Friday, November 28, 2014

Self-Portrait | November 2014

I'm just going to start off by saying that this really isn't a self portrait. First, it wasn't taken with the intent of being used for this month's photo.  Second, I didn't take it. It is a random cell phone shot that I asked my hubby to take for me because I wanted to post it on Instagram, and the fact that I am resorting to using it for my November self-portrait speaks more about what my month has been like than any other staged photo could.

November has been an insane whirlwind of getting ready for the portraits that Kevin and I had taken earlier in the month, combined with a very busy shooting and editing schedule as the photography season in Arizona kicks off.  So, I have spent the majority of my time either behind my camera or sitting in this exact spot editing images (as I am doing in this photo).  Also, as in this image, I'm usually accompanied by the dogs as my awkward but adorable arm rests (and covered in layers and buried in blankets because our weather took a very abrupt downward turn into colder temps and I've been freezing).

Also of note in this photo are the piles of stuff on the kitchen island behind me, which again speak volumes about what my life is like right now.  Anyone who knows me in IRL knows that having stuff littering the surfaces of my house is highly unusual and only tends to happen when I'm crazy busy, but it is a good crazy busy as most of it is because my photography business is booming!

So, here's to wrapping up an insane but good November, and with it my 2014 shooting season!


Did you miss some of my past self-portraits?  Clicking here will take you to all of my self-portrait blog posts. Clicking here will take you to my self-portrait Facebook album.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
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© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Arizona Summit Law School | Student Head Shots

As promised, these are the rest of the Arizona Summit Law School student head shots from earlier this month.  It is my pleasure to introduce you all to another group of hard working future attorneys.

Meet Doris...



Baharehsadat...



Derek...



and Lorna...



Once again, thanks to these students for allowing me to take head shots for them!

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter


© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Amanda + Gentry's Sneak Peek {Engagement Session}

It is with much excitement that I welcome the stunning Amanda back to the blog, and introduce for the first time her fiancĂ©, Gentry!  If you've seen Amanda's previous sessions (or if you take a few minutes to go check them out) you will quickly notice that she is a girl who loves urban locations for her photos, which is just one of the many, many reasons why I adore her!

Give me the choice between a pretty green park and a run down alley way and I'll pick that alley hands down every time.  Of course, most clients prefer the prettier settings so I don't get the opportunity to take photographs in urban locations as often as I would prefer.  So, I was thrilled when Amanda and Gentry requested to have their engagement photos taken downtown.  We picked a meeting place and time, and then spent a few hours just wandering around finding fun places for their photos.  We found a lot of really awesome places to shoot, and the lighting was just gorgeous.   Everything came together perfectly, and I must say that theirs is definitely one of my all time favorite sessions!

So without further ado, please allow me to share a peek at Amanda and Gentry's engagement session:


I have no idea what this establishment is, but I was mesmerized with this sign and had a ton of fun incorporating it into some photos...



So sweet...



Check out that gorgeous ring!...



This one is definitely a favorite!...


We had a blast playing in the street for some of their photos. Luckily, there wasn't too much traffic...





Love, love, love!  This one definitely belongs in a frame...


Look at that lighting.  Swoon...


Now this one.  It doesn't just belong in a frame.  It belongs on a huge canvas!  It's not often that I can pick an absolute favorite image from a session, but I think this is an exception.  Seriously.  There are not words...





Adorable...




Love both of these, too!...


Another favorite...


What an incredible looking couple!...


More sweetness...


Of course, I had to sneak in another shot of that stunning ring...


It was love at first sight when I saw this building!...




I just adore this image...


Best. Building. Ever...




One last ring photo of that beautiful ring...


Simply stunning...


One last fun one just for kicks...


Amanda and Gentry,  Thank you for allowing me to take your engagement photos.  It was so much fun spending my evening with you both.  I hope you love your photos as much as I do!

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter


© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Monday, November 24, 2014

New Head Shot Backgrounds

Recently I have been getting a lot of inquiries about head shots, so I decided it was time to purchase some portable backgrounds that I can use on location.  I wanted to give my clients a few different options so I decided to purchase two reversible backgrounds.  Of course, I wanted to see how they photographed before using them with clients, so I asked a friend if he would pose for some photos to allow me to check them out.

This first one was supposed to be two different colors of brown, but when I opened it I was disappointed to see that neither color looked anything like the ones shown online.  I though that I would probably end up returning it; however, after seeing the results I was pleasantly surprised to find that I actually really like how both sides of it look in photos.

One side is sort of a grayish green color...


And the other is sort of a reddish orangish brown...


The second background was described as light grey on one side and dark grey on the other.  However, as you can see from the two sets of photos below, both side of the background look almost exactly the same.  So, I suspect I will probably end up returning this one and trying a different alternative so that I actually have four options as intended.



Now that I have had the opportunity to use the backgrounds, I think I am going to see if I can find a blue one, as well.  So, if anyone needs any professional head shots in the future, I'm prepared to make you look awesome!

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter


© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Arizona Summit Law School | Student Head Shots

When I first started taking law library head shots for the students at Arizona Summit Law School (formerly Phoenix School of Law), I never intended to turn it into a thing.  It all started because some of my husband's classmates asked me if I could take photos of them with the law books.  Eventually more students began asking about them and I basically fell into the routine of returning to the school every semester to take these student photos.  I was recently back for another round of head shots and wanted to share some of them on the blog today.  So please allow me to introduce you to some more awesome future attorneys:

Meet Tangi...



Tonye...



Tyler...



Maria...



And Siprachanh...



I still have more student photos to share, so stay tuned for another post soon.

As always, thank you to all of these students for taking time out of their incredibly busy schedules to allow me to take these photos for them!

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter


© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC