Hello, my name is Holly (Zoie) Norris, I have lived in San Antonio for over 23 years, and photography has always been a very loved hobby for me and I am just now taking this into a professional business, which I am excited to do. I enjoy making people happy and I am pleased to be able to do so with my photography. I not only try to capture who you are on the inside, but I also try to help you look your best on the outside. Touchups and airbrushing on your photos are always a part of my service to you. I also offer additional filters and effects to help you achieve the creativity and individuality that comes with every person.

I do not yet have a studio but I will come to you and set up in your home or we can do an outdoor, more natural setting, such as a park or a public garden. If you have any ideas or preferences on where you would like to shoot, backgrounds, settings, lighting, exc... please let me know, because this is -your- photo and I want you to be happy with every part of it.

Well, I have never gone to photography school and I have only been doing this professionally for a little over a year now. I have always enjoyed photography since I was little, I never took it seriously until now, but I know that it had an effect because I used film, and before I pushed the button I had to make sure it was worth it to me because I had to buy and develop the film. And I always had to think, and still think, if anyone would want to look at this. That made me really study my subject and look at it from every angle until I found one that I liked, and if I didn't, I wouldnt take the photo.

I think that you have to love what you are doing and do it a lot. The more photos you take and the more you experment with it, the better you find what captures your eye (I hope you have a digital camera) =) I also enjoy looking at other peoples photos and especially older photos, I think its important to be inspired so you can have something to set your hopes on, "If they can create breathtaking photos like that, so can I". For me, when I look at my photos, they have to move me, if they doesn't they wont move anyone else. I sugest just keeping at it, you will find your style as long as you are looking for it. I think that the difference between a lot of photographers is that one shoots for money, the other for love. You stop getting better and growing in creativity when your customers become cattle to pay the bills instead of people who you are priviledged to serve.

Also, I do pray before every photo session. My Heavenly Father created these eyes and I know that He helps me see what I need to see in order to serve my customers. I always pray as well that He enables me to continue to grow and be creative and for blessing upon all that I do. He says in His Word that He gives good things to those who ask!!

I am sorry that I do not have anything specific to tell you that will give you a sure fire way to get you where you are wanting to be -except for prayer =) - but if you have any other questions, I will be happy to help.

Thanks,

Zoie Norris

Getting ready for the photo session.

Here are a few tips on what to wear and what to bring.

For families, wearing the same color is very important in building unity into the photo. For a studio session, I prefer black or darker colored shirts, along with a nice pair of dark jeans or slacks, but of course white tops do nicely as well. If you plan on wearing a dress or skirt, try to make it long, or maybe wear dark pantyhose. If you have a family pet, please feel free to include them as well. Sometimes bringing a colored bandana(the same color as the family's tops) for the dogs works great.

For outdoor sessions with girls, simple, sleeveless, white dresses look the best, especially when doing a session in or around flowers. For boys, having them wear just some denim overalls without a shirt underneath always comes out great. Mom, if you are going to be in the picture, be sure to wear a same colored dress too, preferably white if you have girls. Dad, a nice button up will do, or if you have boys or boys and girls, a nice black or denim shirt.

Of course you should always feel free to wear whatever you are most comfortable in, but remember, this photo will last for generations.

For hair and makeup, light to natural makeup works the best. Be sure to have your hair out of your face, I can not tell you how many wonderful photos I have missed because I had to stop and wait for the hair to be pulled back. If you have long hair, past your shoulders, its usually ok, or as long as it will stay behind your ear, but for those with medium to short hair, you might want to pull it back or have one side pulled up. You might try bringing a clip just in case. The same goes for little girls as well, headbands and barrettes work great.

If your child has a favorite doll or toy, feel free to bring it along as well. It adds to the individuality of the picture as well as helping to keep your little one happy and helping them to have fun. For outdoor sessions, don't forget to bring some water and maybe a snack, it can be hard work for a little one to sit still for 1/500th a second. =)

For individual in-home portraits, feel free to have a change or two of clothing. For session in a park, you can change in the restrooms if you have extra clothing. Wear whatever you feel the most comfortable and attractive in. If you feel sexy in a pair of jeans and a nice shirt, then come in that. But whatever you wear, try to make the colors something simple, like a solid color or simple prints. If you wear something too wild, it will distract from your face. But again, if that is what you want, then by all means, wear it.

I want you and your family to have a good time and great photos, so please let me know what I can do to help. Please contact me for any questions or suggestions that you may have. If there is a special type of picture that you would like to have taken or a special place, do not hesitate to ask.