Okay I have an AMAZING set of Expectation Sneak Peeks coming up tomorrow but I wanted to share a few “Behind the Scenes” shots taken in preparation for that post.  Specifically the Hair & Make Up portion.

I think in most cases when I bring up the option of having hair & make up done professionally prior to a photo session, it takes most women by surprise.  I absolutely love it when the surprise is immediately followed by a tinge of excitement as I can tell they are considering the possibility as something they find intriguing or definitely a service they are interested in!

However many women do turn it down because it falls outside of their normal routine.  And while this is a natural reaction, it is important to remind yourself that if you are getting Professional Photos done, more than likely it is not because you are celebrating something normal & regular.  More likely you are getting Professional Portraits done because you want to celebrate a very special moment or milestone in your life.  So why hold back on treating yourself?  The results are undeniably AMAZING…

I have been offering & recommending the professional services of Jacqueline Malocu of Mark of Elegance Salon & Spa since this past fall to my Clients, and I cannot begin to express how much I LOVE working with her and the results she creates for my Clients.  And as much I can be heard going on and on about how amazing her work is, I promise it is not because I get some sort of kick back.  My reward comes in the time I save editing & retouching and the resulting gorgeousness that follows the amazing work created at the hands of Jackie. 

So lets say you are likely the type to say “Hmmm, no, I don’t think that is for me.”.  If the hold back is simply because it is outside of your normal routine here are some things I have observed for those who say “Yeah, sure, that sounds like a great idea!”

• If you are imagining Glamour Shots, gross, please don’t…  Your look is tailored to look as natural or as dramatic as you feel comfortable with.  The focus is primarily to even skin tone, add a little contouring & color to the cheeks, hide blemishes and accentuate eyes.  That can result in a very natural but flawless look or you can have Jackie increase the volume for more drama.
• Your Hair & MU is conveniently done at our Studio or On Location prior to your session and usually takes under 1 hour.  Jackie’s fee includes travel to our Studio.
• Jackie has over 20 years of experience in Hair & Make Up and owns Mark of Elegance Salon & Spa in Millerstown.  She specializes in Weddings & Commercial Production Hair & MU. 
• I love that she not only knows how to create a beautiful look, but more importantly that she knows how to create a beautiful camera-ready look.  There is a difference, sometimes HUGE.
• Jackie is undeniably fun to talk to and to hang out with!  And in her head is an encyclopedia of tips for styling and if you listen, watch & ask questions you will walk away learning some great practical styling tips.
• It is a pampering experience!  You feel like a star as you are bathed in her pro light set up while she expertly applies your make up and does your hair to bring out your best features.
• You will be air brushed.  (Yes it is a real thing!)
• Feel free to bring photos of the hair & MU look you would like to achieve.  You saved those fashion & beauty magazines for a reason, now use them!
• As long as her schedule allows, Jackie often will stay for at least 30 minutes during the session to help style and keep a watchful eye on things to ensure everything is in perfect place.  She is a true professional and takes her work VERY seriously!
• 2 words “False Lashes“!  Even if you have never tried them (or tried them but without success).  If you ever been curious about them, get them you won’t regret it!  Jackie will apply them so they look perfect and you and everyone else will fall head over heels at how AMAZING you look!  (And most people will have no idea it is the lashes!)
• Clients truly feel like a million $$ afterwards and will often exhibit a HUGE boost in confidence after their look has been completed.  It is as if an inner Super Model, Movie Star or Rock Star has been unlocked and has decided to make their debut.  The change in confidence is significant and that confidence translates right through to the camera. 
• Perfect for Senior Sessions, Couples, Expectation Sessions, Family Portraits, Individual Portraits, Professional Portraits & Boudoir
• Cost ranges from $60 for shorter than chin length hair, to $100 for longer hair.  Some looks may cost more depending on the amount of work and time needed to create the look.  An additional $25 for false lashes.  Tipping is at your discretion and I encourage it, she is worth it!

Before & After with lashes (all images in this post have been left unretouched)

Thank you Diane for allowing us to share these behind the scene glimpses!  And be sure to visit tomorrow to see the results from Diane & Jon’s INCREDIBLE Expectation Session.  Super amazing couple and one of my favorite Expectation Sets!  I can hardly contain myself over them!!

