erica clark photography

Okay Rain, Let's See What Ya Got...

2010-10-06T22:33:00.001-05:00

So, my loyal blog readers know that the last wedding I did got rained on. Okay, Rain:1 - erica clark photography:0. A couple weeks ago, I had an engagement session in Peoria with the cutest couple this side of the Mississippi (Jess & Dylan) and guess what. Yep, rained on. Rain:2 - erica clark photography:0. We had a heck of a time finding good indoor spots. So, you know what we did? We stayed flexible. I say this all of the time, but it's true. In this business, you have to be flexible. Kids cry, people get sick and have to cancel, other things come up and you need to reschedule, and yes...it rains. So you make the best of it. I don't like to let things get in my way of having a successful shoot. I learned very early on that whatever hiccups we run into just may be the thing that makes your session unique.

Dylan and Jessica's engagement shoot is a perfect example of that and they are a perfect example of what it means to be flexible. They rolled with the punches like a couple of champs and we made it work. So, instead of driving home and rescheduling, we shot in the rain and the images turned out great not despite of the rain, but because of it. :)

[a side note: I'm eternally grateful for the clients I have. They are kind, thoughtful, easy going, flexible people who truly care about their pictures. These are the clients I want to attract because that's how I see myself.]

Dylan and Jess, thank you for being so fun, so flexible, and most of all...so in love!

i love this one because it reminds me of some kind of romantic movie...a good one, though. not something lame and cheeseball...

just look at that yummy orange light!

...eat your heart out The Notebook!!

ummmm, cute!

this is simply adorable! jess, you couldn't be cuter if you tried...seriously.

after we had enough of the rain, we headed over to my friend Scott's coffee shop to warm up with some delicious coffee. in the peoria area? you ab-so-lute-ly have to go to copper river coffee & tea! have to! http://store.coppercoffee.com/

dylan & jess, i'm counting the days until we can work together again. this time you know what i say to the rain? bring it!

{becca & chuck}...rain or shine, the show must go on:

2010-10-06T15:43:00.002-05:00

It may have rained a little, but it certainly didn't ruin the day, not by a long shot! The rained held off just long enough for a beautiful outdoor ceremony to take place. We were able to get through most of the ceremony before it started to drizzle...just in time for us to make it inside and then on to the reception.

I think the key to staying calm in surprise situations like rain, super low light, or crazy bright light is to remain flexible and be prepared. A true professional puts on a happy face, deals with the situation, and says, "No problem." As a professional, it is up to me to make things go as smoothly as possible. So, I busted out the rain gear, covered my camera, and kept shooting.

As long as I'm able to produce images that make the bride and groom happy, I'll put up with almost anything. It's a small amount of time to have to deal with something and the importance of beautiful images far outweighs any inconvenience brought on by rain or heat.

After it was all said and done, I was able to capture moments that were a very clear reflection of their affection for one another and their happiness on their special day. When you have couples this in love, it's difficult not to capture it. See for yourself:

this was hilarious. chris (becca's sister & wedding officiant) asked the guests to silence their phones and since chuck forgot.....

from the first time becca & i began to correspond, she made it very clear just how important the pictures were to her. of course most people say the same thing, but it isn't always the case. i do my absolute best regardless, but with some brides, i just know right away how much faith they are putting in me and how very much they value their wedding photos. the image below, i feel, kind of signifies that feeling i got from her. i can't say for sure what she was thinking when she looked at me & i snapped this, but every time i look at it i'm reminded just how much it meant to her to have me there.

i just love this one...

what can i say? chuck, you're a sport. :)

married 59 minutes...

married 59 years!!!!!!

becca and chuck, i can't thank you enough for honoring me with the privilege of being your wedding photographer. you both, your entire family, and all of your friends couldn't have been kinder. i look forward to any opportunity to work with you again...

rain or shine...

{the duncans.}

2010-09-21T11:22:00.003-05:00

Meet The Duncans. When Amber emailed and asked about family photos, I didn't know who her kids were. When I saw it was Jack and Ellie, I was super excited. See, when I taught swim lessons at The Y, I had Jack and Ellie in my class. Jack and Ellie are two of the most adorable, kind, well mannered, and happy children you'll meet. All of the swim staff at The Y love Jack and Ellie. I'd been wanting to photograph them for some time and I finally got my chance! Thanks to Amber and Jason for being so flexible and sharing my style of natural, photojournalistic photography. I think these turned out great! Nice vibrant colors, happy faces, and great weather make for awesome family pictures. See for yourself...

what a great lookin' family. am.i.rite?

i love shots like this...

...and this!

jason & truman...

what a pretty little girl...

it was at this point that both jack & ellie felt like enough was enough :)

...and my personal favorite:

A Few Wedding Day Dos & Don'ts...

2010-09-08T01:12:00.002-05:00

Before I even get started on this daunting yet useful blog post, I would like to first say, this list is in no way exhaustive or meant to apply to every bride/groom/wedding. It is merely a compilation of pieces of advice that I've picked up along the way. Some of it I've seen brides learn the hard way, some I've learned from other wedding photographers, or brides themselves. The purpose of this list is NOT (I repeat NOT) to make anyone, brides in particular, feel inferior in any way what-so-ever. What it is intended to do is help brides (and photographers) refrain from duplicating any mistakes made by others or to avoid problems.

First I will list a few dos and don'ts from my own experience as a wedding photographer, then I will list some dos and don'ts provided by other photographers and other previous brides, and finally I will list several helpful links to articles.

Alright, let's get this party started!

DO - (and this is the most important one as far as I'm concerned) DO put a smile on your face! If you are a bride-to-be, on your wedding day you should always act like there is a camera on you at all times, because there is. By that I mean, don't forget to laugh, smile, and keep your chin tilted up. Too often, I get home to begin post processing and the bride is frowning in at least half of the images. Smile! You should be happy...act like it.

DO - Give your a photographer a list of requests. They are not Kreskin and cannot read your mind. We are not magicians and are only human. Remember, there are no guaranteed shots. We do the very best we can, so appreciate them and treat them well, they will do their best to make you look great if you treat them right.

DON'T - Skimp on the dress. I've seen brides' dresses literally fall apart because they were so poorly made. The dress, like the bride is in 80% of images. Keep that in mind when purchasing your dress.

DON'T - Over tan. A warm all over glow is good. Orange is fake and looks funky in photos. Besides, if you are orange and everyone else is not, you will stand out...in a bad way.

DO - Beg your bridesmaids to NOT have tan lines. This should just be understood, but apparently for some reason, it isn't. While you're at it, make sure the groom doesn't have an obvious farmer's tan. Photoshop is not a magic wand.

DO - Apprise your photographer (and videographer) of any "surprises". If your bridesmaids are going to come down the isle in some unique fashion, you want your photographer to capture it. Your guests should be surprised, your photographer shouldn't.

DO - Consider hiring a wedding planner...even if it's a "day of" wedding coordinator. You won't regret it!

DON'T - Expect your photographer to plan too much. Their job is to show up and perform the function listed in the contract, not decide when and where you will have pictures taken. If you can't take on the responsibility of a planner, hire one. Don't push the responsibilities of a wedding coordinator onto other vendors.

DON'T - Lock your knees. Simple. Locking your knees can possibly cause you to pass out. Unless you want your ceremony on America's Funniest Home Videos, keep a slight bend in your knees.

DO - Look at your photographer when coming down the isle. We can't shout at you, "Hey, look over here!" Remember, a camera is on you. In fact...lots of cameras. Put on your best natural smile.

DO - Stand up straight. Strapless/sleeveless dresses accentuate your shoulders, therefore, if you are hunched over, it will be VERY noticeable and horribly distracting in photos. Trust me on this one.

DON'T - Schedule an outside wedding in glaring sun. Seems obvious right? You'd be surprised.

DO - Consider skipping a large part of your formal pictures. Ask yourself this question, "Have you ever seen a formal wedding shot framed and hanging on someone's wall?" The only formal I've ever seen in view in someone's home is of the bride and groom. Why do you think that is? It's because few people want to be in formal pictures...especially guys who are so hot in those tuxes, and people are posed and unnatural. Think of your guests and bridal party before subjecting them to e-v-e-r-y possible pose combination. I did a wedding where we did formals in the church, then we immediately did a VERY similar set of formals outside.

DO - Ask your photographer if they offer a discount for skipping a large number of formals or maybe if they'd even stay longer at the reception instead. You'd be surprised. Besides, it never hurts to ask...right?

DO - Have your reception organized. Don't do the dollar dance at the beginning. You want to do the more important events first so you can be sure they will captured by your photographer. Dollar dance...last. Daddy daughter dance...early! Cutting the cake...early! You get the picture.

DO - Encourage your vendors to work together. I had the best DJ once announce to everyone to be mindful of the photographer during special photographic moments. It was awesome. He was a real professional. The more your vendors cooperate, the more smoothly EVERYTHING will run.

DO - Be mindful of older guests. Perhaps directly in front of the DJ's amplifier is not the most comfortable place to seat them.

DO - Remind your guests that while you would love for them to take as many snapshots as possible, you hired a photographer for a reason. I shouldn't have to wait until Aunt Betty has her picture of you and your new husband cutting the cake before I get my shot.

Okay: A guest blog of sorts. Here's a few pieces of advice from photographers/previous brides:

The A-MAZ-ING wedding photographer Rebecca Enslein:
Don't skimp on photography :) Skimp a bit on flowers, but not to the point that you use fake flowers.

Tulling hanging from the ceiling looks pretty, but is very time consuming and costly. Have your hair/makeup person come to you on your wedding day. Driving around to several appointments makes keeping up with your timeline very difficult. The fewer places you have to be, the better!
Write your thank you cards as you get your gifts. Otherwise, your list of who to write is going to be crazy long after the wedding.

Here's some fantastic advice from Sarah Cook:
I am not a bride, nor have I been, so take it for what it's worth..but I don't think people should use those huge tall table decorations. It makes it hard to see around them and often blocks the view of the couple's first dance and other activities during the reception. Save your money and get smaller, simpler items. Less is MORE. :) At least, I think so.

