Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Every year, my daughter and I participate in the Susan G. Komen for the Cure fundraiser walk/run in Salt Lake City.  My grandma had invited us after Maddie was born, and I knew this was something that I wanted to do with her every year! 

Not only is it something my daughter and I can do together every year, but we're helping out a great cause!  One in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.  The Susan G. Komen foundation helps raise awareness and money for treatments and turning breast cancer patients into breast cancer survivors.


I have already registered and I am trying to reach my goal of $200.  And I need your help.

I am offering a complimentary photo session (of up to 5 people) with a $50 print credit to one lucky person!  How can you enter?   Go here and donate at least $10 to the Susan G. Komen foundation and you'll be entered in the drawing!  Race day is May 7th.  You will have until then to donate and I will draw a winner the following Monday.

Any donation is greatly appreciated, but it must be a minimum of $10 to enter for the complimentary photo session.  As they say, every little bit counts.


I love you all and I KNOW we can reach our goal of $200!!  Thank you so much!!


Would you like to register?  It's not too late!  Just follow the link here.

(I do it for her!!)   :)

Addison

I loved this little girl!  She has the CUTEST facial expressions!  I was laughing almost the whole time  :)



Gorgeous Girls!

I've been one busy chica!   More of these gorgeous girls later!  ;)



Tuttle Family {sneak peek}

Kaitlyn is one of my closest friends and I love her and her family!  She is absolutely gorgeous and makes the cutest babies  :)

I will have more of this sweet family later  :)

Skin Smoothing Tutorial {Before & After}

I've been trying to get a tutorial ready for everyone and I just haven't found the time.

Until now.  :)

Today, I am going to show you all how I do my skin smoothing.  This is in no way 'text book' stuff, but it's how I do it  :)

I'm going to use this photo of a little cutie named Addison!  I'll show you how I take this photo:

to this photo:

Ok, Step 1:

I crop ALL of my images before processing.  For my online proof gallery, I crop all of my photos to 5x7 (or in this case, 7x5).

Step 2:

Selet your eyedropper tool and click on a neutral (neutral meaning not blown out or red spots) spot on your subjects face.

Step 3:

Then you'll want to duplicate your photo layer (right click - duplicate layer).  Select your brush tool on the left hand side.  Make sure you have a nice size brush (not too big or too small) and set the opacity between 20% - 30%.

Step 4:

Paint all over your subjects face.  You may need to go over some areas twice.  Try to avoid areas like the eyes, nose, and mouth. It's ok if you go over these areas, I'll show you how to fix it  :)

here is a little before and after:

Notice how I painted over her nostrils?

to fix that, we go to

Step 4:

Click on the icon under your layers that looks like a circle inside of a rectangle.  This is a layer mask.  Making sure you click on the layer mask, take a black brush and 'mask back' your bottom layer.  This will erase what you painted on.

Now you're done with the skin!   Next,  I just did my 'eye pop' tutorial and ran Florabella's "Cashmere" from Luxe I.  If you don't have these actions, you need to get some!  :)

and Wa-la!  You're done :)

{Feature Friday!}

Caitlin Pass

Emerald Qld Australia

http://mycreamscarf.deviantart.com

I'm available to photograph Emerald and surrounding areas.

1. Tell us a little bit about YOU.

I'm 19 years old soon to be 20, I'm studying Graphic design and photography at university and loving it.

2. How did you get into photography?

I was given my first camera 3 years ago as a christmas present and I haven't put it down since. I'm always expanding my knowledge and I love learning more.

3. Are you doing photography as a business or a hobby?

At the moment I'm studying photography so its my hobby, but somewhere in the near future I would like to build up the confidence to start my own photography and graphic design business.

4. What is your favorite subject to photograph? Why?

I love taking photos of nature as you can take as much time as you'd like with it and work at getting your photos perfect. I would like to get into fashion photography but I am struggling to find the confidence or models to turn this dream into a reality.

5. Who is your inspiration? Do you have any favorite photographers?

My favourite photographer is Marcus Bell, I absolutely adore his photographs, they're just so innovative.

6. What tips/advice do you have about photography and running your own business?

I think that motivation is the key, and a strong will to learn more each day. Always let the client give you ideas, but in the end your the photographer so you have creative control.

7. Tell us a strange or interesting fact about you.

I was one of the 30 people in Qld, Australia to be awarded a "Creative Generation Art & Design Award" when I was in grade 12, my art has been exhibited in GoMA, Brisbane!  (that is amazing!!  Congrats Caitlin!)

Kyler {9 months}

I can't believe this little boy is 9 months old already!!  Which makes my daughter almost 3!  Ack!  Where has the time gone?



And he sure is a big boy! He weighs 21.2 lbs  :)

How cute are these little cheeks?!

hee hee!

This shoot wa EXHAUSTING to say the least!  He woud not sit still and had no interest in me, my camera, or the funny noises I was making.   BUT he's still a cutie pie!  :)   After our loooooong session, it was time for a snack and a nap!  Kyler needed one too  ;)

We ♥ you Kyler Bug!!

New! Accordian Mini Albums!

I just ordered my first mini accordian album the other day!  I am in LOVE!!  I got to design it myself and it's just the cutest little thing  :)



it has a concealed magnetic closure and the photos are printed on pearl paper! (also available in linen).

this one is a 3x3" but they also come in 2.5x3.5"

I will now be offering these with your session for only $45!  (discounts available if you purchase 3 or more)

{Feature Friday!}

Stevie Rae Photography

www.stevieraephotography.com

www.facebook.com/stevieraephotography

1.  Tell us a little bit about YOU.

I am a late twenty-something photographer based out of Fargo, North Dakota. I started out shooting primarily fashion and model portfolios, however I was inspired to branch out into children's and family portraiture once I learned I was having a child of my own. Today I will photograph almost any kind of portraiture, but my main passion is still conceptual fashion work.

2.  How did you get into photography?

I started out as a model and was inspired by the photographers who took my photos. I still do some modeling work, but I prefer being behind the camera most of the time.

3. Are you doing photography as a business or a hobby?

I have been in business as Stevie Rae Photography since 2006.

4.  What is your favorite subject to photgraph?  Why?

FASHION. I am in love with the entire process--conceptualizing, shopping for props, hair and makeup, the wears, the shooting, the processing. The entire industry is highly addictive and inspiring to me.

5.  Who is your inspiration?  Do you have any favorite photographers?

David La Chapelle, number one, hands down. I also love the works of Annie Leibovitz, Herb Ritts, Helmut Newton, Steven Meisel... I could go on and on. I am also very much inspired by music; the idea of directing a music video has always appealed to me--someday I wouldn't mind trying my hand at it.

6.  What tips/advice do you have about photography and/or running your own business?

Skill and experience are number one. Yes, you can have a passion for the field, but I still feel it is 100% necessary to invest in yourself. Attend workshops, second shoot for an established photographer, learn, learn, LEARN. Practice makes perfect, and in order to have a successful business, you must be able to consistently deliver exceptional photos to each and every client. You MUST have the technical skills to work in all different situations. It's also very important to have a business plan, and to realize that 90% of the work is business related. A very small part of it is actually taking the photos. The rest is all about paperwork, invoicing, processing, ordering prints, communicating with clients, bookkeeping, marketing, advertising, backing up data, designing new materials, etc..It can get very overwhelming at times and it's important to maintain a certain balance. I often struggle with finding the time both for my family and my career. It's a lot of late nights and it's definitely not always fun.

7.  Tell us a strange or interesting fact about you.

I have never broken a single bone in my body [unless you include the time I was hit in the mouth by a flying domino and chipped my tooth]. Also, I cannot do handstands, whistle, roll my tongue, play badminton, or cook [although I swear it's my oven, not me]. ;)

What I've been up to....

I've been SUPER busy lately!  Which is a good thing  ;)

To catch you up.....

I am now offering Mommy & Me mini sessions!



Get the 'mom' in your life something they really want!  Photos with their (grand)children!!  The best part?  Mom can schedule the shoot when it's convenient for her!   contact me at amberlynsky@yahoo.com for more details  :)

I also only have two remaining spots for the Spring Mini sessions!   Saturday, Apri 16th, at 8 and 9 am.   There is a $50 deposit required at booking (this fee will go towards your session fee).  Contact me at amberlynsky@yahoo.com for questions or to book your spot!  (Hurry before I'm all booked up!)

I've also been SUPER busy with my side business, Silly Gus Designs.   I've recently added baby wraps and card templates to my product list!  :)

Whew!  I told you I've been busy!!  :)

I will also be adding some new colors to my line of baby wraps and some new templates next week!   Stay tuned....