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Friday, March 16, 2012
We're baaaaack!
We had such an awesome time at the Images for a Cure Workshop! I can't wait to share some of our stories and knowledge with everyone. We did snap a few pictures while we were there, but they are still in my camera. We decided to take a break and get some good cuddle time with our kiddos when we came home. We've played hard today, but we will be back at work tomorrow. I'll leave you with some Instagram images as a teaser.
Friday, March 9, 2012
A Week of Excitement!
We have had a lot of really good things come our way lately. It all seems to be falling in place this week. We've booked several really important jobs that we are excited to come our way, and we became a finalist in a photography competition! I never win anything - really. Like not even $1 on a scratch off ticket. So when I found out about this, I was SOOOO excited!!
Let me give you a little background. Do you remember that last year I went to this great photography conference in Orlando? It's called Images for a Cure, and the proceeds go to breast cancer research. It was started by the fabulous Kristen Weaver, and it includes a ton of other great working photographers in the line up. I can totally write an entire post on my experiences there last year, so I'll save it for another day. But I found out what it was like to actually make friends in this industry. I found other photographers who are working and able to teach us and inspire us with their successes and techniques. It also wasn't just the guest speakers either. I learned just as much from the people sitting next to me at my table as I did from the guests. It was such a joyous, positive experience, that I knew I had to do it again this year. I also knew that I had to drag Dan along for the ride.
That in itself is always a big deal since we have to get sitters for dogs, bunnies, and children. But Saturn crossed in Neptune's path, or something like that, and it all worked out. I registered us. I got us a place to stay thanks to generous friends. And then I stumbled upon a competition courtesy of facebook. It was hosted by Solutions Bridal in Olrando, and they asked photographers to submit their best image from the past year, and to answer several photography related questions. See my entry and answers here. The top 5 would be featured on their blog, and then the top 3 with the most comments would win a sponsorship. That means no entry fees for the workshop!
And then I waited. And not very patiently. I checked their blog and my email like every 5 minutes! No joke. When the deadline came around, and I didn't hear anything, I was seriously disappointed. I don't know why. I enter things all the time and don't get chosen, and I learn a lot from it. But for some reason, I was about to cry! I'll blame it on hormones - or something. I just felt like I had a decent shot. And then I saw their blog post before the email came in. And there it was!!! I was so excited to have made it to be a finalist, it was totally like winning! I got the sweetest emails telling me the good news, and I was head over heels with excitement.
Then that type A personality kicked in gear, and I was determined to win this thing. I started bugging everyone I know to go comment on my picture. And they did. And they left some of the sweetest, greatest comments that really meant a lot to me. I was floored. The comments from my customers, family, and friends were better than winning any contest. I am so flattered and honored. I just want to hug each and every one of you! I cannot describe how happy it made me feel. That's when I know I am doing what I love, and that I am in the right job for me.
In the end, I didn't win, but I came in 3rd!!! It was still good enough to get a sponsorship to the workshop!!! Yay me! I really am excited, and not just to have gotten this honor, but for all the things to come. Yes, I am excited for the workshop. I am excited for inspiration, and I am excited to keep making beautiful images for my wonderful customers.
Let me give you a little background. Do you remember that last year I went to this great photography conference in Orlando? It's called Images for a Cure, and the proceeds go to breast cancer research. It was started by the fabulous Kristen Weaver, and it includes a ton of other great working photographers in the line up. I can totally write an entire post on my experiences there last year, so I'll save it for another day. But I found out what it was like to actually make friends in this industry. I found other photographers who are working and able to teach us and inspire us with their successes and techniques. It also wasn't just the guest speakers either. I learned just as much from the people sitting next to me at my table as I did from the guests. It was such a joyous, positive experience, that I knew I had to do it again this year. I also knew that I had to drag Dan along for the ride.
That in itself is always a big deal since we have to get sitters for dogs, bunnies, and children. But Saturn crossed in Neptune's path, or something like that, and it all worked out. I registered us. I got us a place to stay thanks to generous friends. And then I stumbled upon a competition courtesy of facebook. It was hosted by Solutions Bridal in Olrando, and they asked photographers to submit their best image from the past year, and to answer several photography related questions. See my entry and answers here. The top 5 would be featured on their blog, and then the top 3 with the most comments would win a sponsorship. That means no entry fees for the workshop!
And then I waited. And not very patiently. I checked their blog and my email like every 5 minutes! No joke. When the deadline came around, and I didn't hear anything, I was seriously disappointed. I don't know why. I enter things all the time and don't get chosen, and I learn a lot from it. But for some reason, I was about to cry! I'll blame it on hormones - or something. I just felt like I had a decent shot. And then I saw their blog post before the email came in. And there it was!!! I was so excited to have made it to be a finalist, it was totally like winning! I got the sweetest emails telling me the good news, and I was head over heels with excitement.
Then that type A personality kicked in gear, and I was determined to win this thing. I started bugging everyone I know to go comment on my picture. And they did. And they left some of the sweetest, greatest comments that really meant a lot to me. I was floored. The comments from my customers, family, and friends were better than winning any contest. I am so flattered and honored. I just want to hug each and every one of you! I cannot describe how happy it made me feel. That's when I know I am doing what I love, and that I am in the right job for me.
