Does anyone remember Olin Mills? What about Glamour Shots? Picture People? Remember the day when people would get dressed up and head out to the picture studio? There have been a smattering of places I’ve visited, both as a child and as an adult.
How about now, though? How many of us FresYes residents visit a picture studio? I think times have changed. We live in time where taking selfies is an art form. I mean, there are rules for getting the perfect selfie! Get in the right light. Hold the camera (er, phone) from an angle, up high. Hide the double chin. After all that, I don’t even look like me!
Now let’s talk about the camera. It’s not a real camera, it’s a phone! They’re making phones with better cameras than a real camera. With these kinds of phones, who needs a photographer? I mean we’re all photographers, right? 😉
Well, yes and no. I can do amazing (or mediocre) things with a cupcake and the Instagram filters, but to get my kids to do what I want them to do. Not so much. Taking pictures of people, that takes talent.
My first experience with photo shoots were with my daughter, at a place in the mall. You know, where they yell, “Seren!!! Look at the camera! Smile! Say cheese! Look up here!!!” They tried everything. We would eventually get the pictures, but it took A LOT. Over the years it got somewhat better. Then one day, I stumbled upon a local mom who had a wonderful connection with my daughter. She practically turned Seren (my daughter) into a super model. She had this ability to draw the best out of Seren. She was patient. She was kind and soft spoken. She was simply amazing.
Fast forward 9 or so years. Now I have 2 children. My daughter is a 7th grader and my son just entered Kindergarten. My son goes to public school, and my daughter is homeschooled, which I talk about on my blog. This week my son came home with an order form for school pictures. That’s when it occurred to me….What do I do with my daughter? I mean, we need to have the obligatory school photo, right? So what do I do? I’ll tell you what I do…I support our local photographers, that’s what!
I know that everyone has a favorite photographer, just like everyone has a favorite hairdresser, and I’d like to hear who some of your favorites are. Like you, I too, have a few favorite photographers. Two of them I’d like to highlight. They are both homeschooling moms (coincidence), who are also supporting their families. I love supporting local moms. Love. I’m a firm believer that if all of us women would work together, lifting up each other with support and encouragement, we’d rule the world! (Calm down guys, we love you too.)
Nikki Lenae Photography
The first person I’d like to share about is Nikki, she owns Nikki Lenae Photography. She has taken pictures of my kids, and I just love her. She is super loving and patient. She makes me laugh and has a way with children. I have always felt comfortable around her. Nikki now specializes in maternity, baby and newborn photos. As you can see from her website, she is brilliant. The newborn pictures are amazing! Best of all, she is a Fresno native.
Check out Nikki on Facebook!
Rebecca Mae Photography
The second person I’d like to share with you is Rebecca from Rebecca Mae Photography. She is my answer to worrying about how I was going to get “school” pictures from my homeschooled daughter. Rebecca is not a Fresno native, but she’s been here almost as long as I’ve been out of high school (and that’s a lot of years). She started taking pictures as a child, and she does it because she loves it. She doesn’t really have a speciality, but I love these school photos. I love the set up, and I love how she gives the child a chance to write what they want to be when they grow up. How cute is that??!!
Check out Rebecca on Facebook too!
The key to any good photographer is that they love what they do. They take pride in their work, and it shows. Taking pictures is not just a job where they go to from 9-5. These woman don’t just pull out a cell phone with a great camera and amazing filters. Taking pictures is a passion, it’s an art form, a way to show off a person in such a memorable way. For these reasons I will choose one of these two lovely ladies to take pictures of my children. I recommend the same for you. Choose someone local. Someone who knows the area and can take great pictures on location. Even better? A mom!!! We have some amazing photographers here in Fresno, let’s support them!
Who are some of your favorites?
- Visit Local: Selma - August 26, 2016
- Pet Medical Center and Spa - August 19, 2016
- Adopt Local: Animal Compassion Team - August 12, 2016
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