The Perfect Preview: Amber & Kris : Wedding

October 17, 2010 - Wild Turkey Ranch

Reflecting back to 2009.

So, It's 7 days until the Sauls/Ingram wedding.  I am excited and nervous.  This is not the first wedding I have shot, but it is my hurdle.  After completing this session, I will have overcome my first big step.  I have been taking pictures forever... by my transformation that has taken place in the past year has brought me to realize several things.  One, I do it because I love it... I truly am at home behind the camera, no matter what camera it is or how much it cost.  Two, after reading thousands of words about photography, I know that I still have a lot to learn, but am confident in my personal skill.  Also, I have realized that it's okay that everyone has a love for photography, and it's okay that professionals want to write articles about how it's not okay.  Everyone has gifts.  It's how you use it and what you do with it...and how you transform it.  Yes, God gave me a passion, joy, love for this media.  Ok?  So what am I going to do about it?  Am I going to assume that my first picture ever taken of a client is "IT"?  That's my gift?  No.  I am going to learn, adjust, advance, stumble, make mistakes, and adapt.  I am going to use my gift over and over and tweak it.  It's mine, and I am going to make it wonderful.

One of the things that I did not have a year ago was great confidence.  I glided by on compliments, and how much I love it.  I have adjusted myself to know how good my work is.  Since last October, I have sold work, put it in auctions, made a FB fan page (and accumulated fans!), gotten clients that I did not know, purchased a high dollar camera, and focused my love into making my gift better.  I bought editing software.  I have put in time and sweat and effort.  I even struggled to create the perfect, fair, price list.  I am about to launch a website. 

I'm on my way.  When people say, "Oh, I didn't know you were a photographer," my answer is often, "I'm trying to be!"  It doesn't sound great writing about it, but what I mean is... I am in that beginning stage that EVERY professional has to be in.  The realization of your gift and realizing what you're going to do with it.  I'm gaining pride.

So, thank you.  Thanks to everyone who has supported me in the past year of my journey.  I am expecting your continued support.  You all are great.

Cannonsburg, October 2009

These are two of my favorite pictures from one of my very first sessions, taken about a year ago.  Before the Nikon, and with no post production.  I am proud of this work, but more proud that I can reflect on this session and see where I have improved.

9.22.10 - Happy Fall...sort of!

These are just a few pictures from my walk today.  I will post more when I can get all of my software companions to agree with me.

I love autumn.  Pumpkins, leaves, cool air, the colors, the smells, the fashion (Hello, boots and sweaters!)  We are having a strange autumn here in middle Tennessee.  It was 94 degrees today.  Not how I thought I would be celebrating the "first day of fall".  It's time to start ordering Pumpkin Spice lattes, not Passion Iced Tea!

The leaves...are starting to change.  I'll give it a few weeks, then hopefully my fall photo sessions will look like fall!  Anyways, here are some indications it's starting to become autumn around here.

9.15.10 -Melting my heart, giving me the fever.

I found these shots of my husband with our friends' children while going through a recent event I photographed.  They make me smile...and make me want having kids even more!  He's a natural!

 

Look at him with Baby Gabe!  Ahh!  Makes me smile.  I just wanted to share these. :-)

9.11.10 - Honoring 9/11

8.14.10 - Ferris Wheel & Fun Photo Aps

I downloaded a fun photo app on my new Android X during my road trip to St. Louis.  I enjoyed playing around with it, it pretty much takes care of any layers and fancy editing one may want to add to their photos.  I loved it!  It brought me so much joy, hehe!  Here are some of my favorites of my favorite ride at Six Flags.

8.27.10 - Behind the Scenes: Oasis Church SHE-Net Fashion Show, Nashville, TN

If I could fit more into the title without it being more of a mouthful, I also would have included that in this post, I experimented with no flash in a low lighting area, and since I only got one chance at these photos, and there was no staging, I had to accept what I got.  For the most part, I was very pleased!  Also, black and white. It worked so well here.

Both campuses of my church meet once a quarter for an event for only women, hosted by our leader, Pastor Jill.  It's always something fun: Wii Olympics, a Q&A panel...but this time.  It was a fashion show!  So when us Boro Babes (lovingly named by PJ) were asked to not only attend but participate, we piled into our vehicles and came down.  Five of us were models for the show, so we got to experience what being in a show was like, down to trying on clothes, choosing the right look, and doing our make-up.  The shots I am about to share of 5 of us crammed in front of the tiny vanity getting ready.  It was awesome.

Now, as you can see, there are some imperfections in most of them, again, one shot, really low lighting, low of time, but I actually loved how they all turned out.  Photo #1, I used flash, and since I hate flash photography, ESPECIALLY in dark places, I suppose this one came out all right, all things considered.  Her hair is a bit blown out, but I'll know next time.  Photo #2, didn't quite get the shot I wanted here, although she is still stunning.  I was hoping for a bit more of the compact... Photos #3-4 came out great, love the composition, and the dark lighting on both.  Photo #5...Now that's my gem!  I know that, as a photographer, you are supposed to stay out of the photo, and do angled shots with mirrors, however, I love the camera in this shot.  I love the lighting, I love the focus, I love the subject.  Get ready, Brides, this could be you! (I'll take myself out of yours, haha).  I love it's "technical imperfections".  Thank you, Mrs. Ayers, you are beautiful.  And Photo #6 - Ok, seriously?  The light where here eye silhouettes?  When I finally saw the images, I was shocked and how lucky I was for this.  It's magic.  And the reflection of the girls getting ready in the mirror?! LOVE!

Thanks, my friends, this was more than I could have asked for!