I photographed a very sweet family recently. The post the mom shared on Facebook really summed up everything that I stand for as a photographer; the importance of not only capturing professional images of your family, but why as a mom it’s important to exist in them, too. This is what she posted…

“My heart melted instantly. Thank you to the truly talented Angi Lewis with Angi Lewis Photography for capturing this sweet moment I will cherish forever. As I obsessively stare at this photo and all the cuteness of my little ones faces I’m reminded of why Its important to make the time to schedule a family photo session.

1. My 1,000 Random snapshots on my cell phone I never print and if I do they are always blurry.

2. There’s maybe 1 pic I took on my phone out of 1,000 where all of the kids are looking at the same time and even if they are all facing the camera I’m pretty sure one of the kids are crying or maybe even picking their noses or something of that sort that’s most definitely non editable.

3. If I’m snapping the photo then I’m not in the photo. There may come a day my kids would enjoy having a family photo to look at and relive a moment. THIS. RIGHT. HERE is my heart.”

 

 

I could list a thousand reasons why you should hire a professional photographer for your next family session, but here are my top eight…

One:

KICK OFF YOUR SHOES AND LET A PROFESSIONAL TAKE OVER...

First off, whether you are a working or a stay-at-home mom, chance are you are not a professionally-trained photographer. What’s more, if you’re BEHIND the lens, that means you are not in FRONT of it. What a huge difference it makes when you can relax and hand off the stress of wardrobe coordination, lighting, positing, and getting everyone to respond to a professional who can orchestrate the chaos.

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Two:

SHOW YOUR CHILDREN HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE...

Children who grow up in homes where portraits are displayed have higher self-esteem. They see that mom and dad make them a priority and proudly display their portrait for friends and family to enjoy. In addition, that it is the simple daily enjoyment and celebration of who they are.

 

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Three:

DOCUMENT YOUR LEGACY...

Children grow in the blink of an eye. And none of us are promised tomorrow. We’ll never have this moment in time again. The importance of capturing your family in this moment, as you are now (braces, long limbs and awkward growth spurts) is so important. We work so hard and spend money on a nice house, clothing, education, sports activities and vacations for our family. However documenting your family in an heirloom album or a framed wall portrait will become the most valuable thing your family will ever own. This is why you need a family portrait session, this is why every family needs one. 

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Four:

CREATE MEMORIES.

After nearly every family session I photograph, I receive texts and emails from parents telling me how much fun they had and how their children actually enjoyed the shoot. Most importantly, I make it a priority in each session I photograph for everyone to feel valued, beautiful and allow who they are to shine through. We laugh, tell silly jokes and enjoy the moment we are creating for your family.  

 

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Five:

THE CELEBRITY EXPERIENCE...

Have you ever had a professional coordinate your wardrobe or had your hair and makeup professionally done while sipping a mimosa? The stress of handing that off to someone else alone is reward in itself! You work so hard for your family… let someone take care of you for a day.

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Six:

CUSTOM DECORATIONS FOR YOUR HOME...

We all know the ‘home decor’ stores that we run to when we’ve repainted the house or watched an episode of Fixer Upper. But why hang generic, non-emotive wall art that everyone else has on their walls? A beautiful museum quality canvas of your own family proudly hanging in the foyer or over the fireplace tells everyone who visits to your home just how important your family is.

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Seven:

LIVE IN THE MOMENT...

John Lennon said it best, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” What are your objections? Need to lose weight? I can take 10 pounds off in posing and another 10 in Photoshop. Your children will never see a photo of you and think “Gosh, mom should have lost 20 pounds before she had the Family portrait taken.” Your family loves you just the way you are. Love yourself and live in the moment with them.

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Eight:

ONE DAY YOUR CHILDREN WILL LOOK FOR PHOTOS OF YOU. WHAT WILL THEY FIND?

Our current photos may be on Facebook, Instagram or in a cloud, but how will these benefit future generations? Flash drives and DVD’s won’t always be the standard medium or even accessible in 10 year’s time (remember the floppy disk?). Think of the thousands of photos on your smart phone. How many of those will your children, grandchildren and one day great-grandchildren actually see? Not to mention, how will you show your children the journey of your life?

