Category: Client Information

Posted on

Print Credits – The Woodlands Photographer

After your photo session is complete, and it’s time for the viewing and ordering session it’s helpful to make a list of your needs. For most clients, everything you need fits exactly into one of my customizable choose-your-own-products Collections. There might be something on your list that is not covered though, and that is where the print credit comes in.

What is the most popular ways for clients to spend their print credit?

1. Grad Cards and/or wallet prints.  If you need announcements, take a head count for the grad cards.  I offer several sizes and styles of grad cards, so read all about them here. If you plan to order cards from the school, you can slip in wallet prints. Since these are small at 2×3 inches, it’s best to order a close up shot.

Wallet prints come in sets of 16, and can be in square format sheets that retain the original image as shot, like below:

senior print credits for high school seniors how to spend their credits

Or you can have your wallet prints die cut, with rounded edges. Please note that this style cuts into the image around the edges, so you’ll lose a small portion of the image around all sides.

die cut wallet prints for senior portrait grad cards

 

2. Gift prints for family and friends. Grandma definitely wants a beautiful print of her family, click here for info about the perfect print for grandma’s wall!  Gift prints are sized 8×10, 5×7 or sets of 16 wallets. I offer several gift print packages, from large Family Packages to Grad Card packages with enough wallet prints for your senior grad announcements. Gift print packages are hugely popular and save you money!

set of gift print packages for senior pictures in the woodlands

3. Desk or Wall Collages. Mounted collages are a great way to put together several of your favourite images for display, and make great gifts and keepsakes. Add a quote to personalize!

collage

 

Posted on

Wall and Desk Collages for Seniors – The Woodlands Seniors

When it comes to decorating your home and office with your graduating senior’s pictures from your senior photo portrait session, I offer many ways to display your final images. With beautiful print and product options, you can choose to display the senior portraits on the wall as canvases or framed portraits, on your coffee table as beautiful leather albums, or around the house as framed prints for desks and mantles. One very popular option for senior portrait display is the 10×20 collage. This collage can be printed onto white polystyrene which makes it easy to put onto an easel for table display. It’s also thin enough to be put into a frame for hanging on the wall. 

With several collage arrangement options, we can choose the best design for your fave photos, or make one customized just for you.

 

Posted on

How Do Senior Collections Work? – The Woodlands Senior Photographer

Looking around for a senior photographer can be confusing, especially trying to figure out exactly how much of a cost commitment there will be and what you get with your senior pictures Collection. So let’s take a look at how senior portrait sessions and Collections work!

STEP ONE: CHOOSE A SESSION
Choose either a mini session or a full session. Mini sessions are one hour,  all inclusive, paid up front, and include a smaller number of digital photos and product. They do not include a complimentary make up artist. 
With full sessions, you pay a sitting fee retainer up front, which covers a much longer shoot and the make up artist.  You purchase your Collection separately, at a Viewing Session. You will have many more photos to choose from, at least 50+.
For more information about Mini vs Full Sessions, click to see my senior info page here.

 

STEP TWO: CHOOSE A COLLECTION
If you chose a mini session, your images will be made available for download so you don’t have to choose a Collection.
If you chose a full session, you’ll meet with me for a Viewing appointment to see your 50+ image gallery and make selections. There are 4 Collections to choose from, and we’ll go over the differences. The top two Collections include all the digitals in your gallery and a mobile app. A third has a small number of digital images, and the fourth is a print Collection.
The minimum order for full Senior Collections is $750.

 

STEP THREE: CHOOSE YOUR PRODUCTS
Your Collection will include either all or some of the digital images in your gallery, and then comes the fun part — choosing which beautiful products for display! There are three categories of products — small, medium and large. Each Collection comes with your choice of these products.  So you can simply look at the list of products — print packages, albums, collages, canvases — and choose the right one for you! Why get locked into a Collection that includes prints and products you don’t need? With my options, the choice is yours and you never walk away with something that you don’t want!

 

STEP FOUR: SPEND YOUR PRINT CREDITS
Lastly, each Collection comes with a print credit for you to spend on the a la carte menu to fill out your Collection. All my prices are listed so you can easily see how much the products cost — plus I offer some great print packages that help you save money on popular print sizes!

With my Senior Portrait Collections, you’ll never have to worry about spending money on products that you are not interested in. You walk away with exactly what you want and need!

 

NOW BOOKING seniors for The Woodlands, Spring, Conroe, Klein, Montgomery and Oak Ridge high schools! Slots are limited so contact me today directly with this CONTACT FORM.

To learn more about senior sessions in the Woodlands, Spring, Oak Ridge or Conroe area, CLICK HERE to check out my senior session information and CLICK HERE to see the portrait gallery.

Posted on

Top 5 Family Portrait Location Ideas – The Woodlands Family Photographer

The right location is a huge consideration for your family’s portraits! The best locations have the right light, the right landmarks, places to pose your family, and few distractions. Luckily, there are great locations options for us here in the Woodlands and Spring area! Finding the right one for YOUR family depends on your family’s needs and personal style. Need some location inspiration?  Here are my Top 5 ideas for family portrait locations!

