Cait W. | Class of 2014 | Hampton Roads Senior Portrait Photographer

Hi!

One day earlier this Spring I opened my e-mail to a really unique inquiry that included the words "sorority" and "rush package." I was in a sorority in college (don't act surprised- it was awesome!) so to say I was intrigued is an understatement! The difference was: the school I attended did not require a "rush package" so I was a bit at a loss for how to proceed.

(cue the frantic google search!)

 

As I got to know Caitlin and her mom and learn more about what they were needing it quickly became clear why a rush package and professional photos were necessary: Caitlin is PROUDLY going to attend The University of Alabama-- Southern sororities are far more serious and a challenge to get into than Northern sororities; so the need for these photos and what we would need to produce together became a lot more clear!

 

Fortunately for Caitlin she has GORGEOUS looooong brown hair that is thick thick THICK- so big, curly "Southern hair" was a MUST for this session.

 

 

We also wanted to try to evoke a sense of Southern hospitality and pride so Caitlin wore sweet summer dresses and colors of blue and white.
 

 

Isn't she gorgeous?!

 

 

 

 

I have to admit I'm surprised we got ANY decent shots since we laughed throughout almost the entire session! Caitlin is so sweet and has such a great laugh that I know she is going to have a TON of houses to choose from (for those not in the Greek Speak world she's going to have a ton of sororities accept her and she will have to choose between them).

 

 

Best of luck at 'Bama, Caitlin, and I can't wait to hear which house you end up in!!
Best,
Sarah

SHOPPING! | Seniors | Hampton Roads Portrait Photographer

Hi!

Now that graduation party season has died down it's time to talk DORM SHOPPING!

 

WhenI was a freshman in college (*cough* 2006 *cough*) we were forced to live with at least one other person-- that is unless we paid EXTRA to have our own room-- and if we did it usually ended up being a tiny broom closet at the end of the hall. SO, needless to say one learned VERY quickly how to NOT be a pack rat and how to get creative with their organizational skills ;)

 

I've learned from some of this year's Seniors that their dorms are apparently going to be much nicer and a lot of them are even getting a shared kitchen space and semi-private bathrooms!! (i'm a little jelly!)

 

Either way I can pretty much guarantee you'll still need to find some unique ways to store your stuff and get the most out of your space.

 

SO to save you some headache and creative brain cells I've compiled a list of some of what I deem as the MUST HAVES for your dorm (and a few fun gadgets thrown in, too-- just because):

1. First thing's first: check out your dorm rules.
Some places will let you hang any and everything on the walls and some will require an oath in blood before you can even LOOK at the walls- so it's a key piece of the shopping puzzle to first know what you can and can't have (for example I was NOT allowed to have a hott plate in my dorm. Did this include candle warmers --ya know, the things that melted the wax so you didn't have matches?--no one knows. But i had one anyway! shhhh!)

If you can hang things on the walls my first "MUST HAVE" is shelves!
-Shelves get things up off the floor and help spruce up the place! You can place pictures of you and your besties, pictures of mom and dad, pictures from your senior session we had, flowers, mini-vases, the teddy bear your boyfriend won at the fair for you last summer, a framed hand-written note from your gramma, cards your mom sends you, and on and on and on.

Shelves are an obvious choice to help decorate AND help with clutter (that is IF you're allowed to have them).

 

2. If you can't actually drill holes into the walls to hang shelves the next great option are these:
http://www.target.com/p/over-the-door-6-hook-rack-chrome/-/A-10788144#prodSlot=medium_1_25&term=hooks

 

It's not a shelf, of course, but it will help get little things up off the floor or keep them from getting scattered all over the bed and night stand. Use it on your closet door or even the door to the room. You can use it to hook purses, hats, umbrellas, or even your bath robe!

I also used the individual ones with the sticky gum on the back and put them all over one wall to make a sort of decoration with the purses i had to hang up.
Like these:
http://www.walmart.com/msharbor/ip/SCOTCH-Scotch-Command-Adhesive-Mount-Metal-Hook-Large-Brushed-Nickel-Finish/14881957?action=product_interest&action_type=image&placement_id=irs_middle&strategy=PWVAV&visitor_id=79468684548&category=0%3A4044%3A90828%3A1075664&client_guid=46f7f0d7-8c59-4949-8dca-c7ea6b062588&config_id=0&parent_item_id=32512007&guid=6d963302-2879-4ac2-99a8-c669f8152790&bucket_id=irsbucket011&findingMethod=p13n

Gets them off the floor AND helps decorate just a bit!

