I have been working on a project for a few weeks, now, and thought I would post my progress. First, a little background story.
I was contacted by the O'Leary's in July about helping them get wall portraits printed from some pictures they had taken on South Carolina while vacationing. The photographer, Bonne Isenhour, had provided them with a disk, and they brought that to me so that I could help them with their selections and options.
Using my projector, we viewed the images in large sizes and selected a collection to hang as a wall grouping. Noticing the bright, saturated colors, and busy pattern on the girls dresses, I wondered how they would fit into the O'Leary's home decor.
I decided it was best to visit them so I could see the spaces that they wanted to use. We selected two places, one in their family room, which has a high two-story ceiling, and the second, just off their foyer, a smaller wall that you pass to enter the home. Both areas are highly visible, so they will be able to see and enjoy the portraits every day.
The decor was very neutral, with a beautiful silvery-champagne paint treatement accenting the foyer walls. I knew there would need to be some major changes to the pictures if we were to create something they would truly enjoy in those spaces. We contacted the photographer to get her permission and copies of the original files, which she graciously provided.
Here is the first image I've worked on:
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1. Color and contrast needed to be changed to a softer look. I achieved this by toning down the highlights, lightening up the shadows, and serious color adjustments and desaturation.
2. The busy pattern on the dresses needed to be softened and simplified. I envisioned a more abstract pattern, but had no idea how I was going to do it. I searched for information and found some new techniques to apply. Playing around with different tools in Photoshop, I eventually came up with exactly the look I was going after. Here is the result:
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By dropping the image to a warm black and white look, and bringing back just selected areas of color, I can create a soft, sweet portrait of these twin girls. In my opinion, this look better reflects the tender moment they are sharing, and will be a joy to their parents to see over and over as the years go on.
Watch here for more updates, as this is just the beginning of the O'Leary Project. I have more surprises to come!
For more information on how you can have your own photographs transformed this way, please contact Lori at 708-246-4511, or e-mail at ssportraits@sbcglobal.net.
There's still time for your Summer portraits, as September offers cool temperatures and lovely warm colors to compliment your next portrait. Call us now to get the information that will help you complete this dream, instead of letting this go another year. We're even offering you a chance to save on the regular pricing, so don't hesitate to act, because there are only a few more weeks until we officially move into Fall.
708 246-4511 by phone or ssportraits@sbcglobal.net by email.
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Well, I am so pleased to see that Jane Lynch won the Emmy award for her role as Sue Sylvester on Glee. This talented actress has played countless roles in just about everything you have all seen, but as she said this is the "...role of a lifetime", and she has really earned this award.
I had the pleasure of meeting Jane several years ago when I was asked to do a portrait for the Lynch family by her sister, my longtime client Julie Doyle. Their family gathered together at the Doyle home in La Grange during the Christmas holidays. I know Julie has told me that they really treasure that portrait even more as the years have passed, especially since their father is no longer with them.
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I know they are all proud of Jane tonight, and I join them in offering my congratulations on this honor. Looking forward to the new season of Glee!
Take a moment to savor the beautiful colors of these lovely summer beauties. Each of them was tended lovingly by my friend Marybeth Dougherty, who graciously allowed me to spend some relaxing time captuing their splendor. Truly inspiring, I will be back for more next year!
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Spring's weather has been a bit unpredicitable this year, but we were fortunate enough to enjoy a good day last week when we photographed Connor's portraits. A busy, curious little guy, he was not into sitting still for long, so I had to improvise as I followed him around. Here are some of my favorite images.
The beauty of Spring flowers uplifts our spirits each year. But did you know that the soft green color of the new leaves can do the same? Lasting only for a few weeks, the translucent quality of the leaves as they begin to take shape gives a light, airy feel to the portrraits that can't be found any other time of the year.
Take time now to plan your upcoming outdoor portrait. The mild temperatures of May and June offer wonderful opportunities for family and children's portrait sessions. Our current portrait specials offer great opportunities for savings. May 9th is Mother's Day, and portrait gift certificates are a great way to give her what she really wants!
Call 708-246-4511 for information on the latest specials, or e-mail us and we will get right back to you.
Those of you who know me well, understand that I always put my customers first. My obligations are many, and there is a lot more to my business than just the photography. It has been years since I have taken the time to photograph any personal pictures, the last being the ones I did of my cat Nicholas in 2003 before he passed away.
Without children of my own to photograph, it is the cats that become my subjects. We have four now, having lost our beloved Simba a couple of years ago. Of course, I had not taken any pictures of him, but being a very friendly cat who spent several months living at the studio, he did manage to work his way into a few customers sessions. In one memorable instance, we had to include him in order to convince a reluctant toddler to sit for a portrait.
In January, we learned that our sweet himalayan cat Kiersten, had a cancerous growth on her chest. Although we had it removed, we learned from the biopsy that the cancer would likely return and spread, threatening her life within another six to nine months.
These images were captured shortly before her surgery.
Kiersten is a sweet, loving cat who is most comfortable sitting on your lap. At the same time, you can't let her beauty and grace fool you, because she is also a fierce huntress. We have only captured a few of her moves, here, but my goal is to have a comprehensive collection of her many personalities so that when I am finished, I can make a personal album to give to my husband Stan for a special gift. Kiersten is his cat, and he has had her now for 13 years. It will never be long enough for him, and I can only hope my gift will help keep her alive in his memory in the years to come. After all, that is our purpose in life (professional photographers). I do it for my clients, it is the least I should do for myself and my family.
Lori Sorrells
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