Arbuckle Lodge Big Day Wedding Expo

PhoenixPhotos is excited to announce our SPECIAL OFFERS we will be offering at the upcoming Big Day Wedding Expo- Arbuckle Lodge Gillette at the Arbuckle Lodge Gillette on October 20th, 2017 from 5-9 PM! Come say hello, get free goodies, and enter to WIN!!!!

Every Bride will receive a free gift! See our booth!

For this show, enter to win a ***FREE ENGAGEMENT SESSION***

$150 Print Credit to any bride who books a wedding with us at the show!

Lastly, biggest promo of them all - ENTER TO WIN $400 OFF your wedding package (*exclusions may apply - find our more details at our booth*)

Rusty & Sadie Engagement Session

Rusty and Sadie took me out to the family Ranch for their engagement session. We had free reign of the grounds. Our great state of Wyoming is pretty smokey due to all the devestating fires burning in Montana,  but luckily we were able to still see the hills! Rusty and Sadie enjoy the outdoors, and what better way to capture their love, then in the wyoming wide open spaces! We also got to spend time with Bear, their spoiled pup who was able to accompany us for their time with our studio!  

We are blessed to not only call these two clients, but our dear friends! Congratulations Rusty and Sadie! We look forward to covering your big day in 2018!!!! 

Justin & Gina's Big Horn Mountains Engagement Session

Justin and Gina joined us in the Big Horns for their engagement session! We chased the light all the way until the sun went down! Their session exemplified who they are as individuals, and who they are as a couple. They enjoy the Wyoming outdoors, and the beauty that our great state has! Justin took Gina and I to one of his favorite riding locations, and even brought along the atv's. I sent through a mud puddles, had them lean and reach and kiss on the back of them! It was a beautiful summer evening in the mountains! I am so excited to be their Wedding photographer next summer! After working with them for their engagements, I have no doubts we will be able to cover a wonderfully beautiful wedding! 

Permission To Be Beautiful

As a photographer, I often get women apologizing for being awkward, or their smile, or their bad makeup, or hair day. As I sit here and edit these galleries, I can't help but think -don't apologize, you're beauty is captivating. Now, obviously I too have bad hair days, or even times after a big lunch I feel like I'm carrying a food baby, I get it! I'm not saying we cannot be insecure, because there is some humility in truly being insecure. But ladies, you're beautiful. Trust me to capture that.

Your hair blows in the wind, rock it. Nothing is more stunning then a natural breeze to settle the hair away from your face. It's stunning, it's natural, it's real, it's beautiful. Leave it!

I’m aware that it really can be this hard to step outside of our bubble, feel power and own who we are as women. Ladies, it's my personal goal as an artist to reassure you - you look beautiful. I want to empower women to feel comfortable in their skin. Even if there is something your uncomfortable with, there are ways around not focusing on that particular point. As a photographer, we use lighting, creative posing, and a variety of techniques and tools to assure, everything is fine, you look fabulous.

As an artist, I feel it's time to give a reminder... We understand the importance of taking ownership of our work we are here to do, and I will. One of the things that most excites me is when I see a client actually trusting and feeling beautiful, there is a natural sense of ease that comes over her during her session. 

My clients should feel fierce, and empowered. 
Remember you are YOU
so feel more like you. Act more like you - with me. 

WE ARE WOMEN.

WE ALL need to be united in this. We all need to help each other out, and remind each other that even though it may be a fat pants day, or makeup free day... it doesn't take away from your beauty. Own it. Represent it. Let me show the world that it doesn't matter what molds they try to say is picture perfect. Let's prove, you are picture perfect. (Even in your fat pants.) Lets be honest, there was a day I wouldn't be caught DEAD in my yoga pants at the store... then as I got older, I realized, like truly realized, it doesn't matter what I wear... I am a beautiful person, inside and out. If I feel this way, it will radiate, and no one will care what paint splattered tee I'm wearing.

I learned to stand up and shine.
I learned to speak my truth with pride.
I learned that it was never about what I was wearing, it was how I was carrying myself.

This being said, I want my clients to feel this way. Lose control!​ Stand up and shine during your artistic session. Take pride in your beauty. Carry yourself with the understanding that no matter what you do, you are captivating.

​I want you to underand, I'm giving you permission to say to yourself, "I am beautiful."

It may not be often you have an occasion when you have an excuse to dress up and get dolled up, utilize your scheduled sessions with our studio to dig out that special occasion dress. Buy something new. Have your hair done, paint your nails. Do whatever you have to do to get to an accepting point that you are allowed to feel beautiful. At the end of this post, we will post links to local businesses we recommend to look, and feel beautiful!

I want you to stand out.
I want your experience to be different.
I want you to feel beautiful.

From your photographer, your creative stylist, your currator of art:

You look beautiful.
Stunning.
Gorgeous.

 Repeat. After. Me.

I AM BEAUTIFUL.

