Confessions from an (almost) Canceled Photoshoot

Flexibility wasn't something that I was known for about 5-6 years ago. In fact, I was probably one of the least flexible people you would likely come across in your lifetime. However, over the years, I have learned that you can't NOT be flexible while simultaneously holding onto your sanity. From time to time, I get a reminder that flexibility is still something I sometimes struggle with. You know that quote, “Life is what happens when you're busy making plans?” Yeah, well, I despise the person who points this out to me when I'm in the midst of getting worked up, but it's something I need to hear in that moment.

My perspective shifted when I became more laid-back and stopped sweating the small stuff, although it took me a while to see the difference this made in my life because I progressively got better as time passed. When things happen slowly, I don't always notice the changes taking place right under my nose. These days, I don't lose it when I get a flat tire or my car won't start. Instead, I simply deal with the situation in whatever way it needs to be taken care of without allowing my emotions to get in the way. It does no good getting angry about things that are beyond my control!

THE KEY IS FLEXIBILITY

On a recent trip to Jacksonville, FL, my Sister and I were planning to do another Haute Mess Threads photoshoot for the new “Geek Chic” line of aprons she just completed. Even though the shoot we did this past summer was thrown together at the last minute, we were determined not to make the same mistake this go-round. We made calls ahead of time, scheduled a day to do it, and confirmed with the models on availability. Everything was going “as planned.”

It wasn't until the day of the shoot, hours before we were supposed to meet-up that we had to cancel. One of our models, who also happened to be gracious enough to allow us to use the same retro kitchen we used last time, wasn't feeling well, so she was out and so was our location to shoot. We scrambled for other ideas, and attempted to find another suitable kitchen, but many leads fell through for different reasons, unfortunately. We attempted to stay optimistic. However, that optimism quickly waned when we just couldn't make it happen.

OBSTACLES EXIST SO YOU CAN OVERCOME THEM

It wasn't until the day after we planned to shoot that an off-the-wall idea was thrown out there. Now that we think about it it was actually something we thought about doing even before the shoot got canceled. Why we didn't remember it in a pinch; I don't know, but I'm glad that Nicole, our lovely model, helped it resurface. If it weren't for Nicole's gung-ho attitude to make this shoot happen, we might have just let it go. But instead, we decided to improvise and post-up at a neighborhood park to do our shoot outside!

With only a couple of hours to get ready, my sister and I picked up some supplies to use for the photoshoot. The idea was to string up a clothesline and use that as the backdrop, so we grabbed a laundry basket, clothes pins, and twine before high-tailing it to the park. Having only arrived a couple of hours before sunset, we didn't have a whole lot of time to look for the most ideal spot. We used about 5 minutes to find a suitable location that provided the type of light I thought would work. By the time we were finished setting up, our model arrived with her own props in tow that required unloading.

MY ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT

We considered the Haute Mess Threads photoshoot a success, and the three of us actually had a lot of laughs during the 1.5 hours it took to complete. There wasn't a whole lot of time to goof off because our light was quickly fading, so we worked as fast as we could, which presented another set of challenges, but I managed. After finishing the HMTs shoot, there was just enough light left to take pictures of Nicole in the amazing vintage attire she came to the shoot in. Unfortunately, I only had about 10 minutes to capture images of her, but we were able to get some good ones.

If you'd like to find out more about Haute Mess Threads and see her famous aprons, the ESTY shop is now OPEN! Also, be sure to check out the HMTs Facebook page to stay up-to-date and get in on fan-only giveaways! (She's hosting one right now!)

One thing I will say is that I sometimes forget how much fun I have doing a photoshoot. It was far different from the dread I was feeling prior to getting our ducks in a row. In retrospect, I think that my problem was with myself and how I chose to approach the situation. Yes, I stayed flexible and went with the flow, but I wasn't as excited about it as I was the day before when I knew what to expect. It seems as though I momentarily forgot that my ability to adapt has proven itself time and time again, and that all I needed to really do was trust that I was fully capable of making it happen no matter what obstacles presented themselves. Something I need to remind myself of more often.

While I'm shooting, despite any fears that I may experience beforehand, I feel in my element. Like, I'm doing exactly what I should be. It's probably time I stop looking for confirmation that I'm on the right path because every fiber of my being knows this is what I'm meant to do—as cheesy as that sounds, it's true.

What do you think about the results of our impromptu photoshoot and the new aprons?

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Andi & Ryan {Engaged} | Sneak Peek

 

On Memorial Day, I had the opportunity to do a photo session for a newly engaged couple that happens to also be my neighbors. We scheduled the shoot at a nearby trail since both Andi and Ryan are pretty active people who spend a lot of time outside. An outdoorsy session surrounded by lovely scenery was the perfect backdrop for their photographs.

We incorporated their bikes since it's something they enjoy doing together. While it was a bit challenging for Andi to ride a bike with a dress on, she managed to do so with grace (and without flashing anyone). We worked up a sweat moving all over the place. For Boone, it was pretty hot outside, so we stuck to the shady areas.

