Senior Session: Brittlyn

Who doesn't love a beautiful girl? As anyone knows, teen girls are just about my favorite subjects to photograph and I don't think I need to explain why but I will anyway-the clothes, the attitude, the willingness to be posed and move around to different locations, the laughter and fun.

Last night I experienced all this and more at a senior session for this gorgeous girl. I did a model call because I'm introducing a new line of photo jewelry, and she was the first to answer. If I had the chance to hand-pick the senior I wanted, I would have picked her!



Brittlyn is as sweet as she is beautiful:






I'll have some images of the new jewelry (featuring Brittlyn, of course)posted here soon so check back in a few days.

Thanks for an awesome shoot Brittlyn!

CD vs. Art Print: Which one?

A prosepctive client recently asked the following question:

"What is the difference between the images we would get on the CD and the images we would get if ordering from you?"

Great question, and I think this would make a great blog post.

The images I take are RAW files, which I compare to raw food-there isn't anything done to the file in camera-so it is very flat and just blah. Although it kills me to let anyone see one, for the sake of this demonstration I'll share a recent image:



All of my images look like that straight out of the camera, but I don't usually let anyone see them like that! The first thing I do is add some spice by correcting the contrast, color and exposure. This is a fairly quick adjustment and every single image gets this treatment. I then convert all of the files into JPEGs and that is what you will get on your CD.

Here is the same image, after a few basic edits:



Much better!
I recommend to all of my clients that they use their CD to make prints, to share online, to archive. They can convert them to B&W, have them printed on a mug at Walmart, whatever they wish. But my clients know that the CD images are not individually retouched, and they will make acceptable small prints but I don't recommend using the CD for enlargements.

So how does an image that is ordered directly from me compare to the CD?

Well, here is the above image, after retouching:



This is what an Ever After Art Print looks like. It is printed on professional grade paper, which is thicker than what you'd get from Walmart and only archival grade inks are used (resistant to fading or coloring over time). This is how the print should look that you hang on the wall.

I think my clients deserve both-a CD of images so that you can inexpensively reproduce every single image if thats what you want, and professionally retouched and printed enlargements that you are proud to display in your home-and that is why I include the CD and a $100 Print Credit.

Here are a few more CD/Art Print comparisons:





I hope that clears things up!

My 101 in 1001

I'm jumping on the bandwagon. A few of the photographers I follow, along with thousands of other people across the nation, are participating in a goal-setting excercise. The challenge? Set 101 personal and business goals, write them down and complete them in 1001 days, which is about 2.75 years.

My plan is to complete as many as I can, and I'm hoping that by putting it all here I can stay on track and have some amount of accountability.

I didn't come up with all of these by myself. Many of my business goals are directly copied from a fellow Gilbert photographer's 101 in 1001-Melissa Jill. I do, however, plan to implement each goal with my own style and personality, so that my business is a direct reflection of who I am, and not a copy of what someone else is doing.

My ending date is Feb. 13, 2013. That sounds like a very long time from now, but on the other hand, 1001 days AGO (August 2007) seems like yesterday so I think I'd better get cracking on this list. Here we go:

(In no particular order)
1. Complete photo packaging-boxes, bags, business cards, ribbon, etc.
2. Hire a graphic designer to design website.
3. Take a lighting workshop.
4. Buy a new computer.
5. Teach a beginning photography class or workshop. Done: June 7, 2010.
6. Hire an accountant.
7. Open a business bank account in AZ.
8. Design and order an Information Packet w/a Getting to Know You sheet.
9. Attend WPPI.
10. 2nd shoot for a photographer I admire.
11. Have professional headshots taken of myself.
12. Have professional photos taken of our family.
13. Purchase pocket-wizards and and SB-800 or SB-900 flash.
14. Outsource my photo editing.
15. Design and purchase 3 new sample albums.
16. Design, order and display in my home an Ever After Inspiration Wall.
17. Brainstorm, market and implement "Date-Night" couples sessions.
18. Come up with 5 ways to differentiate my business.
19. Develop and begin regularly providing session snacks.
20. Write my ideal client profile.
21. Determine my "niche" in photography-just one.
22. Blog something personal once each week.
23. Plan and execute a personal photography project.
24. Enter a print competition.
25. Take Devon and Morgan to a musical.
26. Visit the Grand Canyon.
27. Visit NYC.
28. Take kids on a picnic.
29. Donate blood.
30. Visit my sister.
31. Take kids to a fall pumpkin patch.
32. Develop and implement an "After Booking" packet.
33. Develop a referral gift.
34. Order personal note cards.
35. Begin collecting B-Day dates and send cards out on time.
36. Blog every day for 1 month.
37. Begin sending out Anniversary cards to past clients.
38. Purchase, organize and implement a gift wrapping station in my home.
39. Take photos of my parents.
40. Market and shoot a FB Profile marathon session for at least 5 business people.
41. Keep a list of future possible blog posts by my computer, check off as done.
42. Implement and enforce chore list for kids.
43. Finish the dining chairs (top coat, screw in seat cushins).
44. Paint Devon's chest of drawers black. Done: August 2010
45. Paint TV armoire and sofa table in complimentary colors.
46. Paint china hutch (white?).
47. Buy a widescreen TV.
48. Take kids to Disney. Done: Oct. 15, 2010
49. Get a livebooks site.
50. Get a better blog.
51. Get a wedding published by a wedding magazine or blog. Done: June 25, 2010.

Trying to come up with 51 more might be a challenge. I'll have to think about it for a while. I'll update on my blog as things get accomplished. Wish me luck!

Baby M turns One

Brace yourself for adorablness. Not exaggerating, this baby will inspire other babies to be concieved, I'm sure of it. Not me, I'm totally done with all that, but I do think looking at this little beauty can cause pregnancy.



We met at Freestone Park here in Gilbert for a Tutu session. Now, I knew that M's mom was planning to bring a tutu, but when I saw the beads, birthday hat, balloons and lollipop, I could have hugged them. I just LOVE the accessories! The shoot looks like it was styled by a pro-my clients are amazing.



When we began the shoot, I knew that she would sit still for me for just a few minutes. I think she actually sat in one spot longer than most, and I was able to get a few different looks and angles.




I do love father/daughter shots:




Love this one!



To see a slideshow, click the play button:



Thanks for a fantastic shoot, I hope you enjoyed it too!

Kaleidoscope

Anyone who knows me and my youngest daughter M know our infatuation with Matilda Jane Clothing. M wears it just about every day. In fact, the only person in our family that doesn't have at least one MJC outfit is my husband.






Recently the team from MJC announced a contest on their blog, the winner and a friend get to fly to Ft. Wayne IN on an all-expense paid trip to the MJC Art Fair.

The contest: Send in something that reminds you of Matilda Jane Clothing.

I thought about what I might send for maybe, two seconds. The story was written in an hour or so, and I had it ready to mail a couple of days later.

Here is my entry, beginning with a letter to MJC.

Dear Denise and Team 435,

“What reminds you of Matilda Jane Clothing?”

It took less than one minute for me to come up with the answer to that question – it was a slam dunk. But it wasn't a thing, it was a person; or more specifically a group of people that I believe completely embody the spirit of MJC.

Of course, I couldn't fit them into a 9 ½ x 12 ½ envelope, so I did the best I could by telling their story. I did try to keep it short-I realize that you have many submissions to go through and I don't want to take too much of your time.

I have enclosed a few pictures of my three youngest kids in their Matilda Jane gear. They are: G-8, T-7, and M-5. My oldest daughter (D-16) and I also have MJC outfits that we adore, but catching her at home during daylight hours is impossible and there wasn't anyone available to photograph me.

Thank you so, so much for hosting this contest. Even if I don't win, I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to put this together. I created two identical envelopes, one for you and one for the amazing lady I've tried to honor.

In the very remote case that I win, I'll be bringing her with me to the 435 Art Fair.


So here is the story I sent in:








I also included in the package a slideshow of their BEAUTIFUL year together:



The entire contest entry is in the hands of the awesome team at Matilda Jane, and although I have my fingers crossed that we win, I was really just so happy that I could tell Donna's story.

Donna, you know that I think what you and Brittany are doing with those kids is simply amazing, and you continually blow me away with your generosity and kind spirit. I love you to death!