Chelsea Relander nailed it here:
Make sure you assign jobs to people to help you out. Family always wants to help out so put them to work and don't try to put everything on your shoulders. I didn't "delegate" as much as I should've and ended up being super stressed at my wedding and reception.
Also, remember to enjoy and not worry about everyone else. I worried too much about whether my guests were having a good time or how they were doing and I needed to just relax and enjoy things for myself.

My comrade, my partner in crime Candace Hart Seidl:
Don't use bold colors for your bridesmaids dresses! Leaves funny casts on people that are hard to get off!!! and be nice to your photographer! She makes you look good (or better then good) in pictures!

Jennifer Vaughn Trias is so right:
Don't stress about looking perfect, about every wisp of hair, eyelash, etc. If you are happy to be getting married, you WILL be beautiful.

Finally, Betsy Wellman:
DEFINITELY get a kick ass photographer! We decided to save...stupid...and get an 'okay' photog...biggest regret EVER! And tell everyone and anyone to kiss off, this is YOUR wedding not theirs! Best advice I give and listened too....it was great!

http://www.glamour.com/weddings/blogs/save-the-date/2010/06/3-wedding-day-beauty-musts.html

http://www.glamour.com/weddings/blogs/save-the-date/2010/04/genius-wedding-idea-serve-cock.html

http://www.glamour.com/weddings/2010/01/dress-your-body-the-best-wedding-gowns-for-your-shape#slide=1

http://www.sheknows.com/love-and-sex/articles/815159/creative-wedding-ceremony-idea-1

http://www.articlesbase.com/photography-articles/important-considerations-when-booking-wedding-vendors-1245293.html

And finally, remember to let some things go. If something "goes wrong" ask yourself if it's worth ruining your day for.

Little Man Bentley...

2010-09-06T20:37:00.000-05:00

My session with Chelsea, Eddie, and Bentley is exactly how family portraits should be...relaxed, fun, and completely stress free; that's what outdoor photo shoots will do. Being outside immediately puts everyone at ease. People are more natural and are often happier and it shows in their pictures. Take a look and you'll see exactly what I mean:

chelsea and eddie, I can't thank you enough for everything. :)

Andrea Keene...the mover and shaker.

2010-08-31T23:13:00.002-05:00

Andrea and her adorable husband Zach are movers and shakers (as she puts it). If you've ever read Atlas Shrugged, Andrea and Zach are what Ayn Rand calls "prime movers" or motivated people who get things done. Here's a quote from Zach's Twitter page (and I LOVED it) "There is no such thing as an overachiever. We are all underachievers to varying degrees." This sums up their philosophy on work, motivation, and success. I love working with people like them because...well...they just know how to make things happen.
Andrea is the client who asked me if I would take photos of her family outside. Of course I said yes. She is also the client who said she wanted to take her couch outside on the front lawn and do pictures there. Of course I said ABSOLUTELY!! Then she said, "I want to do it for each season, have you take photos in the summer, fall, winter and spring...all outside on the couch. Then I want to frame each one and hang them in the house. " Okay, so if you haven't figured it out by now...Andrea is a genius. So, without further ado, the first installment of what I like to call "Team Keene and the Black Leather Couch":

the J man's main interest...

andrea and coach keene...

Dan and Maria...ENGAGED!

2010-08-31T20:01:00.003-05:00

Meet Maria and Dan...two cuties from WIU. Maria said, we knew we wanted you to do our wedding when we saw how non-traditional your work was. I knew I wanted to do Maria and Dan's wedding when she said, "I'd like engagement pictures with an urban feel." I knew then, exactly where I wanted to take them...

maria busted out these shoes and before she could say anything, i said, "yes!" and i stand by that.

oh, i love this location. um, yeah, it's yummy!

take that cesar milan...booyah!

i love this one...they are so cute!

eat your hear out tim burton!

Say 'Goodbye' to Your Kit Lens & Say 'Hello' to the Prime!

2010-08-20T15:21:00.004-05:00

   Okay, the prices of consumer grade dslrs have dropped...dra.mat.ic.ally. So, you do your homework, see what you can afford, and buy your first dslr. You get a deal because the dslr you bought already comes with a lens, maybe even 2 and you think to yourself, "Great. The guesswork is gone. The lens comes with the camera." I'm guessing an 18-55mm and a 55-200, right? Now let me tell you why you don't want that kit lens. It's cheaply made, cheaply manufactured, and is far from quality. They aren't sharp or fast and sharp and fast are the two qualities most professional photographers want in a lens.
   In comes the prime lens. Most primes are very fast, very sharp, and *drum roll* super affordable. Canon and Nikon both offer extremely affordable starter prime lenses. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=50mm+1.8&ci=15492&N=4293919655 The reason they are so much cheaper (or at least cheaper than their zoom counterparts) is simple. To make a zoom lens, companies like Nikon, Canon, etc. must use more moving parts and they take longer to construct. A prime lens' optics have to be made to be sharp at only one focal length and zooms must be made to be sharp at many focal lengths, therefore, zooms are harder and more expensive to make and are not as fast.
   The reason many of you will shy away from the prime? Only one focal length. People hate to give up that zoom capability. If you're shooting anything but sports or nature, my opinion is, you don't need the zoom as much as you need a fast, crisp lens. Don't get me wrong, I L-O-V-E my Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/644741-USA/Nikon_2185_AF_S_Nikkor_70_200mm_f_2_8G.html. It's a dynamo and a life saver when I can't get up the bride's nostrils, but any other time you see me, I've got me 50 1.4G http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/585343-USA/Nikon_2180_AF_S_Nikkor_50mm_f_1_4G.html or even my junky little 35mm 1.8 when I need to get a little bit wider. Why? It's faster AND much lighter. It's simple: faster lens=crisper image. Not only that, but the wider you are able to open your aperture, the greater depth of field you will be able to achieve and in my world, bokeh=butter. Period. Okay, so how do you compensate for losing the zoom capability? W.A.L.K. It's that simple. I would much rather walk up to my subject KNOWING I'm going to get a crisp clear, image than stand in one spot with some crap kit lens and be disappointed as soon as I see my images on my computer.
   There are some beautiful lenses with zoom capability that are extremely fast, like this one from Nikon (next to go into my bag!!) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/675829-USA/Nikon_2184_AF_S_Nikkor_24mm_f_1_4G.html, but it is expensive and I'm strictly speaking to beginners who are still using their kit lenses. At the current prices for a starter prime lens ($89-$120), you can't afford not to do it. I can almost guarantee, if you buy the 1.8 you will, without a doubt HAVE to have the 1.4. When I wanted to upgrade from my 1.8 to my 1.4 (a week after I bought the 1.8) I was able to resell my 1.8 for what it cost me to help fund the 1.4.
   So, what are you waiting for? Get rid of those kit lenses, you're better off without them!

* This blog post is written with the assumption that you are in the FULL manual setting. Not auto or a derivative of it i.e. P, A, or S.*

Images below are ALL taken with my prime lenses. Got questions/comments? Send 'em my way. :)

"êthikai aretai"...that's Candace.

2010-08-17T11:38:00.006-05:00

   This blog post is a special one. I dedicate it to my good friend and photographer Candace Hart-Seidl (http://www.candacehartphotographyonline.com/). Candace is a family, senior, and wedding photographer out of Monmouth, Illinois and was actually my inspiration for my Rock Star Mom promotion (http://ericaclarkphotography.blogspot.com/2010/08/calling-all-rock-star-moms.html) because she IS a.Rock.Star.Mom! Four kids (one 5 month old) who she always makes time for, runs TWO businesses (photography AND a daycare), her husband works out of town, she runs a household (by herself), she mentors other photographers (me included), and does a MILLION other things.
   What's more than all of those things, she has what Aristotle called êthikai aretai or "excellence of character". Paraphrased from his book of Nicomachean Ethics, according to Aristotle, excellence of character is a state concerned with choices. The second one being the tendency to form harmonious feelings toward other people under specific circumstances. Candace is the epitome of excellence of character. She is clearly a competing force for me in this small area with MANY "professional photographers", but that doesn't affect her decision to show excellence of character...at all.
   She routinely invites me to second shoot at weddings, refers clients to me on a regular basis, gives me equipment, answers ALL of my tech questions, and even listens to me complain. Then, two days ago when I called her frantic because my business wasn't showing up on Google searches (a VERY powerful business tool), she worked on it until it was fixed. I got a text this morning from her assuring me that it was fixed and not only that, but I was at number 3!!! Okay, so Aristotle was right. Good character is basically, doing the "right" thing even when you don't have to because not only did she fix my problem, but she used the review section to announce to potential clients how happy she was with the work I recently did for her. I photographed her four girls as a small 'thank you' for everything she's done for me.
   Any photographer in this business can and will unhappily tell you how cut throat and competitive it is, especially in a small area like this one. The market is relatively small and in order to compete, we must be clever, savvy, and damn good to stay afloat. While Candace most certainly runs a successful business and continues to stay current and improve her work, she also cares about displaying good character. I admire that. We all should. She sets the standard, I think, of what it takes to have good "moral" character. The last time I checked, everyone could use a little more of it (some, a lot more).
   So, this blog is my ode to her. The hardest working woman I know with enough good character to HELP competing photographers. Enjoy a couple of images from my shoot with her daughters and find her on Facebook to tell her how awesome she is or call to book her. 309.734.0137.

Candace's mom, Joni. As hard core as they come!

Candace obviously makes beautiful children as well! :)

Calling ALL Rock Star Moms...

2010-08-06T00:46:00.008-05:00

Do you cook, clean, mow, burp, feed, scrub, vacuum? Do you wipe, soothe, wash, dry, taxi? Are you a mother, employee, wife, teacher, diaper changer, and even a dog walker? If you answered yes to any or most of these, then you, my friend...are a rock star mom! A rock star mom is a mother who does the above tasks and does it with gusto, with pride, and often (justifiably) with gritted teeth. A rock star mom takes lemons and twists the peel into her martini. Rock star moms even sugar coat the wrongdoings of others to spare their kids' feelings (you know who you are way down South). A rock star mom picks up toys or socks off of the floor with her feet while doing other chores. A rock star mom is PROUD of the body she has because she knows what it took to make it!
If you think you might be a rock star mom, have I got a surprise for you. For the month of August, I am offering a special promotion just for you rock star moms out there. Book a session with erica clark photography it's FREE, JUST FOR YOU! No babies, no kids, no spouses, no in-laws, no co-workers, no pets, no mops, no vacuum cleaners, no diapers. Nothing but you in all your beauty...and yes, you are beautiful. You are all beautiful in your own unique way. You each have a story to tell and I'm here to help you tell it. Tell the world, that you...ARE.A.ROCK.STAR.MOM!

Ahhh, now for the details/fine print:

You have to be a mom.
You have to bust your butt. :)
You have to book your session before August 31st.
The session can be between now and December 31st.
The session can take place at your home, in the park, etc. Anywhere.
The session can MOST certainly be boudoir if you'd like.
The session fee is waived. Each Rock Star Mom will receive a disc of PROOFS.
An online gallery (private) will be viewable at which time prints may be purchased.
Images are kept on file for a year, so you have PLENTY of time to decide/purchase.
Should you wish to purchase a disc with original images, one will be available for purchase.
A travel fee will be applied to any location further than 10 miles outside of 61455.

Okay, now that all that is out of the way...what are you waiting for? Call me! 309.333.9933 Book your session today! Don't put it on a list of things to do...do it now. You deserve it! I want every rock star mom to have one special shoot that is ALL their own. Just for them :) The images below should be all too familiar to each and EVERY rock star mom...enjoy.

"This time baby, I'll be bulletproof..."

2010-07-31T19:51:00.001-05:00

Who decides? Who decides whether or not someone hurts you? My answer? You. We're all human, yes, of course. We're born with feelings and are susceptible to the hurtful nature of others. However, the next time someone is hurtful and deliberately mean, ask yourself, "Who decides whether or not this affects me?" The answer should be clear. Let them burn their bridges. They suffer, not you. All you can do is be helpful, honest, and sincere and if all of that isn't enough, move on to someone better and more worthy of your time, but you can't shut out the rest of the world. There are people who appreciate you and what you have to offer. Fair weather friends are plentiful and as painful as those relationships can be, you simply have to learn from them.

People will use you for all they can get and move on to the next person who can give them something. Forget them. Focus on the person who appreciates and supports you. Forget about the users, drama queens, and fake people. Your life is way too short for that. You're bulletproof. Don't forget it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulletproof_(La_Roux_song)

The Photographer Hired a Photographer...

2010-07-18T23:47:00.004-05:00

   I've said before, it's always a little intimidating to be hired by another photographer. The reason is because they seem to have a better understanding of what it takes to produce a high quality image. Of course this doesn't mean that my other clients don't know, but as in any industry, the professionals tend to spot flaws more quickly, more often, and in more detail. So, when I drove to Peoria last Sunday to photograph the adorable and HILARIOUS Myers family, I have to say, I had a little rumble in my tummy.
   However, once I arrived, my nervousness quickly dissipated. Rachael has this infectious, boisterous laugh that would put ANYONE at ease. In fact, I can't imagine how anyone would stay mad after hearing such a great laugh. When I noted how great her laugh was, she informed me that she received "Best Laugh" in high school. I can't say I was surprised.
   So as it turned out, my tummy had nothing to rumble about. Zach and Rachael were sweet as pie and that adorable baby, Lauren, was a breeze (despite the fact that she gave mommy n daddy a run for their money that morning). :) We found some amazing locations to shoot and what's even cooler, I learned about a few neat places to go when I'm in Peoria. Thanks Rach! It's too bad we don't live closer.
   Regarding the intimidation of being hired by another professional, another photographer has asked me to photograph her kids this week. This time, to tame the rumbling tummy, I'll just tell myself, "If they didn't like my work, they wouldn't ask." Worrying too much about it takes attention away from what's important...capturing their personalities, their infectious laughs, and their love for one another...

It Takes Two...

2010-07-17T17:25:00.002-05:00

So, this really creative client, Tammy Bentzinger, hired me to do her family's portraits. She said, "I don't want traditional." She calls it "Life Art". What a GREAT phrase, right? They were super easy to work with. Fun, lighthearted, and adorable to boot. Afterward Tammy told me how much she loved my work and was so excited to see what unique images I could produce for her family. Not using my stellar listening skills, I was busy thinking about how lucky I was to have HER as a client, not how lucky SHE was to have me as a photographer and then it occurred to me, it takes two. In order to produce unique images that stand the test of time, you need creative, fun clients with great personalities (like The Bentzingers) and a motivated photographer who truly loves what they do and works tirelessly to create art out of family portraits. You can't have one without the other. You can't have a stellar photographer and bland clients with no sense of humor. Conversely, you can't have fun, beautiful clients with a mundane, hum drum photographer who doesn't know how to operate their camera. It's a partnership. We create what we create together, not separately. It's that simple. So, for those of you who have worked with me and are happy with what I created for you, please please please remember: I couldn't do it without you...period. I didn't create it, WE did. :)

Oh Baby!!

2010-07-10T13:57:00.002-05:00

Meet Myleigh. Myleigh knows how to turn on the charm. As a family photographer, I'm always prepared to show up to any situation. Crying babies, mad children, less than enthusiastic husbands/dads, but to be honest, I wasn't prepared to have this client be in SUCH a good mood. She was so happy that it was a breeze capturing adorable image after adorable image. Her mom, Michele, said something at the end of our shoot that really stuck with me. When I asked if she thought we got everything she wanted she simply said, "I'd rather have 10 great images than a ton of so-so ones." That says it ALL! Michele and Cody, here is your Myleigh...

July's Gift Card Winner...

2010-07-08T10:27:00.001-05:00

Possible gift cards are Subway, iTunes, or now introducing JIMMY JOHN'S because the only thing I like to eat more than sushi, is Jimmy John's. This month's winner is Michele Lovell!!! Yay for Michele! In order to be eligible for my monthly gift card give away, I use a random number generator. Once the number is established, I click on all of my Facebook "likers" and simply count until I get to the generated number. Whomever's smiling face is that number, gets the gift card...simple. So, Michele, let me know which gift card you'd like and it'll be on it's way to you in no time. Well, "no time" is a figure of speech. It IS the U.S. government mail system...nuff said. :) In the mean time, enjoy a few shots of the beautiful Lambert family...my nearest and dearest clients and wonderful friends!

That's What She Said to Me...

2010-07-04T15:39:00.001-05:00

"Hi Erica. I have several family members coming into town for a visit and I'd really like to get together with you and have you photograph us, but I just want you to capture us/our personalities the way we are...naturally and just being ourselves. I'm not really interested in too many posed pictures." That's what she said to me. Anyone who knows me at ALL, knows that the above description is exactly my style. Some photographers have very specific time limits on shoots, but this is not the best way to get the most memorable images. I take pictures the way I want them to look. I have a vision in my head while my eye is peering through my viewfinder. I create images with the intention that the final product will be an artistic creation that anyone would want hanging on their walls, not necessarily the client's wall. That's the idea. That's how I work. To be completely honest, the fact that the client loves what I produce, is simply a benefit. I know it's not a very business conscious way of operating, but I wouldn't love doing it any other way. People don't hire me because they want "family portraits". They hire me because my body of work represents moments and they know, that during their time with me, I will do the same for them. I'm continually asked to "capture our personalities". It's my belief that this isn't something that can be accomplished in "X" number of hours or poses. It just happens...naturally, organically. I take pride in this approach and I have complete faith that if I stay true to this method, success is sure to follow. In my eyes, I'm already successful because my clients have images that reflect who they really are at that particular moment in their lives. They laugh, they giggle, they hug, and they even cry. They express a human element missing from traditional photography. I couldn't be more grateful for the partnership I share with my clients. We share a vision and without them, I couldn't complete the process. So, to all of my clients who have EVER asked for images that are "Untraditional, unposed, natural, REAL.", thank you thank you thank you. And to the client who asked for images that, "...capture us/our personalities the way we are...naturally and just being ourselves." Thank you! Here is your family, the way you really are. :)

When Amber & Trent found me...

2010-06-23T20:19:00.001-05:00

   We met for our consultation at Sullivan Taylor. That's when they told me what kind of photographer they had been looking for. They said, "We want someone to capture the day in a non traditional way. We want shots of our friends and family acting natural and being happy, the way they really are. We don't like staged stuff." Immediately I thought, "Yeah, this is gonna work juuuuusst fine." :):) And it did! From the rehearsal dinner to the reception, everything was GREAT! In addition, I got lucky enough to have my friend Betsy Wellman from Wellman Photography volunteer to be my second shooter.
   Amber's shoes were G-O-R-G-O-U-S Royal Blue Minolo Blahniks (see below image)! They were her something 'blue'. So clever. The programs were printed on adorable fans so the guests could cool off during the ceremony. So thoughtful! Every detail of this wedding was so well thought out and not a corner was cut! And boy, you can see it in the photos. This couple is a class act ALL THE WAY!
   I just want to say 'thank you' to Amber and Trent Patrick and to their wonderful parents for everything. This wedding is indeed a very nice addition to my portfolio. My clients really do make me look good. It's true. See for yourself...

This One's For the Girls....

