10 Best Professional Services in Brightwaters, NY

If you've been wanting to try a boudoir photography session, but have been putting it off, now's the time to give it a try! July 15th through August 15th is the time to schedule a session to capture your beautiful tans! Hubbies, boyfriends, fiances, significant others (whichever may apply) will thank you for it! You choose the theme - whether vintage retro pinup-girl, calendar girl, sophisticated woman, or some other. And you decide how revealing or not you want your session to be. I promise you'll have fun in the process! What's involved: Boudoir Photography packages normally start at $300.00, but if you book your 2009 boudoir session between now and August 15th, you'll have the opportunity to avail yourself of the following special offer: The Classy Boudoir Photo Shoot $175 1 hour photo shoot 2 outfits 3 fully retouched 8x10s of your choice As usual, makeup and hair artistry is available as an add-on if you really want something special. Don't miss out! This special won't be around forever. Call Susan at 631.398.4487 to book your session today. Have a great week! Best, Susan Eckert www.liboudoirphotography.com

By LI Art Photography

Expressive Photography: Shooting Images to Express Emotion

There are a lot of things I love about photography. But the diversity of subjects you can focus on is high on the list. Yesterday was an extremely stressful day. And craziness seemed to be coming from all directions. But once I'd put the kiddies to bed, I decided the best way to relax, to release all that stress, was to shoot. So I set up a new backdrop that had just arrived from overseas. I set up different configurations of vases, flowers, fabric, chairs and other decor, until I found one that said "serenity." It took a few tries. The first image was nice, but didn't quite express the mood I was going for. But once I shot the second photograph, I knew I was done. It was the last image I shot. In the second image -- the softeness of the tulle fabric, the muted tones of the backdrop, the single flower, and the antique vase -- everything works together to create a calming image I want to keep looking at, to dive into even. I've now set it as my backdrop. So that as I work on my computer, I can take breaks, minimize any open windows, and just relax. This coming fall, I will be launching a line of greeting cards. I'm sure this soft photograph will ultimately serve as one of the featured images in my collection. Have a great, relaxing week. : ) Best, Susan Eckert http://www.liartphotography.com http://www.liboudoirphotography.com

By LI Art Photography

A Memorial Day Vow

Some of the best photos happen the smiles they reveal come from within. There's a spark, a feeling of life, of authenticity that happens when a smile is genuine. I've always known this, and yet I have to admit that I've nonetheless cultivated a bad habit: sometimes I'll ask my model to "Smile." But if I'm honest, I have to admit that that well-intentioned directive never delivers what I'm really after. And so, I'm making a vow, starting right now, to never tell one of my clients (which I endearingly call my models) to "Smile." At best, "Smile" gets me a canned grin. But more often, it's something more like a grimace (NOT a good look!). In short, it's never the expression I'm after because, ironically or no, "Smile" never inspires a genuine smile. In most instances when I say "Smile," I realize that I'm reacting to the nervousness I sense from behind my camera. Of course, my intention is to help the person relax. But, "Smile" never does the trick. And in fact, it probably does the opposite by pressuring my model into faking it. (YIKES!) Stupid is as stupid does. So, I'm wisening up. You see, I've also found that engaging my model in coversation, learning a bit about them while we shoot--finding out where their interests lie, the particular brand of wit and humor they appreciate--is all very useful. This information clues me in on the things that will help bring out that genuine smile. And while I'm no comic, I can and usually do call on a sharp sense of wit. Thankfully, this allows me to make people smile, laugh, forget they're posing in front of a camera. Even if just for a little while. In fact, sometimes we end up finding it hard to keep a straight face....such as in my boudoir sessions, where my models tend more often than not arrive tense and nervous at first. It's hard to convey sexiness when you're busy laughing. So, it's a constant balance. I want to make my models feel comfortable, confident, and happy. Because that's the way to a genuine smile, to capturing that spark that will ultimately make for a great image. It's a challenge that begins anew each and every time I start a session with a new individual. But it's one I look forward to each and every time! And I promise, I'll never again try to achieve it by saying "Smile!" Best wishes for a happy Memorial Day weekend from my family to yours! Susan Eckert www.liartphotography.com www.liboudoirphotography.com ************* Susan Eckert is a portrait and event photographer based in Brightwaters, Long Island in New York. She works with clients all across Long Island, and the metro New York City area.

By LI Art Photography