February Contest...

In the spirit of Valentines Day, the February contest giveaway will be for a Couples Boudoir Session. Ladies and gentleman you can't be shy or lack the self-confidence for this one! I'm looking for a sexy couple, madly in love that are comfortable with each other, AND in front of the camera. No nudity involved!

The winning couple will receive a complimentary one hour session in the studio or at their home, a private on-line gallery and a 11x14 print of their choice.

RULES:

1. Must be a FAN of my Facebook. You can sign up here

2. Must be a married couple

3. Must live within 90 miles of Syracuse

4. Cannot have won previous contest within last 90 days

5. Must sign model release allowing me use images for promotion ( I won't show any images that you are not comfortable with)

How to Enter: Go to my FAN page and leave the comment " I Want To Win" under the " 2010 February Contest" entry post.

The giveaway does not include any other prints, digital images, or products. Additional prints/products can be purchased separately at my current pricing. There is absolutely no purchase necessary to enter and win the contest! Winning couple will be announced on Valentine's Day!

Email me with any questions! Each entry will be assigned a number and the winner will be chosen by http://www.random.org/. Good luck to everyone!!

And the Winner is....

Before I announce the winner of the Boudoir Portrait Contest, let me first say "Thank You" to all of the wonderful women who shared their stories. I had a really hard time choosing and I wish I could have given each one of you a Boudoir Portrait Session! You all deserve to win. But there were a couple stories that really pulled at my heart strings and brought tears to my eyes.

I think because I could relate to them personally as I have been there myself and was a single mother for many years, working two jobs at times, going to school and selling furniture to pay the rent and buy food for my kids. I can also relate to the lack of sleep (my oldest was colicky and never slept through the night) and not having enough time with your children. However, I think I'm a stronger, better person because of it all and I appreciate the little things in life and everything I have accomplished since then. No one said life would be easy right?

So I've actually choosen TWO winners! Congratulations to Kami & Christa! You BOTH deserve to win! Stay strong and never give up!

You can read Kamis' and Christas" stories just a couple posts below in the comments section. Again THANK YOU to all of the ladies for your stories! And, if you didn't win this time- don't worry I'll be giving away more throughout the year on my Facebook FAN page!

One Year Old Cake Smash { BLOG }...

Where does the time go? I've been photographing little Michael for a whole year now starting with when he was only a few days old. And now he is a Year Old already! It just doesn't seem possible.

Mom and Dad brought him to the studio for a "Cake Smash" session. So much fun and messy too! Of course we started with the traditional portraits first, before we let him dig into his Prince cake. And boy did he have fun with that cake.

Happy Birthday Michael. You are such a wonderful, well natured, happy little boy and growing up way too fast. I'm sure Mom and Dad agree.

A few of my favorites.

Win a FREE Boudoir Session { BLOG }...

What a great way to start the New Year. One lucky FAN will receive a Boudoir Portrait Session, absolutely FREE! The winner will receive a one hour Boudoir Session, 11x14 mounted print and 8 wallet prints. A great gift for the man in your life or for YOURSELF!


Here's all you have to do:

Become a FAN of my Facebook page by clicking here

Then leave a comment here on the BLOG with why you should win the Boudoir Session. I want to hear your story, why should you win? Did you overcome a lot of obstacles in 2009? Maybe you are a single mother working two jobs to support your children. Or maybe you're the one that is always helping everyone else and it's your turn for some pampering and to feel beautiful. I want to know.

It's that easy! I will choose one deserving winner. It could be YOU!

Winner will be announced here on the BLOG and on my Facebook FAN page on January 22nd! Must live within 40 miles of Syracuse area to be eligible.

Pet Portrait Studio Special { BLOG }...

Pet Portraits - Studio Special $100. One day only!

Bring your pet to my studio on January 30th from 10am - 7pm for a fabulous time and some great portraits. You'll get a 30-45 minute studio session, with a variety of backgrounds and props to choose from.

$100 Session Fee includes:

30-45 minute session in the studio, Private on-line gallery, 20% discount on additional prints/products, 8 wallet prints, 11x14 Mounted Print (color or black and white), & a Goodie Bag for your pet!

A great gift for Valentines Day. Message me to schedule your appointment. $25 deposit due at time of booking.

Also available for on-location pet portraits for horses, goats, llamas, cows and other large animals. Message me to arrange for your on-location session.

♥ Prints will be received in time for Valentines Day ♥

Valentines Special { BLOG }...

Valentines Special: Save $50 per person! Book your Boudoir Portrait Party for January and save! A great gift for your man this Valentines Day!

