What I’ve Been Doing –

I’ve been doing a lot of staring at Fall Colors. Sometimes when I should be paying closer attention to the road ahead of me! I have heard several people ask if the colors are more vibrant this year? It doesn’t matter to me, I’m just trying to soak up every minute I can before they are gone. My theory is the cool Fall we have had may be the reason. Either way this stunning Fall is one for my record books.

Advertising and adding to my growing list of Christmas Mini appointments.  I’m really excited about this years Mini Sessions- Nov 17th here at the studio. It’s not too late to add your name to the list. Grab your family, your Grammy, your best friends, your fur babies, your grandkids and get some fun Christmas pictures this year! 

Book Club – This month I hosted book club at my house. I went full Fall and made a gorgeous vegetable stew and served bread and crackers with it. Dessert was an apple torte (bought at Trader Joe’s) with warm caramel sauce drizzled over it. Which received rave reviews. After we filled our bellies we gathered around the fireplace and discussed “Plainsong” by Ken Haruf

While we found the characters in this story interesting and it did make for good discussion, overall the book wasn’t loved.  I am excited about our next pic and even had it on my to read shelf so I am ready to go! House of Gold by Natasha Solomons have you read it?

What I’ve Been Reading – “Learning to See” by Elise Hooper

I  finished this book this week. In last weeks blog I mentioned you should Google her images.  I hope you did. When I taught history I often used her images to help convey the feeling behind the history. Her images move your heart. You realize for just a flash what it may have felt like to lose everything in the Dust Bowl. Or what it may have been like to live in an internment camp.  It was through Dorthea’s work that I realized how very powerful photography is. 

I love how this book, while historical fiction, (but based on the facts of her life) shows her passion. She understood the power her camera had to tell the truth about what was happening in America to Americans. Before reading this book I didn’t realize she had a very profitable high end portraiture  studio in San Francisco or that the Government highly censored her work. I knew nothing of her personal life which to me was a somewhat sad story.  I enjoyed the book but maybe it’s because I’m a photographer and a history person. 

P.S. – I forgot to mention I gave up on Dr. Zhivago….

My “Current” Favorite –

People who say – Let’s go for it! Thank you to the Lee Family and the Elerding Family for braving the weather this past Sunday.  We discussed rescheduling (but that was easier said than done) but ultimately both families just said lets do it! Because of that we have some really pretty and  unique shots! 

I also am loving delivery days!!! There is nothing like seeing the images I have taken and edited on big gorgeous prints!!!

Goal Check – Christmas Minis

My November goal is to deliver some really beautiful, fun, creative Christmas portraits in a quick, fun manner.  I’m excited to see the list growing for Christmas Minis. There is still room if you are toying with the idea. Don’t hesitate to just reach out and ask questions, come by the studio and see what’s happening  or anything else you need to help you decided.

But first I have to finish the backdrop. I spent all of Tuesday fussing with it. I set up and tore down, switched things around, bought new things, used old things and I think I might be there. Of course the backdrop is just that. The real focus will be on the beautiful, fun people in front of it! 

What I’ve been Photographing – Brave People

I’m not gonna lie friends. This Fall I have had SEVERAL sessions scheduled on rainy days. It is STRESSFUL for me. I want your pictures to be Gorgeous! It’s super important to me and yes, essential that you love your pictures. Which I take full responsibility for. I invest in quality equipment, I am constantly learning and growing as a photographer so I can deliver quality every single time. What I cannot do is control the stink’in weather!!!! 

Often when I schedule people they ask the question “What happens if it rains?” I’m happy to say it always works out! Sometimes we reschedule sometimes like this past weekend we just go for it. Those clients that choose to go for it are very realistic about the fact that we live in the NW and this is reality. Happily, it works. I’m not always sure how, but with positive attitudes and some creativity we have gorgeous pictures with vibrant colors in them even in the rain. 

Thanks for stopping by friends. Feel free to leave a comment, joke, word of advice, encouragement, recipe, book recommendation or any other words 🙂 

Shelly