When photography is a privilege as much as a pleasure! {Okemos Studio, Lansing Family Photographer, Okemos Photographer, Senior Portraits Lansing, Okemos Newborn Photographer}

So privileged to have photographed 3 generations of one family, running a successful family business!  Mr. Howard Soldan, Sr. started Soldan's Pet Supplies over 60 years ago and now his son Howard now runs the business with his daughter, Nikki.

This session was especially meaningful because they chose to support us, another small business. All of us small businesses need to stick together - without us, what would our communities be like? Imagine always having to shop at big stores where no one knows your name.  We pride ourselves on building relationships with our clients.  We have conversations with you, we know your name, we greet you by name!

Anyway, back to the session - what a pleasure!  You can see the love flow between them all! After the formal poses of the 3 generations - we moved on to do some casual father/daughter portraits. So much fun! We could see that these two love each other so much - and get along so well - what a timeless portrait they'll treasure forever!

Okemos Studio and Helping Women Period {Okemos Photographer, Helping Women Period, Okemos Senior Portraits, Okemos Family Portraits, Lansing Photographer}

So excited to announce our new fundraising drive for November!  
   It seems like everyone has family portraits taken.  Or children's portraits.  But what about couples?  I feel like they're lost in the push for kid and family portraits, but sometimes a family is just 2 people. Why shouldn't couples have professional portraits, too?
   You have a portrait of your parents, right? Something that you can tell took a little effort. They made an appointment with a photographer and chose their clothes carefully.  Your dad may have gotten a haircut and your mom may have bought a new outfit.  They took the time to create a portrait that YOU cherish. Sure, at the time they did it for themselves, but you're the one enjoying it now, aren't you? Do you ever regret their choice to create a portrait of just the 2 of them?
    Well, when was the last time you did a portrait of just you and your significant other? Don't you think it's time?
    Take advantage of our latest fundraiser and get a free couples session AND save 15% off your package!  How?  Bring in just 4 packages of feminine hygiene products and we'll waive your session fee.   Order when you see your images a week later, and you'll save 15 % off your package!  A perfect to do some Christmas shopping!
    Helping Women Period is a non profit organization whose mission is to help ensure that ALL women have the products they need, when they need them. They are supplying shelters, food banks, and homeless organizations with feminine hygiene items.  ​
    So whether you're celebrating the upcoming birth of a baby, your anniversary, your engagement, or just that you've chosen each other, make an appointment today. Take a portrait. Capture this moment.  You won't regret it.  And neither will those who love you.

For more information on Helping Women Period, visit http://www.helpingwomenperiod.org/

Well, I guess Fall is finally here... {Okemos Photographer, Lansing Photographer, Lansing Family Portraits, Okemos Newborn Photographer, Lansing Senior Portraits}

Are you surprised as I am that it's suddenly fall?  The warm temps we had were awesome!  Flip flops and sleeping with the window open....then suddenly...it's fall, autumn, cold!  There was Ice on my windshield this morning for the 7 a.m. carpool ride.  I do NOT look forward to the cold again.

But...the advantage to the extended fall is that it's October 25th - 2 months to Christmas - and we are still enjoying beautiful fall colors outside!  

If you want fall portraits - give us a call today!  517-349-3340 and we'll try to find a time for you in our schedule - it's still a crazy time of year here at the studio, but we know we have to get these done before the dreary days of winter settle upon us.  We'll work with you to find a good time to get those family, kid or senior portraits!   Don't miss your chance!

Class of 2017 Senior Portraits! July special - Save up to $70! {Photography, Senior Portraits, Lansing Photographer, Okemos Studio}

It's always nice when you're reassured that you're not just blowing hot air.   Last week, I had TWO clients/ class of 2017 parents tell me that they were so happy they chose us for senior portraits this time.   They had chosen someone who does photos 'on the side' for their older children, and were thoroughly disappointed and regretted that choice.

Don't regret your choice.  This is a BIG time in your senior's life and a BIG decision.  These portraits will be displayed in your home forever.

So now that we've established that you should always choose a professional, why choose Okemos - Studio?

- You'll get a private, personal session with no waiting!   We never "double book" our photographers.

- We will take care of you from the moment you walk in the door, show you to one of our two spacious dressing rooms and get you a cold beverage.

- We offer free outdoors in our studio park, which was professionally landscaped for photography.

- We offer a free 'buddy' pose with most of our sessions.

- Our photographers will help you relax, so you can feel comfortable and have a great time.   Because if you have fun, you'll feel good.  If you're comfortable, you'll look great!

- We retouch your complexion on every image in your package.  We know you already look great, but we'll take care of any areas that concern you.  :-)

- You'll get a free yearbook image with your order - and we'll send it to the school for you - no worries!

- We offer free name and year on wallets - and you pick font & color.

- We put free Sneak Peek images on facebook - but only after we've done some retouching - so you look great in the images you tag & share!

- We've been in business over 55 years, watching many studios around us close up shop.  How have we lasted so long?  Well, we're talented, professional, and experienced.  We keep our looks fresh, with new lighting techniques, props and backgrounds. And we have a reputation for quality and great customer service.  You know -the important stuff!

Here's one more thing to help make that decision just a little bit easier: Seniors photographed in July can save up to $70 off their package!   All they have to do is be photographed in July and place their order by August 15th.  We offer online viewing and competitive pricing.

Give us a call at 517-349-3340 today to schedule your session.   We'll take care of you and make your senior portrait experience the best it can be.   Trust professionals.  Trust Okemos Studio.

