Taking Chances

Perhaps some of you know that I take beginner photography classes at the local art gallery. One thing I always try my hardest to impart to the students is take a chance. See what happens.

I can be just as guilty as this too. I fall into ruts. Well it's always worked this way. Lately though, I have been restless. I've been starting to play. See what happens. Break some photography rules. I do firmly believe photography rules are good to know. As a professional, it helps in those times when I need to do something, the rules give me a starting point. But these rules are not the be all and end all.

So two rule breaking photos occurred.

Rule number one: don't photograph flowers from straight on. No idea who came up with that rule. I understand it's contact. Flowers are full of dimension, shadows, lights and really are just a joy to play with. Believe it or not, I am not a gardener, hate it. But I do love me some taking flower photos. Lately I have been fascinated with the top of flowers. Perhaps spending too much time doing the sides and bottoms.



Rule number two: why break what isn't broken? I was a bit bored with the beautiful rose. It was beautiful. But I had done a version of that photo how many times, then I remembered I had glitter. Out came the glitter, and some glitter throwing commenced. Let me tell you how much fun that was! I love the end result. It's not perfect, still needing some practice. But I can tell this will be something I will play with again..... Though I have the sinking feeling I will be finding glitter everywhere in my house for days and days to come!

Wedding Questions

I know another post! I'm almost shocked too!

This week has been all about weddings. I know it's January but this when the bookings seem to happen and inquires start coming in.


This lead to me thinking a lot about common questions and/or comments that the wedding couple to be has, so I thought maybe I should make a list of some of those things.

1. Why do you have a deposit and a contract?
Answer: When you put down that deposit you are guaranteed that day I will be there. It's also in the unlikely event that something was to happen where the wedding was called off, I have some way to recoup some of the time and work I have put into that day. Chances are pretty good if it's in the high volume summer season, another wedding may have be turned away for your event, which is a loss of income.

The contract is to make sure everyone is on the same page as to expectations. It's also ensures to you I will be there. I will not last minute cancel. I will not all of sudden not show. I will be there.

2. But my friend has a really good camera....
Answer: A good camera does not a photographer make. If you need evidence of this check out the web, there are plenty of really bad images made by a good camera. Your friend may be a good photographer. That's great! But I can only speak from my experience, after shooting a few weddings, it is ever more clear to me than ever before, wedding photography is a whole special beast. There are things I have to think of on the fly, I have back up plan A, B, C and D.... I have had to learn how to use light more effectively, how to manipulate my camera settings to their full potential. I'm saying this so it's understood that when you hire a professional, there is more than clicking the shutter. There are also little tricks we have learnt along the way to make you look your best.

Another little point to consider is, I have booked a couple of weddings last minute because the friend changed their mind about coming. Once again why that contract is so important.

3. Can my friend help shoot the wedding?
Answer: I think each photographer has a different answer for this. Mine is usually no. I find when it comes to the formal portraits, there needs to be one clear vision and voice. This is again to ensure you have the best images possible. However, I have been open to it if I can met the person gauge their experience and set down some very firm ground rules. We all have to start somewhere. And the best experience is when you don't have all the pressure to actually preform that day but a chance to learn. So it's something to discuss but also realize that most photographers will say no.

4. Who should I book for flowers? DJ? Hall? etc...
Answer: Ask away. I think most photographers that shoot weddings know the local vendors. We know which ones have had exceptional service. We may know where to find an item that you are having a hard time finding. It is a personal opinion, but wedding photographers have the unique advantage over a bride in that we work with the vendors over and over and over again, which gives the opportunity to form that opinion over multiple encounters.

I have been fortunate to have worked with awesome brides so far, that realizing I'm new to the wedding scene, still trusted me to capture their day. I am forever grateful to you. I'm equally excited about working with the brides for 2011. First wedding of the year is less than 3 weeks away!

So those are my thoughts this late Wednesday night. I'll leave you with one of my favorite images from a recent wedding:

Hello all! Long time no write I know. I didn't even know anyone even stopped by this thing until I ran into someone at the coffee shop and she asked me why I haven't been blogging.

