Location! Location! Location! | Hampton Roads Portrait Photographer

Hi!

Whenever you book your session... well wait.. even BEFORE you book your session you're probably planning it all around a location. Am I right? You may be envisioning a theme (romantic, casual, woodsy, industrial, etc.) or even specifically know where you want to have your session (beach, wooded area, old college stomping grounds, etc.); but one of the very first things you think of and one of the very first things we discuss when planning your session is: LOCATION.

 

Location is important. But it's also NOT important.

 

I know, I know, here I go with my crazy talking out of both sides of my mouth again. But hear me out!

 

Location is important in order to set the mood or tone of your session. It's also important to help guide what kind of wardrobe you're going to wear. You're not going to wear leather riding pants with steel toed boots to a session in a meadow are you? Unless of course you're going for a juxtaposition kind of thing... but for the sake of time I'm not going to head down that rabbit hole ;)

But location is also not important AT ALL.

 

Take a look at this photo. Where does it look like it was taken?

 

 

Romantic field with beautiful golden light.

 

 

And what about this one? Any ideas?

 

Cute, old, brick bike path.

 

 

And this one?

 

Old, vintage brick location with awesome light.

 

But believe it or not they are ALL from the same location! Yep! That's right! Different angles, different sections of the location, different times of the year, etc.

 

 

And what about these two photos? Same location or different location?

 

 

Same location! But you can't really tell can you?

 

The focus of the session is on you- location is really only PART of the story. The rest is on your personality, your smile, the way you touch your hair when you're thinking. It's about your style of clothing and what you feel THE BEST wearing.

 

Let the location of your session set the mood for your shoot; but don't let it dictate absolutely everything you do with your session. So the next time I ask you "any ideas for location?" and you just are not sure yet which spot is perfect for you: don't fret! It's not as big of a deal as you might think ;)

What type of locations do you envision yourself at for YOUR session? Tell me in the comments below!

 

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

Rebekah T. | Hampton Roads Senior Portrait Photographer

Hi!

I am THRILLED to introduce you to Rebekah, Grafton class of 2014!

You want to talk about a confident, independent High School Senior? This is your gal! She plays Lacrosse, is part of a military family (which means she helps out an extra bunch when dad is gone), is super focused on her studies, and loves to try out unique (what I like to call: "before it's cool") styles. She's also just one of the sweetest, most caring people you'll ever meet.

So, when Bek booked the Red Carpet package for her session I was stoked for her to be able to have some pampering and be treated to professional hair and makeup. And when she told me she wanted to mix it up with a relaxed loose curl coupled with a heavy dramatic eye? I was in heaven!

I couldn't decide which I loved more about Bek's session: her goofy personality, those gorgeous eyes, her awesome combat inspired ankle boots, or her beautiful nod to her family and love for photography (bonus points!) by incorporating her grandfather's vintage camera in to the session.

I think I love it all!

The cherry on top of this awesome sundae? Bek's parents booked a family session to follow her shoot! HOW AWESOME IS THAT?! I'm in love with the fact they feel High School graduation is a big deal for the whole family- so much so they wanted to document it with family photos! I was so inspired by their shoot together that I am now OFFICIALLY offering a mini-session option for the families of my Seniors to add on to the end of the Senior session! :)

Best,
Sarah