The simple answer is everyone, whether it’s a five year old hilariously sharing tales from their spot on the Kindergarten carpet or a twenty-something telling stories of life on their own for the first time or a wise grandparent who has lived life on the same property since childhood. To the people who love you most, having tangible evidence of these stories is paramount. 

Humans have used storytelling as a way of communicating and preserving our shared heritage for thousands of years. It’s what we do around the campfire, at the kitchen table, at memorial services, when we find time to reunite with an old friend, and when we need a good laugh. Storytelling is what has always connected us, dating all the way back to the cave man days. Even cavemen knew the importance of documenting their everyday stories through pictures, because they had yet to create a written language. Equally as important, storytelling through visual imagery has had the power to help people feel seen, heard and understood throughout history.  It gives us a sense of belonging to see our portraits proudly hung on the walls of our homes, and that is something everyone needs!

LEGENDS is about authenticity for the life you are living now.  Show up in a way that makes YOU feel good.  If that is sweats, your jersey, a ball gown, or your well lived-in, favorite hoodie- it’s completely your choice.  Hire our amazing hair and make-up artist or put on a ball cap or throw it all up in a messy bun; either way, we can’t wait to see you show up for yourself.

This entire project came into focus for me when we found out my grandma was terminally ill. I realized far too late that I desperately needed to know more about the life she had lived. And then this became a theme in other parts of my photography career for those I was photographing. I realized that I had created a really cathartic, open, safe space where people naturally told me stories about their lived experiences while we were shooting.  

I admit that I was nervous when I started advertising this project, because the first people to come to me had incredibly vulnerable stories to share.  They encompassed these profound moments in their lives and changed my perspective as a human just hearing them, and I didn’t want people to think that this was about coming to the studio with heavy, teary-eyed stories (although it certainly can be).  But the truth is, to the people who love you, even the stories you would deem as mundane, turn out to be profound to the people who love you.  My dad told me stories of his 4-H days raising sheep; things I never knew and then through that story, I learned about my grandparents’ lives and their personalities. It opened a whole new world for me, and I could see the people they were more clearly. 

So when someone says, “I don’t think I have anything that great to share,” I can promise that it all matters, because it is in those stories that you have become the person you are today. I have set-up a bit of a pre-consultation before we even start the session to walk you or your loved one through what the session day might look like and what those stories might be for you.

Yes, please. Surrounding ourselves with the people we love- the ones who understand us best, can bring great comfort. Whether it is a pet or your person, if they are a part of your story, we would love to have them.

All of our LEGENDS sessions will be held in my studio space in The Brinkerhoff Mansion on the north side of Springfield. All photos will be taken on a neutral backdrop with studio lighting. However, if you are purchasing this session for someone with limited mobility, we can certainly do a session in the Springfield area and on-location for an additional travel fee.

Yes, I will be creating a voice recording of each session that will then be transcribed into a written form.  That written transcript will be sent home with the beautiful products you choose to print.  

…AND for one of my most favorite parts of the whole vision behind this session… 

It’s optional, but I truly hope you will choose to join in on the love, because I have watched the powerful effect it has had on those who participate… As a surprise, I always ask friends and family to write a love letter to the person being photographed and send it to me along with a voice recording of you reading that letter outloud.  When the person who is being photographed sees their images on the big screen for the first time during our Reveal and Ordering Session, they will not only see themselves stunningly portrayed, but they will also hear your voice telling them how much you love them, what it means to have them in your life, and how beautifully they belong.  It is incredibly powerful for everyone in the room.  That letter is then attached to the back of their printed image so that any time they need a little reminder or a feel-good moment, they can pull it out and remember who they are and how loved they are.

We offer all of our beautiful archival prints for your walls in many sizes, our engraved legacy box with 8” x 10” archival prints inside, and the luxury leather album that is handcrafted on the Amalfi Coast in Italy, but I am thrilled to add a couple of additional products specifically for this project.

I have a collage of images that will be printed on our archival paper and then mounted on styrene. This is perfect for framing or simply setting on an easel for a bookshelf or mantel display. In addition, I am also adding in a hard cover accordion book to our product list. This beautiful book folds out and stores multiple images in a mini album format for safe keeping.

To see examples of these products and view our pricing list, fill-out the inquiry form at the bottom of this page, and I will contact you to set-up a Discovery Call to discuss specifics.