| Recent Album Designs | Seniors, Families & Weddings: More than Images, Heirloom Designs |

Oops we’re a day late on my usual Tuesday blog post but I promise it’s worth it with a LOT of images/albums to check out today!

I know it’s kinda odd to do a ‘look back’ post as we are smack dab in the middle of the year BUT a photographer’s year is odd and not really broken up in the usual Jan-December flow of most. Instead, those of us who photograph seniors often think in school years too so May is always another ending/beginning for me as we say congratulations and farewell to our class of 2017 graduates and welcome in the next class of 2018!

Right now in the midst of finishing up album designs, graduation cards and booking summer family sessions for our 2017 grads I thought it would be fun to look back at one of my favorite products, our custom-designed albums!

Every year (and honestly every album) I try to push myself to try something new, find a new design element, work in a classic item in a new way or even invent/design a new element from scratch. Why? Because I want your album to be as unique as a fingerprint… as unique as you are!

Of course I LOVE our albums for our high school senior clients since these are often our longest sessions with the most locations and outfit changes an album just makes sense to show off everything we’ve created for you. This year we broke our record for most images in an album with over 100 (previously 86 was our record for a non-wedding album!). What other way can you show off, protect and share over 100 of your favorite images?!?! Unless you’re up for wallpapering your house (challenge me, I’m game haha) I think the album is the perfect way to show off everything we created for you!

wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography,

Next let’s check out our family albums for 2016! Just like our senior albums, our family albums give us a chance to show off all the different images we created which for families means all the individuals, ones with just the kids, etc. You’re all dressed up and ready for session already so our family sessions include MORE than just the whole family images… we take a few minutes to focus on each kiddo for updated portraits of them, plus show off every relationship in your family like momma with kids, dad with kids, siblings together AND the relationship that started it all mom+dad (sometimes it’s been YEARS since you guys have had a portrait together yourselves).

wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography,

Oh and don’t forget the family PETS!

wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography,

While we do a handful of individual session albums for families we also offer (and are in the midst of) planning for many heirloom albums that showcase not just one session from one year but all your annual sessions (typically in 5 or 10 year segments). Can you imagine… flipping through one album as your baby grows from an infant into a bubbly toddler then into a big kindergartener… then on and on through middle school awkwardness and into young adults through high school and on?! What a gift for the kids to have once they graduate college and start their own families, it’s like they are finally aloud to check those sites like imgsexy.com and start being adults!

wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography,

wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography,

And I love to tell the beginning of your love story starting with your engagement portraits! We often design these albums as guestbooks which simply means we leave some blank spaces for your guests to sign and add their own notes and well-wishes to your album. Always remember who was there to help you celebrate your big day!

wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography,

Obviously you’ve seen that albums aren’t just for weddings anymore BUT they are still our favorite products for our wedding clients too! Talk about an heirloom piece. Our most popular wedding albums are stunning hand made albums printed in Italy and published with unique image covers including metal and glass prints!

wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, wedding photo album design decatur il photographer, decatur, best photographer, photographer decatur, decatur il photographer, mt zion, forsyth, oreana, central il photographer, custom album designs, albums, photo album, products, photo books, best photo books, engagement, couples, families, high school seniors, wedding, childrens photos, photos, pictures, portraits, studio, photo studio, design ideas, sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography,

 

 

| Jamie + Mike Engagement & Family Portraits | Decatur, IL |

sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, family portraits, photos, photographer, photography, snow session, snow photos, snow, snow storm, family session, children's portraits, engagement, engaged, engagement photographer, engagement session, decatur il photographer, photographer central il, best wedding photographer central il, wedding photographer, family pictures, pictures, what to wear for session, photos in the snow, poses in the snow, engagement poses, family poses, sarah jane, best photographer, decatur, mt zion, forsyth, oreana

sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, family portraits, photos, photographer, photography, snow session, snow photos, snow, snow storm, family session, children's portraits, engagement, engaged, engagement photographer, engagement session, decatur il photographer, photographer central il, best wedding photographer central il, wedding photographer, family pictures, pictures, what to wear for session, photos in the snow, poses in the snow, engagement poses, family poses, sarah jane, best photographer, decatur, mt zion, forsyth, oreana

OMG you guys! I cannot tell you how much I’ve been chomping at the bit to show off this snowy session. I’m honored to be photographing Jamie & Mike’s wedding day this year and this gal wanted a snowy engagement session SO BAD and we were almost certain it just wasn’t going to happen for us. After some disappointing snow flurries early in the season which amounted to little more than a dusting that was melting by the time either of us was on the phone to begin planning logistics we both resigned ourselves to hope for a late season snow but things were looking pretty bleak (ie sunny and WARM). I knew how much Jamie really wanted a snow session so I had even started calling around to my photography friends in other northern cities to call me if any snow hit their area and we’d just make a road trip…. it wasn’t looking promising.

