Joanne Lee Photo Blog

Have a Little One Turning One? Schedule a First Birthday Cake Smash Session! by Baby Photographer Joanne Lee

Is your baby turning ONE?

Know someone who's about to celebrate this important milestone?

Maine Photography studio, Joanne Lee Photography offers cake smash sessions for your child's first birthday! Why not document this special time with a very SPECIAL PORTRAIT?!!! Leave the mess to us and we will make it happen! Every parent loves seeing their precious baby on that first birthday with a cake in front of them..instead of that blurry picture with your child in the high chair at home, have a professional portrait created of this event that you will cherish FOREVER!

Our ONE YEAR CAKE SMASH sessions are only $99. After you schedule your baby's session, we will send you all of the tips on how to prepare for this fun, exciting session. Laughter fills the studio as we watch little ones DIVE into their cake! We will even clean up the mess after! It's a win-win!

If you are in southern Maine, or the New England area, call the studio to schedule a

CAKE SMASH SESSION today! 207.450.9641

 

 

Pet Photo Special! Don't Miss Out! Maine Pet Photographer, Joanne Lee

Don't miss out on this great special! Save 40% on any pet session now through March 8th!!! I've extended the special a few days since there has been such a great response!!!!! Call today to book your dog's photo session! (or cat, bunny, or ???) 207.450.9641

Hope to see your furry friend in front of my lens soon!

Lucky Pup Rescue, Dogs available for adoption..Portraits by Joanne Lee Photography

Meet Rachel! She is a gorgeous, young dog (a little over a year old) who is available for adoption through the amazing rescue group, Lucky Pup Rescue, a 501(c)3 non-profit serving Southern Maine. I had the opportunity to photograph Rachel this weekend when her foster mom brought her in. What a beautiful, calm, serene dog! She has a very gentle spirit about her. I love how her foster mom calls her "Twinkle Toes!" So cute!! Here's what her foster mom had to say..

"Rachel is a little timid and shy, but she is a snuggle bug, loves to cuddle, does well with other dogs, loves to play with them! she would love to have another dog in her forever home. Rachel is good with children. she is house trained and crate trained. is working on leash skills...

I call her 'twinkle-toes' because she really is NOT very light on her feet."

 

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MEET MARKUS!!!!

Meet Markus! He is a handsome dog looking for his forever home! He has a heartbreaking history as a stray from Northern Maine. He was on the run for quite some time and Lucky Pup Rescue tells me he was the skinniest dog they had ever seen. This pup's luck changed when the animal control officer was finally able to reach him and get him to a warm, safe place.

 

 

 When I met him, I instantly saw the survivor in him. What a courageous animal! He is a sweet, sweet dog! His foster mom says:

 "Markus is great with people. He seems very happy with anyone he meets (as I can tell by his constant tail wagging - probably expects a treat from them since he usually gets one!) He seems curious and interested in other dogs walking by on his walks. He is starting to look so healthy. He sleeps straight through the night, and well into the late morning!"

He was so calm when we took his pictures. Love him! I'm honored to be able to photograph dogs for Lucky Pup. They are a gift to our canine friends, for certain!

Here's one more image of Markus...

Puppy Portraits! Who can resist puppy photos?

Meet Bailey! Baily is an 11 week old Lab mix. Her owner has been a Facebook friend of mine for some time, and also follows my Facebook business page. When she contacted me to photograph her new puppy, I couldn't have been happier! We finally got to meet in person, not to mention I got to enjoy that 'new puppy smell'!

Bailey's doggie mom is doing all of the right things as a new pet owner. She is outstanding with all of the work she is putting into training Bailey. Puppy classes, crate training, consistency...all things that are sooooo important when welcoming a new pet into your home. I am so happy for her and for Bailey!! That is one lucky dog!!

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So, with all of the dogs we have had in the studio lately, I have decided to do a PET PORTRAIT SPECIAL!

All Pet Sessions now through March 1st are only $59!! Call me to set your appointment!

207-450-9641

 

Vintage Hair & Makeup....Joanne Lee, Photographer

Are you loving all of the blog posts lately? I certainly hope so! I am making a concerted effort to be more active here on the blog. I must say, the advent of my studio Facebookpage has caused the blog posts to wane. But, I'm back!

