September 2014 Featured Photographer | SummerK Photography

We are so excited to have SummerK Photography joining us this week as our featured photographer.  Summer's work is filled with amazing light, gorgeous landscapes, and her beautiful children.  She turns everyday moments into a beautiful piece of art.  If you don't already follow her, please make sure to check out her page at SummerK Photography.  I'm willing to bet you will fall in love...I know we have.   Here is our interview with her.

What drives your passion for photography?  

My passion for photography is driven by a love and an enjoyment of life

as well as an acute awareness of how fleeting time is.

Do you have a place around your home with amazing light that you just love?  

I love that each part of our home offers different light at different

times of day.  This year has taught me to appreciate and love all types of light. 

Do you have any tips on finding light that you would like to share?  

The best tip I have for finding light is just to be aware of it, to be

an observer of life.  Light is everywhere, sometimes we just have to train

ourselves to see it. 

What is the best advice that you have received about the use of light?

Don't be afraid of the lack of or an abundance of light.  Play with it,

learn how to use it in all situations.

What are the goals for the future with your photography journey?

My favorite thing about photography is that I know I'll never 'arrive'.

My goal is to continue to grow, and learn, and stretch so that I'll always

look back and think, "look how far I've come". 

Summer has chosen the theme "natural light" for this weeks challenge.  

August 2014 Featured Photographer - Photographs by Jennifer

Oh what an exciting week!!!! Jennifer Potter with Photographs by Jennifer is our featured photographer and guest judge!!  Every week we are in awe of the gorgeous images that she shares, her use of light is extraordinary!!   Please check out her gorgeous work this week, she has also chosen the theme {creative light}!!

Our interview with Jennifer!!

        

1. What drives your passion for photography?

    

Oh so many things, everything really. I suppose the main thing is, of course, how photography allows you to preserve memories. That is ultimately why I love what I do. I want my children and my nieces and nephews to have albums full of their childhood.. You can't put a price on that.

 

2. Do you have a place around your home that has amazing light that you just love?

My front yard at golden hour! The light just pours in on us and it is lovely!

 

3. Do you have any tips on finding light that you would like to share?

I think finding light takes practice. It takes getting out and shooting, and trial and error. Experiment. Knowing your light is very important too. Know what is what. There are all different types of lighting, and getting a basic understanding of it will help you find it and find what works for your style. 

4. What is the best advice that you have received about the use of light?

I guess that sometimes less is more. Just a sliver or pocket of light can make a huge statement and direct someone's eye. Does that make sense? haha!

 

5. What are your goals for the future with your photography journey?

My goals are pretty basic. If I'm ever known for anything I want it to be because I inspire people to document their everyday. I want people to see the simple moments that I capture and find beauty in their own lives. Shoot your truth! It's the most important thing. It's your story.

The theme I have chosen for this week is "creative light". There are so many creative things that can be done with the light, and so many different ways it can enhance a photograph. Even if it's just stepping outside your comfort zone, and trying a new technique. Have fun and I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with! <3

Photographs by Jennifer

July 2014 Featured Photographer - Kim Hill Photography

We are so very excited to have Kim Hill Photography as our featured photographer and guest judge this week!!  Kim is an amazing photographer and such a  very sweet person!! She has chosen the theme {sweet light} for this week!!  Please show her some love and lets see your gorgeous images!!!

Kim Hill Photography

 

1.       What drives your passion for photography?

My insatiable desire to feed my creative soul drives my passion. I have dabbled in all sorts of art mediums, but photography is by far my favorite! 

2.       Do you have a place around your home that has amazing light that you just love?

 Yes, my daughter’s room has a large window in the front of the house that has the most beautiful light almost any time of day.

However a surprising source of light I came across is the horrid fluorescent light in our kitchen. In this image it created the sweetest bit of rim light this particular night. (I included this image below)

3.       Do you have any tips on finding light that you would like to share?

In finding light I feel it best to take a step back and soak in your surroundings. Light is all around just waiting for us to harness it. Shoot a lot and don’t be discouraged when the results are not what you were going for. Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do.

4.       What is the best advice that you have received about the use of light?

 When starting out the best advice I received was looking for light in the eyes, catch lights. That bit of sparkle is everything.

5.       What are your goals for the future with your photography journey?

 In the future I am planning to teach a class for parents on how to photograph their children better on a day to day basis. It will be called “Everyday Adventures: A Photography Class for Parents” because we all know with children; every day is truly an adventure!

