Author: alison@tinyblueorange.com

If you’ve been following along in my journey you may remember this post from back in November.  I had big dreams for my photography and I took a big step to making them a reality. I registered for Stacy Larsen’s LAUNCH weekend. It’s hard to believe that last weekend was IT! I was in Tampa experiencing the LAUNCH weekend.

I have so many things to share about my experience. It was an amazing 3 days. I met some awesome budding photographers, and I learned so much. I need a few more days to put my thoughts about the weekend in order and post what the experience meant to me and how much it helped me grow.

For now, I want to share some of my images from the weekend.  Part of our workshop experience was getting to participate in newborn and family photoshoots.  I can not take credit for a lot of the posing in these shots, but the camera work and edits are all mine.  I am really proud of these shots and am excited to be able to use these in continuing to build my portfolio. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

I must say this photography journey has allowed me to connect and reconnect with some awesome people. Like Leigh and her new fiancee Mark. Leigh and I have know each other since the 7th grade.  In middle school we were both a part of our school’s “Poetry Club” where we became great friends and artistic companions. Then when high school came her family moved a town over and we really lost touch. A few years ago we were reunited at a mutual friend’s wedding and now with the invention of social media we’ve been able to stay connected via Facebook.  Last year after I started my 365 photography project she decided to also take on the challenge as well and we’ve been following each others photography journeys all year.

When Leigh contacted me in February to A) tell me she had gotten engaged and B) ask me to shoot her engagement photos I was absolutely overjoyed and flattered! Leigh and Mark got engaged very recently (Valentine’s Day in fact!) and are planning for a lovely fall wedding in October.  They met in law school at Washington and Lee and are both building their careers in the Northern Virginia area.  For their session they wanted the charm of a campus like Washington and Lee but without the drive back to their old stomping grounds. The Old Town Leesburg area seemed the perfect fit for their photos and we had a fun morning walking the Leesburg courthouse and surrounding streets.

Leigh and Mark were great sports coming out early on what was to be the first “warm” day of March. Little did we know how windy and cold it would still be at 9:30 in the morning. They were all smiles though and we got some great shots, even playing up the “law” theme during our session! The cold also gave these two love birds the perfect opportunity to snuggle and keep warm on the brisk morning.

Thank you so much Leigh and Mark for trusting me with your engagement photos.  I had a great time with you guys, I hope you enjoy your preview, and I can’t wait to get the rest of your photos to you soon!

I have been waiting on pins and needles all week to make this exciting announcement. Now that the LAUNCH workshop is over I am more motivated and determined as ever to get my business off the ground successfully.  And my workshop gave me the tools I need to get where I want to go.  But I need to round out my portfolio a bit more to help me get there. With Spring right around the corner I know many of you are beginning to think about investing in some new family photos. And I would love to be the one to help capture your memories.

For a limited time I will be waiving my session fee and offering 50% off my print, album, and collection pricing to those of you interested in booking a maternity, newborn, child or family session. All I ask is that you’ll sign a model release allowing me to use the images from our session to build my portfolio and use on the web in my promotional materials.  I will provide you with 3 web ready images to share online with friends and family. You will have no print ordering minimums and you’ll have the option to order or not once your images are edited and complete.

I have recently made some changes to my pricing and you’ll now find on my website that my session fee is $150 and my print prices start at $25 with collections starting at $550.

Please get in touch soon if you’re interested in booking me for this fantastic special and want more information on my complete price list.  My weekends are limited and I want to make sure to get your session on my calendar as soon as possible. I am so excited for warmer temperatures, green grass, and blooming trees and flowers. And, I would love to get out in the beautiful Spring weather with you and your family and make some amazing memories.

NaBloPoMo Daily Mitzvah: The Calmer and I have a daily Monday tradition of eating at a favorite local Mexican restaurant. I wasn’t feeling the Mexican food vibe tonight, but decided to go anyway to make my Calmer happy. I know he was looking forward to that meal all day and and I did not want to dissapoint him.

