Last spring I had an opportunity to travel to San Antonio and spend the weekend with some fabulous photographers and learn from the amazing Andrea Joki. It worked out perfectly since I had a Friday out of class! We focused on OCF (off camera lighting for my non-photographer readers) and editing. I learned so much and my head is *still* spinning! I’ve been super busy since graduation and life just got away from me. I finally took some time to edit pictures for fun and wanted to take a minute to share some of the images! We had great models, fun locations and a talent instructor - doesn’t get much better than that!!

Just a quick share for now!

And in case you’ve ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at photography workshops….

Last week the man with the Brown Shorts bought me a gift. A gift that so many women-photographers have longed for. A gift that is stylish AND functional - (how often are those two words used together when describing a CAMERA BAG?? Not very often!) A gift that made me squeal like a school girl after her crush gives her a glance! I was soo excited to tear into the box! How awesome that it came inside it’s own cute little blue bag?!?! I was walking about the door to pick the kiddos up from school and to run some errands. It was killing me to hurry home and love on my new bag! I was excited for the weather to get nice so I could bring it out for it’s on photo session!!! If you love it too and want to pick up your own, be sure and check out Epiphanie Bags.

And hurry over, they are having a fabulous contest on their blog!!! .

You are what you wear.

A little cliché? Perhaps. But when it comes to portrait photography, clothing plays a huge role in the success of the finished product.

Before we get going – let’s be clear what you’re clothing does NOT need to be:

Brand New
I’m down with your favorite ripped jeans, retro band T’s, and worn converse shoes – as long as you know how to rock them in your own fabulous style.
Fancy-Schmancy and Uber-Expensive
Unless it’s your thing (If it’s really your thing, then by all means baby, bring on the bling). If you’re not normally a dress-up kind of person, don’t feel like you have to be one for your session.

Matching
No need to focus on matching everything from the color of your fuchsia headbands to the stripes in your socks. In fact, I beg of you, please, please don’t. If you’re heart is set on everyone in white button downs and khaki pants, I’m probably not your girl.

Stressful
No need to worry about each and every item, or fret about the suitability of each accessory. This is supposed to be fun. If you’re unsure – call me, and together, we’ll make sure you look fabulous. I promise.
I want you to be happy, thrilled, over the moon about your images, and I know that this is much more likely if we take the time and work together to help you choose clothing that fits these few simple rules:

Feels Good.
During your shoot you could be sitting in a pile on the grass having a tickle battle, rolling down a hill with your fiancé, throwing your kiddos in the air or climbing a tree. Wear clothing that lets you do all that (and more) comfortably.

As for the kids? Well…uncomfortable kids have a tendency to look…uncomfortable, and are often cranky to boot. Happy kids make for happy pictures.

Bottom Line: Don’t choose outfits that make any of you feel constrained, stiff, itchy, scratchy, like you’re dressed up for Halloween, or that leave you with a nagging worry that a button might pop if you bend the wrong way. Trust me.

Looks Good.
This can be tricky, looking good is totally subjective – right? If you’re not a Carrie Bradshaw fashionista in real life, you might want to pull in some extra help from a straight-talking friend or your trusty photographer (that would be me) who knows about such things and has plans in place to help.

Sometimes last year’s of-the-moment dress has already become hopelessly untrendy. Sometimes the current fashions just don’t look or feel like you. Sometimes outfits that look good in the mirror might not be ideally suited for photography. If you’re really looking for extra help, I can put you in touch with some incredible folks who make people look good for a living.

Bottom Line: If you don’t feel fabulous-fierce-take-on-the-world gorgeous in your outfit, you’re not going to love, love, love the end result – and I’m all about you love, love, loving the end result.

Makes Sense.
Here’s where we pull it all together. It’s not just enough that everyone look good and feel good – you’ve gotta look and feel good together AND the outfits should fit with your location and the desired mood for your portraits.

Glup. That seems like a lot, doesn’t it? (quick – revisit #4 in the top list, and remember, don’t stress).

Before you even begin figuring out your wardrobe, we’ll have an in depth consultation to narrow down what you really want for your pictures, choose the perfect location and make sure you have an understanding about how that all comes together in the finished photograph. I’m with you every step of the way.

