I just received the nicest, most thoughtful thank you/testimonial letter ever.  I have probably read it a dozen times already and I’m going to print it out and put it on my wall to read on days when I’m feeling blue.  It comes from clients I just worked with last Saturday.  They were so much fun to be with in the studio.  I was thinking about writing about the session even before receiving this email from them.  Somewhere along the way, one of them was told she doesn’t photograph well.  I can’t tell you how many people come to me with that apology.  It makes me crazy and so mad that someone would actually say that to another person!  Everyone has a beauty about them, no matter what their physical characteristics are!  My job as a photographer is to find that and bring it to the front.  I love people, so maybe that helps.

Here’s the letter followed by one of my favorite images from the session.

Stacie,

You surely have an idea of the gift you possess. For me it was a combination of that rare quality that puts people at ease, that assures them that they not only are okay just the way they are, but that they are precious, unique, and interesting. Somehow you see the sparks and the sparkles that make people interesting, powerful, and endearing. You captured the best in us as individuals and as a couple. Your special blend of qualities, skill and talent made this potentially excruciating time into a playful and joyous one. The photographic images and the service you provide are a treasure beyond words. For that I wish to offer my heartfelt thanks, my encouragement to you along your path, and for sure lots and lots of referrals.

All my best,

Toni

So most of you who follow this blog know how much I love my job. Today made it extra especially lovable. My best guy friend and his wife had a baby last night! I wasn’t at the birth, but I was invited to come in today while they were still in the hospital and make images. I was excited, happy beyond words, actually, for my friends. And getting to get in there and hold her early on… well, that’s just a bonus of my job! She had just finished eating when I arrived, which usually means one sleepy baby. Not Brooklyn! She was alert and active the entire hour I was there photographing. She is sweet and calm and just plain beautiful. Congratulations, Jordan and Julie!!! We truly could not be happier for the THREE of you! I’m looking forward to summers at the pool together!

She’s already a Mizzou fan. There’s some punk Jayhawk baby down the hall, so we had to put her MU gear on!

I just received word that this image from a previous post was awarded honorable mention in the Lensbaby “get published” competition! There were nearly 2000 entries; 13 will be published in a book and 144 were given honorable mention. See the honorable mention gallery here. My image is on page 4. Woot!

Last night was the opening reception for Columbia Art League’s new show, ‘A sense of Self’. From the postcard about the show, “Sense of Self invites artists to explore their own sense of identity. Who are they as artists, and how do they portray that sense of identity and self through their chosen medium?” I thought it was a perfect fit for me to enter one of my pieces of Lucy, my 101 year old model. The experiences that led me to be able to work with Lucy and the experience of the session itself and editing the work afterward have all become defining moments in my personal journey as a photographer.

This fall I set the intention that I would be more connected with my subjects during our time together. I think that at times, photographers can let the camera come between or keep me separated from my subjects. I realized this when I worked with a woman preparing to go through a double mastectomy. As I photographed her body in a way it was soon to change forever-I commanded myself to be present. To not let my discomfort interfere with the session. I began to see that I have the ability to alter how people are seen by how I use my lens. If I’m uncomfortable, I think it shows. I do think there are times when that discomfort can be useful in an image but the challenge is to find those times and use it accordingly.

So, the internal struggle began with how can I continue to earn a living as a portrait photographer and also pursue my fine art dreams? I think this blog has shown some of that struggle. I debate whether to use this space to show great family photo sessions or expose some of the projects I’m working on.

Okay, back to the CAL exhibit. I entered one of my pieces of Lucy and I’m extremely proud to announce I was awarded third place. I’m sure by now you are chanting, ‘let’s see the piece already! Enough talk!’ Without further adieu, ‘What Time Creates’ followed by two more in the series. Please feel free to leave comments by clicking on the talk bubble on the right side of the page

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