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

#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

Senior Spotlight | Graduation Season | Hampton Roads Senior Portrait Photographer

Hi!

 

Today is May 11th (yay! Happy mama's day-don't forget to hug your mom today extra big!) and if you're a High School Senior or Junior in the area then you know that that means graduation is just a little over a month away! WOW. That's SUPER soon!

 

And that also means you've probably got a slew of grad parties to go to, too. Am I right?

 

Whether you're a grad party THROWER or a grad party GOER I've got the perfect list of things you need to make this grad season flawless (and stay tuned to this blog because I'll be throwing out SUPER helpful tips, tricks, and secrets throughout the summer and into next school year too- trust me you won't want to miss ANY of it)!

I'll start with the PARTY THROWER (party goer your blog post will be next week so check back!):

 

Chances are you have a ton of things on your mind right now: getting your shoes for your ceremony, booking your hair appointment for the ceremony, the ceremony itself, making sure you ordered enough wallets to pass out to friends (more on that one later), getting all of your invites out in time, confirming the caterer, cleaning the house since everyone and their sister will be at your party. The list goes on and on and on.

 

So, to help ease your stress level a bit I've collected some of the best go-to ideas for music, games, food, etc. That way your stress level is low and in turn your celebration level is through the roof! Because lets face it: you're only graduating High School once; make it AWESOME!

1. Best Play list for your party

   Your parents are inviting everyone from your neighbor to your great Aunt Milly in Dallas so you will have to pick things that everyone enjoys; that means you need a mixture of things from the 60s all the way to that hot hit that came out last week by Jason Derulo. 

Not even sure WHERE to begin with that task? Here's a good example of a mix to please *almost* everyone (including songs that won't make your grandma blush): http://blog.wondershare.com/graduation-party-playlist-101/

Take that list with a grain of salt, though, because I definitely wouldn't be interested in hearing "If I Can Dream" by Celine Dion (number 49 on the list); but hey, you can't realistically create a list that has every song everyone has ever liked- right? So just make a list, press the "play" button, and enjoy your party!

 

2. Food! (YUM!)

This one will also require a bit of variety. It's fair to say though that with this one NO ONE expects you to have their favorite foods- but variety is key to a happy party. If you're hiring a caterer I guarantee they have some great ideas up their sleeves-- this isn't their first rodeo after all ;)

 

But if you and mom are going to be hashing it out in the kitchen the day before the party, the first rule is to PLAN A MENU. Don't go into it blind. Pick a menu that YOU like and throw in a couple you know your parents like: that will start you off on a good variety to please not only picky palettes but also different age groups.

 

Here's a great link from Rachel Ray (some people say I look like her... thoughts on that????) that talks about different ways to incorporate food into your party (it also has some cute game ideas, too!):

http://www.rachaelraymag.com/easy-party-ideas/party-tips-ideas/how-to-throw-a-graduation-party


3. Decorations

 

Some parties have themes and others are simple "laid back backyard" parties where the sunshine is the only decoration. Whatever you do DON'T forget to celebrate YOU and your graduation! T

 

his your time to shine so show off pictures of you from throughout the year. Don't forget your Senior pictures- whether it's the formal cap and gown shot or your casuals. Don't let this party become just another party: it's about you and celebrating your achievement and your road ahead.

 

Over on Pinterest I've created a board with tons of ways to display you and your accomplishments without being too "look at me! look at me!":  http://www.pinterest.com/sarahellephoto/grad-party-ideas/

 

(while you're there be sure to follow me on Pinterest so you can see all my ideas!)

How are you feeling now? A little less stressed? This is supposed to be a fun, exciting, CELEBRATION time! So use the links above to make things easier for you-- and don't forget, this is about YOU so celebrate you and use those awesome senior pictures to showcase just how great you are!

And if you're the party GOER be sure to check back next week when I link you to some AWESOME grad party gift ideas (budget friendly, too, since you probably have about 30 parties to go to in the next 2 months, right?!)

 

Best,
Sarah

 

Did I miss anything? Let me know what else you might need for your party in the comments below!

 

 

Greer | Agent Spotlight | Class of 2015 | Poquoson High School

Hi!

Welcome to the very first addition of the Class of 2015 "Agent Spotlight" mini-series!
I am so excited to showcase my Agents this year that I am not even going to waste any time:

I am so very happy to introduce to you, Greer, who is representing Poquoson High School on this year's Sarah Elle Photography Senior Agent model team!

Of course, the first picture I have to share of her is of her and her mom. 

I asked each of my Agents to send me pictures that they would be willing to have me post on the blog {instead of me just scouring their social media to find the silliest ones I could ;) } and what is one of the few pictures she sends?! Her and her mom! LOVE it!

When I met them at Greer's Senior Agent meet and greet I could tell she and her mom were close but it melted my heart when I saw that she wanted to share a picture of them together in her "Agent Spotlight." 

 When I asked Greer's mom to provide a picture of Greer this is the one she chose ;)

As you can see, Greer is a cheerleader for local competitive squad, Fame Limitless. Greer has proudly been a cheerleader for the past TWELVE years and cheers not only for Fame Limitless but also Poquoson High School's sideline squad and their competition team.

One of the things that really stood out to me about Greer was that she is a really giving person. On top of being the assistant coach for the Poquoson Midgets Cheerleading and being active in YoungLife, Greer goes every single day to the elementary school to work with the first grade students!

 (Greer at YoungLife camp in NY)

Not only is she giving, but Greer is clearly the Chuck Norris of her generation because I KID YOU NOT she showed up to her Agent meet and greet WITH A CONCUSSION all because she didn't want to cancel! Is that determination or what? (or crazy... maybe a little crazy)

The "how" of her concussion story is still a little foggy....
(Get it?! foggy... concussions make your head foggy...eh? eh? hahaha I try...)

Regardless, Greer is one beautiful, giving, and determined gal and I am thrilled to have her on this year's Senior Agent model team!

Best,
Sarah

another one from mom that I just had to sneak in here because it's so cute!

Welcome to the model team, Greer!!
Stay tuned next week to meet another one of my Class of 2015 Senior Agent models!

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