Congratulations to our winner.. Christy Caustin! You will be contacted shortly with details on how to claim your prize :)

Stay tuned for another wonderful giveaway coming up very soon!

xoxo
Michelle

NICE SURPRISES

The goal was to find a space in Cambridge, Ohio by the time spring rolled around. It is amazing how things just happen when you least expect them to; a space in Zanesville presented itself and let’s just say I got an early Christmas gift by signing a new lease, after seeking a larger space for only (roughly) 40 days! I couldn’t be more pleased to be where I am, and have already been busy shooting there the past month! With an extremely fast move-in, complete with building an incredible pulley system (thanks Adam!), and being a part of an art walk the same day we finished moving into the space, we’re exhausted and elated, to say the least (both are understatements). Photo below does NOT do justice to the space. (And yes, that’s my little practice doll for light testing before shoots :p )

WORKING HARD

When the priority becomes “working hard” as opposed to “being successful”, things start to fall into place. Getting rid of any setbacks is the only way to reach this point. Use auto text responders, work where you feel most inspired, make your favorite hot Holiday beverage, close your browser, be in a healthy environment, get organized, and go for it! You can dooo eet. If you find yourself complaining about editing, it is time to make some adjustments. Evaluate how much time you actually spend editing versus how much time you spend shooting. Ask yourself:

• How much time CAN you spend working each day? Most work at least 8 – 10.
• Do you enjoy editing?
• How much time do you spend editing one session?
• Are there ways to speed up this process?
• What distracts you while you are working?
• Are you busy enough to consider hiring/training a part time editor or taking on an internship?

STEPPING IT UP (from my updated course material)

When you find yourself in a position to work outside of your home, be it in an actual studio or renting space for shooting periodically, there is a new level of respect that comes with the new territory. Sustaining a respectable reputation is the utmost importance, above your talents, above the money you make, and the space you work in should be consistent with the image you want to project for your business. Above ALL ELSE, you are developing a persona for yourself based on how much you value your clients, and how much you communicate that to them directly. Of course your creativity is important.. but it isn’t the most important thing. When you reach the point where you are thankful to create anything at all, you’re on the right track. This is a little different than the perspective I had a few years back, and I ha’ve since reprimanded my own thinking, haha.

passion.

“Passion” is a word that I favor greatly, and a feeling that I cling to. It is how I know whether or not something I do is right for me, or wrong for me.

“Abandon your freedom, give up the right to find your true self, forsake your own reasons” – Jonas Renkse

Realize how much you have to be thankful for, just to have the opportunities you have as an artist of any kind. You could be living in a warzone where the last thing you’d ever consider was what your next piece would be. You are lucky to be able to create. When you give up all of your superficial reasons for being an artist and look out beyond your own desires, you will find realistic goals laid out across the horizon. How many times have you said “photography is my passion.”  - I’ve probably said it as many as you, along with thousands of others. But I recently discovered that I need to rephrase that statement. Why? Because I don’t own photography. I can love it more than I love anything else but it isn’t MINE to keep forever. That mentality was closing me off. Holding me back. Making me do things like compare and/or mentally compete – and at one point I even resented that there is a constant stream of “new” photographers. However, photography is theirs, too. Cameras sell by the thousands and are used by the thousands daily. Don’t waste your time feeling like your own work is something to be desired. Don’t consider it YOUR passion, instead, be passionate.

“I am passionate about photography.”

And from here… you will blossom…..

“I am passionate.”

This is where you want to arrive. Passion is a nice ‘signal’, it can become that “something” you can rely on; if you aren’t exuding passion when you do something, your human pride has gotten in the way. Practice being passionate the next time you do laundry. Be passionate. Think about how warm you will feel and how clean you will smell when you put on your freshly laundered hoodie. When you’re folding or ironing, do it with love. When I iron for Kyler (my 9 year old), I think about the favor it is doing him. I think about how he will look back and remember that I cared enough to slave over the wrinkles in his jeans (okay maybe not SLAVE, but hopefully he remembers it that way, hehee).

