Okay you guys…I am first going to pre apologize for run on sentences, skipping around and straight out bad writing! I am a photographer, not an English professor and English just so happened to be my worst subject (I like math…yep, that’s right!). I just wanted to share some thoughts about my photography, so don’t judge HA HA HA!!! So here we go…

When I first start photography, I wanted to do it because I wanted to capture my kids. I began reading, practicing, messing up, doing bad, reading some more, practicing some more and finally I was able to take a shot with out motion blur, bad exposure, horrible composition, etc. I admit that I was one of those moms with a camera who wanted to jump right into photography, but I soon realized it didn’t work like that.  Photography is a LOT, and I mean A LOT, of work. Some people just have it and although some say I had it, I wasn’t quit sure. From as far back as I can remember, I never really believed in myself. So you can hear over and over that you are great, but until you BELIEVE it, you aren’t going to get it, if you know what I mean?! So I did what any other photographer starting out does…I didn’t charge much and I did a LOT of free sessions. This was good for one reason only…I needed to learn! So, some time goes by and I decided after too many people telling me that I MUST raise my prices, that I would do just it, but then I had no sessions coming in. In my mind, no sessions = I must suck. That little voice in my head told me I’m not good enough, but I’m now ignoring that little voice because I AM good enough!

So here we are going into 2010…I started in the summer of 2006 taking clients and I have met SO MANY nice people along the way! I have had my ups and have had downs. Have had past clients move on to other photographers and I have had clients who come back! I have days when I say “why am I doing this” and days I say “I LOVE doing this”!! I’ve been blessed to have a talent in photography and I think that is truly awesome!

So let me talk about what is new for 2010!

There will be a price increase. I struggled with this decision, but after many weeks of thought, I know I am worth it. There will always be a photographer cheaper than me willing to work  for nothing. I realize that by raising my prices, I risk losing some clients and that makes me sad because I have met so many AWESOME people!! I put a lot of time into my photography from the start to finish trying to make my client’s sessions as enjoyable as they can possibly be.  When you are paying for custom photography, you aren’t just paying for a piece of paper, you are paying for an image of your baby/child/family for you to have for the rest of your lives. I proof each image from your session individually to make sure you will get the best possible product. I print at a professional photo lab that sprays to protect and ensure the best quality print. I choose images that I, as a mom, would want on my walls and I make sure those images are shown to my clients. There is nothing better than getting to see images you LOVE every single day displayed in your home! In fact, I have a big (24×30) collage on my little living room wall and I can’t tell you how many hours I have just spent looking at it and remembering my kids when they were younger! I love it…just love it! Time will go on and our memories will fade, but having images all along the way is just such a great blessing! So with that said, remember that custom photography is a lot more than a quick photo session and a piece of paper. From the time you set up your session to the time you get your images (and even after) you are getting one on one attention!

And now to the fun stuff!

1. I have some fun new client rewards punch cards for 2010! These are like any other punch card, the more you come the more you get! Each session you have with Melissa Davis Photography you will get a free 8×10, then a mini storyboard, an 11×14 print, a 10×20 storyboard and then finally a free session. If you are interested in one of these cards, please let me know and I can mail one (or a few) out to you! m@melissadavisphotography.com

2. Each new client will receive a referral card to go in their file. For every 5 referrals (who book and have a session), they will get a free session and a 10 x 10 collage. If you aren’t a client, but would like to earn the same, just let me know! Anyone is welcome to play along! m@melissadavisphotography.com

2. Melissa Davis Photography will be offering three new products! Canvas, session albums and photo boxes!

CANVAS: Gorgeous fine art gallery wrapped canvases are a  gorgeous way to display your images in your home. Starting at 16×20, they will make your friends and family say “wow” as a focal point in your room.

SESSION ALBUMS: 8×8 book album designed with your choice of layout to showcase your session images. Inside pages are printed on art watercolor paper and adhered to heavy black card stock. Carry it in your purse as a brag book, take it to work, or display in your home as fun and gorgeous way to show off the pictures from your session. These also make GREAT gifts for grandma and grandpa.

PHOTO BOXES: 5×7 image boxes provide a personal and upscale way to store and display all of the images from your session. Customize the cover with your favorite image, set it out for everyone to see and then show off your prints to family and friends when they come over.

so there you have it! Did you make it through?!! If so, thank you for reading! Melissa Davis Photography will be down until the new year (just a tad after actually) and all changes will be made and ready to go!

OH OH, I can’t believe I forgot something (well two things!). Also new for 2010, personal slide shows and a new shopping cart for orders.  All proofs will be displayed in your own private slide show with music to match! No more gallery with boring thumb nails…You’ll get to show off and view your personal slide show to friends and family! Then your ordering process will be a lot easier with a shopping cart check out!

Wow, I can’t believe I forgot those two things! I’m so excited about the changes and additions for 2010! And I can’t wait to see who I meet this year!