I laughed off - which if you are reading this - I am sorry.

In truth, the last few weeks have been such a turbulent up and down that when I do get to here, I start writing a post and then I think that isn't business related and bah humbug and then I worry I say too much and then I worry I say too little.

So here is a catch up to what this photographer has been up to:

I have been taking photos of little munchkins.

It was shortly after this photo session I hit a low. Perhaps other photographers go through it. But I hated my work. I couldn't find a grove. I went about four weeks without picking up my camera. I was ready to Quit. I just looked at all the amazing work around me and thought I will never be that creative, that good, that wonderful. But then an amazing photographer Kate Edigar, was kind enough to listen to me whine, give me some encouragement and advice. That single kindness of a couple of facebook messages was enough to just make me pause. And isn't that what we all need from time to time, is to pause. To listen to that voice inside of us.

About the same time Creative Live had a workshop that rejuvenated my creative spirit. So it was a blessing. I am so thankful for photographers like Kate that are willing to help out a relative newbie to the photography scene. That offers advice and listening. And I'm thankful for companies like Creativelive that offer affordable education.

Creativelive has great workshops. The most wonderful part is while they are live they are free. You just sit there and soak up the knowledge. They had child photography Tamara Lackey give a weekend workshop on child photography. I had a moment. A moment where I realize I have been approaching child photography perhaps not in the best light. I was getting so caught up in getting that a bunch of great images. Happy parents, kids happy. I just wanted the picture perfect postcard. The thing is - that is not real. What is real? Kids. Kids are who they are, shy, social, happy, sad, scared, whatever. It's up to me to capture those moments. So I ditched all my methods - threw them out. I rebooted so to say when it came to child photography. My cousin Jess was kind enough to let me practice this new technique on her two little munchkins:



I have to say it just changed everything on how I approach kids and photography. As a result of this I have been so much more happy with the images I've captured and the stories I can tell with that. I have most certainly not mastered this skill but I am thrilled things have been improving.

There was a bit of the Christmas rush where I was fitting people in for last minute family photos,


and last minute Christmas Card designs and orders:


And yes that is a scalloped card. One of my prolabs now offer these amazing diecut cards in six different shapes and edgings.

I caught up just in time for the Holiday wedding:



which was a lovely and beautiful event!

Around this time was where I had another little moment about wedding photography. I'm starting to feel a bit more comfortable. Not lacky daisyical about it. But not frightened to book weddings. I love shooting them. I started trusting myself more. That was actually a whole post - but then it became do I say that? But it is what it is. I don't think I will ever become relaxed about them. But it's nice to have that self confidence of I can get the shots. What's even better is knowing I will get some killer shots in there too.

Then it was holiday season. It was a jam packed three days, with eating, present opening, visiting, and goofing off:


Which ended with a rousing bout of hockey watching. I have come to the conclusion that one must at least have a somewhat passing interest in hockey to survive in my family. I admit I enjoy the game, but I'm not a die hard fan. I enjoy watching with friends and family though. So it was great to be near so many that I care for and all be cheering together!

Then all went home, and here I am again. This year in all has been such a weird, wonderful, scary and interesting ride. I think though it's the beginning of new things. That things are going to take a turn for the better. I have an ocean destination wedding booked for in just four weeks (yes I'm insanely excited and nervous!) and also booked the same amount of weddings I had last year in just one week - so I'm hoping that is a good sign of the year of the come!

I do know this, I know I am not a perfect photographer. And I struggle with that (again that was a whole blog post) because if this is my business full time I want more than anything to be perfect. But I'm not. I am not perfect. What I am though, is always learning. The nicest compliment I got this week was after a client reviewed my work on weddings and realized I had only ever shot three 'church' weddings, she said she never would have guessed that. And booked me for her wedding. That makes me happy because it means I am growing and learning. That is what I am always striving for, I practice, I learn, I try, I take chances and learn some more. I can guarantee this, if you choose me as your photographer you will get my all.

