One of the things I love most about the photography world is how much there is to learn. Just when I think I'm mastering one aspect of my art, something new comes along and gets me super excited (and sometimes a little frustrated as I struggle to grasp the new concept). One of my biggest sources of new inspiration this year has been fellow photographer Me Ra Koh, and her blog. Based in Portland, OR, she and her husband travel the country giving workshops to women just like me who are excited to learn and grow their talents.
When yesterday's blog post arrived in my inbox, I could hardly contain myself. She's giving away three scholarships to her Discovery Workshop in San Fransisco! So I took a big bold step and nominated myself. :-) So I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be making the trip next month to this fabulous workshop. I've been reading the entries, and the competition is stiff! There's just so many fabulous women out there who get excited about learning. :-)
Do you know a woman who would benefit from this learning opportunity? Nominate her here. Entries must be in by 6am Pacific tomorrow morning, so if you're feeling inspired, better hurry!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Lookin' Good!
A new look for Sharp Images has been in the works for some time. It's been a lot of late nights and html frustration, but I'm so proud to announce that our website has a brand new look today. :-) Check it out, and let me know what you think!
We're also really excited about this weekend's event at Best Brands Resale. Come visit our table to get a great discount on our regular session fee, and enter our drawing for a FREE session. If you watch carefully, you'll also probably spot me hunting the racks to find some cute Gymboree bargains. If you can make it, email me (sarah@imagesbysharp.com) and I'll send you a coupon for free admission to the sale.
Happy Thursday, friends!
We're also really excited about this weekend's event at Best Brands Resale. Come visit our table to get a great discount on our regular session fee, and enter our drawing for a FREE session. If you watch carefully, you'll also probably spot me hunting the racks to find some cute Gymboree bargains. If you can make it, email me (sarah@imagesbysharp.com) and I'll send you a coupon for free admission to the sale.
Happy Thursday, friends!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Maryville Academy Gala
I'm a little slow on getting images of this oh-so-glam event out, but we've had some exciting things happening at our house this week, so I hope you'll forgive me. :-)
I had only been to the Drake Hotel once before, when some friends and I decided to dress up and hit the town for the evening. I remember being struck by the opulence of the historic building - crystal chandeliers, ornately carved pillars, lush floral arrangements everywhere. So when Mary called and invited me to photograph their Gala event there, I was THRILLED! And believe me, this party did not disappoint. Guests arrived to this black tie event dressed to the nines, and a lot of $$$ was raised for a very worth cause.
Check out the main dining room:
There were a lot of hugs, handshakes, and laughter during the cocktail reception:
And I mean it when I say every detail was attended to. Right down to the custom napkins. This group really knew how to pull together an elegant event.
The program part of the evening was, for me, the most interesting part. I didn't know much about Maryville or what they do, but I quickly learned that they are a haven for Chicago's children. The focus of the evening was on their crisis nursery program, where parents can leave their children in a safe and caring environment while they navigate employment, health, or relationship obstacles. What a wonderful service these staff and volunteers provide, and the families in the program attested to its positive impact in their lives. Even Cardinal George made an appearance to thank those involved in supporting and running this special service. It was clear that his presence was a big deal, and he graciously took time to talk with many of the party goers.
After all the speeches, thank-yous, and video presentations, these folks were ready to party! So the dance floor was opened, and the energy hit a super high. I couldn't help but smile as I watched so many show off their best moves. :-)
Thank you, Maryville, for inviting me to be part of such a special night!
I had only been to the Drake Hotel once before, when some friends and I decided to dress up and hit the town for the evening. I remember being struck by the opulence of the historic building - crystal chandeliers, ornately carved pillars, lush floral arrangements everywhere. So when Mary called and invited me to photograph their Gala event there, I was THRILLED! And believe me, this party did not disappoint. Guests arrived to this black tie event dressed to the nines, and a lot of $$$ was raised for a very worth cause.
Check out the main dining room:
There were a lot of hugs, handshakes, and laughter during the cocktail reception:
And I mean it when I say every detail was attended to. Right down to the custom napkins. This group really knew how to pull together an elegant event.
The program part of the evening was, for me, the most interesting part. I didn't know much about Maryville or what they do, but I quickly learned that they are a haven for Chicago's children. The focus of the evening was on their crisis nursery program, where parents can leave their children in a safe and caring environment while they navigate employment, health, or relationship obstacles. What a wonderful service these staff and volunteers provide, and the families in the program attested to its positive impact in their lives. Even Cardinal George made an appearance to thank those involved in supporting and running this special service. It was clear that his presence was a big deal, and he graciously took time to talk with many of the party goers.
