We’re not moving away from Tulsa (we love it here!) but we are going to downsize. Please take a look at the website for our house for sale in Tulsa/Broken Arrow. If you’ve ever picked up prints or been to one of my on-site workshops, you know what a great piece of land this is. The house sits in Tulsa’s city limits but is in the Broken Arrow school district.
Thanks for looking!
Over the past ten years I have made a living off photographing people, but Joey and I also enjoy shooting places, skylines, and other interesting objects. We’ll take a photo of something interesting, admire it and say “neat” or “cool” or “yep” and file it away on a backup drive somewhere never to be seen again. That’s a shame because we have some really cool photos! So, we’re announcing our Oklahoma Photo Art Store. Right now there are only a few photos in the collection but we’re adding more as we find them, so check back often.
The store is great because it lets you order all kinds of products like a simple 8×10 print, metallic paper, fotoflots, acrylics, and canvas gallery wraps. The site is entirely friendly and even lets you adjust the cropping of a photo to match the print size you want. Check it out and let me know if you have any questions.
Here are some examples of what you will see in the store. I hope you enjoy!
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If you’re expecting a baby, it’s a good idea to set a tentative date with your favorite photographer before your baby’s big arrival. Once your bouncing bundle of joy arrives, the never ending task of parenting gets in the way and scheduling photographs may become less of a priority. Don’t make a mistake you will regret. The earlier you photograph your newborn, the better. And, those moments of that wrinkly skin, teeny-tiny toes and slumbering baby days will be gone in a few weeks.
It’s never too early to photograph a newborn baby. The earlier the better – ideally within the first two weeks of life while their skin is still wrinkly When a newborn is less than two weeks old, they are sleepy, which allows the photographer to prop them up, move them around and play with them without waking them up. Newborn babies are very limber. They just came out of a very small space and were squished up for 9 months you know!
Wait longer than two weeks and you’ll risk a baby that’s too curious of his or her new surroundings and they will be awake for the whole session. A sleepy baby is a perfect baby to photograph. And don’t forget to feed them, because a full tummy makes nap time (photography time) longer!
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Earlier this year, Joey and I signed up for what we thought was a lighting workshop through Groupon. We had expectations of showing up, meeting some peer photographers, learning advanced lighting techniques and participating on a photo walk. Let’s just say we showed up excited, but left disappointed. We weren’t disappointed because we didn’t learn anything new, we were disappointed because the instructor didn’t actually teach anything. We felt like he was just there to collect our money and take us on a walk. Most of the other participants were inexperienced and obviously very lost — we took a few students under our wings and showed them some basic concepts. The general consensus is that everyone felt totally ripped off.
On the way home Joey suggested I put my teaching skills to work and offer an affordable photography class for beginners. I took his advice and had my first group of students this past weekend. It was a great experience!! We met in the morning in my home studio in Tulsa, went over how a camera actually works, what all the manual settings do, had lots of discussion on framing and composition, and went on our own photo safari using the skills we learned in class. I am very proud of this group of students. They went from not knowing what the little letters on the camera dial mean to shooting the photos you see below. Keep in mind these photos are directly out of their own cameras with no Photoshop effects applied.
Based on the positive feedback I got on this first class, I am going to have more classes. If you want to learn how to use the actual settings on your camera, check out my workshop page and contact me. I can teach you to take photos like the ones you see below too. I hope to see you soon!
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I’ve been told on many occasions that my prices are much lower than my peers. Since I work out of my home I am able to keep much of my overhead down and pass the savings on to clients. As I’ve said before, everyone deserves quality photographs at a reasonable price. Inevitably, people ask why photography costs so much in general, and there are three simple answers for photography being expensive everywhere in the country.
Like any professional, a photographer must have quality tools and equipment to get a quality result. A professional camera easily costs $4,000 with a good lens. An established professional photographer will have multiple lenses for the right situation and backup cameras in case one breaks. This adds up to thousands and thousands of dollars in equipment.
Professional photographers carry insurance, which can be costly too. There are the expensive computers, back-up storage drives, Photoshop and editing programs, filters, and all the backdrops, light kits, props, professional Tulsa Park pass dues every year, and in many cases rental costs.
The cost of professional help during weddings isn’t cheap either. A 2nd and 3rd shooter on staff can cost anywhere from $40 – $80 per hour, per photographer, depending on the event.
