Custom Couture | Stylized Senior Session | Fall 2014 | Hampton Roads Senior Photographer

This shoot is one of those ones where you envision something, you start to wonder if it's possible, you work hard, and then magically you get to see it come to life before your eyes. I wanted to create something that was elegance, couture, and playful all wrapped into one. Something that focused on a beautiful girl, her gorgeous dress, and a way to create beauty out of very simple details.   

This shoot is that session.

I sincerely could not have pulled this off without the help, love, and encouragement of Hampton Roads' most incredible vendors (so really, go check out their sites!!):

Model: Kelly Lewis (Class of 2016)

Hair: Markia Nicole - MUA/ Hair Stylist

Makeup: Makeup by Vega

Accessories/Shoes: Bridal Boutique of Gloucester

Props: Folk Art by Christine

Macarons: Hummingbird Macarons

Dress: Rent The Runway

Assistants: Kenzie Mathews, Alison Townsend, Jessica Norrell

"Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak."
-Rachel Zoe

XO,
Sarah

Planning a Styled Shoot | Recap | Hampton Roads Stylized Portrait Photographer

Hi!

If you're reading this there's a good chance you saw the "Alice" blog post last week with all the pretty, warm, colorful images from the stylized shoot.

 

Since I did a 5 part series on planning the styled shoot (in case you missed one or two: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, and Part V) I thought it was only fitting to do a wrap up post on what I learned since shooting the session.

  

And OH BOY did I learn a LOT.

 Let me first start off by saying that no matter how prepared you think you are you will NEED to be flexible and know the definition of compromise- because things will not go as planned.

Don't get me wrong: things will be beautiful and incredible and a whole BUNCH of fun! But things are stressful- and everyone else involved does not live in your head- so you will need to be flexible and able to communicate your needs.

 

Let me tell you what, though: my team was freaking AWESOME. They were a BLAST to work with, they had fabulous ideas, and they were even interested in helping beyond their "roles" (e.g. my model's mom even offered to haul things in her van and helped clean up the entire set! Stuff she completely did NOT need to do at all- but my Sarah Elle Photography family is awesome like that!)

Ok, so things I learned after completing my very first solo styled shoot:

 

1. Have EVERYTHING ready to go at least 4 DAYS before the day of the shoot.

I had a few little things I needed to pick up the morning of the shoot and figured "hey, no big deal, I'll grab those in the a.m.- everyone isn't set to show up until late this afternoon anyway- no big deal!"

Despite being a planner, I somehow manage to continue to find ways to add stress to my life. Waiting to pick things up until the day of the shoot is one of those ways-- because guess what? While I was out getting those "few little things" I received a call that the furniture for the shoot was not going to be able to be dropped off as originally planned.

*cue the screeching tires on my "no big deal" morning*

I now had to find a way to get a vehicle big enough to haul furniture over to NORFOLK (remember my fear of the bridge tunnel?!?!) and back in time for hair and makeup that afternoon.

I won't bore you with a description of my trip over the water so fast forward a few hours and mission accomplished (thanks to the HUGE HEARTS of my ridiculously wonderful neighbors who let me commandeer their explorer the entire rest of the day).

  

But having everything with YOU days in advance will really help you the day of the shoot: you'll officially be prepared and will simply have to execute the set-up. Trust me this will alleviate large amounts of stress the day of your shoot. And anything to reduce stress levels is a big gold star in my book!

 

2. Have a bunch of helpers.
It's awesome when you've got a fabulous team of folks who are willing to help in any way they can but, for me personally, iIlike people to be able to enjoy themselves and not be overworked- so while I did have a designated helper that day one person was not enough. So don't be afraid to have multiple people on board to help out-- things will go faster, easier, and everyone will be able to have that much more fun with even more awesome people around!

This is also probably one of those times where having collaborated with a professional designer/event planner would have really made a difference!


3. Have the session at a location that can accommodate on-site hair and makeup.

I didn't realize how important this idea would be until the day of the shoot when I was running back and forth between the set location and hair and makeup. I can't be in two places at once. I tried. It doesn't work.
 

Having hair and makeup AT the set location means you can oversee the set-up of everything while still being accessible for your model and the rest of your team. Plus that means getting more done at once- and who doesn't love efficiency? You're being an awesome host to everyone and there to answer questions for your model and hair and makeup team while still directing and helping with the set-up of your set. Pretty great!

