Look even Oprah is doing it!!

When I saw May's Oprah Magazine cover I screamed out "Even Oprah is doing it!" (oh course I screamed in my head).  Doing what you might say.  She's using my favorite lighting set up!!  Click Here and see all the details of my favorite lighting set up & how you can do it too.

Photography Tip - My Fav Lighting Set Up

The photography tip is all about lighting.  I'm sharing my favorite lighting set up and photo examples.  Click here to read the full tip.

Way to go Gretchen!!

Gretchen recently took my 1-on-1 Photoshop course online.  She wanted to learn how to create this first year collage.  Isn't it awesome!!  It's official I am stealing this idea & doing it with my Penelope when she arrives. 

Here's what Gretchen said about the course... "First of all, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for all the fun tricks you shared with me!  That's my excuse for being so late turning in my "final exam"--every spare moment I'm spending editing pictures in so many fun ways! :)  I actually finished this project a day or two after we last spoke, got it printed and already have it hanging on my wall. :)"

Thank YOU Gretchen!!

PhotoShop Tip - PBE Action Set

I recently got this email....
"last night I started using the action sets.  wow!  it is so exciting to see what the difference in my photos!  Makes me want to go back, edit and reprint all my pictures!"
 -Mariah

I've created a little video tutorial on all my 

tricks and tips to run and adjust my action set.

My action set includes 4 actions: Color, B and W, Vintage Azure and Soft Color.  It's like having me sit at your computer edit your photos for you :)

You can purchase these 4 actions in my
PBE action set for just $30.

$30.00

Compatible w/ Photoshop CS. They also come with tutorial on how to apply actions step by step in Elements 7.
(actions do NOT "run" in elements
however, they can be applied step by step.)

Anyone want to share studio space?

Anyone out there want to share studio space in the Salt Lake area?  I have lots of life changes coming down the line.  We just had my 20 week Ultrasound on Friday, she's still a girl & she's the cutest baby EVER!!:)  I'm looking to expand my business while still downsizing - is this possible???  I have a possible space or am open to a new location.  I have a super nice set of studio lights & domes, triggers, a zillion backdrops, floors, you names it I've got it.  Drop me a line if this tickles your fancy.

emilie@photobyemilie.com

PhotoShop Tip - White Balance

Check out my PhotoShop tip HERE.  This month I talk about White Balance.

 

Happy Clicking!!

How I get work done

Bring on the PINK!!

Yup, that's right!!  We're having a baby.  I'm 17 weeks & due in July.  We found out this morning we are having a girl.  Bring on the PINK!!  We could not be more excited.  I wish someone would have warned me about this pregnancy thing.  Come to find out, I'm a wimp.  It's been challenging, but a very effective way to loose weight.  Who knew??  The thing I miss the most if surfing blogs & reading all your fun posts, computer work makes me Sea Sick!!  I have about 450 sessions to blog, and about that many emails I haven't responded to.  If you're one of those people - gosh dang I'm sorry!!  Just know I'm home, probably on the couch being a wimp, rubbing my belly hoping to feel something move.  

Big Thanks to Shauna, Naoma and Alyssa for your help with my weddings this month.  Couldn't have done them without you!!

Call For Help

I have 3 weddings this month & would love an assistant.  I typically don't shoot weddings with an assistant but feel I could use the help.  I would need someone for about 2 hours at the Salt Lake Temple.  I would need someone to carry my camera bag, assist me with posing, hold my reflector & flash and carry me if I decide I don't want to walk (just kidding).  In exchange I'll spend 30 minutes prior to the wedding answering as many ?'s as you can ask.  This is a great opportunity for an upcoming photographer who is interested in experiencing a full blown wedding and learning a little about my business.

My first wedding is this Wednesday, Jan 5th.

 If you are interested email me & I'll send you more details about the times & duties.

emilie@photobyemilie.com

Commitment Ceremony?

