Holy diarrhea Batman!

Sorry, maybe you didn’t want to hear that but little man and I are recovering from the nasty norovirus.

Haven’t hear of it? Well it is awful and you don’t want it.

One positive of having noro…I weighed in for Paleo yesterday. I might have lost an extra pound!

I will give my full results after our ceremony on Friday. I will also pray about showing my before and after photos. Eeeek.

Remember my friend Patrice? Well to celebrate Jonah’s birthday, she hosts an auction every year for DebRA. This year I have donated a seat to one of my workshops in either Concord, NC or Augusta, GA. The next workshops will be in the Fall but what a great way to raise funds for DebRA and get your photography learn on! Patrice has other great items on the site up for auction too. Check them out!

Who knew that traveling to Haiti in less than a month would require so many trips to the Doctor, blood work and a trip to the health department (not looking forward to that). I just want to make sure I am not going to bring anything back to the babies! Safety first.

I took my pricing information down…I will have everything back up in a few days but in the mean time if you need information just email me. This is the one time of year that I will revise and restructure. All sessions and weddings that are under contract will remain the same.

Thanks for letting me ramble today friends….a day late.

Happy Wednesday.

Sometimes you need a little photoshop.

Just keepin’ it real.

SOOC

ISO 320

1/3200

2.8

I try to keep all my editing fairly simple. However, little Davidson here likes to just throw his sweet little self around, so I need Momma’s assistance. I don’t shoot with the “I will fix it in photoshop later” mentality but I knew in this case I had to. I am a firm FIRM believer in getting it right straight out of camera!

Here are the steps I took. (I apologize if you know nothing about photoshop…this might be foreign to you)

Adjust curves

Dodge and Burn

I use Jesh de Rox actions and typically set them on a 20-30% opacity

Sharpening

Magic removal of Momma’s arm

Crop

I am no photoshop expert but this is what works for me.

Happy Thursday Friends!

PS. Thank you all for your sweet comments about my trip to Haiti. I will keep you posted along the way.

As soon as I got the email I quickly dismissed it.

I can’t go, we have Dylan’s dedication on the 11th.

I will miss her 1st Birthday

I am waiting on a wedding contract for that weekend

Sure, what an awesome opportunity, it just doesn’t fit my schedule.

Then, the second email came. Another photographer friend sent me the same email. “Did you see this? You gonna go?”

I typed out my same excuses.

I can’t go, we have Dylan’s dedication on the 11th.

I will miss her 1st Birthday

I am waiting on a wedding contract for that weekend

Sure, what an awesome opportunity, it just doesn’t fit my schedule.

That was it.

Until God had images of Haiti slap me square in the face, Oprah style.

She was interviewing Donna Karen (you know…the designer behind DKNY) and talking about the work she does in Haiti and why she fits a trip to Haiti in her schedule at least once every 3-4 weeks.

Those children. Precious children.

I cried at the images and my heart nudged.

The next day I called the office just to ask questions, you know, just research.

I still played the same excuses in my head.

I can’t go, we have Dylan’s dedication on the 11th.

I will miss her 1st Birthday

I am waiting on a wedding contract for that weekend

Sure, what an awesome opportunity, it just doesn’t fit my schedule.

The kind lady on the other end said. “I should tell you that we have changed the dates of the trip to March 12-18 due to travel cost. I hope this doesn’t prohibit you from applying”

Then I played the conversation in my head.

Jesus, your serious. You really have a sense of humor. You know I struggled with the dates so you changed them. 

Ok, so I could apply but they may not pick me.

There are only 20 spots.

Wow.

Your serious, really serious. 

I am really going to Haiti.

As the sweet, very patient, lady waited on the other end of the line I told her that I would send my application in the next morning.

Sent in my application.

Paid $200 for my passport to be renewed. (Thank you Department of State)

Then…Three days went by. Nothing.

Then, a phone call.

“Amber, I am just confirming your full name and date of birth. I just need this to submit for flights and customs”

Does this mean I am chosen for the trip

“Unofficially, yes. But wait for the email.”

Oh the joy. Now where is that email.

It came and my soul danced.

Here are the details friends:

March 12-18th

Cange, Haiti (about and hour from Port-au-prince)

Teaching 5-6th graders photography

I am traveling with our church conference and trip is funded by grants. I am so thankful that a photographer friend is going too! I guess we can add International Photographer to our title, no?

Words cannot express how excited, nervous, anxious I am about this trip. I will miss Dylan’s actually birthday, but we will celebrate early.

I could not think of a better birthday gift than to dedicate my sweet daughter to the Lord, celebrate with family and friends, then leaving to serve children in need.