So, if you have the ability: choose a set location that can accommodate the model prep.

 

That's it. Those are three really BIG things I learned from the styled shoot. It was truly an incredible experience and a fantastic time. I love each person involved and truly could not have done it without them- so a huge THANK YOU to everyone involved (from my neighbors, to the model, to my model's mom, to Papa John's for delivering awesome pizza really fast, to my friend who helped that day, to the hair and makeup team, to the vendors, and to my husband for dropping everything to get me across the bridge and back in a really short period of time).

So what's stopping you? Get out there and plan your OWN styled shoot! Because I know with all the things I learned from this experience I'm definitely doing another one!

Which reminds me: what theme do you want to see next for a styled Senior session? Give me your ideas for what you want to see next in the comments below! If your theme gets chosen I may just need your help to plan it!

Best,
Sarah

Planning a Styled Shoot Part V | Sending Out An S.O.S.| Hampton Roads Stylized Portrait Photographer

Hi!

OH. MY. GOODNESS. it is just THREE DAYS until the styled shoot! The weather is currently forecasted at 70, partly cloudy, and 10% chance of rain. RAIN! Yes, rain. But only 10% That's ok, right???

  

Can you tell I'm anxious?

  

But i'm the BEST kind of anxious! I've been totally freaking out for like two weeks now. Ok, ok, if you ask my team I've been freaking out for longer (shhhh!). But now that we are three days out I've found this weird calm. This sort of... oh my gosh lets rock the frickin PANTS off this thing and just have a flipping blast doing it!

WOooooo!

Ok, but there is ONE thing left I want to put out there in my "how to do it the easy way by reading how I did it the hard way" series on planning a styled shoot. I am, without a doubt, very much looking forward to this shoot. NO QUESTION. But one thing I should have done from the very beginning was:

 ASK. FOR. HELP.

I am a control freak. Just ask ANYONE who has ever met me. But asking for help is not at ALL about relinquishing control.

I had this idea that if I asked someone to help me design the set or collaborate with a professional event planner to bring this vision to life that I would somehow be relinquishing the genuineness of my vision and it would automatically become the event planner's shoot with me just taking the pictures.

Not true.

Of course, this is where you would need to make sure you knew how to explain your vision and your limits and have them help you-- not sit back and watch them do it all for you.

But asking someone for help isn't cheating. (I thought it was)

Asking for help is simply asking for help. It's asking people to help you make the very best out of your vision and your goals. It's asking people to be on your team and work WITH you to reach beyond your dreams.

Asking for help is good for you.

I learned this the hard way and tried to answer all of my questions on my own. But then I realized "Hey! You've got a pretty awesome team on your hands that KNOWS about this stuff- ask them their professional opinion!" Unfortunately I did this later than I could have and probably missed out on some pretty awesome stuff had I asked for help earlier. But I still asked for help. And next time I plan to actually collaborate with a professional.

Is my shoot still going to rock? You fricking bet it is!

But could it also be something totally awesome with an event planner? For sure!

There is no right or wrong. Alone or with someone else- doesn't matter. Both will be awesome! But just don't let yourself believe that asking for help or collaborating with someone means it isn't still your vision.

It is. It's just your vision developed side by side with someone who does this kind of thing for a living.

I'm a photographer! Not a party planner or set designer. What makes me think I should be able to do all of this without any issues? That's silly! And you shouldn't let yourself think that way either. ;)

Best,
Sarah

P.S. DO NOT even think about missing the shoot this weekend! Stay tuned to the facebook page to see sneak peeks!!

P.P.S. Any guesses as to the theme yet? If you get it right there might be a surprise in it for ya! ;)

Last clue before the reveal!

In case you missed the others: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV

Planning a Styled Shoot Part IV {Group Shoot} | Hampton Roads Stylized Portrait Photographer

Hi!

I made a mistake. I have been so caught up in my own shoot and how I like to do things that I completely forgot to address an alternate (and very popular) form of styled sessions: the group styled shoot.

Collaboration, especially in a creative community, is super important. You've heard me go on about networking and collaboration in Part I of this series so I cannot believe I didn't mention the "group shoot" before now! But here it is!

 

The shoot that I have been planning and blogging about is a solo styled shoot. This means that I am planning it; I am designing it; I am developing it; I am paying for it; and I am going to be the only photographer shooting at it. There are a lot of benefits to doing things this way; including:

1. All of the images from the shoot will be unique to  my portfolio.

2. Less people to worry about the day of the shoot (which means less contracts that need to be signed and less approval for persons on the property depending on your location).

