It means even more to me because the article sums up a few things for me.  Primarily that we have chosen an awesome town to live in with a great school district and good, solid, family values and that with a little luck, our kids will grow up to be as amazing as the Seniors I have photographed this year.  Every session I shoot, I walk away thinking “this kid is AMAZING.”  And I truly mean it with everything I have.  When I say to the girls “you are beautiful,” I mean it.  To every one of them.  When I say to the parents “your son/daughter has exceptional poise, grace and manners,” I mean it.  About every single one of them.  And I have to believe that some of it has to do with the community we’ve chosen to live, and the values we chosen to instill in them.  It’s a town where supermodel-brain-surgeons-to-be still babysit and mow the lawn.  And where sports and academics are still so important.  And where for the most part, the fast-paced, grow up to fast, perils of high school are still sort of removed.  The town rallies around the teams… people still bring cookies to their neighbors… and everyone helps each other out.  So to think that this is where we’ve grounded our family and I’ve built my business, is amazing to me.

But this also means a lot to me because it feels like I’ve been able to connect with the High School Senior Market.  Last year, I shot about 10 seniors and said “If I do 20 next year, I’ll be happy.”  I think I’ll end up around 30, and still have a few more that need to book.  For me, it’s not about volume.  I don’t need every Senior at Masconomet High School, nor could I handle it.  What I need are kids, and their parents, to connect with my style, and understand my philosophy, and think “that’s a fit for us.”  And I feel like this year, I got just that.  I am not the girl you should call if you just want a head shot.  If you don’t want to keep the images I shoot of your children, we are probably not a fit.  But if you understand that this is one of the last times you’ll be able to professionally capture your son or daughter before they walk out that door, and that means something to you (and maybe makes you teary), then you are looking in the right place.

So to all the Seniors I photographed, and to the Juniors that are thinking about next year, thank you from the bottom of my heart.  And to those that are now on my text list for babysitting, thank you all just a little bit extra!

*To clarify, I was actually at IBM for 13 years!  Just about 18 months overlap!

So I am back in action, with this new blog format, and beyond excited to share some of my favorite images from sessions that I’ve shot during this crazy, hectic, time.

That said, I decided that I am just going to blog images, and not really do write ups for Seniors. I worry so much that I’ll inadvertently short change someone with a write up and it will be unintentional, but leave someone wondering why I would write a lot about one girl and not another, when really it comes down to time and what’s on my mind… and so Senior posts will be wordless…

I hope you enjoy!

So I am hoping that Kendal’s reaction isn’t “Oh no, the entire slideshow on your blog. Really?” but more “Awesome, I looked GOOD for my senior pictures!” Because she really does, doesn’t she? I am honestly amazed at how poised, beautiful, smart, athletic and artistic the girls are in this town (well, in the all tri-towns). After every session I pick up the phone and call my mom and say “Seriously, how are they like this? they are incredible!” I make my mom check Facebook more than I ask my clients too!

Thank you for all you’ve done this summer, for inspiring me, and for helping me not age quite so quickly!

And here it is! Enjoy! Leave me blog or FB love (or at least like the post by clicking the thumb at the bottom) because it makes me REALLY happy. And if you knew what my last 10 days were like, you’d want to make me happy!

[song used pending permission request from artist]

It’s that time of year.  The time for all soon-to-be-Seniors to be thinking about Senior Pictures (and after today, you ARE Seniors!).

Did you know that you have a choice of photographers?  There is no one specific that you have to use.  Masconoment High School allows you to submit an image from any photographer, as long as it meets basic specifications (2.5X3.5 300 DPI).  So just in case you thought you had to go to one specific studio and choose one specific image from a set of “poses,” fear not.  YOU HAVE A CHOICE.

So what’s this about Keeping it Real?

Keeping it Real is my style.  Photographs that YOU like, that your PARENTS like, that will also work for the YEARBOOK (and Facebook).  I am a natural light, lifestyle portrait photographer.  Yes, I have a studio, but other than maybe a head shot, we won’t be shooting there.  We will be outside, where you want to be, where you are most comfortable (and HAPPY).  You don’t have to worry about “poses” or limiting yourself to just one outfit.  And maybe you want to do your session with your best friend, or all of your best friends.  No worries, we can make that happen.

