Lessons From My Muse

I have been thinking for quite some time about how my style developed, how I came to shoot the way I do.  Why my thought process is the way it is, and just why I want to capture such "lifestyle" moments of my clients and their families.  Why I could care less if the kids look at me and smile, and why it's perfectly fine with me if they just want to play and "ignore me" for a while.  And I realized that the entire time I was learning and practicing at home, prior to rolling out my shingle and opening my photography business... I was being trained by my son, Parker.  His actions and reactions to me and my camera would be the basis for my own style, my brand of work, and would largely shape my perspective on photography and how I approach my clients and subjects to this day. You can read more about my journey HERE, because the sweet girls over at Our Cups Runneth Over are featuring my story and images today on their blog.  Go read it and leave some blog love if you have a minute to spare.  (Thanks Cilla and girls, for giving me the honor of being your guest poster today!)

Maybe it will cause you to think about exactly why YOU shoot the way you do... why you look at your subjects in a certain way, and how you approach your sessions altogether.  It was eye-opening for me to go through this process of breaking it all down and tracing it all back to this very sweet boy of mine.

I owe him so much.

McKenna Claire | Tampa Newborn Photography

As I sit here listening to the rain, my little girl is napping in her room.  A few minutes ago I snuggled with her, read her favorite book, and stroked her blond pigtails as she gently closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.  It seems like it was only a few short months ago that I was rocking her as a newborn, and stroking her dark hair as she closed her eyes. Makes me so wistful to have those days back... especially when I am working on images from a recent newborn session.  McKenna was probably my sleepiest baby to date... at just a few days old, she slept the entire time I was at her home, except for the last 15 minutes.  Her family could not have been more overjoyed with her!  Sometimes, when I'm shooting, I'll sneak a peek at Mom and Dad (and Grandma and Grandpa, if they're there), and it's such a wonderful feeling to watch them smiling in adoration at their tiniest little creation, lying there peacefully in front of my camera.  McKenna is going to be loved beyond compare, I'm certain of that!

See what I mean?  She's adored already.  :)

Thank you, sweet S family, for indulging me and letting me spend the morning with you and your sweetest new addition.  Your entire gallery will be ready soon; I could barely close the folder when I went in to get your sneak peek ready!

Seeing in Shades of Black and White

My "other job" is co-owner, co-editor, and collaborator over at The Creative Mama, a wonderful little blog that focuses on nurturing creativity within our everyday lives.  I'm excited to have my article published today on why I shoot black and white images, a few key elements I look for when crafting my black and whites, and what inspires me to shoot black and white images (almost) exclusively.

Funny, but looking around my home right now, there is very little color surrounding me, besides whites, creams, blacks, greys, beiges, and browns.  It would appear that I also live in black and white!  I guess that's my comfort and where my heart truly is.  And I'm more than okay with that.

I hope you'll read along and feel a connection to the way I see my world:  In Shades of Black and White.

Bank On This.

Photographers and local business-owners, listen up!  I just have to spread the word.  :)  My husband is the Financial Center Manager at Fifth Third Bank in downtown Tampa, and I have recently discovered some amazing products through him and his wonderful staff over there.  For instance, I recently switched over to Fifth Third for my Business Checking, Savings, and Business Credit Cards (oh hello, 0% interest and no annual fee, how I've missed you!).  They also provide small and large business loans.  (Thinking about adding on a natural-light studio to your home... or even investing in your own separate studio space?  Expanding your business into more than one location?  You NEED a business loan, then.)  Chris even has programs for helping you restore your business credit, if you need a little extra help, and his team can get you started on the path to building your business if you need a little guidance with the financial aspect of things. I know for a lot of us creative-types, the fun of shooting and editing and relating with clients is the easy part.  Running the actual business, though?  Not so fun.  But absolutely necessary if we want our businesses to thrive, right?  These things simply must be dealt with.  This is where having a great financial plan comes into play, and I have been so relieved and thankful to have Chris on my side when it comes to the numbers.

If your business accepts credit cards (cough cough, you're losing out on sales if you don't), then Fifth Third's Merchant Services Plan is my absolute best tip of the week!! I had a very low-rate merchant services plan already, one of the best available, in fact.  However, I'm actually going to be saving even more money by switching my Merchant Services account to Fifth Third.  They have some wonderful specials being offered right now, so be sure to ask about them and mention my name when you do!  The best part about their merchant services plan??  I will no longer have to wait 48-72 hours for my clients' orders/sales to hit my bank.  With this plan, I receive my payments within 24 hours! And I'm so thrilled about that!

Plus, when you need help, Chris is local (to Tampa Bay), and you can actually speak to his team in the branch, instead of at some call center.  They actually WANT you to call them, and are happy to help with whatever you need.  Chris, Ria, Brent and Jim are available to chat anytime, and they have made the process so very simple for me.  They also have Online Banking and BillPay if you'd rather do everything yourself.  So, if you're unhappy with your current bank, or if you think you're paying too much for accepting credit cards (almost everyone is!), then Fifth Third's programs are definitely worth the few minutes it takes to analyze your situation.  They'll give you a free overview of what they can do, and if you decide that you don't want to switch, then fine, no problem.  But if you do, then great, and you're very welcome for the recommendation.  :)

If I can give you more info, feel free to post here in the comments or send me an email through my contact form (above).  Better yet, if you'd like to call Chris at Fifth Third directly, his number is 813.306.2653.  And do me a favor... ahem, make sure you mention that you read this blog post where his sweet wife is shouting out for him.  ;)  It just might earn me a few brownie points... and hey, don't we all deserve a few of those on Valentine's Day??

