Photos by Alexander

Customer Feedback

2010-10-20T18:39:00.000-07:00

I just received this email and I just wanted to share with everyone.

I love this job.

Alex,

Thank you so much. Rob and Amber have both been giddy about the session and the pictures that came out of it. They each called me (separately) after the shoot and said how wonderful you were to work with and how hard a time they had picking out the best 10 because they liked so many.

I truly appreciate the way that you are with them and the work that you do. You are worth every penny and then some! I can’t wait to work with you on the wedding day.

Also, that you for allowing us to look at all of the photos, I will definitely be ordering a couple of the covered bridge pictures, they are amazing! (the red wall one is my favorite though).

Best,
~Anna

Shooting in the Fall!!!!

2010-10-13T15:56:00.000-07:00

I just love the fall colors.

I just shot some engagement pics that I just had to share.

Were moving!!

2010-06-22T15:21:00.000-07:00

June, 2010

To our loyal customers:

We at Photos by Alexander are pleased to announce that we are moving to a new location –

9548 Johnson St., Crown Point! We plan to open this new studio on Tuesday, June 29, 2010. While we make this move, our current location will be closed from June 12-28, 2010.

Our contact information will remain the same, so you can still reach us by phone at our current number, which is (219) 661-8927, or through our website: www.photosbyalexander.net. If you need to reach us while we are closed, we will be checking our messages and returning calls periodically during this time, but please keep our relocation dates in mind and be patient with us during our move.

We are excited to introduce you to our new location, and we invite you to take advantage of our grand opening sale! During the month of July, we are offering any photo session free of charge, to be done on location at the Indiana Dunes or in your home. You may call our studio number to schedule your appointment (and be sure to mention this offer). This offer is transferable, so feel free to share it with your friends!

Thank you for being loyal to us. We look forward to meeting your photography needs for many years to come.

Sincerely,

Alex Midence

Photos by Alexander

New York, New York

2010-05-18T15:28:00.000-07:00

One of the biggest dreams of my life has always been to go and visit NY City. Well as luck would have it Becky and I where out in the state of Connecticut taking pictures for the church directory of North East Baptist Church. As I was talking with the pastor and he found out that going to NY City had always been a dream of mine he graciously volunteered to take us after the evening service. Now even tough the weather was lousy we still managed to see a lot and to get a few great pics.

Alex

My first try at maternity portraits…

2010-04-20T14:25:00.000-07:00

I first met the Shafer’s while Amberle was a bridesmaid in a wedding I was shooting. Amberle & her husband Tim called a few months back to see if I even took maternity portraits and if I would be interested in photographing theirs, I have always been interested in maternity photography, and when I found out that she was pregnant with twins (a boy & a girl) I really jumped at the chance.

We met here at the studio a few days after their initial phone conversation and I told them how I was not very happy with most of the maternity portraits that I have seen around. We discussed what we wanted to do different and set up a time to do it. What you see here is the result of ideas that I have had for a while. I hope you enjoy what we where able to do for Tim, Amberle, and their yet unborn children.

Alex

P.S.

Becky (my wife) is pregnant I have included pictures from the first ultrasound that we had, but as of yet we still don’t know what the sex of the baby is. I will keep you updated.

Our first baby pictures....

Glamourpuss

2010-04-18T11:38:00.000-07:00

Bridal tips for the perfect-picture face
by Lorna Gentry
Featured in Professional Photographer

It could have been a disaster. Phoenix portrait and wedding photographer Holly Schumacher stared in horror through her lens at the orange-faced woman she was about to photograph. "She must have used a fake tan lotion," Schumacher recalls, grimacing. She had to make all the photographs black and white because there was no way to color correct that hideous tone. Fortunately, Schumacher was photographing a birthday party, not a wedding. "If she'd been a bride, it would have been just awful," she says.

"I tell brides not to go to a tanning booth or use a spray tan right before the wedding," says Schumacher. "And I always recommend brides use a professional makeup artist; it makes my job so much easier."

If you have a bride who insists on doing her own makeup-or having a friend do it-pass along some advice from the experts to save you hours of Photoshop repair. Here are 10 beauty tips from makeup artist Steve Moore of The Moore Agency in Atlanta and Deanna Rene of Scottsdale, Ariz., and a few from Schumacher, too. Pass on these tips during the consultation, post them on your website, and print them on a small laminated card to tuck into the brides makeup kit.

1. BLEN, BLEND, BLEND. You can use your everyday makeup, but use more than you normally use every day. Many makeup processionals use airbrush makeup, the method of choice for high-definition TV, because it’s lightweight, waterproof and gives flawless coverage.
2. SOMETIMES LESS IS MORE. Use less makeup for a day wedding and more for evenings. You can get dramatic with eye makeup.
3. DON’T SKIMP ON CONCEALER. Use a moisturized concealer on the thin, sensitive skin under the eyes. If your concealer isn’t moisturizing, blend it with a skin cream. For blemishes, first treat them with a natural or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, then cover with concealer.
4. DO A MAKEUP TRIAL RUN. It’s the only sure-fire, stress-free way to make certain your makeup will look beautiful.
5. NOT ALL MINERAL MAKEUP IS CREATED EQUAL. Titanium dioxide, a chemical used as sun block, can reflect flash, giving the bride a ghostly appearance. In 2009 makeup artist Annie May launched a line of mineral makeup especially formulated for photography called Advanced Mineral Makeup. May promises it won’t white-out the bride under a flash.
6. USE WATERPROOF MAKEUP WITH STAYING POWER. You don’t want to spend your reception in the bathroom reapplying your makeup. Foundation, eyeliner and mascara all should be waterproof. And in case you cry (you probably will), have a tissue or handkerchief handy to gently blot your tears right at the eye.
7. KEEP YOUR LIPS MOISTURIZED AND COLORED. Dry lips look dreadful in photos. Have someone carry your lipstick for you and touch up often. Matte and gloss lipstick both photograph well, and be sure to use blended lip liner for enhanced definition.
8. DON’T FORGET THE GROOM. If the groom is red faced due to too much sun (or drinking), a little powder can help. That goes for shiny heads, too. And it’s a good idea to slip a tube of Chapstick in the groom’s pocket for his dry lips, as well as a handkerchief to dab well-wishers’ makeup smudges off his suit.
9. DON’T SPRINKLE ON GLITTER. In photographs, it tends to look like little white spots, as if there’s something wrong with the camera.
10. REMEMBER to apply foundation and power to your neck, shoulders and décolletage-you want your head to look like it belongs to your body!

Winter Bridal Fair

2010-02-09T17:09:00.000-08:00

We will see you at the...

Munster Winter Bridal Fair

Feburary 17, 2010

6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.

Centennial Park Banquet Facility

Wedding pictures for my house...

2010-02-09T16:58:00.000-08:00

I was looking for some wedding pictures to put in my house, and I was not sure what I wanted to do or how I wanted to do it. I went to Alex's to see what ideas he had for me and we came up with this great collage of photos to put on my wall. The smaller ones fit perfectly on a section in my room, while the larger one has found a place above the fireplace. I love the way that they turned out and I get compliments on them all the time. Here is a peek...

2010 Modeling Work

2010-01-05T15:04:00.001-08:00

Here are some examples of our studio modeling work.

Happy New Year

2010-01-05T14:58:00.001-08:00

We hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season and we are looking forward to a great year! Alex and Becky took part in a wonderful Christmas time celebration with the sailors of the Great Lakes . Included below is a slideshow that Alex put together to capture the day.

Attention business owners in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana

2009-12-15T14:33:00.000-08:00

We are holding a special for all professionals, realtors or anyone looking to update or create business cards. These cards can be for anyone looking to get their name and face out into the community. The special includes an in-studio portrait session along with 500 custom designed business cards. This package is usually priced for $249.99, but right now we are offering this great deal for $149.99. Below you will find the advertisement including our contact information, along with sample cards. Please contact us to set up an appointment or if you have any questions.

Fellowship Baptist Christmas Cards

2009-11-19T16:36:00.000-08:00

View and choose one of the creative Christmas card designs which are posted on the blog. Call us at 888.506.7264. Have your credit card handy and place your order over the phone. All orders must be placed by November 30. All cards will be available for pick up at church on Wednesday, December 9.

Sample 1

Sample 2

Sample 3

Sample 4

2009 Christmas Special

2009-11-17T15:24:00.001-08:00

Photos by Alexander is getting ready for the holiday season with a Christmas package special. From now through December 15th we are offering you to come in for a photo session with your family. There are four packages to choose from, as well as holiday cards that you can order and send to friends and family. The packages range from 1-3 poses and offer a variety of different size prints including 11 x 14, 8 x 10, 5 x 7 and wallets. The Christmas cards range:

1-25 cards $1.75 each

26-50 cards $1.50 each

51-75 cards $1.25 each

76-100 cards $1.00 each

All orders must be placed by December 15, 2009 to ensure you receive them for the holiday season.

Please call us at 661.8972 to schedule a photo sitting session.

Bridal Show Special

2009-11-17T14:59:00.000-08:00

Click to enlarge.

Click on the special to enlarge.

2010 Senior Special

2009-11-04T14:05:00.000-08:00

Hey seniors! Now is a great opportunity to get your senior pictures with our new senior special. From now until November 30 we are offering a free session of photography and free digital images with the purchase of a package. Call (219) 661.8927 to schedule an appointment!

Extraordinary moments

2009-10-13T14:40:00.000-07:00

When I time the time to reflect upon our lives and the things that make it up, it suddenly dawned upon me that our lives are made up of totally ordinary moments that are intermittently sprinkled with the truly extraordinary ones.

Now some of these are totally spontaneous such as the first time that it dawned on me that I was going to marry the woman that I was dating at the time, but other moments in life are planned and expected. Such is the case for me most every Saturday morning when I gather my gear, shot list, & Mapquest directions and head out for a complete day of what I call planed chaos. From the moment that I greet the couple to the moment that leave for the night, I am constantly looking for unique photographic opportunities.

Such was the case on the day I set out to do this wedding the bride was getting married at the hall so we where taking pictures at the gazebo outside of the hall, during which time I was informed that the bride as allergic to mosquitoes. Since we had to head back in abruptly due to the fact that she was bitten by a mosquito while we where outside. I walked by a window and noticed the way the angle of the sun was hitting it.

I very quickly moved a few things around and asked the bride to posse for me and the following results were nothing short of magical I have included a few pics for you to judge for yourselfs

Until next time

Alex

Happy Anniversary

2009-08-25T15:29:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

Although my wife and I won’t be officially celebrating our anniversary until August 27th

We took some time out this Monday to celebrate. I really believe that of all the things that we got to do yesterday, taking some time to just think, reflect and praise God for how good he has been to us was probably the greatest thing that we got to do. We had some time to think of all the good and not so good things that have crossed our paths in the last few years.

Just to think that in last five years we got married, bought a house, left the security of my job for the opportunity that was set before us when we moved the business, we have enjoyed our time together at parties, ball games, and outings. We have also sorrowed together at car accidents, doctor visits and funerals.

I guess that to us life is not so much about what happens to you but whom you are with when it does. To stop and think about all the things in life that really does matter. Such as your faith and family, the core network of people who are with you thru thick and thin. My wish for all of the couples who’s weddings I have had the privilege and honor to shot, document, and photograph is that in your first five years together you really take the time that it takes to share your lives together. That you take the time that is needed to share each other’s dreams, ambitions, goals, hopes and aspirations.

I hope that all of you enjoy looking at our little video of pictures of us sharing our lives together over the past five years we also tried out a place in Crown Point (www.lucreziacafe.com), which I am recommending to everyone that’s looking for a great Italian restaurant.

Alex

Hello from Alex

2009-08-05T15:34:00.000-07:00

Hey there everyone! Starting immediately I will be taking more of an active roll in the writing of the studio blogs. The staff and I feel that it should be the photographers who take the lead in keeping all our blog followers up to date on our happenings.

One of the many perks that we as photographers enjoy is not just getting to document the biggest events in peoples lives, but also getting to travel to the locations where these events take place. Even though I’ve had the privilege of traveling to many great locations, nothing to date beats my July 18^th wedding to the island of Puerto Rico. The location that we stayed at was the Wyndham Grand Resort at Rio Mar next to the rainforest of El Yunque.

I took the following picture from the balcony of the hotel room that we were staying at, and as you can see, it was absolutely breathtaking. It was great to bear witness to the hospitality and friendliness of the Puerto Rican people. It seemed as if everywhere we went everyone just went out of their way to treat us like family.

We took Friday morning as an opportunity to take some pictures of the bridal couple in this exotic local. As you can see, from the few pictures that I have provided here, the views from the island where nothing short of magical. The wedding on Saturday was just as you would expect, it was on the beach with palm trees full of coconuts on one end and the Atlantic Ocean on the other.

Traveling to a far off place for a wedding comes with it’s own set of problems. You are constantly worried about making sure that you didn’t forget anything and also worried about the new set of challenges that shooting in a new environment brings. I was not used to the tropical storms that looked like they would come out of nowhere. They never lasted long, but when they came they came upon us quickly and violently. I was also not expecting the amount of condensation that my lenses would experience whenever we went from the indoors that was air-conditioned and then the outdoors that was not.

Although at times being a wedding photographer can be quite taxing, part of the fun of it for it me is rising to the challenge that comes with the planned chaos of a wedding day. All I can say is that I just can’t wait until my next destination wedding comes along.

Tyler and Jessica's wedding

2009-07-14T16:05:00.000-07:00

Here are some great pictures from Tyler and Jessica's wedding last month.

Love this one with the car!

Your pictures are fabulous! Congrats on your wedding!

2010 Seniors

2009-06-10T15:07:00.000-07:00

Senior year is such a memorable time in a teens life. We strive to create photos that capture who you are as a senior and let your personality shine through. We are getting ready to begin shooting for 2010 Seniors later this summer! Any parent or senior interested in having their senior pictures should contact us at 661.8927 to set up an appointment. We look forward to meeting with you and arranging a session.

Steve's senior session

2009-06-03T14:23:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, The weather is getting warmer, the flowers are starting to bloom and wedding season is upon us!! All of the weddings that we have been shooting these past few weeks are in the touch up phase, so I don't have anything to post quite yet. As soon as they are ready I will be posting some of my favorites from the day.

I do have some recent senior pictures from Steve's shoot. Here are some of my favorites:

I love the lighting on this one below

This is a great hockey picture

Stephanie and Kevin's engagement session

2009-05-20T15:31:00.000-07:00

I love your engagement pictures. Here are a few of my favorites...

Love, love, love this one by the water.

Your pictures turned out fantastic. Can't wait to see your wedding pictures!

Nicole's senior pictures.

2009-05-14T14:20:00.000-07:00

I love these pictures of Nicole.

Especially this one....

Go Blackhawks!!

Your pictures are amazing!! I love the Blackhawks uniform.

Kasey's senior pictures

2009-05-14T14:14:00.001-07:00

Here are some great collages from Kasey's senior pictures.

The black and white photos are great! You look so pretty in your pictures Kasey.

Josh's senior pictures

2009-05-05T14:48:00.000-07:00

Here is Alex's recent senior photo session of Josh C. His pictures look great!

Thomas senior pictures

2009-04-28T14:53:00.000-07:00

Here are some great photos of Thomas from his senior pictures.

I like this picture with the black and white and hint of color.

Melissa senior pictures

2009-04-23T15:26:00.000-07:00

Here are Melissa AMAZING senior photos!

I love this black and white photo!!

They are great Melissa!

Tiffany's senior pictures

2009-04-23T15:07:00.000-07:00

Becky's senior pictures look amazing! I love the colors and the collages! Take a look....

This picture is great! I love it!

Your pictures turned out wonderful!

Becky's senior pictures

2009-04-23T14:56:00.000-07:00

Here are Becky's senior pictures which look fun!

I love the color of Becky's shirt in this black and white photo.

Your pictures are so great Becky!

Belen senior pictures.

2009-04-21T15:39:00.000-07:00

Here are Belen's beautiful senior pictures...

I love the warmth of this picture, the background and her outfit.

I love her dress! The color is great.

Fantastic senior pictures Belen.

Nick's senior pictures

2009-04-21T15:24:00.000-07:00

Here are Nick's senior pictures, which look great!

I love this collage.

I love the background in this one.

The blue spot like is cool in this picture. They look great Nick.

Brittany senior pictures

2009-04-21T15:11:00.000-07:00

Here are Brittany's senior pictures. They look great!

I like how Geo created these collages

Brittany must love pink!!

You look beautiful Brittany!

Lindsay senior photos

2009-04-14T15:01:00.000-07:00

I'm loving Lindsay's senior pictures. I love the outfit choices and some of the amazing pictures! Here are a few of my favorites...

I love how her eyes look with her blue shirt.

I love the black and white with the pop of color.

Love the dots!

You look fantastic Lindsay!

Mallory senior photos

2009-04-14T14:51:00.000-07:00

Senior photo session with Mallory turned out awesome! There were some great shots. Geo our graphic artist did some amazing work with the borders and putting multiple pictures together. Here are some of my favorite ones....

The fence is awesome!

Love the pink!

This is a wonderful black and white picture!

Your pictures are fabulous!

Spring Bridal Show

2009-04-09T14:59:00.000-07:00

Spring Bridal show next week at the Patrician from 6-9 p.m. I still have some tickets available. We can't wait to see you there!

I have recently switched computers, and I have to download some programs before I can start posting pictures again. I have so many senior photo shoots to post and they look awesome. As soon as I can get them up I will!

Hope everyone has a great weekend. ~Jenn

Model Mayhem!

2009-03-30T15:16:00.000-07:00

Today in the studio Alex had 3 lovely girls in to take some AWESOME modeling shots. I can't wait to post them. I will get them up as soon as they are ready!

April 15 is our next bridal show at The Patrician Banquet Center 6-9 p.m. I have free tickets for anyone who would like them. Let me know at blog@photosbyalexander.net

Alex in the studio

2009-03-24T13:29:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone happy spring! Hopefully the warm weather is coming soon after this cold and looong winter. We are looking forward to all the upcoming photo shoots planned and the new things to come! I had the pleasure of sitting in on a senior photo shoot and an opportunity to take some pictures of Alex in action. It was fun to see how Alex works in the studio and uses all of his backdrops and props. Hopefully I will post some of his work, but for now here he is...

Studio Happenings

2009-03-17T16:38:00.001-07:00

Tonight we have Alex's photo class in the studio for a shoot. Hopefully the students learn a lot from the session. More to follow!

Emily Haro make-up artist shoot

2009-03-12T15:22:00.000-07:00

Alex recently had models in the studio for make-up artist Emily Haro. Abigail Michelle, Sarah and Tami were great models and looked fantastic! Here are some of the shots from that day.

Senior Session with Jeremy

2009-03-12T14:59:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from the most recent senior shoot that Alex had. Jeremy has some awesome shots. Here are a few of my favorite:

Your pictures turned out great Jeremy!

New wedding post card

2009-03-10T15:17:00.000-07:00

Here is our new post card for weddings that we have been working on! We love it!

Almost Spring

2009-03-03T15:40:00.001-08:00

Things at the studio have been busy. Among other things we have created a new wedding postcard, attended two February bridal shows, and we have been very busy with banquets that were held during the past two weekends. Very soon we hope to get the photos posted on here so you can see some of our updated work.

Before you know it, the Spring Bridal show will be here! It is Wednesday, April 15 6-9 pm at The Patrician Banquet Center. I have FREE tickets on my desk that I would love to send to you. Please drop me a line at blog@photosbyalexander.net if you are interested!