Thursday, September 18, 2008

Style.....

Lately I have decided to really focus on putting myself out there a little more. I challenged myself to identify what my photographic "style" is. For so long, I think I have battled with this one word.................. S T Y L E.

When I look at my work over the years, I wondered if I had a specific style that my images could be identified or tied to. I started to feel a little worried that my images varied greatly from one to the next. I worried that I did not have a specific signature look to my photography. Some very talented photographers and I got together to discuss this topic a little more in depth. I learned a new way of looking at the term "style". One photographer brought it to my attention that perhaps I was looking too deep into this word. This need to find one particular title for my work was simply not necessary. She suggested for me to look over my work and see if there was a common link between them. Not so much in the way that I processed them, but the way I TAKE them. The way I capture a subject through the camera. It was at that moment that I finally found my intertwining similarities within my images. My style is capturing the true personality of my client. It's documenting the real and raw emotions. Unscripted, natural, fleeting moments. I photograph to tell a story..... not just any story, but my CLIENT'S story. I sometimes shoot for artistic effect, sometimes abstract, but almost rarely do I ever "pose" my subjects. I mean, I "have" done so... but ultimately... I find that I would like to get further away from that type of work. My heart draws me to the candid randomness of life.

I am a natural light photographer. I am moved to many different moods depending on what the light provides me with. The combination of light and the energy of the client dictates the mood of the image... how I frame it.. how I capture it... how I post process it. It might seem that I'm an eclectic photographer, and in many ways I am... but the connection with all of my photos is that I'm consistently capturing the true identities of my subject.

I used to think that I had to photograph in a very traditional manner. As there are still appropriate times that I do and will, I keep seeing this side of my work emerge... it calls to me. I'm not sure what it is.... but lately, I've been answering to it.

Here's a little sample of what I also have an interest in. I've always done this type of work, but haven't really showcased it here on my blog. It's a little more bold and edgy, but it's very much "ME". So, you will probably start to see variations of my Post Processing posted here. I have clients that like loud, wild, bold and edgy... and I have clients that like a simpler approach. Whatever helps to tell their story is what I document.... but I'll do it with my own flair! I'll capture it in a unique way to make it customized to fit their lifestyle! I will do it with my STYLE!


I'd love to hear your opinions and comments!!!


Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Sweet Baby "O"

Ok everyone. It has been FAR too long since I've posted any of my client work. Thought I'd make time to sit and post this very sweet and cuddly newbie I was so privileged to photograph.

Meet baby Olivea! She was so sweet and cuddley! I just couldn't get enough of this little peanut sized princess! Oh what fun I had. I was in heaven being able to hold her and snuggle her.
Thank you Stacie and Gabe for allowing me into your home to photograph your beautiful new bundle of pink!











Sunday, September 07, 2008

12/52.... well, sort of....

Ok ok ok.. I never said this project was gonna be an easy one. Are you guys disappointed in me? :O) I'm really trying to keep up, but so so so much has come my way over the last month or so! Whew! The fact that this project makes me "aware" to keep on trying is still a great achievement for me. Even though I have missed a few (or 4... or is it 5? lol) I'm still consciously making attempts to be IN my pix more often with my family. It's really a win/win project. I know that might sound like one big fat hairy excuse for missing some weekly pix... but... it's the truth! I promise! I am honestly doing my best to get images in each week, but unfortunately not every week is a success. All I can do is keep on trying right?

Well, tonight's picture was a VERY last minute snap. I had very little cooperation from my son and we were really chasing light. My husband is leaving on a 4 day business trip and that's not settling easy with my daughter at all! She's been in tears all weekend anticipating daddy's departure. I have to admit, I'm not excited about it one bit either. We are going to miss him so much! My daughter doesn't understand why daddy can't just go to his business meeting, come home, then go back to the meeting and come home. I had to show her on the map that daddy has to go waaaaaaay over to Chicago and how that's a far ways away from California. In her mind, it only looks like daddy's going to be a matter of "inches" away... not States. LOL

So, this weekend we all just stayed around the house and tried to spend as much time together as we possibly could. Saturday was my hubby's and my 11th wedding anniversary!!! Wooo hoo! We've been together a total of 17 years and married for 11. It's still just as wonderful as the day we met! Being that my hubby is leaving for the week to come, we didn't really want to get a babysitter for the kids so we could go out to celebrate. Also, my husband has really injured his right shoulder (possibly a rotator cuff tear) and has been in a considerable amount of pain! And if all those examples weren't enough to stay in for the night, we just got my truck out of the shop. $600 later and it STILL needs another $600 worth of work!!! Man! Can't seem to catch a break lately. Oh well. Instead of going out, I called in an order to our FAVORITE sushi restaurant and went and picked up our order and brought it back home. We put the kids to bed, grabbed some chilled wine, got some candles and the sushi and headed out to our back patio and enjoyed a super fun and romantic dinner under the stars. It was brilliant! Here's to at least 60 more honey! ;o)

Oook, I'll quit blabbing. Just trying to keep you all up to date as much as I can. I've left out a TON of "current events", but I will save it for another post! I just need to get THIS post completed before the weekend ends! I am trying to catch up!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I will be posting some recent photo shoots eventually. I'm eyeball deep in editing at the moment!