A bit of this and that

Here it is Monday and I'm finally getting to this blog. The problem is I have a lot to say - I just never get around to sitting here and actually typing it out. With being a lifestyle photographer, I'm starting to figure out my busy and quiet seasons. Fall - is a really really busy season. It was last year as well. I just never like to count my chickens before they hatch so to speak. I thought perhaps that it was unusual. Well this being year number two - nope it's a trend! So hey you - yes you (is anyone reading this?! lol) if you thinking of doing fall pictures, I suggest tout suite (okay my french leaves some to be desired - I can admit that) going to get that done . I had every day booked this weekend, and it was interesting to note the leaves. Day one some leaves on the ground, but still a fair amount of green up in the trees. Day two, a little less green, more leaves on the ground. Today, aka Day 3, there were a lot of leaves and not much green. If you desire fall-esque type pictures I suggest a quick booking with your photographer of choice. Because all too soon there will be a large wind (I know Saskatchewan - wind - who would have thought it!), and then we will have barren trees.

I'm knee deep in memory cards - okay not knee deep, maybe thumb deep? - and post production.

I am a huge believer in getting it right in camera - but I also like to push and pull it a bit beyond the camera to where my imagination saw the image before I pushed the button to take it. Or to pull it to a place that a certain lens (ah one day tilt shift lens you shall be mine) can produce but alas is not my camera bag as of yet. I had written a note on facebook about photoshop. I might revisit the area here at some point.

At any rate, I'll just leave you this one picture - and at some point there will be more. I will also endeavor to not be so neglectful of this space. My goal is three times a week to put up a post. Keep me accountable internets :)

The Classes That Were

Okay I have rewritten this post four times - I'm hoping this will be the last!

I think the classes went well! There I said it. The classes went well. Whew.

Why all the nerves over that? Now that it's actually typed out I wonder!

I was nervous because at this point in photography I realize everything I don't know. Well there are probably things I don't know that I don't know - huh that's confusing. I thought I would get up there and my mind would go blank and be asked things I had no idea about. But it wasn't. I had answers - yeah me! As for the standing up thing - why is it that one on one I have the worst time with making small talk - put me in front of a whole room full of people to present to and I become Miss Chatty. Some days I just don't get me!

I really enjoyed the classes. The 'students' were all great, and seemed forgiving of my 'ums' (which I hate doing with public speaking). Everyone seemed to have a 'learnt something new and exciting' moment. Which is precisely what I was going for! Want to know what those little 'aha' moments were - well you will just have to come to a class!

Next week is the SLR class - excited about that one. As I love SLRs :)

The only complaint I have is by the end of the day I was so tired of hearing my own voice!

I am trying to be diligent about upkeeping this space. I think the problem is I have a lot to 'say' but am trying to weed out what is just noise and what is actually useful! That, and well this does tend to be busy for me photography wise - the fall 'Christmas' family photo season. I love fall! Not only does it get busier :) but I just love fall - the colours, the smells, the coolness in the air. I know I really should start a site called Bizarre are Us - starring me lol.

At any rate, this last weekend I was out in the leaves taking photos of one cute family.


The little girl was just smiles and giggles. The little boy had a beautiful smile and was so full of energy. I may add that to my list of things - find a way to harness small child energy - man some days I could use a jump start like that! Mom and dad have great kids and are pretty sweet people themselves. It was an honour to play in the leaves (even with my camera lens that has now been sent to the lens doctor because it's not working great!).

This week is a bit of busy one. More photo shoots this weekend and then - drum roll please - the 'classes' I have agreed to teach. See the thing is I sort of convinced myself no one would sign up for them. The class - both sessions - are sold out this week with a waiting list - a waitling list? for my class? I am excited because I do love to teach. One would think I should have become a teacher, but alas it's only fun if I do on the side sort of thing :) I'm also a wee bit nervous, but let's keep the nervous part to me and the internets. If I remember, and will not be too nervous, I shall endeavour to take a couple of shots and share my experience later this week.

Camera Bags for the Fashionista

As a female photographer - maybe male photographers feel this way too! - it's been a long time coming to having camera bags that weren't ugly. Perhaps ugly is too harsh but the most generous I can be is boring. Tamrac came out with some half way decent. The bag was usable, functionable and had great colours, but it was still a bit boring. It also appears they no longer are making it.

