On Saturday, a bunch of photogs from around the region got together at my friend Christy Doyea’s studio in Grand Forks. It’s a fun time for us to hang out and have some laughs but also to share the knowledge and techniques we all have with each other. It was and especially great weekend for me. This was my first time working with studio lighting and everyone was such a great help! Thanks to the models that Christy had come in and to all the photogs for being so great! I look forward to doing it again soon!

Here are some pictures from the day.

I sometimes find it hard to expand my own creativity. When doing people portrait work, I get caught up in the moment of trying to get everyone looking good and in the frame, in focus and with good expressions. Sometimes my creative plans inadvertantly get pushed aside. I’ve made it a big focus to remember that I love when I’m not always putting so much effort into posing and making things perfect, that the spontanaity of family moments is really more what I want to photograph. I need to keep myself thinking outside the box and stretching the limits and trying new things. I’m really looking forward to branching more into pet photography and making lasting memories for those family members as well.

In order to help keep me on my toes and thinking creatively and not getting stuck in a rut, I’m participating in Project 365 this year. I’m taking a photo a day and posting it to a seperate blog. Sometimes these photos are just random, other times they are deliberate to capture an important day or event or specifically something that I want to remember. I’m challening myself to work on different angles and focal points and processing techniques. I’m always looking to learn something new and to try new things. And this is also where I get so share a little bit more about me. I can share some more personal aspects of my life and my family and friends without sharing 33 years of backstory!

I hope this project will in turn carry over into my portrait work and bring about exciting changes and unique sessions for everyone. I look forward to the snow clearing and the spring outdoor sessions to begin. I look forward to applying what I learn about myself to images that you can love forever.

I invite everyone to peek in once in a while and see what I’m photographing, to see how I see things through my lens on a daily basis. I try to include a little commentary when necessary. Feel free to leave comments too! Help keep me motivated to actually make it the whole year!

For anyone interested in jumping right in and getting in on the project, visit the blog and read about Project 365 – there is a link in my sidebar. You’ll also find links to other photographer friends also participating in the project.

Please visit my Project blog here. You can also find the link permanantly placed in this blogs sidebar.