Hooray for Fall!

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I love the crisp fresh air, the red, orange and yellow leaves that brighten the trees and then fall gently to the ground. I love crisp apples, hot soup on a cold rainy night and opening the windows to let in the fresh fall air.

Fall is also my favorite time to take pictures. The bright, colorful trees make for a perfect backdrop for family portraits. I also love to get out and take photographs of the brightly colored leaves.

Next time you head out for a walk to enjoy the season bring along your camera and take some fall pictures. Here are some tips on how to get some great shots that you will be dying to get out of your camera and on to your walls.

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Photography Tip of the Month

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Tip #1
Get in close. Wide landscapes are beautiful but, it can be tricky to get the detail you desire. Your eye sees much more detail than your camera will ever be able to capture. If you really want to capture the bold color and the detail of the leaves you will need to get up close.
Tip #2
Keep your eyes peeled for a unique photo. Look for a single bright leaf floating in a stream, or a red leaf laying near a mossy rock.
Tip #3
Bring the kids along. They often notice small details that we over look. Like a bug crawling across a beautiful leaf, or a really cool rock on the side of the path. Slow down and walk at their pace you will be amazed at the things you will see.

Family Activity

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Fall is such a beautiful time of the year to get outside and explore nature. So, throw on those sweatshirts, grab a little bag for your treasures and head outside to explore your neighborhood and find the signs of fall. Collect beautiful leaves along the way so that when you return home you can make a fall themed nature collage.

Here are instructions for a No Glue Collage. This is a great way to make a collage with out the glue mess; it also makes it easier for little ones.
Supplies:
clear Con-Tact paper
masking tape
fall leaves

Project:
Start by taping a piece of contact paper to a wall, window or a low table and set your fall leaves near by.
Next, let the kids discover the stickiness of the paper and then let them begin to stick the leaves to the Con-Tact paper.
After the kids have finished you will preserve the collage by placing another piece of contact paper over the art work and finish the edges with masking tape.

Enjoy this project; sit back and watch the kids explore the colors and textures.

October Promotion

Holiday Family Photo

A $75.00 family photo session and 3 uploads for holiday cards and gifts. First, I will come to your home or a park near by your home and do a short family session. After the session I will edit your photos and give you a preview of your photos on line. You will then choose up to three photos to be uploaded to the online photo sharing site of your choice (Kodak Easy Share, Shutterfly etc.). From there, you are welcome to create holiday cards or print photos for gifts. This package has a value of $175.00 based on my regular pricing, so this is a great deal, because of this I will only be offering this special price to the first three families that book the "Holiday Family Photo" session`. This special sitting must take place in October or November. Please give me a call, 651 271-8946 or email me, jeneichen@swell-photography.com if you have any questions, or to schedule a session.

Heart of the City Dental

Check out the new staff pictures for Heart of the City Dental. Thank you to my friend Heidi and all of her co workers for a fun session!

A great week!

We packed our bags and headed to the lake for our last cabin trip of the summer. We had a great time boating, swimming, eating great food and staying up way too late.

Kindergarten today

He started school this morning, and he seemed so very small.

As I walked there beside him in the Kindergarten hall.

And, as he took his place beside the others in the class,

I realized how all too soon those first few years can pass.

Remembering, I saw him as he first learned how to walk,

the words we alone made out when he first began to talk.

This little boy so much absorbed in learning how to write.

It seems as though he must have grown to boyhood overnight.

My eyes were blurred but, hastily I brushed the tears away

lest by some word or sign of mine I mar his first big day.

Oh how I longed to stay with him and keep him by the hand,

to lead him through the places that he couldn't understand.

And something closely kin to fear was mingled with my pride.
I knew he would no longer be a baby by my side.

But, he must have his chance to live,

to work his problems out, the privilege to grow and learn

is what life is all about.

And, I must share my little boy with friends and work and play;

he's not a baby anymore he's in Kindergarten today.

-Author Unknown

Happy September!

