Busy Summer Sessions

I can't believe the new school year is already upon us! My kids start on August 30th. The weather this summer has certainly been accomodating, at least for the activities we had scheduled. I'm a fan of hot, summer weather, so I have no complaints at all! Love when you can walk outside and have no temperature jolt from indoors, and when you can be outside by a campfire and the air is still warm enough to be in a sleeveless shirt!!

Specializing in outdoor, on location sessions can be a challenge, but not this summer! It was the busiest season thus far! I've had the pleasure of photographing family portraits, engagement sessions, high school seniors and am getting ready for several upcoming weddings this fall! Here are some of my favorite pix of the summer.




This is actually my hair stylist and her family! If you visit her salon, you'll see this portrait on display. See the links page of my website to view her Signature Style Salon website! If you mention this portrait and hold a session, you can receive a $25 gift certificate to the salon!



This family wanted a portrait taken to give to their Grandmother for her 80th birthday! I'm told she was quite thrilled when she saw it!! This was one of my favorites from the session.



Part of what I enjoy about being a photographer and doing these sessions and weddings is getting to know the people. It's fun to see families and couples interact, have fun, and be able to help them capture this time in their lives in portrait keepsakes.







And High School Seniors are always fun! We were having so much fun on this session, we spent 3 hours walking around the City! Not all sessions are that long, but this was very fun and she's such a great young lady.



I also fulfilled my first responsibility as 2nd Vice President for the Professional Photographer's Association, a role I officially entered this past June, having coordinated/chaired the Association's annual Summer Seminar. Elizabeth and Trey Homan were the guest speakers and had a lot to offer those in attendance including a live demonstration with a Mom with triplets! The topic of the day was ...from maternity, to children and beyond.



Me with the Homans as they accept their speaking certificates.


I truly hope you had a fulfilling summer and enjoy the next few weeks as the leaves start to change! Get out and enjoy the scenary!

My Son's First Communion

I must share a happy event that happened in our family this month. My youngest son received his First Communion. We're so proud of him for this accomplishment, not only for his respect for the event, but also for proudly wearing such a handsome outfit! Congratulations!

Print Competition Results and Entering the Executive Board!

Another NHPPA annual conference draws to a close. Always a great time. As you can see from the images below, they're a crazy, fun bunch. Each banquet has a costume theme and this year's was "Howling Nights". It was intended to be "your scariest costume". Not sure I was a scary as I could be, but with the help of a friend's hand-made red cloak, I went as a vampiress. We had a great time!

In my last post, you'll see the four images I entered in the state print competition. The judges were tough, holding us all to the list of 12 criteria items that make an exceptional print. This year, all four of my images were judged in the "above average professional" category - receiving red ribbons. Overall, there were far more red ribbons than the sought after blue which puts you in the "deserving of merit" category and is a step above a red ribbon; in fact they ran out of red ribbons there were so many! Although it is blue that we strive for, being scored "above average professional" is an honor in itself! Now is time to move forward and plan next year's entries! Such a wonderful learning experience!

Lastly, as is customary at the conference banquet, the year comes to a close for the existing board of directors and the new slate is sworn in. I am excited to now officially be a part of the executive board as the organization's 2nd Vice President. This is an automatic rotating position which means in two years I will become the president. I am looking forward to this journey and proud to be part of this wonderful organization!

Print Competition Time Again!

This year I played with a macro lens and had fun photographing flowers. The result? Three prints for competition this year of flowers! In state competitions, flowers tend to be very popular, and therefore tough to score high. We'll see how these fair! Then I'll be "throwing in" a fall scene from the mountains. Hopefully this will do well?! The limit is five prints and here I have four. Time is running out, but it would be great to put in five! Realistically, it may just stay at four, though.

LINKS OF INTEREST

Keep an eye to the bottom right corner of this blog. I'll be adding links to offer suggestions for wedding vendors or other links of interest! Already in the links list is Birds of Peace White Doves which is a family owned business that provides white dove releases for many occassions, as well as Signature Style Salon, owned by one of the most creative and enthusiastic styles in the area who really cares about her clients! Click on the links to find out more!