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.

I don’t even know where to begin with this post.  I have been putting it off for a couple of weeks now just for that reason.

There are people you meet in your life that you just KNOW will make a difference.  Rather it’s short term or long term, it doesn’t really matter at the time.  There are people that put off an energy of sincere concern and desire to learn about you.  To get to know you and that really care about you as a person and a human being.  They look around and open their arms to all walks of life, even those that are nothing like them, and offer them a chance.  A ear to listen, a shoulder to lean on, and they open their home.  A home that is a personal living space, their comfort and solace – they open that to a complete stranger.  Chevara is one of those people.

A couple of months ago, I was looking for a venue for which to shoot a bridal shoot.  The weather was calling for rain and then it quickly switched to snow.  I called location after location down town Winston and was turned away or calls were not returned.  Then, 2 days before my shoot, I received a call from Chevara.  She lives in the Leaf Loft Apartments in down town Winston and was wanting me to come visit to see if her home would work for my shoot.  I took her up on her offer, met her that afternoon, and was blown away by not only her beautiful home (which was perfect!), but her energy and warmth.  She welcomed me with a huge, tight hug and a smile that lit up the room.  She was full of energy, asked lots of questions about my photography and told me her house was open for me to shoot in any time I would like.

Later that night, I Googled Chevara, just out of curiosity.  What I read on various websites blew me away and gave me so much encouragement and inspiration. She has her own art gallery called White Space, and began the first transgender panel at Winston-Salem State University, helped found their first gay-straight alliance for students, as well as fights for women’s rights.  She is a member on the boards for the Winston-Salem Symphony, Partnership for a Drug-Free NC, Twin City Stage, Citizen Police Review Board, and RiverRun International Film Festival.  I am sure I have not listed a handful of other things she takes part in, but I think you get a small glimpse at the amazing woman I had the pleasure to meet and work with.  As quoted from another site (because I couldn’t say it better myself), Chevara is “5-foot powerhouse in 4 inch heels.”

Since Chevara was so kind and willing to open her home to me, I wanted to give her a shoot of her own to thank her for her kindness.  These are just a few of my favorites from our day together.  Chevara, thank you for everything, from the bottom of my heart.  You are a ray of sunshine in my life and I think of you often.  You give me hope, encouragement and inspiration and believed in me from the moment you met me.  I cannot wait to see how we can help each other out along our paths in life.

Chevara mentioned that she loved the photos I did of Sterling with her name, Crawly.  Sterling was kind enough to bring him to Chevara’s shoot for us to use!

This is the smile I have seen every time I’ve been around Chevara.  It’s intoxicating.

Yummy light!