Maternal Bliss

You don't see maternity shoots advertised on my website because, honestly, I don't ever do them.  I'm not sure why that is... I absolutely loved being pregnant myself, and I always inwardly smile at seeing those big round bellies in other women and the hope, love, and joy they foretell. 

On my trip to Texas earlier this month, I had three short days to spend in my home town of Austin.  And one of my dearest, oldest friends still lives there and is expecting her second baby this spring. I told her "You HAVE to let me take some belly pictures!!" and she happily agreed. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to capture this joyful time in her life.  Just like babyhood, pregnancy is so short, so finite....   And most of us wish the days would tick by even faster because we can't wait to meet our baby.   And while we may not always feel or look our best, we are awed by the little life growing inside us, kicking us, promising to make our lives complete and purposeful and full of love beyond what we thought possible.  That expectancy needs to be captured and remembered.  All stages of life are deserving of remembrance, the fleeting ones even more so, and portraiture is the best way I know how to do that.

So, there's my plug for maternity shoots.  And here's my philosophy on how they should be done: as naturally and honestly as possible.  I like to see photographs of the mother, and not just shots of her belly.  She's aglow, full of life in the truest sense of that phrase.  I like to see photographs of the family as they are in that moment in time, because that dynamic is going to change.  Here are a few of my favorite images from the session, and the entire gallery is a public one at CatchLight Galleries.

So, Thank You again to these friends for letting me do this session with you, and for the trust you had in me and the free artistic rein it enabled. I cannot wait to meet the new addition!! 

New Stuff for a New Year!

I am hot off my heals from a trip to the annual Imaging USA conference that's hosted by Professional Photographers of America.  I had the pleasure of attending with good friend and fellow photog Phuong Besancon of La Lumiere Photography.  I am inspired, invigorated, and yes, a touch overwhelmed.  I attended this conference because it focuses on the fundamentals of running a successful photography business.  And I certainly do not have a business background.  I just love what I do, and want to do it well.

So, what inspired me?  I saw lots of snazzy slideshows of amazing photography by some of the most successful people in our field.  I saw great examples of well-branded businesses.  I saw style, polish, and a little hype.  But there was a particular presentation of such significance that I felt true inspiration.  The gentleman's name is David Williams.  He's a master at his craft: he studies the lighting, posing, and perspective used by the master painters, he's a gimmick-free portrait artist, and I swear, he can capture your soul on film.  His message is his definition of photography: it should be pure, it should be done for love, and the photographer should be emotionally vested in their subjects.  His presentation, which closed with a simple slideshow documenting his parents' lives (both of whom recently passed from Alzheimer's), received a standing ovation.  I was in tears.

What invigorated me?  All of the new, fresh ideas out there of how to use our photographs.  Now, you'll never find me trying to sell kitsch... no keychains, throw blankets, or tote bags from me.  But there are some really neat products out there.  Did you know you can have a custom image box created to house your album that matches your album?  Or, that you can get holiday cards die cut like snowflakes?  There are lots of high-end products available to make your portraits stand out from the pack.  I'll be picking my favorites to offer this year, and you'll see them featured in future blog posts.

Now to what overwhelmed me.  There are just so many pieces to running a profitable, sustainable business, and there is SO MUCH competition.  I'm an engineer-turned-artist.  I love to learn, I love to be challenged, and I won't lie, I love to be in the black.  This is a new business, and I will continue to redefine and tweak as I learn.

I'm so, so lucky to have the energy, time, and support to build this business, and the clients that inspire me and trust in me.  Here's to a great 2011!