This is my sweet, beautiful, new, tiny, cute nephew, Scoooter! I had been planning for months to come and photograph his birth and be there as my little sister welcomed a new baby boy into her family. She was induced this morning and I was keeping track of how far a long she was. I got a text around 1:00 that she dilated to a 4, so I decided to drop my daughter off at a friends and head to Murray so I’d be there with enough time to spare. I hoped in the car and headed North. I decided to make a QUICK stop at Kid to Kid (and it was quick, I was there for 5 minutes TOPS) and then headed to SL. I got a text that she was at an 8 and thought “oh my gosh, that was fast!” and around 7200 South I got a call from my sister saying I’d better get there quick! I was literally 2 exits away (10 minutes) from the hospital. I made it to labor and delivery JUST as she was delivering and they wouldn’t let me in the room! I couldn’t believe it…how heart breaking! Not only was I bummed I wouldn’t be there to take pictures (says the photographer in me), but if you have ever witnessed a birth, you know how AWESOME and AMAZING it is! To have this new body come into the world is simply a miracle and so beautiful! And although I missed it, you bet you’ll be seeing MANY more pictures of this little guy! He’s now my new “model” for newborn pictures! (be prepared Mind…I need to practice lol)! Love you guys!

This is my older sister, Amy, and her family. I think it’s funny…as a photographer I show up to many photo sessions. Some go great, others I have to work for. You’d think that 4 teens and 2 adults would be easy right? No running around after a toddler right? I had to giggle at my cute family because it seemed impossible to get them all looking at once lol. I had to  remember how much I loved to have my picture taken as a teen and to be honest…how much I just love to have my pictures taken now (which btw, if you didn’t catch that sarcasm, I was being totally sarcastic) . It’s hard work to be in front of the camera!  he he…But we ended up getting some really great ones! I think a lot of people just kind of “skip” photo sessions when their kids are older because everyone is so busy and there is so much going on, but at any age, I think it’s just so important to have family pictures!

By this point 1/2 of the group was done…they stuck it out oh so well, but I thought it would be fun to do a “mock photo booth”…you know, try and loosen up the kids to get some fun expressions from them…and it worked! The two who agreed to humor were cracking me up!

And last but not least, I love this one. I love when I can catch a moment that just SCREAMS  “we totally love each other (even if we’re trying not to act like it”!

So here we are at Fashion Friday again! Wow, that week flew by! So most of my post have examples of  families that might have younger kids, but not all families have little kids anymore. How do you dress your teens?! What if you are a casual family and don’t really “dress up” but would still like to look good for pictures? Well, it’s simple. I tell people to choose their fave 3-4 colors and go from there. Today is all about blacks, grays and reds. Three simple colors and as you can see, nothing is over done below…everything is still really casual. When I say to add “layers and texture” I mean with simple things like a shirt under a different colored buttoned up shirt….necklaces…buttons….doing different patterns rather than all sold adds texture..! Just because you have a color scheme doesn’t mean everyone has to show up in the exact same plain shirt to match! And as you can see, the reds aren’t all the same. Some have a little more pink in them and the grays are different too. Easy to keep it simple, yet still look great!

Okay, so I had the wonderful idea come to me today! A recent client of mine, Audrey Mann, excepted my friends request on Facebook (which btw, feel free to come be a FAN of Melissa Davis Photography..I love me some fans!). I, of course, was checking out her profile, because I’m snoopy like that, and saw a link she had to a cute little Etsy shop called AUDZIPAN. This is when I came up with my fun idea to do client spotlights for those who are like me…being creative and trying to make a little extra money for their families. So my first spotlight goes to Audrey!

audzipan design {screenprinted lovelies by audrey mann}

1. Where did you come up with the name “Audzipan” for your Etsy store?
“Audzipan” is a nickname I acquired in college. Simply put, it is a mixture of my name, Audrey, and marzipan, the almond paste. My roommate had a friend named Mariah that she called Marzipan, so it just got transferred to me and adjusted to my name.

2. Where do you find your inspiration for your designs?
A lot of times my ideas come to me a while after I start thinking about them. I see something that I really like, and it’s like my unconscious mind stews on it for a while until it just comes to me.

3. how did you get started making your craft?
I got started screenprinting after I had my baby and finished college, but I have always been doing some art or craft as long as I can remember. I ordered a starter kit online, did a little research, and just jumped in! I have a lot of fun with it, and it’s so satisfying when something works well!

So there you go! A little bit about Audrey and her fun designs! Go check out her Etsy store! Audzipan!

I’m sure these cuties look familiar right? They are my good friends little ones and I am lucky enough to get to photograph them often! They crack me up because they are at those ages where 1. they don’t want to be in pictures 2. they for sure don’t want to be in a picture TOGETHER and 3. they just don’t want their pictures taken period. lol. You’d never be able to guess that though! and that’s what’s great about getting your kids pictures taken. You come to a photo shoot, kids are running around…crying…hitting….etc, but when all said and done…you get pictures like these and are able to enjoy those cute little faces!! For those of you on the fence about last minute fall sessions, I’ve still got spots open, so don’t miss out on your chance!

Alright, here we are again for a Fashion Friday! Everything today comes from American Eagle Outfitters. I love AE and have for many years. I’m not a fancy, dress up short of girl. I love their causal, yet trendy looks.  I love that they now have a line for kids called 77kids which means you can shop their for your whole family for pictures! YAY!  Again, taking a color scheme you love (I puffy heart blues, greens and grays!) and adding layers and texture really pulls together the whole look and looks GREAT in pictures!