Rainbows after the storm...

Capturing memories of your pregnancy is always a special moment, but when I get to capture a rainbow session, it is doubly special. A rainbow baby is a baby that comes after a miscarriage or infant loss. All of life is precious and should be celebrated, but there is something about a rainbow session that is just a touch bittersweet. I feel like I get to celebrate three lives in my mama images - mama, the baby waiting to make its arrival, and the sweet angel baby as well. My own daughter is a rainbow baby, I had a miscarriage just 2 days after we had positive pregnancy test. It was a devastating event and an emotional pain I wish I could take away for every mother who has experienced a loss. My niece and nephew are also rainbow babies. So between my personal experiences with loss, as well as empathy for others in the same situation, I always strive to make rainbow sessions extra special.

There are several ways that I have incorporated rainbows into sessions. One of those is with fabric. I have a few options that I use, and sometimes even my clients bring a little rainbow with them. The left image uses several pieces of tulle while the right image incorporates a rainbow baby wrap that mama will use in her newborn session.

Another fun way for me to add rainbows is during post processing. I love editing, almost as much as taking the actual photo. This is where I love the digital in digital photography. It allows me to be creative, express emotion, and add little details. In these photos I added a subtle rainbow effect around mama and in the other image I added a rainbow effect to the bottom of her white gown. If we want to add effects such as the effect on the gown, it is best to think about that during the consultation and wardrobe selection. Some colors and styles of gowns work better for these effects than others.

Any of these are options to consider as you think about your rainbow session. We can also add effects, fabric, and favorite colors to other maternity sessions. Ask me about effects at our consultation! I am excited to create and design your session and make your images a special tribute to your motherhood journey.

Yours behind the lens,

Sarah

Gowns in this post are from Picture Perfect Bowtique (Red Kelly - click here for their Partner Spotlight), Miss Madison Couture (Black Blake and Hunter Trinity - click here for their Partner Spotlight, and Sew Trendy Accessories (White Carmelle - click here for a 20% off coupon for their site). All gowns pictured are available in my client closet, which can be seen here.

I felt like a princess!

“My older daughter and I definitely felt like a princess and queen in the gorgeous gowns that we got to wear and the crowns that went with them.” -Megan

I love this quote from a client! It makes me so excited when I read things like this because of what I offer to those who work with me. When thinking about how I wanted to structure my photography sessions and what I wanted to include, a client closet was at the top of the list. Especially for my maternity clients and mamas. I know how hard it is to fit the bump towards the end of pregnancy, as well as finding the perfect coordinating outfits for the family. It can be stressful and a mama can end up feeling defeated, unattractive, or just plain frazzled. That won’t make for a fun session with beautiful images they will treasure.

Offering a client closet has had its own unique rewards and challenges since I added it to my sessions a little over a year ago. I have a weakness for pretty clothes and I love having an excuse to buy gorgeous gowns, accessories, hats, and jewelry on a regular basis. I have even been known to snag something to wear to work (no, not a gown!). But a challenge I often run into is the perceived value and price objections I encounter. Maintaining a client closet is an investment in my clients - and one that I do not take lightly. I only order gowns from women-owned companies that have impeccable records for quality. I do not order gowns that are knock-offs from China. I want the highest quality design, fabric, and construction for my clients. I value intellectual property and a product that will last. Does this investment make my sessions more expensive than other photographers? Yes, in some cases. But I hope that clients see the value in the experience and outcome that I offer.

With that said, I would like to share what a client gets from this experience I offer. In a typical session that utilizes my closet, a client will wear between 2 and 4 gowns and 2 to 4 accessories such as floral crowns, wraps, or a jewelry piece. The goal is to truly feel like a princess - beautiful, unique, empowered, and special. All a client needs to do is be present, extend a little bit of trust, and have a fabulous time. Because who doesn’t love to play dress up? I guide all of my clients through the process from the time we sign a contract to the time we depart the parking lot after the final shots are taken.

I love offering this full experience to the gorgeous women, girls, and families that choose to work with me. I have clothing options that start at 6 months old and go through a full range of sizes for young women and adults from size 2 to 22. I love trying new trends and highlighting the beauty of each and every woman who gets in front of my lens. This is my way of making sure that each person feels truly and deeply seen during a session with Seen & Hurd Photography.

Yours behind the lens, Sarah

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Sweet & Simple Session - Explained!

What is a Sweet & Simple Session? I am so glad you asked! In these sessions, I set out to capture a set of meaningful images of family. The beautiful connections between mothers, daughters, fathers, sons, siblings, spouses. At the end of the day, that connection is just sweet & simple - no fluff, fanfare, or crazy props. It is the love that we carry with us throughout each day, that keeps us going during the tough times and what we rejoice in during the happy times.

