Two Events Next Weekend, April 21 & 22

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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.

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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. 

 

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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

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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. 

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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.  

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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!)  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.

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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

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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!  

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

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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.)  

2018 Mini-Sessions, Events, & Scheduling

updated 5/17/18

For all the planners out there - here's how 2018 is shaping up around these parts!  In addition to births and the custom lifestyle sessions I offer all year long for families, maternity, and fresh babies, the following are all the organized "events" and mini-sessions I'll be offering through the year.  I hope one of them will be right up your alley!  

In most cases, exact dates will be determined later on.  Events are subject to change and cancellation.  If you'd like reminders about any of these events, please sign up for my e-newsletter or follow me on Facebook.  

Monthly: Catch Me If You Can Milestone Minis

Generally offered on the third Saturday of the month, Catch Me If You Can Milestone Minis are a short, sweet, and affordable way to capture all the ages & stages of baby's first years.  RSVPs required.  *There will be no CMIYC sessions in September or October 2018.*

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February and June: Perfect {Professional} Headshots

Professional headshots are a must-have for your CV, byline, social networking profiles, and 'About Me' page.  Every few months, I try to offer a day of headshots with a professional makeup artist on site, a full prep guide, and an array of delicious beverages so you can confidently knock this giant item off your to-do list.  To see the results of past headshot events, please see here and here and here!  The next installments of this series are planned for February 25, 2018 and June 24, 2018.  The comprehensive fee for this session is $250 (a tax-deductible expense if done for your business and/or professional life!).  To reserve your spot now, please contact me.

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June 3: Spring Blossoms at the Orchard Little Sessions

Longer than a mini-session but shorter than a custom session, Little Sessions (30-40 minutes) at Clair's Cultivations' fields of fruit trees off CHSR are a wonderful opportunity for portraits in the loveliest of surroundings.  At $195, these sessions are a SMOKIN deal, people.

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Mid-July: Little Sessions in the Peonies {at Alaska Peony Flowers}

Longer than a mini-session but shorter than a custom session, Little Sessions (30-40 minutes) at Alaska Peony Flowers' fields of flowers in the Goldstream Valley are a wonderful opportunity for portraits in the loveliest of surroundings.  At $195, these sessions are a SMOKIN deal, people.  

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August 11, 2018: Babywearing & Family Mini-Sessions

Babywearing portraits are some of my favorites - documenting such a sweet benchmark.  Families (and non-babywearers) welcome.  These quick 15-minute sessions are $89 and are a great opportunity to knock some family portraits out to preserve the summer sun all year long. 

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August 20-24, 2018: Little Sessions at the Orchard

Longer than a mini-session but shorter than a custom session, Little Sessions (30-40 minutes) are the perfect opportunity to capture the peak of fall in interior Alaska for families and couples alike.  We'll be on-site at our local Alaskan orchard (off CHSR) for invite-only U-Pick evenings, August 20 - August 24.  you're invited to grab your favorite baskets and hit the apple trees for a sweet evening of picking & portraits.  The fee is $195 (and apples are $3/pound!).  

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Mid-September to Mid-October: Sarah Lewis Photography is on Sabbatical!

With the notable exception of birth stories and Fresh 48 sessions, I will not be taking any sessions from Mid-September to Mid-October 2018 so I can focus all my attention on school portraits!  This seems like a good time to mention it: if your school, preschool, daycare, program, or group is in need of some good old-fashioned portraits with a modern edge, send them my way!  I'd love to fit a few more schools onto my 2018 docket.  

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Mid-September: Client Appreciation Event - Complimentary Back-To-School Portraits 

Short, sweet, and way better than boiler-plate!  I'm excited to invite my existing clients into the studio for an invitation-only day of complimentary school-themed portraits to really mark the milestone of the new school year.  

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October 31: Client Appreciation Event - Complimentary Halloween Costume Portraits

As a gesture of thanks, for Halloween 2018 I'd like to invite all my year's clients to the studio for a complimentary in-costume portrait!  

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Early November: 5th Annual Winter Mini-Sessions at Running Reindeer Ranch

2018 will be the fifth year Running Reindeer Ranch and I have collaborated to offer brisk but quick 15-minute winter mini-sessions!  Man, they're a lot of fun.  We're aiming for the first weekend of November.  Booking for these $175 sessions will begin at the beginning of October.  

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And last but not least - 

My favorite, my absolute favorite type of sessions, are the ones we custom-design to document your family.  If more than a mini-session is what is in your heart, let's get rolling on session design!  Families, Births, Fresh Babies, and more - I love going into detail to create a session that will document your family's personality just as much as it does your faces.   These sessions are available year-round, though I do take a limited number per month, so contact me sooner rather than later to reserve yours!  

And now, for something completely different | Fairbanks Cosplay Photographer

Halloween is a favorite holiday for many.  This is especially so for those who have a FAVORITE character.  Outside of Comic-Cons, Halloween is the one day a year that everyone is invited to really lean into costuming to the fullest extent.  

Jolene numbers among the cosplay devotees.  She loves Halloween and she loves being Harley Quinn.  She spent most of a year gathering precise pieces of her costume, down to nail polish, faux tattoos inked by a professional, and an exact replica of Harley's graffitied bat.  This was Jolene's second Halloween dressing up as Harley, and she contacted me in September after a realization: if you spend most of the year in anticipation of Halloween, you should probably get more than blurry iPhone photos snapped by less-than-sober friends by which to remember the night.  

So this year, she hired me to design a session to document Harley Quinn a la Jolene (with a few special appearances by other friends, including Batman and Deadshot).  This was far from a typical session for me, and it was a lot of fun to meet an entirely new set of challenges in order to capture the Halloween experience Jolene wanted.  If you happened to be driving on Airport Way the Friday before Halloween just after dark and were wondering what on earth was happening in the Kodiak Jack's parking lot (a ring of parked, running cars, lightstands and umbrellas, a crowd of people, all in the freezing rain - ) ... yeah, that was us.  It was cold, wet, and an absolute blast.

Non-traditional family portraits: recent favorites.

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Perhaps my favorite part of custom family sessions is the process of creating at least one non-traditional family portrait.  It's kind of like solving a riddle: how do I (somewhat organically) get everyone into the frame?  And once I get them there, how do I portray the family authentically, as more than a sum of its parts - preserving at least a hint of the laughter, energy, noise, and personality uniquely inherent to every group.  

I love a good traditional image, too - everyone smiling at the camera.  I call it the "Christmas Card Picture."  I will admit, even I usually end up putting one of those on my personal holiday card, so great-grandmas and far-off cousins alike get to really see how big the kids are, etc.  

But for a canvas in my home?  Personally, one of these is what I'd want printed huge on my wall.  

What about you?  What do you have on your walls?