BLOG – Page 57 – the latest in-studio & on-location MO, IL and beyond

November 4, 2016

| Kaylan | Central A & M Senior 2017 |

It’s Kaylan’s time in the spotlight today! We split Kaylan’s senior session between some time here in the studio and some time at and around her home for a little personal touch. She brought loads of personality to the session with her sunglass collection and paid special tribute to her cousin including his jersey and truck for some truly meaningful and memorable portraits for her and her family.

It seemed fitting to share her portraits today after the cubs win too!

Be sure to head over to our Facebook Page to view her gallery and give her some love with your likes/comments/shares!

October 31, 2016October 31, 2016

Photographers! TODAY is the day: Registration is OPEN for the Reset Conference

Hey photographers! This post is for YOU!! Are you a seasoned photographer looking for a way to spice up your portfolio or reinvigorate your business? Are you in your first years of business and still ironing out the kinks and looking for ways to streamline your workflow and make sure you’re on the right path? Or are you a new photographer with a passion for the art but still green in the inner workings of how to turn your love into a career? Well, then this conference is the place for YOU.

There are instructors here who specialize in everything from newborn to wedding portraits, business, art and even video! I’ve spoken in the past at The Reset Conference about studio lighting and this year I’m excited to speak on the business side of things. I know that pricing and sales can be intimidating… but they can also be the things that make or break your business. There are SO many questions when evaluating your pricing and sales process that it can feel overwhelming and scary. Are you charging enough to cover costs on every product? Are you charging enough to earn a living yourself? Can you afford to outsource/grow at these rates? Does your pricelist make sense? What does it say about you/ your business? Does it help you make a sale? Are you making the sale you need from every client?

My goal is to make your pricing (and your pricelist) work for you, to make sales easy, fluid and even FUN (yes I swear it can be FUN for you and your clients!). AND the best part is my pricing and sales classes should combine to make sure you leave the conference with a product line and price list that represents YOUR business brand/style and the confidence that you can sell your work without having to be salesy.

I cannot wait to share this content with you all AND as a special bonus I’ll be doing facebook LIVE videos to critique/review 5 attendees pricelists (since we won’t have time for this during the classes). Email/message me for your chance to have your pricelist be one of those reviewed (don’t worry it’s done anonymously if you prefer!)

Registration for Reset just opened today and spaces are very limited so go to https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ed8s78sy6147b19c&oseq=&c=&ch= to sign up now AND use the coupon code SARAHJANE to save $75 off!!!

October 27, 2016October 27, 2016

Shop On Main | Small Business Feature

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I have a fabulous local business to share with you today!! I’ve had the honor to work with Cindy, the owner of Shop on Main, in a number of ways in my time here in Decatur. She’s designed beautiful wedding decor for a few of my brides and just a couple years ago I had the chance to photograph her and Mark in their beautiful home. But today, I’m even more excited to be able to show off her boutique located right in the heart of our city. Shop on Main is really the perfect store for all things lady; clothing, stunning jewelry, handbags, accessories, décor, gifts…. ladies if you want it, this shop has it (and I guarantee you’ll find things you didn’t even know you needed, but you do, you so do!).

So enough gushing from me… read on to hear more about this shop straight from Cindy herself (and get out those Christmas lists ladies, you’re going to want to take notes).

The Details: Cindy Deadrick Wolfer, Owner at Shop On Main | In Business: 39 years

Hours: M-F 10-5, Sat 10-4 By Appointment | Location: 407 N. Main, Decatur, IL | Phone: 217-422-2674

Tell us about your business… What do you do? We are a unique boutique featuring women’s clothing, accessories, gifts and décor.

What makes your business unique/special? Our boutique is special in many ways:

We do not “over order” meaning that we order just a few of each item.

We work with our clients to make sure the items they select are used in a fashion that reflects their personality.

We carry special lines of accessories that are only available at our location and in one local store

We have great customer service, including private shopping, client “wish lists for special occasions, gift wrapping, delivery and shipping.

We have plan “special events” including Sip and Shop Saturdays and informal modeling at the Wildflour on the last Thursday of each month.

What item/service on your menu or in your shop do you just LOVE and think everyone needs? I love the south so I love the Hilton Head inspired Spartina Collection of purses, jewelry and accessories. These linen and leather handbags are awesome.

In what way have you gone above/beyond in the past for a customer? We have private shopping for those that just can’t get in during regular hours. Our dedicated staff also makes sure that our clients are thanked and called when a particular line of item arrives at Shop On Main.

What is the coolest thing you’ve ever had a client do for you? Let us decorate their home for the Holiday using our wonderful Holiday décor.

What other local business do you just LOVE? Why? I love each of the boutiques downtown because they each have their own personality. As store owners, we try hard to carry a variety of lines so that the same item is not seen over and over.

Tell us about YOU… WHY did you choose to do what you do? I have always wanted to be in business for myself and I have loved retail forever. Displaying the merchandise is my favorite part of working at the Shop On Main

When did you know you wanted to go into this business? Early early early in my childhood. Wanted to have the ability to be creative on a day to day basis.

What are you passionate about outside of your business? My family and my community.

Describe your PERFECT day… Every day is perfect in some special way.

Introduce us to your STAFF…

Paulette– wears about 6 different pairs of shoes in a day and is a dynamo when it comes to serving our clients.

Madalyn– only works one day a week, but is great with putting together a “special individual look” for our clients.

Cathy– creates awesome displays and unique combinations of attire to make a “statement”.

Donna– knows everyone and often has people stop in to see her newest “look”.

Renee-plans our events and style shows using her knowledge from her modeling days.

See the latest news at:

https://www.facebook.com/ShopOnMainIL/

See our other past small business features to connect with more businesses in our area:

See more on our Facebook Page and follow us on Twitter @sjanephotog, Instagram @sjanephotograhy, and Snapchat @sjanephotog.

SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS – We’re looking for new businesses to feature in 2017-2018 and we’d love to talk with YOU. These features are FREE and you can contact us at mail@sjanephotography.com now to get yours scheduled.

October 20, 2016October 21, 2016

| Hughes-Callison | 35 Year Anniversary Portraits | Decatur IL |

Did you miss me? You may have noticed (or may not have) that I was MIA on the blog last week… The reason was a combination of a SUPER busy fall week with a total of 24 of my usual 40 hour work week being spent out on session and then being hit hard for a couple days with flu/strep.

But I’m so glad to be back on the blog this week sharing this lovely couple with you. Randy and Elizabeth just celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary and wanted to create a portrait to commemorate the big milestone. I was so happy that Elizabeth thought of me for these special portraits and glad that our shorter Limited Edition sessions were the perfect fit for something quick and easy. Here’s a look at their absolute favorite from their session!

Don’t forget to take a minute to head over to our Facebook Page and give them some love and congratulations for 35 YEARS together!!!

October 5, 2016October 6, 2016

| Hannah | Senior Class of 2017 |

It’s time to show off Hannah’s session!!! Hannah’s a senior at Warrensburg-Latham High School this year and she was so fun to work with! We kicked off her session near downtown Decatur and even included her adorable and sweet dog, Mellow.

Once we finished up downtown, Hannah and I headed over to the Scovill Zoo gardens to work in some beautiful nature/color to her session and even got a little sunset before the clouds rolled in.

Be sure to head over to our Facebook Page to give Hannah some love with your likes, comments, shares!