Publicity

I am sooo excited! Tomorrow is the first event I've had that really feels like a self-promo. I've gone in together with two coworkers for our associate craft fair and bazzar. I've got a beautiful canvas print of my neighbor's little girl, my new business cards and gift cards AND the engagement album from Tianna and Jason's shoot. I think I am gonna try to wrestle the Ipad away from my husband to have a slideshow of my most recent work as well. I hope that the timing is right... what a cool gift right... a professional photography gift certificate! Wish me luck... I'll post a few pics from the event later :)

Fall-tastic!

Okay so I really suck at keeping this blog up to date. I've had several shoots and need to post some pics soon. This Fall has been a blessing and a curse... I have been blessed to have several successful shoots and learn a little more with each one. I am cursed because, with more clients, comes more late night editing... extremely difficult with two jobs, a 2 year old and a disabled hubby.

Overall though - good times. I am really looking forward to the new year. Getting ready to launch the new website, reformat my facebook page, and really start the self-promo wheels turning.

I feel like word is finally getting out there and people know that I am actually getting the hang of this.
Now if only I could break even or getting just enough ahead to buy the equipment that will catapult this thing into high gear!

New Website

I have been working like a mad woman trying to get this monster done! Don't get me wrong, I'm super excited about launching a new website, but there are sooo many things to set up... colors, titles, music, preferences, write a bio, and I still have not picked and processed the photos I plan to display - aaaahhh!
Well, once it goes live - it's gonna rock! Stay tuned :)

The Happy Couple

Yessssss! I am soo thrilled! I feel like it finally all came together. Tiana & Jason met me at Atlantic Station today for their Engagement shoot (my first). I could go on about everything that worked, but why don't you see for yourself...

Little miss Blakely

Talk about cute! I just love taking pictures of little ones. Children are so beautiful in any light. It was very exciting to see Blakely for the first time. Shelly and Jody brought her into the world just a few days ago, and I could not wait to get over and take her newborn shots. I learned a lot from this shoot. Some things I would do differently next time, but I also learned that I was paying attention in class. Finally, I am getting more confident and feel like I know what I am suppose to do with my camera settings, given the situation... look out folks - Fresh Eye Photography just pumped it up a notch! Now if I could just save up enough for that 2.8 24-70mm Lens, it'll really get good!

Full Bloom and Isobel

I had a second session at Full Bloom, and felt much more prepared this time. It will definitely be an ongoing process. I had the pleasure of meeting Pam and the most adorable little Isobel! I forgot how quick a crawler can be - what a workout. She was cute in every pose of course. :)

Vroom! Vroom!

So if you have not figured out by now - I have a son, Dawson. He will be two in November and he is proving to be a boy's boy... he is obsessed with cars, trains, and just about anything else with wheels - Lord help me. Call me crazy, but when I found out that Year One has a car show once a month just down the street from me I thought, I might as well embrace it now... let's take the boy to see some cars. I know, I know, he's probably too little to quite get the just of it, but he still had a blast! I thought for sure the tire burn out would scare the daylights out of him - WRONG - he simply exclaimed ... VROOM! VROOM!

Did I mention that blue is my favorite color?!

Shelly-Blakely-Belly

Okay, my bad - it's taken me much too long to post these pics. Maybe it's just me, but it seems as though everywhere I turn are pregnant bellies! One of which works with me at the hospital. Shelly is a doll. She's fun, sweet, and is super excited about her little Blakely, that apparently isn't coming soon enough! Ahhh- good times. Having shared some of the same concerns and struggles in receiving one of God's greatest gifts, I could not help but offer her my new - found passion as a gift. Her are just afew of some of my favorite shots from her session. BTW "Mr Blakely-belly" was just as fun as Shelly. I had a great time with the two of them.

Full Bloom, and breast cancer

Success! A while back Lucia and I had emailed each other about putting together a photo day for some of the parents that go to Full Bloom (pregnancy & early parenting center). Lucia was instrumental in Dawson's birth as our doula and good friend. I jumped at the chance to do something that may benefit both of us. She has an open room at the center with beautiful hard woods and soft blue/green walls.

