A little help from my friends

    The past week or so I have been doubting my choice in choosing photography as my life goal. Not because of the pictures or my ability but because there are so many obstacles, hurdles and blows to the ego. Most artists are sensitive souls so why choose an art that people can criticize? The easy and most honest answer: To show the world the beauty we see. Simple enough, right? You would think so until you realize that to keep affording gear, updates and software you should probably try to sell some of it. When I say criticize, I don't mean to your face-picking apart the shot, I mean by getting someone to buy it. When you don't sell, it is a criticism, after all, if it were as amazing as you think it is someone would buy it no matter the cost right? It is the same concept with photographing people: selling sessions. I work hard at being seen on the web via Facebook, Google+, Twitter and my actual website. Facebook so far is the #1 resource for getting the word out to others. When I have a session I make sure to show "sneak peeks".This works very well for the clients friends to see my work, especially if the client tags themselves or comments or even shares the image. Facebook, in recent months, has caught on to this and has decided that small business page owners will not be automatically seen in the newsfeeds of individuals who have "liked" the page, instead the page owners are now being forced to pay money to boost views of the post. I appreciate the likes on the pictures I post, it helps my reach along with my confidence without having to pay out of pocket to get views. 
    This blog also has helped my web site move up in the Google search pages. Google feels that if you get enough interest (comments) on a blog page that is linked to your web site it is a relevant site and therefore you jump up in the search. Crazy but true. 
     I continue everyday to work hard on this en devour I love so much and trudge along to become relevant in the eyes of Google and Facebook, just need a little help from my followers and friends (Like, comment, become a fan, +1 it, RT it). Same with the rest of the small businesses out there trying to get ahead, so go give them a like or two and maybe a comment to boost their day. Doesn't cost you a thing and it will mean so much to the person you are giving it to. 

My baby girl says HI!

Love this face!

Morgun {Snohomish county Senior Photographer}

Senior photography is my personal favorite, I get bright young faces eager to start their lives and they are FUN! Morgun was an excellent client, especially since she loves photography and her dog. I was able to do her senior photos and mentor her for her senior project-double fun! We had the best time over the year between her photo shoot, helping me with a large family shoot and then creating one of her own with my daughter as the model.
 Are you or do you have a senior this year and wanting to get an awesome photo shoot done? Look no further, I have appointments in July, August and September. Book HERE under the contact page.

Before and After {Snohomish Photographer}

    I have been going back and forth on whether to post before and after images. I do everything I can to get my pictures correct in camera, meaning the technical side of how to work the settings on my camera along with light and compositions. When I get the pictures uploaded for edits I do very little depending on the subject. Mostly it is just an enhancement of colors and maybe some blemish removals or a photo bomber removal. I admit that I am human and have messed up the technical side of the picture once or twice (I get really excited and am in the moment) and that is ok, I know how to save the image.

These examples were taken as an example of eclectic to fit the weekly theme at Honestly, Photography to which I am a part of. I gathered up my daughter, with my Brad Paisley autographed guitar and went to this location. What better example of eclectic than country, city, old and young.

Show me some blog love by commenting. When you are ready to make an appointment for your photo shoot, visit me HERE under the contact page.

Before

After

Before

After

Before
Although I absolutely adore this before image
I felt it needed a bit of a pop added to it and a
black and white conversion as well.

After and B & W

Family, senior, children, maternity & boudoir~The making of the best photography session

    I used to think what makes my session the best it can be? Is it the right outfits, hairdos and attitude? Yes, those all matter. What I never really thought about was how I or my family would mesh with the photographer and her/his vision. I often wonder that as I meet my clients for the first time, the anxiousness in the pit of my stomach (I am a recovering introvert) all the way to will they roll their eyes when I ask them to look lovingly at each other. If you do not trust your photographer, it will show, so relax and enjoy the moment. Book your session today  contact me here

Jeriome and Rosa 2012

The love these two had showed throughout their session photos. They wore complimenting colors and relaxed to allow me to do what I do, as it shows in the next picture.

It was for Christmas so we had to add candy canes 

 Then there are times where my fun young clients come up with their own idea(s) which I LOVE especially when it is lifestyle. The young lady in white polka dots suggested that her favorite photos are the ones where everybody is laughing and having fun while posed, YES! My eyes lit up like she was my new best friend.

Kloes cousins 2013

Boudoir is a whole different kind of trust. I have shot 2 sessions and been the subject of 2 sessions, so I am fully aware of what it is like in front of the camera feeling naked and vulnerable even though I was not naked at all. I trusted both photographers and their visions enough to get some gorgeous images for my husband and myself.
 My first boudoir that I shot, I was super nervous but determined. I shot in her home with sparse bedroom furniture and I have to say the shots were amazing. She was nervous too and if she looked straight into the camera she got a nervous giggle so we worked around that without a problem.

Forgive the watermark placement, I was still learning how not to
mark the whole photo. 

A year and a half later, Marissa contacted me to do a boudoir/modeling session outdoors. We got some amazing images and the girl can MODEL like no other!! I would also like to congratulate her on her pregnancy, she's due in a few months and will be welcoming a baby boy into her family. I see an epic maternity session in her near future.

Turn your session into the BEST photography session and come with your game face on. You will thank yourself every time you look at the gorgeous images and especially years later when you are walking down memory lane.

Please leave a comment letting me know your best experience in front of the camera and what made you comfortable.

Maternity {Snohomish county photographer}

    After a few rainy weekends I was finally able to photograph 2 of the most beautiful women who were just glowing in their pregnancies. One was 34 weeks along carrying a baby girl and one was 36 weeks carrying a baby boy. A brief view as I am readying their gallery. Contact me  HERE to schedule your session.