Janesville Portrait Photographer | Natale Photography {Blog}

Bridal Shows & Spring {mini} Sessions | Janesville & Madison Wisconsin Photographer

Stephanie Natale — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 14:05:02 +0000

April will prove to be a busy month for Natale Photography.

Below will be details of a few very important dates to remember.

We will be apart of two fabulous Bridal Shows {one in Janesville & one in Madison} and also hosting our first Spring {mini} Sessions in Madison.

Contact the studio with any further questions.

Crash our Wedding Event

Friday April 13th, 2012

Janesville Wisconsin

Spring {mini} Sessions

Saturday April 14th, 2012

Madison Wisconsin

For more information please view the Facebook Event page and/or contact the studio to reserve your spot!

Spring Bridal Show

Sunday April 15th, 2012

Madison Wisconsin

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Dusting off for 2012 | Janesville Wisconsin Portrait & Wedding Photographer

Stephanie Natale — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:03:18 +0000

It’s been awhile since I’ve blogged.

2 months to be exact.

Wow.

So I’m dusting things off & getting things started again.

During the buys season it gets quite difficult to keep up with workflow & posting sneak peeks on Facebook, so often the BLOG takes a back seat.

My goal for 2012 is for that to change, to be a better blogger.

Over the next few weeks I’ll be catching up on some BLOG posts both portrait & wedding, stay tuned.

Also wanted to let you know over the next couple weeks/months I’m excited to roll out Natale Photography’s brand new website & BLOG that I’m hard at work with right now.

For the most up to date images in my portfolio please swing by Facebook or shoot me an email, I’d be happy to email you a current slideshow!

In the meantime watch for some new BLOG posts coming out this week, one today in fact.

We are into full swing Wedding booking season for both 2012-2013. We are a little over half booked for 2012 & anticipating that we’ll be fully booked by the start of Wedding Season in May. If you are still looking for a photographer call the studio to set up your personal Bridal Consultation.

Speaking of Weddings, here is a small iPhone pic of my booth this past weekend @ the EngagedMilwaukee Bridal Show

Natale Photography | Janesville Wisconsin Wedding & Portrait Photography

Stephanie Natale — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:16:44 +0000

Change is a comin’ for Natale Photography

I released a very small sneak peek of the new marketing rolling out in the next few months.

New branding. New website. New blog.

Fresh design & Fresh ideas.

What do you think? Like it? Love it? Gotta have it? {ha, that’s from Coldstone Creamery}

I’m so excited, it’s been a long over due.

So with that I decided to be a little sneaky, just put it up on the BLOG & held a little impromptu contest to see who pays attention to the details…

It was fun, to read the responses I received both on FB & via e-mail. {thank-you for those that participated}

We had over 25 entries & three people that included all the same amount of detail in their answers {& some details that actually weren’t even new} & the person that was randomly selected as a winner was :

Kiara Krohn = CONGRATS

Contact the studio for information on how to use your $75 studio credit!

Would love to hear your thoughts on the new logo?

and make sure to follow us here :

LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE TOO @ Natale Photography Facebook

Fall {Mini} Sessions | Friday Sept 30th {Janesville Wis Family Portrait Photographer}

Stephanie Natale — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 06:18:58 +0000

Fall {Mini} Sessions

Friday September 30th {9:30-4:00}

Session time

9:30-10:30 – BOOKED
10:45-11:45 – BOOKED
12:00-1:00 – OPEN
1:30-2:30 – OPEN
2:45-3:45 – BOOKED

The session will be customized to each family after your spot has been reserved

PLEASE NOTE : These spots will book up fast & last year I was able to open a second date, my schedule will most likely not allow a second date so when these spots are gone that will be it for 2011 Fall {Mini} Sessions.

