Hello and thanks so much for stopping by! I am so thrilled that I found my way onto your radar and you are considering Smooch Photography to shoot your amazing wedding day, family portrait or Boudoir session.
My name is Michele Menier and I am the owner and photographer of Smooch Photography, a Wedding, Portrait and Boudoir Photography business based in beautiful Southern California.
I grew up in a small town called Temple City, CA (a tiny suburb of Los Angeles) and for the past 15 years have lived in the Seal Beach, CA (another tiny(ish) beach town right smack in between Los Angeles and Orange County). I have been a professional photographer for six years but have had a passion for it my entire life, it is who I am! I am highly qualified, creative, approachable and fun.
My personal passions are God, my family (my hubby of 12 years and two great kids), great friends, photography (duh), the feel and smell of my children, really hot baths, the color red, hoop earrings, little blue boxes, warm and windy days, the ocean, my Kindle (full of great books), the smell of Jasmine and Gardena, surprises and anything with with my monogram on it (I am a girl after all!!!). I also love a good, laughter filled girls night out, hanging out with my husband, hot wings, Hefewizen and great red wine! I have a big sense of humor and live life with faith, passion, gratitude and optimism.
Capturing real moments with raw emotion with my camera is what I do best and promise you and your loved one/ones will smile, laugh, (maybe cry a few tears of joy) and definitely have fun. You will find my unique photographic style to be fun, intimate, creative and photojournalistic (which means mostly unposed) but know I also love working with subtle posing and directed movement to be sure you look your best throughout our time together as well. I do my best to bring out your natural beauty and whether you are a bride, parent with a family or boudoir client you will be thrilled with your gorgeous images. I love shooting with gorgeous natural light (which I know how to find any time of day) but I also know how to rock my studio backdrops and lighting as well so I might just show up with both (because yes, I can bring my own battery operated sunshine :) so we can work at night as well). Black and white photos are a staple with my work because of the feeling they convey but I love bright color equally well. If you choose to hire me as your photographer, I can promise your photographs and our experience together will be a unique reflection of you and your family and your finished images will not look like cookie cutter images of anyone else's.
By hiring me you will receive my full and honest attention and have my complete and total appreciation and adoration for ever more.
Cheers to meeting in person very soon and thanks for the visit!
Michele can be reached at the Smooch Photography gallery either by phone or e-mail.
(562) 896-7960
Please also visit the Smooch Photography Online Gallery at:
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Investment
Wedding Investment:
Hello and Congratulations on your engagement! I am so thrilled that I found my way onto your radar and you are considering Michele at Smooch Photography to shoot your amazing wedding day. If you are here than you are likely engaged or love someone enough who is engaged to help them plan their wedding! Thank you for considering Michele and Smooch Photography to photograph such a once in a lifetime event! We know there are no two brides or two wedding that are the same so if you book with us you can rest assured that you are in terrific and very capable hands and you will be treated like our only client! We will laugh with you, cry with you and might even take a dive for the bouquet if we like the flowers (just kidding...promise ;).
Smooch Photography wedding packages start at $2200 which includes up to 10 hours of creative, fun and memorable shooting time with Michele and another talented assistant/second shooter. This price also includes a private online gallery for viewing your most treasured memories (even the ones you did not see!) to share with family and friends along with approximately 700-1000 images on a custom CD. Other packages are available which include engagement sessions, leather or linen bound coffee table albums and framed or wrapped wall prints as well. Please be sure and contact us ASAP to inquire about your wedding date availability and more packages available. Click here for a contact form!
Portrait Session:
Portrait Investment:
Smooch Photography 2013 Session Fee is $225 which includes one to two hours of shooting time and up to five people at a mutually chosen location (I am always happy to give my opinion or show samples of various locations), a private gallery of approximately 50-100 of the best images from your session to share with family and friends and a 10% discount if you place your order within two weeks! Please contact us for groups six people or larger as we have experience with and are always happy to photograph larger families and groups. Please contact the studio directly for headshot pricing and details.
Sometimes emergencies occur and a re-schedule is necessary. If this happens, please let us know as soon as possible and we will be happy to reschedule with you (one re-scheduling per shoot please).
We pride ourselves on presenting you with beautiful and high quality prints and products and every image is hand re-touched for the highest quality prints possible.
Smooch Photography offers products beyond 5x7 or 8x10 prints. We sell edited digital files on archival gold CD, beautiful gallery wrapped canvases, float wraps, custom designed albums, DVD slideshows and many other products in addition to print. Please see the “Products” section for more details and pricing. Please note: **Prices are subject to change at any time and without notice.
