Filed under: Business | Tags: full circle, minturn, photography, soul, wild blue bug
It seems I had spent the last year and a half doing everything but photography and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. Sounds a bit cheesy to me to say that my soul felt empty, but looking back now I see the void.
Don’t get me wrong though, the last year has been great! I got married in June (on the Summer Solstice) to a handsome, hardworking man whom I love to pieces. I also started working part-time as the Executive Director for a non-profit last March. This new position has invigorated me! And I feel like I’m actually making a difference in the community. It was this position that became the catalyst for my returning to my passion, photography.
I had an idea of doing a Minturn Mutts Calendar (mountain town = lots of dog owners) when I first moved here. Photography was still fresh on the brain. But I put this project off for other things. I reignited the vision as a fundraiser for the non-profit and was turned down. I had done all the work for it. Just didn’t have the means to execute. This project continued to eat away at me…I knew it was a good idea, I just didn’t have the extra income to support it upfront. So I brainstormed ways to earn some extra income and decided I could do some photography on the side. And it worked.
I contacted a property management company about doing photos of their properties at a reasonable fee. And it worked.
My photography confidence must have been showing again because shortly after I booked a local job photographing a business. The photo below is from this session. It’s my full circle.
I’m now beginning to book into 2012 and am looking into opening a storefront! My plate is full, my soul is full.
'the open space' in Minturn, Colorado
Filed under: Business, Getting Started, Ramblings | Tags: house, ignite vail, job, maryland, minturn, mobloggy, photography, radio free minturn, rental, social media, vail, wild blue bug
So it’s been a little over 6 months since I moved from Maryland to Colorado and challenging to say the least (family sickness, getting sued (we won), crazy snow, new debt, etc.). I have not officially started up the photography business again, however, I have been taking photographs for money. Does that makes sense?
After a recent inquiry for a couples portrait session, I was inspired to check-in to let you know what I’ve been up to!
I met a really cool gal named Rebecca (@rebeccaruck) on Twitter before I even moved from Maryland. She was really helpful in helping me get my bearings in the mountains of Colorado. We hit it off (though I think she gets along with everybody) and she invited me to help her with her social media & internet marketing business called Mobloggy. It’s been fun and the extra money has been awesome. Ideally, her business will continue to grow and there might be room for a full-time job with her. I like social media and the creativity behind it. It has been fun doing some product photography for her business as well.
In the meantime, I have realized that I needed to complete my degree (completion this month! with a BS in Liberal Arts). Though I love working with Mobloggy, until it’s steadier work, I need to keep my options open for full-time work that will pay the bills once my alimony is up at the end of June. TMI? 🙂 Well, I consider myself an open book. Just check out my Twitter account to see that 😉 (@wildbluebug). I have thought about marketing the photography business full-time, but I have not yet landed on a solid decision. … Something to do with turning what I love into full-time employment that makes me worried I’ll start looking at it differently.
David (my fiance) is very married to his job so our first goal is to stay in the area. The rub right now is an existing mortgage in Maryland and slim-pickings on employment in the Vail Valley for me (local paper had 43 total jobs posted). I hear a lot of ‘locals’ have an extra job to make ends meet. Though winter has been a new experience for us (I truly understand the meaning of winter doldrums now)…I think we’ll know what to expect next year and can plan for a plow to dig us out of these feets of snow and I can prepare to not have easy access to my family in Denver during certain months of the year!
For now, it’s just a matter of finding a renter for the house in Laurel, Maryland and a decent, steady income for me before the end of June. Here’s my resume just in case! 😉 And yes, I’d love to take your photographs for a small fee.
Oh! Almost forgot to mention that I’m still one that likes to have a lot on my plate (sometimes against my better judgement). I am a volunteer DJ at Radio Free Minturn (Wild Blue Bug’s Lunch Ladies) and I have started an Ignite Vail project that has recently been accepted by KickStarter.com (luckily I have help with this project). I am still the Vail Photography Examiner but have put that on the back burner lately. I need to have some fun even if my stress levels are reaching a new high…and to me, these side projects are pure fun.
Until next time…
Cheers! –Jodi aka Wild Blue Bug
Once Upon A Time I was the photographer for Ignite Baltimore
We haven’t found a place to live yet! In the meantime I’m trying to get out to explore the area. This past Friday was the Eagle Farmer’s Market. A great reminder that the area is not only a resort community but part of the West with farms, cowgirls, and the great outdoors. I bought items homemade in Colorado: cherries, salsa, apple pie, cheese, and bread. I’m hoping to explore the Vail Farmer’s Market on Sunday. Here are a few shots from the Eagle event at their local park.
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- Cowgirl with a horse
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- Cherry Delight
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- Fresh Foccaccia
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- Walking Stick Stare
Filed under: Business, Ramblings | Tags: baby, colorado, dad, edwards, facebook, kisses, moving, photography, session, toes
Life is crazy but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Just learned a week ago that my boyfriend, David, got a transfer to Avon, CO. He asked me to go with him.
The crazy part? He starts work on June 14th…giving us only 2 weeks to pack up our lives in Maryland. Well, here I am with 1 week left and I have yet to pack one box.
I am having a packing party this weekend. So tomorrow will be spent getting boxes and buying some food and drink as rewards to my awesome help!
I’m not sure what will happen for me in Edwards but I am optimistic that I will find my niche and love it.
The hope is that I will be able to continue my photography business out there…and maybe, my dream, of opening up a storefront in time for the big tourist season.
Here’s hopin! I’ll keep you posted here for now…or visit me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/wildbluebugfan
p.s. I edited my last Maryland session today. Made me a little sad…but here’s a peek at what made me smile during the processing.
