Dream Big Workshop Part 2- All In The Details

Wow, it's taken me a while to get back to the recaps from the amazing I Heart Faces Dream Big Workshop in Dallas. I already did a review on the entire workshop and preview the different customized photo shoots we had. In Part 2 it "All In The Details!"

Angie and Amy put together an adorable stylized bithday party for us to shoot. Before the little girls came we had the chance to take pictures of all the little items and details of the party. It's not something I've done before so I found it a bit challenging at first. After a while I started getting into it and I think I got some really nice shots!


Here are my favorites:






The cupcakes!









Invitation, cards and accessories.




Flowers!


The goodie bags.




Tablescape fun!




A beautiful party dress!


The best part is that I've since started paying better attention to all the 'little details' when shooting different events (including my sister-in-laws baby shower and my daughters upcoming 3rd birthday!)

The {T} Family On The Ranch

When Amy asked me to photograph her family of 6, including 4 daughters (yes 4 girls!) I was so happy! I was even more excited when I found out that she wanted to do the session at a friends Oklahoma Ranch! The area was beautiful and it was requested that we stop and take some shots on the amazing road leading to the property.





All six together!




Jon and Amy.


Just the girls: Abby, Anna, Rebecca and Sophie!









There were so many beautiful locations to shoot on this property. I hope I'll be back again soon!

I Heart Faces Challenge: Scenic B & W

The challenge this week at I Heart Faces is "Scenic B & W." Definitely a little different this week, as ususally the challenges are all about faces =) Of course the photo has to have a face in it, but really it's more about the scenery!
I lucked out! I had a family session on Saturday where the photos certainly fit this challenge!



Please enjoy and stop by I Heart Faces for more senic photos!

Finding My Holiday Joy!

I recently signed up for another one of Kelly Willette's Finding The Joy classes. This one is finding your holiday joy! Woo Hoo!



She is posting different "assignments" for each of the 25 days until Christmas in order to inspire us to have a wonderful holiday season and of course, take wonderful photos of the entire process!



I can't wait to share our wonderful holiday images so please check back soon for not only Christmas pics in beautiful but freezing Oklahoma, I also have 5 new posts in the works for recent photo sessions and the 2 amazing workshops I've been able to attend in November!!!

Working Vacation

Hey everyone! I'm still on vacation in Phoenix, having a great time! But of course it isn't all a relaxing vacation....I've done 2 beautiful sessions and on Friday I'll get the chance to attend another photography workshop! (I know....I still have tons of pics to share from Dallas.) But I was finally able to confirm my reservation for the Val Westover "Capturing True Emotion" workshop. Here is some info on it from their website:

Beginners and experienced photographers welcome!

Spend some time with award winning professional photographers Val Westover and Stephanie Adriana and learn how to take control of your camera/photography. This workshop is perfect for those who want to gain a strong understanding of their camera.

This workshop includes:
1. Four intense hours of learning
2. Easy to understand step-by-step instructions
3. Basic photography principles
4. How to use all of settings on your camera
5. How to photograph like a pro
6. Artistic photographic theory

By the time you are finished with our workshop you will amaze everyone with your ability to take breathtaking images and your camera will now be an extension of your artistry!

This workshop will address:
1. Essentials - Preparing for success
2. ISO - Controlling the image sensor
3. Aperture - Controlling light and depth of field
4. Shutter Speed - Controlling light and movement
5. Relationship - Combining Aperture and Shutter Speed
6. Lighting - The creation of a photograph
7. Metering - Measuring light for the correct exposure
8. Composition - Arranging the elements of a photograph
9. Completion - Start photographing like a pro

Each attendee receives:
A four hour workshop teaching you how to use and understand all the settings on your camera with Val Westover's book titled A Photographers Guide to Success: How to shoot like a pro. This is a comprehensive workbook filled with tips and practice exercises.
Then after the 4-hour "classroom" part we have a break and then a 2 hour photo "safari!"
I'm looking forward to it! Lots to post when I get back!

I Heart Faces: Silhouette

The photo challenge this week at I Heart Faces is Silhouette. I just happened to have this photo of my children sitting around on my computer. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it, until today! Hurray!

My children standing in front of our front door....wanting to go outside =)

Thanks for stopping by and check out I Heart Faces for more silhouettes!

The {B} Family

I love this family. Perry is one of the strongest women I know. And seriously, can you have children any more adorable than these three!? We went to the local park and eventhough the weather wasn't the best, we had a great time and got some beautiful photos!





Big Sister Karter.





Big Brother Mac.







The Little Man, Hudson.



1 Redhead, 1 Blonde and 1 Brunette. Does it get any cuter?



What a beautiful family. She's one lucky Mama!


There are several more photos of everyone together, but I don't want to spoil any possible Christmas card pics!

I look forward to photographing them again sometime once Perry's husband gets home from his deployment and we can have the entire family together!

Dream Big Workshop - Part 1

I think I've officially recovered from the amazing I Heart Faces Dream Big Workshop last weekend in Dallas. The workshop was on Friday from 8:30am-7pm! It was a fun and jam-packed day of photography! I have so much to share that I'll be dividing up the workshop into a few different posts.

I was honored to have the opportunity to attend the Advanced photographers workshop with 11 other ladies, 4 of the I Heart Faces contributors (Dana, Michelle, Jessica and Rachel) and of course, Amy and Angie, the co-founders! We had an amazing time and I LOVED getting to meet each and every one of these lovely ladies.

We started off the day with brunch and the wonderful, Rachel Durik teaching us about lighting. We even had the opportunity to play with some off camera, studio lights! It was a lot to take in, but I'll definitely be looking into what will work for me in what I want to accomplish with my photography, personal style and of course, budget! =)

Angie and Amy had some really cute props for us to use while we played with the lights and backdrop. Get your own props and other printables at Amy's shop: Printables by Amy.

Here are some favorites:

Angie and Amy!

A great group of ladies!

Me and Michelle Johnson.

My dreams! (Hopefully, the Air Force will move us to Colorado one day!)

Thanks to Rachel for those images!

We also went outside to work with the lighting. We did a lot of talking about sunflare too!

Amy being our model ;)

Later we had a chance to talk "business" with Angie and Amy. They had some really great ideas and things we all have to think about. That conversation definitely got me and a lot of the ladies thinking and possibly changing things about our business. (Is that a teaser or what!)

Then we were able to have a nice lunch while having our own personal shopping session with Bill & Angela from Arlington Camera! A bought a bunch of goodies including a new camera strap from Mod, a 5-in-1 reflector along with a reflector stand and holding arm. I really wanted a Speedlight and a new camera bag but my budget wouldn't allow it.....yet!

During our lunch & shopping break we also had a nice surprise, a massage!!! Oh, it was much needed!

Someone (Rachel maybe) got a picture of me enjoying the massage ;)

After lunch we Rachel taught us about her work flow in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop CS5. I consider myself quite proficient in PSE, so it was great to see the differences in CS5 and most of all Lightroom! I've used the trial version before and liked it, but wasn't sure exactly what it could do for me. Having Rachel and Jessica Paige there (Um, hello...One Willow Presets!) was great and they have inspired me to go out and get LR3!

After that we headed outside for portfolio building photo shoots!!!!

I have so many pictures from the 3 shoots that I have to divide them up into separate posts. But here is a sneak peek:

All In The Details.

Adorable Stylized Birthday Party.

Gorgeous 'vintage style' Couple.

It was an amazing, tiring and inspirational day. I can't thank Amy, Angie and all the ladies enough for teaching and inspiring me to be the best photographer I can be! I highly recommend everyone to try and attend the Dream Big Workshop next year!

Thanks for stopping by and please come back to see more from the Workshop and my photography adventures!