Consider Canvas for Your Next Print

If you haven't thought about how to print your favorite piece from your session, let me give you a suggestion: Canvas Gallery Wraps. Canvas wraps are prints of your favorite image printed on thick museum quality art canvas, stretched over a 2 inch wood frame. It is a borderless, frameless presentation that has typically been reserved for only the most expensive galleries. Now that digital technology is so much improved, the high end labs have gallery wraps down to a science. They are the most elegant way to present your favorite photos, and my clients just love them. Prices start at about $100, and they come in any size or shape you can think of up to 30x40". You can see a full price list here.

Textures: Concrete, Paint, Glass Dress Up Portraits

One of the most popular things going in Fine Art Prints right now is the use of textures. A texture is an effect applied to a photograph to make it look aged, weathered, or distressed. Its like acid wash for your jeans, but its for photography. There is not a set program that does this, nor is there a certain method, its really up to the photographer to decide what looks good for each given shot. I've been experimenting with textures on some of my favorite shots from my Fall Family Lifestyle Sessions. Here are a couple of the results. The effect is subtle, but I like the aged look it gives the photo, especially when compared to the original, unprocessed versions. Click on the photo to see a larger version and the detail.

Top Dog Racers: Shamrock Showdown March 8-9

We're back at the Top Dog Racers Shamrock Showdown Flyball Tournament this year. March 8-9 in Hutto, TX we'll be shooting action shots of the racing, as well as our famous doggie portraits. If you'll be attending the event, be sure to stop by and have your dogs picture made. Portrait sittings are free this year, and we'll be printing on site so you can take home a souvenir. Thanks to the Top Dog Racers Flyball Club for having us back. We'll see you in March.

By the way, if you attended the event last year, you can still buy pictures from the event by clicking here.

BGB Band Promo Shoot

I had the opportunity to shoot with a local band this past Monday night. The BGB or the Brent George Band is a local band fronted by Brent George, with Johnny Perdue on guitar, Eric Thomas on drums, and Dusty Gray on bass guitar. We spent a few hours in Downtown Dallas shooting some shots for their website and various marketing materials. Thanks to the guys for being great sports and for being patient with all of the light setups we did. Here are a few of my favorite shots from the night.

The New Agile Images Portfolio

After a long while in deciding how to set this up, I've made a decision and an upgrade in my portfolio display design. You can view the Beta design here.

In the next few days I will be completing this part of the site and you will be able to keep up with all of my best and latest photos.

Agile Equipment List

In case you're a shutterbug wondering what I shoot my photos with, here's a quick run down. Of course I won't give away all of my secrets, but I want you to know I'm shooting with some of the finest equipment available.

Camera Bodies:
Nikon D300 a 12 Mega pixel Digital SLR
Nikon D200 a 10 Mega pixel Digital SLR

Lenses:
Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX HSM
Nikon Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 AFS
Nikkor AF 85mm f/1.8
Nikkor 17-55 f2.8 AFS
Nikon 35mm f2
Sigma DG EX 1.4x Teleconverter

Extras
Nikon SB-800 Flashes (2)
Pocket Wizard Plus II Transceivers (3)

Your Investment - Pricing and Fees

Here are some links to my prices and descriptions for services.


Print Prices
Please call or email me to request an information packet which includes our policies, complete price list, and tips and tricks to help prepare for your session. Fine Art Portrait Print prices start at $50 for a 5x7.

Portrait and Wedding Print Processing
Agile Images uses a professional photo lab in Dallas that specializes in professional print processing. My cameras, my monitors, and my post processing techniques are all based on printing with my lab. If you buy digitals from me and use an alternate lab, you may not get the results you desire. Many labs "color correct" because most people don't take the time to do it ahead of time. All of the images I deliver to portrait clients, weddings, and other events, are already color corrected and calibrated to my lab. I often sell digital negatives to clients to use for emails, web pages, even reprints, but I always advise that you print any "Wall Portraits" with me to get the best results possible. I promise that the investment is worth it. There is a difference. Prints larger than 5x7 are delivered matted to the next largest standard frame size and are ready to frame.

Event and Sports Prints
I do not print event photography, sports, or action using my Fine Art lab unless by special request. I use Shutterfly.com, a great lab that produces a high quality print packaged in a convenient online ordering platform. My print prices start at $4 for a 4x6 and go up to $65 for a 20x30" Poster. Each event is priced separately. Prints and specialty items such as mugs, mouse pads, or playing cards are generally available for any event.



Gallery Wrap Canvases are ready to hang and include installed hanging hardware.


