For the parents and recipients of First Holy Communion, I’m certain it feels like a “Once upon a Time” experience donned in white suits and dresses carrying heirloom rosary beads to their photo shoot prior to Church. For me, as the owner of The Camera’s Eye, it’s a smiled upon once-a-year tradition.
Sister Anne Quigley of the Church of Epiphany contacts me faithfully, all pun intended, to photograph the group and individual images every year. 2022 marks her 37th First Communion and she actually instructed 8 children whose parents were also under her care years ago.
In my 21st year as a professional photographer, I sometimes ask myself, “what keeps you motivated, Lisa?” I don’t know. I do know, I was so excited to make these images better than any other year and I’m so grateful for that. It keeps the work fun and enjoyable for myself and the kids.
The recipients must have picked up on my energy; even the young boys stepped up to the plate, posing handsomely with their suit coats. They’re usually the least thrilled about this photo session and would rather be suited up for another inning of baseball!
Congratulations to all at the Church of Epiphany, parents and children involved in this year’s First Holy Communion. Interesting in your child’s portraits? Contact me at http://www.thecameraseye.biz or 607 426 6023. I’d love to hear from you!
Processing…
Success! You're on the list.
Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again.
As we continue to celebrate collaboration, tenacity, & appreciation for all women throughout the month of March, the Femme & Fierce Giveaway is growing momentum. If you haven’t entered to win or heard about it, read on!
Femme & Fierce is a local event empowering young women in our community through the concept of ‘women collaborating to support other women.‘ The Camera’s Eye, along with other female-ownedbusinesses have created a half day event for teenage girls ages 13 to 15, geared towards teaching a balance between owning their femininity & grasping their fierce.
4 teens can win! – each may bring one friend for a total of 8 teens. Femme & Fierce will centralize at The Camera’s Eye Studio in Lake St. in Owego, NY and venture onto Front St to other female run businesses. Professional Esthetician, Beth Brown from Be A Betty Beauty will demonstrate natural makeup application to encourage a positive self image at a time when everything is changing about a teen’s appearance. I’ll take over as a professional photographer and create a supportive photo session for each teen, as well as a take home portrait. There’s no better way to feel empowered than to “see” yourself empowered.
After a snack, we’ll venture to Hygge Home where owner, Mandy Neira will teach how to create a small space of tranquility and chat about the importance of journaling & taking time for yourself, a concept embedded in the Norwegian art of Hygge. These tools build a quieter, but priceless sense of inner strength.
To wrap up the day with a boost of fearlessness, Kathryn Thole, from Simple Form Pilates will demonstrate the importance of core strength – not only in the body, but also the mind. The simple act of physical Self-Care instills power within the mind, the body and the spirit. Young teens need this now more than ever.
So how can you help your teen win? It’s simple!
Any of the following, receives 1 entry. Stay connected – I will post extra ways to enter!
Share this post w/ #WomensDay to a friend or neighbor with a teen
Hats off to all 2021 Owego Free Academy and Owego Apalachin “Movin’ Up” & Middle School graduates! It’s my pleasure and honor to photograph you all.
Looking for the online previews of yourself, son or daughter? Please go to www.thecameraseye.biz Click the Proofing tab and type: 2021Grads A slideshow of the Senior Graduation will begin for you.
The Owego Apalachin School District hires me to photograph these events to provide you a complimentary 5×7, which will be delivered by the school(s) shortly.
Can’t wait for your image or you want to order additional prints?
Please text or call: 607 426 6023 or email: lisamcqueeney@gmail.com. Sizes and pricing below:
8×10 $20
2) 5×7 $20 or 1) 5×7 $15
Payments:
Venmo: @Lisa-McQueeney-27 or check to Lisa McQueeney
Another bonus to being photographed this graduation season is The Camera’s Eye in coordination with Tioga Rural Ministry will be offering exclusive Family photo sessions all July and August. The photo shoot is discounted to you and 50% of all proceeds go to Tioga Rural Ministry. Details below and in your print package from the school.
Have a safe and happy Summer! Hope to see you soon, Lisa
I met Noella, co-operator of Oxbow Farms a few weeks ago at Farmer Browns Farmer’s Market in Apalachin, NY. Wow, that’s a lot of Farms in one sentence! Intrigued by the leap of faith she and her husband, Tim took to be the first local farmers to set up in FBM’s marketplace; I had to know more, so I packed up my gear and met her under the marketplace tent.
As a business owner, she’s engaging, knowledgeable and caring- everything you would imagine from a farmer who is dedicated to “growing food while learning resilience and adaptation in a changing world.” That’s their Instagram business description! As Covid restrictions begin to lift across the world and in the Southern Tier region of Upstate NY, where Oxbow Farms thrives, I knew this business would be the next focus of The Local Lens. Couldn’t we all learn a bit of resilience and adaptation in our changing world!
Noella and Tim had the same goals of producing food on a small scale with practices that support farm ecology without the use of any fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. The catch? They lived states apart, one from Massachusetts and one from Pennsylvania. They settled as a 29 acre, family-run farm located in a beautiful valley in Chemung County, NY and have 2 adorable girls who can be seen in the background learning the family tradition.
The farm sees the first and last frosts of every season, is the home of 6 mobile hoop houses, one wood-heated greenhouse, and has the adaptability to grow over 40 different crops each season. At this point in the growing season, their focus is on all kinds of lettuce. To offer a unique crop, Oxbow turned its focus to Asian greens like Mizuna & Senposai. To learn more about these amazing greens, drop Noella or Tim a message through their website where you can find a kitchen-full of recipes on how to eat these greens.
Where can you buy their products? 2021 marks our 12th season Noella and Tim can be found filling the bags of shoppers at the Ithaca Farmer’s Market. They’re located at Stall 69, April through December.
Most recently, they have graced Farmer Browns Marketplace, under the large white tent at the entrance, Fridays 1- 5pm. Owner, Logan Keeney is delighted to have them as his roots in planting began at a organic vegetable farm in Pennsylvania.
An interesting note about Oxbow Farms, as we all have something more than what appears to “Be” at face value… they love Goats and have Bucklings for sale! Their pedigree-worthy Goat, Pumpkin produced 3 Bucklings this season- Fred, George, and Ron. If you’re like me and know very little about goats, a Buckling is a young male less than a year old.
Interested in purchasing a buckling or wanting more information about Oxbow Farms? Connect with owners Noella and Tim by following any of the links in this post or use the links below:
My previous blog post chatted about prepping for First Holy Communion photographs – the “ins and outs” from the parent’s side of things. This post is what we can learn from children during the event. Really, who’s the student here? Me!!!
As I began the morning, I had a whole new lighting set up to make things more protected taking Covid into account. Instead of a wide open set, I had created a bit of a cocoon to slide one child into at time. First boy into the set stops me dead in my tracks, “Ummm, can I say something?” Me, “Sure! are you uncomfortable? Is everything ok?” Boy…”Oh yeah, I just think this is like sooooomething out of a movie- are you gonna clone me in here or anything?” Ha ha ha! What do you say to that?!! This is 7:45 a.m. GREAT way to start my day! I loved it!
I’m about 20 minutes into shooting, and posing is happening effortlessly. I think to myself, these parents are incredible, they must show their children images of “how” they want them to smile, or look serious, etc. So I just ask… “How did you know how to give me such a great little smile just now?” Answer… “Oh I didn’t, I just really like your sneakers and they made me smile.” There you have it – posing is all in the shoes! I do try to “dress down” when working with kids and I had a pair of floral printed Chuck Taylors on… I might need to start a collection!
Continuing with the theme of clothing as it was a hot topic this particular morning, I quickly fell in love with the dresses and asked, “Oh my goodness, this dress is so unique, did you pick it out yourself?” Without a care in the world as if we were in the Royal Palace prepping for Tea, “This one? Ohhhhh Noooooo, Harper picked it out for me, of course!” lol! I really had to keep my composure on THAT one, because THAT was hysterical!
I think it’s important to introduce yourself to children. They have all the same feelings as we do, so I try to let them know whose working with them to create their portrait that day. As more kids arrive and people are buzzing around, I sometimes forget, so I accidentally introduced myself twice to one child. I saw the look on her face,… “did I already tell you that?” Answer… “Um yes, you did, but that’s ok Lisa, because I’ve been wanting to tell you I really like your necklace- it reminds me a Jelly Beans!” PRICELESS!
There’s always a few children that just aren’t comfortable smiling- whether they don’t like their teeth or they’re afraid to be silly because it’s a Church event, who knows why. I try to get them out of the moment by asking about their pets. This morning, I got the entire history of the family pet, as well as the family! “Do you have a pet? A dog or a cat in your house?” Loooong streaming answer… “Yessss. A dog. He’s kinda like Bolt. Acts like Bolt too. Do you know the movie, Bolt?” Me…”uhhhh, Yes, I do- great movie!” Continuing….”oh yeeaaaaah, well he even runs around like him, zoom zoom, like lightning and then we have to yell his name to calm him down. My Grandmother named him by the way. She said we have to name him Bolt and the next thing you knew, we called him Bolt.” At this point, I’d forgotten the whole reason I asked about a pet. “How did we get to talking about Bolt?” “I don’t know. You were taking my photo and asked me if I had any smiles in my back pocket, and then, You asked me about my pets.” RIGHT!!! Schooled again!
I feel thoroughly prepared for next year. I need a new wardrobe, a name tag made of candy, and a fashionista to pick my clothing for the event! What a treat to work with kids!!!
Meet Laura, a 2019 senior at Owego Free Academy! I had a blast shooting with her, her mom, and her friend Maria.
For her senior session, Laura wanted outfits that would reflect all her different sides. She found most of her clothes at a consignment store the day before!
Laura does a lot of theater and music and runs cross-country. She also just returned from a one-year Rotary exchange program in northern Thailand.
A huge thank you to Laura for a great senior session with The Camera’s Eye! Best of luck in your last year at OFA 🙂
Thanks to ALL of my 2019 seniors and families! Senior sessions might be over, but it’s never too early to start thinking about grad announcements. And if you want to use any of your photos for holiday cards, I need your orders in by Dec 1.! Contact me today 🙂
Hey, Tioga County residents! Don’t miss this amazing event on November 2nd and November 3rd! The Camera’s Eye will be shooting portraits to be displayed and for sale as posters throughout downtown Owego during the month of December. All proceeds benefit the Tioga County United Way! Just bring $20 and your best smile. You’ll walk away with a hard copy and a digital file to show your community pride all over social media!
Check out the Heads Up Tioga event page on Facebook! And if you’re a client of The Camera’s Eye from Tioga County, you KNOW I would love to see you again! Mark your calendars for this Friday and Saturday, and get ready to be the face of Tioga County!
Logan, who has a self-described “rather diverse background in horticulture,” became the owner of Farmer Brown’s a little over a year ago, and he has HUGE plans for the business 🙂
In his first season alone, he improved the store display and shopping experience, featuring products that were 85% homegrown, and even increasing sales despite the wonky weather we went through this year in the Southern Tier!
At Farmer Brown’s, you can now enjoy rewards for frequent purchases. Even more exciting, Logan has brought his brother-in-law Adam R. Coney on board as house designer, which puts them on the path of custom planting!
Also, just because the temps are dropping doesn’t mean Farmer Brown’s is done for the season. This year, keep an eye out for home-grown poinsettias and ‘Live From New York State’ Christmas trees. Logan and Adam hope to move to a year-round farmers market-style business, and are using this year’s holiday season to test the waters 🙂
To own a piece of Logan and Adam’s custom work and support The United Way at the same time, please visit our plant auction Facebook page! The auction is hosted by The Camera’s Eye, Farmer Brown’s Marketplace, and the Belva Lockwood Inn – sneak peeks are available up until the auction opens on Friday September 28th!
As the owner of The Camera’s Eye, I find networking with business owners vital to thriving in small upstate NY! Last week, I shared my love of gardening with the owners of the soon-to-open Belva Lockwood Inn and scored a fun gardening project that exploded with creativity and opportunity for two other local shops! Read through to learn how THIS WEEK you can own a piece of our project and support The United Way at the same time 🙂
Locals Julie and Ike Loveless purchased a dilapidated building at 249 Front St. Owego, NY and gained more than they bargained for with both a spot on the hit HGTV television show House Hunters AND a striking piece of history from the 1800s.
When Julie asked me to “fancy up” the half-torn-down porch for an official tour by travel bloggers converging for an international TBEX conference in Corning NY, I was “game on!” I drew in Logan Keeney, the new owner of Farmer Brown’s Marketplace, not only because his flowers adorn my property; his brother-in-law designer, Adam Coney, also created a stunning arrangement across the street from my studio that I used as a photo backdrop all summer!
Adam wanted to incorporate a shabby chic style to match the re-purposing of the old house, so off I went to Rusty and Jewel to beg owner Lisa Bystrak for wares that could create the look Adam desired.
Adam named the custom arrangements “A Cinderella Story” because they literally came to life in one night! The event went off fantastically, and construction at the Inn is now back in full force. Logan and I can’t handle seeing the Cinderella arrangements become covered in deck stain and wood-working dust, so we’ve decided to auction them off on Facebook with proceeds benefiting the United Way! Bidding is Friday and Saturday, September 28th and 29th – check out our sneak peaks all week!
Meet one of our 2019 seniors at The Camera’s Eye – MacKenzie, a soccer player from Maine Endwell!
MacKenzie is one of my many athletic seniors this year, and I really love her style! She brought a striking striped dress to the shoot, and a really soothing lavender top 🙂
She kept it simple and used her outfits to really capture her personality and style without going overboard, which I love!
You would never know from the photos that she had ACL surgery this summer – she was totally game to bring her brace along and take it off whenever we stopped to shoot.
You’d also never know that we had to reschedule three times due to the weather! Of course it was worth it – MacKenzie was amazing to work with, and we got just the right senior photo session to show her personality and style 🙂
We are booking up fast, but we still have a few slots for senior sessions in the next month or so! Contact us at The Camera’s Eye today 🙂
The Camera's Eye 