DEFINITIONS

It is difficult not to let the things we love define us. But imagine yourself stripped down naked and living in the woods without food. What is important then is survival. The things we love aren’t necessarily the things we need. Admittedly, I would feel quite lost not being able to document things with my camera. I need to work on thinking photography is something that I need. It isn’t who I am. I don’t need it, but you bet your ass I’m thankful for every frame I shoot. I love it, and I’m grateful I have the means to do it. I will work hard to keep it. And if I was starving in the woods, to be able to photograph again might give me one more reason to survive (aside from the obvious reasons). As for everything you love, every band you obsess over, every television show or movie you can’t live without, every new pair of heels you get (*cough*) – remember…. these things don’t define you because you are surrounded by them, but they allow you to experience emotions that you might otherwise not feel. That’s why you love them and surround yourself with them.

2011 in the Studio

In closing, the new studio is going to serve as a place for me to fully exude passion and hopefully the results from that will carry on in some sort of domino effect. That is the goal. To work hard, to be passionate, and to do better than I’ve ever done before. Do I have new year’s resolutions? Not really. And that stupid saying “take baby steps” – its so misleading! No.. don’t take baby steps. Set goals. Determine how to achieve them. Then go for it. Be passionate. If you fail, try something else. The important thing is, you’re focused, you’re working hard, and you can clearly see there is always room for improvement.

Yay! Artsy Couture is giving away one of their gorgeous Gallery Blocks this week! GREAT Christmas gift opportunity, or something to use on display at your own home or studio! Product that is up for grabs is the “Floating Gallery Block” which has the following dimensions:

21×21 Backboard with (4) 9.5×7.5 Floating Gallery Blocks.
Retail value of $169.99!

Some information regarding the Gallery Blocks:

• -Printed on Kodak Endura Professional Paper
• -Completely customizable
• -Alternative to a canvas wrap!
• -No folded corners- each edge wraps your original print around the Gallery Block, leaving a clean and crisp 90 degree angle
• -Laminated surface allows each Gallery Block to be wiped clean with a damp cloth
• -Arrives ready to hang
• -Lifetime warranty

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Visit Artsy Couture on Facebook and The Photo Professional on Facebook, and post the following to each of our walls:
“This is my Giveaway Entry! Thank you for offering one of the gorgeous Floating Gallery Blocks by http://artsycouture.com FREE at thephotoprofessional.com!”

2. Then comment below saying “I posted to your walls on Facebook!” letting us know you have made your entry! ONE COMMENT PER ENTRANT ONLY UNLESS……..

3. GET EXTRA ENTRIES BY SUGGESTING US TO YOUR FRIENDS ON FACEBOOK! SUGGEST EITHER OR BOTH OF OUR PAGES AND we will accept ONE ADDITIONAL COMMENT LETTING US KNOW HOW MANY FRIENDS YOU SUGGESTED US TO (for a total of two entries)

Be sure to separate your comments. Thank you and good luck!

GIVEAWAY ENDS SATURDAY DECEMBER 11TH AT NOON EST!

Today’s a great day to pick up our actions, textures, business goodies.. whatever ya need, we’re giving you $25 towards your purchase of $50 or more – TODAY ONLY!

Our winner for the Maxeli Designs Giveaway is Christopher Paul Alderdice, whose work at Southern Focus Ltd in New Zealand is just GORGEOUS. Congratulations! You will be contacted shortly with details on how to claim your prize :)

xoxo
Michelle

COMPATIBLE WITH:
PHOTOSHOP VERSIONS 7, CS, CS2, CS3, CS4, & CS5

I’m always experimenting and recently came up with these two actions. Rather than building an entire set, I thought the two are very compatible with one another; simple but effective, and definitely stand apart from other actions. They run very quickly and give you basic adjustment options so you can control the end result (brighten, contrast, and overall intensity). For those of you looking for a new effect! We’re going to be releasing sets-of-two more often! Hope you enjoy this one… and we KNOW you’ll enjoy the price… just $2 (or $1 per action). *smile*

$2

NOTE: This is NOT a Posing Guide! Very different from typical Child Posing Guides, this book explores some of the different personality types and characteristics that children possess, and how to best interact with them based on how they express themselves, to capture them just as they are without falling back on “safe” posing. The book also covers things like confidence building, beautiful image examples throughout, and strategies that Michelle has developed over the years as a result of her experience with childhood portraiture. A workbook and inspiration guide all in one! Untrain your mind from thinking about posing, and learn to watch, listen, and interact with this very down to earth guide.

