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 fiancé, 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.
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© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

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.
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© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

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.
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© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Allison's Sneak Peek

You might remember Allison from this family session, or maybe Jamie and Jake from their maternity session, and you might remember Allison's grandparents, too. Well, Allison's first birthday is right around the corner and it is time for her one year portraits.  I adore this family and was excited to have the opportunity to take more photos for them, especially in honor of such a wonderful occasion!

Before we get started, I have to say that this entire session looks amazing in black and white, and it took everything I had to include some images in color!  I recently saw a pin on pinterest of an entire wall in someone's home decorated with huge black and white canvases of the family's children.  As soon as I saw these pictures of Allison, I couldn't help but think that they would look amazing displayed in a similar manner!

Isn't she a doll?  This first one is definitely on the favorites list...

I just love how Allison is posing with her little hands in her lap here.  She's a natural already!...

Look at that adorable smile!...

Little Miss Fix-It...

Those teeth!!!...

Another favorite...

So cute!....

Allison is such an observant little thing and you can just see the wheels turning in that mind of hers.  I think she is going to be an 'old soul' and wise beyond her years as she grows up...

Baby Shoes!...

Wheeeee....

Those eyes!...

A little fun with blocks....

Jamie and Jake,  Thank you for letting me take these photos of your little cutie for you.  It was an honor and a pleasure.  It was great getting to see all of you again. And a great big Happy Birthday to Allison as she turns one!

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

Birds and Bees and Butterflies, Oh My!

A few weeks ago I had a photo session at the Desert Botanical Gardens, and I went a few hours early to scope out some good places for us to shoot.  While I was walking around I did a little shooting and decided to share a few of the photos I took on the blog.

I especially like these first few of a hummingbird that Kevin spotted and pointed out to me....

I braved a few of the bees, even though I am very allergic to bee stings!  Luckily, they were too engrossed in their flowers to notice me...

Last but not least, a few of the gorgeous butterflies we saw...

I'd love to return to the botanical gardens sometime to take photos when I have a full day to spend shooting (and when it cools off a little bit), and I'd love to shoot more sessions there, as well.  It is a gorgeous place for portraits!

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