After all the speeches, thank-yous, and video presentations, these folks were ready to party! So the dance floor was opened, and the energy hit a super high. I couldn't help but smile as I watched so many show off their best moves. :-)
Thank you, Maryville, for inviting me to be part of such a special night!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Authenticy is my new buzzword
The word authenticity has been on my mind lately.
One of my goals this year is to bring my external life more into alignment with my internal life. That sounds like a big goal, but I'm breaking it into small parts. One part of this goal is my appearance. I'm creative, I'm smart, and I'm funny... I just don't always look like it. So it's time to pay more than $12 for a haircut, and I'm learning to buy clothes that reflect my personality and style, rather than just hitting the clearance rack (if it reflects my personality AND is on the clearance rack.... major bonus!).
My photography is another place I'm working to bring the inside out. When I look over my portfolio, the images that really move me have that lifestyle look: yummy natural light, real people doing real things, fewer cheesy smiles and more real life looks. It's photography that's, we'll, more authentic. And there's that word again. :-) So I'm learning to let go of some of the "rules" I was taught as a photographer, and begin to listen more to my heart.
I also want to be able to communicate my heart for photography to my clients. We've been working overtime on giving our studio materials a facelift, and we're thinking a lot about what we want to say and how we want to say it. I'll try to keep sharing what I'm learning and the changes I'm making as I go, but for today, I have a special reveal: our new logo! What do you think of it?
One of my goals this year is to bring my external life more into alignment with my internal life. That sounds like a big goal, but I'm breaking it into small parts. One part of this goal is my appearance. I'm creative, I'm smart, and I'm funny... I just don't always look like it. So it's time to pay more than $12 for a haircut, and I'm learning to buy clothes that reflect my personality and style, rather than just hitting the clearance rack (if it reflects my personality AND is on the clearance rack.... major bonus!).
My photography is another place I'm working to bring the inside out. When I look over my portfolio, the images that really move me have that lifestyle look: yummy natural light, real people doing real things, fewer cheesy smiles and more real life looks. It's photography that's, we'll, more authentic. And there's that word again. :-) So I'm learning to let go of some of the "rules" I was taught as a photographer, and begin to listen more to my heart.
I also want to be able to communicate my heart for photography to my clients. We've been working overtime on giving our studio materials a facelift, and we're thinking a lot about what we want to say and how we want to say it. I'll try to keep sharing what I'm learning and the changes I'm making as I go, but for today, I have a special reveal: our new logo! What do you think of it?
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Telling the Story
Do you love to scrapbook as much as I do? Especially now that I've discovered the world of digital scrapbooking, I've become a total addict. I scrapbook because I want to tell my family stories. Sometimes the pictures I take inspire the story I want to tell, and sometimes it's the other way around; a story just has to be told, and I need to take pictures to help tell it. Here's one of those stories...
Aaron didn't really need new shoes. Our neighbor has graciously given us a box of hand-me-downs, including a great pair of play shoes in just the right size. He's worn these shoes everywhere: playing in the snow, going to the grocery store, exploring Disneyland, and had even been dropped and retrieved from one infamous duck pond. But when our church's annual clothing exchange came around last weekend, I went to check it out. There wasn't a lot that we needed, so I just poked through the piles, picking up a few pairs of pants in the little guy's next size up. Then I headed to the back table where the shoes were laid out. A pair of size 6 Nike's? Too cute to pass up! They were in great condition, and I figured they would be perfect for the muddy spring that is ahead of us. I remember thinking that I didn't really need them, but I just couldn't resist.
Later that night, after Emma's birthday party, Mike was wrestling Aaron's coat on and hurriedly pulling on his little shoes. "Uh oh," I heard, as Mike proffered up a left shoe with a now broken strap. After too many tugs and pulls, the velcro fastener just gave out. It really wasn't repairable. While I was sad that the favorite shoes were broken, I was relieved that another pair of shoes was waiting at home for his little feet.
I've thought about these new shoes quite a bit since last Saturday. The timing of it all is just too perfect. I pick up a used pair of shoes for free in the morning, and they become a needed necessity by that evening. So now every time I tie these little laces, I'm reminded that God knows exactly what my family needs, even before I do. In uncertain times like these, where so many are losing jobs and struggling to keep their homes, that's such a comfort!
