The {H} Family and Little {C}

No...I'm not going to start posting about EVERY single family that I work with. But this one was special!

As a way to get my name out there, I hosted a hilarious photo contest for my Facebook fans. The kiddo who got the most votes on their photo won a free in-home shoot!

And, for those of you who were not aware, I have closed down the studio aspect of my business.


The H Family and Little C were my contest winners and I arrived at their house mid afternoon this past Sunday. Lil' C was a bit shy at first...even in her own home. But seriously, with a camera sticking in your face, who wouldn't be a little intimidated?
Obviously, it didn't take her long to warm up!


In my opinion, nothing can replace the candid feel of capturing a family doing their thing. Dad was having fun trying to coax the little one into a game on the floor...


and I quickly realized that at the moment, her favorite thing to do is stand like this. It made me want to walk around with my head on the floor, but I realized that I'm not this flexible...oh to be one again!

Little C has just learned how to walk but yet, dad still loves to hold her hands. Do dad's ever get tired of holding hands? I doubt it.
We finished off the day with a leftover piece of birthday cake. Happy 1st little C!

Many people have started asking me why the shift....why have I found it so much more valuable to pack up my gear, leave the house and spend time with people in their environment. It doesn't make sense! Sure it's less work in my own home, but you have to pack everything up, drive to their house, get acquainted....just seems like so much more work. Right? Wrong.

I could have never created this smile in the studio. This is moments after Little C was sharing some bonding time nursing with her mother....she turned back over onto the nursing pillow and flashed me the most heartwarming grin


Sure it's easier to stick people on the backdrop and snap. Then go about your day and not put much work or thought into it. But will they cherish that photo? I know when Little C's mom looks at this photo, she will not only remember her smile at age one and the way she looked, but also the way it felt right after they had those quiet moments together and how happy her daughter is thanks to the care of her family.

The H Family was a wonderful way to start this new journey- proving you don't need a pristine or million dollar home to capture your life, only the place where your memories reside.

Thank you H Family for allowing me to be a part of your home, a part of your life and a part of Baby C's first birthday. I cannot wait to see her continue to grow!

Wednesday(ish)

(since I promised- this is Tuesday night's Boudoir Class- at max capacity- 1k people 30 minutes before the class actually started. In my terms "this is what happens when you offer free on stage lighting demos of half naked girls)
(and she did not disappoint! I have mostly video from this....but yeah, it was pretty hot)



So on Wednesday, again, I miss my 8am class. Another WPPI tip- did you know if you want to make it to someone really cool at 8am, you have to be there by 7ish? Did you also know that if you stay in the main area of the hotel, it takes 30+ minutes to get to the classrooms? SERIOUSLY. I actually did lose some weight.

Tuesday night was party night- a certain "resource blog" for photogs that gives away things had a rockin' party. We took photo booth pictures, had a drink and everyone acted like idiots for free stuff. I won some canvases from a great canvas company! There were tons of other parties that night but by 1am, I was wiped.

So Wednesday I had my shootout and I decided to have a cup of coffee and wait for the trade show to open. I was sitting across from Dane and wanted to talk to him about how fantastic his seminar was and how influential his program was in getting me to come this year- but he was eating a bagel and I didn't want to interrupt his breakfast.

I went on the trade show floor and finished TWO scavenger hunts in 40 minutes. Awesome. Of course, I didn't win anything.

I told myself I would push WAY out of my comfort zone and go to a shootout on my own, and it was well worth it. I was super nervous, but just kind of relaxed and went with the flow. Met an awesome girl in the cab from Charleston.

Here are a few pics from the shootout


Is she not SUPER adorable? I have more pics from the bride/groom on my FB page.

Annnnnddd....if anyone can re-post this blog with the name of the fantastic blog who not only set up the party on Tuesday but the shootout Wednesday (Post on FB with the title "Dee was partying AND shooting with "blog name here" the best resource on the web!) I have an awesome discount code for you that I don't need!

So I headed back to the hotel to see Amber Holritz. This was the class that solidified everything for me. She had one moment, where she said something specific (I won't quote her here- if you really want to know, as me next time you see me) that gave me a lightbulb moment. Hence the huge shift in my business.

Is it scary to think about losing my classic portraiture clients? Absolutely. Am I worried about not doing business for awhile? You bet. Do I think I'm making the right decision? No doubt in my mind.

Above all, the best thing I learned was to be true to yourself. Find what drives you, what part of photography motivates you and make it work. Because honestly, if you are not giving your clients something YOU like, how will they ever believe in the work you are doing and like it themselves?

Wednesday night was a Misfits night out on the town...best night of the trip. I don't personally have photos (Kaela was rockin my camera) but I will post some when she gets them processed. There are some adorable pics of us girls on the strip!

Tuesday(ish)

Monday Night on the Strip- Fountain @ the Belagio. I fell in love w/this fountain ( and the 24mm 1.4L to say the least)


Total (ish)....yes I'm aware that it's Friday now and I'm back home. But I do still want to update!