At the beginning of our session, I asked how lovey-dovey of a couple they were and whether or not they are the type to make out in public. They shyly responded by saying that really wasn't their style. Although I couldn't get these two to stop kissing the whole time! (hehe...I kid) They were adorable and I had a lot of fun with them during the session. Along with lots of kisses, we also had a lot of laughs!

I couldn't stop smiling when I got back home to look through their images. Hope you enjoy the sneak peek of this fun-loving couple!

Wayfaring Wanderer is a natural light photographer specializing in family portraits (including newborn & maternity photography), and is located in Boone, NC. Instead of shooting in a studio, WW has a lifestyle photography approach and prefers to have a photosession in surroundings that you are comfortable in--whether that be in your own home or another location of your choosing. A dedicated photography website is currently in the works, however, if you are interested in family photos to document your life and think that my style will suit your needs, please inquire via email (wayfaringwanderer@gmail.com) or through my Facebook page. 

Iris Leah Photo Session | Newborn (Baby) Photography | Boone, NC

At 15 days young, Iris Leah was wide awake to the world. She has the most beautiful deep blue eyes that never rested for longer than a minute or two. Going into my second (nearly) newborn photosession, I was expecting it to be a lot like my first time photographing baby James, but I was wrong. The fact that she wasn't sleepy changed how I approached the shoot. I was forced to improvise. Thankfully, I'm pretty flexible and so was sweet Iris. 

Unlike my first newborn photosession, where baby James slept the entire time, Iris was alert and really wiggly. Had we been able to do the shoot on the original day we planned (at 10 days young), who knows, maybe I would have had a chance to work with her while she was soundly sleeping. 

Having her awake, though, gave me a whole different set of circumstances that produced an unexpected outcome. And I'm pretty pleased with the result. (It wasn't until the end of our session when I was mostly packed up that she started getting sleepy.)

From the moment I heard the news of their pregnancy, I have eagerly awaited Iris Leah's arrival so that I could capture the sweet new addition to their growing family. Anna and Patrick are my very dear friends and being so closely connected to them made this a special session for me. Seeing them as parents was sort of surreal, but they are naturals, for sure.

What I wanted to take away were images that they would cherish and images to show the love that they share. These people are special to me and I hope that is shows. Thank you to Anna & Patrick for allowing me to come into your home and document this momentous time in your lives. I'm really happy that I was able to do this for them so that they have these precious memories for years to come.

 

Wayfaring Wanderer is a natural light photographer specializing in family portraits (including newborn & maternity photography), and is located in Boone, NC. Instead of shooting in a studio, WW has a lifestyle photography approach and prefers to have a photosession in surroundings that you are comfortable in--whether that be in your own home or another location of your choosing. A dedicated photography website is currently in the works, however, if you are interested in family photos to document your life and think that my style will suit your needs, please inquire via email (wayfaringwanderer@gmail.com) or through my Facebook page.

James Allen Newborn Session {Boone Newborn Photographer}

I've come very close to totally chickening out. While I want nothing more than to share photos from the sweet newborn session I was lucky enough to capture, there is this little voice that is being really critical and mean. Trying it's best to force me into holding back as I sometimes do. It's insane how one moment I can feel quite proud of what I managed to leave the shoot with, and the second moment I'm having doubts about how good they turned out. This going back and forth in my mind isn't allowing me to fully appreciate what it was I actually accomplished.

Quelling that tiny voice isn't always easy for me, but I'm making the decision NOT to let it steer me in the wrong direction. Of course, my first time taking newborns photos didn't turn out exactly the way that I envision, but that is to be expected. How else are we supposed to learn and get better? I realize that with this experience it will prepare me for my next newborn photo session and beyond.

Like with baby James' parent's photo shoot, I took the time to scour the internet for posing ideas. The difference with this would be that props would also be included, and we'd be working inside, but this was the least of my worries. One of my biggest fears was actually handling the baby. Now, I've been taking care of other newborns and toddlers since I was about 12 (babysitting), so it's not that new to me. I can change diapers and feed them with no problems. However, I haven't actually had a newborn model for my camera yet.

At 10 days old, baby James was super sleepy, and it didn't take long for us to get him to the edge, so that I could take over. I sat around and talked with the parents for about 30min while they fed and rocked the baby. It felt like much longer, but when I looked at the time I started taking pictures only 30 minutes had lapsed. By this time, I had already set up the ottoman next to the window where we would be taking photos and picked out the blankets we would use. Big white boards were also placed around to help lessen shadows. At times, Sharon or Mike held a smaller whiteboard when necessary. It was a group effort, for sure.

After the baby was almost asleep, they handed him over to me. At first, I was really apprehensive about positioning the baby on his stomach. The last thing I wanted to do was suffocate the little one! Before I started shooting away, I wanted to make sure that he was good and sleepy, so I waited about 5 minutes after putting James on his belly before going snap happy. I did my best to channel my inner baby whisperer and let him stretch and squirm as much as he needed. It wasn't long before he was out cold!

I really couldn't have asked for the session to go any smoother. The baby slept nearly the entire time only waking up toward the last 30 minutes or so. The only accident we encountered was when I put him on his back, and he proceeded to pee down the front of my t-shirt. It happened so fast, I barely had time to react! We were all laughing our butts off pretty hard, but I didn't miss a beat. This surely won't be the last time I'll get tinkled on!

