“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 
…
NILMDTS Charity Model Search – Decatur, IL
Its TIME! Now is the best time of the year to get your little ones photographed at Sarah Jane Photography!
Sarah Jane Photography is participating in the International Charity Model Search to select North America’s Cutest Kid and to raise funds for the non-profit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Foundation. (NILMDTS.org)
Is your child North America’s Cutest Kid? We’ll give you the opportunity to prove it! The grand prizewinner will win a $2500 savings bond, a $2500 travel package, and a $100 Target gift card. The second and third place runners up each will win a $500 savings bond and a $100 Target gift card.
Model Search Special:
$35 entrance fee includes a 30-minute model session and one image submitted to the international gallery PLUS a FREE web share image to show your little one off to all your friends and family!
Finalists will be determined by online votes. Each vote is $1 (no limit on the amount of votes you can cast), and all proceeds from votes benefit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS.org). Every family member who registers their information on the Charity Model Search Website will also receive 1 complimentary vote. The top 5 paid votes, and the top 5 complimentary votes in each region will move on to the final judging round for a total of 50 finalists.
Grand prize international winner and runners up will be determined from the 50 regional finalists. The winner and runners up are selected by photography experts.
Call 217.330.7012 now to enter your “Cutest Kid” in this exciting contest.
SPACE IS LIMITED! NEXT SESSION DAY: THURSDAY, JANUARY 27 (15 SLOTS OPEN).
*Contest open to residents of the US and Canada. For more information, visit http://www.charitymodelsearch.org.
Cyber Monday Gift Card Sale! – HUGE DEALS
Hello All! I am so excited to announce our first ever Cyber Monday Gift Certificate SALE. Monday, November 29th log on to www.sjanephotography.com to take advantage of our huge savings – up to $100 per gift card!
Sign on early to be eligible for our bonus items. No limits, stock up for your own family or for friends.
Rachel – 2011 Jefferson City High School Senior
I absolutely LOVE working with the Miller’s. I have known this family for about 8 years now and have been photographing them for about 4! Rachel’s sister and I played volleyball together in high school and I photographed her first, then the whole family, her brother Will when he was a senior and now Rachel’s senior portraits!
Rachel’s session was so fun. We had the session at the family’s home in Jefferson City and were able to create some unique images for her. We even got a few of the family dog and her boyfriend, Jake, joined us for some too. Jake and I had his own senior session last weekend so you can look for those coming up in the next few weeks!
Here are a few favorites from Rachel’s session!
Commercial Photos for Little Barks Pet Products – Decatur, IL
One of my projects last week was some commercial work for Little Barks Pet Products based out of Decatur. Kim, owner of Little Barks, makes beautiful leashes, collars and other pet accessories as well as all natural doggie treats.
Here are some of my favorite images of her awesome products.
Kim was nice enough to give me the doggie treats we used in the photos for my little yorkies, Bear & Lily. Lily is a big fan of the peanut butter treats and Bear loves the frosted cookies!
Kim + Stacy – Engaged!
I was so excited to have the opportunity to work with this wonderful family again when Kim & Stacy got engaged! You may recognize Kim from many of my favorite boudoir images and I also had the opportunity to photograph Stacy’s son Sean’s senior portraits a couple years ago.
For their engagement session I met the couple at their river house in Osage City. It was a great location with some beautiful river bottom greenery plus the water made a great personal backdrop as well. For part of the session we headed up to use some drainage pipes that were sitting along the road – Kim and I were very excited about the edgy look of these! Plus, the shade provided some much needed protection from the sweltering heat – it was well over 90 degrees the day of the session!!! But even through the heat this family was a blast to photograph. Here are some of our favorite images from the day!
St Louis Wedding
This weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to work with a great friend and photographer Katie Weber of Kay Web Photography in St. Charles, MO. Katie invited me to shoot with her at the wedding of Caroline and Matt and of course I accepted. It is always so fun to shoot with other photographers to take a break from running the business and pleasing the clients (though all my clients are wonderful!) and just have fun photographing for someone else.
And that is just what I did for Katie this weekend. Her and I have been friends for many years now but have never actually photographed together so it was a blast to get the chance to work together and I think we captured some great images of this couple’s wedding day! The weather was perfect and the couple and bridal party were great! Here is one of my favorite images from the day (more to be posted very soon).
