We are currently looking for friendly and well behaved dog and cat models to be photographed for our portfolio. For more information please click here.
Magazine Cover of Personal Branding Session with Pfizer Payroll Director
Back in February, I was excited to be selected by the American Payroll Association for an editorial photoshoot to photograph the April issue's cover image of the PAYTECH Magazine, their official publication distributed monthly to 20,000 members in Payroll, Finance, and related fields.
The issue focused on an interview with Rita Ademu-John, the Payroll Director of Pfizer. Fortune 500 listed Pfizer is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies with nearly 80,000 employees. When I first spoke with Rita I was immediately impressed by her warmth and welcoming attitude. Originally from Sierra Leone, Africa, she started at Pfizer USA over 40 years ago as a secretary to the Payroll Manager. Today she leads that very same Payroll department as Director. She worked her way up and today continues her compassionate involvement with her colleagues, inspiring the younger employees to take on new responsibilities and to never give up. During our session we had a deep conversation about how a positive attitude and the willingness to continuously learn and grow will keep you on your path to happiness. Rita came to my studio in Branchburg, central New Jersey, for her Personal Branding photography session and we captured a great variety of images which showcased her personality plus a few images with her husband Shika who had accompanied her during the shoot. Her positive energy and self-confidence was clearly captured in the portraits and headshots we created together. It was so wonderful and fun to work with Rita; our time together that day was mutually rewarding.
Here is the link to the magazine article: April-21-Pfizer.pdf (americanpayroll.org)
Alessia's Dance Photos
My last photo shoot of 2020 was dance. In contrast to the usual white background dance photos, I chose an more artistic look by using an artfully painted background. This amazing dancer is Alessia, 9 years old. She started dancing at age two, has trained in ballet, lyrical, jazz, hip hop, tap, ballroom, and contemporary. She dances at Studio L Bridgewater, NJ and attends dance conventions as well. She has won several scholarships, titles and awards both regionally and has also won on the national level. She believes in continually setting goals for herself and that practice makes progress. She enjoys doing what she loves, dancing!
Check out Alessia’s Instagram page here.
Headshot Special is on now!
Get 30% off regular price! Headshot Special will run from September 26 to September 30, 2020, in our studio in Branchburg NJ. You’ll get an in-studio professional photo session, professional retouching of your images, images delivered via high-res. digital file, choose from different background options (choose between black, gray or white), instant viewing and selection, discount off additional images and a quick turnaround. Two different packages available. To book your session please follow this link: https://www.simoneschmetz.com/headshot-special
Ilan's First Birthday Snow Session
If we have no snow outside, we’ll bring it inside! Ilan’s first birthday was coming up and we created this winter set specifically for his birthday photos. He was so much fun to photograph. Ilan knows how to look at the camera; he is already a model! He modeled for kids clothes and acted in the TV show God Friended Me right after our session. Happy Birthday sweet boy!
Weichert Realtor Professional Headshot Session
This is Ben. A professional Real Estate Agent at Weichert in Flemington, NJ. We created some new headshots for his business. If you're looking for a new home or planning to sell yours in the Flemington area, please reach out to him!
Fine Art Portraits of Savannah, age 2 years
This little sassy girl had so much energy that she just couldn’t sit still throughout her entire session. Savannah celebrated her second birthday and we created some beautiful princess portraits for her and her family.
The Portrait Masters Image Awards 2019
I'm so excited and proud not only to receive another Silver Award for one of my images, but also to have my image displayed in the gallery of the best TOP 20 worldwide in the Children’s category.
The Portrait Masters Accreditation & Conference in Phoenix, Arizona
Beginning of September I spent an inspiring albeit super hot week at The Portrait Masters Conference in Phoenix, AZ. I met so many wonderful people and professionals and I was inspired by the speakers, vendors and the community. My portfolio was reviewed by award-winning creative portrait and illustrative photographer Richard Wood. As I was invited on stage to receive my medal for earning my accreditation as a Portrait Masters Associate, I thought back to all the long hours to get here, with so much more to do! My next goal is to reach the Master Level.
Glamour Portraits in Leipzig, Germany
Anja had recently separated from her partner. She scheduled a glamour portrait session with me to celebrate a new chapter in her life. When we get older and after having kids we struggle sometimes to see our own beauty. I’m glad I was able to show Anja hers. The photo shoot was full of fun and laughter, as we fussed over different setups, outfits and accessories. We created a beautiful new set of portraits for her, photos I’m sure her children will come to treasure later in life.
Headshot Session Jacqueline
Jacqueline came to me to update her headshot for her work as a Hotel Manager in Germany. Besides great headshots, I was thrilled to send her home also with this beautiful portrait for herself, which she could share with her family and loved ones.
