It looks like Spring….

..but I cannot tell a lie…

I cheated a little….

These pictures were taken last year!

Not only renovating the kitchen, but new stairs as well….

it’s a good thing there are some manly men to look at instead of the mess…

I’ll take a picture next week and see if there is any improvement…not in the men, I mean the house!

We hope you like our new postcard!

Grey Kitty even sat still for a 5 second exposure of the studio…

There are so many precious moments that MUST be caught by your photographer! You cannot afford to let them slip by. Make sure you schedule a photo session so that you have these photos to treasure forever!

Children change from moment to moment!

One minute they are happy and the next…

The point is, you want to capture every facet of their adorable personalities…

…and savor the moments of their young lives…

and always remember those fleeting moments together.

Models, actors, performers, business execs, corporate employees all benefit from a good head shot. There is a process to achieving the good head shot. Start with your outfit: No patterns, logos or bright colors, in fact, black is always a safe bet. We are showing off your face, not your clothes. A good haircut, growing in for 2 weeks or so, and some nice make-up. Not too much, but eye-enhancing make-up never hurts, and some natural to pink lipstick for women.

The New York head shot is more traditional and is usually a tight crop 8×10 full bleed. LA style shows more body, has a white border and includes the subjects name. With both, you staple a cover letter with your stats to the back, type facing out. Comps or composites, are another way to go and include 3-4 poses and styles, along with your name and stats on an 8×10 or 5×7. This allows you to show of your various looks.

Just for fun, do a few out takes in a less traditional and more more, relaxed style.

First, I’d like to share my wedding invitation with you. I custom-designed it rather than picking a design out of a book; we wanted something that no other couple on earth had. We decided on a non-traditional design that reflected our laid-back yet modern style. I used our wedding colors and favorite engagement photograph (from our session with Joann) on the invitation because I felt it added an extra-personal touch.

Birth announcements are another great item to have custom-designed. I know, I know, including a photo of the new baby isn’t anything new… But having an announcement designed specifically for your little bundle of love is. With an increase in unusual baby names, it’s not surprising that an increased number of parents also want their baby’s birth announcement to tell the world their baby is unlike any other! For the birth announcement below, Savannah’s parents sent me their favorite photo of their little girl and I was able to create a one-of-a-kind design for them.

The creative ways you can integrate your professional photographs into your save-the-dates, invitations, thank-you cards, and birth announcements truly are endless. Please visit Westway Studio for more custom design examples and to get more information on having a piece created just for you.

It’s never to early to start practicing for your wedding day! I am talking about make-up and hair and wedding photography.

It’s really important to get it right for wedding photos. You want to maintain a natural look, not too overdone.

For your special day you can get away with more eye make-up and lipstick and a nice matte airbrushed foundation.

Everyone loves that sun-kissed, healthy tan, but it doesn’t photograph well if it’s too dark, orange or overdone. You don’t want to be more tan then the groom. If you are dark and in white and he is pale and in black, it becomes difficult to deal with in pictures.

Try to stay away from glitter in your moisturizer and make-up. It can reflect and cause little glares in all the wrong places. You can use shimmer but not big hunks of glitter.

Practice with your hair: if your hair is stick straight and it’s humid on your wedding day you may end up with straggles. Lucky you if your hair is naturally curly!
 

• Facial waxing is ok 4–7 days before the wedding depending on your skin type (if you don’t regularly wax).

• Don’t do anything drastic in terms of changing hair color and/or cut right before the wedding because a new style will take some getting used to (for both the bride and the groom).

• Get your hair cut and colored a few weeks before the wedding.

• Always get a trial hair and make-up.

• Make sure your dress flatters and fits your body type and view it from every angle before purchasing.

• As far as make-up goes, less is more! You want to look your best, but you want to look like yourself.

• Preparation H helps dark circles and saggy eyes, so does the Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener that contains caffeine to liven things up!
 

False eyelashes are sexy and fun too! You can spend from $5–300 depending on how permanent you want them. They enhance your eyes and look very natural.

It is also good to find “ideal” bridal hair for the trial run to see if that works with your dress and any hair accessory you have chosen.

Try the MAC counter to find a lip gloss or lipstick that is lasting. Try to find a shade that is closest to your natural lip color that way if/when it rubs off its not so noticeable.

Get enough sleep and water the days before the wedding so that you are picture perfect!
 

Pink is classic, as well as classy. It is THE quintessential color of femininity. It is also synonymous with health and youth. Dark lipstick colors can age you drastically, and look very harsh. Pink lipstick on the other hand, is very softening to features and can take a good ten years off of your complexion — it will automatically make you look more rested as well! It is a trick of the trade used by the top makeup artists.

Pink is a perfect choice for your wedding day because it is also very romantic and so fresh looking, especially when paired with a lovely pop of pink blush on your cheeks as a finishing touch over a neutral toned blush or a subtle bronzer. There are so many exquisite shades of pink — from bright peonies to lilacs, to soft muted roses… have fun with it!

If there is one day in your life to go all out and really play up your romantic feminine side, it’s your wedding day! From the flowers to your dress to the decor… to your makeup… revel in your femininity!

Pink Holiday is expected to be available in stores by Fall 2012. It is a specialty line of just pink lipsticks and glosses in the most drop dead gorgeous and flattering shades with special effects and finishes — for all women no matter your age, style preference or background. The formula is exquisite in feel and wear, and is made of the highest quality ingredients. It is manufactured by the best cosmetics producer in the world. Pink Holiday: For every woman’s love affair with pink.

A bright spot on an overcast wedding day!

Nothing was going to keep Jill down, no matter what!

Mom was there to help…

and look at our bride now!

the sun came out just in time for the wedding

the wedding went without a hitch!

the day warmed up enough to play outside for a while

in fact, I had a hard time getting them back into the reception!

the food was scrumptious and the baskets of garlic were a nice touch for garlic farmers!

no kidding, this was the BEST cake we have EVER tasted

Colonie Country Club in Voohreesville has revamped and are now using Creo Catering.Yummy!

I just shot a 90th birthday party on New year’s Eve at Malozzi’s in Schenectady. Always cozy and great food.

The desserts are to die for from their bakery Cafe Italia on Broadway, also in Schenectady.

Longfellows is always fun with the huge indoor fish pond and indoor balcony. Jill and Tom looked pretty happy!

What could be more picturesque then The Sagamore in Lake George…

…or make you feel more like a princess than the Saratoga National Country Club?

Franklin Plaza in Troy is gorgeous as usual and nice photo ops outside too!

These are just a few of the places I am looking forward to getting back to this year but for now I’m going to sit back and relax and enjoy the winter!