Archive for December, 2009
Comments for a Cause; Winston Salem, North Carolina Photographer
December 23, 2009Richard & Casie – Bridals; Winston Salem, North Carolina Photographer
December 22, 2009One evening about a month ago, I received a call from Casie, whom was interested in having bridal portraits done. “I’m not your typical bride”, she explained. “My wedding dress is pink!” She had my attention.
We kept in touch set up a date, I got my amazing makeup artist Heather Foster lined up (whom is available for all of my shoots) and I was able to book the perfect venue at the last moment. While I shoot natural light 98% of the time, we had our eye on the weather and rain was in the forecast. With only a week to go and lots of dead end calls to book a venue, I received a call from one of the most kind hearted and generous women I’ve ever met. I am actually going to write a post just about Chevara soon, because she deserves that, but since this post is reserved for Casie and Richard, let me take the time to say ‘Thank you’ to Chevara and your generosity – not only to me, but to my guests as well.
We all held our breath as almost a foot of snow fell on Friday, the day before our shoot. I knew it would be beautiful to shoot in – but what about travel? What about safety? What about Casie outside freezing to death in her dress?! To be honest, if it weren’t for Heather’s reassurance as well as my sister that offered to drive me since she had 4 wheel drive, I probably would have postponed the shoot. I called Casie early that morning and she and Richard were game and so the show was on – and am I ever glad we decided to go through with it! Richard was a trooper (hah! Makes since as he’s actually a State Trooper), after working in the snow until midnight the night before. My poor sister ditched her car a few times coming to get me, but we met at the salon for Casie to get ready, headed to the gallery loft, did our shoot and the outcome was nothing short of amazing.
Casie and Richard, thank you so much for contacting me and not letting me down. I knew when I heard ‘pink wedding dress’ that we would have a blast – and I really think it was for everyone involved. You guys are stunning and so fun to work with and I wish you all of the luck in the world. Chevara, you were a real life saver, and I can’t say thank you enough for lending us your beautiful loft and gallery to shoot in. It proved to be the perfect back drop, just as I was sure it would. Wendy, thank you for driving us and listening to me back seat drive you through the snow, even though I had never driven in the snow before and somehow just KNEW we were going to die. Heather, you did a beautiful job on Casie just as I was sure you would – but then again, she gave you something amazing to work with from the beginning. Also, I want to thank the local theatre for lending me out the vintage luggage and trunks for my shoot. I called them up and asked to rent these props though it’s not something they usually do. Alex was great and kind enough to lend me these items for the shoot – and they worked out perfectly.
I’m going to shut up and post the photos now. There are LOTS – so enjoy!
We started out in the loft’s bedroom. How stunning is this shot?
The stunning couple! See how easy my job was?!
I adore this shot. Also, is this not every little girl’s dream dress?!
I love this shot. The only lighting used was one SB-600 bounced from the metal lining the walls.
Casie, you are stunning.
These were actually shot on the rooftop deck – in 8″ of snow!
See the snow piled up behind her? She was beyond brave kneeling in it!
I LOVE these next two.
In the gallery!
Richard was looking quite handsome in his suite!
I loved that these lofts kept original pieces from when it was a tobacco production plant.
Another one of my favorite shots of the day.
So sexy – LOVE it!
Casie’s amazing ring!
First snow of 2009; Winston Salem, North Carolina Photographer
December 18, 2009So here we are, a thick white blanket of snow on the ground and everything else. As much as I wish for snow each year, I was kind of hesitant for this one to come in. I have a bridal shoot scheduled for tomorrow that has been in the works for almost a month. At the last minute, everything fell into place to make this such an epic shoot. The location I booked, the props I rented from a local theatre, booking my amazing makeup artist, and the wonderful bride herself that contacted me about the shoot. And now? Now we have a foot of snow (and counting) to shoot in.
I will go into more details in the actual post with photos from the shoot about where and who I booked with and the lovely people that have helped make this all possible. For now, though – why not snap away some shots of how beautiful North Carolina looks this evening, covered in powder and in a stillness only snow can offer. I headed out covered head to toe in fleece, my camera wrapped in a plastic Target bag, snow and wind whipping at my face, just to capture a little bit of the beauty Mother Nature has to offer.
