The Story Behind Small Fries Photography: Capturing Joy, One Photoshoot at a Time, Just in Time for Seasonal Photo Sessions
By Emily Wright
LOCK HAVEN— Angi Schlesinger has been capturing cherished memories for families for nearly two decades. As a licensed professional photographer and the owner of Small Fries Photography in Lock Haven, Angi leverages over 30 years of experience to offer her clients a unique and heartfelt photography service.
In 2005, Angi launched the Small Fries Photography studio on East Main Street in downtown Lock Haven. She has since moved her business to a space within her home on N. Henderson Street, which she transformed into a comfortable studio for photoshoots. This fall and winter, she’s inviting the community to book a session and take advantage of the seasonal promotions she’s offering.
Small Fries Photography is running unbeatable deals for those looking to get family or individual photos for the fall or Christmas season. Until Sunday, October 27, clients can book a 30-minute photography session and get five digital images for just $45 plus tax. Extra images can be added to this package for $10 each. Choose between a local outdoor setting or the Small Fries Photography studio at 27 N. Henderson Street in Lock Haven.
Before we know it, the Christmas season will be upon us, and Small Fries Photography is running an exciting Christmas photo special that began on October 6 and will expire on December 25. For the 80 days that this offer is running, book a photoshoot and get eight digital images for $80 plus tax. Additional images can be purchased for just $8 each.
Angi’s story is one of passion driven by a deep personal connection to photography. Her journey began when her mother gifted her with her first camera. “I was a young mom—I had my first child when I was barely 17,” Angi recalled. When Angi moved out of state, her camera served as a way to share her newborn’s life with her mother, who had studied photography and inspired Angi’s eventual career path.
Angi developed a passion for photography as a hobby, and after her mother sadly passed from breast cancer in 2005, she felt a pull to honor her legacy by pursuing it full-time.
Angi has a degree in business administration, and she had a good job with an insurance company before opening Small Fries Photography, but after her mother’s passing, she found herself feeling unfulfilled in her role. “I just wanted to do what I love,” she said. She also hated having to put her kids in daycare because of the hours she worked—yet another driving factor that compelled her to open her own photography business.
“I quit my job— and I had a phenomenal job,” Angi said. “People told me I was crazy; everyone doubted me and said I was giving up a stable income to take a risk on a photography business, but I truly believe that God aligned everything, and somehow everything worked out,” and so Small Fries Photography was born.
Small Fries Photography has since seen great success. With glowing reviews posted online and a five-star rating on both Facebook and Google reviews, in addition to gaining over 5,000 followers on the business’s Facebook page, Angi’s strong customer base speaks for the quality of her work. When asked what she attributes to this success, Angi said she believes that it’s a combination of word-of-mouth and the relationships she’s built with her clientele. “I love talking with people and getting to know them,” she shared. “I truly enjoy forming personal relationships with my clients during their photo sessions.”
In addition to establishing connections with her clientele, an aspect of Small Fries Photography that truly sets it apart from other photography businesses is the high-quality images Angi captures at competitive prices. “I keep my prices low because I want everyone to be able to afford photos, regardless of their income situation,” Angi emphasized.
Angi specializes in photography for children, families, weddings, seniors, pregnancy, newborns, pets, and even group photography for daycare centers. Whether it’s an in-studio session or an outdoor shoot at a client’s preferred location, Angi is always ready to accommodate.
A unique aspect of Small Fries Photography is that Angi takes the time to review the photos with her clients after the session. “After I take the photos, we sit down together at my computer, and I let the client pick the photos they like the most,” she said. Adding this personal touch to her services gives her clients the opportunity to choose what they’re paying for and receive the images they love most.
When it comes to designing backdrops and selecting props for photoshoots, Angi’s inspiration flows naturally, likely because of her long-standing love for photography, which began at 17. “Honestly, I just feel it,” Angi said when asked where she draws her inspiration from. She candidly shared that she spends time in prayer about which backdrops and settings to feature next in her studio, and remarkably, she never runs out of ideas. “It just comes to me,” she expressed.
Life behind the lens can be unpredictable, and Angi embraces it. Whether it’s handling a child’s tantrum or dealing with unexpected weather during an outdoor shoot, she’s prepared for anything. “You just have to take it as it comes because life is unpredictable, and kids are also unpredictable,” she said. “I just expect certain things to happen, so I’m ready for anything,” she explains,
Photoshoots generally last between 30 and 45 minutes, while sessions for newborns and seniors typically require at least an hour.
