dirty faced, messy haired, natural pictures of them being kids, and I wouldn't really replace them, but if I could do it again, I would somehow manage to have at least one professional portrait taken by somebody who had been to school, taken yearly classes, worked at their art (and yes this type of photography IS art) and would have taken the time to create a beautiful image I would have been proud to hang on my walls, instead of burying in an album.

Last but certainly not least a truly unique wedding portrait! I think "WOW" sums it up fairly well! The photographer is Sacha Blue and her website is filled with more truly amazing underwater shots from this session (which I believe is really an anniversary portrait) as well as others.

BTW, all these wonderful photographers can also be found on facebook, maybe one lives in YOUR area!

I hope I have cleared up the question of why baking and photography are like two peas in a pod for you. I've tried my best to show that although different they are very much alike, especially as far as different levels of baking or photography go. If nothing else I hope I have at least shown you that while baking a Betty Crocker Devil's Food cake and taking quick shots with a point and shoot or even a cell phone camera are fine for daily use, sometimes life just cries out for a cake with top and bottom layers of dark chocolate fudge cake with a dark chocolate ganache filling and a middle layer of a rich yellow cake with a lemon mousse filling (another of Ann's creations..yum!) and a creative professional photographer to capture the special moment in time to go along with it. Whether that moment is an anniversary or just the 3rd Thurs of the 3rd month after your last child was born, make it memorable!

In conclusion, I'd like to remind you all that life is shorter than we think, especially as you get older, and often unpredictable. While nobody likes to waste time thinking of all the dreaded "what ifs" I do believe that we should all try to live like this might be the last day. The last day we hug our child or talk to our grandmother. Or even the last day we get to play with a beloved family pet. Yes, times are tough right now for a lot of people. But save your change and dollar bills in a can, like our ancestors used to do.

Then go out and order that custom cake for the next birthday, admire the artistry of it and then enjoy the gooey deliciousness when you're done ohhhing and ahhhing.

More importantly, make it a point to get at least ONE portrait of your loved ones taken every year. Search the internet for local photographers, find one who's work you absolutely love and give them a call. You may be able to book your session a year in advance and work out payments, you won't know unless you ask.

If you enjoyed this post, leave a comment! If you hated this post, leave a comment! If you have no opinion one way or the other, leave a comment! If you have an idea for a post that you'd like to see me write...leave a comment!

Until next time

Special Portrait Package for Down Syndrome Awareness Month!

2011-09-27T12:02:00.002-04:00

     Not only am I the owner of Catherine Lewis Photography in Pawtucket, I am also the mother of a wonderful, funny, loving, adorable 27 year old son who just happens to have Down Syndrome. Because, as my son says, he is "so so handsome" and also quite the ham, I have spent a lot of time photographing him. Actually, he is the only one of my three children who doesn't run away when he sees the camera come out!

     After so many years of experiencing the joy of capturing my son and his many moods and characters in photographs, I began to think that I should do the same for other parents of these beautiful children. Once the thought had entered my head, it then lodged firmly in my heart and refused to leave. I knew THIS was what I was meant to do with my life. Not just for families with members who have Down Syndrome, but also families with children who have any disability.

But enough about me, I know you're here to learn more about the special offer!

Details of the special :

This particular special is only available for families with members who have Down Syndrome and are able to go to my studio in Pawtucket during my normal hours*. Portrait sessions must be booked during the month of October, though the session itself can be scheduled any time before the end of the year. ALL eligible families that book portrait sessions will receive:

* A 25% discount off my session fee

*A $50 Print Credit

* Five edited, low-resolution, watermarked digital images emailed to you which can be shared on internet social sites or emailed to friends. (These images are not suitable for printing!)

This offer has a value of $105.00 and is available to you at the special price of $45.00! (Total amount is due at time of booking)

In addition, everyone who books a session will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a FREE 11x14" portrait (value, $50.00) using the pose of your choice.

One winner will be chosen at random from booked sessions on Oct 31. by my son Joshua (in the following photograph), who will pull the lucky winner's name from a hat!

Portrait prize will be available after your session has been completed and any additional prints ordered have been paid for.

If you're interested in booking a session or know somebody who might be, email me at catlewi@yahoo.com, using "DSAM Special" in the subject line. Or simply "Contact Me" using the Tab on the left of the page!

