We’ve been wanting to visit for way too long and we finally took the time to do it. We started our trip by spending an entire day out on the water. We loaded Daniel’s brother’s boat with everything we needed for fishing and fun and headed out. The lighthouse at Cape Lookout was amazing. With it being a holiday weekend, it was completely packed so we just went by on the boat. I’m hoping we can pull in next time though. I would love to be able to go up to the top. Our next stop was the Shackleford Banks where wild horses roam the island. They are so beautiful and serene. At high tide, you can watch them swim from the outer islands to higher ground. It was truly a wonderful experience to watch. We then made our way to Shark Island. I was mesmerized as soon as I step foot off of the boat.  The shells you find there are like nothing I’ve ever seen. First, they were HUGE but they were almost perfect on top of that. I was lucky enough to find a few perfect sand dollars. I’ve never found a single sand dollar in my life and that’s really weird since I’ve lived on or near the coast most of my life. We ate some lunch and explored the island for a while before our biggest adventure of the day. We were riding out 50 miles offshore to do some deep sea fishing. We made it out about 45 minutes and there wasn’t a bit of land in sight. But then our worst fears came true. Sea sickness!! Gage was the unfortunate soul that got it. Luckily because we were out with Daniel’s brother, he gladly turned around. I can’t imagine being out on a chartered boat where they just make you suffer through it. Gage was so disappointed. He really wanted to catch a big ocean fish. We told him that it happens to lots of people and that there just isn’t anything you can do to stop it. All of us took Dramamine before we left and that didn’t even help him. Luckily we made it back to Shark Island and he was able to rest for a bit. He and I laid on the beach for what seemed like hours while Daniel, his brother and sister-in-law did a little fishing. Daniel caught an 18″ flounder!! When Gage finally started feeling better, we made our way back to calmer waters. He was fine as long as we stayed near land, so we decided to try our hand at shrimping. We didn’t catch a ton but it was enough to enjoy with our big flounder! And we got to watch a gorgeous sunset as we got back to the boat landing. After such an adventurous day, we decided to take it easy that night. We ordered Greek food and talked for hours about everything. No tvs, no computers, no distractions…just being together. Here are a few images of our first day. Keep in mind these were all shot using a Nikon Point and Shoot camera..nothing fancy. I brought my “big” camera out on the boat but I really wasn’t crazy about pulling it out in such risky conditions. I might have went into heart failure if I dropped it in the water. But I guess that’s why I have a great insurance policy.

The next day was a little less adventurous and a little more relaxing. Gage and I found a great little local coffee shop to get some breakfast and then we spent the morning reading while everyone else went back out on the boat. It was so nice to sit under the blue skies with the cool breeze coming off of the water. My entire body hurt from being bounced around in the boat the day before so I couldn’t have imagined spending the day any other way. By the time the fisherman had returned, it was lunch time and we were starving. We ventured into Beaufort (pronounced Bo-fort) and found a great little place called Finz Grill. The food was absolutely amazing. And with a view overlooking the marina, we thoroughly enjoyed our lunch. We spent the rest of the day exploring (and shopping). We really needed to walk all of that fabulous food. We found shops that offered antiques, souvenirs, ice cream and so many other things. As the sun set we remembered that we had tons of fish and shrimp to cook. So the boys cooked and the girls watched. Great times!

I was able to spend a little time photographing the area. I rarely have time to just walk around with my camera so that was such a treat. There was one particular area that caught my eye. The light was amazing so I spent a while there. But those photos are for another post:)

I have to say that going to the Outer Banks only makes me want to go back for more. We’ve decided we will be going back very soon when my daughter can go with us. We are looking at visiting Emerald Isle and going up north a little to Ocracoke Island. I can’t wait!! Thanks for sticking around for that super long post!! See you soon!

