BOZEMAN CHILDREN and SENIOR PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER, BOZEMAN BABY, CHILD, FAMILY and FAMILY REUNION PHOTOGRAPHY by MONTANA'S SUSANN SAAREL » Slideshows

Shine

Susann — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 15:44:32 +0000

Melissa took a little video footage during her 6-hour drive from Baker to Livingston, Montana for her Senior Spokesmodel photo session and I had so much fun incorporating that into her DVD show which is one of Animoto‘s new features. I love that just a few seconds of footage really gives a sense of Melissa’s sweet, fun-loving personality followed by her senior session photos in which she truly shines.

Feels like Christmas

Susann — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:06:34 +0000

It’s been snowing off and on all month so far which means quite a bit of plowing, shoveling, MUD, and keeping the winter gear at the ready for another few months just to be on the safe side (yes, we’ve had snow at late as June and as early as September at Sky Ranch!). So I’ve been working in my office here at 6,100 ft. this past week, watching the snow fall and thinking about how it looks like Christmas. And better yet, it feels like Christmas every time the FedEx and UPS drivers arrive to deliver all the fabulous new boutique products I’ll be displaying at the Grand Opening of The Boutique Salon tomorrow night…

So, just to give you a little background on my journey as a photographer and the concept behind The Boutique Salon, I thought I’d share with you this little promo video I created…just a little sneak peek of what’s to come.

I’d love to see you at the Grand Opening…and remember, we’ll also be hosting a Matilda Jane Trunk show for the 3-day event (the trunk is already here and let me tell ya, the clothes are darling!). Again, here are the details:

WHEN: Friday, April 16 from 6-8 pm and Saturday & Sunday from 11-3 pm

PLACE: 119-1/2 West Park, Livingston (just above the Mexican Restaurant)

Bring your friends!

Be Famous!

Susann — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:35:09 +0000

I officially announced our 2011 Senior Spokesmodel Search on our senior facebook page yesterday and the requests for applications are rolling in! We launched our Senior Spokemodel program last year with the introduction of 7 models from both Bozeman High and Park Senior High in Livingston. This year, I’m excited to be expanding our search to include applicants from within a 200 mile radius! So, if you’re currently a high school junior, Class of 2011, from Billings, Butte, Helena, Red Lodge, Missoula or even Great Falls, Montana, and are interested in representing Susann Saarel Seniors at your school, then by all means, fill out an application by February 28th! Click here for complete details.

We will be conducting informal interviews the first week of March and will announce our selections soon thereafter. 2011 Senior Spokesmodels will be featured on our website, blog and senior facebook page. Prepare to be famous!

Sparkles and Snowflakes

Susann — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 22:41:44 +0000

Creating DVD slideshows from session photos is just another creative outlet for me! This children’s session was a holiday surprise from mom to daughter (mother of these 4 cute kiddos…see Nina’s Surprise). This show really plays up the wintry holiday feel and the **sparkles**, well…they just make me happy! I love how a DVD slideshow really brings the images to life…

The DVD slideshow was a complement to the 10×10 Keepsake Album which came beautifully packaged in an Impression Case along with an 8×8 and a 5×5 mini-album. Yep, Nina went all out…here are a few images of the finished albums…

Most of all… to be able to enjoy the slideshow and wonderful lay-flat Keepsake Albums in the middle of a cold Montana Winter while sitting by a warm toasty fire…now THAT’s what I call LUXURY!

Ultra-Cool DVD Slideshows

Susann — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:49:49 +0000

You longer need to decide which images you want to order following your Senior or Child/Family Portrait Session for you can have it all in a Designer DVD slideshow! Your first impression is an exquisite satin-lined black leather DVD gift box. Very Fancy!!! Inside are the goods…a custom DVD slideshow created with up to 50 images from your session put to music and enhanced with special effects. These one-of-a-kind slideshows not only look fabulous when viewed on your big-screen TV, but when you order one, you will also receive a High-Definition MP4 video for stunning playback on your computer as well as a link to its own webpage for sharing on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, iPhone and more!

