Author: CocoAlley

Have you updated your headshots? {North GA Photographer}

Let’s talk business! While we LOVE taking pictures of your families we know many of you have a professional side that is extremely important as well. We have been getting a ton of client requests lately wishing to update their professional headshots! Because we  love this trend, we wanted to touch on a few important points regarding the importance of having a genuine and natural looking image to represent who you are and what you do! Regardless of your industry: doctor, teacher, actress/model, chef, pilot, attorney, sport pro,therapist,entrepreneur… your promotional photos should make a statement by capturing your authentic self.  Photos in which people appear confident, relaxed and comfortable in their own skin are not only inviting, but make prospects feel way more confident in the service you can provide them over someone who looks stuffy or like they were forced to sit still for a picture. I think we have all seen the unfortunate strained ” I had to take this picture and smile at the camera for my business profile picture” picture!

So wether this is your current situation or maybe you don’t even have a headshot presently, here are some of the ways we’ve helped our clients put forth an image that perfectly represents them along with a few things that we have learned through experience and doing research to insure we remain up to date with the current marketing trends. You’ll notice we didn’t reference using a professional to take your professional photos because if your here reading this , well you  already see the value in that : )

 

  • Everyone, no matter the field, should have a professional headshot! Taking it one step further, including photos of you and/or your team providing services or in “action” is another great way to get your message across while giving the public another opportunity to get to know you and what you do! Consumers love personal touches when viewing webpages.

 

  • Stay with the times and keep it fresh! Do this by having your promotional photos taken outdoors or in your place of business vs using a plain studio background. Yes, solid old school backdrops have their time and place however, over the last few years many have moved far away from this look. The use of space, color, texture and natural light has proven to be more appealing to the eye and less likely to get passed over. This is HUGE if you have a large target market and a lot of local competition!  Be memorable!

 

  • We live in a digitail world where websites, online press releases, newsletters, blogs, LinkedIn and other social media platforms are used for networking and marketing opportunities. Now days just about everyone is walking around with a computer in their pocket via their smart phone. Images that you will use for print and those that look best online are not created equally! We provide our clients with two types of digital files. A high resolution version for all printed materials as well as a web optimized version for easy uploading. The later will also appear quickly on your business pages. There is nothing more frustrating than waiting for a page to finish loading due to a heavy image file! And on the subject of technology…absolutely NO CELL PHONE SELFIES lol! #justsayno

Alpharetta Photographer

 

Some of our previous head shots for models, real estate agents and other business professionals.

A Gray Snow Day! {Alpharetta Photographer}

Hmmmmm…. Slight dilemma… I have a ton of editing to complete for multiple sessions, Grayson is super crabby and it’s nap time BUT it’s flurrying like crazy outside!!!!! Poor little Gray guy has either been too little or too sick to get to go out in the snow so this was kinda a no brainer! Sometimes you have to push the schedule aside, bundle up, grab a camera and head outside to enjoy the snow with your little people! So worth it! It’s all about making memories after all! So thankful I did because the snow started to melt right about the time we were ready to come in!

P.S- to my clients waiting on image galleries I promise they it will be worth it ???

Alpharetta Photographer

Alpharetta photographer childrens portraits-15

 

Welcome to the world! {Alpharetta Newborn Photographer}

My three brothers… My ride or die, best friends for life! We’ve seen each other through breakups,makeups,countless moves, funerals,weddings and most recently…. babies. Each of these handsome guys are completely different and I have a special & unique relationship with each one. They would however each individually tell you they are the best looking Frankel as well as my kids favorite uncle lol!

I’m sure you can imagine when your baby brother, the very same one that was happy to play GI Joe with Barbies when the other two refused, finally brings his girlfriend to meet the fam, it’s a pretty big deal! When said little brother (Matt) came to me for help picking out an engagement ring I’d be lying to say I didn’t shed some happy tears. Watching him marry Abby, who is his stylish tender hearted perfect match, there were a lot more tears. Fast forward to holding their newborn son for the first time last week… it was hard not to bawl like a baby (luckily I some what kept it together). Now, You may remember my older brother Brad and his saint of a wife Nicole (I never said my brothers were easy), welcomed their second child Cara just three months ago. As with the birth of their first child Calen, I was extremely emotional watching him experience the love and life of being a parent. Well its been down hill from there because editing these newborn photos of Matt, Abby and the newest Frankel baby, Avery Gray…. I was straight up sobbing! We are talking ugly cry, could barely see my computer screen boo hoo’ing lol! In the moment of a session I’m in a zone attempting to get the best shots I can. Creative juices take over and naturally my emotions get pushed aside. These resulting images probably speak for themselves but getting home and seeing the pure love, joy, excitement and peace captured in their faces just knocked me over!

