2011- A Year of Artistic and Personal Growth

Thoughts and Reflections- 2011 meet 2012

Wouldn't luck have it! I get sick about twice a year, and I feel sick to my first 2012 illness on New Year's Eve. So this post comes a little late because my thoughts were running like muddy waters for a few days. I'm on the up and up, with a raspy, and sexy baritone voice. I am excited for the new ventures in 2012, and wanted to share some of my thoughts.

Now I know that some people feel like the New Year is just another day on the calendar, but a lot of people feel like this is a new start, a clean slat, and a chance to get refocused and set some new goals. This year I decided to set some goals, but not your norm. Not the empty promises of going to the gym more or eating healthier all year. I decided to set some goals based on some successes, and failures of mine in 2011.

My 2011 Wedding season was a good one for me. I had some amazing clients that hired me for their weddings and I had a blast! I really feel like I am beginning to embrace my shooting style, and technique more and more with every wedding, or photo shoot. I am really loving what my style is evolving into to, and what I am growing into. As a photographer, there is always this little voice in the back of your head reminding you how everyone else does things. One of the biggest triumphs is being able to say to yourself, "I admire how they do it, but I am going to do it a bit different." This really hit home after the Free to Create photo workshop. I really began to see how every photographer, working in the exact same location, with the exact same model, views things differently. No two photos looked the same. In my years of shooting, I am also realizing that most of my passion comes from shooting, not just making money to pay the bills. For me, it's about finding the balance between being a creative person, and being a creative person who owns a business.

For the past two years I have done at least two, if not three, charity shoots, or fundraisers to help those less fortunate. Last year I shot the 6th Annual PJ Day which is a huge fundraiser for Denver's homeless organized by Mile High United Way, Denver Road Home, and many other terrific sponsors including Governor Hickenlooper. Last year they raised over $800k to help misplaced persons and families and I was the lucky photographer that documented the entire event, alongside my amazing assistant Anna Lusby.

Just when I was looking to do another charitable event, I was presented with a great opportunity to work with the lovely ladies who created A Vote & A Vow, an organization that supports the equality rights of the LGBT community, back in October. Some very talented and giving photographers came out to donate their time, including myself, to support their Shoot out Hate fundraiser. The proceeds went to Dane Hall, a man who feel victim to a horrific hate crime outside of a Salt Lake City gay club. The proceeds of this shoot were donated to help pay for his astronomical medical bills.

In November of 2011 I came across what will soon be my new studio space in mid-January. It is located in the historic Laundry on Lawrence building, a beautiful and industrial feeling space that will be the new work space/play space for photographers, web designers, graphic designers, and much more!  When I came across this space, it was undergoing a major face lift and was in the full demo phase. I fell in love with the building, and the idea of the artistic community I will soon be part of. I am excited for this space for so many reasons! I will no longer have to cart around all my studio samples, portfolios, and other odds in ends to meet clients in crowded coffee shops or restaurants. I will be able to create an environment that is both comfortable and 100% me. I will be able to participate in monthly art shows, and any other events that take place, including the Laundry on Lawrence Grand Opening held on January 27th, 2012. This, in and of itself, is one huge factor in my goal assessments for 2012.

All that being said here's some of my objectives for 2012.

1. Embrace my studio for all the potential that it has. Make each client meeting as unique, and comfortable as possible for potential clients. This space is a huge blessing, and I will utilize it as a place to grow,  both personally and professionally, to network, and I will meet some new and inspiring people!   
2. Book more weddings based on who my ideal client is. 
3. Shoot more portrait sessions in a photo-journalistic way.
4. Create a photo timeline with my new Bridal clients.
5. Network, network, network, and network!!! 
6. Focus on some new marketing techniques.
7.  Make new contacts with vendors.
8. I will (see #20) participate as much as possible in The Space Creators monthly Second Saturday Art Shows. 
9. I want to shoot more personal work, and work with film!
10. I need to schedule out my days, down to when I take lunch, or take a Facebook break, and stick to it! I have always struggled with staying on track during the slower months. 
11. With the help of Siri, I will be able to manage all those little tasks that pop-up through out the day. (I am totally loving this new phone, and Siri is pretty hilarious).
12. I would love to shoot a story. . . more details to come!
13. Learn more new lighting techniques.
14. Practice shooting once a month with people. 
15. Focus on one task at a time. It is too easy to feel overwhelmed when you bury yourself in projects, and how productive is multitasking anyway?
16. Stay focused and stay positive! Let's face it, we are all our own worst critics, and I think artist might be especially hard on themselves.
17. Travel by train to somewhere new. Maybe SF?
18. Make personal time for myself. 
19. Make personal time for myself, my husband, and our dog, Bacon.
20. Use words like 'will', and 'when,' instead of words like 'hope,' 'try,' and 'if.' Plant a positive seed from the get go when taking on new endeavors. 
21. Vacation in a new country.
22. Listen more and talk less, in all aspects of life.
23. Keep positive people in my life and filter out those who bring me down with negative energy.
24. Remember the things to be grateful for.
25. Share more of myself (on a personal level) with those around me by communicating better, and opening up more.