In other news…

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a photography workshop with Northern, VA wedding photographer, Kate Headley. I have been excited for this workshop since the day my mom forwarded me her information from Daily Candy. Targeted toward woman photographers looking to capture fresh, bright, original images i knew her style would mesh with mine.  Her work is inspiring, unique, and creative. I could seriously stare at her images all day!

Kate didn’t disappoint with her teaching either. Her style is intimate, laid back, and interactive. I arrived yesterday at the Athenaeum in Old Town Alexandria to a round table style room of about 15 other woman photographers. The Athenaeum was just lovely! Home of the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association it was the perfect venue for this session. Surrounded by inspiration and lots of available light, we were good to go.

We spent the initial part of the workshop in brainstorming ideas and giving introductions.  Then we really got down to business discussing some of the important technical aspects of photography such as ISO, aperture, shutter speed, and composition.  However, the best part of the workshop was the final 30 minutes. Real world application time.  We were broken into groups based on camera model and then given a scenario and props to shoot.  It was a time to think outside the box, mix and mingle with other photographers, and use what we had just learned.

Our scenario went something like this:

“Your cousin is about to celebrate her sweet 16 with a party and would like her dress photographed like a wedding dress.”

The dress we were given to shoot was just gorgeous!

I must say, I love that it matched the Athenaum perfectly!

lovely details.

fun framing.

All in all the session was really beneficial. It was a pleasant afternoon spent with other photographers with the chance to get in some quality practice time.  Kate was open to questions and gracious with her sharing of some really useful tips and tricks for aspiring photographer like me.  I really hope Kate continues to offer workshops and develops some new ones. She was an engaging and knowledgeable teacher and  I’d love to have the chance learn more from her in the future!

Growing up I struggled to find my niche. I dabbled in the arts (music specifically) but could never achieve to the level of my peers. I never did sports. I was a bookworm but that wasn’t very exciting.  I lacked passion and I hungered for it. Somewhere along the way though I think I lost the hunger. I thought aspects of my life were passion when they were really passion disguised.  Now passion has found me and I know.

Photography.

That’s my passion. So strong that the passage of time seems timeless. Photography is my escape, my muse, my inspiration.   Doing whatever it takes to learn.  Achieve the standard needed to thrive.  My mind is swimming with new ideas, dreams for tomorrow, hopes for the future. All the time. 24 hours a day.

I dream photography. I eat photography. I sleep photography.

When I am taking pictures everything else just seems to fade away.  I am in the zone. in the moment.  Every moment is one to cherish.  I am thrilled I able to capture and share moments of my own through this blog.  I am honored and humbled to be asked and entrusted to capture the moments of others.  Thank you to my first clients of late 2009.  I imagine Bella is somewhere smiling because my passion has been realized.

Have you found your passion in life yet?  Tell me about it.

NaBloPoMo Daily Mitzvah: Today’s mitzvah is a secret I wish to remain my own, but it was one that filled me with happiness.

Kristina is roommate at work. We’ve only know each other since August but I really feel like its been much longer. Laid back, friendly, funny, she’s an awesome person to share my office with and talk to everyday.  I also must share what an amazing support and a sounding board  she was when we lost Bella. Kristina had only known me for one week at that time and she was there to simply listen, let me talk, and share whatever I was feeling at the time. It was JUST what I needed and I am not sure she realizes the importance of that so I want to publicly thank her here.

Now onto the fun stuff.

Kristina requested some pictures of her two awesome kiddos Callie and Carter and I was thrilled to come do them! After one cancellation by me and one mutual cancellation because of the weather we were finally able to connect. And I was finally able meet her beautiful baby girl Callie born in late October.  Kristina and I were ready for photo fun, but Callie had other ideas. Being naked, cold, and manipulated was definitely not on her agenda and there were tears! Lots of tears. I felt so bad, but fortunately mom was there to soothe her and wipe the tears away.

After some quality time with Miss Callie, it was time to go pick 2 year old Carter up from daycare. He was thrilled to see his mom, thrilled to be outside, and thrilled to meet me! Carter was not shy around the camera and said “cheese” like a champ.

After the daycare pickup Carter also insisted that I watch him play the piano. Future Mozart?

Thank you Kristina for letting me into your home to interrupt the flow of your day.  Your children are cuties and I was glad to be able to capture some great moments.  I hope you enjoy your session preview, the rest will be ready soon!

NaBloPoMo Daily Mitzvah: Only one Cherry Coke Zero left in the fridge tonight. I let my Calmer drink it. He needed it tonight more than me.

Today is a post and run kind of night. A night where NaBloPoMo is kicking my butt. I wish I had more energy to share our mitzvah from today. It’s one I’ve been waiting to do for awhile. But it wore me out, left me exhausted, and you’ll just have to wait until tomorrow to hear all about it.

Today its been 3 months.  If you’ve ever lost a child you know that the pain felt is one you’d never wish upon anyone else. Ever. It changes you. It changed me. After losing Bella the emotional roller coaster ride was scary. it was long.  it was intense.  Actually, I’m still on that ride. I don’t think I’ll ever get off.  But I do know time is on my side. She is the greatest healer. She is helping me find joy, even small bits each day.

The Calmer and I have been looking for ways to remember Bella during this holiday season. A  few sources left a lasting idea. Adopt an angel.  The Salvation Army places Angel Trees in stores throughout the holidays where a person can adopt a child of any age for the holidays and buy them gifts when their families simply do not have the means.

I should be 34 weeks pregnant this week and we should be shopping for our own little one. Instead, yesterday we went shopping for a 1 year old Angel who needs us. Needs holiday joy. Tonight we will be delivering the gifts to the Salvation Army.  And this mitzvah is healing me. bringing me comfort. and joy.

Today I had the awesome job of capturing photos of my friend and coworker Lis and her husband Chris’ awesome little man, Harper.  Harper just turned 6 months old, and oh my goodness he is the cutest little chunker ever!

Happy, smiling, and talkative all morning he made my job too easy.  I definitely was not sure where to begin with picking my favorites to show you from our day together.  I had too many. But one thing is for sure.  It’s easy to tell he loves his mom, dad, and furry siblings. And they all love him too!

We also got Harper dressed in his holiday best and spent a good deal of time gearing up for the holidays, sitting by the Christmas tree, and inspecting the presents. Harper thought the presents were serious business!

Before leaving the whole family went out for some fresh air. I just love Harper’s snow suit. The fur around the hood is too adorable.

Lis and I work at the local elementary school together and she is an amazing teacher, but she has blossomed into an even more amazing mom. (Chris, you’re an amazing dad too!).  I really enjoyed getting a sneak peak into your day and I am so happy you asked me to capture your little guy at 6 months.  I really hope you enjoy your session preview and I’ll be getting the rest to you soon!

It’s been a busy season this year in our household! I started my holiday shopping months ago, but I am still no where near done. And now it’s a race to the finish. I must admit I am starting to stress. (just a little…)

How are you all doing with your shopping? Are you done yet?

Now that the date is creeping up faster and faster I am going to make a excellent shameless plug suggestion for your holiday gift giving this year.

Why not give the gift of photography by purchasing a Bella Rose Photography gift certificate for your loved ones? Available in $50 increments these babies are valid for up to 1 year after purchase and can be used to for a session booking or for ordering prints.

Who doesn’t want the gift of memories?  The gift that keeps on giving for year to come? And the best part?   The certificates can be ordered via email (with payment through Paypal) and mailed out to you the very next day. Just drop me a line at bellarosephotographs@gmail.com to get your order started. No holiday crowd to mess with, no busy parking lots, no stress!

That’s the way I like it!

Happy Holidays!