2010-06-17T08:13:00.003-05:00

   June is almost over. Is that even possible? I feel like our area has been a little cheated with all of this rain. Okay, A LOT cheated! It's total Grade A Baloney! It makes it especially difficult for people whose livelihoods depend on decent weather. Construction/painters, landscaping, photographers, and farmers. I'm sure there are many more affected by all of this rain. Personally I've had it. So from now on, I'm shooting in all weather I'm not letting it keep me inside. I'll find an awning somewhere!
   I'd like to use today's blog post as sort of a local shout out. There are a few local photographers who have began a very nice little network and today I'd like to post their sites/Facebook fan pages for everyone to see. They've all been super helpful to me and have offered more support to me and to each other than I could've ever imagine. The photography industry has changed so much in what seems like a short amount of time. We can thank technological and market advances for that! What that means for this particular industry is the cost of gear has come down so much, it has made it accessible to more people. My theory is there are more women photographers now because of the accessible nature of good gear. It also means that portrait photography seems to have emotional or human element that was (in my opinion) slightly lacking. Women have a different perspective and in an industry where perspective means SOOO much, that perspective has helped to change the business of taking photographs. The girls have permeated every crevasse of this business and we aren't going ANYWHERE!
   So, I'm taking an opportunity to raise my proverbial glass and saying "Cheers" to the following local women photographers. Some are just starting out, some are seasoned, some are enthusiasts/professionals/etc., but what they ALL have in common is a sincere love for the art of photographing moments and I'm proud to be in their company!
   You can find their links below a few recent pics of mine. Feel free to add them on Facebook or give them a call should you need their particular service. :)

Candace Hart (I don't know what I'd do without her)
http://www.candacehartphotography.com/

Betsy Wellman
http://wellmanphotography.shutterfly.com/

Julia Forrester
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Macomb-IL/Julia-Forrester-Photography/113712405332690?ref=ts

Danielle Dear
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Danielles-Photography/108955425808501?ref=ts#!/pages/Danielles-Photography/108955425808501?v=wall&ref=ts

Michelle Keefer
http://www.dragonflyshellphotography.com/

May's Winner...in June :/

2010-06-02T22:57:00.001-05:00

Okay, so I've been so swamped I haven't had time to pick May's gift card winner. Trust me, I'm not complaining. I love keeping busy and be-lieve me, May was busy. I love weddings, but they keep me moving, that's for sure. So, without further ado, May gift card winner is *drum roll*...Jenny Fall! Jenny send me a message and let me know which gift card you prefer: Subway or iTunes. :) For everyone else, all you need to do is either follow my blog or follow me on Facebook to be entered.

Here are a couple of pics from our trip to Peoria where we dined at only THE finest four star establishment...The International House of Pancakes. :)

My Cheeks Hurt...

2010-05-30T20:24:00.000-05:00

Well, of course I cried during the ceremony at Cassie and Chance's wedding. I don't think that will ever change. I'm always moved by the love between couples while they exchange their vows. I just love the way they look into each others' eyes while the minister speaks. It's as if they're talking to one another without words. Their eyes say it ALL. It's like they're the only two people in the world at that moment. It's so special. After the tears dried and the ceremony was over, it was on to the reception. The reception is always my favorite because it's a wonderful opportunity to capture everyone's personality; the laughs, the tears (of joy), the dancing, and the decorations (you know I love details). During the reception I laughed and smiled so hard and so often, my cheeks were hurting! Ever have that happen? Cassie and Chance were so awesome. They treated me like family. At one point, Cassie said, "Erica, put down that damn camera and come dance!" I can't believe I get paid for this:) I had so much fun that I think my cheeks were sore until I got home...seriously. In fact, as I type, I'm smiling just remembering how great the reception was. See for yourself...

Brooke and Eric Say I do...

2010-05-20T08:19:00.000-05:00

I knew I liked Brooke and Eric as soon as they signed their wedding contract. I knew it when Eric said, "You know, seeing how enthusiastic you are has made us even more excited about the big day." It's my enthusiasm that makes me want to be there and take photographs of their special day, but it's their excitement and obvious love for one another that makes me strive for the best pictures possible. My goal is and always will be to capture that love and excitement in such a way that whenever they look at their photos, they are immediately reminded of how they felt about each other at that moment. What I found though, is the pictures end up being such a clear visual description of how they feel about one another, that OTHERS can see it too. I hope that never changes. :) Without further ado, Brooke and Eric...in love:

Her Shoes...

2010-05-12T22:15:00.001-05:00

Anyone who knows me, also knows I can't stand a mess. I was just telling a friend today, it's not because I'm uber motivated, it's simply because I've learned to "harness" my neurosis by having a consistently tidy house. I thrive on predictability and order, but rather than nag at my daughter to continually clean up after herself, I help her out. Every now and then, rather than asking her to pick up her clothes, I'll pick up her dirty socks, I'll hang her towel on the hook, or I'll pick up her shoes from the middle of the living room floor. However, it hit me like a ton of bricks today...one day, not long from now, her shoes won't be there anymore. She'll be grown and on her own. This temporary time with her won't last forever. I knew it wouldn't, but as I bent down to pick up her sneakers today, it was crystal clear. One day she's falling asleep on my shoulder, the next thing I know I'm picking up her shoes (which are bigger than mine now), and some day, sooner than I like to admit, her dirty socks won't be balled up under her bed, her towel won't be tossed onto the floor, and those adorable shoes will be gone. . .or at least on a floor of her own. I encourage you to look at the next "task" you complete for your child as a memory you might cherish one day, rather than an inconvenient chore. I took this picture as a reminder to be grateful for...her shoes.

Pretty Bride to Be...

2010-05-09T14:53:00.002-05:00

I was asked by a soon to be bride if I would take photos of her for her fiance as a wedding present to him. The wedding has yet to happen, so I can only show the photos from our shoot in which her face isn't exposed. We went to her grandfather's farm in Roseville for the shoot which has a very special meaning to her. Shoots in which the client picks a momentous location are always better, even if it's just in their home. People are more relaxed and they look back on their shoot and at their photos with fondness. This makes me happy. Enjoy...

Shannon, The Lone Swordsman :)

2010-05-03T13:02:00.002-05:00

Meet Shannon. He's an adorable 1 year old little boy who was FULL of smiles! His name comes from an anime series called "Scrapped Princess" in which his character is referred to as The Lone Swordsman. I just loved the fact that Shannon's parents, Josh and Amber, had this common theme between them and decided to name their son after something they both love. I love seeing couples who share a common interest, no matter what it is.
So, I showed up not knowing if Shannon would be in good spirits. I never know what to expect when I show up to a shoot for a toddler (or younger). If you are a parent, you know you can't "schedule" a family portrait. All you can do is make the appointment and keep your fingers crossed. Well, you can tell from the photos he was in a GREAT mood. Lucky me because I got some great, all natural, smiling! He ran and played and couldn't have been happier. I loved this shoot in particular for the relaxed nature of the clients. Sometimes it's not easy getting clients to relax and be themselves, but not these guys. It was perfect. See for yourself...

My version of the totally awesome Shoot Sac minus the $209 price tag...

2010-04-24T12:00:00.004-05:00

What's up internet? So, for the last year I've been drooling over Jasmine Star's Shoot Sac. For those of you who aren't familiar with Shoot Sacs, they are a fantastic camera bag/satchel made from sturdy neoprene to protect your expensive gear. They are super adorable and very handy. Besides the adorableness of them, they are so very practical because while you're shooting, the Shoot Sac allows a photographer to quickly change lenses without fumbling around in a backpack or the like. Shoot Sacs are made from neoprene (scuba material) so they are climate controlled, shock absorbent, and it molds to your body rather than jutting out from your back or hip. So, why not just buy a Shoot Sac? Why make your own? Here's why, Shoot Sac are approximately $209. Yikes! Maybe some of you can swing a $200 camera bag or maybe some of you, like me, would rather spend that money towards a new lens or flash. Don't get me wrong, I can assure you that the original Shoot Sac is superior to my homely little model, but I love it nonetheless and it does the job just fine. Keep in mind, I'm NO seamstress. I have a rinky-dink sewing machine and limited financial means, so I did the best I could, but since a few people have already asked me how I did it, I thought I'd share. If you can think of other ways or amend my version, feel free. I'm already thinking of making another one using the vertical laptop sleeves vs. the horizontal. Make it your very own one of a kind project. Okay, without further ado, the instructions:

I bought a cheapo neoprene laptop case from Walmart like this one. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Targus-15.4-Notebook-Slip-Case-Black-Grey-CVR200/4217012 This one says it's like $23 or $24, but mine was exactly $20.

Then I headed over to the fabric section (clearance section, of course) and found a material that not only did I like, but had kind of a heavy upholstery feel to it. I estimated the length at about a little less than a yard and had plenty left over. Just use your best judgement.

*For the record: I do not measure. I hate measuring. I always get lost in it. For some reason I'll be in the middle of a project and completely forget what the heck I'm measuring and why.

Anyway, I already had some bias tape (it's not really tape) or "trim" in a little package left over from a previous project, but it's waaay cheap and adds a really nice finish to the flap and is super easy to sew. For this project you would need less than one package. Here's a picture of someone sewing bias tape around the edge of a project.

Other than thread and some black material for the inside of the flap, these were my only materials! :) You don't need the black material, you could just use several layers of your patterned material of choice. I just decided to use some left over heavy black material from another project to make it look fancy pantsy:)

I aligned and pinned with straight pins the black material and the striped material to form about 3 layers. I did this so there was some weight to the flap and so it would kind of lay nicely instead of blowing all over the place.

Then I folded the three layers at the top to form about a half inch fold so it looks nicer than all frayed and yucky. I used a ziz-zag stitch for durability along the top of the laptop sleeve. Granted, it's not the prettiest stitching you've ever seen, but it was tricky to maneuver it under my machine.

Once that was done, I started sewing the trim around the edges of the flap. Go slowly so you can continually push the flap material all the way into the middle of the bias tape which should be folded over onto the backside of the flap and just sew all the way around.

Finally, I sewed two straight lines to make pockets. Sounds easier than it was, but I made do. I made sure not to sew all the way to the top or bottom and truth be told, my machine didn't do a very good job so I think maybe I'll take into my local sewing supply store and ask them to do the two stitches for me so it lasts longer.

One thing I didn't do, that I will do different next time (or ask a seamstress to do) was use a little piece of leftover bias tape as a reinforcement for the two pocket stitches. If you notice mine don't look as secure as maybe they should.

My new "Shoot Sac" or as I call it a "Lens Sack" holds my Nikon 70-200mm 2.8 VRII, my Promaster 28mm 2.8 Wide Angle, my Promaster flash, business cards, phone, bottle of water, phone, memory cards, rechargeable batteries, and tons of extras. There's even still room for my Nikon 50mm 1.4G. Woot woot!!