Jill-e has long been on the scene for photography bags for females or those wanting some colour. While I did end up purchasing the large rolling one last year, it still didn't speak to my inner fashionista. I will give props though that the bag is well built, rolls wonderfully and has been a back saver while having to run across airport terminals. But it still wasn't quite what I was looking for in terms of style. When I last looked at their website, they have been rolling out some new products. Some of the new products look kinda of cool, but it just isn't my own personal style. The perk to Jill-e products is you can obtain them in Canada relatively easily, a few stores carry the line. If your in Saskatchewan, the place I would recommend for the best selection I have seen is Don's Photo.

The problem with choosing a camera bag was I didn't know what I was looking for. I just know I wanted something that said 'this is your camera' bag'. I always thought it would be something colourful, as I love colour, but really I just wanted something cool.

A trickling onto the market occurred and now there are a few options out there for the photographer wanting some style.

While in Vegas I procured two such bags. The first bag is a Kelly Moore bag. I had my heart set on the red one but ended up with a teal one. I thought I would be disappointed. I can say for sure I am not. The more I use the bag, the more I love the colour of it. But style isn't everything for me. As someone that doesn't have a vehicle and packs my equipment on my back and bikes to most locations, it had to be user friendly, versatile, carry a lot of stuff and comfortable. This bag gets a check-mark in all categories. I love the little side pockets - just the right size to slip my cell phone and ipod into. The front pockets handle all the other stuff - memory cards, batteries etc. The inside fits my largest lens (70-200mm). And it's pretty. So pretty that most people don't even realize it's a camera bag. The downside is the only two places that I know of to purchase the bag is through Adorama or Kelly Moore's site. Why I say that is a downside is the shipping rates can be steep to us not in the United States.

The second bag is one I've had my eye on for quite some time. The Shootsac. This isn't really a camera bag, it's more of a lens bag. I can already hear the question, because I had asked myself the same thing - how useful is that if it can't hold your camera? I was able to see this bag in action, and try it out for myself. I like the speed. There is nothing to get in your way between the lens and you. The bag is made with the same cloth that lens protective covers are made from, so you can take off all caps and lids and the bags can be switched out with one hand. I know there are versions of this on the market already. The deciding factor for me again - not only useful and functional - was the design. The 'cover' of the bag can be changed out for different patterns, colours, designs. The covers (depending on material they use) are usually affordable and a cheap way to change the look of the bag to match with one's outfit. The only place I'm aware of in Canada that sells the bag is Henry's .

Here is a list of other bags on the market that may interest you:
- emera
- epiphanie

This is just my own personal opinions on the products mentioned. I do not obtain anything by anyone clicking on the links. I just thought when I was trying to find a nice camera bag, it was difficult to weed through Google to try to pull out sites that actually had anything useful. It would have been nice to have somewhere that had a little rundown on what is available. There may well be other options out there, these were the ones I have considered. I hope it helps anyone looking fora stylish bag :)

Rainy Days

As a photographer that likes to work with people outdoors, I have been looking at the weather forecast with a bit of raised eyebrow. After all one has to work with all sorts of weather, and I'm pretty much gain for any weather. I'll even tell you a secret - I love extreme weather :) One day I hope to go on a Tornado Chase.

What this ramble brings me to, is today it was cold and rainy. It reminded me of a wedding at the end of May. I think I was more nervous than the bride. I had photographed weddings before, but I was stressed ala mode for this one. Though later no one said I seemed stressed - so yeah me!

The wedding was to be outdoors. They forecasted snow. Snow. Right before June, and there is snow forecasted? It wasn't funny, but it was, when the bride-to-be let her feelings be known about what she thought of Mother Nature! I won't share them, but let's just say they were not flattering towards the dear Nature part.

But the photos. Sigh. The outdoor photos turned out so wonderfully well. Better than they ever would have on a beautiful sunny day. The stormy skies, the wind, all created this environment for dramatic portraits. I was also lucky to have one of the best brides that braved this less than warm temperatures to obtain this images. To this day, the following two images remain among my favorite.

So it's not all about beautiful weather. That is what I shall tell myself these upcoming weeks of fall and family photo sessions. Sometimes dramatic skies can help create a truly unique and beautiful portrait.

Photoshop World

A week ago I went to this little adventure called Photoshop World. However, Photoshop World is more than just photoshop, it now has a large (I would say almost half) contingent that focuses on the craft of photography. What was the done deal for me, was this time they had a whole tract on social media/business. Now I think I'm pretty social media savvy - well it turned out there is a whole lot I need to learn yet! But I'm getting there :) Like ta da - the introduction of the blog (I have my goals on how often I want to put up posts, but want to see if it's feasible before I announce that schedule - because then I expect you internets to keep me accountable!)

