Monterey Day

(Son of a gun.  This was supposed to post like two weeks ago!  Here it is, much later than what it originally should have been.  Oops.)

If you maybe follow my photography blog (soon this one and that one will be combined), then you know that the weekend before Easter I went to Monterey and Carmel to take senior pictures for a friend of the family.  We had a fun time.  But while I was taking Katy's pictures, I was also snapping some of what was going on around me.  Hope you enjoy!

The end.

Up on the photo blog...

 WPPI Recap

and...

Carson & Harper's Newborn Pictures

(one of these days I'll be combining these 2 blogs into one, just thought I'd warn you)

Oh, and here's a picture of my healthy Riley.  So glad she's home and healing beautifully!

#100...complete!

Yeah!  Check one thing off of my 101 in 1,001 list.  I've created a fan page for Courtney Ann Photography.

So, become a fan!

1 down, 100 to go...

Merry Christmas to Me!

True to my Christmas form, this year just the same as past years, I got myself a gift.  Something to splurge on.  Something that maybe I've been eyeing or wanting for awhile.  And this year, just as before, I did it.  This year, it worked out perfectly.  I've been eyeing what is called a Shootsac.  And quite honestly, I was gonna wait to get one. 

But then it happened.  Black Friday.  And Shootsacs went on sale.  Something that only happens once a year.  And by golly, I didn't want to wait another year before getting one.  I've been having...issues...with my current camera bag and have heard nothing but raves and reviews about this one.  So I did it.  I removed it from my Christmas list and ordered one. 

Let me say, there is nothing plan about any part of the product.  The detail, down to shipping, is exquisite.  Just take a look...

 

 

How pretty is that box?!?!  I saved it.  And then I used it to wrap a present for Rylen.

 

Everything was laid out so nicely.  Even after shipping things didn't shift.

 

 

The basic Shootsac.  Made of neoprene (like a wetsuit).

 

Come on!  Look at the metal pieces on the bag.  The strap is thick, thick like a seat belt material.

 

The basic bag.  On me.  Me standing on a chair so I can catch my reflection in the mirror on my buffet.  Hence the slight squating.

 

But since everything was on sale I didn't stop at just the bag.  I got a cover too.  A really pretty one.  The baroque patterned one.  I'm a sucker for baroque.  

And it's suedey on the back side (aka the side that is against the shootsac).

And here I am with the baroque cover.

I can't wait to get out there and put this to good use.  I'm excited for the ease and comfort of it too!

Now...I need to find out how to clean the cover.  You know, for future reference.  Or in case a certain brother accidentally spills red wine that gets on it... 

Check 'em out...

The Rehfeld Family is up on the blog.

Same with Danae and Adam's wedding.

Photo Update...

Check out my latest photo shoot with the Danbom family... 

So much fun. 

Minus the mosquitoes that is...

MoPhotoWalk

Go check out how I spent my evening on the 20th. Walking around downtown Modesto with my camera and roughly 84 other photographers.

MoPhotoWalk Pictures

Enjoy!

Go See Pam!

Courtney Ann Photography update...

Pam Sweeten for TID

And vote! When's the next voting day, sometime in early November? Yea, vote then!

Engagement: Danae & Adam

Wanna see pictures?

This isn't a SIKE moment, it's a redirecting you and presenting you with...

Courtney Ann Photography

This site will be where I'll post pictures from photo gigs I get. And maybe as I become a little more comfortable in Photoshop I'll post "how to's".

For awhile I'll also post links here, but be sure to bookmark or add Courtney Ann Photography to your favorites!

Kaitlin: The Practice Dummy

So last Saturday I took pictures of a friend from high school and her new fiancee. I volunteered to do it as practice and just to see how I would do shooting people. Not places. Not landscape. Not flowers.

But I also knew that before I took pictures of Danae and Adam I should probably practice on someone else. Or at least go scope out CSUS for good locations.

So I went to my go to gal.

Kaitlin.

So let me show you what I did. What my pictures look like...

I love this one. It may actually be my favorite (or in the top 5). Doesn't it look like she's praising God?
She thought she was being so cute. Pretending to walk down an aisle. She's right, she was b
Scary face! Or is that the "oh no it's hideous" face?Just a cool look with the sun flare and the leaf.
She was getting way into the jehovah witness propaganda. NOT!Ain't nothin' wrong with laying on a bring wall wishing and dreaming.Isn't this one adorable? I think this was taken after she rolled down the hill (intentionally). Then Kait was just being goofy.Classic black and white.Embrace the freckles! Kaitlin's typical laughing face.
Pondering life.Something about this pictures speaks to me. The way the sun is reflecting off Kaitlin and the water. The sun flare. The warm feeling.Last picture because the sun had gone down.
So... What do you think? Did I do good?

What I learned is that I need to work at posing. I learned that even more come Saturday. With practice I'll get better. I'm just so used to taking the candid pictures of people in their natural element. Oh well, that's why I practiced.

Help!

Ok, so most of you know that I like photography.

Shocker I know!

And what I've really wanted to do now for awhile was have some sort of watermark or marking on the pictures that I post. I want something simple, not too busy, doesn't interfere too much with the actual picture. I have photoshop, so the sky is the limit; but my knowledge of the programs full capabilities is not.

Why? Cause I'm proud! Not boastful, just proud of my work.

So I have a few options that I'd like your opinion on. Ready?

Option A:
Option B:
Option C:
Option D:
Side-by-Side Comparison:
Now which do you like?

I know that I like something in one of the bottom corners. Most likely white, unless it's a light picture in which it'll be black.

Also, what should I call myself? Currently it says "Courtney Ann Photography". Should it say something different?

HELP!

(fyi, yes, this would be a picture of Kaitlin from my practice photo shoot that you have yet to see pictures of. i'm getting to it!)

I did it!

I officially, unofficially did my first photo shoot today.

After an old high school buddy of mine announced that she was engaged I asked if I could take their engagement pictures. She's an amateur photographer like myself, so I knew she'd be all over it and would be patient as well.

Plus I didn't charge.

Upon her agreeial (is that even a word?), I asked another friend that is getting into photography if she'd like to join me. I was honestly really hoping that she'd be able to. Not only for help and ideas, but also to get her practice too.

See, I learned to share.

So this morning we all met at CSUS to shoot so photos and witness some love. Mandy and I accidentally, not on purpose even wore the same colored shirt, green.

So, here's a sneak peek at what I got...
Later I'll post some of the pictures from my "practice" photo shoot with Kaitlin. She's a good subject!

I'm so excited!

Last week sometime I ordered a new lens for my camera.

A 50mm f/1.8.

It comes with tons of compliments from lots of people.

Today I got notice that it has officially been shipped from the amazon.com warehouse. I should have it in my possession by August 14th.

Watch out world!