BOUDOIR IS BACK...AND IT IS HOT!!

Boudoir photography is back, and it is back with a vengeance.  It's sexy, it's hot and it is anything you want it to be.   And it really IS for everyone.  At any age or any body type, we all want to feel live a diva.

7 Great Reasons to take advantage of our "Unleash The Diva" Valentine's Day Special:

1.  Glamorous and sexy photos help women rediscover their beauty.
2.  Who wouldn't want to spark a little romance with their "significant other."
3.  Seeing the results of how sexy and beautiful you really are is a huge confidence booster.
4.  Let us prove while all women are beautiful, no matter what their age, shape or size.
5.  It's cold outside and it is really nice and warm in the studio, so you can come out of the cold.
6.  It really is fun to dress up (or down) and get sexy.
7.  It is only a few days from valentine's day, and you haven't gotten anything yet for your sweetheart.

Okay, so with all that being said, there really is no reason not to take advantage of our little sexy gift card.
Email us, facebook us, call us, send up smoke signals, but don't pass this one by.

Website, Resolutions, and other Random Thoughts

Well, I got my Christmas orders finished and we embarked upon our much needed vacation at our condo in Myrtle Beach.  We love it the "Beach" and really enjoy our condo here.  We bought it around the same time we bought our commercial property that I talked about in my last post...you know, that place that is now The Studio in the Valley.  Okay, so we may not have the best real estate timing sense, but at least we really love it here in Myrtle Beach, and are perfectly willing to wait this one out until the market turns around...I mean I could think of worse places to wait out a real estate downturn.  

Anyway, part of the plan here is relaxation and getting caught up for the upcoming year.  So it is somewhat of a working vacation. Considering how much I love what I do, working is a relative word.  Besides, the weather has been too cold for golf for the last few days.  First order of business was revamping my website.  I wanted to incorporate more of The Studio into my photography website, and make my blog more visible.  I also updated my gallery. . . so some of my recent brides and parents, look for the updated pics.  You probably made the website.  I would love to get everyones opinion of the reworked site.  I think one of the first thing I do when I get back to The Studio, will be to take a new photo of me.  I am not sure how I feel about my picture on the splash page of my website.  I mean, that is one of the reasons, I am BEHIND the camera!

So here is the splash page from my new website.  Whatdaya think?

Next on my agenda is to actually get my bookkeeping and financial management system in order.  YIKES.  Did I just say that?  It's kind of like starting a diet.  Once you start, you realize it is a marathon, not a sprint.  I even went to a business coaching seminar, and am thinking about using this business coach that taught the seminar. Maybe I will actually find out if I made money this year, and learn to run my business like all my photographer idols say I should.  

Last year perhaps the most influential thing I did was to attend Imaging USA.  For all my non-photographer friends, that is an annual photographic convention and trade show, that is attended by about 10,000 photographers, and is 3 intensive days of seminars and trade show.  I implemented some of the things I learned there and it really changed my photographic life in a huge way.  I resolved then, to attend either Imaging or WPPI (a similarly huge show held annually in Vegas).  I just made my reservations to Vegas in February.  I can't wait.  I also resolve to always learn more.  It keeps me fresh and helps give my work the edge I need to be the kind of photographer I always wanted to be.  There is always more to learn.

So I hope to get back to Virginia, caught up with my jobs (there is always more jobs to complete, even after the holidays), and a little better at golf.   The chances of getting caught up on my work, is much better than improving my golf game however.

In the meantime, I reflect on what a great year this was, and how grateful I am to all of my wonderful clients, for entrusting me with your wedding days, newborns, and  lifelong memories.  I am indebted to you all and totally humbled by your trust and confidence.

I wish everyone a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.  

Pumped up for 2011!

I have always been a the glass is half full kind of a person.  So when the real estate market and the economy went south, and our renter in our commercial Winchester property went out of business, I looked at it as a lemonade out of lemons situation.  There is something else you should know about me.  I am creative, come up with a ton of ideas, and have a hard time focusing sometimes (oooh shiny!).  Thinking things through in a logical order often seems to escape me.   Consequently, I come up with great business ideas, (okay except for a few, like my spending a ton of money to print pictures on chocolate - thanks to my more level headed son for talking me out of that one).  And, once I jump in, I  figure out the business plan.    I am pretty sure that this isn't the best way to do most things.  However, I have a really good feeling about this past year, and especially great vibes about 2011.