Lately, I'm obsessed with Pinterest and YouTube. If you want to be inspired or learn how to do practically ANYTHING, you can find the answers there! I have always wanted to wear my hair in "Victory Rolls"....and lo and behold, there are a TON of tutorials on YouTube. I am a visual person and watching the videos made doing my hair like that EASY! I've utilized make up tutorials, wardrobe inspiration, color boards and more on those sites.

Well, that's all for today. I'm wrapping up my day. Today was absolutely terrific! I received a thank you for a thank you note I sent...HOW COOL IS THAT? I had a very productive business meeting at 7am, followed by another great business meeting at 9am, then an afternoon of volunteering. Next, my boys and I visited a family member in a nursing home and are now enjoying some quiet time at home! Ahh.....I love that!! How was your day?

Have You Dreamed of Doing a Vintage Pin Up Portrait? Pin Up Event Coming to Joanne Lee Photography!

*Images used by permission of Robert Akers Photography*

Have you ever secretly dreamed of being a model in a vintage pin up poster? Do you love looking at vintage Hollywood portraits and image a portrait of yourself like that? Well, I have some exciting news to share with you!!!!

Joanne Lee Photography has teamed up with award-winning photographer, Robert Akers, to bring you an exclusive Pin Up and Hollywood Glamour Event! I am soooo excited! We are currently working on the styling(wardrobe). Yesterday, Bob and I spent the day finalizingthe details. If this is something you have ALWAYS wanted to do for yourself, NOW IS THE TIME!!

*****THIS EVENT WILL BE LIMITED TO ONLY 6 PEOPLE!*****

Participants will be treated to the Hollywood treatment. Hair and makeup styling (keeping with the pin up style) will be available on site from the incredibly talented Amy Valente! You can see her work in the first three photos of this post. Amy was our model and did a phenomenal job! She is a stylist at a salon in Windham, and really is extraordinary at what she does.

After hair and makeup, Bob and I will take time to carefully select your theme/wardrobe. Some of that planning will also have taken place each participant prior to the event. Once in front of the camera, we will walk you through flattering poses and expressions. I can tell you, from the feedback of the two models above, they had a blast!! Here is what Amy had to say about her session...

"It was so much fun, I highly recommend doing this, if not for your sweetie, for yourself! Robert and Joanne are so talented, funny, and they make you feel so comfortable, and then you get these fun photos to keep forever!" - Amy Valente

We are in the process of finalizing the date for this event. This is a once-in-a-lifetime portrait experience. The 'Pin Up Experience' fees will range from $150 - $350 (portraits additional). Remember, we are only able to accommodate SIX appointments for this event. If you are interested, please contact our studio so that you can be first on the list when we set the date. Call the studio 207-450-9641 today!

Valentine's Day Love Story from Photographer, Joanne Lee

Happy Valentine's Day!

Who doesn't love a LOVE STORY?! Seeing as though it is Valentine's Day, I figured I would share a recent love story. If you are a regular blog reader, you know of my love for animals. I have carried this love over into my work, photographing homeless animals in hopes of helping them find their forever homes. Pet portraits are a very enjoyable part of my work!

Here was his story as shared from Lucky Pup Rescue...

Meet Rodney!  RODNEY is a Hound mix and is five years old and 55 pounds. Our partner shelter has loved having him in Music City USA! He is well mannered, housebroken, enjoys long walks and playtime and loves to be petted. He is great with people of all ages and does well with other... dogs. He was tested with cats and just wanted to play with them. He is such a happy, good-natured guy! Rodney has arrived in Maine! He is doing great in his foster home. He is a typical hound. He sleeps a lot, races around for 5 minutes, and then has another snooze. He is very good on the leash. He is curious about what is on the counter but listens when corrected. As Rodney is a hound, a fenced yard would be best for him. He does not have to be crated but will go in it and settle down for a nap sometimes if it is left open. Rodney is not a barker. What a great boy!

