Individual Aspect: Jamie Burnside-Teacher, Baker, Stress Reliever
Posted on June 23, 2024
Most people love a tasty sweet treat, as sugary confections are a huge part of celebrations in our lives from an early age. We look forward to our yearly, or milestone celebrations, when we can commemorate with a cake, cookies, or cupcakes. We all know the baker who makes our favorites, does the designs we all like, and is as sweet as the treats they bake. I was pleasantly surprised when that person for me, turned out to be Jamie Burnside, of Jackson, Ohio.
Jamie has been a part of our lives since 2010, and a great part she has been. Jamie was a kindergarten teacher at the time I met her, but has been teaching 1st grade almost as long as I have known her. It can be a scary or nerve wracking thing, sending your child off to school, but everything I had heard about Jamie as a teacher, was absolutely true, and better! Not only that, but clearly she made a lasting impacting on my then student’s life, so much so, she is still very much a part of it.
With the ever evolving landscape of teaching, and this world, it can prove challenging, stressful, and present as an arduous task at hand. Many teachers are shifting careers, jumping fields of study, or leaving the profession altogether. Fortunately for many of us, Jamie chooses a super constructive way of diffusing her stresses. Instead of choosing the aforementioned options, she is stirring up some goodness to help her through the tougher days, and she is providing delightful, yummy creations to boot!
Jamie started baking, truly, when she made a cake for her niece’s birthday. It was such a great way to contribute to her family’s celebration of a loved one, and it provided Jamie with a deep sense of fulfillment. She hasn’t looked back since, she took her confectionary skills more seriously and learned to perfect the treats she offers. This isn’t to say she thinks her treats are perfect, but to say she developed her flavors, her baking and icing skills, as well as she found her current, preferred style-SIMPLICITY.
Jamie loves to make the people that eat her treats, HAPPY. She wants you to be happy in life, like she does her 1st graders, and her delivery on both does not disappoint. Jamie loves to ice her confections with pastel colors, swirling happiness with sprinkles of sugar. I may have asked her to sprinkle additionally so I could get an amazing shot of her work, but Jamie laughed as she happily sprinkled away! Not only are Jamie’s goodies beautiful, but they really are scrumptious!
Since the pandemic, Jamie has worried that she isn’t doing enough for her students, that her efforts are not making an impact like they used to. She worries about the long term effects her students may face, and whether her impact in her time with them, was enough. Jamie is not alone in her thinking, as many teachers have expressed the same sentiments, and for some, it is proving harder still to get support in the myriad of ways that students and teachers need it. This concern for her students will keep Jamie producing culinary delights, as well as provide happiness in a different avenue for many people in her life. She will keep endeavoring to do her best as an educator, but is glad to have an outlet that keeps her in better balance with stress relieving capabilities.
Jamie is a fantastic teacher, and great baker. Trust me, I have experienced her skills at both. If you are looking for a tasty treat for that special occasion, Jamie may be the person you seek. For those of you that are blessed with having her for your teacher, or as your child’s teacher, never hesitate to tell her the great impact she has had on your life or your loved ones, teachers need our support now, more than ever.
Individual Aspect: Marianna Fosson, Kindness
Posted on May 27, 2024
I swear, she was 5’9.
When I was a kid, I was fortunate to attend 4-H camp at Tar Hollow State Park. I attended with many people I know, that I still know as adults. I did not keep in contact with any of our camp counselors, but I had read news articles about them over the years, and this gave me glimpses of their lives from a very distant view point. This by no way gave me any indication of what their lives consisted of, just things that were noteworthy of them, or to someone else. One day, I was at the salon when I saw one of my favorite camp counselors, and I thought, holy sh*t, that’s Marianna Fosson!
