“Take Me Out to the Ballgame”

Children love to use their imaginations when they play and “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” is a perfect fit to do just that.  Little boys, and girls alike, love to dress up in the uniforms and try on our antique baseball glove.  Then comes the wind up and the pitch of the ball.

We have several uniforms in different sizes and we even have one uniform for the girls complete with a skirt.  A weathered baseball bat and antique glove complete the ensemble.  You also have the option of bringing your child in their own uniform and maybe even one that belonged to their father or grandfather.  What a special treat that would be!

The set for “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” is reminiscent of the time when neighborhood children gathered at the old sand lot for a game of pick up baseball.   We have an old, worn, wooden bench with a background that fits the part of a sandlot perfectly.  Every element of this set has been carefully selected.

We finish off these portraits in a manner that is reminiscent of days gone by.  They are toned and selectively colored to mimic portraits that were popular in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. 

We have set aside three days, April 18th, 19th and 20th for this year’s “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”.  It has been several years since Steven has held this “Limited Edition” event so don’t miss out.   Call 919-292-1600 right now to get more information and schedule a session for your child or grandchild.  We look forward to seeing you at the sandlot for one of the most memorable portrait sessions your child will have!

Adopt A Shelter Pet / Fayetteville Photograher

Every day across the state of North Carolina, seven out of ten pets entering pet shelters do not leave alive.  Approximately 20-25 percent of shelter animals are purebred pets that have ended up homeless through no fault of their own.  We strongly encourage anyone looking to acquire a new pet to check their local shelters and rescue organizations.

An estimated 80 percent of the animals euthanized in the United States are primarily black!  Many of which are labeled “Unadoptable” simply because of their color.  If you are about to adopt a new family member, please consider a black dog or cat or bunny when you visit your local shelter.

Also, consider the virtues of adopting an older dog!  Older dogs are open books and you will know from the start important information like their adult size, personality, and grooming requirements.  Dogs all ready in their golden years often forge instant bonds, are devoted, and grateful.

On a personal level, allow me to introduce the Ashmore fur-kids!  Many of our clients have all ready met Toby and Duchess when visiting the studio. 

Toby was purchased from a local reputable breeder that was willing to answer a long list of questions, allowed us to visit the property, and showed us the breeding parents.  Toby has the distinction of being our last non-adopted/rescued pet.

Duchess came home to us through Palmetto Pembroke Welsh Corgi Rescue.  Sadly, she had had multiple owners in her short life before finally finding her family with us.  Duchess has overcome many fears (flags and ironing boards were scary stuff), but Toby has quietly shown her the ways of being spoiled and has taught her that car rides are fun.

Oreo was a stray that a previous neighbor began feeding then abandoned.  He migrated next door to our house then decided he had found his home.  A late night cat fight left Oreo with a re-occurring abscess that refused to heal.  Thanks to the mystical, magical healing powers of Dr. Lisa Jonas and the staff at Cape Fear Animal Hospital (coupled with my wife’s determination that her cat would not die!), Oreo lives with us still – as an indoor kitty.

Please contact Portraits by Steven to have your furry family members photographed.  To view additional portraits of the furry and non-furry variety visit www.stevenashmore.com.

Portraits by Steven is your Fayetteville photographer, Hope Mills photographer, Lumberton photographer, Elizabethtown photographer, Southern Pines photographer, Pinehurst photographer, Whispering Pines photographer, and Sanford photographer. 

Portraits by Steven offers a wide selection of collections that will compliment and accommodate your every need.  From the expectant moments of pregnancy….. through early childhood…then adolescence and graduation…let Steven capture the memories of a lifetime with Portraits That Touch Your Heart.

Maternité Collection:  A portrait session capturing the beauty of an expectant mother.  Creative images in a variety of poses are available, including ones with a spouse or child.  This collection includes a maternity session plus Infant Images.  Clients receive reduced creation fees plus discounts on portrait orders and merchandise.

Infant Images:  Little fingers.  Little toes.  Mom and Dad.  A portrait session capturing the first portraits of a beloved little one.  Infant Images are typically photographed when the baby is ten days to eighteen days old.

Bebé Collection:  Sitting.  Standing.  Walking.  Portrait sessions to capture endearing memories and important milestones.  These sessions are photographed at three, six, nine, and twelve months of age.  Clients receive reduced creation fees plus discounts for portrait orders and merchandise.  Includes a panel with one 4×5 image from each session (conditions apply).

Please contact Portraits by Steven for additional benefits and guidelines for any of the collections.

Portraits by Steven is your Fayetteville photographer, Hope Mills photographer, Lumberton photographer, Elizabethtown photographer, Southern Pines photographer, Pinehurst photographer, Whispering Pines photographer, and Sanford photographer.

These two were inseparable.  Every time their owner would speak to them to get their attention, they would jump off the chair and run to her.

These two hams belong to me.  This was the first image that I created from their session.  Can you tell that I had just reached for the goodie bag?

I was photographing this baby doll with her precious human girl.  I just had to create a few images of her by herself.  She preferred the floor rather than sitting in the wagon.

Portraits by Steven is your Fayetteville photographer, Hope Mills photographer, Lumberton photographer, Elizabethtown photographer, Southern Pines photographer, Pinehurst photographer, Whispering Pines photographer, and Sanford photographer.

One of the major keys to successful portraiture is proper clothing selection.  Remember the objective of this portrait:  a beautiful, sensitive image that shows relationships and personalities of each person in the portrait.  Because you want your portrait to stand the test of time, and not appear dated by fashion fads, your clothing choices should be simple and classic

Our goal is to produce a timeless portrait for you.  The goal of any fine portrait is to direct the viewer’s eye to the faces in the portrait.  The subtlety of your clothing is very important.  Simple, timeless outfits photograph best because they are not distracting.  This allows the viewer’s eye to go to the faces in the portrait.  It is faces, not clothing, that should dominate a portrait. Essentially, when selecting clothing, plan for simplicity, balance, and color coordination.

In general, three-quarter or long sleeves work best for both ladies and gentlemen.  Bare arms call attention to themselves and will overpower the face.  Women being photographed in full length should wear long skirts, pants, or dark stockings in order to keep the eye from being directed toward the legs and away from the face.

Couples or small groups should choose simple garments within the same tonal ranges.  In a family group, proper clothing coordination is critical.  Choose clothing in the same tonal ranges so that no single member of the family stands out because of the clothing color compared to the rest of the group.  Complementary colors make a large group blend together and create a feeling of family unity. 

Clothing should fit comfortably, and you should avoid clothing that restricts movement or sitting positions.  For example, you might be asked to try sitting on the carpet, lawn, or on the edge of a chair in order to create an attractive angle.  The clothes you are wearing should not restrict these actions.

 Memorable portraits take careful planning, and the clothing you choose is very important to your portrait’s success.   At Portraits by Steven, our goal is to create timeless portraiture as individual as the subjects we photograph.  Portraits That Touch Your Heart.

Portraits by Steven is your Fayetteville photographer, Hope Mills photographer, Lumberton photographer, Elizabethtown photographer, Southern Pines photographer, Pinehurst photographer, Whispering Pines photographer, and Sanford photographer.