Choosing a photographer can be a daunting process. I'm sure that you even know at least 5 different photographers. So choosing one that will give you a memorable experience and a good return on your investment is no easy decision. Here are my top three things to considering when choosing the right photographer for you.

Check out their portfolios. Do you like what you see? Most photographers have a signature style and you should be drawn to it, even if you can't quite put your finger on why. Photographers specialize in different genres such as documentary, lifestyle or portraiture. Their style might be light and airy, dark and moody, or classic and timeless. While versatility is great, choosing someone based on consistent style that you see in their portfolios will ensure that you will get exactly what you are expecting. If they are consistent you should see the same results not only in their portfolios, but throughout their social media as well, Right away, if their style doesn't match what you are looking for, it's time to move on.

When choosing a photographer, you aren't just picking someone to take photographs, you are purchasing an experience. A photo session is more than just showing up and having photos taken.  Does your photographer offer a consultation to help you pick outfits and design your session? Do they make an effort to get to know you and what you are looking for? How will they make you feel confident during your session? Once the session is over, will they help you choose images that fit your needs? Your overall experience will be enhanced if you choose someone who works with you on each step, from initial consultation to choosing a session date, to helping you pick out outfits and designing your session and finally to the delivery of your final images. A great place to find out about working with a particular photographer is Google Reviews. Or simply ask the photographer what's included in the session fee and what the process is like.

Most importantly, what is it going to cost you and what are you actually getting for that?  If you want someone to just snap away, you can find that easily and cheaply. But is that what you really want? Maybe it is and that's fine, but good photography is not cheap. When you invest in good photography, you are investing in a photographer who goes above and beyond for their clients and has the education and skills to do so. They see their work as their art and take that very seriously. Will your photographer send you a bunch of digital images with their watermark on them? You might actually be paying the photographer to advertise for them, if that's the case. You won't be able to print those images. Does your photographer offer high resolution digital images that can be printed? Will your photographer give you artwork to hold and cherish forever? Investment is about the overall experience AND the final product you are investing in.

If you are looking for a photographer with phenomenal style who gives her clients a memorable experience and an exceptional product, I'm your photographer!!! Let's set up your consultation and start planning your session today! Contact me here to get on my schedule. 

1. Hire a professional photographer who specializes in Dance Photography. The industry agrees with me on this... dance photography is the combination of two very distinct disciplines. It's important to find a photographer experienced in working with dancers. The dancers that I have worked with will tell you that I help them translate what they do in a three-dimensional world into a two-dimensional photograph. Dancing on stage, at the barre or in center is much different than hitting a dance pose for photographs.  We build our poses from the ground up starting with the feet and going all the way to the tips of your fingertips making sure that all of the angles look good in two dimensions. Dance photo sessions take such a long time, because every single pose is very detailed. A photographer that specializes in any other genre simply will not have the skills to effectively pose you for photos or the knowledge to look for details that showcase your technique. I know that you want to look your best and it's my job to help you get the shots that you will love! 

2. Carefully consider your wardrobe. What type of look are you going for? Are you more classical or contemporary? Do you want something edgy or romantic? Will you be using the photos for your personal enjoyment or for auditions? If the photos are for auditions, what are the requirements for the school or company that you're auditioning for? These are all important questions to answer before deciding on outfits for your photo shoot. A long flowing skirt will enhance movement beautifully. A strong, edgy outfit will give you that sharp modern look. Don't choose anything that you cannot comfortably move in. The last thing that we will want is to restrict your movement. Taking time to put a lot of thought into your session will go a long way to produce the results you want!

3. Collaborate for posing. Dance photo sessions are a collaboration between the photographer and the dancer. Come ready with some poses in mind that play on your unique strengths. It's very important for you to communicate to me what you would like to do with your dance session. Some dancers are dramatic, others are looking for a bright and vibrant look. I will make lighting and background choices based on what you tell me about yourself. Some dancers are very flexible and others are extremely strong. ​Poses that reflect your strengths and dance personality help to make your photo shoot unique to you. I will have dance poses on hand, but I always recommend coming to the session with poses in mind. I will often ask you to show me the pose before I even pick up my camera. I will tell you what works and what doesn't. If something is not quite right in the pose, I can help you to tweak it so that it looks great in a photograph. 

4. A word about safety. I am a stickler for safety. Before we even begin a session I will ask you to warm up your body for at least 15 minutes with dynamic stretching. It is simply not safe to go into poses without preparing your body first. Throughout the session we will begin with two supporting legs, progress to one and then finish with more advanced poses, much like what you might do in class. If you have any concerns or pain issues, I need to know about it before we start. Also, there is a lot out there on social media these days and dancers often come to me with crazy, contortionist poses. I know that you want amazing photos, but doing anything that risks injury to your body is just not worth it. Getting great photos is not about shocking stunts. It's more about beautiful, clean lines. In fact, I believe this is important to consider not just for your photographs, but in dance in general. 

5. Take your time and have fun. Dance sessions take a lot of time to get the shot. Expect to work on the same pose several times until you are happy with the results. Don't get discouraged if something isn't working. If a pose isn't working, we will just move on to the next one. This is totally normal and part of the process. My dancers tell me that my photo sessions are the most fun that they have had dancing in a while. It is a completely different dance experience and we literally often laugh to the point of tears. I love collaborating with dancers...combining the art of photography and the art of dance results in some truly beautiful and  powerful images.

My dance sessions typically book at least one month in advance. This gives us a lot of time to plan to make your dance session a success.

Click here: Schedule your Free Consultation!