NATURAL LOCATION WITH GRASS
This type of location is great for you if you want a pretty, manicured green grass type park – not wild yellow grass or long weeds like a field. Since a grassy park doesn’t usually have much else other than a patch of grass, be prepared for having to sit down for a portion of the shoot.  A pretty local park might  also have lovely flowers to add some colour, a bridge for visual interest, or a lake.  A great location for families with children! You might want to bring a pretty blanket to avoid grass stains, and add visual interest.

 

PARK LOCATION WITH BENCHES
If you don’t think portraits seated on the grass are right for you family, or you think sitting on the ground might be physically uncomfortable for members of your family, opt for a park that has benches or stairs on which to sit. This is great for if you still want some natural elements, like trees and flowers, but sitting on the ground would be awkward. This is the perfect choice for extended family sessions that include grandparents, or teen/adult children, or to prevent young children from wandering off!

OPEN FIELD WITH LONG GRASS
If you are looking for a more “wild” natural location, fields are a very popular choice! The grass is longer, and more wheat coloured rather than spring green. A blanket is a good idea, but you’ll probably not see it in the photos since the long grass will hide it. Field locations are carefree and casual, just be aware there will be wind and long blowing grass.  A field is a good choice for less formal families for a more casual photoshoot, and if you want children to run free and play.

PATHWAYS AND SIDEWALKS
Avoid grass and bugs, but still keep some greenery with trees by having the shoot on a sidewalk pathway or garden path. The trees make perfect overhead arches to frame your family, and the grey sidewalk or stone paths are neutral colours to match any wardrobe choice. If the weather was rainy the day before, you won’t have to worry about wet grass and no need to postpone your session! A great location for shots of your family walking together arm in arm.

GREENBELT/OPEN SPACE
If you have a large family you need to fit into the photographs, you’ll need a wide space so everyone can line up without having to “stack” people behind each other and get lost in the photos. Most parks can’t fit large groups, and open fields can be hard to get to and walk in and aren’t for everyone. But a green belt can work perfectly! It has green grass without long weeds that cover legs and feet, and usually is close to parking for all those cars. Wide open spaces are also ideal if you want pretty scenic shots like silhouettes that include a sunset — just be aware open sky also means full sun, so will only work at the VERY end of the day after the harsh sun is setting.

The perfect location for your family portraits is out there! Now you just need to book!

Are you looking for a maternity, child and/or family photographer in the Woodlands, Spring, Tomball, Montgomery, Oak Ridge or Conroe area? Contact me directly with this CONTACT FORM.

To learn more about full sessions CLICK HERE for session info and click to see my FAMILY PORTRAIT and CHILDREN galleries.

Posted on

Small Business Online Portfolio – The Woodlands Headshot Photographer

No matter what business you are in, you need a professional headshot to represent yourself to the world as a business leader. When curating an online portfolio, most companies will have a profile page for their employees on corporate directories and websites. As a small business owner, you have more freedom when creating your online presence and building a website that represents you and your own style. When designing your own business website, you will have options for page layouts and overall site design, and your portfolio page will play a vital role in representing yourself.

For example, image your About Me page with your image large to one side. While square looks natural on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram, you have more options on your own website portfolio page. Having your headshot taken in portrait orientation is another way to stand out from the crowd, including more of your body language, to tell a story about yourself beyond what a simple headshot can convey.

mock about me page

 

Another layout could have your profile portrait in landscape orientation, across the width of the page. In this format, your headshot is larger and and text continues down the page under the portrait.

 

mock about me page 2

When shooting your headshots, we’ll discuss your options while considering how you will utilize your final images.

For optimal results, we’ll plan the best way to map out your online portfolio so your headshots fit perfectly into your overall vision for  your online portfolio.

Posted on

Top 5 Tips on The Importance of a Professional Headshot – The Woodlands Photographer

When it comes to making an impression, you have just seconds to make a professional impact when your portfolio is being considered. When networking and establishing connections with potential clients and collaborators, it’s vital to appear professional and serious about your work and your business. Your business headshot is the first peek that others have into your work style.  Professional headshots are for everyone, and here is why YOU need one.

a business headshot taken around urban streets in the woodlands for business headshots

The Top 5 Reasons YOU need a professional headshot:

  1. To show you take your career as seriously as you want others to take your work. Look the part of a professional to be taken seriously by others.
  2. You invest in yourself. A great portrait is an investment in your business and your future. You have to show that you care about your business, and it’s growth, enough to make the best impression.
  3. To show you pay attention to detail. A careless photograph doesn’t show professionalism or attention to detail. Show prospective partners that you understand the importance of professionalism in all aspects of your work.
  4. To make a great first impression. Compared to other potential business experts, your professional headshot will stand out from the crowd. A clean, sharp shot will be more memorable than a poorly shot cell phone photo in an online portfolio.
  5. To show you would represent your work, and their work, well to the world. Someone who hires you wants to know that you will be a good ambassador as their client or employee. They want to hire people who will make THEM look good as well. A professional headshot shows that you are ready to be the face of their, and your own, work.

