Making senior portraits more than …

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Sweeney Photography

… average.

Shouldn’t graduation portraits be more than just a nice smile or a new outfit? I think so. Typically the senior portrait sessions here in the studio start out with what I call “The Grandma Wall” poses. You know the ones – the ladies are gently resting a cheek on their ever so delicately folded hands and the gentlemen are looking very serious as they rest their chins on a rugged fist. Thank goodness today’s Grandmas are way cooler and want to see something more exciting!

I encourage all the young adults that come to me for their senior portraits to bring in items that really help to tell their story. I want their proof booklets and finished portraits to unquestionably show who they are at this time in their lives. It is my hope that they will someday look back at these photographs and remember that they were the bees knees. (Translation: awesome, cool, hip, swagger, Gucci, fizzy)

What’s so special about senior portraits in Madison WI?

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Sweeney Photography

Thursdays are for sharing senior portraits.

One of the things that I really enjoy when taking senior portraits is when they bring along a younger sibling for a few photos. Coming from a family with six kids I know how special the bond is between siblings. A couple of years ago I had a big sister ask for a few photos with her younger brother. Now this was pretty sweet all by itself but her younger brother was probably one of the most adorable little brothers ever. He happily jumped in and did every thing we asked him to do. And when I say jumped in – he really did. No worries about the cell phone still in his pocket ….

This past summer I was asked to share the senior portrait experience with him. Still sweet. Still adorable.

Thank you Katie and Danny!!

Coffee with Sean

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Sweeney Photography

Thursday: Share Senior Portraits

Over the years I’ve been lucky to be able share many special days with more than a few families. This spring will mark one of those days for one of my favorite families. Sean will graduate from high school.

This senior portrait session was a bit different than most. As I clicked the shutter I saw two faces – the one that was sitting in front of me that day and the other was the face in my head that I’ve seen grow up over the last 11 years. We spent a good portion of a day in the studio and at various locations in Madison. My favorite moment was when we took a short break and Sean bought us coffee. As we chatted about a million different things – I realized that he had gone from being this amazing, sweet and goofy kid into a smart, witty and goofy young man.

Well done Sean.

These are the days of our lives …

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Sweeney Photography

I’m kind of tired of trying to market my business.

Okay, five minutes just passed as I stared at that statement. I’m feeling equal measures of panic and peace. As a small business owner, a part of every day for the last 11 years has been spent trying to let the world (meaning Madison WI) know I’m here and to attract new clients. I have the best web site designer who has created this beautiful site and I feel like I’m not using it to it’s full potential. That ends right now.

Today marks the first day of the new blog here at sweeneysphotography.com. I will no longer be trying to sell or market anything on the blog section of the site. There are hundreds of portrait samples in the Galleries. If you want to know services, prices or specials – please click on the tabs above. There is a ton of information throughout the site and if it’s not – then send me an email or give me a call. I would love to talk to you!! Better yet, stop by and we’ll chat over some of my fabulous coffee or tea – I may even have some Chex Mix to share.

So here’s how the blog is going to look from here on out. Each weekday I will be sharing my photographs. Not just wedding or kids pictures, I will be sharing it all – even personal photos. I will share a bit of the story behind the photographs and in the case of my “Art” – I may even be showing you all a bit of the process by way of video (but only if it’s a good hair day).