When you’re different, sometimes you don’t see the millions of people who accept you for what you are. All you notice is the person who doesn’t.”

― Jodi Picoult, Change of Heart

I love photographing women.

I love photographing women of all ages, sizes, shapes, races, sexual orientations, and any other characteristic that makes them unique.

Too often women grow up not appreciating their differences; not recognizing their own unique qualities. We are taught to make fun, bully, and criticize each other instead of lift one another up.

And sometimes…we believe what they say.

Sometimes, we compare ourselves to the impossible ideal of what is displayed on billboards, magazines, television and movies, and while looking in the mirror, find it illogical to love ourselves just the way we are.

I want to change that.

I see beauty in every woman, and my dream is to be able to help women see it in themselves. No matter how many inches or pounds you’d like to lose, you are beautiful just as you are. No matter how many wrinkles, sags, dark circles or bags…you are beautiful just as you are. No matter your age or dress size, you are beautiful just as you are.

You are beautiful just as you are. Right now.

And, my camera…she knows that.

Let us show you.

You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”
― Gautama Buddha

Sun flare actions by Photographers Depot

Got a call from the nicest woman earlier this summer whose son and his family were coming for a visit the following week. She had the thought of possibly having family pictures taken while they were here. We talked a while about what she was looking for, the possibility of having the session at her home on their property, the style of images she likes (color, b/w, lifestyle, formal, etc.), wardrobe and makeup, etc. By the time we got off the phone, I had made plans to come for a short visit to their home to check out where we might shoot, get some ideas, and just meet. 

I love it when I just “click” with my clients. It becomes more than a photo session. It’s a collaboration; working together for a common goal. It’s knowing and understanding the client, what she truly wants in both the images and, ultimately, what she plans to do with them. In this case, she wanted a collection of images she could share, and maybe one or two to hang on the walls. Knowing this ahead of time allows me to plan the shoot to meet my clients’ needs, and it gives them a sense of assurance that they will get what they want. 

I knew this family would be easy-going, but technically challenging. There were 5 adults (mom, dad, daughter, son, and daughter-in-law), two toddling boys, and the family dog. I hired an assistant to help me with redirecting light, posing and ensuring all straps, strings and stray hairs were in place. I mapped the property and the combinations of images I’d take: individuals, two sets of siblings, two sets of couples, all the ladies, all the men, mother/daughters, father/sons, father/daughter, mother/sons, grandparents/grandkids, and last but not least, the entire group. 

Shew! That’s a LOT of combinations!

But what we ended up with was a beautiful gallery of images that reflect the kindness and beauty within each of them, as well as the spontaneous fun and laughter that comes when a close-nit family comes together to create an experience. 

I hope each time they look at these images, they remember this day together, the laughs we shared, and even a few moments of tears (which we ultimately laughed at, too!). 

I was as close as I’ve ever been to star-struck, listening to this beautiful, humble woman talk about how it is her life’s ambition to let every woman of every size and every walk of life see herself as a beautiful, amazing person. I was amazed by her story-telling, the gratitude that she expressed, and the freedom with which she imparted her knowledge and expertise onto the audience.

Since that time, I have followed her workshops at every opportunity, including investing in her month-long training course modeled around her business. From her, I have learned so much, not just about photography, but about life, relationships, and what it takes to succeed. She has helped me overcome my perceived fears (of failure, mostly), and to acknowledge, with gratitude, all of the things in my life with which I have been blessed.

You see, I graduated from college with a business degree in management information systems, and a minor in women’s studies. Weird combo, right? Since then, I have been trying to figure out how I take those two areas of expertise and create a business designed, at its heart, to be by, for and about women. Sue has shown me the light at the end of the tunnel I entered so many years ago, and this, my friends, is it.

The Glamour Revolution.

The Glamour Revolution is about women, all women, and their inherent beauty. It’s about believing that you are beautiful not matter what you look like on the outside or how you feel on the inside. It’s about seeing yourself in a new light. Seeing an image of yourself and being happy with what you see. It’s about empowering your spirit and recognizing that you are stronger than you may have thought. It’s about loving yourself and tearing down the walls of fear that hold you back. The Glamour Revolution is upon us, and I, for one, am so excited to be a part of it.

And so, my work has begun. I have spent the past several months practicing, posing, re-branding, and re-packaging everything about my photography. It has been a slow process since this is my part-time passion, versus my full-time job, but it is coming together, little by little. The images in this post are not what I aspire to produce, they are only the beginning.

