Search Results

'Shew! That was FAST! I don't know about you, but for ME...the first few months of 2023 have FLOWN by and yet I feel like I have SO much more to accomplish. As you can see from the Gallery up there; I've jumped in with both feet! So far, I've: * Provided quick portraits to attendees of a great fundraising Gala for the Seaford (De) Historical Society (and hobnobbed with some of the City's more established Families, making some new friends in the process) * Partnered with the Seaford (De) Senior High School "Blue Jays" to offer in-studio Traditional Senior Portraits to students who, for whatever reason, missed the opportunity to have their portrait in the soon-to-be-published Yearbook * Provided updated Executive Portraits to banking executives moving up the corporate ladder while bringing great service to their community (Congratulations on your promotions, everyone!) * Helped two wonderful humans doing wonderful things for their communities to represent their Brand via personality-filled portraits * Photographed a local City Councilman for updated portraits to be used in Campaign Business and Brand material (both online and in print) * Helped a beautiful young lady reclaim her power through Boudior portraits (WOWZA we created some stunners!) * Preserved memories and created keepsake portrait art for two fantastic Families Annnnnnd..... Throughout all this...for my own growth and establishment as Seaford Delaware's un-official "Portrait Photographer In-Residence"; I've joined the Western Sussex Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club of Seaford in hopes that my unique perspective and services can be of some benefit to my community through their respective outreach and networking opportunities. OH! And I've featured three new Seasonal backdrops / sets in Spring Mini-Session Marathon Weekend events. While these mini-session marathon weekends have not been quite as successful in getting families in for seasonal portraits; I am still considering making "Mini-Session Saturdays" a *thing*. "Stay tuned" on that one! Here's to making deeper connections, building lasting relationships and photographing my way into the heart of my community over the NEXT 4 months...and beyond. (Think High School Seniors, Cake smashes, Childhood Milestones, Family Beach Portraits, Weddings, Engagements, Studio Fine Art Portraits, Pet and their Humans Families on-Location, Mommy-and-Me, Mother's Day, Daddy-andMe, Father's Day...and Generational Portraits in honor of Grand Parent's Day! Birthdays, Boudior, Branding, "Just Because"... Oh MY!) When you're in town for a visit... stop in and check on me, will ya!? :)

I hear them every day....the reasons why people don't hire a professional photographer. And I'm here to tell you; all the reasons why they're right! In descending order: 5. "My friend has a great new camera and will be in attendance anyway. I can just ask her/him to photograph my #wedding for me." You're right! I'm sure they are really flattered that you've put them on-the-spot and asked them to take on that immense pressure and responsibility instead of showing up for you and enjoying the memories created at your event alongside and WITH you! You don't need someone who has decades of experience, is calm cool & collected and who has made it their life's passion and career to take on that level of responsibility. 4. "My event isn't really a big deal. There aren't many people going, anyway." You're right! The few people who truly care about you enough to rearrange their schedules just so they can spend a little time with you probably don't care much about photos anyway ('cos, who knows when the next time we can all come together like this, right?). I'm sure your beloveds don't want to look back on these photos while sharing memories with their children either. 3. "I keep all the photos I take on my phone already and social media backs it up for me so I can share and revisit them ." You're right! It's amazing how long we keep our phone (at LEAST 6 mos. or so) and SD cards are a lot more trustworthy these days, too. Social media is a lot more secure...our #memories and precious images are a lot safer from hackers and identity thieves than ever before. 2. "I will hire a professional photographer when I've lost this excess weight and get a face-lift. I look so.....old, yanno?" (Well, you're NOT "right" about this one...but I DO agree with you in that, if you FEEL "old" or "fat" or "need a face lift", then you're going to see that when you look at your photos!) Because we *see* what we *feel*. We don't see what our beloveds feel when THEY look at photos of us. (This where my PASSION as a professional photographer, dwells; helping you see what your beloved feel about is my #1 goal. Everything else is secondary. ) And..... *DRUMROLL Please*..... The number ONE reason you DON'T need a professional photographer..... "It's just too expensive to hire someone to take photos of me! My selfies are good enough!" You are.... ABSOLUTELY... RIGHT! I can't think of a single professional photographer out there, worth their salt, who would tell you that you should pay for photos that are "good enough" when you can do that all by yourself! I certainly wouldn't! Value is in the judgement of the individual as much as beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I mean, that mega steak-and seafood feast you paid $50 to devour last night was SO freakin' delicious going down (and lasted a whole 12 hours before making a hasty exit the next morning)! That #FamilyPortrait you paid maybe a few hundred dollars to create a BUNCH of different memories captured in irreplaceable imagery only lasts about...... ohhhhhh...... sayyyyyyy..... at LEAST.... 