April Harmon Believes Photos Are A Gift

April Harmon's love for photography began in high school, where she worked along side a photographer.

"I worked with her my senior year," Harmon said. "And, I took a class."

A bit hesitant in the beginning, she worried about the task that a photographer has in their grasp.

"It’s scary," she said. "What if you mess up and ruin somebody’s memories? When (her child) was born I decided it was now or never if I was going to do it."

You don't have to have special education or go to school for photography necessarily, according to Harmon, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't.

"Actually you should have some especially if you are doing infant photography, because if you don’t know what you are doing you could hurt the baby," she explained. "There was a photographer a few years ago who dislocated a baby’s shoulder or broke their collar bone or something - you could hurt a baby bad especially in photography that involves posing, which is probably why no one else does it, because they don’t have the education in it"

Harmon has done online courses every year and also attends some in person educational opportunities.

"I do online and in person courses for seniors, infants and general photography," she said. "I did an in person workshop last year it was hands on - education is super important"

Harmon made the move to open her own official photography business 11 years ago. Her business, April Harmon Photography, is located in Garden City, Kans., but she lives in Deerfield, Kans.

"There's no business locations in Deerfield," Harmon said of her choice to locate in Garden City, "and, it's too far away because people around here either drive everywhere or drive no where."

Her favorite part of her business is working with people.

"I do have alot of great clients," she said. "The people here are all super nice."

When it comes to her pricing for the servic she offers, Harmon said you have to look at what it is you need.

"I don’t really look at other photographers pricing, because you need to make your prices based on what you need for your business to run successfully, and for you to be able to pay yourself," she said. "So, my pricing is based on that. In the photography industry most people look at other photographers pricing and say, 'well I'll just charge them so much less than that', and nobody’s actually looked at their numbers - that’s a pretty common practice and I did it too when I first started. Then I realized it is not sustainable. You have to look at what will actually enable you to be paid at a full time job - a living wage."

Harmon believes she brings a "better experience" to her clients.

"But, I don’t know how other people run things  so, I can’t say that for sure," she added.

Harmon offers newborn, wedding and senior sessions.

"For my senior sessions I offer hair and makeup with a professional photographer, and for maternity sessions if you want hair and makeup I have options."

Harmon has a number of props and clothes for babies and materinity, as well as glamerous maternity

When she does a newborn session, Harmon says she has "everything" they will need.

"I have a lot of options for all my different sessions and that way you don't have to worry as much," she said. "I'm the only one in the area that I know of who does posed newborns. Everybody does the swaddle poses, because it's easier.

When the session is over, clients will be able to see their pictures in person.

"You don't have to decide what you want to do by yourself," she said. "I offer prints and albums. Your pictures are going to be good, high quality images. You can print them to any size that you need to. If you choose a digital collection, I can help you design your wall art."

When asked what her skill is, Harmon referred to her people skills.

"My special skill is making people feel comfortable and enjoy their experience. For weddings I give you a timeline and sort that out with you. I work with you through the dates and make sure your needs are met. I have diffused family situations, and even helped fix a wedding cake."

Her philosophy is that her craft is a "gift".

"I believe printed photographs are a gift for you, your family and generations to come," she said. "They’re cherished for a lifetime, they show you lived, you loved and you were loved. I believe getting a disk of images is only part of the story, which is why every client comes in to my studio for a personal reveal of their images. I help you decide what will work best for your home and your style. That way you can go home and hang your custom art and love it. Not wonder what to do with it and stick it under the bed until you figure it out!"