Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
some of my favorite moments of love from the past few months {tampa wedding photographer}
February 14, 2012ridiculous. (tampa senior portrait photographer)
February 14, 2012
yep. i know. she has a ridiculous amount of talent. and….. this wasnt even my favorite shot of the evening. CAN NOT WAIT TO POST. just had to throw this one little teaser up before i head to bed. so many more to share! keeping you all in suspense ’till i’m back from WPPI in Vegas next week 
ps- that dress has feathers on it. love. i think i need a dress made exclusively out of feathers. ok… at least the skirt.
guess what i got to do tonight… (tampa proposal photography)
February 12, 2012
quite possibly one of the most fun and sweetest couples ever. i can not wait to share more of this with you soon! i was so nervous/excited for them that i was shaking harder than when my own husband proposed to me. i get so caught up in the moment!
a side note: sometimes i cant believe how lucky i am to witness the most impactful moments of people’s lives on a regular basis. from births, to weddings, to proposals… those are some pretty momentous events. i get to live everyone’s highest highs for my daily job. it kind of skews reality for me at times… living in this world where everyone is happy all the time… but i LOVE IT! Confession… one time i actually dreamed i was frolicking in a field with puppies and bunnies. mmhmm.
newborn yawns… {tampa newborn photographer}
February 11, 2012
Just a tiny little sneak peek! this little one was a rockstar, so sleepy and wonderful. i cant wait to share more with you!
Tampa Premiere of the Canon Imagin8ion film “When You Find Me” – a Ron Howard production
February 11, 2012I am so excited to invite ALL of you guys to the regional premiere of When You Find Me- the film that was based on our photograph. It premieres at Citrus Stadium Park Mall 20 (7999 Citrus Park Town Center Mall, Tampa, Florida) at 6:30 pm on Thursday February 16th! Here is your official invitation, I’d love to see familiar and new faces there!
if you have been hiding under a rock… let me catch you up.
Last summer i got an email from my sweet nephew, Chet Kruse. he mentioned i should enter my photography in this contest- Canon Project Imagin8ion. Never having entered a contest before, i checked out the rules and regulations and felt confident it wasn’t a popularity contest (vote for me!) but a true and honest collaboration between creatives…. one of those being Ron Howard (director of A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, among others). The project asked photographers from all over the united states to enter photographs that fit into one of 8 themes (Relationship, Mood, Character, Setting, Obstacle, etc) and the winning 8 photographs would go on to inspire the next movie by Ron Howard. Likely, you saw this TV commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-Eesvx8GM0&hd=1
have my photograph be made into a movie? sign me up. I entered this photograph of a woman in labor breathing through a contraction as her husband supports her. I titled it ‘too much’ – an ambiguous title- so that the Canon team could interpret it a multitude of ways and use their creative minds to come up with a storyline based on that event. it is, after all, called project imagination…
and then made it into the semi-finals. and then into the finals. and then Canon called me one morning to congratulate me on being the winning photograph of almost 100,000 entries, and that my photograph would go on to inspire this film.
Needless to say, i was overwhelmed, pulled my car over because i was shaking so hard and crying in disbelief. Ron Howard had seen my photograph. and then….. he had picked it. as.his.favorite. and then he created a little video blog talking about my photograph, why he chose it, and said my name. i was all ‘oh you know. that happens every day. Ron Howard just talking about my work. it really isn’t a big deal…” – ok, that’s a lie. i was floored. i may have peed my pants. just a little. shhh….
it was easily one of the most impactful moments of my entire life, and i am still in a state of disbelief. Lets get real for a minute here… My photograph was probably not ‘THE BEST’ in any of the categories. it wasn’t lit with 20 heafty-duty expensive lights. it wasn’t even edited in photoshop. It was the Raw image, converted to black and white, and submitted. but it was a moment of true emotion, a real moment in the most emotionally charged moments of that mother’s life. It is, in those moments of birth, where a person’s true character shows, and the relationships they have. It spoke to Ron, Bryce, and the Canon crew, and lended a story-telling aspect to the film. you’re left with so many questions- what is going on? is she dying? will she be alright? is she possibly having a baby? where are they exactly? … and i believe it is because of these questions that are left on the table that it was intriguing to them and was used well in the film. photographs that are emotionally charged are the ones that leave the permanent burned image in your mind long after you see it. that is the ultimate goal for any visual artist. They asked us all to talk about our photographs:
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meanwhile, Bryce Dallas Howard was busy directing the motion picture already. they had scripted the whole movie around the 8 winning photographs that fit into each one of those themes (mine won the ‘relationship’ category). They created a trailer which kept everyone anxious to see the film at the world premiere. I still get goosebumps when i watch it…
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they flew us out to New York (my first time!) for the world premiere of the film and after party and we all felt like celebrities between the red carpet event, the media and press, and the VIP treatment. 
