Fantasy Session: Mermaid Style (Northville, Michigan Artistic Photographer)

As you all may recall, this summer I started to offer Fantasy Sessions to my clients. These sessions are very unique, artistic and fun. They are for both children and adults. My most recent fantasy shoot was with the totally **GORGEOUS**, Kelsey S. She had fabulous makeup work by the very talented, Lindsey S. You will notice that she has hand painted scales on her! Fun, fun, fun.

Believe it or not it was pretty cold when we shot, but Kelsey never complained once. She is a model/actress/singer and was really terrific to work with. Her goal was to get some artsy, fresh images to update her portfolio. Check out a bit of the work from our shoot below:


Stay tuned! I have an upcoming session with 4 little fairies in a couple of weeks. More fantasy stuff is on the way. I am also going to be posting wedding images, a model shoot, some kid/family stuff and will be introducing some tasteful boudoir images to my blog soon as well.

And-- as always--- if you would like to book a session or sign up for a PhotoShop Lesson, send me an email at jenlynnalder@aol.com or on Facebook. Thanks!

Portrait Give-a-way Contest

Yep, you read it correctly! To finish off the Summer and start the Fall in a fun way, I am having a little contest here on my Blog. This contest is open to your kid(s), families, couples, friends and singles. In other words- entrants of any age or group can win! All you have to do is send in your name. Read more below.


The winner will receive:

• a FREE on location 30-45 minute mini session
• 10-12 edited images in a slideshow to choose from
• (1) 11 X 14 print of your choice
• 10 % discount off additional prints + 1/2 off the image CD if desired
• Extra prints can be ordered via the a la carte menu

To enter:

• send me a message at jenlynnalder@aol.com or on Facebook
• include name and photo of entrant(s)
• Tell me why you should win the session and your favorite types of pictures to have
• Spread the word about the contest!!! Link my Blog to your facebook page so others can find out about it, too.

Contest Deadline is August 31st at midnight. Good luck everyone!

Recent Sessions

August has been such a fun and crazy busy month for me! But I am not complaining- I love it.

Yesterday evening I worked with the beautiful Kelsey S. We had planned a Mermaid Fantasy shoot in a local pool with fun accessories and help from a great hair stylist/makeup artist, Lindsey S. I have a lot of favorites from this shoot- and not enough hours in the day to edit them. Stay tuned for more:

Friday afternoon + night I shot a wonderful wedding. Mr. and Mrs. Birmingham make such a fabulous couple and it was a delight to spend time with them on their special day. Mainly I took candid, traditional images- and I will have some to share in a week or two- but here is a quick artistic shot just for fun:

My nephew, Dylan, is getting ready to start the 4 th grade. I cannot even believe how fast time flies. Anyhow- he thought it was cool to jump in a picture during our mini shoot, lol, so I am posting it here. A child having a good time in an image always puts a smile on my face. Of course, I took a lot more...we were there to test a new location. :)

Enjoy the day everyone-thanks for stopping by and send me a message if you would like to book a session. I do have openings in September for families, kids and individuals.

Summer Beauty

A couple of days ago, I met up with a beautiful woman who hired me to take some casual updated headshots. She needed them because she will be judging Miss Michigan USA (and is actuallly a former Miss Colorado herself) - how cool is that?

Have a great time, Nicola, it was so fabulous working with you. I hope to work with you again in the future. Check out a handful of our shots together-

If anyone out there wants some digital head shots for their web site/business needs, please gimme a call. I would love to work with you! :)

Christmas Specials (Detroit, Michigan Family Photographer)

Yes, I know, it is still summer! But......

I was sitting here editing some images from a wonderful family- and it hit me.
Christmas family portrait sessions are coming up very, very soon.
And, yes, I am totally serious. They really should be done within the next 10 weeks if you want them edited, printed and ready to go by the holiday! So, I have decided to run a fabulous little special for all of you holiday loving/beautiful photo gift giving folks out there. I have the best clients ever. :)

Here is what you will get:

• 30-45 minute on location mini-session
• 10-15 proofs to choose from, artistic editing included
• 4 included gift prints (sized 8 X 10, 5 X 7 or 4 X 6)
• 1 set (24) 4 X 6 press printed holiday flat cards

Cost of this promotional session is only $250 !!

Refer a friend and I will throw in an additional gift- just ask :)

Available the following 3 dates ONLY :

Saturday, September 19th ,Thursday, September 24th and Saturday, October 17th

Reserve your spot today-I also still have limited full sessions available for Sept and Oct.
Contact me at: jenlynnalder@aol.com or on Facebook

"S" Family Sneak Peek (Northville, Family Photographer)

I met up with a totally fabulous set of parents recently to take some updated family/kids pictures. They suggested colorful images in a nature setting which showcased their beautiful little girls. Ready for your sneak peek, Mom and Dad? Here ya go!!!

Your GORGEOUS little "M & M's" ....future heart breakers for sure ;)

I know that you love colorful images, Mom... and don't worry...
your finished slide show will have about two dozen images that will be almost
ALL in color- but here are a couple different finishes- just for fun.

