Photography Self-Challenge

Anyone who knows me will probably tell you I’m passionate about photography. Anytime there is an event worth remembering, I’ll probably be found with my camera in hand. I’m often begging people to let me take their picture. Everyday, I peruse tons of blogs to learn new techniques, poses and tips. Yup, I’m obsessed.

While I’ve learned a lot in the short time I’ve done photography, there is still something I’ve yet to do — shoot completely in manual mode. I dabbled with it in my photography class this past year, but hadn’t learned it well enough to be confident with it. I’ve been shooting in shutter- or aperture-priority modes for ages now. I’ve wanted to go manual for quite some time, but never quite found the right opportunity to practice it; I’ve been too afraid to do it one an actual photo shoot. But this past Sunday at our church picnic, I challened myself to shoot completely manual. There was no pressure, so I could play around with it and not worry about not capturing certain shots. And I have to say, I love it! You have so much more control over how your images turn out. Not sure I’ll ever go back now! (All of these images are straight out of the camera; no Photoshopping at all)

Here are some pictures of my hubby Tyler at the picnic this past Sunday. Isn’t he cute?

Tyler

 

Tyler shooting skeet

 

Tyler cooling off by the fan

Here are a couple pictures of Elana that I captured that day, too.

Elana on the trampoline

I love the way the sunlight looks in this one, as well as how the fast shutter speed captured the little grains of sand. The lower the ISO, the better color saturation you get in your pictures (thank you, Me Ra Koh!). The faster your shutter speed, the more it freezes the motion.

Elana in the sandbox

Here’s another one that I like because of the splattering of the egg. I made it a little bigger so you could see the goop…

Yolky mess

You can see more of this fun picnic on my church’s blog.

So what challenge are you really wanting to take on but are too afraid to try? I’d encourage you to get out there and try, try and try again. The worst you could do is fail, but every failure is a learning experience. Which means, really, you actually succeed!

 

Majors Family: Sneak Peek

Location: Downtown Evansville.

Family: Clint, Misty and Isaac Majors.

Weather: Muggy, hot and hazy.

Pictures: AWESOME! Aren’t they a cute family? Made my job easy!

Seriously, I had so much fun taking this family’s pictures. They let me do some crazy things with them to experiment with angles, compositions and locations. We were all hot and sunburned after we were done, but I think it was worth it; I couldn’t be any more pleased with the outcome.

Our first stop was at a Methodist church in Evansville that had these amazing stained glass windows. We walked up to the church and Misty admitted she really wasn’t sure the location was going to work. But I’ve driven past it several times on the way home from work, envisioning this very next shot. What do you think?

Majors family photo shoot by Nicole Neff Photography

There were SO many other great shots that I think we’re going to have a hard time narrowing it down. Tough problem to have, right?

(Image straight out of the camera, no photoshopping)

 

Causey Family: Sneak Peek

Last weekend, I went with the Causey family to the Newburgh Lock and Dam to take some fun family photos. It was a hot, hot evening, but we got a lot of really fun shots. Because I wanted to snap a few more group photos of the three, they took me up on my begging to go to downtown Newburgh after church on Sunday to grab a few more. I’m so glad that they were okay with it, because we got one of my very favorite shots. Amy says the image below pretty much sums up her life with two kids. I think a lot of parents can relate.

Without further ado, meet the Causeys: Alyssa, Amy and Grant. Thanks so much, you guys, for putting up with me and having so much fun in front of my camera. You guys are awesome!

Causey family photo shoot by Nicole Neff Photography

(Image straight out of camera, no photoshopping)

 

Having a wedding in 2008? Still need a photographer?

Then you’re in luck! Since I’m dying to do a wedding — and SOON — I’m lowering my price to $550 to two lucky couples who will walk down the aisle to say “I do” before the year 2009. That’s half off my lowest package! Here’s what you get:

• Photography by me, unlimited hours
• Images professionally edited
• A CD of the best color-corrected images (at least 200) with a copyright release
• Highlights from your big day featured on my blog
• Online proofing if you would like to order high-quality photos from me

If you’re interested, go to my web site, fill out the contact page and mention this deal in the comments section. And don’t forget to tell all of your friends and family who may want to take advantage of this awesome opportunity!

 

Free Photo Shoots!

That’s right — I’m offering FREE photo shoots! These can be family, senior, engagement, fashion, business, baby, pet, maternity or any other kind of picture you can imagine (well, almost anyway)! That’s a $200 value for absolutely nothing but the pure joy of spending some time with yours truly!

I have some pretty fun shoot sites in mind, but if there is a place near and dear to your heart, you are more than welcome to let me know. Once I’m done with the pictures, I’ll send them off to be edited and then upload them to my proofing section where you can order however many pictures you would like!* You can even give friends and family members the password to your online proofing site so they can order prints, too. Couldn’t be simpler! If interested, leave me a comment and I’ll get in contact with you so we can set up the shoot.

