Treasure your moments now while you can...

partners with leading salons and stylists in the F-M area for all client hair and makeup styling.

Once in the studio there is laughter, smiles and talk between mother and daughters, sisters, or girlfriends. Kannenberg guides them on how to stand or where to place their hands. It’s comfortable and easy and the time passes quickly.

Her favorite age to shoot is what Kannenberg calls a woman in her “fabulous 50s,” when a woman has gone through difficulties in life, goals have been reached, and she values herself better, but doesn’t always see her own beauty.

Peggy Bullinger was apprehensive before her session. Uncomfortable in front of the camera, the day began with a dose of courage. “I was pleasantly surprised,” says Bullinger. “I had a truly wonderful time with my daughters, Nikki, Kelly and Toni. It was a great bonding experience.” Like many of the sessions it became a girls' day out, as they left Bullinger’s husband Mike in charge of the many grandchildren. And, Bullinger reports, “All the husbands loved the photographs!”

“I get so many compliments from friends and family when they see the portraits,” says Julie Shorma. Shorma was photographed with her mom and now has a lasting keepsake to treasure. She was impressed with Kannenberg’s professionalism, knowing how every nuance would show up on the photograph. “I felt so feminine, so beautiful, it was comfortable and fun.”

Kannenberg reflects on the fact that today people seldom print their photographs. They reside on CDs where no one sees them. CDs fail and we lose our precious photographs. She urges us to do the photography for our kids, our grandkids.

“Treasure your moments now while you can,” says Kannenberg.

Her words are filled with depth and emotion. Last October 11, 2013 Kannenberg lost her mom, Valentina, and like so many, doesn’t have a portrait of the two of them. The next five years she is dedicating her female portraiture to Valentina’s memory.

As her website states: In my heart of hearts, I believe that every woman should have the most remarkable portraits taken of them, not only by themselves, but with their mother, daughter, sister, or best friend. If you love your family as much as I do, please, love your loved ones. [AWM] www.elenakphotography.com