Featured Interview: We're Online!

We were featured in a sweet interview on Fuel Your Photography. It's a great source of information for photographers, with lots of articles and images. Go check it out! Congrats to our awesome clients who they chose to accompany the article! You guys are the best, and give us great images to work with. Which image do you like the most?

Shameless plug: dropbox is AWESOME!

I mentioned dropbox to a few students in class the other week, so I wanted to give a little more info. When it comes to tech solutions I'm pretty critical. But dropbox has definately won me over: it's easy to use, it backs up your files for safe storage, it synchronizes all your files, and best of all....IT'S FREE!.

Let me explain my personal setup: I have 4 different computers that I frequently work off of: (1) Our home Imac that we do most of our photo projects on (which we have affectionately named the "big Mac"), (2) Our macbook which I often use for web development (aka, the "mactop"), (3) a Dell desktop that I use for school work (insert cool pun-of a name here), and (4) a PC laptop that I use while in class to take notes (we shall call this my boat anchor).

Imagine what a pain it used to be to work between computers. Frequent were the phone calls to Amber where I would say, "Uh....honey. Can you send me this file. Yeah...it's located at Users:/Documents/ .... *insert about 100 subdirectories here* /myfile.doc. Yeah that should be it!" *10 minutes later* "Sorry dear...wrong computer. Now I want you to go to *insert a 109 subdirectory file here*" WHAT A PAIN!!!

Now the beauty of dropbox: it synchronized all our computers. All you have to do is download the dropbox program to your computer and start dropping files into the dropbox file. As soon as you drop or save a file within your dropbox folder, it automatically synchronizes them across ALL YOUR computers. I used to lug my laptop around to make sure I could synchronize files, now it's done as soon as I click "save."

New scenario....I was about to teach a photo class the other day, when I realized I created the powerpoint on my school computer on campus. Here we were, 2 minutes to start time, and I didn't think to email that file to myself. A moment of panic set in.....but then I remembered I had saved it in my dropbox folder. All I did was power the computer on, and as soon as it was connected online, a little notification said, "AwesomePhotoBasicsPresentation.ppt saved." Can it not get any cooler???

I know I'm already sounding like a salesman, and I don't intend to. But it is awesome! And, for every person that signs up under my name I get 250 MB extra for free (there's my shameless plug). So help me out, help yourself out and click on the link below, or click on the dropbox icon above. Thanks!

Dustin

Hook me up with dropbox and hook Dustin up too

Bridal Sneak Peak

I can't WAIT to show the rest of these, but alas this will have to do until after the wedding day. Special thanks to Brian, one of our star photo students for his awesome help. He and Cherie (the bride's mom) were awesome to have around. At one point I was really trying to get rid of this harsh light that was coming from my flash...we tried EVERYTHING. We repositioned the light, we covered the piano with pillows thinking that was reflecting light, until finally Brian and Cherie decided to move these 30 foot tall drapes to cover the mirrors that were reflecting the light. It was a monumental task, and with a lot of effort they were able to put it back to where it was.

Isn't she gorgeous?!?!? We're so excited to be able to shoot her wedding. Best of luck with the planning!

A photo that makes you hungry....photo critique

Birthday Cake for a Geek

For those of you who know Dustin, you probably know he is a geek. He loves nothing more than running anovas and T-tests and finding variances in the p-values. (That probably didn't make any statistical sense, but i like to pretend i know what he is talking about...)

He thought the coolest thing for his birthday would be a "pi cake" and i ended up bringing it to his graduate class as a surprise (got permission from his teacher!) and he was totally embarrassed. All the other students thought it was great. Once he got over it, he was excited. He got over the embarrassment of it, and we went off to find his other professors to show off to.






On a technical note, i pulled out my macro filters i bought with my film camera 10 years ago, and held them up to try focusing closer. It worked!! The size was different, but it worked well enough. (and they now perfectly fit on the 50mm f1.8 II we got 2 weeks ago!)

Who would have thought when i bought my "expensive" $200 film camera 10 years ago that i would own 10s of thousands of dollars of equipment today? You never know where this addiction will take you if you let it... so go take some photos. Just for fun, just for you.

This was with the +1 filter...


The +4 filter...


The +1, the +2 and the +4 all together!


By the way, those macro filters were only like $25. Pretty good substitute for an expensive macro lens!

Baby Keeley

This precious newborn's mommy happens to be my distant cousin, and we only met a few months ago! Heather came prepared with so many adorable props and fabrics and bows. I was in love. Maybe someday I'll have a little girl to dress up. :)

It is my pleasure to introduce the world to baby Keeley, littlest princess of 4 daughters. You are so precious, baby girl, and your mommy loves you so much. Welcome!!

Weekly Photo Critique!

Congrats to Kristy for the awesome photo! See you tonight!

Class of 2010: Valerie

I can't believe i forgot to post this session!!!! This was my first shoot to use our brand new 5DmarkII, with HD video. It was sweet, and i am stoked at our new products we'll be offering our brides and seniors. It's just magical. I sure wish i had this kind of video for when i graduated and got married.

No video in this post... i had to get these images up as soon as i realized i hadn't posted yet! The light was just magical this day. :) Valerie's dad is one of Dustin's professors, so it was fun for me to get to know the family too!



























Valerie, you are so sweet, and i can't wait to see what life brings you in the future!

$100

I love our new fixed 50mm f1.8 II lens we got friday. On a full frame camera, it is perfect for me. I love the whimsical look. Dustin shot this as Ethan was crawling on his legs. If you are starting out, and only have the lens that came with your kit, check out this lens or the 85mm 1.8 that's about $300. And as always, buy your gear from bhphoto.com. FREE shipping on this lens unless you need to rush it.

I lied.

...just one more. :) so excited to be married.

Just one for tonight...

I had a blast with Lauren and Nate today. They have the best family and friends. Here's just one fun one from today...

i was seriously laying flat on the ground right next to the curb.
I have no shame to get the image i want. :)

Sweet brand new goodness

Okay, i have 3 photoshoots in 2 days, and orders to fill, but i could NOT stop myself from looking at images from the newborn session i shot this morning. Heather, you sure make adorable babies!!!! Thanks for an awesome morning, and so fun to meet your mom.

:)

Julie: Class of 2010

This cute girl was my pleasure to photograph! She got her hair cut and styled the day of-- a daring move, but it turned out awesome. Makes me want to go get my hair cut! She brought her brother along for some nice head shots for some missionary work he's soon going to do.























Julie's off to travel out of the country soon... best of all you do, Julie! It was a pleasure to get to know you! :)

Lighting Critique

Here's this week's photo critique. I found out after the fact that picasa does not allow you to increase contrast or decrease brightness unless you do it in a really roundabout way. I would do it in lightroom, but my headset is located at my computer on OU campus (and it doesn't have lightroom :( )

Hope you enjoy!

Shoot'n at OU: Senior 2010

First of all....LOVE the new camera and new iMac. Makes being a photographer so much less frustrating. Second of all....LOVED this photoshoot. Had a great senior who was brilliantly gorgeous and easy going. I think we both lucked out. Thanks Behnoosh! Hope you enjoy!