Improvement

    I was thinking yesterday about the change that I wrote about. Our family had a bit of a rough one, but I think it has been good for us. I feel stronger. I feel more empowered to go and do. Part of that has to do with not only how I look at my photography, but how I photograph. I found myself, after a summer of crazed disappointment in my behavior with clients (nothing bad, I just started crying while shooting a wedding, after a bit of criticism, and couldn't stop), scared to shoot photos. Scared to shoot, edit, anything to do with picking up my camera. I saw my beloved hobby as a beast, nothing fun about it anymore. All it became was me not thinking I was as good as others. We all know how that feels.

    I had a summer of learning. Learning to be patient, learning to trust myself. A whole summer of trying not to be stagnant. And the other day I had an epiphany, after reading a statement from one of my favorite photographers, Jonathan Canlas. Some one asked him if film presets, or actions, in Photoshop could give a photo a film feel - well, Jonathan shoots strictly film (you should check out his book) so I thought this was a stupid question to ask such a prominent film photog, but whatever. His answer was simple, 'I don't know maybe. I don't really care what other people are doing to be honest...' 

   After reading this I thought, 'Of course, who cares what everyone else is doing, just do what you want - get the look you want from your photos.' So, that is just what I intent to do. I wanted to display some of the improvements I've made over the years with my photos.

    In every case I was happy with the result, it has just taken me a while to get to the point where I can say, 'Yes! That's the effect I've been wanting all along.' I look back as these photos and remember how much fun I have had with every single one of my clients - I don't think I would change anything. What's the point of growing if one day we just stop the growth? If that makes sense. 

    So, I will continue to improve. I will strive to do the best I can, not caring what anyone else is doing. This is how I am happy, that is how you are happy. I do my own thing. You should do yours!

    Happy Saturday!

Matt, Erin & Tempe

A Year of Change

    This last year has been a year of change. We have seen the birth of two new nieces and the passing of one wonderful grandfather. I took a bit of a hiatus from photography just to simplify life, it helped and I now feel energized and ready for wedding season. I will, however, only be taking one wedding per month. I already have one for May and one for June. 

    First I want to say a few words about my Grandpa John. He passed away at the beginning of February after almost 83 years on this earth. You can read his obituary here. My mom asked me to write his obituary and I was so honored. Grandpa was so fun, I always remember baking, playing or just being silly with him. He always cared about what we were doing, he genuinely wanted to know how our lives were going. As it says in his obituary, his family was his life and we always felt loved. Grandpa will be missed, but I know we will see him again. He was a fun grandpa, I will always remember how upbeat and enthusiastic about life he was - and how he called me his Erin Ann :)

    Our nieces Charlotte and Ivy were also born in the last year! We love our nieces and nephew so much! 

    Here's newborn Charlotte, I can't believe she's almost a year old! She is such a sweetie!

    Here's Ivy, she was born Nov. 20 at 25 weeks gestation - she was 1lb. 4 oz. and is now over 6lbs!!

    Happy Tuesday!
    Erin, Matt and Tempe

Indie Feature - Denik

    As you may have noticed I have placed a 'Shop Indie' tag on our blog! We would really love to support independent, local, small businesses on our blog. Especially one that helps a good cause. Our friend Tyler Tolson was recently featured in The Herald Journal for his small business pursuits. Denik is his company, they make notebooks, all with a wonderfully designed front. I bought one yesterday for $9. $1 from every purchase will go toward building schools in Mali, Africa. 

    Head over to the Denik shop and let's support our indie sellers! Buy one for you, your mom, your friend who goes to school occasionally - heck, buy one for everyone for Christmas. It's a simple idea, but one that can do a lot of good. You could even buy this one :)

Happy Wednesday!

Erin, Matt and Tempe