Below are just some of the most often asked questions I've received over the years. If you can't find the answer to your question below, please contact me, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
LivingSocial.com is a site that provides members with a daily deal in their area, typically up to 70% current rates for restaurants, activities and more. In August 2011, I was lucky enough to be a part of it. The deal has ended and I urge all clients who purchased the deal to contact me to set up an appointment as time slots fill up.
Down the line I will have other deals available, and if you missed it this time around, please sign up for the AST Photos newsletter to be kept up-to-date on the latest happenings.
The sooner, the better. There is no time but the present to capture those fleeting family moments. I
I reserve dates and times on a first-come, first-serve basis. Family portraits typically reserve quickly for August through November due to the holidays, so don't wait, or else you could miss out! Contact me today!
They vary and depend mainly on the children for the family portraits, but expect a session to typically last a couple of hours. With newborns, we may require some more breaks. A couple of hours is also typical for an engagement session as well, since we may be traveling to multiple locations to find the rights spaces for you.
For event coverage, we will discuss the length of your event, and try to do any family portraits beforehand. Once a party starts, it's very difficult to step away for private photos, and nearly impossible to do afterwards.
Most of my clients are in the Tri-State Area (New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut); however, do not hesitate to contact me about other areas (Boston, etc). I currently reside in Hoboken, NJ.
I work with my clients to create custom packages that best satisfy their needs. Whether you're investing in a Sweet 16 package complete with family albums, or a family holiday portrait session with one fantastic wall portrait, I'll make sure we get the best photos that will have you in tears.
Since the sessions and events vary, so will the prices. However, you can expect your typical family sessions to begin with a Creation Fee to reserve a session date with me, followed by either custom packages we discuss in advance, or a-la-carte purchases of fine art canvases, custom wall prints, and even high-quality photobooks.
I will come to your home to help you decide on the adequate sizes to decorate your walls and rooms at no charge. For our high quality fine art canvas portraits, payment plans are available.
I find that children are most comfortable and most natural is their homes. If we need to get them some extra playthings to keep them entertained, it's easy to get. With younger babies and newborns, it is almost a given since they will need nap breaks and time to eat (though I recommend they eat and nap before the session so they can be well-rested).
Many other times, we will meet at a park that has some swings and a playset since those are typically a lot of fun for them. I can recommend parks I'm familiar with, but if there is once closer to you and your family, we should start there. Sometimes kids will fall asleep or become a little cranky if there is a long drive to the park, but no matter what, I will put in the time to get the best photos of you and your family.
I always find this question to be interesting, and typically asked by people looking to get a camera, or just playing with one they have. I've gotten used to comments such as "your camera takes great photos", when we all know from this overused quote by Ansel Adams, "the single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it."
Use whatever you have at the time, whatever you can afford. I found that going from a Canon AE-1 to a tiny FujiFilm to a Nikon Coolpix 5400 to a Nikon D70s trained me well. I learned the film techniques in school. Then I learned basic digital photography with very limited cameras, but squeezed whatever I could out of them, trying to get around any limitations. My Coolpix was a great camera. Some of my favorite photos were taken with that camera, a simple tripod and utilizing as much manual features as it possibly had. It was only until I reached a point where I was missing photos did I finally invest in a D-SLR. My D70s, which I still have currently, helped get me back to interchangable lenses again, and the comfort of truly manual control that I had missed since my film days in school.
I currently use a Nikon D700 and various lenses for my work.
Some of the same comments above in my equipment FAQ. Just take photos. Use what you have. I heard it best at one point in my life, but the best camera to use is the one you have on you. I've taken a lot of photos with my various cell phones, getting images I would have missed. Quality? Second to the moment.
Digital saved me money on film costs, but it added time and costs in other areas. You are still developing in a digital darkroom, and going through a lot of images takes time, since you may think "shoot first, worry later." I still say to take your time. Take that breath before you push the trigger and think, is this the best image I can make right now? You may not always have that time, but if you do, take advantage of it.
Feel free to send me an email if you have other questions. As my wife knows, I love talking about photography.
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“Anthony is an amazing and talented photographer! He has taken pictures of our family at least four times and we have never been disappointed! He captures our happiness and love in all of his shots! He's patient and understands that 3 year olds may not want to pose for a picture. The only problem we've ever had is choosing what pictures we want to keep (since we want to keep them all!!).”
- Janelle Amato, NJ
“The pictures came out beautifully and we had a great time during the session. Anthony was so easy to work with that my fiance and I were quickly able to overcome our self-consciousness and get some great shots capturing our personalities.”
- Samantha Singson: New York, NY
“We've had the pleasure of working with him and knowing firsthand how reliable and professional he is. It was crucial for us to get some great photos in a timely manner as we were planning a very small wedding in 1.5 months for just immediate family. Thanks to Anthony, we were able to share our love for each other with the rest of our family and friends.”
- Aaron Valade: Boston, MA
“The pictures far surpassed our greatest expectations. Anthony is extremely friendly and professional and made the experience genuinely enjoyable. We will absolutely be using his services again as our little one grows up.”
- Devon White: Nanuet, NY
