Among my most precious posessions, Im ashamed to say I count my iphone. Is there anything it cant do? Wanted to share Josh’s latest creation (its really ok to hate him beacause he’s so good  ) While he was shooting a recent wedding he decided to shoot a little 8mm video…WITH HIS IPHONE. Check it out.

Kelsi + Marc from Kim Box Photography on Vimeo.

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Danielle turned me on to this guy, and I have to say Im so drawn to his films. This one, called The Birdman, made me tear up. I think its because Chris took the time to tell his story, a guy that probably hasnt had many folks sit with him and want to know about his life. It really made me want to start a project like this in our area (if only I had time for another project). So often we go through our days thinking about ourselves and all we have to do, but it would really mean so much to so many, if we just took the time to ask about their life.

The Birdhouse Man from Chris Wiegand on Vimeo.

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Two of my favorite things all rolled into one beautiful online package. You know I love an online Mag. and one of my most favorite photographers is the ridiculously talented Jose Villa. We had the opportunity to have dinner with Jose in Nashville a few years ago, since then his popularity, has continued to grow, and it was pretty darn high back then. He has since had a book published, that Im dying to get my hands on. He is all film shooter, and his work is unmistakeable. Check out his amazing cover and feature(pg 64).

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Via Pinterest

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Words Every Aspiring Photographer Should Know

Style is a voice, not a prop or an action. If you can buy it, borrow it, download it, or steal it, it is not a style. Don’t look outward for your style; look inward.

Know your stuff. Luck is a nice thing, but a terrifying thing to rely on. It’s like money; you only have it when you don’t need it.

Never apologize for your own sense of beauty. Nobody can tell you what you should love. Do what you do brazenly and unapologetically. You cannot build your sense of aesthetics on a consensus.

Say no. Say it often. It may be difficult, but you owe it to yourself and your clients. Turn down jobs that don’t fit you, say no to overbooking yourself. You are no good to anyone when you’re stressed and anxious.

Learn to say “I’m a photographer” out loud with a straight face. If you can’t say it and believe it, you can’t expect anyone else to, either.

You cannot specialize in everything.

Know your style before you hang out your shingle. If you don’t, your clients will dictate your style to you. That makes you nothing more than a picture taker. Changing your style later will force you to start all over again, and that’s tough.

Accept critique, but don’t apply it blindly. Just because someone said it does not make it so. Critiques are opinions, nothing more. Consider the advice, consider the perspective of the advice giver, consider your style and what you want to convey in your work. Implement only what makes sense to implement. That doesn’t not make you ungrateful, it makes you independent.

Leave room for yourself to grow and evolve. It may seem like a good idea to call your business “Precious Chubby Tootsies”….but what happens when you decide you love to photograph seniors? Or boudoir?

Remember that if your work looks like everyone else’s, there’s no reason for a client to book you instead of someone else. Unless you’re cheaper. And nobody wants to be known as “the cheaper photographer”.

Gimmicks and merchandise will come and go, but honest photography is never outdated.

It’s easier to focus on buying that next piece of equipment than it is to accept that you should be able to create great work with what you’ve got. Buying stuff is a convenient and expensive distraction. Spend money on equipment ONLY when you’ve outgrown your current equipment and you’re being limited by it.

Learn that people photography is about people, not about photography. Great portraits are a side effect of a strong human connection.

Never forget why you started taking pictures in the first place. Excellent technique is a great tool, but a terrible end product. The best thing your technique can do is not call attention to itself.

Never compare your journey with someone else’s. It’s a marathon with no finish line. Someone else may start out faster than you, may seem to progress more quickly than you, but every runner has his own pace. Your journey is your journey, not a competition. You will never “arrive”. No one ever does.

Embrace frustration. It pushes you to learn and grow, broadens your horizons, and lights a fire under you when your work has gone cold. Nothing is more dangerous to an artist than complacence.

– Cheryl Jacobs Nicolai

Via The Creative Mama

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I thought I would start a Monday tradition of sharing a photographer that I am inspired by, after all on Monday’s we all need a little inspiration, right!? Last week I ran across Ashley Skjaveland’s site, and was instantly drawn to it. So simple, and genuine. Click on the image to give her a visit and see what you think.

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So Josh, Erika and my self were having a conversation about our tagline yesterday, “Fine Arts Weddings” & “Fine Art Portraits”. We are in the midst of updating our blog & website and to be honest I brought up that I was a little worried our clients might misunderstand what that means to us. Then… we had one of those conversations that I wished that were recorded for us to share.

What do we mean by “Fine Art?”

A huge priority with us, is that those portraits you hang in your home, will still be amazing in 20 or 30 years. That they can become heirlooms you pass down to your children. Like old family portraits. You know those that are 70-100 years old or older. They are always beautiful, classic, simple and will never go “out of style“. I am always so drawn to those. They  inspire me.

We approach each sessions with the goal of capturing something real. Something timeless. Sometimes that is a sweet somber moment, sometimes that is a big belly laugh. We love images that make you feel something. We want the result of  a session with us to be a selection of precious memories that you will cherish for the rest of your life. Images that can stand as beautiful “Art” in your home. What better to decorate your home with, than those that you love the most.

So to us “Fine Art” simply means beautiful photography that will fill your home and walls with love and memories for generations.

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I can just see a bowl full of these on a coffee table. What a fun idea!

Martha Stewart

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Deb Schwedhelm is another photographer I go to for inspiration. I love the natural feel of her work. I love the grain in her black and whites. I think her work can stand as Art and Portraiture. Check her out. Tell me what you think. I would love for you guys to leave me a few comments. I want to hear from you.

I want this one with my Sam!

Deb Scwedhelm

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