If you have ever seen Marianna, then y0u know she is beautiful. When she was a teenager, she was beautiful then, too. What you may not know, is that she was, and still is, extremely kind. I refer to myself and my friends, at that time of 4-H camp, as little kids, even though we are talking 9-13, because the older kids were the counselors, and they were all 15-18. I digress, Marianna was a favorite counselor of all of us younger kids at camp. She was beautiful, and we girls envied that, the boys drooled over her, but she was fun, made camp fun for us, and she was so sweet and kind to us campers. Basically, my impression of her was very favorable, and I had a bit of an idolization as a youngster, but it was not misplaced.
When I moved back to Chillicothe, I started following many pages on FB to reacquaint myself with the area, the happenings, and the people. One of the pages I followed was Build Chillicothe, which Marianna’s late father, John, had started. I love people that are invested in their community, that want to help others grow or increase in awareness, and that aim to give back to those around them. Yet again, I found myself interacting with Marianna, to see what Business Focus posts I could share and not share.
I found myself at the salon with her again one day, and I thought I should just friend request her, even if I did have some hero worship of her as a kid. Marianna beat me to it, and sent me a request. The child in me felt very accepted, which sounds silly, but I enjoyed the humor of it, and I figured there was deeper reasoning behind our need to be reconnected. Little did I know.
I found that reason not too long ago, or so I thought. Marianna posted something one day, and I was able to tell her the same story I have told you here. I truly thought that was the purpose of bringing us together, and even when we made a coffee date after, I was still under the same impression. When Marianna met me in the parking lot, I chuckled internally, as I stood taller than her. Me, the kid in me, always thought this stunning creature was 5’9. I later told Marianna about this musing, and she laughed so hard, said no, I am only 5’2!!! We still laugh about this.
Back to the coffee date. As I listened, I learned so much about Marianna. I learned about her life, the struggles, the challenges and the heartbreaks, the victories too. I realized I was not meant to have idolization of her, but to relate to her as a woman, to share our stories and see ourselves in each other. We learned we had so very much in common, that we share similar stories in some ways, and that we truly understand those stories for, and with, each other. I am still amazed that life put us together to create a friendship as adults, that is based on two differing experiences as kids. I did not know I needed Marianna Fosson in my life, but I see that I do. We are both on healing journeys, alike, but so different, and yet the timing could not be more perfect. Friendships are an amazing thing, when you meet each other where you stand, and Marianna and I definitely do that.
I told Marianna at one point, that she was very kind to me as a child, which her mother Cris was not surprised by in the least, and that she now, as an adult, has provided something for me too. I am a firm believer in returning kindness, and so I asked Marianna to come in for a photo session with her lovely mother Cris. The session was full of emotion, joyous laughter and fun. We had a spectacular time, and I could not be more pleased with the results of our efforts. So, what is Marianna’s individual aspect that makes her so special? It is her kindness. Through everything, through the years, she is and has remained kind, and that is something we could all use a little more of.
Individual Aspect welcomes Cassie McHenry
Posted on April 15, 2024
Welcome to the very first installment of Individual Aspect! I am thrilled to have you along for the inaugural post, we have a great first guest, and I am stoked to tell you more about her! Are. You. Ready???
Cassie McHenry is a light, bright, joyful, inspiring, and beautiful. She is fun, sunny, and warm. Did I mention she can sing and play a guitar? Cassie has been singing in church for years, recently, she started to sing in a more visible way, she is learning to go solo.
Cassie was singing with a band for a while, when family took precedence, so she opted for a short break from singing. When the time was right to come back, Cassie decided to step completely out of her comfort zone, and to go solo. She went from being a vocalist, to picking up a guitar to enhance her musical skills, taking a big leap of faith for herself. Cassie is self taught on the guitar, and had some guidance from her husband Aaron, who is also a self taught guitar player. I was very impressed to hear her play, she does not seem a novice but a seasoned musician, and when she added her vocals, I was at my own personal concert with Cassie McHenry.
This woman is amazing, she inspires me in so many ways. I saw Cassie stepping out solo, sitting front and center with her guitar, singing for friends and strangers, and I felt inspired. I thought about the courage being up front, singing and playing by yourself must take. I saw the joy and happiness on Cassie’s face, as well as her friends’ and family’s, at hearing her sing and play. When I asked Cassie what her favorite part of performing was, she said that she loves providing joy, and when she looks at people enjoying her music, seeing the happiness on the sea of faces, it gives her joy to provide that joy for others. How amazing is that?