So Photoshop World, why was it such an awesome experience? I feel for the money spent, you get a lot of bang for your buck. Awesome, top notch, friendly instructors that actually hang out with the attendees. The 'telephone' book (it is huge) of ALL the classes over the whole conference. Because you know the whole make yourself be in three different places has not been perfected yet (I'm working on it though!). And then the expo - ah the expo. The place that will drain your wallet faster than you can say gesundheit, not because they are sharks, but just because for me, it's a chance to see the products first hand. In Canada - sometimes we are a bit behind the times, so it's nice to see and feel the products before purchasing. I guess I'm old fashioned that way.

So I'll start with the people. The instructors are great. I love the chance to sit down and actually have hands on learning from people in the know. As well as, sometimes my brain in it's oddity, can become hung up on a point, so it's nice to be able to dialogue and get concrete answers. As a photographer I am an artist, however there is a very big portion of black and white thinking in my brain that likes concrete answers!

The biggest highlight for me was the chance to have my portfolio reviewed by Zack Arias. I went in with sweaty palms, pounding heart, but I survived! It was just simply an honor. We all have our heroes in our lives that we look up to. Zack is one of my photography heroes. I love his work. But I think even more, I like the straightforwardness. Remember my black and white thinking brain? Well with him, it's called like it is - ugly, bad or good and I like that. Plus the whole Used Film crew is friendly and approachable. If you want to read a great personal blog - his wife Meghan Arias is the place to be. Plus she is quite a gifted songwriter and singer - you can find her on itunes. For me that feedback was worth the whole trip, and the whole trip was already pretty awesome already!

Any class by Joe McNally is always entertaining, full of knowledge and just leaves you sitting there going wow. I didn't see as many of his classes as I was hoping to. However, if you are a photographer, or wanna be photographer, or heck even just like reading a good story - check out his blog. Not only is he a great photographer, he is a great writer.

The expo floor. Ah the expo floor - I love thee but I hate thee. Why must you cling to my wallet so?! I did pretty good though (being poor helps with that!). There are a few vendors there that I work with and want to point out though.

Artistic Photo Canvas - you guys as always rock. Seriously, you rock my canvas photographic world. I was fortunate this spring to win a free canvas from them. Well that was it, I was hooked. Done deal. If you are my client, and you want a canvas. This is the company I order from. They are amazing artists in their own right. I have never had a canvas from there where I was disappointed. As an added bonus - these guys know customer service. I deal with a lot of companies, and I have to say these guys have it down to an art. I wish I could say it's because of this or that, but I can't. Perhaps it's always because they take the time to listen, and to work with you to create a piece of canvas art? All I know is they know customer service and they should open a side business of teaching that to a few other companies that can't seem to grasp that concept.

Westcott - you guys were the icing on a great conference. They are the wizards at crafting light. A photographers true friend is light. We learn to mold it to create images. These guys have it down to a science. They set up a 'shoot out' in the back of the expo with models, their lighting equipment and wonderful setups. It was wonderful for this small town photographer. Seriously. I blew through memory cards like it was going out of style.


I do have to mention Hoodman - just because well, they were funny. And they actually knew where Saskatchewan was and how to spell it - so bonus points for them!

And I almost forgot Adoroma! They were so sweet in shipping an item to the hotel for me, in which I saved a whole bunch in shipping! (so much I could have bought two!). They were friendly and easy to work with. If your in the States - looking for photographic equipment - check them out. I would recommend them if your in Canada too - just the shipping really bites for us Canadians.

It was a great time. I loved it. And I thoroughly look forward to returning next year (I hope). But now you know what all the hype is about :).

Welcome to the thoughts of Random Eyesight Studio

I sort of feel like I'm some sort of meeting where I have to stand, say my name and one interesting thing about myself. You know have the sweaty palms and everything. Which is kinda of funny because I like public speaking. However, I do tend to ramble on when I'm nervous - hmmm I can see a pattern here! So let me start.

My name is Tara. I am the owner of Random Eyesight Studio. Considering I am the only employee, I guess I'm pretty much everything else too, lol. I am a photographer. I am a lifestyle photographer - which I categorize as I pretty much will take pictures of anything and everything. What I want to achieve is to tell a story. Because I am a story teller at heart. I have always had a vivid imagination, that has ran with stories galore, and now as an adult, I have finally found my place in life, as a visual story teller.

How that came about - well that is a funny story, and perhaps one day I'll share that with you.

Whew, that wasn't so bad!

I'll be posting collections of stories on here, some of session with clients, some of just my own observations and sometimes other's stories.

TTYL.