Marlene's Designer Portraits » joy http://www.marlenesdesignerportraits.com/blog images that will touch your heart! Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:05:37 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 “The special bond that we have with each other…” http://www.marlenesdesignerportraits.com/blog/the-special-bond-that-we-have-with-each-other/ http://www.marlenesdesignerportraits.com/blog/the-special-bond-that-we-have-with-each-other/#comments Thu, 27 Oct 2011 23:28:17 +0000 admin http://www.marlenesdesignerportraits.com/blog/?p=3160

“My husband would be the first to tell you he hates to have his picture taken.  He told me after our last session with Marlene that she is the only one that is allowed to photograph him.  Marlene’s ability to make him feel at ease and capture his character is truly a gift.

When Marlene suggested taking our family portraits in our yard, I was so excited, it wasn’t something I had considered.  We are planning on moving shortly and the idea of having pictures of us in the yard that my husband built from nothing, is something we will always cherish.  She noticed places in our yard that I would never have pictured the way she did.

I appreciate Marlene’s patience!  I was overwhelmed with all the beautiful pictures at my photo viewing session.  Marlene was very efficient and made the process easier by helping me narrow them down to my favorites and I never felt pressured or rushed and after 2 hours of deliberation, I’m so glad that she allowed me the extra time to confidently choose the portraits that will be displayed in our home.

I am not an openly emotional person but even now when I think about the gorgeous portraits Marlene took, I get choked up.  She captured our personalities, the special bond that we have with each other, and there are not words to express how grateful I am.  My girls are growing so quickly and I will look at and treasure these pictures for my lifetime.” Elma, Gilbert, Mycaela and Kaitlyn Friesen  Steinbach, Manitoba

When Elma came in for her Design Consultation and I suggested perhaps using their yard for the portraits, it took her just a moment to agree that this would be the perfect location for their portrait session!  We had a gorgeous evening and everyone was co-operating so the session was a breeze!

 

One of the only requests Elma made was that we photograph in front of their special tree…

 

And then we used the little playhouse that the girls have (almost) outgrown…

 

 

These girls look like models!!

 

Very hard to pick a favorite… but I’d say the following photo is probably my favorite!  I love the mystical feeling that the sun through the trees gives to the quality of this photograph.

 

And then the light was just right to use the fence – gorgeous lighting, once again!

 

 

And, of course, with a beautiful, winding road, we had to end the session there!  :)

Thank you Elma and family for giving me the opportunity to spend some time with you and your family on such a lovely property!

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]]> http://www.marlenesdesignerportraits.com/blog/the-special-bond-that-we-have-with-each-other/feed/ 0 Breathtaking… http://www.marlenesdesignerportraits.com/blog/breathtaking/ http://www.marlenesdesignerportraits.com/blog/breathtaking/#comments Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:40:11 +0000 admin http://www.marlenesdesignerportraits.com/blog/?p=3049

“I had seen my friends get their photos done at Marlene’s Designer Portraits and I loved them.  It knew it would be professional and FUN!  :)

Marlene was so friendly and seemed honestly excited to take my portraits.  She made me feel special and not in a forced put-on type of way.  I loved posing and feeling like a super model for an hour.

I love my portraits because Marlene KNEW exactly what she was doing!  She captured my essence and my body shape perfectly.  I loved so many of the photos!  There was so much variety and I felt like Marlene put her heart into these photos.   What one word would I use to describe the portrait experience?    ”Exciting”   I will recommend Marlene to my friends and family because of the 100% money back guarantee; of the time spent with us before the session to plan and co-ordinate everything; Marlene made it a fun experience and because I believe my portraits are absolutely priceless and shows exactly what I wanted it to!” Michelle Koop, Steinbach, Manitoba

 

Can you see why I titled this blog post ‘Breathtaking’?    I couldn’t choose just a few photos, so sit back and scroll down and enjoy these photos.

I loved Michelle’s enthusiasm when she came in for her initial consult.  I knew at that time that I would have a great time photographing her and when she booked I was very excited.   When she came in for the portrait session – she was wearing these 5 inch heels and she had a smile on her face in anticipation.  Then she put on her grad dress and I caught my breath – she was stunning.   Here are more of my favorites from her session…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And this is probably my favorite portrait of Michelle I took that day!