My name is Jen, the owner and photographer for Swell Photography. I am in the process of re-entering the world of professional photography. I say I am in process because I am, and always hope to be learning new things and improving my skill level as my business grows with time. I say re-entering because, once upon a time before the world of an infant, a preschooler, and a tween, I was taking photos professionally. I found that after my 3rd child was born I just could not be a successful photographer and a great mom. I had to make a choice and concentrate on just one thing at a time. Obviously, I chose to focus on being great mom. My passion for photography began when my son Tristan was born 14 years ago. I fell in love with photographing my son’s sweet personality through each wonderful stage of his childhood. I love looking back at how Tristan has grown, from a fresh, curious baby to a strong, independent teenager. I have continued to love capturing those special moments with my son Miles and my daughter Ella. The time flies by so quickly and capturing Miles’ struggle to find a natural smile and Ella’s need to spread her arms and fly like a bird everywhere she goes is something that will not last forever; one day they will be Tristan’s age and they will be too cool to smile for a picture. Through the years I have been honored to take pictures of special events and milestones for my friends and family. Through their encouragement, my passion for photography and my love of children of all ages, Swell Photography was born. I love to give my clients the opportunity to hold on to the special moments in their families life. Whether you are welcoming a brand new baby into your family and you would like to capture those first sweet days or, you have a running, jumping flying toddler that brings new magic into your life everyday. Or, maybe you are helping your high schooler prepare to spread their wings leave your nest. Each milestone in your families life is special and I would love to help you capture your moments... naturally. I am so excited about this new chapter in my life. While I know my kids still need me to be a great mom, I am finding that as they grow I also need to teach them about following your dreams so you are able to live a full life that will reward you in many ways. Being a photographer rewards me in so may ways, I love capturing memories for families to cherish for a lifetime, I love the way it makes me think creatively and challenges me to keep learning and developing my skill.

Photography Tip of the Month

Get Framed! There's no better way to give your home personality than covering your walls with favorite family photos! But we've all been there... staring down a bare wall with no idea where to begin! Which photos? In what frames? And how do you arrange them? First, RELAX! Here are a few tips to get you on your way! Tip #1: A single picture must be large enough for the wall on which it will be hung or you will create a desolate look instead of a warm, inviting one. Smaller frames have more impact when grouped together. Tip #2: Place your frames at eye level, usually five feet from the floor. If your room has high ceilings, hang them slightly higher. Tip #3: Create an interesting arrangement by displaying frames of varying shape and size. Hang frames both horizontally and vertically to add interest. Tip#4: Plan the layout of your frames before hanging, either using paper cut the same size as your pictures and placed on the wall, or by arranging them on a workspace or floor. Take it slow. Planning it out before you grab the hammer will avoid a smattering of extra nail holes in your walls (and a whole lot of frustration)! Tip #5: Not sure which photos to display? First, don't worry about the pictures themselves, or their 'compatibility' with the room. If you like the pictures, they will be perfect in any room! If you're worried about having a sense of unity, create one by selecting mats and frames in the colors and styles that fit your rooms decor. The frames themselves do not have to be identical to each other as long as they are compatible with the decor, as well as to each other. No work of art is more precious than your own family portraits, and they should be treated as such! The right framing and wall arrangement can turn any home into a premier gallery!

Project of the Month

Family Craft: People Magnets We've all seen cute magnets with your favorite cartoon characters; why not make magnets with your favorite real-life people? All you need are some extra snapshots and a few sheets of magnetic paper (one side magnet, one side sticky) from the office supply store. First, cut your photos into fun shapes by tracing a cookie cutter, or around the bodies like a paper doll. Peel back the adhesive cover on the magnet sheet and attach your pictures. Try to fit them close together to use as much of the sheet as possible. Lastly, cut the pictures out with the magnet still attached, leaving no magnet showing around the edges. Attach to your fridge and enjoy! Your new friends will be there to hold your great artwork and greet you every time you get a snack!

September Promotions

Book your family session for September or October, before August 31st and you will receive 25% off your session. Let's talk about how you can get a family photo session for $25.00. It is called a "mini" session, and all you need is 3 friends that are also looking for a great deal on a family portrait. Schedule a mini session by August 31st for your family and 3 of your friends and you will receive your session for FREE!

www.swell-photography.com

Eichenberger Family Fun Day

We had a great day last Sunday, spending time with family. We played games, ate, chatted and ate some more. I feel lucky to be related to such a great group of people. Thanks for a really fun day!

Miss. K

I had a "mini" session with Kendall and her Mom this afternoon. Kendall is such a beautiful girl and as you can see the apple does not fall far from the tree.