Beautiful pup got all tuckered out after his professional photo shoot. Bo’s mom and dad use him as a therapy dog in their business and wanted him to have some new, fun head shots for the new website their building. Pictured here is Bo taking a five. ;)
A local photography group I’ve just joined has decided to challenge ourselves with a 52 week photo project. Rather than coming up with our own list we are following along with one that has already been published online – the Dogwood 52 Photography Challenge.
It’s a lot of fun to see how other people choose to express themselves and it’s motivating to be accountable to a group of people. I’ve been batting around an idea for a while now, but always put it last on my list of things to do. This week 1 challenge at least ‘forced’ me to start playing with the idea and to take one step towards executing what I really want. Yay!
Week One:
So much fun photographing this growing family in their home this summer. I love the laughter and connection that comes through in the spontaneous moments.
In my quest to support “all things local” I have joined my first CSA this year. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. You buy into a farm before they start their growing season and they give you a share of what they grow each week. Fresh. Local. Delicious. Driving out to the place where my food was grown and meeting the people who put so much care and hard labor into growing it has upped my appreciation for what I’m eating this week. One of my regular clients recommended the Hurst Family Farm to me – saying they grew the best veggies she’d ever tasted – and I have not been disappointed. The farmer let me wander around a bit to take photos and what attracted me that day were lots of cute birdhouses, friendly livestock and the textures on the fence. Can’t wait to see what I’ll get to eat next week. :)
A head shot is a simple thing. A shot of you – usually from the shoulders up.
It’s a complicated thing when you understand that your face – the way you connect with the viewer – is your personal branding. It’s a terrifying thing for most people. It’s the rare experience when someone walks into my studio and says “I LOVE being the center of attention and am in my glory in front of the camera.” What usually happens is folks come in and are fairly animated during the casual chit-chat time – and then as soon as the camera comes out – deer in head lights. This is so normal. I’d do it too. In fact, maybe – as a photographer – I’d do it even more than you. I like my position behind the camera.
It is my job to help you relax so the real, beautiful, fierce you can shine through. If you’ve been thinking it’s time to re-brand your website or social media picture I can walk you through the process. It’s a privilege and honor to do what I do.
TESTIMONY FROM A PAST CLIENT:
“You can find more than one portrait photographer in the field with a good eye for light and composition, but I discovered that Tania Palermo’s gifts and talents far exceed mere technical skills. She was able to explore with me what it was I wanted the photography to accomplish, and managed to bring to light what it is that fuels my passion for what I do. She captured the essence of what I want to convey to my clients in such a way that the photographs BECAME MY BRANDING. My website grew easily and naturally from the photographs themselves. I have received incredibly positive and superlative feedback from my friends and colleagues and clients about Tania’s portraits of me. If you want to boost your productivity or just to capture in photographs the essence of who you are and what is important in your life, I highly recommend that you treat yourself to a visit to Tania’s studio!” ~Karen Chadbourne
Glowing mommy to be came to visit the studio. :)
I’m totally behind on posting photos from portrait sessions. Thought I’d take a minute to post this one since it’s on top of mind – I’ve just finished working with it. I loved so much about this session. Karen is kind, confident in who she is [she’s claimed her ”awesome”] and deeply spiritual. We discovered, during pre-session chatting, that I’d taken a class from her many years ago and that we had several contacts in common. It felt like she was a serendipitous gift sent to me to remind me that we are all deeply connected on some level – and that when we do what we love the right people will be attracted to us – flowing in and out of our lives by divine appointment.
I ran a Holiday Mini special in the studio recently. It was a first for me and trying to get everyone to give me that “perfect smile” in a 20 minute session proved to be a difficult task – but a fun one. Love this family, all dressed so beautifully – kicking back and just having a blast. In the end I think the experience of joy is so much more important than the perfectly polished pose.
I’m struggling to find the right words for this post. And maybe for just now the image is enough. Carey came to me a few months ago and asked if I would help her document her experience with breast cancer. What an honor! It’s been such a gift to be trusted to share this space with her and humbling to know that some of the images we’ve made have been a cathartic part of her healing process. She’s gone through chemo, had a double mastectomy and is now preparing for radiation. We’ve documented her bald head, scars, drainage tubes, the love between she and her husband … and today some of the reconstructive surgery. I know this image is intense. Cancer is intense. Finding the strength and perspective to fight with as much grace and humour as Carey has must come from a deep place inside of her and I think what we see here is the warrior. Thank you, my friend, for letting me play a small part in your journey. ♥
[ Carey has given me permission to share this image. As she walks further down her path we may share more with the intent of giving other people in her shoes hope, shared strength and encouragement ]
Tania Palermo [Studio on Main] 