So…after many more requests for another Basic Photography Workshop…..I have been able to plan a third “Basic Photography Workshop.” Read further for what’s taught and how to sign up. I am only taking limited registrations ~

What ~ Basic Photography Boot Camp **open to anyone!

When ~ Friday, January 23rd 7p-9p & Saturday, 24th 10a-6p

Cost ~ $175 *includes snacks, drinks, lunch, and a workbook.

Register ~ Seating will be limited for the quality of instruction to 10 attendees only. If you would like to sign up, please pay the workshop fee under the payment tab up above listed as “January Workshop” You can pay with any credit card or through paypal. Once I receive that, I will send you a confirmation email will forward you the sign up form that you will need to fill out.

Instruction ~ We will go over basic photography principles about lighting & placement. You will learn how to use your camera and you will be able to shoot in manual by the time you leave! You will also have a chance to watch me shoot and will practice on a few guest subjects as well. You will also be shown beginner to intermediate techniques in Photoshop and other editing programs. It doesn’t matter what type of camera you have, you will still learn how to use it! I will also be giving you a workbook including a majority of this information and a cd of some basic photoshop actions & textures.

Please let me know if you have any questions about the workshop in the comment box below…that way we don’t duplicate any questions…and if there are any previous attendees that would like to comment on their experiences, feel free!

So…yes, GR has a little bit of snow!!!! This was actually the weekend it all started…. so we did some in the studio and some outside…I actually am in love with the results of this session…I did 3 sessions that saturday…all a combo of in and outdoor…more to come! I cannot wait to shoot your wedding, you two are just …oozing with authentic emotion…love that! Here are a few of my favorites from your session!

Movin right on…another gorgeous couple!!! You can feel the emotion in their pictures….they had so many, it was hard to choose! Thanks so much to Ryan Prins…he shot this wedding with me..and did an mazing job. The cake below here is from the lovely SWEET CAKES….about half of my cakes this year have been from them…and they are amazing and taste delicious!! I have also bought two birthday cakes from them as well…check them out for your next event..you won’t be sorry…trust me! (tell them I sent you!) Here are just a few of my favorites and the link to their slideshow **click here**

So, I just finished submitting photos for the Michigan Heart Gallery. I have blogged on this before, but will take any opportunity, to talk about it..so here goes! This is a modified excerpt from last years post…

As many of you already know, our oldest son was adopted through foster care. We have had several other children in out of our home, from 2 days to 14 yrs old. It IS a tough job…I’m not going to sugar coat that, and the rewards sometimes are never seen. But I truly feel we all have been called to take care of these kids…in one way or another. We still have continuing relationships with two of our old “foster” kids, even though they have returned home. **shout out to CRYSTAL** Some are making great choices, and others…our heart aches for them, for fear of seeing them repeating the cycle. Still, we are honored that God has allowed us to be apart of their lives in whatever way we can.

My point…the Michigan Heart Gallery exhibit that is made yearly, is in it’s 4th year create awareness of all the children that are up for adoption, and travels the state on display. Just in the state of Michigan, there are at any given time, 4,000 kids…. that are waiting to be adopted in the foster care system. Only a little over half of those ARE adopted. There is also a video put on by MARE that you may need kleenex for **click here** If you would like to see this years gallery gallery, I will post the schedule when it comes out.

I helped photograph one child this year and one family who adopted on of my girls from last year!! How exciting is that!!! **and that family told me that another that I photographed was adopted as well!! Photographers, consider volunteering next year….it’s a 20 minute session…and they only need one picture, but I end up proofing around 15….just email them if you are interested.

I can’t post this years pics until the gallery is published, but, I can post one that Nacole’s dad wanted to take of the two of us after we finished…I think he did a great job! thanks to MARE and the heart gallery for inviting me to a be apart of her story….

These two were so adorable…and their friends and family were amazing. Their wedding was in Bay Harbor…which the was the most adorable little area. Check out their fabulous details and their logo…which was evrywhere….and there was no wedding planner..it was Abby and her familyt and friends…GREAT JOB! This is a GIGANTIC display…but totally worth the view! **their slideshow**

Wow! I’ve been editing weddings like crazy, that I haven’t had time to blog them…here is the second day of their celebration…again, beautiful couple, gorgeous details…colorful flowers, and an incredibly detailed cake! Enjoy!

Seriously…I need to apologize. All the sessions I thought I would have proofed by the end of the weekend….are going to be delayed. Not only were my children and myself included sick the whole week…and I’m not just talking fevers and laying in bed all day..that would have been a cake walk…I’m talkin’ ALL the other stuff too….yea – you know what I mean….

Now, in some small way, I am glad it happened this week and not the week we will spend with family at Christmas…because that happened 3 yrs ago…and everyday we woke up someone else had it…overlapping a few days ( I never got it) we even had a large metal bucket that was thrown out at the end of that week…because everyone had used it..it was metal… We could hear it upstairs….someone running …then the metal bucket clanking on the floor….then followed by a flush…I can laugh about this now as I write this..hystericaly actually…it really was a “family vacation” movie situation.

All that to say, on top of all of that, my laptop (my main editing machine…) screen stopped working on Thursday…and I had to bring it to the apple hospital. Great news! They can fix it in store – yea! …except it will take 5-7 days. I tried to bribe the apple genius…with a large tip to get it done early…no luck. I do have my desktop, but it is 3 times slower….and is soooo frustrating to work on. But I will be working my but off as soon as they return it to me! I apologize…but this error, was actually not my fault! – just apple’s.

Thanks for understanding! **I will have time to blog a bunch of weddings that I’ve finished, but haven’t had a chance to blog….**

This is Katie & Gordon, Gordon is the brother of one of our best friends (Andy & Marcy). Marcy & I just drove to Lansing to photograph their two newest cuties on Sunday afternoon. Katie also owns a bridal shop in Lansing “The Wedding Bell”. There have been some complications early this morning resulting from her c-section and Katie is back in the hospital. Please pray that the doctors can fix what’s going on and bring her back to full health for her family. Here are a few from Sunday….I think they deserved an early preview. The one where they’re wrapped…was not as easy as it looks…even at 5 days old we were trying not to wake them as we tweaked the fabric. Enjoy!

This session was done in our studio! These little boys are cousins…and the one picture I couldn’t blog was all of them in their Calvin Klein’s in front of the brick wall…apparently it’s their favorite cousin past time already….**side note** BOYS NEVER CHANGE!** Here are a few of my favorites!

…about 2.5yrs ago now, this couple booked me for their first and my first ..belly session, and then went into labor the morning of our session!! Here they are…with baby #2 – and we did get her belly session in this time! Here are a few favorites from their baby session.