Arizona

I played with the title of this post a bit but have settled simply on "Arizona". Isn't that word just beautiful? And not just because they are currently enjoying 70 degree weather while I shiver in Idaho (I love it here, I swear!! :)
This shoot has taken me a while. 6 months ago I caught up with my friend in AZ for a photo shoot. It was so good to see her! I have missed her contagious smile!! But, not only does she happen to be a wonderful woman and amazing friend, she is also Apache -- one of many I have been so blessed to know.
My friend so graciously volunteered to dress her family in traditional Apache camp dresses. I was excited for the shoot for a number of reasons, and am delighted to have captured a small bit of the magic and awe I feel for this people.
Thank you, Gracie!

Family Time

You would never know it from the beautiful smiles on their faces, but their shoot was bitterly cold! They were such good sports and I am so grateful to have been able to take this wonderful family's photographs.

Also, I'm pretty excited to have found this new barn. So, so perfect!

Leaves are Falling all Around!

I am an Arizona girl, born and raised. When autumn time finally rolls around in Arizona, everything turns brown and falls to the ground. I believe I was nearing my twenties before I had the chance to see trees catch fire with autumn color. Part of me had never believed leaves really did that! I love autumn time in Idaho! What a perfect time for family picts!

What was your favorite part of your wedding day?

So, picture this.  The springtime night air is a bit chilly.  Light from inside my parent's home is streaming through three sets of French doors, falling on the back porch where I stand in the beautiful white dress my grandmother made, holding on to my new husband, stunning in his tux.  Family and cherished friends surround us as we dance. It has been a perfect day. Our song begins to play and then, suddenly, FIREWORKS!  A complete surprise!  A gift from my brothers and sisters.  From the field behind my childhood home they light up the sky.  It is the most incredible ending to all the wonderful and all the crazy of our wedding.
Of all the wonderful wedding moments I cherish, this is my favorite -- which I remember through rose-colored glasses because by that time, my photographer had left. No one took a photo of it, or if they did I never saw it, or it didn't turn out, etc.
I have lovely photographs of my wedding. Images I will adore forever.  But all to often I wonder how I could recreate that one moment - my favorite moment - but know Photoshop, while amazing, can't do it.
And that brings us to the advice part. Book the whole wedding day! Don't miss your favorite moment because it will save you money. I would gladly go back and pay to see those fireworks in print.

Always,
Tacie

I Miss My Sister!

Whenever I have a crazy idea for a shot and need a gorgeous model, my little sister is always game! I miss her and am pretty sure she should move to Idaho and live in my office. I would even blow up an air mattress for her! Yep. That spot right there in the corner is all her's!

Day 4

 Pretty good. Straight out of camera looks good. Bumped up the highlights and we have one ADORABLE Oreo monster!

SOOC, f/2.5, 1/100, ISO 200, 50 mm

Highlights increased in Lightroom

Day 3

If you are up making cookies at 12:30 am, that counts as a new day, right? I am taking small 8-10 minute power naps between each dozen (thank you trusty microwave timer). Totally worth it though. BEST COOKIES EVER! Seriously though. They are.

SOOC, f/2.0, 1/60, 800 ISO, 50 mm

Film-less Day 2

Because I felt like redeeming myself, here is gorgeous shot #20. I'll get this snow thing yet!

Last night, snow fell. It is still coming down. I haven't taken a picture in the snow for a year, so sure, let's give it a go!
No peeking photo #1 was a tragic failure! I will not be posting that one.
But, #2 wasn't too bad I guess. Overexposed for sure but I was going for that "WOW you live in a winter wonderland (or frozen tundra)" effect.

#2: SOOC, f/2.8, 1/200, ISO 200, 50mm

#2: A little Photoshop burning and I'd say salvageable.

#2: And finally, some extra love in Lightroom.

Cute boys, yes? And homemade too!

Project: Film-less

I dusted off my film camera yesterday. It felt good in my hands and I began to crave the dark room. Remember when you couldn't see the results instantaneously? When you really only had one shot and you'd better get it right? So, wondering if I was still capable of loading a roll of film, I went to Walgreen's to buy a battery. They are pretty pricey -- more than I remember them being nine years ago (Shut up! It has NOT been that long, has it?!) -- so I left it there. It is for the best. I can't afford film right now either. Also not exactly sure where I would find film without a little internet hunting.

Then I had an idea! Just shut off the display on the digital. 100% manual. And no peeking! I tried it and it was hard not to check my exposure meter (although I'm not sold on that being off-limits yet). I chose my settings, composed the image, and took ONE picture.

SOOC f/1.8, 1/60, ISO 200, 50mm

I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little disappointed. And, because apparently I have an addiction, I went ahead and edited it after the upload.

Brighter is Better!

So, this year's project: every day I'm going to take a photo - just ONE - of something I am doing. 100% manual, no display. Just like in the "old days." Think more, shoot less. It's a goal, anyway:). We'll see how this goes.

How long should unpacking take!

Well, we did it! My sweet, wonderful husband graduated. I am now married to . . . A DOCTOR! Woo Hoo! Sadly, that also meant I had to leave Texas, a place I did not expect to fall in love with. But, on the up side, (definitely the up side!) my honey got a real life job and we have returned to gorgeous Idaho! Also a place I did not expect to love when I was first transplanted in Rexburg 5 years ago from sunny AZ.

So, I'm STILL unpacking. The cameras made it out first, but have seen little action and I'm dying to get reacquainted with shooting in the snow. Quick! First senior shoot $50 off! (did you see how I buried that little coupon in the middle of the paragraph? Sneaky, huh :)

I did get a chance to play a bit over the holidays. I am working on developing a line of fine art for sale on canvas. Currently I'm editing my first -- a top secret shot my models haven't even seen yet -- but since I honestly don't have much to show off right now (with the packing and the unpacking and such) here is a sneak peek. It is still a work in progress, but should hopefully be available for sale in the next month or two. Can you guess what it is?