The gorgeous Kirkman family is up on the blog today!! These boys were so much fun and brought so much style and personality to their session. This was a rare urban location for a Limited Edition this fall. This year we have one studio LE session planned along with 3 outdoor dates. LE session dates have been sent out to our VIP email list (get on that HERE for first dibs and a free gift on your first session).
| Beckman Family Portraits & Graduation/Going Away Party | Forsyth IL |
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.
| Cory | Maroa-Forsyth High School Senior Guy Portraits | Class of 2019 |
Hey guys (like literally GUYS)… senior portraits are not just for the ladies! Sure, maybe you haven’t been thinking about your senior pictures for years (or maybe you have – we love that!).. maybe you think it will be uncomfortable or weird. I get it, for real… I have been a photographer for 15 years and with my husband for all 15. Luckily for him the annual photo sessions didn’t really start until after we got married and had kids but NOW I make this poor man have his photo taken EVERY SINGLE YEAR (I mean, he married a photographer, he should have known).
So what does that mean for you senior guys?!?! It means that not only behind the camera but also in front of it I’ve learned how to make you 100% comfortable… I’ll make sure you know what to do in front of the camera and then we’ll laugh and joke and hang out and make it way less stressful and boring than you may think it could be.
We do have to start with a plan, this is YOUR session and we need to design it to fit you and show off who you are. Love your truck? Bring it! Love your dog? You better bring him/her! Love your gun, bow, 4 wheeler, boat, sports, games, guitar, drums (you name it)…. BRING IT!
| Kolapo | Senior Guy Portraits | Class of 2019 | Decatur IL |
It’s Kolapo’s day in the spotlight on the blog! One fun things about senior guy sessions is that their wardrobe changes are typically a little quicker than our senior gals, so we tend to be able to fit a LOT of work into a single session! We kicked things off with Kolapo at his home (they have some gorgeous land with a fun red barn) and that’s always a great plan for the family pets so they are comfortable in their own space. And can I just tell you I fell in love with Winston.
| 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.
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.