Yes, I’m bringing my camera on this stress-free vacation. Photography for me isn’t what brings on stress. It’s actually what helps relieve it. It’s the business behind the scenes that makes life so crazy. Running a photography business is much more about business and much less about photography. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. My life is wonderful and I wouldn’t change a single thing about it. I hope all of you have a fabulous LONG holiday weekend and I’ll see you when we get back!

Over the past couple of years I’ve really felt boxed in to only shooting in natural lighting conditions. Don’t get me wrong, I love natural light..I love the softness on the skin and the eyes. But sometimes I want to try dramatic lighting….and I’d like to be able to shoot outside during the middle of the day without worrying about how harsh the sun will be. While at a photography convention last year, I saw Blair and Suzanne Phillips of Blair Phillips Photography speak about Breaking the Mold. Their whole philosophy is to try new things..things no one else is trying. Trying new things is hard. Practicing new techniques takes time. That’s time and energy most photographers don’t want to put into their craft. I do. I want to try new things. I want to push myself to learn and grow. So when I found out that Blair and Suzanne had recently started doing a Break the Mold Workshop, I was more than excited. I signed up for it right away because I didn’t want to take the chance of it selling out. Then, I had to wait more than 6 months. The waiting was excruciating. I knew this workshop would change my world. And I wasn’t disappointed.

When March rolled around, my friend Nichole of Nichole Alexandra Photography and I headed up to Landis, NC. Nichole and I do a couple of photography trips a year together and always have such a great time. We spend our free time searching for the best places to eat and talking about everything under the sun. We always enjoy the kid/family-free time to just focus on our businesses. That’s not something we get very often so we take full advantage. Of course, there’s lots of gossiping too! Oh back to the workshop.  We were blown away from the moment we walked into Blair and Suzanne’s studio. Everything was absolutely gorgeous and screamed Blair Phillips Photography. We got to meet the other 14 workshop attendees who, like us, were eager to learn.  Over the next 2 days I learned exactly what I needed to learn to bring my photography to the next level. I learned how to use studio lighting outdoors and do it well. I never thought I would be able to shoot a bride outside during midday full sun and still be able to see the details in her dress. I did it…with the help of Blair and his amazing assistants. We also were able to shoot a senior session and add that edge that I need to separate myself from the people that bought a digital camera last week and started a photography business this week. I will forever be grateful for Blair, Suzanne and the rest of their crew for sharing so much of themselves and showing us that it is possible to grow a successful photography business in a small country town. Here are a few shots of their studio and Blair working his magic.

Blair was so awesome with the children that came into the studio that day. He got natural expressions out of this little girl while their were 20 other people standing around watching…and let me tell you, that’s not easy.

Blair builds these amazing sets outside behind his studio. Awesome!

This is the dressing room. Who wouldn’t feel incredibly glamorous in this room?

Didn’t I tell you their studio was fabulous?!

This is their client ordering room. Clients are treated to a real theatre experience.

Blair always says that he would never ask a client to do something he wouldn’t do.

So now that I’ve shown you all of the Blair awesomeness, here are some shots I got while he was demonstrating.

I know no one is going to believe me but I did absolutely no retouching on her skin. That’s what great lighting techniques do!

So what does all of this mean for my clients? It means I have a broader range of choices for selecting locations and scheduling sessions. It means I’m bringing more to the table when I pick up my camera. And that means more awesomeness to display in your home. Set up a session and let’s get started!!

About a year ago, a friend of mine quit smoking and recommended I read this book by Allen Carr. The Easy Way to Quit Smoking…it sounds pretty ridiculous right? Any smoker out there knows that quitting is anything but easy. I finally broke down and bought the book a few months ago because I was finally ready to quit. And while a smoker may be ready to quit, it’s never “easy” as the book suggests. I’ve actually ready the book twice. Once while still continuing to smoke (the book suggests not trying to quit until your finished reading it) and once after I quit. It helps to have the words in the forefront of my mind so I don’t relapse.

