It's not too late for senior portraits! {Senior Portraits, Lansing Photographer, Yearbook Photo deadlines}

Wow!  What a flurry of calls we've received the last few days - and most with the concern that it's too late to do senior portraits.  Don't worry - it's not for the fearless crew at Okemos Studio!

We know you've had a busy summer and back to school makes life even busier.  But, whatever your reason - it's time to call now!    Don't trust just anyone to do your senior portraits - we just had a call from a mom who gave up on her amateur friend that was going to do her daughter's session.  She called us - someone with a professional reputation she can trust - and now she can relax knowing she's in good hands and the yearbook portrait will be taken care of for her.

According to the most recent information we've received, the closest upcoming yearbook deadlines are:

Lansing Catholic - October 25

DeWitt  - October 18
Grand Ledge - October 31

Haslett - November 4
Holt - October 18
Mason - October 25
Okemos - November 1
Williamston - October 31

We're really fast with our turnaround and retouching - so you can wait until almost 2 weeks before your deadline and we'll still have a yearbook portrait ready to turn in on time.  But don't wait too long to call - after school times are filling up!   And if you really feel a need to make yourself panic, you can wait until even closer than 2 weeks, but there may be a rush charge (call for details).

Don't trust just anyone to get your yearbook portrait done in time.  Call professionals!

 P.S.   Outdoor sessions are still going strong!   Our On Site Studio is looking great!

Okemos Studio- "Making People Cry for over 50 Years" {Lansing Photography, Family, Child and Senior Portraits}

Ok, so maybe that's not the best slogan, but it's true.  In the past 2 days, I've had clients cry over their portraits.  First, on Tuesday, a mother got verklempt while watching the slideshow of her son's senior portraits.  (I won't use her name, so her son won't get embarrased.)  He's her oldest child, and she knows senior portraits are a right of passage.  Soon he'll be going to his last first day of school, his last Christmas dance, his last prom, etc.  And she got emotional - who can blame her?
And then today, another mom said the same thing - this is the last time her son will be professionally photographed until his wedding.  His wedding!  Which is too far off to even think about, but it's true.  And even then, he'll have someone else in all the photographs with him.  :-)   That's why these portraits are so important to her.  We did her older son's portraits a couple of years ago, and she says she still looks at his wall portrait every day.  It means that much to her.
And yesterday, when a longtime client, Jennie, picked up her daughter's senior portraits, she just lost it.  It was so cute.  And so meaningful.   Her daughter is her last senior.   This is the last time she'll pick up senior portraits!   This is the beginning of a whole year of 'lasts', and it's sad.  And it hit Jennie as she saw her portrait, framed and ready to go home, displayed on our wall.   This is it.
So, yes, we do make people cry.   But it's a good cry.  And it's because they're happy.  And that's pretty cool.   It's a privilege to know that we are making something that will be treasured forever.   Yay us.  And thank you to all the moms, dads, and seniors that choose our studio.  We're so happy you did.

Carrie, Lansing Catholic

Peter, Haslett

Owen, Okemos

Senior Portraits - busy, busy, busy! [Senior portraits - Okemos - Lansing, MI - photographer]

   Oh, to have summers off.  To be able to enjoy these beautiful days - when it's beautiful, that is.  And not too hot.  Or too cold.  But just right.   Like today.  I'm actually able to have the door open in the office - and not have the cold air conditioner blowing on me.   Bliss.

Nhung L., Okemos

   But we don't take summers off here at the studio- we're just too busy!   Why?  Summer is the best time for senior portraits in Michigan - the weather's great for outdoors and the students have free time.

Miranda S., Kearsley High

Coty, Lansing Catholic

Oh, and don't forget the yearbook portrait is due just about a month after school starts!  Yes - the earliest local school deadline is October 18th.   Yes, that's 2 1/2 months away - but you know how fast time goes.  It will be here before you know it.   School will be starting before you know it!

Lindsey L., East Lansing

   So...here we are in the midst of summer - and here are a few samplings of what's been keeping us busy.

Brevin, Eaton Rapids

  
   Whether you want indoors or out - formal or casual - smiling or not- we work hard to bring your personality out in your portraits.   We welcome your ideas, input and requests.  We're professionals, remember?  Our clients choose us for a reason.  :-)

Jacob, Okemos High

A little girl in her mother's wedding dress. Adorable. [Okemos Studio - Lansing, MI Photographer - Children Portraits]

Giggles and curls,
ribbons and bow,
they're so adorable,
from their head to their toes-

Author Unknown

   How is this for an awesome idea - a little girl dressed up in her mother's wedding dress!  (thank you Pinterest for giving her mom the idea.)   Our little model here was quite happy to play dress up in such a fancy gown - posed like an angel - and then her personality came out in giggles and goofiness.   Perfect.