If you need a professional business headshot for your website, LinkedIn profile or business page and have the flexibility to go outdoors and use natural light, I provide on location portraits for your business in the Woodlands, Conroe and Spring area for  $150 + tx.  You receive your images as an immediate digital download, with commercial release.   I also offer indoor sessions if you prefer to have your headshots taken in your office, with studio lighting, or at a location of your choosing in the Woodlands, Spring or Conroe area.

Contact me for your session by contacting me directly with this CONTACT FORM.  See my headshot gallery HERE.

Posted on

Top 5 Tips For What To Wear for Urban Headshots – The Woodlands Headshot Photographer

Your professional headshot is a vital part of your business profile, and deciding what to wear for your portrait session is an important consideration. If you choose to have your business headshot taken outdoors in an urban area you’ll want to choose an outfit that matches the cosmopolitan location. Before I meet my clients for their business headshots, we discuss the overall vision for the final portrait, and how to optimize the results. Here are some style tips for your upcoming urban headshot portfolio photoshoot for an urban “city street” look that looks sharp and professional:

a picture of how to take urban headshot portraits and what to wear for your headshot session in the woodlands

DRESS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Always sharp and always in fashion, the classic black jacket never goes out of style for business workers. But if you don’t wear a suit or formal attire to work, don’t feel like you have to! Add colour if black doesn’t reflect your style. Or go business casual, if that’s what your personal and work style is. Wear what best defines you!

MODERN ACCESSORIES
Silver and gold long necklaces help modernize a suit jacket. You can also add a splash of colour, with enamel accents or gemstones. For gentlemen, a matching tie adds a touch of class.

HAIR AND MAKE UP STYLING
You want to look cosmopolitan and contemporary, with flawless make up and portrait ready hair.  Let a professional style you for an updated look.

THE RIGHT LOCATION
We want to have the bustle of the streets without the ugly distractions. This means choosing a spot without obvious signs, billboards, trademarked logos, street lamps, bicycle ramps or delivery trucks blocking the streets. A city sidewalk with buildings as a backdrop to block the light around us and make open shade is the ideal spot.

CONFIDENCE
You’re a busy professional, on the move, well connected in your area with a brilliant portfolio! Show that in your photos by bringing your belief in yourself, your accomplishments and your killer smile.

If you need a professional business headshot for your website, LinkedIn profile or business page and have the flexibility to go outdoors and use natural light, I provide on location portraits for your business in the Woodlands, Conroe and Spring area for  $150 + tx.  You receive your images as an immediate digital download, with commercial release.   I also offer indoor sessions if you prefer to have your headshots taken in your office, with studio lighting, or at a location of your choosing in the Woodlands, Spring or Conroe area.

Contact me for your session by contacting me directly with this CONTACT FORM.  See my headshot gallery HERE.

Posted on

Top 5 Tips For Incorporating Nature Into Your Headshots – The Woodlands

Your professional headshot says a lot about you, conveying a message to your potential clients and contacts before they even meet you.  The environment you choose for your headshots, as well as the light in which it’s taken, is a very important part of that message.  This use of outdoor light and colour, as well as the natural elements of a park or field, add an organic feel to your headshots, unlike the more studious impression that a studio shot with formal lighting projects.

Shooting your headshots outdoors in a natural park setting is a fresh and modern take on the traditional headshot, and looks just as professional and polished.  For the best results, here are a few things to consider before we shoot.

SET-F4

  1. WARDROBE. When shooting around flowers and greenery, choose an outfit that blends in well and compliments the backdrop. Since the portrait will be more airy than a formal studio shot and softer than an urban portrait, wearing colours that mimic the environment will blend better. Opt for shades of blue, yellow, cream, or pink for portraits taken around park greenery and florals.
  2. HAIR AND MAKE UP STYLING. Opt for less dramatic make up for natural portraits, using softer shades and more blending around the cheekbones. Dramatic eyes and darker shades will look more at home in an urban or studio shoot. Hair that is lightly styled rather than severely swept up, matches the softness of nature and feels more flowing.
  3. EXPRESSION. A natural portrait will be more lively and fresh than a formal or dramatically shot portrait. You’re looking for open smiles, honest expressions and “smiling eyes” instead of more serious expressions. I’ll guide you as we shoot, to bring out your true smile so it won’t look forced or strained!
  4. POSING. Many clients worry they won’t know how to pose, and they will look awkward. Don’t worry! It’s my job to guide you with posing so you look completely at ease and comfortable. I’ll show you how to stand, use your hands, and tilt your head in a way that compliments your body and facial shape, for optimal results.
  5. THE PERFECT LOCATION. Not all parks or green spaces are created equal. Trees are not ideal because we just see the bland tree bark at our eye level. We’re looking for flowering bushes and full greenery such as the azaleas in the portrait above, in a space with open shade (not direct sunlight).

If you need a professional business headshot for your website, LinkedIn profile or business page and have the flexibility to go outdoors and use natural light, I provide on location portraits for your business in the Woodlands, Conroe and Spring area for  $150 + tx.  You receive your images as an immediate digital download, with commercial release.   I also offer indoor sessions if you prefer to have your headshots taken in your office, with studio lighting, or at a location of your choosing in the Woodlands, Spring or Conroe area.