Did you know that the tween to teen years are the least professionally photographed stage of your child's life? When they are newborns and toddlers, they grow so fast that you want to document all of the stages and changes. As they get older, you are busy... they are busy and before you know it you are booking their High School Senior Session and they are off to college. I'm here to tell you why you shouldn't forget to photograph the tween to teen years. I'm talking about the ages of 9-18, more specifically ages 12-16. Yes, you will have loads of selfies, sports and school photos, but do you have photos who capture who they truly are in a way that empowers them to embrace their uniqueness? I specialize in this age range for many reasons of which I will share with you now!

1. Give your Tween a Voice! 

Photography is a very powerful way to give your t(w)een a voice. At this stage in their lives they are becoming. No longer children, not yet an adult, this stage is all about figuring out who they are and what they love to do! When I began to photograph dance, I quickly realized that this age group loves to be photographed doing what they love to do. There is no better way to let your tween know... "hey, I hear you... I see what's important to you and I think it's amazing. Let's capture that." 

2. Photography Empowers your T(w)een!

At this stage in their lives, they are super self conscious and easily influenced. I have two children in this stage, right now and I know how hyper self aware they are. Does this outfit look ok? Is my hair just right? I also know that this is the period in their lives when they are consciously questioning who they are and what they value. By photographing them in a way that shows them just how incredibly beautiful/handsome/unique they are just the way they are, it empowers them and boosts their self confidence. Building their confidence helps them to embrace who they are and to be strong in the face of all sorts of peer pressure. I think that's quite a game changer in the life of a tween/teen!

3. Finding their Tribe!

One of the most exciting sessions that I offer are best friend sessions. I decided to offer these sessions because I know that your t(w)een's circle is incredibly important to them. I also firmly believe that when they find their tribe, they help each other to be strong together. When you surround yourself with people who love and support you for who you are, you feel less pressure to be someone you're not. Your teen's friends are important to their lives and their development into adulthood. Best friend sessions have been known to strengthen that bond and to let your teen know that you love and support that they have found their tribe!

4. Social Media

Need I even say anymore? Like it or not, social media is here to stay and it does play a big part in your teen's life. I always tell my kids that it is what you make it. It can be a negative or a positive, make it a positive for you and for others. Giving them photos that they are proud of to share on social media can help to make it a more positive experience for them. If your teen embraces their natural beauty, talents and authentic sense of self, he or she will inspire others to do the same! This is all about building each other up!

 5. Family... Their Soft Place to Fall

It has been a while since you captured your family together with your older kids. This goes back to this time in your life being the least photographed stage. It has actually been studied that kids who see their photos throughout their home with their family experience a boost in self esteem. By displaying photographs of your family together, you are letting them know how important they are to you. At this stage of separation, yet still needing that soft place to fall, it's incredibly important for them to see and feel that.

David Krauss, a licensed psychologist from Cleveland, Ohio says, “I think it is really important to show a family as a family unit. It is so helpful for children to see themselves as a valued and important part of that family unit. A photographer’s job is to create and make the image look like a safe holding space for kids where they are safe and protected. Kids get it on a really simple level.”

So whether it be to capture your tween or teen doing what they love, being who they are or if it's with their friends or your family together... I know first hand what's important to them. I also know how to capture them in a way that will make them feel empowered and valued. I offer individual portrait sessions, best friend sessions and family sessions for your tween/teen. Sessions can also be tailored to what you specifically need.  Contact me here to talk about your needs and get scheduled! Trust me... time passes too quickly. Don't miss capturing this pivotal stage in your child's life! 

I am looking for dedicated, social, and hard working dancers to showcase the Faye Sevel Photography Dance brand. This is not limited to Charlotte, NC dancers. Dancers from other cities feel free to apply!

​The Faye Sevel Photography Dance brand encompasses a pure passion for dance! When you love something so much that it sets your soul on fire, you work extremely hard to achieve your goals every single day. My dance photography is about more than just pretty pictures. Few people see the behind the scenes hard work that goes into becoming a strong dancer. These sessions are designed to celebrate that hard work and showcase your strength, poise, and passion for dance. When I work with dancers... they light up from within because of their intense love of the craft!

Benefits

Ambassadors will receive 

• one free photo session with Faye Sevel Photography
• complimentary Instagram edits and preferred pricing on prints and high resolution images
• $50 credit toward future sessions for every referred dancer that books and completes a photo session
• refer 5 dancers that book and complete a session and your next session is free

How to Enter

AGES 12 AND OVER (no exceptions)

• follow @fayesevelphotography on Instagram
• post a picture of you and #fspambassador2019 and tell me why you love dance and want to be an ambassador. Tag @fayesevelphotography

APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL MAY 1st, 2019 AMBASSADORS WILL BE CHOSEN BY MAY 11TH (you will be notified by email or DM)

Conditions 

You are required to:

• follow @fayesevelphotography
• have a strong social media presence
• be willing to travel to Charlotte, NC for the photo session
• have parental consent if under 18 years of age
• sign a contract and model release (signed by parents if under 18)
• represent and promote Faye Sevel Photography and @fayesevelphotography by posting the images from your session throughout the year and re-posting any promotions ran by Faye Sevel Photography

Every year, I like to do a session with each of my children. As they get older, they have more of an opinion of what they want their session to be like. I LOVE that it is always about them, their personalities and whatever they are in to in the moment. My youngest child's imagination and love of animals comes through in this session. My favorite part of doing these sessions for them is when they ask me if I've finished editing their photos so that they can hang them on our photo wall. I've taught them well!! I truly hope that she loves the results as much as I do. <3