'Tis the Season!

I don't normally shoot maternity, newborn or kiddo portraits, purely because life doesn't afford me enough time to. BUT...I have a special love for my past brides and clients, now friends, so it's hard to resist when they ask me to capture their special moments with their little ones. And I'm happy to do it, because simply put, it makes my heart burst to see how blissfully happy they are and I feel beyond blessed to share in that.

Spring (Did we have Spring? Is this Summer? What's up, Virginia?!) is in the air, which means 'tis the season. Babies, kiddos, everywhere! Here are a few faves from recent sessions.

You'll remember Nichole and Daniel from their million and one posts (LOVE YOU GUYS!!!), their most recent being Nichole's maternity photos. And now, here we are welcoming Braylen to the world! He is the sweetest, cutest, tiniest little bundle of perfection and I adore him. And he will be my little men's bestest friend. It's a done deal.









And of course you'll remember Carla from her maternity session. Can you believe Jackson is a year old?! Time flies is probably the biggest understatement ever. Probably because it's reminding me right now that if Jackson is one, then holy cow, my boys are almost two years old! We had play time at Hunt Club Farm recently and captured Jackson and Mama lovin' on each other and having fun.

Me and my Besties: 50, 85, D700, LR3

I get asked lots of questions from my Shutterbugs learners, clients, friends and family about how I do what I do. What tools do I use? What do I edit with? The list goes on. I'm flattered by the questions and in truth, I am perfectly comfortable sharing whatever knowledge I have and encouraging others in their journey where I am able. I'm a big believer that my business can only continue to thrive when I continue to serve others and that no business will stand that thwarts other learners and dreamers or succeeds at the expense of other people in general. Ya know?

So here are a few of the most common questions I hear:

"What camera body do you use? What camera should I get?"

I use the Nikon D700. I've been a Nikon gal from the start, but purely out of circumstance, and I don't have a bad word to say about Canon. In truth, I believe both brands are beyond stellar and it's the user that controls the tool to prompt a polished, creative result, not the camera model or brand. I love my D700. I understood the depth of that love most recently when I was forced to rent a body as a backup for a few shoots while my baby was in the shop being cleaned. I figured since I needed to rent, why not try out something new and see what I thought, so I rented the D800 from LensRentals.com. (Mini tangent and shout out! LensRental.com is a fantastic company that provided great service, quality product and timely attention. They saved my booty!)

I didn't like it. At. All. Which felt weird. I was expecting to be wowed and utterly hateful towards my D700 post-borrow and I wasn't. I won't go all technical on you, but it just wasn't a right fit for me. I felt like I had to work harder to get my usual results and it just didn't give me the warm fuzzies. In fact, it made me consider buying another D700 as my backup and pray that my baby returned home ASAP. And when it did, it felt awesome. I immediately shot with it to remind myself that yes, in fact, I did enjoy shooting and this camera was my happy place. It was like slipping on your favorite pair of jeans after trying on stiff, new ones in the store dressing room. There's no better feeling.

As to what camera others should get, honestly, I have no idea. I started with a Nikon D60 and at the time, I loved it. It did me well. Now, I look at it and think "You are such a twinkie. But I love you." It's still my go-to for when I am dragging the kids to the zoo or other places where I'm not willing to tote my Mama Blevo. I'm not familiar with the consumer levels cameras today and honestly, only know what I'm watching on the pro level. My best answer for this is to go to a store and tell them what you're looking for (My kids play soccer and I want to keep up, I enjoy shooting landscapes, I want to play with portraiture) and see what they suggest. Then read up on that camera model on Amazon. Their reviews are typically super technical in the best way and you'll get a clear picture if you're heading in the right direction.

"What editing software do you use?"

I use Adobe Lightroom 3. And...I love it. I've got my workflow down and I can be in and out fast with stellar results. I aim to spend as little time as possible in front of the computer editing, and this program helps me achieve that (along with working hard to get it right in camera). There is an Adobe Lightroom 4, and I test drove it when I had the D800 (against my will!) because LR3 didn't support the D800 Camera Raw images. And...I did not like it. At. All. Ha. I feel like I'm turning into an old geezer with my refusal to welcome new technology in this post. I swear! I'm all for the new and improved. But man oh man, the difference in workflow for me was ugly and some of my pocket go-to tools just weren't there with the same ease that I feel with LR3.

As an aside, I do use Photoshop CS4 on the rare occasion that an image needs a little more heavy editing than Lightroom can provide. Yes, it's an old version, and I haven't updated purely because I don't use it often enough to warrant the added expense. And now with the release of Adobe CC, more than likely, I'll be taking this version to the grave with me. While I know this new release will wow heavy users of Photoshop and the other design programs, I'm just not in the user group that can justify a monthly fee for something I open up once in a blue moon.

"What's your favorite lens?"

My Primes! It used to just be my Nikon 50mm 1.4, but I recently added a new friend to the mix when I got my 85mm 1.4 at WPPI. I have a feeling I'll be adding one or two more prime lenses to my arsenal in the coming months/years as I continue to find myself drawn to the intimacy that they offer.

What does that mean? Well, for me a prime lens is all about movement. With my zoom lens, before I know it, I sometimes find myself rooted to a spot and only focusing in and out as needed to capture the images I'm looking for. There is entirely nothing wrong with this approach of course and it can be quite convenient and necessary in a variety of circumstances. With my primes, however, I'm forced to make the move. For each and every shot. I have to stay on my toes and purposefully place myself where I need to be to get the results that I want. I find it keeps me engaged and focused, and ultimately, more creative. I can't get lazy with a prime lens on. If I stay in one spot, my images all look the same! I'm forced to consider alternatives and approach new angles and concepts. They push me! And...they're a heck of a lot lighter than my zoom lenses. So, bonus. They work for me.

I adore my "nifty 50." It's my go-to ace. I'm still getting comfortable with the 85 and have definitely found that I need to specifically identify my purpose when determining which one I want to use. They're both portrait lenses, but making the assumption that they both "worked" the same was a huge mistake on my part! They are completely different animals. And since I don't quite have that comfort level and naturally extended relationship with my 85 that I have with my 50, it was time for some practice. Bring on the models! A big thanks to my Shutterbug Ashleys and my Emily for being willing guinea pigs. :)

Tidbit Post: The ins, the outs, the whats, the whys...

It just occurred to me that I've referenced several different avenues of my creative, professional and personal life lately, and I've never really wrapped it all up in a nice, tiny bow for readers who may just be coming to the table now after a series of big changes and new adventures. So, here it is...what I'm up to on any given day and what you can expect to see and hear on the blog.

My husband and I just celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary, which means I've been in business for just over 5 years now (holy cow!). My daughter, Emily, who by now you've seen and heard from No Makeup March (highest traffic post to date on this blog!), continues to sprinkle our lives with preteen angst and general fashion monstrosity. Needless to say, we laugh a lot. My twin boys, Ben & Jake, are just about 2 now, which means the state of their energy these days isn't properly defined by any language or word known to mankind. They are the lights of my life, and while they certainly keep me on my toes (when they're awake, when they're asleep, I'm usually face down in my own bed in recovery mode), every second spent with them is a blessing and a constant reminder that God is faithful.

And beyond the haze of a full time career in the corporate world, I somehow manage to find time for my photography. After the boys were born, it became pretty clear that I needed to clean the slate a bit to focus my energies on family and home, while making sure my creative life centered around my areas of strength and greatest inspiration for both my benefit and the ultimate benefit of those clients I am blessed to call friends. So for the past two years, I've focused on engagement, wedding and boudoir photography with a few twists thrown into the mix:

1. Hampton Roads Creative: As a core blogger and founder of this special little community, I've found a niche that I absolutely adore. Lots of new learners, great encouragement and a voice to my business mindset and general approach that hopefully lends a hand to others growing new ideas and ventures in their own creative lives. The community is always happy to have new members, so if you're looking for a place to connect with other artists in the Hampton Roads area, please join us! And...in case you missed it, my little dudes made an appearance on the blog just this morning!

2. Shutterbug Photography Series: I talked about this in Monday's post but for those who didn't catch it, I have found another happy place in teaching new DSLR camera owners how to use those expensive, complex techno-machines they just purchased with no idea how to use them other than to click the shutter button in Auto mode. I've offered group classes to moms and hobbyists and more recently have had the great joy to teach private lessons to more avid learners. There's something extra exciting about empowering others with knowledge and let's be honest, we all know I can talk the ear off of anyone on the planet, so this was a natural fit for me.

