Category Archives: PORTRAITS
DIEFFENBACH FAMILY PHOTOS
Three boys….:) Never a dull moment. So much fun and energy packs into little boys!
Our goal was to document family being family….movement, emotion, and boys being boys. They made my job easy…such a beautiful family.
We met on a cold day…and I get little boys bring grouchy because they are not loving the activity at hand. :) But let me tell you, these little guys had top notch attitudes the whole time…in spite of the cold.
Rebecca is such a beautiful mommy…truly. It made my mommy’s heart melt to see her interact with her boys. The photo on the left is one of her favorites. I understand that…’cause it would be one of mine also. Something about our little boys kissing our lips that makes our hearts burst and overflow.
CHRISTMAS SHOOT STYLED BY GRACE
I have something special to share with you on this Christmas Eve. It is a little bit of the way Grace sees the world.:)
You see, this shoot was ALL Grace. Grace invested her heart and soul into this shoot. Look at these images, and you will have a window into who Grace is. Grace developed and directed all elements of this shoot…the vision, feel, mood, posing, outfits, hair, makeup. She connected with Alyssa, communicated with UNDONE, did not give up until the perfect outfits were found. Me? I just showed up and photographed it. Blessed, inspired, and anticipating what is to come is how I felt.
For more images and details on the hows and whys of this shoot, please visit GRACE’S BLOG. You will be glad you did!
Enjoy the beauty.
All the fun accessories and shoes were provided by an awesome boutique in Lancaster called Undone UNDONE. Hair and makeup provided by the girls from Bella Da Salon. And Anna, awesome Anna, experimented with a new editing style to finish the photos with the look and feel coinciding with the vision for the shoot.
And MERRY CHRISTMAS. Many blessings to you and yours this Christmas week. Much appreciation to YOU for supporting me and what I do in my little corner of the world. XOXO:)
NICOLA + DAVID :: LAUGHTER, LOVE, TOGETHER:)
Vibrant. In love. Hardworking. Ready to take on the world. Comfy as a broken in sweatshirt. Ease. Peace. Plenty of laughter and a lot of determination. Big hearts overflowing with passion for those less fortunate. No too mention, quite creative.
Meet Nicola and David!
He is a web designer and she is an awesome PHOTOGRAPHER. If you ask me for baby photos…I will send you her way!
You know the big heart part? These two love birds are adopting their first child from Ethiopia. As Nicola and David describe it, they are on a journey to becoming a family waiting for their child, the missing piece to their hearts. These two have been working HARD raising money and taking the steps needed to adopt. The goal for this shoot was to capture this stage of their life…happy, in love, excited about the future, hopeful, and preparing for the little person that they already love.
This is them….their story. (Which by the way, I was quite honored to capture)…
Everything had meaning with this shoot! David sang ‘You are my Sunshine’ to Nicola when they were dating and Nicola plans to sing it to their children. Love that!
Nicola had a custom necklace made representing their adoption. The shape or Africa is cut out in the middle with a yellow bead which represents hope and sunshine.
Smashing!
One of my faves….I think it represents life, peace, together, and on a journey. :)
EMILIE :: PROFESSIONAL HEADHSOTS
In my photography history, I have been able to work with quite a few dancers. Whenever I hear that my client is a dancer, I get just a little excited. Dancers are artistic..this comes through in many ways. Their outfits always have a little extra flair, they move with ease, and they enjoy the camera. Today we have a dance teacher! Emilie, photographed by ANDREA, is Andrea’s daughter’s dance teacher.
I asked Andrea to tell me a little about Emilie…
“I met Emilie at my daughter’s first ballet class. Emilie taught with a patient, fun, and friendly attitude that helped instill confidence in the girls (she taught over twenty 5 year olds at once!). At their final recital, when my daughter danced Emilie’s choreography to “My Heart Will Go On” on stage in her hot pink tutu, I felt so much pride I couldn’t hold back a few tears. Emilie is a complete natural and meant to be in front of the camera! Emilie, you encompass beauty on the inside and out and are truly a rock-star. Thank-you for investing into my daughter’s life!”
Meet fabulous Emilie!
TEAM :: WORKING TOGETHER
So let me tell you a little about this. It started last year. It was the end of a busy year and I was feeling a overworked. I wanted a schedule that allowed more ‘breath’ time. I am learning….I am one person. ;) I can only do so much. You would think I would have learned this earlier on in life. Right? Yeah, not me. I am still trying to wrap my mind around this and let go of the mindset that I can do it ALL. I have one set of strengths. And weaknesses. I was ready to share the responsibility. I was ready for CHAR Photography to not just be Char that answers emails, edits photos, designs, shoots, blogs, packages, manages QuickBooks….the list goes on. If you are a photographer…you know. Not only that, I have been thinking a lot about the STRENGTH of being united with others. “And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.” Matthew 18:19. I believe we were created to be interdependent. Collaborating, dreaming, planning, working along side others. I believe there is incredible value in partnering with others. It adds a substance, steadiness, and a vitality. In ALL areas of life. Today I am applying it to the biz. THIS is my vision and heart behind having a team. It started as a vision and dream….turning it into reality has been one step at a time. I told God…I will walk if He shows me the next step. And I am walking. I am learning….life is a journey. It is ever evolving. I will never ARRIVE. Thank goodness I don’t even need to try. Instead, I will walk, take the next step, seek wisdom, hit walls, pick myself up again, and learn as I go.
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OUR MISSION STATEMENT IS SIMPLE:
“Guided by our passion to create beauty; we will enable others by esteeming, affirming, and validating. We will consistently produce artistic quality art within a boutique experience. With attention to detail, commitment, honesty, integrity, and warmth; we will serve others and honor our God.”
This is ultimately….what we do. What is pulsing through our veins. Today I am so blessed and extremely humbled to be surrounded by these people.
