{::Baby A::}

 I LOVE working with babies. Especially when they are a) as cute as this; and b) related to me. Then I get to see and work with them on a regular basis!

::K & J::

 It took me a long time to get these up (had to override so many of the images again and again) but I finally was rewarded for my patience!

This couple is so cute together, and it shows through the images below.

Thanks for asking me to be a part, you guys!

Lots of love and best wishes!

Still Here

Today I went to a seminar about photographing sites in-situ. It was based for archeology students, but I learned a lot, mostly about the impermanence of places, people, experiences. What you see now will not be there later, so get it while you can.

She talked about scale, good references, and tying your photos to a "landmark" (something as simple as a boulder) for reference later.

So, if you are wondering where I am, I'm in the anthro. building, thinking about pictures.

Does that happen to you? I think about photos all the time. Today I was walking downtown and saw a wet, dark, long alley, and the only person was a chef, smoking. I thought about taking his picture...

and missed the opportunity.

Or the time I saw the "stage door" sign glowing during a rain and fog.

My goal for the rest of the month is to carry my camera everywhere. It is my new purse.

A few more of my favorites

I really loved this session (can you tell?) so I'm putting up a few more from it - a few more creative ones.

I don't like to do the typical photos with bridals. I have had a bride who expected differently and was set up for disappointment expecting generic photography. I am grateful Erica is on board for all the fun stuff that happens on shoots!

Erica

I have models and then I have favorite models.

Erica is sure to be in a lot of pictures in the future. See, she married my brother and now she can't get rid of me! :D She's expecting too (these pics are from the fall) and I'm excited to follow her life with my photos!

Lots of love to Dave and Erica.

Fall Bride

Yay for bridals!

I took photos with a client a few weeks ago and have been dying to share them with you! She is getting married today so we're in the clear.

This is work I've become very proud of. Photography, to me, is subjective art and not everyone loves what someone else might. Every photographer has their own individual stamp. I love looking at this session and I'm very proud of what I've accomplished; I think she also got what she wanted from the session, so we both go away happy!

Technology

I've always stood by the fact that there are two kinds of people: Photographers and Digital Artists. I accept the fact there is a level of chauvenism in that statement and I will face the consequences. But I feel like there is a purity missing from photography these days, and it makes me wonder if it is the move to the digital age.

I sometimes see photos from people and start to beat down on myself. Then I usually find out the amount of editing that goes into them. Who knows - they could be shooting on Auto. This is frustrating for me, as I have these thoughts where I second guess myself, when I'm not comparing apples to apples.

I don't use photoshop. I do have a program where I may make slight adjustments to exposure, and maybe add a few artistic elements (colors, processes), but in general, I'm a SOOC girl.

But that doesn't stop me from appreciating these other artists. I just have to remind myself that they are artists in their own right - a digital artist.

What I need to do is get back to where photography used to get me: excitement over the image, not the creation of it (outside of technical details, of course).

My favorite artists don't edit their photos on a computer, nor do they manipulate the image with copies, burns, dodging. The only lightroom they use is the one in their basement.

I will still be doing portraits, but I am admitting to you now: if you are looking for airbrushed 3-year olds, you are looking in the wrong place.


***Edited: It happened again, today. Just when I feel like everything is crashing and I just don't want to compete anymore (I need a thicker skin), I realize the amount of post-processing - especially when they show a before (sooc) and after. And suddenly I feel better. To some, it may be appreciated. But I guess I am just different. That may end up working out in my favor. At least, personally.