It was amazing how we could move him and change blankets without the baby flinching one bit. I thought that my luck would run out at any moment, but it never did. He was a perfect little angel! I sincerely hope that Sharon and Mike will be pleased with the result of the newborn photo shoot. They should really be the judge, because I am being way too critical at this point. Seriously, I've looked over the images probably 20 times now. In my heart of hearts, though, I believe that they will love them once they see those pouty little lips and pinchable cheeks. Of course, I want to present them with images that I love too, but, ultimately, they are the ones that I need to win over. Them and the Grandma's :D

It might seem like I may be revealing a little too much of the behind-the-scenes thoughts about I how felt throughout the process, but this is part of my journey. I really want to share in hopes that someone else wanting to do the same might find comfort in knowing that everyone has to start somewhere. I must confess that once I got there and was in the moment, all of the worries and fears I felt prior to the photo shoot seemed to disappear. Now, they did show back up after the shoot, but I had a much easier time dispelling and overcoming them at that point.

Total, I spent approximately three hours from the time I got to their home until I was done taking pictures. That's how long I was figuring it would take from the beginning based on what I read beforehand. It was a great experience working with baby James, and I truly appreciate having the opportunity to capture such tender and precious moments in his life. A big HUGE thank you goes out to Sharon and Mike for believing in me and my abilities to pull this off. I seriously can't thank you enough.

What a cute little smile. It was probably just gas, but I'll pretend it was a smile :D

Related Link:

• Sharon & Mikes' Maternity Session (The Parents!)
• Wordful Wednesday 

Sharon & Mike's Maternity Session {Boone Maternity Photographer}

 

Approximately 2 1/2 weeks ago I had the pleasure of shooting my very first maternity photo session. This was a huge deal for me, especially since this is something I would like to continue to do. I am extremely grateful that my friends Sharon and Mike gave me the opportunity to capture this special time in their lives. The fact that they put their trust and faith in me to do a good job really does mean the world to me. Before I took their photos, I didn't really have anything to show since I primarily shoot nature and travel type photography these days, so they were going off the fact that they like my other photos and believed that I could produce something just as well for them. Just thinking about that makes me all warm and fuzzy.

I did my absolute best to be as prepared as I could possibly be, because I definitely didn't want to let them down. The weeks leading up to the big shoot had me scouring the internet for posing ideas. I even drove by their house around 6pm (the time we planned to shoot) to get an idea of where the light was hitting and what areas around their home we could use for backdrops. I felt pretty stealthy doing my drive-by, good thing neighbors didn't see me passing through three different times back-to-back. The many ideas I generated prior to the shoot were all written down, so I wouldn't forget anything. Even with the loads of preparation I did before the shoot, the worst problem to overcome were my fears of not leaving the shoot with images that they would love.

I reminded myself over and over that I know how to use my camera and that I am pretty adept at how to utilize light to my advantage, but I still felt slightly overwhelmed by the fact that these precious memories were in my hands. I imagined the process step-by-step, how I would guide them, where we would go and I comforted myself with the notion that they would probably be just as nervous as I was. What made the process a little easier was the fact that they were my friends and I already knew them as a couple. However, that still didn't change the fact that I had some major emotional hurdles to overcome.

The night before the shoot, I gathered all my gear, made sure my lenses were clean and my batteries were charged. I planned the following day to be as stress-less as I possibly could, so that I wouldn't be all worked up come the appointment time. Cody was an exceptionally wonderful cheerleader throughout this whole process as well. I'm a lucky lady to have a Cody :D

For the most part, I felt pretty calm and relaxed when I arrived at their home for the photo shoot. Once they were all ready we went outside where I lead them to one of the locations I had scouted out a few days before. I held back with the crazy shooting and really tried to carefully consider exactly what I was capturing before clicking the shutter. Seriously, I didn't want to leave there with 500 pictures to sort through! 

While I may have felt apprehensive about telling them how to pose and where to move this hand or that hand, I definitely found my groove and tried to keep things moving. It was also my goal to keep them happy and laughing throughout the course of the shoot as well. They were a lot of fun to work with, as I knew they would be. I really couldn't have asked for a better couple to work with for my first time.

All in all, I ended up with approximately 14 photos to present them with that I was very proud to share. It was quite an experience to say the least, one that I hope to have the opportunity to do again in the very near future. Even though I over-prepared for this photo shoot, I still learned quite a lot during and after shooting that no amount of preparation could have taught me. My preparation beforehand made things so much easier, though, and I felt like some things could have spiraled out of control very easily had I not done so. It was an extremely scary, but deeply fulfilling experience that will definitely help me going forward when the next person decides to place their faith in me.

I must have done something right, because I was invited back 2 1/2 weeks later to take pictures of their precious newborn baby! The newborn photo session was this past Friday and it went splendidly, too. I'm feeling pretty official since he christened me with his urine. Yup, I got peed on. It was awesome :D haha Newborn photos coming soon (maybe tomorrow)!

Related Link:

• James Allen Newborn Session