   

More gorgeous images by Kim Hill Photography

Facebook ~ Website

June 2014 Featured Photographer ~ Privizzini's Passion Photography

We are very excited to have Amber Privizzini with Privizzini's Passion Photography as this months featured photographer and our guest judge for the week.  Amber's work is so deep, emotional and beautiful!   She has such a sweet soul, always sharing others' work and spreading love! Thank you so much Amber for joining us this week!!!

 Privizinni's Passion Photography

 

   1. What drives your passion for photography?

 

I whole heartedly believe I was given this gift of such intense passion for photography for a reason. Long story short. I had a tough childhood. I have slowly but surely realized that I am healing myself through photography. I sometimes think thats why I am driven by dark moody images. I can't even explain how emotive, moody images speak to me. But I just get this intense feeling when I see moody emotional work. Part of my process of healing from my past is doing some serious soul searching and photography as helped me tremendously in that. I also want my children to be able to relive their childhood just by looking at images when they are older. That in itself is amazing to me.

2. Do you have a place around your home that has amazing light that you just love?

 

We live on a hill so the sunsets are magical here. I love shooting at golden hour up here. The light is so soft pretty but dramatic with its golden tones. There is a field across the street that is so hard not to shoot in every single night with the gorgeous golden hour. I also love our bay window in our living room. Every morning is has such lovely light streaming through. I often hope the baby will fall asleep on the living room floor for his morning nap so I can snap a few with the light before I move him to the bed. lol

 

 

3. Do you have any tips on finding the light that you would like to share?

 

It has taken me a while to learn to work with light the way I like to see light. So honestly you first have to know what you like and how you want to see light in your images and then just practice and perfect it. I am addicted to playing with light. I will find it no matter where it is. One thing I love to do besides shooting backlit of course. I love dramatic moody light/images so I love to shoot with the sun behind me beaming onto my subject. But What I like to do is have them in the shade someone or behind them be shady. It makes for some amazing moody images. with a darker background and a gorgeously lit subject. But again you have to really learn to play with it and see whats best for you and your style. Don't be afraid of light. use it to your advantage!

 

 

4. What is the best advice you have received about the use of light?

 

I have to be honest and say I never really seek advice. I am one that just shoots shoots shoots to figure things out on my own. So I haven't really gotten any advice other than given myself advice. That advice was always don't be afraid of it. Find the light, know what you want in an image and just go for it. Play with it, practice, try new things. You will never know or learn if you don't just do it. I am a go getter. If I want something. I just go do it until I figure it out!

 

 

5. What are your goals for the future with your photography journey?

My goals would be to continue learning and growing. I always want to be better. I am very hard on myself and alway's tell myself I can be better. I also want to start some cute photo albums of some sort for each of my kids. I have so many amazing memories for them that I want to put in one spot for them so they have them to look at when they are older. But the biggest goal is. I went to school for fashion design. Fashion is another passion I have. So I would really like to have my own fashion/photography studio and make my own clothing for fashion shoots. Huge goal but something to strive for!

 

 Blog ~ Facebook

May 2014 Featured Photographer | Michelle L Morris Photography

We are super excited and honored to have Michelle of Michelle L Morris Photography as this months featured photographer and our guest judge for the week.  Michelle's work is simply amazing.  Her use of light and movement come together in such a beautiful way...creating gorgeous, fine art images that are captivating and emotive.  She is also a wonderful person with a huge heart and a desire to use her gift for "the greater good."  Love her!

What drives your passion for photography?

My spiritual purpose. I’m a woman in consistent search of myself. Why I am here.... what my “bigger” picture is.... why I was gifted with the husband and kids I have been entrusted with.... why have I been blessed with the gift of photography?! These are questions I ask myself, at least, daily. I’m a super reflective person and I believe, wholeheartedly, that my gift in photography serves a larger purpose than just myself or my family. My passion, the daily drive for me, is figuring out what that is and why I am here. How am I called to use this talent for the greater good?

Do you have a place around your home that has amazing light that you just love?

We live in Savannah, GA and are sincerely blessed with a beautiful + traditional country home. We have interior exposed brick and windows galore. I often have to pinch myself... it’s a momographer’s dream. The sun sets in our back yard and I never tire of photographing my boys behind the house as the sun dumps into the sky. Our previous home in Orlando challenged me a lot more with “finding the light” - but I’ve enjoyed the grace my new house provides.

