Comments (2)

First Portrait Session Of The New Year

Kristin and John were given a gift of a mini session with me by their friend, Hilary, a stylist at Salon Essentials whom I met last year.

January and February are typically not good for outdoor portraits here in Fort Collins… they tend to be cold, cold, cold! Or at least warmer but super windy.

I couldn’t believe how we lucked out and had warm weather and calm breezes during our session at the park. Unfortunately, their little guy, D., was so distracted by other kids, playground equipment and remote control airplanes that I got nary a smile from him.

However, I think he’s beautiful and shines without a smile!

His eyes are so beautiful, and look at those luscious lips! I bet his mama wants to kiss them all the time!

Of all the photos from this session, the next one is my favorite. Not so much for the gorgeous blue skies and good looking family, but for a little secret I was told at the end of our session.

You see that mountain behind them, just to the left of my logo at the bottom of the photo? That’s Horsetooth, where John proposed to Kristyn. I think it’s so sweet to have that in their family photo!

This is a couple that absolutely dotes on their son, and it was just a joy to watch them watching him.

Thank you, Kristyn, John and D. - I truly enjoyed our session in the warm February Colorado sunshine.

Use the form on the contact page to schedule your session or to get more information.

Comments (7)

I Heart Faces

I recently came across a really cool website while reading a post on one of my favorite blogs.

I’m all about the face and capturing expressions, so my focus is right in line with their mission:

The purpose of this blog is to provide a photography sharing forum that focuses on the art of capturing faces and their various emotions. Each week, people from across the world will have the opportunity to enter their favorite face photos into two different categories ~ kids and adults. A judge will pick a winning photo from each category that will then be displayed on our home page.

I really love to focus on the eyes and work to bring them out and make them the main part of a portrait, so I was excited to see that this week’s contest is “The Eyes Have It”.

When I heard that, I immediately thought of this portrait of little I.,

taken last Fall at the CSU Oval; I knew I had to enter it into the contest.

The contest is open to everybody, not just professional or semi-professional photographers, so if you’ve got a photo you think is great, be sure to enter it into the contest!

Use the form on the contact page to schedule your session or to get more information.

Comments (4)

It’s A New Day

Unfortunately I can’t embed the video. But if you want a fun song to bop along to, and a great song to get stuck in your head (at least the chorus ), check out will.i.am’s It’s A New Day!

Use the form on the contact page to schedule your session or to get more information.

Comments (2)

My Wish For Your 2009

I wish more love, laughter, peace and prosperity for everyone in 2009!

Besides peace, the candle also represents a strong spiritual connection and I wish that for everyone as well.

Happy New Year everyone!

Use the form on the contact page to schedule your session or to get more information.

Comments (1)

Fort Collins Business Woman: Rena Petty

Barb’s note: This post was written in mid-October. I was waiting for Rena’s website to go live, but I’m afraid I’ll just forget to post this, so be sure to keep checking back to see when her site is live.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I met Rena Petty a little over a month ago and knew immediately that I wanted to work with her. I believe it was not a coincidence that she needed updated business portraits for her marketing materials for several businesses.

I was glad she agreed to a short interview on the blog; something I’ve been wanting to do with those amazing women in business for whom I get to make portraits. Rena gets to be the very first in this series!

What made you go into business?

A desire to serve and to work for myself.

How long have you had your current businesses?

4 yrs.  Moved to FC March 2008

What made you choose the businesses you currently have?

I actually have 3 businesses: Esthetician,  Electrolysis, and Radical Forgiveness Coach and Workshop Facilitator

Comming from managing dental practices all my adult life, I had a background and interest in working with people and the body.  The education and training for E & E were familiar to me and felt very natural.  These were professions that would allow me the freedom of being a sole proprietor well into my advanced years. I began studying RF in 2005 and my life went from trauma drama to acceptance and peace.  I now choose to “Pay it forward” as a RF Coach and Workshop Facilitator.

What were some challenges you had to overcome in order to start your own business?

I do not consider these as challanges or a necessary part of building a practice: Being willing to meet the needs of clients, being willing to go the extra mile to have your name out there.  I find the best advertisement is a referral from a satisfied client.

