Portrait Allure is the result of the collaboration of some great creative minds. The purpose of the site is to help infuse the lives of professional photographers with smart, effective design and sophisticated style and to have fun while doing so.
Our Contributors
Lisa Dillon | Lisa Dillon Photography
Located in Portland, Oregon, Lisa Dillon is an award-winning photographer who specializes in contemporary high school senior portraits. While her studio offers a full range of portraits from families to maternity to newborn to business headshots, senior portraiture is where Lisa has truly made a name for herself. Now in her 7th year of business and in a new location in NW Portland, Lisa provides a complete portrait experience for her seniors starting with custom hair and makeup styling, on-location portrait sessions and personalized sales consultations to make your portrait experience one to remember.
Marianne Drenthe | Marmalade Photography
Well known for her dreamy, almost surrealistic children’s portraits, Marianne Drenthe began her career as an RN in the ICU/CCU of a Chicago Hospital caring for open heart patients. Her business, begun in 2005, exploded the following year when her work was displayed in a well traversed Chicago area spec home.
Marianne continues to be a strong advocate for the custom photographer, creating the Professional Child Photographer FAQ site in 2007 (www.professionalchildphotographer.com), a well trafficked site designed to support the high end business model. Marianne also offers workshops, mentoring and other photographer resources at www.seethelightworkshop.com since 2008. Her studio created around her baroque style brand, is a frequent host to many Chicagoland city dwellers who enjoy the undiscovered outdoor locations Marianne seeks out.
Lori Wood Habiger | Center Stage Photography
In business since 2006, Lori began Center Stage Photography in the Kansas City Metro area with a niche focus on dancers and movement. As Center Stage Photography grew, Lori expanded to maternity and traditional portrait work and has recently launched a new line of pinup photography, modeled after the noted Peruvian artist Alberto Vargas.
Kimberly Hill, CPP | Bliss® Portraiture
Along the South Carolina Coast, Kimberly Hill’s name has become synonymous with exquisite beach photography. Not one to rest on her laurels, Kimberly earned her CPP in 2009 and continues to focus her efforts on education and training. In the latter part of 2010, Kimberly will be branching out into the speaking circuit and working on articles for some well known photography magazines. Backed by some of the most respected names in the industry, Kimberly is a well known market leader and continues to expand her unique vision to every facet of our business.
Meggan Jacks | Meggan Jacks Photography
Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Meggan has been shooting professionally since 2004.
Melissa Kahn | Priceless Reflections
Not many photographers can pull off a relocation 6 states away and have their business not just thrive, but grow the way Melissa Kahn’s did. While her classic yet photojournalistic style is as appealing as her ebullient personality, Melissa’s success lies with her ability to truly connect with her young subjects.
A former Ernst & Young corporate executive, Melissa began Priceless Reflections over 10 years ago when, on the advice of her husband, she quit the life of a businesswoman to pursue her dream. Now, commuting between her studios in Phoenix, Arizona and Mason, Ohio Melissa prides herself on her ability balance her work and home life and continues to be active in many charitable organizations including Celebrating Adoption and Operation: Love Reunited.
Teri Mason | Teri Mason Photography
Teri Mason specializes in contemporary photography of people. From newborns through high school seniors, Teri wants to be your photographer for life. Falling in love with photography in grade school, Teri Mason Photography was formed in 2001 after working several years with local wedding photographers. Her studio is located on ten beautiful acres in Central Texas, and is also available for location and travel.
Janine Memon-Dietz | Saving Grace Photography
Janine launched Saving Grace Photography in 2005, after working for 15 years on Wall Street in various management positions. In March 2009, Janine opened a natural light studio in the heart of NJ’s most picturesque county. She loves capturing the interaction between children, families and their cherished pets and her studio is one of the first in NJ to regularly welcome pets within it’s doors. Janine will begin offering mentoring sessions in the summer of 2010.
Heather Skau | Catch A Star Photography
Heather founded Catch A Star Photography in 2002. She spent the twelve years prior to that as a police officer, and found it difficult to say she was ’shooting a child’ for quite some time. Her passion is photography of babies and young children, with whom she feels a deep connection. Nestled on five wooded acres outside of Sarasota, FL, her studio specializes in lifestyle portraits and custom designed storybooks. Heather also owns and operates One Sun Designs, www.onesundesigns.com.
Carrie Steffe | EMA Photography
Resident baby whisperer, Carrie Steffe of EMA Photography in NJ, graduated with a BSED in Elementary Education in 1994. She then left her teaching career and launched her portrait business as a home based studio in 2004 and expanded into custom built loft style studio in the Fall of 2007. Known for her newborn and high key work for which she wrote a top selling e-book, Carrie is also the exclusive photographer for Magnolia Baby and has worked with many national clothing lines such as Carolina Kids, Greggy Girl and Beetlejuice. She offers private mentoring sessions throughout the year.
MaryAnn Talamo, CPP | Custom Digital Images by MaryAnn Talamo
MaryAnn is an award winning photographer and digital artist, specializing in portraits of newborns, babies and children. In 2003, she started her own portrait studio, Custom Digital Images, in Staten Island, New York, which serves the five boroughs of New York City and the Tri-State area. Through continuing education, she currently retains the title of Certified Professional Photographer.
Though she practices all styles of family and children’s photography, from artistic compositions to simple, expressive portraiture, she is best known for her traditional, old world style. She frequently uses Corel Painter in her work, and she will begin lecturing on developing a fine art studio in 2010.
Joy Vertz | Shoot The Moon Photography
Joy Vertz of Shoot the Moon photography is the unique embodiment of both a talented artist and an extraordinary businesswoman. In 2009 she built a new space for her first studio, opened a second studio in a nearby town and launched prophotos apps (www.prophotoapps.com), the first ever iPhone-based portfolio review and booking app for photographers. She and her team of 15 continue to grow their two beautiful boutique-style studios to one of the most successful in the Midwest. Joy travels frequently teaching her marketing and business workshops.
