Commercial Photography – Page 3

April 20, 2018

| Parrott Girls | Headshots | Decatur IL Studio Session |

I’m excited today to show off these two beautiful sisters. Their momma contacted me to get a session booked quickly as they both were home on spring break and Victoria needed some updated professional portraits as she’ll be graduating soon and going on to get her law degree. She currently needed some updated images for her LinkedIn profile as she’ll be working to get internships and such in the coming years. And it was the perfect chance to get some headshots of her younger sister while we were at it too. We were one gal short as their other sister’s spring break didn’t match up so she was still away at school but I hope to get to meet her for family portraits soon.

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Be sure to head over to our Facebook page and IG to give these girls some love!

April 5, 2018

| Executive Portraits | Network Solutions Unlimited |

Last month I partnered with Network Solutions Unlimited to host an executive portrait event at their office. This meant, courtesy of NSU, we offered FREE headshots to the community!!!

With our digital world we’re able to make connections with potential employers, colleagues and fellow professionals all over the world through social media sites like LinkedIn. Plus, a photograph included in your email signature can add a personal touch to correspondence that would otherwise be faceless.

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It’s often easy to put off scheduling an updated portrait for yourself. Most people aren’t fold of time in front of the camera, especially solo, but it’s my job to make you feel comfortable and to create images that show off who you are. We make these sessions quick and simple with immediate viewing and selection of your images. Plus, in our off-season January – March we offer on-location executive portrait events like this for a great rate to create your images for your entire office staff at your office!

March 29, 2018

| Mt. Zion Convention Center | Mt. Zion Illinois | Small Business Feature |

The Details: Tiffanie Lynch, Event Coordinator | Mt. Zion Convention Center | In Business: Since 2011

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00m (Events on weekends can last until Midnight!) | Location: 1400 Mt. Zion Parkway, Mt. Zion IL | Phone: 864.5424 | Website: www.mtzconventioncenter.com

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What do you do: As the Event Coordinator, I meet with potential clients regarding the rental services of our facility. We discuss the details, regarding price packages, floor plans, and caterers. I am here to assist our clients during the planning process of their special event!

What makes your business unique/special? The Mt. Zion Convention Center has a grand ballroom that is 11,000 square feet, so we can accommodate tons of guests! We have had events such as weddings, trade shows, expos, seminars and trainings, and church services at our venue – so we are a catch all! Also, our unique design is very elegant and beautiful with neutral colors, perfect for any special occasion.

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In what way have you gone above/beyond in the past for a customer? When difficult circumstances arise, we want to make the planning process as simple and stress free as possible! There have been occasions where we have included different amenities for our clients or even helped tear down their event afterwards, if they are short on time! We are all about our customers and their needs.

What is the coolest thing you’ve ever had a client do for you? After our clients host their events, we send them a short survey, asking about their experience and if there is anything we could do better. One of our clients stated how happy they were with our Event Staff and even left us some flowers!

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What tool/equipment/or other vendor could you not imagine doing business without? Why? Our Tear Down Staff and Event Staff… this group of individuals helps me when I am not available! This includes working during all of our events and setting up/tearing down tables and chairs as late as 2 AM!

Speaking of staff, we have a few separate groups that help us out:

Our Event Staff works during the events, assisting the guests and making sure our facility is kept clean. They arrive early and open the doors and are the last ones to leave after the event is over.

Our Tear Down Staff works many late nights, setting up and tearing down tables, chairs, the stage, podium, etc. to accommodate our guests’ floor plans.

We also have a cleaning crew that comes every week to clean our huge facility! The make the place look spotless!

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Tell us about YOU: I have always had a passion for coordinating and planning. Church was my second home, so even as a little girl, I helped decorate and assist guests during events we had at our church. I also know the stress and pressure every bride and groom are under, so I want to make their day very special. This could mean putting them in contact with different vendors, or calling them myself to get price quotes for the brides and grooms!

What are you passionate about outside of your business? God and my family. God plays a huge role in my life and HE is the reason my husband and I met! My husband and I have two beautiful children, and they are my little joys! I would not trade the world for my family God has given me!

Describe your PERFECT day: I would love to sleep in, wake up to the smell of coffee and my kids jumping on the bed. Being able to step outside in our beautiful garden with the sun shining. Just enjoying the outdoors with my family would be fabulous!

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I’ve had the privilege to photograph a number of weddings at the lovely Mt. Zion Convention Center and just love all the little touches their decorating choices add to give us a really unique backdrop to enhance and not distract from the couple’s big day.

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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

If you’d like to have YOUR small business featured for FREE on the SJP blog (or know a small business we should feature) you can find details HERE! These features are 100% free and we’d love to feature you next.

