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

Kristin L. Class of 2014 | Hampton Roads Senior Photographer

Hi!

When I first meet with a Senior I try to encourage them to bring different aspects of themselves to a session: class ring, team jacket, college t-shirt, favorite pet, etc. but it wasn't until working with Kristin did I learn just how much the actual location of the session could bring out the Senior.

Kristin chose to have her session at Ft. Monroe. Now, I've shot on Ft. Monroe a number of times but I don't know it like she does; you see, Kristin grew up there. 

Until just a few years ago Kristin attended church there, went to school there, and even went to daycare there when she was younger (her mom offered to provide me with a picture of her getting her first Communion there but lucky for Kristin she didn't have it at the time- hehe)! To be able to capture her in her Senior year at some of the places that really helped to shape her into who she has become was so humbling and extremely special!

(This is the back of the church she attended. According to Kristin this door leads to the wash room-- I NEVER would have known that!)

Okay can we just talk a quick minute about these AWESOME shoes?! I absolutely loved them and have decided that now I NEED a pair.

How pretty is she?! 

Kristin it was so wonderful getting to work with you and I absolutely loved learning about how much meaning each spot held for you!

All my very best as you finish your Senior year and go on to college! I can't wait to see what the world brings for you :)

And when you decide to get rid of those shoes just let me know ;)

Best,
Sarah

A Styled Saturday | Hampton Roads Styled Shoot

Hi hi hi!

I'm SUPER excited to share this post with you all! It's filled with something I've NEVER done before and that's always big news, right?

This past Saturday myself and two other photographer friends (Erin Daniel Photography and Tiffany Joyce Photography) put on our first STYLED SHOOT! I don't shoot weddings, as you know, but when it became apparent that a group of local togs we know were interested in increasing their bridal portfolios I quickly thought: well heck, lets just plan a mini-styled shoot!

And thus the day was born ;)

For weeks (about 6 to be specific) we chatted online and gathered ideas and color palettes and themes and models and dresses and props and the list goes on and on and on. It's amazing what technology can allow you to accomplish without even meeting someone (I didn't meet Erin until the day of the shoot- crazy, huh!?)

Now, as I mentioned earlier, I don't shoot weddings so I had no reason to shoot this day, either. So....I modeled! Yep. CRAZY CRAZY CRAZY. It was a TON of fun, though! And oh my goodness my tootsies were frozen solid by the end of it! But yes, here is not only the fantastic and beautiful details of our styled shoot but also a little peek at my first ever "modeling" gig ;) (try not to laugh too hard)

Photos (unless otherwise stated): Tiffany Joyce Photography

Chairs: Folk Art by Christine

Cupcakes: Sweet Bite Cupcakerie 

Flowers: Flower Works

 The entire set up was filled with beautiful Fall colors. Greens, and oranges, and reds, and golds, and browns! Ugh! I just love it all!!

(Above image taken by Erin Ammons Photography)

OH my goodness how beautiful are these flowers, right?! I even got to take them home! (they're sitting in water on my kitchen table hehe)

Ok. And my picture.

Aren't the details of this styled shoot just GORGEOUS?! And to think- it's just a mini-shoot! So of course, now I CAN'T WAIT to shoot the styled Senior session I have planned for the Spring. If we were able to plan this session in roughly 6 weeks, having multiple months to plan another one is going to be incredible!

I am so very proud of how this shoot turned out and hope you liked it, too! And, of course, keep your eyes peeled this Spring for my Senior styled shoot ;)

Best,
Sarah

p.s. if you are a female aged 15-19 with pointe experience (or know someone who is) I'm doing a casting call for my Senior styled shoot- so be sure to drop me a message!

Spencer Couple: Pregnancy Reveal | Hampton Roads Maternity Photographer

Hi!

A few months ago I booked a session with the Spencer couple (some of you may recognize her as my hair and makeup gal, Rylee) and was extremely honored that I was asked to shoot their session. Rylee works with a number of photographers so to be chosen out of all the talent she works with is such an honor.

