Welcome Charity! | New Communications Intern at Feather Blue Studios

We wanted to take a minute and welcome Charity to the Feather Blue Studios team!  She’s currently on board as a Communications Intern, and has already been helping out here at the studio for a few weeks.

With an outgoing personality, creative mind, and background in communications, public relations, and yep, hair-styling, she’s bringing lots to the studio and learning lots too!  I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Charity on a personal level for several years, so having her join the studio for a little while is quite the treat. 

Want to know more about her?  You’re in luck!

The “Meet Charity” Interview:

Q: Where are you going to school?

A: I graduated Regency Beauty Institute four years ago and have been a licensed cosmetologist ever since. I am currently in my last year at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul working on a BA in Public Relations. I love coloring hair and also writing papers.  Strange but true.

Q: What did you do this summer?

A: This summer I had an internship working for a directors firm in Shanghai, China. I spent 2 months navigating the city (mostly by subway!), visiting market places and eating delicious food. My love for China increased almost as much as my love for street fried dumplings, and that is saying a lot.

Q: What extracurricular activities do you do?
A: Speech team!! I love it! I compete for UNW and I always keep my eyes peeled for poetry slams.

Q: What is one weird fact about you?

A: I am allergic to exercise. Literally. I have a rare condition called sports induced anaphylaxis. Hopefully the zombie apocalypse doesn’t’t come anytime soon otherwise I am toast!

Q: So you don’t play sports, do you watch any?

A: Yes, but only one: baseball. Go Twins!

Q: Tell us about your family.

A: I am the oldest of 4 kids. I have two brothers and a sister. My sister and one of my brothers are twins! They are only 2 years younger than me. I am sure my mom had tons of fun with 3 kids in diapers at once!

If you want to chat with Charity or Shannon or learn more about Feather Blue Studios’ latest events or specials, check out our Facebook page or get in touch with us today! 651.489.8281  —  FeatherBlueStudios@juno.com  —  Modern Photography, Como Park Area, St Paul MN

Celebrating 10 Years of Business: Feather Blue Studios Turns 10! | Como Park Photographer, Photography Business Twin Cities MN

Ask anyone who runs a small business and they'll tell you it's a lot of work.  Lots and lots of work.  But seeing your dreams, your ideas, your inspiration come to life... via creativity and late nights and bubbling optimism... it's all worth it.  I'm an entrepreneur at heart, and it's hard to imagine things any other way.

Have I learned a lot?  Yes.  Have I made business mishaps?  Absolutely.  And I'm all the better for it.

While many things have changed over time here at the studio, one thing I can say with certainly -- I have genuine care for each of my clients and their needs, whether it's for family pictures or updated website images. I am so honored to be part of their legacy.

As of May I've been in business for 10 years.  Earlier this month we held a little open house at the studio for friends and some fellow business-owning gals to pop in and celebrate with us. Here's a few snapshots we caught before the night began.

Three cheers for all of the small businesses that abound -- hard work does pay off!

For the friends and clients that have supported me these last 10 years... I am so very grateful.  I hope I have been a blessing to you in some way.

How to Rock This "Senior Picture Thing": The Scoop on How Senior Pictures Work & Why They Matter | High School Senior Picture Info, St. Paul, Minneapolis, Twin Cities

Wow - that Senior Year is coming up fast!  

If your son or daughter (yes, your baby!!) is graduating next year -- or if you're an upcoming Senior yourself (go class of 2016!) -- here's our take on how to "rock this Senior Picture thing,"  FAQ style...  

Q: Why do Senior Pictures even matter?  Everyone has a digital camera these days.

A: It's true, snapshots abound.  But how many of those images end up actually in print?  Or are even in focus, for that matter?  Senior pictures are a long-withstanding tradition for a reason -- short of wedding pictures, they are often the only professional photo an individual will have taken in their adult life.  Think about that...  The photo that will be on mom's wall for 50 years, or be featured at a person's funeral (after they've lived a long, well-loved life!).  Senior pictures are significant.  A rite of passage.  An heirloom.

Additionally, at an age of transition, the right senior pictures can provide a confidence boost  --  seeing your very-best-self in print is uplifting and motivating  -- just what's needed as a student goes into their Senior Year and begins to make decisions about college or life changes.

Q: So how do I pick a photographer?

