Your Job Is Easy........

I always get mixed feelings about the comments people have towards photography and all that I do. I hear all the time, "Your job is so easy", "You must love your job and have so much fun.". I do I love my job and enjoy everything it brings, it is truly a blessing everyday. Like anything it always has it's ups and downs, parts that are less desirable and can be challenging but that is what make it interesting. Is it easy not in the least! But I wouldn't change it for the world!

Yesterday I had a blast shooting a group of girls problem being I am part of this group of girls..... So this makes things a bit harder. With remote in hand and a tripod I can be part of it all, but is it really that simple? Not in the least, when in front of the camera getting your picture taken you can't double check all the elements that go into creating a great photo aka the photographers job. 

With my camera in their hand one of the girls shot a couple head shot for me which I truly appreciated. She followed it up by saying "this is easy and so fun!".  Now she knows as good as anyone it's not that simple and has appreciation for what I do but yes it can seem that way. Remember I set everything for her, made sure my lights were where they needed to be and double checked my readings.... 

Now here's the biggest part the part so many don't think about. As a photographer we see everything, we check everything and we learn to pose our clients and alter them to create the best photo. Anyone can take a picture and anyone can take a nearly perfect photo when in auto or when everything is pre set but have you check the background, readjusted your stand point based on the actual client (big one since I am 6 feet with heels and my stand in photographer was 5'7" with heels lol). Are you telling your client what she needs to know, the things that she can't see, are you repositioning her for what will suit her best. All things that we as professionals use to create the perfect image. 

All in all the experience always reminds me of what I truly do and what makes me a professional photographer, last night I received the biggest compliment. While preparing to stand in front of the camera with this great group of girls tripod set, remote plugged in, my remote died and in came my boyfriend to the rescue. I set everything double checked the background got the girls in place, hoped in and he hit the shutter. In the end when reviewing pics I started pointing things out things I forgot to check or changed as we shot but being in front I was unable to see what was happening and make the adjustments needed. He tried and truly was such a help but there is no way he could have seen what I seen or known what to do. His final comment to me was, "There is so many factors and so much to do and beware of, you truly need a eye and I can't believe all that you do."

The camera is a tool, the photographer is the artist and we truly are the creator.

AJ

Valentines Day

I have always had mixed feelings when it comes to Valentines Day it can be so commercial but I choose to look at it as a day for reflecting on those you love and that love you. I don't believe in all the commercial standards of what you should do or buy (though I do like presents come on lol). I think you should spend it with those you love and do something that reminds you of the joy in loving those around you. I don't understand the point in being sad on Valentines Day, someone some where loves you and you love them, remember that always. And if that's not enough then for Valentines Day love yourself  hot bath, new outfit, chocolate treat guilt free (Mmmm maybe I want to be single and just love me lol). When doing gifts and spending time together make it count put thought and meaning behind it, and above all have fun. I hope everyone had a incredible VDay.

For Valentines Day I decided since we both love cooking and being in the kitchen........

Homemade pizzas were the way to go add a glass of wine and some personal gifts and it was a wonderful night followed with some movie and comfy pants time.

 

 This is made with a cauliflower crust crazy so yummy

 Homemade mini pecan pies Mmmmmmm

 

Idea from pinterest had lots of fun making it

Jasper

What a wonderful weekend full of laughs, beautiful scenery, memories and defiantly not enough sleep. It is crazy how some time away from the grind and routine can be so refreshing. It was so hard to not spend the whole weekend clicking away but had to get a few in. Cheryl and Justin's wedding was beautiful and heart warming so jealous to not be shooting it. Had some moments with my dad through out the weekend he would have loved the scenery truly amazing.

The weekend wouldn't have been what it was if it wasn't for the wonderful people I shared it with

Japer Bound

Nothing like getting away for the weekend. Jasper bound to "attend" one of my really good friends weddings will be so strange to be sitting in the pew. This weekend marks the one year anniversary of my dad and I can't think of a better place to be, surrounded by friends, mountains and joyous celebrations. With every sad moment in life u must find the peace and joy in the good. Lots of laughs and memories to fill the weekend. I raise my glass to you dad not a moment you aren't missed and congrats to Cheryl and Justin couldn't be happier for you both. Cheers everyone!!!!

2012 in a Large Nut Shell

Normally I do a post to end the year and then one to start the new year. This past year was a very different year for me and I am really unsure where it went. As I reflect on the past year I realize I have excelled in things I set out to do and likewise have left others to the waste side. I started 2012 off with some personal stumbles followed by some awesome gifts to help push my business to new heights. I had the privilege of photographing my cousins wedding which was just amazing and personal to me. I was on a roll with high hopes for a fresh start in a fresh year, when I lost my father suddenly. My world flipped upside down and now I truly understand the feeling of being lost. Like anyone would do I carried on I have had my struggles there is many days the world just stops and I struggle to understand the great purpose of it all. I have found relief and great joy in my photography and feel my dad flows strong through me with each creative pursuit but it is a roller coaster when dealing with thoughts and emotions. I decided that I was going to change so much this past year taking the bull by the horns, reach new heights and well I would love to say I kept that high energy all year but let's face it I'm human and I am slowly realizing it's ok to have good and bad days. 

All in all when I reflect I think it went pretty good I met some incredible people, tried some new things shared a lot of laughs and made some great memories. There is many moments I look back on that make me Smile and many photo's of clients that bring me Joy.

Each and everyday I am thankful for my family especially my mother who has been my rock, my friend and my reminder that everything is possible, my friends the new and the old who each have something different to offer and my fan's, clients and supporters. All that I overcame and accomplished this past year would have never been possible with out all of you.

I am excited to see all that 2013 brings personally and for AJ Photography and my only promise to myself is to cherish, enjoy and find the silver lining in it all.

Simple Pleasure

Whenever I go anywhere tropical one of my favorite things is the fresh fruit Mmmmmm. With all the weather being up and down i needed a true summer tropical pick me up. 

It is amazing how something so simple brightens your day so juicy :)

Say Cheese

Say Cheese and some kids are right on it but most will give you a strained face that's not so attractive lol. Kids know when you want them to do something and they feel the tension of your expectations. I deal with this all the time when shooting and get asked by parents, "don't you get frustrated". Over the years I have really stuck to the philosophy kids are kids they have good days and they have bad and each and every expression is adorable in it's own right. Everyone has expectations for their child and the perfect smile, even for me I always have this great idea of what I plan to shoot or capture all planned out but realistically...... it's not up to us. Some of the cutest pictures are the ones were there goofing around, pouting or plain just being them. I can be the most inpatient person in the world but when it comes to shooting I have limitless patience the best thing you can ever do is stay calm and wait it out. When kids are put on the spot they freeze or rebel but when they can play and just relax it's amazing what they will do!  ;)