Fairport High School Senior Pictures: Kyle

Kyle has many sides, but one great personality - easy going and fun. He breezed through his senior portrait session with ease and even a little goofing off - because, who doesn't want to show off their best Heisman trophy pose whenever possible, right?

What I love about our seniors, is how involved they are in their community and their school. It provides so many awesome options for senior pictures. We covered everything from Kyle's Eagle Scout project at the Fairport food bank, to his signature bow tie look, and even got a little rugby action involved.

Oh, and by the way, a high school senior session with us is not complete until Mom gets in at least one photo in too. LOVE IT!

~ Erin

Blended Family Portraits: Victor NY

I had the pleasure of meeting Susan, David and sons at their home in Victor. With five boys between the ages of 14 and 21, it's not often you find them all in the same room! So this was a very special shoot and I was honored to capture these moments for them. 

Here are a few of the images we created for Cobblestone Living, a neighborhood magazine for those living near Cobblestone Creek Country Club.

Enjoy!
Lori

Green Practices in our Business: Photography in Rochester NY

I don't know about you, but I am pretty fond of our planet. I love being outdoors, smelling the clean air and hiking along sparkling waterways. It's our job to protect Mother Earth for the next generation, so they can enjoy her beauty as well.

So, what are we doing as a business to help the planet? I'm glad you asked!

 - We work from home, reducing auto emissions
 - We use minimal, but recycled, packaging
 - We reuse paper and packaging materials whenever possible
 - We recycle what we can't reuse
 - We send invoices and receipts electronically whenever possible
 - We use digital proofing, only printing ordered photos for less waste
 - Our marketing materials are printed on recycled papers when possible
 - We use rechargeable batteries for all of our gear
 - We shoot digital (no toxic chemicals or water waste like film)
 - We work with local printers and framers (good for the earth and the local economy!)
 - We grow our own veggies, and have even been known to give them a way! (Okay, that's not business related, but the garden is right outside the office window! Check it out next time you're here.)

We love the environment, and hope you do also! What are you doing to help the Earth? 

Here's wishing you a vibrant, green Earth Day! 
-Lori

6 months old: Rochester NY Family Portraits

I love family portraits and time at home! 

This little man has his mom, dad, and dogs completely wrapped around his adorable little fingers. Theo is one of happiest babies I have ever met. He loves to smile and giggle, whether it's at mom or one of his two lovable pups. He also loves reading and showing off his sitting skills, as you'll see. He's already starting to move, so watch out world! Here comes Theo.

XOXO,
Lori

FAQ: Where should we go for my senior portrait session?

We are location based photographers. This means we shoot anywhere BUT inside a boring, stuffy studio. There's no laser light backgrounds in our lives!

Instead, we photograph our seniors in their favorite places and spaces. Do you love hanging out at the beach, or are you more at home on the ice? Or maybe you love shopping at the Rochester Public Market or cheering for the Red Wings!

Some of you may have a spot or two that fits your personality to the 'T', but others are not always sure. Maybe you know what you want the photos to feel like, but aren't sure where to find that look.

DON'T PANIC!  We've got you covered.

We have created a list of nearly 100 spots around the area that provide unique environments for your senior photos. Whether you want something urban (but safe), formal with columns, or a casual barn setting, we've got the spot. Fields, waterfalls, trails, piers, docks, flowers, you name it, we'll find it.

Architecture makes interesting backgrounds

or revisiting your favorite places, like the baseball stands or public market

Sometimes its better to be right at home with your favorite instrument, or in the backyard

Do you prefer the beach or the village look?

Or a little bit grungier...

Streams and fields are perfect for the casual outdoorsy look

Sonnenberg Gardens is spunky too!

Still need help selecting the location for your shoot, come on in! This is one of the things we go over at your complimentary consultation. We'll get to know more about you, your interests and personality. We use that information to plan the perfect spots to visit for your senior photos.

So, what are you waiting for?  Click here to schedule your free consultation!

To the client who wants us to take off 20 years and 40 pounds

Today's message is about self-love, confidence, and not taking ourselves too seriously. It's applicable for teenagers and grandmothers; men and women; introverts and extroverts; one and all. 

Erin and I both love the uniqueness of humans. Physical traits do not define who we are. How we love, how we laugh, how we interact... this is what matters. And it's what we cherish. 

This is important!

So please read, share, and comment below. 

[Today, we're featuring a guest post originally written and published on the Design Aglow blog. When I first read this, I wanted to shout "Exactly!" So we're reposting it, with permission, here.]

LETTERS FROM A PHOTOGRAPHER

To the client who wants me to take off 20 years and 40 pounds,

I want you to know I understand. I think every single one of us can relate to wishing we looked different somehow. I think my arms are flabby, you think your belly is too squishy and your friend hates her wrinkles. I get it. Having family photos taken is tough.

And somewhere along the way, some idiot photographer started using the liquify tool to “magically” make a client look 20, 30, even 40 pounds thinner. And that same guy magically erased all her wrinkles in Photoshop too. He used the cloning tool to add a little more hair to her husband’s head. And voila! A perfect picture! At least, that’s what we’re supposed to think.

Well, don’t expect that crap from me. I won’t turn you into a 90 pound supermodel or edit in a thick head of hair over a bald spot. I don’t take off 20 years in Photoshop. It’s insulting to me as a photographer and it’s insulting to you as a person. We’ve conditioned ourselves to see our “flaws” when we look at photos of ourselves.

But here’s the thing… I don’t take photographs of the way people look. I take photographs of the way people love. Take a closer look at your photos and you’ll see the way your husband looks at you. It’s not hard to tell that he thinks you’re hot stuff, even after all these years. Take a closer look and you’ll see how your kids love you. Their laughter, how they hold your hand, the way they snuggle up against you.

These photos are treasures… picture proof that you loved and were loved. And listen, you’re beautiful without all that extra editing. Your husband thinks so, your kids think so. The sooner you realize that, the happier you’ll be.

So no, I won’t give your photos an extreme makeover in Photoshop. It’s my job to create authentic images that show the way your family loves and I think if you look through your gallery again with that in mind, you’ll see that I did a pretty damn good job.

Sincerely,
the photographer who thinks you’re beautiful without a major Photoshop intervention

Letters From a Photographer is an original series by Design Aglow. Articles are meant to spark thought and conversation and be shared within our industry.

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What DO we photoshop? This is a question we get asked a lot, and generally the only thing we remove without asking is acne. No one wants to remember that.

And electrical outlets. Those bug the bejeezus out of me in backgrounds! 

What do you think? Do you agree? Be part of the conversation by adding a comment below. We'd love to hear from you!
-Lori