Sometimes, people are surprised when they find out I was a smoker (like how I used the past tense there?) because I always tried to hide it unless I was around other smokers. I don’t smoke in my home and I never smoked in front of a client. It got to the point where I was tired of being embarrassed by my dirty addiction. And folks, that exactly what it is…an addiction not a habit. The sad thing is that the nicotine only stays in your system for about 3 weeks. After that, brainwashing takes over. Smokers tell themselves they can’t live without them and that they enjoy smoking. I’ve learned those are two very untrue statements. Every smoker I’ve ever asked wishes they would have never picked them up.

If you are a smoker and are ready to quit, I highly recommend reading The Easy Way to Quit Smoking by Allen Carr. And please feel free to share your story if you’ve quit because I could really use the positive thinking right now. It’s a hard road but I think it’s worth the effort. I’m irritable and moody but my family is being very supportive which I’m so thankful for. Please say a  little prayer for me today. I’m taking one day at a time..hopefully it will turn into years. And because I’m trying to think about happy things today, here is an image I took while in Las Vegas last month.

Happy Birthday Daniel!!

Image captured by Nichole Alexandra Photography (www.nicholealexandra.com)

I’ve been wanting a space like this for some time. I have been shooting on-location and meeting couples for bridal consultations at my home for a long time and just really needed somewhere to call my own. I feel quite sure my family is thrilled to have all of my photography stuff out of our house. It was literally taking over.

I thought it would be cool to post before and after shots so everyone could see just how far the little place has come. Of course, I still have some spaces to fill on the walls. I’ve got a few wall galleries on order that will be in this week but who knows when I’ll get the opportunity to hang them. So I just wanted to go ahead and take some images and put them out there. Let me know what you think!! And thanks again for making my dream of photographing people come true!

Before and After - Studio Entrance

Another shot of the Entrance

Before and After - Office Area

Before and After - Studio Bathroom

Before and After - Another shot of the bathroom

Before and After - Sales Area

After - Sample Product Showcase

Before and After - Camera Area

Before and After - Camera Area

Finally have a place for all of the newborn stuff

Kids Play Area

Ok, so I know I still have lots of work to do. But it’s a start and I’m so proud of my space. I hope everyone will come out to our Grand Opening Party that we’re planning for March. I’ll post the details very soon! Thank you for stopping by!!

-Heather

I love summer. I love the beach. I love ice cream on hot days. I love sundresses. I love walking barefoot in the grass. I can’t have those things in the winter (and face it, we only have 2 seasons here). I don’t want summer to end. I feel like a child having a temper tantrum.

The images I capture in the warm season is what gets me through the winter. I look back at them and it pulls me through to the other side. So I carry my camera with me wherever I go and snap away at the most random things. Because I know in a few months when it’s 35 degrees and rainy outside I can look back at my images and they will remind me that summer is only a few months away.

Here are a few of my favorite images of the night.

This is the view from just inside the front door. It's quite a mess!

This is a view to the right of the front door. It's a pretty big room that I will probably use as a waiting area.

This is the entrance into the main part of the building just after you pass through the front room.

A small storage area in the bathroom. I can see props going here!

A shot of the unfinished bathroom.

Another shot of the unfinished bathroom. I think this room will be finished last. Can you really blame them?

This was taken from the back of the building looking towards the front. If only they would leave me the big screen!

A shot of the kitchen area. They are getting ready to install new cabinets next week.

Yes that is a garage door! That is coming out and french doors are going to be installed along with a couple of floor to ceiling windows on either side.

The stair leading to the second floor.

The second floor...kind of small but lots of potential.

Another shot of the second floor looking in the opposite direction. The stairs are in the middle of the room.

Well, that’s the tour. I hope to be adding some more images as the work is completed. I really can’t wait to get everything decorated and my work hanging on the walls! When it gets closer to completion, I will start planning an Open House so I can invite all of my clients, friends and family over to get a better look. I hope you have a fabulous weekend!!