Grace

Central PA Modern Portrait Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

This book is a culmination of photographs taken for the Marshall Family over the span 6 sessions and 13 months.  Hailey graduated our Baby Milestones Portrait Plan this past Fall, and throughout her first year I have grown a special bond with this Family and their precious little Angel.  The Marshalls certainly have a very special place in my heart and I am so honored to also call them Friends.  (I can’t wait to do lunch after the Holidays, Pretty Lady!)  And I could not ask for a more vocal advocate than Mom, she rocks as a proud Momma showing off Hailey’s Portraits!  

As I reconnected with the images and the book started to organically come together, I felt like I was reading a mesmerizing and monumental chapter of their lives.  Their Sessions would vividly play back in my mind and I would remember how I would delight in noticing all the changes of Miss Hailey since the last time I saw her.  And it isn’t only Baby that does all the changing.  It is beautiful and fascinating to see how couples transition from Husband & Wife to Mom & Dad.  That is a dramatic change in itself.  I am sure if there was a line graph that measured change in a person’s life, becoming new parents would likely become the highest spike in many people’s graphs.

Leslie & Frank are amazing parents, and Miss Hailey is one deeply loved little girl.  Looking forward to watching this little “Smoosh” grow up! 

Wishing the Marshalls a very Merry Christmas!

Hugs,

Grace

Mechanicsburg Baby & Family Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

Recently finished laying out Gwen & Kevin’s Engagement Book =)  They rock!

Photos taken at Gwen’s Family’s breathtaking Farm Wayside Acres Farm in Newport which is a local Goat Farm.

Central PA Modern Engagement & Wedding Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

Sometimes fate steps in and delivers a magic key that unlocks a treasure chest of 24 carat inspirational gold.  That is how I look at my extreme good fortune of meeting Jackie. 

Jackie is an extremely talented Professional Hair & Make Up Artist with over 20 years of experience in her field.  She owns Mark of Elegance Salon & Day Spa in Millerstown.  She is also regularly on set as a Hair & Make Up Artist & Stylist for Commercials, Plays and other Productions.  She also has 4 children and exudes one of the most awesome positive personalities I have had the pleasure to meet! 

Her work and her presence is sheer magic.  It is amazing to see the rise in the level of confidence in my Clients after she is done with them.  I really could go on and on….

So as of October I have started recommending her to all of my clients for their Photo Sessions and to my delight the response has been AWESOME!

So Jackie came out a week and a half ago to work her magic on Erin’s Senior Session and I really wanted to share a behind the scenes glimpse of her doing her thang! 

Jackie evens out skin tone with air brush foundation.  Yes you hear about “being air brushed” but this is the real thing!

For Erin who doesn’t normally wear make up (or only very little), it was important to keep a more natural subtle look.

Erin also has naturally curly hair which has proven to often be unruly for her.  Jackie tamed her mane right down and did this amazingly romantic updo which you will see when I reveal Erin’s Sneak Peeks tomorrow!

Here is a Before & After, no retouching on my end.

Another thing I adore about Jackie is that she is a goldmine of helpful styling tips, Clients will learn so much about hair & make up and even I always learn something new everytime I see her.

I can’t even begin to express the difference in having professional hair & makeup done prior to professional photos being taken.  In terms of percentage I’d say it would make 100% – 500% difference in final look.  (But with Jackie I’d say 200% – 1000%!!!!)  If you are interested in hiring the incredibly talented Jackie for an upcoming Photo Shoot with us or for your Wedding please contact us. 

Photo Shoot pricing rates range from $60-$100 for 1 look.  Add $25 for the privelidge to batt false lashes =)

Jacqueline Malocu | Mark of Elegance Salon & Day Spa

Central PA Portrait Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

I don’t often flaunt the vendors I use but today is a special exception. 

I have always loved Simply Canvas for their EXCELLENT & personal customer service and of course their AMAZING quality when it comes to Gallery Wraps.  But this morning the love just threw me head over heels! 

I received a link to this personalized video of how a Gallery Wrap is born featuring the faces of 4 of my fabulous clients and I just have to shout out to the world “SIMPLY CANVAS IS SO AWESOME!!!”.  What a neat video!  Way too awesome to not share.  Plus it is great to get an inside look at all the love that goes into the creation of these beautiful gems.