Personal Branding Services for Debutante Anisa
This is Debutante Anisa. I filmed a video of her speaking about her participation in the Debutante Leadership Program sponsored by Essex County (NJ) The Links, Inc. and created her website, including this headshot. As part of the program, Anisa will participate in various community service events focused on global service. Pretty amazing young lady! Check her out here:
Communion Photo Shoot Jackie & Alex, Branchburg NJ
I am happy to share with you couple of portraits from the Holy Communion Portrait session with these twins. Jaqueline and Alexander I hope your special day was one you will always remember. God bless you always!
Workshop Day in NYC
In search of my style, I intend to try different things to which I’m drawn. I love classic portraits where the image appears almost like a painting. For that reason, I attended a workshop with the internationally acclaimed photographer Paulina Duczman in NYC to learn more about Fine Art Portraiture. Since I’m back in my studio I’m working on perfecting my style and applying everything I have learned.
Alyssa's First Communion Portraits
I’ve had the pleasure of photographing this beautiful girl with Santa Claus and I couldn’t be more excited to have her back in the studio for her first Communion portraits! We started the session with professional Hair and Makeup by Nicole from The Beauty Lounge who gave Alyssa a stunning look. During the session she was was just perfect and very patient during all my posing ideas. We did some thoughtful moments and also some fun stuff for her. As her mom told me, she had fun at the session and the family was blown away by her images. Here are some favorites of mine.
Portrait Masters Image Awards March 2019
I'm over the moon to tell you, I received my first SILVER award for the 2019 Portrait Master Images Awards along with five Bronze awards. The images were judged by some of the world's most highly acclaimed portrait photographers and creative artists. All the images I submitted over the last two years accumulated 27 points and I'm finally accredited a Portrait Master Associate.
Portrait Master Awards September 2018
I’m happy to announce that I received awards for the third time for my images in the Portrait Masters Awards and Accreditation Program. The images were judged by one of the best panels in the industry, all international highly respected photographers. I entered 35 of my images and every image earned a Bronze award and brought me very close to my accreditation. Two of my images were very close to receiving a Silver award, having just missed by two points.
Family Portrait Session
While spending time in Germany this summer, I decided to photograph my dad, his wife and my children together. My dad was very ill recently. There were times we didn’t know whether or not he would make it. It was a very upsetting time for us and made us rethink our lives and remaining time together. I realized it would be important to document and record my dad with his loved ones through a portrait session. My kids are growing up and, though their lives are documented in thousands of images and videos, we believed strongly that a proper professional portrait, especially a portrait with grandparents and grandkids, would prove priceless. Can you imagine how amazing it will be for our kids– any kids! – to see such images in 30 or 40 years from now? I’m sure they will treasure them. I’ll be honest: photographing my own kids was not fun at all. And adding to my frustration was my Dad’s habit of making his signature, peculiar faces, his so-called Schmetz-Faces! In the end, I love how I caught all those precious moments of doing silly faces and laughing together. It was a priceless experience seen from both sides of the camera.
Don’t miss capturing such moments with your family and loved ones!
Painting Canvas Backdrops
This month my studio was turned into a painting room. I spent a couple of days painting new canvas backdrops and also refreshing some older ones. My goal was to offer a variety of different color backdrops for my portrait sessions. It was a lot of fun mixing all the colors and learning about how to apply different textures. Overall it took me 5 days including the drying time to finish seven new backdrops for the studio.
The Portrait Masters Competition 2017: Award and Accreditation
I'm very proud to announce that one of the most highly respected industry panels and international accreditation programs awarded five of my six images a Bronze medal, namely The Portrait Masters Competition 2017.
I received these five awards in the Children's Portrait category. Relative to the Portrait Masters Competition's grading scale, the bronze award stands for "High Professional Standard". The professional judging was based on styling, composition, focus, lighting, connection (i.e. between photographer and model), posing, post production and overall technique and presentation.
The judges are an incredible panel of highly respected international professionals, who collectively hold over 100 years of experience in both winning similar contests and judging comparable competitions, as well as running successful photography businesses.
The judges were:
Richard Wood (New Zealand)
Pippin Schembri (Sydney, Australia)
Kelly Brown (Brisbane, Australia)
Susan Stripling (New York, United States)
Ray Schembri (Sydney, Australia)
Alycia Savage Alvarez (Texas, United States)
Michele Celentano (Arizona, United States)
Sue Bryce (New Zealand & USA)
My original goal for 2017 was to become a professional portrait photographer and I’m more than proud that I accomplished that! My goal for 2018 is to get my new studio up and running and to become an accredited portrait master!