I know it can be hard at times.  Children who don’t want to look at the camera, who know their parents are paying big bucks for the session but still don’t want to cooperate.  Or the client who is so shy, timid and unsure if the session will go how she wants.

Never fear!  You can do it!

Here’s how I do it and my thoughts on those clients and your job as a photographer.

Oh, and I love the 3 frames YouTube video stills I’m allowed to choose for the frozen screen shot.  Really?  The other two my eyes were closed and looked like I had food in my mouth…

Diana Elizabeth wants to know, did you watch the game last night?  When Arizona beat Duke?  YEAH!!!

Photography, Video Blogs

It was their senior year of college when Aaron and Autumn met, just months before they were about to graduate from Western Michigan University.  He went downstairs to hang out with some friends in another apartment, and in walked Autumn.  They started dating, and two months in, Aaron told Autumn he landed a great job as an Environmental Engineer in Phoenix, Ariz. and he had to take it.  He invited her with, and Autumn, barely knowing Aaron, trusted her heart and jumped in and moved with him.

The two will be getting married in Michigan in a few months but wanted a sweet engagement session to document this part of their lives.

Autumn was all smiles and couldn’t stop giggling when Aaron would nuzzle her or even just look at her.  I have to admit, I think I said the word “cute” in front of my computer at least a dozen times every 10 minutes.  Congratulations Autumn and Aaron! I had so much fun with you both!

To watch the entire shoot VIEW THE SLIDESHOW!

Make up by Lizzy Marsh.

Diana Elizabeth loves props in any form – candy, garland, even animals in case you haven’t noticed.  They add so much personality and can symbolize so much for a couple.

Engagements

Owen just turned two last month (remember the cutie cowboy?) and he’s never had a haircut.  I mean, why would he with his gorgeous curly blond hair?  Well, mom and dad decided it was finally time, and so off to Kids Kuts in Scottsdale he went!

A little before photo of his “problem” and a few of his cars he brought with him in a line up.  How lucky was he that he got to sit in a car while getting his first trim and watch Thomas the Train on video? Very!

Diana Elizabeth is all about Owen.  He gasped when he saw her and she loves to kiss him on his forehead.  When he smiles, her heart skips a beat.  It’s like falling in love.

Portraits

You’re Engaged! Congratulations!  Let some Phoenix Valley wedding industry professionals give you some advice!

I’ll start.  It all starts with the B word – budget.  Decide what is most important to you – the venue, the planner, the photographer?  Just remember that all the money you spent needs to be preserved and so you need to find a photographer who will make your day look exactly how you want!  And make sure you hire a photographer that you want to hang out with you for 6+ hours!  Happy planning!  Yours truly, Diana Elizabeth

Now’s the time to…

“Schedule your appointment with a personal bridal consultant for the ultimate shopping experience.  Your consultant will guide you every step of the way and make buying a gown so much more special than handing over your VISA.  Uptown Bridal loves our brides and our brides love our consultants.” – Uptown Bridal & Boutique

“Find that perfect hair style that is fitting and personalizes who you are. If it’s a destination wedding, think about something more casual and romantic, if it’s in a church you want it to be more modern but some what conservative.” - Vonn Wynn, Hair Stylist

“Decide what makeup style will complete your look – classic, dramatic, fresh, bold, romantic??? Hiring an expert that is capable of all of these looks ensures that you will be flawless for one of the most important days of your life!” - Lizzy Marsh, Makeup Artist

“Beautify. Book an appointment for your lash extensions. We can help you get from bridal shower through your big day to your honeymoon looking fabulash!” – Leslie Church, Lashology Eyelash Extensions

“Find the decor & style for your wedding scenery.  Look for pictures in magazines, blogs, books that you love and create a “vision book”:  is it classic, minimal + organic, or romantic and whimsical.  Whatever that beautiful look may be, I can incorporate the colors, decor and vision you want for this special day!” – Ricki Uster, La Ricki Design

“Not stress about everything you have to do! Instead hire a planner (like yours truly) to ensure a memorable, stress-free planning experience. You will remember planning your wedding as much as you remember your actual wedding day! A planner will make sure that each and every detail is perfect and that your wedding day is a true reflection of the bride and groom. Hope to meet you soon!” - Ashley Gain, Wedding Coordinator

Diana Elizabeth loves making friends in the wedding industry.  If she hasn’t met you yet, please email her diana@dianaelizabeth.com – she’d love to meet you and know what services or products you offer!

Photography

Be patient, this one is a little longer.  I have a lot to say, and I am attempting to talk slower.

Diana Elizabeth loves her Shootsac and actually needs to buy another cover and will do so at WPPI.

Photography, Video Blogs

Thrilled to see the photo of my bride Diana hugging her younger brother after the ceremony featured in Utterly Engaged’s #14: The White Issue, Tear Jerker mini issue.  Diana had recently moved away from her family in Phoenix to Seattle with fiance Matt due to his job.   As you can tell, her brother definitely loves her and misses her.  I was happy to capture this embrace.  I’m on page 263.

Thank you ladies at Utterly Engaged for including this photo!  I adore your e-zine so much ever since issue No. 1!

Diana Elizabeth remembers the day of Diana and Matt’s wedding.  It had confused her for a bit when every one kept saying Diana.  Then, she realized she was not the bride and it was not her day so she could ignore her name for 8 hours.

Photography, Weddings

A review of one of my favorite things.

Many thanks to Black Rapid Strap, LaRea Lobdell and Photo Sister for this awesome gift.

For the men, to see the other products Black Rapid Strap offers, click here.

Diana Elizabeth loves all the cool photography stuff that has come out.  This makes her extremely excited for WPPI in February because of not only the classes, but the products at the Tradeshow!! If you’re going, let her know!

Photography, Video Blogs

I would like to give a special hello to my new readers that met me on the Adorama TV interview I did with Mark Wallace.  I appreciate all of your emails of support and compliments, and also your questions.  Thanks for trusting me to give you good advice, I am so flattered!

I figured since it’s a slow day, I would answer some of your questions. Keep them coming and keep shooting!

How do you photograph the pre-wedding activities with the groom and bride getting ready at the same time on their wedding day?  Do you have another photographer with you to catch those special moments?
I always have a second shooter.  I always stay with the bride, while my second shooter (guy or girl) stays with the groom as he gets ready.  That way nothing is missed and they can do their thing.  When the couple does a first look, I concentrate on the bride’s reaction while my second shooter focuses on the groom.  During the wedding ceremony, we rotate all around and make sure that someone is on the bride and groom while the other is getting the reactions of the parents.

I’m a little cautious about having clients come to my home and I see you’re doing this… how has that worked out for you?
I don’t typically invite couples to my home office but it does happen after lengthy emails and phone conversations are involved – even more so when they are client referrals so I know they are friends of friends.  Typically though, I meet my clients at a nearby coffee shop.  I don’t think a day has gone by without me having coffee of some sort!  I’m surprised I’m not jittery.  Yet.

On the to-do list is finding the perfect home (I’m in a townhome now) that has a second door from the outside that will go into a studio/home office so it will divert traffic from going inside the house to where I work and give them a direct entrance.  Still on the look out!

What was the key factor that moved you into going full time?
The key factor was that I had to try to do what I always wanted to do.  This isn’t the first time I’ve done something outrageous like this.  I was one of those kids who wanted to go to college out of state to get away – do the independent thing and get the REAL college experience without mom and dad around.  Then, I moved to LA with no job because I had to see if I could make it in the TV business and I did that, then moved to Phoenix.  I jump and I definitely weigh my options.  I have been wanting to leave corporate for a while and God really answered my prayers and I have decided that corporate is not for me, at least not now. I have to give this a shot for the next few years and so far, it has been incredibly rewarding.  I believe in living life with no regrets.  Remember, corporate will always be there but this time in my life, won’t.  I always think of LeBraun James who came out of high school and signed into the NBA.  He could have done the “safe” thing and gone to college and delayed his career but clearly, he was ready and opportunity was knocking.

How do I get started in shooting weddings?
Ask to second (or third if you are very inexperienced) shoot for a wedding photographer.  Practice, practice, practice.  Let it be known you want to second shoot for weddings. If you need to add a wedding to your portfolio, go to a workshop that does a designed/staged wedding and shoot it.  Make sure you ask before you sign up if you can use it for your portfolio though.  I’ve heard about some that do not and photographer’s didn’t find out until they showed up, which is a huge bummer.

