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!

Business Birthday | Hampton Roads Portrait Photographer

IT'S MY BUSINESS BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Yep, it's Sarah Elle Photography's ONE YEAR birthday! (Ok, really it's tomorrow but I couldn't wait to celebrate!) Can you believe it?! Holy moly I canNOT believe it! 

 I'll be honest with you, when I first started out I was so overwhelmed- I just wanted to take pictures! Why did running a business have to be so complicated? Couldn't I just take pictures, be happy, and eat bon bons?

 But I couldn't be happier that I pushed through to the other side. I am excited about not only my skills as a photographer but where SEP is headed as a business. I am PROUD to call myself a photographer and am constantly in a state of feeling excited because of all the great things I get to do being that photographer.

I get to do something I LOVE. I get to work towards being better at something. I get to challenge myself. I get to meet and work with incredible individuals who teach  me about things I never imagined. I get to help capture moments for people they will look back on and smile. I get to help create a vision and make it come to life. I get to be friends with people who get me. I get to create and express and love.

I get to be a photographer!

Of course, no birthday post would be complete without a look back at the events of the past year. 

This past year Sarah Elle Photography:

-Created a brand new look, logo, blog, and website! (Yay www.sarahelle.com !)

-Got an awesome new lens (50mm 1.4 represent!)

-Reached OVER 700 followers on facebook

-Created a twitter and pinterest and together accumulated 93 followers (p.s. feel free to make that number bigger and follow me! @SarahElle_Photo for twitter and pinterest.com/sarahellephoto for pinterest)

-Developed and initiated a personal project- Life: As it is and have shot the first installment and have already scheduled the next two!

-Pushed myself to learn by attending a Q&A session with Amanda Hedgepeth Photography and am signed up for an 8 hour one-on-one mentor session with Sharon Elizabeth Photography.

-Helped design, plan, and bring to life a styled bridal shoot for fellow photographers and friends.

-Teamed up with an "accountability buddy" (shout out to Jessica!) to keep me motivated and accountable as I push forward on my goals.

-Shot maternity, newborn, birthday milestones, family, couples, anniversary, individual portraits, deployed family portraits, senior portraits, military themed, Rockabilly themed, Christmas themed, Fall themed, Winter themed, and Valentines Day themed sessions- all while discovering and finding my way to what truly seems to fuel my passion for photography: Couples and Senior Portraits.

But the truth is I couldn't have done any of this without each and every one of you! You, my Sarah Elle Photography family, have believed in me and supported me throughout this year long journey. Whether you've been following me since day 1 or found me yesterday, the fact that you are reading this shows your support- your encouragement! Thank YOU Sarah Elle Photography family for believing in me and loving me enough to support me on my path.

And, of course, I can't not share a little peek at my first shoot versus my more recent session. Because looking back at where we've come from is always a little fun ;)


Very first session a year ago on the left and latest session on the right!

 

See! Looking back at where you've come from isn't all bad! At least for me personally it helps to remind me of how far I have come and highlights what I'm capable of achieving if I just try hard enough!

Happy happy birthday Sarah Elle Photography family; and cheers to 50 more!

Best,
Sarah

Lindsey F. | Hampton Roads Senior Portrait Photographer

Hi!

Wait until you see these! I mean... seriously, wait until you see them!

Lindsey is my Poquoson Senior Agent which means she represents Sarah Elle Photography in her high school and she represents her high school at Sarah Elle Photography! We shot her first session at the end of her Junior year back in May and from that day forward I knew it would be a LOT of fun working with her!

Lindsey is full of jokes and if you can get her to laugh she has a smile that just won't quit (you'll see what I mean in a bit).

*WARNING* I'm about to get a bit mushy: Despite being in contact with Lindsey throughout the summer and into the school year I was NOT prepared for what I would find when I showed up for hair and makeup on the day of her Senior shoot. Lindsey had somehow grown up over the past 5 months! Not even kidding she looked like an adult and even carried herself in more of an "adult" way (although if asked to define what that is I would fail). I felt a bit nostalgic when I saw her and began to wonder where the girl from the May session had gone!

Take a look!

See?! That's that infectious smile I was talking about :)

I couldn't get over her super cute boots! So we snagged a shot ;)

I am so proud of Lindsey as she goes on her college visits and chooses her path for the future.
Lindsey, it was my pleasure getting to work with you and watch you grow over the past few seasons. I am proud to call you a Sarah Elle Photography Senior Agent, class of 2014!

Best,

Sarah

C. Family: Red, White, & Blue, Patriotic Inspired Picnic | Hampton Roads Family Photographer

Hi!

Military family + 3 super cute kids + red, white, and blue outfits = one really sweet patriotic themed session!

The C. family is one of my oldest VA friends and I couldn't have been more flattered when they contacted me to do their family photos. I had made a comment MONTHS before about wanting to do a patriotic themed picnic so when mom contacted me about their session she already knew exactly what she wanted to do- the patriotic picnic! So of course I was TOTALLY down for it!

When they showed up in their red white and blue coordinated outfits I absolutely fell in love. We had hit the jackpot of cuteness and they seriously nailed the look. Don't you think?!

A special shout out to little guy as he was celebrating his first birthday that month!

And of course I can't not take pictures of these two together ;)

C. family, thank you for being so wonderful. Thank you for your service and sacrifices as a military family. Thank you for being my friend. It was truly a pleasure to get to work with you all and I can't wait to do it again!

Best,
Sarah

C. Family Preview | Hampton Roads Portrait Photographer

Hi.

Did you see the post on Facebook that said that I'm headed on a completely UNPLUGGED vacation starting this weekend? That's right, completely unplugged: no computer *gasp!* and no phone either until September 8th! I'm pretty excited about it but also a little bit anxious- NO facebook?! NO e-mail?! Seriously?! Yep, seriously! But to be honest I'm more excited than nervous for this chance to truly relax and focus on life in the moment- so bring it on vacay!

Before I go I thought it was only fair to leave my recent family session with a few extra previews to tide them over until I get back. 

 
Aren't their red, white, and blue outfits just the BEST?! I loved their patriotic themed session- it was too cute!
More of this creative and oh-so-sweet family when I get back!

PLUS when I get back maybe we'll start the second edition of "Where in the World is Sarah Elle Photography!" What do you think?!

Best,
Sarah