Hands {Photography Contest}

For a long time now I’ve had a project in mind.  I’ve wanted to photograph people’s hands holding mugs–mugs of tea, coffee, hot chocolate.  The drink isn’t important.  It’s the hands. …elderly arthritic hands, young chubby hands, worker hands…you get the idea.

When I Heart Faces shared their weekly contest theme of “hands”…I wanted to participate since I too love them.  {Hands that is.}  Unfortunately my project exists only in my mind so I had to settle for the models that I know and love.  {And, frankly, the only ones I can afford.}  I took about 20 shots of our little art time yesterday.  I think this one is my favorite.

I enjoy the contests because they present a new challenge for me each week.  It’s nice to be creative in a different way than just in the studio.  I love photography but sometimes the last thing I want to do is pick up the camera at home.  I Heart Faces gives me a fun reason to do just that.

Gabby’s Corner {What to Wear?}

Hello all!   Contrary to the last “What to Wear?” post, this time I’m focusing on a calmer look.  I found these awesome styles at http://www.gap.com/.   These neutral colors are simple and easy to coordinate.   I hope these ideas help inspire your family.

{All images will link to gap.com for online purchasing.  All images are copyrighted by gap.com.}

The combination of the tough jacket and slender jeans creates a modern look that is pretty and practical.  (=

This sweater paired with the “cadet khaki” pants is a great simple look.  Tie in the green jacket if you want a more layered feel.

These green Capri’s matched with a cute sweater shows a softer side of the army theme for a little girl .  Also, these leather sandals complete the comfy and stylish outfit.  (=

Outfit number two for a little girl is a little less sweet and has a slight edge to it.  The interesting design on the bermuda shorts will stand out with the plain tee and will go perfectly with these slip on  converse.

These aviator pants are perfect for a little boy.  Choose a shade of gray for the shirt and you’re done! It’s that simple!

Another way to go could be tan pants and  navy blue or green shirts to tie in with the rest of the family. =)

I hope you like my ideas!

Peace.

Older But Maybe a Little Wiser

The thing I have been dreading for the past ten years happened yesterday. Each day it grew closer and closer.  I knew I couldn’t avoid it, but I sure tried.  Despite all my efforts, it’s official…I am thirty.

I’m not really sure how it happened since I am still so super hip, (right?!).  :)  But, hey, overall it’s not too bad. I think I might have learned a little.

Ten years ago I didn’t know how to forgive.

Ten years ago I didn’t know I could miss someone with all my heart.

Ten years ago I didn’t know that marriage is HARD but worth it.

Ten years ago I didn’t know that wedding and portrait photography would make me happy.

Ten years ago I didn’t know that life is not a fairytale but a journey.

Ten years ago I didn’t know that I could ever love anyone as much as I love my babies.

It might not be what I ever imagined it to be, but it’s my life and I love it.

All the photos above were taken by Dave.  Beautiful, huh?  Dave’s birthday is actually today.  {Yes, ironically, our birthdays are only a day apart.}  Stop over on his Facebook page and wish him a good day.

Should we see each other before the wedding? {Wedding Wednesday}

When I was planning our wedding I went with the traditional custom and didn’t see Josh before the ceremony.  Not seeing him just seemed like the “thing to do.”  But, if I had to do it all over, I would opt for a first glance.  After being right there as so many others have enjoyed this special moment…I just with I would have known.

Many of our brides also choose not to see their groom ahead of time.  Please know we would never try to talk anyone into seeing their hubby-to-be if they felt strongly about it, but for those that are just not seeing each other for the same reason I did…I have a few reasons why you may want to opt for this newer trend.

1. It’s often the only time of the day when the bride and groom get to be together alone.
2. It’s comforting.  When a couple sees each other they often are able to calm one another’s nerves and focus more on the day.  (I spent most of my own ceremony thinking, I have no idea what is being said.  I can’t focus at all.)
3. I’ve had more than one couple tell me it was their favorite time of the day AND resulted in their favorite photographs of the day.
4. We can still capture both of your faces the first time you see one another; it’s just not in front of everyone else, making the moment much more intimate.  (Dave and I have become pros at orchestrating the location and placement in order to get some great shots.)

Here are two examples of the first glances from 2009:

Jasmine Star, a photographer in Southern CA who I adore, also blogged on this same topic.  I would highly recommend checking out what she has to say here and here.

Upcoming Sessions to Benefit Haiti {We need your help.}

I remember hearing in college that Haiti is the poorest nation in the western hemisphere.  My heart broke as I listened to some of the stories of extreme poverty.  When I heard of the earthquake I didn’t want to think about it at first.  I am ashamed to say that the older I get the more I want to shut out terrible things.  I want to close my ears and pretend that nothing’s happening.  But that’s not right.  It is happening and people desperately need help.  Desperately.  When I heard of Photographers for Haiti I felt led to participate.  Please join Heritage in helping these people in a time when they can’t help themselves.