I ask that you please pray that God will begin to prepare my heart. Pray for safe travels. Pray for peace.

In the quiet corners of my heart, I asked God to help me to be bold with my faith. To use me in situations where I would otherwise be uncomfortable.

I asked and believed.

He answered.

A whopping 189 of you filled out the survey! Holy Moly. I didn’t even realize that many people stop by this little place. Thank you.

Here are the results:

1. 81.3% of you are female. There were a few guys representing. I can tell you that none of them were my hubby. I need to push a little participation out of him instead of just reading. (He only reads to make sure I don’t talk too cheesy about him)
2. 50% of you are between the ages of 30-39. Yeah for having a young audience! I have a few folk in the 50′s and up range too. (Hi Mom!)
3. 50% are stay at home moms followed by photographers and small business owners.
4. 61% of you are former clients and the rest of you have heard about my business through Facebook. Oh the powers of Facebook.
5. 50% of you have been reading my blog from 1-2 years and 66% only check when I have a new post. How are you prompted to check the blog? Facebook, twitter, Google Reader???
6. 81% of you enjoy my personal posts or thoughts…This really surprised me. I never realized that voice had any sort of impact. Thank you thank you for listening!
7. What keeps you coming back to the blog?? Here are some of your answers: They humble me. Thank you.

   “You’re a fabulous person with great insight which makes your blog interesting to read!” 

   “You’re just so sweet and your photography is lovely! ”

   “Love you and your talent for writing and photography ”

   “we are friends”

   “enjoyed and learned a lot in the class”

   “I like the feel of the blog. You write as if you’re actually having a conversation. You seem to have a great personality.”

   “I look at you photography posts for ideas for photos of my family. I enjoy your personal updates too!”

   “You have great work!”

   “You are creative and I enjoy reading about your life.”

   “just to check up on you – keep myself up to date and see the great photos and be jealous of them.”

8. What would you like to see added to this blog? 42.6% want more tutorials on photography. You shall receive my friends!! We will start with photography basics and build from there, k?

Paleo.

Everything is going great except, I’m bored. I cook what I know and I am still not experimenting. A friend recently started doing meals through ModPaleo. She is very happy with the meals so far and her kids love it too. I may try a small meal plan just to see if I like it.

I feel though as if my eating/ shopping mentality has gone from one extreme to the other. From a coupon/processed food shopper to organic/ grassfed/ nitrate free hippie. Don’t get me wrong, Brian and I are both happy with our change and are seeing results but Caleb is not happy come dinner time. All I hear is “Can I have a donut? Chips? REAL spaghetti and meatballs? That is NOT mashed potatoes!” Dylan is a champ, she eats cauliflower mash like it is nobody’s business.

Decisions.

The Paleo challenge doesn’t end for another 2 weeks. Will we remain 100% Paleo after the challenge? Probably not. Maybe 80/20. I do miss my cheese. (But thank you LISA for the almond cheese!)

Results so far…

Before Steve unplugged the scale at the gym (GRRRR!) I was down 6 pounds. Inches? I have no idea but my jeans are loose. B, who does not crossfit, has a saggy pants problem. I am so proud of him!

Thanks for the encouragement!

Also, several people have asked what is Dizzy? Well, it is Dylan’s nickname. Her full name is Dylan Elizabeth Herlocker. One day Caleb said Dizzy (a combination of Dylan and Elizabeth) and it stuck. A lot of people thought Dizzy was her real name. Well, now you know.

PS. Don’t forget to take the survey. I will blog the results next week!

First…Thank you THANK YOU to those of you that have taken the time to fill out the survey. Ya’ll are great! Fo ‘real. If you haven’t taken it yet, would you mind?

This past weekend Dylan and I went to Charleston for a girls weekend. This was the first of many girls weekends for Dylan. She is such a sweet sweet soul and I feel so blessed to be her Momma.

Who wouldn’t love this face?

Charleston was absolutely beautiful! 78 degrees in February? We’ll take that!

As Moms we are often the one behind the camera. I promised myself this year to get on the other side of the lens more. You know, so my kids will actually know that their Momma was around! So I set my camera and passed it off to my dear friend Beth. Thanks Boo for these awesome pictures!

On Saturday, we went to the food truck Rodeo. Yummy stuff! And no, unfortunately it was not all Paleo. Oops.

Beth never thought she would be feeding or changing a baby in the middle of Charleston!

Brian Simms, you are a sport and you make that Orbit look good!

Watching Beth and Brian as first time parents was a treat. I remember those days when I did not know what the heck I was doing and if I would ever get any sleep again. I love you both and Grady is perfect.

