Lighting Tutor Session

Well I guess I can say welcome back (to myself), since it's been like way too long since my last post. I am definitely so excitied about this one and I will start by saying that my tutor session last week on lighting with David Lloyd wouldn't have been the same without the company of my friend who loves photography as much as I do, Lisa Hensley and her daughter (our model) Samantha. Kudos to you Sammy, you are a very bright, beautiful young lady and you did a great job while we did our thing!

David giving advice on model posing

Second, the expertise and knowledge from David with his calm and collected way of teaching made our session very stress-free and fun!  After getting our lighting equipment all set up, adjusting our lights to the correct setting, we were eager to get our "tutor on". 

                        

Our set up consisted of two 580 EX II speedlights (above). The main one set up to bounce into the umbrella  and the second one set behind as a hair light.  These shots turned out very sweet with the nice soft glow on her hair and arm (below). Thinking to myself, what great senior portraits these would make.

 

We were also introduced to SR Tiny triggers for triggering our 580EX II flashes thanks to David who had an extra set. Although he only had one set for us to share, we didn't mind taking turns using the main transmitter on our camera to fire those flashes while the other one observed or helped with holding the reflector for bouncing some light into her baby blues.

By the way Lisa, the outfit you so creatively put together for Sam, LOVE IT!!!

In the pic above, just before the shutter snapped, David was holding the light from his cell phone to help our focus, due to losing sunlight....while Lisa was smiling big, holding that reflector (that wouldn't be from admiring Sam's beauty now would it?)

 

I am so thankful to have people in my life that enjoy teaching, supporting and learning from one another.  Photography wouldn't be the same to me without those sharing the same passion.  I know that by the end of this session we were very pleased with the info that we obtained from David and can now add yet another sub folder to the one up in our brain labeled "photography".  Oh by the way, the gels on a 3rd speedlight were way cool too, which David set up for the sweet blue effect on the fountains in the background. Awesome session!!!

Take a double look! Senior Pictures

It was through a referral that I met the gorgeous senior twins Abby and Mandy.  Although they were happy and excited about their senior pictures, I feel like I was the lucky one to have met them.  Spending the afternoon in the little town of Cave Creek with these two was very fun.   Kudos to you mom, the patient driver who was willing to drive them around with me to all of the little spots that I planned for the shoot.  

Of course, to me all photography is fun, but there is something about shooting seniors that  just sets itself aside from other photography sessions. Maybe it's 'cause I'm a mom and just the thought of them growing up and embarking on new milestones is so thrilling, or the thought of them going off to college.....Well, whatever it is I'm glad I could share this tiny little ensey wensie part of that with them.  I couldn't wait to get my blog going to write about these two, so it's a little late but still had to do it.  You go girls! Here's to you!

Please visit my website for more senior pics

Photography in northern Arizona!

You most likely think of cabin fever as, "I've got to get out of this place, I'm getting claustrophobic, I've got cabin fever!!!"  Yeah, me too, until I actually had the chance to visit a cabin.  Now, when I think I've got cabin fever it's cause I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cabin....ok thanks to SNL and Christopher Walken for that last line, except without the cowbell.  Okay, where was I.....oh,  but it so true, that traveling to northern Arizona whether just for the day, watching the desert change to pines or getting a hotel in Sedona for the night, just to spend the time hiking and observing the unbelievably beautiful red rock is just so relaxing and fun! 


Of course being fortunate enough to have a place to go to when it's too hot in phoenix, is such a treat, that no one can take for granted.  So spending nearly every weekend up north right outside of Flagstaff this past summer is exactly what we did. Thanks to you Gramma and Papa for your hospitality when it comes to staying at your beautiful cabin, and for allowing us to bring our friends too!  And for those who've yet to travel up 89A from Sedona to Flagstaff, you gotta try it sometime, it's definitely worth the extra 25 minutes.

picture taken on 89A north of Sedona, thx to Paint The Moon for textures and actions, love em'

If we weren't fishing, or looking for wildlife we were sitten watching the kids fight over who was gonna be next on the porch swing.  If not that, then going into town to watch a train, or grab some lunch.  Mostly, just chillin with this wonderful family that I have and takin' it all in......and takin' lots of pics too i might add.  And since my hubby and oldest son's hobby is paragliding, well we got many chances to see them do just that.

i love when i find little treasures like this rusted old holding tank

Wyatt (front) and Adam paragliding Apache Maide near Stoneman Lake

 These definitely are memories that will last a lifetime, not only for me and my man, but for the kids too.  There's nothing better that watching your children learn how to play, and get along with one another, even when it seems that all they do is bicker. And sometimes the best way for them to learn about that is when you're away from the ''norm'' and drama of everyday life. So next time you get a day off, can sneak away for a day or get to escape to the cool country or hang at a cabin, I'd say.....what are you waitin' for?  Get gone!

One Shabby Chic Home

I am very honored to open my new blog with images on a  home that I had the opportunity of shooting last week. I think I fell in love with Betty DiMarco, a very special mother to my friends Tom and his wife Maritza, the first time I met her. As us ladies do, once chatting we got on the subject of homes and what not, and by the end of the night I had managed to talk my way into getting a sneak peak on the shabby chic! It wasn't but 4 days later, she was kind enough to welcome her daughter in-law and I into her home, which is nestled in a very beautiful area surrounded by massive bolder rocks and natural desert vegetation in north Phoenix. "Cham Pag Ne" to quote her words, was very bubbly and awaiting our taste buds. Cheers! This home was shabby chic alright. The family room was decorated so beautifully with creamy white shag carpet and a gorgeous double mirrored armoire. Every room had a unique touch with colors of white, green and pinks, and shouted Shabby Chic!!! After snapping away at everything I could, to my surprise.....she adorned us with a very tasty lunch which went along beautifully with her "sheeky" surrounds. The table setting had mismatched silverware, and big pink floral napkin holders that went along so well with her decor. She had prepared a lovely lunch which included our choice of white or dark balsamic vinegar over avacado halves with crab salad bedded on luscious green lettuce. But first we had a yummy light tasting veggie salad. The ice cubes with frozen bits of lemon rind complimented our water that sat so beautifully in a glass pitcher with cucumbers and lemons. It just felt so warm and welcoming to be there. And the icing on the cake was the sweet pigeon that nestled it's eggs in the purple wandering jew on the front porch. Definitely a day to remember. Thank you Betty!