You can print the guide cards and take them along with you for reference. The cards include things like lens used, body position, compositional tips, strategic tips, placement of sun, how the shot was acheived, etc. YES all of that is on these cards, in addition to beautiful image samples!

*Ebook comes as a 44 page .pdf – great for viewing on your ipad, netbook, notebook, OR desktop! Can also be printed! (Printed, bound copies can be ordered in the near future!)
*Guide Cards come as 18 printable .jpg files

*********************************

18 GUIDE CARDS  ONLY – $45

EBOOK (44 PAGES) ONLY – $45

Sarah Wilkerson from ClickinMoms Reviews this product: “Far from a Posing Guide, the 41 page printable book (along with 18 wonderfully refreshing Guide Cards) is a collection of advice and strategies that Michelle has consolidated in her years as a child photographer. Her forward pretty much sums it up: “This book is a reflection of my fascination with exploring the honest spirit of children.  There is much to learn from children, about one’s self and the rest of the world.”  Don’t you feel inspired already? In the book, Michelle discusses session management, suggested shooting sequences, how your attitude and approach influence the final product, good common sense advice (simple child psychology that will have you nodding your head and saying, “Why didn’t I think of that?”), and more.  Whip out your pen and paper – you’ll want to take notes as you read!! While the book focuses on child portraiture, much of the advice applies to all of us as photographers — the last section in particular ( “Developing and Embracing your Vision” )  is a wonderful wakeup call – complete with a self-assessment quiz – that is worthwhile for any artist.  While rich on solid information, the book also features example images that help to drive her points home and showcase Michelle’s lovely work. The bonus guide cards are guaranteed to get you out of your creative rut. Michelle takes portraiture way beyond the typical headshot and full body capture.  The cards provide gorgeous sample images, diagrams, creative scenarios, specific guidance on lighting/time of day/lenses/vantage point, and more for a variety of shooting approaches. All in all, this is a highly recommended product.”

Congratulations to….

Crimson Chickadee Photography you just won a fancy new Lensbaby Composer! You will be contacted soon with details!

Hi, I’m Michelle.

I began writing at the age of 10, fell in love with art at the age of 15, and after having my son at 21, developed a deep affection for photography. I left my job in a salon in 2004 to pursue a career in photography, after literally walking out the door of the salon I worked in, and minutes later walking through the doors of a photography studio across the street to ask for a job. I became an assistant to Mike Carter that year and the rest is history.

I started creating resources for photographers in 2007, and their popularity has grown tremendously in the years that have followed.

Initially, my intention was to make a full-time business entity as a standalone photographer who also creates resources to help other photographers enhance their images.

As my love for inspiring others has grown, so has my direction and motivation.

2011 has marked tremendous changes in my life as intense introspection and spiritual understanding have lead me to focus more on writing, educating, and being a positive influence through many different forms of art. I’m not exactly sure how these things will manifest just yet, but I welcome “not knowing” with open arms.

I will continue to create, share my experiences and knowledge… because I love doing it, regardless of the form it takes.

In closing, don’t restrict yourself to any one title; I believe we all have the capacity to offer something of value to the world. While I love photography with all my heart, my journey has become less about photography, and more about the process of experiencing life and the world.

Please follow my personal blog, Light-Traces, to  find inspiration and encouragement along your journey as an artist and as a person in general. Art is not life; it’s life that influences art and helps it evolve, so that we can speak through it more fluently. Thanks again for your presence here and I appreciate your enthusiasm towards learning and growing. Afterall, that’s why you landed here in the first place :)