ALLENSPARK
Traditionally, photos of family, holidays, special events or monumental achievements are taken to freeze treasured moments in life to reflect upon, share with others or preserve for future generations. Sometimes, by contrast, it’s the more everyday, mundane, unexpected times that can bring warm memories, so why not invite a professional photographer to help capture the things that make you and your family unique?

 

 

Amber Sovorsky, a professional lifestyle photographer and Allenspark resident, always has her camera handy and is ready for whatever adventure anyone wants to tackle. Following a few simple pointers, Sovorsky returns images capturing the “true essence” of clients and the atmosphere they love.

Accidentally introduced to photography at age 13, Sovorsky said it’s hard for her to remember a time when photography wasn’t the most special thing to her. “I snapped a perfect silhouette of a friend’s face by tree branches. I wasn’t aiming for it at all, so the results were exceptionally exciting,” she said. “It inspired me to start studying photography. I spent my weekends in high school shadowing local wedding photographers. I loved how every day was different, how many emotions I could capture, and lived for great candids.”

Lifestyle photography sessions are designed to capture everyday events in everyday life, depicting the clients doing what they enjoy with their loved ones. “It’s a less traditional approach to what you typically think of when it comes to family portraits. Less matching outfits, sitting tall and nailing the perfect smile for the camera,” Sovorsky said. “It’s a lot more fun and interactive. It’s a great way to document a realistic portrayal of a day in the life of a family or couple. Embrace the short attention spans, grass stains, and dog licks, they are about your silly awesome life. Let the kids be kids and their personalities will shine through the photograph. Years from now, these images will bring the biggest smile to your face.”

 

Sovorsky gravitated to lifestyle photography because she believes it’s an “awesome” experience for everyone, and the results speak for themselves. “All sessions are different and people keep me on my toes—or crawling on the ground, trudging through creeks, or climbing walls. I love what people throw at me, and it’s fun to bend the rules of traditional portraits,” she said. “It’s a way for families to bond or it’s a date for couples, and as a result you get beautiful portraits.”

Being in front of a camera can make folks a bit uneasy, so Sovorsky does what she can to overcome the problem. “Being in front of the lens can be a little awkward at first, I feel it too, but everyone loosens up when they’re in their element doing what they love,” she said. “That makes it easy for people to forget about the camera and relax. My best advice is to just focus on what you are doing, who you are with and most importantly, have fun. If you are enjoying yourself, it will shine through to the photographs.

Deciding how to spend the day with a lifestyle photographer depends on the family or couple. Ideas can span from everyday activities to epic adventures and can all be the perfect backdrop for a photo shoot. “The key to planning your session is to incorporate activities and ways to interact. Create a list of your favorite things, as laid back or adventurous as your heart desires,” she said. “Build a tree house with your kids or bag a 14’er with your fiancé, go camping with friends, go on a brewery tour or try flying kites. These would all make incredible photo sessions.”

 

There are also a lot of ways you can create great photos at home. “Plant a garden, bake and decorate cookies, build a fort or have a pillow fight, build a snowman, or go sledding. Just a day in your life at home would be great,” Sovorsky said.

The photographer is willing to go anywhere a client may be. If you’re feeling adventurous, use the opportunity to learn something new. “How about renting some paddle boards, snow shoes, or off-road vehicles? Some of the most exciting sessions get people to break out of their comfort zone,” she said. “My favorite style of sessions consist of people doing what they love, learning new things, and a lot of silliness.”

When preparing for a lifestyle photo session, Sovorsky says to wear clothing you feel comfortable and confident in. Layer up, especially when working or playing outside. “Bring multiple outfits, there are no silly limits to the number of times you can change your outfit. Coordinate clothing with others, think same tones and complimentary colors and avoid busy patterns because they can be distracting in photos,” she said.

 

Sovorsky said the love for what she does and her clients shows through her excitement when capturing images. “I’m known to get a little giddy when I’m shooting,” she said, “squealing when I see good light or cheering people on and that excitement definitely rubs off on others.”

Leaving a picture story for future generations is one of Sovorsky’s motivations for pursuing this unique style of family portraits. “I love to imagine future generations going through their family photos and not only seeing what their past generations looked like, but what they loved to do captured in a beautiful way,” she said. “It’s exciting folks will hire a professional to document their memories, but know we will probably end up as friends. Just reach out and share your visions and we can start planning a fun and successful photo session.”

Explore Sovorsky’s website to see more examples of her lifestyle photography and her wedding work.

Contact Sovorsky by e-mail at amberlphoto@gmail.com or call 610-657-0830 and find her online at www.amberl.com, facebook.com/amberlphotography or instagram.com/amberlphotography.

Originally published in the March 2016 issue of the MMAC Monthly