Glimpses Week 5 ~ Idaho Lifestyle Photography

So I was looking around my house this week and not feeling too inspired by some of the stuff that makes up our every day, but then I realized I have done a few interesting things outside the house this week. Most of my clients know, but some of them may not that we live and work on a ranch. We raise registered Angus and Hereford cattle with my husband's family, which means we raise the parent stock (bulls and females) that cattlemen use to raise the beef that goes on the dinner table. In fact, before I started taking people portraits, most of my subjects looked more like this. This week, we were taking photos for our upcoming bull sale in March. This guy will be one of the highlight bulls in the sale.

Hope you're enjoying the "glimpses" into my life. To check out more see the Chic Critique Forum

Catchlights ~ February Photo Challenge

A “catchlight’ is simply the highlight of a light source reflected off the surface of the eye. This highlight adds depth and dimension to the eye, and gives the eyes life in a portrait or snapshot.

To read more, check out Digital Photography School, http://www.digital-photography-school.com/an-introduction-to-catchlights

Today's photo challenge theme is "Catchlights". This is a pretty simple, yet wonderful way to improve the photographs you take, whether professionally or for fun. Here's a little sample of two images, one with them, and one without. Now, I think they are both cute images. Good exposure, great expression, but the one of the left just seems to pop more because there is the light in the eyes from the window. The subject was placed with the light to the side of him. On the photo on the right, the light was above and behind the subject. It would have been better to have moved him around to get some better light on his face, but as he was sitting still on this bench, I chose to capture the moment anyway. These just happen to be some images I took of my son last year on his birthday. However, for a client session, I would have positioned my subject better in order to get the best lighting on his little face. I'm always looking for the sparkle in the eyes!

Glimpses ~ Week 4 | My desk

I'd love to be able to say my desk rarely looks like this, but that wouldn't be real-and I want to be real-so I admit it. My desk is usually piled pretty high. I'm a piler. Not sure if piler is really a word, but I'll go with it. Now I'd like to think I'm still a pretty organized person. I do have files and other various ways of keeping track of information, but because I'm usually working on several projects at once, my desk looks like this a lot. Right now I'm finishing up a magazine issue, as well as trying to catch up on blogging some sessions from the end of the year. Both of those tasks will be finished soon, and the desk will be a little clearer-at least for a little while. Sometimes I have to take a few minutes to just get it all cleaned up, then I'm ready to roll again.

I love my desk. I picked it out a few years ago when we moved to this house. It has file drawers on both sides, you know for staying organized, and is big enough to have everything I need within reach.

After the girls are headed off to school, and J's busy playing cars or cows or both, then I grab my mug, lately with Green tea or sometimes Vanilla Chai, and head to the place where the magic happens. Well, maybe not magic, but this is my command center-where the work gets done. Sometimes I feel I am on the computer too much, but at the same time, I'm thankful that my office is in my home, and I can get up whenever I need or want to-to make lunch for my hubby, or play with my kiddos, or grab my mug and a good book to read.

Yes, I do love my desk. I love to sit at it, editing photos for my wonderful clients, writing a story for an upcoming issue and putting the finishing touches on the layout of the magazine. I also love getting to walk away for awhile, knowing my desk will still be here waiting for me.

MMP February Photo Challenge ~ Idaho Lifestyle Photographer

So I decided in January that I wanted to do a photo challenge while my schedule was a little slower. And I thought it would get the creative juices flowing too. You know, each day a different theme, and a different photo. I had found this list somewhere (I normally give credit, but somehow I didn't put down where I found this, plus I did change several of the days to fit my needs. However, if you've seen a similar list, let me know because I am happy to show a little love to whomever thought of some of these.)

Anyway...

I really like the themes on this list because they are fun, but also work on some different camera skills, which is my main focus this year-taking my photography to an even better level through education and practice.

I also decided that for me, it would be challenge enough to take a photo a day based on these themes, let alone try to get it uploaded, edited and blogged every day. Therefore, I am committed to capturing a photo every day, but I may be blogging them in groups or quite possibly waiting until every day in March to blog them. I do hope many of you will join with me for this challenge. I know there are lots of creative people out there, both pro and hobbyists, and it would be fun to see how you interpret each theme. I am thinking about starting a group on Facebook to share all our pics too, so if you want to join in the fun, please shoot me your name and email at info@maggiemalsonphotography.com, and I'll let you know when it's ready!

Even if there isn't a blog post for each day, I will be updating my Maggie Malson Photography Facebook Fan Page with daily theme reminders. So, go ahead, and "like" my page! Can't wait to see what creativeness comes out of all this! Happy February everyone!

Now, I'm off to take that self portrait...

Glimpses Week 3 ~ Waiting for the Bus

This is part of a typical morning-the girls all bundled up and waiting for the bus. Since it's still winter, it's cold and dark outside. They stand at the window and watch the bus go by first, then a few minutes later when I see it coming back from the other direction, they go outside to meet it. So far, they both love riding the bus. I'm sure that will change one day, but for now it's working out well.

They always look so little walking toward it--at least for now they look little. I'm sure that will change one day too. Little brother and I stand at the door waving to them. I think he misses them when they are gone all day. At least they all get really excited to see each other after school, so I think they miss each other. Really hope that never changes.

Oh, and I realize I really need to wash those windows! Ugh! Can you tell that's where my kids stand a lot to look out the window. LOL!

Just another "Glimpse" of my life. Check out the Chic Critique Forum to see more!

Art...and business

In November, I attended a workshop with the Professional Photographers of Idaho. The first day we attended educational sessions on business, exposure, lighting, pricing, client connections, posing and print competition. In addition, we had a shootout with models, different lighting set-ups and backdrops sponsored by Silverlake Photo Accessories.

I was so excited to meet some of my area's photographers who I spoken with or emailed, but never met. The workshops were inspiring and tremendously helpful. Photography is a journey and I never want to stop learning this art. During the second full day, we heard from Master photographer JuliAnne Jonker who shared with us some art history and how to apply the influences of classical artists into our own style of photography.

Even though I have a story-telling, relaxed style, and use mainly natural or available light, I still want to know classical lighting techniques, posing principles and techniques for running an efficient and profitable business. It's not only important to me to create beautiful art of the children and families I photograph-art that will only appreciate in value as time goes by-art displayed in wall galleries and heirloom albums, but it's also important for me to remember all the business side of this. I am dedicated to my clients and providing them with an amazing experience, but I also love my family. They are who inspire me a lot in my work.

Therefore in 2012, I will be concentrating mainly on pursuing my "art" and fine-tuning my business to create one that works for me and my family, while also allowing me to provide THE BEST possible customer service to my clients. I know that for me, I don't need a lot of clients, but I do need and want clients who truly value what I offer. I may not be the photographer for everyone, and that's okay too. It's taken me awhile to realize and accept that, but I am going to be better for it. I hope you continue to follow along and see where this journey takes me, and how you can also be a part of it too!


PPI Shootout
And here are some of the images I captured at the PPI Shootout. Different than what I've been doing, but really fun to practice and learn with different portrait lighting set-ups. These models are really great too!

This first image was set-up using Rembrandt lighting-one light source was set up 45 degrees to subject camera right. It's also characterized by the triangle shaped light on the shadow side of the face. You can see this lighting in Rembrandt paintings. This model is actually another professional photographer, and he was fantastic as the subject in this little vignette set-up. Here's a link to learn more about Rembrandt lighting.

The other three images were created using continuous lighting with a really large softbox as the mainlight to the left of the subject and a smaller fill light to the right of the subject. I ended up having to shoot really wide open so there is a little blur on some of the limbs, but it was good to use some different lighting set-ups. Now I just need to practice at home!

I didn't capture a lot of digital images as I took my film camera and practiced more with it. I'm looking forward to getting my prints back to see what I captured. It's been years since I used film, but it's another way I want to challenge myself this year and work on my "art."

Glimpses ~ Week 2 | Idaho Lifestyle Photographer

Here is my second week "glimpse" of our everyday life. I realized that a lot of these images are probably going to include my little guy as he's such a part of my every day. I'll have to make a concentrated effort to capture his older sisters either before or after school and on weekends, as both are gone throughout the day. I really miss having them around too. I must admit it is sometimes easier only worrying about one at home when I've got a busy work day, but I love my girls so much that having them gone all day every day makes me sad too. Just another reminder to grab all the little moments I can and hold on to each one.

Part of J's morning routine is getting to watch a little TV while I get ready for the day, check email, have some quiet time, etc. His favorite shows include "cowboy TV", which is anything on RFDTV or The Pioneer Woman on Food Network. We have all those episodes DVR'ed so he asks to watch them. He also really loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. I love that he has a favorite blankie he cuddles with too. Each of my kids has their blanket. They don't usually take them from home unless staying somewhere overnight, but they can be found with them around the house. Ahh, glad I'm writing down these little details because I know I'll forget them someday. If you would like to see more glimpses into some other photographers every day lives or you want to play along, check out the Chic Critique Forum!

Glimpses ~ Week 1