What you get with Shots by Sheryl

I'm Sheryl Lester. I am a professional photographer located in Ridgeland, MS. I do travel anywhere though. I love to see new places. So I'm writing this to give you more insight into what you get when you chose me as your photographer.

Now days anyone can go buy a digital SLR and start taking photos. Anyone who has a consumer line, semi pro line or pro line camera can claim to be a photographer. A true professional though does not just go buy a camera and shoot on automatic. A true pro knows all the ins and outs to their camera. They can shoot fully manual and control every aspect of your portraits and memories. Another thing is this. Digital is TOO easy! You see the photo as soon as you take it. A real pro knows how to shoot with film as well.

When choosing Shots by Sheryl, you're choosing a real professional photographer. I haven't touched the automatic functions on my camera in over 3 years!! I also can shoot with a film camera. I can process and develop film and prints in a dark room. I'm slowly working towards going back to film for most of my work because I want to offer the highest quality of portraits possible to my clients. Digital is so flat. Yes, it's easier, cheaper, and yes, I use digital. However, I'm fixing to start shooting both. I want to go back to using film for the quality and use digital as a back up method. Also, when choosing Shots by Sheryl, you're choosing someone who has been trained. I graduated from Belhaven University (formerly Belhaven College) in December 2009 with a bachelors in photography. I've been trained in every aspect of film photography and dark room methods. I've been taught composition, lighting (studio & outdoor), the proper use of equipment, and how to shoot fully manual.

When choosing me, I ensure all my clients the highest quality portraits they desire. I am very passionate about my work. I take pride in every photograph I show my clients. It's my goal to get a great response from my clients with everything I do.

I also understand that I'm not the right photographer for everyone. I know that I am not the only professional photographer in this area. I understand that not everyone will chose me to capture their precious memories. I do hope, when everyone is choosing a photographer, they will take all these things into consideration and don't chose someone just because they're cheap. Photography is not just taking a photo. There's a creative mind behind every photo. There is equipment that is not cheap, the post production work involved, the cost of products, and so much more involved with every portrait.

I hope this gives more insight into me as a professional photographer and the photography world in general.

Thanks,
Sheryl Lester
Shots by Sheryl
Photography & Design
601.573.6829
sheryl@sbsphotography.net

Angela & Preston

I went to Laurel back in November to photograph a wedding. The bride wanted to shoot outside but it ended up being super cold and rainy. Yuck! We went to a friend of the brides house and came out with these great photos!

School work

So graduation is December 19 and here's some of what I'm working on for my senior exhibition in the Spring. I've spent 6.5 years in college and it's crazy to think I'm almost done! WOOHOO! The 2 photos on the matboard is a continuation of the big tree next to it. Neither piece is completed yet but both are in the works. The big tree is basically the tree of life. I used multiple trees symbolizing that we are the same and yet all so different in our own aspects. The tree & figure will become a big tree as well unifying the connection of the human figure with the figurative qualities of trees. Yet again, the tree of life.

A 60th Anniversary party

This anniversary party was by far a great experience. I have never done an anniversary and wasn't sure if a lot of people even hiring photographers for their anniversaries. I met this family in 2008, when I photographed a wedding for the family. Their granddaughter was getting married and wore the same dress her grandmother and mother wore, just redesigned a little. Here's the family photo and a sample from the granddaughters bridal shoot from 2008. I love this family and they are such great people to work with and I was honored that they called me for their anniversary party.

My 1st beach wedding!

Here's a teaser from my first beach wedding August 8, 2009. The happy couple are good friends of mine. Brandi and I worked together at Sam's club in the photo lab where I got my start in photography. I was so excited to get to photograph their wedding in Orange Beach, AL! I had been dying to do a destination wedding. I have to say, they are the most fun EVER! I can't wait to do more destination weddings. Here are some photos from the wedding!

Check out www.flickr.com/shotsbysheryl for more photos!

My first destination wedding!

July 18, 2009 - New Orleans, LA

This was my first destination wedding. Due rain the few days before we didn't get to do much outdoors but I got some great shots. This was also the first wedding I shot with my new Canon 50mm lens. These are low resolution. Check out www.flickr.com/shotsbysheryl. That site shows the true quality of my work.