Why do I spend so much time editing???

I wanted to share with you some of the things I do when I edit.  I throw the word 'edit' around all the time...my kids even know that, "Mama is editing pictures today".  There are several reasons why a picture coming SOOC (straight out of camera) might need edited.  For this example that I posted here is what I did.  Cropped, Removed Redness from face/eyes (it was a chilly November morning), lifted eyes, brightened eyes, enhanced the coloration of the background and body features (hair, clothes...)  Brightened the overall picture.  Here's the SOOC and Final:

I don't always have to do so much...but sometimes with the weather conditions and what my overall preferences are I might spend 5-10 min. on a picture. 

So, THIS is what I'm doing when I say I'm editing - and why my shoulders constantly hurt from sitting at the computer!  :)  I love it!

sure could use a gift certificate for Christmas for a nice massage.

Busyness & Blessings

Wow!  It has been SO long...too long...that I have blogged.  Here are the reasons why:

1.  I've been SO busy.

2.  I've been SO busy.

3.  I. have. been. so. BUSY!

I feel COMPLETELY blessed through this last season - I have taken pictures of so many wonderful families and amazingly beautiful people.  I LOVE my job.

I'm going to try and blog more - to make it more of a priority!  Why not when I have so many beautiful faces to show off?

I absolutely have to make this blog post about my newest cousin.  As many of you who know me have already seen & heard, Ava Katherine Houghtaling has entered our lives from China.  John & Sara brought Ava HOME on November 5th and what a blessing she has been to our family!  I won't apologize for taking too many pictures of her - I can't resist!

Here's one of my favorites...

Love her!

Attitude with a Capital A!!!

This little girl is a TREAT!  I love her to pieces!  She is confident, all-knowing, filled with life and fun stories!  You don't have to tell her how to pose, she just has it in her!  I LOVE that!

If you have any more of these charmers...send them my way!

You*Nique!

I am so excited to be launching this event!  It's my new baby.  Something I can't wait to do!

You-Nique!  Is going to be AWESOME!!!  Girls ages 10-12 are invited to come for a modeling session - free to be completely themselves.  I want to capture in camera their different You*Nique! personalities!

Because I've had such a great response so far, this event has only room for 2 more models!  First come, first serve.  This year, there's no cost to you!  If fact, you'll receive free prints!  Depending on the success and feedback from parents, we will be holding more of these events with all ages.  Here's a BIT of what to look forward to:

Model Call!

I just spent an evening with a great photographer Dawn McCarthy who is from Jacksonville, FL and said Ya'll a LOT.  So, now I really want to say Hey, Ya'll - and speak with a southern accent!  But, I don't think I can pull it off....doggone it!

I was very blessed to head to Grand Rapids, MI with Mike for just a night to learn an incredible amount from Dawn and to get to visit the lab that prints all my beautiful images (thanks Brandi!!!).  Every single time I do something to better my craft, I walk away inspired with new ideas!  I LOVE that.

I am holding a model call for a young girl (I may take more than 1) ages 10-12.  Here are a few criteria:

• She must be able to provide specific clothes - colorful, layered, frilly, fun (I'll give more detail to those who show interest)
• She must have a free spirit - open and willing to "modeling"
• She must be available on Sunday, Sept. 26th

If you know of someone or have a child that would like to participate, please leave a comment on this blog or email me: lisa@lisafeatherphotography.com

Those participating will receive a free session, an 8x10, 2 5x7's and 8 wallets.

This call will end on Sunday evening 9/5/10.

Remember When...

I've been laughing with quite a few High School Seniors lately as we get together for their Senior Sessions.  My how times have changed.  Now, I am ONLY 34 years old, so many of you can relate to many years previous to that, however, just in the 16 years since I have graduated (O.My.Word!)  senior pictures have truly evolved!  

Remember these?

Or these...

Or...

(Admittedly, that last one looks QUITE similar to my husbands Senior Pictures!)

I can't wait to see how they continue to evolve.  I don't like to be stuck in the past - I love to move forward.  I had to share this picture of a BEAUTY that I just did pictures for...I typically love, love, love bright, fun colors but I love the simplicity of this photo!  

Makes you want to dig out all your old Senior pictures, doesn't it?!?!

Random thoughts of a MOM photographer

I've heard this before and thought it was so cliche.  But, this morning I looked at my 4 year old and wondered how she got to be 4.  It isn't that I feel I missed out on the last 4 years...it's that I question what I have done - what I've accomplished - what I have become...in the last 4 years.  There is nothing more I want in this world than to be doing what is pleasing to God.  Than to know I'm on the right track - pursing the gifts He has given me.  I have never felt before in my life that I'm "on the right track" as much as I do now.  I am learning & growing (and failing & growing) in the field of Photography.  I love this business.  I love the people I meet.  I love seeing a finished product and the few pictures that give me butterflies in my stomach because I feel "it's that good".  I WANT to learn.  I WANT to grow.  I WANT to try.  I WANT to fail.  I know that if I never fail, I'll never learn.  

I pray God uses me in an amazing way that what I do will ultimately glorify Him.  It's most important to me.  And, in 4 years I want to look back and say...WOW...look at ALL you've done.

Now, look at this sweet thing.  Her Daddy's going to have to be careful with those big baby blues - you're precious Little Miss V!