The Importance of Portraits with Grandma and Grandpa - Lake Norman Photographer

How many portraits do you have of yourself with your grandparents as a child?  
Do you wish you had more?  
Do you treasure the images that you do have?  

My own personal answers would be.. Some but not as many as I would like and YES yes yes I treasure them VERY much!  

My heart smiles every time a client asks to include their parents or in-laws in their upcoming photo shoot.    Every single time I think of my own grandmother with whom I was very very close to.  
She passed when I was 16 but I still think about her constantly.  

A year ago this month Karen, one of my clients who I have come to love very much informed me that her own mother was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer   She told me that she would like to have her join in the boys next photoshoot so that they (and she) would be able to have some professional images of her with them.  I cried when I read her email and again (much harder this time) when I read her post on facebook  just three months later that Catherine, her mother had passed.   

I am so happy that we were able to capture these very special grandma - grandson moments of Catherine and her boys and my friend Karen has expressed to me that she will treasure them always.

The purpose of this post is to remind us all how important it is to put aside our own insecurities and just GET IN THOSE PICTURES!!!  Years from now as your children and grandchildren look back at the pictures of the hugs, the kisses and the laughter they will smile and remember the relationship and the love.  Those extra 5 pounds that you want to loose  or that tiny new wrinkle that appeared last week are insignificant.  Wether of not your hair or nails done perfectly are also of no importance.  It only matters that you are here and that you love them.  I promise, you will not regret your decision!

In loving memory of Catherine Nuijens 9/7/43-5/27/13

and here are some other Beautiful Grandmothers and handsome grandfathers that let me convince them to join in the portraits….   some more willing than others.  LOL

Thank you all! 

Senior Portrait Photographer in Davidson N.C.

I just could not resist sharing another of this beautiful girl!  Love you Sabrina!

Lake Norman Winter Photographer - Snow fun in the neihborhood

We do not get a lot of snow here in North Carolina so when we do it is a pretty big deal. I always loved snow as a child and had tons of it growing up in Western Massachusettes.  As an adult however my fondness for the wet white stuff faded considerably.  That love does return when I see they joy in the faces of my two little girls.  We barely had a dusting, but that did not matter a bit to them.  They played and played and had a blast in that little bit of snow.  It was not only fun to watch them but all of our neighbors too.  Adults and children alike were sledding down the tiny hill in the road.  It was great!  My favorite of all had to be Ellie and the little girl next door as they overcame the fact that we did not own a sled and worked together to pilot the teeter-totter down the street.  Just the thought of them now cracks me up completely.  What a fun day!  :)

Family Portraits - Lake Norman Photographer

Every family is different, every family in unique.  This is why no two sessions with SnookySmiles Photography will ever be exactly the same.  My goal in our photo shoot is to completely customize our experience so that I can capture your individual personalities and document those amazing connections that you share with one another.

 This begins with planning the perfect location whether it be your home, your neighborhood,  a local park, the lake, an urban location, on a boat, in a stable, in the mountains, in a garden, etc., etc.,  the sky os the limit!   The place we select can be somewhere of significance to your family or just somewhere that really appeals to you.






Prior to our session I will email you some helpful session tips as well as links to some great what to wear pinterest inspiration boards to help you choose what will make you look and feel your best.  If you would like a phone or in person consultation prior to our shoot I am more than happy to make myself available for this at no additional charge.  On the day of our shoot I will do everything possible to make this experience fun and relaxing and completely stress-free so that when you look back at your images years from now you will remember a fun exciting day.   I do not set time limits to our time together so you can rest assured that we can focus on your family and really have fun.  If little ones need to take breaks to snack, grab a drink or just decompress we can do so at any time.  As mentioned before your session will be designed to best suit your family.  With some families I will give little to no direction other than placing you in flattering light and take a fly on the wall approach capturing your interactions, others who wish to have a bit more direction in posing and what to do will get that guidance.  Depending on the child or children I am working with I can be quiet, calm and reassuring, or I can be loud silly and completely unafraid to make a complete fool out of myself to get those genuine laughs and smiles.

Once our session is complete I will carefully sort and process our images (typically within 2-3 weeks) and then arrange your in person ordering session.  For this "portrait premier" I will come right to you and show your photos to you in a slideshow set to music and then walk you through the entire ordering process.  I can help measure wall space and design beautiful wall galleries that will look stunning in your home and help select gift prints to share with loved ones.
I can not wait to get to work with you and your family.  Should you have any questions please feel free to email (snookysmiles@gmail.com) or call (704.930.8402)

Senior Portraits Lake Norman - Huntersville, Davidson, Mooresville, Charlotte, Waxhaw, Concord...

It's about that time!  Time to start planning your Senior Portrait Session! Time to find the perfect outfits and time to brainstorm fun locations that reflect your unique personality.  Your Senior Portrait Session with SnookySmiles Photography can be as traditional or as creative as you like!

It is all about you!

Do you want to be casual or dressed to the nines?  How about both?  We can do several Outfit and location changes if you like.  You can even do a themed photoshoot and/or include your own special interest such as your hobby, sport or pet.  Check out out Senior What to Wear Pinterest Board here for some inspiration and contact SnookySmiles Photography ASAP to reserve your session date before the calendar fills up!!!!

Oh and more good news!  Mention this Blog Post for $25 off your Session Fee!!

Lake Norman Equestrian Photographer - The Great Bond between Horse and Rider

A good friend of mine who grew up around horses told me that the connection with your horse is like no another and is amazingly powerful. She said "You entrust your life with this creature each and every time you place your foot in the stir up and climb on."  I could not agree more.  My favorite part of being a photographer is the ability to capture connections between two people, or in this case between one person and one animal.  Photographing that amazing bond that horse and rider share is so very special.  SnookySmiles Photography is pleased to offer "Stable Sessions" Call or Email to arrange yours ASAP!  

Lake Norman Photographer - Mooresville Lake Portraits

SMILE! It's the weekend!  :)