I could not be more excited about what the future holds for me and my clients as I create an experience they will remember forever. An experience they will crave over and over again; one they will talk about with their girlfriends, sisters, mothers, and colleagues, and makes them smile when they realize just how beautiful they truly are.

In 2013, she found her wings.

She found her spirit, the child that sings.

In 2013, she knew what to do;

she knew it was time to start something brand new.

The candle’s been lit; the fire’s enraged.

To stop at this point, would be nothing but grave.

The obstacles large, the challenges many;

but oh, the rewards that she sees are a plenty. 

So carry the torch, I shall work towards the end,

of this goal I’ve set forth to find beauty within.

Poem and Images © 2013 Aimee Wigfall

Aimee Wigfall Photography

I am so very grateful for the opportunities I’ve had in my life. The people I’ve met along the way, the experiences that have made me who I am. I have always been a “business-minded” person, but never have I truly had a sense of surety about what I really wanted to do as a career.

Until now.

It is all consuming to finally know what you want, thinking about what you need to do to make it happen, and finding the time to put all the pieces of the puzzle together to see it through successfully.

It’s so easy to let fear stand in the way of success. The unknown. The risk. The competition. The costs. The liability. The responsibility.

And, that is why I have not leapt.

Yet.

By minimizing those fears, asking the right questions, finding the answers, identifying the costs, assessing the risk, recognizing the competition, and developing a plan to minimize the costs and liability, I am finding my way towards my destiny. A destiny of personal rewards for myself and my family.

Gratitude is my attitude and success shall be my reward, for without the support of those around me, I have neither.

2013 is on target to be a banner year for me, and I’m really hoping to excel beyond what I accomplished in 2012 to become the “go-to” photographer for Seniors, Glamour, and Portraits in the southern Illinois area.

2012 began with the sweetest little newborn ever! Born 4 weeks early and brought home to her adoptive family just a few days later, she started the new year off just right!

This is the little precious holding onto her loving mother and grandmother’s fingers. I just love the three generations all depicted in this simple shot.

As much as I love photographing newborns, I love just as much photographing women.

Here is a beautiful headshot of one of my former coworkers and a dear friend of mine. We took many, with various outfits, but this one my absolutely favorite.

It’s around this time that I developed my logo, which is a lot harder than it sounds!

I believe that we, women, do not often take enough time for ourselves, and now that I have a husband and children of my own, I KNOW that’s true! We get bogged down with life, running errands, doing laundry, feeding our families, working inside and outside the home, life moves so fast, before we know it we are approaching our 10, 15, 20 year class reunion and wonder where the time has gone.

So, on my 39th birthday, my beautiful friend, Katie, modeled for me in this awesome field of yellow flowers (read: weeds), that got mowed down about a week later! I know she thinks I’m crazy, but I absolutely died when I shot this image, and it is STILL my favorite shot from that day. She is supermodel HOT!

Weddings. Wow. They are a challenge, but I found that I absolutely LOVE shooting weddings. They aren’t for everyone, and they are SO. VERY. NERVE WRACKING! You don’t want to miss a thing. No time for errors, or being in this spot when you should be over there. I shot two weddings last summer and here is one of my favorite shots from each.

And then there was an engagement session that had me at the top of a small mountain along the Shawnee National Forest. My was it beautiful up there!

Then I photographed three beautiful sisters who were in town. They are all so beautiful and unique in their own way. These are my favorite images of each of them together in this triptych.

Not long after this, my camera – after only 4 years – crapped out on me. I don’t know what happened, but out of nowhere I got an Err99 and it just never came back to life. Thanks to Canon’s Loyalty program, I was able to upgrade my camera (an XSi) to one I’d been eying for quite some time at a very reasonable rate. With my new 7D in hand, I needed a model to practice on. Once again, Katie came to my rescue.

Enjoyed a family session during the peak of fall and all the amazing colors that came with it.

Did another family shoot over the Thanksgiving holiday. This gorgeous little girl is the product of two of my favorite people. And, she’s not shy at all for the camera!

To finish out the year, my friend and make-up artist extraordinaire, along with a new local salon owner, put together a Holiday Makeover shoot that turned out to be a moderate success, but an amazing learning experience. We’ll definitely be offering this again in 2013, on more than one occasion!

Overall, it was a wonderful year and I am so thankful to all my family, clients, models and friends who have helped and supported me throughout my journey. I will continue on in 2013 to further enhance my skills and develop my unique style in both composition and editing.

