HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY BOY! You and your sister are amazing. <3

(clicking images will bring you to the image page on my flickr!)

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!

• Weddings are pouring in! If you’re looking to lock down a date with me for 2010, do it soon!
• I’ve ordered Pocket Wizard flash triggers after a frustrating year with the Cactus (aka Poverty Wizard) triggers, so I’ll be in my glory come Wednesday!
• I’ve got some band shoots coming up, next up is a local band called She Rides. Check em out!
• A photographer friend and I are setting up a little “model party” at my place where we’ll be setting up a few different “sets” and having at least a half dozen models/friends/etc dropping by to pose! Stay tuned for lots of photos from that!
• My printed 2009 Wedding Portfolio book should be arriving in about 10 days from blurb.com. You can check it out here!
• I also have a few kiddo sessions coming up, I’ll be photographing baby Max’s 1st birthday and have another session coming with Finn and his cute self. I’ve also got my first session with a little dude named Gavin soon that should be a blast, he’s one cool kid.
• Did you know I offer gift certificates? I’ll be adding that info to my website (hopefully with a handy way to order them!) soon! I’ll also be donating 3 of them to a fundraiser raffle to help open a children’s museum here in Fall River. The fundraiser is being held at the Texas Roadhouse in Dartmouth, MA Tuesday, April 6 from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, I will be there with my camera! If you’re on facebook, head here for more info or just contact me!
• In other erase-bad-karma efforts, you may have noticed the new button on the sidebar. I’ve been accepted to participate in the Littlest Heroes Project, which provides free portrait photography to families with children who live with serious illness or life-altering disabilities. It’s a wonderful project and I’m proud to join their cause. If you know anyone who may be interested in this program, head over to http://www.littlestheroesproject.org/ or contact me for info!
• I have taken over the Hideout Magazine section at The Hideout photography forum, so I’ll be writing lots of tutorials this year! These will be available on the new Hideout blog when it’s launched and of course on the forum. The Hideout is a wonderful forum, full of tips and freebies and wonderful photographers (no egos here!) so if you’ve never been, check it out!

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!

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.)

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.

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.

Now for the links!

• The Pioneer Woman shows you how to slim someone down digitally…I dislike this idea being a big advocate of loving your body, but if it’ll make your clients happy…go for it!
• Speaking of loving your body, Operation Beautiful is taking off from this blog and inspired me so much I’ve started a flickr group to corral all the photos popping up on Flickr.
• Tips for photographic products for effective sales here. Great for you etsy shopkeepers out there!
• For The Hideout members especially (who are doing reflection photos this month!) here’s a list of effective photographs featuring reflections!
• Vandelay Design has 60 Photoshop tutes on touching up photos.
• Math end of Hyperfocal Distance mystify you? Me too. DPS explains.
• This Pioneer Woman post should be plastered on my bathroom mirror. It’s all about noticing arms, legs, feet and hands in composition.
• In case you’re either a wipper-snapper or living on the moon, you may have heard that Kodak is discontinuing Kodachrome…the color film loved by film photogs worldwide. Here is Photojojo’s tribute and guide to this legendary film which I am sad to say, I have never used.
• You MAC people will get a kick out of this frame.
• Tired of watching the ceiling while waiting for Lightroom to export? Speed it up!
• Beyond Photo Tips shows why symmetry is a beautiful thing.
• Forced Perspective, the subject of many a “Check out these amazing photos” email forward, is pretty damn cool.
• DPS has 8 family portrait tips here.
• Strobist has assigned food photography for the next boot camp assignment, get some tips there or here.
• Childhood fears recreated in photographs: one of those things you wish you thought of.
• Don’t have Photoshop? It’s insanely expensive so many people don’t! GIMP is a free program with lots of photoshop features. DPS gives you an intro to GIMP to get you started!
• Ever had your flash and lightstand kiss the pavement after a gust of wind? I have. DIY Photography has a brilliant idea…using a frisbee!
• Scott Kelby reveals what’s in his 3rd installment of the ever-awesome Digital Photography Book series.
• It’s getting hot and steamy for lots of the world (well, not here in Seattle Boston) so here’s how to protect your camera in the muggy weather.
• Taking off on David Hobby’s trick to slinging a strobe stand over his should, DIY Photography shows how to sling a whole set up over your shoulder.
• I tell lens shoppers all the time how amazing the 90 dollar 50mm 1.8 lens is and no one seems to believe me. Here’s an article on the wonders of the nifty fifty!
• The Cute Kid contest somehow got my email and has been bombing my inbox ever since, however today they sent me something useful. A “top” child photographer talks about her tricks for getting the shot.
• IN THE OHIO AREA?? In or know a band or models that would like free shots? Michelle Black and some of The Hideout gang are hosting a group shoot on July 26th! It’s free and I can attest to all those photographers being totally awesome people.