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

Claire S. | Agent Spotlight | Hampton Roads Senior Portrait Photographer

Hi!

You just have to meet Claire! 

Claire is the newest addition to the Sarah Elle Photography Senior Agent model team and she is fabulous!

Claire is sweet, polite, energetic, and motivated-- pretty much everything an #SEPagent is; plus she is active in her school  and really close with her family. I mean seriously, anyone who sends a picture of themselves with their mom when asked to provide pictures is truly someone who views family as a big personal value-- ALL of my agents are like this! I love it!

Claire is one of those girls who really doesn't fit into any one box: she plays Lacrosse and is a swimmer; but she also is really interested in art as well as photography (yay!) and spends her time volunteering at the elementary school, too!

It's clear that Claire has been a Virginia Tech fan for quite some time-- and if she doesn't end up there for school in a year I'm not sure what her family (or ME for that matter) will think! ;)

Claire also sent in a picture of her and her dog, Chico, who she got for her birthday last year. I'm pretty sure anyone who includes a picture of their pup gets a gold star in my book. And i'm certain Chico and Charlie need to meet one day very soon, don't you?! They look like they would be fast friends :)

I am really looking forward to having Claire as an Agent and I know she will be a great addition to the model team! Welcome to the Sarah Elle Photography family, Claire!!


Best,
Sarah

Snow Day Session | Cady E. | Hampton Roads Portait Photographer

Hi!

With the impending yucky weather this evening {again} I thought I would feature Cady's images from the impromptu snow day shoot we had last month. This shoot was a LOT of fun. Maybe it was the random spontaneity of it; the fact that we had beautiful pieces of furniture in the snow; or the fact that I got to meet and hang out with some super neat folks that day thanks to the networking powers of Luke and Ashley Photography.

Regardless, I cannot want to do it again! So every time we get a "winter weather warning" I say: BRING IT ON!

Thanks again, Cady, for your awesome willingness to play in the snow!
Best,
Sarah

Lucy {Snow Day Session} | Hampton Roads Senior Photographer

Hi!

Remember a few weeks ago when we got pounded with snow and the world pretty much came to a screeching halt?

Well I was absolutely ITCHING to shoot! Being so close to the beach we rarely get the kind of snow that not only sticks to the ground but piles up enough to even be worth mentioning (not that this thin-skinned gal is complaining or anything).

And sometimes, if you get the right group of people together, you can create some pretty beautiful stuff! And having this gorgeous Senior on hand helps a lot, too :)

Meet Lucy, class of 2014, in her snow-day session debut!

 

A special thank you to friends, Luke and Ashley Photography, for organizing this mini-shoot and to Unearthed for the beautiful furniture!

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. :)