Danielle + Lance {Ft. Monroe} | Hampton Roads Engagement Photographer

Hi!

After first meeting Danielle and Lance at their in-person consultation I came home and almost immediately started writing this post. I was just so excited about them and getting to work with them that I wanted to make sure I remembered everything just as it was: so I started blogging!

When two people are as in love as Danielle and Lance are it is hard to hide the admiration and care they feel for each other. During our meeting it was difficult for me to pay attention to what they were saying because I was so in awe at how they looked at one another. Every time one of them spoke the other looked at them with such love and support and never once took their eyes off of the other. 

You know how in normal conversation even the listening parties tend to engage with everyone in the conversation and interact or interject as one person is speaking? That doesn't happen with these two lovebirds: if Danielle is speaking Lance looks lovingly on at her while she speaks and vice versa!

It's BEAUTIFUL to witness.

 Even more exciting (if that's possible) was the fact they not only wanted to include their pups in the shoot but they didn't want the "typical" overly romantic and obviously lovey-dovey kind of location. They specifically requested something more urban and "industrial."

Ft. Monroe was the perfect spot!

(Aren't their pups just the cutest duo ever?! Ok, maybe they're tied for first with Danielle and Lance...)

Of course, I can't help myself: I love romance; so I couldn't help but want to snag some "near a big giant tree with beautiful sunlight" kind of shots- and fortunately they liked this idea, too ;)

 

(I love these ones!! ^^^)

One thing I really like to do when working with couples is to get a little bit of "secret intel" on each of them ;)
(Get ready Danielle and Lance, because I KNOW you've been dying to know what the other had to say!)

Danielle says that her absolute favorite thing about Lance is "how he makes [her] feel special and important every day" and that one thing she loves about him that he doesn't know is how he "still acts as if he is in the 'new' phase" and that they "have not gotten into an old boring routine."

Lance's favorite thing on the other hand is that Danielle isn't one to just sit at home but rather she enjoys doing things with him and his friends and family. (This next one might be my favorite answer...) When asked, Lance said that one thing he loves about Danielle that she doesn't know is "how smart and honest she is" and the fact that she does "not take advantage of people and situations that most people would. This shows how good of a person she really is."

 If their pictures don't show it enough for you then their answers clearly do: these two are so very much in love :)

Danielle and Lance, I am SO happy for you both and am excited to see pictures from your Michigan wedding next Fall! Thank you for making my last session of 2013 so enjoyable!

Congratulations!!!

Best,
Sarah

Part-Time Tog | Hampton Roads Portrait Photographer

Hi!

Earlier this week I was asked by a fellow photographer, brand aficionado, and friend, about choosing to be a "part time" tog and my reasons behind it. It was asked to the general population (not just to me) but since I do choose to be a "part time" tog and because I like this person very much I thought I'd give her my answer (she's doing a bit of market research so why not help a gal out, ya know?).

Before I share it with you I want to explain what she (and I) mean by "part time" versus "full time" photographer; because let me tell you: whether you do this and 10 other things or are a photographer every waking moment of every day, running a business of any sorts is definitely a FULL TIME gig. So what I mean when I say "part time" photographer is that it's not my only source of income and I spend 40 hours a week doing something else on top of being a photographer. In this case my additional 40 hours per week is spent working as a Victim Advocate for the Army's Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention program (SHARP).

So now my answer to her question on why I choose to be a "part time" photographer: I choose to be part time because, simply put: I CAN'T CHOOSE!

 

I originally went to college for photojournalism (a form of photography that can be defined in many ways but for a short answer it's aim is to capture life as it is and as it's going on- lots of images of war on the news and stories in National Geographic are shot by photojournalists. In fact, a number of my professors had been featured in NatGeo at one time or another!) But as I continued in my schooling I realized I wasn't a fan of being outside of what was going on and having to shoot it and instead wanted to live it- not capture it on film. I didn't like having to shoot assignments or on someone else's time frame. Plus, to be completely honest I struggled a lot with the technical aspect of things and I get frustrated pretty easily when things don't just CLICK for me immediately (pun intended hehe ).

