Archive for March, 2013

Kim & Salvador are engaged!

March 28

Oh y’all! My heart could not be more full! Kim has been my dearest friend since college–we’ve photographed weddings together, traveled to Hawaii together, talked about Christy Miller books way too much, and have been known to have a few dance parties in the car. I cannot even begin to describe how much I love these two together. I hope everyone has a couple in their life as fun and joyful as Kim and Salvador. They are two people crazy in love, who also make room to embrace and love others. I love that. They see beauty in everything around them, and their lightheartedness is contagious.

They found the most amazing abandoned chapel in the middle of West Texas, so we trekked out there one windy morning. SO worth it, don’t you think?! :)

Mamiya 645 + Fuji 400H film

Posted in Engagements | 5 Comments »
how to get a photo like this on your wedding day

March 11

 

This photo on the left is still one of my favorite photos ever. It was taken last October at a sweet wedding I photographed in Dallas. When I look at this image, I just think of all the times this dad has been proud of his daughter. I don’t even know this family well, but I can imagine he had this same look on his face when she graduated from kindergarten, when she was in a school play, when she won her first award, when she dressed up for prom, when she came home to visit from college…and now, when she’s about to get married. It makes my heart so happy. I love taking photos like this one.

If you’re getting married soon, I just want to encourage you to specifically invite your closest loved ones to be with you when you’re getting ready for your wedding. And encourage them to get totally ready beforehand, because most people like photos of themselves more when they look their best. That’s how you get a photo like this. It could be your mom, dad, a special relative, or simply your closest friends, but I love the idea of intentionally making them feel special by sharing those moments with them. I’ve even known brides who created special invitations, making the getting ready portion of their wedding day even more of an event.

So, even though your mom wants run off to help set up the reception details, make sure she’s around when you’re getting ready and putting on your dress. You’ll never regret it. I want to give you photos just as sweet and sacred as this one. Instead, let your planner take care of the details, and savor your day with those most important to you. :)

 

Posted in For Brides | 1 Comment »
Words for the Weekend

March 8

 

 

Happy Friday friends! I hope you’re getting ready for a wonderful Spring weekend. As for us (Aaron + myself + our dog Steve-Z), we’ll be headed to my home town for a weekend of relaxing with the family. I can’t wait to see all my nephews and catch up with my parents!

I wanted to leave you with this verse for the weekend. I have it set as the background on my phone, and it is such a game changer. No matter what we’re facing–frustrating things, scary things, overwhelming things, unknown things, intimidating things–this verse invites us to a place of peace. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. It’s a sweet truth that brings stillness in the storm.

See you Monday! XOXO

Posted in Personal, Quotes | 1 Comment »
Film vs. Digital Part 4 // Making The Switch

March 6

If you’ve been following my blog this year, you’ve noticed I’ve been chatting about film photography more and more. The more I’ve explored this medium, the more I’ve fallen head over heels in love with it. I love trying different cameras and I love slowing down to enjoy a new photographic process. It’s a welcome change of pace, and it’s no secret that one of my goals is to switch to film photography by 2014.

However, the question at hand is, how? How will I make this transition smart, smooth, and sensible for my business and my clients?  I feel like there are a handful of photographers who are also asking this question–ready to switch, but aren’t sure how to go about changing things up so drastically. Resources for starting a photography business are readily available–but there’s not much on the topic of transitioning an already established business. I also feel like it’s important to share this journey with my current and future clients.

Today, I want to share my switch-to-film process, how it’s going, and where I am in the process.

 

Step 1: EXPLORE // For me, this happened last summer. I got my hands on a medium format film camera (specifically, a Mamiya 645) and I quietly began trying film, reading about film, and comparing film to digital. The point of this step was to see if I even liked working with film. If it wasn’t fun or fulfilling to me, I knew I’d just stick with digital. However, I fell in love with film! Bring on step 2.

Step 2: ANALYZE THE COST // Late last year, I began working out the cost of shooting and developing film for weddings. Honestly? It was an overwhelming number. Film is expensive, y’all. I realized it was time to get real about how film fits into my business. From this information, I decided that it’s best if I take a blended approach, 3/4 film +  1/4 digital. This brought the cost to a realistic place, and from there, I drew up a new business budget and new pricing. Since weddings are usually booked 6-12 months in advance, it was vital that I have this pricing guide ready to send as those 2014 inquiries start coming in.