I was not sure how much to charge for a setup like this. The thought came to me that I could put together a package deal in exchange for donations to breast cancer. My good friend Louise is on an amazing journey with God collecting money for this cause.
When the day came, it was a little bit hectic, but loads of fun! And talk about a learning experience... toddlers - have lots of props to get their attention :)

When it came time to edit and post the albums, I began to understand why God gave me the idea to do it for  a charitable purpose. Although I still consider myself far from professional, some of the clients said they could never have afforded an opportunity to have a professional shoot like this.
When I was editing the last album, I plugged in my headphones and listened to pandora. The first station that popped up was "Third Day". I had my own little worship jamming session and felt like this whole thing had come full circle!

Here's some of my favorites from this special event. Are they just not the cutest!

Time, Time, need more Time!

Okay guys, so sorry... I am so far behind! I need to put up pics from Canada, the car show, I've done Shelly's maternity, and a group day at Full Bloom. Seriously! That's just the FEP blog stuff. I can't even begin to tell you how many personal projects are backed up. Some days the working super-mom syndrome can really get a girl down. How do other women do this? All I can say is, it takes a very sweet husband to handle such a crazy, hectic spouse... love ya babe ;)

Second Class

Last night was my second scheduled "Beginner's Photography Class". Although the turn out was smaller than anticipated, I still walked away feeling like it was successful. This group of students had a little bit of experience under thier belts, and I was almost afraid I would be boring them. All in all we had a good time.
I am gearing up for the third class on August 24th. I am beginning to think that this will be the class I had imagined in my mind. Now that I've had the chance to go over my outline twice, I can refine my discussion and be even more prepared. If you get the chance - this is a great deal... $10 for a jam-packed session!

More Little Isis

It's hard for me to believe that Dawson was ever this small. Not only was today a great experience for me to continue evolving as a photographer, I also got my "cuddle a teeny baby" fix. She was just soo scrumptious! Call anytime if you need a sitter erin, I mean it! :)

Princess Isis

I still get goosebumps just writing this... I had the most amazing opportunity recently. My friend and coworker Erin just had a beautiful baby girl, Isis. The planets aligned, and it just so happened that I was able to meet her at the hospital after work to get a few shots of the new little angel. After having my son, I get so excited for new mothers. There is something absolutely amazing about witnessing first hand the entrance of a new life into this world. I feel so blessed that I was able to be there to capture a moment in time that will mean so much to Erin and Jay.

Camera Class

Word spreads fast. Several of my coworkers have discovered that I am now "doing photography on the side". It seems strange to say. It's such a mixture of passion, learning, and struggle for additional income. I had soo many people approach me about learning how to use their camera, I decided to go ahead and put a class together. I love photography, I love teaching, I love sharing with other people the things I've learned that are interesting to me... this class was just my style. I put together an outline, bought a door-prize (tripod), and even made little place-setting keepsakes (mini bottle of lens cleaner and soft cloth). Although only 4 of the 10 expected guests arrived, I think it went very well. I am planning to do another on July 31st.   As long as people keep asking, I'll keep teaching!

The Twins

What an adventure! So I had been working with Miss Mollie to get our crazy schedules together... when we finally did, I decided to try my brother-in-law's "big lens" for some great bokeh. It worked, but it was not easy. Chasing two toddlers when you are zoomed in and holding a heavy lens, requires plenty of breath holding. It sure helps to have such adorable subjects :)

Thwarted by thunder

Natural light is a blessing and a curse. If you can catch the sun at just the right moment, it trumps flash every time. Although it can be modified to improve your shot, inevitably, You are still at it's complete mercy, waiting and praying to be in just the right position at just the right time.
Tonight was supposed to be a much anticipated "sweet sixteen" shoot for miss Olivia. I left home at 6:15pm with the sun blazing down at 90 degrees. When I had reached our rendezvous point, the bottom fell out. With the wind blowing and the rain pouring down, Dawson and I hunkered down in the van, hoping it would pass soon.
Needless to say, the photo shoot was post-poned. Lesson of the session? Even the best made plans...

Portfolio Building

Practice, practice, practice. I'm sure everyone would agree that the only way to improve your skill is to practice. I've been long awaiting this opportunity. I have been planning several different portfolio building sessions. Yesterday was my first one. I had the good fortune of putting together the people, place, and props needed for a no-pressure chance to experiment with what I've been learning this past year. I am so pleased with the results!