 3. No one to work out schedules with to be present at all portions of the planning process.

 4. The ability to bring to life a vision exactly as you see it - without the influence or input of other creative minds.

 5. The freedom to publish the images wherever and whenever you want (if that is a goal of yours).

There are also a lot of negatives to making your styled shoot exclusively yours:

 

1. No friends to collaborate with and bond with over the ups and downs of the planning process.

 2. It severely decreases your networking abilities if you do not open the shoot up to other photographers.

 

3. You have to pay for every single piece of the shoot on your own (hair, makeup, props, costume, furniture, cake, paper goods, gas for your cars to haul the props, location deposit for the shoot, etc.)

 4. No one to help boost your creative visions with their own.

 5. The possibility of someone else having their images published before you get a chance to submit yours.

 

Creating a styled shoot in a group format {whether it's being developed as a group or simply being opened up to other photographers to use for portfolio work} can be a great benefit to your business and your growth as a photographer.

 

But you're not doing a group styled shoot, Sarah; why should I be listening to you?

GOOD POINT!

Planning a group styled shoot is also NOT FOR EVERYONE. To speak honestly: Planning a styled shoot is HARD. It is a lot of work and for someone {like ME} who has never done one at this scale before, planning a styled shoot is also very intimidating. I personally chose to keep this shoot exclusive to me so that I could really get my feet wet in the planning process and get a good feel for the kinks and wrenches that get thrown into the mix with this kind of project {I'll tell you there are more than a handful of them!}. Have I been DYING to talk about it with every person I know? Heck yes I have! It's been eating me up not to be able to get opinions and guidance from my friends in the industry but {secretly} it's also been kind of fun being able to tease them with hints ;)

Whatever your decision for how you create your styled shoot (solo? Plan it with a pal? Open it to others for portfolio work?) be sure to recognize that there are lots of pros and cons to each way of doing it {far more than listed above}. Just be sure to figure out what your end goal is for yourself and the shoot and PLAN accordingly! ;) (get it?! "plan..." planning a styled shoot...hehe it's funny)

 

Best,
Sarah

Read Part V here!

Sneak peek number 4 ;) This is an actual piece I plan to use for the shoot. So be on the lookout for it on the set!

In case you missed it: Part I, Part II, Part III

Planning a Styled Shoot Part III {Budget} | Hampton Roads Stylized Portrait Photographer

Hi!

If you're just joining this series you won't want to miss Part I and Part II as they cover both {Key Players} and {Timelines}- the first two big lessons I learned very quickly while planning this particular shoot.

For Part III I thought I'd let Abba handle the introduction:

That's right, Part III is all about BUDGET!
Even if you have a fantastic superwoman team of vendors on board who are graciously donating their services, skills and magical expertise, chances are there are still some things that may need to come out of pocket- YOUR POCKET. At this point your creativity is probably flowing big time and, take my word for it, not having a budget can let things get out of hand pretty quickly.


A personal example: One of the visions I had for this specific shoot included those beautiful awesome GIANT round latex balloons and I was thrilled to find I could get exactly what I wanted for only $30! But guess what? Balloons need helium. Big giant balloons need a LOT of helium. A whole slew of big giant balloons need a WHOLE LOT of helium. Helium is not inexpensive.

So now my $30 balloon idea has turned into something that just isn't reasonable for this particular shoot. So I scrapped it.

It was then that I realized I needed to set a SERIOUS BUDGET.

First steps: Write down everything you want and then go back through the list and figure out approximately how much everything will cost you. I happen to be an over-estimater. I'd rather be prepared to spend more than I actually spend instead of unprepared- so I always guess high when I budget.  But obviously you can do what works for you!

Once you have your final total figured out based on exactly what you have in mind for the shoot it's time for some DECISION MAKING. Is your final total something you can handle? If not, look over your list again and start deciding what you can live without.

I will say this: If your list gets to the point that you've taken a lot of things off and your vision just isn't going to be achieved with what you have left: think about holding off on your shoot until you can afford it. Don't stifle that beautiful idea just to get it done because you're itching to shoot it- wait until it's the perfect time and you can afford exactly what you want. 

Trust me, it will be worth it!

