New Year, New… Everything.

It has been so long since my last blog post, not only had I forgotten the password, I couldn’t recall who hosts my blog. This cannot be good!

BRING YOU UP TO SPEED:
As last year was wrapping up I was looking forward to the new and coming year. I had a lot of new ideas swirling around in my head and was chomping at the bit to get started. Well here it is that last day of January and I have to say I’m off to a good start. January has not been without it’s curve balls, but history tells me that January is a bad time for those who are not their healthiest or the strongest. In spite of this or maybe because of it I have been even more determined to make changes, actually reinvent is more like it. I like that term better than new year’s resolution as I am hoping to make this stick.

On January 16th this year I began a sabbatical from work.
Wikipedia definition of sabbatical
Sab·bat·i·cal – noun
any extended period of leave from one’s customary work, especially for rest, to acquire new skills or training, etc. Lasting anywhere from three months to one year.

On the 16th starting talking an e-course; Hello Soul, Hello Business from Kelly Rae Roberts.

http://kellyraeroberts.com/hello-soul-hello-business

I have included a link because enough of my friends have asked what I was doing and because it has really got me thinking, digging deep and wondering…. a lot about my business and what I really want to do with it.

The honest answer is, I don’t know!

I feel like I have been very fortunate to have had Leeper Photo in my life for the last thirteen years. I feel even more fortunate that the last two where the most successful yet. Successful meaning the most growth, profit, sessions, staff, etc. When you look at the books Leeper Photo has had a great run. I have learned so much and feel so very blessed to be able to work in a field that I love, and I do love photography, though I never dreamed I would be a portrait photographer in the sense that Leeper Photo has lead me. I have always thought / dreamed that someday I would be an artist, making art from my own intuition for the sake of art itself, not necessarily for the books. Five years at CCS majoring in Fine Art Photography will do that to a person, especially a young person with no real since of how the world works.

I’m no longer a young person and I certainly have a better understanding as to how the world works. It is both brutal and beautiful at the same time. There is something that inspires me everywhere I look and I can no longer silence the voice in my soul that screams to create something, anything, even if it’s bad. DO IT, DO IT NOW!! She is loud that voice inside.

a gift from my husband

So with the blessing of my family and the support of my friends (I thank you all so very much) I am on sabbatical. For the next four months, maybe a year (talk to me in April) I’m going to search, dig deep, breath, play, create bad art and stay open to what may come my way. In other words I don’t have a clue. And I’m okay with that. Actually, I’m more that okay, I’m more excited about life and it’s possibility that I have in a long time.

My goal over the next four months is to trust that I am in the right place doing the right thing and to just enjoy the journey, wont you come along?

where you will find me

Laughing at myself right now

Of all people I should know better….

As a professional portrait photographer who specializes in entrepreneurs I have taken a lot of headshots. I have seen and written about what to do and wear to look your best. If only I had taken my own good advise…

As the studio prepares for its second annual headshot party, I am reminded that I am not exempt from the need to have a professional portrait. Last year I was caught dumbfounded when I was asked to submit a headshot for the press release for our party. I had sent in samples that I thought were great, but they wanted a headshot of me… and I didn’t have one. I was able to throw one together and send it right over with little thought or prep.

This year I was going to be prepared; I was going to plan ahead and have my new image ready to roll when the time came. I gave some thought to what to wear, and about my hair and makeup, in hindsight I think I gave it way too much thought, I started thinking what if…. the results, less than flattering and so very not me.

In an attempt at keeping it real I will share with you what I did and why it went so very wrong. Instead of telling you what to do, let me show you what NOT to do.

#1. This is not the time to try out a new hair style, or look.
I am not and never have been a girl with neat as a pin hair. I thought I had made peace with the fact that messy is me, I embrace that. Why in the world I chose to straighten my hair I cannot explain. I guess I wanted the image to look different from last year. In addition, I thought wearing my glasses instead of my contacts was a good idea, as I do wear them more often these days than I ever did in the past.  Wearing the glasses was not good, and taking them off, gave me the old lady squint because I could not see what was going on around me.

#2. Stick with what you know works for you.
I’m a dark color person. Traveling to Italy in the summer showed me the value of light colors and fabrics, but really I don’t live in Italy and it is not summer, its winter in Michigan so the choice for a light color was wrong for me and completely washed me out.

#3. Accessories are important.
But so is staying true to your personal style. I love the look of layered necklaces… on other people. I’m personally not a big jewelry kind of girl, I don’t wear a big diamond ring and I feel lost and exposed without my small charm necklace that I never take off.

