Monday, May 31, 2010

Early Bird Senior Special!


Book your senior session* by June 15, 2010** and choose your savings!

$50 off the Basic package
$75 off the Upgrade package
$100 off the More package
$150 off the The Most package

Seriously? It would be crazy to NOT take advantage of this deal :) Or if you prefer, take that same savings and use it on some great add-ons to your package. For example, suppose you like the Basic package, but reeeeeaaally want a sterling silver necklace to give to a special someone? Take the $50 you save with the Early Bird Booking Special and get that jewelry. Need a few more wallets? Use the savings to get them.

Sessions are filling up fast, so please call 913.602.8061 or email the studio (
debra@strikingphotography.org) now so you don’t miss out!

*requires a deposit to hold your session date
** you can schedule your shoot for later this summer, just reserve it now

Monday, May 24, 2010

Senior Style Portfolio: class of ‘eleven


STYLE + PORTFOLIO = unforgettable senior pictures

Choose your STYLE:

POP: clean. minimalist. white backgrounds. studio. modern. bold graphics / Inspired by J. Brand, 7 for All Mankind, Apple, Rampage, Bebe, Stella McCartney

SEA: surfer. summer. outdoors. sepia tones. natural. boho / Inspired by Hollister, Abercrombie and Fitch, True Religion, Missoni



NEON: urban. graffiti. splashes of bright neon colors against white or black. '80s retro / Inspired by Hot Topic, Buckle, Adidas, Ecko Unltd, Tokidoki

VINTAGE: romantic. lush. floral. vintage. faded Polaroids / Inspired by Victoria's Secret, Urban Outfitters, H&M, PacSun, Ralph Lauren, Prada

DRIVE: strong. sporty. intense. driven. gritty / Inspired by Nike, Gatorade, Halo, Killzone 2, ESPN

VAMP: black-white-red. silver moonlight. goth meets grunge. magic. mystery / Inspired by Twilight, M.A.C. cosmetics, New Orleans, Alexander McQueen

Choose your PORTFOLIO:

BASIC: 32 wallets, 2 4x5s, 2 5x7s, 1 8x10

UPGRADE: 64 wallets, 2 4x5s, 2 5x7s, 2 8x10, 1 11x14

MORE: 80 wallets, 4 4x5s, 6 5x7s, 2 8x10, 1 11x14
Proof book of all your proofs
Bring a Friend – FREE
Custom open house invitations – FREE

THE MOST: 120 wallets, 4 4x5s, 8 5x7s, 4 8x10, 1 16x20
Multimedia DVD slideshow of all your proofs
Accordion mini album (great for display)
Keepsake sterling silver photo locket on a black or brown leather cord
Bring a Friend – FREE
Custom open house invitations – FREE

STYLE + PORTFOLIO = unforgettable senior pictures

Sessions are filling up fast, so call 913.602.8061 to book your date today!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Keep Yer Eyes Peeled...

for the Class of 2011's new offerings! Will be posting them first on my FB, then here and on the site. Oh, and on my FB, I will post the Senior Early Bird Booking Special, which is going to be a very good deal indeed! If you haven't had a chance to friend me, please feel free to do so by going to my FB page here:

http://www.facebook.com/StrikingPhotography

To be honest with you, I get a little bored with things that stay the same, year in and year out. Same old packages being offered, same old lighting, same old poses, same old backdrops.
*** yawn! *** For me, photography is about being an innovator, and I like to change things up a lot. That's why I really didn't mind that some studios were copying my ideas for packages. You know what they say: Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! ;)

And so each year, for all my new seniors coming up, I offer completely new packages. Keep yer eyes peeled, should be up within the next week...

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Stoplight Reflections - An Exploration






I like driving on rainy nights, because the streets are transformed into a shiny, reflective wonderland. The street lights, car tail lights and stoplights meld into a colorful splash, and the silvery black reflective nature of the wet streets adds to the beauty.

The problem is that every time I notice this, I'm the one driving. I briefly considered trying to shoot while driving, but quickly nixed the idea in the name of safety... I can't imagine what a police officer would say if I tried to explain that the reason I crashed my car was because I was trying to take photographs of the streetlights!

However, the other night my husband was at the wheel, and so I was able to capture these interesting images. I'm certain he was mystified as to exactly what I was trying to create, since it was quite dark. But he knows me too well by now and just let me happily click away :) (Thanks, hon!) I shot a series of each scene, so you can see the progression of movement, focus and extended exposure.

Enjoy!





Saturday, May 8, 2010

Ashley's Senior Session




Amazing. Fantastic. Gorgeous. Beautiful. I run out of wonderful words to describe this young woman!

We shot until the sun was almost down and honestly, I could have kept shooting until my trigger finger got numb and I just fell down in a happy stupor. Ashley has incredible talent in front of the camera, and she's more than willing to try interesting, unique poses which always lends itself to a great session. Climbing trees? No problem! Her mom, Robin, was also such a joy to work with... so helpful and supportive. We had a great time traipsing around in the giant field and finding exciting locations to shoot. I was very pleased by the variety of "looks" we achieved in just one shoot.

Introducing animals into a photo session always adds a little bit of unexpected excitement... animals, unlike humans, do not "pose" and so you've really got to be on the ball as the photog. Quick reflexes and knowing your camera are a must because you never know exactly what the animal will do next... it might be fantastic or it might be a disaster. Our little birdie was so cute but I kept worrying that it would poop in Ashley's hands LOL! It also wanted to try and fly away so Ashley had to be sure to cup it just right in her hands.

Notice: no animals were harmed in the making of these images :)


To book your own magical photo session, whether a senior session, wedding or family portrait, give me a call at 913.602.8061. To see more photos, visit Striking Photography's website!