NEW STUFF

New things.  Everyone likes new things.  New clothes, new cars, new haircuts, new furniture---all fun stuff.  But, I have to be honest...I am not much of a shopper.  I have recently undergone a change in hairstyle that necessitates much less maintenance, so, I get fewer new looks.  I have 4 kids, so, any new furniture I acquire rapidly earns that 'lived-in-look'.  And, as for cars....I am an A to B kinda gal---whatever gets me and the family there, along with all the camera equipment, is a winner in my book. 

However, I love new things when it comes to photography.  New props, backgrounds, looks, locations, equipement, gadgets....they all provide me with endless thrills.  And sometimes, it doesn't even have to be an object--it can be a more existential concept, like a new way of doing business, new ideas for Sessions, a new way of answering the phone, a new technique in editing.  So, this year, I am doing some NEW THINGS.  Just to see what happens.

First thing---this blog.  I have attempted blogging before, but frankly, with all my other duties and obligations, it got lost in my daily shuffle very quickly.  This year, I am going to blog at least once per week, about whatever is going on in my studio, my photography, and my creative life.  Photography will be a major feature in my writings, but, as I think I may have a touch of the blessed ADD, it will not ONLY be about photography.  I will be discussing great images we have recently created in the studio, as well as new product offerings, techniques for others to use to make their snapshots better, etc. 

Next---Facebook changes.  Over the past year plus, I have spent an extensive time uploading client images to Facebook.  Now, in the interest of client privacy, I am no longer going to upload and tag bunches of images from each Session.  I will instead, have a few representative Galleries of my portflio AND links to this blog, where selected images WILL be featured.  I simply believe the world has enough to look at on Facebook, and if clients wish to upload their images via CD's they receive from our Studio, that is up to them.  I simply am no longer comfortable sharing those images myself. 

Another New Thing---More Reality Photography.  I am increasingly interested in real situations and real people.  While I enjoy shooting inside the Studio, and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity of developing studio lighting skills, I am excited to venture out into the world more often, to locations that are personal for my subjects.  I am looking for genuine situations, honest reactions, and real people doing real things.  I will NOT stop doing studio photography, not at all.  BUT, I want to pursue more personality driven work, and sometimes, the studio stifles personality rather than enhances it. 

An Old Thing Comes Back---I want to get back to my art basics.  When I started, 13 years ago, I shot medium format film.  But, with the evolution of the industry, I went digital, in a BIG WAY.  And with that, my focus became very computerized.  I want to bring back more of my art training into my job.  I started out hand tinting black and white photos with oil paints.  That particular specialty has fallen away largely because of digital tinting and spot coloring.  I intent to bring it back in a big way.  In this computer-driven world, I feel that anything done by hand is truly precious, because of its uniqueness.  So, hand-tinting is back, as are other techniques I will save for future blogs.

And Finally---New Looks.  New Backdrops.  New Furniture.  New Session Choices.  New Album and Book Choices.  New Website Updates (keep your eyes out!).  New Products.  New, Simplified Pricing.  And more. 

So, please check back every few days and see if I am keeping my blogging promises......I am excited.  I love reinvention.  I love getting new energy, new focus.  2011 is gonna be great.