Photographers Prayer { BLOG }...

Oh God, as I bring my subject into focus and prepare to make each portrait, never let me forget that I'm creating treasures for some family, a keepsake for loved ones. Make me sensitive to the qualities and virtues of others, that I may draw out into the light the beautiful radiant belongings of their hearts.

Help me to be an artist, collecting the beauty of every soul, the glow of youth, the gentleness, the laughter or tears of each life that is precious in Thy sight. Deeper than a means of livelihood, give me the perspective to see my photographer's art as a service to others, making life richer and more memorable.

And, dear Lord, between the lights and shadows, the ups and downs and the rolling years, keep me from getting out of focus or off center, so that my life and work may be framed with dignity and colored with contentment ...

AMEN

Found this today and thought it was perfect!

New Studio Props...

Some new props! Most of these are for my newborn sessions. I found some great stuff.

Round Wood Platter...

Tweed Blanket with Fringe (I've had my eye on this for a while)...

Soft Baby Blanket...

Wire Basket (the Zebra is my daughters)...




Cute Teddy Bear in Wire Basket...

Beautiful Bamboo Floor from The Lakeside Collection (and it rolls up)...

Gold and White Sheer Fabric and Basket...

Baby Cradle (I had this in storage)...

Cowbow Hat (not for newborns, lol)...

I also picked up a great Fedora hat at Target on clearance (not shown)

Which Photographer Are You?

Okay, I'll admit to a few of these. The things we photographers have to do to get the shot!

Taken from a post on Fred Miranda forums.

Digital Workflow...

A little something different for today. Thought I would share my digital workflow with everyone today. This is what I do in order, after every shoot. Now I realize other photographers may do things a little differently but this is how I personally finalize my photo sessions.



1. Download all compact flash cards to a specified folder in photoshop. I already have the folder named before my shoot.


2. Take a quick look and make sure all images are there, none are missing.


3. Now I do a quick sort and move the best images to a subfolder I named "Keep 1".


4. Walk away for a couple hours. Come back and take another look and add any more keepers, if any to the "Keep 1" folder. *** Make a pot of coffee ***.


5. Burn all images from "Keep 1" folder to a CD. Do not erase memory cards until this step is done and images have been backed up.


6. Start picking my favorites from "Keep 1" folder and retouching those images. Just basic color correction, contrast, levels and saturation boost. Take a break in between. Post all retouched images to private on-line gallery for client. Keep retouching until all images are done.


7. Take a break.


8. Go back and do more retouching, convert some to black and white, add textures if it will enhance an image, etc. Add any special effects that I think will look good on any images, upload.

9. Design coffee table book, collages and/or cards. Upload to gallery.

10. Wait for print and specialty orders. Then arrange those images into a "print order" folder and double check files, upload to lab, order prints.


Thats just about it. A lot of work really does go into just one portrait session, wedding and/or senior session. There are endless hours of sorting, retouching, ordering, designing, backing up, etc. Hope this helps.

Operation Love ReUnited...

My way of supporting our troops and paying it forward. I am proud to be a participating photographer for the Operation Love ReUnited organization here in Central New York. I am hoping to help as many military families as I can by capturing their pre-deployment, deployment and/or homecoming memories. These courageous men and women make me proud to be an American. Thank you!

Each qualified military family will receive from Images By Kelly, a portrait session, 4x6 proof book, DVD slideshow and private on-line gallery free of charge. For more information about Operation Love ReUnited please check out their website.

Paying It Forward Photography...

I found this great website yesterday and wanted to share it with you. It is called Paying It Forward Photography. You can check it out here. Photographers, scrapbookers, etc donate templates, frames, knowledge and more. It is all about giving back and sharing. I found this wonderful frame yesterday that was donated. Just take a look at what you can do. I think this is going to be one of my new favorite sites. Now I just need to give back and donate a design of mine. Maybe I will create one just to share. Hope you enjoy!