Class of 2017 Senior Portrait Season Begins! Save up to $100 in June! {Photography, Senior Portraits, Lansing Photographer, Okemos Studio}

We've said it before, and we'll say it again, you get what you pay for!   Every year we photograph seniors who have already been photographed by someone else and they hate their images.   They thought they could save money by choosing someone who 'has a really nice camera'.   Instead, they've wasted their time and money on a session - and have to start the whole process over with us.  They're thrilled with our portraits and regretfully admit they should have come to us at the beginning.

It's true.  You wouldn't choose amateurs for other important things in your life, why would you do that now?   Senior portraits are really important!  It's the last time your child will be professionally photographed as a young person.   Do it right and choose wisely at the beginning!   Choose quality.  Choose experience.  Choose professionals.   We have a reputation for quality and customer service - let us show you.   You won't regret it!

Call Now to get up to $100 off your package if you're photographed in June!   517-349-3340

Summer of 2015 got away from us! {Okemos Studio, Senior Portraits Lansing, Senior Portrait Photographer}

As always, the summer blew by and before you know it, the leaves are falling off the trees and we are talking about Christmas order deadlines!
It has been a great summer - we've worked with lots of fun students and their families - and fit in some children and family portraits along the way.
Enjoy these samples, more Christmas info is on its way - and enjoy what's left of our fall before the snow flies!

New options in our outdoor studio! {Okemos Studio, Senior Portraits Okemos, Senior Portraits Lansing, Outdoor Studio Lansing}

Did you know that we have an awesome outdoor studio on our property, in our back yard?   We do!  Right here on Grand River, we have an outdoor park!   It's Huge and has been professionally landscape designed just for photography (of course!)
We purposefully put in all the natural features people request most- like a pond with waterfall, lots of foliage, flowers, trellis, sandy beach scene, and tall wildflowers.  But, we also have a lot of architectural sets like barn wood, wood siding, metal sheeting, brick & concrete to give us a variety of options for every session.
Since we have been in business for 50 years, we're constantly changing and adding new design elements.
Here are a few of the changes we've made - the metal sheeting gives a nice textural element, with some reflectiveness for interest.   The blue door is a pop of color that complements most any outfit!   And the red barn wood is from a salvage yard and decades old.  We haven't touched that one - it's perfect the way it is!  
We invite you to stop by and take a peek at everything we offer.  You'll be shocked at what is back there!

Location, Location, Location! {Senior Portraits Lansing, Senior Portraits Okemos, Okemos Studio} Save up to $100 in June!

 I get the envious, yet sometimes difficult job of choosing the images we post online.   Sometimes it's just so hard to choose!   These girls both did a great job with their location sessions at MSU Children's Gardens and Old Town in Lansing.    I have posted a few here - but their sessions were fabulous - and they did fabulous!

So, the answer is Yes - we go on location!  We call them Senior Safaris - and can go to either of those locations, or one of your choice - a barn with your horse, your house, anywhere in the Lansing area! 

Sessions are 1 or 2 hours long and include unlimited outfits.  There are limited times available as summer goes on - it’s best to call early!   517-349-3340

Book your session in June and you could save up to $100 off your package!   Call Now!

April News!  

 

Thank you again to Amber for being such a great model for her Oldham session!   We are privileged to know her. 

Class of 2015 and 2016 seniors - it's that time of year -we start our GREAT spring session special!   Save $100 off a location session - or get 48 free wallets with your package with a Deluxe or Favorite session at the studio.  Call 517-349-3340 for details.

Class of 2015- Aaack!  When is your open house?  Have you ordered your invitations yet?   Come on in and we will show you samples and discuss the different options.   Turn around time is less than 2 weeks, but you have to allow time for mailing -so it's best to come in SOON!  

BOX sessions!  It bears repeating - we are the ONLY studio in Okemos, Michigan, The MIDWEST, that offers these sessions!   Come on in if you have questions, or to see what we are even talking about!  

As lways, thank you for reading and for your interest in Okemos Studio!

Box Sessions - Exclusive to Okemos, Michigan and Beyond?- {Lansing Photographer, Okemos Studio, Box Portraits}

    What is that old quote?  Success is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration?  It's true.  What's a good idea if you don't actually do something about it?   Here is a perfect example:  Our Box sessions - inspired by an article about another photographer halfway across the country, we decided to make our own to offer this crazy, fun, unique portrait idea.
    Thankfully Ron has a great talent for building things and he came up with a design and built our box, all within a relatively short time span.   Really, probably one of the quickest ideas to come to fruition at the studio, ever!
    What is the Box, exactly?  Well, I guess you could call it a Cube, too.   But, it's just as the name  suggests, it's a big wooden box that people can climb right into.   It fits 4 people, as you see below, and could probably fit 5 if there were enough little people.  :-)   Pets are always welcome to the studio, too, if you want to include the entire family!
 

Why we do what we do {Children Photographer Okemos, Lansing, Senior Portraits}

Sometimes I have days where I say to myself "THIS is why I am in photography", which is what I thought when this little doll, J, came in on Friday with her grandmother and parents.  She is as an absolute delight!  Her smile reflects her personality - funny, sweet, and just oh, so precious!   We were so lucky to be able to spend that time with her - and create some images we're rather proud of. :-)

To make this experience even more special, her grandmother told me that she had her senior portraits done by us, and her father and son both had portraits by us - so J here was the 4th generation of the family to be in our studio.  The fourth.   She said when she wondered where to take J for her one year portraits, of course she thought of Okemos Studio!   She said it was great we were still here - and that's because of our quality.  I think she felt fortunate - when we were the ones to feel fortunate to have such an amazing time photographing this little girl.

THIS is why I do what I do.

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