Never have Children, only Grandchildren by Ava, Bryson, Hunter, Rob, and Kim | Make Your Own Book

Detroit Fan!

Today I took out my daughter Ava to test out a couple of things. For my birthday my husband bought me a 50mm 1.8 lens. For the price of this lens, it's soooo worth it! All of the photos pictured were shot with it. I also bought some parasols online that were super affordable and I love them! I bought a white one and blue one because I'm doing a maternity shoot for my friend Tammie next weekend. I'm very happy with how the shoot turned out and how the lens performed.

On a personal note, I'm starting Full Sail University on the 27th for digital cinematography. I'm so stoked about learning this. I got my new MacBook Pro in the mail with Final Cut Studio, Adobe photoshop CS5 extended, Fireworks, After Effects and so much more. I can't wait to utilize this new software and make some awesome video. I plan on trying out some fusion photography when I get my T2i. I plan on downloading the magic lantern for it and a glidetrack and a stabalizer. Can't wait!

SpokesMAMA program

I need to broaden my client list so I decided to do a new program. It's a referral program for a selected individual that represents my target market very well. It's called SpokesMAMA and it's a free session, accordian mini for display in the home, and 25 referral cards to send to friends and family to help promote the business. I also provide free images for facebook and blogging. It's to help get the name out there as well as provide an incentive at the same time.

Lifetouch Senior Training

This week was a lot of fun at the studio. We were training for the upcoming senior season so we practiced on each other with different backgrounds and lighting techniques. It also gave me the opportunity to get some business portraits that I've really needed. The thing about photographing everyone else is that you rarely get portraits done of yourself. I added some actions to these portraits to give them a pop. I've mentioned how much I LOVE mcpactions.com and I use their actions in every photograph I edit. For example, all three of these images have the "eye doctor" and "the dentist" actions applied to them to really make the eyes stand out and whiten the teeth. I also used their magic skin action to soften the skin. That's all I really have to do to an image that is good on exposure and lighting. But that's where professional photographer's images have to have that "extra" something to give someone a reason to use their services rather than pick up an awesome point and shoot. Anyway, I'm very happy with the training I got and hope to take some awesome images worthy of winning competitions.

Senior Survival Kit

I thought of a really cool gift that I could give seniors who participate in a senior session. I remember when I was a senior I always loved getting freebies, especially when they were nice gifts that I knew I would use. And I'm sure one store that any senior can go into and find something they want is Ulta. So I figured, wouldn't it be nice to create a "senior survival kit" for seniors with products they can use to make their senior year easier. Every senior uses facial products, body washes, and hair care products. Ulta is an awesome store that has all of these things. However, Goldsboro does not have an Ulta so why not kill two birds with one stone. When you book a senior session with me, the day of the session the senior will get their really cool gift! Photography is very competitive and you have to find ways to set yourself a a part.
And there are no limits on creativity with senior sessions. As a matter of fact, I welcome with open arms an awesome creative senior session. A senior session can be anything that reminds the senior of the last four years of their life. It can be a portrait that has your favorite color, your family pet at the time, a really cool hang out that may not be there 20 years from now, the beach, the car you drive that you're really proud of. A senior can even use this session as an opportunity to do a "trash the dress" session with their prom dress from a previous prom. Don't let a little rain get you down! How about some funky rain boots and retro umbrella with a dress? Have fun! I can't wait to experiement with some fusion photography now that my hubbie is buying me a 60D camera body for my b-day. Have some fun with your senior session, the sky's the limit!

Senior Season!

This wonderful Easter weekend I had the pleasure of photographing Laura, a German exchange student staying at my niece's house for the year. As you can see, her beautiful smile is contagious. She was a joy to photograph and we were able to find a nearby vintage car graveyard where I took several shots. The shot to the left was one of my favorites. I used the car window as a frame and I loved the texture which I accentuated with one of my photoshop actions I purchased from www.mcpactions.com. BTW if you want to spice up your images, there are tons of fun and new actions to purchase there and also some freebies. If you would like to see more of the shots from this session, I downloaded them on my facebook fan page, KimJo Photography, go check them out.

New advertisement!

This is the front of my new card ad to mail out to potential clients and current clients. I have a bella bebe advertisement specifically for babies and maternity, so this is a separate advertisement designed more for families, couples, and senior portraits. If you haven't noticed on my website, I have packages as well as a la carte. I'm going to start really pushing those because you get more for your money. A la carte is really more for if you really need 2 8x10 portraits instead of 1 and your package only includes 1. I've had a lot of fun shooting some "senior" specific shoots lately. My model Brooke pictured in the advertisement upper left allowed me to get some great shots of her at a local park with a beautiful waterfall in the background. I love how the water creates leading lines to my subject and she pops right out of the image. I was able to experiment with the best lighting and I was very pleased with the results. This type of shot is not typical of a traditional studio. Most traditional studios, especially chain studios, do not offer designer location sessions. As a senior you are missing out if you don't hire a studio that can offer you everything you need and want in your session. If you want to have beach shots, you be able to get that. I have a few "spots" that I use for location sessions, this park is 30 minutes from my house. I love railroad shots and I have a place specifically for "urban" shots. I recently shot a cap and gown session right in my house. For the backdrop I simply clamped black felt I purchased from Michael's to some light stands, had a stool that the subject sat in and shot different angles and her mom was very happy with the final product. I also shot some prom portraits right in the client's home and got it out of the way so that the couple could enjoy their prom night without spending $100 on prom portraits. My fairy portraits will also be under this advertisement. I have everything now except my mushroom and I'm going to build a nice bridge for a prop. Can't wait to have a fairy day!