Family Portraits, Senior Pictures, Baby Photography & More: Lamar Studios Photography

Seton Catholic Preparatory Class of 2010

We had the pleasure of photographing the Seton graduates the day of their Baccalaureate rehearsal. We do this every year and today we photographed the largest class to date, almost 140 kids. We also photograph individuals of any of the kids that want a solo photo and we do a photo of the entire class inside the church. Now mind you, these kids are D-O-N-E with classes, graduation is tomorrow, so, if anyone had cause to be… as you might expect… suffering big time from “senioritis” it should be these guys. But what we had was 140 really great, fun, happy co-operative kids. They were excited and easy to work with. We had to incorporate about 30 or more bodies than past years, so it took a little while to arrange everyone properly for the shot. They were patient and flexible, we were amazed and grateful. They gave us smiling faces and zero attitude. Really, I don’t know what to say but, thank you! Thanks so much to the Class of 2010 Seton graduates! You guys are a pretty impressive group! We will miss you.

Jon and I wish you all the best and may God Bless you in your endeavors! Here are a couple of photos of these extraordinary teens. ~Bethany

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Posted in : Senior Photography

Building The Future

As many of you know Gilbert Christian Schools is building a new high school campus. I have been going over to the construction site and documenting the progress. It’s been fun to see the progress these past few months. This is going to be a great campus. Visit the Gilbert Christian Schools website for information about the new high school.

This video is dedicated to the GCHS class of 2010. Even though they won’t be in this building they paved they way for those who will be. I hope they come back to visit and inspire the future GCHS students. It have enjoyed seeing them grow up these few years. Congratulations and enjoy!

Jon

I hope you enjoy the short video below.

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Posted in : Family, Senior Photography

Honoring # 31, A Job Well Done

Over the years we have been fortunate to get to know the Robertson family. They have come into Lamar Studios for family photography, puppy photos, senior pictures and sister photos among other things. So when Melinda, their mom, called us to see if we would photograph her beautiful daughters for a special honor they we were receiving we said YES!

All 3 girls attended Valley Christian High School, and were very active in athletics, especially basketball. The girls wore the same number on their jersey, (I think it’s the one mom wore when she was in high school}, number 31. Since Quinn, the youngest of the three is now graduating, the school has decided to retire the jersey number 31 as a special honor to the Robertson girls for all their hard work and contribution to VCHS’s auspicious girls athletic program over the years… Yea, they were that good! Isn’t that cool???

Anyway, we wanted to say “a big congratulations” to Alex, Lyndsay, and Quinn Robertson. Way to go girls! ~ Bethany

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Posted in : Uncategorized

Baby Makes Three

Jon and Erin recently brought their beautiful 3 month old baby girl Sophie into the studio for the first session of her “babies 1^st year series”. I really think the baby stuff we do is my absolute favorite. Probably because I am strongly aware of how meaningful these images will continue to be to them over the years. The feelings of happiness, exhaustion, fear, excitement… all of it comes flooding back when you look at images of a new baby. Newborns are still so mysterious at that age, I think, because you’re just starting to get to know their little personalities and expressions and habits. They in turn are getting to know you as well. What a beautiful time. Baby Sophie looks so much like her daddy. She has a really strong connection to him. So much so that, Erin told me when he travels for work, Sophie doesn’t really sleep… which means mommy doesn’t sleep either, but I guess that’s a small price to pay for a strong daddy, baby bond. : )

Anyway, here is a little sample of this beautiful family of 3. Can’t wait to see them in a few months for session number 2.

~Bethany

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Posted in : Babies, Children, Family, Newborns

Agritopia Fun Triathlon

Today was the 3rd annual Fun Triathlon for the neighborhood kids. I am proud to say that Lamar Studios Photography is a sponsor of the Fun Triathlon here in Agritopia. The cool thing is that I live in this great neighborhood that has a good sense of community. I can’t believe how many families we know here compared to our old neighborhood.

I forgot that the triathlon was today so when I heard a commotion outside I jumped up, grabbed my camera and hightailed it out the door just as it was getting started. Watching the parents is as much fun as watching the kids. Most of the parents are just as excited as the kids. They could be wearing a shirt that says, “Proud Parent” but hey don’t have to because it’s written on their faces and I love it. The kids often look like they are in pain (I know I would be) while the parents are happily cheering them to go faster and try harder. It’s great to see all the volunteers directing kids and traffic. It’s a little like organized chaos but never a dull moment.

Some day my girls may be in the race too. I certainly hope so, or a least I hope they want to be in some type of sport. The main thing for me is that this type of thing brings our community together. Belonging to a neighborhood, that’s what I like about Agritopia.

Jon

To See All Of The Images Click Here

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Posted in : Children, Family

The Best Lighting for Outdoor Family Portraits

I’ve always believed that the best time of day to photograph almost anything is just after sunrise or just before sunset. The problem with that is that most of us aren’t prepared to do that. Just try telling your teenager that you are getting them up at 5 am for a family photo shoot. I’d like to see that face just for fun but you get the idea. The same thing goes for sunset. It’s the witching hour for young kids, can you say terrible twos. I won’t even book a two year old in the late afternoon because it only works out about one out of a hundred times.

So the light is great at sunrise and sunset but the people aren’t in a great mood, so what do you do? The truth is that the best light is the light when you get everyone looking good, not squinting or throwing a fit or bags under their eyes etc. although we can usually fix the bags in Photoshop.

