Dear Friend,

   Your family is changing so fast, isn't it? Your children (and yes, they will be your "children" even when they're married and have kids of their own) are growing up, and becoming more like adults every day.  Don't you wish you could just "freeze time" and hold these special moments forever?

   My name is Mark "Woody" Woods, and capturing wonderful family memories is what I've devoted my life to. I'm a professional family photographer, but more than that, I'm just like you... I'm a family person.

We Can Stop The Clock. Memories Are The Most Valuable Thing We Own.

   Can you relate to this at all? I wake up every morning and wonder where the time is going. Do you ever do that? Have you noticed that, the older you and your children get, the faster time seems to fly? I'm very lucky - I get to see my son John and my daughter Melanie everyday since they both are still young enough to live at home.  But, I know that the day when they both leave home to start a life and family of their own is quickly approaching.

   If you're at all like most of the families on this website, you probably haven't given a lot of thought to having a family portrait created.  Don't worry - that's pretty normal.  You've got a lot of things going on in your life.  Life is busier and crazier than ever in 2005, and family life in particular seems to be happening at an ever-accelerating pace.

5 Myths, Mistakes, And Misconceptions About Having A Family Portrait Created - The Stuff 99% Of All People In The World Don't Know:

   By visiting my website, you must at least be considering having a portrait of your family created. Well, that's great - you will probably never make a decision that will bring you more lasting joy.  However, there are some things you NEED to know before you and your loved ones step in front of any camera.  By the time you finish reading this single page, you will know everything you need to know about how to have the perfect family portrait created - the one you will cherish forever!

   You may feel that having a family portrait done is going to be a lot of work on your part. Well, it isn't!  In fact, that could almost be one of the "myths or mistakes" right there. As long as you know the information on this site, it won't be any work at all on your part.

                                                             ....So, let's jump right in!

#1 Myth, Mistake Or Misconception:
"There's No Way To GUARANTEE I Will Love My Family Portraits."

   WRONG! Depending on who creates your family portrait, that is.  Just suppose you had a family portrait created, and your son or daughter didn't look natural in it.  The photograph was "ok," but it didn't turn out spectacular.  Should you have to pay for it?  ABSOLUTELY NOT! I believe strongly that no one should ever have to pay for a photograph that isn't PERFECT. That's why I am the only photographer in Albuquerque to offer the following guarantee:

CHECK THIS OUT - A Guarantee Unlike Any You've Ever Heard:

If Your Family Doesn't Look The Happiest & Best They've Ever Looked Together In These Photographs - You Don't Pay Me For Them.

   That's my guarantee and personal promise to you. As far as I know, there's no other photographer around that will make you this super guarantee. These photographs will be completely meaningless to you unless they convey the real emotions and relationships between you and your loved ones. That's the only real reason to have a family portrait created.

   So, if FOR ANY REASON you feel that the photographs I create for you are anything less than perfect, you don't pay me for them. It's that simple.

     Obviously, I'm totally confident that the portraits I create of you and your family will be well beyond anything you imagine.  I believe completely that these photographs will become your most prized possessions - that, if your house were on fire, you would grab them on the way out of your burning home.  This is not arrogance. I can't stand arrogance. No, this is a complete belief in my abilities to capture natural, real emotions and family relationships on film unlike anyone else.  That's what I've devoted my life to, and that's why I can't wait to photograph your family for you.

So, To Restate, Here's My Fantastic DOUBLE GUARANTEE:

If you are not THRILLED with your photographs - if you are dissatisfied for ANY reason at all, I will do two things for you:

1st - At NO CHARGE, I will photograph your family again, and make sure that anything that wasn't perfect is fixed, without you paying another cent.

2nd - If I am absolutely unable to thrill you - if I'm unable to create a photograph that you feel you will cherish forever, I will refund EVERY PENNY you invested in them.  You don't pay for your photographs unless you love them beyond expression!

If I don't end up being your photographer, make ABSOLUTELY SURE your photographer offers this strong of a guarantee. If they are good, they should back up their work by taking all the risk off of you.

#2 Myth, Mistake Or Misconception:
"All Family Portraits Are Created Equal."

     INCORRECT.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  If you're at all like most people, you've probably had this question going through your mind:  "How do I choose the right photographer?" In fact, you may even have thought of someone in your family - an uncle, a grandparent, even a friend - who is a bit of an amateur photographer.  Why not just have that person create the photograph of your family?

Question:  "Just Suppose Someone Were To Create The Perfect Family Portrait - One Where You And Your Loved Ones Looked Better Than Ever, Happier Than Ever - A Portrait That Meant The World To You - What Would That Be Worth?"

   No price tag can be put on your family's memories. They are and always will be priceless.  So, why would you ever want to gamble with those memories?  It's just a question of whether you believe a portrait of your family could really mean that much to you.

   If you were sick, and had to go to a doctor, would you want the "cheapest" doctor, or the best one?  Well, there's really no question. It's the same thing with your family's memories.  You can certainly find a cheaper photographer in town.  But there are other things to consider than just price...

The Photographer You Choose Should Care About YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR MEMORIES, Not Just About "Making A Buck" Off You.

   I pride myself on becoming a family friend of every family I photograph.  I've even had some clients invite me to their houses for birthday parties and such. You see, I didn't get into photography to get rich.  Believe me, there are better (and easier) ways to make a fast buck. 

   But I CHOSE to become a professional family photographer.  Why did I make that career choice? Because I finally realized that all the money in the world meant nothing to me if I didn't feel like I was making a difference. 

I Realized That Memories Were Priceless - That There Was No More Noble Or Wonderful Profession Than To Become A "Memory Giver."