Well, I think that's about it. If you have any questions or if I left something out, please feel free to comment in my comment section. If you aren't already a "fan" or don't already "like" my Facebook page, please take a moment to do so. Thanks.

Here's the final product:

Win Win Win!!!

2010-04-21T13:03:00.001-05:00

  Hey hey hey internet! Well, for those of you who came out to Administrative Professionals Day to support me, congratulations are most certainly in order. Let's start small and get bigger. Jamie won a gift certificate for books. That prize couldn't have went to someone better. Jamie reads like it's going out of style, well, if it were in style. Anyway, on to Laura, a one Miss Laura Hutchens took home a brand new Blackberry! :) Oh yes she did. Finally, the big winner, little Miss Janell took home a brand new Gateway mini laptop courtesy of Collins Communications! Not a bad haul! Throughout the day I was able to donate two free shoots and a coupon for $50 off of a portrait shoot. Woot woot to those winners!!! Thanks to all of you who came out and supported me and my business. I could feel the love, honestly. I made tons of new contacts with other local business owners and radio and newspaper personnel and got some airtime to boot. That can only be a good thing right? They were all super supportive. I'm so grateful to Dawn Gray for inviting me and being so supportive of me. Thanks Dawn! Look for something in the mail;)
   Okay, on to my next order of business... Aprils winner for the iTunes/Subway gift card. This months winner is a one Miss Julie Foulk! Yay for Julie. Julie send a message to me with your address and preference of gift card and you'll be either rockin' out to some righteous tunes or puttin' away some delish Subway!
   For everyone else, if you haven't done so already, click the "follow" link on my blog, join my Facebook Fan page, or comment on a recent post. That's it. Easy peasy!
   For my fellow photographers, I'll be doing another FAQ soon. So, if you have any questions at all, send 'em my way and I'll either answer them or find the answer for you. Much love to my photography peers:) You know who you are. Until next time...

Brittin...hold the cheese.

2010-04-13T01:10:00.007-05:00

Okay, so this is Brittin. A senior at West Prairie. Like soooo many other high schoolers (and everyone else) I've ever met, Brittin waited until the last minute to get his senior portraits done. Countless reminders from family didn't mean a thing. It comes as no surprise to me, though. I can't imagine that any young guy wants to subject himself to a senior portrait session. Those old senior portrait shoots with which we are all familiar, are so cheesy, I can't look at the pictures without crackers*. Seriously internet. Those poor young guys leaning up against some random tree with their arms crossed trying to look introspective, it's just uncomfortable to even watch. I can't stand those types of pictures and my guess is that's why Brittin and a gazillion other high school seniors procrastinate when it comes time for senior portraits. I don't blame them one bit! So, when I met Brittin, the first thing I said to him was, "If you're worried these are going to look cheeseball, don't. I can't stand corny/phony photos. So, don't worry. We're going to get shots that reflect who you are and the things that you love. Period." And if I do say so myself, I think that's exactly what we got! I love these pictures and I hope he does too. These are some of my favorite pictures to date and not a Cheezit in sight! :)

*Paraphrased from one of my favorite movies...EVER! Reality Bites. Love it!

Looking Beyond the Obvious...

2010-04-08T12:57:00.002-05:00

At this point in my photography career I think I have found what it is that inspires me. Every photographer is different. We all have to find what it is that moves us to the point that we feel we HAVE to pick up a camera in order to capture a moment. For me, those moments are when I notice the details. It's not the smile looking directly into the camera that moves me. It's the cackle over something genuinely funny. It's not the family portrait where everyone has there designated places and every hair is in its place. It's the moment before it when they are talking to each other or the mother is primping her children. The reason these details are what inspires me is because those are the moments that are real. They are authentic. In fact, they are so organic that they often get taken for granted. It isn't until a mom, a bride, or a senior sees the moment captured on film that they realize it happened and there's a look on their face when they realize that the moment occurred. It's at that moment (even for a second) they appreciate those little details of everyday life that they realize slip by. So, for me life IS the details. Life IS the baby's toes, the hand on a hip, the hair in the face, and even the tears. If you have been my client, you know exactly what I mean. So let's stop every once in a while and notice the details. Give them the time they deserve. And if you have your camera handy, GRAB IT! Until next time...here are some details.

Apparently Angels Come in Pairs...

2010-04-05T23:50:00.007-05:00

Seriously, internet. Ryan and Kyla must be actual angels. That's the only way I can explain how they got so sweet. No whining, no complaining, and man...they were troopers! Mom tried to get them a nap before their photo shoot, but no dice. Of course not, right? Moms, you hear me on this one? The one day you want your kid/s to take a nap...do they? Nope! Such was the case for their awesome mom, Becky and their amazing grandma Sheri, but you would've never known they missed nap time. They were so cooperative. I really couldn't have asked for better children. In fact, I think you can even see their sweet nature in these photos. I'm excited to share these pictures because I just adore them. As I grow as a photographer, one of my goals is to try to create works of art that anyone (not just the family members of those in the photos) would want to hang in their home and when I look at some of these pictures, that's exactly how I feel. I would love have a wrapped canvas of any of these photos hanging in my home and they're not even my kids! :) Hope you feel the same. Becky and Sheri, seriously, you girls rock! Way to show some team effort today! It was worth it. Until next time, peace.

Ashley, The Professional...

2010-03-26T11:00:00.007-05:00

This girl was a rockstar! She had this hard to define quality of which every photographer dreams! During a shoot, especially an individual shoot such as senior portraits, it not easy to direct the subject. If you're like me, you want people to just be natural and kind of play in front of the camera. Unfortunately, this does NOT come naturally to many people, myself included, but Ashley turned it out. She came with tons of ideas, a playful attitude, and she was seriously fierce! That hard to define quality, if I could try to describe it, is what makes a good professional model. They will laugh and hold the pose *click click click*, look in another direction and hold *click click click*, make a funny face or look "introspective" and hold *click click click*. What this enables me to do is just fire away. She needed no direction. It was an amazing shoot, one that will be hard to top. Here are the photos to prove it! Enjoy...

Sweet Sweet Cecelia...

2010-03-23T22:39:00.003-05:00

Right before and right after every shoot, I get super duper nervous. I'm mean really nervous. Like a sort of stage fright I guess you could call it. My main concern is, "Holy cow, am I/did I get enough frames/shots?!?!!" Then when I see the finish product I realize I was much more anxious than I needed to be, but the thing is, I hope it always stays this way. I want to keep that edge or prospect of not doing well in order to keep me on my toes and to try as hard as I can. I love being able to earn money doing what I love, but to be honest, I just want my clients to love their pictures as much as I do. Hopefully Melissa and Jeff love the pics of their gorgeous baby as much as I do. Look at that sweet face, how could they not?! Until next blog post, peace.

Parker Daniel. . .

2010-03-15T23:34:00.002-05:00

This is Parker, quite possibly the sweetest, quietest baby ever! He didn't make a peep the whole time I was there. From the moment I arrived until the time I left, he was so quiet and content. I was greeted by his mom, dad, grandma, and great grandparents and they couldn't have adored Parker more. I can't remember the last time I was in the presence of so much love. I want to take a minute to note how much better photos turn out when clients are relaxed and in a good mood and are willing to just let me hang for a while so I can capture natural and relaxed moments. That's exactly what this family did and the following photographs are the result. I really love these photos and I hope you do too. Peace everyone. Until next time...this is Parker and his beautiful family:

Hip hip Hooray!

2010-03-12T20:29:00.000-06:00

   Yay for Amy Provine! She is this month's gift card give away winner! Amy send me your address and preference for either a Subway or an iTunes gift card in a message via either email or Facebook. As for everyone else, remember to either click the "follow" link to the right on my blog or make a comment on the most recent post before the next give away. So, what are you waiting for, hop to it.
   Next order of business: If you plan on booking either senior portraits, family portraits, or a wedding, I suggest booking with me sooner rather than later. As the weather starts warming up, my schedule will be filling up. So, please don't wait until the last minute.
   Here are a few recent pics and a few not so recent. Until next time...peace!

New blog, reminder, and a little bit of soapbox time...

2010-03-09T17:23:00.011-06:00

   Hi everyone! Welcome to the new blog. After reading a bazillion other photographers' blogs, I realized mine needed a facelift. I think the new template better reflects my personality and the style of my photography which I would describe as fresh and unique. Hopefully you all agree. I'm still working out the kinks, so bare with me. One criteria I had when choosing a blog layout was the ability to post extra large photos. I don't like viewing a photographer's blog and having to squint to see their work. I like to be able to see each photo as clear as the moment it was taken. If any of you have any critiques or suggestions, don't hesitate to shoot me an email.
   Next order of business, my monthly gift card give away. I've decided to slightly alter the criteria for winning. From now on, my blog "followers" are automatically entered to win, but the commenters from the most recent post will also be considered. I'm making this small change because I didn't like the idea that in order to follow my blog, people had to have a gmail/google account. Now this way more people have an opportunity to win. Speaking of the monthly gift card give away, don't wait to either click the "follow" link or comment on this post (as this is the most recent post) for your chance to win. I will be drawing the name of the lucky winner on Friday, so hop to it!
   Finally, I wanted to climb on top of my soapbox for just a brief moment and address something that has been on my mind lately and that is what is called an ad hominem argument. If you aren't familiar with that phrase, I'm sure you have experienced it. In fact, I'd bet my business on it.
   Ad hominem arguments are attacks against the person not against the evidence the person has provided. Here are few examples:

"We should discount what Steve Forbes says about cutting taxes because he stands to benefit from a lower tax rate."

"You can't trust her opinion of Gone with the Wind, she liked Terminator 3."

"You can't possibly know how to eat healthy, you are overweight."

   Ad hominem arguments don't address the issue, but resort to attacking the person. The reason I'm taking time out to address this is because I have come into contact with this type of argumentation quite a bit this week. I wanted to share with my readers the prevalence of such a pervasive form of debate. So, next time you witness an ad hominem argument, you'll be able to spot it and respond accordingly. If someone uses this type of argument with you, simply inform them of what an ad hominem argument is and redirect them back to the issue. *steps off of soap box* :)

As always, I never post a blog without posting pictures too. Enjoy! :)

"What's in your bag?"