#4. It’s all about the lighting
OKI love the light in my new office and it is beautiful for photographing babies with perfect skin. I on the other hand am neither of those. This brings me to my final point.

#5. It takes a professional photographer to give you professional image.
I mean absolutely no offense to my new assistant and I am thankful for her willingness to push the button, but I really should have put the camera on the tripod and used the timer.  That way I would see each image and make the necessary adjustments to the light, exposure and my posing.  Which is exactly what I did the following day.  In the studio, by myself, doing what I know to be right.  I have a professional portrait that I would be proud for anyone to see.  After all, when it comes down to it people do business with people and image is everything.

Why I do the things I do…

I’m a napper.

More than most, I appreciate sleep. It can be middle of the day, at night, long car ride, makes no difference to me. I LOVE to sleep. I’m also a huge fan of my PJs too. I’m not necessary a nightgown kinda girl, I’m talking comfy. I’m talking flannel or the softest of soft cotton. Given my choice that is what I would live in. I don’t, I am a working mom so I do my best to pull off polished and professional, but that’s not who I am deep down inside.

At eight my daughter started experiences night terrors. They tell me it’s common around that age. No amount of words would comfort her and we all lost sleep over it. Things were not pretty and getting worse. She didn’t want to sleep alone and she wouldn’t even go into her room alone. The light bulb finally went off to have our dog Ben sleep with her. His usual spot was in my bed between my husband and myself. Never on the side as he had fallen out of bed too many times. Honestly I didn’t think it would work, Ben likes to sleep as much as I do. The only thing more important to him is routine and this would certainly upset his bedtime ritual. It has been over a year now that Ben sleeps with my daughter. All she has to say is “time for bed Ben” in her high enthoustic voice and he is more than happy to join her. He even lets her have the side of the bed against the wall.

My slight interruption of sleep is nothing compared to my neighbor friend Amy. Her son Parker has Autism and requires constant pressure to comfort him enough to sleep. Most nights of his life Amy has had to sleep with him, or more accuralty on him to apply the needed pressure. Ok by now you have to know Amy is my hero, I would have died 1000 times if this was me. Let’s not forget that Amy works and has two other young boys in her house. When I overheard her talking at school recently about the new dog she was applying for I had to butt right in. I do love dogs as much as I love sleep. At the time I didn’t realize what this dog actually meant to her and her family, I just think everyone should have a dog.

Years ago I had this idea for this themed photo shoot. It was one of those very cold, very dark Michigan winter days when you just want to stay in bed in your PJs all day. Later that very week my daughter went happily to school in her own PJ, a reward for the entire class for a job well done. We have since had many days where she has worn her PJs to school and every time it is a treat for both of use. I love the idea of not having to worry about what she is going to wear. Thus an idea was born….

What if….we took away the biggest stress factor or the biggest two stress factors in having your child’s portraits professionally taken. What if you could shed the notion that they had to be perfectly posed. What if they could be as comfortable as humanly possible in the outfit of their choice and if they happen to pick PJs so be it. I don’t know about the rest of you moms, but I love the way my daughter looks when she is sleeping. All the days’ worries and frustrations have been melted away. That is the feeling I want you to walk away with when you see beautiful images of your own children. OK so maybe not all kids are angelic or even sit still when they are awake. Maybe you have the kid that comes bounding into your bed before the sun comes up on Saturday morning. Juming, pillow fights, tickle torture is that what brings your family together? Mine fluctuates all over the place, but often it is even the perfect balance between cuddles and tickles.

I bet you never think about professional portraits when your that comfortable doing what you and your family do naturally. The idea of this photo session is based on all of that and more…. In my head it needed one more element to make it the perfect feel good event. It needed a cause…

Did I mention I overheard my friend Amy talking about her new dog? Not just any dog, and certainly not an ill trained dog like my own Hope, but a highly specialized dog trained to sleep with Parker through the night. This dog will know the exact spot Parker needs pressure applied and will not only comfort him through the night, but will also help the entire family can get a good night sleep. I had no idea about this condition or how it could be helped, but I felt the need to lend a hand in any way I could. In order to help with the cost of training such a special creature we have come up with a fundraiser. I wanted to call it a pajama party but was advised against it, so we call it Pics for Parker, but the idea is the same.

We have picked three days in March where we will turn the studio into a comfy set complete with a big bed with lots of pillows for cuddling, jumping, pillow fights and laughter. Your welcome to come in your PJs or not, I understand that’s not for everyone. Just know the set is light and airy and meant to set your mind and soul at ease, while taking great informal portraits and helping a great cause. All the proceeds from this event will go directly to Paws for a Cause.