Incredible…I know. But seeing is believing, so in addition to posting these 3 new ultra-cool DVD slideshows on my senior site under ‘videos’, I’m posting them here as well. Check ‘em out…

Here’s Kailey and the ’67 Camaro:

Here’s Samantha:

and last but not least, here’s Mandi:

I know, I know…these are pretty hip and edgy. Not to worry…for children and family photo sessions, the Designer DVD slideshows are not nearly as rock & roll, but for high school seniors…these ROCK!

Joy and Love

Susann — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 06:04:57 +0000

I am going to take a detour from my usual posting of recent photo sessions and the like to share with you a cause very close to my heart. We are animal lovers and have several rescue animals of our own, including dogs, horses and goats and most recently a mallard duck…but our rescues, though varied, have been mild in comparison to that of my friend, Penny and the many other volunteers that came forth to assist in Operation New Beginnings in Billings, Montana when 200 dogs, mostly English Shepherds, were seized from hoarder, Linda Kapsa’s Ballantine property in December 2008.

Sadly, as this operation comes to a close within the next few weeks in Yellowstone County, Montana, dogs are being shipped cross country by the NESR (National English Shepherd Rescue) as opposed to being placed in homes right here in Montana. Volunteers who have given 8 months of their lives to these dogs, who love these dogs, know these dogs and with whom the dogs have bonded, are being denied adoption. Yellowstone County residents are being denied adoption. And yet, volunteers and Yellowstone County residents were to be given first priority in the adoption process by order of the District Court.

This video chronicles the story of one volunteer, Penny and her unwavering dedication to Joy and Love, both of which were denied a home with Penny…

Please…I know how busy you are, but it is within your power to make a difference TODAY. Please lend your support to Penny and the Operation New Beginnings volunteers by joining their cause, Give Joy and Her Friends a Voice or the Facebook Group at Give Penny her Puppy! to learn more about how you can help.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, thank you!

’67 Chevy Camaro

Susann — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:30:49 +0000

For her Urban Session, 2010 Senior Spokesmodel Kailey pictured herself with her dad’s classic ’67 Chevy Camaro. One he not only painstakingly rebuilt himself with original parts he had flown in from all over the country, but that he also custom-painted the exact shade of Mountain Dew! As Kailey described the car to me over the phone, my wheels started turning. I pictured her wearing her prom dress. And high heels. I knew the perfect Livingston locations to show off both Kailey and the car. It’s all set and I’m excited! So when her mom called me only hours before our session to tell me they can’t get the Camaro started, I just had to laugh. A few days later, the Camaro was up and running again and our session was on!

I love that the wind picked up, tossing Kailey’s hair and skirt every which way and that rather than worry what her hair looked like, that girl just kept on smiling! When the inevitable afternoon thunderstorm threatened us, we knew we had just enough time for our last stop…the Car Wash! Yep, when I pitched the idea to Kailey and then she to her dad, I knew I risked them both thinking me crazy. But oh, what fun it was!…all 3 minutes of it!

Kailey was a great sport…soaking wet by the end and still laughing. Thanks to dad, Scott for driving the Camaro from point A to point B and to mom, Val and little brother, CJ for coming along for the adventure! Here’s a little something extra I thought you all might enjoy:

Good Night, Sweet Angel

Susann — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:26:59 +0000

I was heartbroken to learn of the passing of sweet baby Kezley Kay Boyce who died peacefully wrapped in her mother’s arms early yesterday morning. I photographed Kezley and her brave young parents only 2 months ago in their Bozeman home as part of my Angel Baby program. This delicate, beautiful child lay contentedly in her crib that hot day in May, fans blowing to keep her cool and comfortable. A giant faux red rose blossom lay next to her, a gift from a family member who had visited just the day before. Yes, there were machines and tubes, but the presence and spirit of this baby girl overpowered them. I knew she had Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1, that according to what I’d read, meant she had 2 years at best, but if you met Kezley Kay in person, you’d deny it. After all, miracles do happen…