Contact me for your session by contacting me directly with this CONTACT FORM.  See my headshot gallery HERE.

Posted on

What to Bring for your Senior Photoshoot – A Quick List

The day of your senior photoshoot is going to be quite busy, so make sure you don’t forget the essentials! Before you head out for your complimentary professional make up application appointment, make sure to pack up these important items into the car:

  1. A pair of jeans, or other pants, so we can take some seated poses on the grass or stairs.
  2. Some hair clips, in case we get a windy day!
  3. Your hobby showcase – instrument, sport equipment, fave book etc
  4. Flats or flip flops for walking around the location. Don’t get stuck tripping around in your heels or barefeet!
  5. A compact, to check on make up. Bring some gloss for touch ups, as well.
  6. A BIG BAG to put all your accessories and water bottle in.

what to bring senior session the woodlands

Now you’re all set for your photoshoot, and ready to go!

 

Posted on

Graduation Announcements – The Woodlands Senior Pictures

Custom designed senior and graduation announcements are the perfect way to get exactly what you want, in the style you want, to get your message to your friends and family. I work with seniors and parents to choose the best size, style, and design for your needs. Flat cards, in either 5×5 or 5×7 size, are a cost effective option. Or you can choose a more elaborate 5×5 or 5×7 trifold card, to add more images and text. All announcements come in packs of 25, and include envelopes. There are dozens of press paper card stock options, from environmentally friendly recycled eco-matte to luxuriant enhanced linen or felt textured paper. I have swatches in my office, to show you exactly how these press papers look and feel.

Simple flat cards highlight a few of your fave shots, with a small space on the front or back for the main text.

senior announcements the woodlands high schools

graduation cards for senior students

 

Trifold cards allow you to put more images and text, and more creativity when designing. Depending on if your card is a simple grad announcement, or a party invitation, your design can include the senior’s name, high school information, date of graduation or party, the University or College the student will be attending in the fall with the chosen major, and any specific notes your friends and family would need to know for the grad party.

 

senior announcements the woodlands tx

senior announcements grad the woodlands

the woodlands graduation announcements senior

 

If you have a favourite expression, poem or quote you can also include that text into the announcements to further personalize your grad cards.

 

the woodlands seniors grad cards

 

Posted on

Senior and Family Collections – Print Packages

Add on to your digital Collections for your family and senior sessions with all new print packages! Now you can purchase sets of prints at a special price. Choose from several print packages, such as the ever popular set of 5 gift prints. Choose the same 5 sizes or choose 5 different print sizes – sets of wallets,  5Ă—7 or 8Ă—10 — no restrictions on size combinations! If you need wallet size prints, pick up a value package of wallet prints for senior announcements or for sharing with family. I also offer several  larger family packages that include small prints for framing and sharing, and a larger print for the wall.

When it comes to preserving your family photos, nothing beats a beautiful print framed or mounted, to last generations. #printsareforever

 

Posted on

True Metal Desk Prints – The Woodlands Photographer Products

I am really taken with these gorgeous true metal prints, one of the many exquisite products I offer to clients! These metal prints are perfect for clients looking for a little extra edginess when decorating with their beautiful images. The metal has a superior high gloss, a sleek shininess, that has a modern appeal for the less traditional art lover. I offer several choices and sizes, including the petite 5×7 and the classic 8×10. Choose from the brilliant hues of a colour metal print, or an artsy black and white. The White Gloss option, as seen on this 8×10  colour example, has a high contrast.

dsc_7081

 

The Sheer Gloss option has a modern muted look, like old school black and white portraits.

 

dsc_7096

 

Each comes with an easel attached for easy display.

 

dsc_7092

 

And are super slim, lightweight, UV protected, and waterproof. Perfect for the Texas climate and for outdoor decorating!

 

dsc_7091

 

To see more of the products I offer, click on the PRODUCTS PAGE.

Posted on

Choosing Your Wall Portrait Size, Style and Format: The Woodlands Portrait Photographer

The family portrait is an important investment, so it’s essential to ensure you have carefully considered the overall look, style and proportion for the final piece. When your family, senior, engagement or maternity portrait session is completed, I invite clients for an in person Viewing Appointment so I can personally help you choose the perfect size, ratio and medium for your wall portrait. I’ll show you samples of the products I offer, so you can inspect and touch the products yourself.

For gallery wrapped canvases, these come ready to hang and you do not need to frame them. Metals are designed to be hung without a frame to show off the superior gloss, and the sturdy waterproof and UV resistant design means you don’t have to worry about sun or water damage. For photographic prints I offer complimentary styrene mounting so you can mount your portrait on the wall without a frame, and it’s thin enough to put in wall frames.  Here is a comparison of a senior portrait from a session in the Woodlands.

