Okay the Learning Curve is getting steeper- but here goes!

Okay so not only are things getting pretty technical but my learning curve has increased drastically and I still have yet to touch lightroom or photoshop.....so I've been jotting down my goals for this year and the kind of shoots I would like to capture. I want to dip my camera into a little of everything and truly believe that it will only help me to reach my full potential of making it as a wedding photographer. So just as I feel like I'm getting to know my camera, I realize there is still so much more to learn!!!! Here are the type of shots I'm aiming for this year, but my primary focus will be on weddings.

Weddings: engagements, bridals, pre-wedding,ceremony, day after wedding shots
Maternity
Infants
Children
High School Seniors
Family
Model and talent portfolios (#10 didn't forget)
Events: Musical, Dance, Concerts
Sports

So that alone takes up most of the year for scheduling that are in the works! I'm estatic to join Kayleen this weekend for bridals. This gal has been a tremendous influence to me and my work since I started my blog. Also, I plan to take my cam to a lil' concert that my girlfriend Sepa invited us to kz her husband is a "rockstar"...this woman has always been a solid sounding board to help me keep grounded and follow through with all of this...and then I may have a family shoot of 30 as well. I know, I know...I need to limit my work but I figure if I make the time for it now it will only expose me to my flaws, and of course added studies to my learning curve. Then next week I am heading out to Vegas for WPPI where I have already started networking so I can meet up with others there. I wasn't sure about going, but J* encouraged me to go and has been such a great mentor and friend. She has also helped me to really keep perspective with the details of my vision and how best to learn and budget well with the little I have. Can't wait to meet her and so many others out there! Viva Vegas:)....Then I have a wedding with my sis L who also is making sure we're on our toes and constantly learning and goal setting on a weekly basis. The networking opporutunities that I have found are just so rewarding! I've been blessed to have appts lined up which will help me meet my goals and can't wait to find my style of photography . Here is a sneak peek of what my calendar already looks like:

February: babies, children, concert, WPPI, family
March: CD release, family, dance event, model group shoot, wedding
April: family, children, senior portraits
May: wedding, CD release, maternity
June: family, children, wedding
July: family, newborn
August: family

I've been blown away at the response I've received for appointments and am so excited to get this show on the road. Nonetheless, the technical learning is also very important to me and has taken me for a ride every night as I research and study a few important things such as: lighting-studio and natural, my camera, posing, props, backgrounds/locations, Photoshop, lightroom, digital work flow, design, printing/burning, album layouts, branding, pricing, marketing, networking, are only to name a few. My work is definitely still cut out for me this year and I'm so determined to do it! My husband has been my backbone through all of this and has always seen my creativity expressed in many different ways, but his support in this endeavor only drives me to utilize this outlet to its fullest potential. I want to be able to capture the original moment of inspiration for each picture that I take. Thank you all for helping me get this far! This learning curve began with inspiration, and like they say, if you don't work hard to get into the daily grind of something you love, then you can never be polished. You have to be prepared to give up your leisure time, work past 6pm on weekends, and persue your dreams without getting discouraged.

Still Technical!

So I thought I was getting down the html stuff and to my dismay, I'm only joking myself! Thank goodness I am meeting with my designer next month to get my site up and going, but for now this template will work because I can't seem to change it to anything else.  When I was having problems earlier, I clicked on something that said to revert to classic and poof, my old background gone and replaced with this one.  So hopefully it shows well and no one is having problems on the other end.  Thanks Kayleen and Sepa for letting me know:)  Editing is alot of work, and after my last two shoots, I had to take a serious break.  This weekend I plan to have Sione's 30th Bday bash posted.  Thanks to Sepa and Tema for helping me that night and being patient with my craves for bubble tea after such a long day!

Technical Problems!

Okay so I'm finding that some are able to view my site with no problem, but other are finding that my pictures are transparent and the background is showing through. I think I've adjusted the background and hope that it is no longer showing. Please let me know if you are able to view the pictures clearly? Better yet tell me what you see:) This will help so I can work my html and make sure its settings are compatible with all computers. Thanks!

Happy Bday Justus!

Justus turned 2yrs old this past weekend and man is he a natural in front of the camera! Seriously, how lucky was I to score my studio lights project with both him and Noah! I work with Justus's mom Wendy and we have been friends now for over a year. Anyways, Wendy came all prepared with for this as she entered my home with Justus's favorite treats and 4 different outfits. I had initially planned to do outdoor shots to but being that it was still a bit cold we just utilized the studio lights. All I can say is that this little boy was made to take pictures! It was so hard to pick just a few. I could shoot this little boy forever! He actually made it through his 4 outfits which set the bar high! Love this lil' boy and his mama:) Happy Bday Justus!

Happy Bday Noah!

On February 27, 2008 tthis young boy weighed 6 lbs. 8 oz. He is definitely a fighter as he triumphed through his condition. Noah's middle name is Ho'oulupono, which means to inspire righteousness in Hawaiian. He's an inspiration to us all! Now isn't his looks to die for:):):) He is seriously one handsome baby boy! Noah's bday theme is Noah's Ark and so the boat Matt found in the toy room was perfect for Noah's pictures. I learned alot in working with Noah and his parents...As much as I had prepared for this, I learned that with babies you must give them something to do in order to capture natural expressions, and not forced smiles. The minute we tried to make Noah laugh or smile for a certain picture he wasn't too happy (like the one where he is crying because we were trying to get a family pix with him smiling), but when we were able to let him be with a toy or just mere movement, that is where the magic occurred! Noah is definitely going to drive girls wild with that killer smile! Good thing he is only 1 yrs old:) Namele and Matt were the best parents and although they knew I was new to this, they were troopers! All I can say is, thank you for trusting me to take Noah's pictures. I hope you enjoy them!

Noah's Sneak Peek:)

Noah is a special baby as he has been able to mark the 1st year of his life! His parents consider him a miracle baby due to being born with a birth defect called gastroschisis. Check out his cute smile! Now isn't he hot! Noah's turning 1 yrs old this month and will be celebrating his bday on the 27th. This guy was so much fun, and I must say he was a natural as all we had to really do was give him stuff to play with and he was ready to strut his stuff for me. Thanks Namele and Matt for helping me with my first project and being so patient. Much luv to you! I'm still waiting for my software, but at least for now I can crop my photos...most pictures are raw and all I had to do was zoom in, crop, and a few I did change to sepia. My first studio lights experience was such a treat with my clients over the weekend. Now to the hard part...picking which pix's to post!

Overzealous!....lesson learned:)

I'm editing my photos right now from this past weekend and lets just say that my eagerness to shoot was a bit overzealous as I felt almost every ounce of energy leave me after my two appointments and a bday bash on Saturday. I learned my lesson though, only one appointment in a day! Maybe when I can consider myself a professional I can book two appointments in a day......nevertheless, I had so much fun with the studio lights. I'm so excited to post my guys Justus and Noah! They were adorable and working the camera like no other:)...Also, thanks Katie for all the fun Saturday night at Sione's 30th bday bash at the Wells Fargo building! So many great pictures to choose from....what to do? I'll try not to post too many!