New Hampshire Family and Senior Photographer Carey Hough

August 14, 2017

Senior Guys Need Photos Too! | Lakes Region NH Senior Guy Photography

Do a web search for senior photography and you will end up with endless photos of pretty girls in great clothes and wonderful poses. But unless you start getting more specific you won’t find a lot of photos of senior guys. A lot of senior guys don’t think to book their senior photos, choose not to book them, or think they are stupid and pointless, and just go along with them for mom. While I applaud the ones that do it to make mom happy (because you do whatever you can for your mom – she birthed you – and if momma ain’t happy ain’t no one happy!), I’m here to say that guy senior photos don’t have to be painful and they don’t have to suck!

Take this session for instance. This is Ryan. He wasn’t thrilled to be doing his photos, but he knew it meant a lot to his mom, so he agreed to get them done. We ended up doing these photos on some family property, and at the property there was a pickup truck that had belonged to his father and was very meaningful to him. We made sure to include that in his session. I also always encourage my clients to wear clothing they like and are comfortable in. While I do provide guidelines as to what will look timeless and photograph best – ultimately it’s most important that you feel good in what you are wearing. It took a few minutes to get Ryan to warm up, but by the end of the session he was comfortable – and dare I say it – even having a little fun?!

Thanks Ryan for hopping in front of my camera and making your mom happy – I hope you were happy with your photos as well!

August 2, 2017

I did something that scared me to my core the other day – and I am so thankful I did it.

**This gets wordy. If you want to see nice pictures just scroll down**

I did something that scared me to my core the other day – and I am so thankful I did it.

I offered to help out my local college summer league baseball team, the Winnipesaukee Muskrats, this season (kind of picture Summer Catch with Freddie Prinze Jr. for an idea – a Hollywood idea since real summer ball isn’t like that at all). And what I thought would be a couple months of volunteer work during my slow season turned into a really fun slow season and summer season volunteer job. It’s wrapping up now as the summer baseball season comes to a close, and the other night was a big promo night I had helped arrange, the Host Family Appreciation Night. Depending on what our promo night is, we try to get someone appropriate to throw the first pitch, and if possible, sing the National Anthem. I was asked which one I wanted to do, with neither not being an option. Since I’ve never really thrown a baseball, the choice was made for me. I’d be singing. In front of people. Real people. Not in the shower like normal, where people (including my family) don’t exist because I can’t see them. Petrified. I was petrified.

Just a quick background, growing up I sang (I wasn’t Kelly Clarkson but I had a bucket I could carry a tune in), and was in chorus and theater, and even went on to try to study musical theater in college. I say “try” because after a semester of study, and a truly terrible talent show rendition of “Carrickfergus” I decided to give it up. It’s all I had ever thought I’d do, but I had failed. Nope I was done. And now, more than 15 years later, I was asked to sing somewhere that wasn’t the comfy confines of my bathroom. In front of living, breathing people that could judge me and watch me fail.

I summoned up some courage (I’m still not sure how), and went out and sang. In front of a crowd of about 240 people. A lot were friends. Some were acquaintances. Most were strangers. And while I’m not winning a Grammy anytime soon, I was able to pull it off despite losing my note in the beginning.

The reason I’m sharing this story with you, is because it got me thinking of how often in life we hide away out of fear of judgement, fear of people witnessing our failure, or even fear of witnessing our success. It’s why I don’t blog nearly as much as I should. What if no one reads it? What if I don’t know what to write? What if they look at my portraits and hate them? What if I’m not good enough?

That stops today. Was I afraid of signing? Yeah totally. Did I die? No (I didn’t even throw up even though I was convinced I would). Did I do an okay job. Yes. Did I learn something about myself? Hell yes.

To anyone who is afraid to do something because they fear failure, judgement, success, or anything like that – stop. Just stop. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.” A pretty kickass and tenacious British leader said that. (Churchill). And while you do learn a lot from failure, and it makes success that much sweeter – I think you learn a lot more from courage to persist in spite of fear and failure. “I know that sounds like a cat poster – but it’s true.” (a quote from someone almost as kickass as Churchill, though less real, Vitruvius).

And with all that said…I’m going to stop fearing and start posting pictures of a senior session I did a while back with an awesome guy named Bailey! Bailey is super talented and was awesome in front of the camera and just a blast to photograph! Thanks again Bailey!!!

April 14, 2017

Prom Sessions for Laconia, Gilford, Belmont, Alton and beyond!

Can you feel it? No, I’m not quoting two Disney lions…it’s SPRING! Spring is almost 100% here and I am so thrilled to be done with the white stuff on the ground. It’s great to have the snow and cold for a little while, but by St. Patrick’s Day I. Was. Over. It. But now I’ve seen birds, small animals, bees…I wore capris and a sleeveless top y’all. Yay SPRING!

