Sarah Hill--RESET Shoot out
Education for a photographer is never-ending, and I am so grateful for that. We are constantly pushed as people, artists and business owners to improve, to recreate ourselves and grow, and this past weekend we got to reset at the annual RESET Conference--a conference for photographers and videographers to meet, love on each other's work, meet new friends and colleagues and grow both artistically and professionally. I was lucky enough at this conference to be able to participate in a "shootout" with one of my very favorite photographers, Sarah Beth Hill. Her work is always filled with such warmth, light and love and is so inspiring and influential to my own work. At the shootout, we were given the opportunity to follow Sarah around as she worked with an amazing (and, golly, were they adorable!) family. We learned a few of her tricks and were able to watch her charm the family while she posed and captured beautiful early evening light (remember that "golden hour light" I always tell you about? :) ). Well, it was amazing. The WHOLE weekend was a great chance to learn, connect with new and old friends, and return home refreshed with ideas on what we could do to improve. Here are my favorites from the shootout--Enjoy! And expect to see many of the things I learned implemented in my business with you this year!
Mimi and Ted--67 years strong
When I first asked Amanda if I could create photographs, a photo story of sorts, with her grandparents, I imagine Mimi and Ted, when they heard about it, thought I was a little strange for wanting to do it. If I remember correctly, Ted, at one point said, "We don't do much." thinking that I didn't have anything worth photographing. I wish they could have seen what I saw that day.
Two amazing, sweet, funny people who fell in love 67+ years ago and created a life and family that is worthy of aspiring to. Kind faces that tell stories about years gone by and treasured, worn and gentle hands holding each other, supporting each other. Love and laughter in their eyes for their great grandbabies and granddaughter who visited them that day with me. Photographs, awards, memories adorning the walls and tables around the room. Two well-worn chairs sitting side by side, right next to each other, surely so conversation between these two could happen easily, or so they could enjoy the quiet together (or a good U of I football game :) ). And smiles. Such easy, open, kind smiles. I walked away that day feeling so lucky to have been able to capture a wee bit of who these two are and their lives together. Mimi and Ted--I'm sending you a heartfelt thanks and a hug. I hope these pictures help us all to see and realize the simplest things can be spectacular.
Cozy at Home with the Wilson Family
"Lifestyle photography is a kind of photography which mainly aims to capture portrait/people in situations, real-life events or milestones in an artistic manner and the art of the everyday. The primary goal is to tell stories about people's life or to inspire people in different times." When I first thought about offering lifestyle photo shoots to current and potential clients, I immediately thought of Kristy and her beautiful family. I've been lucky enough to know Kristy and Gerald for a couple of years now, and even got to cuddle and photograph their youngest, Enzi, during a newborn photo shoot. A kinder, sweeter family you won't find.
When I showed up at their home, mid-morning one weekend, their little girl, Charley answered the door and started chit chattin' with me. I knew right then we were going to have a great time. We had planned on doing something very laid back for this shoot--after all, lifestyle shoots is supposed to capture the everyday! So, we played in the living room for a bit. Enzi and Charley love the indoor tunnels mom and dad have for them. Then we hopped on downstairs to play with some toys--Enzi and dad played with some trains and Charley dressed up in her cowgirl hat and played yee-haw on her horse.
They had a family cuddle on mom and dad's bed--giggles galore, let me tell ya! After all that horseplay, it was time for a bath, and what fun is a bath without bubbles?! All-in-all we captured some amazing moments in the short time I was able to spend with the Wilsons, moment's I hope they treasure forever through these photos. Thanks so much, Kristy, Gerald, Charley, and Enzi for letting me have a peek into your lives together--it certainly is filled with love and laughter.
A Spring Break in the Smokies
Each Spring Break my husband and I look to take our boys on an adventure. It's usually close to home because their still pretty young, but we went a little further away from home this time and had an amazing time in the Smokey Mountains. The scenery was amazing, the adventures plenty, a it was a wonderful way to unplug and focus on each other and just having a good time as a family. I can't praise the area and it's natural beauty enough, and, as a photographer, I had a field day capturing our trip. Here's some of my favorites from our trip and the wonderful memories we made!
Louise--103 years young
I first learned about Louise through Facebook, and knew that, given the chance, I HAD to photograph her. A friend of mine from school, Staci, always talked about her 103-year old grandmother, Louise, with such reverence and love--not hard to see why when I found out what a spitfire she was and that 103 years had certainly not put a dent in her energy or love of life, her family and her friends. In between shots Louise shared little tidbits about her life with me--she had won an award for one of the oldest working people in Illinois a couple of years back, had worked in a sewing factory for 60+ years (and each year still meets up with the some of the ladies she used to work with) and every two months or so drives from Oklahoma to Illinois to visit her family and friends.