Summer is such an awesome time for sessions. [Okemos Studio - Lansing Photographer - Child/Family Portraits]

     Michigan summers.   Such a mixed bag - so hot last week my house was sealed up like a mausoleum to keep the air conditioning inside.  Windows shut, curtains drawn, and even then the upstairs never really got 'cool'.

     Fast forward to this week, where I had to have the heat on in the car to keep my toes warm this morning.  I had the windows, open, mind you - to enjoy that great morning breeze, but it was a too cool for my little piggies.  AND I had to wear a sweater!

     But, it's what we've come to expect from Michigan.  You never know what you're going to get in a certain week, but it's certain it won't last - whatever it is.   The monsoons from 2 weeks ago were a big problem for us and our outdoor sessions, but we did manage a few nice days.   And here's a session to prove it.   These adorable munchkins are my niece and nephew.   They live out of state, so I don't get to see them nearly enough - but I do get to photograph them when they're here.  I just love their energy, their laugh, and their cheeks!
    We are so fortunate to have our outdoor studio!  When we lost a big tree years ago, it was apparent we had to make some changes to our back yard.  So we hired a landscape architect and designed a studio perfect for outdoor photography.  If you haven't seen it before, you should stop by.   People are always amazed when they step out onto our deck and see what's 'hidden' behind the studio.   Pond, waterfall, 'beach', barn, arbor, flowers, pine trees, brick, English gate and more!  Right here on Grand River!   We've got it all.  So, if you'd like to get in a session this summer - give us a call - soon!   Summer will be over before we know it.   And we'll be back to wearing parkas.  :-)

Oldham Project - [Okemos Studio - children/family - photographer]

This lovely lady, Peggy, is one of our Oldham Project participants.  Our photographer, Katie, had the privilege of visiting Peggy's home to photograph her in front of the beautiful flowers she had on her front porch.  
For those not familiar with the Oldham Project, here is a little info, found at www.theoldhamproject.org:

The Oldham Project began as a thought after the funeral of a second sister to die of cancer. Named for these sisters who fought valiant, courageous fights but eventually succumbed to breast cancer, and a third sister, who has ultimately saved her life with preventative surgery — the Oldham Project was conceived to document the lives of everyone who is fighting a battle for their lives. It is a tribute to them and their strength and courage.
In 2008, The Oldham Project became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, dedicated to providing free portrait sessions to those suffering from life threatening or terminal illnesses. Families in our community are suffering the loss of a loved one each and every day. Through this organization, we offer these fine portraits FREE of charge so that their memory may be kept alive for generations to come. 

Since the Oldham Project's purpose is to document the lives of these participants, we ask each person if they'd like to be photographed with anything special.  Something that they would like others to remember them for.   Peggy was proud of her flowers - and her motorcycle - so a session at home was a must!   Katie enjoyed her session - and her homemade chocolate chip cookies - and I think Peggy enjoyed it, too.  :-)

Catching that moment in time and in a box! [Okemos Studio, Children/Family, Photographer]

Diane was in the other day choosing her favorite images for her Box print.  She just loved the session and it was so much fun designing the piece for her wall.
But during the conversation, it became more than just making selections based on the best images, but also on what the images portrayed.   Diane was keenly aware that we have caught her family, her kids, in a moment in time.   She is hugging her teenage daughter (who is taller than she is) like she is her little girl.  Which she will always be.  Her pre-teen son is leaning on her in a way that he will probable object to when his is a big older.  She and her husband are together, showing their love, and giving their kids an image they'll always remember of Mom & Dad.
This whole conversation almost brought Diane and I to tears, as we talked about how fast our kids were growing and that high school (!) is on the horizon.
So, take that time, create that moment in time, for you and for your kids.  Set up a time for your family portrait.  You'll never regret it.

Flash Sale: 48 FREE wallets - next 48 hours only! Limited times available, call now!

Our first ever flash sale!  For 48 hours, or until we have no more available spots, we will be giving away 48 FREE Wallets!  Keep checking back for more deals and specials! 

And they just keep on growing up....Senior Portraits already! Okemos/Lansing Photographer

We started photographing Lauren when she was just a toddler.  I still remember vividly a session we did with her when she was 2 and having a tea party with her favorite teddy bear.  2!  It feels like yesterday...
Now she is an accomplished gymnast and a stunning young woman.    Wow, they grow up fast!   Congratulations, Lauren, on all of your achievements! We know you have a bright future ahead of you!