50 years. So there ya have it.... the Top Five Reasons You Don't Need A #ProfessionalPhotographer. Weigh them out for yourself! (But if you find that you DO need a professional portrait photographer after all, and are in #SeafordDelaware or nearly anywhere on the #DelMarVaPeninsula , give me a call or stop in the studio at 304 High Street Suite 101 and tell me all about it! Warmly, Theresa~ Theresa A Johnson | Portrait Photographer tjohnson.portraits@gmail.com 302.536.1330 https://www.Theresa-A-JohnsonPhotographer.com

Hello Blog reader/friend/ and (future?) Client! It's December 21, 2022 and the Holidays are here! I want to wish everyone reading, every blessing of the Season...no matter what holiday(s) you observe. May it bring Peace, Joy, Love and Laughter to you and your loved ones into the New Year as well. Here's an update about what's happened around here in the 4 weeks since my "Soft Opening": The first "Holiday Mini Marathon" sessions were a success! Despite only having a couple of weeks to plan, implement and market them...many families came in and had a little fun creating memories (and beautiful, custom #HolidayGreetingCards!). Everyone...even the parents... enjoyed an "after-session cookie" or two. THANK you for coming in <3. (And, for anyone having family coming in from out of town wanting or needing a portrait done while they're here for the holidays, Please Note: the Studio will be closed Saturday December 24 through Monday December 26. I will re-open Tuesday December 27 at 10 am. As always, Walk-Ins ARE accepted whenever time permits ...but it's better to Book Your Session Ahead. "Jazz Hands With Santa" How many of us can say that we did "Jazz Hands with Santa"? (Well... at least 2 of us can ;) ) One of the best memories I am taking away from this first Christmas in business on High Street, is having Santa's house set up directly across the street from the studio. It's been AGES since I've shared any secrets with Santa...so one evening, on my way home...I told the hubs (pictured on the right) "I'm gonna play a little trick with Santa and tell him I want to sit on his lap". *snickers* I'm not exactly "petite", yanno?. So.... over we went, but Santa didn't bat an eyelash! He just invited me in! Of course, the jig was up...there was NO way I wanted to wind up on the "naughty list" by breaking his legs when I sat down on his knee! He was a great sport when I asked for a photo with him, too. His helper elf captured this special memory in the #crapcellsnap shown above for posterity. (I mean: #PhotosOrItNeverHappened, right? When the holidays are over and things have settled down, I intend to see about joining (or otherwise supporting) the #KiwanisOfSeafordDelaware better in the coming year. They do SO much for so many children and their families throughout the year...and always with a kind smile, humble attitude and loving heart. (Remind me to share my own personal story/experience with the Kiwanis of Seaford with you, someday...will ya?) And that brings me to the "Contest" part (it's up there in the Title...see it? *smiles* ) I recently did a #poll on my facebook page , asking folks which type of backdrops should I focus my limited funds on in the coming months for mini and full in-studio sessions. The general consensus seems to be "Spring!" (among the other two choices of "Valentine's Day" or "Easter"). So... I'm on the hunt for one or two backdrops to use in the studio for portraits with a Spring or Easter feel for Themed Minis and Full Portrait sessions. Would YOU like to win a complimentary Spring-themed In-Studio Mini session? (I THOUGHT you might! *smiles* ) Here's how it will go: In the coming week, I will post two or three top contenders for my choice of Spring themed backdrops that are top quality and versatile enough for me to build sets around for Easter, Bridal, or Mom-And-Me Sessions in 2023. To be entered in the drawing for a complimentary Spring Mini-Session simply: "Like" and "Follow" my Facebook Business Page (click this linked text) Vote for your choice of favorite backdrop Share the Poll/Post in at least 2 other places (can be your personal FB page, your Business page, other social media pages you own or in Local FB groups to which you belong. ("LOCAL" being the operative word here. Winner must be local to Seaford, Delaware and able to come to the studio for a family or individual portrait mini session. Date and Time TBD.) Watch for the Announcement post on my Page for the three backdrop options and the prompt to take action in order to win! Thank you ... and Good Luck! With all that said...I want to thank everyone again, for making my first Holiday Season in the new Studio Space a success. I look forward to meeting/photographing you in the coming months....let's get you scheduled, soon okay!?