Recommended beauty vendors: 

Hair: Jade  - Gypsy Soul Salon 

https://www.facebook.com/SalonGypsySoul/

Nails: Lizzie - Gypsy Soul Salon

https://www.facebook.com/SalonGypsySoul/

Wardrobe/Styling: Kaylee - Tin Wagon Boutique

https://www.facebook.com/tinwagonboutique/

Makeup: Lezly - Bonita Beauty Makeup  

https://www.facebook.com/Bonitabeautymakeup-319604264917418/

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram: @Phoenixphotoswyoming

Local Boutique Styling Session

 What does it mean to style your session?

many photographers will recommend you "style" your session. In simple words, this means to find COMPLETE outfits that will coordinate well together for your senior/family/engagement/event portraits. From the shirt/pants dress, to accessories and shoes. Coordinating patterns, textures and colors that highlight your personality, body and style will help you feel more comfortable, and beautiful for your session with our studio. 

I dont know of you're like me or not, but when planning what to wear, it's tough! I may try on ten outfits, and still be stuck on what looks best, or what shoes to wear.  The struggle truly is real. Lucky for you and me, there are talented women out there who assist with this endeavor everyday. They will take your size, color and style, and help you find something absolutely perfect for YOU!! Pictures don't have to be stressful! Take some of the weight of your shoulders - & accept help!

Shopping for your wardrobe with knowledgeable professionals/stylists, getting your hair or makeup done, dramatically relieves you of a lot of the session woes. Get dolled up!! You will be the most happy with the outcome if you take the time to feel confident, comfortable (without your sweats) and beautiful.

Styling is one thing we are starting to recommend to all our clients this year. Styling your portrait sessions is key to the outcome of your time with our studio. Proper styling assures you are well accessorized, with complimenting wardrobe that will flatter your body type, and highlight your individuality.

In our 2017 session guide, we have a list of preferred vendors, and boutiques we recommend to our lovely clients. Tin Wagon Boutique is new to our styling guide this year, but being that the shop is local, take advantage! No more shopping online and having to order three outfits hoping one will work! Kaylee and her team are wonderful assets to utilize when planning wardrobe for your session.

We wanted to share this video link Kaylee shared on her page regarding what "styling" means. Please take advantage of this unique service, as it truly helps a portrait session come together!

 https://www.facebook.com/tinwagonboutique/videos/1435854083144484/

Tin Wagon Boutique  

(307)   257-2534

801 E. 4th St. Suite 17, Gillette, WY, 82716

https://www.tinwagon.com/

New Office Space

Our studio announced some big news this previous week! We officially signed our lease to the new studio location! As most of you know, due to circumstances beyond our control, PhoenixPhotos moved home to our personal residence until we were able to find the picture perfect location! Well, with the help of the best realtor in town - we found it. Nice big open spaces, lots of natural light, but most importantly - a space that's just for us! That's right, no more sharing! ​

​Our last location downtown, we were unable to officially move completely in, and call ours! We were located in a dark basement, that had more of an apartment set up! It was difficult for mammas with babies carrying car seats. It was a struggle to keep warm enough for newborn session.... it was a work in progress. We were located in that location for 9 months.... when the landlord decided to do something different with the space! We were on the lookout for the right opportunity.

We appreciate our clients continued trust in us as your photographers, while we underwent these significant changes. We can hardly wait to show you all the new space! I haven't even unpacked our camera equipment, but was able to snap a couple portraits on my phone this afternoon. 

Whats nice is to seperate our office, and session prep area (hair/makeup) from the actual studio space. Leaving ample room for our clients comfortability. We will welcome our studio guests into a small sitting area, perfect for all our consultations for weddings, grow with me plans, and senior sessions! As you make your way through the room, we have plenty of space for multiple set ups!!! (***huge plus for me!!***)​ This simply means when you arrive to the studio, your entire session is already set up, and ready to go! No more waiting while we replace backdrops. No more down time attempting to keep little ones happy and occupied! Another big perk, is your littles are free to wander! With a larger space, it means we are able to not worry about them knocking something over, or getting into our filing cabinet! 

We are all geared up and ready to fo​r our indoor studio sessions this year. You'll have to bear with us, we made this jump, and are working tirelessly to get it all set up. Once our final touches are made, we will share images of the space! Until then, feel free to stop on by and say hello!! 

Coming this summer: Office hours and walk in appts! ​

Why Hire a Professional Wedding Photographer

Why Hire A Professional Wedding Photographer?

Let’s be honest. Weddings can get pretty expensive, especially considering today’s tough economy. If you’re getting married, it’s likely that you’re looking for any way possible to save some money, or score some great deals.  One of the ways some couples consider saving money is to have a friend, or family member photograph their wedding instead of hiring a professional photographer. Nowadays, digital cameras are everywhere, and everyone becomes a photographer. Is this a good idea? Well, you are the only one who can make this decision, so we outlined a few of the reasons why WE here at PhoenixPhotos believe that you should leave your wedding photography to a professional photographer.

Top Ten Reasons To Hire A Professional Photographer for you Wedding Day.

