Of Music, Light, and Love

This was a personal creative shoot I set up with Channi. It was one of those things where everything fell perfectly into place--someone had a dress, we found the perfect field, caught the perfect light--it was one of those things that made me love photography all over again and it was one of those things that made it feel so incredibly right about my choices and what I'm doing in life. I am so proud of these images and can't get over how stunning Channi is.

It has been an emotional and difficult time moving to Oregon where I have to rebuild an entire client base. Staying in Alaska would have been easy. I could live with my parents and I already had a car. I have a large client base, the perfect location for a studio, other photographers to help teach me, hair and makeup artists available and a local boutique for props and furniture. Staying in Alaska could have been smart. Moving to Oregon was a personal choice and it has tested every part of me. But when I start working, developing, and I really look at how my photography has grown I know that I can figure this out and that this is what I truly want. There are so many opportunities here that I just need to find and take. I know I can handle this challenge and I know I will be able to do this.

"...have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary." Steve Jobs

500 Likes: Shannon Browning!

The winner of my giveaway is Shannon Browning! Shannon and I were very dear friends from elementary school so I am excited to see what she chooses to do for her photoshoot! Here is a picture from when I had my first digital camera almost 10 years ago. Shannon is on the right with our friend Rachel (Rachel was just recently one of my brides!) It is crazy to see how much we have changed over the years.

500 likes!

Wow. All I can say is Thank You. My Facebook page now has 500 likes. 20 countries, 15 languages, and 500 people. You are all so amazing and supportive of all my photography and creative projects. Keeping this business going and developing my photography has taken a lot of time and work. I have had a lot of discouraging failure and times where I had to seriously question whether I should keep this business going and if I was really meant to be a photographer. With all of your support and encouragement I have realized that this job is exactly what I need in my life and exactly what I was meant to do. So thank you, to all of you who have always encouraged me and helped me develop and grow.

To say thank you, I'd like to give away a free sitting fee (worth $250) to my fans.

To enter log into facebook and go to my promotions section or this link


https://apps.facebook.com/easypromos/promotions/41373?fb_page_id=115733961773013


 I pick the winner at random on July 1st. You just need to be a facebook fan or follow my blog to enter! Good luck to everyone!

Gallery Wrap Canvas

I've been trying to show my clients all the options they have for printing, it makes me sad that some people never get around to getting their images of the DVD or computer! Printing your images in a book, canvas, or fine art prints helps bring these images to life in a whole new way. So keep your eye out for more posts on different products and prints. Here is a great gallery wrap from one of my 2011 seniors here in Oregon. The image is a high quality print that continues around all four edges and hangs directly on your wall so there is no need for a frame and your work is brought up off the wall. It gives the images a great clean look. 

New Luxe Frames

Most of you know I order my prints from this wonderful company called MpixPro. I love them. They have these awesome new Luxe design frames which I am going to start offering in my print packages. Here are some examples of all the frames and colors. So awesome! 

They come in Black, Baby Blue, Espresso, Pink, and White.

Vertical Black Bombay

Baby Blue Horizontal Bombay 

Hampton Espresso 

Pink Horizontal Ornate 

White Vertical Ornate

White Tuscan

Just for You

I have created a new look and a new package for the delivery of your photographs! Here is a quick look at what I put together for Katie and Blaine with their wedding DVD package. Each set will include a custom DVD and case, complimentary business cards, wallet prints, keychain and logo magnet.

I love the look of these DVDs! They are incredible.

I include a personal note to each client, just for them!

Magnet!

Here's a look at another fun custom item. These will be Natalie's senior rep cards to give out to her friends. They include her picture with my logo and information on the back. They look amazing and have an awesome carrying case! 

Patriotic Shorts!

My friend Katie loves to dress up the entire week for 4th of July. A few weeks ago she asked if I could make her a dress, which I'm still working on but we also came up with the idea to do flag shorts. I had seen some in stores and really wanted to make some. I love how they turned out. Here's what you'll need:

• White Shorts!
• Red and Blue Fabric spray paint (about $5 each at Joanns)
• Star Pattern 
• Painters Tape
• Scrap Paper
• Cardboard
• Scissors 

To make your stars you are going to lay strips of painters tape so they overlap and make a small square of tape. Use your star pattern, trace onto the top of this tape and cut it out. Make as many stars as you like and they're going to go on the left front side of your shorts. The stripes are even easier, I made mine about two tape strips wide-make sure they overlap a bit.

This is how your shorts will look taped up. Use the extra paper and take off half of the shorts so the colors wont blend. Make sure to put a piece of cardboard as wide as the leg opening, this will help keep your shorts flat and not let the paint bleed through. 

I'd suggest a few test pieces with the spray paint, mine dripped a bit which then let it bleed under my stars, but I actually liked how they weren't completely perfect. Let it dry before doing taping up the other side.

Amazing! That is it. Seriously simple.

And Seriously adorable!

 This is another pair of her shorts, I covered her back pockets with fabric and unrolled her hem to add the same fabric. The bow isn't attached but I made it out of the same fabric. Super cute. 

And this is the fabric for the dress, going to be great!