Thank you for an amazing 2012! I’m excited to see what 2013 will bring!

My poor little blog. It has been so neglected over the past few months. Even though I’ve been busy with portrait sessions, glamour shoots, reworking my website, developing a new pricing structure, and attending workshops, I have allowed myself to ignore this very critical component of my business.

But! No more! Today is a turn in a new direction. You’ll find that my style is becoming more consistent, my focus is sharper, and my mission is clear: Bring out the beauty in every client.

Starting today, you’ll be seeing more posts from me on a regular basis. So, happy new year to all my fans and followers. I invite you to look around my website, check out the new pricing structure, some of my more recent work, and contact me if you have any questions.

Also, if you know of any high school Seniors who are fun, involved, stylish and love the camera…have them check out my new Senior Rep program.

May all your dreams come true this year! Have a blessed 2013!!

At first, I wasn’t sure. A black wedding dress? Really? Hmm… that’s different. People are now finally starting to acclimate to the idea of black bridesmaids dresses, but a black wedding gown? I just wasn’t sure, but as she described her vision of a Greek-themed wedding, I knew it would be beautiful.

I wasn’t disappointed. In fact, I was blown away by how well it worked. She looked beautiful. The bride and groom in black, and the bridesmaids and groomsmen all in white. It was absolutely lovely.

Such a beautiful couple, and I knew it from the moment I met them at the consultation. Together for over eight years, they knew each other well, and knew what they wanted for their day. We clicked right away, and I knew we’d not just work together, but become friends as well.The ceremony was a celebration, and the reception was the party to prove it!

It seems all wedding days have their blips and minor frustrations, but in the end, it all about the love. And there was no shortage of love in this room for this couple. And certainly no shortage of love between them.

I love photographing women – all women – and capturing their inner beauty as much as what’s on the outside. So often we women spend all our time working inside and/or outside the home, caring for our significant other, kids, coworkers, parents, siblings, friends…everyone but ourselves. When was the last time you got all gussied up and did something just for yourself?

Being photographed – for yourself – can be such an uplifting and gratifying experience for your soul. Just an hour or two of letting go, being yourself, laughing and allowing yourself the freedom to leave the stress of every day life somewhere else can refresh your spirit in immeasurable ways. Kind of like a spa treatment, but with something tangible you can keep as a memory and reflect on another day when life seems a little crazy.

Who are you? What do you love? Where is your happy place? This is what I want to capture. You. Being you. Letting all the love you have inside show through the honest and natural expressions brought out in the course of a photography session with me. Sometimes it’s absolute happiness and overwhelming joy, and sometimes it’s a serious glimpse into the more vulnerable part of your heart.

So, if you need a break from the stress of everyday life, would like to take some time to create something special for yourself or your significant other, or just need a day out to laugh and have some fun, give me a call! I’d love to photograph you being you, today. You won’t be the same person tomorrow.

Contact me for more information or to purchase the Mom & Me Special.

Ms. A, here, needed one for her resume because in the country where she intends to seek a position, it is still customary to include a portrait or head shot with your resume.

Despite the fact that she is not extremely comfortable in front of the camera, I was able to get her to relax and have fun with it. I used some of the posing techniques learned through a Creative Live workshop I attended a few weeks ago taught by Sue Bryce. She offered some amazing advice, and with her tips, I was able to focus on keeping things light and fun, while knowing exactly what I wanted to do to properly pose my subject.

This next one is my absolute fave from the session. Though I’m sure Ms. A would say she felt like a contortionist in this pose, she looks very natural and relaxed with a beautiful smile. The light caught her eyes just perfectly and, in both the black/white and color version, they just pop right out of the image.

The following is an example of the power of Photoshop; and also, an excellent reminder to carefully skim your subject every time before snapping that shutter.

Notice anything different between these two images? … That’s right! Her collar was up in the original, and though it is an excellent image – good light, nice pose and expression – the collar just killed it for me. I mean, c’mon! You CAN’T put that on a resume! So, with a little bit of magic, the popped collar was tamed and all was right with the world.

Party pictures and poses are a dime a dozen, and really do speak volumes when it comes to making an impression on someone – especially a potential employer. Therefore, mix it up a bit and be sure to have something more professional in your photo gallery; not just the ones of you mixing it up on the dance floor with a rum & coke in your hands. Those may come in handy at the company Christmas Party, but you’ve gotta work for the company first!

So, tell me…are you ready for YOUR close up?