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Lorena approached me at church and expressed an interest in having her portrait done. I was surprise, excited and touched that she would choose me. She really didn’t give me a reason why but we jumped right in to designing an experience just for her. Her granddaughters helped her pick out several outfits. I contacted Grace, my Hair and Make up Artist. And Lorena showed up as herself.
The result was amazing. She was a natural. We laughed the whole time.
Mother/Daughter
Monica came into my studio with her daughter J for a mother/daughter shoot. There were dresses, make up, and beauty everywhere. I shot each them in their beautiful outfits and then together super close, super snugly. We had a great time. Their friend Robin came and was such a great help. After we were done, there were hugs all around and excitement about seeing the final images. The next day I texted Monica to thank her again for coming in and having a great spirit about her. She responded by thanking me for giving her this experience with her daughter. Without specifics she explained that the photo shoot was a great bonding experience that she and J needed. Times are tough right now and for a few hours on a Saturday they were together and having fun and playing dress up.
I don't just take pictures for you. I help you connect: to the real you and back to your family.
This is more than a photo shoot.
Headshots and what-nots
I am finding that starting this business has taken me down a path I didn't expect. I thought that a majority of my time would be spent actually taking pictures, editing, culling, etc. But a good 85% of my time is spent on the business part of my business: Quickbooks, landing pages, Facebook Ads, taxes, networking...
The amazing part is, it is actually fun and exciting (on top of stressful and hard). I have had a chance to meet other small business owners, especially other moms and the connection is instant. We can talk shop, give advice, take advice and laugh at everything.
Business doesn't look the way it used to and I for one am so grateful.
The Unicorn
When I am doing a session, I am always on the look out for "the one". There is always one image that stops me in my tracks as I am uploading into Lightroom. It is the one that I edit so carefully to enhance it, not change it dramatically. It makes my heart leap when I find it.
But I always find it.
My Own...
It is really hard to take pictures of my children. Not because they aren't photogenic but because it takes an act of Congress to get them to agree. I get it. Caroline has had a camera in her face since she was about 6 minutes old. It does require them to stop playing with their Legos or baby dolls.
But this time was different. I have spent the last 4 months researching and learning portrait photography. And in the last month I have been building a studio in my sunroom. I have learned how to use studio lights so I can take portraits anytime of day in any weather. But I need to practice. Do you know what "feathering" a light means? Well I didn't either until a few weeks ago and it has changed my photography. But I need to practice.
So I bribed Caroline with a new dress that she could pick out and I promised that she didn't have to get to fancy. All I asked was that she brush her hair (which apparently is a lot to ask of an 11 year old these days). And she totally nailed it. It took me 20 minutes to get this look. I had to readjust lights and V-flats but it is a start. And she looks beautiful.
Every year...
When the leaves begin to turn from a healthy green to a crisp red and pumpkin orange I know I am about to get a phone call from Natalie. Every year she calls me to document her family and especially her growing boy. And every year he looks different, taller, blonder, cuter. And then one day a few weeks from now I will get these photos back in my mailbox in the form of a Christmas card. It is our version of a full circle. I love this family. Very much.
Portfolio
I signed my name on the check with a shaky hand. As I handed the contract and check over I had a split second where I could run out the door and shout "Forget It!". But I didn't. I took a deep breath and handed them over with a "Thank You for your time".
Why the nerves? Why am I scared to rent a space at the local rec center? Here is why:
A few weeks ago I discovered Sue Bryce and her online seminar of women's portraits. This is not the 80's glamour shots that everyone thinks of when they hear the word glamour. This is beautiful, modern, magazine portraits for women. I watched the first of what feels like a million lessons and I was IN. I mean ALL IN! I got so excited! I watched a lesson or two a day. I bought the materials to make a background. I researched V-flats, polyboards, and flat paint. I watched more lessons. I practiced in the mirror how to move hips, how to place hands, how to guide chins. And then it was time...time to actually practice. I agonized over it. It is one thing to think and dream and it is quite another to do and practice especially on real women. So I put out a message to some of my FB friends that I thought could help and right away I got great response. Everyone loved the idea and wanted to pose for me. CRAP! Now it was real. Now I had to step up to the plate. Now I had to perform.
There is a recreation center near my house that has a community room that has HUGE windows, hardwood floors and lots of space to move around. It is perfect. If I could design a studio space it would look like this. So I take the leap and rent it out for 5 hours on a Tuesday to shoot these women. That is when it got real. When I had to hand over my own money with no refund to actually do this, that is when the nerves came. I know that offering this service for women will be a game changer. Giving women a day where they get to dress up and look and feel amazing and have photographs to remind them will change them in various ways.
And it will change my business. This is me, stepping up to the cliff, taking a deep breath and taking that first step.
Way up high..
The location of a photo shoot says a lot about a client. We can go to the middle of a wheat field for my clients that love rustic and charming. We can go downtown among the concrete jungle for my clients that love a modern edge.
So when it came time to plan out Hannah's Senior Portfolio we honestly were stuck. How can I narrow down this girl? She is so fun but so mature. She is edgy buy down to earth. She is modern but such a romantic. So I had an idea. In downtown Wilmington there is a new (to me) parking deck. And so on a Thursday night we went to the very tippy top and with an amazing view of Wilmington we made some beautiful art. Do you see the symbolism? Here she is, her Senior year at the very top with her whole future spread out in front of her.
But first, pictures...
Fort Fisher...
Her classroom was right across the hall from mine in the 400 hallway. She was the 5th person to hold Caroline on the day she was born. And now I get to watch her create this amazing family that she has always dreamed of.
I am always honored when past clients want me to photograph them again. I am always honored when new clients trust me with documenting their families. But I get down right weepy when dear friends that I love and miss so much ask me to capture their growing family.
I present, the Crudeli family:
