Thanks for stopping by my blog! My name is Suzi and I am a children's lifestyle photograper in Grand Blanc, Michigan. My specialties are babies, children, and High School Seniors. I like to work in a relaxed atmosphere without distracting props and cheesy smiles! Photography is my passion and I feel so blessed to be able to capture memories for my clients that they can cherish. The moments slip away so fast and photography is a way to hold on to a piece of those memories forever. I have created this blog to share my client's photos with everyone, as well as my own photos I take in my daily life. Take some time to leave a comment and let me know that you were here!
Okay, it has been awhile since I have blogged, but I have been posting most of my previews over on Facebook. If you want to see my latest work you can Like my page! These girls were just so fun! They had lots of great ideas and creativity! That just makes my job so much easier. So here is a preview for the family!!!! Enjoy!!! These girls are just beauties!!!!
One of my favorite blogs to read as a photographer is Paperie Boutique. They are featuring a product right now that I could really use called Get It Together! It helps you to keep your business organized. If you are a photographer, there is a contest going on to win this product right now!!! You can check it out here!
I have been rather neglectful of my blog lately. I have been posting my sessions to facebook mostly so if you would like to go to my Photo Art by Suzi page you can see more of my latest work!
Here are some from the tea party mini sessions!!!!
I was so excited to meet up and photograph Kristin and her kids! Kristin is the owner of Later, Alligator. Kristen makes custom baby gifts and children’s clothing. One of her most fun products is the Creature t shirt kit. You child gets to draw a creature, or really anything they would like and Kristin will sew the drawing onto a t shirt! What a great gift idea! I brought a kit home to my boys and my older son sat down right away and drew a big dragon! He can’t wait to see it as a shirt! I also just love her girls dresses and skirts! Super cute! Here are Kristin’s answers to my interview questions!
Store Address, website, phone? I work from my home studio in Rochester Hills, where you can catch me by appointment most days. I sell at trunk shows and vendor shows and on my web site, www.LaterAlligator.etsy.com.
How long have you been in business? About a year and a half.
How did you decide to start your own business? I started making things for my daughter and received nonstop compliments. “You know, if you started selling those, I would buy 20,” one mom said to me about a patchwork twirly skirt she wore to school one day. That got me thinking — and sewing.
What is the hardest thing about running your own business? Having to put business before pleasure a lot of the time. I feel awful having to say “no” to my mom friends who ask me to coffee, playdates, movies or whatever. It’s hard to prioritize, but I’m realizing more and more that it is the key to being a successful businesswoman.
How many kids do you have and how old are they? I have a 7-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter.
What are some of the creative ways that you juggle being a business owner and mom? I make my kids feel like they are a part of my business adventures. Of course, the natural way is for them to wear the clothes (and spread the word about their mom). But I also ask them for “help” with random tasks, whether it be cutting out tags or assembling boxes.
What are some things that inspire you? My son’s imagination inspires me every day. My daughter inspires me with her radiant energy and rosy outlook; she is a “glass half full” girl all the way. And my husband — he is my number one fan and is a constant inspiration with his “try, try again” philosophy.
Fun Questions!
What is your favorite Food? Sushi, especially with the girlfriends.
What is your favorite restaurant? Sagebrush, Kruse & Muer, Gus O’Connor’s — really, too many to mention!
Where is your favorite place to go on vacation? Eight Point Lake.
What is your favorite activity to do with your kids? We love to ski in the winter and boat in the summer; we love the zoo, any park, the library or a good movie with popcorn.
If you had a free day to do whatever you wanted what would you do? Go shopping with my mom!
Well, the weather didn’t cooperate so well last weekend so my Spring Fields Mini Sessions will be posted separately as we do the make ups! We did get a beautiful day for this adorable family with some pretty sun and a little bit of haze that us photographers love so well! This was an active crew who kept me moving the whole time!!!! So cute!!!!
I have to admit that I used to be afraid of Family photos because getting more that one or 2 people together in one photo could be quite a challenge! Now, it is one of my favorite things to photograph. I just love to see the interactions and the love that is shared between family members! It is a very special time and I just love to be able to capture these fleeting moments in time!!!
I still can’t believe my oldest baby is 12! They grow so fast and WOW, he is already close to being able to look me in the eye! Of course that isn’t too hard to do with me only being 5′3″, but it is still kind of weird to have your kid be as big as you! He and his brother are really into basketball right now so we decided to do some shots with his ball! Fun!
After being a photographer for 4 years I finally got to work with newborn twins! The fun part was getting them both to sleep at the same time! Aren’t they sweet?!
Mamapreneur of the month is a new feature I am going to be having on my blog. If you are a mom with your own business, or know someone who is you can contact me at suzi@photoartbysuzi.com to request a feature article!
First up are Shelley Peek and Bonnie Blais, co owners of Elements in downtown Lake Orion. I remember when I first walked into this store I fell in love with it. It is full of eye candy and lots of great furniture that I am always dreaming of using as props! Shelley and Bonnie are always so sweet and the atmosphere in the store is just fun! So stop by and tell them hello and check out their amazing store!
