Next Up: Perfect {Professional} Headshots, June 24, 2018

And though I can scarcely believe it, the next installment of Perfect {Professional} Headshots is just around the corner on Sunday, June 24, 2018. I have the day set aside to transform the studio into a haven of headshots. Steven Cervantes of Salon Bella will be on site all day providing professional makeup services (and hair finishing touches). Each session includes about thirty minutes with Steven and thirty minutes in front of the camera. It's my goal to provide a comfortable, confident environment so we can produce a versatile set of portraits to suit your professional needs.

These headshot events are a bit of a passion project - and I know I've written at length about it before, so I'll spare you now, haha. I'm always thinking about ways to tweak the experience (for the better) and to produce portraits that will meet the variety of needs my clients present. As a result, the upcoming Headshot event is a little different in two significant ways: 1) a wider variety of poses will be included for all participants, ranging from very formal to very casual, and very traditional to very 'artsy'; and 2) each session includes a complimentary in-person consultation AFTER the finished photos have been delivered if further refining or retouching is desired.

Sessions include a prep guide; 30 minutes with the makeup artist; up to 30 minutes in front of the camera; a complete set of finished high resolution images + print release; and a post-image in-person consultation if desired. 

If headshots are on your to-do list, this is your chance! And - this is the big thing to pay attention to - if you're an existing headshot client, you have a standing invitation to participate as well at a special 50% discount. It's a great opportunity to expand the headshots you have, add a completely different look, or even start from the ground up if you'd like.

You can purchase your June 24, 2018 Perfect {Professional} Headshots RSVP here.   Please leave me a note in the 'comments' (or shoot me a separate email) to let me know what time of day would generally work best for you.  I can't wait!  

A Special May Edition of Catch Me If You Can | Fairbanks Mother's Day Photographer

The next round of Catch Me If You Can milestone mini-sessions are Saturday, May 19.  I'm excited to share that you can now completely book your session, including selecting your time slot, by clicking the button below.  

reserve your session now

Super cool, right?!? 

And since it is the month of Mother's Day, I would urge all partners to contemplate: what better gift is there than the gift of portraits of your beautiful children?  (If you would like to purchase a CMIYC gift certificate, just let me know!) 

The REAL special aspect of this month's CMIYC sessions is that I would like to invite - encourage - mamas to join their babes in front of the camera for an unique Mother + Child mini session.  Even if your partner didn't get the hint, this is the gift you should give to yourself.  I know it's easier said than done, but I really believe in #MomStaysInThePicture.  Don't be a ghost in the documentation of your kids' childhoods.  It's so important.  

I hope to see you May 19.  :)

Booking Now: Milk Bath & Herbal Bath Sessions

I know the bathtub might seem like a weird place for a session, but seriously, it's magic every. time.  

Hear me out.

Milk baths have been a "thing" since the time of Cleopatra, who was said to have bathed in "the milk of asses" (of the donkey variety) as part of her beauty regimen.  The lactic acid in the milk acts as a mild exfoliant for the skin; the fat makes a natural moisturizer; aaaaand it's just plain cool.  Add some epsom and essential oils (and perhaps a few flowers...) and it's a beautiful experience, inside and out.  

Herbal baths have long been a favorite of mine, first and foremost for their soothing, restorative properties so appreciated by the bodies of new mamas and new babies alike.  (I have more information about why herbal baths are so darn cool on my FAQ page.)

They're also really pretty.  

I am now offering stand-alone bath sessions for a special rate of $250 for those wanting a unique and beautiful maternity, newborn, or mother + child session.  Sessions include all bath supplies, up to 30 minutes of shooting in the tub, and a complete set of 15-25 high resolution finished images + print release. 

AND.  'Tis almost the season for outdoor milk baths (yes, it's possible!), so sign up to take advantage of the sun while you can!  

If you have any questions or would like to talk about booking your session, please drop me a line!  

Fairbanks Breastfeeding Coalition 2018 Juried Art Show: Fairbanks Fine Art Photographer

This April marked the fourth annual juried art show put on by the Fairbanks Breastfeeding Coalition.  I just LOVE this exhibition.  An incredible variety of works are submitted every year and there are always pieces that surprise and amaze me.  I've been fortunate to have pieces included in all four shows now, and an image of mine won the second prize award in both 2016 and 2017.  

