A pretty great, productive year...

I know 2011 isn't over yet, and there is still time for photo sessions, but this year has been pretty great on the photography front.

First, it started with my friends Jillian and Charles having me take some candid engagement shots. It was slow in the beginning...getting some jobs here and there, but it picked up by the end of the year. Each session was fun and entertaining, despite parents having trouble with their young-ins on occasion. But I always say, kids in that moment, of acting up, are some of the best shots you can get sometimes. They're the most natural and those are always the best!

Then there was the very beginning stages of coming up with and developing a new website (still in the works). I'm hoping to spend more time on that in the new year. I need to find a photographer myself, to take some candid shots. 

Anyway, for everyone who helped make 2011 pretty great, thanks! I can't wait for more great times and memories in 2012!

To think I got my camera a year ago. I'm ready for my new Nikon goodies this year!

Holiday Cards

Some people ask me, "Can you take a quick photo for our Christmas card?" I always oblige, but sometimes the "quick" isn't always so quick. Nonetheless, I always have fun!

Christmas Joy

Lauren & Thomas and a little pug love

My sister's dog Lucy. Who couldn't love this face?

The Beale Family

I had fun with this family. The girls are a complete riot. They definitely have character!

Fehlings, Crawfords and more, oh my

 What a fun group of people! Love their wackiness and charm! Enjoy!

Busy, Busy, Busy

So October and well, November too, have been dry months for photography shoots. Now that the holidays are rolling in, things are picking up. I have one shoot set up for the day after Thanksgiving. It's with my co-worker and her family. It should be a fun shoot, since she and her husband are really fun. I also can't wait for a shoot in the middle of December. If you saw my infant pictures, the angel with wings, I'm taking pictures of her again and her family! I have a couple shoots in early December too that I'm excited about, mostly new clients. So, be sure to keep a look out for some new photos on my blog. I can't wait to start snapping and spending hours editing! I love it!

I'm going to be an aunt

My older sister's baby shower was this weekend and I captured a few shots. My soon-to-be nephew's name is Brennen and his nursery has a monkey theme. We kept the same theme for the shower! Really cute!

Little Brennen's home right now

My sister Lauren bought this cute ornament for my pregnant sister Erin

Just been busy

I've just been too busy the last few weeks and haven't gone out for any photo shoots. I hope to have some new photos up soon!

The Koehler Family

These pictures were taken at the DuBose House in Chapel Hill.

 

 

Four of my favorite kids!

I took pictures today of my best friend's kids at a park back home. I think all four of them had lots of fun!

Braedyn, Cooper & Jordan

Sister and Brother Love

Newborns are tiny angels

I recently bought some new props for one of my newborn shoots. It was my sister's idea. So I tested them during a recent newborn photo shoot. Some people might not like the props, but I think they worked in this case.

Fall 30-minute sessions at Duke Gardens

Duke Gardens is a beautiful place, yes even in the fall. So I have decided to do 30-minute photography sessions there Sunday, Sept. 25.  The gardens open at noon, but I will be out there by 2 p.m. for 5 fall mini-sessions. The $50 package includes a 30 minute shoot, a CD of the 10-20 best edited photos (color and black and white, you chose one or the other or both.) I'll also email you a link to an online gallery to share with family and friends. There are limit spots open so send me an email at simplestepsphoto@gmail.com and sign up today!

President Obama at my Alma mater

I had the fortunate chance of getting to be part of the White House Press Pool and take photographs of President Obama at N.C. State Wednesday. It was for work of course.

 Reynolds Coliseum is known for not having air conditioning. So, when you get thousands of people in there chanting too, it was at times, uncomfortable. But that didn't stop me from running around Reynolds to snap a few memorable shots. So check out the gallery on nbc17.com. The photos I took have my name on the top right. It's definitely a day I will remember.

Marvelous Max!

This is my friend Kim's son Max. He is so adorable! Love the cheeks! These are just a few. More to come soon!

Becoming a spot healing master

I have just spent the last hour and a half practicing the spot healing brush tool on Photoshop. Here are my before and after shots. I think they look good!!

Before

After

Thinking about the holidays..

