Just For Fun~My creative blog for scrapbooking and digital freebies!
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Monday, February 1, 2010

Why I am Soooo Excited!

Why am I so dang excited? Because ALL the photos on this post are my very first photos taken MANUALLY! All by myself...shutter speed, aperture, and focus! Up until Saturday I was taking all my pictures on auto. The only thing I have done to these photos is size them down and change them to JPG to fit on my blog. I didn't retouch any of them. I know they aren't perfect but hey...it's a start!So I discovered that when you are super pumped to do a photo shoot and the lighting is perfect, an over-active toddler is NOT your best subject. But what do you do...he was the only one home.
I went to Seattle on Saturday to attend an amazing crash course taught by Nicole Gerulat
It was worth every penny. I took a picture of my class notes in an incredibly dark room.

She even brought in a model for us to teach us about proper lighting. (And yes she has clothes on :) She was wearing a strapless dress.)

Danyelle was the one who told me about the class and talked me into taking it. She even posed for me so I could practice.


So I am thrilled! I feel like I can take my photography to a whole new level and I can't wait!
I am saving up for my dream lens (one that can capture shots during basketball games) and I have made a bit of extra money taking family photos for friends.
Need your picture taken?
I only charge $75 for a 1-2 hour family photo shoot and $50 for a photo shoot of a single person, child, or baby. This pays me for my time at the shoot and for the hours I spend editing and retouching your photos. When the pictures are ready you get a CD full of every photo taken at the shoot and another CD with the retouched photos.
Give me a call if you're interested!

16 comments:

Brenda said...

I am having a baby in the next couple of weeks if you want to practice on her...

Michelle said...

I can't even remember the last time I saw picture of myself that I really liked. If you promise to make me look good, I would pose for you!

Anonymous said...

they look very good. i am very impressed with the lighting. and yes, i'd love my picture taken. in about 30 pounds. :) ha ha ha.

Heidi D said...

Very cool. When I go back to school, I'm going to take a photography class. I would love to know all of the technicalities of photography.

Good pictures. :)

aubrey said...

congratulations amy, how fun! i think your photographing skills are amazing!

LKP said...

CONGRATS!
very excited for you.
i have wanted to take one of nicole's classes for a while, just
haven't had the time or money.
YOU are a rocking talented lady.
whenever you feel you've got too much knowledge to hold in, let me know when you need somewhere to shed some of it! lol.

nicole hill gerulat said...

They look awesome! Congratulations --great to meet you and thank you for coming!

Kristen said...

Amy, your manual photos are great! Far from what my first manual photos ever looked like! In the beginning, I thought I would never get the hang of shooting in manual mode. But now, I think it's been nearly 3 months since I've touched the automatic dial. The feeling of seeing a great photo shot in manual mode is way more rewarding than one taken in automatic mode. You impress me!

I can't wait to hear if you see a difference in your gym pictures now that you know all about manual mode!

I hope you get lots of customers hiring you to take their pictures!

Mike 'n' Cindy Brinkerhoff said...

I really need to take a class like that too... far too often I have a great shot all lined up, only to find that the auto settings have messed it all up!

BTW, you were over on this side and didn't call?? ::pout::

Lisa Christine said...

I am obsessed with photo shoots...because really, can you ever have enough family photos? Because the truth is, my children are growing fast and I desperately want to capture every moment. So...I might have to hire you one of these days :)

MichelleB said...

Already said, sign me up!!! It has been 2 yrs since I have had my kid's pictures taken. My mom was just telling me it is time to update them. If you have an idea of where I would love that.

SuzanSayz said...

Those are great Amy. You are doing exactly what we are always taught at church to do with out talents. You are taking your talent for photography and growing and enhancing it far beyond the raw talent you first discovered. I wonder what other talents Heavenly Father will be blessing you with? Well done thou good and faithful servant.

melissa mae said...

isn't it amazing the difference it makes using manual? Your photos look awesome!

Washington Rimmasch Family said...

Those look great. Sign us up too:)I think it's awesome you took the time to do that for yourself!

dandee said...

love the shots of Branson!

I wouldn't have minded if you would have edited me a bit though...

Lee said...

I love manual! It's the only way to go. :) Photography is just uber fun! Looks like you are doing great!