This year, my image won first prize.  

"If Only I Had Another Set of Hands," ©2018 Sarah Lewis.  Special thanks to Brooke, Conner, and Colleen, models extraordinaire.  

I love that I can count on this show happening annually, because it gives my brain time to meander around and contemplate ideas without much of a time crunch.  The idea for this image hit me during the dead of winter, and I knew I wanted to make it for the FBC show.  It took several months to plan it out and put it together (mostly because passion projects are often the last things on the list to get taken care of...), and then to shoot and edit.  The whole process was surprisingly refreshing - following an idea just for me, with no expectations or requirements... I realized it's been far too long since I let such rabbit holes into my workload.  

A note to those who might like to share or use this image, since copyright is tricky in this day and age: if you are a sole individual (and not an entity) sharing online, please share but cite and link back to me.  If you would like to include this image as part of a website or publication, online or otherwise, please drop me a line first so we can chat.  Thank you! 

Two Events Next Weekend, April 21 & 22

Saturday, April 21: Catch Me If You Can

You know the drill about these by now! I still have space for a few more kiddos on Saturday. Snag one by purchasing your deposit here.

Sunday, April 22: Natural Light Studio Mini-Sessions

Natural light family (or couples, or maternity, or mother + child) mini-sessions in the studio! Come join me for a short but sweet 30 minute session Sunday afternoon, 12-4. Your inclusive fee of $195 covers your session, 10-15 high resolution images, + print release. 

Only six sessions are available. Sessions are precisely scheduled so RSVPs are required; your $50 deposit reserves your spot! Please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss what time slots are available or anything else that might be on your mind!

You can buy your RSVP here or visit the Facebook event page here.

MODEL CALL: half-price concept sessions up for grabs this spring

All year long, crazy session ideas will strike me - usually at extremely busy, inconvenient times.  I've been trying to write them down, though, so that I could pick those ideas back up again when I do have some breathing room.  That time is now!  Well, kind of.  I can't exactly say I'm at a loss for things to do, buuuut at the same time it's a far cry from the craziness of summer, so I'd like to take this opportunity to have some fun. 

So here's my list of Concept Sessions: pre-designed sessions that are ready to go and just need participants!  They're essentially the same custom lifestyle sessions I usually offer - except I've taken care of the "custom" part of it, so to speak.  Every session is definitely going to be unique (I think we'd have a hard time avoiding that), but rather than you & me cooperatively designing a session from the ground up, you get to step right into a ready-made session blueprint. 

Even better?  Because these are ideas on my personal list, these sessions are yours for half price.  Win-win!

The Fine Print: MODEL RELEASES ARE REQUIRED.  Regularly priced lifestyle sessions include 1-2 hours of shooting, a complete set of high resolution images + print release, a custom USB, and an online gallery for a fee of $550.  Concept sessions as offered here include 1-2 hours of shooting, a complete set of high resolution images + print release via digital download, and an online gallery for a fee of $275.  When applicable, gift certificates, coupons, and other promotions may be applied to the regular session cost, and the concept session will be one half of the remaining balance (i.e., a gift certificate of $100 would take the regular cost to $450, and the concept session would be $225).  All concept sessions must be scheduled to take place before May 12, 2018.

Let's start with the biggest one first!

FILLED.  Commercial and Editorial Photography for Small Businesses.  I am seeking a local business/businessperson (sole proprietors are fine!) to 'model' for a truly custom, editorial business package.  I would like to work with you to design an authentic portrait of your person and your business, no matter how big or small, from top to bottom.  This is highly variable depending on the nature of the business, of course, but the work could include shadowing a typical day or relevant work process; studio stock photography; environmental portraits; studio headshots; and lifestyle "action" sessions to show endproducts in use. 

FILLED.  Maternity Photography.  I am seeking a mama in her second or third trimester (30-35 weeks is ideal) who is expecting baby number 2 to participate in a mother + child themed maternity session.  The older child will ideally be under the age of four.  This session will take place in the studio and will in part require a bare belly.  

