July15th
Today is my son’s 2nd birthday…I can’t believe it’s been 2 years already. Happy birthday, baby loo. I got my first digital SLR camera just before he was born, so I can watch him AND my photos grow up looking back!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY BOY! You and your sister are amazing. <3
June27th
Thought I’d post a little smattering of the pile of work I’m plowing through, both personal and professional. Each will get their own post as I finish the processing but I haven’t posted recently and would like some physical evidence that I’ve been working my butt off over here! Enjoy!
(clicking images will bring you to the image page on my flickr!)
June1st
Wedding season is right around the corner for me, literally…my first 2010 wedding is in less than two weeks. This year I get the bonus of working with James Barron of Undying Photography for my weddings and I’m so excited to get started.
On top of the excellent partners I will have by my side this year, I have the added sense of peace I didn’t have last year because this is no longer my first year. I know my way around my job and I have the confidence that I can do my job under any circumstance and it’s letting me focus on enjoying the process. Last year was pretty intense. I couldn’t find a photographer to let me 2nd shoot (not even for free) so I just jumped in blind and learned the ropes while I was hanging from them. I’m glad that I did because now I feel like I can do anything. I’m hoping to fit in some 2nd shooter work this year however, I would love the opportunity to work with a seasoned pro and learn from them.
I really love my job. I look forward to the days that it affords me timely bill payments, but even in these early late penalty stages…I still love my job.
But I slump. I slumped for a while. I am coming out of it thanks to my amazing friends who I can’t help but be inspired by. I spend my days sitting in the sun and my nights by a fire with my models, my fellow photographers, my make-up artist and collectively, my best friends. This shoot was James’ shoot that he kindly brought me along for. I wasn’t expecting to go but I was carrying photographer guilt over my slump and jumped at the opportunity.
We brought nothing but our cameras and reflectors. More photos from this shoot will be appearing in my next Hideout Magazine post, going up soon!
This shoot went so well I asked Ashley (my beautiful make-up artist, click here for her website) to let me shoot her while she had her hair extensions in. I told her they reminded me of Cleopatra so Ashley transformed herself into a modern goddess and we shot her in this beautiful chair she has right in her dining room. I used flash here, with James acting as the world’s most awesome light stand.
More from Ashley’s shoot coming, as well as the new article and my first batch of roller derby shots! I’m one of the Providence Roller Derby’s “official” photographers this year, so there will be lots of roller derby popping up on this blog. Pretty cool!
February8th
Thought I’d just post a little update of what’s going on with me!
January28th
I’ve been slacking on blog updates lately! Between wedding inquiries, bride meetings, email piles and my surprise! abdominal surgery, I am just now catching up from my recovery time. I have also been shooting! I’ve lost all use of my Cactus V4 triggers. They both died within a few months of getting them (the 2nd one died a few WEEKS after I got them) so am just miserable over losing my wireless flash ability.
HOWEVER, I’m going to suck it up and buy a couple Pocket Wizards this month, whether I can afford them or not…because I am just dying with being tethered to a flash.
As for 2010 weddings I’ve got about 15 inquiries pending and a few confirmed dates already. I get inquiries every week so I’m hoping to have lots of work this year! This is my 2nd year and I feel really confident about my ability to improve this year and really push myself. Thanks to all the couples who are trusting me with such an important job!
Now, onto some photos! Here’s a sample of my last few projects.
Last night my friend and photographic muse Hope stopped by with the lovely Adrienne on their way to a club to see their friend spin. We had an awesome hour long session just goofing around. I spent a couple of hours figuring out how to set up high-key (white backdrop, bright) lighting with one slaved flash and one attached to a sync cord. I manged it with the assistance of flags and reflectors and some stretching of muscles I probably shouldn’t have stretch. Anything for the photos, right?
And a few nights ago I did a last-minute session with some friends for their new band, Sauriel. We didn’t have a lot to work with (again, this no wireless flash this is obnoxious) but we got some good shots to start with and will be shooting again after I get my PWs.
I also shot some self portraits just screwing around and finally got some I like so I could update my website photo and whatnot. One light, shoot through umbrella camera right, black side of a zip disc for backdrop.
Alright, I’ve got to get back to editing! Thanks for reading!
January1st
You may have noticed I’ve been a bit absent lately. My last semester at school pretty much crushed my love of photography for a few months, but I’m happy to report that all it took was one semester-long leave of absence to bring me right back. My break from school was a hard decision, but considering that my marriage have dissolved and I will need to focus fully on supporting myself and kids alone for the first time…I think it was the best decision. Things are changing for me, but I’m not afraid of change.
I’ve found the best way (for me, anyway) to keep moving forward is to start new projects and set new goals. Among these for 2010 is a new Project 365 project. I’ve failed this not once, but twice now! This year I have the added motivation of knowing what a life-changing year this will be for me, so the end product of 365 photos seems so much more important now. If you’ve never heard of Project 365, check out this Photojojo article and see what all the hype is about.
Another cool thing I’ve started is I signed up for Photojojo’s Time Capsule, which is a 2x/month email that shows photos from your flickr from that time last year. I’ve read a lot of articles mentioning reviewing old work from time to time to improve your photography, and this is a nice lazylady way about it!
So to celebrate 2010, I’ve decided to back in time and pull some of my favorite photos from 2009 together and slideshow them here. They’re in order from Jan 09 to Dec 09. Enjoy and I hope you have a wonderful, healthy and fulfilling 2010.
(there is a middle finger in one pic for those watching at home with small children.)
December20th
November2nd
Everyone always tells me “oh, you must have so many great photos of your kids!” You would think that, but lately I have been slacking off! Between wrapping up 2009′s weddings, family shoots, school and working for the college paper…I never have any time!
SO, after a family shoot at the local park, I took 15 minutes to grab some photos of my son storming through the leaves. He hasn’t been to the park lately (again, slacker mom) and he was wearing his very serious seriousface.
Grant me this moment of annoying LOOKATMYKIDS parent bragging, will you? 
And because it was Halloween, here is Aiden in his Link (from Zelda) costume!
Unfortunately, I didn’t get any of Zoe in her costume since she went to her dad’s house and didn’t even wear the costume home! I’m forcing her to re-dress up later…woe is the child of a photographer.
July15th
I got my first DSLR on June 30th, 2008. I took this picture with it at the restaurant we went to after I picked it up.
2 weeks later something else life-changing happened…it was even better than getting my first DSLR, on July 15th, 2008…I had this little guy:
Which brings us to today: Aiden’s 1st birthday!
Thanks for being keeping mommy supplied with a perfect subject through that first year of learning.
July7th
Time to unload the links again! But first, you may notice the site looks a little different. I needed a change. I’m planning to do some more things to it so if you surf over here to find a steaming pile of broken code, chances are I broke something and am busy nagging Adam to help me fix it.
Now for the links!
The Littlest Heros Project