Leigh and I met almost 5 years ago.  I knew her friend Heather (now my makeup artist), whom had just nights before gasped in awe when I told her my photography rates, sitting on the curb at a down town skate shop.  She demanded I raised my prices, and actually threatened to kick my butt if I didn’t do so.  She gave me a set number (which at the time I thought was ridiculous).  I flat out told her, “no one is going to pay that price!” She threatened me again, and I pretended to accept it.  I wanted to accept what she was saying, but I was scared.

The following week, Leigh called me up and wanted to schedule a photo shoot.  An Anytime shoot, she said, just to document her life at the time.  “Ok…” and I lingered off.  “Well, I, um, I just changed my rates, and it’s…” She stopped me right before I put myself on the line.  “I know what it is.  I have the money and am ready to go!  Let’s do this.  Can you do next weekend?” And that was that.  I showed up the following weekend, Heather was there doing her makeup (before we even started working together – who knew?!) and we did the shoot.  Granted, we got some amazing shots, but I didn’t know nearly as much back then as I do now.  And, halfway through our shoot, it started to rain.  I didn’t know much about metering then, so I had to schedule the second part of our shoot for another day.

That other day came last weekend.  5 years later, we are both doing what we love and I was back, documenting her life again.  Leigh has changed so much over 5 years – but then again, so have I.  We have both grown, both lived a little, both broadened our horizons.  She still believed in me, though.  She remembered me, after moving out of North Carolina and moving back.  And there we were, last Sunday, sitting in her beautiful, sunny loft apartment down town.  Heather doing her makeup (with her husband and baby playing on the floor!!!) and me checking my metering.  I was in a room with two ladies, two friends, that believed in me from the beginning.  For that, I thank them, endlessly.

I know not all of these are boudoir.  That was the premises for the shoot, but I also wanted to capture some simple portraits.  Leigh has given me permission to share some of these photos with you.  There are plenty more personal ones from our shoot that will not be shared, but if you are interested in a boudoir shoot, please send me over an email.  They’re very fun, personal and tasteful!

Heather did a stunning job on makeup, per usual.

Heather and I both wanted these earrings.  It wouldn’t have worked out if we both stole one each, though, so we let Leigh keep them.

Simply beautiful.

So these rollers were NOT a planned idea.  Heather was rolling her hair for the shoot and we decided it looked too cute to not photograph.  Put on the makeup, find a pair of knickers from the 20s, pose with bread Heather’s husband made andVoilà!

Leigh, you SO pulled this look off.

I found these glasses in her little cabinet for accessories and KNEW we had to use them.  Silly, but cute!

The rollers came out and the 80s rolled in!  I think she looks fierce!

Note: This is no smoke machine.  Just a simple bottle of hairspray I asked Heather to waste for this shot. 

And we’ll end with this shot.  Simple, made up on the spot and beautiful.

I never claim to know everything and am always willing to help out where I can.  I often times feel like after I give my answers (rather in person or through email  – about photography or not), people throw their hands up and think “Is that IT?!”  I feel like I let people down because I always come back to the point that it took me a lot of time and a lot of effort to learn what I have and that you have to do the same and make it work for YOU.

A question I get asked a lot in the world of photography is about my image sharpness.  How do I do it, what lens do I use, what settings and so on.  This post may be a little boring to most, but I feel it important to take time out to help those who have questions and who I may even want to learn a thing or two from in the future.

I always shoot manual and natural light.  I have been in situations where I have had to use flash, but NEVER outside.  If an indoor situation calls for it, I bounce my SB-600 from either a wall or ceiling or light colored platform nearby.  My main lens at the moment is my 50mm, f/1.8 and I almost always shoot wide open.  Does this mean every single shot is in focus and nailed the first time?  Absolutely not.  I try take a few similar shots before I re-pose my clients just to make sure I nail the photo I want.  Besides, no client or agency will ever want 10 photos of the same pose – so as long as you nailed a couple, you are good to go!

I am also a fan of Photoshop Actions and am not ashamed.  They make my work flow so much quicker and I adore the little effects I can add to photos.  I think everyone is beautiful already, but I love the extra little pop I can add to my photos.  Some of my favorites are Red Leaf Work flow, Totally Rad Revenge, Pioneer Woman Action set 1 and Oeil.  I think in the end, it’s all about finding what works best for you and your work flow and a style that speaks to you.  Practice, practice, practice, and don’t be afraid to ask for tips or tricks along the way.

D300, 50mm, f/1.8, 1/500 sec,  ISO Low 70.

D300, 50mm, f/1.8, 1/250 sec, ISO Low 70.

D300, 50mm, f/2, 1/320 sec, ISO 200

D300, 50mm, f/2.5, 1/100 sec, ISO 320.

D300, 50mm, f/2.2, 1/160 sec, ISO 200.

D300, 50mm, f/1.8, 1/400 sec, ISO 200.

