About
I am really sociable and just love people. I'm a very happy and fun person so I get people out of their comfort zone and make them have more confidence. I love to capture special moments in life and love making people feel so beautiful about themselves. I have my associates in science majoring in digital photography. I had a 3.9 gpa and graduated with honors diploma. I was head of my class. My specialty is senior portraits. The kids are so shy and don't feel like there good enough to have there picture taking. Once I capture there beauty they get right into the shoot and feel that they now love their picture taking. So many kids have wrote me saying they needed that confidence and I did just that. Warms my heart to show people their beauty. I have been doing this since 2015 and my business sky rocketed. I am now on the list of photographers for Massena Central High School for senior portraits and have done 6 other schools plus graduation ceremony and senior picnic. So everyone I meet that I don't know by the end of shoot their smiles are priceless and all tell me how much fun it was with a hug. People would think I known them for years. Just love capture anything and everything. Wildlife is another passion of mine and my wildlife pictures have made it on 7News 5 times just this year alone. I'm not only amazing with kids but animal whisperer too. Everytime I go on an outing to take pictures of animals they always seem to pose for me and show off. I have received many awards too on ViewBug for my pictures. I like doing outside pictures better than in my studio. Natural light is always so much better. Also neat using different lighting techniques with my equipment as well with all types of backdrops. I have done over 1000 photography shoots. I always wanted to be a photographer since I was 8. My mom would get me the disposable cameras pack of three and I have them gone in a week. I have so many pictures when I was younger from capturing everything on them camera. So many amazing memories from elementary all the way up to high school. The more technology changed the more interest I got to become a professional photographer and do creative things with pictures. I also restore images that are old or damaged and bring them back to life and color too. It depends on how bad photo is so always have to see the image first. I also do boudoir photography. Love making women feel so beautiful about them and their bodies. I am on Facebook two pages one for my regular photography and then boudoir. Hope LaBrake Photography and Hope LaBrake Boudoir Photography. I have a behance website under Hope LaBrake as well and on ViewBug.
Making people see the beauty within them and to make them feel good about themselves and capturing all the special moments.
Photos and videos
Reviews
Amy T.
April c.
Olivia L.
Jay D.
Aquene t.
Madeline G.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Talk with them on phone call, text, or online and set up time and place and what they want done. Weddings always in person meeting.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have associates degree in science majoring in digital photography. Graduated with honors diploma. I have done over 1000 shoots and advanced user of photoshop and Lightroom.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your services? If so, please share the details here.
Package1
$275 Includes
3 Locations
40 edited images on a CD
Print Release
Online Gallery
All pictures ($55 Extra)
Prints:
(3) 8x11
(3)5x7
(3) 4x6
(1) Sheet of Wallets = 9 wallets
Package 2
$175 Includes
2 Locations
30 Edited images on a CD
Print Release
Online gallery
All pictures ($45 Extra)
Prints:
(2) 8x11
(2) 5x7
(2) 4x6
(1) Sheet of Wallets = 9 wallets
Package 3
$100 Includes
1 Location
15 edited images on a CD
Print Release
Online gallery
All Pictures ($35) Extra
Prints:
(1) 8x11
(1) 5x7
(1) 4x6
Package 4
$75 Includes
1 Location
5 edited images on a CD
Print Release
Online gallery
All Pictures ($30) Extra
Prints:
(1) 8x11
(1) Sheet of Wallets = 9 wallets
Events and weddings range from $275-$1350!!
How did you get started in this business?
I went to college to become a photographer then I got most of my business from using models for my school assignments. People started to see my pictures and wanted to pay me to do theirs they loved my work. Before I went to college did a few and wanted to learn more and become professional and get my degree. I took business classes to and advertising. So my degree Set me up so when I was done I be ready had a business plan, logo, everything there was need to know about doing pictures, lighting equipment etc. I got all of it sent when I first started college so that I could use it through the classes and learn from it then way before I graduated my business was created and succeeding. It's nice to be all set up with everything you need to start your own business.
What types of customers have you worked with?
All types or customers like males, females, handicapped, organizations, police, fire department, ambulance, etc.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
My brother got really sick during End of March 2020! Not with covid other health problems. He got so sick and was put on life support. He needed miracle doctor said. There was no change for 13 days and that wasn't good sign. We video chat him daily with the nurses even though he was sedated heavily we were hoping he could here us seeing we couldn't see him at all this whole time he was in hospital for months then miracle happen and he started Breath on his own. Kidneys were not failing anymore and septic was getting better along with the fluid on his lungs and diabetes. Well I printed a bunch of pictures of him and loved ones put it on fold out poster board with lights and delivered it to hospital and they brought it up to his room. I could see how that meant the world to him when we video chatted he woke up to it so was nice to hear his thoughts. Made him so much better by just having pics in his room. So when he got released from hospital 🏥 I planned a drive by parade to welcome him home, seeing the COVID he couldn't have many visitors so I said parade of all his friends, family, and police would make his day. Needless to say was a amazing turnout we had poster boards hanging out of windows saying welcome home we had balloons 🎈 released into the air as they drove by and threw candy. People he didn't even no showed up. Was truly best experience I have ever done. It was so emotional and I filmed the whole thing so he could always remember that day and how much he means to everyone.
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a pro in your area of expertise?
Make sure they are outgoing and not shy. Check their work out first to see if you like their work. Check reviews and see how qualified they are in photography and how many and what types of photography shoots they have done.
What questions should customers think through before talking to pros about their needs?
When? Where? Time? Location? Wardrobe? What they are looking to get done?