Little Clients are Big Fun! | Fun Family Photos in Tucson, Tucson Family Photographer

I love my little itty bitty clients.  Yep, they are one of the best things about being a photographer! I love their little fingers.  I love their little toes.  I love the way they toddle around and how everything is brand new to them!  I love seeing the excitement and joy in their eyes as they explore.  They are so much fun. And I fell head over heels for this little one! 

Meet Mehalia.

Her daddy and mommy, John and Leilani, found me through a Google search and boy am I glad they did! They were such a fun family to work with and I left the session feeling like I hadn’t been “working”, but rather playing with friends!

The day of our session was overcast and a little breezy but Miss Mehalia was a spot of sunshine, for sure! This little girl was so so so sweet - she was constantly hugging her mom and dad, and even me, from the moment I met her. She stole my heart completely. I love love love that I was able to capture the hugs and kisses with her mom and dad. Those are treasured moments for sure.

We spent our time chasing Mehalia - she explored every inch of our little patch of Brandi Fenton Park. I love this age - they've just started walking and are so curious about their world. Sometimes it makes getting "portraits" a little difficult because they're running everywhere and I'm following, but we captured some beautiful, sweet, fun, family memories here, and I just love them!

Thank you John and Leilani for spending the afternoon with me and allowing me the honor of photographing your beautiful family! It truly was my joy and pleasure!

xoxox,
steph

P.S.  Want to see more of our beautiful clients? Come on over to our FB page and “like” us! We'll LOVE you right back!

What to Wear for Your Family Photos | Great Family Photos in Tucson, Foothills Photographer, Oro Valley Family Photographer

Oh, my poor, sad, neglected photography blog!  I’ve been so busy photographing Tucson's gorgeous high school seniors and fabulous families that I haven’t had much time to get on here and share with you all the fun I’ve been having!  We have more blog posts coming your way -- gorgeous high school seniors and their amazing senior photos...family portraits in fun locations, and even some fun summer recipes are coming up.  In the meantime, though, I hope you can settle for some fun fashion tips and what to wear ideas for your up and coming family photo session.

Confession time: I LOVE accessories.  I have so many purses and shoes that some might consider it a teeny weeny obsession. But seriously, it’s amazing what a couple of well-planned accessories can do to pull your whole look together! Take this fun summer look for example:

There aren’t a lot of accessories, but the ones that are there totally and completely “pop”.  Little sister’s headband adds a little extra interest to the look and big sister’s belt with the flower is to die for!  So cute!  One of the things I love the most, though, no white tennis shoes!  I know sneakers are comfy and have their place...but honestly, that place is not in your family photos. A lot of folks spend hours putting together their wardrobe, but forget about the shoes.  At the last minute, they throw on their grubby tennis shoes and away they go.  Let me tell you, they stand out like a sore thumb!  I beg you…just don’t do it. Say no to the sneaker for your family portraits. And besides, it's HOT here in Tucson, and sandals, Converse or Toms are a perfect choice for dressing up your tootsies.

This family guide is filled with simple pieces of clothing.  Nothing is matchy matchy, but it all coordinates perfectly.  Little sister’s dress ties all the colors together.  Simply gorgeous!  LOVE the texture on Mom’s dress, as well as the girls’ shirts.  There is also great use of layers for big sister with the cardigan over the tank…plus it adds another little pop of color.

Getting ready for your portrait session should be fun. Take your time.  Play with colors, textures, layers.  Most of all, be sure to find something everyone is comfortable wearing and that represents their personalities.  Still overwhelmed and have no idea where to begin?  Head over to our website to see some of Tucson's beautifully dressed, fabulous families and their photos. And remember, your session ALWAYS includes a wardrobe and session design consult - just 'cause I love ya!

xoxox,
steph

Not Your Average Joe! - Sabino High School Senior Photographer | Awesome Senior Photos in Tucson, AZ

Phew!  This photographer is busy, busy, BUSY!  I’m oh so thankful for ALL the business that has been coming my way!  As of late, I’ve been working with a LOT of high school seniors to get their senior portraits done in time for graduation, and I have been loving every minute of it!  I have photographed some truly beautiful Tucson teens lately and my new camera could NOT be happier!  I truly am blessed beyond measure - so from the bottom of my heart, thank you all so much! 

I have to apologize for the tardiness of this senior session post. Honestly, I've neglected the blog and hang my head in shame that I am JUST NOW sharing Joe's awesome senior portrait session. I promise to put myself in detention.

I had a chance to catch up with one of the most handsome Sabino High School Seniors this past fall.  Meet Joe Heiman, Class of 2012!

Joe’s Mom, Kim, is a friend of mine.  I have worked with Kim at Raytheon for a long time.  One of the things that I’ve loved the most is being able to watch Joe grow up…in pictures on his mom’s desk.  So fun to pass by over the years and see Kim's kiddos changing from one year to the next.  We also share the swim connection.  Yep, you guessed it, this handsome young man swam for Ford Aquatics for a while and also for the Sabino High School swim team.  I was completely elated when Kim contacted me about doing Joe’s senior pictures!  Ummm…yes, please!

I always encourage seniors to be themselves in their session, so when Joe's mom asked if he should take his earrings out, I asked if that would be "typical Joe" to take them out. She said no, not really, so in they stayed :) We had a great time at Joe's session - I loved that he was open to trying any location.  He was such a joy to work with and sooo easy going. 

Here's a few of my favorites from his session - all I loved them all!

Thank you Kim for allow me the honor of photographing your “baby”!  Also a special thank you to Joe for being such a great sport and allowing me to capture this special time in your life!  Best of luck to you in whatever the future holds. 

xoxo,

steph

P.S.  Love Joe’s senior pictures and want some fun and funky pictures of your own?  Shoot me an e-mail HERE and let’s chat about creating some AMAZING photographs that your friends will all be jealous about! There might even be little bonus in there for you Class of 2013 seniors!

Chic Critique Cover Contest | Tucson, AZ Portrait Photographer

OM GOSH, I have photographed some amazingly gorgeous girls in the past few months! Sometimes I feel like I am shooting for America's Next Top Model, or at least Tucson's Next Top Model, with all of the fabulous faces I've been blessed to shoot.

Picking an entry for the Chic Critique Cover Contest for June was so so so hard, and honestly, I felt like I had to choose one of my kids over the other as my favorite. UGH. BUT, since I can only choose one photo for my entry, I chose to submit this photo of Jennifer.

I love her natural beauty and grace, her classic style, and I especially love that her beautiful earrings belonged to her great-grandmother. What a precious heirloom!

Wish us luck in the contest!

xoxox,
steph.

Morgan's Senior Photos! | Class of 2012 - Tucson High School Senior Portrait Photographer

Class of 2012. Senior pictures. Graduation. Senior Year. EEEEK!!

I remember how excited I was my senior year (and no, I am NOT telling you how long ago it was!).  I couldn’t wait to graduate, couldn’t wait to move out of state and go to college, couldn’t wait for all of the fun, exciting things to come next!

I’ve had so much fun with all of my fabulous Class of 2012 seniors this year!  We have spent lots of time laughing and chatting, and having a great time getting their senior photo sessions done.  I can’t wait to show you all a few peeks from their sessions – I honestly have the most fabulous high school seniors in all of Tucson. And Oro Valley. And Sahuarita. And Vail. And, well, you get the picture, right?

I’m super excited for you to meet gorgeous, sweet, fun Morgan!  She’s a senior with the 2012 graduating class at Mountain View High School, and wow – I seriously love her green eyes and cute freckles! 

We had a great time doing her senior pictures in downtown Tucson.  Every photographer has their favorite locations. I LOVE doing photography sessions in downtown Tucson - there are so many fun little secret spots I have, and Morgan rocked her photos at each one of them!

I am so excited to see what the future holds for Morgan – I just know it’s going to be something as amazing as she is!

Morgan, I am so happy you picked me as the photographer for your senior pictures! I loved every minute of our session – especially those FAB polka dot heels you were rockin’!

xoxox,

steph

Oh wait - before you go: want your own fun, fresh, fabulous senior photos?  I’m now booking sessions for the Class of 2013. Spots fill up fast, so don't wait too long – you don’t wanna get stuck with the boring yearbook photo guy! ;)

Digital Photo Collections | Tucson Family Photographer, Photographer for Senior Pictures in Tucson, Family Photographer Offering Digital Photos

Okay, I confess. I may know my way around my camera and a family portrait session but one thing I'm definitely not is a product photographer. So kindly forgive my lack of expertise in the photos below. If you tilt your head to right and squint one eye, they're not too bad ;) I probably should have sent these off to my friend Meredith Nelson, of Meredith Nelson Photography. She does a-ma-zing things with products AND people.

One of my absolute favorite parts of being a photographer here in Tucson is putting together orders for my clients. I am a packaging junkie. I love bags and boxes, ribbons and bows. I mean - really...who doesn't get excited when receiving a gift bag with pretty tissue paper and fun ribbon??  (Sidenote:  I am planning to photograph and blog my packaging next month, so please stay tuned for that. I promise the photos will be better!)  I love seeing my clients' reaction as they untie that ribbon and see their beautiful photographic prints and products for the first time!

One of my clients' favorite products is the digital CD that comes in the Signature Collection. This is one of our most popular digital collections because well, clients usually want to have ALL of their photos, and this is the perfect way for them to have them!  And just because the images are digital on CD and not printed portraits doesn't mean they can't  be displayed in the most elegant and lasting way possible. 

Here, take a peek at the CD case and CD from gorgeous Morgan's high school senior portrait session we did in dowtown Tucson last month:

What a beautiful way to store your digital photographs! The CDs in our Signature, Spoil Me, and Posh collections are presented in a custom designed, photo CD case and archival quality photo CD. These cases are made with your choice of photographic print wrapped around hardboard and finished with a matte laminate.  They also include a magnetic closure to make sure it stays closed and your CD stays protected.  They are premium quality, and you can choose your design if you wish, or leave it up to me.

 

Jealous yet?  Want your own family portrait session?  Contact me HERE today to order yours! Mention this blog post and you just might get a little something extra with your order. Just sayin'.

xoxox,
steph.

Black and White Beauty

Sometimes, an image speaks volumes in black and white...