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  • Welcome to the blog!

    I have loved photography for as long as I can remember. Oh, my poor brother and sister! They will were my less than willing subjects more than once.

    I started working as a photographer at the ripe old age of 19. At 21 my Dad bought me my first medium format camera with his winnings from a local casino. Who says gambling is all bad, right? Now at the time, this camera cost more than I was paying in rent for 6 months! Thanks, Dad!

    Over the years my style has developed into what I like to call modern photography with a vintage twist. If it’s old, rusty, vintage or an antique chances are I’m going to try and use in a session! I also love post processing with a vintage touch and using the environment as my studio.

    I would like to thank all my clients for allowing me the opportunity to do what I love so much. To my Dad, who’s no longer with us, thank you for believing in me enough to use your big win on what I’m sure you thought was an impossibly, overpriced gadget. I am forever grateful.

    Me, my husband and our two kids live in rural Mount Horeb, WI. When I'm not behind the camera or computer chances are you will find me out in the yard, chasing chickens, weeding the garden or playing with the kids.

Emily ~ Mount Horeb/Madison, WI Senior Portraits ~ Early Bird Special!!! 50% off your Senior Portrait Session in June!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012 Posted in Seniors

So I am trying to catch up on posting all the Senior Sessions for the Class of 2012.  My first Class of 2013 Senior Session is this month and if I don’t get going it just is not going to happen!  Which by the way……if you’re looking to get in on the Early Bird Special I only have 9 openings left!!!  All Senior Portrait Sessions are 50% off when you are photographed in June!  Here are the steps you need to take to get in on the special…..

1.  Call 608-513-5689 or e-mail me at arborphoto@yahoo.com to reserve your time.  Facebook works too!

2.  Have a credit or debit card handy.  I require the session fee be paid in full to reserve your spot.  With tax the total after the discount is $79.13!

3.  Take a look through the blog and website to help you decide what location or locations you’d like to go.  We can go anywhere within 45 minutes of  Mount Horeb!

4.  Of course if you have any questions call me!  I’d love to chat with you about what you’re looking for in your Senior Portraits:)

Let me introduce you to Emily…….  She. Is. Gorgeous.

 

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2012 is off to a great start! Busy, busy, busy…….

Monday, March 19, 2012 Posted in Children, Families, Seniors

WOW!  2012 is already looking to be a busy year for me!  Senior Portrait season is fast approaching and June is nearly booked already!   If you’re an upcoming Senior and you want to get in on the June 50% off special I recommend calling or sending me an e-mail asap:)

I have decided due to volume to instill a minimum session investment of $300.  I know a lot of photographers who do this and while I’ll admit I’ve never really been a fan of minimum investment policies, I think in order for me to be a good Wife, Mother and Photographer this year it’s going to be necessary.   This policy will be effective April 1st.  Clients already on the books for 2012, scheduled for the “Young, Fearless and Free” event or who are in the middle of my Baby Plan will be exempt from this policy:)

Since it’s no fun to post without pictures……here are some recent images of my kiddos!

Happy Spring!

 

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Young, Fearless and Free ~ Saturday, April 14th ~ Mount Horeb, WI ~ My Girl is Growing Up

Friday, March 2, 2012 Posted in Children

You are very powerful, provided you know how powerful you are.
~Yogi Bhajan

Oh to be a pre-teen or teenager again…..  I can confidently say I have no desire to go back to that part of my life.  My daughter Peyton is just starting to enter that vulnerable, awkward, hormone filled chapter.  I remember it well…..boy problems, friend problems, parent problems, homework, expectations, just wanting to fit in!  Pimples, being too tall, braces.  You remember!  Girls have a lot going on these days and when you add in what the main stream media puts out there as role models for today’s young women?  Yikes!  It’s no wonder most girls suffer from some level of low self esteem.

I photographed my daughter a couple weeks ago.  This in and of itself is nothing new.  My gosh!  She’s been my ‘muse’ since the day she was born!  But this time was different.  Normally she’s pretty much like “Whatever….Mom wants to take some pictures…..bla bla bla”.  This time however, I noticed a change in her reaction to her photos.  It was subtle but it was there.  I saw the “Wow. That’s me?” reaction that I get a lot from my High School Senior girls.  I saw a subtle self confidence arise in her from viewing these images and it got me thinking……..

Very rarely do I photograph young women between the ages of 12 and 16 by themselves.  If I do, it’s usually along with their siblings or with their family.  I had been mulling around the idea of having some sort of fun event for girls this age for a while now and after my last experience photographing my daughter I think it needs to be done.

I would LOVE to have the opportunity to show girls this age just how AWESOME they are!  That they are……


Young, Fearless and Free!

Who?  Girls ages 12-16

When? Saturday, April 14th 12-4

Where? Arbor Photographics ~ 1196 LaFollette Rd., Mount Horeb, WI

Cost? $20 per person

What will you receive?  Each young lady will receive a mini session and a custom made Facebook Timeline Montage with images of my choosing for their profile.  Within two weeks I will send you a link to view all of the images in a private, on-line gallery.  You will have the option to order prints or digital files from that gallery if you wish!

