outdoor portraits

September 3, 2019September 3, 2019

| Alleson | Central A & M Class of 2020 Senior Model |

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Alleson’s senior album design is complete and headed off to be beautifully printed this week so now I get to share it all with you guys here. We explored a bit further down an alley downtown than I have wandered in the past and were rewarded with a few gorgeous brick walls and beautiful light!

Then for a little variety we headed out to a wild nature location that didn’t disappoint either… sunset, tall grasses and even some flowers. Alleson has been a really fun part of our model team this year. I just love photographing her with her absolutely stunning blue eyes and vibrant smile. I hope you love her images as much as I do. <3

And these are the last few of their favorite images (which we featured in individual prints outside their album design):

You can see ALL of Alleson’s images in her video on our Facebook Page HERE!

** Learn more about joining us for your senior year and becoming an influencer model HERE.

July 3, 2019July 3, 2019

| Beckman Family Portraits & Graduation/Going Away Party | Forsyth IL |

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Today, I get to share the Beckman family with you. Though I hadn’t had a chance to meet them more than a couple times in passing over our almost decade here I can tell you that these folks (Chris in particular) are a huge part of our story and life/business trajectory. How/why?!? Well, Chris is the man who hired my husband right out of college. That job brought him (and my extension, myself and SJP) to Decatur and we are both so thankful for that. We’ve found so much here including a wonderful community, friends, success in both our careers and it’s amazing to think about how much that one little yes that Chris gave my husband (who was not the first or last person he’s hired over the years I’m sure) effected the story we’ve written so far. But, this post is NOT about us or our story (just had to give the appreciation we feel while we had the chance!), instead today’s post is really about them and their family and their journey here in Decatur and their next chapter as well.

I was honored when Donna called me to be a part of creating their last family portraits in their home. The home where they’ve raised their children, celebrated milestones and invited friends to share in them for years. This last milestone was both a graduation and a going away part and the place was packed with their friends and family here to celebrate them!

With our busy schedules it makes sense to combine occasions like these when everyone’s coming together already with a family portrait session to create images for everyone too. We not only did a session for the Beckman’s but also were there for their guests and extended family to get portraits too, plus to photograph candids of the guests enjoying themselves and it was an absolute blast.

September 18, 2018September 17, 2018

| McKaela | Decatur IL Senior Portraits 2017 |

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I’m excited today to share a throwback to this beautiful class of 2017 Mt. Zion high school senior, McKaela! Her studio/Allerton combo was one of my favorites. I simply love creating sports images in studio (as I talked about in Jarius’ post recently). Not only do I love the way your uniform colors will pop on our rich black background but I often pair this with our mirrored floor to create a unique reflection look like the one below. McKaela did that pose so well (you have to really become ONE with that floor to get close enough for a good reflection!).

Her album design became one of my absolute favorites too. While I don’t use a TON of text in our designs sometimes just a bit can really elevate a design and I had fun with a new style of text in hers to give more of a ticker tape feel that was super fun.

As we round out the last 90 degree days (it is September right?!?!) here’s a peek back at the spring colors/flowers that will be here before we know it. If spring is your favorite time of year and you’re itching for a session in the tulips be sure to call us soon and we can get your spring session saved just for you!

August 28, 2018August 28, 2018

| Jessica + Lucas | Decatur IL Couple’s Portraits at Sunset |

Some couple’s happiness and joy is just infectious and that’s so true of Jessica and Lucas. They completely embraced their time together on session and had so much fun while we created images designed to show off that relationship. So often in the hecticness of prep for the session (getting clothes together, hair and makeup done, worrying about leaving on time, checking the weather – is it too hot? will it rain?) we can forget or lose sight of the fact that for an hour it’s all about YOU… and for a couple’s session about your love.

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How many other times do you get to spend a hour of your day without cell phones, no notifications, no TV, no dishes or laundry begging to be done… just you two, together. Holding hands, hugging, kissing, laughing at eachother! These two soaked it up and it was such a joy to be a part of this session with them. Sometimes, sessions are as much about the experience as they are the final images and this was one of those times.

If an hour (or even 15 minutes) away from the hustle and grind of your daily life to hang out with the one(s) you love most sounds like just what you need, head over to www.sjanephotography.com and click BOOK NOW to reserve your fall session. We have both full sessions and short Limited Edition sessions left and would love to save a spot for YOU.

March 20, 2018March 7, 2018

| Darcy | Warrensburg-Latham High School Senior 2018 |

Check out Darcy’s senior session! Don’t you just love her hair, the braids were such a fun touch. Darcy’s a senior at Warrensburg-Latham high school and we’re just a couple months away from the big graduation day for all you class of 2018 seniors.

Darcy, like a lot of our seniors, chose to mix it up with her session locations to get a bit of that great urban grunge texture along with the beautiful wild natural look of our conservation areas. And I just loved her style. It’s so eclectic we went from ripped jeans and leather jacket to school house prep to soft natural dresses to a bold pop of red at the end!

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