————————–————————–-

INVESTMENT :
$300
{1/2 of the session fee is due when you RESERVE your spot & the remainder is due the day of the session}

WHAT IS INCLUDED :
Session Fee, Private Online Gallery, DVD of 20-25 images from our session {w/ print release form}, 25% off any print orders

DETAILS :
For the 5th year in a row we’ll be offering our Fall {Mini} Sessions

Once you have made your reservation the location spot will be released

Please plan on arriving 15 minutes prior to your session time to stretch, have a snack, use the restroom etc, so that you can get the most out of our time/session together.

Please contact the studio ASAP to book your spot

{no other discounts/coupons may be applied with the already discounted mini-sessions}

608.289.9264
stephanie@natalephotography.com

LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE TOO @ Natale Photography Facebook

Sterling turns TWO | Janesville Wisconsin Family Portrait Photographer

Stephanie Natale — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 03:14:14 +0000

Mr. Sterling turns TWO

Happy Birthday, little guy!

This is family number two for the month of June that added a new baby to their family within days of our session.

We had Sterling’s two year session on a Friday evening & Scarlett was born that following Monday!

So glad we were able to get one last session in before Miss Scarlett joined the family.

It has been such a pleasure to watch Sterling grow into such a handsome young toddler & now a Big Brother!

I love working with families every year & have really enjoyed working with Sarah & Matt over the last three years!

Enjoy the Sneak Peeks & coming soon will be Scarlett’s Newborn BLOG post.

{S. Natale}

Sterling is this many!

This was the “I’m not pleased with this idea”

He is two & has is own agenda

Talking to his little sister

Sterling in his Game Day bibs

End of session = a REALLY big sucker

If you liked Sterling’s BLOG post be sure to leave us some comment love

and

LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE TOO @ Natale Photography Facebook

Oh, the places You’ll Go! | Janesville Wisconsin Boutique Portrait Photographer

Stephanie Natale — Tue, 31 May 2011 18:13:29 +0000

Oh, the places You’ll Go!

By : Dr. Suess

“You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.”

This book was given to me almost 15 years ago this month, from my parents when I graduated from high school & I am quite sure that I will be giving it to my children when they graduate from high school in the coming years.

This time of year tends to stir up many emotions as it is the time we as parents are ending a time of our children’s lives & looking on to the next chapter.

Whether it is the first year of PreSchool, Kindergarten, Jr. High, High School or maybe even College.

I made the decision recently, that I was going to start a tradition in our family, one that we’ll look back on when my children graduate from high school & go off to college. Hopefully something that they will both cherish forever.

I wrote both of them a letter, from my heart, about where we are at right now as a family & where they are at in their life.

I spoke about their favorite things to play with, their favorite movies, their best friends, what they said they wanted to be when “they grew up”.

My wishes for them as their mommy, our inside jokes & our favorite books.

I plan on continuing this every year & assembling the letters in a binder, to be read by them when the time comes.

As a photographer, I know that taking pictures of those moments are so important but I wanted to document in words as well.

So that they can see in pictures & hear in the stories what it was like when they were this age.

A few snipits from their letters

Gabriel’s Letter, Kindergarten Year, 2010-2011

Lucy’s letter, Pre-School, 2010-20011

{this dress is three generations old. it was worn by my mother in the late 1950s, worn by me in the early 1980s & now Lucy wore it}

I hope you enjoyed this post, a little personal I know but I hope it inspires a handful of you to do this for your children. Take the time, take the quiet time to sit down, document these moments, these crazy crazy moments. Both in pictures & in words because although it seems like you will have years with them, before you know it they will be walking across that stage, getting their diploma.

As a mother, I know that I’ll never be able to say it enough, show it enough or write it down enough.

I love them to the moon & back, & back again.

“The Days are Long, the Years are Short”

“You’ll get mixed up, of course,

as you already know.
You’ll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life’s
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So…
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea,
you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!”

Charlie & his piggies | Janesville Wisconsin Baby Photographer

Stephanie Natale — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:55:04 +0000

Sweet little Charlie was absolutely perfect for his 6 month session @ his Grandma & Grandpa’s farm.

I love photographing on-location, to me it really personalizes their session & in some circumstances can be a bit more meaningful to the family as well.

We decided to photograph at the family farm for Charlie’s session & I was so excited when I got there to see all of the possible spots to shoot.

Mom came very prepared with adorable outfits, shirts & hats {may from www.etsy.com } & some great ideas too.

You can certainly tell that this little guy is very VERY well loved.

Thanks for a great morning Jennifer & Dan, enjoy your sneak peek!

{s. natale}

For more information on how Charlie’s DOC band was personalized, please look here :

Bling Your Band

Bling Your Band – Facebook Page

This was taken in mommy’s family crib. Love those little piggies.

Four Generations of Farmers.

Charlie’s family has a pig farm here in Janesville, it was Daddy’s idea to get some of the baby piggies out & let them play… they were so cute.

Charlie came into the studio for a quick mini-session. Mom wants to do a series from his newborn, 6 month & 1 year sessions.

And while he was in the studio he rolled over for the first time! YEAH Charlie!

This image was from his newborn session…

This image is from his 6 month session

Look @ those legs, love ‘em

Charlie, helping show off a new chair @ the studio

*BLOG CONTEST REMINDER*

Leave a comment for Jennifer, Dan & Charlie to win a $50 studio credit & at the same time your entered to win a $50 studio credit as well.

Contest Information :

If a client {Bridal or Portrait} get 15+ comments on their BLOG post they will receive a $50 studio credit toward their print order or wedding album.

ALSO….

I will randomly pick one winner from the comments that are left on the BLOG & they will ALSO get a $50 studio credit.

So to summarize :

Go to the BLOG, share the love, leave a comment or two, win free stuff & help my clients get free stuff too. Pretty simple really.

Natale Photography coming to St. Louis | St. Louis Portrait Photographer

Stephanie Natale — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 19:16:35 +0000

I will be traveling to St. Louis in June to attend a fabulous Newborn Workshop taught by Robin Long.

While I’m there I decided to open up my schedule for a day & a half for sessions.

The details are as follows :

*reservation credit is $100 {which is due at the time of reservation & will be used as a credit towards your final order}

*session fee is $150 {due a week prior to your session}

*the locations/times will be given at the time of booking.

*there are only a few spots available {so that means not to dilly-dally}

4 Sessions available for Tuesday & 1 Session available for Wednesday morning

Please feel free to pass this on to your St. Louis Family & Friends

Thanks!

Stephanie Natale

The {P} Family | Janesville Wisconsin Newborn & Baby Photography | On-location

Stephanie Natale — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 21:10:37 +0000

Sweet little baby Tate.

I met his mom almost a year ago when she called & asked me to photograph her nephew as a surprise gift for her sister.

We’ve kept in touch this past year & was so excited to hear about her pregnancy news!

I’ve had the opportunity to photograph several of Tate’s older cousins & look forward to watching this clan of little babies get older.

I’m not sure I can emphasis enough just HOW. MUCH. I. LOVE. TO. PHOTOGRAPH. NEWBORNS.

Yikes. Amazing.

Thank-you to awesome clients like Kellie & Chad who allowed me into their home & gave me free creative range to capture their little one.

Seriously, they just melt my heart. I love every minute of it.

{even if they do perhaps tinkle on my blankets}

It was great to spend the morning at your home K & C, enjoy the sneak peeks!

~sN

Meet Tate, the Rockstar.

His beautiful nursery

Daddy is a Police Officer, & this was a vintage decoration in his room. Loved it.

{Mommy & Daddy also met there}

Some Bow Tie goodness.

Loved this idea. Mommy put on red lipstick & kissed his cheek. The smirk was a bonus.

Love his little lips here.

Mr. Cowboy.

Amazing bedroom.

Momma’s boy.

I couldn’t help but include this image. I will say though that he didn’t do this very often during his session. I think this was just a little squeal & he went right back to sleep.

But look at those wrinkles, love it!

Daddy & his little boy.

*BLOG CONTEST REMINDER*

Leave a comment for the {P} family to win a $50 studio credit & at the same time your entered to win a $50 studio credit as well.

Contest Information :

If a client {Bridal or Portrait} get 15+ comments on their BLOG post they will receive a $50 studio credit toward their print order or wedding album.

ALSO….

I will randomly pick one winner from the comments that are left on the BLOG that week & they will ALSO get a $50 studio credit.

So to summarize :

Go to the BLOG, share the love, leave a comment or two, win free stuff & help my clients get free stuff too. Pretty simple really.

What {to} wear for your Family Portrait Session {Janesville Wi Family Portrait Photographer}

Stephanie Natale — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 02:46:21 +0000

HELP!

“We have a family portrait session coming up & we have NO idea what to wear?”

Been there? Done that?

Yep I figured. So here we go. I decided to go ahead & put a few things together for your upcoming sessions, whether they are with me or another fabulous photographer in the area. I really hope you are able to take some information out of this post & turn it around to work for your family!

{warning :: I am not a fashionista, not in the least bit. with that said, proceed with caution}

{helpful websites along the way}

Colour Lovers

this is a fabulous website for many things. but you can build, search, & save your own color palettes. print them out & take them with while you shop

Awkward Family Photos

If you have NOT seen this website you’ve been living under a rock probably. {ok maybe a cave}

But this serves as an example of what NOT to do, enough said.

———————————————————–

This first slide I wanted to go with a more class palette of grey & black. A lot of my families are going this route for the fall & I love it.

Just because you use classic colors in the images does not mean that they’ll be “classic” & “boring” themselves. Don’t be afraid to go with your gut instinct.

I love the variety of texture & color here.

Oh & obvi the “peace” shirt is my fav. I just wish there was the word “out” down below {peace-out}

FYI all pieces in the below slide can be found from the GAP

With this palette I wanted to use colors that complimented well & that worked with all members of the family.

You can easily swap the maroon out for a navy sweater & pop in a little hot pink action for another fabulous color palette.

{Below is a mixture from GAP, Old Navy & Janie & Jack}

{But wait, I can NOT afford $89 for a dress I’ll only wear once?}

Word. I hear ya, for sure. Please keep in mind these are only to SERVE as a vision, an inspiration & a starting point. Heck you could get the same look from hittin’ up some fancy garage sales, the goodwill or your friends closet? Be creative.

{YO, I am NOT a size 6, or even 10 for that matter!}

UMM, again, word. From personal experience I am not a small & tiny person.

For this I would direct you to looking online where there are more plus sizes available

Lane Bryant

Nordstorm

The following are websites that I suggest looking through. Some perhaps will be within your budget & some will not.

Also I must give a gigantic shout out to Etsy.

WOW = addicting.

Fabulous hats, accessories, scarves etc. When in doubt, check etsy!

{p.s. don’t blame it on me when your etsy bill is $100+ a month…}

One of my absolute favorite places for FUN, BRIGHT colored clothes especially for girls is Hanna Andersson

{hint : search craigslist}

Some of my favorite GIRL findings

{GAP, Old Navy, Gymboree}

Some of my favorite BOY findings

{Gymboree & GAP}

DON’T BE AFRAID

*to be bold, have fun with color

*use props {whatever those may be}

*use accessories

*add on layers

*be open to new, funky, random locations

Another fun idea is doing your family session {or part of it} in super amazing Holiday PJs like these here from Hanna Andersson

{final thoughts}

matching polos are NOT a good idea, even though someone told you they were

trust the professional photographer that you hired to capture these images & enjoy your family

be open to options, ideas & craziness

choose a color palette & pick clothing that coordinates NOT matches exactly

stay away from Dora the Explorer & Spongebob t-shirts

keep your eyes on & off the camera : remember some of the best images can be captured when your not looking

and again :: HAVE FUN!

{heads Up}

please feel free to share, pass on & even comment below. heck you can even e-mail me with questions on where I found a certain sweater or dress

I sincerely hope that this was helpful & somewhat amusing, if not well too bad.

thanks, peace out & happy holidays

s. {natale}