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Session Information and Packages
All of our portrait and boudoir session packages includes a minimum of 1-2 hour shooting time (unless more time is noted or a mini session is booked) at the location of photographer and client agreement and includes the number of people noted in each package. This fee also includes a pre-session wardrobe and location consultation (phone or e-mail), retouching of all purchased images, and a private online image gallery/slide show for you, family and friends to view within 1-2 weeks of photo shoot (often this is done in less time). The fee for additional people in each package is $25. All orders over $2000 will receive all digital images on CD from finished shoot!
Family Portrait Session (up to 5 people) - $175
Engagement Portrait Session - $200
Includes multiple location and wardrobe changes
Senior Portrait Session - $250
Includes multiple location and wardrobe changes
Large Family Portrait Session - $350
-Up to 10 people ($20 per additional person)
- Up to 3 hours shoot time (if additional mini sessions added)
- additional individual family“mini sessions” can be added for $50 (as time permits)
Newborn Portrait Session - $450
- Includes a 1-4 hour session
- multiple clothing changes
- Includes one free high resolution jpeg file for announcements
Day In The Life Session - $1500
1 day in the life session at the location(s) of your choice
(up to 6 hours)
1 day in the life session at the location(s) of your choice
(up to 6 hours)
-Private online gallery and slide show to share
-Beautiful 8x8 Coffee Table Storybook with your favorite images from your session
- A custom DVD with all of the images from your session set to your favorite music in a custom keepsake DVD folder.
- $200 print/product credit
Let me help capture a day in the life of your family! This is a very non-traditional approach to a family session. Rather than directing and posing your family, I become more of a behind-the-scenes documenter of your life and the interactions and emotions you experience together. This photojournalistic style will result in more "lifestyle" shots that portray your family and life as it really is. This session can take place anywhere you like, but to best capture your family in the act of being yourselves, it is best to be in an environment you can be comfortable in. A natural choice would be your home. We can capture bath time, bedtime routines, story time, play time, baking cookies, family projects, playing in the yard, art projects, mealtime, you name it. Some other fun ideas are to plan this session around a fun activity you enjoy together - pumpkin patch & carving pumpkins, trip to the beach, flying kites, swimming, playing at the park, a picnic at a pond, horseback riding, boating, dance lessons, you name it! Outdoor sessions are best done during the hours preceding sunset. In order for you to get more comfortable with me and to allow for possible changes in scenery and location, these sessions will be much longer - 2 - 6 hours on average. I spend more time behind the scenes documenting than I do directing and everyone (especially kids) come away having had great time and being rewarded for being themselves, not for sitting stiffly and smiling into the camera. The result is both more fun and more revealing than a typical studio session and you will come away with a beautiful story in pictures that speaks about you, your family, your life.
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A La Cart Prints & Digital Negatives:
All photographs are printed on very high quality, professional photographic paper with a lustre finish for extra beauty. Metallic prints are available for those who love the pop of color these can bring and there are other finish options to choose from as well (samples available at studio so just ask!). Below is a price list of the most common print sizes. If there is a print size you are looking for that is not listed, let us know and we can certainly accommodate your request.
Special Smooch Offer! All orders placed within 2 weeks of receiving your online gallery and with a minimum order of $300 will receive $50 in print or product credit and orders placed over $500 will receive $100 print or product credit! Orders placed over $2000 will receive a CD with all digital images from your online gallery!
*Please note - metallics are 25% extra per print*
*prints larger 11x14 and larger will be mounted on styrene board for rigidity
unless otherwise requested*
5x7 (or smaller)-$35
8x10-$50
11x14-$115
10x20-$140
16x20-$200
20x24-$250
High Resolution Digital Images (jpegs that can be for print, web, etc...) - $75 each image
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Gallery Wrapped Canvases
Smooch Presents fine art, gallery wrap canvases which offers a gorgeous alternative to framed enlargements. They give a beautiful contemporary look and are ready to hang! Your favorite images will be mounted on textured canvas, then stretched around a 1 1/2" or 2 1/2" thick wood frame. Framing paper covers up the back of the bars,and metal hangers and bumpers are applied to the corners. The Gallery Wrap is ready to hang with no additional work needed.
Smooch Photography is pleased to offer you our beautiful line of canvas prints. Your portrait will be printed on museum-quality canvas and hand stretched onto a custom-built, thick wooden frame. The image will be gallery-wrapped, continuing around the sides of the frame for a beautiful print, ready to hang on your wall. No additional custom framing is needed. Your print is made with the highest quality, archival inks that will never fade or discolor. Each print is sprayed with a UV coating for added protection and a gloss-type finish. Call the Smooch Studio to view available samples.
