The Children Project - Michigan Photographer

Lately I have been missing shooting with film, more specifically b&w film. I no longer have a film camera (will be investing in one) There is something about shooting with film that forces you to look at things differently, to double, triple check lighting, angles, background. Forcing the best out of you. After all there is no "delete" button when it comes to film. Don't get me wrong, I love digital and I don't think I ever would go back to strictly film...though never say never. I miss the developing of film as well, the smell and feel of exclusion in the dark room. Alone with your own thoughts and visions. I was big into b&w imagery for a very long time. You can't replicate the drama and mood in color. I kind of faded away from that for the last several years, but thinking of film made me once again want to envelope myself with b&w.

I decided to start a project, to get me back in touch with what it is that made me fall passionately in love with photographic art. This is a project just for me, one to reach down into my soul. I love to share so will share some of the photos I create. To start with, I will be using my own children as my subjects. I want to capture their mood and the way they are daily. Where I will go next remains to be seen. I want to look at the world with fresh eyes again, just for me. Light, shadows...how they dance together. I will go back to taking my camera with me everywhere. That way if I see something just driving to the store I can stop and make a picture.

My first in this project is my 6 yr old. She is always topless, she prefers the freedom of no clothes, so that is just how I wanted her. She had PBJ stains on her face, but insisted on washing them off, I wanted her to leave them...but I have to give a little sometimes when convincing my children to model for me. There is old pile of rubble way back on our property. It is the remnants of a bridge that crossed the PM River (locals will know the river) Its' been back there for a couple years now and knew before they came to clear it out I really wanted to incorporate it into some images...this project was perfect! Crumbling rock and re-bar with a beautiful innocent child...how amazing!

So here are some of the photos I made last night. It was about 8:30 when we headed out, great light, deep shadows...perfect!

Thanks for sharing in this with me. Promise yourself you will never loose sight of your passions in life and will go after them with vigor!

-Kristen Marie

My thoughts for the day - Michigan Child Photographer

a worth while read here

the link is from a fellow photog...

Even though I shouldn't be, I am still amazed at the way people balk at professional photography prices, about the cost of prints, the session fee...all of it. I try not to get upset when people give me a hard time about prices, or compare my prices to others. But darn it, it does upset me. Not only do I feel like they are saying I am not worth it (though I know I am and then some) but that my work is not worth it (though I know it is and yes again..then some). It really is insulting. I know money is tight for everyone right now. But I have found that people don't hesitate to spend a fortune on getting their hair done, their nails done, going out to eat, buying clothes, tanning..all things that fade or go out of style. Why would you balk at something that will last a lifetime? Professional photography, professional prints stand the test of time. They capture a moment in time, hold on to those memories. It's something future generations can enjoy and appreciate. They aren't going to care if your hair was colored, if your nails were perfectly manicured, what clothes you wore or where you went out to eat. They are going love and cherish those portraits! Now this is leaving OUT the cost of owning your own business, the cost of equipment, the cost of marketing, the cost of props, the cost of studio space if one has one. Not to mention the time. We don't just meet, snap the shots and call it a day. There is time away from our family, our friends, or even just some time alone to relax. Professional photographers don't just stop at snapping that shutter! It doesn't even start there. There is consultation, thought and planning your session so that it is as perfect as can be for you. Then after your session comes even more work. There is editing, more communication with the client, designing cards or albums. We love it or we wouldn't do it, but that is beside the point. Our time is just a precious as it is to the client. That's why we work so hard, because time is so important and we want to make the clients times is well spent with us. I really have only touched on all the work that goes into professional photography.


Points to be taken from this? If you find a photographer whose work you LOVE and they are out of your price range. SAVE for it! Start a little photography fund. Ask yourself...if money was a non issue, would you want this photographer to be the one to capture your memories? If you can answer "yes"...then save for it! Don't tell a photographer that they are to expensive, don't compare them to others, don't say..."well, I can get my prints done here for this $, why can't you do that?" Don't tell a photographer "wow, your camera takes really great pictures" trust me...it is NOT the camera! I have seen people with $5000 cameras and their pictures are far from professional. I have seen pictures from a $300 camera with a pro behind and the images ROCKED!! It is the artist, the photographer, the SOUL behind that camera. You wouldn't tell a chef, "that food is SO good..you must have really nice pans" or tell a hair stylist " your haircuts are the bomb..your shears must be awesome" Right?

I know I may sound like I am ranting a little...well, because I am ranting! I am not just ranting for for myself and other photographers out there feeling this frustration, but for the client as well. If a client is going to just "price shop" then they are not going to get what they want. They aren't going to have that perfect treasured moment that will be around for years to come and for future generations to love! I love what I do...I can not imagine doing anything else than capturing beautiful images! I want all my clients to have the best. We charge what we charge because we ARE worth it!!!

I don't mean to sound harsh, I am just being honest and speaking the truth. Plain and simple...and sometimes the truth can be harsh.

I will end my rant now and close with this. If you are a client looking for beautiful images, look at a photographers work, not just their prices. In the end...you get what you pay for.

Blessings...
Kristen Marie

taking a cue from Andre and her example, I thought I'd show my own. Take a simple grassy little knoll, (my 6 yr old actually snapped the grass shot with my really nice camera) add an adorable subject, set your camera to the right settings, get the angle, crop and lighting just right and viola...you have a beautiful professional portrait.

The Awakening Quench - West Michigan Photographer

Ok first let me say, I don't usually do anything like this. Blog images of myself, but I choose myself as this weeks project 52. I am behind and do plan to catch up, but felt I really needed to do this for myself.

Have you ever felt an thirst? A thirst so bad that you seem unable to quench it? A deep yearning for relief? I have! I have been in an "odd" place for quite awhile now. Lots of personal issues happening and my future was uncertain. Recently I have been thrown through a loop that I never thought I would ever have to endure. There was pain, longing, fear, love, passion, tears and laughter. To say I have been on emotional roller coaster the last couple of weeks is at best an understatement. Emotions that ran so deep, my heart, my soul ached in a way that was beyond my own words. Like a blow that knocks you down. There was also love there, love that was intense, abandoned and more importantly comforting. A love so real that it simply took and continues to take my breath away, making my knees weak and my head swim. Like being wrapped in warm, soothing liquid love. Feeling pain, aches, yearning, love, happiness, comfort means your alive...REALLY alive..not just living, not just passing through, not just going about like an empty drone...but ALIVE. I have felt more alive theses past couple of weeks. More determined to make my life all that it can be. I have embraced all of it, held it close to my heart, let my soul absorb it. Every moment, every hurt, every bit of joy, even the anger. I felt it and I was and am thankful for it. I think (know) that I have been just going through the motions for quite awhile, shut myself down, tried to fight any emotion, keep it all away. I feel like I have been woken from a deep sleep, maybe even reborn. Everything looks different, smells different, tastes different, feels different. I am like a child who has been hidden in a dark room and finally set free and is in awe of all that is around them in the light. The hunger to explore, to feel, to breathe, to live.

An awakening quench has been held out to me and I am eagerly taking it for all its worth. Drinking it in, feeling life flowing through my veins, love pumping through my heart.

I still am uncertain as to what the future holds, it's still on shaky ground. What I do know, is that I will cherish this time in my life forever. No matter what comes my way...this awaking quench is simply heavenly.

the images are a few captured emotions...