Want to feel like a supermodel? Get some sexy, alluring Boudoir Portraits for the man in your life or for yourself? And have an amazing time with your friends? Book a Boudoir Portrait Party! Great for Bachelorette parties or Girls Night Out!

All it takes is one Hostess and 3-7 of your fabulous friends! The "hostess" gets her session FREE! And if you book 7 of your friends you'll also receive your Boudoir Book absolutely FREE!

$200 per person includes: Makeup Artist, 20 minute session each, private on-line gallery, 8x10 print and 4 wallet prints each!

The Hostess provides the location, music, friends and food! We'll provide the fun! Grab your sexiest lingerie and lets shoot!

Don't worry we'll be there to help you with posing and facial expressions every step of the way. You'll have an amazing time! Click image below for more details.

Denoto Family Holiday Portraits { BLOG }

I just loved this family: Frankie, Kasey, Julian & Willow! They were so sweet! And they drove all the way from Auburn to shoot with me. We had a great session in the studio and got some fun shots too. My sessions always go by way too fast. Willow had a great time playing on my stairs while I photographed mom and dad.

Their entire order was for black and white prints as well. I love black and white, there's just something so timeless about them.

I'm looking forward to a "special" portrait session with just mom in a couple months!

Mantelli Family { BLOG }

A wonderful Holiday Portrait session on location with the Mantelli family. We walked around Onondaga Lake Park for this shoot. Such a gorgeous family, sweet kids and great weather. What more could you ask for?

A few of my faves:

Boudoir Portrait Parties { BLOG }...

Want to feel like a supermodel? Get some sexy, alluring Boudoir Portraits for the man in your life or for yourself? And have an amazing time with your friends? Book a Boudoir Portrait Party! Great for Bachelorette parties or Girls Night Out!

All it takes is one Hostess and 3-7 of your fabulous friends! The "hostess" gets her session FREE! And if you book 7 of your friends you'll also receive your Boudoir Book absolutely FREE!

$200 per person includes: Makeup Artist, 20 minute session each, private on-line gallery, 8x10 print and 4 wallet prints each!

The Hostess provides the location, music, friends and food! We'll provide the fun! Grab your sexiest lingerie and lets shoot!

Don't worry we'll be there to help you with posing and facial expressions every step of the way. You'll have an amazing time! Click image below for more details.

Senior Portrait Sessions { BLOG }

Senior Sessions: $200

It's your time to SHINE!

Think outside the BOX! Share your ideas with me. Looking for an urban style shoot, vintage, elegant, chic or hip. Let me know and we'll make it happen together. It's all about YOU!

My goal as a photographer is to create images that are different, FASHION-INSPIRED and a great reflection of you! Your session can take place downtown, at a park, beach, in the studio or a combination of locations for images that are as UNIQUE as you!

Still booking 2010 Senior Sessions!

All Senior Sessions Include the following:

2 hour photo shoot on location
Unlimited wardrobe changes
Private on-line gallery
8x10 Print
16 Custom Wallets
MySpace CD
Digital Yearbook Photo or 16 extra wallet prints

***Refer a friend and receive a free 8x10 print from your session!***

Some of the High Schools are now requiring yearbook photos be taken indoors with a gray background. If you choose to have your Senior Session on-location I will be unable to provide the yearbook photo for you. You may however receive an additional 16 wallet prints to replace the yearbook photo. Who doesn't need more wallet prints anyways?

Before & After { BLOG }...

Just an example of what can be done nowadays with Digital Photography and some post processing and of course Photoshop! On the sample image below, I added the Vintage Blush Action from the CoffeeShop. Then I added a fun texture on top of that at a low opacity and erased it from their faces. For the final step, I added a vignette to darken the corners a bit.

I may have to order a canvas of this print for my studio.

The final image:




The original image:

What to Wear? { BLOG }...

One question I get asked a lot is what should we wear to our photoshoot? Well here's a well written guide by fellow photographer Brea of Cye Photography who has kindly given permission to use this article. It will be very useful for you if you have just booked a session and need help coming up with an outfit for you and your family.

Show me your personality! You are more than just khaki pants and a white dress shirt –show it! If red is your favorite color, wear red. Like stripes? Great! Bring them with you. Simple patterns and bold colors look great on in person AND in photos. Choosing a bold color that is similar to your eye color is an awesome choice too.

Add LAYERS and TEXTURE. Think scarves (light weight or winter weight), hats, jackets, blazers, ties, denim, knits and corduroy. Long sleeves under short sleeves, leggings under skirts/dresses. Fun shoes like tall boots or sassy heels. A variety of textures will give your photos some extra punch to go with your great smile.
Be a head turner. Wear the blazer that fits just right. Or that dress that makes you feel like a million bucks. It’s a fact; clothes that make you feel good make you LOOK good. If you have the option, why not wear something that makes you want to smile?

