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I kinda know a little about this time of year. I am a licensed Real Estate Salesperson in the state of Missouri, and I know that great images sell homes fast. The housing market is about to go into it's peak season of the year, and what better way to market your home beautifully than to hit those ads with amazing images.
But whatever you do, if you simply must take the pictures yourself - PLEASE CLOSE THE TOILET LID. :)
I can go to your listing anywhere in the Springfield and surrounding areas and take photos of the home, highlighting its strengths, yet showing it accurately. Please contact me (email is best) for prices and options.

All my secrets, REVEALED. Not really.

WINTER SESSION PHOTO TIPS

Winter photo sessions can be fun! However, here in the Ozarks, the colors in Jan, Feb, and March can be quite drab. Beautiful, snowy days are a bit rare (unfortunately), so what we usually have is cold, wind, and sometimes... dare I say it... ICE.
But I have found, that sometimes those gorgeous Fall colors, or even the Spring gardens can actually take away from your main subject. I have taken family portraits, seen them above a mantel, and heard people say, "what a beautiful place!" Thank you, but that's not what I was going for...

So you want to take a great picture, but it is the dead of winter. What, really, can we do with all those drab colors? In the spirit of simplicity, here are a few bullet points on how to take amazing winter pictures!

A) Window light is KING. Turn off your in-camera flash!! There is nothing better than natural light. It's absolutely wonderful, and by far the most flattering on people's skin tones.

B) CLOUDS are your FRIENDS. Pray for warm days with mostly cloudy skies. Don't think that because it's overcast, forget going outside! Clouds are like a huge studio soft box that filters light evenly and makes for amazing details!

C) BLACK and WHITE covers a multitude of sins... most people think this is a no brainer, but I'm finding that there is a little more to it, to get it just right. Look for good contrast in brights and darks. Use a simple editing program (FREE ones are even pretty good), and take out the color. Don't just hit "change to black and white," though. Try desaturating the color, throw in a little warmth, brighten it up, and increase the contrast. There. Done. You can have that edgy, studio look almost instantly.

D) TEXTURE, TEXTURE, TEXTURE! Look for rocks, wood, rust, knubby fabrics, anything that can offer a bit of texture where otherwise there is little color. This is especially important if you want to use the black and white approach.

Don't wait around for the Spring blooms, thaw yourself out and try something new. Play with your camera and experiment with its settings. You may just find out that you love the results, and (oh no, what have I done?!?) you may not need to hire me to do this for you.

Of course, if you need me... my contact information is all over this website!

It's all about the SHOES

Lately, I've been noticing shoes. This could be due to the coming change of seasons, when I start to think through what horrid capri's and dress barn casuals are in my closet (not that there's anything wrong with dress barn!). But I'm gonna be real honest with you, I'm tired of flats. I've worn flats all my life, only breaking out of the rut about once every 5 years to throw on a pair of toe crunching, arch ripping heels. It's just that if I do, I would be a towering 6'1" or even 6'2" wearing a pair of Christian Louboutin's with the signature red sole.
*sigh*
For those of you who wish they were tall... it really is kinda nice. I can reach for the peanut butter on the top shelf and inadvertently find a stash of someone's chocolate. So, it does have it's benefits.
But, shoes. Oh, those shoes... I've decided to go try on a few new pair tonight. I'll let you know if you should find another hiding spot for your chocolate.

(By the way, these shoes are not my shoes... They were kicked off by a sweet young Mom during her photo session...They just got me to thinking.:))

Winter in the Water

With all this cold around here, the last thing most people think about is having a little fun in the pool. Well, these girls have spent most of their winter with their face in the water. Pushing each other in when it's just too cold, countless miles of lap after lap, mile after mile of driving to the pool, trading swim meets for time hanging out with their friends, pasta parties, etc... It's all just a glimpse of this brand new Logan-Rogersville Swim program. And it's quite a story. Just one year ago, we didn't even know if there would be an organized team. Last weekend, they took to the starting blocks at the STATE High School Swim meet in St.Peter's, MO! TWO of our swimmer's qualified in individual events, and the relay team qualified in 2 relay's! Not bad for the first year of even having a team. I could go on and on - I am a proud parent, ya know. (My girl was on the relay team) However, I cannot close without a huge, gigantic SHOUT OUT to all of our supporters. This community came together and raised over $30,000 in 5 short months to make this happen!!! With all the budget cuts, there was no way for our school system to fund a new swim team. Hopefully, in the future, the success of the teams will encourage school funding for swimming to be permanent, and this opportunity can be there for all the little girls and boys just now learning to put their face in the water.

