Free Photography Class | Roswell GA Photographer

You are invited to a free 30-minute photography class I have coming up next week at a my church's women's night out. (Sorry guys. It's for women only.) During my presentation, I'll be talking about how to the most common mistakes amateurs make when taking pictures. Here are the details:

Free Photography Class by Marchet Butler

Friday, October 3, 2014

6:30 - 7:00 p.m. sharp!

Roswell LDS Church Meetinghouse

500 Norcross St, Roswell, GA 30075

(no need to bring a camera)

This class is part of our annual women's night out activity called "Friday Night Frenzy." Did I say it was free? There will be classes about makeup and gardening following my presentation as well as crafts, dinner, and lots of fun gals to hang out with and talk to. Please come! Bring a craft  to work on if you want to stay. (And drop me a line that you are coming. I'll save a seat for you!)

Before and After | A look at my retouching work--on my own portrait!

This summer while my son and I were on vacation visiting family, my sister agreed to take some portraits of me and my little guy (gosh, not so little anymore). So, I set everything up, positioned us in the right light, made sure the the camera settings were right, and we got some fun shots. That's what's cool about being a photographer -- you can direct your own photo shoot!

Here is the finished portrait of the two of us that I am going to hang in our home. Don't you love it!? Thank you Charity!

See below for what the portrait looked like straight out of the camera (SOOC). As you can see, I've made some changes, but nothing major -- I believe that getting it right in camera is super important. But, I want to look good in my pictures! So here's what I did: 

• Hair smoothing -- oh my goodness, the frizz!
• Skin retouching
• Adding shadow and light for better dimension
• Arm shrinking (yeah, I'm a little embarrassed of my bigger arms)
• Chin shrinking (the shot caught my son's chin from below -- never a flattering look.)
• Background brightening
• Eye and Makeup Retouching
• A touch of vignetting

Here are the pictures side-by-side so you can see the difference: 

I love making a great photograph into a beautiful, polished portrait. What do you think?

Help Me Choose a Metal Wall Art Sample | Atlanta GA Family Photographer

So it's the time of year when I update my sample portrait art for my holiday season clients. This year, I've decided to add a new product to my wall portrait options: metal wall art! This is one of those products you have to see in person. The images are printed on specially-treated aluminum sheets using the dye-sublimation process. They come in super glossy to matte finishes and are mounted and finished with an inset frame. The colors just POP off the print, and because it's printed on metal, it's not going to be subject to normal wear and tear. Oh, and did I say--they are gorgeous!

I'm going to order a 20x24 sample and I need help deciding which portrait I should use. Which one do you think would look best?

Why Headshots are Important for Small Businesses Professionals | Alpharetta GA Headshot Photographer

I'm so excited about my new business cards. As a small business owner, I represent my own brand, so it makes sense that a business card features my portrait.

I made the change because of a conversation with Tamay Shannon, Atlanta small business social media strategist and owner of W2S Marketing. Here's what she she said:

"A good headshot allows people to connect with you because people don't naturally connect with a logo. That's why Coca-Cola and Starbucks have to spend millions of dollars on their marketing and branding. Small businesses don't have that kind of money. So, use what God gives you! People connect with faces because they have a face too. Use your headshot to build back-of-mind familiarity. Use it on your website, Facebook, LinkedIn, and advertising so people see it and think, 'Hey, I know you. I can trust you. I can do business with you.' "

So, what's stopping you from putting your face on your business card, website, and social media profile? For most people, it's because they 1) don't have a current headshot or 2) hate the headshot they already have. I can help you! (Contact me if you need headshots.)

My headshot sessions are fun and professional, and you'll get great pictures you actually like! Plus, you can request professional hair and make-up. My hair and makeup artist, Kristin Layne Morris, makes my clients look and feel amazing. Here are a few images of Susan, Independent Team Leader with NYR Organic. Hair and makeup by Kristin Layne. Photography and editing by me!

It's Not Too Early to Start Thinking about Christmas Cards | Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton GA Christmas Card Photographer

I know, I know. It's early yet. We haven't even had Halloween, but I'm already booking sessions for October and November. And you know that those portraits are going to end up on Christmas cards (not to mention gorgeous wall portraits and albums). So, it's not too early to think about booking a session and getting those Christmas preparations going so you don't have to stress about it later.

Take a look at one of my favorite designs from last year. All my Christmas cards are custom-designed, press-printed, and available in flat, folded, or die-cut designs on thick, gorgeous paper. If you want portraits (and cards) your family is going to drool over, contact me and we will set up a time to talk about creating something fantastic for you and your family!

The Perfect Fit for your Home | Family Wall Portrait Ideas

I recently visited Nashville and had a chance to create this beautiful portrait of my friends and their sweet daughters. We specifically picked the clothing to complement the room we would be hanging the portrait--the bonus room where the kids have a play area and bed and where mom has her office.

Now here's the fun part. I use an interior design program to show my clients different options, sizes, and finishes I recommend for their walls. Here are the different options for this portrait. Which would you choose?

Your Headshot is your First Impression | Alpharetta, Milton, Roswell Headshot Photographer

Marchet Butler, professional headshot photographer in Alpharetta, Milton, and Roswell explains the importance of a good headshot.

Imagine you have an important interview. You don't worry too much about how you look. Clothes: eh, what you're wearing is fine. Makeup: well, the mascara's still there Hair: it's okay. Breath: oh, better pop in a mint.

Unless you are very sure you are not going to get the job anyway, you wouldn't go to an interview like that. After all, first impressions are important! Here's the thing, though. The first impression isn't in person anymore. It's online.

Clients, interviewers, and other business professionals will Google you before they meet you face to face. And what will they find? Your headshot. (And by the way, here's mine.) Your headshot should show you at your best and present you as an expert in your field. It is your first impression.

Besides families, my specialty is in professional headshots. I have a talent for bringing out the best in my subjects, even in short sessions. I do both indoor studio-style and outdoor headshots, and with professional hair and make-up, you are going to look and feel amazing--and not just for one day either, for each day you see your headshot.

Here are two of my outdoor headshots, taken of Stacy Perkinson and Jackie Gasparre Meyer of Team Perks, Chapman Hall Real Estate. I love how professional yet approachable each of them look in their portraits, and the outdoor setting is appropriate because they are experts in real estate. Also, I have to thank my fabulous hair and makeup artist, Kristin Layne Morris, who comes with my on my shoots when hair and makeup is requested.

I would love to create headshots for you that are just as gorgeous! Contact me for more information about my headshot packages.

Transitioning your Summer Wardrobe Into Fall | Atlanta 2014 Fall Fashion

A Note from Marchet: Meet Leah Kruszka, a super-awesome friend and fashion consultant & personal sylist with CAbi. I've asked Leah to write up some of her top fall fashion advice for us here in the Alpharetta, Milton, and Roswell area. She has so many great ideas. Read on!

Finding a balance between fashionable and practical can be a challenge when you are in between seasons. We want to hold on to our sandals and flip-flops as long as we can, but we also long for the temperatures to drop. When fall rolls around, I transition as many of my summer pieces as I can into my fall wardrobe. By pairing them with more cool-weather pieces, I can style fresh, new looks from my summer clothes without completely reinventing my wardrobe.

Here are a few ways you can get more life out of your favorite summer clothes:

• Pair a tweed jacket and wedge booties with your favorite summer shorts.
• Wear a long cardigan and booties with shorts for a more boho vibe. The CAbi Oatmeal Confetti Sweater is great for this look.

• Throw a cable knit sweater over a summer dress or romper (like this Zipper Pullover) for a whole new look. Add a pair of cognac oxfords and you are ready for fall!

• Pull out your neutral & darker nail polishes for the fall. My favorites are "Bordeaux” by Essie, “Chanelle” by Zoya, and “Thank Glogg it's Friday” by OPI.

• Rock your summer tops and tanks under a blazer.

• Throw a denim jacket over a flirty summer frock and add some tights if it’s chilly.
• Layer a faux fur vest, like the Infinite Vest, over a favorite little black dress.