A couple of nights ago, we tiptoed down to the almost completed studio. I wanted to test lens length in the space, so asked kids to stand in. Didn't have a single light set up, no backdrop: just my new space, natural light in the evening in the rain. This is the result. Back of camera, as unedited as it comes.
Matthew and Mira were adorable, curled up on my couch, sipping sparkling apple from my own nuptial flutes, and poring over wedding materials with me. We chatted about how they met, the evolution of their relationship. They enjoyed each other so much. She told her mom that she knew nothing about what she wanted her wedding to be like, EXCEPT that she wanted Shayna Image to capture it. I’ve never been so flattered, and I wanted to blow them away.
Their wedding was March 1st.
The world shut down for Covid-19 March 13th.
We were scheduled to have our reveal party on the 22nd. We wanted so much to get together in person, enjoy celebrating and reliving the evening together, so we opted to postpone until we could view the images in person. But come August, we couldn’t take it any longer, and gathered with both sets of parents for a virtual viewing. The wait was agonizing!
They are both blessed with large, local families with abundant personalities. The energy that day communicated that this couple has a support system that runs deep. If you are a part of that support system, the family would love to share their complete online gallery with you: be in touch with them for instructions and password!
May the couple always feel encapsulated in the love of that day.
Mandy was a ray of sunshine. We had never met before, but as we fine tuned our spot and light for her headshot session, she took in our construction mess. The studio renovations are coming along nicely, as is the landscaping for the Shayna Image Studio and Grounds, but both are in their ugly spot of growth. She saw the end, there in the middle of the process, cheering, “THIS IS GOING TO BE SO AMAZING!!” I was excited before, but Mandy’s enthusiasm made it triple. She sees the good, the potential, even in the middle of the storm.
So it was no surprise WHATSOEVER that Mandy, while only just starting her career in Real Estate to supplement her income as an educator, is CRUSHING IT already. She has an incredible amount of people under contract, and she has only just joined a team!
The hardest times can be the most beautiful. We shut down with the world. It became apparent that every decision would be one of risk vs reward. A decision that we made, not without risk, has been richly rewarding beyond belief. We came to bond with our neighbors. We decided together to proceed as a bubble as cautiously as possible, and to socialize outdoors. These kids have come to see each other as family as much as friends.
Missing in action: Yaira, George, and Dovi. Special shout-out to Miriam Ahuva.
Outdoors is a hot bliss filled with squeals, swings, laughter, swinging, fighting, bleating sheep, zip lines, hiking through creek tunnels, scooters, felling trees and climbing them, too.
Discovery
We all hope to go back to the world. To see missed friends, restore balance, and to actually go into each other’s homes. But this time is equally precious and scary.
Hanna hears you. Life is full of struggles and transitions, and she invites you to breathe through it all with her. Check out her Yoga and Healing practice, with zoom offerings during this time, at http://healwithhanna.com/ , https://www.facebook.com/healwithhanna, and https://www.instagram.com/healwithhanna/
Brian is someone who makes an easy connection, and rolls with the punches. He’s launching his career with Keller Williams, and upon meeting it’s easy to imagine how enjoyable he would make the entire home-buying process.
In the tumbling chaos, the confusion, the isolation, the anger…
A moment by stillness. Toes muddy and cool. Tranquility and exhalation.
I watch her grow into her gracefulness. She seems to have a wisdom about all of this that I desire. She beams still over inconsequential moments. She radiates contentment while I struggle.
Have you heard of the syndrome, “Photographer’s Child?” It’s murmured frequently in my profession. Because we love our built in test-subjects, and they too soon are “over it.” So I make a point to insist that they permit me to take our family portrait once a year, and try otherwise to leave them alone.
Ah-ha! Reverse psychology! Now, every time I have a client come, they beg me to take their picture, too.
So we tromped into the backyard. I had to coax her into the mud by the creek. Her dress originally was purple. Her shirt was a vibrant turquoise. My daughter asked if we could print it for her room. My son also wants a print of himself for his room, though he was satisfied with our last studio session:
Yes, Little Man is in his pajamas.
Elisheva bid on a session with me at an auction to support The Jewish Fertility Foundation some time ago. We got together for a socially distanced session at her home, in front of her favorite tree.
Among her favorite things, which include a passion for helping children, American Sign Language, and promoting exercise health, is snuggling her sweet children and puppy. The images that made her coo weren’t perfectly posed, but rather when there was a connection. She loved this image, but unfortunately, puppy Oreo’s face was hidden behind them. That’s why you hire a photographer who can photoshop! I can’t wait to see her face when she holds the finished mounted print.
Falynn is a heavily pursued architect, who recently transitioned firms and was ultimately wooed by OTJ Architects.
Her ingenuity keeps her creating and building both professionally and personally. Based out of Washington D.C. and Atlanta, she’s continuously impacting both her work and her community. I’m proud to have been a project of hers myself, one could say, and be able to admire her not just as a brilliant woman but as a dear friend.
Remember this friend/client, who convinced me to do my version of a corona porchtrait for her?
It was a beautiful session. Perfect weather. She had great ideas in mind. And seeing her children again, even if many feet apart, was bliss.
That first picture? It’s actually a composite of three different images:
As I left, her amazing daughter asked, repetitiously, “When the sickness is over, can we come to your house? Can we come one day, when it’s over??”
I feel like this whole experience is a constant contrast of tender and heartbreaking. A craving and appreciation of connection.
I am Corona Woman!
Hear me roar. Or cry. Or call out in gratitude. Or fear.