Cassie informed me that she was really hesitant to start singing in a band, feeling like singing at church was one thing, but to perform for others was a totally different thing. With the support of family and friends, she took the chance and now sees an entirely different path forward with her music. She feels the impact that she can have on others’ lives through her tunes, and she is here for it!
Cassie has some big goals for her musical path, I love that she does! We talked about those goals, steps she is taking to get there, and how she is enjoying the process of it all. She has a big plan and isn’t afraid to say it, she is well on her way to being the musician she is capable of being! We talked about some keywords that describe her, such as bold, lively, fun, joyful, and I must say those are spot on! Cassie is a woman that is taking a chance on herself, she keeps her family close to her heart, and she knows what comes first in her life. I love that for her, and that she shares that with all of us.
Cassie, thank you for inspiring me, for sharing your talents, and for saying yes when I asked you to come in for a session. This takes courage to open up, to be photographed and to let the world see you. You are beautiful my friend, thank you for taking the chance on my sun ray promptings!
Business Focus: Lacey Nichole Hair
Posted on April 10, 2024
Welcome back, everyone!
Today, I want to introduce you to a beautiful soul, Lacey Powell of Lacey Nichole Hair, located inside Making Waves Hair & Color Studio, downtown Chillicothe. I have had the pleasure of knowing Lacey since we were kids, in fact we rode the bus for an hour, daily, together for years. You get a good understanding of a person by riding back roads in a bumpy, loud bus with lots of other kids, and I am happy to say that Lacey is, not surprisingly, the same kind person she was when we were kids. Lacey is one of those people that you meet and she puts your soul at ease. She is a positive sunny person, but she can sit in companionable silence with you too, and that is a phenomenal combo! My time with Lacey was a full circle moment, bringing me back to my childhood knowing her good heart, and even better, it provided the opportunity to celebrate the adult, mother and entrepreneur she has become. It was a pure joy moment, one to share with you, so let me acquaint you better with Lacey and how she arrived at this place on the journey of her life.
@lacey_nichole_hair
Lacey has always had a passion for updos and highlighting, so what better time to follow that desire than during the pandemic. Lacey was in another industry prior to the Covid madness, but she found an opportunity for herself to set out on a new path with cosmetology school, and she eagerly took it. I was reconnected with Lacey through social media when she was in school, so it has been a completely amazing experience watching her skills build through her training to where she is now. To witness someone take a chance and make a huge change in their lives, is a blessing, inspiration, and motivation for us all. It truly lets us all know it’s not just possible, but rewarding too. My daughter Brooke and I were always on “Lacey Watch”, loving the transformations she was presenting her followers, including us on her journey for herself, for her clients, and her family too. It is really a cool thing to be watching Lacey’s career from schooling to the present, and how she transforms her clients’ hair. Have you seen her work? FANTASTIC!!
Lacey surprised me when she said it has been 3 years since she started her business, Lacey Nichole Hair. She completed school and took to the hair industry so seamlessly, it doesn’t seem that it has been that long, but the magic she works behind the chair makes you think she has been at this way longer than those 3 years. Her blonding techniques blow me away, her clients walk away with such glossy, healthy tresses, and the way that must make her clients feel, is absolutely priceless. Lacey loves providing a great transformation through her blonding services, and will feature some new services with extensions in 2024, too! Be on the look out for what exciting things she has in store!
