New Mommy Melinda

I decided when I opened my photography studio that I would change a few things about the traditional maternity photograph. I'm drawn to a fashion look - a more creative look. I know what you're thinking, fashion and maternity together? Absolutely! Why can't a mother look and feel as gorgeous as if she's on the cover of Vanity Fair? Melinda is an example of someone who also wanted to change the norm. We went for it and the pay off was incredible - images of a mother who glows during her special time of pregnancy. This is a page for her baby album we call the "Bellies and Babies" portrait session. Try something new! I will if you will.

Fences Exhibition/Mary Jones

For those of you that haven't gotten a chance to see the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit "Between Fences" at Murphysboros General John A. Logan Museum you're missing out. The exhibit is incredible. Did you know the concept of fences was a United States invention? No other country separated land as we have. Interesting! Mom has shot some images of local Murphysboro fences for the exhibit. She has her own gallery area and it looks great! The funny thing is is that she is being interviewed on WSIU TV on the 30th about her work. I can't wait! She doesn't know it yet but I'm going to take lots of pictures of the celeb and make her nervous. haha! If you've ever met mom you know she's not one to be in the lime light. This should be fun! Stay tuned for the interview time on WSIU.

Introducing Photographer Mary Jones

Introducing Mary Jones of Imagine Photography. Mary Jones began her career years ago shooting film and developing all of her images in her darkroom. Mary also just happens to be my mother. Isn't she gorgeous? She's a digital junkie now but still loves film. See Mary's fences exhibition at the John A. Logan Museum in Murphysboro. More on the Exhibit in the next blog.

Lorenzio's Oil must see "Movie"

The film is based on the true story of Augusto and Michaela Odone and their son Lorenzo. Lorenzo suffers from (ALD) adrenoleukodystrophy which is a nerve disorder that has been untreatable until the family of the boy begins taking science in their own hands. This is a TRUE STORY about the plight of Lorenzios parent's to challenge the scientists, doctors, and pharmacutical companies to create the treatment they researched and designed in order to treat their son. http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn2851

Storyboards

My stepdaughter Taylor was close at my side when I was editing these images of her riding lessons. The way I decided to showcase her images is called a storyboard. I mingle several images together to give a true feeling of emotion as to what was going on for her that day. Details such as the hat and the moment alone with the pony set the tone. This image will be taken up to 30x15 and set into a black thin wood frame for her room. When you are wanting images that show a hobby, and especially an unposed portrait sesson, consider a storyboard. Exclusively here at Imagine Photography.

The details of your wedding are so important for several reasons. First, much time is spent looking for the perfect dress, shoes, jewelry , and especially the cake and flowers. These small, but important details of your wedding should not be left out of your wedding photography. This is an exciting era in wedding photography. Using new techniques available to us, we as wedding photographers have the ability to custom design wedding albums! Now with all of the artistic expression we can muster we are creating elegant, stunning, and very individualistic wedding albums that have never been done before. The image I have posted is but one of the unique pages that I have created for Kathy Mileur, one of my lastest brides. Kathy's wedding was exquisite. Needless to say - the time, the planning, and the classic ambience was displayed throughout her album. Without the fine details of the wedding, the pages would look rather mundane. Details are one of the ways we define memorable wedding moments, don't leave them out.

Scubadiving, what else is there?

For those of you that know me, you know that my passion has always been this. Scubadiving! From time to time I'll drop in some images I have of my dive modeling days. Here is one of me and a loggerhead turtle off Bimini. I've had the most incredible and exciting life! I've been lucky enough to work for one of the most incredible photographers in the world. His name is Chris Crumley. Crumley's work includes editorial and commerical photography for Discovery Channel, Citizen Watch, Johnson Outdoors, Wachovia Bank, Yamaha Electronics, and so so many others. Chris and I have been on some adventures over the years. So many stories and they keep compiling. Turks Caicos, Cozumel, Nassau, Bimini and the sprinkler dance. (Inside joke) I love you Crumley, you're one of the people I can say I have learned so much from. I keep learning more from you everyday. Check Chris out at www.chriscrumley.com
More to come on the Chris Crumley/Sherry Smith files.

