Having your picture taken doesn't have to be painful...

Wasn't it W.C.Fields who said, "Never work with animals or children."? What was he thinking they can be the most fun! (insert frustrating, exacerbating, impossible as it applies) I try to get the job done of taking your picture as painlessly as possible. Present your ideas and plans at the beginning of the shoot and I will work them into the natural flow of the process. If you tack them on at the end, you usually have at least one member of your party that wants to bolt two or three smiles ago. How do you end the process as quickly as possible? Focus, focus, focus, pun intended. Pay attention to your photographer and look where you are supposed too, usually my Right ear.

So many things to be thankful for.....

I was faced with a hard decision that prevented me from blogging. Take pictures or blog pictures. Well I took pictures, lots and lots of pictures and eventually they will be highlighted here. This fun family is a repeat from last year. And that is the best accolade that I ever receive. If you don't like my picture taking you are not obligated in any way to pursue more of my picture taking. But if you do like it you tell all of your friends and you call frequently to update your own pictures. Some of you either have alot of friends or you like to talk alot because I have been very busy. Thank you so much.

Better than traditional school pictures, don't you think?

I just really love shooting people. I love to capture an elusive grin and sparkle in the eye. Not every day is a good day for the photographer or the person she is photographing but magic can happen when you get up, dress up and show up. We can be our own worst enemies, stealing away special opportunites because we just don't wanna. So if you need to get past the hard stuff, imagine "In five years, will this matter?" Usually the answer is no, so laugh at yourself and keep on moving. Besides growing old beats the alternative. (Dying young).

Advice for seniors....

Seniors remind me of the genie from Aladdin. They are a study in contrasts, the genie had ultimate power and a little tiny living space. Seniors earn for ultimate freedom from rules and chores and expectations and they are bound to get it. With ultimate freedom comes responsibility for self, college, car payments, food, rent. It just underscores the fact that freedom is never free. To seniors everywhere may I suggest that you never be afraid to try something new. Amateurs built the Ark, professionals build the Titanic. Go figure. I want to ride on the one that floats.

What happens when you add trains to boys....

This family opted for a more urban look for their family pictures. It was a nice blend of semi-formal (notice the ties) with the casual spirit of the family. My biggest challenge was getting them to hold still. The boys were in perpetual motion. If you are looking for a unique blend of brickwork and train engines then check out Union Station in Ogden. It makes great backgrounds.

Are boys and girls different?..to shoot?

Eureka! I've discovered the absolute true difference between boys and girls. A girl will prepare to have her picture taken, she will select an "outfit", get her hair done, make sure her make-up is in place and that her jewelry matches. A boy will show up and wonder, "how long is this going to take?" A girl will pose and primp and ask, "can we try a picture over here? and here? and there?" A boy will say, "you already have a picture of me, are my eyes open? Then were good to go." A girl has an idea of what she wants her picture to "say". A boy prefers that his picture is silent and just hangs on the wall. A girl will relax in front of the camera and take posing suggestions. A boy will pose only if it gets him closer to the get away car. I've also discovered why girls take better pictures than boys...because they want to!

To Photoshop or not to Photoshop...did Shakespeare have to be concerned with this?

Truthfully, I do "tweak" the images a little bit. I'll remove a hair, maybe brighten some teeth, exchange eyes that are opened for eyes that are closed. But editing has it's limitations. If you forget to take your glasses off then your picture will have glasses on. Can photoshop edit them out, yes with considerable time and effort, way more than you taking the time to take them off in the first place. Photoshop comes in very handy though when you have several similiar images and you just want everyone looking at the camera in "one". Heads shot in the same lighting become very adjustable. I love sibling group shots because you can "prove" they liked each other "once upon a time". Love is a living thing, share it so it can grow.

Age is just the number of candles on your birthday cake!

This is Phoebe Fournier, she is an independent consultant and national vice president for Arbonne and this is the fun we had when "Bear" joined us during her photo shoot. Phoebe got more than just "head shots" and we had a great time. I'm a fan of the FC5 hydrating cleanser + freshener. I like it because it smells great, does the job and I don't have to use a second toner. Does that make me economical with my time or lazy? Who knows? Phoebe would love to help you select a skin care product or ten as well. You can contact her at 801-782-5222. Don't let life's moments pass you by, make a memory today!

Why don't all photographers release the copyright?

I'm often asked why other photographers do not release the copyright. I can't answer for all of them, but there is a huge mark up in prints. I don't enjoy making prints, I enjoy taking the pictures. But on the other hand, I am not everyone's photographer, I'm the "do-it-yourself" photographer. If you won't follow through and make your own prints, then all you have is a CD. We all like things we can touch and feel and pass around. You spend alot of time, picking out the outfits, and getting the hair cut and combed so make sure you make a print and share it too. I mean you must have a grandmother somewhere with an empty fridge, so send her your smile.

"E" is for energy!!!

