Bio

I was born in Colorado but moved to a ranch in Oregon at the age of 9. Farm life was hard work but fun.
We raised cattle and hay with the occasional pig, goat, sheep, rabbit and of course-a horse.

On my 14th birthday I received watercolor lessons from regional artist Wytzel Bronson. She instilled in me some of the basic skills that I use every day…a strong sense of composition and light, perspective and framing, tones and textures. My photo career was launched after I started getting more compliments on my reference photos than my paintings and, of course a love for the darkroom.

I moved to the big city, attended the Art Institute of Seattle and received a degree in Photography. In 1992 I began my business on a shoe string budget while at the same time assisting part time and working
full time. In March of 1993 I married my husband Morris who is also a photographer (we met in the darkroom-seriously) and I’m happy to say we
are still married to this day. Not a day goes by that I don’t make use one his many talents, usually computer related. We have 2 kids-Lisa the Dalmatian and Elvis the cat.

Every job is unique and a challenging. I like to take that good old farm work ethic and combine it with my artistic training to create
.....Unexpected art.

Portrait Rates and Tips

Package A
~60 minute setting
Unlimited clothing, an on-location setting of your choice
~35 4×6 prints bound in a Leather Keep Sake Album
On-line sharing and shopping
$275 plus tax

Package B
~60 minute setting
Unlimited clothing, an on-location setting of your choice
~35 4×6 prints bound in a Leather Keep Sake Album
On-line sharing and shopping
1 8×10, 2 5×7’s and 2 sets of wallets
$350 plus tax

Package C
60–90 minute setting
Unlimited clothing and location changes
35–50 4×6 prints bound in a Leather Keep Sake Album
On-line sharing and shopping
1 11×14, 2 8×10, 4 5×7, AND 4 sets of wallets
$425.00 plus tax

Package D
60–90 minute setting
Unlimited clothing and location changes
40–50 4×6 prints bound in a Leather Keep Sake Album
On-line sharing and shopping
1 16×20, 2 8×10, 4 5×7, 10 4×6, AND 4 sets of wallets
$550 plus tax

Package E
½ Day life style shoots
I’ll come to your home and document you and your children
In your everyday life in an artistic story-telling session.
~75 4×6 prints bound in a Leather Keep Sake Album
On-line sharing, shopping AND musical slide show
1 11×14, 1 8×10, 4 5×7, AND 50 custom press printed greeting cards
$650 plus tax

Digital File Purchase
All full resolution digital files that appear in your Keep Sake Album DVD
$400

Returning Customer Bonus:
Repeat business is rewarded! After your first session, you will receive an additional 8×10 of your choice with your next completed session.

Refer a Friend Bonus:
Word of mouth is my life blood! Refer a friend and you will receive an additional 8×10 upon completion of their paid session.

Tips
I do not do traditional posed shots. I want to capture the warmth and spontaneity of you, your children or the family. Often, even with the best of intentions we place too much pressure on ourselves or the children to conform to the traditional “look” and we end up with squinty eyes, unnatural “smiles” and grumpy participants and tension that can be cut with a knife. Let go of all that and get real. These are the pictures everyone really wants to see. They tell the story of your life. You can expect to have a fun and unique experience with images to that effect.
Clothes. Get your clothes and accessories ready the night before your shoot. Have clothes that reflect your style and tastes. Make sure they are clean and free of wrinkles. For family sessions try to select clothing that works well together. It does not necessarily have to be matching, all though it can, just as long as it works well together. For children happy, bright and bold colors work well and really make the images pop.

Sleep! Try to get at least 2 nights of good sleep before your pictures so that you look fresh and don’t have bags under your eyes. Beauty sleep is real….

Personality. Have some things that reflect your personality, talents or hobbies. It helps your pictures become unique. Sports equipment – Pet – Car – Musical instrument. For Kids make sure too have a couple of their favorite toys, books or a lovey.
Hair Care. Guys, let a new hair cut grow out for at least a week before your pictures, it will give time for any white tan lines to get some sun. Also, take time to shave good. Girls if you plan on coloring your hair or getting a new style also give at least a week to get used to the style. For the kids..clean and combed is a good start.

Make-up. Girls bring your make-up, hairspray and curling iron to do touch ups. Make sure that your face make-up is blended into your neck so that when you look in the mirror your neck is not too white, also notice if you have tan lines that show with the different clothes your going to wear. Bring Chap Stick or lip gloss to keep your lips moist. If you can afford it, pamper yourself with a manicure and pedicure the day before. If not, make sure that your nails and toes look nice.

Seniors-Bring a friend. It’s really fun to get your pictures taken at the same time as your friend.

