Sorek-Zivoni Family {Tel Aviv, Israel} | Bergen County Photographer

I must have started and re-started this post a hundred times; debating on what story to tell here.  Do I talk about how long I’ve been separated from my sister (22 years)?  Do I talk about how I struggle with a family living on two separate continents?  Here is the story I chose:

My sister is 10 years older than me and when we moved to America she stayed behind to continue her life in Israel and so for most of my life she was always the sister I knew I had somewhere in the distance and that I would see once every few years.  She wasn’t the sister I could run to and talk about boy things or parent troubles with, she was a sister in theory.  What is incredible to me, however, is the source of of inspiration she has been to me without her even knowing it.  My sister had to provide for herself, work for her survival, and survive a lot of heartache from a very young age.  She was a successful business owner and she is now an acclaimed, multi-published author.  I couldn’t ask for a better source of inspiration in what it means to be an independent, successful working woman (and now also a successful family woman).  But all of this was inspiration from a distance.

Until two years ago.

Two years ago I stayed with my sister and her family for almost 6 weeks and I got to know my amazing sister in a way I never really anticipated.  We bonded, for the first time, like sisters and I can now I can say that I have a sister, not just a sister in theory.  I also got to really know my sister’s husband and I am so happy to call him my brother-in-law.  Idan is the ying to her yang and he gives her the freedom and support she needs to continue to succeed in her career path as a writer (a quality I so cherish in Charlie).

My sister is an incredible mother and wife and I was so honored to shoot her family portraits.  So, without further ado, here is the Sorek-Zivoni clan, starting with my sister:

 

Adi, I love you so much and glad I found my sister and I hope you all fell in love with them as much as I am.

Until Next Time…

ME

 

Contact Michelle || Follow Michelle on Facebook|| Follow Michelle on Twitter

tamar - well what can I say no words can really express it you made me cry and I’m so happy that you found your sister again that what they say blood is sicker then water so enjoy every minute of it

Noa - These images are beautiful, and capture the soul of your sister’s family so well…. Amazing job Michelle!

Chic Critique Forum, June Cover Contest

Hi guys I just entered a contest by Chic Critique for their June cover.  I love this picture of Jill and when I saw their contest I just knew I had to take a chance and submit.  I love the way the dock frames her and the light shining behind her.   It makes me think of the joys of summer.  Well, wish me luck:)

Until Next Time…

ME

Contact Michelle || Follow Michelle on Facebook|| Follow Michelle on Twitter

Noa - I just LOVE how she’s back lighted here!!!! Wowzas!!!!

{Published} Featured on Senior Style Guide… Jessica’s Couture Senior Portrait | New Jersey Senior Photographer

I am so excited to share this piece of amazing news with all of you!!!!   The Couture Senior Portraiture line has been published!!!  Check it out on Senior Style Guide and leave her (us) some blog love!!!

Thanks Vickie for featuring the insanely beautiful miss Jessica E.

Until Next Time…

ME

Contact Michelle || Follow Michelle on Facebook|| Follow Michelle on Twitter

Senior Ambassador Contest | NJ Senior Portrait Photographer

Michelle Edgerton is casting for 1-2 Senior Ambassadors from each high school in Bergen County so, If you are a current Junior in High School, listen up:

In a few months you will be taking your yearbook photos for the last time.  You probably already know what to expect: graduation gown and cap or black cape with a white rose.  Looking straight at the camera or gazing over your shoulder wandering what the future will hold.  These are the yearbook pictures high school seniors have been getting for decades (yes, decades).  They are stale, boring and predictable.

BUT, what if your yearbook photo could like one of these:

If you want your senior year to be captured with style and you would like to represent Michelle Edgerton Couture Senior Portraiture then here is what you have to do to WIN a COMPLIMENTARY photo shoot:

Tell M.E. what makes you unique.  Do you have a special talent?  Unique hobbies?  Have you had an experience that not many, if any, teenagers go through?  Have you overcome any specific obstacles?  What make you, you?

Tell me as much as you want, get as personal as you want, but make it as creative as you can.

Submit a poem, an essay, a short story, or even a short skit that is all about your own YOU-niqueness (have fun with this, but be sincere).

What The Winner Receives:

-A full Senior Couture Portrait session that includes: a complete hair and make-up make-over, a choice of 2-3 outfits, and 90-120 minutes of shooting time at a location of your choice.

-A yearbook sized and ready image of your choice from the shoot, a Facebook ready digital file of that image, and Senior Ambassador cards with your name to help promote the amazing experience you are going to have.

-30% off all products

What Does Being a Senior Ambassador Mean?

Being a Senior Ambassador for Michelle Edgerton Couture Senior Portraiture means that you are a representative for ME and will be responsible for spreading the word to all of your friends.  As a Senior Ambassador you will receive an 8×10 print for every referral you send my way that completes a Couture Senior Portrait.  For every 5 referrals you will receive a $250 Visa Gift Card.

If all of this sounds like something you would love to be a part of and, really, who wouldn’t love a complimentary make-over and photo shoot, submit your writing to michelle@michelle-edgerton.com no later than May 01, 2012

Good Luck and I look forward to reading all of your YOU-nique submissions.

 

Until Next Time…

ME

 

 

Contact Michelle || Follow Michelle on Facebook|| Follow Michelle on Twitter

Noa - What a great opportunity!!!! Looks amazing :)

A Transformation of a Brand and a New Beginning

I am a firm believer that you get out what you put in.  It is how I try to live my life.  How I work, how I love, how I pursue the things that really matter to me.  It is this belief that drove me to build a website and a consistent brand identity.  I wasn’t getting out of my business what I knew I could and I was ready to take the next step in putting my best foot forward.

This desire to push forward and in a big way led me to Heather Alkhateeb of Thea Creative.  Heather has been a Godsend in helping me focus in on my message, making sure it is cohesive, and making my vision SING to life (that’s right, not just come to life, but SING).

I wanted a website that would represent my personality, represent my clients’ personalities, and for it to be captivating.  I think we’ve achieved that.

The experience I had in building my brand identity helped me to see my strengths in a much clearer way: the way I connect with my clients, my love of marriage, my passion for what I do, and the consistency in the way I capture you organically.  I realized that I can only do what I do so well because I take such pride in getting to know my clients and put in a good amount of time in making sure that their spirit, their personality, their organic way of being with each other all shine through (remember, you get out what you put int).

This experience also made me believe in my business even more, so much more that it drove me to create very clear goals for over the next five years and how to build my business to reach those goals.  Building my website was so much more than the end result, it was truly a revolutionary way for me to look at myself, my business, my clients, and why I am pushing so hard to succeed.

Identifying your brand identity is so much more than your colors or web design, it is the message you are sending.  It is forming a feel, a client experience, an authentic way of photographing people and capturing their memories.  Your brand identity is who you are in front of your clients and who you are in every picture you take.  Your colors and your website are people’s introduction to those things and they need to feel authentic to your brand.  If you’re not a very modern photographer who uses very dramatic lighting set-ups your website should not represent that.  Explore the message you want to send to your clients.  I am a sophisticated casual photographer and every part of my branding that Heather created for me represents that.

My brand design gave me new life and set me on an amazing new beginning for my business.  Here are some stills of my website, but please click on the link at the bottom to visit it live.  I think it’s pretty incredible and I couldn’t be prouder of the work that went into it and the product that came out.

What do you think?

Visit here: www.michelle-edgerton.com then leave me a comment.  And if you are in business and need a graphic designer, I urge you to seek out Heather at Thea Creative, she can work magic.

Thanks Heather and thank you everyone for your ongoing support.

Until Next Time…

ME

Contact Michelle || Follow Michelle on Facebook|| Follow Michelle on Twitter

Noa - It looks beautiful Michelle!!!!! I love how everything came together and it represents who you are SO well. Bravo!

tamar - well said and to see and read how you got out from your cacoon make me prouder and prouder good luck and thank you Heather

F a c e b o o k