I wear all the hats and I want to cast them to the ground. Sometimes I do, and hide in the closet. Sometimes the hats stack nicely.
I am so proud of myself. And ashamed.
All these people are me.
I am Corona Woman. A self portrait dedicated to all those who are doing all the things all the time at the same time right now.
About the portrait: this is 6 separate images taken over the course of one morning in my dining room. I had one speedlight behind the camera and one bare-bulb strobe off right, both bouncing from the ceiling. I tethered my camera on a tripod to my computer, and set it to automatically take 15 shots of each story. I inched myself around the space so that I would have a variety of positions to assist with overlap. Then I spliced them together in Photoshop . I edited the now singular image with a heavy hand of dodge and burning to make it pop. Yes, my little one was actually fighting during the session (he rescinded his protest and requested to take part after he saw big sis was excited.) I desperately wanted to tidy, but didn’t permit myself to move a single item, so this is life during Covid-19 in all its glory.
Rebekah was a dear friend in college, we bonded performing in a production of Tommy. Fast forward, the lady is rocking as owner of the Center Stage Arts Studio in Ohio, is the proud mama of 6, and military wife.
She and her family (four brothers), were gathering outside of Atlanta for Thanksgiving, and she wanted to take advantage of the gathering. I was equally excited to make art with her as I was to simply catch up with someone who has always been a magnetic match.
This week, some metals are shipping out to Vegas, for her brother and sister-in-law!
Rebekah is the queen of keeping it real, and pushing for her dreams. A true Wonder Woman.
I’ve been shying from requests from front porch/yard portraits during this time. I want to stay true to the custom art that my clients expect, I want to be meticulous about safety, and I want to make sure my own family is holding it together.
Then, a repeat client who had been amongst those inquiring hit me hard last night with a: “THIS TIME IS CRAZY! AND I WANT TO REMEMBER IT! I want to add it to our home gallery, because it’s a great way to remember this insane time beautifully.”
After processing it with her, I realized I can indeed accomplish all three while creating art with my clients and neighbors to commemorate this period.
$400 includes:
Photography session outdoors on your porch or in your yard, from a safe distance.
Virtual consultation where you select your portrait, and we envision custom alterations.
Optional gallery design included: see your image(s) in different sizes and configurations in your actual space.
A calibrated, heirloom, mounted 8x10 art print, with the accompanying 8x10 digital image.
Option to change print size, material, and add additional images. Upgrading your mounted print to wall art begins at an additional $235.
SIGN UP FOR A SLOT ON SUNDAY, MAY 3RD, AND RECEIVE $35 OFF.
The first three images were combined to create the final portrait.
Sign up for your slot here. We will chat on the phone afterwards to discuss your vision, narrow down timing, and answer questions.
Melissa wanted to start building the ultimate gallery showcasing the growth of her family. She not only wanted to include images from our shoots this year and the last, but also baby pictures from before her family lived here, and even wedding portraits. She also craved a bold, beautiful metal by her front doorway.
Check out the story on Facebook or Instagram, and hear what Melissa thinks of it!
A personal referral goes a long way! Denisse was looking for a publicity image for The Lewis Group, a realty team out of Keller Williams Realty First Atlanta. She was disappointed by much of what she saw available- until she saw The Peter’s Company picture, and reached out to them directly to find out who was behind it.
Weather forecast was unfortunate, so Denisse went scouting, and found the perfect spot in the neighboring office’s lobby. We were so grateful they allowed us to use their space- providing we worked FAST!
After some giggles followed by whispers, we captured this in record time:
Thanks to BOTH The Lewis Group and The Peter’s Company for keeping me on my toes!!
Stephanie Herbert is notorious for her top notch service and ability to inspire in the fitness industry. She realized that these qualities had the potential to skyrocket her in the real estate industry as well! She’s launching her next phase, where she’ll motivate and guide clients in a multitude of ways, whether into a healthy body, or the perfect home.
www.teamherbert.kwrealty.com
A year after mounting her metal gallery to her kitchen wall, Rebecca was ready for a session for her holiday/new year cards. I love how the fire of the menorah is a perfect metaphor for Michael and Rebecca’s children. They are such little sparks, with a passion for performance, and fiery personalities.
May they and all their loved ones have a snuggly and meaningful 2020. And may their children shine through life.
Every year, Keller Williams in Roswell kicks off 2020 with headshots for their new Agent Leadership Council, and opens up a few slots for other agents needing new images as well. These stars are gearing up to help set the energy and pace for their market center in the upcoming decade, an effect that will radiate.
We’re doing one more round for a couple of agents that were unable to attend, this gallery will be updated!
I rifle through the stack of mail, and see something personally addressed. The anticipation of opening a holiday card, in a sea of impersonal correspondence, is tangible. I slide my finger through the envelope, and find warm greetings bedecked by images that I poured my soul into. The elation of creating art… and having it mailed back to you!
I am so grateful that Adrienne Rodden, whom is an incredible interior designer and muralist I’ve known since High School, hired me for the third time to capture the journey of her family- and that I continue to have opportunities to hire her, as well!
When the cousins come to play from the other side of the world, you make sure the memories last.
Proud Grandma is so excited to admire her sweet babies on her walls daily (on standout Matte Metals), and gift a mini album to her own mother.
Designed for her wall using the unedited images.
If you are a parent, or a grandparent, you know the struggle of getting multiple children engaged in the same moment. I hold your hand through the process, and help you envision your ultimate image. One that captures the spirit of each of your loved ones.
Update! The gallery has been installed!