Wedding Rates and Tips

Weddings Packages

The Weekender
Engagement session, 35 proofs, 1 8×10
~16 hours of Photography time over 3 days,
Unlimited locations
Dual Photographers
Unlimited images presented in a press printed book
3 Large Albums, 11×14, 24 sides with Prints each
Post wedding Shoot,-trash the dress?....
Private On-Line Gallery
Digital Files
$8999.00

Family Harmony
Engagement Session, 35 proofs, 1 8×10
10 hours of Continuous Photography Time
Dual Photographers
Unlimited locations
Unlimited images in a presented in a press printed book
1 Large Album, 11×14, 24 sides with Prints
2 Parent Albums, 10×10, 24sides with Prints
Post wedding Shoot,-trash the dress?....
Private On-Line Gallery
Digital Files
$5999.00

Forever
Engagement Session with 35 proofs
8 Hours of Continuous Photography Time
Unlimited locations
Dual Photographers
Unlimited images in a presented in a press printed book
1 Large Album, 11×14, 24 sides with Prints
1 Parent Albums, 10×10, 24sides with Prints
Private On-Line Gallery
Digital Files
$4999.00

Unity
Engagement Session with 35 proofs
6 Hours of Continuous Photography Time
Unlimited locations
Dual Photographers
Unlimited images in a press printed book
1 Large Album, 11×14, 24 sides with Prints
Private On-Line Gallery
Digital Files
$3999.00

Commitment
4 Hours of Continuous Photography Time
Solo Photographer
Unlimited images in a press printed book
Private On-Line Gallery
Digital Files
Limited Availability
$2499.00

NO TRAVEL FEE’S IN WASHINGTON STATE.
(Out of State/Country Travel fees apply.)
Additional Photographer $500.00
Additional time $300.00 per hour
Engagement Sessions $300
Large Album, 11×14 with 24 sides with Prints $1000
Parent Album, 10×10 with 24sides with Prints $800
Additional Album Pages $100
Additional Press Printed Books $250
Prices are subject to change without a notice.
Retainer fee of $1000 is non-refundable
All sales are subject to Washington State Sales Tax

Wedding Photography Tips

Photographic images do more than document the event: long after your flowers have wilted, dress stored and tuxes returned, they’ll remind you of the joy you felt and the beauty of the day. These photos will not only be works of art and personal mementos, but heirlooms to be saved and treasured for generations to come.
Photos will be only as good as the person taking them. I know you probably have some relative with a great camera but that in its self is not enough. You need someone who not only has the tools but the talent. Someone, who is also artist at heart. All my life I have been doing something artsy. Be it crayons as a toddler, watercolor lessons as a teenager, hours and hours of art school or mixed media projects as a professional.
You are paying hard earned money so why not give me the time to do the job right. Try to budget enough time so we won’t have to rush or cut back on photography time. No bride or groom wants to miss their reception, so with that in mind I do like to encourage couple too sees each other prior to the service. Not only will we able to get all the photos done before but in seeing each other you will be more relaxed though out the day and that will be reflected in you images. A good rapport with your photographer is crucial, as we will be working all day as a team… so you should know I’m kind of a dork.

The Day Before: DO drink plenty of water and get plenty of sleep the night before. Try to not over indulge. Excessive alcohol will cause bloating, the skin to be sallow and cause dehydration not to mention all the other symptoms of over indulgence. Never a pretty sight.

The Day Of: Drink plenty of water and eat a healthy breakfast since you never know when you will have time for you next meal.

Hire the Pros: Make up and hair-it’s worth the price. Even skin tones and defined features really make images pop. Hair with a veil or tiara-well, enough said.

Most of All-Have Fun!

Reasons to see each other:
If you on the fence about seeing you soon-to-be prior to the ceremony here is a couple of things to things to consider. You will be fresh, your hair and makeup will be perfect, your dress wrinkle free and the veil in place. Post ceremony all that get’s crushed, plus your make up will probably run and or you will be shinny, flowers might be crushed and there might be a sweat stain or two. I would suggest we set up something where you can see each other in private and have a moment together before the chaos of the day ensues. This will create a much more relaxed environment not only for you but for your friends and family. This will also allow you to go directly to your reception and have fun!

Raves

“Sheila, I just opened the box of photos (yes, it took me this long to open the box). The photos are great and the box you sent them in is beautiful. I just now looked back at the email you sent of the photos. You did a beautiful job. It has been crazy and I wanted to sit down when I wasn’t feeling rushed to open it. Thank you so much.

Laura” Febuary 2010

“Sheila,

The photos look amazing! Thank you so much! You really nailed exactly the look I was hoping for. Blurring background, close up on our faces/bodies. Just thought I would tell you how happy I am that you are going to be a part of our special day.

Thank you!”

