ANNOUNCING OUR WEDDING WORKSHOP 2013

05.17.2013

Well friends….we are planning. AND oh, we are excited.

I have been shooting wedding for 6 years now. When I first started….weddings would make me sick on my stomach! I was so SCARED! The whole week leading up to wedding I would fret and worry and stress. Like…what if I really messed and missed the first kiss? What if the bride didn’t like the photos? What in the WORLD was I doing saying ‘Yes, I would love to photograph your wedding?!!’ Me? I mean, weddings are a BIG DEAL. Like no second chances. No room for mistakes. Ah, yes. I was SO scared of photographing weddings. But we all learn. We all start somewhere. And there is nothing wrong with that. Part of the journey, my friends. As my dad would say, “That is how we learn”.

And learn I did! I learned how to set myself up for success on a wedding day. I learned how to come up with a game plan for a wedding day…and not just wing it! I learned how to organize and shoot the family and bridal party photos quickly. I learned what to do when I needed to shoot midday in the bright sun. Or in a dark church. How to shoot wedding details and create pretty ‘getting ready’ photos…even is that is in a Sunday school room. I learned how to be intentional about TELLING THE STORY of the wedding day.

And most importantly, how to look fear in the face and say…”Oh no, you are not having the final say here.’

We learn. Today is feels so nice to walk into a wedding day with confidence….I know I did it before, I can do it again. Yes, it still is a lot of hard work and it requires a lot of energy and preparation…but I does not scare me to death anymore.

SO FRIENDS…we want to meet you…collaborate with you…spend the day with you! Share with you a little but of ourselves. Give you the tools needed to successfully shoot a wedding day.

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ANNOUNCING OUR 2013 WEDDING WORKSHOP!!!

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*Credit for the this graphic goes to MARGO, our awesome intern. You will meet her soon! Can you believe she hand drew that design…then scanned..and well, I was lost after that.;)*

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This workshop will be a one-day intensive workshop with the CHAR team focusing on equipping you with all you need for successfully shooting a wedding. The workshop will cover coming up with a game plan for the big day, shooting the wedding details and getting ready photos, organizing and posing the family and bridal party photos quickly, bride and groom portraits, utilizing ALL types light…even if that is bright midday sun or dark churches, shooting for variety, simplifying the editing workflow, marketing, establishing your style, setting goals, and overcoming fear. You are guaranteed to go home inspired and ready to take your business to the next level!

The fun-filled day includes a full styled photo shoot by our stylists, GRACE and Karen. If they are doing the styling? You know it will be STELLAR. For a sneak peek into what Grace is planning, go HERE. In addition, there will be hands on training, plenty of Q&A, as well as an opportunity for one-on-one conversation.

FOR MORE DETAILS AND TO GRAB YOUR SEAT, GO HERE!

Don’t miss the EARLY BIRD SPECIAL and you chance to win a FREE SEAT. See you in June! :)

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AFTER PARTY :: A NIGHT TO CELEBRATE LIFE

05.16.2013

 Friday night was the AFTER PARTY! The goal for the night was to honor our senior models, meet and connect with others, create a warm and inviting atmosphere, and give everybody that came just a really good evening. Grace poured heart into making this night a special night and she did such a good job with it. The event was held at Tomato Pie Cafe in Harrisburg. If you have never been there…GO. It is a gorgeous coffee shop. At the After Party, we shared the senior model images from the big shoot (stay tuned:) and our new promo video (stay tuned:). Live music was provided by the talented and beautiful SAINT ELOUISE. Sweets and good eats were provided by Tomato Pie. A Silent auction and raffles added to the fun.

For myself? I was so blessed by the support….by all you who came. The senior models that brought friends and family. And all the members on the CHAR team. So blessed.

Little bits of the night…

My dear friend, Angel. :)

Karen with her husband and daughter! It was so fun to have all our husbands part of the night!

And the team! (Just missing Andrea who had already headed out.) And the T-SHIRTS! This was all Grace. In fact, her husband Jeremy screen printed the logos on the t-shirts BY HAND. The t-shirts are so soft and pretty and just the right shade of gray…..:)

 XOXO…that’s all. :)

Oh but wait, one more thing. Tomorrow the WEDDING WORKSHOP registration will be OPEN! Check back tomorrow for details.