I love you guys and couldn’t be any happier for you! Avery- welcome to the world little buddy! I can’t wait to watch you grow and spoil you rotten!

P.S – Can you believe this gorgeous momma is camera shy??? Or that she even just had a baby?!!!

Alpharetta Photographer

newborn photography alpharetta

newborn photography alpharetta

Snow day Fun day {Canton, GA Photographer}

We spend a lot of time dreaming up creative session concepts and scouting for new & interesting locations. We also welcome the times when clients come to us with a certain vision in mind. It’s so much fun to bounce ideas off each other, build on it then watch their vision take shape. So when Amber Lynn emailed to see if I’d be interested in planning a spontaneous session for her family that would entail woods, snow, and formal wear, it took me about 15 seconds to respond “yes please!!!!”. After discussing the over all feel , their outfits and planning the perfect makeup look, all we had to do is wait for snow. Actually, pray would be a much better word lol! Luckily this past Saturday the wait was over and we got a strong little dusting and steady stream of flurries! So the troops were rallied together and the result images did not disappoint! With how warm it has been lately its so hard to believe we took these two weeks ago tomorrow! CRAZY!

If you have ever looked through our galleries then this amazing family will look very familiar to you! I love,love, love shooting with them!

Alpharetta Photographer

family pictures canton ga

photographer canton ga

 

Welcome to the World Tyler! {Cumming Newborn Photographer}

They say all babies are different and let me tell you the same goes for their deliveries!
The plan to document baby Tyler’s first hours /days of life (often referred to as a Fresh 48 session in the photography world) was set back when Whitney and Brian scheduled their maternity session. If you are new to the blog and haven’t seen those images be sure to check them out because they are adorbs! Back to my story … When I learned Whitney was going to be induced a few weeks early and that I would coincidently be right near the hospital with my camera on that very morning, I decided I would drop in to wish her luck and get a few shots of the happy couple and their amazing (and excited) family waiting for Tyler James to arrive! Let’s just say it’s a good thing they didn’t have their heart set on a Labor & Delivery session (thats exactly what it sounds like folks.. And yes it’s totally a thing!) because baby T was in noooooo rush to grace us with his presence! He must have have been real warm and snuggly in momma’s belly because he wasn’t born until almost 33 hours AFTER I said goodbye to a patient, yet uncomfortable, mommy to be! By the time I got back to the hospital little man was a day and a half day(s) old and all seemed to be forgotten! What a lucky little boy to be surrounded by so much love! Everyone just couldn’t get enough! Between his aunts, grandparents and his hopelessly in love mommy & daddy, there will be no shortage of hugs & kisses in his future!! Fresh 48 photography session Northside Forsyth GA, Labor and delivery photography Cumming GA, Newborn portraits Cumming ga

Alpharetta Photographer

Honey’s Haven {North GA Photographer}

As many of you know I’m part of the Alpharetta Public Safety family. I thoroughly enjoy being a “police” wife! It isn’t easy (especially these days) but I do take pride in it. Lyla loves telling people her Daddy catches bad guys and teaches people how to be safe. Hagen, who isn’t even 2 yet, lights up when he hears sirens, his eyes get huge and he yells “Daddy!!!”

I have many police wife friends that I love dearly. We just understand and get each other in a special way. We can all agree the sound the Velcro makes on their bullet proof vests while being ripped apart at the end of the day, is like music to our ears! Yep! Means he’s home safe and sound! We all also tend to spend lots of time with our kids especially when our guys pick up “ejs” ( extra job- like when you see an officer working a movie theater, or maybe a special event)…did I say a lot?? So when a fellow police wife invites you on a girls weekend to a cabin  in the beautiful North Georgia mountains of Blue Ridge….you go! Well…first you check if your hubby has any ejs that weekend. Is he on shift? No? Ok. YES! Run!! We almost didn’t get to go.  A winter storm was rolling in and ice was expected. I’m pretty sure we were all pacing while trying to decide. BUT we made it! We got snowed iced in and let me tell you it was amazing! We had a fire going the whole time, a hot tub surrounded by snow, girly movies, Phase 10, and some amazing food! So our macho husbands held down the fort (although we received a picture of all 4 dads tied up and 11 kids holding the rope…absolutely priceless!) and let us enjoy a weekend away! That doesn’t happen often ever in our world so we let it all go and played like kids in the snow!