WITH FRAMES

OPTION 1:  By using a larger frame, you can highlight your wall portrait with accent matting around a smaller size print. The portrait keeps  it’s original ratio and composition intact with matching coloured mat before being inserted into a  frame. The matted frame means you don’t have to crop the original shot. There is a wide variety of colors and styles to choose from, for custom or traditional matted frames.

matting-8x12

 

OPTION 2: Without matting. This option zooms in larger on the image, but crops out some of the background and the subject.

 

framed-16x20

WITHOUT FRAMES

 

OPTION 1: A mounted print, metal or canvas without the frame. The traditional camera ratio for older cameras was 4:5, which created the infamous 8×10 desk print. As a wall portrait, your image could be anything from a 16×20 to a 32×40 or larger. Since the camera shoots at a 2:3 ratio, this crops your image.

 

crop-16x20

OPTION 2: A mounted print, metal or canvas without the frame, left in it’s original composition and ratio. This size works well for image of standing subjects, where you want to keep the surrounding environment. For this image, it’s the best choice for this particular image to keep the beautiful field around her.

 

noframenocrop-16x24

Posted on

The Perfect Print for Senior Portraits

Looking for the perfect gift for Grandma, a favourite aunt or mentor? Included with your senior collection are products you’ll love and print credits so you can get what you need from the a la carte menu. When putting together your ordering list before your Viewing Session, don’t forget to include the perfect print to gift the ones who love you!

By far, a framed 8×10 print is the most popular size for sharing with family. You can easily find frames, they’re the perfect size for desk prints, and when matted and framed they’re just big enough to hang on a wall as an 11×14. The perfect shot from your senior session will be cherished after you’ve started your journey away from home, at college. Don’t forget to put that perfect print for Grandma on your list!

 

senior collections prints

Posted on

High School Senior Portraits – Show Your Uni Pride

It’s your senior year, a time to think about how you got to where you are and also to dream big about the future. When it comes to your senior portraits, you want to pictures to show you as you are now, but also all the amazing things you have to look forward to! So for your senior pictures, bring something along to represent your present accomplishments, such as your high school Letterman jacket or your class ring. And then bring something to represent your upcoming years as a University or College undergrad, or a special trip or internship you have planned. Here’s a few ideas on how to incorporate your upcoming endeavours into your senior portrait session!

WEAR YOUR COLOURS

Are you off to Texas State? Bring some clothing with maroon and gold, to signify where you’ll be at school next year. Or burnt orange and white if you’re off to UT.  This gorgeous young lady is on her way in September to Johns Hopkins University, where she received early acceptance for Pre Med.   Their colours include Columbia blue and she looks amazing in their colours!

what-to-wear-senior-pictures

Can you guess where this pretty senior will be attending? Those are Baylor colours!!

beautiful-senior-portarits-in-texas

BRING A SIGN BOARD

A great DIY project for your upcoming senior photos is to make your own sign board! You can use a chalk board, or make your own poster. The great thing about making your own is that you get to choose the slogan, and be more creative! This gorgeous senior is proud to be Bama Bound!

the-woodlands-senior-portraits

BANNERS AND PENNANTS

With your university acceptance package, you often get a complimentary pennant or banner for you to display, to kick off the school pride.  Get your hands on a school pennant from your chosen University, and hold it up! This beauty was all smiles with her banner for Texas A&M, she’s ready to be an Aggie! Gig ’em!!

high-school-senior-pictures-spring-tx

 

INCORPORATE PATTERNS AND ITEMS ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR SCHOOL

This stunning senior is excited to be off to Alabama, and brought not just a school pennant but wore this adorable hounds-tooth patterned dress. Everyone knows hounds-tooth goes with Crimson Tide!

senior-pictures-class-of-2016

what-to-bring-senior-pictures-the-woodlands

 

So there you go! It’s easy to represent the school you’ll be attending come the new semester, and everyone will see how excited you are and your school pride!

 

NOW BOOKING  Senior Portrait Photo Shoots for The Woodlands, Spring, Conroe, and Oak Ridge high schools! Slots are limited  so email me directly with this CONTACT FORM.

To learn more about senior sessions in the Woodlands, Spring, Oak Ridge or Conroe area, CLICK HERE to check out my senior session information and CLICK HERE to see the portrait gallery.

Posted on

Mother’s Day Portraits Mini Sessions

With Mother’s Day coming up next month, what better gift for the moms you know than an hour spent making beautiful memories? This year for Mother’s Day book a “May is For Mothers Mini” and give her the gift that will last forever – captured smiles, hugs and giggles of her with the little ones (or bigger ones!) to keep and share with family and friends. We’ll go outdoors on location in a beautiful setting and take some fun and beautiful photos full of love and warmth. You receive 5 digital images as an immediate download after viewing your gallery, and a print release with the option to purchase high quality prints.

Email shannon@shannonstroubakis.com or email me with this direct contact form to book your session today! These very special sessions are available for a limited time only! At only $200+tx these minis are a great deal off my regular priced Simplicity Sessions!

mother-daughter-portraits-the-woodlands

mother-daughter-photos-the-woodlands

mothers-day-portraits-the-woodlands

mothers-day-mini-sessions

Posted on

The Senior Upgrade Photobook- The Woodlands and Spring TX Senior Portraits

Introducing the beautiful upgrade to the 5×7 photobook featured here : 5×7 Senior Photobook.   This substantial upgrade to your Collection includes 20 full pages of  your favourite photos from your senior, family, maternity or engagement session, with an extra photo on the front cover. Use all colour images, or mix it up with black and white versions for diversity.

