Janel Lee Photography

05/09/2026

How long has it been since you've held one?

The Mother’s May Portrait Series is underway and we just booked another beautiful mother/daughter session this week!

One of the things I’ve loved most about these sessions so far is watching mothers and daughters spend intentional time together. Life moves so fast and most people rarely stop long enough to appreciate the season of life they’re currently in until it has already passed.

I think many of us underestimate the emotional power of holding a printed portrait in our hands. Seeing your mother’s smile preserved forever or catching the familiar expression your daughter has had since she was little becomes something entirely different once it exists as a tangible piece of your family history.

These portraits are about so much more than looking nice in a photograph.

Years from now nobody is going to care whether your outfit was perfect or whether you felt a little nervous about being in front of the camera. What will matter is that you were there. That your children and grandchildren will be able to look back at these images and feel connected to you.

Almost every mother who comes into the studio tells me she was hesitant to book a session. Then when the experience begins, everyone relaxes, laughter takes over, and by the end of the shoot they’re talking about how glad they are that they finally did it.

I hear some version of “we should have done this sooner” all the time.

Time has a way of moving faster than we expect.

Exist in photographs with your mom. One day these portraits will become some of the most meaningful things your family owns.

If you’ve been thinking about doing this, tap the link below 👇 or send me a message. We would love to document this season!

05/05/2026

04/29/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟..

We just shared a new piece from our 40 Over 40 Portrait Project, featuring Rawnica Dillingham.

This session was a reminder that even the most confident, accomplished women can sometimes feel a disconnect when they step in front of a camera. And how powerful it can be to see yourself again with honesty.

If you have ever thought about updating your headshots or exploring personal branding photography in a more meaningful way, this one might resonate.

(Link in Comments 👇)

03/20/2026

𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐦..

Had the opportunity to work with Kristi Eckert recently, and it was one of those sessions that just clicks from the start.

Kristi recently stepped into her new role as Cincinnati Office Managing Partner at EY, leading a team of over 400 professionals across multiple service lines . It is a big role, but if you have spent even a few minutes with her, it feels like a natural progression.

She brings a calm confidence into the room that is hard to miss. The kind that comes from years of leading complex transformations, building strong teams, and knowing how to align people around a shared direction. You can feel that clarity in how she shows up, which always makes my job easier behind the camera.

What stood out to me most was how grounded and intentional she is. No need to overcomplicate things. Just a clear sense of direction, strong presence, and a willingness to trust the process.

It is always a great experience working with leaders who understand that how you present yourself visually is an extension of the work you are already doing.

Also have to say, it is always refreshing to see images I have created out in the wild. Seeing Kristi’s photo featured in a recent Cincinnati Business Courier article was a great reminder of how far a strong image can go (Link to article in comments ↓)

Moments like that are what personal branding photography is really about. Creating images that continue to work for you long after the session is over.

Looking forward to seeing all the impact you continue to make in this new role Kristi!

03/17/2026

𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠...

There is a quiet shift happening in the way women choose to be seen.

For a long time, professional photos lived in one category and personal portraits in another. One served a practical purpose. The other existed simply to capture a moment in someone’s life.

More and more women are realizing those two things do not have to be separate.

The same session can produce images that belong on a LinkedIn profile, a company website, or a speaker bio. It can also create portraits that feel personal and grounded in who someone is at this stage of life.

The professional woman and the person behind the title are not two different people. They are the same story seen from different angles.

What I love about photographing women today is witnessing that realization. The moment when someone understands that updating their professional images can also be an opportunity to acknowledge how far they have come.

A photograph can communicate credibility, leadership, and presence. It can also quietly hold the years of experience that shaped the person standing in front of the camera.

Sometimes the most meaningful images come from allowing both of those things to exist in the same frame, or at the same time.

The time to exist in photographs is now..

10/29/2025

Have plans for this Friday?

𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥: Headshot Mini Marathon — 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐘 | Only 2 Spots Left How long have you been meaning to update that headshot? You know it’s outdated. It doesn’t reflect who you are now, the work you’re doing, or the level you’ve reached. ...

10/23/2025

Leon NEVER disappoints‼️

Janel Lee Photography

07/19/2025

𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠…..

After four years of being behind the scenes, Sarah M Lockwood finally stepped into the spotlight.

As our beloved hair and makeup artist, she’s been part of the magic at our studio, helping countless women feel radiant, seen, and celebrated.

But for our 40 Over 40 Portrait Project, Sarah made a bold decision:

She chose to experience what she’s been giving to others for years.

At first, she was nervous.

Even with years of experience supporting clients, standing in front of the camera brought up something new…raw emotion, vulnerability, and a surprising mix of nerves and joy.

But once we got set up something shifted.

As Sarah said, “Doing this is like emotional bravery.”

And after one day in the spotlight, she felt lighter. More energized. More herself.

She saw herself the way others see her, strong, feminine, and deeply alive.

There is a depth to Sarah that we’ve come to fully appreciate over the last 4 years. She’s a wife, mom, and former medical professional who built her dream career in beauty. Now, she's expanding her business and opening a second location to serve even more women (More on that in future posts..)

This photoshoot was a celebration and a milestone for this extraordinary woman.

It’s proof that women in their 40s are still evolving, dreaming, and still claiming their power.

To every woman wondering if you’re “ready” for a photo session, a fresh chapter, or a moment that’s just yours:

Sarah’s story is your reminder that sometimes the right time is simply when your heart says yes.

Ready to be seen in a new light? Tap the link in the comments or in our featured section to learn more about our 40 Over 40 sessions.

Let’s celebrate your strength, beauty, and your story.

06/24/2025

𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭.

Tasha Owusu, REALTOR - Coldwell Banker Realty knew that.

She came to her branding session with one goal:
To show up exactly like she closes real estate deals...confidently, intentionally, and with unmistakable energy.

In a world where every realtor’s headshot looks the same, Tasha wanted more than a nice photo.
She wanted her clients to feel her presence before she even said a word.

◆ That she’s the one who gets the job done
◆ That she’s clear on her value
◆ That she knows the importance of going beyond “SOLD”

We crafted her session around her strengths and brand story.
Because 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝.

When your photos match your energy, you stop chasing attention.
You start commanding it.

If you’re ready to elevate from “just another agent” to the go-to pro your dream clients recognize and trust...

Let’s show that version of you.

📸 Link in comments

Hair and Makeup: Sarah M Lockwood

06/10/2025

𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐝𝐠𝐞

Meet Fred Gilmer

If you only saw the uniform, you’d miss the man.

Fred Gilmer has served his community for nearly 26 years. He’s a Police Academy Instructor. A mentor. A husband. A protector.

But recently, he walked into my studio, not as “Officer Gilmer,” but simply as Fred.

His wife Denica Gilmer, MS, ELOC, also in law enforcement, gifted him a photo session. (Yes, she’s incredible like that!) What we created showed a presence....a stillness...Fred's humanity.

Too often, the public sees only the duty. The sacrifice. The headlines.
But behind every badge is a human story. One that sometimes doesn’t get space to be seen, let alone celebrated.

This is why I do what I do:
To reveal the man who has carried a city’s weight and still shows up with grace.
To offer a mirror that reflects identity beyond the title.
To remind our heroes they are more than the role they fill.

➤ To the men in my network:
If you’ve ever said, “Photos aren’t for me” or “I don’t need that”, maybe it’s time to ask why.

Because maybe what you don’t need is a photoshoot.
But what you do need… is to see yourself the way those who love you already do.

With respect.
With depth.
With clarity.

And that’s exactly what we’ll create together.

◆ Thank you, Fred (and Denica), for trusting me with this moment.
Your story matters more than you know.

→ Gentlemen: I’d be honored to photograph your story next.
DM me or click the link in the comments to get more information.