How You Can Help a Small Business in Rochester this Season

1) Buy Local:

Money in the community, stays in the community. It’s as simple as that. If you don’t feel comfortable going into their store or location, see if they have an online option, or give them a call to make a curbside purchase.

2) Give a gift certificate:

Have a favorite restaurant you love? Or photographer perhaps? (Yes, that was a shameless plug). Same ways to buy as #1 applies here too!

4) Get Take Out, and Tip:

I know restaurants are currently open, but that doesn’t mean they’re out of the woods. If it’s applicable and you’re able to do it, tip well. Service workers and small family run restaurants need your love.

3) Use your Voice:

Small businesses don’t just grow because of social media. Refer them, share your experiences, be their cheerleaders. And yes, you can do all of those things on social media too. Tag them in your posts, and let others know about them.

4) Engage:

It’s not enough for a business to have followers online, they need engagement too. Comment on their posts, like them, share them, and do it regularly if you’re able. Reach out to them and see how you can be helpful.

5) Leave a Review:

Have some love to share about a favorite business you worked with this year? Give them a google review. You have no idea how much this helps people find and trust a local small business.

Some of this is so simple and even free, so please give your favorite local businesses your love. They/we appreciate you so much and they need you more than ever before. If there’s any way we can help you in this season, please reach out. Let’s keep small business alive together!

Personal Brand Photography for Therapists in Rochester NY

We’ve been photographing Kim’s high school seniors since 2014. After three of her high school seniors, I was excited when she told me she was in need of some new headshots for herself.

In talking with her I learned that her new website design included a sunflower element. So we wanted her new brand to feel natural. This took us to Cobbs Hill, where the green trees and architecture, and even a yellow bench helped us tie everything together.

If you’re in the market for hypnotherapy or to learn more about it - take a glance at Kim’s website at Entrancing Inspirations!

~ Erin

Headshot Portraits for Librarians: Maggie

Our business is heavily relationship based. You can see that in the images we create. Working with Maggie to update her headshots was unique to her personality, but just what I always strive for in a session. Fun, outdoors, good lighting, natural expressions. 

She choose one of my favorite locations in the city to shoot: the University of Rochester campus. We met at the library, and planned to shoot near the quad. We quickly discovered much of it to be under construction, but not to worry, we altered the game plan slightly and still found lots of unique locations with great lighting to use.

Maggie, thank you for bringing your beautiful smile and helping me learn a little more about you and your journey to this moment. It's been a pleasure getting to know you, and laughing with you when we got photo bombed by the balloons. :) 

Until next time,
Lori

Head Shot Sessions in Fairport NY

One of the things I look for in a head shot is life in the eyes. Nowadays, anyone can take a photo and edit it quite quickly. So what set's a professional portrait apart? The eyes.

Maurini was so easy to talk to, this session was a blast. We took advantage of an overcast day in Fairport to walk along the canal and make some portraits. Maurini recently received a fellowship in library sciences, which is what the photos were originally for. 

So, how do you get life in the eyes? In this case, all I had to do was ask her about her husband, and she instantly smiled, a real smile. Which made me smile. If your husband can still do that after 20 years, you know you found the right one. That is all I know about him, and I can't wait to meet him!

For now, meet Maurini, and how about those eyes?
-Lori

Personal Brand Photography for Elections: Rochester NY Photography

Most of the time, when we pick up our camera to shoot, it's to capture relationships, whether at a family session or wedding (which is how we first met the Wilt Family). We don't often dabble in current events and politics.

However, we were recently retained to provide headshots and some documentary style photography for Robin Wilt. She is one of the recently announced candidates running for New York's 25th Congressional District, which was formerly Louise Slaughter's position.

Robin Wilt goes from Brighton Town Council to Congress hopeful

Documentary photography is fast moving - you have to get the shot quickly. Often with this type of work, the client is really only in need of that ONE photo that shows the necessary story.