2010-03-06T19:29:00.017-06:00

I've been asked via Facebook, email, in person..."What's in your bag/what kind of gear do you use/what brand do you prefer?" etc. etc. So, I decided to do a blog post in which I address what I use and why I use it. Let me preface the following post by saying, everyone has their own unique style. The equipment I have is a personal choice and I'm sure Canon/Sigma/Bower make fine lenses/gear, but my grandparents used only Nikon, my sister uses Nikon, and in my opinion, Nikon makes the highest quality and as my sister (who is a brilliant photgrapher http://www.sallycphotography.com/) used to tell me, buy the BEST you can afford. So even if it meant spending my last red cent, leaving no extra money for "frivolous" items, I did just that. So without further ado...my gear.

I'll start with the bag:

I use a Kata Digital Micro Rucksack. I got mine at B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/562236-REG/Kata_KT_DR_461_DR_461_Digital_Micro_Rucksack.html) I love this bag because it holds all of my gear compactly, safely, simply, and the price is very reasonable.

In my bag I stock just the essentials as I don't like getting weighed down with stuff I just won't need. In the front flap I keep several business cards, lens cloth, sunscreen stick, bug spray (I hates bug bites), extra memory card, a pen, batteries and charger, list of must have shots, and cell phone. Note: I NEVER EVER have my cell phone on during a wedding, shoot, or client meeting. I repeat...NEVER! When I'm with a client, I am WITH a client...period. If I'm at a wedding I stock a power bar and a bottle of water. These are must haves, especially for outdoor weddings.

Inside the second part of my bag I have my Nikon D90 bought at B&Hhttp://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/580241-REG/Nikon_25446_D90_SLR_Digital_Camera.html I keep a Nikon D40 in my car just in case of an emergency. It's not the best camera by any means, but it serves it's purpose of a "just in case" body.

Let me pause here to say, I have yet to find a more honest, reliable, and fairly priced vendor than B&H Photo. They are THE go to place for everything electronic. I can't say enough good things about B&H.

Okay, back to gear. Next, I have my Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8G ED VR II bought here http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/644741-USA/Nikon_2185_AF_S_Zoom_Nikkor_70_200mm_f_2_8G.html

This lens is destined to become a legend. It is crisp, super fast, made VERY well, has an internal focus, great in low light, and the invaluable Vibration Reduction, good thing too because this sucker is heavy! Come the end of wedding season my arms will be so buff I could arm wrestle, ummm, err, well, a professional arm wrestler. :)

Next in my bag is my baby. My favorite lens ever. In fact I would venture to say, I could conceivably shoot an entire wedding with just this lens. It's Nikon's 50mm Nikkor AF-S Auto Focus f/1.4G http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/585343-USA/Nikon_2180_AF_S_Nikkor_50mm_f_1_4G.html

I just adore the creamy background that only shooting at such a low aperture provides. Clients are frequently concerned about backgrounds. Once they do a shoot with me they soon realize, backgrounds mean nothing, at least not with this beauty of a lens. My style revolves around the subject, not the background and this lovely little lens enables me to blur any background into a creamy mush of yummy bokeh:)

Next is my flash. I tend to shy away from unnatural lighting, but in a pinch, it's nice to have a light source to bounce off of any available walls. I use a Promaster 5550DX flash. I never use it pointed directly onto my subject as that makes for a horrible picture with ugly, harsh, and very fake results. I do my best to avoid using the flash at all costs. I prefer to shoot wide open to allow as much available light in as possible. If I need more light, I crank up my ISO before using flash. However, as a general rule, I keep my ISO very very low. Usually lower than 200. Noise only looks good when you know what you're doing. For examples of good "noise" check out Feaverish Photography http://feaverishphotography.com/blog/.

Finally, my LightScoop. I love this gadget so dang much. See my previous post (http://ericaclarkphotography.blogspot.com/2010/02/ladies-and-gentlemeni-present.html) on this hot little number. Love love love The LightScoop! With this uniquely simple and cheap gadget, the external flash is almost unnecessary. I HIGHLY recommend picking one up.

As I've said before, expensive gear is not a necessity, but it sure does make life better. I've also said a million times, a really great photographer could shoot an entire wedding with a point and shoot. That's right...a point and shoot. I truly mean that. It's not necessarily your gear that matters, although it definitely helps, it's your eye and the way you look at the world and the people in it that makes you the photographer you are.

So, until next time, get out your camera (no matter what kind you have) because warm weather is right around the corner and the best way to get better is PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE.

A post is no fun without photos so here are a few recent ones I've had the pleasure of taking.:)

Calling all seniors...

2010-03-05T17:36:00.007-06:00

Although Spring hasn't officially sprung, now is a great time to book your senior portrait photo shoot. Dates get booked quickly, so the sooner you book your shoot, the better your chances are of getting the date you want. So, here's the skinny on senior portrait shoots:

Bring several outfits. Clothes that represent you are best. Your favorite pair of jeans, that crazy scarf that only you love, sports gear if you play sports, or that hat you bought thinking you'd wear, but never did. Now it's decoration in your room. :)
Make a little list of ideas of things you'd like to try and bring it with you.
Surf the web and send me links of things you've come across that you might like to try.
When picking out your clothes, keep in mind that vibrant colors look great in pictures. Try to steer clear of busy prints. They can be distracting.
Bare feet are a good idea. So prepare to have a few pictures without shoes.
Be prepared to have fun. Your senior portraits should be a fun experience for you. You're only a senior once!

As always, each shoot comes with the disc with your edited pictures on it and a print release form. This is included in the price. Owning the disc allows you to print what you want when you want. If you have any more questions feel free to contact me or check out my prices page for more details. http://www.ericaclarkphotography.com/prices.htm

Finally, don't forget to click on the "Follow" link to the right for a chance to win my monthly give away which is either a Subway or iTunes gift card.

Below you will find a few shots of previous senior portrait shoots.

Peace to everyone!

Ladies and gentlemen...I present The LightScoop!

2010-02-21T21:32:00.006-06:00

If you are like me, you do not use your in camera flash. The in camera flash, since I've been shooting with a dslr, has been an evil entity, sacrilegious, and simply wrong in every way. Using the in camera flash makes photos look washed out, unnatural, and absolutely unappealing in every possible way. Starting to get the idea that I despise the ever grotesque in camera flash? You might be onto something. The super duper wonderful mom photographers over at MomTog (http://www.momtog.com/2010/01/momtog-of-the-week-brandi-blaha/) recently posted about a favorite gadget of theirs. If you know me at all, you know I LOVE gadgets. Don't get me started on Apple products. LOVE THEM!!! In fact, when Chris Martin and Gwenyth Paltrow named their baby "Apple", I just assumed they had the same fetish with Apple products as I did, but I digress. If you answer yes to any of the following questions, The LightScoop is a must have for you!

1. Do you ever need to shoot in low light?
2. Do you hate the harsh glare/shadows and evil red eye that the in camera flash "provides"?
3. Would you love a fancy external flash so you can bounce light?
4. Do you refrain from buying an external flash because of their high price?

Internet, I give you the magnificent "LightScoop". It has a simple construction which allows it to fit into your hotshoe. With your pop up/in camera flash engaged (you heard me right), the flash reflects into the pane made of mirror, bouncing the unnatural harsh light off of the surrounding walls, giving you an even, warm glow of your subject and the surrounding area. Another great trait of The LightScoop is its predictability. Unless you are a lighting guru, an external flash can be quite iffy. The LighScoop bounces the light with the same predictability every time, even when the camera is vertical. The difference between two photos taken with and without The LightScoop is astounding. Need proof? Here are before and after shots of the same wine bottle under the same lighting conditions. One taken immediately after the first.

Before After

If you're curious as to what an entire shoot would look like using my pop up flash and The LightScoop, of course, look no further than my last shoot! I did that shoot with only The LightScoop and NO EXTERNAL FLASH!

As if I haven't already made it crystal clear how fabulous this product is, let me just say it is a MUST have for any photographer frustrated with pop up/in camera/external flashes. You can get yours from their website or you can go to Adorama (http://www.adorama.com/FALSUW.html?searchinfo=lightscoop (where I bought mine) for $15 cheaper than The LightScoop website ($35). That's right, Adorama has LightScoops for $19.95. Can't beat it with a stick! :)

There are a couple of drawbacks to The LightScoop. The LightScoop will only work indoors because it needs walls to bounce light. It also will only work on certain cameras. If your curious if they make one for your model camera, you can visit this link (http://www.lightscoop.com/lightscoop-instructions.html). The list of cameras available to affix The LightScoop looks lengthy, so you have a good chance of your model being listed. Honestly, these are the only "cons" of this uniquely simple and UBER handy gadget of which I can think.

If you have any questions I haven't covered, feel free to ask in the comment section and I'll be sure to answer them. If you'd like more info on this cool little invention, you can visit The LightScoop website. (http://www.lightscoop.com/index.html).

Until next time, here's hoping for warmer weather ASAP! Peace.

Blog Follower of The Month Winner and Recent Shoot...

2010-02-18T16:15:00.006-06:00

As many of you already know, I like to reward loyal blog followers by picking a "follower" at random (http://www.random.org/integers/) and sending them either an iTunes or Subway gift card. So, without further ado, February's winner is...Kelly Hamm! Kelly, send me your address in a message with your preference of gift cards and soon you will either be rockin' out to some great tunes or eatin' a yummy lunch on me! For the rest of you who aren't followers of my blog, feel free to click on the "Follow" link to the right and you'll be in the running for next month's gift card. :)
Next order of business. My recent boudoir shoot went really well. As you can plainly see the model was absolutely gorgeous! Boudoir pictures are a fantastic gift to your significant other, especially if they already have everything. Those people are sooo hard to buy for, right? These intimate photos are also a really nice treat for yourself. It's a great way to make you feel like the beautiful, sexy woman you are. These types of photo shoots can range from very modest to very sensual, but will always be tasteful and elegant. It's completely up to the client. For now, enjoy the photos from my most recent shoot with this stunning beauty! Peace everyone!

Miss Maicyn...

2010-02-13T23:50:00.011-06:00

This is Maicyn, perhaps the cutest two year old this side of The Mississippi. Seriously. She was sooo funny. She had her parents and I cracking up with the poses she thought we would want; clasped hands under chin with cheesy smile, hands folded in lap and chin tilted, etc. Each time I pulled the camera up to my eye, she'd say, "CHEESE!". Hilarious. Maicyn will be turning two soon and Mandi hired me to come take some photos for the occasion. I'd like to take credit for how great they turned out, but I'm afraid the credit goes to Chris and Mandi for bringing such an adorable child into the world. I love these photos and hopefully you do too. Until next time, peace everyone!

Taps on Mic Is This Thing On?

2010-02-09T14:45:00.008-06:00

Announcements: It's a new month and that means I will be drawing a name from my blog "Followers" list for the monthly free Subway or iTunes giveaway. It also means there is more snow on the ground than I care to see. Yeah yeah yeah, I know "it's pretty", but so is green grass and sunshine. If you haven't already done so, don't forget to click on the link to the right that is labeled "Follow" for your chance to win. I will be drawing a name at random next week, so hop to it! I also wanted to mention some great work a friend and client of mine Mandi Shipman is doing for a really great cause, Muscular Dystrophy. Here is a link to her site in which you can donate as much as little as you'd like or can. I hope you will consider giving to this organization because according to Wikipedia, "...the Muscular Dystrophy Association...has arguably done more to raise awareness of muscular dystrophy than any other event or initiative." Even if you don't make the deadline to donate through Mandi's MD site, feel free to donate directly The MDA's web site here. Every penny helps this worthy cause. Speaking of worthy causes, don't forget to schedule a shoot with me by April 30th to take part in Lenses of Love, the organization my sister Sally started to help orphaned children of Haiti and prospective parents in the U.S. I will be donating 100% of the proceeds of the next shoot scheduled by April 30th. Remember, weekends fill up fast so book your session soon. Senior picture/wedding season is around the corner, so don't forget to book with me as soon as possible to ensure you get a spot. Well, I think that about does it for announcements, for now. I've posted some pictures below of my friend and her beautiful baby, a trip to St. Louis I took this past summer, and a yummy bowl of SUSHI because a post is no fun without photos...right? Peace everyone.

Lenses of Love...

2010-01-30T21:52:00.011-06:00

I am honored to announce my partnership with Lenses of Love: Hearts for Haiti, a national non-profit endeavor dedicated to helping the people of Haiti recover from the recent devastating earthquake.

I am offering support to organize relief services by offering my current sitting fee of $100 in which all proceeds will be donated to raise money for the people of Haiti. All donations will be given directly to Kentucky Adoption Services who will assist in relief efforts. This unique offer is available for 2 families that book their session by Sunday, February 14, 2010 and complete their session by April 1, 2010.

Founder of Lenses of Love, national children’s photographer, and my sister, Sally Clark created this heart-warming effort because “The devastation in Haiti has been heartbreaking to witness. As a mother, I can only hope that the world community would reach out if something like this happened to my family or my community. Imagining thousands of children without food, shelter, and water fired in me a desire to help.”

Lenses of Love is a photographer based charity effort devoted to raising funds for the Haiti relief organization. By offering specially priced photography services by a variety of highly regarded photographers across the country until Sunday, February 14, 2010, all proceeds will be donated to Kentucky Adoption Services to
contribute to relief efforts. Follow Lenses of Love as they share their hearts for Haiti on http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=262192782863&ref=mf

Sally C Photography is a Colorado based children and family photography business that focuses on capturing every sweet moment life brings a child and his/her parents. Sally Clark, owner and photographer of Sally C Photography, is known for not only seizing the moments that convey the true personality of each child, but for her creativity in how to bring out these individual characteristics. For additional information, please visit www.sallycphotography.com or contact Sally at sally@sallycphotography.com or at (303) 282-7650.

"Chance, we are NOT having a Star Wars wedding..."

2010-01-28T12:44:00.004-06:00

Okay, so this is Cassie and Chance and they couldn't be cuter. As the shoot went on, it became clear that Chance is a big Star Wars fan and suggested a Star Wars themed wedding. Ummm, Cassie didn't go for it. I love Star Wars too Chance, but I can't say I blame her. The weather was yuck, but they were so game. We used Compton Park, the train station, then Western. Anyway, here's a peak at their engagement shoot. Stay tuned for wedding pics in May; minus the light sabers, ewoks, and a Death Star cake!! :) Peace.

Beginner's FAQ...

2010-01-23T18:39:00.012-06:00

I asked you to submit any photography related questions and I said if I could answer it, I would. If not, I'll find the answer for you. Since I started my own business (about a year ago), I've been asked a multitude of questions relating to photography by many people just like me. Some are trying to start their own business and some are just trying to figure out their new camera. It wasn't that long ago that I spent hours on end pouring over books, articles, websites/blogs trying to learn everything I could about anything photography. Lucky for me, I have a sister (http://sallycphotography.com/images/) who is one of THE most talented and generous photographers I've ever seen/known. So, if I ever had a question I knew she was only an email or phone call away. She is my inspiration. With her guidance, I learned: if you want to start your own business, you have to make it happen for yourself. It won't fall into your lap and no one can do it for you. You can wish and pray all you want, but it takes drive, sincerity, hard work, and most of all initiative. I make no claim to have all the answers and I continue to ask for help and read anything I can get my hands on! This FAQ is, in no way, an assertion of my infinite wisdom regarding photography. However, it is my best attempt to (hopefully) answer a few basic questions that just might have been gnawing at you. I'll follow the FAQ with a few sites that you might like to add to your favorites/bookmark. Please feel free to continue to message me with any further questions you have. Most of all, don't get discouraged, keep trying, ask tons of questions, and always remember why you fell in love with photography in the first place. Happy shooting!

1. "What's wrong with the automatic setting and why do you despise it?"

Good question! The most obvious answer is, you get better pictures on the manual setting...period. It's more than that, though. In manual, I have complete control. In auto, the camera decides. My philosophy on this is, if you're shooting in auto, why do you have a dslr? Why not just save your money and buy a point and shoot? You or someone who loves you spent a good deal of hard earned money for you to have that camera, the least you can do is learn how to use it, right? I can't say for sure, but my guess is, of all of the beautiful photography that has made you drool, NONE of it was shot in auto! Not sure where to start? Here's what I tell all new photographers; got a bottle of ketchup in your fridge? Go get it. Sit on the couch, set the bottle on the coffee table, set your camera to manual and start shooting. Look at the results. Too dark? Play with the shutter speed (that's the number that is in fraction form). Then try opening up your aperture as wide as your lens will allow. I prefer to shoot wide open as much as possible which means a low f/stop (I love 1.4). I leave my white balance on auto, my ISO as low as possible (I don't like grain/noise). That bottle of ketchup looking better yet? No? Keep playing with the settings until you achieve what you think looks like the prettiest bottle of ketchup you've ever seen!

2. "How do you get your subjects so clear and the background so soft and blurry?"

I like my subject to be nice and crisp/clear. The wider your aperture (smaller the number) the more bokeh (blurry background) you can achieve. I use lenses that have wide apertures ( f/1.4 & 2.8) and this makes it possible to get crisp images with a distinctly soft/fuzzy background. Then, I simply adjust my shutter speed according to the light available.

3. "What equipment do you use and where do you buy it?"

First let me say, I did not borrow, finance, or charge anything on a credit card in order to buy my first equipment. I've always felt that if I can't buy it with cash, I don't need it (unless it's an emergency). I used my tax return to buy the best equipment I could afford. At that time it was a Nikon d90 (as my sister once said, "I'm a Nikon girl") and an 18-200mm Nikkor VR (Nikon) lens from B & H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/). No flash. No extras period (except a $20.00 memory card). I bought my camera bag at a second hand shop here in little ol' Macomb for $3.00. That's right...$3.00. It was a Cabela's lunch bag that worked just fine (until I out grew it). The fact that it was a lunch bag meant it was padded, well insulated, and unattractive to thieves who know good and well what "Nikon" is and what is in any bag that has it plastered across it. Then I started to get a feel for my equipment, my own personal style, and what I wanted out of my camera and lens. I bought my next lens for a whopping $125. It was a Nikon 50mm prime f/1.8. I used the money from 2 shoots to pay for it and a used flash from ebay. I eventually sold both lenses to finance my current prime/fixed lens. It's a beauty of a lens, my baby. Nikon 50mm prime f/1.4 Nikkor. My most recent lens is the 70-200mm IF f/2.8 Nikkor VR II. I bought that with the deposits I collected from clients' future weddings. Lens purchases are tax write offs as they are business expenses. The website and blog were free because of advertisements on my site. My point here is to prove that you don't need to go broke to start your own photography business. Just be smart about it. There are a million excuses NOT to do something and if you don't really want it enough to try, just admit it. Don't make excuses. GO FOR IT!

4. "What kind of computer/editing software do you use?"

Another good question. I use an Apple Mac Book Pro, which I ADORE. I can't say enough great things about Apple products. In fact, someday, I'd like to do an entire blog post about how wonderful Apple is. Anyhoo. . .editing software. I know many of you love and swear by Adobe Photoshop (or software of similar abilities) and more power to you. I use Adobe Lightroom 2 (made just for photography) and like it just fine. See, here's the thing. As digital has replaced film and editing software is readily available to every Tom, Dick, and Harry, photography has lost a little of its mystique, its realness, its authenticity. I think the reason is because rather than doing the work involved in getting great shots right out of the camera and being dedicated to learning the craft of photography, too many people rely on editing software to do all the work, but what this produces (in my personal opinion) is corny, cheesy, fake looking photos. My personal belief is that software should strictly be used to take your photo up a level, not to carry it into cheesy picture world. What I do when editing is, I look at my photo and ask myself, "Will this photo still look good in ten years or will all the kitschy tools I used in Photoshop date my picture making it look unrealistic and unauthentic?" I know a lot of people oooh and aaahh over those techniques, but is the photography work representing you or is your ability to use Photoshop (or as I like to call it, a coloring book for adults) what's really being represented? Just ask yourself, "Am I a photographer or a graphic designer?"

