sometimes i am a little too enthusiastic about photography…that is why peta and i started beyond snapshots. if you join us for any of our classes (only one seat left for the next class so hurry if you are interested) or workshop talks, be prepared for over sharing. i have a lot of information and frankly, alec is no longer interested. i start talking about my search for the best wide angle lens for the money and i can see his eyes glaze over and i can almost read the thought bubble hovering above his head “please make her stop talking.” i recognize the look…it is the same one i have when he speaks cycling.
i can’t help it. i just get really excited about things i love.
these guys pretend to be enthusiastic, but really they just want a cookie. in fact gemma would like 3 cookies. never too early to bribe. there is your free tip for the day.
but one thing that is amazing to have when you are learning a craft and excited about the work you are producing is a community of like minded friends. it is a lifesaver (for husbands like alec.)
that is exactly what you get with clickin moms! these women have created a friendly and beautiful community where you can virtually hang out with people who are actually interested in your in camera settings.
clickin moms is the newest sponsor here on the blog and to celebrate having them join the sidebar we have a contest for 2 people to win a year subscription each to their information packed forum!
How great is that? Here is what you need to do to have a chance to win, leave a comment here on my blog (facebook comments do not count, so if you are reading this on facebook, click on over to the site to leave your note) and tell me something photo related…something that would bore the pants off your kid or trigger eye rolls from your partner. i am listening.
what are you excited about today?
have you found a great photoblog?
want a new lens?
are trying new processing?
going to your first photo/blogging conference?
ANYTHING.
I will be picking 2 random comments as the winners so get clickin.
the contest is now closed, but i love hearing your stories, so if you landed here and have something to share, tell me! like i said, i am listening!
Random Picks:
Congratulations to Julia Avina and Natalie Barnes!
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oh, how fun! the latest on my mind… trying to decided if an L series lens is worth the (very large) investment. and if so, do i go with the 50 or the 85? the 50 gets such mixed reviews. but oh, how i love my 50 for indoor work!!! ughhh!
oh yes I know that glazed over look so well also! I have been waiting on getting the 24-70 lens for my Nikon D300 for a year now….but I also want the D700! But I will hopefully in the next month or so get the ok to order my lens!! My wish list gets longer and longer!
Well, not quite sure what to say because I am a bit nervous now. I am still waiting for my first-child to come out. The camera is ready. The lens are ready. My husband is ready. (I taught him how to use the auto-setting on my beloved D700). Only the baby has a temper just like his father, never do anything in a rush. Five days after the due-date, he is hanging out in the womb, so comfortable and enjoying his moment with me. I know I am marching into the new era of my life……
i always feel a little funny reading your blog because i am not a mother. But i love your work, your kids, your words and photography so much. i graduated college in may and started working a cube job for its stability. after 8 months i am more then antsy and just booked two photo sessions with families that are not my family or friends. i am so excited and nervous but in a good way. currently i am on a search for a good and reasonable printer, most likely online. if you have an recommendations i would love to hear them. i come to your blog daily for inspirations and tips, so thank you so much.
Well, I'm excited that 1 out of 3 is napping!( I have a 1yr old 2.5 and a 5yr old) I just made the switch from the Canon XTI to the Nikon D700 love it! Now, I just have to learn how to work it!! LOL I have the 50mm 1.4 and would love love love the 105mm! I too bore my husband to death about photography. His response is always " I really dont know what the hell your talking about"???
i've been updating my blog recently. switching from a pro-personal blog to just professional. i also have three shoots this week. i'm new to the professional side of things.. so shoots, while extremely exciting.. are also extremely intimidating. i already had the first, a mini shoot.. in a hospital room with only overhead lighting. i only ever use natural light.. so it was definitely a challenge for me, but i think i succeeded. the second is a continuation of the first. an official newborn shoot for the same little man. the third is a shoot of a brother and sister pair.. almost 3, and almost 1. i'm excited but i always get nervous about lighting and wondering when time to shoot outside.. and where should i do it. i wish there was an online venue that listed neat places to shoot. maybe something that can be user updated by the people who live and shoot in the area? i don't know, just a thought. i always have such a hard time finding places to shoot. especially natural areas. southern california is either developed, or no trespassing.
I am excited for 2010!! Okay, it goes w/o saying that I am totally excited about your online class coming up – ooh, such a fresh start coming up! Aside from that, I just e-mailed a makeup artist that I've never worked with to join me to produce a series of editorial work I have in mind…Flickr is like the Mother of all photoblogs – I have connected to so many uber photoblogs this way…want a new lens – always! How about a new camera – http://www.epiphaniebags.com , here I come!!
I am so behind on processing photos that it saps my motivation. And I got an HD pocket camcorder for Christmas because there's just so much that she says and does that I want to capture beyond the still image, but I have really no clue how to handle the files once I've downloaded them. I'd love to get one of the newer Nikon dSLRs that includes movie capture abilities, plus some stellar lenses, but I just don't think I'd lug it around enough to justify it to myself (also see post-processing back log comment and motivational issues).
The clickin moms site looks like a fantastic resource and has a very pretty look and feel, but please tell them from your designer reader that their text legibility could use some help. Light blue and light pink on white are not great for reading.
I'm very excited about participating in your's and Peta's online workshopl. Doing something just for me, besides work and being there for the kids and my husband. Although of course everyone will benefit if my pictures of the kids will become better
Excited to have you join us!
I think of myself as an amateur photographer, but times like this when the snow is actually starting to melt in Pittsburgh, I think of the new buds and flowers on the trees and sunny days and wonderful outings that will happen, and how I can take my camera and begin a whole new set of memories for this year. Winter is sad, even though the snow is amazing especially from a photography point of view, but spring = new life and that is my way of making memories, taking new life adding loved ones and friends and making those memories last forever. What is more beautiful than that?
once again i am debating full frame vs HD video. sigh. and if my husband hears it one more time, his brain may explode. aside from me going on about how i would love a new camera, can i not just pick one? or must i revisit the issue over and over and over…and why do i need to keep the 40D if I get the 5D? When if i get the 7D i will part with my 40D baby…I get the impression that he is about throw both me and my camera out the window this week…and then my concern about how my camera lenses are going to be taking priority on our upcoming flight and why he MUST share his laptop bag with diapers and bottles…;))
great contest – love that site:))
I have never taken a tack sharp photo in my life. I couldn't do it to save my life. There is nothing that would make me dance for joy like viewing the crispest, sharpest photo (where I *want* it to be crisp and sharp) straight out of my camera.
Oh, and I want….need….a monopod.
I am about to post a VERY out of focus shot on this very blog.
As a mother of two children under 3 life is a juggling act! The hardest ball to juggle is finding time to do something for myself, then I purchased a DSLR, Nikon D40x. Now I just can’t get enough! I have become addicted to reading blogs, they provide alot of inspiration. While getting my daily fix, between nappy changes, the wiggles and vegemite sambos, I was on this blog, http://fionacarsonphotography.com.au/blog/ (I love Fiona’s relaxed and fun style) and came across a link to this site. Love it! And from here I have discovered soooo much more! The possibilities are endless! I can’t wait to do the online photography course with http://www.beyond-snapshots.com/blog/2010/02/09/announcing/ I am hoping that the one spot left, has my name on it! With my camera around my neck, mouse in one hand and baby wipes in the other, I am relishing all the opportunities to learn. The juggling is now much more enjoyable! And I have discovered a real passion!
I sent you an email about the spots for the class. We did sell out, but check your email!
My husband is actually taking an interest and supporting me in my new photography hobby. He bought me a canon 450d for christmas and just bought me a 50mm f1.8 lens for my birthday. I have been very spoilt and am very appreciative of his support.
I would love to buy a new lens but I am afraid! Afraid because I don't know what to get and I have so little money and I am afraid I will buy something and hate it. Weird, huh? My husband is so supportive of my photography habit, sometimes overly so.
Often, I want an honest critique and he gets upset when I point out the flaws because he thinks I am being too hard on myself. Very rarely, under the guise of spending quality time together, I can persuade him to grab his camera and we go out shooting together. I both love and am greatly annoyed by the fact that he does not follow any rules but totally goes for the shot in his mind's eye every time, no matter what that might be (he's a little strange, sometime). And the reason I shoot Nikon? Because a friend (and also lifelong rival) chose Canon. Silly, but it turned out to be one of the best choices I ever made, because a friend who is also a professional photographer shoots Nikon as well and he often sells me his "old" equipment for a fraction of its real cost. I love love love reading your blog, please keep up the good work!
I tried to get a lovely shot today in that gorgeous light that you get between storms (because I was relishing the light–it seems all we have these days is the STORMS part), but I got nada–the photog gods were not smiling down upon me today…
Hey, BTW–are you planning any non-beginner workshops? I''ve taken two and I love them and the fact that they help keep me inspired, and I totally think you could teach me A LOT! I am not pro (and currently have no plans to go pro, though DH would sure like for me to make a little something with my obsession, because it sure isn't cheap!), but I am comfortable shooting in manual and can get around with PP–I just want to keep learning and keep being inspired! I love your Beyond Snapshots class and the idea of elevating home snapshots (and photojournalism/daily life photos are hard for me), but I wonder if it would be too basic?
Anyhow, I'm rambling so I'll stop now…
our in person workshops will be for beyond beginners (as well as beginners…details soon) but we also do mentoring for non beginners.