Whether you are choosing a Sweet & Simple Session to highlight your family, your children, or your journey into motherhood, the outcome is the same. You will have a series of beautiful, cohesive images to select from. These images can then be shared in a beautiful heirloom album, a keepsake box to highlight your favorite memories, or a stunning piece of statement wall art to highlight the awesome memories made during your session. Remember that with Seen & Hurd Photography, you only purchase the images that you want, you aren’t stuck picking 10 because that it what you pre-paid for. Our full service studio doesn’t end with an email link to a gallery. Each session experience ends will hand-delivered, custom art that will be cherished for years to come.

“I had no idea what I was doing when I met with Sarah to order prints. She had amazing suggestions on what prints to do, and how to format them. After ordering them I was beyond thrilled with the results. The images were stunning and on a good quality paper but the metal prints and ornaments are complimented on every time we have a guest in our home. Worth every penny!”

— Brittany (client)

Some details to consider. These sessions are usually a bit shorter than an average session, about 35-45 minutes, but if we need to shoot longer that is fine as well. Since we are trying to capture the connections and love in your family, the session is spent laughing, playing, and snuggling with those you hold dear. My client closet is also available during these sessions. This option can help to reduce stress about finding that perfect outfit or provide an opportunity to wear something unique and out of the ordinary. Usually clients will choose 1 gown or outfit but change the look with a variety of accessories.

“It was so wonderful to have her bring us dresses and outfits so that we didn’t have to try and find/coordinate outfits. I felt like a queen wearing my gown, while my daughter felt like a princess. ”

— Megan (client)

A Sweet & Simple Session fee is $250 and includes a $50 keepsake credit to apply to your art/ print order. And remember if you book your session before the end of May 2019, you will receive a complimentary gift with your print order.

I am so excited to see what we create together! Click the button below to get started with your session!

Colorado Winter Wedding: Nicholas & Catherine

A few weeks ago I had the absolute pleasure of photographing a beautiful late winter wedding in Westminster, Colorado. Nick and Caytie are such a fun couple and this relaxed yet sophisticated wedding highlighted the love they have for one another.

When capturing a wedding day I try to keep several things in mind as I know how fast the day goes by! Wedding days are such a blur when you look back on them. Preserving memories and moments is not a responsibility I shoulder lightly. I know that the images and moments that I freeze in time will be treasured and viewed for years and possibly generations to come.

One of the ways that I get to know you as a couple is through a photography session with clients before the big day. This might be an engagement session, couples session, or a boudoir session with the bride. This allows me to get to know clients as well as for clients to get to know me! It makes photographing the big day much more relaxed. Caytie and Nick selected a couples session before Nick left for Navy boot camp. He had not yet popped the question but our session together was very much a “pre-engagement” session where we highlighted their love and connection to one another. I really wanted to capture some images that both of them would be able to treasure once Nick left for training. We had so much fun exploring the Larimer Square area in downtown Denver. They were totally smitten with one another and it was nice to see the two of them so happy.

Caytie and her mom met with me before the wedding where I was able to get an idea of the style of the wedding they were planning as well as sharing details both families wanted captured. We were able to collaborate on Pinterest and create a board that gathered some inspiration images that we could reference and talk about. It also helped me to know what additional gear I would need to bring in addition to my standard kit. I highly recommend keeping communication channels open with your photographer! I knew based on our conversations that I would need to bring a macro lens to capture her gorgeous ring (see image far left below) as well as well as my favorite portrait lens - my Canon 85mm 2.8.

I always offer my brides the option of two photographers to capture their day. I love having a second photographer on wedding days for a variety of reasons. Having two photographers allows images to be captured at the same time in different areas of the venue with different groups of people. It allows for a more relaxed timeline so that desired moments can be captured in a much more natural setting instead of being rushed. Lucky for me, my husband (Ty Hurd Photography) is a fabulous photographer as well and is usually my companion photographer at weddings. He is excellent at capturing details and has an eye for dramatic light. It is also a bonus as he can capture the groom’s portraits without the guys feeling weird with a girl in the room!

Another detail that Caytie and I discussed before her wedding day was how she wanted to display her final images. We looked at the samples that I have on hand as well as other vendor images to decide on her final selections. As her and Nick were moving just days after the wedding she did not want large items like statement wall pieces because she wasn’t sure what her new home would look like. But she did want items that spoke to her aesthetic and lifestyle. She choose a light and airy glass box for small prints as well as a small album and one standard piece of wall art (be sure to check back soon as I will post about all of her beautiful pieces soon!). By knowing how the newlyweds were going to highlight their memories also made it easier to capture the details and memories of the day. I wonder which image will be hanging in their new house?