Do you have any tips on finding the light that you would like to share?

My initial thought on “finding the light” is truly searching within your soul. You have to genuinely feel it. You’ve got to be able to see and experience light like a confident artist. Like a person who covets the glow, the warmth, the shine. You have to really want it to come through in your imagery. If you desire all of that within your soul, your “logistical” self will naturally find/gravitate towards it. I always look for light lines or light pockets (on the ground/floor). I have my subjects face away from the sun line/pocket and I shoot into the light. I find myself tossing half of the images with direct sunlight (not keeping them in the final cull), but persistence will ensure that you nail the shot - at least eventually.

What is the best advice that you have received about the use of light?

I need to do better about seeking advice. The photography community is a fantastic source of inspiration. I’ve never taken a course or a workshop, so I don’t have fabulous advice to “pass” along. However, my own best advice on finding on the light is just yielding to your gut. Your own heart and soul as you search for “light”. Think less about rules and more about spirit and instinct. The use of light is certainly an evolving process. 

What are your goals for the future with your photography journey?

My initial goal is to continue to bless my family with the keepsake + financial provision this gift has provided. We have incredible memories frozen in time (of our 3 boys) and we have financial blessings because others have trusted me. I am so grateful. Again, I have to pinch myself. My new goal for 2014, however, is to provide for my family with my new “for photographers” store. I want to shoot less and create a new revenue stream through my tools created for other photographers. I  will be homeschooling 2 of my 3 boys this August.  I need to ensure success for me and my family and I'm hoping and praying that my new "for photographers" store does that for me...for us.  Of course my goals for the future also include getting better, substantially growing, evolving and trusting my gut more and more as an artist.  AND, reminding myself that I am, in fact, an artist.  

You can see more of Michelle's gorgeous work by visiting her website or Facebook page.  She also has awesome templates, actions, and e-books available in her store.  Michelle has chosen the theme heart + soul for this weeks challenge.  We are so excited to see all of your amazing interpretations. xo

April 2014 Featured Photographer | Arrow Creek Photography

We are so excited to have Arrow Creek Photography as our Featured Photographer and  Guest Judge for this week!!! Her work is absolutely gorgeous and she has one of the biggest hearts of anyone we have ever met!!

Arrow Creek Photography    Facebook ~ Website

 

   

 What drives your passion for photography?

My children. I try to capture casual moments of their everyday life, as well as special portraits along the way that give clues to their personalities. I want them to be able to look back and see their journey. I also hope it gives them a little piece of me to hold on to- a tangible, visual fragment of the way their mother saw them that day, and how in love with them I am. Some people say that a little of a person's soul is captured in a photograph. I think a little of the photographer's soul is as well, and I hope they will find comfort and love in that as they look back at their childhood in photographs.

Do you have a place around your home that has amazing light that you just love?

Yes, and they change depending on the time of day. The front window has golden sunlight streaming through early in the morning. The master bathroom has a very large glass block window that filters in amazing light in the afternoon, so sometimes I'll have the children sit on the edge of the bathtub for some great soft natural light. 

Do you have any tips on finding light that you would like to share? 

Don't be afraid to take photographs directly into the sun. You really can't miss- you'll end up with some great effects; gorgeous sun flare, a soft golden haze, or a beautiful silhouette depending on where the sun is positioned and where you select for exposure. Put your subject directly in front of the sun to get that halo of light around their head. Cloudy days even provide their own filtered light that is great for getting portraits without your subject squinting- you will get the whole eye which leads to soulful portraits. Don't forget to notice the shadows that the light leaves either- they add interest, mood, and texture to your photographs. 

What is the best advice that you have received about the use of light? 

Don't be afraid to break the rules, and shoot for yourself. Some people believe that sun flare is a "flaw" in a photograph, whereas I often seek out sun flare. The light that you find is yours- use it how you see fit, and always experiment. Light is fickle and guidelines won't always apply- it can bend, blind, haze, color, bleach, and change in a second with the wind. Light can be tricky to tame, and only trial and error will teach you how to use it to get the effects you are seeking. Expect that while you experiment you will fail a few times, so get down on the ground and shoot up, or stand on a chair and shoot down, or peek through a bush and find the backlit flower, or put your child on the edge of the bathtub for a portrait, and see where the light works. Light is everywhere, and once you are used to looking for it, it will begin to find you.