A: You find a photographer whose style you love and whose work you trust.  Due to the influx of digital cameras, there are a lot of options for you!  This is great!  But this means you have more research to do to avoid the not-so-great-ones.  We recommend you choose someone with experience.  This isn't the kinda thing you want to cut corners on -- let's face it, getting excited about your pictures and then seeing a deflated version of what you were hoping for is a really big let-down.  

Here at Feather Blue Studios, photographer Shannon Tacheny has over 10 years of experience.  She also has worked in the fashion industry, so if artistic, fresh, modern images are what you're going for, this might be the place for you.  If you're hoping for something that looks like it came straight from a magazine -- but will still make a great art piece on mom's wall for the next 50 years -- yep, we can do that.  We shoot in-studio (on one of dozens of bright solid or fun patterned backgrounds), outdoors, or both!

Q: My student is a Junior.  Remind me why I'm thinking about this again?
A: Since yearbook deadlines are generally in the fall (check with your school, but they usually fall between October and December of the start of the school year), most seniors do their sessions in the summer before their Senior Year, or the Fall of; some even as early as May of their Junior year!  So thinking ahead is a good idea. Summer and fall get busy quickly!

Q: So how does this whole Senior Picture thing work then?
A: Well, here's how it works here at Feather Blue Studios:

-Senior sessions at Feather Blue Studios cost just $250 (for up to 2 outfits, you can affordably add a 3rd or 4th outfit if you like), and that INCLUDES $100 of credit that you can use toward professional prints or digital images.  Most of our clients love that they can order professional, retouched, printed artwork for their home and family, with no work on their end.  We do all the work, you get all the credit!  You order completely a la carte, from our great selection of prints and items (starting at $18).  There are no minimum orders, and no packages to squeeze into.  We do have a fabulous custom collection program for orders over the $450 range, complete with a discount and free gift.

-You'll want to book your session about 3-4 weeks before you're ready for it to take place.  Late-afternoon / evening sessions in the summer are hot time slots if you want your collection of images to include sun-flare outdoors (like this picture below). 

Q: How do we order our pictures?
A: After your session, you'll get an online gallery with artistically color-corrected images that you can view and share.  And shortly after, you'll come in for an ordering appointment to take care of final decisions, and add-on any wall prints, wallets, collages, or other fun products that might interest you  ---  we should note, this is a no-pressure appointment.  We want you to get only what you love.  Later on in the year, you can order grad announcements if you want as well.

Q: Is retouching included? 
A: On all final prints or images that you order on, yes, absolutely; we do very natural, light retouching so you look like the very best you.  No worries about blemishes or extra shine.  We'll make you pop! 

Q: What does a student wear for their senior pictures?
A: The short answer is: whatever they want.  (With mom & dad's blessing hopefully!)  Most seniors will shoot in 2-4 outfits.  Guys tend to be ok with the 1 or 2 looks, gals prefer to do 3-4.  But it's really up to you.  We have a little pinterest collection here for some inspiring senior picture fashion ideas.

Q: Where are you located?
A: Feather Blue Studios has been in business for ten years.  Shannon has a cozy studio space in the charming Como Park area of St Paul, very near Como Lake (where we have beautiful options to shoot by), and not far from the Conservatory & Zoo.  We are easy to get to, and the entire experience is relaxed and low-key.

Shannon Tacheny of Feather Blue Studios is an experienced senior picture photographer in the St. Paul (Como Park) area, specializing in modern / contemporary senior pictures with an editorial edge and fashion flair. 

Feather Blue Studios is located in Saint Paul MN and serves high school seniors for the surrounding Twin Cities and East Metro area, including all of St. Paul, Minneapolis, Roseville, White Bear Lake, Shoreview, Mounds View District, North St. Paul, Eagan, Woodbury, and more!

http://www.FeatherBlueStudios.com

FeatherBlueStudios@juno.com  |  651.489.8281

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tags: Class of 2014 Senior Pictures MN, St. Paul Senior Picture Photography, Saint Paul Senior Picture Photographer, Twin Cities Senior Picture Photography, Twin Cities Senior Picture Info, Roseville Senior Picture Photography, Mounds View Senior Pictures, White Bear Lake Senior Picture Photographer, Highland Park Senior Pictures, Como Park Senior Pictures, Modern Senior Pictures St. Paul, Fashion Senior Picture Sessions, Contemporary Senior Pictures Minneapolis, Minneapolis Senior Picture Photographer