Bottom Line: It’s easier than it seems.Think twice about having Emma in a lace prom dress if you can’t get Tommy out of his spider man cape and favorite Star Wars pajama top. If we’re going to be running around in a park, you’ll likely not decide to wear your starched Sunday best. Hate the way stripes and plaids look together but Dad has his favorite stripped polo ready to go? Best steer mom away from her beloved family tartan. Easy-Peasy. [unless Mom is really attached to that tartan, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it).

~~~

If you’re still not certain, and you can’t decide between the yellow wrap dress with your red heels or your dark skinny jeans and purple belted shirt – I’ve got good news. You don’t have to decide. Bring lots of options. Heck – throw your whole wardrobe into the back of the car. When we get to the session we’ll wing it all with fabulous results. Trust me.

Now take a deep breath. Close your eyes. Imagine how blow-everyone-away-fabulous-ready-for-America’s-Next-Top-Model you’re all going to look in those pictures….

Can you see it yet? I totally can. OMG, you look INCREDIBLE!

I can’t wait for your session.

used with permission from Janette LaBlanc

We’re just 3 days into the new year before I got around to posting my 2009 year-in-review post… not too shabby for me Now, I have to get caught back up on weddings and albums so keep you eyes peeled for a 2009 Year-In-Review post from my personal life pictures! I love showing off pictures of my 2 munchkins. To my 200 clients - thank you for making my year a great success!! I appreciate each and every one of you! Here’s to hoping that you all have a happy and prosperous 2010!!!

“Your silent tents of green. We deck with fragrant flowers; Yours has the suffering been, The memory shall be ours.” –Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

It’s sad to say, but I think Memorial Day has become more like National Cook Out Day, or Go to the Beach day and many have forgotten about the real reason behind what marks the end of the school year and the start of the summer. It’s more than just another day that the banks are closed. It’s more than having a BBQ or going camping. It is a day set aside to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. It is a day to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation. As people have called me today thanking me for my service, I have reflected on those who were lost. I have a long family history of service members and I know my mom and nannie have been at the cemetery today putting flowers on the graves of those self-less family members. Today my heart has been heavy for the families of Lance Cpl Seth Huston and CWO2 Miles Henderson - both of these you men gave their lives Iraqi war. Seth was just 19 and Miles was a 24 year old newly wed. So, as the day is winding down and so many are coming in from their long weekends and preparing for work, and as kiddos are celebrating the start of summer, I do hope that you took some time to remember the men and women who have given everything for our freedoms and the families that they left behind.

For love of country they accepted death… ~James A. Garfield

There aren’t very many pictures of me in uniform floating around, but for the curious, I found a few scans on my computer.

Welcome to the New Blog! I am super excited about all of the changes going on at Maddie Dean Photography! Be sure to bookmark this new address so you don’t miss out on upcoming specials! All previous posts have been transfered here, so the old blog will eventually be deleted! Things may look wonky from time to time, but just bear with me as I get everything looking *just right*!  Have a look around and be sure to let me know you visited. It’s nice to know when people read my blog and like what they see, it keeps me motivated!!

Have a Blessed Day!
Sarah

I met up with a couple of “local” photographers last weekend to work on a few skills. The sun wasn’t being super cooperative for what we were wanting to learn, so we had fun and made the best of it anyways! I thoroughly having the opportunity to meet photographers near me and enjoy the time visiting and learning! Thanks Guys! Looking forward to next time!!

-Sarah-

This beautiful girl belongs to one of my dearest friends… Misty Green of MG Studios!

This is the beautiful girl’s mama

They should be sisters

Blowing bubbles is her new ‘thing’

This is what I look like ‘working’

I think this is my favorite ‘action’ shot from the day

What’s a meet up without a group shot?

That’s exactly what happened to my online client galleries last night. So, if you’ve tried to view your gallery today, it hasn’t worked. I’m sorry about that! I’ve decided that it’s time for an upgrade anyways, so I will likely spend the weekend and most of next week getting everything redone. So, I just ask that you be patient while I get things straightened back out. If you gallery was set to expire soon, don’t worry, it’ll be re posted and all early-bird specials will be extended. I’m sorry for the inconvenience!!!

-Sarah-

I, rather my mom, has a closet full of formal gowns that will never see the light of day on my body again. Who was I kidding when I thought they’d fit and I’d wear them all again?? My parents are in the process of moving and my lovely mother saw fit that I take possession of the gowns. Trust me, that didn’t thrill my husband, at all. Well, my sweet friend Suzette has saved the day! She is a teacher in the Mississippi Delta and works with inner-city, severely under-privileged kids. They are wanting to have the “prom of their dreams” - only most of these kids can’t imagine being able to afford one gown, much less the 7 in my closet! Suzette is asking for donations - either monetarily or in the form of dress. I know I’m not the only one who has hoarded these beauties!! The following is the email I received from Suzette. I have taken out her contact information for security’s sake, but if you are interested in helping her and these students out, please leave a message with your email and I will forward it along! Please, help me help Suzette help these deserving students!

God Bless!
Sarah

Dear Friends and Family,

Suzette Matthews

As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They’re banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we’ve seen in decades. I’d like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren’t originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children’s books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there’s always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it’s passed testing. It won’t even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can’t sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can’t even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children’s items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you’ll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you’d better start buying now because it’s all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren’t certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.