NOW ABOUT THESE PICS:

I had to beg, plead, and offer my right arm to go through approval of getting a media pass for MSHSAA winter sports. This allowed me to be right down with the action, on deck to capture all the Springfield and area swim teams. Me being a parent was an automatic kickout. However, I took all these images for a publication called OZARK PREPS ILLUSTRATED. That made it legit for me to be down there, and after the "you are MEDIA not a PARENT" speech from the coordinator, I got my pink tag! YEAH! Sports photography is always such a rush for me! And no, I did not jump up and down when my own daughter dove in the pool. The KC Star, and St. Louis Post Dispatch personnel would've looked at me funny.

THE LENS. WOW> THAT LENS WAS AWESOME. I used a Canon EF L 70-200 f/2.8 zoom lens which weighed more than my car. I think it's totally worth it!

TWINS!

Awww, the yumminess of a little baby - only DOUBLED! This session went very well, with the lttle girl, Hattie, sound asleep and little Walter wide awake the entire time. Hey, I was just thrilled he was happy! Full tummies just do that.

Thanks to my helpers... Ally, big brother, grandma, Aunt Shannon... Everyone just jumped in and did a little something to make this happen! THANKS GUYS!

Winter Hike

I have so many, many pics of this snow - and frankly, I think we are all a little tired of them. But it won't be long till the big MELT and it will all be MUD. I say, let's enjoy it while it's so pretty and worry about our nasty cars later.
So last Saturday, I woke up and immediately headed outside with my incredible husband! I love that we both love to do things like this together. We headed out the back door, checked on the horses watering source, and went to our neighbor's house. Armed with the highest snowboots, 2 cameras, extra lenses for fun, a dry towel, and chapstick - we headed off! And let me tell you, it was a work out!!
Enjoy these shots, I know I sure enjoyed the process of going to find them!

At the Piano

This was what I was born to do. Music, play it, sing it, write it, share it...

If you know me, you know there's always that tune in my head, kinda annoying, really. And a bit distracting, especially if I'm trying to do normal things, like give directions to my house or tell a joke.

So I made a goal to enter a photo contest once a month. This month's challenge was "self portrait." I think every contest out there begins January with a self portrait theme. But honestly, I kinda struggled with this. For one, the time got away from me. No problem, I'm good at procrastinating, and can pressure it right in tonight. Before the snowmageddon11 hits. Before I lose power out here in the sticks. But also, I just seemed to do all these overly posed sets. Yuk. No one really likes a shot of themselves, but especially not one that's slightly blurry and dorky. So, here is my feeble attempt at being creative... while I create. Music, that is. I combined the first thing I ever really loved to do, with my second favorite thing to do (don't worry - FAMILY is still my first love and highest priority!). Hopefully, it's a good rendering. Cause now there's a new song stuck in my head.

Funny Christmas

All these years, I've been the one to set the tripod, hit the shutter delay and run get into position. Actually, I think Joe has secretly also wanted this task, but I have overcome. And as always, it takes a few tries to get it "right." This year, well, this shot is my absolute FAV...
(This is our annual "Birthday Party for Jesus" - I think HE was enjoying it, too!)

Time to Share

I love, love, love to take photos.


of everything.

Especially my kids.

But there are sooo many random pics I've hidden from you, my readership, my followers who I know are there but choose to remain comment-free, hidden. That's ok, really. I'm not in big need of affirmation.

I'm currently in the catch up phase with all the Fall 2010 orders for Senior photobooks, so I thought I'd keep you entertained with a few posts of pics taken, but left unseen by anyone but me and MAC.

So check back here for some more image uploads...


baby eyelashes

my dog(s)

a pier

sunsets
great accomplishments


ice crystals on a branch in the dead of winter...


So it's time to share-
a few faces


some familiar



some not.



Enjoy.

Goals are Good

Yes, I make New Year's resolutions. But, this year I'm calling them goals. My flute professor from MSU, the amazing Dr. Prather, firmly believed in goal setting for life. She sat us down during one rehearsal one day and taught us this planning method. We had to write down our goals for the current week, semester, year, 5 years, and 10 years. I'm sorry to say that I have not always done this. I don't think I got much past my goal of "get an A in conducting." Which I did, by the way.

As of late, I have been recalling her words and finally putting pen to actual paper. NO. I will NOT post them here... I'm not an idiot. Several years ago, I announced that I was starting training for a marathon and got severely laughed at! Truth is, that person knew me to a "T." I always have big ideas, and even great ones, at that. It's the follow through that I have trouble with. There is ONE goal that I will share with you here, well, 2 actually... I will BLOG ONCE A WEEK for 2011.