March 6, 2018March 6, 2018

| Executive Portraits | Richland Career Week | Decatur IL |

In January I was invited to speak at the Richland Community College 8th grade career fair on the art panel along with my fellow creatives and entrepreneurs Kat Smalley (Thrive Entertainment Guide), radio personalities Toby Tucker and Tat Taylor, Kate Flemming (Millikin University) and performer Jerry Johnson. This was a blast and I was excited to see a number of these 8th graders have a great interest in not only photography but many areas of arts and entrepreneurship.

Through that event I connect with John Oliver with Richland’s Student services office and they invited me in as part of their career week to offer executive portraits for some of their staff and students. As college students, either entering their college careers or about to graduate and searching for their full time career, many of them are starting to adjust their online profiles to reflect a more professional appearance and/or creating new professional social profiles through sites like LinkedIn. Clearly, when you set up your LinkedIn profile it’s time to phase out that selfie on the beach for something a little more formal and professional. But what students often may not think about or know is that a professional executive portrait session can easily run you a couple hundred dollars investment and much more for a full executive branding package*.

So I was excited to partner with Richland to bring the students these portraits for use on their growing web resumes absolutely FREE to them! And a few of their staff and visiting personalities (like Tat and Nicole) jumped in at the opportunity as well. And I’m excited to be offering a similar opportunity to the professionals in Decatur this coming Tuesday, March 13th from 3:30-5:30. We’ve partnered now with Network Solutions Unlimited to offer a public Executive Portrait event to once again create professional headshot images for the professionals in our area 100% FREE.

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Our NSU event will be held at NSU (1234 N Water St, Decatur, IL 62521) on Tuesday, March 13 from 3:30 -5:30 and will include FREE quick 2-3 minute sessions (black background) with immediate viewing of your images to select your favorite. PLUS, we’ll provide a fully retouched web-size file for use online (printing rights are available for as little as $50). And while you wait, you’ll be able to network with other area professionals and enjoy a few light refreshments.

To help us prepare please RSVP here. Walk-ins are welcome but may incur longer wait times.

Can’t make it to the event Tuesday, but still need updated portraits for you and/or your staff? We offer in-studio individual executive portrait sessions for only $45 plus the ability to bring out studio to YOU for in-house portraits your staff can complete in just a few minutes. Bulk pricing is available for larger offices/schools/etc.

January 25, 2018January 25, 2018

Roots Salon | Small Business Feature | Decatur IL

The Details: Katie Lynch, Owner/Stylist at Roots Salon | In Business: 28 Years

Hours: Vary | Location: 315 E Ruehl St., IL | Phone: 217.875.5400

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Tell us about your business… What do you do?

Full service salon. We specialize in color, cuts, perms, waxing. We also do manicures and pedicures.

What makes your business unique/special?

We’re a small town salon with some very talented stylists and nail technicians. This building was my father’s cabinet shop when I was a child. Hence the play on words with “Roots” salon.

What item/service on your menu or in your shop do you just LOVE and think everyone needs?

Color/foils.

In what way have you gone above/beyond in the past for a customer?

I’d like to think every day we go above and beyond for our clients. They are what makes our business, and it’s our job to pamper them.

What is the coolest thing you’ve ever had a client do for you?

They put their trust in us and show up every four to six weeks.

What tool/equipment/or other vendor could you not imagine doing business without? Why?

Blow dryer and round brush, because if you get that down, it’s the base for a great style.

I was pretty stoked to see they offered Monat in the salon as well. I’ve been using it for the past few months and loving it!

What other local business do you just LOVE? Why?

We love all local businesses and try to support them and Mel Pages Boutique even has clothes on display in the salon.

Introduce us to your STAFF…

Katie Lynch – 28 years in the business. I love to bake and cook to relieve stress. My happy place is in the kitchen.

Kim Schilawski – 20 years in the business. Her second “love” (after hair) is decorating. She loves to make a space beautiful with colors and texture.

Molly Coventry – 16 years in the business. Loves taking pictures of the sky and can spot a hawk a mile away.

Lisa Miloser – 17 years in the business. Is a Harry Potter fanatic and a secret Star Wars fan.

Mindi Lents – 21 years in the business. Loves crafting and eating spicy foods.

Abby Stelzriede – 5 years in the business. Spends all of her free time at some type of sporting event and loves the Chicago Blackhawks.

Jessica Reedy – 19 years in the business. Loves to relieve stress with target practice.

Kendahl Lynch – 3 years in the business. Has an obsession with pickles and pigs.

Tell us about YOU… WHY did you choose to do what you do?

I’m a people person and love talking with them. It’s fun to give people a “new, fresh look” and make them feel good about themselves.

When did you know you wanted to go into this business?

I was in eighth grade and I had to do a career project. That’s when I knew.

What are you passionate about outside of your business?

My family – they’re #1. I love spending time with them. I also enjoy flowers, cooking and exercising.

Describe your PERFECT day…

A perfect day…having your day run on schedule without any “surprises.” Ha! And knowing at the end of the day, you gave it your “all.”

See the latest news at: https://www.facebook.com/Roots-Salon-301064176571177/

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