 

So I switched over to psychology.

 

I LOVED IT. I even went on to Graduate School and became a licensed counselor in the state of Ohio-- that's how much I loved listening to others and helping them see what perhaps they were too deeply involved with the situation to see-- and in some cases, be able to help them change their lives.

 

Flash forward to moving to Virginia when, after having our anniversary pictures taken, I realized how much I wanted to be the woman taking our pictures. I wanted to do that! So, I had my dad (who had all of my equipment) send me my camera and lenses. One thing led to another and voila! Sarah Elle Photography was born (again).

This box was so big you seriously could have fit a person inside! (I love all the "fragile" stickers on it. It makes it look really important!)

 

 

 

But then I found myself in a position to work in the SHARP program and well, I simply couldn't choose. So I chose not to choose. And yes, at times doing both  is tiring and time consuming, but I'm happy.
SO very happy.

So yes, I do choose to be a part time photographer with a full time business and a full time Victim Advocate position with the Army, and a full time puppy mom, and a full time wife. And until a day comes where I'm forced to choose (due to monetary issues, stress levels, or because I want to focus energies one way or the other), I simply decide to remain happy and choose not to choose.

Best,
Sarah

Danielle- Life: As it is Part II | Hampton Roads Portrait Photographer

Hi!
I can't tell you how excited I am to tell you about Danielle; my second nominee for the Life: As it is project!

When she nominated herself for the project I immediately felt her situation was perfect for Life: As it is! I'll let Danielle explain why:

"I was thrilled and humbled when Sarah chose me to be featured in her project! You see, my "life as it is" - is absolutely amazing, yet bittersweet. I am married to a wonderful man who serves in the Army, and am a stay-at-home mother to a gorgeous little girl, and a soon to be baby boy! I wrote in to Sarah asking for the opportunity to have maternity photos taken for my husband who is deployed overseas. Unfortunately, he is not able to make it home for the upcoming birth of our son. We were not able to take any maternity photos together before my husband left, so this was the perfect opportunity for him to feel a little closer to home. This will be my husbands second deployment in a few short years, and I can't even imagine how difficult it is for him to be away during this time..... I am so proud my husband for the sacrifices he has made for our family. Although my life at times may be difficult playing the role of mommy and daddy, I couldn't be more blessed"

Danielle fits the Life: As it is project perfectly: despite not having every piece of her puzzle in one place during her pregnancy she took it upon herself to document this time in her life regardless.

Without further ado, here is beautiful mom-to-be, Danielle!

I had asked Danielle a bit about her pregnancy and she told me that her biggest craving the entire time has been for Starbucks frappuccinos! So I told her to bring one along!

(Unfortunately the Starbucks happened to be closed at the time we shot so she grabbed a McDonald's milkshake- also an awesome choice if I do say so myself!)

Tattooed on her left wrist is "Love is...  1Corinthians 13:4

Pretty fitting, wouldn't you say?

Another incredible thing about Danielle is that when she learned her husband was going to be deployed she made the difficult decision to leave their post in Colorado and move the entire family to Virginia to be near their parents. That's right, she technically lives in Colorado! Can you imagine leaving what you know and bringing your entire family across the country during a pregnancy? Danielle is one tough and incredible woman!

And since she and her husband are from Virginia that means they are, OF COURSE, Virginia Tech fans! So little does baby Bryce know but he's already destined to be a Hokie ;)

A HUGE early congratulations to Danielle and her family as they soon welcome Bryce into their bunch! It was honestly an incredible joy to get to work with you and I thank you so very much for being willing to be featured! And I hope I get the chance to meet Bryce one day before you move back to Colorado!

Best,
Sarah

Part III can be found here. :)

Stephen P. Class of 2014 | Hampton Roads Senior Portrait Photographer

Hi!

Did you ever have a time where someone said something to you just to be nice? "Oh we should get together some time" or  "I'd love to do that when it gets warmer" or how about "Oh we should definitely have you do Stephen's Senior photos next year!"

