May the 4th Be With You (What a difference a year makes)

May the 4th Be With You (What a difference a year makes)

missing my “May the 4th” pal this year. We seem to have viewing sessions around May 4th each year.
But just had to share what a difference a year makes. Here is her lovely Denver child model daughter, Presley in her tutus! We love tutus!
These photos were taking almost exactly a year apart. PS – For our last “1 year apart” image, click here.
Denver Child Model with Tutu 1 year apart
I highly recommend annual photo sessions WITH your kids. It’s so fun to see how they grow from year to year.
As I tell all my client, friends, family (anyone who will listen, really) – investing in quality family portraits is one of the best choices you can make this year.
Long after the spontaneous Target or Costco shopping spree is spent (been there, done that), or the stylish purse, the on-trend shoes, the expertly applied streaky hair highlights (or purple hair tips) are gone, long after the fancy meals are eaten, the fine wine is drunk and forgotten, long after the pretty new couch looks worn and old – these images are what will last forever and bring you joy several generations.
BTW, to ready more about Presley, her mother, their journey in the modeling world, and what a child model headshot session is like with me, click here. ]]>

Denver Dancer: In My Client's Words / Testimonial for Natascha Lee Studios

Oh My Gosh! I just opened my email to this *amazing* email from Rachel.

Rachel, thank you so much! You are such a beautiful person, inside and out, and a pretty amazing writer…Dang, now I want to model for this “Natascha.” 😉

“I am nowhere near a model and was rather skeptical about how my strictly dancer experience would translate in front of the camera. However, the instant I walked into to Natascha Lee’s shoot, I felt more than just at ease, but truly beautiful. She made every effort to empower me, including blasting my favorite Beyonce records to ignite my inner diva. Hours passed in what felt like minutes and my skepticism turned into artistic fuel guided by the ever-creative Natascha. Through encouraging words and strategic direction, Natascha gave me one of the most fun and invigorating photoshoots I’d ever experienced. Feeling alive and dazzling would have been reward enough, but seeing the stunning pictures she produced was incredible. I will treasure these photos forever.” Rachel Leah
You can see more photos of of Rachel here and here. Natascha Lee Studios Denver Dancer Women's Fine Portraiture  IMG_7328-eal-sfw

Denver Portraits for Dancers, Performers and Headshots for Corporate Executives

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Denver Headshots with Personality (sm) for Dancers and Performers – by Natascha Lee Studios

Studio Tour images to share this one of Lisa, a local dancer who works with lots of wonderful Denver organizations including the Black Actors Guild and Cleo Parker Robinson. Her bubbly personality is so fun to be around! Check out her super cool ombre hair style….and look at those eyes! Wow! Denver Portraits for Dancers by Natascha Lee Studios - IMG_7233-eal-sfw

Denver Headshots with Personality for Dancers, Performers and Executives

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Broomfield Community Spotlight Series #6: Danse Etoile Ballet (Brought to you by Natascha Lee Studios)

th installment of Community Spotlight is here and this week we are featuring Danse Etoile Ballet located in Broomfield, Colorado As previous ballet dancers ourselves, we at Natasha Lee Studios are beyond excited to feature a great local company, Danse Etoile Ballet, that puts on amazing performances that cater to both the art lover and families. To get to know more about Danse Etoile Ballet we talked with founder and owner, Marie-Jose Payannet. [caption id="attachment_3120" align="aligncenter" width="245"]Credit: Photo provided by Marie-Jose Photo Credit: Photo provided by Marie Jose[/caption]

Can you tell us about Danse Etoile Ballet?

Danse Etoile Ballet is a non-profit dance organization founded by Marie-Jose Payannet. Dedicated to offering artists of all ages a place to refine their talent and an opportunity to perform. Since its first performance in January of 2005, Danse Etoile has produced original story ballets ranging from the classical to the contemporary and folk styles.

How did DanseEtoile Ballet get its start?