That's right, I'm thinking about the holidays already. But I'm not thinking about decorating quite yet, I'm thinking about holiday family portraits. 

CARE Plastics

As I said in my previous post, this is my first commercial photography session. This is just a sample.

Commercial Photography

I was hired for my first commercial photography job last Friday. I'm still working on editing the photos, but they will be up shortly. It was a fun shoot, plus the people I worked with at CARE Plastics were really nice. I used to work with one of the employees, and she wanted someone to take some shots off the office and the staff for their website. Once I get them all done, be sure to check out there new site. I'll let you know when I see my photos there!

Are you ready for some...high school football?

I haven't taken that many sports photographs since I started taking photos. In fact, I haven't taken that many action shots period. This past weekend I was given the opportunity to take still photographs at a High School Football Jamboree with my job. Four hours, four games and 1,400 hundred photos later...I was done. I added a few of my favorite shots to my TV station's Facebook page and a photo gallery was created on my work's website nbc17.com. Let me know what you think. Again, it was my first time taking photographs of football players in action. I think they turned out well. Click on the link to view the gallery!

More vacation pictures as promised

Vacation...

While "vacationing" in upstate New York, I decided to check out one of the state parks. My parents and I went to Watkins Glen State Park. The forecast called for rain all day, but I had faith mother nature would hold off for a little bit, or enough time for me to snap a couple shots. While typing this, I just realized in some of my shots, I should have tried my sports action setting for the waterfalls. To bad I didn't think of that until now. Oh well. Back to the waterfalls. We hiked up the Gorge Trail. Apparently there are a total of about 18 waterfalls, but we only saw a few big ones plus some smaller ones. These are just a couple shots (without editing) for now.

Still learning photoshop

I'm not exactly a professional, but maybe one day. Every time I edit my photos, I learn a new tool/trick. I had been looking at some other photographer websites. I think I've learned the lens flare trick among others, like the spotlight feature. I guess it just takes a couple hours sitting in front of your computer and messing around with Photoshop. Anyway, here are some of "my new tricks."

 

Keeping up with the Joneses

I've known the Jones family since I started my first job out of college in 2005. I can honestly say they are some of my favorite people. A big thanks to them for helping me get some family shots up on my blog! These are just a few of my favorites!

Pregnancy photos

Let me be clear. NO! I'm not pregnant! But my sister is, so I will be an aunt come next January! I couldn't be happier for my sister and her husband, and well me and my family.

Photos coming soon...

I have a couple of photo shoots coming up. I have one this coming week, where I'll be taking pictures of one of my good friends and her sibilings. A couple weeks after that I'll be taking pictures of one of my favorite families. I'm excited to have familiy pictures on my blog soon. I can't wait to try out some new techniques or "poses." Also deciding on what kind of props to bring with me.

I know I take lots of pictures of people, so I also hope to take more photos of random things like old buildings, churches, etc. If you have an idea of cool spot feel free to comment.

I'm in the market for..

So I'm looking to purchase an ND filter. I keep reading photography articles and blogs. Each time I like one of the techniques I read about, or how a picture has turned out, they've used an ND filter. So I will probably purchase one in the coming days, not sure I can wait until my birthday in October. Here are some examples of what I am talking about. They use the ND filter for great sky shots.

Well...some cards have been ordered

I went with my own design using a photo I took myself. I think it works for a start-up business card.

Business Cards

Today I have been trying to design and determine which "look" I like best for my new business cards. I'm having a hard time deciding. Not sure if I should go with a simple design or a photography looking design or display one of my own photos on my cards? I wouldn't know which picture to chose anyway. Here are a of couple designs I am currently debating.  Let me know what you think?

Rain Rain go away

The rain keeps putting off some of my photography sessions. But not to worry, I hope to get one in this week (newborn photos) and a couple more within the next few weeks!  Thanks for checking out the photos I've taken so far!

It's official. I'm part of the Clay Aiken paparazzi!

 For my job, I was able to attend the Durham Bulls game at the old DAP.  That's the setting for the movie "Bull Durham." Anyway, former American Idol contestant Clay Aiken sang the National Anthem.  It was a great night for baseball!

Historic Oakwood Cemetery