Gemma.
I feel so fortunate and blessed to have the ability to love two occupations. Photographer and Hair Dresser. Quite a lovely marriage of vocations, really. On occasion I get to do both for the same client~that’s what I really love! Yesterday, my niece, Gemma, came by to cash in on her Christmas present…haircolor (of her choice) an a fresh cut. After a rather quick consultation we decided to do a TON of blonde highlights on the top and go dark underneath for the “peek-a-boo” color. Gemma’s been dark for a while so it was fun to see her go lighter. Before she left, I grabbed a few shots….I love her. She’s growing up fast and is even going to head out to San Francisco in March for a first ever, on her own, trip! I’m so excited for her! I pulled out all of my San Francisco albums and reminisced about all of my love for that city. She’s pretty stoked about going and I’m excited for her! Perhaps one day she and I will go on an adventure somewhere, together.
Jessie Selects a Pic!
Last Sunday, while most of my family was gathered out at mom’s hospice home to visit and watch the Vikings cream the Sea Hawks, I asked my niece if she’s like to pop outside and grab a few birthday shots on the grounds around the home. While she didn’t come prepared to have a photo shoot I thought she looked amazing and she was braggin’ up her new top that she’d just bought so I figured we should give it a go! I think she rocked it!
Friends Inspiring Friends.
Karie. She entered my life many years ago as a hair client. She quickly became one of my favorites and soon after that…a friend. We’ve been through a lot together. When I first moved my salon into my home and began growing my photography portfolio Karie came in and said that she wished that she had something that SHE could do out on HER own that she could be as passionate about. I, of course, was flattered! It’s a pretty great and humbling feeling to think that you can inspire someone to go on to do great things just by loving what you do. Karie employed me a couple of weeks ago to do some head shots for the next leg in her journey. I am SO taken by her new found energy which she draws from leaping into a new arena of business. It is her passion for moving forward that now inspires ME to do the same. I know that beautiful things are going to emerge for Karie and her new venture! More to come! Thank you so much, Karie, for allowing me to come along side!
Senior Portrait Photography
High school seniors have evolved over the years and so has the process in which we photograph them for their high school yearbooks. Gone are the days of simply archiving the milestone. These portrait sessions have become more about capturing who they’ve become as young adults. I love these sessions. One on one (in most cases) allowing their true self to emerge before me and the lens. No parents prodding “sit up straight!” or “give us a real smile!” and that’s the short list. Please take no offense, this is by no means every parent but I tend to get more out of a senior if the parents, siblings and friends stay home. This also does not mean that at the end of a session if say a girlfriend, twin, triplet or family pet wants in on a photo or two that I won’t accommodate them, I surely will, I simply will not make it the focus of the session.
The time of day that is optimal for these and other outdoor portraits, for me, is mid morning and late afternoon/early evening. The light is best at this time of day whether it’s sunny or cloudy. On the other hand, if it happens to be an overcast day (hooray! seriously) mid day works great. You see, it’s all about the light and how it will fall on the subject. Not that I can’t capture some amazing images at high noon on a sunny day it’s just that the restrictions can be far greater. Note that in the event of strong winds or rain I will require you to reschedule but there will be no fee attached when I feel the need to call off a shoot.
Clothing selection is always a tuffy, for most. “What should I wear?” , “Can I change outfits?”, “My mom wants me to wear THIS!” It’s all good, relax. I suggest that you bring along everything you can think of that you love. Especially those outfits or shirts that everyone always compliments you on when you wear them…that’s always a good indicator of what will be great. Change if you like but know that depending on where we shoot a lovely dressing room may not always be available so be comfortable in knowing that you may changing behind a building, a tree or even in your car.
Hair…wow, where to start? Having been a hairdresser for nearly 26 years (ouch!) I do know a thing or two about this one too. 1-flat irons and wind do not go together. 2-if a need is for your session to be straight and curly, 2 sessions are required so book accordingly. 3-have your hair cut a good 2-3 weeks prior to the session. Tan lines on necks and napes will require additional editing time and generally show up quite prominently after a haircut. 4- I bring along hair products just in case for those pesky flyaways! If you have hair that is colored please have it retouched the week of the shoot in that retouching on my end will cost you more than the salon.
Speaking of tan-lines…Sun burned skin does not photograph well at all and I will require you to reschedule your session which comes with a fee. Removing tan lines in post work is both time consuming and costly. I recommend that you watch your sun exposure as much as 1 week prior to your session to avoid additional costs and fees.
Hands, Feet & Face…this is easy…If you would like your hands to appear in some of your images such as holding a football, playing an instrument or just placing them on a knee or folded arms, invest in a manicure. French polish or clear for the ladies and buffed for the gentlemen. Feet, same as the Hands. Face, simple retouching is always included. For severe acne or other scaring I will provide 1 proof of a before and after at no additional charge. Braces I will not remove. For the ladies, please bring along your lip gloss, your powder and your own hairbrush.