But then….. this lovely and random one-day blizzard arrived in true mid-western style! And it was just what we needed! The stars really aligned for this with both Jamie and Mike off work that day already and the opening in my schedule falling right after school these two were able to pick up their little guy and make it over to the park in the midst of a gorgeous snowfall! After that perfect session we’re all so happy we hadn’t jumped the gun and tried to make a session work with a tiny bit of snow because our patience was rewarded with this BLIZZARD!

sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, family portraits, photos, photographer, photography, snow session, snow photos, snow, snow storm, family session, children's portraits, engagement, engaged, engagement photographer, engagement session, decatur il photographer, photographer central il, best wedding photographer central il, wedding photographer, family pictures, pictures, what to wear for session, photos in the snow, poses in the snow, engagement poses, family poses, sarah jane, best photographer, decatur, mt zion, forsyth, oreanasarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, family portraits, photos, photographer, photography, snow session, snow photos, snow, snow storm, family session, children's portraits, engagement, engaged, engagement photographer, engagement session, decatur il photographer, photographer central il, best wedding photographer central il, wedding photographer, family pictures, pictures, what to wear for session, photos in the snow, poses in the snow, engagement poses, family poses, sarah jane, best photographer, decatur, mt zion, forsyth, oreanasarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, family portraits, photos, photographer, photography, snow session, snow photos, snow, snow storm, family session, children's portraits, engagement, engaged, engagement photographer, engagement session, decatur il photographer, photographer central il, best wedding photographer central il, wedding photographer, family pictures, pictures, what to wear for session, photos in the snow, poses in the snow, engagement poses, family poses, sarah jane, best photographer, decatur, mt zion, forsyth, oreanasarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, family portraits, photos, photographer, photography, snow session, snow photos, snow, snow storm, family session, children's portraits, engagement, engaged, engagement photographer, engagement session, decatur il photographer, photographer central il, best wedding photographer central il, wedding photographer, family pictures, pictures, what to wear for session, photos in the snow, poses in the snow, engagement poses, family poses, sarah jane, best photographer, decatur, mt zion, forsyth, oreanasarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, family portraits, photos, photographer, photography, snow session, snow photos, snow, snow storm, family session, children's portraits, engagement, engaged, engagement photographer, engagement session, decatur il photographer, photographer central il, best wedding photographer central il, wedding photographer, family pictures, pictures, what to wear for session, photos in the snow, poses in the snow, engagement poses, family poses, sarah jane, best photographer, decatur, mt zion, forsyth, oreana

And from a kid’s point of view how cool is it you get to PLAY IN THE SNOW for your portrait session?!?!

sarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, family portraits, photos, photographer, photography, snow session, snow photos, snow, snow storm, family session, children's portraits, engagement, engaged, engagement photographer, engagement session, decatur il photographer, photographer central il, best wedding photographer central il, wedding photographer, family pictures, pictures, what to wear for session, photos in the snow, poses in the snow, engagement poses, family poses, sarah jane, best photographer, decatur, mt zion, forsyth, oreanasarah jane photography, sjp, sjanephotography, family portraits, photos, photographer, photography, snow session, snow photos, snow, snow storm, family session, children's portraits, engagement, engaged, engagement photographer, engagement session, decatur il photographer, photographer central il, best wedding photographer central il, wedding photographer, family pictures, pictures, what to wear for session, photos in the snow, poses in the snow, engagement poses, family poses, sarah jane, best photographer, decatur, mt zion, forsyth, oreana

I’m so excited these guys have opted to share their wedding day with me and have me be a part of creating their family legacy and even more thrilled we were able to create exactly what Jamie envisioned for their engagement/family session. We have ONE opening left for a 2017 wedding and are currently booking 2018 (only 8 openings left) so don’t hesitate to call to schedule a time when we can chat about creating your portrait vision. And be sure to pop over to Jamie & Mike’s facebook album to give them some love.

| Kirstin, Jesse, Keelan & Copper | Family Portraits, Decatur IL |

I’m so excited to show off these adorable people (and puppy!!) to you today!!! First, can I just tell you how much personality this little man has?!!? (Can you not see it, haha?!?!?). Keelan was a hoot and kept me on my toes.

I’m thrilled that Jesse and Kirstin chose to show off their images in my two favorite ways…We’ve designed a set of 5 canvases that will be a beautiful art piece in their home plus to feature ALL this fun in one place I’m designing a custom album that I know they will love for years (and love to pass down to Keelan one day too!).

Be sure to check out their feature gallery on our Facebook Page and take a second to give them some love with your likes, comments, shares!

Decatur il family photographer, children's portraits, sarah jane photography couple's portraits, engagement photos, family photos, with dog, outdoor, sarah jane, sjp, best photographer, wall art, canvas, field portraits, pictures at sunset, decatur, illinois photographer, mt. zion, forsyth

Ornery smile anyone?!?!

Decatur il family photographer, children's portraits, sarah jane photography couple's portraits, engagement photos, family photos, with dog, outdoor, sarah jane, sjp, best photographer, wall art, canvas, field portraits, pictures at sunset, decatur, illinois photographer, mt. zion, forsythDecatur il family photographer, children's portraits, sarah jane photography couple's portraits, engagement photos, family photos, with dog, outdoor, sarah jane, sjp, best photographer, wall art, canvas, field portraits, pictures at sunset, decatur, illinois photographer, mt. zion, forsyth