And created this AWESOME little video of what the premiere was like!
The film was then screened at Sundance Film Festival, and will have other appearances and (hopefully!) nominations for some pretty awesome awards ceremonies. So now that you’ve had to wait so long, here is your turn, Tampa area friends, to see the film. I’d love it if you could join us this thursday to watch this creative collaboration and hang out with us! We’ll also be having another premiere in Madison Wisconsin for all our northern followers and clients as well, so stay tuned Wisconsin!
thank you so much for everyone that has followed us on this incredible journey, supported us, and rooted for us. I’d love to see you there!
just one… (tampa senior portraits)
February 8, 2012
because i am a cruel cruel person I am only sharing one image of this weekend’s shoot. it is the sneak sneak peek, and i can not wait to share with you all the full post of this amazing dancer! she is seriously so talented and i loved literally everything we came away with.
SO MANY THINGS are happening here, i’ve been MIA on the blog because i have big exciting projects in the works. it’s worth it… trust me
till later!
The most common question i have regarding client’s shoot is “what should i wear?”
and although my first response is always “wear what you feel most comfortable in” there are some added tips that can really make a fabulous shoot, just by making some simple choices in wardrobe.
because my style is a more natural approach and much less posed and staged, i LOVE clothes that you can interact with. this means flowy dresses that you can lift up and twirl around, scarves that you can hold and will blow in the wind- anything that will give your hands ‘purpose’.
limp, dangling arms and hands are a photographer’s worst nightmare- it makes the photograph emotionless, lifeless, boring. we want to always be giving your hands purpose, and it’s so easy to do this if you have a big hat you have to hold on to in the wind, or a dress to pull up as you walk across the beach. if your hands dont have wardrobe to interact with, then sometimes we revert to the standard ‘maternity poses’ which are so overdone, staged, and…. well….. fake.
remember Nicole from the maternity session on the beach? her session was such a success because of the wardrobe (and she was such a beautiful mama to boot!) with the skirt, the bare belly, the scarf, and the oversized hat (go big or go home!) her shoot was natural, relaxed, and authentic:
and dont forget, you dont HAVE to wear flowy dresses. i love big oversized sweaters falling off the shoulder, even the image of lace curtains just wrapped around the bare belly below. and of course, this photographer who wanted to have an unpretentious look into what motherhood is really about. i love LOVE stretch marks, oh man i love them so much- i wish everyone could see the beauty in them that i do. these photos of her body have stayed with me in my heart and i hope always will. we’re not all super models, and there is no less beauty in that.
if you want to find your own flowy dress check out these inspiration photos that i’ve gathered from the blogosphere and pinterest!
photo credit: http://kellyhicksdesign.com/2011/04/hannahs-materity-photos/
photo credit http://kellyhicksdesign.com/2011/04/hannahs-materity-photos/
image credit: elizabeth messina
from Asos.com a little pop of color!
Feminine, Elegant, and Timeless:
seriously loving this little inspiration board i found on polyvore the ruffle details would look amazing in a breeze and the look is classic and timeless and totally flattering for a baby bump.
Neutral Classic:
i love this one from polyvore because it could truly fit any location, urban, field, beach, home… anything
Ethnic Bohemian Beauty:
LOVE this flowy skirt and it’s unique pattern. it might be my favorite. i might even want to get pregnant JUST so i can wear it. with that orange scarf. oh, and the location wouldnt be bad either!
whimsical love:
maybe my favorites thus far…
second up in the Style Guide series is engagement photography! there are some giant myths here, and i can not wait to pop them!
my favorite myth of all: you should match.
oh, please dont. If you don’t normally pick out matching outfits on a daily basis, don’t start with your photo session. I encourage couples to wear clothes that fit their personalities, and that includes clothes with pops of color, patterns, layers… anything goes. The most important thing is to be comfortable in what you wear so you can concentrate on your fiancé, and not your clothes. Check out polyvore.com or pinterest.com for thousands of style ideas.
my second favorite myth: you need to bring props to have a successful shoot. if you feel this way… continue reading
Some Do’s:
- Do stay in the same style group together. If you’re going formal, you both need to be formal and likewise for casual. If you’re going vintage, he should too. Same era, same style
- the attire should match the location. very rarely does a form fitted feminine business suit fit the style of a country road and golden sun filled field. of course, rules are meant to be broken, but only carefully with thought. better to have bohemian in bohemian, and formal with formal. if you’re going for a theme (say, a retro Pan-Am feel at an airstrip with some old Cessnas) your attire needs to not only match the era, but also the location.