It’s also time for Prom. You and your friends get to get all dolled up and just let loose and have fun dancing the night away while looking like Hollywood royalty. I am beyond jealous of some of the dress styles they have now. They are just gorgeous and sparkly and crazy fun.

You spend all this time, effort, and money to look like the superstar you are (and you are – even without the fancy clothes and makeup!), but a lot of times we forget to take pictures of the moment to remember it later, or even years from now. Or we do take pictures, but maybe whoever was taking them wasn’t great with their cropping, the light was bad and there are horrible shadows across you (this was my prom picture nightmare), you look super pasty like a ghost or green or blue. Or even worse – they sit on a memory card or computer or phone and when you go to look at them later they’ve corrupted and you can’t access them anymore. I’ve had and seen this happen – and it. just. sucks.

You want to remember this night and how crazy gorgeous you and your friends looked, and be reminded of the fun that you had that night. I can help with that – I’m currently booking prom sessions! So here’s the deal: session length depends on how many people we are photographing, but start at 15 minutes. You get a gallery of images to look through and choose three digital images to download (same in the couple or group setting – each person gets 3 of their choice). You also will get a free 5×7 of your favorite photo to make sure that you have a hard copy so you always have a way to look back on this time. I’ll also have special print packages available if you want more prints.

Inter-Lakes High School Prom is Saturday May 13th. Gilford High School Prom and Belmont High School Prom is Friday May 19th and Laconia High School Prom is Saturday May 20th. Sessions are going to be very limited so book now! It’s time to channel your inner Bella or Gigi or show your swag for the camera. You are putting so much time and effort into this night it’s going to be extraordinary – your photos should be anything but ordinary. Call or email me: carey@careyhoughphotography.com today to book!

June 21, 2016

Asia | Belmont High School NH | NH Senior Pictures

It’s summer! I am so excited for the warm weather, the campfires, the S’MORES! Can you think of a better place to spend summer than the Lakes Region of New Hampshire? An hour drive gets us to the mountains or the ocean. And if it’s so hot that maybe you don’t even want to move, we have any number of lakes just a hop, skip, and jump away. Summer is a time for so many things. Hanging out with friends. Soaking up the sun and listening to music. Driving around carefree. Working that job so you have a little money to actually do stuff with your friends. Sleeping in late (am I right?). It also means it’s graduation and goodbyes time for the class of 2016 and exciting firsts and lasts for the class of 2017. I am so happy that I have a job that lets me experience this fun time in such a beautiful place.

My last class of 2016 senior is Asia. I felt an instant connection to her the second we met for coffee to discuss her session. Not only was she into coffee – which frankly is the quickest way to be my BFF in case you’re looking for tips – but she is very involved with her school’s theater productions. Top it off with her having a desire to get her pilots license and an outstanding sense of fashion – and this girl had me just dying to take her senior photos! Asia wanted a bit of a collective look. She wanted a very unique location and suggested Wayfarer Coffee to start, and then we went on to a bit of an industrial look, followed by a park location. We had such a blast taking her senior pictures and I can’t wait for you all to see them!

How would you describe yourself?
I would describe myself as somewhere between fun and easy-going and quiet and introspective. I love art and music, so I guess you could say I’m on the creative side.

What is special about Belmont High School?
My high school is tiny which, of course, has its downsides, but everyone knows each other’s names and cares, which is a fantastic way to grow up.

What do you like to do in your free time?
I spend my free time riding horses, singing and drawing.

What’s been your favorite memory of high school?
My favorite memory from high school was doing the musicals. I did three, and every time I couldn’t help but feel pride in our hard work and the comradery within the cast.

What are your goals for the future?
I’m still deciding between zoology or writing. Or both. I’d love to get my doctorate someday and become a veterinarian for exotic wildlife.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received was actually a quote from Jim Carrey, “I learned many, many lessons from my father, but not least of which is that you can fail at something you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance doing what you love.” That’s also my favorite quote.

What do you want to be remembered for?
I want to be remembered as a kind, uplifting person. To me, making other people feel confident is the best.

Asia – I loved working with you and I love all the big dreams you have! I know you’re going to accomplish them, and I know one day I’m going to turn on the TV or be browsing a book store and I’m going to see your name. Best of luck with college next year – and keep dreaming big!

April 24, 2016

Lakes Region NH Family Photographer | Sneak Peek!

Lakes-Region-NH-child-photographer-photo-of-girls-sitting-near-a-swimming-hole
“Because I have a sister, I’ll always have a friend.”

I’m down in Florida for some family shoots this week and I just had to share these sisters who made me laugh and just absolutely took my breath away in this photo. I am seriously in love with the the different landscapes down here – the Spanish moss on the oak trees just makes my heart so happy!

I will be checking emails this week as internet access allows. I’ll be back in the studio starting on Monday May 2nd!