another senior set.

Is it just me, or does winter look better in black and white?

Also, is it just me, or does she not remind you of Amanda Seyfriend? Beautiful.

do you realize...

2010 is a mere 18 days away. Yikes.

oh, Christmas tree.

ho, ho, ho.

clocks, shmocks.

Although this post has nothing to do with schmocks (mostly because they are nonexistent), it makes me laugh hysterically. Lyle (fiance) insists, even after I have absolutely proved him wrong, that smock (as in an apron you may wear to work) is pronounced shmock.

That's beside the point. My point is, that after since my house incident, I have had to buy everything brand new. Great, right? WRONG. The things I had in that house took all of the 4 years to gather. Having to buy things immediately takes away from the whole idea. The things we have now are great, yes, but they were impulse buys. Things that we needed, and had to buy immediately without getting to hunt, and find things that really suited our needs (cosmetically of course).

The one and only thing that I have had luck finding is clocks. I found our first clock, loved it, bought it. Very well, only days later I would find a clock that I liked better, and instinctively, bought that one as well. Needless to say, I now own about 5 clocks all of which I adore and could never part from. So, I have decided that when our house is finished I am going to make a wall of clocks. I realize how difficult this will be to maintain (batteries, corresponding times, yadda blah) but I love them all, and when I find one I love, I can't help but buy it.

I just wanted to share that, because I just bought another. I will post photo's soon of my collection thus far. That was pointless.

mini-rant?

As usual, I was stalking other photographers (both professional and aspiring) and came to two realizations.

1. Good editing goes a long way. This, I noticed, was more of an issue with aspiring photographers. Pictures that would have been excellent photos were turned into some sort of mess during the editing process. I say this in no disrespect, because everyone has their own taste, and I'm certain that someone looked at these photo's and said 'I love what he/she did with the coloring', but maybe it just isn't my cup of tea. My biggest thing is to find a style, and stick with it.

Some photographers lean towards the vintage, aged feel, which I love when done right, and stay there. The client then at least has an idea as to what the final product is going to feel like. When photographers are all over the drawing board with some grunge, and some clean, some vintage, and then of course, my least favorite 'mistake' made in editing: increased threshold. AHHH. Seriously, yikes. I took the honors of editing one of my photo's to oblivion.
Now, as 'cool' as some people might think it is, I (and I may stand alone in saying) think that photo's like this forget their main objective. As a photographer, our job is to help capture memories, and you're average customer is not going to me interested in hanging a photo with harsh lines, and bad coloring, above their mantle.

The reason for today's attack on innocent photographers just trying to express their personal creativity? A bad engagement photo in the local newspaper. Honestly, as much as I despise the editing in color, PLEASE imagine it on newsprint. Sigh.

I am now going to go on the defense in saying that this is not always a mistake. If the customer prefers a more 'edgy' photo, then so be it! My complaint isn't speaking for the population, it's just me, sitting here in front of my computer after a rough nights sleep and having to look at a poorly edited engagement photo in the newspaper. That's all!

If you are reading this saying, 'over half of my photo's look much like the one above', than my apologies to you.

My second note is much more upbeat.

2. Even looking at established photographers, I love seeing how their personal style grows. If you look at photo's from even a year ago, there is such an immense difference! And its strange because looking at the photo's from before don't appear to be 'bad' by any means, but as you follow that time line you see things improve and their eye come out more.

It makes me personally realize how much further I have to go. I'm more than happy with the work I am currently doing, and the finished product, but I can't wait to evolve and TRULY come into my own as a photographer. If I go back to photo's that I took and gave to clients 2 years ago, I can't help but to think, ' oh man, I should have done this or that'. I'm still happy with the outcome of course, but growing and seeing things differently now definitely makes a difference on the way I work.

Well, that was fun and offending, huh?

Happy Thanksgiving!!..yesterday..

I hope you all stuffed yourself into oblivion and enjoyed the company of loved ones. I have soooo much to be grateful for this year, I honestly would not know where to begin. But I will attempt.

1. My beautiful son, 2. supportive and loving family, 3. (as much as I may complain) my job, 4. my working vehicle, 5. the snow (it wouldn't feel like Thanksgiving without it), 5. my health. 6. my new home (which is coming along beautifully), 7....everything. I am honestly grateful for all things, good and bad, that I have experience in my lifetime (all 22 years)...speaking of, yours truly has a birthday coming up. The big two-three.

Wedding plans are coming along fabulously. We are currently planning a June wedding (exact date soon to come), at Whispering Pines Resort. The way I see it: Sparklers and margarita's, campfire and s'mores. Mmmm, can't wait. I found my dress on Monday. I want soooooooo badly to show everyone, but my Mother isn't allowing me to have any photo's of the dress. She is convinced I will show Lyle. Truth be told, I went online trying to find it, and had I found it, I would have shown him.

I cannot keep secrets, gifts, or money in my pocket for too long. Bottom line. Things burn. All things that you are supposed to keep to yourself, I want to give to EVERYONE right NOW. It's my nature.

Unnessicary ramblings? I must be tired. :)

the fifth season.

Northern Michigan gives you multiple reasons to complain. 1] Summers don't feel nearly as warm as they should and 2] Winters feel far colder than nature intended. This year however, we sit in mid-November with no snow and 50 degree weather. This time of year we are usually up to our necks in snow (literally, our necks). Perhaps Al Gore is onto something...

Not that I am complaining. This newly developed 5th season is giving me a chance to do portraits in this usually sllllow business season. Today I had the pleasure of photographing a family who's wedding I am doing this May. Sneaky Peeky? You talked me into it...