Gifted Time and Talent showcases International Teens at ACS!

 

John Donovan, one of our phenomenally talented photographers, had the pleasure of representing Heath Photography in a donation of time and talent at Alexandria Central School (ACS) on Wednesday, December 3, 2014.  Three foreign exchange students participated in, what for some is an anticipated and thrilling American high school experience.  They had their senior high school pictures taken professionally for the ACS 2014-15 yearbook.   

 

Elmir Mukhtarov, Rustem Yeshazarov, and Lisel Baay were photographed on site at Alexandria Central School, home of the Purple Ghosts.  Heath Photography felt privileged to offer this service to these students at no cost, as our part of helping to create a cherished memory of their time in our country.

 

High School Senior pictures are just one of several experiences in creating memories that Heath Photography is excited to bring to your family.  Working with our seniors, it is our goal to capture an heirloom quality memory that represents one of the proudest moments of their lives in recognition of a major milestone being reached and the end of an era.

As 2014 comes to a close, and our 2014-2015 seniors get closer to that final few months of their foundational education, we're getting excited for them to celebrate their cap and gown moments!

 

Carthage Senior Photographer

How to make heart shaped bokeh.

With Valentines Day approaching we thought we would do some photography experiments at Heath Photography Studio.

Seniors, Sign up for our Fashion Shoot August 22nd 2012

Do you want the most unique, visually stunning, and interesting portraits in your class? Join us for our fashion session on August 22, 2012. Our fashion session includes an hour session with 3 outfit changes. A professional cosmetologist and hairdresser will do your hair and make-up, not once but twice. She'll work with you to tailor your style to just the right look for you; whether you go for vintage, chic, funky, or elegant. Your senior portraits will be seen by many and be around for years to come- what better time to look your best? We only have a few spots left so don't wait to call!

Some tips for your fashion shoot:

Clothes, Accessories, and Props: Since this is a fashion shoot, you will want to step out of your comfort zone a little bit with your clothing choices. Don't be afraid to wear something fun, trendy, or super dressy. Bring extra clothes, and bring your clothes unwrinkled and on hangers. Layering your clothes adds interest. 

Accessories are important for showing your character. Think shoes, headbands, umbrellas, leg-warmers, scarves, bags, watches, dangle bracelets, colorful earrings, and really anything else you can think of. The same goes for props. Bring typical props like instruments, or expand your idea of props and bring your favorite chair, headphones, a kite, or a vase.

Color: Color is often the first thing you see when you look at a photo. Think about what color scheme you'd like to see in your photos and draw inspiration from there. Do you like raw colors like red and black, natural earth tones, or upbeat bright colors? Try using neutrals with one bright color that pops.

Share your personality: This is a chance for you to really show your individuality. Brainstorm ideas about what you want before your consultation. Search the web for images that you like and bring them in. Let us get a sense of who you are and it will show through in your portraits.

Have fun: Our fashion shoots are about the experience as well as the photos. Prepare ahead of time, so you are feeling ready and not rushed the day of the shoot. Get plenty of rest the night before and drink lots of water. Sign up with a friend.

Photographing Seniors in the Thousand Islands

Photographing seniors on location has been one of our exciting new endeavors this year.  For those seniors who come in looking for a unique experience and one-of-a kind photos, we take them to one of a number of different spots where their portrait can be inspired by the venue. 

Ben Reed, a senior at Lisbon Central School, had his shoot in Alexandria Bay a few weeks ago where we captured some really great shots with the St. Lawrence River in the background.  We used Casino Island for many of the photos and had some fun admiring all of the tourists that were in town for the Poker Run.  Ben has always loved the water so his portraits really suited his personality.

Tori Peabody, also a senior from Ogdensburg, is part of our ambassador/model program this year which serves to get the word out about our studio. She had some of her portraits taken in Alexandria Bay, and many of them had a real edgy feel. Below, this door with vines makes the perfect frame for a gorgeous model.

 

Mikela Bailey is a student at Lakewood Ranch High School in Florida.  Her grandparents own a cabin in Goose Bay where she visits in the Summer.

Mikela had this to say about her shoot, “Penny Heath was awesome! She paid attention to every detail, and I'm super excited to see how the photos turned out. Shooting at Boldt's Castle was perfect- it has nature mixed with the atmosphere of a princess's mansion. I chose to shoot there because I've been going there for as long as I can remember with my grandpa, who is my favorite person in the world, so it became my favorite place. I'm undecided about where I want to go after high school. It depends on the scholarships I'm offered, but I'll be definitely be going to college for Pre-Med. Then I want to go to medical school at the University of Rochester.”

We love the results of these shoots and we are looking forward to photographing Alexandria Central senior Lauren Spooner at her Wellesley Island home in a few weeks.  We will let you know how the session turns out!

Aspiring Family Photographer Interns at Heath Photography

This summer we have a new intern at the studio; Brittany Hill is going to be with us two days a week over the summer.  She lives in the general area- Lisbon, NY, but for the past three years has been attending Cazenovia College studying photography.