These  photobooks are all individually crafted by hand, bound using glues that do not harm colour stability. Each page is a true colour print  on professional paper, so you know you’re receiving the highest quality. Unlike the 5×7 photobook, the larger 8×8 and 10×10 photobooks feature soft matte leather around the spine and back of the book, for a fine art quality to your album.

Shown here is the 8×8 size album, with soft black matte leather around the spine.

products for seniors

 

Your photobook pages start on the right, with a slip of protective black acid free paper between the page and the photo cover. The book opens and lay flat, to make it easy for you to enjoy your pages.

 

senior album

 

Thick full colour pages, full vivid colour images, and a heavy sturdy leather spine make this photobook the premium choice.

 

senior photo book

 

Your album makes a  great coffee table book and conversation starter. Each book comes with it’s own black box for protection and storage. If you’re looking for the best album to show off your senior, maternity, family or engagement photos, this is the one!  We’ll talk about the best choice to meet your needs when we meet for your Viewing Appointment, and select your top images to feature in your book.

 

albums for seniors

Posted on

What to Wear for Senior Pictures in the Woodlands and Spring – Girly Spring Dress Edition

Getting ready for senior pictures? I have already posted about how to wear your favourite cowboy boots for your senior portraits, so go check out that blog post here: What to Wear for Senior Pictures in the Woodlands and Spring – Cowboy Boots Edition. This time, since it’s spring, let’s talk about those pretty pretty girly dresses we all love to wear when the warm weather finally arrives!

With your senior portrait session here with Shannon Stroubakis, your senior photographer in the Woodlands, Conroe, Oak Ridge, Tomball and Spring, you get THREE hours and all the outfit changes you can cram in there. Awesome, right? So you have your trendy outfit, your favourite jeans, your letterman jacket, and maybe your prom dress or your favourite cosplay costume all packed up and ready to go. To round out your senior portraits, and celebrate spring, consider showing your sweet girly side with a flowy spring dress in an airy neutral or pastel shade, to match the spring flowers.

Some tips for you  along with  some visual inspiration – variety of super-girly spring dresses worn by my past senior portrait clients here in the Woodlands!

senior what to wear

CHOOSE YOUR PALETTE
Do you see yourself in a long white eyelet dress, with a big floppy sunhat and espadrilles? Or maybe a short and flirty sundress in floaty chiffon, the colour of spring daffodils or mint? Choose the colour palette you want to build off, from neutral to vibrant florals, taking into consideration the vibe you want to give off — sweet and innocent, fresh and bright, or airy and emotive.

 

what-to-wear-senior-outfits

 

ADD ACCESSORIES
Glam your outfit up or down with hats, scarves, belts and boots. Go shabby chic with tasseled headpieces and feathers, or boho style with a floral crown with barefeet. Keep the colour tones in mind and try to mesh your accessories so they make sense — natural fibres with earthy toned clothing, petite and girly for feminine and airy sundresses, nude heels with classic styles.

senior-outfits-spring-dresses

 

CHOOSE YOUR LOCATION TO MATCH
When we talk about which location suits your personal style best, we’ll go over all your outfit choices and narrow down which location in the Spring and Woodlands area best fit you. It makes sense to to shoot out in a flower field if you are looking for a more au naturale type session, with a spring dress in nature tones. If you want to go glam and trendy and pair your spring dress with heels and shopping bags, we’ll head to a more urban location. It’s all up to you!

senior-outfits-girly-dress

 

Are you looking for your senior photographer? I’m now booking senior portraits for high school students in the Woodlands, Spring, Conroe, Tomball, Oak Ridge and Tomball areas, click here to learn more about the types of senior sessions I offer. Click here to view my portfolio. If you’re ready to learn more about booking a senior portrait session, click here to email me directly.

Posted on

The Woodlands Senior Experience – Professional Hair and Make Up

When it comes to your senior portraits, you want every little detail to be perfect. Going through the final check list, you have your favourite trendy outfit ready to go, your accessories packed, your fit-you-to-a-T comfy boots shined and waiting by the door. The final detail, after your wardrobe is picked out, your location is chosen, and you know exactly what items you’re going to bring to personalize your session …is YOU!

How you get all styled up for your senior session may be the most stressful part.  This is where we come in. When you book a Luxe Senior Portrait Session with Shannon Stroubakis, you are investing not just in a fun photoshoot where you’ll walk away with some amazing portraits from your senior year. You’re getting an experience that makes your senior picture session easy, stress free, and where you get to feel like a rock star for the day. I’m not just going to leave your floundering around the interwebz, searching for “make up tips for senior photography sessions” or “how to look your best for your senior shoot”. Your Luxe Senior Session comes with an appointment with a professional make up artist, who will style you exactly the way you should be for your senior pictures — beautiful, glowing, natural and camera ready. The make up artist and stylist I work  with, Monika Gallardo, is a professional with years of experience. She only uses the best products to ensure your look is flawless.

senior style make up

senior-pictures-with-makeup-artist-the-woodlands

senior-pictures-makeup-styling

 

If you’re ready to book your senior session, I’m now booking for high school students in the Woodlands, Spring, Conroe, Tomball, Oak Ridge and Tomball areas, click here to learn more about the types of senior sessions I offer. Click here to view my portfolio.

If you’re ready to learn more about booking a senior portrait session, click here to email me directly.

Posted on

What to Wear for Senior Pictures in the Woodlands and Spring – Cowboy Boots Edition

Getting ready for your senior pictures is exciting and also a little overwhelming when it comes to the BIG question: What should I wear for my senior portraits? Luckily, when you book a senior portrait session with me, you get unlimited outfit changes and we shoot in two different locations in the Woodlands or Spring,  so you can wear all your favourite outfits. One accessory seems to be very popular with my high school senior clients – cowboy boots!

how-to-wear-cowboy-boots

The great thing about your cowboy boots is that you can build your own style around them, and there are a million different ways you can express yourself. Bright, bold and colourful, understated and simple, or sweet and feminine, the options are limitless! It’s a great way to show off your true Texan style, and even if you’re not Texan born but still want to show you have a little bit of Texas in your heart, it’s an accessory that everyone will recognize and associate with this great state! Here’s a few tips when putting together your outfit:

CHOOSE A BASE COLOUR

Maybe your boots have a touch of colour you can work with, for colour harmony, like the teal outfit above. Then you can choose a contrasting and complimentary colour as an accent, for necklaces, earrings or a scarf. If your boots are plain black, brown, or white, choose a colour that looks great on you and photographs well and build your outfit around it, with a complimentary accent. For a country look, teal blue, soft yellow, light peach and airy cream look gorgeous against green fields and dirt roads.

MIX AND MATCH WITH DRESSES AND PANTS

You can incorporate your boots twice over if you choose two outfits to match them. Wear a cute and flirty skirt for one set of shots, and then change it up with skinny jeans or leggings.

ACCESSORIZE

Pair your cowboy boots with a jacket or vest over a lacy dress, or add a belt or rows of chunky necklaces to add visual interest and texture to your overall look. Head pieces and cowboy hats also match perfectly!

DON’T BE AFRAID TO MIX COUNTRY AND URBAN GLAM

Show a sophisticated sense of style and wear your cowboy boots with a drop dead gorgeous floor length prom dress,  and shoot in the city streets. Or wear a twirly skirt or tutu-inspired ball gown in the middle of a field. Mixing genres is interesting and shows your unique sense of style!

Check out how some of my senior clients have worn their cowboy boots for their own senior pictures! All different, all beautiful, all showing their Texan style!

senior-picture-outfits-cowboy-boots

senior-portraits-outfits

 

Are you looking for your senior photographer? I’m now booking high school students in the Woodlands, Spring, Conroe, Tomball, Oak Ridge and Tomball areas, click here to learn more about the types of senior sessions I offer. Click here to view my portfolio. If you’re ready to learn more about booking a senior portrait session, click here to email me directly.

Posted on

The Woodlands Photographer – Collections or a la Carte

You’ve decided the time is now to get some great pictures of your family  or high school senior, or perhaps you’re getting married or having a baby and are getting a photoshoot done to document this momentous event. It’s a great gift to yourself and your loved ones, and there is much to consider! The location, the time, your wardrobe, and what you will do after your pictures are ready.

There is nothing quite like coming home to see the faces of the people you love most on the wall, where you can walk by it and smile every day!

Shown below: a 20×30 fine art canvas.

the-woodlands-photographer-collections-pricing

Or maybe you’re considering a family album, that everyone can sit together and look at. Albums are a great way to let your story unfold, and make wonderful keepsakes.

So after the session…now what?

 WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH YOUR IMAGES?

Before the session, we’ll talk about how you plan to display your pictures, so when it comes time to do your in person viewing and ordering session we will have a good idea of what types of products you are looking for.  Clients have the option to purchase a Collection, or to choose products a la carte. So which is right for you?

COLLECTIONS: My Collections are for clients who want to have digital copies of their images. There are several Collections, depending on how many digital files you have chosen. The top Collections come with prints and a monetary credit to spend on the a la carte menu. I prefer to give my clients this freedom, rather than create Collections that dictate the exact sizes and types of products my clients receive. This way you get exactly what you want, and your order fills your specific need. Check out some of the products you’ll take home in the PRODUCTS PAGE.

A LA CARTE: If you do not need a large selection of digital files and would rather purchase products, you do not have to order a Collection. A la Carte ordering allows you to focus directly on the products that interest you,  to build your own perfect order. With the purchase of an album 8×8 or larger, or a wall portrait (canvas, metal or mounted print) 16×20 or larger, you also receive a complimentary copy of that digital file for sharing on social media with friends and family.  There is a minimum $500 a la carte ordering requirement, and lots of options available to maximize your purchasing power, such as print packages.