Here’s the deal.

1. You contact me if you are interested in viewing my Senior Packages (you can use the contact page on this blog).
2. I send you an information packet filled with FAQs, session information, detailed pricing, and What to Wear, Where to Shoot ideas.
3. We talk, email or text about specifics.  Better yet, set up a time to come by my studio and chit-chat.
4. You fill out a Session Confirmation Form and Senior Questionnaire and send in a $75 deposit via cash, check or Credit Card/PayPal.
5. We check in a few days before your session, make sure the weather looks good, that all your questions are answered, and we are ready to go!

A check for the balance of my Basic package is due at the time of the session (my basic package starts at $400). Once you have seen your gallery, you can decide if you want to upgrade your package or add more prints, albums, canvases, bookmarks, cards.

My studio is located at 7 Grove Street,  Topsfield –  in the big red Topsfield Station Building, right next to the Bike Shop, behind the Post Office.  Office hours are by appointment, though I am usually there M-W-F from 11AM – 4PM.  It’s cool, you can “check in” on Facebook once you arrive!

[And go ahead and "Like" this blog post... it will help spread the love for Keeping it Real.  And don't forget to LIKE my Facebook Page... it will help you stay updated on specials and news and events].

Want to see some of last year’s Seniors?  Check them out.

[Thank you KT Tunstall]

This year marks my first real journey into the world of photographing Seniors.  And after five sessions (with a few more on the books), I am overwhelmed, excited, rejuvenated, inspired and a bit awestruck.  I feel giddy when I come home from my sessions.  I call my mom and I tell her about each and every one of these women.  What makes them so special, how amazing they are, and… today I asked “was I really that bad a kid?” [It's not a simple answer... I was just young and a little rebellious and a tiny bit unfocused... but I turned out alright, I think!].

It’s simple.  I am overwhelmingly fortunate to be able to photograph these girls and spend time with them.  I could not love this any more.  Maybe I could.  Next year this will be a big focus for me.  More on that in the spring.

If you are a Senior and you have not booked your Senior Photographs, you still have time.  Masconomet is due in November, and this leaves us with September and October and the glorious light and color of the Fall.  Please email me using the contact form on this blog, through my website or message me through Facebook.  And don’t forget to Like my business!  If you are a parent of a Senior, please feel free to email me or call me.  I feel it’s important to have parents connected and involved with me so that you know you have entrusted your child to someone who is infinitely concerned about their happiness and their well being (even if they are all grown up!) and will do everything I can to ensure they have beautiful photographs that you both will love.

For more details on my “Keeping it Real” senior sessions, click here.

Most of these have already been posted to Facebook, but I thought I’d share them here.  I will have more to share in the next few week, stay tuned.

I love having siblings join.  What an awesome way to knock out some holiday gift prints and get the image for your holiday cards!

Rumor has it you want awesome Senior photographs. Photographs that YOU like, your PARENTS like, that will also work for the YEARBOOK.   You don’t want to have to think about “poses”… or limit yourself to just one outfit.  And maybe you want to be with your best friend, or maybe all your best friends.  No worries, we can make that happen!

The first 5 seniors to “Like” this on my Facebook page AND book a session will receive a free 4X8 7 image accordion panel book with a custom designed cover and magnetic enclosure.  The first 10 seniors to “Like” this will receive a set of 25 bookmarks (think your picture, email and phone number all in one place!).  So if you act fast, you might just get both!

Pass it on, tell your friends to “Like” my business.  Once you book, I’ll track your referrals.  More referrals mean more free stuff!

Contact me for details (via Facebook, via this blog contact form, via email).

[Check out these two... keeping it real for sure.]

This was my first time shooting at River Road this year and I was loving it.  It was late day light, but we caught it right.  We skipped the shoes, but I think it works… and we got a mix of portraits and messing around, so hopefully that does the trick for both parents and high school requirements!

Thanks Matt & Ian.  You guys are very funny.  I have many more to show you, but must wait until my systems are all repaired.  I hope you enjoy the rest of the summer!