*****
This may be just an ordinary pair of shoes, but there's a special story behind them, and it's one that I really want to remember. I tried for three days to get a good picture of Aaron wearing the shoes, but his one-year-old feet just move too fast. None of the pictures I was capturing really showed off the shoes. So while Aaron napped today, I took the shoes out on our porch and made them the focus. By putting the shoes in an unusual setting (hanging from the bare branches of a tree), I made the photo less about the scene, and more about shoes. When you look at the photos, you're attention is drawn to the shoes, since they're a bit out of place. I definitely see a scrap page about these shoes in my future. :-)
Today's challenge: find an object that tells part of your family story. Maybe it's the special lovey your kid can't sleep without. Maybe it's the pyrex casserole dish that holds your favorite meal. Try taking a variety of pictures of this object in some unusual settings, and see what comes of it. Send me your work... I'd love to see it!!!
Aaron didn't really need new shoes. Our neighbor has graciously given us a box of hand-me-downs, including a great pair of play shoes in just the right size. He's worn these shoes everywhere: playing in the snow, going to the grocery store, exploring Disneyland, and had even been dropped and retrieved from one infamous duck pond. But when our church's annual clothing exchange came around last weekend, I went to check it out. There wasn't a lot that we needed, so I just poked through the piles, picking up a few pairs of pants in the little guy's next size up. Then I headed to the back table where the shoes were laid out. A pair of size 6 Nike's? Too cute to pass up! They were in great condition, and I figured they would be perfect for the muddy spring that is ahead of us. I remember thinking that I didn't really need them, but I just couldn't resist.
Later that night, after Emma's birthday party, Mike was wrestling Aaron's coat on and hurriedly pulling on his little shoes. "Uh oh," I heard, as Mike proffered up a left shoe with a now broken strap. After too many tugs and pulls, the velcro fastener just gave out. It really wasn't repairable. While I was sad that the favorite shoes were broken, I was relieved that another pair of shoes was waiting at home for his little feet.
I've thought about these new shoes quite a bit since last Saturday. The timing of it all is just too perfect. I pick up a used pair of shoes for free in the morning, and they become a needed necessity by that evening. So now every time I tie these little laces, I'm reminded that God knows exactly what my family needs, even before I do. In uncertain times like these, where so many are losing jobs and struggling to keep their homes, that's such a comfort!
*****
This may be just an ordinary pair of shoes, but there's a special story behind them, and it's one that I really want to remember. I tried for three days to get a good picture of Aaron wearing the shoes, but his one-year-old feet just move too fast. None of the pictures I was capturing really showed off the shoes. So while Aaron napped today, I took the shoes out on our porch and made them the focus. By putting the shoes in an unusual setting (hanging from the bare branches of a tree), I made the photo less about the scene, and more about shoes. When you look at the photos, you're attention is drawn to the shoes, since they're a bit out of place. I definitely see a scrap page about these shoes in my future. :-)
Today's challenge: find an object that tells part of your family story. Maybe it's the special lovey your kid can't sleep without. Maybe it's the pyrex casserole dish that holds your favorite meal. Try taking a variety of pictures of this object in some unusual settings, and see what comes of it. Send me your work... I'd love to see it!!!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Here we go!
For a long time, now, I've been feeling the drive to grow our business. I wasn't entirely sure how to do this, and I was admittedly distracted by my first job, being mom to our toddler son, Aaron. But there was always that little tickle in the back of my brain that just wanted to go. Today, I'm going!!!
This is the first post on the brand spankin' new Sharp Images blog. I'll share images from our creative sessions, layouts from wedding albums, and lots of personal updates along the way. I'm hoping that this blog gives you the opportunity to get to know me better. Thanks for coming along for the ride!
To find out more about our photography services, you can call me at 847.697.1606, or email me at sarah@imagesbysharp.com. I can't wait to hear from you!
This is the first post on the brand spankin' new Sharp Images blog. I'll share images from our creative sessions, layouts from wedding albums, and lots of personal updates along the way. I'm hoping that this blog gives you the opportunity to get to know me better. Thanks for coming along for the ride!
To find out more about our photography services, you can call me at 847.697.1606, or email me at sarah@imagesbysharp.com. I can't wait to hear from you!
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