Wish us luck on our shoot tomorrow and for safe travels for everyone. We are determined to make this work for us instead of against us – and hopefully everyone will have a blast in the meantime. Until then, enjoy these few snapshots I took this evening.
Gizmo PoGo; Winston Salem, North Carolina Photographer
December 17, 2009Taken this afternoon with some props I picked up for a bridal shoot Saturday. I’m still loving my PoGo!
Polaroid Pogo; Winston Salem, North Carolina Photographer
December 13, 2009A couple of months ago, I remembered that my mother owned an old Polaroid instant film camera. I was just curious, since I hadn’t seen the film in stores for a while, if it were still available. To my shock, I could buy it on E-Bay for no less than $20 a pack (doubled in price), and that is the cheap end. $20 for 10 exposures. I sighed and kind of let go of the idea.
Upon working up ideas for an upcoming bridal shoot, I wanted to see if I could maybe, perhaps, by a lucky chance find a pack of instant film for a little less. I searched and searched and asked around and I couldn’t come up with anything. Upon my search, though, I came across the new Polaroid Pogo. It’s a small (about 4″ x 6″), light weight, instant printer that prints directly from your digital camera or even via blue-tooth from your phone.
I did some research, read a lot of reviews and to my surprise, my mother decided to gift it to me as an early Christmas gift for my upcoming shoot.
I read the reviews that the print quality was nothing spectacular, some people experienced white lines and it’s battery life wasn’t great at all. All of these things, I thought, were easy to deal with – especially for the low price of $30 (on sale at Radioshack). It doesn’t use ink but instead uses a technology called Zink (zero ink), and prints just like the old instant Polaroid photos. The paper is much cheaper (a few bucks for 10 sheets) and even has a peel-off back, so you can stick them around.
I charged my Pogo over night and did a test run today with 2 images. As soon as I plugged it into my camera (Nikon D300), the software popped up, I could select my images and they began to print. They printed much quicker than the 1 minute per print everyone else has talked about. Mine took about 30 seconds, or less. The prints are small, at 2″ x 3″ (about the size of a business card), but this is fine by me. I wanted something instant so I could print out images from a shoot to use again in the same shoot. I didn’t expect perfect color and quality and was even willing to let these slide for the price, but I have to say, I’m very happy with both. I have only made 2 prints, as I’m saving the paper for my shoot, so I can’t say much at this time about the battery life. The charger is quite large and even heavier than the small printer, but this doesn’t bother me at all.
So, my review of the Polaroid Pogo so far is that it’s everything I was looking for and a little more than I expected and will serve my purpose splendidly. I can’t wait to take it out on a shoot and show you what I get!
The backs can peel off and stick! I love this little feature.
I experienced no white lines…the little big of “noise” that shows up in this print is from the original image.
The prints are glossy. (Also, I obviously haven’t done my nails lately and didn’t intend on modeling a small photo – so please forgive my horrible nail polish).
Making a list; Winston Salem, North Carolina Photographer
December 12, 2009It’s almost that time! Where has this year gone?! While we’re doing a minimal Christmas this year, we have been wanting to gift the cats with a cat tower for a while now. Confession: We have 5 cats. 2 are over 20lbs each.
We’ve been shopping around for a while and even attempted to make our own. That was a failure, so back to shopping we went. There are so many out there. Different shapes, sizes, colors, some with toys, some that look like actual trees, most that wouldn’t even hold a 10lb cat. Then it happened.
About 3 weeks ago, I was running errands and saw a yard sale on the side of the road. I have never once stopped to one by myself, but I saw the most awesome desks sitting out front. Old, antique, feminine – everything I’ve been looking for. I turned around and went back and when I found out the lady was asking $10 each for them, I snatched up both and brought them home. They became my crafting desks and storage, so the older storage cubes I was using were temporarily moved into the office. This is now their new home, as they have become a favorite to the cats. They have 12 cubes to play/lay/sleep/nap/roll around in, as well as the top to climb on. We can rearrange them and the heavier cats don’t mind laying on the bottom ones, so safety isn’t a concern there. Talk about recycling!
That’s one thing checked off the Christmas list this year! And a post wouldn’t be complete without a few photos.