@lacey_nichole_hair
One thing for certain, Lacey has some good advice for anyone with a budding business…or a seasoned business, at that. “Comparison is the thief of joy, growing requires failing.”-Lacey
@lacey_nichole_hair
Lacey was very fortunate to serve as an assistant for her mentor, Kristen Carbert Richmond, when first starting out. Lacey credits Kristen for some of the most invaluable information and tidbits that serve her so well to this day. She picked up some excellent tips and tricks from her mentor, but Lacey cites that she aspires to be like Kristen in every way. That is well deserved praise, and proves the importance and relevance of having a great mentor when first starting a trade, or business. Lacey pointed out the importance and relevance of constant learning and mentorship in her industry, she feels this helps her stay ahead of the curve by educating herself on the next new thing, improving her established skills and expanding her knowledge base. This gives her confidence to provide the absolute best service for her clients, and it is evidenced in her work!
@lacey_nichole_hair
You can tell that Lacey is a native to Ross County, she loves meeting new people, and loves her community. She feels that she would not have had the success or support anywhere else, and says Ross County has grown her business from the ground up! Lacey loves being part of the booming growth and success downtown Chillicothe is experiencing, she finds it refreshing and fun, it endears her roots to her even more. If you would like to know more about Lacey and how she serves the Chillicothe and Ross County area, click on any image of her to be connected to her FB page! Make sure to schedule your appointment with her soon!
One thing for certain, Lacey has some good advice for anyone with a budding business…or a seasoned business at that. “Comparison is the thief of joy, growing requires failing.”-Lacey
Buiness Focus: Klaire’s Esthetics
Posted on April 5, 2024
Hello Beautiful People!!
I recently had the pleasure of getting my second facial with the lovely and wonderful Klaire Powell of Klaire’s Esthetics, located inside Making Waves Hair & Color Studio, downtown Chillicothe. I had been seeing Klaire’s amazing work all over social media, remarked to my husband how impressed I was with the results she was getting, and so for Christmas, he gifted me a gift card with Klaire. People, I am loving the results!
@klaires_esthetics
I was thrilled to experience Klaire’s methodology of her facial. As someone that was in the healthcare field of massage therapy for 25 years, I am very impressed with the way Klaire takes a holistic approach to her facials, the way she blends that with the scientific skin care approach, and the care and precision she gives to her client’s individual skin care struggles and concerns. Her short term results speak volumes, seeing your skin glow is instant gratification, but the wild thing is, she is cultivating a following by producing long term results, focusing on client education and staying up on new ways to serve her clients with techniques and products. To say the least, I love Klaire’s work, I am loving my skin more after Klaire’s work and guidance, and I have only been twice thus far. Mind Blown!
I don’t talk to Klaire much when I have an appointment with her, I tend to be mute and just enjoy, so I asked Klaire if she would tell us more about her business, who inspires her, what she loves about her work and more. Please let me introduce you to the beautiful Klaire of Klaire’s Esthetics!
@klaires_esthetics
@klaires_esthetics
Klaire was inspired to follow a career path in to beauty and skincare, when her mom, Lacey, followed her passion and went to cosmetology school a few years ago. Klaire started esthetician school in 2022, not long after completing high school, and graduated in January 2023. She jumped right in to entrepreneurship by starting her business, and has had her business for a little over a year. Klaire has been rewarded in her efforts of following her passion, as she loves being able to help people, to service and educate her clients on ways they can help themselves outside of her services, and she loves to watch her clients’ confidence grow in their skin!
In 2024, Klaire is looking to expand on her services, to continue to seek better products for her clients and to receive education on all ways to provide an even better experience for those she serves. She is always looking at new or better technology to enhance and expand her skillset and knowledge base, truly, her clients and their skin are her priority! Renewed, replenished, and rejuvenated skin is her jam, this girl is focused on her future and how she can make YOUR experience with her always better.
@klaires_esthetics
Klaire values, and deeply appreciates, that the Chillicothe and Ross County community has always supported her while she was growing up locally, and through her journey in becoming an esthetician to establishing herself as a local business owner. Klaire receives a lot of support through referrals, sharing her content, likes on her socials, and by people positively spreading the word about her business and offerings. If you would like to see more of what Klaire can do for you, please click any image of Klaire to be directed to her FB page. Make sure to book your appointment soon!
