the LOOK-BOOK

"What do you do?" always seemed to be a question that stumped me. "I'm a photographer" always seemed too broad of an answer. But then again, it's hard to fit "custom-lifetyle-portrait-photographer-who-sees-you-as-you-REALLY-are-and-gets-those-great-images-of-your-TRUE-personality-while-PLAYING-and-having-FUN-so-you-remember-the-experience-as-more-than-just-a-photoshoot" on a business card.

But I think I've finally come up with an easy way to SHOW people what I'm all about...

Introducing my new LOOK BOOK:

Showcasing the whats, hows and WHYs behind what it is that I do. From start to finish of a portrait session experience, and everything in between.

Click on the image above (or the one in the sidebar to your right) to SEE for yourself.

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express yourself!

I've never considered myself a fashionista. I've never followed the trends and I'm a bit embarrassed to admit (as an Orange County native) that I don't recognize most name brands. Up till the past few years, I never had any problem finding cute clothes so I never gave it a second thought. But then I turned 30. My metabolism slowed down and my weight started to fluctuate and distribute itself a bit differently. Places like Forever 21 and American Eagle were no longer as body-friendly as they'd been before, and I had many frustrating moments with the mirror in the changing rooms. And the styles had changed so drastically that I looked like I was pretending I was still 16. (I sooooo wasn't.) But the few times I stepped foot into the "women's" section of a store, I just wanted to cry. The items looked old and dowdy... and I really didn't want to purchase something that my grandmother might wear. And I just didn't have the budget to shop in the places I wanted to.

I felt stuck. I found a few "safe" stores and purchased some "safe" clothing. But I felt like I was disappearing. In a strange transitional age and stage of my life, I just didn't know how to dress to properly express myself anymore.

 And then I met Nicole Longstreath of The Wardrobe Code.

Nicole was in need of some new images for her "thrifted wardrobe" feature for her blog, and so I become her new photographer. And I learned a LOT from her along the way. Soon after the first feature, I was hooked. I excitedly welcomed her into my home (and inside my scary closet) where she performed her Ready-Set-Dress service. By the time she left, my closet had been organized so I could SEE what was there to work with, a bunch of unnecessary (unflattering) items were purged, my outfits had been planned for the next two weeks, and I had a shopping plan so I could fill in the holes of what was "missing."

A favorite place for Nicole to shop is an Orange County Goodwill store. Because, let's face it... we're in Orange County, and people get rid of some pretty good stuff here. And, as Nicole has told me several times before... since the clothing is so inexpensive, shopping at a Goodwill store not only allows you to spend less and get more, but also allows you to take more fashion risks than you otherwise might have if you were paying full price.

I've been on several shopping trips with Nicole to the Goodwill stores. The first time inside, I was soooooo incredibly overwhelmed. There was just so much to look at... had I been by myself, I think I would have walked back out. But Nicole was awesome... not only did she go through everything quickly and efficiently, but she taught me a LOT as we went through it together. Look for THIS, leave THAT... the conversation was filled with lots of useful WHYs and BECAUSEs. And now, I feel empowered. I am slowly building up a better wardrobe for myself.

I'm uber-proud to show off my haul from my latest trip to the Goodwill a couple weeks ago:

items purchased: 10 shirts and 1 purse

grand total spent: only $55

I was in heaven! Not only did I pick up a few things I'd been searching for, but some of the items were name-brand and brand new, as well. Here's a quick casual outfit I put together for the afternoon from some of my fave Goodwill goodies (new orange top, purse and earrings all from the Goodwill):

This might sound strange... but I felt like a million dollars. I've come a long way from blending into the crowd. I've embraced pattern, color, accessories, and HIGH HEELS! In short, I've embraced my powerful charismatic feminine side and I'm giving her a BIG hug!!!

And I feel more like myself than ever before.

 That's why I'm excited to share this opportunity with you. Nicole is hosting an upcoming workshop where she will be teaching YOU the skills needed to reclaim your wardrobe!

Workshop contents:

• Accept & Love the Person You are Today
• Understand How Your Habits Affect Your Wardrobe
• Identify Your Signature Style
• Organize Your Closet for Stress-Free Mornings
• Curate a Wardrobe that is Stylish and Functional
• Shop Strategically & Save Money
• Build a “Free-Range” Wardrobe
• Maximize Your Wardrobe Without Shopping
• Create Expert Color Schemes
• Make it Work – EVERY DAY!

Click here for all the details.

I promise you, this workshop will totally be worth it. I don't share something unless I truly believe in it, and I truly believe that Nicole Longstreath of The Wardrobe Code has been a HUGE factor in helping me reclaim my confidence. My exterior finally matches my inner sparkle.

And as a special THANK-YOU, Nicole is offering a special discounted rate to all my friends & fans! Register using code RECLAIM022 for a discounted ticket of $129 (regular price: $150). Click here to learn all about it, or click here to skip right to registration.