And simply what an amazing idea from a marketing standpoint!

See if you can spot the following image in it!

If you are a professional photographer I cannot even begin to get into how awesome Simply Canvas is for your Gallery Wrap needs.  You will love them too!  Let them know we sent you!

Central PA’s Modern Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

I have to show off the page spreads from The Thomas Family Book!   Because:

• A.  The Thomas Family is SO AWESOME and GOOD LOOKING!  
• B.  I am just so thrilled with out the final layout of the book evolved!

This Book included a custom metallic cover & each page spread is lovingly designed & laid out based on how the images speak to me.  I design every page spread from scratch myself and this is one of my favorite custom products to make due to how unique each set of images are and therefore how unique each book will become.  The final product is also so exceptional in quality and cannot be compared to the photo books you would buy from popular photo sharing & buying sites.

It is such a perfect way to take home all the favorite images from a session in a captivatingly beautifully story-telling way. 

The photos were taken at the gorgeous Boyer House of Central Pennsylvania College.

For more Book views please click on the thumbnails below!

Mechanicsburg Family Photographer – Grace Lightner Photography

Playdate Cards are NOW AVAILABLE!

Playdate Cards are the perfect solution for Moms & Dads looking to expand their children’s (and their personal) social circle!  How many times have you been out at the playground and watched your kids get along merrily with a child.  To top it off you find yourself enjoying a great conversation with their parent and right at the moment you realize that everyone is getting along like long lost friends, you look at your watch and find it is time to end the fun and head off to your next venue?  Well obviously you get along grand so instead of letting that opportunity go to the wayside, pull out one of your oh so cute playdate cards and open the door to a future playdate and possibly a great friendship!

Playdate Cards feature 2 of your favorite portraits from your session and include your preferred contact methods in a stylishly coordinating design!

We offer 2 styles to choose from and each set comes with a slick metal case.

Step into the adorably stylish & modern way of Social Networking for your kids AND for yourself

Expanding the social circles of Central Penn Parents & their adorable Kids – Grace Lightner Photography

One of the more popular items we sell outside of prints are our 3×3″ Accordion Wallet Books which feature 9 favorite images from a session in a custom designed and easily portable and oh-so-fun to show off gem!

We have now offer an exciting NEW option to them.  An upgraded custom cover with a magnetic closer!  These are SOOOO COOL!  And will absolutely illicit “Ooohs!!” and “Ahhhss!” from everyone you show them off to!  The cover material has a decadent satin finish to them too.

And here below is a shot of the traditional Accordion Wallet Books which still boast a gorgeously custom designed spread featuring your favorite 9 images!  With a wide selection of beautiful cover colors to choose from!  These come with traditional stretch band closures.

These make FABULOUS and very affordable gifts too for family members.  You KNOW Grandma would flip with joy to have a book showing off her newest grandson or granddaughter!

Central PA & Harrisburg Area’s Refreshingly Modern Portrait & Wedding Photographer – Grace Lightner Photography

Just finished up Natalie’s Senior Album and had to show it off!  Love, love, LOVE her Senior Pictures!!! 

She rocked em!  And mad love to her puppies & bunnies!

Click on the thumbnails above for more Album Candy!

Central PA’s Hippest Senior Portrait Photographer & Stylin Album Stylist – Grace Lightner Photography

I am finally getting around to getting the shots up of the gorgeous wedding album that I designed for Mr. & Mrs. Davis (who are like the sweetest puppy love head-over-heels couple I know!).

This is a flush mount 10×10 square photo album with a gorgeous brocade cover.

I prefer to design each page layout from scratch.  And it is vitally important that each page spread compliments the photos on the page and the spread must exude a feeling of je’ ne sais quoi that allows me to smile and click save.  I also have to be sure the layout of the book matches the couple yet still is me.  Lots of things to consider which is why no book, album or Photo Story I create can ever be the same.

My favorites are definitely the full spread panoramas. 

Click on the thumbnails below to browse through all the lovely Album shots.

Mechanicsburg Wedding Photographer & really awesome Wedding Album Designer! – Grace Lightner Photography