This is different from a family portrait session, where the whole set of images tells a family's story.

Robin at an event with Cynthia Nixon, candidate for NY Governor

Robin Wilt announces her candidacy at the 1872 Cafe

Documentary work keeps us on our toes, and actually helps us react faster to catch the perfect moment at our weddings and portrait sessions. So while these events were not the norm for us, it was interesting to do something different.

~ Erin

Branding Portraits in Fairport NY: Next Level Strength & Conditioning

Like us, Next Level Strength and Conditioning is celebrating their fifth anniversary this year. Located on Lyndon Road and very active in the Fairport Community, we have enjoyed getting to know them over the last few years.

We're also super excited to be partnering with them for an upcoming member event in June! 

So since we're doing that, we thought it'd be fun to ask 5 questions to help them celebrate this business milestone.

Without further ado, meet Coach Nate, the Founder and Owner of Next Level Strength & Conditioning!

Nate VanKouwenberg, Owner of Next Level Strength and Conditioning in Fairport

What makes Next Level a unique place to train?
There are several unique qualities that make NL (Next Level) a special place to train, from offering the latest in scientifically proven training methods, our state of the art 5,000 square foot facility and a wide range of comprehensive services, including Physical Therapy and Sports Massage. Despite all of these factors that make us very proud, Next Level would be nothing without the people. We have the most amazing staff, athletes and general fitness members! Our team of Strength Coaches have a wide range of certifications and degrees, but most importantly they are amazing people. They truly care about the well being of our members both inside and outside of the gym. We take pride in the family like culture we've developed here.

The team at Next Level Strength and Conditioning

Who are your main clients?
We work with a wide range of athletes and general fitness members, including youth athletes (athletic development FUNdamentals), Middle School athletes (introduction to sports performance) and High School, College and Pro athletes (advanced sports performance). Our adult general fitness members range from recent college graduates to people that are enjoying retirement. The benefits from quality functional strength training reach all ages and skill levels!

What about non-athletes, do they need a fitness program too?
Absolutely, everyone deserves a quality program that holds them accountable and gets them feeling and moving better. We have many HS students who are in our sport performance groups despite not playing a sport! These students absolutely crush it!

We also offer an Adult Functional Fitness group program called Roots (getting back to the Roots of functional fitness without the BS). Our Roots members are a tight knit family that creates a supportive environment, regardless of skill level. Each workout consists of mobility, functional strength training and metabolic conditioning. "Everything you need, nothing you don't." Our team of qualified coaches can modify workouts to meet the specific needs and goals of each individual. We offer a free roots session to anyone that wants to give it a shot!

What fitness goal are you most proud of accomplishing?
We take pride in helping our athletes and general fitness members achieve their goals, regardless of how big or small they are. Whether it's helping an athlete improve their performance, or someone reach an ideal weight, this is why we do what we do and love every minute!

Tell us a little about your path, Nate:
I grew up playing hockey and loving sports! After my Freshman year playing hockey at SUNY Brockport, I realized that everything I was doing to prepare off the ice was wrong. I decided to major in Physical Education with a concentration in Exercise Science. It was mind blowing to me what a huge difference quality training could make in my on ice performance. This is where I fell in love with what I do today.

After Brockport I started teaching PE in Victor and training HS athletes on the side at local gyms. Each year my following grew and I realized what a huge impact I could have on people if I focused on Strength & Conditioning more than school breaks. In March of 2013, we opened our current facility connected to the Rochester Ice Center in Fairport. I could not be more proud of the culture we've built at Next Level and how many people we've helped achieve their goals! I am also the Strength Coach for the RIT Men's hockey team, so I've been able to stay in the game and get the best of both worlds! I could not be living out my dream without the support of my wife, kids and amazing team of coaches and managers!