Bonnie
Store Address, website, phone?
11 S. Broadway, Lake Orion, MI 48362
How long have you been in business? Over 4 years
How did you meet Shelley and how did you 2 get the idea to go into business.
We would pass each other every morning dropping our babies off at daycare and both say we wanted to do something different. I had already written a business plan, so we met and Shelley was on board. We both come from different business backgrounds - mine in creativity and Shell in the financial/business details. It was a great fit.
What is the hardest thing about running your own business? Paying the bills and still having money left to pay ourselves.
How many kids do you have and how old are they? I have a son, Floyd that is 5 and a daughter, Clare that is 3.
What are some of the creative ways that you juggle being a business owner and mom?
Involve our children in store activities and make them feel that is an extension of our families. Also, award ourselves the luxury of having someone work to do special activities with the kids.
What are some things that inspire you? The children, they see things in such a different light, innocence, and they think outside the box because they are too young to be in the box. The outdoors, nature, architecture. We also draw a lot of energy from our customers. They enjoy the store and inspire us to make it even better!
Fun Questions!
What is your favorite Food? We both love sushi. And thai. And seafood. And Italian. And Mexican… kinda in that order:)
What is your favorite restaurant?
That’s tough. Love Big Wave Sushi across the street from the store in Lake Orion.. Best ever. Mitchel’s Seafood too in Rochester and B’ham.
Where is your favorite place to go on vacation? Maui is the most amazing place on earth. Italy a close second. Repeat spot I would go back to again and again is Charleston, SC.
What is your favorite activity to do with your kids? Snowboarding in the winter and skating in the summer. Puzzles too. Favorite time of day is snuggling and reading books before bed.
If you had a free day to do whatever you wanted what would you do? What is a free day?? Probably do nothing. Seriously, absolutely nothing.
Shelley
Store Address, website, phone
Elements -11 South Broadway, Lake Orion MI 48362 248-693-9010
elementsonline.biz
How long have you been in business?
Been in Business 4 years on May 19th.
How did you meet Bonnie and how did you two get the idea to go into business together?
Bonnie and I met at StepnStones child care where we both took our 3 month old children at the time. Bonnie told me several times that she wanted to quit the ad agency and start her own business. She was working on a business plan at the time. We both wanted more flexibility with our small children and knew running our own business together would allow us to do so. We ran into each other at Old Navy one day and I told her if she was serious, I would love to run my own show. We met a couple Saturdays later and decided to go for it. I found a bank to give us an SBA loan and the rest is HISTORY……
What is the hardest thing about running your own business?
I think the hardest thing about runnning your own business is the fact that it is a 24/7 job that you can’t shut off or run away from.
How many kids do you have and how old are they?
I have two fabulous daughters, Madison 5 and Iris 2.
What are some of the creative ways that you juggle being a business owner and mom?
We all want to be wonder woman, but having a wonderful husband and great parents is key to juggling being mom/business owner. I have a super support team on my side! I love having the authority and ability to bring my kids to work if I am in a bind.
What are some things that inspire you?
The desire to make people happy and be successful inspires me on a daily basis. My kids inspire me to be happy and healthy.
Fun Questions!
Favorite Food?
My favorite food is Salmon…mmmmm hungry…
Favorite Restaurant?
My favorite place to get my favorite dish (Salmon) is the Rochester Chop House..
Favorite Vacation spot?
We don’t vacation often or ever, but if we did I want to take the family on a Cruise to Alaska.
What is your favorite activity to do with your kids?
I absolutely love playing at the park or walking on the beach with the girls. Fun stuff..
If you had a free day to do whatever you wanted what would you do?
If I had a free day to do whatever I wanted, I would go to Yoga and then dig in the dirt in my yard and love every moment. Sounds good, I think I will plan to do that very soon!!!
I just love when I get clients signed up for the Baby Plan! It is just so fun to watch the little ones grow and change! This little guy was the most beautiful newborn with his thick, black hair! Today he was all smiles and had a blast at his photo shoot! He didn’t even complain about all the outfit changes! Thanks Mark and Amy! Can’t wait to see him next time when he’s sitting up!
I would like to announce my Spring Fields Mini Sessions for 2010! The field next to my house is just beautiful {green and blooming!} around the first week of May so I decided to offer some mini sessions to my clients! These sessions will be about 20-30 minutes and you will get about 10-15 (20-30 including b&w) images to choose from. These can be family session or just the kids! You may choose from a print session or a digital session. The print session is $150 and includes 5 Gift Prints 8×10 or smaller. The digital session is $225 and includes all images on cd printable up to 8×10. Also includes all images in 5×7 (about 20-30 images including the b&w). These sessions will take place on Thursday and Friday May 6th and 7th. Please call (810-695-9826) to schedule your session or email suzi@photoartbysuzi.com.
