Favorite Image of 2012

This photo was taken back in April at a monkey refuge in Ecuador.   The "paseo de los monos" rescues trafficked and abused animals and rehabilitates them.   This chimpanzee was behind plexiglass as he was not ready to go outside yet.  I love the emotion that just three fingers is able to convey. The figer print above the monkey hand.   The green of the concrete. 

This photo is hardly edited.  It's one of those few occasions  when the light and camera settings were right the first time. 

www.rocktheshotforum.com

Canvas and Bamboo

The Canvas Print

People love these things.  They were first used by artists to recreate their paintings and such.  Now available everywhere.  I have struggled to find reasonable prices and good quality for these things.  I refuse to charge $20 for an 8x 10 print and $300 for the same in canvas.  

Finally, I have found a professional lab that I love.   They are 1.5" deep stretched onto wood frames and coated for UV light protection. 

and so, the real reason you are looking at this.  The price list:

   11x14    $100  +  $20 S&H

14x14     $125 + $20 S&H

12x18     $125 + $20 S&H

16x20    $160 + $35 S&H

20x20   $185 +$ 35 S&H

20x30   $195 + $35 S&H

And, introducing the less popular but possibly much nicer bamboo prints.  

I think these things are amazing.


  These bamboo blocks are handmade in the USA and even eco friendly.

 Sizes 5x7 and larger arrive with a handy keyhole in the back to hang up.  

You can chose between 1 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch thickness.

These bamboo beauties come in many different sizes - so you can hang them on your wall or just stack one on your desk.

They come in many different sizes.

2.5x3.5-   $45  +  $10 S&H

4x4      -   $50  +  $10 S&H

4x6      -   $55  +  $10 S&H

5x5      -   $60  +  $10 S&H

5x7      -   $65  +  $10 S&H

8x8      -   $70  +  $20 S&H

8x10    -   $75  +  $20 S&H

8x12    -   $80  +  $20 S&H

11x14  -   $120 + $20 S&H

12x12  -   $125 + $20 S&H

12x18  -   $180 + $20 S&H

16x20  -   $250 + $30 S&H

Canvas Prints

Canvas prints are overpriced. 

No ifs, ands, or buts about it. 

Here is an amazing deal,

$29 for a 16x20 print.  

I am just about to order one for myself. 

Only 5 more days for this deal:

http://www.livingsocial.com/cities/996-bend-or/deals/513876-personalized-canvas-print

Kelby and Matt

There is something sort of amazing about taking photos of close friends.  This girl and I went to kindergarten together.  We both coincidently ended up moving schools and towns for high school. We were sent to the same summer camp.  I love her.  Kelby and I didn't stay in touch very well after we graduated, but every time I see her it's like time hasn't passed.   This is just a couple from a mini shoot I did with her and her fiance Matt.  Sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate.  Although it looks like a crisp fall day - it was rainy and pretty miserable.  So we rescheduled - but not after I got a few good shots. 

  And Kelby looks like a runway model - it is almost impossible to find a bad angle on her.

     Tomorrow, we get to continue to the shoot and do a few 'save the date' photos.   The second shoot is always much easier.  The couple knows what to expect, how to be comfortable, and I have figured out the best lighting for them.  Luckily their wedding isn't until July so, just incase the weather decides not to cooperate.....

Photos and Clothes

I have a living social deal coming out in a couple of weeks which means I am going to seriously need to streamline my photo sessions.  One thing I absolutely need to do is write up a guide for my clients about what to wear.

And here it is, the family edition.