 

Above all, the images I will capture today will one day become the most important thing your family will ever own. Documenting your legacy is one of the greatest gifts you can ever give them. This is why you need a Family Portrait Session. Let’s start your journey…

Headshots are a critical part of your personal brand. The saying is true… you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Headshots showcase who you are: your personality, your professionalism, and of course, your approachability. As the face of your business, you want to be sure that your headshot reflects you and your brand. If you’re planning for a headshot, try these 5 vital tips for getting the perfect shot…

 

Tip #1: Start with a Personal Branding Session

 

Before your portrait session, make sure you have a good idea of who you are: your personal brand, your goals for your business, and more. Are you a little unsure about your personal brand? Are you struggling to figure out how your look fits into those goals?

During your pre-session consultation, we will discuss your business: where you are now, where you’d like to go, and how your personal branding images will help you reach your goals. We’ll discuss your business’s theme, your mission statement and how you want to be photographed.

 

 

Tip #2: Consider the Benefits of Professional Hair and Makeup

 

You are the face of your brand. Whether your headshot is for your website, social media page or your business cards, you want to look your best.

Why struggle in front of the mirror when you can leave it up to the professionals?

Just like there are many things you’re great at, I work with a team of professionals who are fantastic at hair and makeup. Men and women, young or old, we do it all. My team will create a professional, polished look exclusively for you. Don’t worry: we will avoid going drastically different from how you normally dress and look. Instead, we will bring out the best possible version of you so that you can show it off to your clients and prospects.

 

Tip #3: Let’s Talk Wardrobe

 

Do you have a power outfit that helps you look and feel your best when you’ve got a big event coming up? Or do you need advice selecting what to wear? The good news… I’m here to help style, pose and shape you down to your last finger so that you will look your absolute best.

 

 

Keep it simple. Quite often, solid colors or simple patterns look best. We want the focus to be on your face, not on what you’re wearing. Wearing an outfit that makes you feel comfortable, professional, and capable is the key.

When you look your best, your company looks great, too. I want to help ensure that you’ll get the perfect headshot for everything you’re after. I’ll give you a photographer’s perspective on your wardrobe to help you pick out the ideal outfit for your brand.

 

Tip #4: Professional Headshots are Worth It

 

 

As a professional photographer, I could easily be biased by the benefits of hiring a professional, but it’s not just a bias. It’s true!

Seeking a genuinely professional look for your headshots?

Is your headshot used as part of your brand’s marketing?

If so, you can’t get by with a headshot snapped on someone’s cell phone or in your car. When you hire a professional photographer to do your headshots, you get all the benefits of their experience: a creative eye that knows exactly how to get the best out of every shot, advice about how to shape your look and professional-quality editing that will help ensure that your finished product looks its best.

You wouldn’t bring in an amateur to handle your marketing or your finances. As a professional, you probably wear many hats, but photographer may not be one of them. Hire a professional photographer to take care of your headshots. You’ll appreciate the benefits!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tip #5: Choose Great Options

After your headshots have been photographed, consider the great products that you can use to display those great images. Pick out a gorgeous canvas or custom framed print to hang in the office. In many cases, this will help enhance your aura of professionalism as well as giving your clients an idea of exactly who they’re looking for when they come through the office doors.

Print out copies of your headshot for your scrapbook or for posterity. Keep in mind that your look will likely change over the years, from your personal look to your professional brand. Don’t rely on digital storage to display those images. There’s something incredible about a high-quality, physical image that you can touch, show your friends and your clients, and keep for the future.

If you are ready for the best headshot of your career, ready to be the proud face of your brand and ready for clients to see the real you contact me today.

Senior year is an incredibly exciting time in your life. Graduation, celebrations and perhaps college are just around the corner. Capturing this milestone year with a senior portrait session will ensure you’ll have amazing photos of your special year to enjoy for a lifetime. Already have yours scheduled? Follow these tips to ensure that you’ll have an amazing session.