A month ago I purchased a 35mm Nikon lens and was very excited. My boyfriend was bored by my talking about it and my son, well he would not exactly sit still enough for me to get some great shots with it. My next thing to upgrade my camera!
I'm super excited about being part of my friend's new venture: Blue House – it's a community all about creating the things you are most passionate about. And for me, it's photography. I head over there tomorrow to finish photographing the gorgeous space she has created.
completely understand "that look" from husband. I never thought about or wanted to be a photographer. All I wanted was just be able to take a "clear" picture of my baby. and now, I got suck in…BADLY. Now, I want ALL the good stuff, camera, lenses, bag, workshops, blogs, flickr…
My husband always said "are you taking a picture again? how many pictures are you going to take? Are you a photographer now? why do you need another lens?…." bla bla bla…While I was taking Rachel's online class, I didn't tell him because I knew he would roll his eyes. I would stayed up late editing photos and he had no idea. One day, I left my flickr page on the computer screen. All the pictures are about our baby. He saw it. When I got home, he told me he was really amazed and touched by those pictures, he thought I took good pictures. I almost cried. (I'm not that good. I just take better pictures now than before.)
Then, I told him all about the online class I was taking, showed him Rachel and Peta's blogs. I told him how much I enjoyed this "photography" thing. He is really supported since and never give me "the look". but, I'm sure if I went too far, he is going to say something. That's husband.
You are doing some amazing shots of your baby! so happy for you, i can tell that you love photography!
o man, i would pee my pants if i won this! i have been wanting to join clickin moms for so long, but being strapped on the funds i have been waiting. i have a canon rebel xti and can't wait till the day to upgrade. i heart photography big time and want to learn so much more and hopefully someday make a business out of it. i will be crossing my fingers…. thanks
I just had my first child last week – and now I am dying to buy the Nikon 85mm f/1.4 but can't seem to get over the price. I am actually looking around my house for things to sell on ebay to be able to defray the cost! I want that perfect, buttery portrait lens that badly!!
Making photos adds so much to me the creator and to my family & friends. My husband does the geeky stuff and finds the new lens and cameras to try (we are experimenting with micro4/3rds and old canon lens right now). It's a nice life. I love the name clickin moms because no matter who's child I photograph, I photograph them as they were my own children. Keeps me young and happy.
I laughed reading this post, totally picturing the eyes glazing over as hubby is asked to look at another "few" photos of the kids or whatever else has taken my fancy that day, a wave, a leaf, a flower… okay, it's never just a few but how can he refuse, the boys are just so cute and the world is so beautiful that I can't stop taking pics!
ok, so i am completely OBSESSED at the moment with giving my website an overhaul and choosing what to put on it etc and how to price myself……what i want to portray etc and what to say ……aarrrgggh…its ALL i talk about !!! and i can totally see THAT look on my husbands face, as soon as i say ‘ hey ….what do you think……..”….. hehe…..
i have my blog that i upload recent work on …….. and i can see that my style has changed so much in the last 6 months, that i need to have an overhaul…….. its such a hard step deciding on pricing…i’ve done a few years of being’cheap’ and giving out a cd…… and now i have a decent following on fb etc i feel i will (hopefully- dear god, please) be able to be just as busy with not offering a cd anymore and becoming one of those photographers who print and frame…………its daunting , i guess its not knowing whether people still like your work….. etc…… i am so excited about spending more time with clients and really helping them up until the picture goes on the wall……and giving them something special……… wow i am babbling now………. but i love reading your blog and as you can tell….my husbands eyes would have been well glazed ….about 20 lines ago………hahahah…thanks for the vent!!!!
I am super excited about my new logo!!!!!!!! I’m also excited about the possibility of having a workshop with you! If Kris is deployed during the workshop then I will be just as excited about doing a mentoring program. I loved the workshop this last fall and crave to learn more.
Hmm ref photoblog. Of course yours and Peta’s blogs but I have also been looking at I love photography. I have to be careful about getting sucked into blog ville because if not before I know it is 1 or 2 am and Typhoon Trio really don’t care how tired Mami is.
New Glass? Of course I would love some new glass. I would love the 24-70 f/2.8L other then that I would like a zoom but really haven’t thought about it. A fisheye might be cool too. I received the 85 prime for Christmas
New processing…Still working on learning Photoshop so I am taking a class in April to get a better foundation on the basic.
Not going to any Photo blogging conference since I’m in Okinawa and haven’t heard of any close by. Plus I’d rather use the plane money for a ticket to go to your workshop.
Hello universe did you hear that I would like to go take Rachel’s and Peta’s in person class. Thank you!!!
There should be a FB group for our husband’s “husband’s whose wives talk too much about their camera”
Have a wonderful week!