Have a question about this special offer? Please ask it in the comment section, as it may also benefit other families who may have the same question!

Thank you for visiting my blog and I hope to be meeting you soon!

* Normal hours:

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, between the hours of 11AM and 1PM

Saturdays, hours extended until 2 PM

Like many families with children who have Special Needs, I must work around their schedule.

My studio is handicapped accessible.

What a cutie!

2011-09-24T21:09:00.011-04:00

Had a wonderful time today during at my Pawtucket, RI photography studio with adorable Anthony who came in for his 7 month old portrait session. His Mom says he is full of giggles and smiles... until a camera comes out to try to capture one of those smiles in photographs that is. She was right! Every time I took the camera away from my face for a second, his beautiful smile appeared, I'd quickly bring the camera up and the smile would instantly vanish! I did manage to catch some great photographs of him though! I'm already looking forward to working with this baby boy at his next portrait session in November when we'll be doing a Christmas themed session that should be lots of fun.
Now for the cute part... a few photographs.

October brings Awareness, Trick or Treaters and Special Offers!

2011-09-20T00:36:00.178-04:00

October is quickly approaching, bringing to mind ghosts, goblins, witches, and other spooky creatures of the night, not to mention princesses, fairies and super heroes! Halloween is the first thing people usually think of when they think of October, along with pumpkins, hayrides and scarecrows.

Other's thoughts may turn to crisp autumn days spent strolling through crunchy leaves while enjoying the beautiful display that nature puts on this time of year.

Or putting their gardens to bed for the coming winter, picking the last of the summer's crops including the sunflowers. I personally love sunflowers and always save the seeds, either to plant next year or to eat, depending on what type of sunflowers they are. BTW, these aren't MY sunflowers. mine never seem to get this big, these were out to dry at Slater Mill in Pawtucket, so I took a shot of them.

Yes, October is a busy, beautiful month. However, for over 5.8 million children, adults and their families , that's world wide by the way, October has another meaning.

It is Down Syndrome Awareness Month

That's right, over 5.8 million people have Down Syndrome, it occurs in all races, social classes and in all countries throughout the world. I'm pretty sure most of you might even know somebody who has Down Syndrome, you may even have a relative who has it. My oldest son has it. In some countries children with Down Syndrome are loved and cherished, as any other baby, but in others they are not so lucky. They live in orphanages, abandoned and unloved. If they are lucky they get adopted. If not, when they reach the tender age of 5 years old, they are sent to mental institutions to possible live out the rest of their lives in cribs. With no one to hug them, sing to them, kiss them, hold them, LOVE them. FIVE YEARS OLD. Words can't describe how I feel about that since I have a child with Down Syndrome.

But don't let me get started on that! However, if you are so inclined there are buttons to the right and left of this post that will take you to sites that help these children, by fundraising, to help families that want to adopt them from those countries raise the money to do so. Please consider visiting them, learning more about them and maybe donating a little something.

Anyone who knows an individual with Down Syndrome will agree that they are the most loving people in the world! The people of the world could learn a lot from them, if they chose to, instead of making fun of them, avoiding them, or hating them. While browsing around I found this article that I thought you might enjoy reading "If People with Down Syndrome Ruled the World" I happen to agree with every word that's written there! The world would be a much better place to live .

There are many ways to get involved this month, while this article was written last year it still has some ideas for helping to spread awareness about Down Syndrome , you could also join a Buddy Walk if there are any being held near you.

As for me, I will be doing my small part to help spread awareness of how beautiful these children are, how big their smiles and how the love inside them just seems to shine out of their eyes, by offering a special package to families with Down Syndrome members, no matter what age they are, babies, children, teens, adults are all welcome!

Details for the special are as follows:

You need to book a portrait session in October (actual session can be in October or November), ANY family that books who has a Down Syndrome member will receive a 25% discount off my session fee, a $50 Print Credit, and 5 digital edited images emailed to you which can be shared on internet social sites or emailed to friends. (These images will NOT be sized for printing , and will have my watermark on them ). This special offer has a value of $90. But wait, there's more! Everyone that books a session (and pays the deposit required upon booking) will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a FREE 11x14" portrait (value or portrait, $70.) of your DS family member. One winner will be chosen at random from booked sessions on Oct 31. My son Joshua, who has Down Syndrome, will pull the lucky winner's name from a hat ! Portrait prize will be available after your session has been completed and all items ordered have been paid for. Almost forgot, you must also live in the RI area and be able to go to my studio in Pawtucket.

