Archive for the ‘Personal’ Category

Last week, we lost our dearly loved and loyal friend, Scooby.  He has been a great dog and companion for 10+ years and the sudden loss and sadness seemed to spread from human to canine across the farm.  Skittles seems lost and sad – like every time we return home we’ll magically bring Scooby back with us.  She was in clear mourning and it’s not like you can sit a dog down and have a talk with them about death and them fully understand.  Don’t believe I didn’t try.

Scooby “belonged” to my little brother.  He was Cody’s first dog and was beyond loyal and protective from day one.  Cody was also grieving and it was clear the search had to begin to find a new companion.  No dog will ever replace Scooby, but there are thousands out there needing loving and forever homes, and we were looking to give one just that.

Little did we know, we would give TWO just that.  I have always rescued animals – never purchasing from a breeder or pet store.  I’ve never cared much about “pure bred” or blood lines.  Actually, the best dogs we’ve ever had have been mutts – mixes of who knows what.  I did have a few criteria, though.  Because we live on a farm off the road, the dogs have free roam of outside with no scare of them being hit by a car.  However, in recent years, we have noticed a very scary jump in the coyote population.  I knew we needed a dog that was medium to large size to ward off the coyotes and that had long fur to stand the cold winters in North Carolina.  They also had to be great with children and other dogs.  I looked at the local animal shelter’s websites for a few days and didn’t see anything that I felt would be a good fit.  I finally casually listed on facebook that I was searching for a new dog and within a few minutes, I had a response from a childhood friend.  She and her husband have a new baby (well, he’s 1) and along with a new baby and changes in jobs, they were looking to rehome 2 of their dogs.  They are English Springer Spaniels, mother and son.  They preferred to have them stay together and after they answered a few questions about how they are with children and dogs, they brought them to the house to meet Cody and Skittles.

Almost a week later, I think it’s safe to say that Jake and Libby have found their new forever home.  They are the perfect size, their coats are long and thick (naturally, though they are trimmed right now) and they adore everyone!  Though still obviously grieving, Skittles adores them and gives a little more of her attention to them every day.  Cody spends hours after school playing with them outside and they seem to fit in perfectly! The weather is beyond beautiful today, so I took my camera out and shot some photos of them playing and lounging around in the yard.

Meet Jake (front) and Libby (back).

Libby, breathing in the nice autumn air.

This photo makes me laugh.  Jake (head on) has Libby’s bone and she’s not too happy about it and I think he knows he’s caught.

Jake with the bone.

Skittles looking on.

Playing!

Libby.  It’s tough work being a dog.

Handsome Jake.

I love this shot of Skittles.

Pretty girl.

Libby with her toy.

Rolling around in the sunshine.

This shot was a mistake, but it reminds me of my boudoir shots, where I crop off the models face to make it look a little more mysterious.

As I mentioned in my last post, I think it’s incredibly important for artist to take time to themselves and regurgitate the images from their imaginations to reality.  This is a shoot where I did just that last weekend.  With great help from my lovely friends, Kari and Sterling, I was able to bring this vision to life.  I didn’t have all of the details worked out in my mind, but I knew what direction I wanted to go in.  They helped greatly with clothing and props and did a great job giving me the vision I had.

We shot at my house and of course Skittles had to make her cameo.  Good thing she fit right into the theme.

gypsy and fortune teller photo in winston salem, north carolina by photographer stacey lynn photography

gypsy and fortune teller photo in winston salem, north carolina by photographer stacey lynn photography

gypsy and fortune teller photo in winston salem, north carolina by photographer stacey lynn photography

gypsy and fortune teller photo in winston salem, north carolina by photographer stacey lynn photography

gypsy and fortune teller photo in winston salem, north carolina by photographer stacey lynn photography

gypsy and fortune teller photo in winston salem, north carolina by photographer stacey lynn photography

gypsy and fortune teller photo in winston salem, north carolina by photographer stacey lynn photography

gypsy and fortune teller photo in winston salem, north carolina by photographer stacey lynn photography

gypsy and fortune teller photo in winston salem, north carolina by photographer stacey lynn photography

gypsy and fortune teller photo in winston salem, north carolina by photographer stacey lynn photography

gypsy and fortune teller photo in winston salem, north carolina by photographer stacey lynn photography

gypsy and fortune teller photo in winston salem, north carolina by photographer stacey lynn photography

gypsy and fortune teller photo in winston salem, north carolina by photographer stacey lynn photography

gypsy and fortune teller photo in winston salem, north carolina by photographer stacey lynn photography

gypsy and fortune teller photo in winston salem, north carolina by photographer stacey lynn photography

gypsy and fortune teller photo in winston salem, north carolina by photographer stacey lynn photography

gypsy and fortune teller photo in winston salem, north carolina by photographer stacey lynn photography

This weekend is a busy one for me in the office.  Sorting, filing, crunching numbers, updating my portfolio, and shoot tomorrow evening.  I just wanted to pop in to say Happy Saturday and remind you to do something kind for someone this weekend.  You never know the battles those around you are fighting and it only takes a moment to make someone’s day.

