Crane Photography

Your Inner Beauty ~ Exposed

Cara’s Bio

These Bio areas are always so hard to write about yourself so I'm going to do mine like a fake interview. Here goes...

So Cara tell us a little about Crane Photography.

We specialize in fun, relaxed wedding coverage resulting in stunning images that look straight out of a magazine. Our portrait sessions should be renamed "portrait play dates" because that's what they feel like for both myself and my clients. Even professional business headshot appointments are full of giggling and silliness. Why? Because I'm a photographer who has a deep aversion against the stiff "cheese" smile. I have to be part photographer and part comedian during most if my sessions because I will only photograph my subjects TRUE smile. I also love to get varied expressions throughout the wedding day or portrait session which show the exact emotions my clients were feeling at the moment I snapped the shutter. I feel as if I'm not there to record an image of the person's exterior, but instead I try to show the inner beauty or soul of every person whom I photograph.

How did you get into photography?

As a kid I was always into art and drawing. I loved taking pictures but I could never really afford a decent camera. After Jack was born I became obsessed with capturing his every moment on film but my old point and shoot just wasn't fast enough to capture his first sweet baby smiles. So I went out and bought my first D-SLR camera and taught myself how to shoot manually by taking pictures of my baby and family. I didn't realize that I wanted to turn my hobby into a business until I took my brother and his wife's engagement portraits on the beach back in the spring of 2007. Something just clicked for me that day and I realized that I had a real passion and natural talent for photographing people. So I've been building my business ever since.

So you don't have a degree in photography?

No, I graduated from Penn with a degree in Anthropology. Anthropology is literally the study of people and I learned how to observe people in the most unobtrusive way and record them as they really are. I learned to gain acceptance by my subjects and relate to them in a way that allowed them to feel comfortable enough to reveal their true personalities to me. I never dreamed at the time that these skills would actually help me in the "real world." But today I begin every portrait session just by talking and getting to know my clients and playing with their kids. I hear over and over again, "You really captured my son's personality in your portraits." To me, the emotion you feel when viewing your portraits is so much more important than perfect clothing or forced smiles.

Wait, what if I wanted stiff, posed pictures where everyone looks at the camera and says "cheese" just like my Grandma has hanging on her walls?

Then I'd advise you to open the phone book to "O" and I'm sure there's an Olan Mills in your area. Nothing against chain portrait studios but that's just not my style. But if you want a fun, casually arranged, relaxed portrait session where you actually enjoy the experience as much as the pictures, you've come to the right place!

Okay this is getting long. Is there anything else people should know about you or Crane Photography?

Yes, if you've never experienced "custom photography" you're in for quite a treat! This will feel nothing like the portrait appointments you've had in the past. This feels more like you are a star and I am the papparazzi (a nice one not the stalker type). For 2-3 hours I will cater to you, follow you, pose you a little, make you laugh, and treat you like a VIP. I will work with you to create beautiful portraits that you help to design. I encourage your input on location, clothing choices, poses and any ideas you might want to try. Every portrait session really is custom designed for each and every client. But I do have to warn you that I end up looking like something the cat dragged in by the end of the session because I'll do anything for a great shot, including climbing rocks and fences and crawling on my belly. But that's what you're paying me to do and I work my butt off to create the most amazing portraits just for you. So what are you waiting for? Just email me at cara@mycranephotography.com to set up your portrait session or book your wedding today!

Day Tripper {Cherry Hill NJ Wedding Photographer}

Tuesday, July 20, 2010 Posted in Beach Portraits, Beloved Session, Engagement

This adorable couple made the Day Trip from New York City all the way down to the South Jersey Shore Boardwalk just to have portraits done by Crane Photography. While these look like engagement portraits, they’re actually from something I’m calling a “Beloved Session.” (Thanks for the idea Jesh De Rox ) Beloved sessions are for those of us who are already married but would still love to spend two fun hours having their relationship and connection celebrated and photographed. Why do engaged couples get to have all the fun? This Beloved Session was held in Wildwood, NJ which offers miles of beautiful beaches, quirky Do-Wop architecture and of course the Wildwood Boardwalk. A&J, married 2 years, took advantage of many different styles and locations in Wildwood. We did some romantic “Under the Boardwalk” shots, followed by some pictures on the dunes and beach and finally they dressed in some vintage clothing to recreate a portrait that was done of J’s Grandparents on the Jersey Shore Boardwalk decades ago. I hope you enjoy this Day Trip to the Jersey Shore! Contact me soon if you hope to have your own Jersey Shore portrait session or Beloved Session.

I have to give a quick shout out to my husband Rich who makes the BEST portable light stand!! He also takes the occasional picture from his vantage point which is a full foot higher than mine and gives me great ideas for compositions. I love when he accompanies me on shoots!