Have a great week, and a Happy Valentine's Day to you!

A Most Important Announcement

This little bit of news is from Parker and Lila, actually.  You won't want to miss it, I promise!

Parker and Lila's Announcement from Stacey Woods on Vimeo.

"Announcement" A/K/A "The Reason for My Extended Blog Hibernation".  ;)

A Window Light Tutorial

I'm giving a few tips on utilizing window light today, over on The Creative Mama.  Go check it out!

A Holiday Morning in Tampa

When Chris and I found out we would not be traveling home for Christmas this year, we were both a little heartbroken.  But the same day, I got an email from Kimberly asking about a session for her family over the holiday break, and I was immediately uplifted.  I would have had to turn her down had we not gotten our news earlier in the day. And Kimberly's family was adorable.  The kids have all gone off to college and were home for the holidays, and she was so excited to have everyone all together again.  They even brought along the littlest family members (Lily and Ella).

They brightened my cold morning for sure.

Thank you, Rivard Family, for braving super cold temps (and no heat inside UT!), and for overcoming such a tough morning to get to our session in the first place.  I had a wonderful time with you and I hope you love your sneak peak.

PS... Go Tigers :)

Finally Unwrapping My Blessings

I know.  I've been gone awhile.  I could offer you many reasons, because I actually do have many.  ;)  This December, I'm certain, was my most hectic month ever.  I promise to tell you about it all in time.  Another blog post. I will say.... my whole month felt like this picture:

Our infinite blessings, "unwrapped" and given to us, yet they're cluttered and stacked, strewn all over the place... almost too many for me to even grasp and appreciate all at one time.  Kind of like my kids and their Christmas presents.  And me (ahem, the drooping tree) standing exhausted in the middle of the whole scene.  ;)  Does that make sense?  Life.  Husband.  Kids.  Work.  Photography.  A new business.  Friends.  Christmas.  Blog.  Shopping.  Decorating.  Housework.  Sleep (or my lack of.)  Just everything in general.  All amazing blessings, for certain.  But so overwhelming when they all beg to be opened at one time.

I've come to realize over the years that while I'm definitely a constant multi-tasker (in that I always have at least 5 plates juggling at once), when I really need to crank out a project, I just have to shut down most things around me in order to focus on the one most important one.  That was the case with my December.  So sorry, dear blog.  You were left out in the cold.  Kind of like that stray red stocking up there, that somehow ended up on the door handle.  LOL!

In any case, I'm so thankful for the fresh start that January promises, and that I have actually made it through the other side of 2010.  As my sister said yesterday, "I'm claiming 2011 as my year!"  And I'm doing just that, right along with her.

Thank you to the sweetest clients in the world, who made it possible for me to make a living doing something I very much love, again this past year.  It's a real blessing to be able to wake up every day and know that I'm in the right place.  I'm where I'm supposed to be.  No matter how hectic the day turns out to be, it's absolutely positively worth it.

Happy New Year, friends.  I hope your 2011 is amazing for you.  It's certainly going to be amazing for me.

xoxo

AN ANSWER TO THE AGE-OLD QUESTION...

I have had the good fortune to meet so many new families this year.  It's funny because first-time clients can be a little unsure if I actually "got anything good" during our walking, romping, shooting, laughing, acting silly, being-themselves-and-loving-on-their-children kind of session together.  I always smile knowingly, because those types of sessions are always my favorites, and I'm happy to show them their images to reassure them.  And probably calm their jitters! Zurman family, I'm pleased to report that I did, indeed, get lots of good things during our time together.  I hope you agree!

These kids (and their 3 children) ;) were a blast to photograph.  It is obvious that they are a family who shares time, hugs, horseplay, and lots of laughs.  What a fun family to be a part of!

I'll be sharing more recent family sessions in the coming days.  I must confess, when I get super-busy, I tend to go into hibernation mode... which makes for lots of galleries cranked out and lots of work done... but notsomuch visibility here on the blog.  ;)  But I'm still working hard, don't worry!  Galleries are launching left and right, and holiday card orders are being filled as you read this.  Well, after I pour that next cup of coffee, that is.

Enjoy!  And Happy December!!

Only 33 More Days Until I Get To Do This...

It's been a crazy season so far!  I have lots of client sessions to post here on the blog, and I'll be back soon with a few beautiful families to show off.  But this afternoon, I thought this photo was fitting to share with you... especially my fellow photographers who are likely desperate for a good solid nap these days... as am I.  I won't be napping anytime soon, but I count it a blessing that so many sweet families have continued to commission me again this year for their holiday portraits.  I'm grateful for the hectic schedule, despite the hectic schedule.  ;)

Now back to the photo... couldn't you just kiss those peachy, little baby toes??  This was taken one recent weekend morning in Mama and Daddy's bed, shot at f/2, 1/200 and ISO 3200.  Yep.  Love my Nikon.  And my sweet, sleepyhead girl.

Hmm, now I need another cup of coffee.