Last night my fabulous friend Sara & I decided to go to a bridal show. I've been wanting to go to one for some time. Not because I'm getting married anytime soon, but I've been wanting to check them out as a possible place to market my wedding photography. I found out yesterday there was one in Grand America, and Sara & I already had plans to get together & watch our favorite show "Pushing Daisies". (which by the way did you hear it was canceled - what are they thinking!!!) Sara is always up for fun stuff. So we showed up & they said if we filled out a Bride form saying we were a bride that we would get in for free. Well, we couldn't pass that up. So we both filled one out and got a big bag of bridal goodies and off we went into bridal consumer heaven. We first stopped off at a printing company, the first ? she asks "which one of you is a bride", Sara replies "both". She then begins to pepper us with ?'s. When is your date, Sara "sometime in 2010", I say "me too". Have you found invitations? Sara, "nope" - me "nope". So this is about how it goes for the next 15-20 booths or so. I'm super shy about fibbing but Sara is getting a big kick out of it so I just say "same" after every response Sara gives. We are getting some funny looks & I'm sure it's because I'm acting totally suspicious. So we're just about through all the vendors & we found this awesome photographer we're chatting with. He asks us all the same ?'s, we respond in the say way. He then says "So you're having a Commitment Ceremony?" I honestly didn't understand the ? and just stared at him. Sara is laughing hysterically. It took me at least another 30 seconds to even figure out what he was talking about. I am sure that every vendor in that places thought we were planning OUR Wedding. Honestly!!! I like you Sara - just not that much!!! Thanks for the awesome evening filled with about a zillion giggles!!

Here is a photo of the MOUNDS of brochures they handed out. Talk about killing a tree or 2.

Happy New Year Everyone!!

I've had one crazy year and looking forward to another crazy year. I hope that it's filled with all the good crazy & none of the bad crazy. I've had this little dream list swimming around in my head about the things & people & locations that I want to shoot before I die. So I decided to write them down & call it my New Years Resolution 2009!!! And I ain't kidding about my resolutions, 2 years ago I made resolution to start a photography company. It took me 6 months to buy a camera but look at me now!! I haven't really thought about any other resolutions except for the ones I'm always thinking about (be more healthy, aka lose all my wobbly bits, & go to the Temple more often.) Those resolutions sort of lose their vigor after 10 years in a row. Anyhow, enjoy my list...

1. Portrait or Maternity shots up Big Cottonwood Canyon while it's snowing.
2. Bridals on the Red Cliffs in St. George
3. Bridals in the the pool at Casa Blanca (probably will never happen, but you can't stop me from dreaming.)
4. A St. George Temple wedding.
5. Newborn shoot in a field of flowers
6. Portfolio shoot for a dancer in some rundown location. (jazz or ballet would be a dream!)
7. Kids dressed up like the Nativity Scene. I saw one with 4 kids. They were dressed up as Joseph, Mary, The Angel & of course Baby Jesus. Darling, Darling, Darling!!
8. Commercial shoot for a children's hair bow company or some other cute kid's accessory
9. Commercial shoot for a men's underwear company - just kidding (sort of)
10. Tasteful boudoir shoot at the Hotel Monico in downtown SL
11. Group & individual portraits for a children's dance studio. (seriously this may take the cake for pure photography bliss!!)
12. Portrait of an 7-9 year old for their baptism & design an announcement. (I just love this age!!)
13. Second shoot at a wedding. I've only been the primary photographer. I think I'd just learn a ton!!
14. Lorin's Tat Sleeve when it's finished. (Lorin, you promised!!)
15. Bridal at the Old Cottonwood Mill
16. New baby urban style downtown
17. To shoot the Logan, Manti, DC, San Diego & Hawaii Temple.
18. Portfolio shots for a hair stylist (several different models w/ different hair styles)

Anyone in?!?!?

Here is the photo of the St. George Temple I shot over Christmas. It is for sale on my Fine Arts Blog, and more StG Temple pix to come sometime before Valentines.
That's all for now!!

