Quick Picks: Long Weekend = Extra Homework, Insanity and Some Grilled Shrimp

It's Tuesday. But if feels like Monday. Long weekend blues/fog/utter exhaustion are upon me. What do long weekends look like for you? Here's what they look like for me.

A long weekend for the small business owner:
- Extra homework (Yup, I did it again. More website redos. I swear, I'm an addict. The best and worst part of Showit? I can access my website ANYTIME. ANYWHERE. Which in OCD speak means it will never be perfect.)
- More homework (I recently acquired a new friend who being generally awesome in all things friendship and business related, has given me a task list a mile long to help amp up my worldly presence. I wish I could tell you all to "get yourselves a Dana," but I won't. Because she's all mine. And I love her. And you can see the previous OCD reference and remember that I admit to not sharing well.)

A long weekend for the owner of 2 year old twins, a preteen and a husband:
- I don't even know what to write here. I'm pretty sure the weekend is being blocked out in my mind.
- CHAOS. DARKNESS. SCREAMING. GNASHING OF TEETH. I think I'm having flashbacks.
- You know what 2 years old looks like with twins? It looks a lot like "Oh dear God, a long weekend. How bad is it going to be? I can't wait to go back to work on Monday. I mean, Tuesday. Damn!"
- Bonus: Ben has learned to say "I love you, mommy." I will remind myself of this sweetness as I try to forget the copious amounts of toys that had to be bleached beyond oblivion because someone is not quite ready for potty training and some other persons who shall not be named did not notice right away when I left to go buy a plant down the street for 20 minutes. Yes, plant shopping was the highlight of my day yesterday. Oh and the grilled shrimp. WIN.

A long weekend for the artist:
- Amazingly awesome engagement session in my new favorite corner of the world, downtown Cape Charles. See above references for why I haven't shared a sneak peek yet, but stay tuned! It's coming tonight and will hit the blog later this week. And for anyone who visits Cape Charles soon, make sure you visit brown dog ice cream. Your tummy will thank me later. FOR REAL.


Pretty sure my life with twin boys at age 2 is always some state of this (via Pinterest):

TRUTH. And yes, we go on "rides" several times a weekend just so I can strap them in, hear them giggle at passing trucks and tractors (Ben loves to say "excavator," seriously, the kid is brilliant), and catch my breath.

And finally, this is just hilarious. "The unique joys and challenges..." Ha ha ha ha ha.

Quick Picks: You have to Fail to Succeed

Ran across this quote today:

"If one does not fail at times, then one has not challenged himself." - Ferdinand Porsche, Founder of Volkswagen

This encouraged me. So often, as business owners, as human beings, we are overwhelmed by the magnitude of our failures. We wallow and dissect and wallow some more. And dissect some more. I'm sure we've all had our moments. As artists, as parents, spouses, friends. Jeez. Life.

But the great reminder here is that a life devoid of failure is a life that never took a risk. Never set the bar higher. Never pushed the limit. A life without failure was stagnant. A flat-liner.

I want to look back on my life and know that I challenged myself to something better. Something bigger. And that ultimately, all those crash and burn moments only fueled a greater fire towards a better place.

Me and my Besties: 50, 85, D700, LR3

I get asked lots of questions from my Shutterbugs learners, clients, friends and family about how I do what I do. What tools do I use? What do I edit with? The list goes on. I'm flattered by the questions and in truth, I am perfectly comfortable sharing whatever knowledge I have and encouraging others in their journey where I am able. I'm a big believer that my business can only continue to thrive when I continue to serve others and that no business will stand that thwarts other learners and dreamers or succeeds at the expense of other people in general. Ya know?

So here are a few of the most common questions I hear:

"What camera body do you use? What camera should I get?"

I use the Nikon D700. I've been a Nikon gal from the start, but purely out of circumstance, and I don't have a bad word to say about Canon. In truth, I believe both brands are beyond stellar and it's the user that controls the tool to prompt a polished, creative result, not the camera model or brand. I love my D700. I understood the depth of that love most recently when I was forced to rent a body as a backup for a few shoots while my baby was in the shop being cleaned. I figured since I needed to rent, why not try out something new and see what I thought, so I rented the D800 from LensRentals.com. (Mini tangent and shout out! LensRental.com is a fantastic company that provided great service, quality product and timely attention. They saved my booty!)

I didn't like it. At. All. Which felt weird. I was expecting to be wowed and utterly hateful towards my D700 post-borrow and I wasn't. I won't go all technical on you, but it just wasn't a right fit for me. I felt like I had to work harder to get my usual results and it just didn't give me the warm fuzzies. In fact, it made me consider buying another D700 as my backup and pray that my baby returned home ASAP. And when it did, it felt awesome. I immediately shot with it to remind myself that yes, in fact, I did enjoy shooting and this camera was my happy place. It was like slipping on your favorite pair of jeans after trying on stiff, new ones in the store dressing room. There's no better feeling.