Besides having a great 2010 (thanks to all my wonderful clients), things have been falling into place quite nicely lately.   A couple of months ago, a bridal salon moved next door to The Studio.  What could have been better than that.  It's called Bella Bridal, and the owner, Laura Jenkins is a real sweetheart and her place is starting to really shape up.  Check it out next time you come to visit us at The Studio.  The next piece of this whole wonderful "Karma" that seems to be going on is that I met this great makeup artist at a Chamber of Commerce meeting, and now Christy Hurd of You'Nique Chic is going to taking up residence in our studio in Winchester.  We are so excited about our collaboration, and are planning many very exciting events and workshops for the upcoming year.  All we need in our little shopping center is a florist and bakery and we will have our own corner of the bridal world in one place.

So with Laurie and her bridal salon next door, and Christy in our Studio, there is a lot of reasons to be excited about this upcoming year.  I know one thing for sure, I will be putting more miles on the car traveling back and forth "over the mountain", but it is a pretty drive, mostly I use it for staff meetings with myself (maybe I will even develop future business plans first from now on), oh, and I think I have world peace figured out as well.  I haven't abandoned my wonderful clients in the Sterling area, and I will always be available at either location.  The Studio in Winchester is great tho and so much seems to happening for us out there now.  It is very exciting.

I want to take this time to thank all of my wonderful clients and wish everyone a happy and health holiday season.  And to my new friends in Winchester and the Valley, thanks for making us feel so welcome.  As Bogie said to Claude Raines in Casa Blanca (okay now I am dating myself).  Louie, this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR

Bridal Beauty Bootcamp

Ohmygosh!!  I just went to  post on my blog and realized the last time was in October!!  Where does the time go to?  More about that later.  There are things I want to backtrack and update on (like both pregnant ladies in the blog below). But now I want to talk about the event I was a part of today.  Christie Hurd, owner of You'Nique Chic in Winchester held a Bridal Beauty Bootcamp at the George Washington Hotel in Winchester this morning. Christie explained in detailed all the beauty hints and ideas that are ever so important, and that every bride should know.  As a wedding photographer, I can't stress enough how important makeup and hair is to your total look in your wedding pictures.  It's amazing how this is usually one of the last things a bride thinks about booking for her wedding day, and how it truly should be one of the first (of course after the photographer :-D).  No matter how well you think you do your own makeup, the camera really does see it differently, and a makeup artist really does know how to bring out your best for your photos.

Besides giving lots of great information, there were also some door prizes, and one lucky bride-to-be got a complete make-over of makeup and hair.  It was a great trial run for her big day.  She looked so beautiful, we all decided her fiance should be looking for a night on the town tonight.  Can't let the great look go to waste!  Christy did a great job of providing a wealth of information and bridal beauty basic training.  The George Washington Hotel provided the hospitality.  There was food, fun and glamour...what more can you ask for on a Saturday morning.

I look forward to working with Christie on future projects...Stay tuned for more.

Sharing the info

And the winner is. . .

Taking notes necessary to get it all!

All ready for a nite on the town!

Catching up with Friends

I think I love pretty much everything about my job (except calling it a job, how can this really be a JOB?).  I love taking pictures, I love editing pictures, but mostly,  I LOVE my clients and the relationships that develop from being a part of their most important time of their lives.  Building a successful business is part knowing how to take great pictures and a big part nurturing relationships.

I have developed so many great friendships thru my photography.  I know a lot of photographers that decide at some point in their career to focus on only one aspect of photography, either wedding or portraits.  I don't think that I am going to be able to do that...partly because I think that I have a hard time concentrating on just one thing, ooooh shiny... oh yeah, and love that every day brings something different.  But mostly, I love that when my brides start their families, I get to renew the old friendship and become a documenter of their life once again by photographing their newborns.

I know a lot of photographers that say after the job, they just want to move on to the next couple.  Not me.  I don't think it takes my couples very long after they hire me, to realize that they are stuck with me for the long haul.  Maybe, it's that part of my personality that makes them hire me in the first place.  But more on relationship building in another blog!

Yesterday, I got to revisit a friendship with one of my favorite brides  I met Torie, her mom and sister for lunch.  Torie and her sister are both expecting their first baby and I can't wait to take those pictures.  It was so much fun visiting with them all and catching up.  Everyone had places to go and errands to run, to make the most of the holiday off of work.  So we decided to make it a "quick" lunch..Two hours later we were still sitting there and chatting!!  After sharing all our stories and getting caught up we finally had to part ways.  I can't wait for the upcoming weeks.  Torie is due in 6 weeks and her sister Kristen in 2...Yay, babies!!! and Yay friends!