Rylee had come up with this gorgeous pin-up inspired military session and we had even scouted out some fabulous locations that enabled us to shoot with some old planes and helicopters- it was SO neat!

A few weeks before the session Rylee contacted me and told me we needed to change the session...well...because of this:

I. WAS. ECSTATIC!

The day of the shoot Rylee showed up, flawless as usual, with her super handsome husband, Slater, and to top it off had made a bunch of ridiculously cute props!

Rylee and Slater really enjoy being in the country hunting, fishing, riding ATV's, etc. so we switched their session to a more woodsy feel. Of course, I put my foot down at the idea of including an ATV ride in their session- she is pregnant, of course. Rylee had no objections :)

 

Don't you just love the way he looks at her? He's so in love with her and already SO in love with their baby; just like a dad should be ;)

Their baby name choices!

The only flaw with this couple is their choice of football team... BUT since she's my friend I humored her. (She knew I couldn't help but take a small shot in her blog post :p )

Rylee and Slater I am so excited for you both and thrilled to be a part of your pregnancy announcement! It killed me to have to wait to share these images but I know surprising your family was worth the wait :)

Best,

Sarah

That Time I Was a Bit Irrational... | Hampton Roads Client

Hi!

This past Saturday was one of the days I look forward to every single year: it was the day of my and John's anniversary photo shoot! We are about to celebrate our anniversary (this week!) and, simply because it makes me happy, John dresses up EVERY YEAR and puts on a smile for pictures (remember how much I've harped about documenting life as it is- this is one of those times!).

For whatever ridiculous reason I decided I simply HAD to wear a yellow cardigan for our pictures.

It gets worse.

I then randomly saw an emerald green shirt somewhere in the weeks leading up to our session and decided I HAD to wear an emerald green BLOUSE (not just a shirt, but a blouse).... and a yellow cardigan.

It gets even worse.

It couldn't just be a plain emerald green blouse. It had to have frills, or stripes, or bows, or a sash. It couldn't simply be a plain emerald green blouse (anyone think I'm crazy, yet?).

Oh hey, guess what? I DON'T OWN either of these things.

 John is a seriously patient man (oh my goodness did I luck out when I met that man) so he offered to go with me to help me find my crazy specific outfit. All men everywhere are going "noooo, man, get out now! danger! danger!" but John survived. I think. I mean, he's still here, so....

But of course, because my "needs" were so specific I did not find anything when we went shopping. So a few days later I went back by myself- and spent TWO hours in the same store scouring EVERYTHING. I came home with 7 options (none of which were emerald green in color) and by the morning had decided none of them were what I wanted. (Ok now I'M feeling like a crazy person putting this all out in words)

We are now 2 days from the session.

Clients, I am FEELING for you right now. I totally know what it's like to throw everything out of your closet on to your bed trying to decide exactly what you want to wear- even worse if you're bringing more than one outfit for an outfit change!

John at this point is still very patient (see how we have reached yet ANOTHER wedding anniversary? It's totally because I'm 90% crazy and he's only about 2%) and offers to take me to a different mall before we meet friends for dinner. At this point I've let go of my green and yellow combo requirements and simply was desperate to find something I would be excited to wear to the shoot.

When I woke up the next morning to get ready for our session I realized that letting go of my requirements enabled me to find exactly what I had been dreaming about- the perfect outfit.

 Yes, it is yellow and green. But it's not emerald green. And it isn't a blouse; in fact, it's 100% cotton t-shirt! And it doesn't have stripes, it has polka dots. But every single other thing I had purchased (and have to remember to return to the store) was not yellow or green or any other silly thing I thought I needed. What I found was that all I "needed" was to let go of "needs" and find something that I felt incredible wearing. And you know what? I did :)

Thank you to my friend, Ashley, of Luke&Ashley for our fantastic and oh so "us" anniversary photos.

Best,
Sarah