http://www.studiochp.com/blog.cfm Cheryl Hall Photography en-us http://www.studiochp.com/blog.cfm?postID=22&podcast-work-from-your-happy-place http://www.studiochp.com/blog.cfm?postID=22&podcast-work-from-your-happy-place Sun, 24 Jul 2016 12:23:00 GMT


I hope you enjoy the podcast. If you have a moment to leave a comment below, I'd love to hear what "Working from your Happy Place" means for you!

]]> http://www.studiochp.com/blog.cfm?postID=18&cheryl-hall-photography-your-guide-to-the-sights-off-the-beaten-path-shopping-and-simply-splendid-tastes-of-the-holiday-season-in-chicago-il http://www.studiochp.com/blog.cfm?postID=18&cheryl-hall-photography-your-guide-to-the-sights-off-the-beaten-path-shopping-and-simply-splendid-tastes-of-the-holiday-season-in-chicago-il Fri, 05 Dec 2014 09:06:00 GMT
ICE SKATING IN MILLENNIUM PARK
OK, I know what you're thinking. "Cheryl," you say, "I thought you were going to take us off the beaten path!" You are right, this attraction is situated on Michigan Avenue and very much ON the beaten path, but is not to be missed. Check the park's website for hours and go early in the day to avoid the crowds. You will be so very glad that you did.

LILLSTREET ART CENTER
I love to visit this nifty studio and gallery at this time of year to purchase handmade gifts for special people.

Lillstreet holds a holiday open house each year in which various artists take center stage to give hands-on instruction in their respective crafts. When we were there last year, my daughter Emma learned the art of silk screening.

Lydia learned how to make a crazy cool personalized ring.

The girls also tried their hand at making clay ornaments. It truly is a wonderful gem of a place!

MACY'S STATE STREET
Macy's will always be known to us as Marshall Fields' original store, but no matter what you call it, do not miss their over-the-top holiday displays. Again, this one is very much on the well-worn tourist path, but a visit at night is always a treat.

The girls are always mesmerized by the holiday scene in the windows at Macy's.

THE HOLIDAY TREE AT DALEY CENTER AND CHRISTKINDLMARKET
Locate the enormous holiday tree in the plaza outside Chicago's civic center (Daley Center) and you are just steps from the German Christkindlmarket. Here you can shop for beautiful ornaments and sample scrumptiously warm potato pancakes.

A visit to Daley always prompts a trip down memory lane for me as soon as I spy "The Picasso", a sculpture I played on as a little girl.

THE SWEDEN SHOP
And speaking of wonderful European-style shopping experiences, a visit to the gorgeous Sweden Shop on West Foster is not to be missed, especially during the holiday season. We love to shop for holiday gifts here every year.

A couple of boxes of their wonderful gingersnaps always manage to find their way into our shopping bag.

I love finding something special under the tree that the girls have chosen just for me during our visit to The Sweden Shop.

JAM RESTAURANT
We love a Jam Restaurant meal at Christmas time. Coincidentally, this 5-star breakfast place on West Logan is just two blocks from where I grew up.

Not only is the food utterly delicious at Jam, the eatery's huge floor-to-ceiling windows flood the place with natural light, beating back any trace of gloom from even the grayest of Chicago winter days.

Do you and your family enjoy visiting Chicago during the holiday season?
What are the special places that are on your must-visit list?
Leave a note in the comments. I'd love to hear from you!

]]> http://www.studiochp.com/blog.cfm?postID=21&capturing-cottage-life-in-pure-michigan http://www.studiochp.com/blog.cfm?postID=21&capturing-cottage-life-in-pure-michigan Fri, 22 Aug 2014 15:10:00 GMT
There are no phones or computers at the cottage. There are no distractions or demands at the cottage. There is only us and the beautiful quiet.

The kids spend long days reading, swimming, fishing, and kayaking. Forgotten toys are rediscovered and board games take center stage on the living room table once again.

And there is just more of everything that is good in life. More time, more laughs, more snuggles, more naps.

Wherever you find yourself in the coming weeks, I hope you enjoy every delicious golden summer moment.
That is exactly what I plan to do, too.

Best,
Cheryl

]]> http://www.studiochp.com/blog.cfm?postID=20&family-travel-in-charlottesville-va-cheryl-hall-photography-blog http://www.studiochp.com/blog.cfm?postID=20&family-travel-in-charlottesville-va-cheryl-hall-photography-blog Tue, 15 Jul 2014 15:30:00 GMT
This is the story of my family's happy travels to Charlottesville in the present, past and future.

PRESENT
In June, the time finally came. The wedding was just days away, and we set off for "C'ville" as the locals call it. The wedding was simply lovely, the setting on UVA's campus was stunning, and Tom, my daughters and I felt honored to be a part of the day.

PAST
With the excitement of the wedding day behind us, we decided to enjoy more of what this beautiful part of the country has to offer. Of course, no trip to the homeland of Thomas Jefferson would be complete without a visit to, well, the home of Thomas Jefferson, Monticello.

This trip to the past starts at the pleasantly designed visitor and education center. A video presentation brings the former president to life and provides background on some of the things you will see on a visit to his home and the area surrounding it. A life-size bronze sculpture of the man himself waits with you at the stop for the tram that will take you to his front door.

We toured the inside of his home (no photographs allowed!), including the dining room where he entertained many famous guests (a dumb waiter built into the side of the fireplace hauled up bottle after bottle of wine from the cellar) and his chambers (he had his bed built into the center of the room between his private quarters and his study so he could easily get up and off to work in the morning).

As interesting as the inside of Monticello is, the outside is just as much so. We took our time touring the large, well-tended and charmingly rustic garden that grows along one complete side of the property. Walking along row after row of crops, we marveled at the relaxation among the order, the calm of the space amongst so many daily visitors and wondered aloud to one another, "who in the world eats all the food that is grown here?"

A favorite part of the day at Monticello for my girls was exploring the hands-on activities tucked away in a shady spot near the main home. Who wouldn't enjoy trying the art of writing with a quill pen and ink?

Here is one of my girls trying out the camera obscura, a device that led to the invention of photography.

Visiting Monticello was a perfectly lovely and relaxed way to spend a day together as a family.

FUTURE
I stated up front that this is a story of the present, past and future for my family.
Remember the wedding? (Present.)
Remember Monticello? (Past.)
So what's the story about the future?

We had such a lovely time in Charlottesville that all three of my girls have declared their intention to attend college there. Oh, my! I'm not quite ready for that just yet!

]]> http://www.studiochp.com/blog.cfm?postID=17&learn-from-a-seasoned-photographer-how-to-look-both-festive-and-fabulous-in-every-snapshot-from-this-years-holiday-party http://www.studiochp.com/blog.cfm?postID=17&learn-from-a-seasoned-photographer-how-to-look-both-festive-and-fabulous-in-every-snapshot-from-this-years-holiday-party Wed, 18 Dec 2013 09:47:00 GMT and in the snapshots that live on after the event. Follow these simple tricks for a look that flatters, whether in person or in posts.

SHINE is your friend. Not only does it look great in photos, it adds a radiance to your face that cannot be beat. Shine on.

PATTERN, on the other hand, is not your friend - at least when it comes to photos. If you simply love pattern and cannot live without it, try a scarf for a small dose of pattern and a whole lot of interest where it matters - near your face.

COLOR makes you look beautiful when chosen well. I always advise clients to stick with neutrals and metallics, which are especially fabulous for the holidays. The traditional holiday colors of red and green are both tricky to wear well in photos for many. Red is particularly problematic for some, leaving them either washed out or quite rosy (especially after a glass of wine or two!).

ACCENTS are the cherry on top of your beautiful holiday look. Jewelry wearers should follow the advice of Coco Chanel and remove one accessory before heading out the door. An accent piece in a photo is lovely, but too much jewelry can be distracting. With makeup, the rule of thumb is just the opposite. If you wear makeup, I suggest wearing just slightly more than usual. What might feel heavy for every day does not appear that way in photos. It wakes up the face a bit. One caveat is moisturizers and foundations containing SPF. Avoid these if possible when you will be photographed with a flash since it reflects the light back leaving you looking a bit bleached out.

What's most important of all? Wear what you love. Even if it's red. And green. And wildly patterned all over. And crazy with beads and spangles and bows. After all, when you wear what you love, it shows in your smile. And there's no better look in a photo than a beautiful, genuinely radiant smile.

For more inspiration and ideas, check out my Dressing for Holiday Parties board on Pinterest.

Happy holidays everyone!
Warmly,
Cheryl

]]> http://www.studiochp.com/blog.cfm?postID=15&learn-from-a-pro-how-to-take-a-loveable-family-photo-and-use-it-to-create-a-beautiful-greeting-card http://www.studiochp.com/blog.cfm?postID=15&learn-from-a-pro-how-to-take-a-loveable-family-photo-and-use-it-to-create-a-beautiful-greeting-card Sat, 30 Nov 2013 11:43:00 GMT CHP Facebook page. With preparation and a few simple steps you can create a beautiful card for your family this year.

TIP #1 GET CLOSE
Don't be afraid to snuggle up and get close. Getting close allows more natural expressions to shine through and creates a beautiful tight composition to your image.

TIP #2 USE GREAT LIGHT
Pick a spot in your house with lots of indirect natural light from a window or doorway. Using flattering soft light creates gorgeous pictures!

TIP #3 SKIP THE GROUP PHOTO
Taking a group photo of the kids can be rather crazy and produce less than great results. Why not take great photos of each one them individually? This not only can be more successful but also shows each child's unique personality.

TIP #4 WEAR COMPLEMENTING OUTFITS
One of the most common questions I'm asked is "what should we wear for out photo shoot?" I recommend wearing items that complement each other but don't match exactly. Try to have everyone in the same tonality. I encourage you to have different outfits and textures, but keep within 2 or 3 common colors. Most of all, wear what you love because it shows in your expression!