Filed under: Uncategorized
3 hours, 3 outfits, 12 free wallet size photos, only $150
Seniors
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: gift certificates, holidays, portraits, sessions
Portrait Session Gift Certificates now available HERE. Custom gift certificates available upon request. Visit us at www.wildbluebug.com
As seen on Examiner.com here
It’s sometimes easier to take a photograph of someone else. You can normally see the beauty in others but not always in yourself. All deep thoughts aside, here are some ways to improve your self-portrait.
Lighting – consider using one light source. An open window can shed some lovely light on your face. If you have studio lighting, point the light at a 45-degree angle and face forward. This will create a “hair light” and create dimension on your face.
Angles – there are sometimes parts we want to diminish. Larger nose, face forward. Round faces bring your head down and center your eyes on the lens. Large foreheads, face the light, and turn your head to the side and bring your chin up. Double chin, look up into the camera or bring your head down, center your eyes on the lens and jut your neck out slightly, shoulders down. Head tilts are cute, just don’t over do it.
Tripod – holding the camera in the mirror may seem like the easiest way, but consider setting the timer on your camera or using a remote shutter release. Don’t have a tripod? Create a steady high place to place your camera. A stack of books works wonders.
Smiles – most people look better when they smile. If you are shy about your smile, smile with your eyes. Give the impression of a smile. Open your mouth slightly, and give just a peek of teeth. Chap stick please!
Eyes – it’s a personal preference. Looking off into the future or down at your toes to appear more introspective is great, just make sure your eyes are clearly visible. Catch the light in your eyes. Look directly into the lens. This will help give more emotion to your photograph.
Shoulders – Relax. Relax. Relax.
Put a mirror in front of you on the other side of the camera if you are still having trouble. For added fun, angle the camera towards the mirror and take a photograph of the mirror with you in it. Just make sure the camera is not in the frame.
Barbie, Fort Meade, MD
Filed under: Business, Getting Started | Tags: critique, examiner.com, photography
As seen on Examiner.com
You don’t have to know a lot about photography to critique a photograph. When you visit a museum you know what moves you in a painting even if you can’t identify the type of brush stroke or paint used.
Photography is also subjective. So in order to give a worthwhile critique of someone else’s art be sure to have the desire to help honestly and constructively. It also helps if you have at least one functioning eye. Poor presentation can take away from the photograph, so be sure you are evaluating on a decent monitor, projector screen, or print.
Any skill level can critique. There are some words and phrases to avoid a poor critique. For example, “hate”, “yuck” and “eww” would not be appropriate. Basically avoid saying anything you wouldn’t want said to or about your favorite thing/person in the universe.
There are also some phrases to avoid unless you expand on them. For example, “I like it”, “that’s good”, “very nice”, “holy cow”, “I don’t like it”, “It’s alright”, “not my taste” and “oh, cool” won’t help the artist improve. Instead of just saying, “I like it,” tell the artist why you like it.
Even if you are not technically equipped to evaluate the light or if the artist followed the rules, there are questions you can ask yourself that will help you expand your feedback beyond “that’s nice.”
- How does the photograph make you feel or think?
- Direction of Attention: What do you see first in the photograph? The right thing?
- What do you like? Dislike?
- Color: Was their choice to use or not use color sound?
- Composition: Does it work, even if they didn’t follow the rules?
- Focus: works, doesn’t work?
- Exposure: over/under? Artistic license?
- Effort: Could they have done more with what they had in front of them?
Start by evaluating your own photographs with these questions. Developing your own set of criteria can also help you remain subjective if you are evaluating multiple pieces. The photo below shows a simple critique form developed for the Creative Exposure Baltimore photography meetup group to aid in a monthly photo contest. Note: the monthly winner will now appear on Examiner.com.
created by Jodi Born
For more info: jodi@wildbluebug.com
Filed under: Getting Started | Tags: examiner, help yourself, inspiration, photo of the day, photography
My inspiration folder on my computer desktop
As seen on Examiner.com…SUBSCRIBE!
As mentioned in “Help yourself to photography”, one of the ways to improve your photography skills is to start looking at other people’s work.
Some great discussions from groups on flickr.com suggest an “Inspiration Folder” to keep poses, composition, and post-processing ideas at your fingertips.
Here are some ways to keep your photographic inspirations ready for use:
- Keep an electronic folder on your computer and label it “Inspiration.” Make sure it’s visible or readily available so that you can add to it the moment you see an image that you appreciate.
- Store some printed copies of your favorite poses in your camera bag to look through before you start shooting for the day to help your creative juices flow.
- Upload the images to your mp3 or portable media player so you can scroll through them easily.
- Add a “favorites” folder in your web browser called “Inspiration” to quickly navigate to those websites, blogs, or photographs that have won you over.
- If you find that you have a large amount of “Inspiration” building up, you can also start to make a sub-folder for every type of photograph (i.e. portraits, landscapes).
Be cautious. Don’t let your creativity be limited by your “Inspirations.” Work to make each photograph you take your own.
Upcoming: Photo of the Week: Featuring a Photo every week on a new topic
Topics will be posted every week and will be available for viewing each Saturday.
Submit for the topic: by Fridays
Include: caption (i.e. location, names, title), artist info (i.e. bio, website, email)
Photo Release: Copyright text will be in place for your protection, any recognizable faces must include model release form with submission.
One Photo will be featured each week with a slideshow of any other submissions (if applicable).
Current Topic due by Friday, May 15, 2009: Charm City
Send submissions and model releases (if applicable) to: jodi@wildbluebug.com
Format: .jpg, web-ready, less than 1MB
I have a new gig as a writer for the Baltimore Examiner online! About
Photography! I’m pretty thrilled!
I appreciate you taking a look because I get paid per
click. 😉 I will be publishing at least 4 articles a week…so please
subscribe and click through every time if possible 🙂
Love,
Jodi
Wild Blue Bug 