Bet Rank Photography

Okay so V5 is active here on Squarespace and though I'm in a situation where I need to wokr on a new template, I like the changes. Aside from the template curve ball it seems as if Squarespace is in slow motion when it comes to posting or adding files to my site but it doesn't happen every time. I currently have 2 sites here at Squarespace and I'm sitting on the fence trying to decide if I want to change the templates to V5 versions so that I can utilize all that's offered... or just throw my hands in the air and keep the old stuff.

Decisions, decisions.

There's one decision I don't have to make and that's whether or not to stay here. I love Squarespace enough to stick it out and learn my way around the remodel even if I stub a toe here or there. I mean honestly, there's no way I'm going back to something like GoDaddy hosting.

*lays head on desk and sighs*

I'll get through this. I will.

When will being me in every sense of the word be enough for me? For the past 6-8 months I've been banging my head against the wall trying to figure out WHY I can't stand the photos I've been taking and then it hit me.

I'm trying too hard to be some technically perfect, book written photographer. It's like squeezing myself into a blouse that's 3 sizes too small because everyone else fits into it. When I look through the viewfinder with my heart, my soul and my gut I usually like the results. When I allow my head to get involved... I end up spending a few hours attempting to edit something I despise.

Photography for me isn't about doing it the way everyone else does by following text in a book. (Don't get me wrong I have quite a few books on photography that I've enjoyed reading) It isn't even about expressing myself in an artistic manner. Taking photos is my way of holding onto the precious moments in my life and in the lives of those I adore. Sometimes I get the honor of capturing moments for others as well.

Hopefully I can get away in the next couple of weeks to cleanse myself and return to the "shoot from the hip" style that fits me like a well worn pair of jeans.  I'm still waiting on my Canon 40D and new lenses...

after I get the new refrigerator I need... after we pay the balance on the puppy Toa that we'll be bringing home in two weeks... after I purchase new clothes for my growing guys... after my husband gets his new computer...

Sometimes the photographer in me wishes it didn't have to stand in line behind the Mom, the wife, the Aunt and the daughter.

I love taking photos and I'll photograph just about anything or at least attempt to photograph it but there's something about babies and kids. Throw me into a party and my camera and I will find the wee one in the crowd. They're the most honest people I encounter on a daily basis. I don't need a degree in Psychology to get them. Their needs are simple and yet watching this wonderful miniatures of ourselves learn things that we long ago took for granted... astounds me.

Watching a baby working through what it takes to merely grasp a toy within their chubby little hands is the equivalent of what a climber feels when reaching the peak of a majestic mountain. I can compare because years ago I climbed Mt. Katahdin in Maine. Photographers like others are drawn to certain areas where they feel most comfortable. I have a friend Vlad who is now a wedding photographer and a excellent one at that but if you'd asked him a mere five years ago if he had thoughts of being a wedding photographer he'd most likely have looked at you as if you'd grown an extra head.

My Dad loved photographing nature. Landsapes were his forte in those days and I always thought that I'd follow in his footsteps. I never thought I'd find myself wanting only to photograph children or families. The looke between a mother and child is something that can't be adequately described in words and so I find myself trying to capture it in photographs. The same is true of being able to express what it's like to be a child and experience a moment of pure joy. Kids are so free with their emotions. They're not concerned with what everyone else is going to think. The'll just fall over as their tiny bodies are consumed in a fit of giggles after watching Mommy blow on a piece of paper. How can you NOT want to photograph those moments?

I love kids. Around here everyone knows me as Aunt Bet, even if I'm not their Aunt. I'm that person in the crowd that can calm the screaming baby or reason with a frustrated toddler... I guess I could be considered the Baby Whisperer.

Just let me start this post off by telling you how much I don't like weathermen. I wish my Grandfather was still alive because he ALWAYS knew whether it was going to raid or not. With that said let's move on to the weekend engagement session.

Lenny & Laura are tying the knot on January 10, 2009 & they've hired me as their wedding photographer. We all decided to head to Longwood on Saturday to take some engagement photos. I love Longwood Gardens, there are so many possibilities for wonderful photos that I'm like a kid in a candy shop. The weather didn't want to cooperate with us at all and it took some time for the two of them to warm up to the camera. They really are an adorable couple to photograph and it was neat to have their 3 month old daughter along for the day. She was such a sweetheart & never fussed!

If there was one thing I'd like to change in people is the "I have to pose" mentality that's pounded into everyone from an early age. When school photos are taken we have to sit straight, tilt our heads and hold some cheesy smile for the photographer. It's hard to get people to just relax and have fun when a camera is pointed your way.

See that Eagles cap on the groom's head? It's part of who he is and he never took that thing off. Part of me is wondering if he'll wear one to the wedding. It makes it hard to really capture his face. He's definitely got a mischevious smile and he describes himself as the clown at any function. This is the reason I think engagement sessions are so important. You have the opportunity to get to know your couple as well as allowing them to get to know you. 

His whole demeanor changes when his daughter is in the scene. It's really nice to be able to photograph Daddy and daughter.  He really is wonderful around her. Again I can't emphasize enough about how well behaved this little bundle was. At 3 months she was fascinated by the movement of the trees above her as we strolled through the gardens.

After a few photos with her in that pretty, little, pink dress she decided she was too hot and spent the rest of the afternoon in her onesie. The humidty came down on us like a wet blanket and in the distance we heard the rolling thunder. Before too long a staff vehicle from Longwood pulled over to us to advise that we seek shelter immediately and we're not ones to mess with Mother Nature so we hoofed it to the cafe for shelter from the storm and a bit of food.

Though the weather didn't cooperate we managed to get a few decent shots.  I'm really looking forward to photographing their wedding in January especially since they finally relaxed a bit in front of the lens and allowed me to see another side of them. Thanks to Lenny & Laura for spending the day with me and my camera. You guys are awesome!

Next week I've got a family outting to Stasburg, PA to photograph. Some Grandmoms, some Moms, some Dads and quite a few toddlers who are venturing out to see Thomas the Train for the very first time! Should be a blast.

I'm currently working on my price list for services and it's a very consuming process. Many hours have been spent pouring over other photographers' sites and checking out what they offer. The price range has been rather surprising and has really altered my original ideas.

The bride-to-be pictured here has also affected my thoughts on how much to charge. Her budget for her entire wedding is what most couples pay for photography services. Fortunately she doesn't have to worry about hiring a photographer since I consider her fiance to be part of my family. He's like an adopted nephew and when they came to me to ask if I'd photograph their wedding I couldn't be happier.  It's my gift to them.

But what about the other brides who have small budgets? Where do they turn? I was surprised to see just how many ads andn sites I found with packages starting as low as $500. These prices would appeal greatly to the financially strained but my Dad always said "You get what you pay for."  This is not to say that the photographer who only charges $500 is going to provide lousy photos but I have to wonder about the overall quality.

What are you getting for that $500?

Your wedding is something you look forward to, dream about and diligently plan and it's a day that goes by in the twinkling of an eye. Your photographer is there to capture all the major moments as well as those candid ones that oft times the bride and groom don't get to see. When you gaze upon your wedding photos for the first time since you said "I do" they should transport you back to that day. Your wedding album should put a smile on your face and warm your heart for many years to come.

So as I prepare for this weekend's engagement photo session, I'll be fine tuning the pricing part of my site. Quality isn't always cheap but you shouldn't have to break the piggy bank for beautiful photographs.