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!

How time flies!

Senior season has begun!   And what a way it did!  Our first 2013 senior was a mere 5 year old when her aunt started working here!  It's hard to believe that the little girl I first photographed with bunnies is now doing her senior portraits!  And look at how she's grown - such a lovely young lady!! 

Katie had a great time working with her model at Old Town in Lansing earlier this spring.  They got some gorgeous images that you may have already seen in our advertising.

Now that senior season is here - what does that mean?  Well, that none of us get much time off this summer, that's one thing!  :-)  But it also means our days are filling up with sessions - since most seniors are here about 1 1/2 - 2 hours.  We never double book our photographers - we actually spend that much time with each person!   Of course, it depends on the number of outfits, and what each senior wants, but we think that spending that much time with a person helps us really capture their personality.  Which is one of our biggest compliments we get year after year from our clients!
Yay!

The Live Bunnies are here! {Okemos Lansing Photographer}

As my friends and family know, "Bunny Week" is my hardest week of the year.  Photographing small children is always a challenge, but add in a couple of live animals?  Live animals that like to hop, even?  

But, I must admit, Bunny Week is also one of funnest and funniest.  There is nothing like the joy of a little one meeting a furry little friend.  Some of them get SO excited! 

I've seen squealers, gigglers, and some just in awe- "I get to hold it??"   I've seen kids just shake with excitement.  I've seen some who just can't stop smiling - like the 5 year old boy I had yesterday, who was really reluctant about the whole thing.   He walked into the camera room hiding behind his mom and hanging onto her shirt.  But after I gave him a bunny in a basket, he just did not stop smiling!   He and his sister were a joy to photograph!   And then later in the same afternoon, I made another boy laugh so hard he doubled over cracking up.  How can anyone help but laugh, too?

Look at that hair! {Okemos/Lansing, MI Photographer}

    My daughter has beautiful, thick, wavy hair and as a baby, invariably when people met her, they'd say "Look at that hair!"  I thought the same thing when I saw this little princess again.  Since Christmas, her hair has grown and what hair it is!   And I was so pleased when her parents decided to just let it be natural for these portraits.  This is her.  They wanted a natural portrait, and how much more natural can you get?