If you're interested in booking a session or know somebody who might be, leave a message with your email in the comment section or email me at catlewi@yahoo.com and put "DSAM Special" in the subject line. Or use the "Contact Me" Tab on the left of the page!

I'll leave you with a photograph of my son dressed up for Halloween a couple of years ago. He may be 27 years old but I know he will be going out Trick or Treating this year also!

If you're interested in learning more about Down Syndrome click <HERE>. For more information on helping Down Syndrome orphans in foreign countries be brought home to loving families go to Reece's Rainbow or To Love the Unloved.

Finally, just for fun, do you dress up for Halloween? If you do, what do you plan on being this year or are you still thinking about it?

Family session

2011-09-13T19:50:00.000-04:00

Have a huge portrait session this Saturday with Aubrie P. and extended family at the park and it's going to be a beautiful day! Mostly sunny with temps of 66*.

We've been trying to set this up since her first session with the children but weather and life hasn't been cooperating.

Here are a few shots from her earlier session with just her son, daughter , and niece. Really looking forward to working with them again, as well as the rest of the family, including her Grandmother, Grandfather ,mother, brother, and her honey too :-) Should be a lot of fun!

Great session today!

2011-08-22T22:17:00.002-04:00

Had a great time today doing a portrait session with this young couple and their cute baby boy. We did some in studio shots and then went to a local park to enjoy the beautiful weather! It was a perfect day for a location shoot today, sunny and warm with a wonderful breeze. Thought I would share a few photographs with you.

The outside images were taken at Slater Park, which is in Pawtucket, RI.

Their little boy will be eight months old in two days and was a joy to photograph. He was so good even though he's teething!

Why do Professional Photographers cost so much?

2011-08-14T00:06:00.001-04:00

Everyone wonders about this, and many of us have heard the question. Sure anybody can pick up a camera, call themselves a professional, charge somebody $10 (usually in cash, no contracts, no guarantees, nothing) to take a bunch of pictures of them and then go print them at the nearest drugstore, or simply burn them to a disk and let their "client" get them printed themselves. But are these really PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS or simply people with cameras who figure they have found an easy way to make a quick 10 bucks every now and then?

Continue reading for the answer.

This article has been very well received by the photography community, and is published in the December 2009 edition of Professional Photographer Magazine.

In this digital age where everyone has cameras, scanners, and home "photo printers," we hear this all the time: How do professional (or personal) photographers charge $X for an 8x10 when they cost just $1.50 at the drugstore? Simply put, the customer is not just paying for the actual photograph; they're paying for time and expertise.

Take the average one-hour portrait session, first, let's look at the actual work involved:

Travel to the session
Setup, preparation, talking to the client, etc.
Shoot the photos
Travel from the session
Load images onto a computer
Back up the files on an external drive
2 - 4 hours of Adobe® Photoshop® time, including cropping, contrast, color, sharpening, and backing up edited photographs. Proof photos are also ordered.
2 - 3 hours to talk to the client, answer questions, receive order and payment, order their prints, receive and verify prints, package prints, schedule shipment, and ship.
Possibly meet clients at the studio to review photos and place order. Meeting and travel time average 2 hours.

You can see how a one-hour session easily turns into an eight-hour day or more from start to finish. So when you see a personal photographer charging a $200 session fee for a one-hour photo shoot, the client is NOT paying them $200 per hour.

The eight-hour wedding
A wedding photographer typically meets with the bride and groom several times before and after the wedding. And it’s not uncommon to end up with 1,000 - 2,000 photos, much more than a portrait session. Many photographers spend 40-60 hours working on one eight-hour wedding if you look at the time that is truly involved. Again, when a wedding photographer charges $4,000 for eight hours of coverage, clients are NOT paying them $500 an hour!
(Don’t forget that the photographer runs the wedding day to some extent. A comfortable, confident wedding photographer can make a wedding day go more smoothly.)