I did a photoshoot this weekend for my cousin Rebecca and had an absolute blast. These were “just because” pictures since her mom never likes the quality of school pictures. Rebecca and I had a great time laughing, and we even had our own Talladega Nights moments. We found ourselves saying several times “I don’t know what to do with my hands” and then bursting into laughter. Rebecca will be a senior this year, and I look forward to doing her senior pictures. She’s a natural! (These images are straight out of the camera…no editing whatsoever)

 

 

*NOTE: I am no longer offering free photo shoots. However, you can check out my web site www.nicoleneffphotography.com for my current portrait session price.

 

Blogger v. WordPress….who wins?

I’m thinking about switching from WordPress to Blogger. Does anyone out there use Blogger? I don’t really care for the templates on wordpress…they’re too limiting. If anyone has used Blogger and/or WordPress, would you care to give me the pros and cons?

 

A New Photographer to Stalk

Do I really need another? My husband will tell you no. He tells me I may have an addiction to reading about photography. He may be correct, too.

But Andy Biggs is so deserving of being followed. His work is A.MA.ZING. I found out about him through Shoot the Blog’s interview with him. Go to his blog and Shoot the Blog’s interview and prepare to be amazed.

His work would look amazing in my safari-themed living room. And really, the prices aren’t too bad, but by the time I’m able to afford one, he’ll be famous and the prices will be much higher.

 

Some Big News…But Not Just Yet

I have some big and exciting news to share with you all veeeeeeeery soon. There are some details to be worked out before I share, but I’m expecting to deliver the news in the next couple of weeks. So check back often…until then, here’s a clue!

Could it really be so obvious? Surely not, right? Bring on the guesses, except for those of you who are in on the secret!

 

Watch Over Me

The past few days I’ve felt awully lonely. While I know I had Tyler and other people watching over me the entire time, the weekend is such a haze to me. And the past couple days as I’ve battled the pain from dry socket, everybody’s been going on with their life as usual while I’ve been sidelined to watch TV, surf the Internet and sleep. It hit me last night and this morning just how alone I’ve felt. I’ve been longing for true human interaction, without realizing that my God was there for me all along. Through this all, I’ve completely forgotten His promise to love me and watch over me.

On my way to work this morning, I heard the song “Watch Over Me” by Aaron Shust. I’ve heard this song several times on my XM radio, but this morning, the words really spoke to me. I’m posting the lyrics here today just in case someone else could use the reminder that God is always faithful to His promises.

I was lonely
You came waltzing over to me
And Your eyes they saw right through me
And You heard each one of my cries for help
And You came to rescue me
I was broken
Every prayer that I had spoken
Reached Your ears and all my tears weren’t cried in vain
You carried all my pain
And put me back together again
You watch over me in the darkest valleys
You watch over me when the night seems long
You help me to see the way before me
You watch over me; You watch over me
Always faithful
To be leading, at this moment
Interceding for Your children
Though I’ve wandered astray from Your infinite ways
You’ve never left me alone -[to chorus]
Take this frozen heart; awaken me
Never once have You forsaken me
Even though I walk through this shadow of death
You will guide and defend me
You’ll guard and protect me
Even though I walk through this shadow of death
You will lead me home

 

Pain in the Mouth

The past five days have been super trying for me. After getting my bottom two wisdom teeth pulled, I was on the road to recovery. Or so I thought. After a blur of a weekend (hello, Lortab!), I got up Monday and just didn’t feel well enough to go to work. So I called in, thinking one more day should seal the deal. I slept most of the day, slacked off the Lortab that night, and then woke up Tuesday morning with so much pain. But I didn’t want to call in to work yet another day. I dragged myself to work, and on the way had so much pain that I was in tears. I toughed my way through half a day and just couldn’t do it anymore. I came home and went to bed, hoping to sleep it off. Again. It didn’t work after four days of sleep, so I’m not sure why I thought another day would help.

My mother-in-law, the saint she is, called the dentist she works for and got me in to see him. She just didn’t think I should be in so much pain after having so many days pass after having the surgery. And she was right. I had dry socket, and the dentist numbed my mouth again (yes, I cried like a baby) and packed my incisions with clove oil. After it was over, my mouth was numb for a couple of hours, and I’m sure that I sounded like a complete idiot when I tried to talk. But I swear, if I never taste clove again after this is over, it will be too soon.

I’ve not been able to eat much the past five days. I’ve lost nearly five pounds, not that it’s such a bad thing. But I’m craving Mexican food, pizza, and popcorn. And heavens, I love my dog, but she has been so spoiled by having me at home that she has been in my face non-stop. She wants my attention more than I think she wants treats. And she REALLY likes treats.

I guess I just want my normal life back. I want to be able to take care of my husband rather than have him take care of me all the time. Really, he has been so great to me: patient, caring, and loving. I’m ready to get back behind the camera again. I want to build my skills as well as my portfolio. I’m ready to go at this full force. I’m ready to have energy.

Really, I’m not trying to complain. I’m just realizing how extremely grateful I am for my life and the people in it. Sometimes when your not able to do the things you want, you realize just how important those things are.

And since I always love pictures in a blog, here’s a picture of my dog, Lola:

Now, imagine her right in your face about 10 hours a day, and that’s how it’s been for me the past three days. Really, I do love her, though.