Avoid logos, bold patterns and character-wear. Leave Dora and Diego at home. Character-wear and logos may be precious in person but will leave you clueless in twenty years when you look back on your photos and try to figure out who that is on your child’s shoes. Keep it timeless and focused on your faces, not your clothes.
Along the same lines, pick clothing that fits nicely. It should be neither too tight nor too loose. The clothes should hang on the bodies well, without folding or creasing. And always dress for full-length shots, which means socks and shoes that also match and are in good shape. A lot of times barefoot is best, weather permitting.

Of Special Note:

Kids:

Think personality. Cheerful, fun prints, polka dots, stripes, camo; whatever showcases who they really are. Add some layers and texture (maybe even a tutu, pettiskirt or tie) and voila! Instant photographic art. Most kids aren’t comfortable in formal dress and occasionally it can show in their pictures. So, if you have your heart set on your little angel in a suit and tie or an elaborate party dress, make sure to bring a second outfit that is more casual and comfortable.

Families & Couples:

Coordinating but not matching. Don’t over-match! The whole group does not have to wear black t’s and denim. Why not shake it up a bit and show some of who each person is as an individual within the whole? Mom should be the belle of the ball in a dress/skirt or fashionable jeans and ideally, heels! Make sure everyone dresses at the same level of formality; either all dressy or all casual, in similar or complimentary color tones. Examples could be earth tones, jewel tones, sky blue and chocolate brown, etc. Or coordinate the family in red, black, white & gray. Mix and match colors/patterns/textures.

Maternity & Newborn:

Be who you are. For maternity, we suggest some simple basics: jeans with a real waist, tight tops that hug the belly, a beautiful dress or flowing skirt and a flattering, comfortable, yet attractive, bra/cropped top/sweater, possibly with a beautiful print. After all, most of this session will be all about the belly. For your precious newborn, au naturale, or just a diaper, is best. We want to capture those beautiful bellies, tiny toes and tooshies. If you have a special outfit be sure to have that ready to go as well.

Photographers Prayer { BLOG }...

Oh God, as I bring my subject into focus and prepare to make each portrait, never let me forget that I'm creating treasures for some family, a keepsake for loved ones. Make me sensitive to the qualities and virtues of others, that I may draw out into the light the beautiful radiant belongings of their hearts.

Help me to be an artist, collecting the beauty of every soul, the glow of youth, the gentleness, the laughter or tears of each life that is precious in Thy sight. Deeper than a means of livelihood, give me the perspective to see my photographer's art as a service to others, making life richer and more memorable.

And, dear Lord, between the lights and shadows, the ups and downs and the rolling years, keep me from getting out of focus or off center, so that my life and work may be framed with dignity and colored with contentment ...

AMEN

Found this today and thought it was perfect!

"L" Family Fall Portraits { BLOG }

If this family looks familiar to you it's because I captured Tonys' Marine Homecoming a few weeks ago for the Operation Love Reunited organization. They booked me for a fall family session shortly thereafter.

We went to one of my favorite locations, Onondaga Lake Park. The weather was perfect, the leaves were golden and the family was a pleasure to work with. The kids, Irelyn & Evan are just so sweet and precious. This is a family with a whole lot of LOVE.

A few of my favorites from our session.

Ashleigh - Fall Model Shoot { BLOG }

Introducing Ashleigh! This beautiful young woman has only been modeling for two weeks. Seriously. And she was just incredible to work with. Great with her posing and needed very little instruction. A photographers dream!

We spent over two hours shooting at Onondaga Lake Park and finding cool locations. She even climbed in a tree for some of the shoot, in her heels no less!

I had a hard time choosing which images to post but here are a few. Love! Love!

Reena & Haley { BLOG }

A "lifestyle" session at the park with model Reena and her beautiful yellow labrador Haley. We had the perfect fall day for our session, although it was a little windy by the lake. Not great for the hair, lol.

Haley had a great time playing frisbee! She has so much energy and is so well behaved! She really LOVES frisbee and couldn't get enough of it.

A few of my faves from the day...

Blair Family Portraits { BLOG }

A fun, autumn family portrait session at Onondaga Lake Park. I love this family! They have been through so much together and it has made them stronger and closer. And they have more strength and courage than I could ever hope to have.

We had a great time at the park and the kids were so well behaved. I was so proud of Victor for sitting still for so long. I know it is hard for kids that age to do. He did finally get to play on the playground though.