Alert the media, I know. And I'm not one of those "photo a day" people. Really, I just can't commit to such a lofty endeavor. Not yet, that is. The other goal: I will ENTER a PHOTO CONTEST ONCE A MONTH, complete with specific assignments. This months theme is "Self Portrait." Aw geez. I guess it's time to get creative with that.

So thank you, Dr. Prather, for your inspiration many years ago (obviously!) I definitely learned more than Handel's Sonatas from you.

Viebrock!

Here's a little sneak preview of a family session with some old/new friends! That makes the second highschool friend reconnection for me this year... and they are my neighbors! I had to drive to Bartlesville for the first reconnection! And by the way, OLD FRIENDSHIPS made my gratefulness list this year. There's nothing like laughing about ridiculous stuff you did when you were 13.
Back to the photos - due to the really chili morning, we pushed back this session until about 10am. That's a little late for getting that nice glowy soft morning light, so we headed for the trees. It is so hard to find a spot where it's solid shade, but I think we did pretty well, regardless. They were such troopers and even hiked across the field to get to the other side of the pond. Let me just say, it was well worth the weeds in your shoes.:)
This is such a great family, and I can't wait to get to know them even better. Thanks for letting me take your family pics this year!!

Dipper Family Picture Time!

I just love this family! The cutest kids, the most incredible parents! The more I get to know them, the more I enjoy and admire them. Here are a couple of my favorite shots of the whole family-

Hopefully, I'm gonna try to post some shots of the kids next!

Enjoy!!

Willow

Ok, I know I've said this before, but I think I've found my new favorite thing! NEWBORN baby sessions! Let me just gush for awhile... this little jewel is Willow. A beautiful name for a beautiful little girl! She was exactly 2 weeks old when I shot these images, good and sleepy, a full tummy, all nice and warm. Willow, that is. Not me. There was the issue of that delicate little broken collar bone, and staying wide awake for awhile, but you would never know it by looking at these images. Congratulations to James and Tiffany! You are immensely blessed.

As for the technicalities of the session - read on...

I shot this session with my 50mm lens, 1.4 wide open in the natural light of her own baby room. I lugged in an enormous bean bag, soft black fleece, a reflector, and the sheepskin rug. Seriously, though, the bean bag hardly fits in my little red car! The one thing I love about the newborn session, is that you have to plan, and wait, and be patient, and know how to handle a little one with confidence and care. Also, I took very few frames compared to a family session. I wait, pose, adjust, pat her bottom a little to calm her, and finally snap the picture. MMmmmm. My kind of fun.

Trevor!

"Livin the John Deere Dream..."
That's what his mom said when we shot this image! :)

And by the way, I have the world's BEST neighbor's! Not only do I get to use their pretty fields, pond, and barn for this photo shoot, but when I casually mentioned wanting a shot by the John Deere, he simply smiled and asked, "well, where would you like it?" He hopped on that tractor, drove it out to the middle of one of his fields, parked it, and watched with pride as I finished out this senior photo session.
Seeing this tractor and remembering his eagerness to help leads me to something totally non-photo related. You see, this is the same tractor - actually, it's beloved owner, Ray - that recently helped Greg out by lifting a massive cow to her feet after a tough delivery. (The cow gave us a fine little bull, but she never recovered) Our neighbor, Ray, has helped us with fences, mowing, emergency plumbing issues, and even picked up my daughter from school one time when I just couldn't get there! He has hiked with us, fished with my son, and his wife, Jo, makes the worlds BEST cherry pie. The world needs more people like our neighbors. We are privileged to live down the lane...

So, the tractor, an old truck, and the barn just made this photo session. The style was so fitting for Trevor and made him feel totally at ease! For time sake I'll just show ya one of my favorite shots...

It's been hard to blog lately. The leaves are starting to fall to the ground now, and these beautiful colors are sadly leaving us. But, it's made for some wonderful photos and I can't wait to share a few more of them here.
More to come!! Keep checking back!

Best Post EVER

I can't tell you when the last time I had a session with my own kids! I always think that because I don't have to make an appointment with myself, then I can just do it anytime. Wrong. I finally had to "make an appointment" with myself and stick to it. That's not easy with kids' schedules these days!
AND... my own family was harder to do than any client I've had so far! They didn't exactly take it so seriously in the getting ready part, in the urgency to work with the light, in the don't make stupid faces at the photographer - Oh! That is soooo going to be my next post!!
Well, I do love these shots - I love the light, the color, the casual, the glimmer, the wind...I love everything about em! My kids. My JOY.

Change is Good

It's Fall and the leaves are about to change, and so are a few other things...

It's time to go BIG. Big, meaning the best of quality, service, and unique products to offer. If you have pictures online in my Proofing Gallery, you have UNTIL THE END OF THIS MONTH to view and order straight from that gallery. This is a great service that I have provided, and I have been happy with that gallery host, but in order to streamline the ordering process and my desire to offer the best product on the market, I have decided to switch to a different gallery host. I can now offer package deals, gallery wraps, proof books, albums, and "press books," all with countless options.


This basically means that anything I do that's new will be accessed through a different link. I will not put that link on my website until NOV 1st. If you are needing to view brand new pics, I will email the link to you. OR Facebook, or whatever...

IF you have images through my "old" gallery, they will be available until Oct. 31st. If your event or photo session was within the last 3 months, I will should be able to move those images to my new gallery for a time period.

Here is the link to my new online proofing gallery:

www.SeeMyPrints.com



My personal thoughts about this - the new gallery is not as "flashy," just to warn you. I cannot attach music to it at this time. Bummer, I know. I also cannot make the images look better with neat backgrounds for each page. You think that means nothing, I know. But it does affect the presentation. I have been weighing what to do for some time, and have decided that if I have to sacrifice the flashy site for a better product that gets in your hands and hangs on your walls, then I'm doing it. There.

Growth means change sometimes. This is a hard step for me to take because I really liked all those bells and whistles. I just know it'll be worth it, though! And by the way, THERE WILL BE NO PRICE INCREASE UNTIL JANUARY 1, 2011. I don't think I have to raise the print prices much at all, but consider yourself warned! :) Just know that I am committed to creating the best possible images and the best possible price, and I will work until you are satisfied. That part won't be changing - it's just who I am.

Keep watching this blog for sneak previews of my photo sessions!

Innocent Bystander

Ok, I literally took 5 images of this guy, and here is what came out! We were in the middle of a photo session of my own kids, and there just happened to be a couple of friends heckling from the sidelines. My own 3 kids (pics to come) got sick of it, as usual, but I was crazy about this beautiful light and the sky and the water that I just wasn't done snapping. I told him to pose as if he was in a JC Penney catalog - and he did! Ha. THANKS TANNER!

Mercy!

Have you ever been to Bartlesville, Oklahoma? Well, now I can say that I have. And although it's stuck out there in Oklahoma, and most people whiz on past it on I44 like I always have... I discovered that this is a really cool place! It has an incredible downtown area, perfectly poised for a nice urban revitalization, yummy eating places (I judge a place based on good eats... that's just great), an amazing baseball stadium, very cool lofts, and from what I'm told, approx. 6,000 people come out for Friday night football games!!! Hey, a movie is currently being made there (which could possibly be a secret so I better not say who is in it), and one of only 2 Frank Lloyd Wright skyscrapers is built there. Like I said, it's very cool.
But far better was the fact that I got to reunite with an old friend to do her son's Senior pictures! Although time (alot of it) has passed, and we have lived in completely separate towns, I am amazed at how much we still have in common. Juli - how great it was to just catch up with you! What a wonderful family, what an even better story... Thank you so much for letting me take your sons pictures - I hope you love these images of your incredible guy!

Matt!

If you know me at all, you know that music is my first and foremost passion, probably not even taking a second to photography. I've noticed, though, that a lot of photographers are also musicians! I could name off several immediately as I write this...
So when this handsome senior pulled out his guitar, I perked up and jumped on the chance to grab some images that highlight one of his favorite things. He handled that instrument much like I handle my cameras (or my flute), not just with caution, but with a genuine knowledge of its valuable place in his life. Not trying to sound all philosophical and deep, but us musicians, we know what I mean.
I so enjoyed taking these senior pics! It was a beautiful evening, and we went to an incredible location. (Thanks Suzanne!) There are so many, many neat places here around Rogersville. The more I peek around corners and drive down these country roads, the more cool places I find.
And Matt, thanks for letting me take your pictures! I hope you love them!

Just Another Day at the Office

Oh, the mundane, everyday, stuff of life. It's all just work, work, work. So here I go again, another photo shoot...

It's a tough job, being a photographer. Especially when it entails running down to the lake on the day after Labor Day when everyone else is back to laboring and all. I believe it was 4MPH winds that day, about 82 degrees, and perfectly overcast (that's actually a very good thing for photo shoots). This incredible skier is Phyllis, and she also makes a pretty good turkey and mustard sandwich. Her husband, Wade, was the master boat driver, and all I had to do was hang out and take pictures. Hey, I even got to jump in and go for a spin around the cove a bit. I just need to use 2 skiis, and I don't exactly get that pretty wall of water. Yeah, I think I like my job. It may be tough on days like these, but I'll hang in there.