I am currently offering 25% off of my session fee to any 2010 high school senior that books and shoots in July of 2009. For a gallery of images please go to the website tab at the top then click on “milestones” or you can also select “slide shows” above or even join my “Rock the Senior” on Facebook!
New iPhone and AT&T
Lots of stuff going on regarding the newest releases
of upgrades for the Apple iPhone. Lots of disgruntled
folks out there feeling the pain. Also, the newest
iPhone will be available tomorrow morning 6/19)!
However, I woke to discover that, overnight, AT&T had \lifted
restrictions due to the wide spread pandemonium over
contracts and puts me poised for a new phone!
So I will join my brother-in-law, Doug, at the Mall
of America early tomorrow morning.
Not going to go 32Gs, that’s just insane!
Think I’ll stick with the 16Gs.
Going out on my first “Rock The Senior” shoot today.
Something I thought up to enhance the tradtional
senior session. Kind of like a “Trash The Dress” but
I didn’t dare refer to it as “Trash The Senior”!
Here, I will approach the shoot like I always do then
stop, switch it up with radical hair and make-up
(being a hairdresser for 28 years helps), and go into
more dramatic imagery. The guys are welcome too.
A teeny bit of eyeliner and some whacked out hair
or a hop in the lake will transcend your traditional
session into more of a fashion editorial look.
I canNOT wait to get started! Spots are limited
throughout the summer but be sure to visit my
Rock The Senior group page on Facebook and check here
periodically for gallery additions.
Think you can handle it? Refer 3 friends and earn a
FREE Rock The Senior session!
Let’s ROCK!
Jenny + Andy
Jenny, Andy and I got together a couple of Sunday’s
ago in St. Paul to photograph their Engagement Session.
And even tho’ this link takes you to their entire shoot,
I thought I’d toss a few images up on the blog too.
For a larger view, please click “view all images” then
in the upper right hand corner click “full screen”.
Happy Birthday Emily!
Today my niece, Emily, turns 12!
Sunday, she and I got together to do our annual thing
of hair and a fashion/photo shoot. I look forward to
this every year for every birthday for all the kids!
Now, in that most 12 year old girls don’t get their hair
colored, let’s keep in mind that this is what I do and
of course a little color is fun, right? So I get to spend some
quality time with my nieces and nephews, and then photograph
them in a way that most parents wouldn’t ordinarily think of.
I mean, what’s an Aunt to do when armed with the tools!
If you are interested in giving this sort of gift to someone you
know and love, please contact me for a personalized quote.
Let’s leave the school photos in the year books and on the fridge!
It’s time to create some timeless images of your children.
This is not your mother’s glamour shots! 
And as always, I keep each session age appropriate.
Happy Birthday Emily! I love you.
Kathryn's 1st Communion
I had the distinct honor of not only attending Kathryn’s
1st Communion but photographing her that day as well.
Rather than putting a slide show together, I’ve decided
that the images would be best viewed individually.
Kathryn is a complete natural beauty, loves the camera
and, luckily, loves me too. Oh, and also pictured is their
new puppy Sam. Sam is a Cavalier King Charles/Bichon mix.
Kathryn G.
Today is a very special day.
My little friend, Kathryn, is being confirmed.
I’ve known Kathryn since before she was born!
She calls me “aunt sue” and I love it!
I’ve photographed her at every birthday and even
a party and dance here and there. 
I will head over to Jim & Gerri’s home around
2:45 to photograph this lovely girl in her
gorgeous confirmation gown. It’ll be like
photographing a teeny, tiny bride, I can’t wait!
Sun is out, should be 60+ today. YAY!
Playoff Sunday.
My sister managed to get her hands on a couple
of good seats for today’s playoff game.
Embarrassingly enough that the Vikings “backed”
into the playoffs, the game was nearly blacked
out due to low ticket sales….niiiiiiice!
I think it speaks volumes that the general
public, here, doesn’t give a rip about their own
pro football team. Me thinks that Childress is,
perhaps, on his way out..my opinion.
Well, regardless, I’m more looking forward to
spending a day with my sister that doesn’t
involve baking!
Anne’s husband, Pete, and his boss are taking a
limo down to the game and while we won’t be
sitting with them at the game we’ll ride down
to the dome with them. That should be fun!
Pete came by yesterday to have some new head
shots taken for an upcoming article in a trade
magazine. Pete works with RTI and will be
attending the Consumer Electronics Show in
Las Vegas next week.
I talked to Gary this morning…he and Dave
are going to come home today. I’m so excited!
They will stop along the way and watch some of
the game and get home sometime after dinner. For
some reason, I missed him most this time around!
Have a great day, stay warm.
Go Vikes!
