Stills by Hill Photography » la mesa photographer

A sneak peek of the 2010 Holiday card line- San Diego Photographer

admin — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 06:42:12 +0000

I know I said it would be announced in July… I got a little busy Anyway here is a sneak peek on the custom designed holiday card line for my clients. They are WAY cute and I can’t WAIT to show them off! Look for details in the newsletter in August!

What? You don’t get the newsletter?! You are missing out! Sign up right on the top of the blog!

****PLEASE KEEP IN MIND I AM NOT SELLING THESE TEMPLATES****

If you already had your session with me and would like to use those images, just contact me once the designs are announced and I will send you your proof with invoice

Pricing is the same as last year $60/set of 24 FLAT and $85/set of 24 FOLDED. Order 4 sets and save 15%

**ALL of the cards this year are FLAT this year per your vote on facebook. If you wish to have a folded card, I am more than happy to change a design for you

Sneak Peek: Baby Nathan- San Diego children’s photographer

admin — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 00:32:48 +0000

Normally I do all my sneak peek’s through my facebook fanpage, but today I am doing this one through the blog… I can’t resist! How stinkin cute is he?! I can’t wait to post more.. he’s too adorable

Sisterly love- San Diego Family Photographer

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 04:06:27 +0000

I had the pleasure of photographing this adorable family who had won a session in an auction (I donate to auctions if you are looking for a high-value prize for a good cause!)… anyway… how beautiful are N & C? I mean really… Thanks R & L … I look forward to working with your family again!

Thinking of entering a picture into a contest? Read the terms – La Mesa Photographer

admin — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 03:25:31 +0000

I often get requests from people about either using MY pictures to enter their children into contests, or family members tell ME to enter MY kid into photo contests. I admit, Lilly is pretty stinkin cute… but have you ever thought about and read the TERMS of a photo contest? I ask you to PLEASE read ALL TERMS and CONDITIONS of every single place you submit your pictures to…including unwatermarked pictures on facebook, myspace, your personal blog etc.

I heard on the radio that a local radio station was doing a cute baby photo contest and that there’s tons of cash prizes and your child could be up on a billboard around town. How cool would that be? Everyone thinks “my kid is cute enough!! I’m going to enter!” Hold up!!

I heard the ad and even said to myself… “Lilly is super cute… I think I will enter”…

So I go to their website and read “terms and conditions” before uploading ANYTHING (please do the same thing!)… sure enough it’s the SAME terms and conditions as most contests you see around (like from costco, newspapers, etc)…

The following was taken directly from their site under rules:

“BY ENTERING THE CONTEST, YOU ARE VERIFYING THAT (1) YOU ARE THE PARENT AND/OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF THE BABY IN THE SUBMITTED PHOTO, AND (2) THE OWNER AND PRODUCER OF THE SUBMITTED MATERIAL AND THAT NO THIRD PARTY OWNERSHIP RIGHTS EXIST TO THE PHOTOGRAPH SUBMITTED. BY ENTERING THE CONTEST, YOU ARE TRANSFERRING ALL OWNERSHIP RIGHTS OF YOUR SUBMITTED PHOTOGRAGH TO THE COMPANY, AS DEFINED ABOVE. YOUR SUBMITTED PHOTOGRAPHWILL NOT BE RETURNED AND YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO USE THE SUBMISSION FOR ANY COMMERCIAL USE AFTER IT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED.”

It’s pretty standard verbage– nothing out of the ordinary… but do you understand it?

First off, most photographers (including me) own the rights to their photographs. A lot of newbie photographers hand over the cd of images and say you have the right to print them. Usually this comes from a lack of education in copyright and a poor business understanding… we transfer the right to print for personal use only. We still retain the copyright for our images. If you are a new photographer and don’t provide a release for personal usage for your images when (if) you give people a cd of images- you should really ask yourself why you would want to GIVE your work away to an advertising company (or a random individual) who can EASILY take those images and use for their ads. For free. With no compensation. I have heard of people seeing their images on billboards or in ads in magazines–they had no release signed so they were out of luck in doing anything.

But this doesn’t just mean professional work. It also means your little snapshot images you take of your kidlet while they are being all cute at home. Wouldn’t it suck to be flipping through a magazine and see your image of your kid you had entered into a contest a few years prior for a different company? Be careful which images you submit and most importantly– do not submit any professional photographers work without their written consent. I personally do not allow any of my images (personal or business) to go into contests unless those terms are different.

Another thing to understand– you are transferring ALL ownership and rights to the company…. whoa! If you didn’t even take the picture (your photographer did)- they own those images. So you just went and submitted little one’s picture your photographer put on a cd for you (or you illegally snatched from their facebook/website or you scanned in a hard copy) you just commited a huge legal no-no. It’s not your property to transfer the rights to so you can’t even enter it into the contest! Does that make sense?

Trust me, I am not against contests, or this specific station (I like them actually)…. I am just wanting people to understand what happens when you upload your images (whether it’s your personal ones or the ones from your professional photographer) to these contests… the images are NO LONGER YOURS (or your photographers for that matter) and you can make your photographer very upset!