What challenges, if any, do you find owning/running your own business today?

Running my own business out of my home has been a life long dream for me.  Disciplining my time with work while wanting to apply myself to my home (to do) list can be a challenge.

What is your favorite part about doing business in Fort Collins?

The health conscious,loving attitudes of the people in this community to take good care of themselves, has helped make my professions accepted and enjoyable for me.

Is there anything else that you’d like to share with us?

I love living in FC!

Just for fun, if you were a flower, which would you be?

A Rose

I’ve seen Rena in action and find that her energy and enthusiasm just do not come across in this interview!

If you have need of electrolysis, an esthetician or coaching in forgiveness (which I do), Rena’s your woman! Tell her Barb sent you!

Use the form on the contact page to schedule your session or to get more information.

Comments (6)

Feel The Love

Near the beginning of the year I met a woman who has become a dear friend, Julie Yates. We were at a gathering of women together, and during the portion where we shared about our lives, Julie shared a CD of black and white photos she had made.

Needless to say, I was impressed!

We immediately hit it off, both of us so excited that we had found someone else with whom to “talk photography”. Ever since that meeting we’ve talked about photographing each other’s families.

I finally got the opportunity to create her family portraits in November. She’ll do my family portraits in the Spring.

Here are a few of my favorites from her family session:

The love is just palpable!

Here are some of Julie’s and Eric’s beautiful daughter, whom I really looked forward to getting in front of my camera:

You’ll be seeing more of Julie soon, as I share photos I made of her with her camera, and then again when I share with you some of the steps I go through as I process a photo.

Use the form on the contact page to schedule your session or to get more information.

Comments (2)

So Behind On Blogging

I have a super fun family session to share with you, as well as a business session and an administrative post showing the evolution of one of my photos.

I also have a post written that’s been waiting in the wings for a couple of months… waiting until the business woman’s website is live.

I can’t wait for you to see all of them, but until I get around to it, I’m sharing a sneak peek from the wonderful Yates family.

Isn’t that a cool storyboard? This is a trial version of the MCP Actions Magic Blog It Boards, which I *so* want to get! I really want to get Jodie’s print it boards, too.

I found it super easy to use, and this is coming from somebody who just doesn’t get all that stuff about clipping masks and such.

If you share photos on your blog, check them out; I bet if you try out the free version you will be in awe!

Use the form on the contact page to schedule your session or to get more information.

Comments (0)

Fun At Troutman Park

You might recognize Kristin and M., as we had a breastfeeding portrait session just a few months ago. I was so honored that they hired me again to create their holiday portraits.

They are such a beautiful family! And the colors of their clothing were perfect for this time of year.

M. has the most vibrant eyes! I actually had to tone down my processing a bit because it wouldn’t have looked real; his eyes are just electric!

I loved every minute of our short session!

Sorry our session was so rushed, Paul and Kristin! And thanks so much for entrusting me with your holiday portraits and cards.

Use the form on the contact page to schedule your session or to get more information.

Comments (0)

Siblings

I have so much fun photographing children; they have such great energy!

Sometimes I have more than one child to work with at a time, which was the case with these siblings.

This brother and sister pair had an amazing amount of energy; we were going almost non-stop for the entire hour I was at their house.

But I was able to get them to sit still, even if only for a minute or two at a time.

They were so much fun and had great ideas of their own.

It’s been a couple of weeks since I was there, but I can still feel the energy of our session every time I look at these pictures.

Use the form on the contact page to schedule your session or to get more information.

Comments (8)

My Oldest Had To Get In On The Fun

My oldest son got in on the fun, but was playing with JibJab sendable e-cards on the computer without pictures. He got tired of using “their” pictures, and got creative. I was really laughing out loud at this!

This was the first video we did, with B. and S. playing the respective High School Musical 3 boy and girl roles, but I wanted to share one that had all 3 kids here on the blog.

Hmmm, me thinks this blog needs some sneak peeks posted! Look for those in the next day or two.

Use the form on the contact page to schedule your session or to get more information.