3. Orchestrated Stylized Shoots: A match made in heaven, I've been blessed to marry my OCD-lovin', event-planning heart with my creativity and photography to assist as the Logistics Coordinator for Chelsea LaVere of Bit of Ivory Photography on her love child, Orchestrated, hosting elaborately themed and executed mock wedding events for photographers to stretch their creative juices and bulk up their portfolios (BAM! Run-on sentence winner!). This partnership has presented opportunities to travel and connect with vendors on a national level and has kept my inspiration at top notch as I head into wedding season. We're in the midst of planning our next adventure, Union, A Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired event, right here in Hampton Roads, so keep up with the Facebook page for more details and treats.

So, that's it! Other than that, I'm free as a bird. Ha! Chaos, right? Well, I thrive on it. And I'm grateful more than words can say with the direction God has taken my life and my creative journey in the past year and anxiously and excitedly waiting to see where it continues to head in the future. I'm happy to have you here keeping up with the insanity and can't wait to share all the good stuff along the way!

Shutterbug Photography Series: Independent Studies

My Shutterbug love child was birthed out of a deep desire to empower others to achieve better results with their cameras. As a parent, as an artist, as a human being, there is nothing more frustrating than having a high expectation for something special that falls flat or even worse, seems to put up immovable road blocks wherever you turn. Seeing the frustration and disappointment in the faces of friends and peers in their lackluster results bugged me. And as a helper, my mama bear teaching instinct kicked in. And the Shutterbug Photography Series was born.

I've now hosted several small group Basics classes, and just recently announced my June 9th Shootout event for my graduates (hit me up if you're coming, Shutterbug peeps!). And now a new and exciting feature has been picking up pace over the last several months and it's been so much fun for me and I hope to see it continue to gain momentum.

I've been offering one-on-one independent study sessions for awhile, but more recently, they've been working to meet two particular needs. On the one hand, I have those that are perhaps not as comfortable in the group setting or learn better in a direct format, and on the other hand, I've had students that have completed the Basics course and are looking to push themselves a bit further down the road and want to fine tune what they've learned and tackle their unique challenges. In both cases, I'm over the moon and enjoy every second. I love teaching! Especially when it comes to art, because the best part is watching creatives discover their own tastes and manners of expression, and watching their vision jump off from where my technical knowledge ended and their personal art begins. Best job in the world, right?

My latest Shutterbug-in-training very kindly let me take a few images of her while we played this past weekend. She dug in deeper to her art and where she's hoping it takes her and I got to play with my new 85mm. Win! Thanks Ashley for being a willing model and so excited to see where your photography is headed! Oh, and before my playtime shots, here's one just for fun...Ashley and I acting out our teacher/student relationship at the last HRC event. ;)



And now for the pretty lady herself:

The Chosen Few: Ashley & Chris

Ashley and I go way back...she did an awesome love session at her amazing farm months and months ago that you can catch up with HERE. So, super lucky me, when her super awesome man proposed in the sweetest way possible and she came a-calling for wedding photography! :) Yay!

I asked her if she was planning to use her love session images for her Save-the-Dates and she went "Well, yes, and maybe you'll think this is silly, but I still kinda want to do another session just because we're engaged now and I want an official session to celebrate, even though the only difference is that I'm wearing a ring now. Is that silly?" Ummm....NO! Of course I was thrilled to have another opportunity to shoot with them, and as you know, I never turn down a chance for more portrait practice and fun with a couple before their wedding day. Chris and Ashley are going to be pros! I'm so, so happy to have them on board and can't wait for their big day.

PS. Make sure to check back later in the Fall...I'm pretty sure her bridal portraits are going to be out of this world amazing. And of course, I'll have to squirm, sitting on them all summer, until after she gets married. ;)

Giving Back: Peace From the Inside Out

I have always had a heart for giving back. To me, the phrase "blessed to be a blessing" is not just a cliche of warm fuzzies, it's a calling and an extension of my character (or perhaps better stated, what I hope for my character to be). I very strongly believe that staying connected with the community, and stepping out with a servant heart, should be the keystone to any small business, but especially when your business is some form of art and creative expression. It's my job to connect with the deep emotional threads of life in my images, and to me, the very best way to fundamentally dial in to the lifeblood of what I'm trying to achieve is to invest time and energy into offering myself to others in service. It inspires me, it motivates me, it compels and challenges me. The time I've spent in service has blessed me far beyond anything I could have ever expected or imagined. The people I have met have so encouraged and rejuvenated my soul, that I can honestly say I'm a different person because of them. You can read up on some of my other projects, like Homeless 2 Housing, by catching up with other "giving back" posts on the blog HERE.