My Family Christmas Gift

(Mom & Dad)

There was some debate in my family about how to do the adult family gift exchange. We decided instead of drawing names this year we would purchase one group gift & then play the white elephant game with all the gifts. Well, it started out a little crazy with Tyler opening the first gift while we were trying to nail down the game rules. Ooopsy. Tyler was crying because someone yelled at him to stop, Dax & Lia were fighting over one the gifts Mimi had given, & the adults were all yelling over the top of them the rules they thought were best. We decided tonight that game would have been a lot more fun without the kids in the house. Even with all the chaos it was a ton of fun. My gift was these pictures in a portfolio book. Taya ended up with the book after stealing it from Taz. I ended up with a giftcard to eat out - I stole that from Ali (I actually think she's still mad at me for it.) What a fun day!! Merry Christmas everyone!! I hope your Christmas was just as crazy & delightful as ours.
(Taya & Ryan)
(Tyler)
(Lia Loolers)
(Presley)
(Taz)
(Katie)
(Me)
(Dax)
(Ali - on the far left. This one is hard to tell, she totally fits in:)

Last Day at Marriott

Yesterday was my last day at Marriott. I really think as a general rule no one should get laid off in Dec. I just love all these peeps!! I will particularly miss seeing Taz everyday. Good thing we got him on Facebook so I can IM all the time. NO ONE loved their job as much as I loved Marriott. I know it sounds strange but I looked forward to days I worked. Let's be honest maybe it was because we really didn't work all that much. I do have to admit it just wasn't the same when the malls closed & we couldn't shop during our shifts anymore. 6 years of Job Bliss!!! All in all I believe I'll look back & find this just a transition to something bigger & better. Photo By Emilie here I come!!!

Announcing a new incentive...

Congratulations Bartons!! You are the first wins of Pee Pee for Prints!! I just have to give them a prize for this shot!! You have a free 8x10 coming!! Thanks for the great shot. Everyone get your babies ready, if I capture Pee Pee you also get a free 8x10 Print!! Bring on your Pee Pee :)

www.mypacifier.com

I was telling Amber about these darling personalized pacifiers. I just can't fathom how she keeps the twins binks separate, but she does it. They are only $15.00 for 3. I thought that was a steal. Although, I don't believe I have even purchased a pacifier. But it sounds cheep to me.

Thanksgiving in Zions

What an amazing place to spend Thanksgiving!! We ate at the lodge next to a panaramic view of Zions {{wowsers}}. After din we drove through the Canyons. We also got out and nature walking and tooks pix. Cathy the Camera's battery was dead & I was so disappointed {{sigh}}. I took these photos with my iphone. Not bad!!

It rained for 2 days strait, which is unheard of in South Utah. All the rain made small waterfalls everywhere you looked. Awesome!! Even more awesome is the rain let up just as we finished din so we could go on our mini nature hike.

This is me, above. Don't ask about the crazy pose. I was totally loopy from all the food I had just eaten and Ali in the bottom photo. Apparently suffering from the same ailment.

Do Not Feed the Wildlife!! {{hee hee hee}}

My daddy with that silly hood that's been stuffed in that coat collar since he bought it. Finally giving it some use.

Thanks Mommy & Daddy for such a fantastic Thanksgiving Day!!

Look how tiny my 6 foot dad looks next to those cliffs.

Thanks Boo for being such an awesome sis & making Thanksgiving so much fun!! Hip Hip Horray for Lady Deckers!!!

Thanksgiving Photo Place Cards

I found these darling Thanksgiving Photo Place Cards on TipJunkie. I just love using photos for all sorts of things. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Early Chirstmas!!

Check out my Early Christmas present from "E". A massive 22 inch monitor (it's 2 inches short of being double the size of what I was using). It has changed the way I look at the world. Look how silly my tiny laptop looks next to the monster monitor. I have never enjoyed editing so much!! Close 2nd was when I was watching all 4 seasons of One Tree Hill while I edited. Nonetheless that is 2nd to the joy of editing on this baby!!

HUGE HUGS "E"!!!!

Big Game

GO UTES!!! I was just surfing the web and found this photo. Isn't it awesome!! It's off the Pizza's family blog. I don't know them, but I want too after seeing this rad photo!! I can't wait to watch the game today!!

I BLEED RED!!

In honor of the big game this weekend, I've decided to post a few RED inspired pix. This is for all you computer program junkies. "FFOOOO" is the HTLM Hex code for RED!! Notice the apple sticker in the window. Talk about Stealing my heart :) I found this photo on a really cool website called Colorschemer. I use it when I'm designing to help me create awesome color pallets. GO UTES!!