May 16 2012

Doing what no photographer wants to do.

Get a part-time job.

(Sayyyyy whhhhaaaaaa?)

For most entreprenuers getting out of a job that you’re not passionate about and jumping into a full-time business of your own is the end goal.  A light at the end of the tunnel.  But for someone like me who is new to a location and in essence rebuilding a clientele base I’m realizing it works slightly in reverse.  Something that’s not so easy to come to terms with.  There’s no doubt that for months I have been working hard brainstorming, shooting, and putting into motion a rebrand of my new island self but there comes a time when one has to decide to stop struggling and start doing.  I battled internally with the thought of getting a part-time job on the island because of fear.  Fear of what it may do to potential business and how people may percieve working a part-time job in addition to shooting weddings as “not quite there yet” (HEY!  I beg to differ!). I have been at this point before and had enough business to venture full-time, but I had to accept that I am not in that position anymore.  I’ve picked up and started from scratch.

Now I have to say screw how it may look to some, because in reality it IS what will get me where I want to be.  And right now it’s the only way.  I could sit back and say it’s all good at home while I secretly yearn for a 5DMarkiii and Contax 645 to appear on my doorstep wrapped in a bow,  or I can shake the struggle and make things happen for myself at all costs. Sure I could get a job and not tell anyone about it, pretending to be magically growing my business when really I am busting tail behind the scenes.  I thought about it, but what good would a fake facade do?  Or I could just be open and honest and share this side of running your own business, the not so easy decisions to make but worth it side.  Working on the side will allow me the extra dinero to use for everyday expenses so my income from photography can be invested back into my business.  That’s the only way it will grow quickly.  It will only be part-time, so contrary to my fears it will not take away from scheduled working and shooting times.  And it’s crazy and hard to believe after sitting in an office by myself all day, but there’s like, a workforce out there with people who socialize and put make-up on and go to work!  Did you know that?  Haha.  Having the opportunity to get out and meet people around the island will be an incredible experience for a newbie like me.  Not to mention I may meet some clients, you never know!!  I just met a caterer at the beach the other day!

So I released the fear, created and sent in resumes (a skill? It’s been a long time since I have done one of these. Is “pinning” a skill?), and attended an interview several days ago in which I nervously committed the biggest interview faux paux and admitted a real strength and weakness, not pretend ones!  Oh heavens.  For all that effort I received the news that I was accepted for the job and am now a proud member of the Aloha Beer Company!  YES.  ALOHA and BEER.  Sounds perfect, right?  I am so thankful I could cry!  Not only because I put myself out there but because I let go of the fear and accepted that getting a job was not as scary as working hard and doing what it takes to make my dreams happen.  And this is one of the steps.  Getting out there, meeting people, and making some extra moolah for shiny new lenses I’ve been coveting.  It’s not moving backward, it’s pushing forward and moving my business to a whole new level.  It’s doing what it takes to make it happen, and I am proud of myself for it.  In the end I will respect myself for my passion and determination and will never take my business for granted.

 

This is a great change, and I am excited that it will allow me the opportunity to be more successful at what I love to do:  photographing smiling, happy people!  I’m as tickled pink as Miss Brooklynn  right now!  :)

 

Recently I decided to specialize in weddings and engagement shoots, but when you love a family as much as I love the Weavers and their new addition has cheeks like Brooklynn, it’s just impossible to say no!  Blogging Jill & Josh’s North Carolina session soon!

 

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May 15 2012

Scenes from Celebrations: Emilee & Rich

Don’t underestimate the boy who picked on you in school, he could just turn out to be your husband.    That’s what happened with Emilee and Rich and I have had the honor of documenting their chance reencounter turned happily ever after.

 

In grade school, Emilee tended to her  homework but secretly had a girlie admiration for Rich.  “He used to pull my hair in class!”, she recounted after their engagement in 2011.  In typical boy fashion Rich didn’t let his feelings show and instead retreated to instinct: teasing.  It wasn’t until years later when each was all grown-up that a chance encounter brought them back into the forefront of each other’s lives.  Spending their time divided between the eastern shores of North Carolina and Charlotte, Rich proposed to Emilee years after their first encounter as kids, presenting her with an incredible stack of gold bands, one adorned with a center diamond.

For their wedding on the coast of Topsail Beach, North Carolina the couple invited approximately ninety guests and secured an immaculate three-story beachfront home to host the intimate event.  Friends and family traveled from all over to spend several days ahead of time enjoying each other’s company and basking in the sun.  “I mean, when can you put a group of thirty people together in a house and have everyone have a great time?…They’re perfect, and they’ve got a great group of friends…it says a lot” says Rich’s brother David.

On Saturday, May 5, 2012 Emilee and Rich walked down the beach front dock and as they exchanged vows high-tide cascaded across their bare feet, the perfect romantic addition to their casual yet luxe wedding.  Laid-back bohemiam with an eye for everything glamorous, Emilee created a gorgeous, subtle pallete combining nuetrals with mixed metals and touches of blush and purple.  Lace details adored everything from Emilee’s stunning open back dress to their sweetheart table and  bouquets.  Anemone’s, roses, and Queen Anne’s lace created an open, flowy vibe in the florals as an eclectic mix of table lanterns lit the night .  A necklace with two small gold pendants, an “A” and a “K” were wrapped around Emilee’s bouquet in representation of the couple’s twin sons Avett and Kai.