Session Fees
-I offer a complete description of all fees and services in separate, more detailed pages.

• Family Lifestyle Sessions
• High School Senior Location Sessions
• Baby & Children's Play Sessions
• Wedding, Engagement & Bridal Sessions
• Fine Art Print Prices

-Sports Photography
Generally there is not an initial fee for me to come to a sports event. I often freelance at local football, basketball, or baseball games. I will come to an event at your request provided you have either A) More than a handful of people who are interested in buying the game photos or B) Are willing to pay a $100 Session Fee if you are the only person interested in photos.


-Special Products
Per the clients request, I create custom composites, collages, posters, or offer one of a kind services to clients. Pricing for each project varies depending on your needs.


-Post Processing
All Agile Images portraits go through a work flow series that makes them print ready. No images leave my lab without being processed. To learn more about post processing options, you can read more here.

Behind the Lens - About Agile Images

Thank you for visiting Agile Images. My name is Chris Smith. I am an avid golfer, fisherman, soccer player, father, husband, and photographer. I've been taking pictures since I was 12 years old. My grandfather is a photographer and film print processor, and passed down an old Pentax SLR camera to me. From the instant he showed me where the shutter was, I was hooked. I spent hours shooting everything from flowers to motorcycles. I have always been fascinated by the art and technology of capturing images on film (now on a digital sensor). There's something magical about stopping time and capturing something dynamic for all to see. Whether it is a sunset over Maui, a game winning shot, or just an expression, a photo can be priceless. I look forward to capturing your priceless moment.

Yes, this is me. Lucky enough to play golf in Maui, and I happened to be on the other side of the camera for once!

My Favorite Fall Photos

I posted this on the main site earlier, but in order to archive it better, I am moving it to here.
These are some of my favorite shots from the Fall 2007 Portrait Sessions.

Duncanville Daddy Daughter Dance Photos

You can find the links to the Duncanville Daddy Daughter Dance at my website. Just click the link from the home page, or click to the gallery pages here. All of the photos will be loaded by Tuesday night. If you are here before then, just stop back later.

Thanks to everyone who attended and was patient with us while we worked through the on-site prints. It was a little slower than expected, so thanks to those who waited around late with us. Here are a couple of my favorite shots from the night.

For those of you who ordered packages or additional prints from us, you will have those in about 1-2 weeks. If you place an order online, you can expect the same delivery time. If anyone was not able to wait around for their free 8x10, please drop me a line or call me and I'll make sure to get it to you in the mail.

If you are new to Agile Images, please read through this blog and look at my portfolio if you are interested in more of my photography services. I offer children's and family portrait sessions, sports action shoots, wedding and bridal photography, and more.

Copyright Policy

Copyright Information
All images copyrighted by photographer, Chris Smith. It is illegal and unlawful to scan, copy, or reproduce my work in any manner or medium and is punishable by law with fines starting at $150,000. As an artist, I wish to have complete control over the final look of my client's images, and scanned images damage my reputation as a photographer by distorting and devaluing the image quality. Thank you for respecting my work and livelihood by choosing not to reproduce my images.

Gallery & Proof Expiration Time

Gallery and Proof Expiration
All Galleries and Custom Proof Web Sites provided after your shoot are good for 45 days from the day of the shoot. The only exception to this rule is for brides and weddings, where a 60 day proof time is allowed. Please help me control costs by ordering prints from your session within the proof time limit. There will be a $25 charge to reactivate proof galleries after expiration.

Referral Program-Earn $50

Referral Program
Refer your friends to Agile Images and get free prints.
For each person you refer that completes a session, you will receive a $50 print credit. (this excludes storyboards, custom products and custom collages).

Wedding, Engagement, and Bridal Sessions

Please visit http://weddings.agileimages.com

Baby and Children's Play Sessions

General Pricing Policy: All list prices for sessions are the base price for the photographer's time, materials and travel in the DFW Area. The price includes tax. Prints, products, and packages are available for additional charges. Some sessions require a minimum product purchase.



Baby and Children's Play Sessions
Booking Fee: $125
$125 Minimum product purchase per child

Description: I have two kids myself (and one on the way!). I wish I had a photo of them for everyday of their life. For my 2 year old son, I probably do! I think you'll see that I take the same pride in photographing your child, as I do when i photograph my own.

For kids that are walking age and up, I treat the session the same way I do a Family Session. Whether you have one, two, or more, we'll meet at a fun location and I'll photograph them while they do what they do . . PLAY! The idea is to capture them in a natural expression, having fun, laughing, being themselves. I like to catch a lot of action, a lot of interaction, and a lot of expression.