 

Sigh – okay, I’ll say it again.  I LOVE my job!

 

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]]> http://www.marlenesdesignerportraits.com/blog/breathtaking/feed/ 1 Tahnee’s grad dress – revealed! http://www.marlenesdesignerportraits.com/blog/tahnees-grad-dress-revealed/ http://www.marlenesdesignerportraits.com/blog/tahnees-grad-dress-revealed/#comments Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:57:12 +0000 admin http://www.marlenesdesignerportraits.com/blog/?p=3030 On June 6th I blogged about Tahnee, a recent grad that came into the studio.  She is a beautiful girl and so very easy to photograph.  When you have subjects like this – it definitely isn’t ‘work’!     She had this gorgeous dress that was just perfect for her, but she asked me not to post any photos of the dress until grad.  Well, now is the time.    Definitely worth the wait!   Gorgeous – just gorgeous!

 

 

 

 

 

 

A change of shoes … and more photos…

 

 

 

 

 

 

And … my favorite from the entire session….

 

The high school senior girls that came in this year had so many fabulous looking grad dresses – they were all unique and fun and classy and pretty and suited each high school senior to a ‘T’.   I get a chance to see (and photograph) these dresses before anyone else!   I love my job!

 

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]]> http://www.marlenesdesignerportraits.com/blog/tahnees-grad-dress-revealed/feed/ 0 Colleen – ‘one of a kind’ http://www.marlenesdesignerportraits.com/blog/colleen-one-of-a-kind/ http://www.marlenesdesignerportraits.com/blog/colleen-one-of-a-kind/#comments Tue, 07 Jun 2011 16:55:00 +0000 admin http://www.marlenesdesignerportraits.com/blog/?p=2921 Colleen is one of 9 children.  Yes – that’s not a typo!   I have photographed her family and siblings quite often and I must say that Colleen is definitely ‘one of a kind’!    Previously, her sister and brother were in for their grad portraits…

 

 

Do you see a trend?    Both of them were photographed on my unique “Western” set.   This was ‘built’ in 2006 on the exterior wall of my garage and has proven to be quite popular – especially for my high school senior grads!   And, Colleen was no exception – we needed to use this set for her grad portraits.    Why did I say that Colleen is ‘one of a kind’???   Well, look at her awesome, unique grad dress.  It was perfect for her and she had red highlights put into her hair to match!

We started off with photographing her on my new Faux Copper Tile panels set in the studio…

 

I loved how much fun she seemed to be having!   Perhaps she just knew what to do in front of the camera, as she is taking photography in school.

 

 

 

It was windy outdoors, but I didn’t mind – it was perfect for her dress and flowing hair!   This next image is my absolute favorite!   Check out what the wind did – amazing…just amazing!

 

Kyle is the next brother to graduate and I’ve got to wait 3 years for that!!!!!  This ‘Western’ set will be even more weathered by then!  lol

 

Colleen – I can’t wait to see your portfolio!

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]]> http://www.marlenesdesignerportraits.com/blog/colleen-one-of-a-kind/feed/ 0 “Think of it as your ticket to change the world!” http://www.marlenesdesignerportraits.com/blog/think-of-it-as-your-ticket-to-change-the-world/ http://www.marlenesdesignerportraits.com/blog/think-of-it-as-your-ticket-to-change-the-world/#comments Thu, 24 Feb 2011 23:00:38 +0000 admin http://www.marlenesdesignerportraits.com/blog/?p=2773

“You are educated. Your certification is in your degree. You may think of it as the ticket to the good life. Let me ask you to think of an alternative. Think of it as your ticket to change the world.”  Tom Brokaw

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You are a High School Senior.  You’re graduating this year.  The world is your stage!  (okay – sounds corny)   But, really – you are ready to go out there… either to university or college or to get a job or even spend a few months overseas!    I remember the emotions I felt when I was ready to graduate from High School.   I wanted to take on the world!   I wanted to embrace the last few months of my senior year.    Bond with my friends – who knew where they were all off to?   My very best friend at the time moved to Edmonton shortly after graduation and I rarely see her – but we are still best friends!    I was so full of hope and excitement for what was the next chapter in my life.    How is/was your Senior Year?

One of my favorite quotes of all times!

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