Like A First Day On The Job

One thing I have always enjoyed about a new job is the learning process, simply because... well it's new!  I have always been one to catch on pretty quickly by watching and learning from others or following the pace of what was done before me.  
Now with a new photography business, things are a bit different.  I don't have someone to follow or follow me like with my first waitress job.  And since this is a new business, I'm starting from square one.  There are no files one the computer showing me the best method of organizing photos and invoices and I don't yet have a speedy way of post processing.  I'll be honest, I'm not THAT fond of sitting in front of a computer for hours!  Which can definitely drag on the learning process. 
But, I am bound and determined to get it!
So, if you're a photographer and have a great tip on what helped you learn the in and out's, I would really like to hear it! :)

The Raddest Photo Trip Ever

Ok, so one of my favorite things to do is travel.  Outside of the U.S. I've only been to Mexico, Canada and Brasil.  I had the chance to go to Thailand in 2002 with a couple people I worked with, my friend Beth and our manager who is Thai.  Beth and I were to go and help watch their kids.  Long story short, we couldn't get off work at the same time so neither of us ended up going.  
I came across Bobby Earle's  blog a while ago and have since been reconnected with it when he left a comment here on my blog the other day.  And then I saw this...
The Raddest Photo Trip Ever!  
If you have a couple minutes, sit back and watch the video he and his beautiful wife Lindsay created from one of their trips!  After showing this to Jerod and asking him if he wanted to go, his answer was YES!  
Be sure to check out his blog too as he has posted pictures from a recent trip to Africa!  Mo, I think you're going to like this! :)

Meet Bill

As some of you know, Bob is no longer at the farm.  But... meet Bill.  He is the cutest little kitten and has pretty blue eyes!  Hannah got him from one of the guys she works with.  She always wanted an orange male cat!
Hey Jerod, maybe you could get me one as a late birthday gift?!  Just an idea!  ;)

29 years and 4 months

It really is June isn't it?!  With the year almost half gone, I'm reminded of how important it is to live each day to the fullest!
On Thursday, Nathan turned 4 months old!  Jerod and I took him in for his 4 mo. appointment.  He did a great job and the shots didn't even phase him.  He was more interested in eating, which he does a lot of!  :)
I didn't bring my camera with me, although I wish I did.  There was one point when the nurse was measuring his head.  Nathan was sitting on the table (with the help of dad), in just his diaper, belly hanging out, tape measure wrapped around his head, and eyes open WIDE!  It was really cute!  
Yesterday marked my 29th birthday!  My Uncle Bill from Texas has the same birthday as me, and I feel blessed to be able to share such a special day with someone that I love and respect very much!  (I won't say how old he is! :)
I also made sure to thank the Lord for all that He has done and where He has placed me.  And thank you mom, and dad, for raising me and loving me, and Ben, for putting up with a sister like me! :)  I love you!  And to top it off, I enjoyed a piece of french silk pie with a pink candle, baked especially for me by Marie Callender!  
 
I know my mom is looking for the pictures of Nathan... so here's one for you!  On his 4 mo. birthday sitting in his dad's truck!  

Learning From The Pros

Yesterday I was blessed with the opportunity to shoot a wedding with Jodi and Rodney of Gehman Photography who are a husband and wife team based out of Kalona Iowa.  They were the photographers for my brothers wedding in September '07 and they ROCK!  
It was such an exciting experience to watch them in action.  Jodi has some amazing vision when it comes to posing people and Rodney gets shots from angles that I wouldn't even think of!  And they are super fast at switching out lenses.  I was impressed! :)  They are so inspiring and I am very thankful that I got the chance to learn from them!  
I will post a few pictures from the wedding soon but for now go check out their website and blog.  I highly recommend them to anyone!   

Backlight and Flare

Like I wrote about yesterday, I've been practicing a few things with my camera. I think backlight photos are beautiful and for a while, wasn't the best at achieving them. But like I said I've been practicing and here's a couple that I came up with.

This is one of my new favorite pictures of Jerod and Nathan.

 

(The tree shot doesn't contain the best composition, but I like the fact that I can still see detail in the tree without completely blowing out the leaves.)




And, just because every post is better with a picture of Nathan... here he is! :)



All three of these photos are SOOC so if anyone has any suggestions on how to make them better, please let me know! I'd love the advice!

Practice, Practice, Practice

Out of all the information I've gathered from other professional photographers, one thing stays the same... practice!  
The other night, Nathan and I were outside and I was messing around with the depth of field.  (It's so nice having digital so I can see the results right away!)  Here is what I came up with...
I used the 80 m lens, f/22.  To me, the result is kind of a flat looking picture since you can see the detail on the sidewalk (which also needs to be swept!)
This next shot was also with the 80 m, but this time the f stop was 1.8, wide open. I think shooting wide open produces a creamier image. Jerod didn't like this one though because the middle flowers were out of focus. Can't please everyone right? :)
So, which shot do you like best?