4. "Do you pay for advertisement/How do you advertise?"

No. If anything, I pay to get rid of it. What I mean by that is, when I first got my website up and running, I allowed ads to be ran in order to save money, but now that I'm making money with the photography business, I've opted for a more professional, ascetically pleasing look and therefore pay to remove the ads. I also donate to local kids' sports teams and they kindly put an ad in their flier/programs. The truth of the matter is, all of my business has either come from google searches or word of mouth, but almost always word of mouth.

I truly hope this helps some of you. My goal with this FAQ was not only to answer some of your questions, but to show that you don't need a million bucks to start your own business, you don't need super fancy equipment, and with a little time, effort, and dedication, you can do it. Even if you don't want to start your own business and would just like to figure out those pesky settings on your new camera, I hope you found something useful in this post. A post is no fun without pictures, so here are a few just for fun, followed by some useful links for beginners. Happy shooting!

www.beyond-snapshots.com/blog/

www.momtog.com/

www.kenrockwell.com/

Like Free Stuff?

2010-01-17T22:14:00.000-06:00

...me too!!! Like music and food? ME TOO! So, here's the deal. In true Jasmine Star fashion, (if you don't know who Jasmine Star is, check out her fabulous blog) I'm rewarding my loyal blog followers. Each month I will I pick one of my blog followers at random and reward them with either an iTunes or Subway gift card. How's that for shameless self promotion? So without further ado...January's winner is...[drumroll sounds]...Wendi Hook! You rock, Wendi! Send me an email/Facebook message with your preference of giftcard (iTunes or Subway) and your address and you'll either be rockin' out to some tunes or having some lunch on me! WooHoo! And because a blog post is no fun without photos, included are some pics of my pretty kitties and goofy dog. Enjoy. Until next time everyone, Peace!

Experimenting with Sarah...

2010-01-17T21:54:00.000-06:00

As many of you know, I prefer natural light over artificial light any day of the week. As many of you also know, the weather has been a booger. So if I want to do what I love, I either have to use artificial light or freeze my patootie off! Well, on this afternoon I did a little of both with the help of the most loyal client ever. Sarah is the mom of these two little cuties. You may remember her gorgeous little girl Lillian from previous posts. We did our best with the lighting available. Lucky for me I could rely on the fact that her kids are adorable! I hope you love these cute shots as I do. Peace.

The Truest Love...

2009-11-11T19:51:00.000-06:00

I can't remember the last time I was in the presence of so much unconditional love. This is Bambi and her beautiful children. It was so clear how much this family loves each other. I think the first shot captures the love she has for them perfectly. I know I've said it before, and I'll say again...I LOVE my job. It doesn't even seem right to call what I do a "job". I have the honor of documenting the love between people and then sharing it with them. It doesn't get any better than this. I'm eternally grateful to my clients for allowing me to share in their moment and help them preserve their love.

One of Those Days...

2009-11-11T19:39:00.000-06:00

Once again, through word of mouth, I was hired to do a shoot for a dad and his daughter. Meet Jeremy and Andrea. Well, Andrea was NOT feeling it this particular day. We tried everything. We even resorted to bribery with ice cream. Think it worked? Nope. Funny thing is, I got some of my favorite shots to date not despite her distaste for the shoot, but because of it. I think the "unhappy" look provided us with some adorable photos. Hope you all agree.

Emma n Elizabeth...

2009-11-11T18:43:00.000-06:00

As most of you know, I also work part time at the YMCA (which I LOVE). I couldn't ask for a more rewarding job, besides photography, of course. Well, it's at the Y that I met my dear friend, Linda. We see each several times a week and if I I ever need an encouraging word, Linda's good for it. She hired me to capture her gorgeous granddaughters, Emma and Elizabeth. Enjoy!

Katie's Senior Portraits...

2009-10-21T12:30:00.000-05:00

Katie, her mom Wendi, and I met out at beautiful Lake Story to get some senior portraits done. It's difficult to get a bad shot of such a stunning young woman. We had lots of fun and got some fantastic shots. enjoy...

Autumn with Hayden...

2009-10-21T11:45:00.000-05:00

This little cutie is Hayden. Mom and dad, Ashley and Nick met me out at Everly for some fall photos. I love Illinois in the fall. Look at those vibrant yellow leaves! I couldn't ask for a nicer, more flexible family. I can't wait to try Family photos in the snow...FUN! For now, enjoy these autumn beauties!

Zach n Sara...

2009-10-04T09:16:00.000-05:00

I'll set the scene. I show up about 1pm and everything seems like your average wedding (minus the hot pink demo derby car as a reference point on the highway and a 1/4 mile stretch of very rough dirt road). The bride is doing her makeup, her bridesmaids are making last minute adjustments, family members are outside directing parking, etc. I shoot a few hundred frames of these processes and then it's time. 3:30pm. Time to get outside and await the bride and groom's arrival. There I stand with no clue as to what is about to happen next. Then, just then, the videographer turns to me and says, "You ready for this?" I think to myself, "Ready for what?" He then points to the top of the hill where at first I see nothing but I hear the faint sounds of enormous engines revving. Then, I see them. The groomsmen. They are all coming down this giant hill, down to the alter, each in their own demolition derby cars!!! Smoke everywhere, mouths agape, hearts racing! FUN! The videographer then says, "Ready for more?" Just as he says this I turn to my right and I see each bridesmaid riding in on four wheelers! In formal wear! The dust eventually settles and the bride and groom take their place and recite their vows; very romantic and untraditional vows. I get the formal shots out of the way and it's party time! These people know how to throw a party. Food as far as the eye could see, a deep freeze full of every drink imaginable, and fantastic music. The weather was perfect, the people were great, and the pictures turned out pretty nice. There's no way these photos could do the wedding justice, but I hope you enjoy them nonetheless. Sarah and Zach, I can't thank you enough for everything you have done for me. I hope the two of you are very happy together for a very long time...you deserve it!

The Shipman Family...

2009-09-11T22:27:00.000-05:00

I swear I don't know why I pay for advertising when almost all of my business has been based on word of mouth. What a strong form of advertising it is too. Based on a recommendation from a friend, I was very fortunate to photograph The Shipmans. They were so easy to work with. I truly enjoy working with clients who 1. Give creative freedom 2. Know what they want 3. Are patient and 4. Are adorable. The Shipmans encompass all of these. Hope you all love these photos as I do. Peace...

Sweet Surprise...

2009-08-23T20:51:00.000-05:00

A friend's daughter hired me to photograph her, her brothers, and her new sister-in-law as a surprise anniversary present for their parents. The sweetest gesture by a daughter and her siblings?...Perhaps. It was relaxed and fun. Thanks to Kiel for the ideas and thanks to Zanny for hiring me. The shots of the two cuties in the boots are newlyweds. They couldn't have been a more adorable couple and when I saw those boots they were wearing, I knew I had to get them in the shot. Thanks again to Zanny, Malcolm, Kiel, and Lindsay. Peace.

Lil's 5 year Portraits or Jackie O. revisited...

2009-08-13T20:59:00.000-05:00

This little beauty is Lilian, the daughter of my absolutely favorite client, Sarah. She has started a tradition in her family of getting portraits done every 5 years for each child. One of the many great attributes of Sarah's is she knows what looks good. I would love nothing more than to take credit for the composition of these. All of the credit goes to her. She came to the shoot ready to let Lil (as her family likes to call her) shine, and boy did she! She was an angel. Never was a complaint heard. Mom helped her change, set up the shot, and got out of the way. What more could a photographer ask for? I think we might be a client/photographer match made in heaven.

Most of the shots are black n whites because Sarah has a preference for them. Considering the way they turned out, I don't blame her. And I swear, Lil is looking very Jackie O. in these photos. Check out that dress, the pearls, and those sunglasses. Just darling. My hope is that as she gets older and turns into a beautiful young woman, she is able to look at these photos with great fondness. Sarah, I can't thank you enough for EVERYTHING! Peace.

Barter: v. to trade by exchanging one commodity for another.

2009-08-12T08:43:00.000-05:00

I met Amy through a friend of mine around 2007/08ish. As my business has flowered, I can always count on her for good, practical, and ALWAYS useful advice. Incidentally, she's quite the photog herself. In any event, in her infinite wisdom, she had this fantastic idea to exchange my trade for one of hers; a.k.a. "bartering". Amy is an accomplished artist with a degree from WIU and I (obviously) the photographer. We are both homeschooling moms who look for unique opportunities for our children to learn and experience new things and exciting ideas. As you've probably deduced, Amy's idea was to give my daughter art lessons in exchange for portraits of her adorable family.

Sometimes it takes a little while to get new clients to warm up to the idea of having a lens in their face, but not the case with the Provines. I know her oldest son from his brief stint in school. He and my daughter were in the same kindergarten class. I'm familiar with her youngest son because I taught him swim lessons at the Y. After meeting her husband (who just happens to own the coolest motorcycle in town), we were off and running. The result are the following shots. Amy, thanks for everything! Peace.

Joelee's Senior Photo Shoot...

2009-08-09T10:19:00.000-05:00

Okay, I have to admit; when I first started my photography business, I knew right away that I wanted to do graduation photos. However, as I surfed the web looking for inspiration (and scoping out my competition), I kept finding links to photographers' sites that were titled "Senior Portraits". I remember thinking to myself, "Wow, there sure are a lot of people 65+ years old who are having their portraits done." Then it donned on me, these weren't links to senior citizens' photos, they were seniors in high school! Well, a lot of work and months later my friend Christine sends me a message on Facebook and tells me about a close friend of her family's who will be graduating next year and would like to have her senior portraits done. The day finally came, weather in our corner, and we rocked it out! A big giant thanks to Christine for getting me the gig and helping during the shoot. Maybe she needs a job as an assistant :) Another big thanks to Joelee for being so super awesome and fabulous (and for being the first person to pay me in cash. It feels so good to be paid in cash for something you LOVE doing!) Hope you all love looking at them as much as I loved taking them. Peace.