When working with very young children who might be uncooperative during a photo session, Angi has no qualms about getting out from behind the camera and spending time with them one-on-one to get them comfortable. “With little kids, I’ll sit down on the floor and play with them or get them a snack; I’ll try just about anything,” she said, reflecting on techniques she uses to adapt to these situations with ease and patience.
Her method is simple but effective: “I tend to be a bit silly when I’m working with kids to get them comfortable,” Angi shared when asked how she goes about capturing genuine smiles and emotions from younger subjects.
Angi’s unique approach with kids of all ages has proven to be successful. “Almost every time, we end up getting good pictures. There’s only been two times in my photography career where I couldn’t get a successful photo shoot finished,” she shared.
Angi also does photoshoots at daycare centers, which is one of the most enjoyable aspects of her photography career. “Daycares are my favorite,” she emphasized. “I just love kids; I’ve always loved kids, and I relate with them. I think I must have patience that’s a million miles long,” Angi said lightheartedly.
For sessions held at daycare centers, Angi provides both class photos and individual photos of each child. Additionally, she offers sibling photos to help reduce costs for parents with multiple children.
In the event of less-than-ideal weather on the day of a photoshoot booked at an outdoor venue, Angi is happy to work with her clients to get the images they’re hoping for. “If it’s raining and they’re okay with that, we can do the shoot in the rain, which I’ve done, or we can move into my studio. I’m flexible, so we can reschedule the photo shoot as well,” she said.
In cases where a local elderly individual or family wants to book a session but is unable to travel to her studio, Angi makes special accommodations and travels to them for the photoshoot.
When asked if there are any new trends in family photography that she’s particularly excited about, Angi said she loves the matching pajama family photoshoot trend and the revival of “awkward JCPenney photos” — a trend that stems from 80’s and 90’s photography where the subjects pose in awkward or unnatural positions and either force a smile or show a complete lack of expression altogether.
“The pajama pictures are a big thing right now and I love them because they’re so fun, not just for me as the photographer but also for the clients,” Angi said. Both trends inject an element of fun and humor into traditional family portraits.
Among the countless sessions Angi’s executed, some have created lasting memories. Angi recalled a particularly poignant memory involving a woman battling terminal cancer who came to her studio to book a family portrait. “I was running behind schedule and trying to catch up when she walked in and asked if she could make an appointment because she was dying of cancer,” Angi recounted with emotion. The woman’s hope was to have a family portrait taken before she passed away, and upon hearing this, Angi paused despite how tight her schedule was at the studio that day.
True to her big-hearted and compassionate nature, Angi took time to sit and pray with the woman and her family on the day of their session, forming an unforgettable connection with people she had never met before. “Connecting with them in that way was a really impactful experience,” she recalled.
Angi mentioned another touching photoshoot with a family who wanted to commemorate their “Gotcha Day” — an annual tradition marking the adoption of a child. “One of my favorite memories that has stuck with me throughout my career was with a family who celebrated ‘Gotcha Day,’ and their family pictures always turned out awesome,” she shared. “They come back every year on the anniversary of the day of their adoption.”
For those looking to capture their own memories with Small Fries Photography, pre-booking for the holiday season is officially open. Spots fill up quickly with Angi, so be sure to reserve your session and take advantage of the package deals she’s currently offering!
Angi invites both new and returning clients to reach out through the Small Fries Photography Facebook page using Facebook Messenger to book a session. Contacting her this way ensures a personal touch from the very first message. “Clients typically schedule their appointments with me personally by messaging me through my Facebook business page, which is my preferred method,” she explained. “I like to be able to chat with them to find out what their needs are and then determine how I can meet those needs,” she added, always aiming to provide the best experience and results possible. “While Facebook Messenger is the easiest way to book with me, and it helps me to respond more quickly, clients are welcome to send me an email as well.”
With every click of her camera’s shutter, Angi captures more than just images; she captures stories, emotions, and the essence of family life. At Small Fries Photography, the art of photography is truly a labor of love.
To book your session, visit the Small Fries Photography Facebook page and send Angi a message by visiting www.facebook.com/Smallfriesphotography.
Alternatively, book a session via email at smallfriesphotography@comcast.net
The Small Fries Photography studio is located at 27 N. Henderson Street in Lock Haven.