Here are a few things I often do with families and groups. Have them face away from the sun. Unless your family members are professional models or you want them all wearing sunglasses they probably can’t help but squint. Not the best photo. Next I try to have them all in the same light. I often see photographs where some of the people are in shade and the rest are in sun. This makes for a lot of contrast, which most digital cameras can’t handle. Either the highlights will be blown out or the shadows will be muddy or blocked. I also try to get people sitting or standing comfortably. It’s not always possible but people look better when they feel better. I once photographed a man when he was sick and his face looked a shade of green in the picture. I never thought that was possible.

I don’t want to get too technical because for most people they just want a to take a decent photo of their family with their digital camera. If you can, do a test shot before you are ready to take their picture. Read your camera manual. I’m a pro and I keep my manual in my camera bag most of the time.

The important thing is to get the picture. It doesn’t have to be perfect. I would rather you get an okay photo of your family than say “oh the light isn’t right I guess we’ll wait ‘till next week” or whatever. While your goal is better photos, any photo is better than no photo. Can you imagine a photo album with no photos because the light wasn’t the best? Leave perfect for God.

Shoot often and have fun.

Jon Lamar

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Posted in : Family

Two Gorels / Two Girls

Every morning when I go down the stairs to get my two girls I have a good idea what is going to happen. First I go to Sophie’s room and get her out of her crib. This usually requires a little dialogue and trust me when I say that girl can talk and talk. After I get her out of her crib I ask her if she wants to get Lilly and she bolts out of her room and flings open Lilly’s door. I often carry her in just because she is so rowdy and has no concern about how loud or what might be in the way. Subtlety is not her strong suit but you have to love her enthusiasm.

Lilly is generally standing up and ready to get out of her crib. She’s a peach. She has this infectious smile and way about her. Sophie is saying “hi Lilly” “hi Lilly” over and over. Lilly just says aghh, at least that’s what it sounds like to me but it probably means get me out of here. At this point Sophie’s on the ground and I pick Lilly up and head for the stairs. That’s when I hear “two gorels” which has a great deal of inflection and really means, daddy carry both of us girls up the stairs at the same time. Now I know why my back hurts. They love it and so do I. It’s such a little thing but it touches my heart everyday. That’s what I love about life. There are all of these little moments that happen in life and we are all blessed to be a part of. I know one day either she’ll quit asking or they’ll be too heavy, but until then I’m going to keep picking them up and hauling them up the stairs. They’re not heavy, they’re my two gorels.

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Posted in : Babies, Family, Newborns

Barrett Honors College Video Winner

A while ago I wrote about my nephew Josh and how great it was taking his senior pictures. Now he is at ASU in the Barrett Honors College and just won a video contest. It’s a short video, so I hope you can check it out.

This is an excerpt from the school’s web site.

“Barrett student Josh Lambert won the Eyes on Barrett student video contest with his piece, “Humanity: an Autobiography.” Lambert submitted a two-and-a-half minute video of evocative campus scenes and piano music, interspersed with clips from his own family life.

Videos were judged by a panel of Barrett students at the ASU Polytechnic campus. Each video was scored on its originality, interpretation of the theme and its overall effect. Lambert won the grand prize, a Flip camcorder. ”

I love the whole transition from high school to college and the journey it takes people on.

Jon

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Posted in : Family, Senior Photography, Uncategorized

Lilly

I look at my strawberry blonde baby with her big crystal blue eyes and wide grin with just the two lower teeth showing and I can’t remember my life 1 year and 1 day ago. I know my life must have been “less messy” with just one baby in the house instead of the two we have now. There was less laundry, less dishes in the sink, a little more leisure time, and a little more money in the checkbook. I know there had to have been a lot more sleep in my life 1 year and 1 day ago, but I don’t care. The arrival of Lilly in our family has made this year so incredible, so exhausting and well, so miraculous. I just wish I could rewind and replay most of it, so I could try and absorb it and savor it for just a little while longer. Her first year went way too fast, as did Sophie’s, and now my baby girl is now 1.

As many of my friends are visiting colleges for their daughters and throwing graduation parties, planning weddings and even … ahem, baby showers for their grand babies, I have potty-training , 1^st sleep over’s and swim lessons ahead of me and I’m thrilled.

So I will count my blessings, knowing I have so much to look forward to, being thankful for the past and what it’s taught me, and to be in the moment as often as I possibly can. ~Bethany

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Posted in : Babies, Family, Newborns

Gilbert Christian High School

I have been going over to the new Gilbert Christian High School and taking pictures of the progress at various stages. Each day I go over there I am amazed at what is going into the school. This is going to be one fantastic facility. As I see the walls go up a little each day I’m impressed with how much concrete and steel is going into this place. All in all it is really something to see it go from that bare empty lot to the campus it is becoming.

A strange thing happened while I was walking around looking for interesting shots of workers doing what they do. I started to get a vision of what the school is going to be like. I can see students driving into the parking lot, walking down the halls, playing sports in the gym and of course learning all they will learn in the classrooms.

When I picture the future of the students who will be attending GCHS I am a little jealous. My wife went to Phoenix Christian High School and I’ve always been impressed with her ongoing friendships with her classmates. I went to the big public high school in southern California and really struggled and felt sort of lost in the crowd. My jealousy is really more along the line of “ I’m so excited for the incoming kids.” They have so much to look forward to.

As I imagine all that will go on here, it’s not the bricks and mortar but the relationships with their friends, teachers, parents and the Lord that will take them forward in life. Most of the students will have no idea how much sacrifice went into providing a place for them to grow into men and women. Some teens may understand it now but most will get it later in life.

I see great things happening here.