For newborns and infants, I like to shoot in a crib, nursery, or other home environment you are used to and comfortable in. If its nice weather and you want to get outside with them, then by all means we'll do that, too. You'll see that my infant work is a lot of closeups, a lot of hands, feet, and eyes. All the parts that mommies love, and daddies too, but I have a harder time getting them to admit it :-).

Children's sessions are one hour sessions. Each sitting includes a custom web site for your private viewing. You can expect 50-75 processed images to choose from, although many of my client galleries are well over 100 images. Prints and package orders must be completed within 45 days from the day of the shoot.

High School Senior Location Sessions

General Pricing Policy: All list prices for sessions are the base price for the photographer's time, materials and travel in the DFW Area. The price includes tax. Prints, products, and packages are available for additional charges. Some sessions require a minimum product purchase.

High School Senior Location Sessions
Booking Fee: $100 first location, plus $75 for additional locations
$250 Minimum product deposit required.


This is one of my favorite types of shoots. I can actually apply some good photography technique, take my time, and generate some really first class images. With kids, its more "shoot what they do", and "don't miss anything". With Seniors, its generally more controlled, more planned and really, really fun for me. The possibilities are endless with this type of session. I still like to stick to my roots and my philosophy of a "lifestyle" shoot. Whether that means part of your session involves catching your Senior in a sporting event or play, or just incorporating the things they like to do into the photo. Some girls want to look like rock stars, whereas some guys want to look like they aren't interested. Either way, I make them look their best.

The fee is based on a per location schedule. We can shoot as many places, events, or times you like. A location could be a soccer game, or a setup in Downtown Dallas. I generally recommend 2 locations to add some variety, but there are plenty of good locations around Dallas, Ft Worth, and Ellis County to get some quality work done from one location.

Each location is not subject to a time limit. Often part of the time is spent setting up lighting, and getting the shot right, and I don't ask for you to pay for my time to setup. We'll shoot at the location until we are both happy with the results. Each combined sitting includes a custom web site for your private viewing. You can expect 50-75 processed images to choose from, although many of my client galleries are well over 100 images. Prints and package orders must be completed within 45 days from the day of the shoot.

Family Lifestyle Sessions

General Pricing Policy: All list prices for sessions are the base price for the photographer's time, materials and travel in the DFW Area. The price includes tax. Prints, products, and packages are available for additional charges. Some sessions require a minimum product purchase.

Family Lifestyle Sessions
Booking Fee Price: $125
$250 Minimum product purchase, call or email for print and product pricing.

Description: You can have your "Family Portrait" made just about anywhere by anyone. Most of you probably already have a digital camera and could have your neighbor take a photo. You can even have it done while you are grocery shopping at Wal-Mart. But why bother with your neighbor or the local studio when we can do it my way.

I shoot family sessions on location, whether your choice or mine. I do very little "posed" shots, at least in the traditional sense. I won't ever pack and stack you in a pyramid, although I may ask you to get closer and act like you love each other ! :-). The locations we shoot at are up to you. I'll come to your home, we'll meet at a park, go to the zoo, or anywhere else you enjoy that might give me a chance to photograph you and your family enjoying time together. I want the photos to represent your lifestyle and match your family's personality. We'll work together to accomplish that goal.

Family sessions are one hour sessions. Each sitting includes a custom web site for your private viewing. You can expect 35-50 processed images to choose from, although many of my client galleries are well over 100 images. I will try to limit the choices to only the BEST of your images to help you in making your choices. Prints and package orders must be completed within 45 days from the day of the shoot. Family sessions are intended for immediate family, but I can generally accommodate parties of 6 or more fairly easily. Ask me about shooting family sessions with more that 6 when you book. Once I have your session paired down to the best shots, I'll ask that you schedule an ordering session so that we can create an order that helps you purchase the best photographs. The ordering session will generally occur one to two weeks following your shoot.

High School Hockey: Mansfield vs Midlothian

Thanks to Jim & Janet Case for inviting me to their hockey game tonight. Sure, I missed the first half of the Super Bowl, but I got some great shots while my TiVo ran. You can see the entire gallery and buy shots here. If you saw the 50x60" Fleece Blanket, you can order one by emailing me the 4-5 shots you like best. I'll put together a custom, one-of-a-kind design for you, and your blanket will come in 2-3 weeks. They are $75 for the Polar Fleece, and $85 for the Sweatshirt Fleece. The Sweatshirt version is a little thicker, but not as "cuddly" as the Polar Fleece version. Here are a couple of my favorite shots from tonight's game. By the way, Midlothian won 8-4.