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?

Half over or Half way to go?

Filling out a survey online today, I had to enter my age, which is *cough*, oh, never mind.  Anyway.  I had the thought that I am at that age when many people have their mid life crises.  And I wondered if I feel the need for one, or am I happy with my life the way it is?  Well, I am happy -and beside the obvious (my family and friends) I think it's also because of what I do.  I think many people that have a mid life crisis are realizing that their life is half over - and have they made a difference in the world?  Have they influenced lives or left their mark?  Will people remember what they did?  Will there be a symbol of their life after they're gone?   Well, I guess I'm really fortunate to say, yes, I've done that.

I was at a neighborhood meeting last night and a longtime neighbor told me "Your portraits are all over our house."   What a great thought!  To know that something I helped create is going to be treasured by that family for generations.  So, I guess I don't need a mid-life crisis.  I've made my mark.  Sure, it hasn't impacted many people beyond the Lansing area, but what I've done has been important to a lot of people, and they treasure their photographs.  Photographs I created.  That's my mark.