What should you bring?  Accessories!  Hats, scarves, glasses.  I’ll have fun stuff on hand too!

What should you leave at home?  Your nerves!  This WILL BE FUN!

What should you wear?  Bright colors and layers.  We will be outside so make sure you’re dressed appropriately.  If it’s really cold and you don’t want all your images taken with your winter coat make sure you dress in lots of layers!  Not only does it look great in photos but it will keep you warm!

What if it rains?  Rain date set for the following Sunday, April 15th.

What next?  Send me an e-mail or give a call to set up your time!  Feel free to get together with a group of friends and ride together!  However, each girl will need to have a parent or guardian sign a release from.  If you will be riding with a friend, let me know and I will send the form for your parent/guardian to fill out.  You must have a signed release form in order to be photographed.


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TrishMarch 2, 2012 - 12:40 pm

Jolene..what a great idea!!!!!!!! Peyton’s pictures are beautiful…….I love the way you capture such wonderful moments!

HeatherMarch 2, 2012 - 1:10 pm

You are AWESOME! What a beautiful, priceless and treasured gift you are providing to these girls. I pray that you touch deep inside the hearts of each one God sends your way.

Beautiful work, by the way ;)

Michelle Zettle-BrueggerMarch 2, 2012 - 5:44 pm

Have you ever thought about doing this for the tween girls??? or the pre-teens? My daughter is 9 some days going on 18? and she is an incredible child… of course I am partial… your pictures are beautiful…let me know what you think about doing pre-teens.. her twin brother is pretty cool too.. again I am partial.. :P

Michelle

sarah zell (sutter)March 2, 2012 - 5:59 pm

Hey Jolene- fantastic idea- I have two teens who would love to participate, I am sure! I also would love to volunteer my services with hair and makeup for any of the young ladies who might be intrested. Let me know! As far as a timeframe for my 15 year olds, we are flexible- but it would be helpful if they were booked back to back. Thanks!! :)

Janelle HolmstromMarch 29, 2012 - 8:08 pm

Hi Jolene, what fun! I think my daughter would love to do this. Only thing is: we’re in Verona with tickets to a play that starts at 1:00. I don’t know how long it will be (I can try to find out.) What is the latest appt you would be able to make for her. I would love to make this work. She would love a photo shoot and she’s definitely not very patient with me–not to mention your quality.

Thanks, let me know.
~Janelle

sarah sutterApril 14, 2012 - 11:49 am

see you soon- girls are getting ready now!

Back From Cinnamon Bay ~ St. John, U.S.V.I. ~ I Need to Shoot a Wedding Here!!!

Friday, February 3, 2012 Posted in Travel, Weddings

This was our second trip to Cinnamon Bay.  We went two years ago with the kids and knew immediatly we’d be back.

Cinnamon Bay is part of the Virgin Islands National Park as is most of St. John.  Our first time we rented a cottage which was great since River was only 12 months old at the time.  This year it was just Drew and I so we decided since we have all the gear from our Boundary Waters trips to rough it with a bare site.

We had a great time but missed the kids dearly.  I’ve found that I get much more enjoyment from watching my kids have fun than I do from anything else.  7 nights and 8 days with nothing to do but lay on the beach sounds really great on paper but when it came right down to it I really just wished they were with us to enjoy the beach and snorkeling.  Lucky for the kids we decided just a few days in that this will be the last vacation without them!View of Caneel Bay from the road.The image on the right is Cinnamon Bay from about halfway up the Cinnamon Bay Trail.  St. John has some serious hiking if you like that kind of stuff!There are ruins all over the island from the 18th century sugar cane days.This is our campsite.  A rain fly is a must.  It rained at some point every day and it helped us to keep our stuff dry.  On the right is a photo of one of our $200 dry bags.  We didn’t think we needed to hang our food.  I mean it’s not like there are bears in the Virgin Islands!  However, we learned that the ships brought rats to the island in the 18th century.  To try and control the rat population they introduced mongoose to the island.  Only the mongoose found out there were tons of reptilian eggs to eat on the island which were much easier to catch than rats.  Hence a small rat and mongoose population!  Not sure which one did the damage but needless to say our food was hung from a tree from that point on.Nighttime on Cinnamon Bay Beach.Overlooking Maho Bay from the trail.There are several trails on the island.  We decided to take a hike to the south side and back in one day.  The photo on the left is Lampshire Bay and Little Lampshire Bay on the south side.  On the right is the blister I ended up with about 5 miles into our 14 mile hike.  Ya, it hurt.Cinnamon Bay Sunset.We hopped an open air taxi to Jumbie Bay for a day.  This view is looking directly at Trunk Bay.  Really small, intimate beach and great snorkeling.  We even got to witness a wedding!Last night on the beach at Cinnamon.  Image on the right and below taken by Drew.  I think I’ve got a new second shooter on my hands.  I showed him how to shoot in manual and he ran with it!  He has an obvious eye for lighting and composition.  Now……time to teach him to edit!I would LOVE to photograph a wedding on St. John!  I am very knowledgeable of the island and would give you a super great deal!!!  LOL, had to put it out there:)

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