| Tristen | WLHS Senior 2018 |

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Today it’s time to check out Tristen’s first session (we’ve got another planned coming up this spring). I absolutely loved working with Tristen and her momma. We hung out a bit downtown before heading out to one of my favorite sunset nature locations to get the wide open field look.

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You might remember Payton’s ‘dumpster’ image well we stumbled upon the perfect HUGE green dumpster on Tristen’s session too. While Payton’s blue dumpster matched her eyes, I couldn’t pass up this green rusted one with Tristen’s green romper. We can really turn just about any location into something beautiful and I love the challenge to do so.

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Plus, have you heard how excited I am about our new Senior Films?!?! I played a bit on just a couple 2017 sessions including Tristen’s so here’s a tiny look at what the new senior films are all about.

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Be sure to check out our IG and Facebook to see a few more from her session!

Roots Salon | Small Business Feature | Decatur IL

The Details: Katie Lynch, Owner/Stylist at Roots Salon |   In Business: 28 Years

Hours: Vary  |  Location: 315 E Ruehl St., IL  |  Phone: 217.875.5400

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Tell us about your businessWhat do you do?

Full service salon. We specialize in color, cuts, perms, waxing. We also do manicures and pedicures.

What makes your business unique/special?

We’re a small town salon with some very talented stylists and nail technicians. This building was my father’s cabinet shop when I was a child. Hence the play on words with “Roots” salon.

What item/service on your menu or in your shop do you just LOVE and think everyone needs?

Color/foils.

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In what way have you gone above/beyond in the past for a customer?

I’d like to think every day we go above and beyond for our clients. They are what makes our business, and it’s our job to pamper them.

What is the coolest thing you’ve ever had a client do for you?

They put their trust in us and show up every four to six weeks.

What tool/equipment/or other vendor could you not imagine doing business without? Why?

Blow dryer and round brush, because if you get that down, it’s the base for a great style.

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I was pretty stoked to see they offered Monat in the salon as well. I’ve been using it for the past few months and loving it! 

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What other local business do you just LOVE? Why?

We love all local businesses and try to support them and Mel Pages Boutique even has clothes on display in the salon.

Introduce us to your STAFF… 

Katie Lynch – 28 years in the business. I love to bake and cook to relieve stress. My happy place is in the kitchen.

Kim Schilawski – 20 years in the business. Her second “love” (after hair) is decorating. She loves to make a space beautiful with colors and texture.

Molly Coventry – 16 years in the business. Loves taking pictures of the sky and can spot a hawk a mile away.

Lisa Miloser – 17 years in the business. Is a Harry Potter fanatic and a secret Star Wars fan.

Mindi Lents – 21 years in the business. Loves crafting and eating spicy foods.

Abby Stelzriede – 5 years in the business. Spends all of her free time at some type of sporting event and loves the Chicago Blackhawks.

Jessica Reedy – 19 years in the business. Loves to relieve stress with target practice.

Kendahl Lynch – 3 years in the business. Has an obsession with pickles and pigs.

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Tell us about YOU… WHY did you choose to do what you do?

I’m a people person and love talking with them. It’s fun to give people a “new, fresh look” and make them feel good about themselves.

When did you know you wanted to go into this business?

I was in eighth grade and I had to do a career project. That’s when I knew.

What are you passionate about outside of your business?

My family – they’re #1. I love spending time with them. I also enjoy flowers, cooking and exercising.

Describe your PERFECT day…

A perfect day…having your day run on schedule without any “surprises.” Ha! And knowing at the end of the day, you gave it your “all.”

See the latest news at: https://www.facebook.com/Roots-Salon-301064176571177/

See our other past small business features to connect with more businesses in our area:

See more on our Facebook Page and follow us on Twitter @sjanephotog, Instagram @sjanephotograhy, and Snapchat @sjanephotog

If you’d like to have YOUR small business featured for FREE on the SJP blog (or know a small business we should feature) you can find details HERE! These features are 100% free and we’d love to feature you next.

| Kaitlin | MZHS Senior 2018 |

Just a couple years ago I got to photograph Kaitlin’s brother Brian and I was so excited that it was Kaitlin’s turn in front of the camera this time. Just as usual with siblings portraits we wanted to create a few things that were similar to what we’d done with Brian so that the wall art we were creating would coordinate a bit but we definitely didn’t go matchy matchy and we let Kaitlin design a session that really fit her well which meant all outdoor portraits at a couple different locations to mix in some nature and some grungier textures.

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Be sure to check out our IG and Facebook to see a few more from her session!

| Trinity | Class of 2018 High School Senior Portraits | Decatur, IL |

Today I get to share the lovely Trinity with you today. Not only did we give Trinity her time in the spotlight for her session but we also included her sister Tiara (one of our past seniors too) as a big part of her portraits. These girls are so fun and I love their sisterly relationship, we even facetimed in Tiara from college to help choose the wall portrait of the two of them!

It’s always such an honor when I’ve photographed one senior in a family to have their younger siblings come back to choose me to create their images as well. Of course, in some ways we like to keep things coordinated so that we can create wall art that fits perfectly with what we’ve created for the older sibling, BUT we also want to give each senior/sibling their own unique session. While we chose studio (and a specific look to match Tiara’s portrait as a throwback to their momma’s senior portrait), and nature and urban locations for both girls we mixed up and used each location uniquely so nothing felt ‘the same’ about the girls’ sessions.

Check out some of our favorites from Trinity’s session including her full album design below and be sure to head over to our facebook page and IG to see more and give her some love with your likes/comments.

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| Brittany + Woody | Decatur IL Engagement Session |

I get to show off this lovely couple today. Brittany and Woody were a blast to photograph and not only did I get to spend the afternoon with them but they brought along the family to enjoy the occasion with us too.

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A fun tweak to their session was that they changed their wedding date after we’d photographed with these signs soooo I flexed my photoshop muscle and changed 9.22.18 to 6.23.18. Unfortunately, that date change also means I won’t be spending their wedding day with them but it was so fun to get to know them a bit on session.

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Be sure to tune into our Instagram and Facebook to see who else came along on their session (hint, it might be a PUPPY!!).