Kyle & Allison August 2010

“Working with Sheila for our wedding day (and engagement) photography was the highlight of our entire wedding process! I cannot say enough wonderful things about her work. My husband and I were thrilled to see the photos after the big day – Sheila captured every important moment, big or small, and yet during our wedding we hardly even noticed her taking pictures!

She has the most amazing eye for fun and beautiful photographs; we looked at some of our pictures after the fact and thought “were we standing in the same place?” She did a phenomenal job of incorporating the beauty and nature of our destination wedding location.

Since we got married in Mexico, Sheila was more than a day-of photographer. She is also warm and funny and a great person to travel with. We would HIGHLY recommend her to anyone who asks, and I would be happy to speak with any interested brides. She is THE BEST – either for Seattle weddings, or destination locations!”

Stephanie & Matt April 2009

“Thank you so much… The pictures look fantastic!! Matt and I stayed up until 3 AM after we got back to Bellingham on Friday, just so we could look at all the amazing pictures. I absolutely loved the woods pictures, and the ones by the pond… And all of them! And your blog was really special. I thought that was really cool!
Honestly, I don’t think I could have gotten through that crazy day without you. You went above and beyond your photographer duties, and I truly appreciated it. (And you kept me away from all the crazy people!) :) Matt and I really enjoyed working with you, and look forward to seeing our proof book and making an album with you!
Darby & Matt July 2008

“I think choosing a wedding photographer can be incredibly challenging. You are making a decision to work with someone who will essentially be the person who captures shots of your wedding that will enhance your memories of that day forever. In making this choice I am so glad I chose Sheila. Working with her was amazing. She was mellow but still directive and had a lot of great ideas for shots. Essentially the photo direction truly was in her hands and after the wedding was over I felt like she did an amazing job. However, when I first saw our photos I was blown away. They were incredibly beautiful and we were overwhelmed with how many moments she captured throughout our day. My husbands’ parents have shot hundreds of weddings and they were incredibly impressed with Sheila’s work. The collection of photos from Sheila is something we will treasure along with our memories of that day forever. I thank her so much for her amazing work.”
Sarah & Nate August, 2007

“I couldn’t have asked for a better photographer! From the moment we met Sheila, she was very easy to talk to and we really enjoyed her work. We
were drawn to her style; a combination of posed/traditional photos with the
candid/photo journalistic approach. Come wedding day, she was in the right
place at the right time; she captured moments and memories that my husband
and I would have never thought of! In addition to her remarkable
photographs, Sheila was great to work with; her personality and sense of
humor pulled everyone together. Sheila was definitely the perfect choice
for us!”
Carla & Kevin July, 2007

“Sheila was just awesome-from the first moment we met her we knew that we had found the right artist to capture our special moments. Her attention to detail and professionalism shined through which allowed us to enjoy our special day. We were blown away by the pictures and proofs that we received after our wedding and were further impressed with Sheila’s artistry. We look forward to working with her again for family portraits etc. Thank you so very much Sheila.”

Katy & Ryan March 2007

“Sheila created memories of our wedding that were perfect! Her professionalism and creativity generate photos that truly capture the joy of our wedding day and preserved it for our lifetime. Of all the wedding specialists involved in with our celebration, Sheila was, without a doubt, the best. Sheila has also photographed my niece and nephew and portrayed their sweetness and innocence impeccably. I am excited to have Sheila continue to commemorate our life as our family grows.”

Collins & Marv August 2006

“Sheila was amazing to work with. Our engagement and wedding pictures turned out fantastic, and her fun personality made my husband and I feel totally at ease during the whole process.”

Jen & Marc September, 2007

“My husband and I were so thrilled with Sheila photography of our wedding. Sheila was thoughtful of our needs and our expectations. Our wedding photographs turned out fabulous! She made the experience fun and laid back for our big day.”
David & Janine August, 2007

“Comfortable collaboration best describes working with Sheila Addleman. She brought wonderful ideas to the event shots without imposing them onto our goal. Her marvelous eye captured classic and raw shots just the way we wanted. She was not only respectful and responsive to our needs but to those of our family and guests as well. Having been trained as a photographer and having spent many years working in photo labs for professionals, I was impressed that 90% of the shots Sheila took were incredible. Overall, she delivered more than we could have hoped.

Chris & Madeleine May, 2006

“Sheila first photographed our wedding in 1999 and we’ve had her back for family photos each year. It’s amazing that she can capture 2 adults and 4 kids running in different directions. We’ve also had her come to capture our family reunions. She always manages to make all 20 of us look, not only into the camera – but actually look good! Amazing. Sheila is a delight to work with and she will surely be chronicling our family for years to come.”
Janet Frink 2008.

Contact

Sheila Addleman
sheila.addleman@gmail.com
206 · 723 · 9667