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JANAE
Janae is interning with me this year. She is a photographer with her own business. Let me tell you, this girl’s heart shines straight through the ceiling. What an incredible asset she as been to me and the business. Janae not only assists me on wedding days but THEN takes over editing the wedding for me. Is that amazing or what? If don’t know….IT IS. Her calm sweet presence has been such a blessing to me over the past months.
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ANDREA
Andrea is a photographer. Ok, she is an AWESOME photographer. I love everything her work, who she is, and her warm, bubbly personality. She has been second shooting with me on wedding days and is photographing senior portraits with and for me. Many of the photos you have seen on the blog recently have been hers! This has been so good and I am so excited about working with her!
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Yours truly. Thanks Andrea for the photos. Thanks Grace, for letting me borrow your shoes…yeah, I just don’t have shoes that cool of my own. Thanks Janae and Kathleen for making me laugh so I don’t look super awkward in front of the camera. ;)
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GRACE
Grace has been incredible to have by my side. Her support and enthusiasm has been such a blessing to me. She is our STYLIST. Grace breaths and creates beauty wherever she goes. It has been so fun including this service in our client’s experience. It might be a suggestion for a certain shoes, putting together two pieces you would have never thought about putting together, hair done just right, direction with makeup, posing, suggestion on where to find that great blazer, colors that flatter….this is what Grace does and does it WELL. Speaking of beauty….check out her blog post on BEAUTY.
To hear her perspective on the team….visit her blog HERE.
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KATHLEEN
It still blows my mind that somebody can get excited about QuickBooks. How is that possible?? :) Kathleen has come in and taken over client communication, office management, up-keeping the data base….the list goes on. In fact, she even has bottles of water and granola bars ready for me to grab and take with on shoots. She created a cleaning chart so we are sure to keep the studio clean. Makes sure we hand in all receipts so things are ORGANIZED. Yeah, pretty much all things I don’t do so well. And honestly, and am so happy to not have to do it anymore. She comes in, does her thing…and really has no need for me. And I am liking that! Her calm, sweet presence is rest to my soul and I am so happy to see her here.
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To learn a little more about who these ladies are…stop by the website and see the TEAM page. Thanks for letting me share a little about my life. May you have a beautiful day….wherever you are….whatever you are doing. :)
MADDIE :: FAIR SHOOT
As long as I can remember I have wanted to do a fair shoot. I had visions of cotton candy, Ferris wheels, color, laughter and total freedom with creativity. I did a quick shout out on Facebook asking for volunteers for a Fair Shoot. Maddie was one of the girls that responded…and she was so fun to work with. Not only is she sweet as cotton candy (; but seriously, one of the most solid, grounded senior girls I have met. One of my favorite aspects of the shoot was teaming up with Grace. Grace was one of my sweet brides from last year. Grace has a fantastic eye for fashion and a passion for styling. For this shoot, Grace took on the role of stylist. She did a gorgeous job with Maddie’s hair and makeup and directing Maddie on the shoot. Our goal for the shoot was a sweet, simple, whimsical vibe. Maddie arrived with an stellar selection of clothing options. Grace came with magazine inspiration, a few accessories and additional clothing options, and the hair and makeup supplies. I came with my camera and excitement to work with these two.
Grace, you rock. Maddie, you are a sweetheart in the truest way possible.
The only time it worked for is three to meet up was on a Saturday afternoon. Saturday afternoon at a fair? Two MILLION people. Add in bright sunshine. Tough location to shoot in! So I had to readjust my expectations. We did not use any rides due to the crowds. But that was really OK…I loved the candy apple stand. =)
This is the only piece of clothing I supplied…my favorite tan blazer.
Maddie dear…you are so pretty.
HERE is the inspiration board I put together in Pinterest.
A few behind the scenes Instagrams as Grace did hair and makeup in the studio. =)
Happy Friday folks. May you have a sunshiny day and an even sweeter weekend.
CLAIRE :: BABY GIRL;)
Just because it makes me Smiiile.(;
And she is so cute. Oh, yes…she came with a stash of gorgeous outfits. Thanks Mom! (: For the perfect outfits and for allowing me to photograph your baby girl again.
It is Friday! Happy Friday, folks.
BRITTANY :: ANCHOR AND REPORTER
She had a way about her. An ease. A grace. A sweetness. I walked away from our session with a skip and was reminded again why I love doing this. Brittany is an anchor and reporter. She needed head-shots for her website. She wanted professional head-shots that were a little… ‘unstandard’. Sounded perfect to me. We put our heads together and came up with the following location and details. I love the way her character shines through. Her gorgeous outfits tied it all together just right. And yes, the camera loves her. My job was easy. =)
I photographed her sister’s senior photos a few years ago and her brother’s senior photos this past summer. The entire family is genuine, kind, and well…they just seem to love life. Brittany is getting married next summer…I was so sad I was not available for her wedding.=(
“As a reporter, every day is completely different. I get to meet different people and learn new things every single day. It is a lot of fun, but also a challenge, which is great, too!”
And I am loving the pink scarf paired with the sleek black suit…
Brittany’s Bridal Session
She was a gorgeous bride…
Now that the wedding has happened….and it was perfect in every way(:, I can share Brittany’s Bridal photos!
Yep, we drug a dresser into the field. Thank-you LINDSEY for helping me. AND the random joggers that also helped us carry it up the hill. (: We got a workout that night!
Lori from Wildflowers By Design provided all the so beautiful florals.
Coolest ever leather jacket. But it is not just a cool jacket, this jacket has a story behind it and special meaning….
Holly, Brittany’s sister, joined us to help Brittany with her dress….and we got a few photos with her also. Brittany, Brittany…I cannot wait to show you the wedding photos.(:
