Well, the next day was a good one. One of the most fun I have had in a long time, for lots of reasons. I started the morning assisting Rachel on a shoot. I love long drives, coffee, farms, and photography. That was our whole morning. Then I showed her a few of my new favorite locations in my area and we took some test shots. And made fun of ourselves with some goofy poses. Say, CHEESE, Rachel!
Then we went to lunch and I went home to rest before Wes and Amy's shoot. Only I couldn't really rest. So I went to Walmart. I'd learned a few things from the day before, and I had a few last-minute ideas I wanted to try. I picked up a small broom, hand sanitizer, champagne flutes, and water.
When I met up with Wes and Amy, they hopped in the car and here was my process: to drive around downtown until I spotted a place among the many I'd scouted that had good light. If it's possible, I think it's better to go where the light is. You'll get better pictures than trying to make the light come to your favorite spot. We did four locations total.
I'll make a long afternoon/evening short: we had a blast. My homework paid off. The clothes I helped Amy pick the week before paid off. And even the wine paid off (Wes needed to relax a little).
I owe a lot of thanks to my sweet friends who have and continue to indulge me in my ideas. I appreciate so much that they've taken me seriously and have been supportive. I learned a ton from these shoots.
But if there was a big lesson to learn, at least for me, it's that in order to be rewarded you really do have to make yourself vulnerable sometimes. Or, as Chris commented in the previous post, quoting Experiencing God: "The affirmation comes after the obedience."
It pays to have a little faith. And believe in yourself at least as much as everyone else believes in you.
So that was my Big Weekend. Thanks for listening. If you're on the brink of jumping into something, you really should just go for it. Not doing something is just as much a decision as going through with it, whatever IT is. And, honestly, I'm not really sure where I'll go from here. But for now I'm enjoying the process of figuring that all out.
By the way, this blog will continue to be the good and the bad. Some of my favorite, sweet pictures of my kids or surroundings aren't the best artistically or technically, but they ARE moments I want to keep and admire nonetheless. Plus, I can't justify buying my now Dream Lens: 50 mm 1.2. So expect to see as many from-the-hip pictures as you always have.
Bye for now!
These pictures are BRILLIANT! I love them all, seriously. Way to shoot em! I was just stopping by to let you know about a post on my blog that I thought you might enjoy. It’s about romance for military couples! https://loveactually-blog.blogspot.com/2009/05/military-romance.html
Yea, these look great, nice work. Feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions about the biz. I’m a photo editor with a past as a studio manager & an artist’s rep. Copyright, stock, royalty free, portfolios…. you name it. Good luck!
I forgot to ask you what editing software you use. I have Photoshop Elements (I am a novice!) and I like it a lot.
Good Job friend, looks like you have found a new calling
Great pictures! You are an amazing photographer!
Crystal – I love these. Esp #2 as well. I am totally serious… If you are ever near me, I’d love for you to take some pics of my girls/my family. These are fantastic.
Great job!
Yep… that’s MY daughter! Isn’t she somethin’, folks?
I’ve noticed you didn’t copyright the picture of me. Now what makes you think that someone won’t want to steal it and claim it as their own, huh?? In fact, someone could be doing it RIGHT NOW.
Love these. Great job!
What beautiful pictures you take … of your children and these two shoots. Good for you for getting out there.
AAAAAH!! Your pictures are AMAZING!!! My favorite is the one with the picture of their kids in the the back pocket. Love that. If only I could get to NC so that you could take photographs of my sweet hubby and our three boys…oh, and me. I am trying to follow your advice, and “get in the picture!”.
Great photos – you sure do have an eye! Will you do our anniversary shots???
I’m loving your photography, and so inspired that you are going for it! I would love to do the same thing, and am trying to.
Wow – fantastic. I love the one with the chalk writing and the final one on the train track – stunning.
great shoot! =)
What can’t you do Crystal, your amazing! Wish we still lived close so you could takes pictures of us. Great job!
Oh wow – they are so good! I love the second one too…and the one with her head on his lap..and the last one is so sweet. Great job and great advice on following your dreams – glad to see the Lord is blessing yours!
Wow Crystal… #2 is very touching. Great job!!