TIP #5 PRINT WITH THE PROS
You've gotten all the great family shots that you need for your card, now comes the really fun part: designing and printing. I recommend Minted for those who enjoy choosing a layout themselves and ordering online. Prefer personal service? Adele at The Write Touch will expertly guide you through the process of selecting and printing beautiful custom photo cards. No time to wait for custom-printed cards? See the fine folks at Huron Camera to get professional-quality prints made, then simply pop them into store-purchased holiday cards designed for this purpose (available at most department and stationary stores). Huron Camera prints photo cards too, and is a great option for keeping your printing business local.

Voila! Your holiday cards are now ready to go forth and spread holiday cheer to family and friends.

]]> http://www.studiochp.com/blog.cfm?postID=16&cheryl-hall-photography-emerson-troupe-players-joseph-and-the-amazing-technicolor-dreamcoat-ann-arbor-chelsea-dexter-mi http://www.studiochp.com/blog.cfm?postID=16&cheryl-hall-photography-emerson-troupe-players-joseph-and-the-amazing-technicolor-dreamcoat-ann-arbor-chelsea-dexter-mi Wed, 20 Nov 2013 11:32:00 GMT Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on Friday and Saturday this week. It's an incredible show, with singing and acting performances that will amaze you! Here's a little sneak peek of the show from last night's dress rehearsal.

Performances are Friday November 22nd at 7pm and Saturday November 23rd at 2pm
at the Washington Street Education Center in Chelsea, Michigan. For information on tickets and the theater location, visit the Emerson School Theatre Arts webpage.

Make sure you GO, GO, GO, GO!

]]> http://www.studiochp.com/blog.cfm?postID=14&family-dexter-michigan-halloween http://www.studiochp.com/blog.cfm?postID=14&family-dexter-michigan-halloween Fri, 01 Nov 2013 13:36:00 GMT

Welcoming porch lights, candlelit jack-o-lanterns, and festive orange string lights turned the village's historic downtown into a charmingly spooky meeting place for neighbors, residents, and visitors eager to collect treats and admire one another's costumes.

The cleverest disguise of the night was the walkabout refrigerator costume.

The costume's young creator got it right down to the last detail. Look closely at his face. It's bone chillingly good!

And did you know the Harlem Globe Trotters were in town last night? And that they were being followed closely by the undead?

Here's hoping yours was a wonderful Halloween too!

]]> http://www.studiochp.com/blog.cfm?postID=13&south-haven-michigan-gene-the-pumpkin-man-stokes-cranes-pie-pantry-cranes-orchard-halloween http://www.studiochp.com/blog.cfm?postID=13&south-haven-michigan-gene-the-pumpkin-man-stokes-cranes-pie-pantry-cranes-orchard-halloween Tue, 22 Oct 2013 12:26:00 GMT

STOP #1: Gene the Pumpkin Man

A trip to South Haven would not be complete without a stop in Kalamazoo along the way to visit Gene the Pumpkin Man. Gene's 130 acre farm has been in his family since 1885, and according to the eye-catching sign on his barn, he's been in the pumpkin business for 56 years.

Gene is a very kind soul. Over the years he and his family have given freely to others in need by providing food and shelter and looking after people who just needed an extra hand. It's that sort of hospitality and giving spirit that bring customers back year after year. I met someone there that has purchased pumpkins from Gene for the last 42 years!

Add us to the list of loyal Gene the Pumpkin Man customers. It is such a sweet place!

STOP #2: Crane Orchards

There is a ton of fall fun to be had on the rambling farm property of Crane Orchards in Fennville, Michigan

Crane's has a huge fruit farm with U-pick apples, a great restaurant with every variety of pie you can imagine, and a wonderful corn maze that we love to wander through.

You can test your knowledge of corn trivia with ten numbered stations throughout the maze. Did you know corn silk makes the perfect material for a DIY mustache disguise?

STOP #3: Fall Festival at Stokes Homestead Farm Market

New to our autumn weekend tradition this year was the Fall Festival at Stokes Homestead Farm Market in Grand Junction, Michigan. We found lots more fun for the kids there - pumpkin painting, a donut toss competition, mining for jewels, and even a spooky nighttime Halloween hay ride through the apple orchard.

STOP #4: South Haven Farm Market

This is my favorite farmer's market of them all. At the South Haven Farmers Market, local farmers come together right in downtown South Haven to offer everything from apples to homemade maple syrup. What a treat for the eyes to walk through this market on a chilly fall morning!

Our girls' favorite is Happy Jack's Kettle corn. They enjoy watching him make the irresistibly salty and sweet treat right in front of us. We always stock up on Happy Jack's when we're in town.

Our annual family road trip is something we look forward to each fall. What are your family's must-visit places at this time of year? Please share in the comments!
Warmly,
Cheryl


]]> http://www.studiochp.com/blog.cfm?postID=12&sweet-little-gifts http://www.studiochp.com/blog.cfm?postID=12&sweet-little-gifts Thu, 26 Sep 2013 21:49:00 GMT

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