 

 

Santa?! In January?! {Cumming, GA Photographer}

As photographers we are busy bees snapping away other families’ special moments year- round, then spending time behind the computer editing them.  My family’s pictures kinda get put on the back burner here and there. Especially with the holidays happening all at the same time! But here you have it, my kids did in fact get to see Santa Claus (in December)! I know, I know…it’s almost February. I am well aware! haha! THE BEST Santa comes to our neighborhood clubhouse every year. I don’t think we can ever move, because he is just that good. After we visited with Santa, we headed to the park in the neighborhood. Since I still had my camera, I thought why not snap some pictures of the kids playing? Man oh man you guys…I am sooo glad I did! I caught them, not only, having a blast but the amazingly sweet moments captured between John and Lyla absolutely melt my heart. I hope they bring a smile to your face today! 🙂

Let it snow!

Growing up in NY the thought of a snow day created an almost unbearable excitement come sunrise! I remember rushing to the window to see if the streets were covered in white, and listening for the echo of the local news coming from my parents room waiting for the confirmation of school closures! EEEKKKKK! Those memories really stick with you forever man!

Last year we were able to watch Gabby experience the joy of the surprise day off delivered by mother nature, and got to make a few fun snow day memories with her! I pray we get a day or two off this school year! These are by far some of my favorite pictures taken of Gabby to date! We had so much fun playing outside together and I’d be lying if I didn’t melt inside when she ran in to grab her camera so she could “take shots” with mommy!  Forever my little partner in crime! Wait until you see her little stance lol!  Hopefully we can take Gray bear out with us this year!

P.S. – Keep an eye on Facebook and Instagram for pop up snow day session locations!!!!! If we can get to you, we want to shoot you : )

Alpharetta Photographer

 

Collins, Party of 16! {North GA Family Photography}

You read that right!! 16 peeps, people! I was contacted by Becky, a mom of a family I shot at the ONE photo shoot for the Cheyenne Heard Memorial Fund Benefit, because her mother wanted a big family photo shoot. Since all her daughters and their little ones would be in the same town at the same time, they finally had prime opportunity! I was ecstatic! So we kicked off the New Year on January 1st and met in Downtown Ball Ground. It was cloudy and cold really cold, but this was a group of troopers! The kids cooperated amazingly and we knocked out the shoot! You can tell these cousins have a special bond, just look at them! The sisters are now married and mommies, but I could tell they are super close! Cheryl, better known as Granny :), e-mailed me after receiving the pictures  thanking me for  “capturing the fun moments we share as a family. I cannot wait to display them in our home.” This is why I love what I do and knowing they will hang these images on their wall is one of the greatest compliments I could ask for as a photographer, it makes my heart sing!! They will forever have these photos to keep as a memory! Enjoy this fun bunch! 🙂

 

Gabby turns 6!

I can’t believe my little Gabby girl is 6! Last year was all about Frozen but this year she asked if she could have a slumber party, so we did just that! 5 of her little friends spent the night this past weekend and we had a blast! The girl’s ages spanned from 4 years old up to 8! I was extremely impressed not only by their sweet natures and good manners but also by how well they played together! Lets just say there was a lot of giggling going on and new friendships made! I want to give a shout out to these little ladies’ mommies! They were all a pleasure and welcomed here anytime! Gabby loves them so much! We hit full meltdown mode over the fact that ” they can’t live here all the time.”

They played, had pizza, danced, sang  karaoke, watched movies and got their finger nails painted. Needless to say they were pooped! I knew they would sleep well! When I first started planning this party I had my heart set on surprising Gabs and her friends with tents. I found an amazingly detailed tutorial and set out to find fabric. As the party got closer and closer I told my hubby we would probably have to scrap the idea! I just didn’t think I could pull it off in time. Well Shaun stepped up and insisted I let him take the project over! Boy am I glad he did! The tents were a HUGE hit and each and every girl played and slept in their little huts. What’s awesome is they are supper light and collapse for easy storage under a bed! THANK YOU SHAUN! As always, you are my personal superhero! Gabby is a lucky girl!

I can’t wait to see what my creative, silly and passionate little nugget’s 6th year will bring! I’m just a proud mommy along for the ride!

Alpharetta Photographer