As a mother, I can only imagine the pain and strength of Candice to rock her beloved baby to sleep…for eternity. Then to let her go… to allow Kezley to be taken from her arms. For her father, Stewart, to kiss his sweet baby girl goodnight one last time…and all the extended family members present to say their last good-byes, much to soon, for a child much too young…

And we seek answers…

I pray for peace and healing for Kezley Kay’s parents, Candice & Stewart, for the grandparents, among them Julie and Kelly, who I spoke with today, and all extended family who were so involved in Kezley’s life. Today, there is another sweet angel in heaven and her name is Kezley…

Skateboard Heaven

Susann — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:43:56 +0000

His fascination began with the discovery of my 70′s longboard carefully stowed in the attic. Yep, I was a skateboarder back in my day and although I shudder to think how we used to shoot down Ashland Avenue and all the wipeouts we took on that steep hill, it’s nothing compared with the tricks skaters are busting today. (a little skateboarding lingo there)…

It wasn’t long before we spent $20 on a starter skateboard from Pamida in Livingston and started hitting the skateboard parks with Sam after school and on weekends. It seems as though practically every Montana town with kids has one…Livingston, Bozeman, Billings, Columbus and even Anaconda. It was hard to watch my 8 year-old Sam struggle to learn some basic tricks like the 180 while staying out of the way of the big boys. But the day Sam decided to take on the half-pipe is another story. He watched the skateboard “dudes” for what seemed like forever and finally lined up his board on the rim, ready to take the plunge. He searched for courage. I watched nervously, camera in hand, certain that I was about to witness a crash. Just then an old-school skater approached Sam to offer him some tips. It was a beautiful thing to watch…

In case you’re wondering, yes…there was a crash and a teary-eyed boy, but one that I was so proud of. The kid had guts. We went right out to World Boards in Bozeman and bought him a better skateboard. A year later, during our recent Spring Break, we ended up in Missoula and at a skateboard park that took even my breath away…MOBASH. Organized and paid for by a group of volunteers over a 7 year period, MOBASH opened in September 2006 to a crowd of 10,000 and a guest appearance by legendary skateboarder, Tony Hawk!

As you can see, my son was in “Skateboard Heaven”…

This is no such thing as skateboarding lessons…you learn by watching and “taking the plunge” on the streets or in the skateboard parks. If you “eat it” you get up right away and try it again. Kinda like riding a horse. Larissa has been asking for a World Board for awhile, and when Oma and Opa were just here for a Mother’s Day visit, they granted her wish. It’s a beautiful thing to see Sam return the favor and teach his twin sister the ropes. Check it out…

Senior Website and 2010 Spokesmodel Program debut!

Susann — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:40:10 +0000

After many years of photographing high school seniors, I’ve finally created a place just for YOU…a senior portrait website with cool music and even cooler images! The only thing cooler than that is my 2010 Senior Spokesmodel Program! Or perhaps its all the great new Senior Session Types that SUSANN SAAREL SENIORS is now offering. With names like “A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock ‘N Roll, The BYOBFF and Party of Five, you’re interest should be piqued.

To roll out the new Senior Site and Senior Spokesmodel Program in style, I’ve put together a short video of some of the 2009 Seniors photographed at Sky Ranch during the past year! Congratulations to the Class of 2009!!! You Rock!!!

I am now accepting applications for 2010 Senior Spokesmodels and received my first application from a Park High Junior yesterday!!! Right on! This is an amazing and fun program. Selected Spokesmodels will represent SUSANN SAAREL SENIORS at their high school during their senior year. Spokesmodels receive free sessions and fabulous goodies, are featured on my blog and website and can earn up to $1,250 in print credits. The combined value is at over $2,250!!! Details about the program and the Senior Spokesmodel Application can be found above under the “Information” link. I’m looking for guys too, so don’t be shy! If you are currently a High School Junior, Class of 2010, are outgoing and fun and LOVE to be in front of the camera, this opportunity is for YOU!

So spread the word, tell all your friends. SUSANN SAAREL SENIORS is here!