Making Memories

I had a session with this family a year ago...and I was BEYOND humbled and encouraged that they chose to come back this year for another round of family pictures...

This little lady has grown sooo much:)


I adore Tiffany...I've only met her 2 or 3 times, and had a few conversations via facebook, but she is energetic, enthusiastic, creative...she's just plain inspiring!  I love the ideas and the vision she has for her family.  She is upbeat, and FUN!... 

And her family follows suit! 

We met up a Highbanks park and out came a bunch of big, red helium balloons!!!  (did I mention that she's creative?)

I was so excited to see them all again and to have the opportunity to photograph them as they interacted and had fun together.  I love that Tiffany and Dave don't just see this as a chance to get a quick smile and a few snaps of their children...they make it an experience...I am able to photograph them in their element...seeing them interact with their kiddos...

She had scouted out the exact place she had in mind and we went from there...




After our fun with the balloons...we headed toward a little creek and got our feet wet (literally)...It was sooo fun to see the kiddos search for fish and splash in the water...Sometimes they noticed the camera and other times, I was able to just capture curiosity and MOMENTS!





Thank you sweet family for such a GREAT time! 

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SENIOR: Megan

Everytime I have a photo session with a senior girl, my heart feels like is squeezes in my chest...

It's because I have DAUGHTERS...and I watch these senior girls through my lens and I am reminded that I'm just a mere 8 years away from my eldest girl being in this same position...

I'm so thankful that the clients that seek me out, are ones that aren't just in it for a pretty picture...they are people that cherish memories, just like me...they want the experience to remember...they enjoy letting their personality shine through...

It's in THOSE moments, that you get the images that will stay with you forever...

I so enjoyed my morning with Megan and her mom...(and her little sister:)

She had such fashion sense and knew what to wear in the right environment...and then she let me capture different sides of her personality. 




We went to multiple locations...and we hit the light at JUST the right time...oh my goodness, this might be one of my all time favorites:)



Time went by so quickly, but we raced downtown to get just a few more pictures with a different feel and fun textures...


Thank you ladies for a wonderful morning!  Megan, you are beautiful!!!

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Bang for your Buck

For those of you that know me, you know I'm a frugal person...I like to get the best for my money...to get the best bang for the buck, so to speak...

However, I will admit that when I first got my DSLR camera, I knew that it had a bunch of buttons and doodads...but to be honest, I felt like those were for people smarter than me...

I mean, let's be real here...I"m a grown adult who still COUNTS ON HER FINGERS...there was no way I was going to be able to figure out all those switching numbers and fractions and big words like aperture and ISO as they related to numbers and photography..

I felt this way for 3 years with my camera...in that time, I did see improvement from my old point and shoot...but my pictures still didn't look like the professionals that I soooo wanted to be like...they weren't even close...(except on those few "LUCKY" occassions where I must have done something right) And the thing is, I HAD A BIG CAMERA LIKE THEY DID!!!

So, it was at this point that my "frugality" kicked...I shelled out QUITE a bit of money for a camera...and I only understood how to use about 25% of it's capability...THAT was not getting the best bang for my buck...

I decided to try to take some classes...I saved up more money only to be disappointed in many of the teachers...because, underneath it all, I was a mom who wanted to capture her kids...I wanted "frame-worthy" pictures so I never had to go to JCPenney Studio again:)  I wanted someone to speak to me in a "language" I could understand!!!

That's when the teacher in me gave me a good kick in the pants and I started doing what I did best...I started researching and networking and asking questions and surfing the internet and reading books...I threw out the stuff that I knew I didn't need and I developed creative ways to remember the things I DID need.

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Soooooo...are you like me?  Did you invest in a big camera but never REALLY learn it?  Does your understanding and knowledge match the capability of your camera?  If not, I feel your frustration...I've been there...BUT, I also know that it's NOT a good use of your moneys spent to just sit on that incredible piece of equipment and never fully understand what you CAN get from it!

Here's an example of what I'm talking about:

The picture on the left is SOOC (Straight Out Of Camera) using AUTO...I just turned my camera on, put it on the green AUTO dial and snapped the picture...

The picture on the right is also SOOC (no photoshop, no enhancements, nothing)  However, I controlled the settings in this one...I set my own aperture, shutterspeed, and ISO...

Now, the picture on the left isn't bad...(it better not be for the amount I paid for my camera:)  HOWEVER, when you compare it to the one on the right and KNOW that YOU CAN get THAT type of result with the SAME camera, SAME lens...and all you have to do is have a little better understanding of yoru equipment...OH MY!!

October 16th is the last Snapshop offered for 2011 in Ohio.  The last one before the Christmas holidays and fun times in the snow!  The last one before Halloween and jumping in the leaves...

It is a one of kind workshop...I'm a mom who is concerned about capturing moments,  about teaching to specific learning styles, and especially about balancing a budget...

For only $125 you get 4.5 hours of instruction from a former public school educator and a stay at home mom who is also in the midst of soccer games, laundry and dirty dishes...

I'm all about the "cute" too...so I also give you a "treat" with one of my custom made camera strap slip covers...



You also get a creative booklet to keep in your camera bag to be a quick guide for those moments that you need some extra help, but don't want to try to figure it out by flipping through your mega camera manual!


  In side you'll find all sort of helpful tips and photo recipes...I even give you a quick guide to Photoshop Elements if you've invested in that program as well:)


To secure your spot for October 16th, your deposit of $25 needs to be received by October 1st.  I've been to LOTS of different classes to learn photography...I've searched the internet for other opportunites like this and I haven't found one to match it...the price, the gifts, the food:), and the instruction...it's worth your time!!

I hope to see you in October...email me at ctphotomemories@gmail.com  asap!!!

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Kirk & Kate: engaged:)

Kirk is my hubby's cousin.  Whenever my husband's family would get together through the years, it was always Kirk to whom I'd gravitate...he's into photography too and we could sit out on Gram's lawn and talk lenses and cameras for hours. 

This past summer we had another family reunion and I was able to meet Kate for the first time...oh my, talk about a perfect match!  They compliment each other so well and share so much in common...she's genuine, funny, eager to set others at ease...she and Kirk are so easy to be with and talk to...she's just got one thing on Kirk though...hee hee...she's BEAUTIFUL! (sorry dear cousin, I had to throw that in there...what's family if we can't tease?)

Being that Kirk is a photoshop master, he will be taking some of these images to create an incredible Save the Date card...I can't wait to get it and hang it in my home! 

I'm excited to share with you just a few of the snapshots we got while we hung out last weekend!




THIS is why I love them so...



Really and truly though...you make a beautiful couple:)  So excited for you!!!

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Last Snapshop of 2011 (in Ohio)




Hope to see you at the Snapshop...contact me via email at ctphotomemories@gmail.com by September 7th to let me know if you are interested...we need a minimum of 5!!!

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September Schedule

Here is the first part of the month's schedule...being dependant on weather, I want to be sure not to inconvenience others with rescheduling...thanks so much for your understanding and patience.  As we near the middle of the month, I'll begin putting out the next few weeks schedule...

Can't wait to see you...first come, first serve...and first choice in location:)

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Blog Archive

How can I reach you?

The best way to contact me is either through Facebook Messaging or emailing me at ctphotomemories@gmail.com

I can't wait to hear from you!
"Teach us to number our days, (savor the moments) so that we may gain a heart of wisdom" ~Psalm 90:12

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