And get ready to EXPRESS YOURSELF!

seeking senior reps! (class of 2013)

 

This is a picture of me, just before I turned 17. Yes... this is my high school senior portrait. (YIKES!)

In REAL LIFE, I never wore oversized denim shirts. Especially paired with vests. And huge sparkly earrings. And while I've had some crazy hairdos in the past, I was soooooo not the "big hair" type. (In fact, the day after these pictures were taken, I went right out and chopped my hair into a cute bob.)

Suffice it to say that I look nothing like myself in this picture.

This picture doesn't capture anything about me, except perhaps my smile. But everything else is fake, fake, fake. (And now that I think back... the smile is probably plastic and fake, as well.)

Please don't let this happen to YOU.

I want to help high school seniors to avoid repeating my own scenario.  I'm all about capturing the REAL YOU. No black backdrops or cheesy outfits. This is ALL YOU... showcasing who you really are at this moment in your own lives. Because your style should be celebrated.

And I'm looking for some volunteers to help spread the word:

I'm currently looking to enroll a few students in my new Senior Rep Program.

the Details:

You take your senior portraits with me. You spread the word by posting your images and slideshow on your social networking sites, and also by handing out referral cards to your friends. You earn a $25+ gift card to your favorite place (iTunes, Starbucks, etc.) for each referral* that you send my way. For real. And yes, it's just that simple.

Senior Reps will receive:

• FREE signature portrait session ($175 value)
• 5 low-resolution digital images, for use on your social networking sites
• 15% off all prints & products purchased
• custom gallery app for mobile devices (iPhone, iPad and Android), to easily show off your pictures
• custom Facebook Timeline header image & profile picture
• video-slideshow of your session
• personalized referral cards to hand out to friends
• $25+ gift card (iTunes, Starbucks, etc.) for each referral* you send to The Suitcase Studio. (1-4 referrals: $25 gift card each referral. 5-9 referrals: $50 each referral. 10th referral: $100 gift card.)

*a referral is counted as someone who books & completes a paid session with The Suitcase Studio and returns one of your referral cards to me. Note: a referral is not limited to someone who books a senior portrait session only; referrals include any type of  portrait session (excluding mini sessions). Earn up to 10 gift cards/referrals.

Nitty-Gritty:

• you must be a current high school student who will be graduating in the year 2013
• you must agree to exclusively promote The Suitcase Studio as the photographer of choice for senior portraits
• your portrait session must be completed no later than July 31 of this year
• your portrait session will last 1-2 hours, and will be held at the location of your choice.
• your parent/guardian must be present at the client consultation, as their signature is required on the client contract.
• gift cards for referrals can be earned up until the day of your graduation!

Interested in Signing Up?

Contact me and let me know!  Send an email to michelle@theSuitcaseStudio.com, or simply click "let's talk" at the top of this page and fill out the contact form. Be sure to let me know what school you attend, as I’m taking a VERY limited number of Senior Reps per school.  I’ll get back to you ASAP to schedule a client consultation for us to meet and get started.

I'm looking forward to meeting the REAL YOU!

tea party for Jillian

When Jenny and her twin sister were one year old, their mom had their "one year" pictures taken in a tea party setting. So how amazingly perfect was it that Jenny found me in time for her daughter to have tea party pictures for her "one year" pictures, as well? Introducing, the incredibly adorable Jillian...

Jenny even supplied her own special pieces of china for the event. Imagine my delight when she pulled these carousel horse pieces from the blue Tiffany's box.

Appreciating the silly faces that appear at this age.

It helps to have a cheer squad, too. Many thanks to Jenny's friends for coming to play along... armed with books, toys, and an iphone with a playlist ready to go, we were able to coax lots of smiles out of this little cutie.  And many thanks to my own husband, as well... who has tuned out to be a major babe-BABY-magnet!

Click here to see even more images from her session.

living joyfully

Every so often, someone enters your life and shakes you to your core. This just happened to me, and it was absolutely perfect timing... because I was in need of a good shake-up. I've gotten pretty complacent lately. Spouting pretty words of "finding joy every day," but not taking my own words to heart. Lost in the hustle of the daily grind, with one day blending into another... waking up to realize it was Friday already when I swore it was just Monday a moment ago. Wondering "where did my time go?" and realizing I had no good answer. Sleepwalking. Full-fledged zombie mode. And just like a grumpy old man, grumbling and shaking my fist at those who dared to cross me.

Where was my joy? My peace? My pocketful of sunshine?

Caught up in my own turbulent whirlwind of daily stressors and activity, I hadn't even realized they'd gone missing.

Until someone stopped me in my tracks. The story is hers to tell, so I won't be sharing it here. But suffice it to say that it put me in my place... immediately.