Matt, Robin, Kelan, Koston- A Day in the Park

One thing I love about Colorado is one day will be gloomy, cold, or unpleasant, then you get a day like this. Sunshine, warm temperatures, and calm winds. What a perfect day to get the kids out to the park and get some great formal portraits, and some fantastic candid photos.

I really enjoy letting kids be kids, and started off the session with fast paced formals, to keep their attention, then we moved on to some less traditional photographs, that focused on Kelan and Koston being kids. I enjoyed letting them play, and moved mom and dad into their playtime, and got them to work around them.

Everyone did an outstanding job! Their kids were feed, happy, and excited to get out into the sun. I was so pleased to see how well behaved everyone was, and this session went off without a hitch! I always have so much fun with my clients. Thanks for the great afternoon filled with laughs, and it was great catching up with you all.

I think I am getting the knack of family sessions!  Here are a few of my favorites from the day. 

Andy, Lynsey, & Harper

Doesn't it just figure that the day of our family session in Washington Park was incredibly chilly, and super windy?!? (The rest of the week was high 60's and sunny. Good ol' Colorado weather for you). We had a back up plan fortunately, because everyone was frozen after 10 minutes in the park, and sweet little Harper is not a fan of the cold. Cold + Harper = Tears.

After playing in the park for a few, we all decided maybe it would be better if we headed to Lynsey and Andy's house, warmed up, and just let Harper be Harper in an environment that was more comfortable, both warmth wise, and familiarity.  

It was such a pleasure to see you all together, and look into your lives for a few hours. Andy and Lynsey, you have a beautiful family and I look forward to more photo sessions as Harper grows. I also learned I need to work on my stuffed animal and hand puppet voices. Maybe you could coach me on this, or loan me that fish puppet for practice? :)

California Dreaming in Venice Beach

So the husband and I mixed some pleasure with our business trips and stayed in California for a few extra days to celebrate my birthday, since we were both out there for work anyway. I had never been to Venice Beach, but Brad promised me no shortage of people watching. I was eager to get out too, because the previous day had been rainy and windy.

My husband and I took a nice little stroll through Venice Beach, where one of our favorite shows is filmed. In my High School Photography class, (Yikes! That seems like forever ago), one of my favorite things to shoot was people when they didn't know there was a camera on them, and I always enjoyed the little things through my lens. We did some serious people watching, and got some good shoots. This was such a nice break from creating a photograph and having control over most the elements. I stood between 70-210mm away, and shot away. Here's a little sampler from our Venice Beach experience! 

The basketball court on the right is where "White Men Can't Jump" was filmed.

Practice Makes For a Fun Shoot with Darcey and Jb

So there's an old saying that practice makes perfect, but I think we all know that once you have really mastered something, there is nothing left to learn. I love what I do, and what I love most about it is there is always something to learn. New shooting techniques, new gear, new posing techniques, new lighting, new venue, new clients, new city, new state, and my favorite, seeing something new in something I have done before.

I have recently decided to undergo some changes, both personally, and with my business. I have decided to be more open, talk more, share more, put myself out there more, meet new people, set new goals, and really look at my business, and myself, from a different light. So far, it has been amazing, and a little scary.

With all that being said, one of my goals is to just get out there and practice shooting people. I get to work with people all the time, but I never get to just practice. I honestly can't remember the last time I went out with a couple and had no specific goal other than to work with them, work the angles, work the lighting, and not work while under any sort of time constraints.

Thank you Darcey and Jb for taking some time out of your day and going out with me to shoot. Thank you for your patience while I toyed around with new lighting techniques, and we jumped from spot to spot. I really enjoyed the day with you guys, and I really loved your 'surprise prop.' I will admit I had no clue what it was, nor did I think it would be something that spectacular. I wish I could shoot every couple by your mom's VW Bug! Here are a few of my favorite photos.

How great is the 'surprise prop' ?!?!?

Ashley Bangs & John Houston- Omni Interlocken Resort

The day began with a relaxed bride, Ashley, and a room full of close friends and family. There is nothing better than walking into a room, and seeing the bride-to-be laughing, and smiling. I was taken aback by Ashley's classic beauty, and her ease in front of the camera. There were beautiful decorations everywhere, the flowers were absolutely gorgeous, and this couple really went all out for a unique, and gorgeous wedding. This day really went off without a hitch, and we enjoyed chatting with Ashley, John, and their guests after our work was done. 

This was also my last wedding with my wonderful assistant, Anna Lusby. I would also like to thank her for being my right hand woman for the past two years, at many weddings, and some other great shoots. It was such a pleasure working with you, and I hope Seattle treats you and the family well. I will miss you in years to come! 

Thank you John & Ashley, for having us as your photographers!

Scott Walker of Allan Perry Floral - Flowers

Chaelynn Pacheco- Event Planner at the Omni Interlocken Resort

Shamane's Bake Shoppe- Cake