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    3 comments on “AFTER PARTY :: A NIGHT TO CELEBRATE LIFE”

    1. I looove everything about this!! I love your heart, and your investment into each of your seniors and I love that pic of you and Angel :)
      xoxoxoxo

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      Char Reply:

      Sarah! xoxo:)

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      May 16th, 2013 at 12:03 pm
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KAROLINE :: LANCASTER AREA SENIOR PORTRAITS

05.14.2013

 Karoline arrived full of energy and excitement for her senior session! She had adorable spring time outfits all picked out thanks to our stylist, GRACE’S help at Karoline’s style consultation! Springtime in an orchard and a lovely heart that is brimming laughter and joy. Oh, and a little wind to blow hair on cue….need I say more? :-)

I hope you enjoy Karoline’s energy bursting through these images!

 

Karoline, you are a gem. For real. What a joy to meet you and get to know you. I love your genuineness, your smile that shines through your eye, and your delight in life around you. Here is to you and the great big world that is yours for the exploring! XO

If you are looking for a one of a kind senior portrait experience, let us know at HERE and we will get you all set up! Be sure to ask about our SPRING PROMO…you don’t want to miss it! Graduating 2013 seniors or class of 2014 juniors….this is for you!

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    One comment on “KAROLINE :: LANCASTER AREA SENIOR PORTRAITS”

    1. I love these!!! You can just see sweetness and beauty coming out all over the place from Karoline’s smile and expressions!

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WORKSHOP, WINNERS, PARTY…NEWS!

05.09.2013

 It is Thursday and we have a lot of going on around here this week! It has been a great week…and I am excited about all that is coming up this week and this spring! Spring always feels like a new beginning…another chance for new life, new plans, new things. I love that we are given another spring every year.

This week I have been thinking a lot about perspective. You know…we get so caught up in the day in day out activities…that we forget. Our plans, our to-do lists, our ‘stuff’…consume us. We forget how blessed we are. We forget that our ‘problems’ really might not be life threatening. We forget to slow down and b.r.e.a.t.h. We get frustrated. Impatient. Irritated. Selfish. Life is so much bigger than what I know. My reality is world’s different from somebody that may live just down the street from me. I am so BLESSED. Trite. Of course. But do I live like I know that and believe that? PERSPECTIVE. I need a good reminder every now and then.:-)

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OK…ON WITH TODAY’S NEWS!

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AA WEDDING workshop is in the works for early summer! Do you panic a little when you prepare to shoot a wedding day? Do dark reception centers and shooting in bright midday sun make you a little woozy? How about managing a rowdy bridal party and posing the family? Organizing and managing the day feel stressful? Does ALL the post processing make you want to hide? Then this might be just what you need.

Details to be released NEXT WEEK. Our last workshop sold out in two days. If you would like an early registration email with the details…let us know HERE.

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The AFTER PARTY is TOMORROW NIGHT! Don’t miss it! Friends, you are invited to this special night!

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If you’ve been following the last few weeks you might have been aware of the Donation Challenge + Giveaway that I collaborated with Nicola and several other photographer with to help raise money for girls in Kenya to be able to stay in school. You can check out all the details HERE. You will find more details on the awesome story of the money raised and the outcome of the challenge on NICOLA’S BLOG. But first, I want to share with you the WINNERS!

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The 3 winners of the gift baskets are:

Jolene Zimmerman

Katelin Flecken

Karen McGrady

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 The winners of the photo sessions are:

Family Session: Kara Sawyer

Portrait Session: Kelly Wieand

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 Winners, please use the contact form on NICOLA’S WEBSITE to connect with Nicola to arrange picking up your prizes or scheduling your session! We appreciate your generosity and can’t thank you enough for your support of this project.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU to everyone who was a part of this challenge. Your generosity is very much appreciated.

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pKAROLINE! She’s awesome. Graduating soon! Check back for more photos of her!

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LIVE YOUR ART

05.02.2013

Yesterday we shot footage for a promo! What a fun and BIG day that was. Shane (I photographed his wedding a few years ago!) from VISIONS 2 VISUALS and his partner, were here ALL day. Can’t wait to see the finished product after ALL the footage from yesterday and the senior model shoot. FYI…come to the AFTER PARTY to see the finished promo! So yesterday, we did a little sprucing up in the studio…got a few plants and added little pops of color. I threw this quote up on the chalkboard.