   I didn't become a photographer because I liked to take pictures. Don't get me wrong, I do like the "art" of photography, but that's NOT the reason I first picked up a camera. As a child, my mother and father didn't have many photographs taken. 

  My entire time growing up, I can't remember a single photograph being taken professionally of the entire family. But, early in my career, I created a portrait of my family together. I cherish that photograph - it means the world to me.

As I grew up, and my sister and I went our separate ways to start our own families, I cherished the memory of the moment that photograph was created even more. I can't even imagine what it would be like not to have that photograph hanging up on the wall in my home. I look at it every single day - it is one of my most prized possessions.

Now, I Have A Family Of My Own, And I Swore I Would Be Sure To Capture The Memories Of My Family Through Fine Portraiture.

   Time is the one thing that none of us have enough of. It's the one thing that money can't buy. It's the one thing that we all would give just about anything for. Through photography, we can hold on to the moments in our lives that we wish could last forever. And, if it's done correctly, these same photographs can become works of art that we display in our homes for everyone to see and share.

#3 Myth, Mistake Or Misconception:
"Family Portraits Have To Be Created In A Professional Studio - And They Have To Look Boring."

   If you're like most people, when you think of a PROFESSIONAL family portrait, you think of all of you gathered in front of a "painted background" in a photography studio, posed unnaturally, and all saying "cheese" as the photographer snaps the picture.  Now, is that something any family will cherish for a lifetime?  I think not.  Yes, it may capture the whole family together, but it will never capture your family relationships - your family's love.

   Picture instead: All of you gathered in your favorite room in your home.  Or outside on the new deck you just had built.  Or in your backyard by the pine trees that give your yard so much character.  All of you are dressed in clothes the photographer helped you choose - clothing that conveys your individual personalities, but still looks great together. 

   Well, that's what makes all the difference, and that's what I will do for you.

And This is SO Important:  All Of You Feel Totally Comfortable In Front Of The Camera!

   Do you know ANYONE who feels totally comfortable in front of a camera?  I'll bet you don't. I don't. Nearly everyone I've ever met tells me the same thing: "I never look natural in pictures."  The last thing you want is a photograph where you or your family members have that fake "posed" look on your face.

   That's why it's so important that you feel very natural and comfortable with your photographer.  Just think of how great your family would look if your best friend was creating the photograph.  They would all look so happy and natural! I take pride in developing very close relationships with all my clients, and their entire family. 

   Plus, I understand the "psychology" of photography.  Learning the technical aspects - what lenses to use, what lighting looks best, how clothing adds and subtracts weight on film - all of those things were only the tip of the iceberg.  Without being able to make each and every one of your family members look and feel comfortable (and natural) on film, all those technical things would amount to nothing.

You'll NEVER hear me utter the words "say cheese."

   That's a surefire way of getting expressions that look totally fake and unnatural. No - a great photographer knows that, in order to get a great expression from a subject, you need to get to know that subject a bit - to know what will make them smile naturally.  That's what I do, and I love it!  I will get to know your whole family so well, and they will feel so comfortable with me, that their expressions will be perfect every time.

#4 Myth, Mistake Or Misconception:
"There's No One To Help Me Make Choices About Clothing, Hair, Makeup, Location, etc..."

   Okay, normally you would be right thinking that. However, I pride myself in being different. I'm going to help you with all of those things, WHETHER I'M YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER OR NOT!

My Years Of Experience Photographing Families - Yours FREE - Without Any Obligation.

   Okay, by now you are probably considering having a family portrait created. You may even be considering choosing me as your photographer - but I don't want you to make that decision just yet.

   No matter who creates your photographs for you, you will need to make some decisions. What clothing should your family wear? Where should this photograph be created? How heavy should the makeup be on the ladies in the photograph? There are a number of things to think about, and I will walk you through all of them personally.

#5 Myth, Mistake Or Misconception:
"There's No Rush To Have A Family Portrait Created Right Now."

   You know how things are. If you don't pick up the phone right now, and at least call me to chat about your family portrait, you will probably get swamped with other things, and forget all about it.  Then, before you know it, a year - two years - five years have gone by. How different will your family be then?

   You see, time is ticking.... and it's never going to stop.

First, Your Child Takes His or Her First Step. Next, Learns To Ride A Bike. Later, Gets A Driver's Licence.  Graduates From High School. Gets Married.  Starts A Family Of His or Her Own.

   These are precious times, and although things will change, this moment never has to slip from your fingers. 

   Don't put this off.  You know how life is. We put things off, and before we know it, everything has changed.  If your life is half as crazy as mine is, year after year you find yourself frustrated at the things you wanted to do, and never got done.  A family portrait is something you deserve.

Why Your Family Portrait Will Become More Valuable To You Than Anything Else In Your Home:

   Do you have a photograph of your family that, if you were running from your burning home, would be the one thing you save (other than your family members, of course) on the way out?

   Now, I'm not talking about a "snapshot" that was taken during a family outing on the Fourth Of July.  I'm talking about a wonderful photograph, created by a professional photographer, that not only captures your family's true bonds and relationships, but also does so in a way that you'd be proud to display openly in your home for the rest of your life.

It's Not Too Late. This Moment, Right Now, Can Be Held Onto For The Rest Of Your Life - For You To Share With Family And Friends.

   You don't have to make a big decision right now. You don't have to choose your photographer - you don't even have to decide that now is the time for your family portrait. Just take one small step toward holding onto your family's happiest moments RIGHT NOW.

The Perfect Family Portrait Is Only One Phone Call Away...

   Make the call now. It will be a call you will be glad you made for the rest of your life. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Mark "Woody" Woods
Photographer