What a difference a day can make l Personal

I came out of my room yesterday after hours of re-arranging. (yes, I have a problem) I was annoyed that nothing was fitting like it did in my head and I thought a nice glass of cold milk would do the trick. I walked past the kitchen table to find a big plate with two peanut butter & jelly sandwiches cut in half covered in saran wrap, chips on the side, a small bowl with pudding and topped with whipped cream and a glass of iced tea. My mom had left to go shopping with Kourt and she wanted to make sure dad had a good lunch even though she wasn't here. I thought it was the most adorable gesture...so did my dad. So to show his gratitude, he bought her a bouquet of tulips and wrote her a note for when she came home. Oh the little things in life.

I snapped this photo yesterday because the light was so scrumptious.



Then I walked that way again this morning and couldn't help but think....'Oh what a difference a day can make'.



See what I mean?

So Long Insecurity l Personal

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not reallllllly into the 'self help' kind of books. I'm not even one to really follow motivational speakers. Not because I think I don't need them, but because in order to buy the books and listen to the speakers, I would need to identify that there is a problem. Ya dig?

My Julie friend invited me to a girls bible study and encouraged me to buy 'So Long Insecurity' by Beth Moore.



I've always heard of superwoman Moore but never really researched her heart or read her words. Gooooood stuff. She is an awesome example of God using something broken and putting it back together....way more beautiful than it was to start off with. She is a flawed woman but since she realizes that, she has been able to relate to women everywhere who are just as flawed. Gives you hope for sure.



We reviewed Chapters 5 & 6 at the study last night.....and I just bought the book yesterday so I did a quick skim. I was kind of thinking..I don't really have a huge problem with insecurity. WRONGGGGGGGGGG. Smacked right in the face. Something that really jumped out at me was, "never forget, God still reserves the right to favor the suffering". Pretty sure going to that study last night was right in the plans.





Anyway, all that to say....Go get the book, read it and invest in someone else's life. Kelly, can't wait until you can borrow my copy.

I am not dead l Personal

Sorry for the lack of posting lately, I've been dealing with a heavy case of life :) I'm facing quite a few changes and I'm looking at them all with new eyes. Today is Day 1 of working full time as a photographer, no more law firm work. That means I can focus all of my attention to answering your emails, blogging more efficiently and not being limited to the weekends for sessions. (thank the Lord!)

Another change I'm facing is that I am recently single. Not to get severely personal, just felt I should share this. I thought I had my life figured out but God gave me a good shake and asked me to follow Him. At first I was very reluctant to let this part of my life go, but now I'm dropping everything and holding tightly to His hand. There is no safer place. I am confident in His plans and with the constant support of my family and friends, I will come out of this stronger and more compassionate. I say this from the bottom of my heart, if there is something you're holding back from the Lord, face it. Don't let another day go by with an apathetic heart. Give in to His will and don't be afraid to try something new. Bondage can be a crippling thing but in your broken state is where Christ will mold you into who He designed you to be. I'm sorry for the preachy voice, I'm just burdened to share that. Don't be afraid to love with an open heart! I truly appreciate your prayers. To say that I feel loved is an understatement.

On a lighter note, my camera has been hard at work lately. My wrists are aching to prove it! Here's a few photos of what I've been working on.


Amanda & Craig-Engaged


A vintage bridal session (unfortunately having to wait until October to post....)


April & Donnie-wedding


Amy & Micah-Engaged

Also coming soon, some very trendy bridal sessions. No sneak peaks unfortunately....the bride may strangle me. You don't want that, do you?

April Degen l Bridals

now that they're married, these can be unleashed. It's awful when you have beautiful photos that you can't share because they aren't married yet. tragedy...













Wedding photos coming very soon.

Sweetree Studios l Feature

Always a fan of cute headbands and thought I'd share a great Etsy shop (Sweetree Studios) of a dear friend. These make great additions to newborn and toddler sessions :)

Hope and a future

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
-Jeremiah 29:11

Smile

FAQ l 1

I thought I'd use the free blogging world to address a few repeat questions I've been getting over the last few months. As I like to stress when I post this kind of thing, I'm not answering because I'm better but so I can share what I've learned and am still learning. Thanks for the questions everyone. First 5 were anonymous from Formspring.

I love your photos! I was just wondering what equipment your are using?

Thanks for the compliment! I love that you love them :) I shoot with canon equipment bodies and lenses. I usually shoot with Charlotte, my Canon 5D and a Canon 40D as backup. I'm a firm believer that the quality of your photos depends more on your glass (lens) than your body so I've invested in awesome Canon lenses. My favorites are the 50mm 1.4 (great for senior portraits and kids) and the 35mm 1.4 (Bridals and Engagement Photos.) If you're not ready to splurge on the 35mm glass, the 28mm 1.8 is a great investment.

When you are editing pictures and getting pictures to your clients, what process do you use/have? How do you edit (program?) and do you give clients printouts of their pictures, or do you give them a cd with pictures for them to print out on their own?