That last one? That last one came true ;)

Last year at ALMOST the exact same time I had the fantastic opportunity to do an extended family shoot for Stephen and his family while his grandparents were in town for Thanksgiving. His family was hands down one of the funniest sessions I've ever shot- they were just so full of laughter and jokes and knew exactly how to push each others buttons (and by the end of the shoot the grandpa had figured out how to push a few of mine, too!)

So when Stephen's mom, Desiree, said at the end of the shoot "We'll definitely be in touch to have you shoot Stephen's Senior photos next year" I thought to myself "that's so sweet of her....but that won't happen."

Fast forward to a couple of months ago when she contacted me and I JUMPED at the chance to work together again! So now, here is Stephen in all his Senior year glory!

Stephen is just as fun as the rest of his family and we were laughing and poking fun the entire session. I do however have to submit a formal AND PUBLIC apology for calling him pretty after some of his shots. He just looked so nice and handsome and the word "pretty" just came spilling out!

Stephen, I am sorry. You are not now nor shall you ever be: pretty. You are handsome and rugged and all things Abercrombie and Fitch.

One really neat thing about Stephen is that he already has everything all planned out and knows exactly what he wants to do and where he wants to head after High School. If the sweatshirt is any indication then you guessed it, he is going to enlist in the Air Force!

My favorite one ^^^

Did I mention he brought his dad's purple Challenger to the shoot? HOW NEAT IS THAT?!

Good luck in the Air Force, Stephen; I know you will be a fantastic addition to the U.S. Armed Forces and I know your dad must be so proud!

Thanks again for putting up with me ;)

Best,
Sarah

Awkward Turtle | Hampton Roads Business Owner

Hi!

You know when you contact a business (via phone or e-mail) to ask about their services and then you have to figure out a way to *politely* end the conversation because they don't have exactly what you're looking for or their prices just aren't what you're able to spend at the moment? Anyone else find they're REALLY BAD at doing that? I'm SUCH an awkward turtle when it comes to that stuff.

  This just happened to me recently (can you tell?) and I just feel SO uncomfortable when it happens. It's like at the end of the date when you're walking to the front door you know what the other person would LIKE to have happen but you're just not there yet-- so you try to figure out how to dodge *the kiss* (making an appointment) and get inside (off the phone).

 

As a business owner I'm super sensitive to this part of my interaction with others and always try to end the conversations with some sort of "way out" like: "Take some time to think about it and if you do decide this is something you'd like to book just get a hold of me and let me know!"

So when I'm going back and forth with someone about what I offer or how I work and then all of a sudden I don't hear back from them at all (a complete stop in conversation) I realize maybe they're JUST LIKE ME! Maybe I don't have exactly what they're looking for or maybe my prices are just not what they thought they would be. And maaaaaaybe they're feeling just as awkward turtle as I do about contacting someone to learn about their services and then realizing it's not the right fit right at this point in time (maybe in the future).

 

At this point I always want to e-mail people to say HEY I GET IT you're just like me! Maybe we could be friends! But that would be super weird.... and I don't really need the reputation of "overly-excitable-needs-lots-of-friends-awkward" photographer ;)

 

Anyhoo, I *clearly* just needed to get this out in the universe and remind myself that it's ok to contact someone to find out information and store it away for the future- for when you're ready to make that commitment (or appointment).

 

And also, being a little bit of an awkward turtle isn't that strange.... right? ;)

 

 

Best,
Sarah

 

We Might Not Have Kids | Hampton Roads Personal

Hi.

 John and I have been married for over two years now and all around us friends and cousins and friends of friends and cousins of friends etc. are having kids. Some are having that magically exciting first baby and some are having that incredibly blessed 2nd or 3rd or 4th child. And, like asking "how are you" when you see someone on the street, we, as newlyweds, always get asked "when are you having kids?" We get asked together, we get asked individually, and even our families get asked.

