First Birthday Portraits – FREEBIES + Session Deals
It has been my experience that in running a small business many great ideas and marketing pieces develop out of imediate need. I have been collecting my client’s birthdays and the birthdays of their children since nearly the beginning of my business all with the idea to someday launch a birthday promotion to give each client a special gift on their birthday each year. Well, just last week a wonderful client of mine called me because her daughter Khloe (which some of you may remember seeing as I have photographed her before) is turning ONE in August!
She would like for me to take images that she can display at Khloe’s birthday party and was curious if I had a birthday promotion. I was completely honest with her and I think my reply was something like “Well, I want to… but just have not quite gotten there yet!” So I told her to give me the weekend to coral all my ideas (kept in my nice little jam packet marketing notebook) into a finished Birthday promotion which I would unveil Monday…. So… Its MONDAY! And as promised, I am done!
So below is my First Birthday Promotion Card that will go out to all my clients with little ones who will turn one soon. 
I’m equally excited about the birthday promotion that will extend to all those celebrating their 2nd-18th birthdays. I love the look of the First Birthday Monogram Display and it seemed just the item begin a series. So if it is your birthday, and your not turning one, I am happy to offer you 30% off the session of your choice (featuring only the birthday girl/boy) PLUS a 4×10 “It’s My Birthday” Portrait. Each year this art piece will feature the child’s age creating a beautiful wall series that shows your child grow up through the years! And you can customize this portrait art display by adding a 4×10 Designer Name Print to begin the series, or adding a beautiful designer portrait ledge in the color of your choice and even upgrade to 5×15 size to really make an impact!
Outdoor Engagement Portraits – Rock Springs Nature Center
Maggi + Jay Engaged
We could not have asked for better weather for Maggi & Jay’s engagement session. Beautiful evening light and a little breeze and great temperature made it a perfect evening at Rock Springs Nature Center in Decatur.
This was my first session at Rock Springs (I just had my second yesterday morning!) and I have to say I am a fan. The pine forest is has gorgeous light anytime of day as the light filters down through the towering forest and the wild fields are a winner for sure.
Plus, I couldn’t have asked for a better couple. These to fit together so well and I am so excited to be a part of this chapter of their lives. It is exciting to watch all the changes that come in a couple’s lives around their wedding and these two came in for their premier just days after purchasing their new home. I couldn’t be happier for the two of them and can’t wait to photograph their wedding day in October. Here are a few of our favorites from the session.
Maggi … “My fiancé and I researched several photographers before meeting with Sarah. The moment we left our first appointment with her, we knew she was the one for us. She was energetic and passionate, organized, and very informative about what to expect from her.”
“We recently had our engagement session with Sarah. The session was very laid back and she made it very easy to get comfortable. She was creative with the angles as well as the natural light and colors from the outdoor setting. I could not be happier! I am really looking forward to our wedding day and seeing all of the pictures we will have to cherish for a lifetime. I have already recommended Sarah to several of my friends, and would stand behind that recommendation any day! She is awesome!” 
“I do” in a barn! Joplin, MO Wedding
Jenn + Scott Married
Well if you have been anywhere near my blog in the past month you know that my BFF got married 2 weeks ago! I had the honor of being her Maid of Honor so I was not the official photographer of the day but I, of course, had my camera with me all day and here are some of the images from her big day.
Surviving living with me for 4 years earns her some quick previews on FB and the blog 
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Boutique Studio Engagement Portraits – Sarah Jane
Bernadette + Kenny Engaged
Bernadette stopped by my booth at the Neuhoff Media Lady Palooza event a few months ago and right away I knew she was a client I wanted to work with! She was so fun and energetic and was so excited to look at all my different products, especially our designer albums.
This is a session that kind of morphed as we went along. We started with just Bernadette to get a few bridal images of her before their big day. But with a quick phone call Bernadette was able to talk Kenny into stopping by the studio as well and we hopped right into photographing some engagement images of the two of them.
After a few portraits of the couple, I went to change the backdrop and Bernadette caught a peak at Heather & Travis’s Panoramic Wall Canvas that was hidden behind the background and she was instantly in love! (I love it when that happens!!!) Though her session didn’t include a second location, the wildflower field is just minutes away and I could see she really wanted to go so, of course, we went.
Oh and did I mention, we let Kenny head home about 10 minutes before she saw that portrait thinking we would finish up the session with just Bernadette… Well Kenny was a trooper and happily came back so we could create a wall portrait in the field and it turned out beautifully.
One Year Old Brandon – First SJP Portraits!
The little man is going to be a heart breaker someday! Just 10 minutes into the session he had me in the palm of his little hand. Brandon, mom (Carol) and dad (Sam) and I had blast during the session and were all laughs by the time the hour was finished. As usual with an energetic little boy like Brandon, mom and dad were quite surprised to see that we slowed him down enough to capture the images we did.
Here are some of my favorite images from Brandon’s session! Can’t wait to have this family Wall Art ready for them to show off.
Springfield, IL – Engagement Session: Sarah Jane Photography
John + Kelly Engaged
I photographed John & Kelly in Springfield and we couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day. I was excited to explore downtown Springfield with these two and with John’s eye for architecture we ended up with some amazing backdrops.
We started their session at Washington Park, spending some time around the lake then exploring some of the freshly budded trees and tulips. We were even able to stop at one of the older concrete bridges on the way out of the park to photograph some unique images especially for John.
With a quick clothing change (these guys looked great, perfectly coordinated together!), we headed downtown!
I can’t wait to see how their wall series looks up in their home (images coming as soon as they pass them along).