- If you want to retain some cohesiveness without being matchy-matchy, set a color pallet and pick clothes from that with different textures and patterns. Textures, patterns, and layers give interest to your shoot just as those same elements give interest in interior design.
- De-stress beforehand, even if that means having a glass of wine.
- Bring two outfits, or more if you’d like for me to help you choose between them. Flowy dresses are always a big bonus- anything that shows movement will translate beautifully to photography.
- Do get hair and makeup professionally done- it makes such a huge difference in how you feel during the shoot and the final product afterward.
- Trust your photographer, and the locations I have scouted. Remember, it’s all about the light, then the connection between you, and very lastly, the location. A boring parking lot can be completely transformed once you step into the best light.
Some Dont’s
- only bring props that you feel are intrinsic to you as a couple and that are interactive. props that are not able to be interacted with (like that statue he gave you for your first anniversary together) may not translate into photography as well as, say, the guitar he serenades you with every night. Or the vintage car he proposed to you in. or the swing where you kissed for the first time. or the quilt his mother made for him, and will cover your bed. You get the idea- but the main objective is to photograph your love, not the items in your life – unless they relate directly to your love.
- Don’t put off shopping until the last minute and wear your clothes for the first time on your shoot. You want to know what you can and can not do in them. If you feel restricted, it might not be the best choice. We’ll be having fun during your engagement shoot, and he might be spinning you around, running through a field, or dancing in the street.
- Your shoes will be shown in photos, so don’t forget about that style! Ladies… we LOVE great heels!
- Sometimes less is more- but that doesn’t necessarily apply to clothing! The less skin exposed the more we focus on your faces and the connection between you two, and the more timeless your photos will be.
- Don’t leave tags on- the less time I spend photoshopping out stray tags, the sooner you will see your images. a photographers worst nightmare is hearing “but you can photoshop that, right?” from their clients.
now for some inspiration!!!
The Romantic Adventurer:
i LOVE this roadtrip theme, and have always wanted to do an engagement shoot with an old convertible, oversized maps, driving up to the beach, dance party on the seats with the stereo playing, bobblehead doll bouncing to the beat on the dashboard, a kiss leaning up against the side of the car along the road…. please someone do this! and pick me! me! im your photographer!
clothes can be found here
The Bohemian Desert Sunset:
clothes can be found here
Parisian innocence:
oh! trench coats! you know i love you. and your little hat too. you can stay, and we will photograph you all thorughout the city. preferably in the rain, under an umbrella. kissing. make my heart melt…
clothes can be found here
The Intimate Couple:
i can just imagine this in a vintage hotel room, smoky light streaming in from the windows. you and your fiance, quiet, the two of you. he with his shirt unbuttoned, you in this vintage slip dress. beautiful and timeless and elegant.
clothes found here
Sun-Kissed:
oh please, pretty please, someone do a session in an orange grove? and wear this jumper. with big sunglasses and buckets full of oranges. and we’ll sit on blankets and eat them and climb in trees to get them. i must do one, i live in florida!!
clothes found here
Into The Field:
If you dont buy those 15 dollar pair of lace shorts, i’m gong to.
clothes found here
All Aboard!
imagine your engagement session on a sailboat, champagne, a little breeze, we dock to have lunch on a picnic blanket on the beach with straws in soda bottles and little mini pies. throw in an oversized beach ball and umbrella, and i call that an engagement session.
clothes found here
Russian Doll:
bold prints and pops of color with accessories can make some of the best accents for photography!
clothes found here
Hippie Chic:
bring your guitar, bring your drums, bring your canvas and your paints, your handmade wildflower wreath. i already love this session, and i havent even photographed it!
clothes found here
Sunrise at the Beach:
can you even imagine owning this dress? i can not imagine a dress that could possibly photograph more beautifully.
ben and kaleigh are engaged! {tampa wedding photographer}
January 10, 2012
i love this couple so much. i just love love love them. we had our engagement session on new years eve, and they were so comfortable with themselves, their relationship and being in front of the camera. The whole time felt like we were just running around and having fun- and we totally were.
and as we walked back to the car through downtown i captured this image using a super secret technique that i’m going to be experimenting a lot with in the next year. i love the low-fi feel, and such a great way to end our New Year’s Eve session. i might share my secret… we will see.
Congrats to Kaleigh and Ben, you guys were so wonderful and easy to photograph and i can not wait to photograph your wedding in Arizona this year!
just you wait….
January 8, 2012
…for the rest of this engagement session. one of my favorites for sure so much to come soon!!!