3. LARGE MIRRORS (and decorations)

Large mirrors, if positioned strageically in a room, can really help open up a place. Plus, decorating a room instantly makes it feel more inviting and a little bit more like home- so don't be afraid to go a little extra mile in the decore department. You'll be happier to come back to your room and it may even make you feel better about having to study ;) Just tell your parents that when they're telling you that you don't need that super cute throw pillow or awesome multi-colored bedside table.

"Mom, if my room is nicer I'll want to spend more time in it and I therefore won't be out at Jackie's apartment gossiping about Pretty Little Liars and ignoring my studies. I'll actually WANT to be in my room- and when I'm there I can't help but pick up my books."

{See how that works? ;) }


4. Cube Units

I love these. Hands down they're AWESOME. I have a set in my office, in fact, and I am in love with them. They not only help keep things organized but they are cute and space for decorating, too!

(My office!)

Trust me, everyone can use more shelf space for clothes but these are best used for storing books, picture frames, gadgets, purses, and all the other little things that don't have a good "home" but need to be up off the floor. PLUS you can pick really cute baskets in multiple colors to really add decoration to your space!

Here's a great one from Bed Bath & Beyond: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/real-simple-6-cube-storage-unit-in-white/201339?device=c&network=g&matchtype=&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_storage_&gclid=CjkKEQjw_N-cBRD2k73X3OjJ8eMBEiQAbdPic2l_riesgQqfE4f-i6ViNGBA3H50xqrMcuBEeMPBkcTw_wcB

So, to wrap things up, when you go dorm shopping start looking for things that do the following:

- help you stay organized and get things UP (off the floor, the bed, the desk, etc.)
- don't shy away from getting things that help decorate the space and truly make it your own
- and be SURE you check out the dorm rules before you head to the store! No need to have to make a whole trip back to return it all later

What's the first thing you're going to purchase? Tell me in the comments below!
 

XO,

Sarah

Accordion Mini-Books | Beyond The Print | Hampton Roads Photographer

Hi!

Welcome to a new series I've dubbed "Beyond the Print!"

 

With so many options besides prints these days it can be 1. CONFUSING to figure out all the options and 2. OVERWHELMING once you start to realize just how MANY options you have. So, to narrow it down, I thought I'd showcase some of my personal favorites!

First up:

The Accordion Mini book!

 

 

I absolutely ADORE these books! They come in a perfect set of THREE books (one for the house, one for the office, and one for grandma!) and are by far the easiest way to send your images to family and friends without breaking the bank!

 

 

One of the reasons I started looking into accordion mini-books as a product option was because of the high volume of military families I get to work with (shout out to all of you lovely and wonderful folks!!).

The accordion mini-book is the perfect size (3"x3") to ship overseas to a deployed parent! PLUS it's lightweight so it's easy to slip into a package you're already sending without having to pay an arm and a leg to get it there!

(that's THREE of them stacked on top of each other! See how compact and perfectly sized they are?!)

Just imagine the look on dad's face when he opens his care package to see this little guy inside with so many beautiful pictures from your session! Facebook pictures are one thing but actually having something to hold on to, look at, and share with others downrange is a completely different thing all together; am I right?!

The other thing I love about these cute little guys is just how many images you can actually get into one book!

See what I mean?!

And lets face it, for the Senior market out there these make AWESOME replacements for those dated wallet prints. Hands down the accordion mini-book is THE best way to show your session off to friends and family. Wouldn't you rather get an actual book you can hold in your hand and look at than a single wallet print that gets lost in your bag on the way home? These fit SO easily into your clutch!

 

So what do you think? Are you team wallets or team accordion mini-book?
Tell me in the comments below!

Best,
Sarah

p.s. check back next month to see the NEXT Beyond the Print Blog!

You Did it! | Class of 2014 | Hampton Roads Senior Portrait Photographer

Hi!

Oh my goodness this is SUCH a huge week! Can you believe the school year is OVER?!?!

I'm kind of in shock. I'm not going to lie, I do like the summer because-well-i live near a school and not having to hear the bells go off for each class change is a little nice ;) But I can't believe it's already here!

I just wanted to take this blog post to say THANK YOU to the Class of 2014 Seniors whom I had the absolute pleasure of getting to work with this year.

 

Each one was so fantastic in their own way and provided me with incredible memories and experiences. Each Senior is heading toward their own path- from college to active duty military service to sports teams! It's incredible how driven and talented this year's seniors are!

 

Cait, Rebekah, Lindsey, Stephen, Kristin, and Cait: I can't thank each of you enough for stepping into my life this year and for allowing me to capture one of your most exciting times! I wish EACH of you the very very best and can't wait to see all the incredible things you all do with the rest of your lives :)

Congratulations Class of 2014!!!

Best,
Sarah

Location! Location! Location! | Hampton Roads Portrait Photographer

Hi!

Whenever you book your session... well wait.. even BEFORE you book your session you're probably planning it all around a location. Am I right? You may be envisioning a theme (romantic, casual, woodsy, industrial, etc.) or even specifically know where you want to have your session (beach, wooded area, old college stomping grounds, etc.); but one of the very first things you think of and one of the very first things we discuss when planning your session is: LOCATION.

 

Location is important. But it's also NOT important.

 

I know, I know, here I go with my crazy talking out of both sides of my mouth again. But hear me out!

 

Location is important in order to set the mood or tone of your session. It's also important to help guide what kind of wardrobe you're going to wear. You're not going to wear leather riding pants with steel toed boots to a session in a meadow are you? Unless of course you're going for a juxtaposition kind of thing... but for the sake of time I'm not going to head down that rabbit hole ;)

But location is also not important AT ALL.

 

Take a look at this photo. Where does it look like it was taken?

 

 

Romantic field with beautiful golden light.

 

 

And what about this one? Any ideas?

 

Cute, old, brick bike path.

 

 

And this one?

 

Old, vintage brick location with awesome light.

 

But believe it or not they are ALL from the same location! Yep! That's right! Different angles, different sections of the location, different times of the year, etc.

 

 

And what about these two photos? Same location or different location?

 

 

Same location! But you can't really tell can you?

 

The focus of the session is on you- location is really only PART of the story. The rest is on your personality, your smile, the way you touch your hair when you're thinking. It's about your style of clothing and what you feel THE BEST wearing.

 

Let the location of your session set the mood for your shoot; but don't let it dictate absolutely everything you do with your session. So the next time I ask you "any ideas for location?" and you just are not sure yet which spot is perfect for you: don't fret! It's not as big of a deal as you might think ;)

What type of locations do you envision yourself at for YOUR session? Tell me in the comments below!

 

Best,
Sarah

#SEPagent | Class of 2015 | Hampton Roads Senior Portrait Photographer

Hi!

This is going to be one of my most favorite posts of 2014 so far! That's because I get to showcase this year's SENIOR AGENTS from their JUNIOR SESSIONS!

 

If you're not sure what a Sarah Elle Photography Senior Agent is be sure to check out the blog post here, first. You may just want to be one after you read it ;)
 

I am so excited to show you their Junior session that I am not even going to waste any more time with words and instead get straight to their sessions!

Greer, Poquoson High School:

Allison, Smithfield High School:

Claire, Tabb High School:

Rayanne, Poquoson High School:

I am absolutely SMITTEN over the fact that each Agent is so obviously different from the rest- in style, in looks, in attitude, in personality, and on and on and on. And even more awesome is that they are all SO very very sweet. I could NOT have asked for a better model team to represent Sarah Elle Photography.

 

Be sure to snag one of their rep cards and help them out by booking your Senior session with their rep card! PLUS you get an AWESOME deal, too, if you use their card to book; so it's truly a win-win-WIN for everyone!

Ladies, I am honored to have you all as Sarah Elle Photography Senior Agents! Can't wait to see what your Senior years bring for you all!

Best,
Sarah

So Long.... Farewell.... A-Vee-derz and WHAT?! | Hampton Roads Personal

Hi!

So, this is it. This is my very last Sunday blog post {ever?}.

 

Ok, maybe not EVER ever.

 

But I have decided to readjust my blogging schedule.

 

I realized that I absolutely struggle to wait to show you all sneak peeks from the weekend sessions and because of that the Sunday post usually gets lost in the shuffle- or WORSE it gets delayed to Monday- and well, that's just not cool.

 

I want each of you to know exactly when I will be posting my blogs and I want you to look forward to it-- not just randomly notice it when you're scrolling for the next picture from this past weekend's session.

 

So here you go: my last Sunday post.

 

You know what this means though, right?

 

That means there is a NEW scheduled day instead!

 

You guessed right: MONDAY!

 

Now every Monday morning (around 8:45 am EST) and evening (around 8:45 pm EST)  I will post the weekly blog post. It might be a post featuring a session, a personal post, or even one from a new series I'm calling "Beyond the Print."

 

So be sure to check back tomorrow for the very first scheduled MONDAY blog :)

 

And hey- at the very least it will give you something to look forward to and make Monday feel less like... well...a  MONDAY!

 

See you tomorrow!

 

Best,
Sarah