It was my birthday last weekend. Yay!  : )  It was a good birthday, in case anyone’s wondering. But I bring this up because of a present I got. It remotely fires my camera, which means self-portraits & family photos (that I’m in) are much simpler. I no longer have to click the button on my camera & then race to get into the image.  Now, I can point my little remote at the camera, click the button & after 2 seconds (so I can hide the remote in my hand), the camera takes the image. Nifty, right? : )

So, of course, I took my new toy camera equipment for a test run.

So these aren’t the most original/artistic images.  In fact, you can tell I’m laughing at myself.  But pretend like they’re fantastical, or at the very least, excuse me because I’m testing equipment. The remote is hidden in my hand by my sunglasses. It’s that small. Neat, right?

Of course, here’s an image of the remote (from Amazon) in case anyone is interested in experimenting for themselves & has a Canon EOS. (Click on the image to be taken to the Amazon page).  After my first test run, I’m very happy with it. It’s simple to use & so very worth the investment if you’re interested in self-portraits.

Canon Wireless Remote Control RC1 for Digital Rebel.  Works with Canon EOS cameras.

And, no, I’m not nerdy for asking for camera equipment for my birthday. I’m super-cool. (If you must laugh, do it where I can’t hear you).  ; )

Trapped Inside Your Fairytale.

{by me}

Hope you enjoy. : )  Sorry it’s so short for a Friday post, but I’d like to believe it’s pretty enough to make up for it. ; )

So, I thought I’d do something a little different today.  It’s a combination of an “inspiring post” as well as “suggestions.”  If you’ve never seen my What to Wear post, & are looking at booking a session, then please go check it out.  It’s a simple guide on ideas of how to dress for your portrait session, assuming you want to take it a step beyond t-shirt and jeans. : )

This is something of an addition to that.  It’s a list of props (and accessories) that can add that bit of personalization and pop to your portrait session.  I’m presenting images from other photographers to give you a boost of inspiration (and me too).  : )  They’re all from Senior Sessions, since we’re in that time of year.*  And, as always, if you click on the link, you’ll be sent to the web page/flickr account of the awesome photographer.

One final note before the photo goodness: if you do plan to bring a prop, which I would love, do let me know.  That way I can think about what fabulous images to take before we get there. : )

Emma from aephotographyblog.

Playful, imaginative & just a touch whimsical? Balloons. Whether a whole handful or just one lone balloon. They’ll add a bright pop of color to your photo (and we’ll do our very best not to loose them). : )

shinnphoto on flickr.

Personal & Memorable. Your instrument.  Tuba, Sax, Drums, Guitar, Flute, it doesn’t matter to me as long as you bring it.  Even if it’s large & hard to move – like a piano – we’ll work out whatever we can.  You’ve spent hours learning how to play it so there’s no reason to not include some shots of your talent.

Nasai from Gunnar Cook on flickr.

Great Accessory? Hats.  They can add a vintage touch, tell your favorite sports team, or be immeasurably fun.  (And if anyone wants to take off their high heels/converse & get into some water, definitely don’t be afraid to let me know).

Zach by Jharp242 on flickr.

Hobby or Sport.  Skateboard, baseball bat / glove,  basketball, photography.  It is undoubtedly important to you – you’ve spent all that time learning it, after all – so include it in your photo shoot.

Kristie from Sarah Lane Studio’s Blog.

Unique & just a little out of place? A chair (or other piece of furniture).  I love the bright color that the chair adds to this image (and her skirt, but that’s not the topic).  If you have a prop that’s bigger, let me know.

Likewise, if you have a chair that’s brightly colored and can be moved by a single person (me) but that you don’t want anymore, do let me know.  I’d be happy to get a chair specifically for portrait sessions, and while I have my eyes peeled, I’m looking for unique furniture & so instead of tripping over it in the garage, I’ll take it off your hands. : )  Or if you just know where to get one because you saw an awesome chair, but knew it wouldn’t quite fit with your current decor, shoot me an email!

Tracy by LaurieNowling on Flickr.

Vintagey & Modern? A bright flower headpiece, a headband made of pearls, a peacock feather clipped into your hair.  Perfect.  (And don’t forget the nice conglomeration of necklaces she’s put together).

*Although, I’d feel remiss if I didn’t add that doing your Senior Portrait session in the Fall is actually a better idea since you have more time to get ordering done, announcements made & printed, etc.  But I know that the spring semester is when the end of your senior year is in sight & you remember those little things you needed to get done. : )

My first session in 2010 and I absolutely adore the results.  (Of course, I like the subject, too, I’ve known him just about forever). ; )

Ryan is a senior in Lubbock & is planning to study music in college next year. And with good reason: he got second chair in all state choir this year.  Amazing, yeah? (Especially to me – I’d like to have musical talent, but, well…)  On to the fabulous visuals.

How photogenic is he? And if I wore glasses, I’d try on ones like that first!

There are these neat old train cars outside of Lubbock that are set up on the side of the highway & if I understand correctly some type of Christmas celebration/decoration happens there every year… but when that stuff isn’t up it’s the perfect place for some photography.

Cotton!  And look at that sky!  So blue!

Can black & white get any better? His expression, pose, & the textures – I just love it!

His expression here makes me smile every time. Just a little bit of mischief, I think. ; )

I love the sky in this image – it was seriously so perfect for this shot (and others… you just wait!)

Wouldn’t this shot make a gorgeous canvas? (Check these examples!)  Seriously!

More on Ryan later, when he gets a full post…

Now, I have another question for you, my blog-readers.  I’m thinking of changing my official watermark. If you’ve never noticed it, check out any posts that aren’t Tuesday Posts, like this one or this one.  I want the watermark to be subtle but readable, and I’ve begun to decide that my old watermark had trouble achieving that (plus, it works much better on the bottom corners than the top corners but if the image has grass or pebbles or any texture in the bottom, then it has to move to the top).  So, I was thinking I might simplify to something more like the watermark in the image above.  After all, it’s the New Year, right?  And a whole new decade.  Changing at least a little something seems logical. ; )

Anyway, if you have any opinions, give me a comment.  : )

That’s all for this Friday.  I have some processing to do and some fun to have with my husband (his school starts back up  next week).

Well, we got about 1/2 inch of snow here about a week ago… can’t ask for more than that in Abilene, right? : ) At least not in a regular winter.

So, all this lovely brown grass is what I consider a “Winter Wonderland”… and the cold, cold wind. I thought, after living in Lubbock & walking to class in the freezing cold, I might become immune to it. But, no, the fact that the biting wind still gives me a headache if I’m out too long hasn’t changed. Which is why I love scarves & mittens & beanies. : )

Now, how about less of the rambling and more of the picture showing?

As you can see, these images were not taking in our powdering of “snow”…. it all melted within a few hours.

So, as I’ve said before, I’ve always been fascinated by self-portraits… I’m glad I tried them for that run of Tuesday posts… I maybe became just a little better at them. : )  I like doing them myself now a lot more. Now I just need a remote for my camera instead of the self-timer… then I’d feel super-duper awesome, lol.

You know, despite the lack of snow, I still think the Texas winter is very pretty… lots of nice warm colors (not just whites & blues, lol)… even if it is dead grass, it’s still a nice, friendly brown color!

Thanksgiving. : )

We only took a few shots & half of the family was out running a”Black Friday” related errand.  I’ll be bringing my photo stuff to the next family gathering, as well, so we can get that family group shot that Terry wanted… isn’t it funny how we forget to do that until the last minute & then someone is in a hurry so it either doesn’t get done or one of the family members looks a little grumpy?  lol. I’ll definitely try to get it done earlier next time we see everyone so we can actually fit it in.

Tyson & his Granny. I know you can’t see her face well & I almost didn’t post this one, but I just love the look on his face!  You can tell he loves her… and I just couldn’t pass that up!

Yes, that’s right, it’s me, my hubby & Tyson. : ) I got Tyson to say “cheese” with me, which was absolutely adorable!  I don’t usually recommend the “cheese” trick, but he liked it.

Terry took this image. And she did a wonderful job since I handed the camera to her, said “press that button” and forgot that most people have no idea what to do!  haha. But she did a perfect job!

It was a fantastic Thanksgiving!

11.4.09 by peterthomsen

Laissons-nous renverser, emporter, caresser par le doux temps perdu by nathalia ~

Ninja Portrait by zachd1_618

Read Their Mind by somewhair

The Fire Dawn by t.strickland

Boxed Up by Once upon a time in Alex land

Pure Vision by schramcrackers

Blurry by metaldoll bites!

Well, last self-portrait!  : )  I spent some time with my tripod out on my mom’s property.  I hope it’s a good ending.  I wanted to make sure I got in a shot of my face (not just my eye) so those of you that don’t know me didn’t feel like I was cheating since you never got to see my face.  Here you go!

I’ll be sharing my 2nd Inspiration: Self-Portrait post later this week.  My husband looked over the first one & immediately asked me: so you only found 3 guys’ portraits you liked?  The answer is, no, there’s another installment coming. : )  And, besides, I had to split the number of pictures (somewhat) evenly & still not post too many images!

On Saturday, I went to a choir concert here in Abilene to listen to my cousin Ryan, a Lubbockite.  Well, while looking over the program I was so pleased to see Emma was also singing!  It was a fabulous concert (and I’m not overly knowledgeable about music & choir).  : )

In other news, I did update my prices recently.  I know, I pushed them through just a little earlier than promised, but with the pre-holiday rush over, it seemed silly to wait, since November & December are full of family events (for me and you, I hope!)  : )  Besides, if you had discussed a particular package with me before this week, your prices are locked in.  That’s only fair. : )

Thanksgiving is coming!  I hope everyone is so very excited!  I love Thanksgiving, it’s a good thing we only have it once a year, all that food is so tasty.  : )

Have a happy Tuesday, everyone, mine is looking very busy!  (good busy!)   : )

Day Sixty Four by this is waar.

During my collection process off of flickr, I noticed something. Weird. As I was going back & culling through the images I realized I’d only chosen 1 self-portrait that wasn’t done by a female photographer. I started to dismiss this, as I’m more prone to “dreamy” images & as a girl, looking for inspiration for my self portraits, I was more likely to look at portraits by other females. Logical. Except I decided to find 1 or 2 more male self-portraits that I really liked. And I started searching through flickr.

Female self-portraits far outweighed male submissions to various self-portrait groups. Go to flickr & poke around for yourself. You’ll see what I mean.  In fact, I found several groups dedicated to female self-portraits, but not a single one dedicated to male self-portraits (I searched specifically for it, and got general self-portrait groups for the first 3 or so result pages)… This seems exceptionally odd to me since the field of photography used to be very dominated by males.  Of course, this is changing as we female photographers keep joining the ranks, but I still found it odd that I couldn’t find many male self-portraits in a modern photography forum environment.

With that in mind, I collected a variety of male self-portraits that I found artistic & wonderful & am including some of them in this post!  : )  I was going to group them all together & follow up with female self-portraits, but I wanted to mix them together because I think the effect is much more inspiring!

Self-Portrait 10/5/09 by indiphoto

93/365 I’m Back by Ping H

Self Portrait 2 by homeboym

Self-Portrait 2008 by Crystal.

Drowning by kelia is a photographer.

Brooding by oldmanwillow21

Shoes on the Bed by vkreees