1. Choose several outfits.  Bring them with you.

• Something casual and neutralish.  Wear something that you normally do. Jeans and a T-shirt? Perfect.  Stay away from anything with words or images on it.  Especially on children's clothing.  I promise, in 15 years you will love the picture much more if it doesn't have Thomas the Tank Engine or a sassy phrase.  Stay away from bright bright colors.  I'm not saying everyone should wear matching khakis and white polos, and actually, DONT do that- but baby blue looks much better in photos than hot pink. Promise. 
• Something dressy.  Again, that doesn't mean 6 inch stiletto heals.  A nice timeless dress. A button down shirt.  The look to go for is classic.  I would again recommend muted colors but more on that later.   
•  Something fun and trendy.   In twenty years those turquoise skinny jeans might look like those floral shoulder padded dresses.  However, I think that a few pictures should be fun or trendy.  Go ahead, bust out that front mini skirt that is floor length in the back.  Hats with animal faces on them. Cowboy hats. Something hot pink and sassy.  Here is the time to bust out the neon. 

2. Colors

• Some photographers will tell you to wear bright colors.  I will not.  I want to capture your story, your family, and your personalities - not your clothes.  Colors that compliment your family and not overwhelm them.  I would avoid hot pinks, reds, too much white, and anything in neon.  All black can also get funky and unflattering. 

3. Cut and flatter

• Think timeless.  What looks good in a mirror will not necessarily look good in a photo.  You want your clothes to be fitted.  An oversized shirt or dress will make you look frumpy.  Dresses and shirts that are waisted generally photograph nicely.  Nothing too tight.  If you are sucking in your breath the entire time the photos will turn out awkward.  Always.  

4. COMFORT

• If you are uncomfortable with what you are wearing it will show!

So, this is my standard.  I think I'm going to have to change the wording around to make it a little bit more professional.  

Hibernation

Since I have returned from Ecuador I have been obsessed with 'saving food for winter.'   Like a squirrel.  Or a pioneer women.  Or someone who does not live a 10 minute walk from two grocery stores with awesome health food sections.  But I'm obsessed.  I want a huge freezer so I can make a lifetime of food.  For the zombie apocalypse. When all the power would go out and my freezer full of soups would rot.  Anyways, I have canned, I have pickled, I have sauced.  Now I am freezing.

Tonight, during my first day of of new job, I got the brilliant idea to stock my refrigerator full of frozen soups for the winter.  And then I read about putting soup in freezer bag, setting it in a square container and freezing it.  Then you take the bag of soup out and it's in a square.  My mind was blown.  Really friends, BLOWN.  Now I have a list of 10 soups to try.   Tonights was potato broccoli.  It was delicious.  Seriously.  I added a tiny bit of soy creamer towards the end for a more creamy end.  I also added some garlic powder.  

I'm obsessed.  

I got the recipe here.  Next time I think I will try and add a couple leaves of kale and spinach to up the nutrition.  

I ran the recipe through a calculator for the whole recipe- this is easily 2.5 servings.  It's a little high in fat/carbs/sodium.  Also, I'm not sure what sort of vegetable broth they are using in this calculation but there was not 2351 mg of sodium.  Never. I think some kale and maybe some low sodium vegetable broth.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 984 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories  328 Calories from Fat  170

% Daily Value*

Total Fat  18.9g 29%

Saturated Fat  3.3g 16%

Cholesterol  0mg 0%

Sodium  2351mg 98%

Total Carbohydrates  22.1g 7%

Dietary Fiber  5.9g 24%

Sugars  8.1g

Protein  20.5g

Vitamin A 22% • Vitamin C 272% Calcium 14% • Iron 18%

Nutrition Grade A-

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Senior Portraits

I've been meaning to update this ol' bloggy for a while.   But, the whole no one reading and fear of sounding ridiculous thing has made me hesitant.

BUT

I have some pretty senior portraits to post.

Melissa was my 'model' for senior portraits so I could build up my portfolio and use her in advertising.  As far as things found off of craigslist, she was a wonderful surprise.  She was cute, photogenic, and knew how to pose.   We did two shoots, one in downtown Bend and the other in this ridiculous field of flowers.  I actually had to bring down the colors on the flowers because they were TOO VIBRANT.

Anyways, some photos to post.

Melissa is planning as using this photo as her yearbook photo!

This one and the one below it are my favorites.  LOOK AT THOSE FLOWERS!

 Which is your favorite?

Hannah