Her own daily struggles trumped my piddly complaints ten-fold, and reminded me, yet again, about the importance of embracing the everyday. Because you really don't know how many "everydays" you will have. And it would be such a shame to waste them.

I cried for what that woman is currently facing. And then I vowed that those tears would not be in vain. I couldn't change her situation, but I could change my own.

Since then, my laundry has piled up a bit more. There are plenty of unwashed dishes in my sink. And my to-do list has grown in size.

But that's okay...

Because I've spent time playing softball with my friends. My dog and I have taken leisurely walks. I've stuffed myself silly while eating out with my husband. I've read a trashy romance novel. I've watched Saturday morning cartoons. And I've even been caught singing along to the car radio at the top of my lungs, windows rolled waaaay down for all to hear. (And yes, I got caught dancing to the music, too.)

And I've found my smile.

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I hope you find your joy, too.  Let's welcome it together. Let's revel in it. Let's lie down in the freshly cut springtime grass and roll around in it.

Maybe this will help get you started in the right direction... an image from a session this past weekend:

Gracie's Incredible 6th Birthday Party // Pretend City

Life throws you all kinds of curveballs. Things you would never expect... like a 5-year old girl having a stroke. Yup, a stroke. Thank goodness this story has a happy ending, with CHOC and Health Bridge Children's Hospital playing a HUGE part in little Gracie's recovery. Because she is now running and playing again like any other normal, healthy kid. But stuff like that makes you think. And it really makes you appreciate all of life's little moments just a bit more. To grasp everything near and dear to you and hold on tightly with both hands.

So when Gracie's 6th birthday rolled around, her family decided that they wanted to celebrate in a big, BIG way. Because what is a birthday but a celebration of the person? And they had a LOT to celebrate.

Gracie's party was held at Pretend City, where she was surrounded by the love of family and friends. Lots and lots of friends. And in lieu of gifts for Gracie, donations were made in her honor to benefit the children of CHOC and Health Bridge Children’s Hospital. Because it was a night for celebrating and giving thanks.

 Let the party begin...

This was my first time at Pretend City, and I felt like I was five years old again. I wanted to run and play and touch everything in sight. So excited, I didn't know where to start. I think I must have pointed and said "ohmygosh" about a million times that night, my voice getting squeakier and my dance getting happier each time.  And that was just ME.... a grown-up.

The kids were fantastic to watch. Lost in the realm of imagination, there was no hesitation. They dove right in and BECAME what each area dictated. Farmer, doctor, grocer, chef, actor... they played all the parts available to them. And then some.

I consider myself privileged to have been a part of the night's event, able to capture a few pieces of their magical play. There was no interrupting the flow and asking the children to pose or smile. I was a fly on the wall... buzzing from room to room, participating in the excitement, a HUGE smile permanently plastered to my face.

I was even instructed by one child to have a seat in the dentist's chair so that he could give me a much-needed root canal. (And who knew a root canal could be so much FUN?)

Welcome to Pretend City...

Happy birthday, Gracie!!! May this year be a FABULOUS one for you and your family.

Love Pretend City and want to PLAY some more? I'm offering a FUN day of mini-portrait sessions coming up THIS SUNDAY, April 22nd, which will be "tea-party" themed... a PERFECT gift for Mother's Day. Click here for full details and to snag yourself a spot.

sneak peek: timree + matt ENGAGED!

Timree + Matt are getting married later this year (hooray) and I'm proud to say that I'll be there to photograph their joy. A couple days ago we got together to snag some FUN engagement photos! There were lots of gorgeous & romantic shots that make you want to ooh and aah over this couple, and even a totally fun and AMAZING finish to it all which will be shared soon.

Here's just a peek at one of my favorite moments.

Much more glitz, glamour and GLITTER to come soon...

Like what you see and want to PLAY with a session of your own? You're in luck, my friend. I'm offering a fun day of mini-sessions coming up on April 22nd. Click here for full details.

sign up for the TEA PARTY mini-session!

Kids are magical creatures. There's something about the simplicity of watching them play that touches my heart every time. Those moments are filled with pure creativity, where there are no strict rules or regulations. It's not a performance... it's simply PLAY. And so, I invite you to join me on Sunday, April 22 for a day of mini-portrait sessions where we're having a make-believe tea party! But this isn't just any ordinary tea party... our table is a tree stump and our tea room is a field of yellow flowers.

There will be plenty of props on hand for your child (or YOU) to play with... including a tea set, mini-treats, teddy bears to use as extra guests, flowered hats & pearls for the girls and hats & ties for the boys. (Please note... no actual tea or food will be served... we're using the power of make-believe.)

And... hint, hint... the resulting images will make for some FABULOUS Mother's Day gifts!!!

CLICK HERE to sign up for your very own Tea Party Mini-Session!

CLICK HERE to sign up for your very own Tea Party Mini-Session!