I photograph dogs in foster care for Lucky Pup. Sue, from Lucky Pup asked me to photograph Rodney in hopes of helping him get adopted. Well, IT WORKED! I mean...this time, the studio portrait of Rodney helped first hand in getting him adopted! I posted Rodney's portrait on my business Facebook page. In a matter of maybe an hour, someone remarked about his portrait and asked where to get more information about him. Long story short, RODNEY WAS ADOPTED!!!!! That lovely woman, Lisa, who asked about him ended up adopting him. How is that for a LOVE STORY????? Bless you, Lisa and your new dog, too!

Happy Valentine's Day, all!

Baby Portraits! Maine Baby Photographer, Joanne Lee

This baby's family walked into the studio with 3 children, a new puppy and flowers. Oh, my! Flowers for me! I was so flattered and surprised! A one month old baby, a preschooler, one in gradeschool and a puppy, AND they were organized enough to not only prepare for a photo session, but also manage to get flowers for their photographer on the way? Wow...I am impressed!!! I *heart* my work!

The days before this session, I began thinking I wanted to add a special touch to his session. Something handmade, I thought. When I was a child my grandmother taught me to crochet and knit. My mom helped, too. I've knitted on and off for years, but never really did much crocheting of late. Well, I found an ADORABLE pattern for this cap from Sunset Crocheton Etsy. I started working on it, and VOILA! I finished it in an evening. Then, the night before the session, I knew I needed a diaper cover. So, at 9:30pm I started on that. I wasn't sure I had enough of the same yarn left to do it, but I thought I would give it a try. Well, low and behold...I finished it around 11pm. I had only inches to spare on the yarn. PHEW!! I added a ribbon and it looked gorgeous!

He looked so handsome in this cap with a brim and the diaper cover. What a beautiful baby, beautiful family! I am lucky to know them and photograph them. :)

Pin Up Glamour! Joanne Lee Photography Collaborates with Robert Akers Photography

For years I have wanted to collaborate with Bob Akers, of Robert Akers Photography. Bob and I met unexpectedly one day while I was photographing a model in a wedding gown on the beach. The bride was soaking wet, as we had just finished one of the 'Trash the Dress' sessions that was so popular then. As the model and I were making our way back to the car, this gentleman drove up on a scooter. A large camera backpack over his shoulders, he stopped and said "Wow! You must be a photographer! Hi! I'm Bob....Bob Akers!"

I will always remember that, as not every photographer was so friendly when I began in this industry. That's all I will say, but Bob and a one or two other photographers were very welcoming to me when I began. Anyway....over the years I have seen Bob at our state professional organization, the Maine Professional Photographers Association. I still laugh when I think of walking into my first print competition, and having Bob lean over and say to me "Welcome to HELL!" Ha ha ha ha...

Ok, back on track here. I have always wanted to create 40's/50's pin up portraits. Bob has been creating some outstanding work in this area. After tossing around the idea for probably close to a year, we finally firmed up a date to collaborate on this project. We are in the process of planning a Pin Up Portrait Event. Today we photographed a model so that people can see what type of portraits we are talking about.

Our model, Amy, was incredible! She is a stylist and make up artist, so it was a win-win. She is familiar with the look we are going for and just hit it out of the park! She brought amazing clothes and props.Thank you, Amy!

I am going to save the traditional, Pin-Up portrait for a bit. But I did want to share the headshot we did for her. I will show it in black and white and color. Which one is your favorite?

Oh, and if you think you might like a pin up portrait of yourself, let me know. Once we post the event and start taking appointments I imagine it is going to sell out fast!

Why Every Boy Needs a Dog....Pet Portraits by Joanne Lee Photography

If you follow on Facebook you may have noticed that we have been a lot of pet portraits lately. Anyone who knows me knows how I love dogs. This weekend I was treated to meeting this four month old Miniature Aussie! Mazie's family have been clients of our studio for some time. I was thrilled to learn they had a new puppy, and they also have a new baby!!!!! In case you are wondering, YES, I also did portraits of the baby! LOL! Those will appear in a future blog post. :)

The top image may be one of my all time FAVORITE images. I just love it! Someone on Facebook commented that it is the epitome of why every boy needs a dog. I couldn't agree more!