8th or 9th month of your pregnancy.

newborn to 4 weeks. Create a memory of your baby’s first days of his/her life.

4 to 6 weeks. This is very unique at a very special time in your lives. It will be a very soft, close-up, black and white photo of you and your baby.

3 months to 1 year. A series of images will show your baby’s development and the rapid changes that happen during the first year. Call us for ideas for a panel with a theme.

4-6 weeks. We want to capture that tender bond between the two of you.

The "Baby Your Baby" plan is a series of photographs taken at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months showing your baby’s development and the rapid changes that happen during their first year. At the end of “your year”, you will receive a framed panel of 5x5 portraits. The finished piece is double matted under glass with an elegant frame that will be a beautiful addition to any wall in your home. We reserve one half-hour for each of the four sittings, which will feature white, or very light colored backgrounds and accessories.

Our duty at Crafty Eye Photography is to create high quality portraits for our clients. These portraits are usually given as gifts to their family and friends. We must understand that these photographs will have an impact on the lives of our subject, and those who receive the portraits. In addition, they'll provide memories and a historical link to future generations.

We must also understand and appreciate the reluctance many people have to be photographed. People are often nervous about the way they look in pictures and therefore nervous about having their portrait made. Knowing this, we'll always be friendly, helpful and provide an atmosphere which is clean, comfortable, warm and inviting, making their experience with us as comfortable as possible.

If our clients are unhappy with their portraits, we'll stand behind our work and either remake them, reshoot them, or refund their money. Our client's satisfaction is our first priority.

All portrait prices include negative retouch for one subject (additional subjects $7.00 each). Corrections on hair, clothing, braces removal, tan lines, or severe complexion problems will be made by quotation.

The day of your scheduled session, you will be given an appointment for approximately 2 weeks to come back to the studio to pick up your previews. When you pick them up, you will be required to pay a $150 (nonrefundable) advance to take them out of the studio. This will be credited toward your order. You will then be given an appointment for approximately 1 week to come back to the studio to plan your order. If you have chosen to do video preview, then you will be given an appointment approximately 1 week after your session to come back to the studio to view our images on the video monitor and order. At the time of placing your order, ,a minimum of 50% deposit is required. Your order will take between 4 and 6 weeks to be completed. Once your order is in production, it is nearly impossible to change it. You will be notified when your order is ready either by phone or by postcard. When picking up your completed order, the entire balance is due. An appointment is NOT necessary for picking up an order. All order not picked up within 30 days are subject to $10 fee. The studio is not responsible for storage on orders over 90 days.

All poses, backgrounds, and props are at the discretion of the photographer. However, if you have any special requests, now is the time to share your ideas with the photographers. They will do everything they can to achieve the look you desire.

The photographer will greet you and discuss what you will be wearing and any special requests you would like for your portrait. They will determine which session is needed for you. If you have a preference, please share it with them before the session.

Would you like to meet with your photographer in advance to discuss such things as clothing, location, style, purpose, and special considerations?

We encourage you to take advantage of our free Portrait Planning Consultation service.

Creative Sessions - are based on your special personality, needs, and desires. You may prefer to take advantage of the consultation session or give us information over the phone. You may give us specific requests, let the photographer use his own ideas, or share in the creative process.

Half Hour Session - Ideal for one or two outfits $50

One Hour Session - We suggest three outfits $75

Hour and a Half Session - Four or five outfits $100

On Location Special - Where would you like to be photographed? You pick the spot or leave it to us. Includes drive time - First hour $100, additional hours $50 each.

All session fees are required to be prepaid at the time your appointment is made. Please have your credit card handy when you call. You may also stop by the studio to make your appointment and pay by check or cash.

No appointment will be made or held without full payment.

You'll need to arrive at the studio at least 15 minutes prior to your appointment time. During this time, you'll fill out some necessary paperwork and get information as to how and when the previews from your sessions will be ready. You'll also have the chance to look through sample albums and guide us to any preferences you may have.

It is very important to show up early. If not, ,you may feel rushed and as a result, may not be as happy with your portraits as you should be.

Late arrivals will be rescheduled at the discretion of the photographer. I'm sure that you can understand that we won't inconvenience other appointments we have because you're late. If you're typically a late person, come extra early. If you don't know where the studio is, come out a few days prior to your session and scout out the trip and gauge the amount of time it will take to get there. But please don't be late.

Our schedule get very busy, and if you have to reschedule, you need to realize that we'll get you in as soon as we can. However, from May through October, that may be up to 8 weeks down the road. Once you've rescheduled, your reservation fee or session fee is nonrefundable in order to cover the lost studio time. It will still be applied to your portrait session. If you reschedule twice, it's then forfeited.

If you cancel your first appointment with a minimum of 8 work days notice, any advance you've made will be returned. Less than 8 work days notice and any advance you've made will be forfeited.

As a general rule - Solid colors are always best. If photographing a family, the portrait only looks complete if the entire family is in harmony. This does not mean every family member has to look alike, just that each person wears solid, same tone clothing.

Formal Portrait - Solid color, long sleeve, medium to dark tones look best.

Casual Portrait - Do anything you want. Bare feet, jeans, tee shirts, or whatever. Feel very comfortable just laying on the floor. The all white background or muslin backgrounds are recommended for this style of portraiture.

Outdoors - We like everything except big bold patterns. Suggestions are shorts, khakis, jeans, or sundresses. Ideal for the family who loves doing outdoor activities.

We will try to help your child be as relaxed as possible. We work very fast, to which 99% of our clients have expressed appreciation. We request that you do not work with your child concerning smiling prior to their session. No child is perfect and we understand that. Our photographers are blessed with an unbelievable amount of patience. During the session, we prefer to have a parent present. This way you can be sure your child's hair and clothing are just as you want them to be. The photographers have many tricks, games, and ways to make a great expression for your child. They may ask for your assistance and make suggestions for you to help participate. Especially with shy children, the parents are our greatest allies.

Crafty Eye Photography has one of the largest and most extensive outdoor studios in Southern Illinois.

Open fields, lush wooded areas, a pond, sand beach, a rustic bridge, a fashion wall, it's all here!

Tuesday - Friday 10:00 - 5:00
Saturday 10:00 - 2:00

Evenings by appointment only.
We accept all major credit cards.

From St. Louis
Route I-64 to I-255 South. 4 miles to IL Route 15 East. Approximately 9 miles to IL Route 159 Exit.

From Intersection of IL Route 15 and IL Route 159
South on 159 (Illinois St) 1/2 mile to stoplight (Ross Lane / West Haven School Rd). Turn right onto Ross Lane to Crafty Eye Photography at 204 Ross Lane.

Please look over the enclosed information. It will help you plan for and get the most enjoyment from your portrait session.

Please feel free to call the studio if you have any questions. Our hours are Tuesday through Friday 10-5, and Saturday 10-2. We'll be happy to help you in any way we can.

Sincerely,