I took this photo outside the restaurant with my iphone.  Someone walked by and said "Oh look a photo shoot!"  Yep!

Blues, Jazz and Love

Chrysalis Winery seems to be the new favorite E session location for my couples.  And why not...it is a beautiful location, has a lot of different shooting possiblities, and you can always grab a bottle of great wine to enjoy while you click away.  I like to get there towards the end of the day to capture the good light, and usually there are just a handful of cars left in the parking lot.  Little did we realize on this day, that they were having their annual Blues and Jazz Festival, and it would be pretty much a madhouse!  The good thing was that we had to park in a make-shift parking lot, which was actually closer to where we wanted to be anyway.  So off we went, pretty much undisturbed by the folks enjoying the music and wine.  Ashleigh and Darin were good sports and very patient with my ever evolving suggestions as to where they should stand and when and how to kiss...yes, there is a way to kiss for photos...not very romantic huh?  But the kissing part usually keeps my grooms happy and patient with all my other silly suggestions.

After the winery, we took a stroll in Middleburg

Ashleigh has a real fresh beauty and it really shows in the photos.  They are such a cute couple and I had a really good time with them.  I am truly looking forward to more good times, and their wedding next year.

Here are some of my favorite shots.  To see more go on my website and check them out in the engagement picture section and log in with your email address.  Also check out the short video on facebook.  If you like my work, please like in in Shelley Miller Photography on Faceook.  Thanks, and enjoy the love!

10 Hints for Shooting Newborns

It happens every time... your client arrives and the baby is sound alseep.  They tell me how she sleeps all the time and thru just about everything.  And then she wakes up...and stays up.  Little Preslei is so adorable, but she wanted to check out everything going on and really did not want to go to sleep.  It was pretty much a marathon shoot, but we had a good time in spite of the time.  I have known mom since she was in high school, and also know Grandmom.  So we had plenty of time to chat and catch up.  Ultimately we also got some really cute pictures in there too!

Not a happy camper...cute but not happy

Each time I get a newborn in my studio, I never know how the session will unfold.  I have had some sessions take an hour or so, and some marathons.  I think besides photographic skills, newborn photography takes patience.  Newborns, cry, pee (Seems to be mostly on dad) poop and throw up.  That's okay, it is what they do.  As a photographer, there are several things you can do to prepare yourself and your clients for your sessions.

Ahhh, finally...but not for long!

1.  Try and schedule the sessions within the first two weeks after the baby is born.  Babies are much more flexible, sleepy and easier to pose.  The are less apt to be disturbed as much when you move them or talk around them.  That fresh newborn time is so short.  When my parents come and pick up their orders about 4 weeks after their sessions, they can't believe how small the baby was and how much they have grown.  It's usually only then that they realize the importance of early sessions.

2.  Prepare mom for what to expect.  Make sure you schedule enough time, so that no one feels rushed.  Explain to mom that all little ones are different, and on any given day for whatever reason, stuff happens, and that is OKAY.

3.  Make sure your studio, or wherever you are taking your photos is warm.  Newborns generally don't like being naked, and the warmer the environment, the happier they will be.  I also suggest that you warm anything you are going to place the baby in.

4.  Ask mom to feed the baby right before they come to your studio, or you go to their home.  A full tummy usually makes a sleepy baby

5.  Patients is a major virtue.  If you stay calm when baby is crying, mom is more likely not to stress out.  I always assure my moms that in spite of how much their precious one is crying, it isn't the worst.  I will usually tell tales of much worse situations and they feel much more comfortable.  Just as a wedding photographer my job is to make my brides day stress free, it is the same way with my moms.

6.  Never let em see you sweat . . .unless it is from the fact that your studio is at around 90 degrees.

7.  Keep laughing.  pooping babies, actually can be quite funny.  . . especially when they are pooping on daddy!  Which by the was is most often the case.

8.  No matter how carefully you follow 1-5, stuff happens and no two shoots are ever alike.  I think that is what I love about my job.  It is always something different, and what's not to love about sweet smelling (well most of the time) adorable newborn babies!!

9.  Repeat number 6...often

10.  Love what you are doing.

10 Rules for