As to what camera others should get, honestly, I have no idea. I started with a Nikon D60 and at the time, I loved it. It did me well. Now, I look at it and think "You are such a twinkie. But I love you." It's still my go-to for when I am dragging the kids to the zoo or other places where I'm not willing to tote my Mama Blevo. I'm not familiar with the consumer levels cameras today and honestly, only know what I'm watching on the pro level. My best answer for this is to go to a store and tell them what you're looking for (My kids play soccer and I want to keep up, I enjoy shooting landscapes, I want to play with portraiture) and see what they suggest. Then read up on that camera model on Amazon. Their reviews are typically super technical in the best way and you'll get a clear picture if you're heading in the right direction.

"What editing software do you use?"

I use Adobe Lightroom 3. And...I love it. I've got my workflow down and I can be in and out fast with stellar results. I aim to spend as little time as possible in front of the computer editing, and this program helps me achieve that (along with working hard to get it right in camera). There is an Adobe Lightroom 4, and I test drove it when I had the D800 (against my will!) because LR3 didn't support the D800 Camera Raw images. And...I did not like it. At. All. Ha. I feel like I'm turning into an old geezer with my refusal to welcome new technology in this post. I swear! I'm all for the new and improved. But man oh man, the difference in workflow for me was ugly and some of my pocket go-to tools just weren't there with the same ease that I feel with LR3.

As an aside, I do use Photoshop CS4 on the rare occasion that an image needs a little more heavy editing than Lightroom can provide. Yes, it's an old version, and I haven't updated purely because I don't use it often enough to warrant the added expense. And now with the release of Adobe CC, more than likely, I'll be taking this version to the grave with me. While I know this new release will wow heavy users of Photoshop and the other design programs, I'm just not in the user group that can justify a monthly fee for something I open up once in a blue moon.

"What's your favorite lens?"

My Primes! It used to just be my Nikon 50mm 1.4, but I recently added a new friend to the mix when I got my 85mm 1.4 at WPPI. I have a feeling I'll be adding one or two more prime lenses to my arsenal in the coming months/years as I continue to find myself drawn to the intimacy that they offer.

What does that mean? Well, for me a prime lens is all about movement. With my zoom lens, before I know it, I sometimes find myself rooted to a spot and only focusing in and out as needed to capture the images I'm looking for. There is entirely nothing wrong with this approach of course and it can be quite convenient and necessary in a variety of circumstances. With my primes, however, I'm forced to make the move. For each and every shot. I have to stay on my toes and purposefully place myself where I need to be to get the results that I want. I find it keeps me engaged and focused, and ultimately, more creative. I can't get lazy with a prime lens on. If I stay in one spot, my images all look the same! I'm forced to consider alternatives and approach new angles and concepts. They push me! And...they're a heck of a lot lighter than my zoom lenses. So, bonus. They work for me.

I adore my "nifty 50." It's my go-to ace. I'm still getting comfortable with the 85 and have definitely found that I need to specifically identify my purpose when determining which one I want to use. They're both portrait lenses, but making the assumption that they both "worked" the same was a huge mistake on my part! They are completely different animals. And since I don't quite have that comfort level and naturally extended relationship with my 85 that I have with my 50, it was time for some practice. Bring on the models! A big thanks to my Shutterbug Ashleys and my Emily for being willing guinea pigs. :)

Shutterbug Photography Series: Independent Studies

My Shutterbug love child was birthed out of a deep desire to empower others to achieve better results with their cameras. As a parent, as an artist, as a human being, there is nothing more frustrating than having a high expectation for something special that falls flat or even worse, seems to put up immovable road blocks wherever you turn. Seeing the frustration and disappointment in the faces of friends and peers in their lackluster results bugged me. And as a helper, my mama bear teaching instinct kicked in. And the Shutterbug Photography Series was born.

I've now hosted several small group Basics classes, and just recently announced my June 9th Shootout event for my graduates (hit me up if you're coming, Shutterbug peeps!). And now a new and exciting feature has been picking up pace over the last several months and it's been so much fun for me and I hope to see it continue to gain momentum.

I've been offering one-on-one independent study sessions for awhile, but more recently, they've been working to meet two particular needs. On the one hand, I have those that are perhaps not as comfortable in the group setting or learn better in a direct format, and on the other hand, I've had students that have completed the Basics course and are looking to push themselves a bit further down the road and want to fine tune what they've learned and tackle their unique challenges. In both cases, I'm over the moon and enjoy every second. I love teaching! Especially when it comes to art, because the best part is watching creatives discover their own tastes and manners of expression, and watching their vision jump off from where my technical knowledge ended and their personal art begins. Best job in the world, right?