There are lab fees, batteries, folders, wedding albums, and the marketing costs which are astronomical. One ad in a recognized local magazine will cost from $500 – $1000 PER issue! By the way, be sure to grab a copy of the June 2012 Tulsa Kid’s Magazine to check out my ad in the “Tulsa Faves” award issue.
A common misconception is that photographers just show up, take some photos, and collect their money. A photographer’s job is not over when the session or wedding is over. For every hour of shooting, there are another three hours of post processing. So, take your session length and multiply that by three and that will be the amount of time a photographer spends on you. It will take longer if the client asks for removal of hairs, braces or any extra post processing artistic ideas.
My packages and weddings are inexpensive compared to my peers and I could easily mark them up based on the time that I spend on each session and each wedding for sure! However, I choose to keep my prices lower in order to reach those clients who are on a budget. That’s what I would want if I were shopping for a photographer. 
Call or email today to book your session. I only charge 170.00 – 190.00 for a family, baby, senior or studio session and that includes a CD of ALL images for you to print. My wedding packages start at 800.00 and go up from there based on your needs.
I try to live by the Golden Rule: Luke 6:31: ”Do Unto Others as You Would Have Done Unto You”
I’ve been busy with Tulsa senior photography sessions. However, I’d like to know this one thing… where are all the girls?! I’ve done a few girls’ senior photographs this year, but most of my 2012 Tulsa senior photography sessions have been of the boys! I guess it’s the year for boys. Here are a couple samples from Broken Arrow High School this past week. So handsome…don’t you think?
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My favorite sessions seem to always involve children — even babies that are still in Mommy’s tummy. It’s always a great honor when an expecting mom trusts me enough to take photos of her during this special time in her life. It’s even more special when the rest of the family is part of the shoot. My new in-home studio is perfect for maternity shots — it’s private and very comfortable. If you are expecting, or know someone who is, be sure to check out my Family, Children & Maternity Photo Gallery. Give me a call when you’re ready for your personal photo session.
My new photo studio is based in the Tulsa/Broken Arrow area but I have clients drive from Stillwater, parts of Texas and all over for their shoots.
My new photo studio is now open and I had the privilege of photographing Baby Ava! Now this is a cute Broken Arrow baby with a great personality. I got so many (over 100) good pictures of this little girl that I had a hard time choosing which to put on my blog. These were a few of my favorites though and you can see more on my Facebook page. Her photos all showcased her perfect, beautifully made little face and bright blue eyes. I just couldn’t pass up posting these. To see more photos, be sure to check out my Children & Family Photo Gallery.
If you like what you see, give me a call. I am accepting appointments for children, newborn babies, and maternity portraits in my new Tulsa photography studio.
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When Joey finished my website, it seemed like a whole new start for my company. These last 9 years have been fun, but it was time to go full force with new marketing strategies and new prices. New prices doesn’t mean “higher prices.” As a matter of fact, I haven’t raised any of my prices. I am very sensitive to today’s economy and realize most people don’t have an extra $300+ to spend on family portraits, which is the average price you’ll pay for quality portraits from a qualified photographer. I have made it simple and easy for anyone to get quality photographs from an experienced team of people who are not only talented at capturing those important moments, but are also schooled in how to use all of their professional equipment. Anyone can call themselves a photographer, but make sure you research your choice before forking over a bunch of cash to just anyone. I have many references and testimonies that I can provide to anyone who would like to research my work.
I am so excited to finally be jumping back into photography with both feet. I have just returned from a much needed 6 month “break” and vacation. Although I did some Tulsa senior sessions and some children’s photography sessions during my time off. I was able to spend some quality weekends with my own family. I was also able to research some new things to add to my photography company. I’m also implementing some new filters and actions to create new styles that fit today’s Tulsa families and wedding photography clients. I am also incredibly excited to include Angela Ammons as an experienced wedding photographer and company owner from Austin, Texas. With Joey, Angela and myself on the wedding team, we’ll be sure to capture those important memories from the most exciting day of your life. If you’re needing a videographer for your wedding, there is a 10% discount on your wedding and videography package if you book Mike Harris Media and Gentry Photography together.
I am also super excited to book more children’s photography in Tulsa. As a former teacher with over 20 years of experience with children in the classroom, at church, and with Big Brothers and Sisters of Green Country, I have a wonderful time photographing these fleeting moments that are gone before we know it. Kids grow up so fast and it’s so important to capture them in every stage of their lives. I would be honored to have the opportunity to be a part of capturing those moments! My packages are reasonable and simple, and you always get every photo I take. Give me a call or email me today to set up your appointment! – Gentry