The expertise and cost of doing business
Shooting professional photography is a skill acquired through years of experience. Even though a DSLR now costs under $1,000, taking professional portraits involves much more than a nice camera.
Most personal photographers take years to go from buying their first camera to making money with photography. In addition to learning how to use the camera, there is a mountain of other equipment and software programs used to edit and print photographs, run a website, etc. And don’t forget backdrops, props, rent, utilities, insurance, etc!
In addition to the financial investment, photographers actually have to have people skills to make subjects comfortable in front of the camera. Posing people to look their best is a skill by itself. You could argue that posing is a more important skill than actually knowing how to use the camera. A poorly exposed photo can be saved, but a badly posed photo cannot.

The chain store photo studio
Chain stores do have their place. For a very cheap price you can run in, shoot some quick photos, and be done with it. But you get what you pay for.
Consider the time and effort that a personal photographer puts into photographs, compared to a chain store. Store sessions last just a few minutes, while a personal photographer takes the time to get to know the people, makes them comfortable, makes them laugh. If a baby is crying at a chain store, they often don’t have the time (or the patience) to wait because everyone is in a hurry.
The truth is that many chain store studios lose money. In fact, Wal-Mart closed 500 of their portrait studios in 2007 because of the financial drain. What the chain stores bank on is a client coming in for quick, cheap photos…and while there, spending $200 on other items. They are there to get you in the door.

The real deal
Professional, personal photographers are just that—professionals. No different than a mechanic, dentist, doctor, or electrician. But a personal photographer often becomes a friend, someone who documents a family for generations with professional, personal photographs of cherished memories.
Maybe we need to help clients look at it this way: A pair of scissors costs $1.50 at the drugstore. Still, most people will gladly pay a lot more to hire a professional hair dresser to cut their hair.
The added attention and quality that a personal photographer gives is worth every penny.

We hope that those who have taken the time to read this page will have a better understanding of why professional photographs, created by a Personal Photographer are so expensive.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Found the perfect studio!

2011-08-13T12:01:00.000-04:00

I needed to have a key made yesterday, so took a 5 minute walk to the key shop. When I walked in, I couldn't help noticing that it was practically empty, so asked them if they were closing. No just moving to another location.

As I looked around, in my mind I started playing the old "if only" game.

This store is on a main street and has two huge plate glass windows on the front.
It has three rooms and 2 entrance doors. One room has a small counter and two usable walls and the big front window. The room to the right of the counter is wide open with three usable walls and the other big window. Behind the counter is a door leading to a smaller room.

Can you see where my mind was leading me?

It would make a PERFECT studio!

The room with the counter would be the waiting/pickup orders area. The small room could be the viewing/meeting room. The large room to the side would, of course, be where the actual sessions were held.

While waiting for my key to be made I began decorating this space in my mind, painting the walls, hanging my images, placing samples on the counter, choosing comfy waiting room chairs and other furniture, finding rugs for the floor.

Without seeing the smaller room, I had to imagine the layout but also pictured how I would create a warm, cozy space to welcome clients in there.

Of course the other larger room was easy, a pull down backdrop system on the back wall, wall and ceiling mounted lighting systems to avoid any mishaps, especially with my Special Needs clients who might be in wheelchairs, or very young children, and wooden shelving units to hold props etc in small wicker baskets near the front of the room.

And NO blocking of the windows! I would leave them both unobstructed for the natural light that pours in, with plants, REAL plants in front of them, even on the studio side itself. Anybody walking or driving by would be able to see me at work, see how comfortable the clients were, either while waiting or while having their sessions. Of course if the client wished for privacy ( during a maternity shoot for instance ) I would have a wicker screen handy to block the view from folks strolling by!)

Doesn't it sound absolutely perfect? I would adore having this spot for my business!

"If only...."

Have you dreamed of what your perfect studio would be like? Do you already have it?

I would love to hear about it, whether it is still a dream or a reality!

"Trying to Break Through"

2011-08-06T09:40:00.000-04:00

What do you see when you look at the image below? Many of you may just see an image of a boy who has been fingerpainting!

As the parent of a child with special needs I see something very different, actually that's wrong, I FEEL something very different when I look at this.

This is a portrait I took of my grandson during some finger painting fun, and while he is not a special needs child, to me this image so clearly represents the struggle that my youngest son, who has Asperger's has been going through since he was this age, and possibly what other children on the spectrum, or with other disabilities may be feeling at times.

