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/

Executive/Business Packages

We are excited to announce our new business package options. Needing to spruce up your headshot? Looking to buy a billboard ad spot, or new brand marketing options? Then look no further!  

Contact us today to schedule your individual or team portraits with our studio today!

How to display your portraits

You've just had the best portrait session, and are anxiously anticipating sharing them with your loved ones. But when your photographer delivers the digital images to you to download, you don't ever do anything with them. If you don't print your portraits, who will get to enjoy them?

This is why PhoenixPhotos offers competitive packages and pricing on all our prints and products. Whether it be complete session albums, a canvas wall mount, or Christmas cards...PhoneixPhotos can assist you in printing your images and products professionally.

All our products are backed by our 100% customer satisfaction. Purchasing through our professional lab assures quality, and color correctness. For your prints, it also means UV protection. Meaning your images will not yellow over time! Most exciting of all, we are able to produce your order in 2-5 business days.

Not sure what to order? With our wide array of products, our knowledgeable staff will assist you in sizing, and designing your products. Below is an example of what we can do to guide our clients to make the best decision regarding their products. We have the capability of inserting your images into a guide to show examples of what your finalized products would look like.

How much will your investment be to display these memories you created with our studio? Below we have attached our print and product pricing guide. If the size you require is not listed, contact our studio today for more information. We can print almost any size or design your request.

Stay This Little

A follow up on some of our sessions last week! Two cake smashes, a 6 month session, 5 year old, and a maternity session!  

Maternity Session Tips

This post on maternity tips for our clients will help you prepare for your session!

Even though pregnancies are anything but easy, considering bed rest, ultra sounds, the works, when we think about each growing soul, I get a little lump in my throat and my heart soars a bit. The entire birthing process is nothing short of amazing which is why the maternal bond develops long before baby arrives. Photographing your baby bump is a special way to capture that pregnancy glow so that you can have something to reflect how you looked and felt being pregnant with the most precious gift!

NE Wyoming based photographer Deanna Phoenix knows a thing or two about capturing the joy of pregnancy. She has an eye for unique settings and uses light and creative posing to showcase the essence of her subjects. Deanna also specializes in child and family photography, to continue working with her clients as their families grow! Here is Deanna's favorite tips for a successful maternity photo shoot.

1. GOAL: Capture this special time in your life in a natural, fresh, comfortable and fun way. Family members are welcome to join in your session as well.

2. TIMING: I recommend scheduling your baby bump shoot sometime around 32-35 weeks – perfect timing to show off your belly before you won’t feel like showing it off anymore.

3. OUTFITS: Color & comfort is key. Pattern is also a good way to add an element of pop to a photo. I often tell families to pick 3-4 colors that tie everyone together and the same goes for a baby bump shoot – An example: navy, turquoise, yellow and lime green. Sometimes we even incorporate the colors of the nursery as a starting point. I also recommend wearing something more on the form-fitting side – a dress, a long skirt with a fitted tank, statement necklace, and a bright cardigan. We want to see the bump but also be comfortable doing it. Comfort translates through the camera, it's imperative you are not uncomfortable with your selected wardrobe. Although we love to feature bare skinned photos, it is never required if you are not interested! If you need help styling, we recommend a couple local boutiques that would be happy to assist in your wardrobe for your session.

4. LOCATION: I prefer to capture your beauty with natural light. Typically our sessions would be scheduled either early in the day or closer to sunset to capture the best light possible. Being a full service studio, we do offer our indoor sessions as well. Styling and scheduling is the same for indoor sessions.

Step Into My Office

We finally have everything unpacked and organized from the show this past weekend! We are in love with our new desk, and chair for the studio office! Check out the beautiful model Maryann Lugan whose stunning on our studio walls!   We have enjoyed all our clients, models and friends over the last few years! It's now fun to display some of those memories in our studio to share with others! 

Welcome to my office!  

We are  #wyomingproud. We are #Wyomingstrong. 

2017 Gillette Wedding and Event Expo

What a whirlwind of a weekend for our studio. We have packed and unpacked our call all weekend! It seemed like we'd never get it all put away! But, we had so much fun out at the camplex for the wedding show! We met so many amazing couples, and families. We laughed and talked our heads a off until we were left with sore cheek bones and aching feet. We were extremely successful this year at the expo, and it's all due to the positivity of our great community. After a tough couple of years for many in our county, we seem to have had a phenomenal and optimistic turn out for this upcoming wedding season!  

For the brides we didn't get a chance to visit with personally, I apologize! It was extremely busy! But we do want to talk to you, so message us, come grab some hot cocoa, let's catch up! I'd love to hear about your big day, and the possibility of PhoenixPhotos being a part of it!  

For more information regarding our wedding packages, please contact us today! 

***Vendor Highlight*** J-Cakes

Occasionally we like to feature some of our outstanding vendors who provide exceptional service, and go above and beyond for our lovely clients. We couldn't be as efficient or look quite as great without these businesses who support us.  

On the blog tonight is our favorite local cake decorator, J-cakes, owned by Jessica Rennick. We have given her several orders over the last year, and each and everytime we have been astonished at the level of creativity, detail and talent that goes into her work. Jessica always exceeds our expectations ten fold, and our cake smashes wouldn't look as cute as they do without her hardwork. Her commitment to perfection and customer service is prime!

In the spirit of small businesses supporting one another, we'd like to refer all our clients, and readers to contact Jessica with J-cakes for your upcoming cake/cupcake needs!!! You will never be disappointed!

J-Cakes

(307) 689-6156  

Here are a few of our favorite cakes done this last year by J-Cakes! 

It's All In The Details

We have a beauty overload in our living room right now! Tonight we pieced together our floral pieces and accent decor for the Expo this weekend. I can't get enough of how beautiful this color scheme is! Please come out and see us, 1 to 4pm on Saturday Jan. 14th.