On that note.... I am going to sign off for the night. I'm working on a new website and blog. But alas being a poor not really knowing web design person it's going slowly. It's a project I should just hire someone, this I know! lol However there are considerations and what I want designed, I can't afford to hire someone, so what is left I figure I can muddle my way through ;) Well perhaps we shall see on that!

November?

So when did November arrive? And where was I when it came upon us? A crazy week and a bit I tell you.

For now I'll just share some of my favorite images:

Hello from Winter

Well Winter decided we didn't really need to be eased into the idea of snow, ice, windchills and cold - she just came. I've been away from my computer for five days. I have to admit I have a problem because I was actually going through withdrawal.

Where have I been computerless? Well this weekend I headed to Saskatoon to cheer on the Bisons Women's Hockey. Why not the Huskies? Because my sister is a player for the Bisons, so default cheering goes there! Unfortunately the games did not go well for the Bisons :( However I did get to spend time with the parents, and my baby sister so that was enjoyable :) Sunday a family braved the rain and wind, we did some photos in the park. Which was enjoyable, because I love taking photos and great kids!

Then a day in Regina, which turned into a stranding overnight at the Regina Bus Depot. I started off with thinking, boy the bus people are rather calm and normal. How odd. Anyone that spends anytime on a Greyhound knows there is always some characters there. But since I was spending my time on the cement floor to sleep (stupid chairs have armrests so you can't lay down), I was grateful for the normal. Then the East bound bus limped in from Calgary. I think it stopped at Ponoka somewhere along the way. Wow, so many oddities in so few people.

We did finally leave in the morning. Unfortunately many of the crazies decided to head back West, so not much peace was head.

I have to say I'm so thankful for my bed and warm, soft blankets. And my tub with lots and lots of bubble bath. While it was entertaining and had funny parts to it, I also was reminded of what some people's life really is like. Sleeping on the cement was not fun. Tolerable because it was heated, but what is it like for those that have to do that day after day on cold cement? Perhaps it's been Jordon's Cooper blog that has made me more aware of those that are homeless. Perhaps a bit of my own experiences lately as well, as that has been real possibility at some points over the last six months. I don't envy those that experience that day after day. I am glad the experience more grateful for what I do have. And I'm not just saying that. I challenge anyone to spend some time sleeping on the bus station floor, and I think your eyes are opened a bit. I am lucky in that I came home to a clean house with a clean soft bed.

At any rate so many images to go through. And other day to day stuff to get to. No pictures right now, but I did buy and eat some great cupcakes, and watch some hockey and other stuff that I will post pictures of at some point!

I have had a bit of a slower week, mostly due to a bad cold. Today I needed to get out and have some fresh air, and since Scentiments had loads of new stuff in, well it was time! I often do photography for them, keep their clients in the loop for what is new.

So here are a few of my favorite things and images from my afternoon there:

An Absract Harvest

I love harvest. I don't know why I do, I just simply do. Must be that generations of farmers blood that is in my veins. This afternoon, I had the opportunity to catch a ride out to the fields and see how my uncles' respective harvests were coming along. My lucky bonus point was both were doing wheat. Perhaps this my prairie blood, but I see a field of wheat and I just fall into love.

Of course knowing this is where I was going I had grabbed my camera and macro lens. I wasn't sure what I was going to shoot. I just knew that I needed my macro lens. At first nothing was really working out. Then I did something I need to do more often, that the type A in me has trouble doing, I let go. I took a deep breath, and inhaled the beauty of the field and relaxed. I decided this is just for me, capture what you feel when you look at this field. What resulted was a memory card that is mostly abstract-like. Soft, flowing images. It's what I feel when I stand in a wheat field - soft, gentle, flowing, life and love.


So it's a bit of a departure from my norm. It's been so long since I've done photos that just feed my inner soul. But perhaps that is what I need to do a bit more often. As I was pleasantly surprised on how much the images captured exactly what I felt.



I hope you enjoy :)