On Saturday, February 27 we will be holding mini sessions for Haiti.  All session fees will be donated directly to Compassion International.  (You will make checks payable to Compassion so that your donation will be tax deductible.)

Family and Child Mini Sessions

• Cost: $75 (check written directly to Compassion International)
• When: Saturday, February 27
• Where: Heritage Studio (2381 Locust Street #3, Canal Fulton, Ohio 44614)
• What: a 20-25 minute session and 2-5×7s are included in the mini session price that will be donated
• What else: You will be able to choose from 10-15 retouched images.  50% of all sales from any other products purchased will be donated by Heritage.
• GOAL: $1000 for Haiti (Will you help us make it possible?)

The winner of our January contest prize (a 16×20 Gallery wrapped canvas) is…drumroll please….Brian.  Congratulations Brian.  We will be in touch to let you know the details.

And, since a blog post without a picture is like popcorn without butter, here’s one of my favorite landscapes that Dave has taken.

Why I Love Photography…

Doogie Howser.  (Did you know there are complete websites on Doogie?  His entire journal can oddly enough be found here! And, if you are too young to know what I am talking about…watch it here.)  I’m serious though.  There was an episode of Doogie Howser that made me decide then and there that I would always take pictures.  I didn’t plan on doing it professionally at the time but I pledged to always photograph my life.

Doogie (the young MD) watched an elderly patient as he struggles with losing his memory.  He becomes more and more annoyed with the old man’s questions and for some reason I vividly remember another doctor’s response after he complains:

“His memories are the last connection he has with his life…{His} life is behind him.  His memories are all he has left.  To him, forgetting is like dying.”

And later Doogie says:

“Forgetting is like losing them all over again.”

I’m not sure why but it stuck with me.  Someday I won’t be able to recall specifics anymore.  Someday the details will all be forgotten.  But, if I have photos…I can remember.

And there is so much I want to remember.  Like this:

and this…

and this…

{Bonus Points for the person that can name the mildly famous person beside Zeke.}

Here’s to Doogie, cameras, and the hope of remembering.

Newsletter

Heritage Studio & Gallery is now the proud creator of a monthly newsletter.  If you are on our mailing list, you should have received January’s issue.  If you didn’t and would like to check it out…here it is.  Let us know what you think.

If you didn’t receive the newsletter and can’t get over your disappointment (who could blame you? ) Please sign up below for future mailings. We plan to release news and contests through the newsletter first.

Have you seen The Waterboy?

It’s been another busy day but a fun one.  I spent a large part of it going through the images from last weeks wedding.  Good times. There is a bit more work to do yet, but you’ll want to check back toward the end of the week.

For now, I have one picture to share of my little girl the other morning.  I had to take this shot because it reminded me so much of the coach in The Waterboy when he starts cracking up.  Do you remember…talking on the phone, in heels, to “grandma”?

I just can’t help but laugh.  Hope it brightened your day too.  :)

Akron Children’s Photography {A’s Sneak Peek}

Something happened recently…to my daughter and my niece.  All of a sudden I looked at them and they seem to have grown up into children.  I’m not sure when it happened because I am certain that just this summer they were both still babies.

It might be because they are both finally getting long hair (well, longer in Eden’s case).  Or maybe their clothes are less baby-ish.  Or maybe, just maybe, they are actually getting big.  Somehow it makes me smile and feel as if my heart is being broken all at the same time.  The following are of my sweet niece…bigger than ever.  I hope they make you smile too.

I’m not sure if it’s because I know her…but I love this face.  Aren’t her eyes just beautiful?

If you read this blog much…you know I’m a sucker for laughter.  These two were my favs from the whole session.

I think she could have entertained herself with silly faces for at least an hour.

Thanks Little Lady.  I love you so much!

Canton Photography {L Family Sneak Peek}

Last Saturday the studio was bustling with life as Dave photographed this family of 17.  I walked into laughter and the delight that only family has.  There’s just something about being with the people that know us the best.

I’m going to post these a little differently today.  I want to share their portraits as if hung on the wall.  Since they were such a big group and we were inside…we stayed with the same backdrop for the entire session.  This will ensure that they will look uniform hanging on the wall together and hopefully meet the traditional look the {L} family was looking for.  I hope this gives you all some ideas for displaying your portraits.

And now for the shameless plug…don’t forget our custom framing for your portraits.  We can help you come up with a wall design that suits you.  Any photo session from now until Christmas receives a 35% off framing discount.

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