BUT if your budget is on board and you can afford what you need then GO FOR IT BABY! But remember to stick within the budget- don't hurt yourself or your business for the sake of your creativity.

I know I know why did I have to bring up money? No one likes the money talk. But someone has to be honest and rip the band aid; and keeping within a budget for styled shoots really is an important piece of the big picture- so don't leave it out!

Best,
Sarah

Read Part IV here!

Hint number 3 from the inspiration board for the shoot. Only 6 weeks left until the big day! Anyone have a guess as to the theme yet?! ;)

Married & Phobic | 9 Goals for a Hampton Roads Portrait Photographer

Hi!

I'm married and I couldn't be happier- but the truth? I'm a commitment phobe!

It's true. When it comes to really setting things down in stone and deciding "hey this is what I'm going to do" and truly OWNING that decision: I am a total scare-d-cat! I hem. I haw. I ramble. I avoid at ALL COSTS and then finally...I JUMP!

So here I go. I am officially going to outline my goals for Sarah Elle Photography for 2014. (I avoided this last year and again avoided it this year until I was faced by a fellow tog friend who said JUST DO IT- thanks Tianna. Plus I have a good friend I meet with via skype every 2-3 weeks who forces me to set goals for the business and be held accountable for them- I officially dubbed her my accountabilibuddy :) So I kind of sort of owe it to our time together to actually make 2014 goals. See...here I go rambling and avoiding again...)

JUMP:

1. Get 3 Senior Agents for the Class of 2015
- I have found over this past year of business that I am absolutely over the moon in love with working with High School Juniors/Seniors. L-O-V-E it! So I really want to focus that love and energy and get 3 Agents this coming year (I had one this past year). 

2. Book 6 "I Love You" Sessions

- These are the "just because I love you" sessions that are such an incredible treat that very few people give themselves. They go hand in hand with my "Life: As it is" sessions where couples book a session just because they want updated pictures or it's their 6th anniversary-- no huge milestone, simply love that needs to be captured :)

3. Styled Senior

- I have this huge vision for a styled Senior shoot and believe it or not it's already in the works-- adding it the list means now I have to make sure it happens!

 

4. Streamline My Workflow

- Basically this means I want to keep things consistent. I plan to have a "start to finish" process I follow for each session and each client with whom I work. This *should* (aka WILL) help me be more efficient and in turn be able to spend more time with my family (Charlie Dog has been complaining to my husband as of late...)

5. NAIL DOWN BRANDING

- It's time to truly focus and begin confirming who SEP is and expressing that through my branding. I'm really looking forward to nailing this down in 2014 and implementing it throughout the Sarah Elle Photography experience.

which leads me to number 6:

6. Packaging

-My  next huge goal after I figure out my branding will be to express that through my packaging. I want nothing more than to be able to deliver your images and prints in the cutest most unique packaging anyone has ever seen-- figuring out what that is requires number 5 (above)--so this one is on serious hold for now. But since it's on the list it's official and I'm holding myself to it!

7. Get Published

- This is a very new one for me. It's easy for me to tell people "you won't win if you don't play" but when it comes to actually submitting my own stuff I'm all over the place. So there. It's on the list. Now I have to keep submitting sessions for publication-- no excuses!

8. Shoot 4 Installments of "Life: As it is"

I love this project of mine SO much. But I'm so sad because I feel like it has been pushed a little to the side after the first shoot this past Fall. Whether it's been because of other sessions and being "too booked" at the moment or weather pushing back a shoot and it end up having to be canceled or what have you-- it's been pushed aside for too long and I am going to make sure it continues.

9. One-on-One Mentoring

This past year I did a Q&A, a "Sounding Board Session," and a one-on-one mentoring session and I was floored at how rejuvenating and EYE-OPENING they each were! It is a serious investment in myself as a photographer and as a business owner that I feel shouldn't be overlooked- so I am going to book another one-on-one session in 2014!

So there are 9 HUGE goals for 2014 for SEP. Whenever I make concrete decisions like this I usually feel a little sick at first (and it really peaks when I hit that "OHMYGOSHWHATDIDIDO" moment) but then, almost immediately, joy and excitement and pride flood in to me with having truly owned who I am and what I want for me (and for finally making a decision)! And having actually written out my goals for 2014 and owned them? Well, now I'm  over the nerves and avoidance and ready to go!

Today is 12/5/2013. I'm officially ready to take Sarah Elle Photography and OWN 2014. 

Here goes nothing!

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!