Lifestyle Parent + Child.  I would love to document a bathtime routine with a mama or papa and a bubble bath.  At least one child should be two years old or under.  The big requirement here is that the participating family MUST have a bathroom with a tub and at least one window.  

Breastfeeding Portraits.  I am seeking a mama and nursling set (multiple nurslings ok; any age of child/ren ok) to participate in an intimate nursing session.  This session will take place at home in your bedroom.  Mama must be ok with tasteful toplessness.   The most important requirement is that you MUST have a window in your bedroom.  (I also may ask for permission to move your furniture so your bed is closer to said window - just a heads up!)  

Lifestyle Family / Parent + Child.  This session would be lovely with either the whole family, or just one parent having a special day with the kiddos.  I would like to document a family in the kitchen working together to bake something.  I was thinking cut-out cookies because they are so visually rich during the decorating stage especially, but I'm also open to your ideas!  This session will take place on location in your kitchen.  Windows are a huge plus.  

FILLED.  Lifestyle Family / Parent + Child.  This session would be lovely with either the whole family, or just one parent having a special day with the kiddos.  I am seeking the indoor-blanket-fort-building-champions of Fairbanks.  I think you can see where this is going.  :)  This session takes place in your home; windows are a huge plus.  

FILLED.  Newborn Photography.  I am seeking a newborn (under three weeks of age at the time of the session) for an in-studio newborn milk bath mini-session.  Mama's hands and arms will also be photographed.  

FILLED.  Herbal Bath Session.  I am seeking a mama + baby pair to participate in an herbal bath.  Tasteful nudity a possibility.  Nursing relationship preferred.  This session takes place on location in your home; you MUST have a bathtub and a window in your bathroom.

Hopefully one of these sessions sounds PERFECT for your family!  If so, give me a holler.   Only one session per concept is available at the special rate, so jump now.  If you are interested in one of the in-home sessions listed that requires a window, please send me a snapshot of that space with your inquiry so I can get a general idea of what we're working with.  

Oh, and if you'd like the exclusive first peak on stuff like this in the future, be sure to sign up for my email newsletter!  They got this list a full 24 hours before it hit the blog, just sayin'. 

I'm looking forward to hearing from you! 

Guys Read - Fairbanks Non-Profit Photographer

If you guys aren't familiar with Guys Read Gals Read, Inc, you should definitely give that link a click and check it out.  (They're also on Facebook!)

Twenty minutes at a time, volunteers from our community are reminding Fairbanks' fourth graders that reading is actually pretty cool.  Guys Read is a nationally recognized program that has inspired a growing number of other communities across the country to adopt similar programs.  

And here they are at work.  The "sister" (...literally!) program, Gals Read, starts up soon - you can look forward to seeing more on the blog then!  

Wilder is One | Fairbanks Family Photographer

Oh, man.  If you're ever feeling like you need a sentimental trip down memory lane, just go look in the "drafts" folder on your blog.  How did I not manage to publish this?!?  Wilder is an unrecognizable KID now.  Cue all the squishy feelings.  

Eli's Fresh 48 - Fairbanks Lifestyle Newborn Photographer

This one has been in my draft folder for a heartbreakingly long time.  It's due to spread its wings and share its beauty!

Eli's Fresh 48 session, starting his baby self and his gorgeous big brother, whose own Fresh 48 Session can be found here.  

Fresh 48: not just for humans anymore | Fairbanks Lifestyle Photographer

In recent months I've had not one but TWO sets of friends ask if they could set up Fresh 48 sessions to document the growth of their families - but not because they were welcoming human babies.  Rather, each family was stepping into the animal kingdom. 

I can't even tell you how much I loved this idea. 

Ada adopted two kittens, Bluebell and Rosie; and Ali, Bradon, Eli, and Emi adopted a silver lab named Ru.  And the cuteness just did. not. stop.  

I absolutely loved the opportunity to take the lifestyle approach into documenting such a fun family milestone.  It's no secret that I love portraits that break all the molds, and I love that I have friends and clients who have joined in me in thinking outside of the box.  (I'm so proud!  Sniff, sniff.)