A Lady Warrior in Motion
Posted on December 20, 2023
I am always up for shooting something a bit different for senior shoots, something more unique. When I consulted with a client about some action shots for volleyball, I saw the images of what I wanted to capture in my head. This is how I typically start with conceptualizing the shoot. Yeah, if you read this blog, you will read that tidbit often, as it is so accurate, true, and evidence of my muse striking. What I did not initially expect, was gorgeous Miss Eva joining her bestie, Brinlee, for a tandem shoot. I was overjoyed by this turn of events, and I love the sequences of Eva’s hitting, and her unique serving style. Let’s take a look at these shots!
While my photography journey started by capturing soccer players during games, the thing I loved most about capturing athletes in action was to witness the way the light hit them doing their thing. You watch someone giving so much effort, their muscles flexing with the movement, the intensity on their face, the thought that went in to the action of what they do. Volleyball is vastly different from soccer, but the elements of what I love are the same. I asked Eva to show me what her hitting the ball looks like, then I had her break it down for me so I could meter my shots. We repeated the action a few times and the results are simply stunning. The light loves this girl, showing you her strength, beauty, and poise. As her photographer, it is an excitement to capture her in motion, but for her to see herself looking so effortlessly dominating, even better!
When we were transitioning in the shoot, Eva’s mom, Layne, asked if we could capture her serve. Of course we can! Eva has a very cool serve and it was impressive to not only watch the power with which she serves, but the way she moves through her serve…add lighting and I am just loving it!!
That hair…I may have a bit of hair envy! I loved every minute of capturing Eva in motion, the way the lighting embraced her movements and motions, the way her planes and curves of her face and muscles were shown. Beautiful!!! I adjusted some of the shots so that the pride of her school’s accomplishments over the years were able to shine through too. It is only 4 years of a high school athlete’s career, but the pride and legacy that comes with being an alumni that made their mark with their team, having not only your school’s support but your village’s support, is lifeblood, and one that persists and continues for generations to come.
It is an honor to capture someone’s moment in time, and with Eva, we deconstructed that even further to the actual movement in time. Don’t worry, Eva will be coming in to the studio soon, so make sure you stay tuned to see what’s happening at E.robinsonphotos in January!
To schedule your own fantastic experience, send me a message, or call (740)418-9211!
What’s Your Why, It’s YOUR Session
Posted on November 5, 2023
Yesterday, I posted some fairly revealing photos of Allia, and I am overwhelmed by the positive responses I have gotten. When you share photos of skin, people are not always receptive to that, are often appalled by it, and sometimes you will get the oddest replies to a question you never asked someone. Why do I tell you this? It’s YOUR session, tell me YOUR why and we’ll come up with YOUR custom session.
When you contact me, are you wanting to see yourself through my lens because you like what you have seen or you trust I can deliver on your concept, maybe both, maybe more? Do you need visibility for your business, in your job, in your industry, or are you trying to elevate your ability to get hired? Do you want to capture this moment in time that is important to you? Have you made an accomplishment you are very proud of? Or did you see work that I have done and you love the concept for yourself? Maybe it is something I haven’t asked here, and you wish to inquire about making your ideas come to life in captured images by me?
When I contact you about a shoot, it’s because I have seen a vision of you in my head that I want to capture, and it then becomes a process of you telling me no, telling me yes, or working through details that match your expectation and comfort level and seeing how this will work. That last part holds true for both approaches, YOUR session is always about YOU, and your comfort level, and there will always be details to work through.
In both approaches, your comfort level is important, but it is my job to suggest ideas around the concept to help you see yourself in varying ways, ways you may not see yourself, ways you may not be comfortable seeing yourself, ways in which you would love to see yourself, ways in which you feel may be cliche, and ways in which make you think I have bumped my head. It is my job to capture you, authentically, in a safe environment, in a loving environment, in an objective environment, and in an environment where you can not only tell me no, but you can tell me hell no. And then we can laugh about it and move on. It is YOUR story, YOUR why, YOUR session. While I am the photographer, you are the client and subject. We are doing this together, for YOU!
