MGM Signature Babee!

MGM Signature is 1st class all the way! When I scored this penthouse suite I didn't realize just how nice it really was. Anyways, check out the views from my room.....its amazing isn't it! If anything I'm getting inspired just being up here in my penthouse suite due to the views:) I'm missing my family terribly and have tried to convince Dan to join me here tomorrow. Although I may be busy with workshops for 12 hours, at least he can relax and pamper himself by relaxing in this way nice suite! I will post more pix's tomorrow because this room is amazing considering that it outbeats any hotel room. So a few days before flying out here to Vegas, I was initially planning on staying at the Marriott, but thought just how much nicer it would be to stay at the same hotel that WPPI is being held. So I searched the internet for timeshares that people rent out and whalaa, found this beautiful room which the owner rented out to me for $200 for 6 days...yeah it can't get any better than that! A penthouse suite for a little over $30 a day. It was alot of work though, because I must of emailed like 100 owners telling them how much I have, how long I wanted to stay, and that if I could render my services as a wannabe photographer to make up the difference in price I would. So after sending out at least 100 different emails to owners of these penthouse suites at the MGM, a day later I did get one response from a owner who agreed to take my $200 but also requested that I take a family portrait of his family. I agreed and now am in awe with this room! The bathroom is majestic and there are definitely more pictures to come. I'm way excited though for tomorrow's intense workshop and can't wait to soak up everything these professional photographers share. I seriously feel like a little kid in a candy store and can't wait for tomorrow!:) Good night!

MAC illiterate

Okay so I imported all my photos from my recent shoots onto an iMac I just purchased specifically for my photography....but how come I can't seem to figure out how to edit properly let alone post my pictures onto my blog! Its driving me crazy! I suppose there are commands that I'm suppose to use because on my Mac I don't have the options to publish my post like on my PC..or maybe there is and I just don't see it. So if you a mac user and can help a sistah out plz let me know. Also my gmail account no longer loads onto my Mac which is strange because it did in the beginning but no longer. So I'm learning to adjust with the Mac, and am finding just how accustomed I was to my PC...but nevertheless this is yet just another hurdle to get over in order for my work flow to improve. I must say though, I love the huge screen and viewing my pictures on there. What was I thinking settling for a 17in screen when there is a 24 in out there. The huge screen makes working on the computer so much fun! So as of right now until I can figure out how to post my pictures from my Mac, they will have to wait until I get back from WPPI! I seriously can't wait to get out there...but on the same note I'm already missing my family even more. What am I going to do with myself for 7 days without my kids.....all I can say is that I'm up for a photography overload and hope that WPPI will keep me so busy that it won't even feel like I was gone for a week. I can't even sleep due to all the buzz, and can't wait to meet so many out there. I will work on learning more about my imac so that by next week I can post the pictures for Sione's 30th Bday bash, more studio shots, and then the reggae concert featuring the Mana Poly Allstars! MGM here I come.....I also scored a penthouse suite at the MGM which I can't wait to enjoy....you will die when you hear how much I am paying for it and how I got it. I will be sure to share how living frugal can be so fabulous! I will try to share what I learn each day from WPPI and all the people I meet. Til' tomorrow, I shall post again from the suite! Mind you I think this is the first time I've ever stayed in a penthouse. Viva Vegas!

Taxes Filed! Whoohoo:)

Its that time of the year again, and I just filed our taxes a few seconds ago!!  Yeah, so unrelated to photography, but hey some of that $$$ return will definitely help to purchase a special lens I so need:)....turbotax is da bomb! I remember back in da day, like only 7-8 years ago I was having to dish out at least $100-200 just for someone to do my taxes!  Today, the software does everything for you, finding all the deductions, and within minutes you know exactly how much return you get plus how much you owe....at the cost of only cost $40 buckaroos.  Love it!

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!