20% off Sitting fee

Mention the blog and receive 20% off a portrait sitting fee from 1/15/06 to 1/31/06.

Gitty up Cowgirl!

Introducing our little cowgirl, Cheyenne Braswell. Cheyenne knew how to pour on the charm. Cheyenne is very confident and knows that her favorite things are her pink cowgirl hat and pink cowgirl boots. By the way, she looks just like her mommy. What a cutie! Catch Cheyenne on our new Imagine Photography bookmark.

Must see movie, "Yesterday" HBO

I guess the concept of a Blog is to bring a more personal connection with the public to the person who hosts the blog or in my case my business. I'm finding that the relationships I am building with the help of my business are becoming more and more. I've been told already that many of my clients are paying attention to the blog. I think this is great! It seems every client that comes in, I connect with in some manner. We all have something we like to share. With this in mind, I'd like to take the opportunity to use this blog to learn and maybe even inform others of things we can ponder together. For instance, I saw a movie that really effected me. My friend Renee and I make it a point to converse at least biweekly about something we have learned or feel needs to be brought to the public's attention so we can better educate ourselves about all that goes on in our world. If there is a movie, book, or lecture that really says something, we take note. This is one of those movies. If you have HBO, look for a movie called "Yesterday". "Yesterday" is a movie about the Aids problem in South Africa. http://www.hbo.com/films/yesterday/ I've been fortunate to know several people that have been to Africa recently that say this movie is exactly what society is like for those people. If you get a chance, it's worth taking in to broaden your awareness of a culture of which we have never seen the like.

Washburn Family

This is the fun loving Washburn family. Being with this family for just thirty minutes made me appreciate what family is all about. They had no problem flopping on the floor in a pile and showing the photog their true personality. They sang, they laughed, and had a really great time. Someone told me that a photographer should consider themselves "privileged". Privileged to be let into a special moment that people share together. May it be a wedding, the birth of their first baby, or a special family moment like this. I do truly feel privileged.
Thank you Washburn family for letting me share in the fun.

LeCHEVALL

I can see already there will be loads of Equestrian images in my future. My stepdaughter Taylor has taken up English riding at the age of 7. Kevin and I are excited for her because we can see that this is the first thing she has engrossed herself in that is all hers. This isn't something to impress others with or to follow the path of others. It's serious business to her. When she's riding, you see it in her face. Extreme concentration. Of late, her favorite things are absorbing riding books, watching movies with horses, and talking about horses. After spending a day at the barn with my camera, I can see why she has such a passion for horses. More to come.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

This has to be one of the most meaningful images I've taken. Especially after hearing that this little guy's favorite position seems to be just this. Meet John David Voss. Simplicity is the key to fine art newborn baby photography. The focus should be on the characteristics of the child. Feet, toes, and butts are our specialty. Newborns are a fine art masterpiece within themselves. Don't hestitate in capturing these fleeting moments in your baby's life. They grow and change so quickly.

VISA/MASTERCARD Now Accepted

Hey everyone. That's right, we now have a credit/debit card machine at the studio.

Beautiful Wedding! Wisely/Oestreicher

I wanted to show you a few images from a wedding we shot recently. What a beautiful bride! Wedding photography is so exciting to me. Each wedding has unique and unexpected treasures that always amaze me. My mother and I always say that shooting a wedding feels like going Easter egg hunting all over again. We get so giddy at the finds we encounter.

First Blog entry!!!!!

A Blogging we will go! Wow! This is the very first entry in our blog and boy are we excited! We will bring you up-to-date on all the latest things "Imagine Photography" will be doing.
So stay tuned!

Sherry Reichert