#1 – Experience: During  the course of a wedding day, many of the most important moments only happen once – for instance, the exchange of the rings, the first kiss and first dance. The biggest factor to take into consideration, by hiring a professional wedding photographer you have their reputable photography experience, which reassures you that you will come away from your wedding day, with high quality images to show your kids, and grandkids. Portraits that will stand the test of time. These are not events that will happen again, or get replayed, it is important to have a photographer there you can trust to document the shot – on the first try.

#2 – Knows What Shots To Capture: There are tons of photographs to capture during the course of entire wedding day, with some being more important than others. A professional photographer will know those shots by heart (rather than having to look at a list) and ensure that all the important moments of the day are documented for you. This skill takes time, and experience to develop and can’t be taught overnight, so if it’s the first time your photographer has shot a wedding, (or even the second, third, or fourth) the photographer will likely miss a bunch of key shots you'd want. Its important to add that we do provide a list or moments to capture, and review it with our couples, this helps us know who/what is vital to you for your wedding photographer to capture. In consultations, I go over how our studio will not know Grandpa Larry for Arkansas that was your best friend growing up... We won't know those relationships if we just showed up to take pictures. Planning your wedding event takes time, skill and expertise. 

#3 – Ability to Anticipate and Catch Split-Second Action: This somewhat goes hand-in-hand with the previous reason, but takes it just a step farther. Not only will a professional photographer know the shots that need to be captured, but the professional photographer will be able to anticipate the action, and put themselves in the correct location for the best angle. Though weddings don’t move as fast as sporting events, they do move quickly and the photographer needs to be observant, ready, in the right place – with the right lens on at any given time. If any of these things are missing, your portrait will be missing too.

#4 – Posing & Coaching: To obtain great portraits of couple’s, the photographer needs to have practiced it many times. If you have ever had an inexperienced photographer take your picture, you probably felt stiff or even silly. Most importantly, you may have felt like you didn't know what to do, or how it looks.  This is likely because you didn’t receive much coaching. The inexperienced photographer may have been too overwhelmed with operating the buttons on the camera to make sure you were positioned in the most flattering way. We pay attention to these details to get the best photograph. The dress, the hair, the flowers, the rings, your faces - all will be positioned accordingly.

#5 – Lighting Skills: Advanced lighting skills are critically important to good wedding photographs. That’s because many of the venues where couples get ready or hold their receptions are very dimly-lit, often times to create a special atmosphere. A professional will have the skills to shoot in even the darkest of light, where an amateur may struggle to get a usable frame or something in focus. Hiring  a professional photographer assures that they have the knowledge, and equipment to achieve your desired portraits in any given circumstance, even low-light situations. 

#6 – Organization of Group Portraits: This is an area where a professional photographer can add value to your wedding photographs. These are important photos for many couples since weddings are often the only time the entire family gets together in one location. It can be very hard to successfully organize and arrange a large group of people if you haven’t done it before. Can you see everyone’s face? Are all the people there? And is the arrangement orderly and well constructed? And what about the people who have started drinking already and are feeling a little tipsy, distracted and are not following directions? A professional can anticipate, and execute these images well. They also have a skill set that can offer advanced options to create the picture perfect image in editing and post processing procedures.

#7 – Wedding Etiquette: During a wedding day, there are some things that a photographer just shouldn’t do, like walk right in front of the main aisle during the ceremony. Faux-paus like this won’t ruin your wedding, but they can raise your tension on an emotional day. A professional photographer knows the “does and don’ts” throughout the day, and can make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible. They can also assist in the flow of your day by providing expertise to your wedding moments.

#8 – Post Processing and Editing: After a wedding, it is common to come home with hundreds of images to import, sort, edit and then export. It takes a significant amount of time to do this, and a professional photographer has a process for dealing with this many images at one time. Also, the professional photographer is skilled in editing, and create the portrait in the digital darkroom from RAW image data, at the same time, making sure all the files are backed up in multiple locations so your wedding memories are safe and sound.

#9– Equipment: Nowadays, everyone has a camera. Even cameras with really high “mega-pixels” as is the buzzword for most consumer grade products. And most cameras capture nice pictures given the right lighting situation, or when people are standing totally still. But what if the light isn’t good? Or what if the people are dancing? Rather, professionals worry about things like autofocus abilities, ISO levels and noise capabilities. These are some of the factors that allow us to catch sharp photos, in dark settings, even without a flash (which may not be allowed for your ceremony in many churches). In addition, there are big differences between consumer and pro lenses. While they look nearly identical, pro level lenses often let in 8 to 16 times more light than consumer zoom lenses. And that can be the difference between getting sharp, bright photos – compared to dark, blurry ones.

#10 – Access To Pro Level Photo Labs and Album Companies: There is a huge difference in the quality of the prints, and albums a professional photographer will have access to in order to showcase your wedding photos compared to a consumer. Nearly all of the premium album and print companies reserve their services to a professional photographer, leaving amateurs with more automated, and less premium, albums and photo books. Our studio is color calibrated to provide the optimum outcome. We also offer UV protection on our images, so that over time, they will not yellow like Grandma's had. This guarantees your images and memories are able to stand the test of time.