The Equipment Does Not Make The Artist!

So, I am sitting here getting some work done on a Sunday afternoon while the rest of my household is asleep. I go to check my email and (surprise) there is (another) forward from my Dad. This time, instead of a forward that makes me cry because of some sad, sweet story, or one about all the miracles Jesus performs in every day life (which he does, by the way), it was a forward about crayola. I'd like to share it here:

CHECK THIS OUT! Mr. Crayola and his masterpieces; all done with crayola!

Pretty amazing stuff, huh?

Of course, the first thing I did was relate it to photography. When I first began my business just over a year ago, I was getting great shots with my rebel t1i. Still, I felt like I was a fraud-- ANYONE can get a rebel, take a photo and call themselves a photographer (and they DO!). The difference might have been that I could shoot in manual mode, tell you the importance of 18% grey, know how to get sunflare (and how to avoid it), get dead-on focus nearly every time, etc., etc. Still, I still felt like less of a photographer because of my "consumer level camera."

Several months after the start of my business, I upgraded to the Cadillac of DSLRs. Yeah, I could see a difference in my photos because of some of the features of my newer camera (ability to handle noise at a high ISO being the most notable), but what REALLY made the difference in my photos was the confidence that that camera gave me. I no longer felt like I was "playing" photographer. I WAS a photographer! And it felt GOOD! I really believed that that camera set me apart (and maybe a part of me still does).

But, really, that's ridiculous. What is really most notable is how I spend all my free time buried in educational materials about photography, how every time I leave the house to do a session, I set new goals for myself and challenge myself in new ways artistically. I am most proud of learning how to do it right the FIRST time, IN THE CAMERA (and not having to always fix something in Photoshop). The camera didn't do any of those things; I did. Me, the photographer. The equipment really is only as good as the photographer.

After all, my son owns a box of Crayola crayons, does that mean he's a professional artist?

My Beautiful Nieces!

I just wanted to do a quick post about two of my beautiful nieces. I had the pleasure of taking their photos just last weekend. We had a gorgeous day for mid-November too! The lighting was a bit of a challenge; I timed it too early this time and we had a while to wait before the sun was hidden behind anything (trees, etc.), but still, I got some great family photos for my Sister-in-law and her family (don't want to post too many just in case it gives anything away ;)).

This first photo, is cropped in so tightly compared to the original full body photo. I just had to crop it, the focus was NAILED 100% right to her gorgeous blue eyes!

Holiday Mini Sessions- Complete!

My holiday mini sessions for 2010 are complete! (Note to self: book at least 2 (if not 3) full days of mini sessions next holiday year!). I had a great time with my first mini session experience and am considering doing it again for Mother's Day in 2011.

Thank you to all my clients who took advantage of my mini session special while getting used to studio lights and space (as well as the idea of mini sessions altogether!).

Here's a look at some of my favorite mini session 2010 photos:

A Few From KBP's Winner of 10 Days of Giveaways Mini Session Session!

.... That was a mouthful!

Julie Gordon won our mini session giveaway on Day 10 of the KBP's Kick off to Christmas' 10 Days of Giveaways. I was happy that Julie won because of all the selfless things you can do in this world, Julie is a foster mom... to newborns no less! She was so deserving of this win and I was happy to do it for her and her family.

Julie just happens to be the mother of one of my oldest and best friends. These are a few photos from our session; Julie's granddaughter, T (my friend's daughter) and her adopted son, E.

A Dad and His Sons

I had a really nice session this past Saturday (the day before Halloween!) at a location I have been to, but never shot at in Waltham, MA. The boys played a little basketball (and a little stick ball) and then we went mountain climbing-- literally. It was a lot of fun and it was so cute to see a Dad having so much fun with his sons. Dad wanted some "action shots" and some "smiles" so I hope he's happy with what we got :)