Farrah's Farm Session!!!

I know it may be terrible, but I am SO excited to start editing the photos I took of Farrah at my mother in law's.  I am just so lucky that my willing model puts up with me, because when she does we come up with some fantastic results!

It was a PERFECT evening to take photos outside at my mother in law's place.  The setting is quiet and has everything you could possibly want.  Fields, woods, barns, animals, a river, and endless amounts of antiques!!  Oh how I wish I could have loaded up a trailer and drove it back to NC with me.  I am just starting to tap into the photos from our "session" at the farm.  But, am already in love with so many of the images.  I will be posting more as I go.  But this is what I have thus far...enjoy!

First Day of School

I can not believe that my little Munchkin is now a first grader.  I can't help but be excited for her.  She is very smart, inquisitive, social, and polite.  My only concern is that she is by far the youngest in her grade at only five years old.  And she won't turn six till after Christmas!  I just have to remember to encourage her, keep her excited, and let her know how bright she is.  It makes for a somewhat quieter day around the house as well.  Now, I only have one child that makes noise!!  I can't wait to see her get off the school bus this afternoon, and hope that she has lots to tell me about her first day!

My Best Friend (But More Like My Sister)

I was so fortunate to have been able to spend a couple of days with my best friend and her family while visiting in MN.

Now, for those of you who don't know me, or her personally...let's just say that we are pretty much sisters.  I think from 4th grade on we were pretty much inseparable.  During the summer we'd camp out in my tent in the backyard, spend ALL day at the beach, and even grill our own "big Geno's".  Not to mention neither one of us will probably ever be able to drink orange Kool-Aid ever again.  I have a million stories I'm sure of the things we've done and been through together but I won't get that long winded now.

I had pretty much one day that worked to take their photos, and of course it was super dreary and humid. Little miss "B" certainly was totally against having her picture taken.  So, I started out with mom and dad's photos.  By the time I was finished with theirs, she had warmed up to the idea about having a few done, and that it wasn't so bad after all.

Let me tell you...if your kids don't want to have their photos done that day...its totally OK for a reschedule.  I can NOT make your child want to have their photos taken, and frankly, I'm sure you won't want to pay for photos of a grouchy looking child.  But, in this case we couldn't reschedule...so...we just waited it out.  And got a bunch of "keepers" in the end.

So, here is my beautiful bff and her beautiful family.

And on a side note, now I'm finally finished with my MN editing (apart from my own photos...which there are TONS of.)  *happy dance*

*We have an annual best friend photo...well, and this is it!  

*The key to getting a smiling face photo...is to get a silly one first!

*Followed by more silliness!

Getting Finished With MN Sessions

Its been a while since we were in MN, but we have been busy since being back home in NC!  I've finished editing 3 sessions, and almost finished with this one!  Then, I have one more left and then a TON of my own photos to look at and go through.

It has taken me longer than I had hoped to edit.  With having all my motherly and household duties to do, it leaves me little time to sit at my desk uninterrupted!  I unfortunately have been dealing with some severe back pain, which has returned this evening on our outing to buy Eden a new full size mattress set.  

I have been busy not only on the editing side of my photography, but as well as the business side.  I've taken the time to price my prints and sessions, bought some marketing to establish my "brand", and am hoping that a "real" logo and a website are in the near future.

I'm not looking to be terribly busy, as being a SAHM is my first job.  Three to four sessions a month would be ideal.  We will see what this journey brings me.

With that being said, I'd like to share some photos of my family.  Nothing really planned or posed, we had a beautiful sunset and any picture with family is always a picture worth taking.  I'm also including some cute fun ones of my niece and her little friend.  Oh to be 7 again...

Thinkin' Finken

I have been swamped with editing photos the moment my foot crossed the threshold to my office.  I have completed three sessions.  And almost finished with this one.  Then just one more!  Whew!

It is a LOT of work to proof and edit.  Some folks may not realize that a good pro photographer will take their time and look at each shot taken at a session, decide if its worth digitally enhancing, and go to work on the edit of each photo chosen.  I will never give a client (even if its friends or family) an unfinished product.  You chose me to do your photos, so I will take my time and process them all professionally to give you what you deserve.

I will NOT give away files on a disc.  I do include edited, web sized, and watermarked photos on a disc as part of a session.  That way you can always see your photos, even if you do not order prints of that particular photo.  Digital images will be purchased just like you would a print.

I hate to use the term "shoot and burn"...because, sure you can find that photographer that will do a session for you, and then turn around and give you the images on a disc (edited or not).  And you may be happy.  But for me I would NOT be happy.  I view photography as an art.  MY art.  I also wouldn't feel comfortable as a business person only doing "half" my job.  Would you ever go into a salon and ask for half a haircut?  Didn't think so.  With that being said, think about how important it is to choose the "right" photographer.  It may not be me, and that is ok.

Here is the latest edited session of my beautiful sister in laws family.  My two nieces are used to being in the lime light as their photo is on a giant billboard advertising their Mom's restraunt!  Both of them have some zest, sassiness, and spunk.  So, this session was a very fun one!

Finally Finished Another Session

I know it may seem like nothing.  But, I just finished proofing and editing my third session.  While back in MN I had 5!!!!!  And that isn't even including my own photos, which I'm just as eager to proof and edit!

This particular session is of my brother/sister in law and family.  Beth had been planning this session for almost a year.  Outfits and locations as well as any other details.  This helped me tremendously since I didn't have a clue about the area.  She did SO well picking colors, patterns, texture for their outfits it made me even MORE excited!  (I wish every client put this much thought into attire...hint hint.)

We braved the 115* heat index and sweated out at least two gallons. (Yes, MN can get that hot)  Good thing in between locations we'd jump back in to a cooled vehicle and chug a lug some water.  The kids were wonderful with hardly any complaints considering the heat!

I have all of the edited photos on my facebook page so please head on over there and check it out.  But, since I just had to open myself up a blog, now I feel the need to have to update this as well.