Geez… where do I start. My want list is huge (greedy… I know) Currently I use the D300 but would love to have the D3 or D700. Numerous lenses I would like to have. And I love reading blogs, forums, and different websites trying to absorb as much as I can about photography.
So my husband bought me a new wide-angle for my birthday, and I seriously haven’t put the thing down! I did an entire photo shoot with that lens and it was beautiful. To me, at least
My husband does the same thing… eye glaze over when I start talking about anything photo related or try to tell him about a new technique I learned in PS. So, glad I can come over here and talk and read all I want. Thank you!
New photo blog I am into is Polamour: http://polamour.com/ . The colors she captures are so whimsical and dreamy and she lives in Oklahoma. I love that she's from the region in the US I am from!
Lens I am seriously thinking about is the Sigma 30mm f1.4. But I am hesitant because I am thinking about getting a new camera (maybe a D700) and I am not sure it's the best lens for that camera. Then again, I also want to get a rangefinder camera and play around with that and my current lenses. Do you own a digital or non digital rangefinder? I know you have a whole slew of cameras.
I might open a can of worms with this one, but I just got an imac. It is fast and I'm loving it. I was so tired of staring at that donut go round and round on my old pc. It is once again a joy to open PS. I know there are pc's that are fast. Mine just wasn't one of them.
And lately I'm obsessed with backlight, but winter isn't helping me out. Looking forward to spring!
oh how i would love to be able to upgrade to a nikon full frame dslr……….
Let's see. . .I am uber excited that two of my friends called me to ask if I would do maternity photos for them. The first one in next weekend; I've been scribbling down ideas for the last month! Other than that, I keep going back and forth on how to decide when I should upgrade to a full-frame body. Too expensive to justify. . .
I'm not even sure if the contest is still open but I'm going to try for it.
I'm excited about trying textures in my editing. I know it doesn't seem that you are into them at all, but it feels to me like it's adding a new depth to my processing. I'm excited about that.
¸I am exited to spend one more day with my perfect children. I love them so much. Even they make me crazy here and there.
My husband just let me splurge on a 24-70 L for my Canon 7D – but he has no idea what it is or what it does, he just knows it was expensive! I am loving it, though, and now need to master Photoshop (which I just bought finally, and am totally overwhelmed by). I have so much to learn, but am so into it!
Wow look at the response you've gotten!
Today, well, this whole week really, I've been super excited about this iPhone app I just got called Hipstamatic. Basically, its like having a old school plastic film camera to play with. Different lenses, different types of film, different flashes…its the best $1.99 I ever spent! Would love to win a subscription, I've been wanting to do it for ages but it always gets pushed to the "next paycheck" list.
Today I am so super excited about the photoshoot that I did yesterday! I am about to process it and I think it will be marvelous! I am also amazingly astounded that in three weeks we will hopefully be moving! Which means a new neighborhood to explore and a new house to take fun pictures in.
And I totally bribed my little Miss yesterday for the first time. Want a cupcake M??? Just make sure to stand here, by the open door so I have some pretty light…
This contest is probably over by now, but OH WELL, my husband gave me that glazed over look last night, so I need somebody who will listen!
I am obsessed with maternity, birth, and infant photography. I've taken family portraits and baby portraits and maternity portraits, but never had the balls to move into birth. So last week, I contacted somebody and begged to either take birth photos or first-few-hours photos (another LOVE that I've never had the gonads to ask about) (I just don't want to overstep, you know? Birth and the first few hours are so personal and intimate!) and GUESS WHAT? She was totally enthusiastic!
I am thrilled and excited and cannot wait to put some of the birth photoblog stalking I've been doing to good use.
Thank you for listening =)
Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com
My best friend's husband past away of natural causes completely unexpectedly one week ago. The entire experience has been surreal and something that I never want to experience again. He left behind children ages 3, 1 and 3 months (turned three months the day of her dad's funeral). They were not big picture takers – but I am. I have dozens and dozens of beautiful photographs of their dad doing what he loved to do with his family. I took a gorgeous picture of my friend and her husband this fall that she will keep forever. The photos that I took are going to be a big part of what these children remember their dad by. I am so struck by this right now. I am not tooting my own horn at all here, but instead pointing out the value of good photography. For those who are learning how to use their camera, you are doing something very worthwhile. Equipment is expensive, but when used properly, it can have a huge impact on the world. Photographs touch lives.
I love my 50mm 1.8 prime lens and almost never take it off my camera. Just tonight though I was talking to my hubby about getting another lens and his first response was "keep getting good with what you have"…not what I wanted to hear at the moment but it's so true for me. So, for right now it's me and my 50mm chasing kids and making memories!
I can't believe it, I won
I am so excited you have no idea! Thank you Rachel (sesameellis) and clickinmoms.com for the opportunity to win this great prize. I can't wait to get in there 
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