This is a shot from my session with the Stone Family. It’s so happy and light and makes me smile, and hopefully will do the same for you.

Ashley Stone, Winston Salem Lifestyle Photographer

I’m sitting here this morning, up early on a Saturday, drinking my coffee and eating a Moravian Sugar Cake.  This cake should be be sitting on my table this morning.  For one thing, I haven’t made it to the gym once this past week.  Also because it was meant to travel with me today.  Travel a few hours away, to shoot a personal project with two other amazing and inspiring ladies who enjoy photography as much as I do.  But today?  Today was postponed, due to weather.

I think it’s safe to say that it’s known that I am a natural light photographer.  Basically, this means I do not shoot with flash or artificial lighting (unless the situation calls for it and I have NO other options – I’m not dumb about it).  Sometimes, this can be an issue if I have a photo shoot scheduled.  If it is a client shoot, I work around it, figure something else out (shooting in a room with a lot of natural light flowing in, or under shelter).  Since today was supposed to be a personal project, not only including 2 other people, but also horses and wedding gowns, we decided rescheduling would be best.

I was pretty disappointed, since I don’t get to do personal projects often and I am finally meeting photographers that are willing to be allies, not competition.  Women that are business oriented, take their job seriously and have a passion for learning and teaching.  This trip has been a few months in the making, and while it’s pretty low key, we are all investing our time and money and since we are all natural light shooters, weather plays a huge factor in our plans.  I am excited that everyone involved is still willing and just as excited to reschedule as I am, but I couldn’t help but feel a little let down.

But as I sit here this morning, eating this cake I shouldn’t be eating, in my house that I should have already left, I remember.  I remember that today?  Today is September 11th.  Today is a day which should not be taken for granted, looked over because of weather, or mourned upon because of failed plans.  Today, I am grateful to be here, to be alive to make plans and have them fall through and to know that I am able to reschedule time with my friends.  Today – I remember that I am alive, and I am reminded to be thankful for that.

As I look over at my inspiration board, sigh, and take another sip of coffee, the clouds are forming outside.  While it hasn’t begun to rain yet, I am now ready to accept it without anger.  Without sadness or frustration.  Today, I remember, and I am thankful for the rain.  I am thankful to be here another day, safe, and remembering all of those that aren’t – because of this tragic day in 2001.

September 11, natural light photography, winston salem photography, natural light photographer

September 11, natural light photography, winston salem photography, natural light photographer

I have been asked lately about what type of camera bag I use and what equipment I take to shoots.  I figured the best way to demonstrate this is with pictures and a short description!

I own a camera bag by Jo Totes.  I cannot express enough how much I love my camera bag!  I was looking for something sleek and professional, yet still pretty and with enough room to carry what I needed.  The fact that you can’t exactly tell this is a camera bag is a huge plus for me, especially since I shoot on location with plenty of people around.  This bag is faux leather and even though the texture looks rough, it’s not at all.  I blame lighting and sharpening. :)   The inside is a fun pattern with plenty of removable padding which you can place where you need it to go.  They now have new colors and styles, so I may have to snag me another one, soon.  Besides, you can’t beat the price!

Inside of my camera bag, there is enough room to hold the following.  This is also a lineup of what I take to every shoot:

  • 2 camera bodies.  Nikon D300′s in my case
  • 2-3 lenses
  • Wallet
  • Keys (yes, that’s pepper spray on my key-chain.  You can never be too safe).
  • Small bag with extra cards, batteries and business cards
  • Gum.  Admit it – who wants to get close to fix a stray hair or turned necklace on a client and have them smell what you ate for lunch?
  • Phone
  • Chapstick.  Can’t leave home without it.

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Nicely fit with room to spare.

jo totes camera bag, feminine camera bag, cute camera bag, unique camera bag, what to carry to a photoshoot

On top of making incredible camera bags, Jo Totes also has a super cute logo!

jo totes camera bag, feminine camera bag, cute camera bag, unique camera bag, what to carry to a photoshoot

I always carry a backup battery and extra cards with me.  I shoot with smaller cards (4 to 8 gig) because you never know when you’ll have a failure and while there is recovery software, it is better to lose a hundred or so pictures versus a thousand.   I also keep business cards on me at all times!

jo totes camera bag, feminine camera bag, cute camera bag, unique camera bag, what to carry to a photoshoot