This is what I have in my releases as to copyright release for personal use only and why. I have been seeing a lot of people entering these contests on facebook and they are uploading pictures from other photographers (professional or not… its still not your work) and I just want people to understand the terms before hitting “upload” to their image.

Bottom line– learn to read all the terms and conditions before entering any contest!

Miss Madison visits- La Mesa Children’s Photographer

admin — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 08:11:36 +0000

My niece, Maddie came to visit this week and I was so exited to do some shots of her in my studio in downtown La Mesa! Of course my parents wanted some pictures of her and also my little Lilly. I can’t believe Maddie is turning 7 next week… it feels like she was just born!

I can’t wait until my older niece comes to visit at the end of the month and I get to do more pictures of the three girls together!

PS… the girls are wearing their new Stella and Dot headbands from the little girls line! Aren’t they so cute?!!

Free Photos for Facebook- La Mesa Photographer

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 22:40:25 +0000

It’s back! You all asked for it again and I decided why not. We had so much fun at the last Free Photos for Facebook I decided to do it one more time in 2010! This time, I have different backdrops (gray will be the standard) to chose from. You will receive a complimentary photo on facebook tagged of you… you MUST be a fan of Stills by Hill Photography on Facebook to take advantage of this offer! You will be able to use this image on facebook, twitter, myspace and other websites such as jdate, eharmony, match.com, etc… and it’s free!

When?? July 18th from 11am-3pm. I can extend the time if needed.

Where? At the studio! 4711 Third St. La Mesa 91941. Meters are free on Sunday!

You need to reserve your spot. Sessions are about 10 minutes long and are for single subjects or a small group UP to 4 at the most. Kids will need to be photographed with parents.

Along with the complimentary image tagged of you on facebook, you will be able to purchase (at special pricing) additional files or prints.

Something cool: When you reserve your spot and do the session, you will receive a $25 discount on your holiday session!

Don’t miss out… I had a lot of people last time email me after saying they are sorry they missed it!

Click here to reserve your spot. Please indicate whether you would like an earlier time slot or later.

Welcome baby S- San Diego Newborn Photographer

admin — Fri, 21 May 2010 19:03:00 +0000

Meet baby S. I photographed her & her family in the hospital when she was a few hours old and I have to say, she is one of the most precious babies around. We had a lot of fun photographing her in the tutu, many hats and all over her home! Once again, another san diego on-location portrait session using all natural light. I am so excited to photograph baby her as she grows up!

Time for mini-sessions for Fathers Day! – La Mesa family photographer

admin — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:01:31 +0000

It’s here! Father’s Day is RIGHT around the corner! I am happy to announce “Daddy’s Little Boo” mini-sessions for Father’s Day to take place May 26th here at the studio! You can have your session indoors or outdoors at the brick wall (just let me know when you book)

What a great gift to give Dad or Grandpa for Father’s Day! When was the last time YOU had a picture done with YOUR father? Remember this is not just for kids!

Sessions need to be reserved as there are NO walk-in spots available. They are $150+tax and include up to 3 people and mini-session product pricing! Additional people/pets are $20 each.

Click HERE to reserve your spot!

Remember, spots need to be reserved and I am only offering 4 sessions! Don’t miss out!

Happy Mothers Day! – La Mesa Photographer

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 20:27:21 +0000

Happy Mothers Day to all you Mothers, Grandmothers, Dad’s who take place of Mom, expectant moms, people who SEEM like a mom and those who someone calls mom even if you aren’t legally their mom! I am so grateful to have a wonderful Mom who I would be so lost without! Also my Mother in Law who’s like my own mom– and then all the 3′rd mom’s I have out there

My family of moms

Happy Mothers Day to all of you!

Mothers Day Tea & Trinkets – La Mesa Photographer

admin — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 02:55:03 +0000

Here it is! I have updated the event to reflect what will be on display!

Tuesday, May 11th from 10am until 12:30 or so at the studio, 4711 Third St. 91941. There are meters out front to park at, or just go up Third or Fourth street past Lemon for un-metered free parking.

Have you seen Stella & Dot before?! Their stuff is amazing. I have a lot of friends who sell it and I was so excited when Melissa asked to combine the jewelery display & sale along with my mothers day event!

There’s a TOTALLY cute new line that is out with little girls’ items and I can’t WAIT to get some for my Lilly! Maybe even for my nieces too

So now, you can not only relax, enjoy the studio & some snacks, but you can also shop for some beautiful jewelery

**If you are not a mom you are still MORE then welcome to come!**

Remember for every friend you bring, you will be entered into a drawing for a free bracelet & another person will win a discount for their portrait session

But wait… there’s more (not to sound cheesy)…

When you schedule your portrait consultation while you are at the event for another day, you will receive a discount on your portrait session

You can see the evite HERE and add yourself to it. If you have problems, please let me know and I can add you. You can also click on the image to go to the RSVP.

I can’t WAIT to see you all there!