With my personal guidance during your ordering session, you’re guaranteed to walk away happy!

Posted on

Mini Collages for Home and Office Desks – The Woodlands Photography

When it comes to how you’ll display the images from your senior, family, maternity or engagement portrait session, there are a lot of choices out there. I will guide you at your viewing and ordering session, showing you all the fantastic products I offer in person so you can see them close up and feel the superior quality.  From large groupings of wall canvases, to mini albums for portability, you’ll get the products that are right for you.

While large mounted prints and wall art are wonderful for home displays,  you also have some smaller product options so you can take your favourite photos into more personal spaces, like your office desk or bedroom dresser. One of the most perfect ways to size down is to put a few images together in a mini collage. I offer these 5×10 desk collages, mounted on artboard for durability, which can be fit into a frame or beautifully displayed in an easel. I offer several designs to choose from, depending on how many images you want to show off.

Put one in your bedroom, to keep photos of your kids by your bedside.

child-portraits-the-woodlands

Take one to the office, to see your beautiful family while you’re at work.

10x20 COLLAGE 3 IMAGES (2)

For the nursery, a reminder of the beauty and wonder of this new life.

10x20 COLLAGE 2 IMAGES

As a keepsake, when your senior goes off to college to pursue his dream.

10x20 COLLAGE 3 PORTRAIT

To see more of the products I offer, click on the PRODUCTS PAGE.

Posted on

The 5×7 Senior Photobook – The Woodlands and Spring TX Senior Portraits

I’m really excited about this gorgeous album for seniors! This high quality 5×7 album is included in one of the top senior portrait collections, and is the perfect keepsake from your senior year. Parents LOVE this album, with it’s deep rich colour, thick pages and protective coating. Seniors love it to take with them when they leave for college, to remind them of home and how amazing they looked for their senior portraits! You get to choose which of your favourite images will be included.

Each album comes with a black box for safe keeping and storage.  Clients also have the option to upgrade to the 8×8 or 10×10 Photobook or a leather Luxe Album, with their included print credit.  I am proud to offer superior products to my awesome clients! To see more products you’ll take home, visit the PRODUCTS PAGE HERE.

senior-albums-the-woodlands

Posted on

Products for High School Seniors – The Woodlands Senior Photographer

Remember when people carried around small photo albums in their purse, so they could show off their family photos on the go? You don’t see that much anymore, since most people carry their photos in their pocket — that is, on their cell phone. It’s so easy to show your friends and family your phone snaps, and share them seamlessly on Facebook or Instagram.

When it comes to your professional photographs from your portrait photographer you want to be able to show them off to everyone without having to carry your prints around. You want them readily accessible, at the click of a button. Not your cell phone selfie snaps, but the gorgeous high quality images where you look like a rock star from your senior photoshoot.

The good news for my clients is that’s exactly what you get! Check out these customized senior portrait apps that you upload right to your phone or tablet, which brings all your favourite pictures from your senior portrait session to your fingertips. And the best thing is, you get to share the link to upload with all your friends and family, so they have them on their phones and tablets as well.

senior products the woodlands photographer for seniors

 

On the right, you can see how all your photos pop up tiled for display (shown here on an iPad). You just scroll down to view. On the top of the screen, there are options to share on social media with one quick click. To see each image full sized, simply select one to open it, and you’ll see it full screen (like in the top left phone, shown on an iPhone).  Close it up, and it minimizes to a little icon with your name on it, on your screen.

Now you can show off your awesome senior photos on the go!

Are you in the Woodlands, Spring or Conroe and need a senior photographer? Call 832-663-5128 to book a consultation!

Posted on

What to Wear for Family Photos – The Woodlands and Spring TX

It’s that time of year again – fall family portraits! Since we’re shooting outdoors, you may be wondering what type of outfits will look best or how to coordinate your wardrobe so you all look fantastic and match together well. We’ll discuss your styling before the session, and I’ll advise you on what types of colours, fabrics and patterns photograph beautifully while still keeping with your own personal style. Some hues just look better on camera, and we want to be sure that your style and colour of clothes matches your chosen location.

Here are some tips for your upcoming session to think about before our meeting.

what-to-wear-family-photos

MATCH THE CLOTHES TO THE SEASON
In general, for fall photos it’s ideal to wear colours that match the season and the foliage – think teal not baby blue, russet red instead of bright red, and warm orange yellow instead of lemon. Bright whites can detract from the most important element of the photo — you and your family! So opt for a more mellow, warmer shade of beige, cream or soft yellow.

COORDINATE, DON’T MATCH
When choosing the family’s clothes, keep to the same colour but choose various hues so you don’t match perfectly. If you’re wearing a deep purple dress, put your daughter in a lighter shade of violet, and the boys in teal or blue. Throw in a few neutral shades, like brown or light yellow, for contrast.

FOOTWEAR AND ACCESSORIES
Boots always look fabulous in the fall and they go with anything. Brown shoes are preferable to black. Keep jewelry and accessories minimal and make sure they don’t block important features. A scarf can easily obscure your face and watches can clash with your natural setting. Less is usually more.