Want to learn more? Go visit, or find them here:

Website  / Facebook  / Instagram  / Twitter  

Exterior of Next Level Strength and Conditioning, next to the Rochester Ice Center on Lyndon Road

Branding Photography for Artisans: Rochester NY Photographers

I never knew the building on Main Street as a firehouse. It was a food pantry when I moved to Fairport. But when Paul and Carolyn moved into it, they converted the space to house their woodworking business. What started as a hobby, became a passion that they now happily share with others.

Paul works with reclaimed wood, scraps and random pieces given to them. Carolyn takes extra tiles leftover from job sites, and other found materials to create her art. Together, they have created tables, decor and so much more. She can create something by request, working with your choice of colors, materials or theme. 

I have loved getting to know this wonderful, easy going couple through the course of creating some images to launch their website. The store has been open since June, and the website should be launching very soon.

Especially as Small Business Saturday approaches, we're grateful to work with local artists like these two. We hope you'll think about stopping by a local merchant as you carefully select your holiday gifts. In doing so, you know that each gift you give was thoughtfully and lovingly made - versus a quick trip to your local big box store.

If you like quality, handmade pieces of art, stop down and get to know these artisans! Their work is sure to impress you, and if nothing else you can enjoy all of the firehouse relics they have accumulated to decorate the space!

Enjoy this sneak peek into the shop, and feel free to say hello and welcome, either in the comments, or in person at 113 N Main St, Fairport!

-Lori

Relay For Life 2017: Rochester NY Photography

I've been photographing these events for three years now. The passion that the volunteers and staff put into them moves me continuously. The mission behind their passion fuels them, and me as well.

While each Relay event is different, the reasons stay the same. To fight back against cancer, to celebrate those who've survived and to remember those who have passed.

This year I was asked to also photograph The Gates Chili High School Relay for Life event. It's a few weeks before the Fairport one and early in our wedding season, so I was happy to help.

The major thing I noticed about this Relay was how many children were there wearing the purple survivor t-shirts. My heart breaks for those children, for those families and the struggles they probably continue to endure because of cancer.

And so I'm putting out my annual plea to you today, please support my Relay team this year. No amount is too small - even $5 helps a child receive treatment, or research be completed. Because if they're still fighting, so am I.

To donate: Relay for Life 2017

In continued hope for a world without cancer,

~ Erin

Lori & Erin Present: "Lori and Erin, A Partnership!"

I think it's safe to speak for both of us when I say that speaking in front of an audience has never really been a lifetime dream of ours. We spend our time behind the camera, blending in as much as possible and letting our clients shine in their moments and photographs.

But recently, we've had the opportunity to talk with other photographers in the area about who we are, and how our partnership came to be. We also gave out some helpful tips to others who might be starting on their own path into a photography partnership.

We've now had the privilege to speak her at The Grand to the Greater Rochester Professional Photographers as well as in Syracuse to the Central Chapter of PPSNYS. We even had a Skype in attendee who wanted to join us, but was 3 hours away with her infant son. It was such a treat!

I don't think we're running away for the spotlight any time soon, but it was a good experience to have and we got to meet new faces as well as catch up with "old" ones along the way.

~ Erin

Courtesy of Hayes Photography

Courtesy of Kelvin Ringold

Spotlight on a Local Business: Eastside Fence Inc

Erin and I love to support other local, small businesses like ours. We are active members of the FPMA, but more than that, we put our money where our mouth is and shop local as often as we can! 

We recently completed a rather large home improvement project... replacing our aging and damaged fence. After asking around for referrals, a common name kept surfacing: Eastside Fence, based right here in Fairport. In fact, owner Bob Coyle and his wife live less than 2 miles away. It doesn't get more local than that!

While they were here, I documented the process before, during and after. If you are looking for a quality fence from friendly contractors, I highly recommend Bob and Eastside Fence Inc. Thank you to the whole crew who did such a nice job!

-Lori

Eastside Fence

Hard at work

Completed Fence

Inside and outside views

Before and After

The process from old to new