See, he is perfect. And cute. And chubby. And I squeezed his cheeks too many times.

She is running on a 20 minute nap here. Can you tell?? Yep. She is pretty much happy all the time.

Boo on Facebook?

Nachos aren’t Paleo?

Before heading home for the afternoon, we went to the beach. It was 78 degrees and perfect.

Go Gamecocks!

I passed my camera off to Beth again. Thank you. Thank you.

Pictures don’t always have to be staged and clothes don’t have to match. What matters is the laughter. And memories. And the fact that I am actually in the photo.

Oh yes we did. Poor Grady.

These next series of pictures I set my camera on the floor with my 50mm on, cranked up the ISO and snapped away. I love the noise/ grain, her expressions and I am in the photo again.

They are not “perfect” exposure or focus but I absolutely love them.

I know this post was a little photo heavy and thank you for reading this far! I hope this encourages you to get in front of the camera with your kids!

Happy Wednesday!

Now is the time of year that I like to grow and refine my business so I need your help. Would you take a survey for me? It is super easy and would be very helpful.

Click here. Just a few simple questions and it will help me gather who you are and what you are looking for in this blog.

Thanks friends!

Happy Tuesday!

PS. Come back tomorrow for more on my Mommy/Daughter shoot in Charleston!

A few of my Pinterest favorites for Valentine’s Day!

Having professional pictures on a DVD is great but not so great if you don’t display them.

Canvas prints can be intimidating. When you have a large space, a simple 8×10 print just won’t do.

So where do you start?

First take a roll of kraft paper and measure out a few templates of 20×30, 10×10, 24×36, 11×14, etc etc…(Takes a little bit of time to measure and cut out but it helps for you to see the whole picture.) If you want to get really fancy, you can use black foam core!

Pick out your top 3-4 images (keeping in the back of your mind whether the images are horizontal or vertical)

Start with your largest print and begin to arrange the paper into a collage that fits your style and the orientation of your images (horizontal or vertical). In the example below, my client picked out their top 3 images and we arranged them in a collage that fit their budget as well as had the potential to move or be changed.

I taped the templates using the famous blue tape. Then took a photo.

Using the clients top three images, I used Photoshop to place their images into the templates so they could see a proof of the final product.

It is always better to test drive your gallery!

They decided it was just too much.

They decided to do 2 large images instead so, again, using Photoshop I created another proof.

Now, this is where things can get a little tricky.

If you purchase a Groupon for canvas prints be sure that you have the full resolution files. Canvas prints are stretched around a wood frame so you actually need a 2 inch clearance on each side so you don’t “wrap” an arm, leg, head, etc. Be sure to check with your online canvas company to be sure they proportion your image so nothing gets wrapped!

As the photographer, I have to do a little behind the scenes stretching and adding to images to make sure nothing gets wrapped. You simply can’t just pick an image and order. There is retouching, stretching, even creating more grass or fencing to make sure nothing is cut off.

Once the prints arrive…hanging them can be your worst enemy or your best friend.

Thankfully, someone invented a laser level…

And there you have it.

There are several places around the web that I check out almost on a daily basis or things that I have found recently. I thought I would share…as if we don’t already have enough things going on.

1. Pinterest- seems as if I get a handful of new people following my boards everyday. This site is taking off and I admit that I have been addicted since day one. It is also overwhelming site. All of a sudden I feel as if I am not crafty and my photographs totally sink compared to other people out there. However, I have found awesome Paleo recipes and fun crafts for the kids.

2. Google Reader- I have several blogs that I follow and it is hard to keep up with what you have read…Google Reader keeps everything in place and categorized. Reading through your favorites is easy peasy.

3. Speaking of blogs, here are some of my favorites:

• Dooce- This girl cracks me up. Yea, so it is not the most “clean blog” but her raw emotion and photos of her dogs just crack me up. Thanks Heather for keeping it real!
• The Pioneer Woman- I have met her. She is as sweet in person as she is on her blog. Great photography, great food and her book is great too!

• Southern Savers- This is where I find all the grocery store sales and where I can use my coupons!
• Nesting Place- Sweet sweet Nester! Home decorating ideas on a dime! Also you will see my photographs I took of her family on a lot of her posts!
• The Creative Mama- great site for all things Mom.

4. Digital Photography School- great place to learn some photography basics or you can attend one of my workshops! (I know…shamless plug!)

5. Evernote- I have talked about this before but hands down the best app! I save recipes, shopping list, to-do’s, bookmarks, whatever on here. It syncs with my computer, iPhone and iPad. Love love it!

What are some of your favorite places around the web?