Spring Cleaning: EDIT!!

Most of us "walk" our homes in the Spring looking for ways to update, repair and refresh. We make lists, head on down to the Home Depot and get to work. Most of us tend to walk right past the photos, frames and snapshots around the house of ourselves, our family and our kiddos thinking we could never take down or replace those gorgeous baby photos although our babies are headed off to middle or high school this year. That would be sinful--a sign of ingratitude! Right?

I am not suggesting that each year we all clean sweep our homes and replace the portraits, but instead "walk" our homes with a purpose--to EDIT! By editing we redefine what our homes say about who we are, what we believe, and what we value. Our lifestyle and our taste is conveyed by our taste in home decor--and that includes the art and photos we choose to keep on display. If your family photographer does a great job, he or she will capture shots that showcase your family's personality or the "light" and "energy" of your child. As for me, there are some shots of my once-2-year-old that will never come off the walls for this reason...or a maternity shot that can never be replaced and chronicles a significant occasion in our lives.
(below: example of irreplacables from tami proffit)

Instead, "walk" with an editor's eye looking for frames that can be updated to reflect who you are now. I was at a friend's home last night and I truly enjoyed the "wall of family portraits" that they accumulated over the past 5 years or so. But it didn't capture who they were now...it wasn't displaying the amazing personality of their children or a keepsake memory. I had an urge to help them EDIT! Only because they are the coolest people...they entertain(lots of people are in their home)...and I know their kids glow but some of those shots were let's just say "less than awesomeness"....

So here are some helpful easy steps to help you edit if you can't seem to part with a single portrait....
1) grab a post-it pad and walk your house. Tag anything "iffy"
2) write on the post-it what you love about the iffy item
3) if you can't articulate what you like, pull the frame down and consult with a photographer and make plans to update the shot...this also makes it easy to choose what size portraits you actually need as you are replacing or updating that frame or that spot on your wall/ledge, etc
4) take a snapshot of your wall/ledge as is and show your photographer to brainstorm "what to do" when planning updated portraits. Here is a cool link to give you ideas on how to hang/display your groupings see the blogof annbeck
5) designate 1-3 spaces (depending on the size of your home) to display all your portraits. Any good home staging expert will advise you not to spread those personal pictures out all over the house. Create an impact with groupings whenever you can. Your family photos are YOUR ARTWORK!

some eye candy to get you thinking...from one cool DIY lady @ sawdustandpaperscraps.com

Valentines Day 2012

Groundhog Day Resolutions! What???

Hang with me here...My personal theory is that Groundhog Day falls in February  to serve as a reminder for those of us who commit to New Year's Resolutions each January. Nothing to do with that  Punxsutawney Phil fellow...Think Bill Murray...think Groundhog's Day-the movie...Seriously, by now we should reflect back on what we can really accomplish in the coming year...Keep hanging with me...

How many of us decide to change and realize change is insatiable?...there's always something more. Sure we get that smokin hot body by Spring each year only to realize we still won't look as good as that skinny chick ahead of us in line at Krogers buying butter, flour and cute cupcake papers. While she's on her way home to make some pink lemonade cupcakes for herself--not her triplets she just gave birth to, we should wonder, "what's realistically attainable this year and how can I get my "hands" on it, enjoy it and treasure it forever?" Do you follow me fellow groundhoggers?

As a photographer I seek to capture images that will bring you years of happiness. But those images won't make you happy living in the box they came in or in their digital format-you need to bring them to life. They deserve presence in your home. They deserve to be showcased. By all means, they deserve to be professionally matted and framed! I know several of you have pinned on Pinterest or torn a page out of a magazine of someone's home where the kids or family photos are hung like priceless artwork--can you say cool canvas wrap? This is all attainable in 2012....

So as you re-evaluate those 2012 resolutions may I suggest you get in here now and get those family portraits updated, framed, showcased on canvas already! What else are you doing for the next few weeks of winter?? Before you know it, we'll be chasing down Christmas card photos and struggling for appointments in October. Don't be a stranger...see you soon!

Is FREE the only reason to attend an Open House?

For those clients I have worked with in the past, sure FREE goodies at my upcoming OPEN HOUSE are the perfect reason to join us on Sunday January, 15th. But many people--maybe even some friends of yours--are looking for "that"  family photographer...you know...the one who knows you, or who can get to know you-fast-so that when the images come back, we have really captured who you are, the personality of a child or showcased the love of a family in a group shot. That's our goal! So let this upcoming OPEN HOUSE be the beginning of a picture perfect relationship. Bring a friend...share the love!

Maternity Portraits

I have been honored to be in the presence of love! Anxiously awaiting their new baby boy, their love for each other is strong and was evident in their session. Thank you both for sharing with me!

Family Photos

I feel so fortunate to have a career where I get to meet so many amazing people. Especially when you are already friends with a family and you get to meet their extended family, it automatically feels so comfortable!  Thank you Lisa for sharing your wonderful family with me!  Everyone is genuine and funny and it was great to share that time with them.  Thanks for putting up with the heat and thanks for putting up with my bad jokes! Go Hoosiers!

PPSO All day Workshop with Steve & Julie Busch

What a fun day with fellow photographers from PPSO and Master Photographers from Napolean Ohio, Steve & Julie Busch.  They shared their insights on Senior Sessions Outdoors and we had two beautiful models to help us out - despite the heat! Here are two samples from my camera - two different places that I previously overlooked but will now be a 'go to'!!