“I prayed for a pink sky!!” Emilee exclaimed as the sun went down below the lulling ocean, creating warm and brilliant views for guests mingling along the home’s decks, the perfect backdrop for Emilee & Rich’s dream celebration.  Candles lit up the dance floor, a releasing of sky lanterns gleamed against the stars, and a cascade of sparkles danced in the evening as the celebration carried on into the night.

 

Rich & Emilee.  You both leave me speechless.  Seriously.  It has been an absolute honor to be apart of your life’s milestones these past few years, and I take great pride in not calling you past clients but friends.  Seeing how you look at each other makes my heart melt, your evident love and appreciation of each other inspires me!  Not to mention those boys!  You’re both incredible parents with awesome spirit (who still know how to throw a great party!) who are doing a fabulous job of raising those little men.  You almost make me wish I had two boys of my own….almost!  ;)   Your friends and family are so welcoming, they know southern hospitality and a good time and I am grateful for their generosity.  Congratulations!!!!

 

A shout out the The Three Diva’s, Emilee’s coordinators.  They helped put together some fantastic details and are great with rolling with the punches of the day (Thunderstorms!).  A little bit of rain didn’t stop this party!

 

Emilee.  Seriously.  Seriously?  Your style is impeccable.



My what stylish bridesmaids you have!

Lookin’ sharp Rich!!

Stop it you two!  ;)

Big ups to my sister Sarah who spent some quality time with me while I was in town and helped out on this wedding.  She got this shot of the boys which I had to include.  The shaka!!!  BRINGIN’ HAWAII TO THE OUTER BANKS!

Girrrrrrrrllllllsssss.

She got her pink sky!

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May 01 2012

Bucket List: Haiku Stairs

It was 1:40A.M when my alarm clock sounded.  I cut it off and lay in bed, consciously deciding to go back to sleep.  No, I can’t, I’ve been dying to do this.  Who cares how hard-core it’s supposed to be!  You’ve got someone who knows where it is, may as well go!

I packed almonds and a few sheets of tissue into the Camelback weary that was, in fact, “all we would need” and headed out with Marshall and Kevin (our “veteran”) for the trek.  Considering the hike has been closed due to many reasons (people in the neighborhood complaining about the overflow of people and trash coming through, liability issues, and land negotiations), there is a security guard who gets there way before the sun goes up to deter any adventure seekers.  We were determined to beat him (as were several other hikers) and we started the up the pathway to the entrance at 2:40 A.M.  Considering the hike is illegal and after going through the trouble of getting, there no one wants to get caught, so we ventured practically the entirety of the way up the stairs in the dark.  Like, without a flashlight.  IT.  WAS.  CRAZY.  It took this girl forever to get up the stairs because not only were they  vertical the seemingly the whole way (several points where they were like a ladder stuck to the face of the mountain.  I was hanging on for dear life!), but because the stairs were narrow and often times open-faced with no close land beneath them.  Talk about making your knees weak!  Looking back, I am actually thankful I couldn’t see where I was going on the way up because I most likely would have been 150 times more petrified.

When we reached the 4th platform right before finishing off to the summit, we encountered the rest of the groups who had made the  journey huddled together, freezing to death and waiting for the sun to rise to continue (the last trek was SO COLD and wet and crazy windy!).  We waited for about an hour, totally unprepared and shivering but made some new friends in the process.  Finally around 5AM we decided to brave the treacherous winds and scary conditions and just head to the top (you think I’m being dramatic with my explanations, I know you do.  But I swear I’m not.)  Unfortunately we had our heads in the clouds and couldn’t see any views that particular morning from the summit, but were proud we MADE IT TO THE TOP!  The venture down was slippery and scary and had to be done with much caution, but was certainly quicker and a lot prettier once the sun rose.

Here’s one of the most intense days I’ve ever had, hiking in the dark and clinging on for my life, 4,000 stairs up into the Koolau Mountain Range.  Whew!  Shot all on my iphone. NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART.

 

 

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Apr 30 2012

Different Lighting Scenarios: A Visual

When I first started photography I had a general concept of light and could “see” how it effected the things around me, but wasn’t sure how to harness the effects of lighting into my images in camera, or moreso how to control the scenario during a shoot.  It was a while before I connected the dots.  Through lots of trial and error, lessons from professionals, and simply being more aware of my surroundings, I’ve honed my eyes to pick up good lighting and trained myself to be comfortable shooting in any scenario rather than shooting somewhere and then cussing in photoshop when I look at the photos and see under eye shadows later.  After thinking about the idea given in part 1 of the LIGHT video, I’ve realized how important to me it is to be aware of lighting conditions before hand so I can focus moreso on couples and treating them to a fabulous experience rather than adjusting every so often to accommodate and making it seem like it’s all about the location and lighting.

Through doing these 30 Day Vlog Challenge videos, lighting and it’s effects have been more apparent than ever  so I figured what better way to show differences in light than in VIDEO?!!? So here are some real life examples, married couple antics, and lessons learned (I was wearing sunglasses in the bright sun and apparently underestimated my LCD screen.  You can literally HEAR my mistakes as I “click click click” past my correct exposure and blow some frames out).  The LCD is a great learning tool…when you’re paying attention.  ;)

 

I give you a visual in differences in lighting scenarios, starring my husband (not to be confused with “Subject”)  Marshall Woods and his many accents.  He pretennnddsss he wasn’t having fun walking around the neighborhood all evening, but he was.  ;)  I’m sure of it.

He makes me laugh. It’s long, but it’s got some giggles.

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