Step 3: PRACTICE WITH FILM // This is where I’ve been since January (although steps 3-5 are pretty much all happening at the same time). I’m currently dedicating time to learning, reading, practicing, and honing my technique. There’s so much to explore! Lighting situations, different films, different cameras, etc. I’ve decided to spend about a year on this step, so that I can have a super strong foundation underneath me. I’m photographing lots of wedding styled shoots, personal work, and friends–and having so much fun doing it! SUPER IMPORTANT: A client’s session or wedding is NOT the time to experiment. However, this brings us to step 4…

Step 4: SHARE THE EXPERIENCE WITH CLIENTS // This may seem to contradict my last sentence, but I love bringing my clients into my creative process as much as possible, and sharing that excitement with them. Once I got basic film technique down, I started asking permission to shoot just a roll or two of film throughout their session. I started doing this at the end of last month, and it’s been so fun! Of course, I’m treating the film images as bonus photos–not the main product. And while I’m incorporating a little bit of film into their experience, my clients can still feel secure, knowing that they’ll get the digital service they booked me for. No way would I just spring something new on them after a contract was signed.

Step 5: CLEARLY COMMUNICATE THE SWITCH // As I mentioned before, I wouldn’t even dream of switching things up on a client who has already signed a contract. That’s just not right. So, it’s really important that future inquiries know what to expect from me–without a shadow of a doubt. I’ve simplified it down to this: 2013 = digital, 2014 = film. I’ve made sure there’s a clear line defining when digital ends and film begins, and I’m communicating it clearly, based on the date of each wedding inquiry. So now you know what to expect too, here on the blog! I’ll be posting more film images as the year goes on, but for the most part, the images you’ll see on the blog will be digital until 2014. :)

I hope this glimpse into my process has helped answer some questions you may have had. I’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to start discussing in the comments section. Thanks for coming on this journey with me! :)

 

Posted in A Day In The Office, For Photographers | 6 Comments »
March Goals

March 1

 

 

*Photo credit: Half Orange Photography (Aaron and I had so much fun modeling for their workshop!)

Happy Friday & Happy March! :)

Since it’s March 1st, it’s time for–what else?–goals! We’ll be taking a quick break from our typical Friday post, Words for the Weekend, to chat personal/goal stuff.

It’s March–my birthday month! I’ll be turning 27 on March 18, and I’ve been getting all reflective about where I’ve been in life and all that has changed. Turning 27 means I’ve only got three years left in my 20s–and I’m SO ready to live them to the fullest! I’m doing that totally cheesy (yet awesome) thing where you write down a list of things you want to accomplish/see/do in the next 3 years. It gets me pretty excited, and the variety on that list reminds me that life isn’t ALL business, or ALL fitness, or ALL one thing. Life is all things in harmony.

As I was creating said list, however, I had a moment. I’m planning, planning, planning what I want to accomplish/see/do in the future, but I’ve also already done so much and reached so many goals. Have I taken the time to be grateful? 

This is my prayer for myself, and for you, my like-minded, goal-loving, life-loving friends: May goal setting never become about empty achievements, bragging rights, and impressing others. May we always remember the root of why we set goals: to FULLY ENGAGE in this miraculous, beautiful, God-breathed life–with our gazes firmly fixed on eternity. May we always take time to reflect, savor, and be grateful. May we let past, present, and future exist in harmony, never focusing so much on one that it costs us the other two.

For me, that’s what goal setting should be all about. On that note, here are some of my goals this March:

  • Officially register for the Nashville Rock’N'Roll Half Marathon on April 27th // SUPER YIKES!! P.S. Does anyone want to run it with me? :)
  • Continue training for the halfsie // I feel like somewhere in the world, serious half-marathoners are giving me dirty looks for calling it a halfsie. :)
  • Read The Compound Effect // Reread Evidence Not Seen // I was given Evidence Not Seen 10 years ago, on my 17th birthday, and it significantly shaped my life. If you’re looking for an inspiring story of faith, add it to your list! Also, on the note of books, I just have to say it: I tried to read The Happiness Project last month, and heavens, I did not enjoy it in the slightest. Am I crazy or did anyone else feel the same way? I thought I would just love it because I adore books about organization, living fully, etc. It’s rare that I come across a book I wouldn’t recommend, but The Happiness Project would be on that list.
  • Unveil my website mini facelift // Gold + Neutrals + Feminine touches. You’ll love it!
  • Photograph my 2013 brand-inspired styled shoot // This is a leftover goal from February, and it actually multiplied into four (!?) shoots scheduled throughout March and April. So. I’m going to have lots of pretty things to share once my film scans come back. :)
  • Photograph my first wedding of the 2013 season // At Camp Lucy. With the sweetest couple EVER. Happy dance. :)
  • Celebrate my 27th birthday with my handsome husband and dear friends in Austin // I truly can’t imagine anything better.

I hope you all enjoy your first day of March! What are your plans this month? Spring is right around the corner, and I can’t wait. :)

XOXO

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Posted in Goals, Personal | 2 Comments »