Zach & Danielle | Surprise Engagement

On Saturday I photographed my good friends, Danielle and Zach. She thought we were just doing a couple's photoshoot but he had planned to propose! This was my absolute favorite session I have done so far. It was so fun to see her reaction when I told her to turn around. I teared up then and I've been tearing up while I edit each photo. You can just see the love they have for each other so clearly. Congratulations you two. I love you dearly!

 

Letting me know he is going to propose soon!

The Seidl Family

        I met Stephanie through my mother since they work together and last summer Paul and Stephanie asked me to babysit their kids. After getting to know them, I began attending and helping out at their church, Ignite in Peoria, IL. We quickly became close friends and they asked me to do their family photos which I had a blast doing! What a lovely family!

To see the full album, click here

Hanson and Alexis | Engagement & Wedding Session

       I went to high school with Hanson and Alexis and had a few classes with both of them. Once they started dating, they were inseparable and few years later they got engaged! They came to me asking if I would take their photos to announce their engagement and that is when I decided to make a Facebook page for my photography. I didn't have the name "You by Me" in mind yet so I was just going by "Photography by Alissa" (creative, right?) and I started to get a few likes on my page. 
      
       Then, Hanson and Alexis asked me to photograph their wedding reception which was so much fun! After spending days trying to come up with a more personal photography business name, "You by Me" just suddenly came to me and I knew immediately that it was what I was going to call my business. After I posted the wedding reception photos, more and more people began to like my page.  

       My parents saw my work and encouraged me to start charging people for photo shoots. I am determined to always keep my prices reasonable. Everyone deserves to have happy moments in their lives captured without having to worry about spending a fortune. 

                          

       Looking back, Hanson and Alexis are the ones that really got me into making this a career. I know I'm not super "known" around here yet and I don't have a ton of expensive equipment (though I am getting up there...) but I will make this a lifelong career. It's something I enjoy doing and I sincerely thank each and every one of you for supporting me and my dreams.

To see the full engagement album, click here   

To see the full wedding album, click here   

Welcome to my blog!

     Why choose You by Me Photography? I am a lifestyle photographer with a love for taking photographs that fully capture who you are. I have always carried a camera around with me for as long as I can remember. I love being able to freeze a moment of time and look back on it and remember exactly how I felt when it was taken. I hope that you enjoy the photos I have posted so far and that they move you as much as they have moved me. Thank you for stopping by!

Photography Pricing:
* $85 Session Fee (Non-Refundable)
* $15 Photo CD's with all edits un-watermarked
* $10 Photo DVD Slideshows

Contact:
Phone: (309) 634-8870
E-mail: hastingsalissa@gmail.com

Question & Answer:

1) "I want you to be my photographer! Now what?"
    Let me know! Call, text, or email me and we will talk about what occasion you have going on (senior photos, engagement, etc.) Then, I will create a Facebook Event page where we can set the date and share ideas up until the session!

2) "No studio address? How come?"
    Most of my photography is outside. I rely on natural lighting and beautiful scenery to set the stage! I love nature and the millions of locations and settings that the world provides. It makes each and every photo unique.

3) "What is the best way to get in touch with you?"
   You can either text, call, or email me. I will be sure to answer within 24 hours or less.

I look forward to working with you!