you think you know, but you have no idea

Yep, that's a reference to MTV's Diary, and it's exactly how I feel about blogshop. It was two jam-packed days filled with all the stuff I never knew I didn't know about Photoshop. And how to do all that stuff super fast. I have to be honest, my expectations were pretty high for this class, and it surpassed all of them. I was also super nervous and intimidated, but Bri and Angela were fantastic teachers in addition to being super sweet and adorable. I thought I knew my way around Photoshop, but it was clear after the first hour that I didn't have a clue. And that things I thought I knew how to do, I was doing completely wrong. Thankfully, Bri and Angela showed me the light.

I learned how to do this...

And this...

 

And I made this from scratch in under 10 minutes (something that prior to blogshop would have taken me a good 2 hours)...

1 / 2 / 3 / 4

And that's really just a fraction of what we learned. Masking, liquify, templates, retouching, gradients, levels, I could go on and on. If you ever have the opportunity to attend blogshop, I highly recommend it. In addition to all of the Photoshop content, we got great little goody bags, BKR glass water bottles (which I'm now obsessed with), delicious food, and mimosas. (C'mon, at what other class would you get a mimosa?!) It was such an amazing and inspiring weekend and I left feeling tired but so excited to apply what I learned. Look for some new features on the blog very soon. Maybe even tomorrow! Okay, definitely tomorrow.

Thanks again, Bri & Angela!!!

link love - 10.5.12

Hi everyone, and happy Friday! I don't know if it's because the days are shorter now or we've been so busy, but the weeks seem to be flying by lately. I'm off to my cousin's wedding this weekend, and we'll be taking Emma on her first trip to the pumpkin patch. Hopefully Emma loves it as much as we hope she will. She's a gal who likes to get her hands dirty, so we're optimistic that acres of dirt, hay, and pumpkins will be right up her alley.

My free time has been spent immersed in all things photography this week, so I don't have my usual links ready for you. Sorry! But I do want to share some of my favorite photographer discoveries so far... As I try to figure out what my "style" is, I find myself drawn toward lifestyle (as opposed to posed) photographers whose photos capture the simple, every day moments with their kids. After all, that's my personal goal as I work to get better at taking photos of my family life. I hope my children will be able to look back on the photos I took of them growing up and see the story of their childhood... not just the milestones, but the little mundane things, too - the favorite toy, the way their room was, how their hair looked when they woke up from a long nap. These are the things I hope to capture, and these are some people who I think do an exceptional job at it...

I hope you all are as inspired by their photos as I am. Have a great weekend! :)

my grandmother

I got to thinking the other day that I don't recall ever seeing a photo of my mom with her mom... she died of breast cancer when my mom was in her early 20s. My mom was her rock through surgery, treatment, and ultimately death... and as much as I wish she'd talk about my grandmother, I understand why even after 40 years it's still too painful. Given that it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I decided to ask if she'd be willing to let me photograph her holding a beloved photo of her mom... surprisingly, she said okay.

I realized after I uploaded this photo that my mom was wearing the necklace she had made from her mother's engagement ring diamond. She gave me and my sister necklaces with that same diamond when we graduated from college, and it's one of my most cherished possessions. I love that my mom wore it for this photo.

my dream photography kit

That's right... 4 weeks into my first ever photography class and I'm already dreaming about all the fancy gear I want. I'm actually really happy that I'm learning on a camera that doesn't have a ton of bells and whistles. It's forcing me to really learn the craft instead of relying on my gear. But I'm guessing when the short days of winter roll around I'm going to be itchin' for a camera with better low light capabilities. Enter my dream/goal camera...

Canon 5D Mark ii

I've debated about whether to upgrade to the 7D (another crop sensor, like I already have) or the 5D which is a full frame, and while I might have some regrets if I only upgrade to the 7D, I know I would never regret getting the 5D. Even if I get really really good at photography someday, I can't outgrow this camera. I might run it into the ground, but I can't outgrow it. Which makes it a very good investment. Right? Right. :)

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L Zoom Lens

The lens I primarily use now is the 50mm f/1.4 and I LOVE it. I can shoot 90% of what I want to with that lens, but there will be times, especially on vacations, that I'll want a zoom lens - and this is the daddy of all zoom lenses. Okay, I don't know that - I've only been in Manual mode for like 3 weeks. But I do know it takes some amazing photos, and if I ever get another zoom lens, I'm pretty sure this will be it.

Black Rapid Camera Strap

I never thought I could have my mind blown by a camera strap, but that's exactly what happened the first time I saw these bad boys. They screw into the bottom of your camera, and the camera just glides along the strap when you want to take a shot. It looks so comfortable and far easier to work with than the Canon strap I currently have - especially when I'm out and about with Emma and fumbling with the strap can mean she's already run out of the frame by the time I'm ready to take her photo. (I swear, photographing toddlers could have been a challenge on Double Dare... I can't believe people do this professionally!)

Ketti Handbag

Once I have all my gear I'll need something to put it in! Camera bags are notoriously drab, so I was delighted to find these beauties by Ketti Handbags. They look just like oversized handbags on the outside, but inside they're designed to keep your camera and lenses nice and safe. And it's spacious enough to be my purse, camera bag, and diaper bag all in one. I'm just waiting for the exact right design to be released and then I'll pull the trigger.

Well that's it... the camera is definitely my priority in terms of order, with the lens being the last on my list - way down the road. Either way, mama needs a raise! :)