I love capturing love and stick to my belief that true emotion and beauty should be truly and deeply seen. Capturing the grand moments like the first walk down the aisle after saying I do, the quiet moments with a parent or best friend in the middle of the hustle and bustle, or the sentimental moments such as dancing with your father at the beginning of the reception. All of these moments deserve the same level of professionalism, attention to detail, and care. I strive to make my couples feel like the prince and princess in a fairytale - like their love story is the most important one of all time. If you are interested in booking a consultation for a wedding please contact me. I would love to meet and share more about who I am as a photographer.

Yours behind the lens, Sarah

Partner Spotlight: Miss Madison Photo Props

Hello friends!  As I mentioned in a previous post, I am excited to highlight some of the fabulous people I have met along this photography journey.  This week I am thrilled to introduce you to Sunny Wells of Miss Madison Photo Props.

I honestly can’t remember where I originally came across Miss Madison Photo Props other than it was on Facebook.  I was able to join her preferred photographers group and just stalked at the beginning. I loved her beautiful gowns and was in awe of the talented photographers who were sharing just stunning images of their maternity sessions using her gowns.  I knew I wanted to offer that experience to my clients. I do remember the first gown I ordered however! Sunny sometimes does fun games in her groups where the winner gets an additional percentage off their purchase. As many of you know, I am a competitor so I was determined to win!  My persistence paid off and I was able to snag a discount code which was awesome for a photographer who was just starting out and didn’t have a huge client base yet! I decided to use my code to purchase a gown for a fundraising opportunity I was planning. My husband’s cousin had recently invited us to be a part of the Denver Walk to End Alzheimer’s event.  We had agreed to be photographers the day of the walk but I also wanted to raise awareness for the event, disease, and caregivers in honor of my grandmother who battled dementia at the end of her life. I was offering photo sessions where a portion of the session proceeds would be donated as long as anyone in the photos wore the color purple to honor those fighting the disease.  So I ordered my first Miss Madison gown - her Anna design in lilac so I could offer a beautiful purple option to my clients and honor my grandmother (Violet Weller) at the same time.

Anna gown in Lilac

I was thrilled with the gown and the outcome.  My client asked at the session where it was from as she had a black tie event coming up and the gown was so comfortable and it made her feel so pretty.  Combined with the high quality and wonderful customer service, that was enough for me to continue ordering from Sunny.

Sunny Wells grew up with 9 siblings and learned to sew from her mother, much like her mother had done before her (I love a good generational connection!).  Her father purchased her mother a Bernina sewing machine after opening up his own dental practice and her mother began teaching her sew at just 5 years old.  She found it boring and often left the sewing room to bake or climb trees with her brothers. Her mother eventually suggested that Sunny design her own dress for her 8th grade graduation and after that experience she was hooked on designing and sewing her own creations - even the bridesmaids gowns for her own wedding.  Life happened and she didn’t get back into sewing for 20 years until her own husband presented her with her own Bernina sewing machine. Then one day her oldest daughter called and asked her to make a gown for an upcoming maternity client she would be photographing soon. The idea of Miss Madison was born when her daughter asked her for 5 more gowns a week later.  Now 5 years after that phone call she has sourced her own textile companies to find the perfect laces, threads, and fabric. Her main fabric doesn’t wrinkle, it retains its shape even when it’s stretched to capacity. It has amazing recovery! You can wash AND dry it! Stickers and burrs don’t cling to it... it resists stains, but most of all, it hugs a woman's curves like magic!  She says it hasn’t been all butterflies and rainbows but that she loves what she does and is looking forward to the next 30 years!

I have been able to add several other gowns from Miss Madison to my studio closet since that first Anna gown purchase.  I consistently go back to her shop for several reasons. One is the amazing customer service she and her employees provide.  When you order a Miss Madison gown they provide an estimated timeline for your purchase to arrive. I love getting updates from them when my order is assigned to a seamstress, and then when it is finished and ready to be shipped.  I also get tracking information with every order. I love that I am able to know these details. It makes it much more personal and easier to connect with the women who are helping me to make beautiful images and memories for my clients.