In the end, I didn't win, but I came in 3rd!!! It was still good enough to get a sponsorship to the workshop!!! Yay me! I really am excited, and not just to have gotten this honor, but for all the things to come. Yes, I am excited for the workshop. I am excited for inspiration, and I am excited to keep making beautiful images for my wonderful customers.
Solutions Bridal IFAC Contest
Why do you want to attend IFAC?
I want to go for so many reasons! The first is that it is for a good cause that has hit close to home. A few years ago, I lost my grandmother to this horrible disease. IFAC is a way that I can honor her memory in a positive way. It makes me feel like I am doing something to make a difference in the ongoing battle with cancer.
The second reason is that I am always trying to better myself as a photographer and really master my craft. IFAC is the perfect opportunity to do this. I was fortunate enough to attend last year, and I can’t say enough good things about this workshop. My business and techniques grew by leaps and bounds over this past year because of what I learned and experienced last year at IFAC.
And lastly, it is so much fun! I made a lot of connections with other awesome photographers and people who work in our industry. I made friends and found mentors who have encouraged me along all year long. Their relationships have been invaluable in terms of support on both the personal and business aspects of my life. I really want to continue to build relationships like these. Who wouldn’t?
Describe your personal photography style.
It’s a bit eclectic and it depends on the shoot and the clients. We try to mix traditional poses with whimsical props, and a hint of photojournalism.
What keeps you inspired?
People! It’s their love for each other, their love for children, their interests, their likes. Other photographers inspire me every day with their creativity and talent. Children inspire me with their wonder and awe and happy view of the world around them.
So you’re doing a photo shoot. Here’s the catch, you can only bring ONE prop! What would it be? Why?
A blanket! They are so versatile. It really depends on the type of shoot I am doing, but it can be used for a backdrop, a prop, to sit on, to lie on, to wrap the subject in, and more. I could probably list 20 ways to use it.
www.timelessmemoriesarcadia.com
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Best Black & White Photo
I have the hardest time choosing images for photo challenges and contests! I never know what they are looking for, and I have so many pictures that I love, that it makes it so difficult. But when I saw the theme for this challenge, I knew what image I wanted to enter. This is such a sweet, sweet moment, and I am so glad that I was able to capture it. I had the best session that day out at the barn with three kids and and a couple of horses. In fact it was so awesome, it inspired us to do a few more out there.
There really is no love like the unconditional love from an animal. I think that love in this case is a two way street. <3
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Kimberly & Bryan - SW FL Portrait Photographer
I had the pleasure to photograph this wonderful couple a few months back. They were so cute together! I got several really awesome images from their mini session, and I just wanted to share a few with everyone. Enjoy!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Jesi & Jacob - Maternity Session
I love these two. They are awesome. That is all.
Ok, well there is more too it than that, but I really do love them! They sent me a link of a country themed maternity session a while back, and we totally ran with the idea. I love how pulled together and coordinated they are, and everything ties in perfectly with the theme. I also love that they totally let me do my "thing" and it works! They are so willing to do whatever goofy and crazy thing I ask of them. It was super windy this day, and it even rained on us a bit. I was worried that we weren't going to get to shoot, and even though we had a few wardrobe malfunctions, and a lot of hair smoothing thanks to the weather, it turned out great. I haven't laughed and had that much fun on a session in a while!
Enjoy.
Balloons to Heaven
February is a tough month for us. For those of you who don't know, we have several "D-days" and anniversaries during this month that we wish upon no person. The first is a recent one. Two years ago, Dan's mom passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. It came as a shock, and many times, it doesn't even seem like it could have really happened. I suppose we are still in shock from it. It's one of those things where you want to pick up the phone and call Mom to tell her that the kids just did the cutest thing, and her number is still in my phone. Only, she isn't there to answer the phone any more. It's very surreal. And even sadder, is that as the kids are starting to forget their Grandma Downs as they get older.
The next d-day is my first son, Michael. He was stillborn at full term, and it was the hardest thing I have ever had to endure. No parent is supposed to outlive her children. It puts a hole inside of you that can never be filled, no matter how hard you try. It gets easier to deal with as time goes by, but it never goes away. It was 8 years ago, and I have since been blessed with two more beautiful children, so all of that helps. I feel my Drew and my Kenzie were picked by Michael and sent to us. They are really such a blessing.
But every February, we are reminded of what we are missing. One way to help us deal with it is to celebrate their lives. We do a balloon release to heaven to tell them we love them. We've always done it, and this year was no exception. This year, I brought my camera along.
It was SOOOO windy on Michael's birthday, that we decided not to do it in our yard. Some years we have gone down to the river, some times down at the beach, and on crazy weekends, like this one, we only have time to travel to our own back yard. Only, we have lots of trees, and we didn't want to watch them get hung up, so we decided to head up the road to an open pasture. Only there were some new and large power lines put up across the way, and sure enough, it was the first place the wind blew the balloons! Luckily, they made it up and over, and we watched until we couldn't see anything but happy blue skies.
www.timelessmemoriesarcadia.com
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