Photo Shoot 5, August 2009

While in Tacoma this summer, I took some photos of Rebekah's girls. It was impromptu, as most things are with little ones, and the winning shots always turned out to be the ones I least expected them to be. The girls were in good moods and had just woken up from their naps, so we had a good time -- that is, until the fight over the pig statue began. Here are my favorite shots of Sophia & Grace.

(click once to enlarge)

Photo Shoot 4, July 2009

On July 2, just last Thursday, I shot Sarah's parents' surprise retirement party at the Radisson Hotel. It was challenging because it was all indoors! I tried to treat it like a wedding reception -- close-ups of the cakes, food, drinks, and of course, a shot of each and every guest. But the "money" shots were different for this party; they were comprised of the reactions and emotions of Sarah's parents and their friends and family. I had a great time and I learned a lot!!

          (Double click to enlarge)

Photo Shoot 3, May 2009

It was originally my intention to post at least once a month. But being a full-time teacher, I had a busy May and June. Plus, I have been a little frustrated with the limitations of a blog. I want to post big, beautiful pictures, but how? 

In May, I did a photo shoot with Lindsay's boys. I think I got some good shots but wasn't yet familiar enough with my camera. I actually had no idea that it is capable of shooting 6.5 frames per second! I should've had it on that setting because I learned that the shot disappears quickly. 

We also had a graduation party for mom and Alex where I had a good opportunity to shoot some more. Matteo is, of course, always a worthy subject, and I found another cutie, Lucia, who was playing in the pool with her dad, Luca. I didn't realize how much I would love shooting children.

(Double click to enlarge)

Photo Shoot 1 & 2, March 2009

Here are the first photos from my new birthday present, the Canon 50D. The camera itself is so complicated and I'm still learning. So far I have been pretty happy with the results, although sometimes I myself don't understand how I got them! (I still don't understand how a digital camera can manufacture an ISO when there's no film...)

Today was shoot #2 with my friend Sarah. I have learned after doing two shoots with her within the same month that already I am getting bored with my classic "headshot" style -- although that is what I know and am good at. So far I have been happy that I haven't lost my touch and that my desire to create beautiful images of people is still alive and well. But shooting like that can only go so far in terms of starting up a business in order to make real money. Time to move forward.

So here's to my journey in photography... it is my hope that in the very near future, I will have a full-fledged business of my own. I want to thank Heather & Lindsay who have encouraged me to start this blog (seriously -- the accountability is a serious motivator!), and the rest of my family for contributing toward the new camera. I can't wait to photograph you!