My latest Shutterbug-in-training very kindly let me take a few images of her while we played this past weekend. She dug in deeper to her art and where she's hoping it takes her and I got to play with my new 85mm. Win! Thanks Ashley for being a willing model and so excited to see where your photography is headed! Oh, and before my playtime shots, here's one just for fun...Ashley and I acting out our teacher/student relationship at the last HRC event. ;)



And now for the pretty lady herself:

Gratitude: 2012

I wasn't planning on doing a year-end post (for reasons unknown...probably because I've been hibernating these past two weeks), but I kept seeing them from others, and kept clicking on them, and kept enjoying them. Finally, I said "Do it." And you know what, I'm absolutely, inexplicably thankful that I did.

Not that I didn't know it previously, but looking back on this year as a complete body of work...well, in short, I'm overwhelmed. And incredibly humbled. This year has been one of great change, growth, challenge and exploration. And what I see in result...beautiful clients turned friends, moments in time that speak to me, and the realization that my creative soul is refreshed and excited and alive and well and all those great things. At the end of the year. Which is a great change from exhausted, spent, drained. I feel good. I feel great. And it's all because of those special people who trusted me with their lives and their memories. I thank you. From the bottom of my heart.

I know 2013 has even more new adventures for me, starting with the kick off of Orchestrated Stylized Shoots Heritage Series in Philadelphia with the Welded event this January. I'll be teaching more Shutterbug Basics classes beginning in February, welcoming more boudoir clients, and taking part in amazing weddings. Plus, the Hampton Roads Creative has a whole new bunch of great stuff in the works. I can't wait.

Here are a few (ok, a lot) of my very favorite images from 2012. And seriously, I could have gone on forever. I got totally lost and giddy and teary and yeah, I figured a blog post probably shouldn't have 100 images, so I reigned myself in a bit. Thank you to all. I love you deeply.

You are a VERY. IMPORTANT. PERSON.

First...a mea culpa. I am a bit behind on client blogging. I admit it, I blog when the mood strikes me. And it doesn't always strike in a timely manner. But I have long since learned that letting ideas percolate pays off. So, the blogs will come when they are ready. And they aren't...not just yet.

Now, the good stuff. A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

Ready? Here it is...

YOU.

ARE A VERY. IMPORTANT. PERSON.

TO ME!

As if you didn't know...

After much thought, research, and frankly, some technological pushiness by our friends at Apple, I am putting some changes into play that will make your 2012 sessions, in a word, AMAZING.

I am happy to share a new program with you that will be the foundation of our relationship together as client, photographer, friend, and will even more importantly, be the foundation of your relationship with your photos, your memories, and all those who enjoy them along with you.

Beginning in 2012, I will be sharing all edited images via PASS galleries. This new program will allow you, with a simple download of a program or app, to access your edited files instantly, from your home computer, iPads and iPhones at any time for up to a year! You will be able to download high resolution images, share to Facebook, and pull up your memories in an instant wherever you may be!

With this new technology that brings your images to your fingertips, gone will be the long wait for DVD mailings, the stress of lost files, the battle of competing computer operating systems and the bulky chain tying you to a computer with a disk drive if you want to share your memories with friends and family. With each session or event, you will now receive a PASS gallery with your edited images, with YOU listed as a VIP with access to download high resolution files for immediate personal use.

The decision to do away with DVDs was not an easy one. Many people have learned to expect that as the best and only way to receive their files, and the idea of moving away from a tangible item marking the completion of an order may be hard to comprehend for some. But as experience has taught me, the DVDs tend to be the most cumbersome part of our time together. The frustration that is often felt by a client with a different operating system, or the fear that swallows you whole when you lose your DVD, or even worse, scratch or break it, are frankly, no fun at all. So be gone DVD nightmares! While you will still have the option of burning DVDs from your home computers after downloading your high resolution images, you will not be forced to rely on such a tenuous bitty finite item as your primary source for your memories. Instead, they will be stored securely online for you and only you. Because YOU. ARE. A VERY IMPORTANT PERSON. TO ME.

Want to know more? Watch this nifty video from my friends at PASS sharing exactly how this will work...

http://gallery.passpremier.com/

Get excited! 2012 is all about YOU!

Much love,
Katy

PS. There will be purchase options available to extend your secure online storage beyond a year and limited print rights to all unedited files from your session/event via DVD available for purchase at an additional fee.

PPS. Those clients presently under contract for 2012 will receive PASS galleries in addition to the DVDs they were promised at no additional cost!