A muted colour and a soft black and white.

And this is a 20 X 30 storyboard of your little sweethearts that I just couldn't resist sharing :

Hope you enjoyed the preview!!! I will contact you very soon with a

private gallery password where you will be able to view all of your finished images.

I had a ton of fun with you all! Be sure to keep in touch...

On a side note: Just in case anyone wanted to know- Pansies are EDIBLE... So no worries if you little one sticks one in his/her mouth. LOL. They actually have a mild minty flavor! I learn new things from my clients all the time. :)

A Glance at Art

It is so easy to get behind on a blog- sheesh! August is a busy time for sure :)
I just had to take a minute to share this artsy fantasy image with you. WHOA!

It is by: Janice Windrum, from our 9th Photoshop Lesson together.

The focus was impact/dramatic art with required story telling elements,toning and texture per my lesson request (digital art). She desired to learn a little about selective desaturation for this image as well. I was seriously blown away by her Fantasy creation and am super excited to share with you all- I had no this sort of art was inside her just waiting to come out. What fun!


**this image was a BIG WOW for me... this sort of digital art is not easy to do. She totally surprised me with her final result. Very cool.

If you would like to sign up for online photoshop lessons with me, send me a note at jenlynnalder@aol.com! Thanks for stopping by- and watch for more art from me... it is a project I intend on dedicating a ton more time to this winter. :)

Summer Family Session (Northville, Michigan- Family Portrait Photographer)

Have I ever confessed to you all that I L.O.V.E. my job? If not, I am doing so- right now! I do, I love it... a lot. I feel blessed to be able to create beautiful works of art and freeze moments with my camera that families can cherish for a lifetime. :)

On Wednesday I met up with the Clay family who hired me to update their family pictures. I went to school with both Mom and Dad... so it was awesome to see them after 15 years! And- a bonus- I got to meet their 3 little angels. These boys were so good. They were so cute. And they were an absolute pleasure to spend time with. Thanks to Facebook for making the meeting up so simple. I have had a wonderful time reconnecting with old friends this year and look forward to more of it!

Mom wanted a posed family picture to enlarge for their home so I took several varieties and also some of the kids on their own. Take a look at this little peek!


Hope you enjoyed the peek, Lori and Clay. I have about 10 more for you that I am putting the final touches on Your complete slideshow will be ready very soon... I can't wait for you to see the rest.

For Miss Melanie...

The past week has been full of rescheduling for me! Bad weather, a bad hairstylist, and a bad cold for my poor clients ...But that is ok! I am totally certain that all 3 sessions will work out-soon- and fabulously- of course! I will have lots to share in the upcoming weeks. In the mean time I thought I would show you a handful of family snapshots I took this evening.

My niece, Melanie (whom I am sure everyone recognizes by now, LOL!) had her hair cut and was super excited about it. OMG- Doesn't she look cute? And older.... with bangs? Please keep in mind that it was super windy and tough to keep her newly cut bangs where they were supposed to be... hehe. She was hanging out with her little brother Johnny, their cat, and a couple of neighborhood friends when I dropped by- just before the the sun went down. Have a look.....











Thanks for letting me share! Hope you enjoy, Jes! :) Check back in a couple of days- I will have more to share very soon.

Welcome August!!!

Wow- I seriously cannot even believe it is AUGUST already. This summer is going by so so fast. whew! I am excited about August because there are some fun sessions and awesome clients on my calendar. Stay tuned throughout the month for several family sessions, a beautiful wedding, an engagement session, a pre-bridal session, and some work with a new model. I work with the BEST people- I cannot wait! And wait until YOU read the special below... good stuff.

So, this month is the first official month that I am offering "Fantasy Sessions"
They run $150 and print collections/a la carte ordering can be done separately. I will meet you in a picturesque nature setting for a fairy, fishing hole, princess, tea party or teddy bear session. These sort of sessions are very artistic and unique. The images make FABULOUS wall hangers- perfect for Holiday gifts... and now is the time to schedule- before school starts up again! Remember, I can only do a limited amount of sessions per month- so get in touch with me ASAP if you would like one of these done!

The below image has a bit of an edge filter on it for fun. Scroll down a few posts to see more of these little cuties. I will work with siblings, individuals or even young adults for fantasy sessions!

For one week in August ONLY, I am offering these sessions for a reduced price- a limited time promotion!!! Your session must be booked by August 9th to receive the special price. The session doesn't have to take place in August- it just must be scheduled.

The special is 50 % off the $150 session fee and a free 8 X 10 print of your choice.

That is a savings of $100.00!
(I will also waive the $300 minimum purchase requirement and offer session CDs for 1/2 price)

This is a HUGE promotion.. so if you are looking to book a fantasy session- don't wait!And, please, spread the word! If you have a neighbor, family member, or friend who has kids that LOVE to play dress up- let them know. :)

Have a great day- and stay tuned. I will update again in a few days...