Incorporated in 2004 in service in 2005 for our first performances at the Dance is for everybody and the dairy center . We didn’t have a studio and rehearsed everywhere sometimes 9pm at night, Sundays, without heat…. Our first class was on an indoor soccer field.

When you were practicing on soccer fields and without heat did you think that you would ever be where you are today?

I had no idea. I was just focused on teaching and rehearsing the best I could for our first performance. One day at the time with a vision.
[caption id="attachment_3121" align="aligncenter" width="480"]amanda_christopher_BW_N4Q5694 Photo Credit: Macht[/caption]

How would you describe the mission of Danse Etoile Ballet?

Danse Etoile Ballet is dedicated to producing quality artistic performances, programs, and instruction, which will foster access to, and appreciation of dance and theater for new audiences.

What type of classes does Danse Etoile Ballet offer for different ages and skill sets?

By maintaining small class sizes, dancers of all ages are given individual attention and guidance tailored to their specific needs. The family atmosphere at Danse Etoile  provides a healthy environment where dancers feel comfortable to push themselves out of their comfort zones and reach new levels of success. The performance opportunities given to our dancers are un-paralleled to any other company. Dancers are not only expected to be technical in their art, but also be professional in their performance

Why is ballet an important skill to learn?

It is not ballet by itself. It is the all aspect of professional training in a safe, family like environment where students can strive to be their best, learn a hard physical discipline, learn a team effort as well as to be mentally strong when challenged, learn to perform in front of difference audiences and at different venues, volunteer, understand the importance of Arts in the community. Ballet is also a great way to stay in shape and not being bored as it gets challenging very quickly.
Interested in becoming a performer, or getting your children involved? Checkout their summer sessions that are now enrolling!

How does Danse Etoile Ballet positively affect the community?

Danse Etoile Ballet strives to produce three full-length performances every season. These performances are funded through local and national grants as well as local businesses. Each performance consist of three to four shows, held over a period of two days. Each show attracts an audience ranging from 150 to 400 people from Boulder, Broomfield and Denver counties. We feel that it is important for our community to be involved in the arts. Every performance we provide discounted and free tickets to organizations like the Girl Scouts, retirement communities, and other local non-profits. By sponsoring a performance, you enable us to continue allowing dance as well as the arts, to be accessible to our community. As well as producing full-length performances, we participate in community events such as the Boulder Creek Festival, Dance is for Everybody and the Broomfield Days. The company also performs in several schools as part of our outreach program. By sponsoring a season you are aiding us in our effort to educate the community on the importance of the arts.
[caption id="attachment_3123" align="aligncenter" width="408"]_DPX0712-2 Photo Credit: Provided by Dance Etoile[/caption]

Can you tell us a little more about your kid-friendly/family performances? What should a family expect at a show?

All the performances we produced are fun to watch for everyone at different levels. They are colorful, unique, great music and choreography, often with a touch of humor, very lively. The theater is small and you can see well from everywhere, the kids can come and meet with the dancers and be inspired to dance.  It is somewhat intimate and you get really caught up in the performance. And the ticket price is cheap so even low income families can enjoy it.
At Natascha Lee Studios we love that Danse Etoile Ballet has performances that are catered to families and young audiences – it is amazing to get to expose kids to the arts, especially in this capacity of talent and entertainment value!
To learn more about Danse Etoile Ballet, click here to visit them online
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Happy New Year – 213 Best Photos of 2013 in 2:13 (Broomfield – Beautiful Family Portraits by Natascha Lee Studios)

Happy New Year to all my wonderful clients, partners, friends and vendors.

Thank you for a wonderful 2013! May 2014 be filled with all that you wish for.

Want to see my 213 favorite images of 2013, in 2 (about) minutes?

Just check out the video below….the best  baby, newborn, children and family portraits of 2013.

(Along with some headshots with personality and my Dancers, Dreamers and Make-Believers art images.)

Natascha Lee Studios Year End 2013 720p from N Lee on Vimeo.

Broomfield Baby and Family Photography

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