I adore love.  I adore everything about it.  How it envelops kindness, forgiveness, acceptance, beauty, adoration.  How it can take your breath away, literally.  How it even spelled out looks beautiful.  I adore the simplicity of it, yet the deep and engaging meaning.

These are just a few things I love;

Coffee.  Animals.  Cuddles.  My boyfriend.  My friends.  Music.  A glass of wine.  Silence.  Photography.  Looking at old photos of my father.  Making jewelry.  Seeing the wind in the trees.  Long walks in the summer.  The beach.  Peanuts.  Chocolate.  Cooking.  When it’s warm enough outside to have the windows open.  Riding in the car with the windows down and singing out loud to the songs on the radio with someone by your side.  Blogging.  Hot baths.  Laughing so hard my stomach hurts.  Making other people laugh.  Holding hands.  A hug every time I come back home from being somewhere.  Sweet tea.  Seeing my cats happy.  My dog giving me high 5’s.  Handmade gifts.  Video games.  Good movies.  Horseback riding.  Flowers.  Food from the garden.  Cucumber sandwiches.  Whiskey.  Web design.  Birds.  New friendships.  Finding those perfect shoes to match that perfect shirt.  Being in Georgia with Teresa.  Being home.  Banana peppers.  Getting a new tattoo.  My tattoos.  My parents.  Learning new things.  Sharing said new things with someone else who is also excited to learn new things.  Reading a good book.  Being inspired for a photo shoot from a dream I had.  Being at The Felice Brother’s show.  Seeing/hearing Andy sing.  Andy’s mother.  Faith.  Boots.  Porch swings.  Hardwood floors.  Goats.  Having a job I enjoy.  Steak.  Documentaries.  Antique furniture.  66 Mustangs.  Clean sheets.

I could go on and on and on, but these are just a few of the simple pleasures in life that I love.  Even if you don’t have a special someone today, let it serve as a reminder to look around you at what you DO have and enjoy and love.  Also, remember that if you have a pet, they love you with every ounce of their being – so return the favor today with a cuddle and a little extra play time.  Everyone deserves a little love. 

I know I said I would post a boudoir shoot today, but I am going to post it tomorrow, instead.  Here is a collage of 2 simple photos I shot yesterday to remember this Valentine’s Day by.

Do you ever go to a blog and see there are no updates and take it a little personally? You feel a little let down – since the anticipation had been growing ever since you sat down at your computer and started going through your favorite blog to read for the day. No update yet, so you get a little upset, sigh a little, and decide to just come back later. 10 minutes later you wonder to yourself. What if they have updated now? I have to hurry and check! Clickclickclick as fast as you can. And then nothing. No update. No update since yesterday. The nerve!

I know I feel like this on some blogs I read daily. I don’t REALLY get upset, but I do anxiously await some bloggers to update. I love to read the new happenings, see the new photos, hear about their learning experience, laugh with them and learn new things from them. Carla told me she also feels this way. The only thing that’s different? She feels this way about MY blog! When she confessed this, I wanted to hug her. I thought I was a weirdo for visiting blogs with huge hopes of an update and leaving mildly offended (not really) and disappointed (really) that nothing new is posted. It’s silly when you think about it, but it’s a simple pleasure. Like the anticipation to have a phone call returned you’ve been waiting on, or when you’re expecting a package or letter in the mail for days and you check, every day, hoping it’s there.

I was so flattered and a little embarrassed to know I had an admirer out there that really loved what I did to the point of anticipating my new posts. I get a lot of personal email and comments on my Facebook when I update, but I suppose since I don’t receive comments on my actual blog posts that often, I assume people are just drifting through. I do see in my stats that I have tons of visitors, even a lot of return visitors, but it’s just nice knowing someone likes and appreciates my hard work and gets excited at the thought of an update about my life or photos I’ve taken recently!

Carla hired me for a boudoir shoot (will post a few on Valentine’s Day) but when we finished up, I wanted to just snap some photos of her around her home. She’s such a funny and beautiful soul and I loved spending time with her and her furry children. She’s a huge animal lover just like I am and had the cutest and sweetest dogs I’ve ever seen. After getting to know her a little better and seeing the passion for animals and beauty in her life, I can say I feel honored that she’s my blog stalker, and a little less alone as I go through my world awaiting new blog updates on a daily basis! Carla – I’m sorry I have disappointed you, and – *cheers* – this post’s to you!

Aren’t I lucky to have such a cute blog stalker?!

I adore everything about this photo.

Work it!

This next one is blurry but there’s just something about it that I adore.

Meet Andie.   She is a foster from the Boston Terrier Rescue of NC (BTRNC), is blind and was not expected to live past last Spring after being diagnosed with cancer – but here she is!

LOVE LOVE LOVE this!

Andie and Leroy. Carla also has a Doberman and although VERY sweet, he was also VERY camera shy.

They love their mama.