NILMDTS – Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
Yesterday I had the opportunity to spend the day with about 30 other amazing photographers and medical staff who are a part of the wonderful Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep organization. I am so so happy to be a part of this charity and hope that those of you reading this who are photographers would take a moment to visit the NILMDTS website to learn more and to apply to photograph with the organization.
With about 8 hours of training including the sharing of many personal stories, there was not a dry eye in the house by 5:00. Even hearing about others stories was a difficult experience, however I feel that as a photographer I have a gift and it is my responsibility to offer that gift to those who need it most. I am not a doctor, so my talents cannot heal the physical wounds but I only hope that my art can help heal some emotions scars.
Again, I urge all of you to visit the organizations website to learn more about this wonderful charity and view some of the images created by our talented photographers. And THANK YOU to those of you reading this who are currently part of the NILMDTS program as a photographer, parent advocate, etc – you are appreciated every day!
Austin & Janessa – Married!
A few months ago I had the honor of photographing my cousin Austin’s wedding. I love to be able to share what I do with both friends and family and sharing this special day with Austin and Janessa was such a privilege.
And best of all this unique couple kept me on my toes with their original ideas, like the replacing their first dance with a first croquet hit! It was a blast and I am so happy to share some images from their day:
Above is a layout from the couple’s album – one of my favorite because it tells the full story of their ceremony, from the details to the kiss, in just two pages.
Each table was decorated with small photos of the couple through their years together. I got a little laugh when one guest asked if I had taken each of them (some from when they were much younger). Man that would be some early wedding planning!
I absolutely LOVED Austin & Janessa’s cake topper – so simple yet it makes such a strong statement and impression.
Who needs a dance? – FIRST CROQUET HIT! It was so fun.
Let the games begin: The couple had outdoor games for their guests at the reception.. washers, hillbilly golf, croquet and MORE. Everyone had a great time.
Showing the boys how it is done!
Jackie & Jeff – Engaged!
Jackie & Jeff’s engagement session was a blast! This couple is young and FUN and of course very much in love.
For their session, I explored a new location in Decatur that is only about 5 blocks from our house/studio: Fairview Park! The park is huge and basically a large collection of trees/greenery and a long walking path, BUT we discovered a ton of great locations around the park’s lake including an amazing wildflower area.
Unfortunately, the mosquitos loved the wild flower area as much as us, so I will now be taking OFF mosquito fans for each client Jackie was a total trooper though as she sustained a few bites in the name of a great photo!!!
Oh and did I mention she even climbed a tree for me!!! Yes, we had FUN on this session
Back in Illinois!!! Business Trip to MO last week.
After more than a week in Missouri, I am happy to say I am back in Illinois!! I had a great time last week visiting UCM (University of Central Missouri) and had a week full of sessions, weddings, and Mary Kay parties!!!
Now that I am back and in the swing of things here again I will be posting some new images VERY soon!!! Upcoming posts this week should include an engagement session with a young local couple (one sneak peak already made it to facebook). I will also be working on 2-3 new album designs (one page seen below) and some sneak peaks should be coming soon!
Also, by popular demand you can now find a NEW Mary Kay by Sarah Jane blog, just click HERE!
I am glad to be back!!!!
Daycare Portrait Sessions!!!
Obviously inspired by my last portrait session, I have decided to start offering more daycare portrait sessions!! YAY.
If you missed my last post you should check it out below… I spent just a couple hours at at an in-home daycare last week photographing each of the children and I had a blast!!! So it got me thinking why not do some more! The sessions are fast and fun and really very easy, for parents that is! And, lets face it, easy is NOT the word most parents think of when thinking of getting their children ready for a portrait session.
But parents think about this, you get your child ready for daycare just like any other day except maybe you pick out a special outfit and pack an extra outfit too. That’s it! When you pick up your little one and go home, you have an image gallery full of beautiful images of your precious baby! Done!!!
And daycare providers, this is a great way to offer your parents a little extra service. You can choose to pay for the session as a gift to the parents for giving your their business, OR have them cover their session and have the gift be the convenience of you organizing the day! And don’t worry, I do most of the work … You just coordinate with the parents to get contact information for me, session payments and to relay session details to each parent.
Plus, as a thanks for being the coordinator of the event, I will also take a group image of all your little ones and you (and any other daycare staff members) … the whole gang! And I give you a FREE 4×6 of my favorite group blooper image… and I promise there will be one! This is a great way to market your daycare if you are expanding or create memories of the children you care for over the years!
Call, email or text me to book your session today!
Kansas City Weddings 2009
Here are just a couple images from my most recent wedding in downtown Kansas City. I love photographing in KC, the hotels, churches and reception halls are all so beautiful. I am moving toward making my photographs more than just camera generated images. You will notice overlays like the one in this image in more of my recent work. To me it makes them art not just images. As always I appreciate feedback so let me know what you think of the latest look.
2010 Senior Models!! – GET AMAZING DEALS
It is time for our 2010 senior model search! SJP is looking for a senior from each high school in the Jefferson City, Columbia and Warrensburg areas! Email me today to see if the model position for your school is still available (mail@sjanephotography.com).
Models will receive 50% off the session of your choice and 24 wallets (pose for the free wallets is photographer’s choice). Plus, get 24 rep cards featuring 10 poses from your session. Each rep card is yours to give away to your friends and each card is worth 30% off your friend’s session and 4 free wallets for you (free wallets must be from already purchased pose).
Sarah Jane Photography – Now on MySpace & Twitter
You can now find us on Twitter and MySpace as well as here on wordpress, facebook and at our home site!!! This is truly a world based in technology as we now have 5 web presences!
I am also excited about being on google maps and in their business directory where you can write a review of our products and services! You can also find special offers and coupons here throughout the year! Keep checking back as the coupons will change.
Through these online resources I intend to connect with my clients in a new way. Photography is a very personal field and I hope to build a relationship with each and every client! PLUS our online pages contain special offers and announcements to keep you up to date on studio updates, new promotions and SAVINGS!!!
Recent Photo Shoot – Megan Snow
This is one image from a recent photoshoot with the beautiful Megan Snow (whom you may recognize as Ms. December from last year’s “Undergrads” swimsuit calendar). This is one image I took some time to play with. Though I have way to much work to do, I needed some photographic time to myself, and it manifested itself in the following image:
Wedding & Location – Alien Bee Lighting – Wesley Marsh
Sarah Jane Photography welcomes a second baby boy into our 2008 baby program. I had the chance to photograph Kristen and Josh when they were expecting their young one a couple months ago, and this weekend Wesley got his first shot in front of my camera. I look forward to seeing this handsome baby boy grow over the next year. These images are Wesley’s first with us and he was quite the trooper. Although happiest when allowed to sit in mommy’s arms with his pacifier, we got a variety of images of Wesley sans pacifier and captured a few angry screams in the process.
Click HERE to view more images from this session!!
Click HERE to go directly to Wesley’s online gallery!!
Images Copyright 2008 Sarah Gaughan
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Alternative “Studio Lighting” Set:
Below are images that show the use of studio lighting out doors and in other non-studio locations.
Photography Business Plan – Sarah Jane Photography
The majority of my time from now until the end of the semester will be taken up by my business plan project. For my “Business Management for Photographers” class we must create a complete business plan designed to help us begin our businesses upon graduation. This is a HUGE project so I am enlisting the help of any friendly visitors to my blog!!! I am working hard to find all the information for my plan including everything from market analysis to projected success and MUCH MORE!!!
So if any of YOU know any good sources for information on beginning a photography business, or general business I would greatly appreciate a quick reply with any suggestions. As a photographer (as many of you fellow photographers will relate) my strengths are in the artistic side of the business and not so much in the business side. Because of this, it is important to me that I learn as much as possible about the business side, as of course it take some great business skills to survive and prosper as a professional photographer (especially in today’s world where every soccer mom is a “photographer”).
So I’m locking myself in my office and only coming out for class and work … don’t miss me too much world I’ll be back soon (I hope).
Customize your SJP experience!!!
The most recent wordpress update allows polls so here is my first (hopefully of many more to come). My business is for all of you! It is my job to create the images you have dreamed of and I can only do this with your help!
Help me customize your experience with this first poll!
Thank you in advance for your feedback!
