Welcome To Jamie Heyl Photography!

"For every step of your life"

People often ask me what my favorite type of photography is and I answer differently at different times, depending on what I am doing or working on. I love taking photos, of every kind ... well, not landscape or pet photos, but always "people" photos.

It is often said in the photography world that you can not specialize in everything, and I believe that. Not every photographer can be the best at every type of photography - I know I have plenty to learn about lots of different things. I am always learning and growing. But I can LOVE every type of photography which is why the tag line of my business is "for every step of your life."

I love to watch my clients and their families grow. To photograph a couple from their engagement through their wedding and then the birth of their first child is an amazing experience. Then to watch that child grow through their first years, graduate from high school and start the cycle over is awe-inspiring. I haven't quite been in business long enough for that, but I have had the privelige of photographing the weddings of some of my Senior clients!

So whether you are just beginning to build your family or your family is growing up and moving on, I would be honored to be a part of that. To photograph the love between you and your partner grow into a tiny family and then follow that family through the college years and beyond - its the part of my job that I will always love the most. So thank you for considering me to photograph every step of your life.

Jamie

You Are What You Wear

Posted on January 13, 2010

A really fantastic Arizona photographer named Jeanette LeBlanc posted this great article on her blog about what to wear for your portrait sessions. She shared it on a photography board that I follow and is graciously allowing other photographers to refer their clients to it. I wholeheartedly agree with all she has said and since I get a lot of “what should we wear” questions, I thought I’d share her article with you guys! Enjoy!

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You are what you wear.

A little cliché? Perhaps. But when it comes to portrait photography, clothing plays a huge role in the success of the finished product.

Before we get going – let’s be clear what you’re clothing does NOT need to be:

1. Brand New
I’m down with your favorite ripped jeans, retro band T’s, and worn converse shoes – as long as you know how to rock them in your own fabulous style.

2. Fancy-Schmancy and Uber-Expensive
Unless it’s your thing (If it’s really your thing, then by all means baby, bring on the bling). If you’re not normally a dress-up kind of person, don’t feel like you have to be one for your session.

3. Matching
No need to focus on matching everything from the color of your fuchsia headbands to the stripes in your socks. In fact, I beg of you, please, please don’t. If you’re heart is set on everyone in white button downs and khaki pants, I’m probably not your girl.

4. Stressful
No need to worry about each and every item, or fret about the suitability of each accessory. This is supposed to be fun. If you’re unsure – call me, and together, we’ll make sure you look fabulous. I promise.

I want you to be happy, thrilled, over the moon about your images, and I know that this is much more likely if we take the time and work together to help you choose clothing that fits these few simple rules:

Feels Good.
During your shoot you could be sitting in a pile of leaves on the grass having a tickle battle, rolling down a hill with your family, throwing your kiddos in the air or climbing a tree. Wear clothing that lets you do all that (and more) comfortably.

As for the kids? Well…uncomfortable kids have a tendency to look…uncomfortable, and are often cranky to boot. Happy kids make for happy pictures.

Bottom Line: Don’t choose outfits that make any of you feel constrained, stiff, itchy, scratchy, like you’re dressed up for Halloween, or that leave you with a nagging worry that a button might pop if you bend the wrong way. Trust me.

Looks Good.
This can be tricky, looking good is totally subjective – right? If you’re not a Carrie Bradshaw fashionista in real life, you might want to pull in some extra help from a straight-talking friend or your trusty photographer (that would be me) who knows about such things and has plans in place to help.

Sometimes last year’s of-the-moment dress has already become hopelessly untrendy. Sometimes the current fashions just don’t look or feel like you. Sometimes outfits that look good in the mirror might not be ideally suited for photography. If you’re really looking for extra help, I can put you in touch with some incredible folks who make people look good for a living.

Bottom Line: If you don’t feel fabulous-fierce-take-on-the-world gorgeous in your outfit, you’re not going to love, love, love the end result – and I’m all about you love, love, loving the end result.

Makes Sense.
Here’s where we pull it all together. It’s not just enough that everyone look good and feel good – you’ve gotta look and feel good together AND the outfits should fit with your location and the desired mood for your portraits.

Glup. That seems like a lot, doesn’t it? (quick – revisit #4 in the top list, and remember, don’t stress).

Before you even begin figuring out your wardrobe, we’ll have an in depth consultation to narrow down what you really want for your pictures, choose the perfect location and make sure you have an understanding about how that all comes together in the finished photograph. I’m with you every step of the way.

Bottom Line: It’s easier than it seems.Think twice about having Emma in a lace Christmas dress if you can’t get Tommy out of his spider man cape and favorite Star Wars pajama top. If we’re going to be running around in a park, you’ll likely not decide to wear your starched Sunday best. Hate the way stripes and plaids look together but Dad has his favorite stripped polo ready to go? Best steer mom away from her beloved family tartan. Easy-Peasy. (unless Mom is really attached to that tartan, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it).

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Thanks again Jeanette for sharing with everyone!

I hope it has help some of you guys choose your clothing for your upcoming portrait sessions!

And because I don’t like blog posts without photos, here’s an idea for an engagement session outfit: