Summer goes too fast, and gets too hot

    Matt, Tempe and I have been running around like crazy this summer. Between holidays, family gatherings, and going to see 'Wicked' with my mom and sister, we have not had two seconds to sit down - let alone blog.

    Now summer is almost at a close and we have lots to show for it - most of what we have to show is a ton of Instagram photos on my iPhone. I had some wonderful photo shoots this summer and eventually I will blog about those, but for now I want to a couple photos of one of my favorite things to shoot, flowers. They are beautiful, and they hold still.

    We hope your summer has been filled with laughter and, most of all, time with family and dear friends.

My girl and me

    Tempe and Matt were out playing last night, she loves chasing her Frisbee. So, I thought I'd bring the camera out and get some shots. I had been editing photos, after coming home from my cardio workout, and looked amazing, not. But I wanted Matt to get a photo of me and Tempe together, we have tons of Matt with Tempe and almost none with just me and her.

    He did a fabulous job!

 
 We have a busy weekend in front of us, including a baby shower for my cousin, Mindy! So, here's to an amazing weekend for you and yours!

    Erin

Tempe says

    I love the outside!

    The weather was so beautiful today we just had to be outside! Tempe loves it - she can hardly hold still!

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

New York on Film: Part 1

Matt and I went to New York for our anniversary this year - June 18. We had a wonderful adventure, we love adventures! So, I promised you could see the photos we took with our film camera! 

Here you go!

What we Love About Film

   I really didn't know what I was missing when it comes to shooting film. Matt and I were on the fence about taking the film camera to New York, but after Matt saw the film photos I had developed today he said, 'We're definitely taking film to New York!' I really fell in love with these shots. There are more to come, including some of a guy on a motorcycle.

   One of my favorite flowers (I think my absolute favs are Peonies)!

   Mom and dad's puppy Toby - we love him!

The Weekend is Calling

   This is the first weekend in a while that has me all excited to be outside. It might be a little rainy, but we're at the point of no return - if it snows, it's doesn't stay around long! Yes! First I have to tell Yulese that your prize is coming, it's just taking a bit longer than I thought and thank you for your patience!

   We went to my cousin Morgan's wedding last night - so cute! We had such a blast, we always love hanging out with our rockin' family!

   It's been a long week. I have three more hours and of work and then it's 'Chuck' and couch city (in reality I will be washing dishes and maybe get in a little sewing). But for now, it's back to work - my lunch breaks are never long enough and I'm officially out of annual leave time until July (with little sick time left, also). So, here's to my attempts to stay healthy so I don't go in the negative. Anyway.

   I finished up McKenzie and Cory's pics this week and I really love them. Here are a couple more.

   Now go and have some fun this weekend.
   E