The school requires students in the area of Art and Design to complete an internship in order to graduate, and Brittany chose Penny Heath as her mentor working in the field.  Brittany is also minoring in business and art history because her ultimate goal is to open her own portrait studio. 

Brittany most admires Penny’s newborn photography.  As she has always loved children herself, Brittany is most excited to learn about photographing infants and toddlers.  Furthermore, she said this about her choice to work with Heath Photography, “I find it empowering that Penny has built such a successful photography business in the North Country.”  

While Brittany may not know to what part of the country her photography will take her after graduation next spring, she does know that portraits are what she does best.  She hopes to learn as much from Penny and the Heath Photography team as possible.

Alexandria Central Senior Ball and Thomson Family Photos

Last week Heath Photography had the pleasure of photographing the Thomson Family from Alexandria Bay.  Taylor Thomson, Rick and Melissa's daughter, is a senior at Alexandria Central this year and she had her senior photos taken at our studio last summer.

This session was no less than a black tie affair.  Alexandria Central was holding their Senior Ball so Melissa took the opportunity to get what will probably be Taylor's last professional photographs before she heads off to St. Lawrence University in the fall.  The prom party, which also included Taylor's younger brother Tristan, came by the studio dressed to the nines on their way to dinner at the Tin Pan Galley in Sackett's Harbor.

Melissa thought this would also be the perfect occasion for some family photos, and we agreed.  We took some indoor portraiture and the rain held off so we could get some beautiful outdoor shots as well.

Taylor Thomson is a lifeguard and an honor student.  She will be majoring in pre-med next year.   Pictured to her right is Francesca Pirovano, an exchange student from Italy, who has been living with the Girard family in Alexandria Bay over the past year.  When we asked her what she thought of the area, she said, "It is really beautiful, I love the River. Living here is very different, but I'm having fun and I don't want to go home yet!"

From left to right: Nick Speach, Taylor Thomson, Tristan Thomson, and Marissa Merola.  Marissa is Taylor's cousin and will be a senior next year at Cicero-North Syracuse High School.

Don't have too much fun guys!  Nick Speach, Tristan Thomson, and Zach Heschke

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What a stunning Family! From left to right: Rick Thomson, Melissa Thomson, Tristan Thomson, and Taylor Thomson.  In the front are Taylor's two younger brothers Trey and Terin Thomson.

Shultz Family Portraits Shot on Location in the Thousand Islands

Heath Photography is fortunate to be located minutes from one of the most scenic and historically rich areas in New York- the Thousand Islands.  The Thousand Islands area consists of almost 2,000 islands that dot the St. Lawrence River between the United States and Canada, and make a stunning natural backdrop for wedding, senior, or family photos.  We recently went on location with the Shultz family who were vacationing in a 19th century River cottage on Cherry Island near Alexandria Bay.  ‘Casablanca,’ as the home is named was built by a Cuban sugar and tobacco baron.  It can comfortably house 35 guests, and is filled with period furniture. 

The Shultz’s plan an exciting get-away for their family every five years, and they always hire a local photographer to shoot their family portrait and preserve memories of their time spent together.  Christi, seen with her children and grandchildren in the photo below, said that when she saw Heath Photography’s website, she knew she wanted the overall experience that our studio has to offer.  After the shoot, Christi thought that Heath Photography lived up to its reputation.  She was especially impressed with the light-heartedness and candidness of the photos, and the way they allowed each member of her family’s personality to shine through.  Below are a few of their favorites.

Pictured here from left to right are Zoe, Dezeray, Layla, Seth, Logan, Christi, Chuck, Ella, Caleb, Ali, Levi and Nicole on the porch of Casablanca.  The family has been spending plenty of time enjoying the River from this spot and watching the spectacular St. Lawrence River sunsets.  Chuck finds special meaning in sharing his love of the River with his children and grandchildren, because his mother shared it with him years ago at her cottage near French Creek in Clayton.

One of their favorite memories of their Thousand Island’s trip, captured by Heath Photography, was their Crazy Hat Dinner.  This is a fun tradition at Casablanca where everyone is expected to dress up in a hat for the evening meal.  As you can see from Penny Heath’s photo, the hats range from classic and graceful floppy brimmed hats to outlandish and eccentric hats-- like Logan’s hamburger hat.

The Shultz’s vacation planning for their next adventure has already begun.  They will likely be renting houseboats to cruise on the Erie Canal.  We wish them luck, wherever their path leads them!

Maternity Photo Session at Heath Photography

We had so much fun at this maternity photo session with this Watertown family!

Photo Fusion Videos

Our new Photo Fusion videos combine each seniors story with a montage of their portraits creating a lasting impression of their thoughts, goals, and memories as he or she moves into the next chapter of their lives.  It is a fun video to share online with friends and family and a novel addition to the overall experience of a seniors session at Heath Photography.