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LIVE YOUR ART.

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I have been thinking a lot about life lately. The moving, ever evolving, ever changing, nature of life. Pondering….I have come to the conclusion that living my art…starts with a simple choice. A perspective shift. Choosing to embrace the ever changing ever evolving seasons of life. Realize that IS life and it is good. Appreciating the day to day…and not waiting until I ‘arrive’ to feel settled and complete. It starts with being thankful. Choosing to be positive. Appreciating others. Acknowledging how blessed I am. Relishing the sunrise, the tulips in the vase, the way my two year hugs, that I am healthy, my overflowing inbox, the dirty kitchen floor, the weeds that need pulled. It’s all good. Oh the value of choosing to look on the good side of things. Making a CHOICE to be…

Thankful.

Generous.

A friend.

Kind.

Gracious.

Present.

And a little crazy…for good measure.

Then LIVING MY ART is a natural outflow of who I am. It is effortless. That is beautiful.

Here is to SPRINGTIME…and today. :-)

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    One comment on “LIVE YOUR ART”

    1. Thanks so much for this post. I needed to refocus today and you helped me see I need to get a check on things. Sometimes I am just ready to throw it all in but instead I need to focus on my blessings! Thanks for your encouragement!

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YOU ARE INVITED…PLEASE JOIN US!

05.01.2013

In 2013, one of our goals at CHAR Photography is simply to get to know you! We want to meet you, hear from you, reach out to you, serve you, give you beauty and inspiration….in a small way, add a touch of life to your life. We love collaborating, dreaming, connecting and meeting others. In a real way. See their face, Shake their hand, hear their story. We want you to be part of our lives in a tangible way. Relationships. It is who we are…and what I believe we as humans thrive on. :-) Collaborating with this and our Senior Model Team….

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PLEASE JOIN US!

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The After Party is coming up…and well, we are really looking forward to this. We have a lot of goodness planned and want to give you, your friends, and family a great night.

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Few things we have planned for the night…

LIVE MUSIC….it isn’t a party without music!

Food and drinks provided by Tomato Pie Cafe.

A RAFFLE. Don’t worry, you will not have to purchase any tickets. Just by showing up, you will be given a ticket. Prizes for the raffle will include a FREE photo session with us, $300 credit towards products from your session, t-shirts, mentor session for the budding creative, style consultation with Grace…(ask anything about style, how to create outfits, and what looks good on you. She will show to you can think outside of your current style), gift cards, and so much more.

A silent auction! We will be auctioning fun pieces from the photo shoot. Proceeds will benefit a teen trafficking organization.

Revealing the images from the BIG senior model team shoot!

Sharing the promo video featuring our senior model team!

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This event is open to everybody. Bring friends and family! We would love to have you join us! If you have any questions, feel free to shoot Kathleen an email at info@charphotography.com.

See you at the Party! :-)

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ANNA :: TEAM MEMBER//EDITING GURU

04.25.2013

Hey Folks! Today I am introducing to you ANNA. She…is the editing guru around here. Seriously, she has an eye for highlights, skin tones, shadows, and editing styles that amaze me. But get this. To her, it is not all about tonal curves and white balance….but about creating beauty. And THAT, is why she is so amazing and what she does. I am incredibly thankful and blessed to be able to confidently hand over my images into capable hands and know they will be treated with TLC. This lady brings with her a kind heart, an appreciation for all things done well, and a genuine love for others…and I am so thankful God enabled our paths to cross. Today, you get to meet lovely Anna…

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Hey guys! My name is Anna Kogan and I’m the official photo editor here at Char Photography. People often look at me in pity when I tell them this, which I find rather amusing because I LOVE IT!!! Crazy as it sounds, photo editing is what makes me really happy. There is just something about taking a beautiful picture and transforming it into a work of art that leaves me feeling kind of giddy. When I first picked up a camera (a little less than a year ago), I would go out and take pictures just for the joy of running home, popping the memory card in the reader and seeing what I could do in post processing to make the pictures shine. Sadly, to be quite honest, nothing was really shining. I guess that’s when I learned my first lesson of photo editing: You have to have a great picture to perform a great edit! So you can imagine my joy when I was offered a position at Char Photography as the photo editor. As many beautiful pictures as I could ever want to edit right at my fingertips!! Yay! However, it didn’t take me long to realize that I had stumbled on much more of a treasure than simple a multitude of beautiful pictures. I had become a part of something infinitely more beautiful: a unique team of women united with a common love for God, a deep appreciation for beauty, a desire to serve others, an amazing fashion sense and a selfless concern for each others success and well-being. I consider myself truly blessed to be a part of the Char Photography Team!

Now, for a little bit about me. The following is a list of eight things in life that make me really happy (not necessarily in this order).

1. Sweets – I love pecan bars, caramel creams and Cold Stone Creamery
2. Frye boots – I find them more addictive than candy and that’s saying something!
3. My sweet hubbie Dema – he came all the way from Ukraine to marry me and has been my biggest fan in this new adventure of photography.
4. Michael Buble – I’ve logged more hours listening to that man sing than I want to admit. :)
5. Movie & Pizza night – at my house this could happen any night of the week and if I could talk my ridiculously practical husband into it, it would happen several times a week. Thankfully someone keeps us on track.
6. Creating and appreciating beauty – anything from decorating my house to obsessing over great photography to getting dressed in the morning. You name it, I love beauty!
7. Nieces – nothing brings me more joy than spending time with those little girls, telling them bedtime stories, kissing their little cheeks and hearing, “I love you Tia.” Children certainly are a blessing from the Lord.
8. Chicken Tikka Marsala – if you’ve never tried Indian food, now is your time. Go find the closest Indian restaurant and order this dish. You won’t be sorry. It changed my life. :)

Now that you know who I am, I want to hear from you! What are your happy things in life? Leave me a comment!

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    6 comments on “ANNA :: TEAM MEMBER//EDITING GURU”

    1. Hey Anna, I have to agree with you that Cold Stone Creamery is the BEST! I would take a Mojo mudpie anyday! I love to hear people talk about their job when it is a passion! I can tell you LOVE what you do and I it seems you have an awesome group of women to work and grow with. Be blessed by this great opportunity!

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    2. You are a treasure, Anna! Our family appreciates you (and Dema) in so many ways! So excited for you and what lies ahead! :)

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    3. You have turned out to be such a beautiful young woman. I should have known since you were such a fun, loving and caring girl. I am so very proud of you. Love you.

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    4. Anna! Hope you are well! All y’all are so fun and beautiful! Next time we see each other, let’s plan it around an Indian food meal-one of my favorites too! :)

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    6. This is beautiful Anna! So happy that you are doing something you love and creating such beauty!

      -Hannah

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AND IT’S A WRAP :: SENIOR MODEL SHOOT DAY

04.24.2013

It’s true…Saturday was a BIG day! Our 2014 Senior Model Team shoot! What an incredible day it was. Images will be REVEALED in the coming weeks.

Senior Team…We LOVE you guys!

If you are here…I wish you the very best of day today. xoxo

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    One comment on “AND IT’S A WRAP :: SENIOR MODEL SHOOT DAY”

    1. These images allow me to feel the excitement and fun of the day. I am not even involved and I am excited to see some of the final results. I think the special experience you give these young ladies is just awesome!!!!

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OUR FANTASTIC GRADUATING CLASS OF 2013

04.19.2013

This post is dedicated to our fantastic Class of 2012 clients. It is almost time to GRADUATE! It was an amazing year and all of us here at CHAR Photographer wish you the ABSOLUTE best as you go after your dreams, goals, and run into the BIG wide world! We love each of you and consider it an honor to have met you. XOXO

Tomorrow is our big senior model team photo shoot. LOTS of goodness planned. For a sneak peek into what is being planned, swing on by  GRACE’S Pinterest INSPIRATION BOARD!

 

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KAREN :: TEAM MEMBER // STYLIST INTERN

04.16.2013

Hey Friends! Today GRACE is going to take over here…..introducing her Intern Karen! But first let me say…these two? Their brains think alike. I am amazed at what they come up with. Being able to let them run with the senior model shoot, studio decor, and all things stylist related has been so, so great. True to God’s record…He brought somebody to us that is the perfect fit!

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AGrace here…

I am so proud to introduce one of the newest members to the CHAR team, my intern, KAREN!

Karen just started interning this past month and I CAN NOT imagine my life without her! She has already brought a new dynamic of creativity and design to the studio. She is becoming my right hand gal and I am loving it. We spend our time collaborating about clothing, decor, art, and all things beauty. Whatever Karen puts her hands too she makes it lovely and interesting. She is GREAT at what she does! Did I mention she has an eye for style, yep, she’s got it! I am so excited about this coming year with Karen and all the creative goodness that will come forth from her.

Before I let Karen take over and tell a little more about herself, make sure you check out her blog HERE. You will love it!

A few important things you should know about me…

-I grew up on an orchard which really helped me to see beauty in what God creates

-I have a dashing husband named Kyle and an adorable baby girl named Elsa

-I love books and good writing

-I enjoy early morning runs

-I have loved fashion and style for as long as I can remember. Decorating my house and picking out outfits are two of my favorite past times!

-I was never ever the cool kid in high school.

Background…
God has always changed the direction where I thought my life was heading. In my teens and early 20′s I figured I would marry a musician with long hair, and we’d be missionaries livin’ on love in some exotic country overseas. Then I thought I would teach high school English for two years, get married, and have children before I was 25. But I ended up teaching for 9 years, marrying an engineer with a buzzed head and a cute little bald spot, having our first child at the age of 31, livin’ in the exotic land of Myerstown.

One idea of mine God did bring to pass was to be a stay-at-home mom. This past year, I resigned from my teaching job, welcomed our little pumpkin Elsa into the world, and have loved playing with her and watching her smile every day. However, I also began to notice Char Photography, follow her blog, and appreciate whoever this Char is behind such a creative business. Long story short, my husband encouraged me to take a workshop, I met Char and the team and immediately clicked. Grace posted her job description for an intern and everything she posted was what I loved. Style, fashion, decorating. The internship was a perfect fit. I could be a stay-at-home mom and spend some time assisting Grace.

So what do I do? Everything that I love. I give suggestions for studio decor. I help Grace create displays and find outfits for the senior model shoot. I create pinterest boards for inspiration for upcoming projects. Grace and I brainstorm a lot together at the studio, and I love how she thinks. I also have some take-home assignments like scouring the internet and my closet for 50s inspired attire that will meet the vision for the upcoming photo shoot.

As for goals that I have, I have some pretty significant life goals that would be daunting apart from Philippians 4:13. One is to be a good steward of each day and each gift God has given to me. Another is  to learn more about my husband and how I can best help him be the man he was created to be. And now as a mom, my heart longs to help Elsa develop into a young girl who is secure in who she is in Christ and who learns how to use the talents God has given her to use to make Him look very great. My short term goals? Read a new book each month. Run a half-marathon with Kyle in September with a time of under 1:40. Stop eating so much cereal. Take a daily walk with Elsa. Make one day a week computer free. Cease comparing myself or my life with others.

Goals for the internship?  I can’t say I know where this internship is headed. I’m just enjoying my attempt at being a styling intern, and each day at the studio with the Char team is a little treat. As for styling related goals…
1. Love the Creator, not the creation. This one is huge for me. 2. Help Grace and the Char team with excellence. Join them in their mission statement to affirm others, notice details, and honor God. 3. Be able to stick to a budget but still have good style. I enjoy when Grace tells me the max of what we can spend and finding pieces that will keep us under budget. 4. Learn how to work with others to help them develop their personal style instead of trying to thrust my style upon them. 5. Be an assistant Grace trusts and do what I can to inspire her styling creativity.

This has been such a refreshing time in my life, and I am deeply excited for all I will learn in my styling internship with Grace!

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    One comment on “KAREN :: TEAM MEMBER // STYLIST INTERN”

    1. Karen, I wish you all the best during your internship. I know you will be blessed working with the photography team! After reading and learning about you, I know they will be blessed also. I hope this year is all you want it to be with learning, growing and finding out what exciting AWESOMENESS (if that is a word :-) ) God has for your future!

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