It's a natural progression right? First comes love...then comes marriage...then comes... Sarah with a Yorkie in a sweater?! Well that doesn't seem quite right ;)

People are not being rude when they ask it. It's a natural question like asking if you want a drink with your meal: when will you have kids?

But here's the truth that shocks almost everyone who asks: WE MIGHT NOT HAVE KIDS.

 The answer we always give in some form or other to the question of "having children": we're not sure yet and frankly we haven't decided yet if we are going to have them at all.  Most folks try really hard to avoid the next question but without fail it finds its way out: But WHY?! Why wouldn't you have kids? How could you not want them? Or how could you just not have them?

 I always giggle a little at this point because by now I know it's coming and it's almost as if I'm a mind reader (which is why i laugh).

 But here's the truth: We're selfish. We really really enjoy taking trips together and buying each other useless ridiculous things (like the tablet John bought me for my birthday or the drum heads I'm buying him for his birthday). We like to be able to go out to dinner or take an overnight to Cape Charles at the drop of a hat simply because we "feel like it." We like being lazy and simply not doing laundry or going grocery shopping today because we're tired (definitely can't be neglectful with a kid to care for). We like building our life together as a DUO. And the whole truth? We're still figuring each other and this whole "marriage thing" out.

 We haven't completely counted out the possibility of children and frankly I know deep down that knowing (or believing) I have that choice is extremely important to me. I like being in a place in life to choose if right now is the time I want to bring a child in to our world.

 Being a mother is a LOT of pressure. Raising someone and having only yourself to blame for their upbringing and their well-being is super scary to me! I don't want to mess that up! I SINCERELY and HUGELY applaud all moms and dads out there- serious kudos and props and applause and encouragement to you for taking on that incredible and selfless life choice- I am truly humbled by you.

 But we're simply not there yet. We're selfish. I've said it. You can say it too-- it won't hurt my feelings if you feel that way based on our choice. But I'm happy I know that about me- happy I know that about us- happy WE know that about us. John and I are fortunately on the same page with this and maybe one day... in 3 or 4 or 5 years we'll have turned a few pages and found ourselves on the chapter entitled "Our Crazy Beautiful Life with Kids." Or maybe we'll never find ourselves at that chapter- I simply don't know right now (sometimes we joke about getting to be the cool aunt and uncle who spoil our nieces and nephews).

 But until then I fully intend to continue to enjoy our life as a duo (with Charlie Dog in tow) and appreciate the beautiful, patient, loving, supportive, and amazing man I get to call my husband- a man I get to learn more about each day I wake up next to him.

 I hope to one day be "ready" to raise a child (however ready someone can be for that) but today is not that day. And for now... I'm happy with that.

Best,
Sarah

Married & Phobic | 9 Goals for a Hampton Roads Portrait Photographer

Hi!

I'm married and I couldn't be happier- but the truth? I'm a commitment phobe!

It's true. When it comes to really setting things down in stone and deciding "hey this is what I'm going to do" and truly OWNING that decision: I am a total scare-d-cat! I hem. I haw. I ramble. I avoid at ALL COSTS and then finally...I JUMP!

So here I go. I am officially going to outline my goals for Sarah Elle Photography for 2014. (I avoided this last year and again avoided it this year until I was faced by a fellow tog friend who said JUST DO IT- thanks Tianna. Plus I have a good friend I meet with via skype every 2-3 weeks who forces me to set goals for the business and be held accountable for them- I officially dubbed her my accountabilibuddy :) So I kind of sort of owe it to our time together to actually make 2014 goals. See...here I go rambling and avoiding again...)

JUMP:

1. Get 3 Senior Agents for the Class of 2015
- I have found over this past year of business that I am absolutely over the moon in love with working with High School Juniors/Seniors. L-O-V-E it! So I really want to focus that love and energy and get 3 Agents this coming year (I had one this past year). 