Keeping one's commitments is ultra-important to me...even if it means closing my week-old Studio space down for 10 days. Most local friends and family know how I came to get this space I've dreamt of for three years and counting already, so I will spare you those details, dear reader; for the purpose of this blog entry is to share what I learned while fulfilling my previously set commitment to serve as an Election Official for Delaware's Early Voting cycles, the Primary Elections and the General Mid-Term Elections. (No, this isn't a political diatribe nor a discussion on any political candidate/platform or viewpoint....for the day has come and gone for that. The people have spoken!) This is more-so observations I've made while being, for all intents and purposes...sequestered...and unable to build or conduct business while in service to the community. People are generally good-natured and eager to help one another. When I shared the news about opening a studio with fellow election officials, the response was overwhelmingly supportive! I had an audience (captive?) who listened, offered advice and leant me a shoulder to commiserate on, too. Many of the folks I served with are ALSO local business owners/entrepaneurs who felt compelled to help their community and the people within it in ways that have nothing to do with their respective businesses but everything to do with helping to make the lives of others a little bit better. To do more-than-expected. To make a difference. It feels really good to be counted among these great folks and I am proud of everyone who worked together to conduct such a safe, streamlined, efficient and successful election process. 2. Small and micro-business owners wear a LOT of hats... Especially when just getting up and running. We tend to think success comes by default to business owners...but there is a LOT of hard work, sleepless nights and stress to go along with that success! When I decided to give this a go; I became a painter, cleaner, interior designer, janitor, project manager, website developer, marketing specialist, social worker/counsellor, toddler wrangler, motivational speaker, introverted extrovert, set designer, social media specialist...and that's in addition to professional portrait photographer, visual artist and print specialist. The line between employer/employee are non-existent at present...but that will be rectified in the coming months, 'cos there's NO way I can keep it up! To all of the Marketing Specialists, Administrative Assistants, Office and Front-End Specialists, Janitorial and Painting/Construction folks out there... you have my utmost respect! (And I'll be giving some of you a call soon. I need help!) I'm ready to get to the good stuff already! Let's make some portrait magic! 3. I'm not a "dreamer"....but dreams really DO come true! I had completely given up on my dream to "open a Portrait Studio on High Street". Don't ask me why my dream was so location specific...because I don't know...but people were really tired of hearing me say that! (I need to find out who ran a business from this location in the past. Putting that on my "to-do" list right now. *grins* ) I'd been working freelance and on-location for 7 years and had put down my camera completely...when this opportunity literally fell into my lap. Being the "negative Nancy" I'd become; I almost didn't follow up on the lead, too! I am immensely glad I resisted that urge...and still a little bit stunned to be honest! I am thrilled to call Seaford "Home"...to set some roots, finally...to meet some really great folks and to be lucky enough to call them"friends", too. I'm excited to become a part of the energy of the city, to be invited to document and participate in the special moments in the lives of the people I have yet to meet and call friend... Most of all... To grow where I am planted.