I imagine the child in this image being trapped behind invisible walls, separated from the world around him. He tries to break through the walls often, sometimes managing to find an opening. But then the reality of the world causes him pain, emotional stress, tension, uncertainty and fear and he withdraws back into the safety of his mind.....his invisible wall.

That is what I see when I look at this, maybe because I do have a son with Asperger's that I have been watching for years trying to be like everyone else. Venturing out to join in, either through groups for children, like Boy Scouts, or through individual friendships, simply trying to be "just a boy". And so many times I see him hurt, most often because although he looks like any other kid, and he is smart and funny, his social skills always seem to get in the way of allowing him to be what he wants most.

Just another kid.

New photos with an old time feel

2011-07-28T23:41:00.000-04:00

I've been wanting to take these shots for awhile now, so today I enlisted the help of my favorite model, gathered the props that I just happen to own from my collecting days and set things up.

I was a little worried about shoes for him, since he mainly has sneakers and none that are plain, but luckily I remembered his "Tims"! They worked out pretty well don't you think?

I love how these turned out, in fact the last one is going to be hanging on my wall soon as a gallery wrap!

I especially love the film grain that I added to them, with the coloring it really adds to the old time feel of these images. Don't you agree?

Special Needs Models Wanted!

2011-07-12T13:11:00.001-04:00

I am currently seeking Special Needs models. Children only at this time, from newborn to age 12, boys and girls. Children with any type of disability or handicap are welcome!

I am a new photographer that will be specializing in Special Needs children, adults and their families. I have 27 years of experience taking portraits of children with Down Syndrome and Asperger's (both of these young men are my sons), as well as one year working as a Special Education kindergarten aide and also a year of caring for a Down Syndrome infant for a local Special Needs organization. Therefore I have lots of practice, experience and patience that will help make your portrait session more comfortable for you and your child.

Below are a few samples of portraits taken of clients at RHD, the wonderful art-based day program that my son attends. (BTW, my son's portrait is the last one). You will find more images by clicking the *Gallery* tab on this page.

Criteria for models:
As previously stated, any child with Special Needs may apply. Parent and child must be available either Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday between the hours of 10:30AM-1:00PM, or Saturday between 10:30AM and 1:00PM.

Portrait sessions can be held at 413 Central Ave. Pawtucket, RI, which is handicapped accessible, or Slater Park , Newport Ave. in Pawtucket,RI, weather permitting. However, if you live in the Pawtucket area and your child's needs would be better met holding the session at home, I will be happy to do so. Neighboring towns may be considered depending on distance.

I will require a model release form to be signed by parents.

What will you receive? To thank you for participating, each model (parent) will receive either a free 8x10 OR 2-5x7s and 8 wallets with the pose of their choice.

If interested, please reply in the comment section below and leave your email or email me directly at catlewi@yahoo.com, using *Model Search* as the subject line.

If you don't have a Special Needs child , please feel free to pass this along to friends and family in my area.

Why I "give away cabbages" :-D

2011-06-13T08:56:00.004-04:00

I happened upon this blog post the other day while reading another post on the same blog about branding. Laurie Foley had written about her Grandmother, Myrtle, and the 5 lessons she taught her on how to be remarkable.

Laurie's Grandmother sounds like a wonderful woman and her 5 lessons are well worth reading. The first one especially struck a chord with me. As "Granmyrt" puts it.."Never hesitate to give away a cabbage."

I am doing my own version of that with the free prints I give to anyone that books a session with me, as well as the free sessions and packages I offer occasionally. Giving a little something extra to help somebody out that might not be able to afford portraits, or bring a little joy to their lives, or a special photo to treasure of a loved one who will be passing on soon.

I know all too well what it feels like to be on a budget so tight there is no room for the slightest error in math or anything that isn't absolutely necessary. Throughout my life I have had help from many people, some of it quite unexpected and often at times I really needed it most. Now I am in a position to do my own small part to pay it forward, and this is the way I am choosing to do it.

Many people think if your prices are low your quality must be also, that if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. In my case, I purposely set my prices low, NOT because my work is awful, but because I want to make it a bit easier for everyone to have portraits done if they want to, plus I offer the free prints so if money is really an issue you only need to pay for the session itself, and even that can be broken into 2 payments if needed. I truly do believe that income should not be a barrier to having professional portraits taken.

I also do free sessions with free packages a few times a year, as you know. But I also offer them in special circumstances ALL year. I am always willing to do the free sessions with packages for parents of children who are very ill, or for children with parents who are elderly, or very ill. Often these portraits are the last ones you'll have of your loved ones and it is a very heartfelt project of mine to be able to give them to you.

Photos are memories that are kept long after the occasion or person has gone and are treasured by families, sometimes for generations. Everyone deserves the chance to have beautiful family portraits taken! That is my goal at Catherine Lewis Photography. To provide affordable, professional, special portraits for special people, regardless of disability, handicap, age, income, race, religion, orientation, or anything else.

Contact me today to book your session, or refer me to a family who may have a member that is terminally ill or elderly, so I can contact them about "giving them a cabbage"!

Getting ready for today's photo session

2011-06-11T07:57:00.000-04:00

Today I am working with the Angevine family, doing their very cute son's 3 month old photos and also some family shots.
I have a lot of props ready to take to the studio and lots of ideas for various shots floating around in my head, and can't wait to begin!
As usual I am a bit nervous and hoping that all goes well, but this is normal for me.
Last night while browsing the web I came across a pattern to make a little tie that you sew on a onesie. I decided to make one, only changed it around a bit to make it wearable around the neck.
Sure hope it is big enough to use today. I know the neck part will be but not too sure about the tie itself! It might be too small for a 3 month old, but perfect for a newborn. Just have to wait and see.
This is what it looks like and it was a snap to whip together!

Cute for a baby boy, don't you think?
Well lots to do before I leave, will post a couple of shots later today.

New portrait package!

2011-04-15T22:43:00.003-04:00

I'll be offering a new package soon called "Baby Steps", portraits of your baby's journey through the first year of life. At this time I know it will include 5 photo sessions- newborn, 3,6,9, and 12 months, a free 8x10 from each session, and a Keepsake frame or album after the last session. Working out the rest of the package, so be sure to watch for it!

Make your own tutus..

2011-03-27T13:57:00.000-04:00

Alright, so maybe most of you already know how really easy these are to make, but I thought they would be a little more complicated than this! I have a LOT of tulle here, so decided to do a little search and see how exactly they are made.
The very first site I found is great, so I had to share it with everyone. It is called MOMDOT and has instructions for making tutus and links to other instructions, like tulle wands, even how to make a tutu for your kitten :-D
Not only does she have tutorials, but on her "About Trisha" page she goes into more detail about MomDot.com and it seems like it could be a useful blog for Moms and others.
Now I am off to make a tutu!

Who falls into the special needs population?

2011-03-22T09:54:00.003-04:00

Catherine Lewis Photography focuses on the special needs population. We all know the standard definition of special needs, the disabled, and handicapped, but some of you may be wondering who that means exactly in regards to my business.

Wikipedia defines special needs as a term used in clinical diagnostic and functional development to describe individuals who require assistance for disabilities that may be medical, mental, or psychological, such as people with Autism, Down syndrome, dyslexia, blindness, or cystic fibrosis etc.

While this is certainly correct, I believe that others fit into the special needs category also.

Therefore, my photography business has broadened the term to include low income, elderly, terminally ill, and even temporarily displaced families who may have lost their homes due to fire or other events. In many cases they have also lost all their possessions, including precious photo albums. While I can't replace the memories lost in those albums, I can offer them the beginnings of new ones.

To those families, there is a special package that is always available, a free sitting, a free 8x10 and a free CD with images they can print out after getting back on their feet in a new home. This package is also available to families of newborns that are at very high risk, families with elderly relatives in nursing homes, or with other children who are terminally ill.

I feel that this small kindness, this show of caring, will bring these families a moment of happiness, of hope for the future, while at the same time, for those families of terminally ill and elderly members, providing them with a special portrait of their loved ones to cherish when they are no longer with them.

Another group, that while by no means I consider to fit in any of the above categories, are same sex couples. While this is becoming more widely accepted, as it should be, there may still be difficulties finding "traditional" photographers who will provide you with portraits of those special occasions. I strongly believe that who you love should not be an issue...period. Therefore, if you want portraits done of you and your significant other, I am more than happy to provide them for you!

I hope this helps you understand my photography business and what I offer more clearly. Catherine Lewis Photography provides special portraits for special people, regardless of age, disability, income or orientation.