Fatherly Love

This past weekend the family came pouring in for the Thanksgiving weekend. Among the guests was my dear old dad and my sister. We are spread out all across the United States, stretching from south Florida to California with me in the middle in Colorado.

We decided to hit my home studio and do some fun shots with Grandpa and his girls. A dad is a good thing to be but a grandpa is a great thing to be. My dad always tells everyone that we take two things from him...all of his love and all of his money. Very funny dad! We love you and here's a picture that shows just how much.

My Latest and Greatest Find for Photographers

The past few weeks the UPS delivery man cometh to the Spencer household frequently. I am investing in upgraded equipment for my studio and quality lighting, soft boxes, and umbrellas. However, the cheapest and most useful little tool has been the wireless remote my husband found on Ebay. All the way from Hong Kong comes the YONGNUO (in all capitals...that must mean it's important).

The YONGNUO comes with two pieces. The first piece attaches to the body of the camera and the second piece (the wireless remote...the magic piece) fits snuggly in the palm of your hand. It's such a nice fit that my thumb can fire off the shutter easily. I am amazed by it. I have photographers stopping me now and asking me about this little device. I am surprised many haven't heard of this handy little contraption or have seen one before. I did have one photographer stop and make an inquiry about the remote and then go on to tell me about one he'd seen that only had the remote and no attachment. I guess other models of cameras have an infered beam that sends out a signal, blah, blah, blah...but I am happy to have my new little toy.

If you are interested, just google YONGNUO (don't forget the capitals) or just go to Ebay (they have everything) and you too will be snapping shutters without being directly behind your lens too.

Happy remote snapping!

It's Never Too Late to Capture What You Might Have Missed

The above title is inspired from a George Eliot quote that states, "It's never too late to be what you might have been." An all-time favorite quote of mine and my new slogan for my photography business.

I write today because I am happy to have taken the family out for our annual holiday portrait. Ironic that a photographer has yet to get the family portrait complete but now I can check that off of my list of things to do.

Hair washed and straightened, matching/coordinating clothing on, we headed out the door on a clear and crisp Colorado late afternoon. We arrive in time to find an empty parking space of what I can an "all dayer." He'd been hiking up in the Colorado foothills all day by the looks of his backpack and gear.

With my gear loaded on my own back and ready for work, we pile out of the car and head to what's now coined as "Mom's fence spot." After bringing many clients up to this very spot, my own family is prepared for their portrait to be taken.

The family is easily posed (of course, they know the drill from being an assistance on countless shots with me). Thankfully this year I have a wireless remote that fits snuggly into my vest pocket and wah-la....I am ready for action. I compose the shot and "click" the camera fires and captures our brief moment in time.

Under and over the fence I hop, composing several more shots of the family. One (not so) brief moment of technical difficulty and we're back in action for more shots. We move up to our beloved rocks and pose again. I think we have some good ones and off we go for a family dining experience at Chili's.

To photograph one's own family is a lot different than to photograph a complete stranger's family. One...the strangers listen and respect your knowledge and skills. Two....the strangers don't back talk. Three...the strangers do whatever you tell them to do. But...Four...the strangers won't be hanging on your bedroom wall or smiling on your holiday cards.

All in all it turns out to be a fantastic shoot with plenty to choose from. It's us, the Spencers, so we choose the most unique and non-typical shot we took. We'd have gone with the one of us giving the peace sign with our fingers but someone's hair was in their eyes.

Now, to choose a card to attach it to. That will be another story...

Escaping the Rat Race

Dave and I took the girls to a corn maze. It was a crisp, fall, Colorado day. You know, one of those days that you wish could last forever? One of those days where the sky is so blue and your lungs feel like you can't take in enough fresh air? Well, one of those days.

Ironically, we were in a maze....trying to get out. Funny how when we were trying to escape the rat race, we ended up in a maze. Things that make you go, Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm :)

A Growing Business

Sometimes when I sit back and think about the journey I began only a few months ago, I am amazed by the quickness of it all. Although I have taken photos for friends and family for years, it wasn't until I received my Canon 40D for Christmas last year as a gift from my husband. The camera gift led me to see out how to use the thing, since I had never had a camera of that magnitude! In my search, I stumbled upon a little site known as SmugMug. I explored and eventually joined after being encouraged by a member named Rick. Long story short, I went from a beginning user to a pro userwithin a month and thus began my small, but growing photography business.

I am humbled by all of the calls I have been receiving and thankful to all of the many friends of mine that have supported my small but growing business. When new clients call now and I don't know who they are and they tell me that they heard of me through a friend my heart skips an extra little beat. The excitement of it all is overwhelming at times but it is a dream come true for me.

We'll see where it all leads. The journey is just beginning...