Have you ever wondered why photographers use great big flash units and even bigger lenses? It's because little girls can move very very fast! Big lenses and flash units allow you to freeze motion, most of the time. Even with the best equipment in the world, sometimes the littlest photo subjects can still create a blur. This darling 2+ year old gave me a run for my money, but she sure is cute, don't you think?

Hug a hero today!

My former neighbors asked me to photograph their family before they left on their new military assignment. This is a brief representation of what you can expect from a family portrait session. All the children will be posed individually, sometimes with a favorite prop, notice the cowboy hat. Mom and Dad get their moments in front of the camera as well as whole family poses. I'm open to suggestions and want to capture the pose that you want. While the father in this family would be embarrassed to know he is a hero to many of the young men in my neighborhood. He has served his country in Afghanistan 2 or more times. Just a brief reminder that the freedom we enjoy is not free. So find your own personal hero and give him or her a hug today.

Back to school Portrait Special

What do all these children have in common? They all posed for "school pictures". "School pictures" record a memory of how your child looked in any given year. The school offers this to school age children in the fall and sometimes again in the spring. They are conveniant, you send your child to school (hoping their hair will still be combed after recess) where they are photographed "herd style" one after another, one shot only. Hope you like it. Then you have to purchase a "package". There is a fail safe if you don't like their picture. It's called "retakes". The pictures are again taken "herd style" and you get one more shot at having a great picture to remember this school year by. This may work for many of you, and I'm thrilled for you if it does. If, however, on the other hand you or your child grimace at the thought of "school pictures" the traditional way, allow me to offer an alternative. All children age 0-18 years are welcome to participate. On Saturday September 26, 2009 I will be photographing children at Lomond View Nursery (304 W. Pleasant View Dr.) from 9 am- noon. The first child in any given family will cost $30, and each additional sibling will cost only $10 more. (All family photographs will be on one CD.) Each child may have up to one clothing change if desired. You will have more than one option/pose of each of your children and I will even photograph them as a group if you desire. You then take your CD to any printer you desire and create your very own "package" with prints in the number and sizes that you choose. So if you are tired of the "one size must fit all" provided by your school, call this number #801-737-1303 and asked to be scheduled for the portrait special. Want to participate but Saturday Sept. 26th doesn't work for you? You may choose to book a family session where I will also take individuals of each of your children or hook up with a couple of neighbors that also have children needing their school picture taken and we will set up a private appt. that is more conveniant for you. Call #801-737-1303, ask for Lisa and I will be happy to answer your questions.

Location! Location! Location! Lomond View Gardens

These amazing gardens were created to make the perfect backdrop to any wedding/wedding reception. You can find out more about them at www.Lomondview.com/gardens. And if you are planning on hosting a wedding or reception you can contact Kristi @ 801-458-4327 for more pictures and more details. I'm not planning a wedding for Saturday September 26 but I am taking "back to school" pictures that morning. If you are happy with the school's offering of one pose that you must pick whether you love it or not, then this event is not for you. However, if you would like your children photographed with this perfect background, then check back soon for more details.

A great yard makes taking pictures easy!

These are some of my favorite photography subjects. They have supported my business from the very beginning. The best compliment any photographer can get is either repeat business or a referral. This is a secret location photographed only by me. It really is a private backyard. It's a work of art all by itself without adding subjects to be photographed. Thanks Anita and Keith, oops! now it may not be as secret as I thought!

We've survived another summer! Yeah!

Summer seems to last just long enough to want to do this to your children. It's not that you don't love them, it's just that choking them seems so much more fun. I always tease my children that I run naked through the house on the first day of school because I can. It's the same theory of... "if a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?" That's right I'm not confessing just how naked I may or may not be on the first day of school. Good-luck to all you school going children and all you nearly stripped down moms at home enjoying the first day of the new school year.

Finally, a "new" business card.

I finally created a new business card. It highlights some of my favorite photo shoots. Although, I've been known to create a great landscape, my first love is "shooting" people. I plan to update my blog header soon as well to make it easier for the whole 4 people that follow my blog to contact me. Until then, give someone you love a hug. And remember they may not "know" that that you love them, so tell them, then tell them again.

Pilates, reformers, cadillac, powerplate...oh my!

Ready for a fitness challenge that promises to make you feel stronger, happier and more in tune with your body after each session? Then check out my friends at Pilates Body @2120 No. Washington Blvd. Morning and evening classes are available, just call or text Kristie @ 801-628-7382 for a session appt. Each trainer at Pilates Body prides herself in being tougher than the last. It was great fun having absolute control with the camera and making them hold a pose. I might have had them hold it a little longer than necessary because I could. (insert evil laugh here) It really is a great work out. Good health is NOT a luxury it's an absolute necessity.

When should you take senior pictures?

It's never too early to pose for your senior portrait. I encourage seniors to make an appointment in the fall. Spring is usually very wet and very busy and believe me by then you don't care if your picture gets taken as long as they let you graduate. If you like to snowboard or ski or some other winter sport, taking your pictures in the amazing "powder" of Utah is not a bad thing either.