In addition to our standard sizes, we can produce any size you desire. Please ask us about custom sizes and shapes, whether it be a square or rectangle shape. Our canvas prints are perfect for filling any wall space in your home (regardless of how large!). We guarantee the print to be very sharp even at the largest size you can imagine.
*Please note prices below are for 1 1/2” canvas wrap size. 2 1/2” canvas wraps are additional*
10x10 or smaller ... $150
11x14 ... $225
16x20 ... $500
20x24 ... $720
24x30 ... $850
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Introducing Float Wraps!
Float Wraps are a unique option to display your beautiful images. Float Wraps are similar to Gallery Wraps in that they add dimension by extending out from the wall. Float Wraps are unique in that they appear to be floating on the wall with the main focus in the image! Create a modern display with a Float Wrap wall collage that is ready to hang! Call the Smooch Studio to view available samples.
Float Wraps are created by wrapping the photographic print or canvas print around masonite to create a thin wrap. The pint or canvas is protected with a laminate and padding is added between the print and the masonite to give the front of the Float Wrap a raised, elegant look and feel. The back of the float wrap is complete with black paper backing and a black 3/4” or 1 1/2” gatorboard block that allows the Float Wrap to extend from the wall. The back of the block also containing drilled holes for hanging. Or, if you’d prefer to display your Float Wrap on an easel, you can order your wrap without a gatorboard block. Order Fine Art Canvas with a Semi-Gloss, Laminate or Metallic Canvas with a High Gloss Laminate. Luster and Metallic Photographic Prints are finished with a Matte Laminate.
*Prices are quoted for Luster and Metallic Photographic Prints. Fine Art Canvas is additional*
10x10 or smaller ... $125
11x14 / 12x12 ... $175
16x16 / 16x20 ... $300
16x24/ 20x20 / 20x24 ... $450
24x30 ... $550
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Packages
(Custom Packages can be created upon request)
Package One - The Print Lovers Package
$700 (a $145 savings!)
1 - 16x20
2 - 11x14
4 - 8x10
6 - 5x7
2 - High Resolution Digital Images (can be exchanged for additional $75 print credit)
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Package Two - The Gallery Wrap or Float Wrap Finished Wall Package
Gallery Wrap - $1000 (a $415 Savings!)
Float Wrap - $850 (a $265 SAVINGS!)
Custom Wall design by Smooch Studio
1 - 16x20 Gallery Wrap
1 - 11x14 Gallery Wrap
1 - 10x10 or smaller Gallery Wrap
2 - 8x10 Prints
4 - 5x7 Prints
4 - High Resolution Digital Images (can be exchanged for additional $150 print credit)
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Package 3 - The All Digital Collection
$1200 (our most significant savings package!)
This is the way to go for larger groups or for the digital portrait lover! You receive all of your gallery images as high resolution jpegs (approximately 50 images) that can be printed as many times as you wish from your session. Your digital files come on a custom Archival Gold CD (manufacturer claims these last up to 100 years!). With this package, all additional products or prints will receive a 20% discount!
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**All orders placed over $2000 will receive a CD with all digital files presented from photo session**
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Albums / Coffee Table Books
Albums designed by Smooch Photography and made by Leather Craftsmen and KISS Wedding Books are true heirlooms. These gorgeous leather and linen hardcover books are timeless, contemporary, fun and beautiful with unlimited cover and style options! Start your own library now with images from your portrait session. Once you open the gorgeous cover, you'll be hooked - there's no better way to share the stories of your life. More pictures can be found under "Portfolio" heading. Click on "Products" frame.
*Pricing starts at $500 (for a 20 page 5x5 book) and is dependent on album size, finish and number of images selected. Please contact the Smooch Studio for more information*
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Referrals:
Smooch Photography wants to thank all of you who have referred us to your friends or family. Referrals are the best compliment we can receive, so in order to say thanks, here is our offer!
For every portrait session we book thanks to you, you receive a $50 credit.
All credits can go toward any print or other product we offer (including prints, digital files, gallery wraps, coffee table books, etc.)
Credits never expire - so you can accumulate and use them when you are ready.
Be sure and tell your friends or family to mention your name when they book so I know who to give the credit for. Start referring and get those credits accumulated!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What you should know about me:
My name is Michele Menier and I am the owner and photographer of Smooch Photography, a Wedding, Portrait and Boudoir Photography business based in beautiful Southern California. Capturing real moments with raw emotion with my camera is what I am passionate about and what I do best and promise you and your loved one/ones will smile, laugh, (maybe cry a few tears of joy) and definitely have fun. You will find my unique photographic style to be fun, intimate, creative and photojournalistic (which means mostly unposed) but know I also love working with subtle posing and directed movement to be sure you look your best throughout our time together as well. I do my best to bring out your natural beauty and whether you are a bride, parent with a family or boudoir client you will be thrilled with your gorgeous images. I love shooting with gorgeous natural light (which I know how to find any time of day) but I also know how to rock studio lighting as well so I might just show up with both (because yes, I can bring my own battery operated sunshine so we can work at night as well). Black and white photos are a staple with my work because of the feeling they convey but I love bright color equally well.
What does my session fee include?
Your session fee includes time and talent of the photographer and image preparation which takes an average six to eight hours post session. Remember, you are working with a custom photographer; unlike department stores and photography chains, you are getting individual attention and the ability to customize your session to fit your family's needs.
Your session fee includes time and talent of the photographer and image preparation which takes an average six to eight hours post session. Remember, you are working with a custom photographer; unlike department stores and photography chains, you are getting individual attention and the ability to customize your session to fit your family's needs.
Do you "touch up" images?
Yes. Small scars, discoloration or blemishes may be touched up when requested. Light skin smoothing techniques may also be used. We want you to look your best but still looking like yourself. Small touchups of this nature are not an additional fee; however, please note when placing your order what light touchups you would like to have done (these may get noted directly in the ordering process). It is your responsibility to note touchups you wish to have done BEFORE order is placed. Touchups that go beyond "light" are at an additional fee if they can be performed.
Yes. Small scars, discoloration or blemishes may be touched up when requested. Light skin smoothing techniques may also be used. We want you to look your best but still looking like yourself. Small touchups of this nature are not an additional fee; however, please note when placing your order what light touchups you would like to have done (these may get noted directly in the ordering process). It is your responsibility to note touchups you wish to have done BEFORE order is placed. Touchups that go beyond "light" are at an additional fee if they can be performed.
Do you shoot digitally or with film?
Currently we shoot digital only using top of the line professional equipment. We do not limit the amount of images that we take.
Currently we shoot digital only using top of the line professional equipment. We do not limit the amount of images that we take.
Do you shoot in black and white or color?
We shoot all in color and then convert images to black and white using a special process that appears more like black and white film. This allows you to choose color or black and white for any image.
We shoot all in color and then convert images to black and white using a special process that appears more like black and white film. This allows you to choose color or black and white for any image.
What if we have to cancel or re-schedule?
Sometimes emergencies occur and a re-schedule is necessary. If this happens, please let us know as soon as possible and we will be happy to reschedule with you (based on availability). One re-scheduling per shoot please.
May I purchase the digital negatives?
Yes, you may purchase all of the images from your session; please see the section of the pricing labeled "digital negatives". A digital negative is considered the digital file that Michele uses to send to the lab for final printing. This digital file has been prepared and edited with her techniques for final print. It is recommended that if you are printing these files to use a professional lab or an "upscale" lab that will not perform any automatic alterations in color, contrast, etc. in their machines. Please ask for recommendations.
Why do you delete unordered images?
When you order images, we acknowledge that you love those particular images, and as a courtesy, we will archive the images ordered for one year. The images that are unordered, we purge to make room on our system for other clients.
We didn't order our wedding photographs until a year after our wedding, why can't we do the same with our portraits?
We handle a large client load, and photograph many clients every week, not one client every weekend as many wedding photographers do. We try our best to run the studio, shooting, editing, and ordering, as smoothly as possible. When you wait to place an order, there is a chance that your images are no longer with us due to changes in the system. Late orders can "bottleneck" our process and cause a large delay in the receipt of your images.
We handle a large client load, and photograph many clients every week, not one client every weekend as many wedding photographers do. We try our best to run the studio, shooting, editing, and ordering, as smoothly as possible. When you wait to place an order, there is a chance that your images are no longer with us due to changes in the system. Late orders can "bottleneck" our process and cause a large delay in the receipt of your images.
We had a photographer that charged $250 and that included all the digital files, why are your files so much more expensive?
I am a custom photographer, and as such, every session is custom and I take the time to edit the images properly so that when the images are printed, they are top quality. I also want to guarantee that my business will remain stable and secure for years to come for all my repeat clients. Many operations that charge so little for their work will not be in business long as they cannot sustain a real business on such little charge. For someone to have a reasonable amount of clients per week and only charge $250 for the entire session is making approximately $2/hour. That's why those photographers that charge so little tend to not stay in business long, or are operating their business illegally without paying taxes.
