Labor of Love Part II

My husband and I were checking out some websites this evening. As part of my photographic growth I often frequent photography websites. Some "moms with cameras" websites, while others are high end fashion websites. 

I am very careful while looking through every picture. I analize, study.... Watch where the light is placed look in the eyes of the subject. In doing this, my husband said something to me. He said, "it must suck being a photographer". I paused turned around and asked him, "why would you say that"? He said, "you don't just look at the art the artist created for you, you pick it apart and analize it". I thought about it for a moment... My answer was this, being a photographer is magnificent! I have the luxury of looking at a portrait of a person, as not just a portrait of a person. I study it, truly look at it. I "SEE" the light, how it wraps around the subject, I notice how the light transforms an object. I look in the eyes and know how the portrait was taken. I am not analizing I am admiring. I admire a photograph that it is very obvious the photographer did not half hazardly throw a light on top of a camera and blast the light straight on. I admire when it is obvious the artist took their time to study the subject and place a light in a position as to accentuate the positive features of the subject.

It is this that is lacking in todays "professional portraits" there are so many "moms with cameras" who get a fancy camera and get lucky with one average shot and think "I am a photographer" (I can say this cause I am a mom). And then take 500 images and sell them on a disc for $25. Then that person comes to me and thinks I am ripping them off for charging what I charge.

So no, it does not "suck being a photographer"! My heart flutters when I think of photography, when I photograph I seriously get so excited.  Yes, I analize "GREAT" photography but not because I am picking out flaws, but because, I am memorizing and learning. Picking out lighting patterns. And yes, I do analize my subjects. I want every portrait I take not to be just some photograph that pays this months bills. I genuinely want it to be a work of art. Something someone passes and actually stops turns around and studies. I yearn to be more, to grow and be "GREAT". I want people to look at my work and say WOW! Any one wanting to share in my adventure don't hesitate to say so. I love talking and critiquing, not just critiquing, but also being critiqued. It is what helps me grow!

A website worth checking out

www.micheallavine.com

Kristina Senior Photos Camden county Ga

Just a quick note of the session I did this evening. 

This session was so cool! Kristina chose all her own locations. I think her choices were magnificent. I feel her pictures will totally stand out from the rest. Kristina you are AWSOME!

I know that where ever your future takes you it will be a bright one. 

Rebecca, the tears will dry and before you will be standing an amazing woman that YOU helped shape and mold. I am quite sure you will not be disappointed, she is an amazing young lady.

Congrats to you for all your achievements. It was a priviledge meeting you and photographing your senior photos!

The labor of love

I was thinking about the joy I receive when I take pictures... Cheesy I know....  I hope this never becomes a "job" to me. I often think how truly lucky I am that I actually get to do what I love! 

To see a family react to my photographs sincerely touches my soul. I can skate through a whole day of happiness on that feeling. The fact that my images will be loved by someone and enjoyed by a family for a very long time, means so much to me.

I pray the Lord continues to bless me with the gift of photography, as long as he does I will continue to shoot.....

St Mary's Ga Family Photography

I just got finished photographing the Gombaski  family and absolutely could not wait too edit this picture! 

First let me tell you about the family. Shelby is one of my senior ambasadors for  2010 class. 

I enjoyed photographing her and getting to know the family. Rhonda let me know her son and his wife were about to have her first grand baby, and she gave me the honor of photographing him for the first time. 

He was so sweet and such a good sport about the whole wing thing (he really was an angel).

I love photographing families who allow me to have the creative freedom and really allow me to "play".  I hope they enjoy these pictures as much as I truly enjoyed taking them, not only for the photography end of it but because I truly enjoy their company.

In the other picture is me! I asked Shaun (the babies dad) to hold my camera, so he started taking pictures! Hilarious it is not too often I see my self in pictures.. Thanks Shaun for enlightening me, I think I like myself on the other end of the camera!

Family photography crooked river state park Kingsland Ga

This is one of my most recent photo shoots from Crooked River State Park in Kingsland.
I had never photographed there before, but was really excited with how this shoot went. This was a very beautiful young couple. With a new baby... I had a wonderful time getting to know them and their family.
As always I am very excited to hopefully get to watch this little guy grow up.

I want to inform everyone of family portraits summers are a great time to do family portraiture.. Your family is in town and their is no better time then the present.
There are plenty of excuses not to.... Such as " I want to lose weight" (That is mine) lol! However, your children do not care what you look like. They love "you"! Portraiture is extremely important! It documents who you are and is a family heirloom for your children to pass down to their children. I know my kids all the time ask me, "where do we come from"? Guess what? I don't know, we don't have a lot of family portraits from the past.
I cannot express the importance....
Luckily you are in the right place... If this is something you are needing we can hep you with that! Give us a call and we can set up a FREE consult! YES FREEEEE!
hope to talk to you soon!

a breath....of summer

I took my children to the zoo today.. It was one of the best days I have had in a very long time. We had no agenda, no place to be and no plans. We could look at the gorrillas for as long as we want..
What I found my self being drawn to was not the animals. It was the colors and the sky, the fish in the water. We stuck the tips of our fingers in the water and let the fish nibble our fingers. I noticed the reflections in the water. We walked out on to the river and I noticed for the first time in a long time the rain coming in. I did not want to run for cover I wanted to soak it in, watch the contrast in the sky from light to dark, found myself mesmerized by it's beauty.
We went to the asian gardens and as we were leaving there were these bright red flowers. The flowers were in front of these huge green trees that had moss swaying form it's branches, and just beyond that was the sky with the storm coming in. At that moment I was so thankful for color! The color was so rich I wanted to stand there and soak it in.
I took my children over to the playground and passed by a magnolia tree, the smell was so wonderful. I looked and noticed the sun passing through it's petals. The only camera I had was my blackberry so I snapped a shot to share.

What I want to share with you is the value of time... We can spend our whole lives working to gain the illustrious things of life, and totally miss out on the natural beauty that surrounds us everyday.
This summer take the time to enjoy the smells, sounds and sites that the earth has to offer. Take the time to feel the sand between your toes, to feel the wind blowing your hair, to notice the flowers color and smell.
I wish you all a very happy and safe summer, may you have many blessings
Alissa

Just some random words

Time..... to sum up time is to sprinkle sand in the wind. Each grain representing a moment... and just like that the wind of time whisks the grains of life away in a whirlwind.

Ya know when I was 13 I remember walking down the street by myself and thinking, OH MY GOSH! I have 3 more years before I can drive. Then all of sudden whoosh! 17 years have flown by...... 17 years! Even saying that is mind boggleing to me. 

Its like moments were nothing! I look back I can remember the major things Highs school graduation, the birth of my children, getting married... But what about the fragments of time? The ones where relationships were built? The moments of my high school years... I do not remember hardly any of that! At the time it did not matter.. At the time I thought oh my gosh I just cannot wait to get outta here. Why in the world would I want to remember this? 

Simple......

You try your whole youth trying to get older, then you spend the rest of your life trying to maintain your youth... It is sooo true! What a vicious cycle life is. 

Okay what is the point?

To sum it up, Live your life, enjoy every moment, the tears from your last break up will evaporate and you will not remember them in 17 years.. Laugh, laugh as loud as you can.. One day soon we all grow up and get bogged down by responsiblity...   

I wish all of Camden County Seniors Good Luck!