2. Book 6 "I Love You" Sessions

- These are the "just because I love you" sessions that are such an incredible treat that very few people give themselves. They go hand in hand with my "Life: As it is" sessions where couples book a session just because they want updated pictures or it's their 6th anniversary-- no huge milestone, simply love that needs to be captured :)

3. Styled Senior

- I have this huge vision for a styled Senior shoot and believe it or not it's already in the works-- adding it the list means now I have to make sure it happens!

 

4. Streamline My Workflow

- Basically this means I want to keep things consistent. I plan to have a "start to finish" process I follow for each session and each client with whom I work. This *should* (aka WILL) help me be more efficient and in turn be able to spend more time with my family (Charlie Dog has been complaining to my husband as of late...)

5. NAIL DOWN BRANDING

- It's time to truly focus and begin confirming who SEP is and expressing that through my branding. I'm really looking forward to nailing this down in 2014 and implementing it throughout the Sarah Elle Photography experience.

which leads me to number 6:

6. Packaging

-My  next huge goal after I figure out my branding will be to express that through my packaging. I want nothing more than to be able to deliver your images and prints in the cutest most unique packaging anyone has ever seen-- figuring out what that is requires number 5 (above)--so this one is on serious hold for now. But since it's on the list it's official and I'm holding myself to it!

7. Get Published

- This is a very new one for me. It's easy for me to tell people "you won't win if you don't play" but when it comes to actually submitting my own stuff I'm all over the place. So there. It's on the list. Now I have to keep submitting sessions for publication-- no excuses!

8. Shoot 4 Installments of "Life: As it is"

I love this project of mine SO much. But I'm so sad because I feel like it has been pushed a little to the side after the first shoot this past Fall. Whether it's been because of other sessions and being "too booked" at the moment or weather pushing back a shoot and it end up having to be canceled or what have you-- it's been pushed aside for too long and I am going to make sure it continues.

9. One-on-One Mentoring

This past year I did a Q&A, a "Sounding Board Session," and a one-on-one mentoring session and I was floored at how rejuvenating and EYE-OPENING they each were! It is a serious investment in myself as a photographer and as a business owner that I feel shouldn't be overlooked- so I am going to book another one-on-one session in 2014!

So there are 9 HUGE goals for 2014 for SEP. Whenever I make concrete decisions like this I usually feel a little sick at first (and it really peaks when I hit that "OHMYGOSHWHATDIDIDO" moment) but then, almost immediately, joy and excitement and pride flood in to me with having truly owned who I am and what I want for me (and for finally making a decision)! And having actually written out my goals for 2014 and owned them? Well, now I'm  over the nerves and avoidance and ready to go!

Today is 12/5/2013. I'm officially ready to take Sarah Elle Photography and OWN 2014. 

Here goes nothing!

Best,
Sarah

Rebekah T. | Hampton Roads Senior Portrait Photographer

Hi!

I am THRILLED to introduce you to Rebekah, Grafton class of 2014!

You want to talk about a confident, independent High School Senior? This is your gal! She plays Lacrosse, is part of a military family (which means she helps out an extra bunch when dad is gone), is super focused on her studies, and loves to try out unique (what I like to call: "before it's cool") styles. She's also just one of the sweetest, most caring people you'll ever meet.

So, when Bek booked the Red Carpet package for her session I was stoked for her to be able to have some pampering and be treated to professional hair and makeup. And when she told me she wanted to mix it up with a relaxed loose curl coupled with a heavy dramatic eye? I was in heaven!

I couldn't decide which I loved more about Bek's session: her goofy personality, those gorgeous eyes, her awesome combat inspired ankle boots, or her beautiful nod to her family and love for photography (bonus points!) by incorporating her grandfather's vintage camera in to the session.

I think I love it all!

The cherry on top of this awesome sundae? Bek's parents booked a family session to follow her shoot! HOW AWESOME IS THAT?! I'm in love with the fact they feel High School graduation is a big deal for the whole family- so much so they wanted to document it with family photos! I was so inspired by their shoot together that I am now OFFICIALLY offering a mini-session option for the families of my Seniors to add on to the end of the Senior session! :)

Best,
Sarah