The Start...to Hasselblad

So I said yesterday that I would talk about product photography. Well really this is how I started so I thought I would briefly trek down memory lane. You see about 5 years ago I had a jewelry business where I needed pics for my site and product materials. I had to read and learn about lighting and soft boxes and such. Having the settings down and changing things such as my white balance or shutter well I loved how changing one item would affect the whole look. I adored the model shoot that happened for a magazine once and after that I was hooked. I always loved art and had a creative side to express so when I was found with only a camera to do it…I learned way more…fast forward another year. Back to almost 2 years ago. R was about 16 months old when the three of us, R, B and I, went back to California to visit our parents. Well hubby went back home first and I stayed with R to be with my mom when she had surgery. Two days after he left I got the phone call:

B: Honey how much do you love me?
Me rather hesitant and remembering he had to drive through Las Vegas: “A Lot”
B still hesitant in his voice: “Like really a lot?”
Me: “Yes”
B: “Well the house is flooded. Please don’t be alarmed”
Me: “Ummm okay. Let me know. I am not coming home until we have a house again”

And that is when it started. I had not been working on my jewelry that much at this time…simply because I was bored. I had to sit in a room face the wall and well it was really hard with a toddler/baby always getting into the little beads. I was a bit of an overprotective mother with the items as well. So honestly my passion for it was fading. Well I was stuck in California with my parents for almost 2 months. During those two months I played with my camera and my parent’s way more. My mom taught me how to sew and I took pictures…lots of pictures…I liked taking the pictures.

So when I returned I had a lovely friend who knew a retired high school photography teacher and I met with him weekly for almost 2 months. Russ really encouraged me and well the rest is history…

Where does that go to product photography? Well last night I went up to Ft. Collins to help a girlfriend and her father get set up in what I affectionately named the “Cheap A$$ Lightbox” Seriously for about $40 we had this setup and it works grand. My girlfriend is a fantastic yarn dyer. Oh my goodness if you knit look her up! She only uses natural dyes and is committed to giving back, not to mention she is just fantastic. She is going to send me some pictures that her father took with it. I can’t wait to share. I will ask her to take a pic of the whole setup as well. I did not take my camera as I used her dad’s fabulous Nikons…in the downtime I lusted after his new Hasselblad and this puppy that I saw on a shelf…it is official I am eating only mac and cheese to purchase this puppy…the yellow one…we will see. I don’t know if it will happen, but I did not go get a latte today ;)



I will post the pics and different tutorials I have found to make this so easy soon.

Off to go hug R and play outside in the sun! You guys have a great weekend.

Toodaloo Kangaroos.

Sunday I had a fantastic shoot with three of the cutest boys. In full disclosure one of them is my little guy, R, and the other two are brothers who are sweet as can be. All three of these boys are the best of friends, and really love each other so much. I look at these pictures and I tear up at just how sweet they are. Now don’t get me wrong…at one point we had to take ownership of the sticks and I realized I probably should not have taught my two year old fencing when I brought home the knight set from London a few weeks ago! Yeah not smart. Live and Learn. Mommy gets in trouble from Daddy all the time for teaching a bit of funny things to R.

So here are a few from the session. I had this idea in my head for months and months of boys playing dress up in dad’s clothes and fishing in a creek. I am blessed to live here in Boulder where there are numerous creeks just a short jot from the house. This is less than a mile away and not the same one we did during the workshop.

Here are a few faves:






Here are a few things in bullet form I need to blog and share. Put here for my reference and to keep me accountable:

• New Website – currently in dev
• New Blog – it will now be attached to the website and also at another URL pointing back. Very excited.
• One Light Workshop – it rocked.
• Moe. At the Fox in Boulder – awesome show amazing pics…
• Monkeys On Ecstasy in Ft. Collins Aggie Theatre. Secret surprise show moe. did on Tuesday night. Got some fab pics as well.
• Product Photography – going to take a bunch today. This was how I started…I really should share J
• Cousin’s wedding in Bozeman Montana – Great trip must share!
• Museum of the Rockies – R loved the dinosaurs.
  
  

So as you see I have a ton. So much has been going on and I have a ton to share. I will just be breaking down the list line by line here soon. I will be moving to the new blog after I customize the template with my new logo and branding. Such big things. Such fun!

Peace & Joy Love Life Everyone!
stacyZ

Update...LIFE - Fun Barenaked Ladies ??? WHOA!

Sooo....as in usual fashion when I get swamped blogging is the first thing I let drop. It really should not be that way but it seams to go. I would much rather let the cleaning stop and have a maid...hint hint hubby anniversary coming B hint maid good choice...good good...but seriously...

I was swamped in May in the best of ways . I was lucky enough to second shoot 3 weddings with 2 amazing photographers. First was Gail Buhler of Encore Portraits . She had two fabulous weddings with the nicest couples. Both were in churches and I was so pleased I pulled it off. Not because I don't like churches I was just REALLY worried about my light skills because almost everything I have done thus far has been with natural lighting. But I think I did it! I was please and it really did give me a boost.

The third I did was with the amaizing Julia Vandeover who has also become a dear friend. We took both our families to Telluride for this wedding and Julia has some pics posted here CLICK HERE. I will be doing my own blog post on this soon now that I know Julia had a chance to get her's up. Here is one of my favorite pics...I totally cropped it ;)


So May was swamped and I conciously took the initative to TAKE JUNE OFF! I knew July was going to be insane with One Light and 3 or so more weddings not to mention the few portrait sessions...so I said NO to myself on anything. In usual fashion and the serendipity I am discovering is my life...my body made sure I lived up to that promise. I got SHINGLES! Yeah I didn't think that could happen to someone who is well...how do I say this nicely...my age? I mean really I know I am aging but I am still in my 30's thank you very much. So yeah that was a wake up call as the doctor said, "Most likely stress" - But but but!!! This time I was not feeling stressed! So anyways I really took the first part of this month off! I still will be working on my website (my #1 goal for this month!) and a new blog that is really incompassing all that I do.

See on the blog front... I have thought do I post about this or that? Saying to myself, "Well it is not business related should I?" I have come to the conclusion that YES I WILL!!! So expect WAY more posts. Expect fun...and a couple of little different things. My goal for the rest of the summer is NOT LET THE BLOG SLIDE. Okay now I am accountable.

Today I want to share what the family did last Saturday. You know B and I (and lil' R really) are way into music. I would say it is a MAJORITY of our lives. When we go on vacation we go see music. When we visit friends we figure out if there is a concert there for us to see or work into the visit. Many of our friends are either those we met at concerts or actually band member or what not. We don't play instruments (much to my mom's dismay after 6 years of piano) but we love music and really ahve different viewpoints on it as well. For instance I LOVE Lyrics and really cannot get into a show that is all instrumental, but B could not tell you what the words are to most of his favorite songs (he will deny this and say to me, "What are your talking about I know such and such....") but anyways. Last Saturday we went and saw an "In Store" this is where the band plays their music to a small group in usual a record store but Saturday it was done at Barnes and Noble in Boulder. The band was Barenaked Ladies. They have a new kids CD out called Snacktime. Well this instore was probably THE BEST ORGANIZED EVENT EVER. The band asked for this to be about the kids and it REALLY WAS! We got there early with wristbands (priority entry and seating) and B got a spot up front on the floor with R. I came in later with MIL (note less than 3 min later) and we got seats in the back (maybe 6 rows back). I went up and ate breakfast with B and R up front. There were kids there. Of course I had my camera ;) . Towards the start of the "first act" which was Gymboree guy and gal singing songs with the kids and blowing bubbles. They announced all adults to the back unless you are with your young child and all kids up front. They even asked the adults sitting in the first two rows of seats to give up their seats for the children! HOW AWESOME IS THAT? B left and found another place to watch and I stayed on the floor in the back row with R on my lap. The kids danced and played with the bubbles and then sat in awe as the BNL played a awesome 30 minute set. Here are a few pics:





Here are a couple with R playing before. Yeah he had NO fun! ;) I love that the girl in the background has a shirt on that says cute. Totally! Yeah I planned that ;) heeehe




So it was a great family day. I saw music and captured a few pics of my favorite thing...pure fun!

Talk to you guys soon!

peace and joy love in friendship.

StacyZ

p.s. Also in the other craziness that is my life. I said take June off and the day job said, "You are going to London!" So yeah...9 days in London starting on Sunday. WHOA!

An Open Letter To Elmo...

Warning - No Pictures and a couple of not so nice words...Elmo is in trouble though I tell you!

Dear Elmo,

This is the last straw - I hate you Elmo. Yes I said it and I am thrilled to get it out there. I HATE YOU ELMO! I use to be all for you. Yes, you could never take the place of beloved blue friend Grover, but I knew you had your charms. With all your tickeling and laughing and costing thousands. I thought that was fine. Stupid but fine. Mr. Noodle he was okay and Dorothy yes she has lived 200x longer than any goldfish but that did not do it. THIS is it!

Your whole video on Potty Time needs to go. You have RUINED my two year old. Your asinine song Accidents Happen well let me tell you. NO Accidents DO NOT HAPPEN! Ever since watching your damn video my son thinks it is now fun to pee on the floor and start signing this blasted song. He says he wants to be like Elmo! Yes he was sooo good he was going on the potty for weeks. NOW RUINED. His grandmother though sent this blasted video and now he is RUINED. So thanks you little red shit! We are researching diapers for 12 year olds because that is how long it seems we are DOOMED! Again, thank you Elmo thanks for your shitty ass video and song.

You better watch out. I have informed cookie monster that you are actually a large sprinkley red cookie. See if you ruin another two year olds potty training again.


Sincerely,



One pissed off mommy!

Just Kiss It!

Monday night Robert and I were outside playing hockey. He fell straight on his bottom. Right afterwards he got up and said, "Mommy owee. You need to kiss it." He then bent over pointed his finger to the middle of his bottom and said, "KISS IT HERE!"

Umm yeah...love ya kid but no.

Action - First Trial

So I have always been scared for some reason to pan with a subject. Thought I would screw it up. I know silly silly, but last weekend I went out with B and R and just had fun with it. It was fun! I think it could be a bit harder to do a slower object, but I think this worked alright. Here are two of my favorites. I would love to know what you think! Also note there was a birthday party going on behind us and we could not for the life of us get R to face his head in any way that we hoped...puppies to the left presents to the right...oh man

What being a mom is about...

Today R melted my heart like no other. You see as I was leaving for work I peaked in on him and he was just waking up. So I put my coffee cup down on the dresser, put my shoes down and BAM have no idea how but coffee cup fell off the dresser and straight to the floor...white carpet and all..okay beige but it is still light as hell. I screamed, cried, got towels and cleaner. B came in and knew this time I was too upset to say his usually "funny" line, "Well why did you do that?" and just helped me clean it up. R was still in the crib saying, "Mommy is sad. Mommys sad. Big Mess." Oh yes it was a mess and this weekend we have to rent a carpet cleaner...

So after cleaning it up as much as I could I was now late for work so I ran down the stairs to put my shoes and socks on. As I was putting my socks on R came over and gave me a hug then a big peck right on the lips. You see this is big in the house I go to give R a kiss bye and he puts his head there so I only get the top and his hair! I say, "no mommy wants lips" and move his face to give him a peck there. Today he came over and gave me the kiss moving my face because I was upset. It was too sweet. Melted my heart.

It did not end there...then in all his cuteness. I was in the car tried to start it only to realize I left the keys on the stairs. As I was getting out of the car R was opening the door to the garage keys in hand. "Mommy your keys". I thought B sent him on his way to do that, but he had not...my little cookie saw those there and ran after me. Too sweet.

Of course after I got the keys I asked for a kiss goodbye and I got hair...sweet sweet hair it was.