Tip #1: Go Minimal

You’re standing in front of your closet (or better yet, the racks of clothing in your favorite store) thinking, “What am I going to wear?” The choices can be overwhelming. You want to look your best, not just now, but when you look back at your portraits in 10, 20 year’s time.

 

 

When choosing your wardrobe, avoid extravagant clothes that feel over the top. Sure, you want to look and feel great, but you don’t want to overdo it, either. Not only will extravagant clothing feel uncomfortable, it may also fail to reflect the great “you” look that you’ve spent the year cultivating. Go for minimal jewelry: choose a couple of pieces that have meaning to you or that you wear every day, rather than going for your flashiest pieces.

Tip #2: Bring the Right Gear

When it’s time to pack for your session, it’s not enough to just show up with a smile (though that’s certainly a great start). Consider what you need to take along with you, including:

Extra outfits. Before your session, discuss wardrobe changes with your photographer. You might want to bring along a couple of different outfits that help reflect your hobbies and interests. Do you have a team uniform or a specific outfit that has particular meaning to you this year? If so, those items should be included in your bag.

Props. Props can help add a dash of personality to your senior portraits. If you play a sport, bring along something that acknowledges your love for it: a football, cheerleading pompoms, or dance shoes, for example. Did you accomplish something this year that you’re particularly proud of, like winning a prize or getting nominated for a particular honor? You might want to bring along the certificate or trophy. Consider what props have special meaning to you and help you capture this year.

Grooming supplies. Ladies, you’ve put a lot of time into making your hair and makeup look perfect. You don’t want to lose that perfect look! Toss a hairbrush, some extra hairspray, and your makeup in your bag. You might not want to touch it up many times during your session, but having the option to run a brush through your hair if the wind catches it can make a huge difference in the quality of your pictures.

Tip #3: Bring an Extra to Help You Out

 

 

Having the focus of the portrait session on you is great, but you may need a little help to get the best possible pictures. After all, the best of this year wouldn’t have been possible without the people you love most! Consider bringing along a boyfriend or girlfriend or bringing your best friend to participate in the session with you. They can join in for a few shots for extra special images you’ll be sure to cherish for years to come. There’s nothing quite like a session with your best friend to get you laughing and having fun—and it will help show off the best parts of your senior year, many of which were likely spent with them by your side.

 

 

Tip #4: Eat (Lightly) Before Your Session

For the best senior portraits, arrive for your session well-rested, well-hydrated, and well-fed. Ideally, you should eat a little something right before your session. You don’t want to arrive feeling bloated or sluggish, but you do want something in your stomach so that you can give your senior portrait session the energy it deserves. Take the time to drink a smoothie, eat some fruit, or enjoy your favorite snack in moderation before your session. It will help keep the smile on your face and make you feel better about the entire session. Bring a water bottle along with you and sip some water as needed. When you’re happy and comfortable, it shows on your face and in your pictures.

 

Tip #5: Do Some Browsing

Do you have ideas in mind for your senior portrait session? Are there particular poses that you love and want to recreate? It’s fine to come in for your session with little idea of what you want. Your photographer will get to exercise some amazing creativity and put together poses and pictures just for you. On the other hand, if there’s something specific that you want or you want a specific feel for your session, you should consider it ahead of time. Browse through Pinterest or check out my gallery to get a better feel for what options are available to you. If there’s something specific you want, talk with your photographer about it ahead of time. You’ll get better pictures that reflect your personality and your desires.

Tip #6: Come Ready to Have Fun!

 

 

Any portrait session is more enjoyable when you get into it. Come ready to get a little silly, have a little fun, and engage your creative side. Your photographer may ask you to do things that are a little silly or that make you step outside your comfort zone. Give it a try anyway! The best pictures are the ones caught when you’re having a blast with the entire session. Try out something new if you’re asked. You may be surprised by the pictures you fall in love with.

Are you ready for your senior portrait session? In the middle of your senior year, it can be hard to remember all the things on your To-Do list, but I’m here to help you check this item off with style. Contact me today to schedule your senior portrait session or to learn more about my past experience and how I can help capture this amazing year of your life.