Parker and his family are scheduled to get their dog in April, and I for one am very excited to meet the newest family member.

worth 1,000 words?

We have all heard the saying a picture is worth a thousand words.  Now more than ever I hope that is true.  I have recently volunteered to photograph kids that are waiting to be adopted for the Michigan Heart Gallery.  I had my first session last week and was really nervous as I had no idea what to expect.  I’m guessing every assignment will be different as every child’s circumstances will be different so I don’t know that I will ever get use to the nervousness I felt the first time, if anything I will probably now stress even more knowing what is at stake.  I worry that I have done him justice.

Because the shoot was going well and my young subject was willing to talk, I asked him what he wanted people to know about him.
This is what he had to say, this is what he wanted you to know…

Wanna Play?

I don’t care how old you are, don’t you love being asked to play?  OK, maybe it’s just me, but when the little girl I was sitting next to at a recent birthday party asked me “when we’re done eating do you wanna play” my heart just sang.  Really?  You want to play with me?  I really don’t remember when the last time someone asked me to play.  Talk, drink, eat, yeah, those I get, but simply play?  Of course I said “yes, let’s go”!  This left my sister-in-law laughing.  You see, I’m a 45 year old mom and she was just the cutest 5 year old I have see in some time.  My own daughter is now getting too cool to play with me, but in the eyes of a 5 year old, I’m still fun and that makes me feel wonderful!

The only thing better than her asking me to play was her response when I said yes.  “OK but I have five more bites…”

Off to a good start

First day back to work in the New Year, and I feel like we are off to a very good start.  Not only is the new blog design done (and look at me posting away), but the new office is well on its way to being a huge improvement.  As much as I love all things old, I have to admit there is something exciting about the new, especially when we talk of a New Year.  So full of promises and potential, a chance to take all that was good about last year and make it even better.  A chance to take what was not so great and learn from it.  For me, so much good and so much learning came out of 2010 that it’s bitter sweet to see it go, but when I think about what the future holds, I find it hard to control my excitement.  I am ready to start with a clean slate.

The new office, so much potential, so much fun!  I do so love to decorate.  I find it very satisfying to see an idea come together, and as a photographer, I love the challenge of the three-dimensional.  The new proof viewing monitor is up and running, the couch has been ordered, still looking for the perfect window treatments and oh, did I mention the new office has a fireplace?  Yup it is going to be a good year.

My husband was concerned about the dogs adjusting to the move, but I think they are going to be fine.

The Picture Pond

I have a truly blessed life, but I’m not fool enough to believe I got to where I am on my own. If it wasn’t for those that believed in me when I had trouble believing in myself, I would not be where I am today.

Every now and again I meet a young person whom I see incredible potential and self doubt in that I feel compelled to encourage. This summer my path crossed with a delightful young lady who touched my heart with her personal story. Unlike most of the kids I have the privilege to work with, this little lady does not share an interest in photography or art. My newest friend wants to be a writer. This is not an easy task for someone with dyslexia or learning issues or whatever you prefer to call it when young people struggle in school. My hope was to inspire her with my own story of academic struggle. I challenged her to write about our experience that day at the park where I photographed her and her family. I promised if she wrote it, I would post in on my blog.

She kept her promise and now it is my turn to keep mine. Here is the blog written by my friend and inspiring journalist Toni about what it’s like to be photographed by me.

“The Picture Pond”

It was a nice hot summer’s day. My brother and I, and the frogs we brought from home, waited apprehensively for Ms. Melissa’s car to appear, so we could start taking photos. There seemed to be an intense silence that stretched over the fields, even the frogs seemed to notice it. After what seemed like hours, she finally arrived, and was leading us down a forest path next to a running brook, that led us into a gorgeous pond that seemed to glimmer in the sunlight. My brother’s heart seemed to leap out of his mouth when he heard a bull-frog in the distance. Without even knowing it, Mom had dragged us over and Ms. Melissa was already taking our pictures. It seemed that the day could not get any better. When we finally left, I felt I would carry the memory of the glimmering pond, the croaking frogs, and Ms. Melissa’s camera still flashing in the distance.

by Toni Lynn Jenkins

Thank you Toni, I love seeing the world through your eyes!

Who is Ben?

It has been brought to my attention that everyone knows Hope. Everyone who lives within the three square miles that surrounds my house, that is. Everyone knows Hope because she gets out. Sometimes with me dragging behind her, sometimes on her own. She is hard to keep contained. She is a runner. She is the one I get phone calls about. She is the one that sasses me for leaving her behind the minute I return from anywhere. Everybody knows Hope, but Ben, “who’s Ben and when did I get two dogs?” is a question I hear a lot now that we are all out walking together.

Ben is my good boy. Ben is the one I don’t complain or worry about.

Why Celebrate Ben? Because, it’s his birthday! He is 10 years old!

Ben is like my middle child, though he is the oldest. He is the one most often overlooked. He is not the alpha dog, never has been, never will be. I have a daughter and she comes first. I also have Hope, the baby of the family. She is high maintenance. She is a runner, an escape artist and the hardest dog I have ever trained. Hope is like a cat. Hope is sometimes a pain. Everyone either knows Hope, or knows about her. But this is not about Hope. This is about Ben.

Ben is my good boy. He is sweet, and at one time was my baby when I could have no other. You see my husband had always wanted a lab. I had my dog, and he wanted one of his own. He wanted a lab. As we drove to the humane society to “take a look” I laid down the law. I didn’t want a chocolate, and I didn’t want a male. I didn’t get want I wanted, I got what I needed.

I will fully admit that for a split second I considered returning him. When I realized he was mixed with pitbull, I cried. How could I trust that kind of breed around children, but how could I send him back, I loved him. So I did my research and signed him up for every training and socialization opportunity I could find. I did my part and Kelsey did the rest. She was our alpha female and she taught Ben what I couldn’t.

Someday I should dig out the blue ribbons we won in our training classes for his agility training. The only word I have to explain the way we burned up the coarse is TRUST. He never hesitated when I asked him to do anything. The darkness of the tubes, the height of the ramps never slowed him down. If I called, he came.

Ben is my napping partner; he keeps my feet warm in the winter; he hogs my pillow and he snores like a train. He steals food off the counter and gets in the trash. He is not perfect, but he is ours and as much as I love him and he loves me I know I am not his favorite, the girl is. And that is the way I like it.

I promissed Ben I would not embarrass him by showing all the photos of him dressed up, just know this boy has taken his share for the team and the girl.

Happy 10th Birthday Ben!

Photo Copyrighting

My friend and fellow Bella Baby photographer, Carrie Lee Miller wrote this great article on copyrighting. Clients often ask me why the logo is placed on my images and Carrie gave a great answer so I’m passing it on!

Copyright… Michigan Children Photographer

My post today is intended to educate my clients and friends about a very sensitive subject amongst photographers and artists… the ownership of our work. I know that the topic of copyright is easily ignored and most likely not understood. Because of this I feel that giving my clients the proper education on the topic will help clear the air so that issues do not arise. This post is also intended to educate my fellow photographers that may or may not be aware of the importance of copyrighting their own works of art. Because essentially, that’s what every photograph we take are, our own interpretation of the moment, a little tiny piece of our heart, a precisely calculated and well thought out piece of art.

This topic can be sensitive because artists tend to feel like we are have to constantly defend our work and our right to make a living doing it. It’s also sensitive in a more painful way because we form such a close bond with our clients, to where they feel like family, and it’s hard to imply and discuss a Copyright Policy amongst family.

I cannot lie, I have had a handful of issues with copyright but I would like to believe that it is largely to do with the lack of education on the topic….hence, the reason for this post. Thankful I have never had issues with image theft, but that’s not to say that it doesn’t happen. It happens far more than you would imagine and it has happened to photographers in my circle of friends. Last year I read a story about a US family who had learned that their Christmas card photo has turned up in a Czech advertisement. I won’t link the story here due to the same copyright laws, but if you are curious just search on “Family Christmas Photo Czech Ad” and you can read about it for yourself. Imagine their shock! The members of this family were not models, there was nothing out of the ordinary with this image… it was just a nice family picture.

This story, plus the stories I have heard among the photography community made me realize that the watermarks I place on images for my blog and on Facebook must be there each and every time and must be prominent. I watermark all images I post on the web for my clients. In the past, I have not done this with images of my own family and children, but I have changed that now. I have struggled with the decision of where to place the watermark, how large to make it, what opacity to use because I didn’t want to risk taking away from the image. But I know now that it is my job as a professional photographer to protect myself and my clients from this sort of thing. So as before and continuing, any images that I post on the world wide web will be watermarked and will most likely not fit your description of being discreet. You may want to think about this yourself. Marking the images you upload to Facebook, Myspace, Flickr or personal blog. You never know who might be right-clicking to save your face to their hard drive.

Now for the part where I educate you on the legal side of this. When I started my business I was less than aware of the copyright laws. I knew they were there but I had to do some research to learn more and totally understand how it works and why.

Thanks to the Federal Copyright Act of 1976, a photograph is protected under copyright the minute it is created within the camera. That copyright remains in effect for the life of the artist plus 70 years, unless she legally relinquishes her copyright. Without express permission from the artist, it is illegal to scan, copy, reproduce or alter her photographs in any way. This includes saving an image from the artist’s website or anywhere else she has posted her work, to use it on your own website, MySpace or Facebook page, etc. It also includes scanning prints you have purchased and reproducing them in any way.

You may ask, “But if I pay the photographer to create portraits of my own child or family, don’t I own those images?” Quite simply, no. When a photographer creates an image of your child during your session, she owns the copyright to each and every image. By purchasing prints or other artwork created with the images, you have permission to enjoy the images in your home or office, or share them with family. You do not have permission to copy those images. This includes home scanners and printers, or photo stations at drug stores and other printing stores.

“But what is one little scan going to hurt? I invested a lot of money in my session.” I am always thankful for each and every one of my clients, and I appreciate the value of the investment you have entrusted to me. Photography is not only my passion, it is how I support my family. I have chosen this career because I am passionate about it and love it. I am very grateful that I can enjoy my work, but I also work to pay the bills. My income is a necessary part of our family’s budget. Just one or two people scanning may not impact my business, but imagine if it were more than a few? What if several clients purchased just one 5×7 of their favorite image, scanned it, and printed 8×10s at their local drug store to give to all their relatives. That would start to cut into my income, which would in turn influence my prices as I would have to make up for that loss in income. Scanned images also devalue my work, as the scans will most likely result in poor quality reproductions of the image. This impacts my reputation as a photographer, which also impacts the health of my business. Photography is hard work. It’s not as simple as clicking a button. It requires skill and care. Not to mention the cost of good camera equipment and the time it takes after the button is pushed to create the final image you see.

“Can I purchase the rights to the images?” The answer is yes you can purchase the right to duplicate the image, but no, you cannot purchase the complete rights. If you purchase a digital image from me, you are not purchasing the copyrights to the image. I am not giving up any of my rights as an artist. Instead, you are purchasing a license which allows you to reprint the image for your own personal use (or for business use, if and only if that is part of the license agreement). You may print enlargements, holiday cards, post it on your personal blog, etc. because my license gives you permission to do so. I still own the creative rights to the work, which means you may not make any profit off that image commercially, present it as your own work, or make artistic alterations to it.

I post images I create on my blog and on my Facebook page for several reasons. I want my clients to be able to share the images with family and friends. They love the images and want the share them with the world and who am I to say they can’t. I post the watermarks on the images for your own protection as well as mine. I also post the watermarked images for advertising purposes. If someone happens to see your image through Facebook or a google search and likes it, I want them to be able to know where they can find similar work for their own family. I do not do this because I am arrogant and feel my work is something worth stealing. I hope that know after reading this you have a better understanding of my reasoning. This is just the best way to protect everyone and it is my policy and #1priority when posting to the internet… you can never be too careful.

I’d like to close this sensitive post with a warm thanks to my clients, friends and family who have been so supportive and respectful of my work as an artist. I am truly blessed with some of the best clients and am extremely thankful that the clients who choose me understand and appreciate what I do and how I choose to run my business. Thanks for reading, I hope you’ve learned something without me boring you to death.

Seeing Ghosts

It has been four years this spring sense I lost Kelsey to old age. She was a month shy of turning 14. They say that is old for a large breed, I think that’s just getting started. We have had what some would call our replacement dog for three years now. I was never under the illusion that Hope could or would ever replace Kelsey. Hope was added to our family to help fill in the gap in Ben’s life, he too was lost without Kelsey and not so good at hiding it.

Hope is starting to live up to her name and lately I am finding that more and more she is showing signs of being a good dog. I have a soft spot in my heart for old dogs and Hope being part Husky I know it would take at least four years or more to settle into herself, but it is coming.

Today more than ever I’m hopeful, because today I finally have to admit ….

They kind of look alike.

Kelsey’s shoes are too big to fill and it would not be fair to ask that of Hope, but I did like that when I walked past the sandbox today that Hope was laying in Kelsey’s spot. I had to do a double take before I realized that I was not seeing ghosts. I have Hope.