Most recently, I had the great honor of creating some super quick, last minute basic portrait shots for our own Hampton Roads native, Miss Bianca Neff. She's been an active global humanitarian for 20 years, with a primary focus in anthropology and international conflict resolution, dedicating herself to grassroots peace-building efforts from the inside out. She works with local leaders in the developing world, more specifically, in regions of violent conflict, to empower them to effectively communicate the needs of their communities to international aid programs and other area leaders. Her program is called Baaham Peacebuilders. Baaham means "together" in Farsi/Dari, dovetailing perfectly with her vision to bring aid workers and local leaders together to restore peace and hope effectively and courageously.

I'll let Bianca speak for herself and the ambitions she has for healing the broken parts of our world, but I'll lead into her passion by saying she is by far one of the most motivated, self-sacrificing people I have ever met. She communicates in a way that makes you feel important and valued, and it's clear she's been called to make big waves in this world. She is fearless and focused and I find her outlook on peace to be fascinating and beyond tremendous. Without further ado, here is the lady of the hour in her own words...



After years of cross-cultural experience in countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America and also at United Nations headquarters in Geneva, I’ve witnessed a worldwide peacebuilding behemoth that has become more and more programmatized with time. My mission in life is to help “rehumanize” the field of reconciliation and global conflict resolution by caring personally for the courageous leaders who face incredible odds. Baaham rehumanizes the field of international peacebuilding by meeting the very real and often neglected needs of leaders of global peace movements. We exist not just to support their “programs” but for them as people, as individuals, as leaders. Alongside them, together we face the good, the bad, and the ugly. Theirs is an extremely tough and complicated reality of working for peace in war and conflict zones. As the founder and CEO of Baaham, I am committed to providing them the support they need for success. No issue is too messy for us—peace leaders need someone to walk with them through all kinds of thorny personal and professional issues. The world cannot afford to lose these valuable leaders to burnout and emotional exhaustion! By caring for their mental health and by providing personal counseling and coaching under a wider umbrella of leadership development, we do what others fail to do, which is to keep peace leaders healthy in their fields of violent conflict.

One of Baaham’s recent clients is a fabulous Syrian human rights lawyer with an amazing commitment to his country. As Syria is embroiled in the planet’s most violent war at this moment, Baaham staff have been able to infuse this Syrian brother with hope, encouragement and mental and emotional health tools to keep going in his mission of teaching and training Syria’s next generation of human rights lawyers. His is but one life that we are strategically strengthening and undergirding.

Our current clients work in such wide-spread areas as the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa, and Far East Asia. We also serve US-based personnel working in the fields of global peacebuilding and international human rights.



If you'd like to support Bianca's program and join in her efforts to bring peace to the hurt and broken areas of our world, beyond keeping her safety and needs in your prayers, you are also able to contribute directly towards her vital programming costs via PayPal, through her email address: baahampeacebuilders@gmail.com.

The Chosen Few: Nichole & Daniel

By now, you know Nichole & Daniel very well. Two of my very favorite, amazing all-around, fabulous people, dear friends and perfect clients. On the off chance you're in here for the very first time, you can read about them HERE. And HERE. Oh and HERE too. Oh wait, and Nichole snuck in HERE too. I told ya. They're loyal faves. ;)

To say I'm excited for Nichole & Daniel to become parents doesn't quite do it justice. In fact, I'm not sure what words would adequately describe how overjoyed I am for them. I'm not in the habit of shooting maternity sessions anymore now that I've focused on weddings, engagements and boudoir, but of course I couldn't pass them up when they asked me. And knowing Nichole and her heart for art and appreciation for photography, I knew it would push my own creative limits to new levels. Plus, I just like seeing their smiling faces. (Although Daniel did crack a joke about my not-so-subtle, super hot pink brand new Kelly Moore bag of awesomeness, for which I forgive him his manly disconnect from what is clearly the best bag on the planet.)

It rained on the day of their session. And being the champs that they are, they said, "We can get wet." So, after doing some inside stuff, we braved the weather, and Daniel played doting assistant covering me with a ginormous umbrella, and we rushed through some portraits. Normally, rushing and bad weather would give me an anxiety attack, but with them, everything comes so naturally, we just needed a few minutes and bam! Perfection.





Seriously, you guys know how much I love you. I am blessed to know you in more ways than I can count, and you are going to be two of the most spectacular parents I know. And our boys are going to be best friends. FOREVER.











PS. Don't forget to enter the blog relaunch giveaway!!! We've only got 2 days left. So, be sure to double back to Monday's post and get those last minute entries in! I'll announce the winners on Monday.