Piper Gown in Moss Green

Another reason I continue to order from Sunny is the quality of her gowns and the attention to detail she provides.  I fell in love with her Piper gown (yes, partly because it is the name of my daughter!) and ordered one in moss green.  Once I had it on a client, I was even more enamored with it. I feel asleep one evening thinking about a couple of ideas I had for my next gown.  I messaged Sunny and was able to express my ideas about using a mesh fabric on my next gown. She responded just as excited as I was and created a gown that far exceeded my expectations.  Not only did she replace the lace in her original design with mesh, she custom dyed the chiffon to be a match to the new color that was created when the two fabrics were layered over one another.  I was blown away by her attention to detail that she demonstrated when creating this gown. (Be sure to follow me on Instagram @seenandhurdphotography to see images of the gown!)

Her designs and colors are also varied and meet the needs of so many of my clients.  One way this is evident is in her line of girls gowns. The versatility that this option adds to my sessions is so appreciated.  I have had several young girls wear my Charlie gown and they love how it makes them feel like a princess. The colors she offers are also beautiful - deep, rich, and luxurious.  But her women’s gowns are just amazing. I have her Everly design in Denim Blue. I love this gown and the mix of fabrics it offers. I think the sleeves are my favorite. I also recently acquired one of her newer designs - the Scarlett gown.  I selected her Mauve color for this purchase. I was also able to customize my purchase by adjusting the length of the sleeves. One of my favorite aspects of this gown is the full skirt - it adds so much drama to images and yet the gown is still comfortable to wear.  As I have already mentioned, Sunny makes customizing her gowns so easy. I ordered her Mia gown and it was so quick and easy to add sleeves to my order. The options are endless! Each gown that arrives from Miss Madison is just as well made and gorgeous as the last. And a little bonus is how good the box smells when you open it!  She adds a little extra touch when she finishes your order and I love how good her gowns smell and look fresh out of the box!

From left to right: Charlie in Berry, Everly in Denim Blue, Scarlett in Mauve, Mia in Charcoal

I am so excited to see what new designs she has in the works and am so looking forward to continuing building my client closet with Miss Madison.  If you are in the market for a gown for a special occasion, look her up! I cannot recommend her enough. And I love that I am also supporting a strong #bossbabe to boot!

If these gowns shared here strike your fancy and you would like to add them to your session with Seen & Hurd Photography, add them to your preferences when you book your session with me.

Why Maternity?

I have been thinking about this question a lot over the last several weeks and continue to find more questions then answers honestly.

I truly didn’t understand pregnancy until I was in that phase of my life. When my twin sister was pregnant, I was completely creeped out by it. I don’t know if it was because it was kinda like watching myself be pregnant, because you know - identical twins. It was weird. But my poor sister had to endure me calling my nephew a parasite for most of her pregnancy. I watched several friends and colleagues experience that part of their lives as well and just didn’t get it. I loved babies but the belly was just plain ol’ strange to me.

Then fast forward to my husband and I making the decision to start a family. We thought this was going to be easy as pie… how wrong we were. After a couple months of trying we got a positive result on a pregnancy test and were over the moon. However within a couple of days, our hopes were dashed. I had a miscarriage and it was devastating. And scary. And worrisome. I decided to become much more proactive because I had just felt so helpless the month before. We sought out a fertility acupuncturist and started treatments. Things still didn't progress quickly and it was 8 months before we got another positive result. We found out in Vegas no less! But it was such a process to conceive. And thankfully I had an easy pregnancy but the whole time I was just on this roller coaster of emotions. Was she ok, was I going to be a good mom, what would she look like, was I still pretty, I was a mess!!! Towards the end of my pregnancy I was fortunate to connect with an amazing photographer and had my own maternity session. That experience was amazing, I got to wear pretty dresses, talk about my daughter arriving, feel pampered. It was great. And started something that I wanted to duplicate for other moms.

Image by Aubrey Lynn Photography

Other events have also impacted my why. In this country of ours, with all of our progress and technology, infant mortality is still not zero. Pregnancy is still a vey dangerous time of life. This year alone I have experienced the unexpected death of a colleague who experienced complications in her pregnancy. I am also familiar with others who have not been able to come home with a beautiful miracle but instead have had to plan a funeral.

A baby is a miracle and moms are miracle creators. I want to honor and celebrate motherhood and all of the joys and trials that come with it. That has translated to creating my own vision and experience for my clients. I have invested in gowns, accessories, and props to make mama’s feel beautiful, adored, stunning, and important. I partner with several hair and make-up artists to allow for some pampering and quiet time in the crazy and busy world we live in. And I strive to create images that when you look back on them, you will remember what it was like to be just you and baby - those swirls, hiccups, and private conversations that no one else will get to experience. I want your pregnancy to be truly and deeply seen and honored.

Gown by Miss Madison Couture (click here for their partner spotlight); Piper in Moss. This gown, and several others are available in my client closet, which can be seen here.