I have been told no many times. I have been laughed at many times. I have had a senior look at their mom, with a help me expression, and me ask if they will try anyhow and I can delete it later. I have heard a yes, and a no on those. Sometimes those are the most cherished shots, other times they say please burn that image. I am good either way and take no offense. It is YOUR session.
So, what’s your why? Why are you having a photography session? Does it serve a purpose for business or work, is it for your self esteem, do you need a yearbook picture, or are you marking a moment or milestone with your loved ones? Maybe you just want to see how I would capture you if given free reign? Why do you want to capture this moment? How does that look to you? What is the importance of the image for you? What have you moved through to get you to this moment that you want to step in front of the lens and see reflected at you? In consultation, we discuss the why. Thoroughly. We discuss details, and we work through the information, communication.
I had someone that I have been working on to shoot a concept with me, tell me I did not want to see their ass. This is true, I don’t want to see your ass just because I saw Allia’s. In fact, I was very comfortable seeing Allia’s derrière because she was very comfortable with showing me. We worked on the concept, embracing ideas around it as we shot the session. We talked about it prior, in consultation, so she could have boundaries in place if any aspect was not good for her. It is about YOU and YOUR why.
During your session, I may throw out an idea, see my idea did not work, and I always acknowledge that isn’t about you, but that my idea was not right for you. Other times my client may make a suggestion that I am unsure of but when we work on it together, it produces pure magic. Again, the session is YOURS, and I never lose sight of that. We have the same goal…YOUR why, for YOU.
YOUR why. YOUR session.
My concept, YOUR session.
Either way, it is about YOU.
Now, I will tell you that your session will change your life. It may not be noticed today, or even tomorrow, but stepping in front of my camera will leave you seeing yourself in a different light, and that is all about YOU.
Allia, Studio Transformations
Posted on November 4, 2023
It has been roughly 6 months since I have written a blog post here at The Photographist Life, perhaps you missed me, as I have missed you. The studio has had an upgrade or two, but we’ll talk about that another day. Today is all about Allia.
I have known Allia for many years now, and I have always loved taking her picture. I never thought when I first started shooting her during soccer games, that we would ever get to this moment in time. Life often sets you up with people that will have a big impact on you, and Allia is having a big impact on my life!
Allia is so naturally beautiful. She exudes confidence, and is just the right amount of sassy and sweet. She is always aiming to better herself, takes direction with ease and gives me her best every single time she is in front of my camera. She is amazing to work with, takes honing her craft of modeling seriously, and is eager to learn how to step up her game each session we have. I adore her!
Look at her. Sigh. She is stunning! When I conceptualized this shoot, I had all black and white images in my head, with Allia’s white bodysuit and her black blazer. We aimed to shoot this outfit last session, but honestly, it deserved it’s own set of images, as I am sure you agree. While I was editing, I felt the call to use some color and to tone a few of the images differently. I am a very instinctual with my work from start to finish, and this was very much in keeping with our session that day. Allia and I were so on par, it made us get the giggles at one point, maybe two. Again, she is a joy!!
Same image, it is just desirable to look at either way! Allia has IT, don’t you agree?
In our last session, Allia suggested a pose that she wanted to try, which we both loved. It was the front version of this, in jeans and a black cami, Kim Kardashian inspired she informed me. This is all Allia Hoosier, baby. Strong lines, feminine, sexy, but also high end editorial and evocative in black and white.
This photo. This girl. Allia worked to make this pose happen. She is instinctive in her work, and can show me things I had no idea I wanted to see. She started with a base, took direction. When she put her personality in to this and made some adjustments, I am pretty sure I yelled “THERE!”. Sorry, but who looks that killer in a bodysuit and blazer?? Allia, that’s who.
I am so thankful for this girl, she is always down to try to bend more, reach higher, move here or there, and she does it all with a smile on her face. Allia, my girl, you are not only amazing, you are HER.
Behind the Lens
The Photographist Life 