Last Sunday, I had the opportunity to work with two models at the Paramount Theatre for SOSN bridal studio in Pendleton. They needed new images for some advertising for an upcoming event. Oddly enough, we didn’t use too much of the theater with its Italianate design – we spent much more time in the alleys and on the fire escapes around the theater.
Oh, you say you want to meet my models? 
Here’s Jessy, who I’ve worked with before. We first worked together on her senior pictures. She came to me, unhappy with the work of another photographer and asked me to take some for her. She and I spent three or four hours that day, just walking around and taking pictures. I enjoy working with Jessy, trying new things and cracking up.
Also, meet Whitney! I’ve never worked with Whitney before. She does a great deal of modeling for other local photographers, although she does not have modeling as a career goal. She’s also a lot of fun and apparently addicted to watermelon. Isn’t she fabulous?!
Tangentially related to this shoot and probably all Greek to a lot of you… I decided to bite the bullet and upgrade to a new camera, the Canon 5d Mark II. I had been considering it, just couldn’t decide whether or not I really needed the full frame sensor. Or the 21 megapixels. As of this morning, I am experiencing a good deal of buyer’s remorse – I always do – but I’m sure that will all change once I have it in my hands and am shooting with it. How is this related to this shoot, you might wonder. Well, I feel like my images have really improved over the last year and in a way I am rewarding myself by making the move to a more professional camera… Not that the improvement itself isn’t its own reward, because it is… Can you tell I’m trying to okay this purchase with my inner critic? Anyhow, hope to have even more spectacular images to show you soon!
I just knew that if I added a blog to the website, I’d have a hard time keeping on top of it! I guess I am going to have to make a promise to myself to update once a week, or once every two weeks at a minimum. My personal blog is falling behind too, so…!
Though I haven’t had a huge number of photoshoots in the last few weeks, I have had one or two. Mostly I’ve been dontaing my time to create a new brochure and poster for the Millcreek Civic Center, a great place for a reception on a budget. The civic center is part of a repurposed school. It shares the building with the Police Department and the utilities office for the town of Chesterfield. Millcreek has several rooms for rent for different needs, but Memorial Hall is where most wedding receptions are held. It’s a huge room with restored hardwood floors and twenty-three foot ceilings. The volunteers at the civic center have remodeled the restroom and kitchen there and the layout is ideal for guests. There’s plenty of parking, and the people who run the civic center are very friendly to boot!
In the past, the civic center’s brochure has been all text, printed on standard printer paper. The new brochure has tons of pictures and information about each room, as well as the amenities that the civic center offers. Sharon, the board member I’m working with on this project, was very excited when she came over and picked up the proofs yesterday. The board meets tomorrow night and will make any changes or approve the brochure. I can’t wait until the printed pieces arrive here – I love the smell of fresh ink!
The other main thing that’s kept me from posting more often (aside from just enjoying my family!) is an addictive new hobby I’ve gotten into: needle felting. While I’m fortunate to have photography as a way to make income and still stay home with my girls, turns out I’m too crafty to stop with one medium. So I’m playing with wool these days and making little wool animals, two or three a week. I have three pieces currently commissioned and one project that I’m making for Emily for Easter to keep me busy for the next two weeks. Then it’ll be time for spring sports photos, senior pictures, and wedding season again!