What lighting system do you use?
I shoot Canon and I have a 580EXII and my off camera flash is a 430EXII on a light stand.  I use the Westcott 43″ collapsible Umbrella Flash Kit with Stand (minus the umbrella) for wedding receptions.  If I needed a soft box, I’d use the umbrella like one and shoot through.  However, I’m a natural light photographer so I don’t use a lot of lighting systems.  Though they are cool and I love the way images look, it doesn’t fit my style.

Diana Elizabeth has been on an insane cleaning mode.  She went to The Container Store and spent $150 on containers.  She was OCD Diana all night and it was wonderful.

Photography

Yes. It’s a great publication.  And I’m thrilled.

Diana Elizabeth would like to thank those of you who have prayed for her.  She knows that everything that has been happening to her is not done because of anything she has done but simply a gift from above.

Personal, Photography, Video Blogs

It has been a whirlwind the past two weeks since leaving the corporate world.  Not only has adjusting been interesting, but so has my life.

From an interview with HerExchange.com (feature coming soon) to a video interview by Adorama TV and hosted by Mark Wallace that went up on their insanely popular YouTube Channel yesterday, having a booth at the Arizona Bridal Show, to recently being signed on to shoot for an incredible magazine (you know I’m just teasing you so I can announce it later this Friday), I am rubbing my eyes.  Rubbing my eyes in disbelief, and rubbing them because well, I’m sort of tired.  But don’t get me wrong, I am insanely, ridiculously happy.  Happiness equal to that I had during my four years of college! Now THAT, is happy.

There was a quote that a friend posted as her status on Facebook that moved me.  “Everything you could possibly want in life is right outside your comfort zone.” Well, I am out of my comfort zone.  I was scared, unsure, wanting so badly to leave my marketing/senior designer position I had been at for five years to do what I love.  I tried leaving before.  This was before the economy tanked around the summer of 2006, and before I even took up photography. I had wanted to pursue my web and graphic design boutique full time.  After I saw the economy take a nose dive and sadly see several of my clients close shop, I decided to stay put.  It was just safer and smarter.

The economy still isn’t fantastic at the moment.  But, I still wasn’t happy doing the corporate thing.  Thankfully, God just answered my relentless prayers and eased my hesitation.  He just took care of it all and continues to do so.  Clearly.  Deciding to leave corporate isn’t the easiest thing.  Deciding to work for yourself is scary.  You become so many things – marketing director, accounts receivable, billing specialist, customer service, and whatever talent you are attempting to sell.

I would always get so envious of those that I heard left corporate to do whatever passion they had (most of them photographers), full time.  Jealous.  Envious.  Totally green – and not the environmental kind.

I’m not going to be one of those photographers that pretends I’ve been doing this full-time for a super long time.  Honestly, most photographers are doing it part-time (please don’t all hate me for telling the real world so).  It’s just one of those things you do, just like anything, until you realize you have what it takes to go full time – the client base, the volume of inquiries, the branding, the marketing strategy, and most of all, the guts and support from family and friends.  Actually, the most important thing is that you have a no fail attitude – that you know you will not allow yourself to do anything other than what you love.  Worst comes to worse, there’s always the corporate world to go back to.  That, isn’t going anywhere.

For those of you who followed me over from my other blog, I had written this February 5, 2010:  If you say you’re going to do something that you really want to do, such as a dream, then go and do it.  What do you have to lose?  Don’t be scared of failure.  If you’re convinced of your own character that you’ll be able to turn any bad situation around again (or at least know that trying certainly won’t kill you) then you have nothing to lose.  Only time passes and that opportunity never arises again and you have lost time and a stale dream.

Yes it’s been only fourteen days.  However, in the past fourteen days, I can tell you that the “out of comfort zone” place, is very much, very comfortable.

I sent an email to my Financial Advisor telling him I was rolling over another 401K plan into my IRA.  He wrote me back, and clearly, my dad had recently spoken to him, “Your Dad seems pretty excited for your prospects – go get’em.”

I’m going.

Diana Elizabeth is attempting to strategize her time because her friend Dallin warned her that working for herself would take up more time.  It does.  She is thinking of dedicating specific days to just running errands, doing laundry, and meetings.  However, she is fearful this would make her incredibly anal.  So…

Personal, Photography