I learned very early on that you can plan to go to all the classes you would like to, but if you actually did....you'd come home and you wouldn't just collapse, you might "decompose" (in Kaela's words!)

And a disclaimer: if you ever attend WPPI, make sure you either have childcare the day after you arrive home or a buttload of cartoons you can loop while you "defrag" (another one of Kaela's words).

For those of you who were wondering..(I know some of you were!) here is the shot I was trying to attempt when I ran into Jesh

So Monday night we had dinner with the PSH (photographyschoohouse) crew at Diegos:



(forgive the photo, no flash in the darkest room ever- so 4k iso made it a little messy)

So instead of being responsible and going to bed after dinner (yes that my margarita at the empty chair) I decided to venture out and photograph on the strip...here's a few photos from my 24mm 1.4 L thanks to borrowlenses.com!


(awesome flowers on the ceiling @ the belagio hotel)

(Lee shooting us on his awesome camera....I want to make tshirts for next year that say, "We Shoot Each Other") and OMG wide angle what!??!

What do photogs do for fun...? har har har


My fav pic of the trip hands down...I just love the look on Lee's face with (what I can only assume to be "gentlemen escorts") the girls sitting directly behind him.
Maria looking as beautiful as ever...

So yes, Tuesday was a late start. I had the pleasure of attending Dane Sanders workshop Tuesday afternoon and his presentation is nothing I could summarize in less than an hour. Bottom line; don't sell yourself short. Don't oversell yourself (but I'll give you a discount so you can afford me!) and sell your clients on an EXPERIENCE. Make them feel like they are missing something if they don't hire you, because they ARE!

The evening was boudoir....that class was INSANE. I will post a photo on Wednesday(ish) of the classroom....full to the brim. I guess that's what happens when you tell people you're offering live posing demos of girls in lingerie!

And then off to the parties...

More to come, I promise! I do have a few little things I'd be happy to pass along but can't think of anything fun to give them away. If you have a good idea, post a comment and I'll give away something tomorrow!

Monday(ish)

Catching up...and taking a breather.

I've already skipped two classes I planned to go to. And you know what? It felt good. You just can't do it all. Yesterday, after seeing Jesh de Rox, my life was changed. The way I shoot has changed, the way I will approach a session has changed and my outlook on life has change. I swear, it sounds absolutely ridiculous but he is amazing.
After decompressing from Jesh (yes, it took me 20 minutes to stop choking up and shaking)- I went to work the trade show. Oh the joys of talking about what you love. Here's a photo clue; it's obvious. First person to repost my blog and tell people what I was DOING at the tradeshow wins a cute little shootsac tote bag I picked up

(repost with "check out what Dee is doing in Vegas: yesterday she was....) and I'll totally hand over the bag!

So, yesterday was our rockstar day. I convinced Kaela to ditch her afternoon class with me yesterday afternoon and have lunch. In the span of an hour we met; scott bourne (giving away a 5dmk2 on twitter) a high level canon rep who gave us his number if we "ever needed to bypass customer service" and then I met Jesh while I was on my knees (butt in the air) shooting Kaela's legs on the escalator. Here's the scenario

(Me bent over butt in the air)- Kaela turn a little so I can get your legs in the shot
Ok (stand up....turn around)"oh..." (face to face- with my new idol)
"so...hi. you changed my life yesterday" (talking to Jesh)
(he pulls me in for a big hug and says, "thank you"
(I uh...melt?)
"Hey! I want a hug if you're giving them out!" (kaela)

So Jesh walks away. I am freaking out and Kaela doesn't get it, no idea who he is. She thought he was the guy who gave me the lens to borrow ("you changed my lens today") and when I say Jesh she says "oh...my...god" and yells, "SHE REALLY DID TELL ME THAT, SHE LOVES YOU!"

and...you have it. Bonafied fan girl. Never thought I'd be here.

annnnnddd here's the adorable kaela playing with the 24mmL from our window....she's glad she ditched too.

I hope I grab at least one more lighting and posing....I'm STOKED about my boudoir class tonight and getting some serious motivation from Dane. I will keep posting periodically.

And for those of you wondering....do I have audio, video and notes? Yes, I sure do. I'm hoping to compile it all from everyone and if you want it? You have to buy me some coffee and I'll share face to face ;)

Hope all is well back at home!

Sunday (ish)

(penthouse suite view)


Okay....for those of you following, quick breakdown!

• Southwest cattle call, yeah!
• Girls still drunk in the hotel lobby @ 8am, not attractive.
• 12k photographers, are there REALLY that many photographers?
• I can't believe how many photographers there are...
• Did I mention this place is PACKED with....you get the point
• Sleep? What's sleep?
• Oh yes, classes. That would be a good idea
  Here are some good photo moments
  
  

Possibilities

"Your mistakes do not define who you are....you are your possibilities"