I'll be honest with you. It took me a couple of months and many sessions to get into my own processing/turn-around groove. I think that each photographer needs to figure out what works best for them so try out a couple things before settling on one way. Personally, I use Lightroom & Totally Rad Actions LR edition (awesome, by the way) for all processing. I try to stay away from heavy presets and general filters and try to focus on adjusting lighting and giving the photo a soft natural feel. I start by uploading the photos to iphoto then make a folder of photos I choose to edit then upload that folder to Lightroom. I'll make my edits and then export that folder to a burn folder for the final CD. After the images are ready to be delivered, I'll make a separate file of photos to blog. Usually about 7 or 8 of my favorites. (rabbit trail....some advice from an amazing photog..you don't have to blog EVERY session. just the ones that define who you are and where you want your business to go) My opinion on this may change in the future, but right now I give my clients a photo CD of all images that make it to the final cut. I don't include prints in the packages because that raises cost for me and in turn for them. I like to keep my prices as reasonable as possible.

How do you think of things to blog everyday? Do you ever get tired of it?

Well you win the question of the day award! Sometimes it is very difficult...that is when I pull out my barney bag of magic and get creative. I think that who you are as a person is a huge part of who you are as a photographer. I try to be real in my blogging and hit on things that are who i am and what I love. When you hire someone to photograph something special to you, you're investing your time into who they are, not just the photographs they create. So no, I never get tired of it. One smile and I've done my job

Do you like plums?

eww no.

I'm just starting out...any advice?

absolutely! read, shoot and repeat. use this time to establish who you want to be as an artist. Don't rush things. Don't jump right into charging people and the business side of things. I'm sure you have some beautiful friends so grab your camera, your keys and head to the nearest park. Do sessions for family and friends for free to build your portfolio. Offer to intern with a photographer over the summer. You'll do a lot of holding cameras, running to the car for things they forgot and lens swapping but the experience you will receive is priceless. Who knows, they may even let you start second shooting for them. Before you know it, you will feel ready and confident enough in your skills to start investing in your own business. Also, hone your skills on the equipment you have before going into debt with the newest camera thriller.

How do you get your photos to have that sun glare without peoples eyes squinting?

LIGHTING LIGHTING LIGHTING. one of the most important factors in a killer session. The best lighting is early in the morning (7-8am) and in the evening (5-sundown). In the early morning you will get crisp flattering light perfect for portraits and the evening light gives you that romantic magic light perfect for sunflare. When you venture out into the early afternoon hours, the sun is so high in the sky that it makes the skin bright and causes squinting. harsh sunlight is NOT flattering. If you have a choice, go with the morning or the evening.

Where do you find all of these different photo spots?

I'm definitely one of those people with a photographic memory. I see things I like and somehow, when I need it, I can recall it and go back to the same spot. Prepare for your sessions. Get to know your clients and what they enjoy. Find out their passions and who they are as a person...then take what you know and throw out some suggestions. Think outside the box. Preparation will make your session go from okay to great.

Who did your website?

I designed it with Showit--They offer the tools you need to make your site unique and it's very affordable. Check them out @ showitfast.com

Meredith Kate l 4 months

I'm sure you remember this precious bottom from a few months back.



Precious Meredith Kate :) I went over to Kristin's last weekend for her 4 month photos and shes even cuter. I didn't think that was possible.

We would sit her up like this, hold her sides, count tot hree and let her go quickly..I'd snap the photo VERY quickly and then....

She would flop over....silly girl.

grandma was not happy about mer out in the cold....she quite enjoyed it though.

LOVE this series

Mom, Grandma, Aunt Kate & Meredith

La Rain Boots l Personal

To keep me from ruining perfectly good shoes via mudddddd.

Coming Soon l Meredith Kate

April & Donnie l Engaged

I'm happy that I found a new place to shoot (when I say I, of course I mean April), that I have wonderful brides who are way too sweet to me and that Donnie did not lose his favorite sunglasses afterall.













march 20 is sneaking up verrrry quickly you two!

10 Reasons l Shootsac

Something miraculous happened yesterday. Something I've been waiting for since I entered into the blogging world about a year ago. Let me just clarify by saying that I'm a total loser. My definition of miraculous is wawa having diet coke that isn't flat. Straight to the point, my Shootsac came in the mail yesterday. Crazy cool happy excited about that!



Now let's be honest...they are a bit on the pricey side...especially if you don't completely understand the importance of a good camera bag and keeping those pricey lenses safe. Until yesteday, I shot with one of those fleece purse sized messenger bags that old navy was selling for $7 a couple of years ago. Switching lenses with that thing was kind of like using an umbrella with holes in it...aggravating. That era has passed and now I will shoot in style. And I'll brag about it until you all throw tomatoes at me...or click the x in the top left hand corner. or right of you're a pc.

still not convinced? Let me reveal the top 10 reasons why you should buy a shootsac.

#1-Going for a 17 mile jog? You need to keep hydrated! Strap on your shootsac and fill it with one (or three) bottles of vitamin water.



#2-doubles as toasty slippers



#3-you can always use an extra large oven mit



#4-do you think your butt is too big?



#5-It's a great doggie door



kind of...



#6-travel pillow



#7-classy halter



#8-yoga mat



#9-thermal for your very warm coffee cup



#10-cooking assistant!



There you have it. If you're not convinced now, then I suppose you'll just have to do without all of these extra features. If not, get yours here. email me (kristin@kristinpartinphotography.com) for a special discount!