Showit Sites- Site of the Year Contest

Wow… That’s about all I can muster after discovering that my website has been selected as a finalist in the Site of the Year Contest. Showit Sites is amazing, I’ve said it before and I will say it again and again and again… I just can’t say enough great things about their products and service! 🙂 Thank you a million times over!!

It feels so amazing to have my site listed as one of the finalists.  It’s so cool to look at the other sites and see their creativity and personality throughout their website.  Showit Sites gives us the tools and freedom to create what we envision without being restricted by templates.  I LOVE that!! 

So, if you are a member of OpenSource Photo, please take the time to look at all of the sites and vote for your favorite 5.  All of us photographers thank you!!!  🙂

My Muse!

Sometimes you meet people who simply inspire you.  Inspire you to try, to improve, to just do.  Justine does this for me.  She is a great friend, my #1 cheerleader, my go-to person for different ideas I have about my business and above all, my muse.  🙂  Aside from being obviously gorgeous, she’s also willing try anything- especially when it comes to my photography visions.  Like I said, she is a GREAT friend!   

This past Sunday Justine and I drove out to Harrisburg for a concept shoot with the ultra-fabulous, Kacy Jo!  I met Kacy this past summer and I just adore her.  She allowed us to play on her turf and although it was freezing cold, we had a great time and managed to produce some amazing shots!  Justine & Kacy- thank you for being awesome friends!  Enjoy!!

Oh, and I have to say, I LOVE my new lenses!!!

Resolutions

So, I am not someone who can generally make a list of resolutions and keep them.  Even with my best efforts, they just seem to fall off my radar and I don’t think of them again until the following year is almost here and I realize that everything I *wanted* to accomplish didn’t even come close to happening.  (Oops!)  🙂

This year I am keeping it simple. 

I want to do this and I mean reeeeaaally do this.  Photography.  My passion.  My dream job.  I love it and I feel like it loves me back.  I want to take my business to the next level.  I want to be successful, in demand, creating gorgeous images, making a lasting impression and sustain lasting relationships.  I have the support from my loved ones and they believe I can do this.  I believe I can do this.

So, my resolution is to keep on going.  I love the path I am on and I want to start running!  🙂  Bring it on 2009, I’m ready for you!!!

Fast Track Coaching w/ Dane Sanders

So, I have said it before and I will say it again: Dane Sanders is pretty much amazing.  When I received the email that Dane was going to be offering Fast Track Coaching once a week, I immediately signed up!  I mean, 30 minutes a week of direct coaching from the guru himself, pretty fantastic!  🙂 

As most of you know, 2009 is going to being my “branding” year- and no, I don’t mean like cattle.  I am committed to developing a brand for my business.  I am finding my foothold, my style and my purpose in this industry and I couldn’t be more thrilled!  🙂  It’s very exciting.  These weekly lessons are going to be like food for my soul, my weekly inspiration and reminder to stay on track. 

Today’s lesson did not disappoint!  Kevin Kubota was a guest speaker!  (What a way to kick things off, right??)  Kevin is a self proclaimed “Action Hero” due to his AMAZING Photoshop Actions that I just L-O-V-E!!  They rocked my world the first time I used them- me and my portraits just adore him!  If you don’t have them- buy them!  Honestly, you’ll be so glad you did!

Anyway, I can’t begin to express how amazing it is to get insight and tips from the front-runners of the Photography World.  It’s truly a gift.  They’ve been there, they’ve done it and they are so graciously giving back to the rest of us who are just starting out and want to build a solid business.  If you are a photographer- take advantage of this amazing program that Dane is offering!

Reflection: 2008

Wow.  I cannot believe that a year has already gone by.  Where did it go?  Honestly…?  To say that this past year was busy would be a total understatement.  2008 was crazy- and I loved every minute of it!!  🙂  It has been a year of growth, discovery, purification and blessings.  I am so fortunate to have the support from family, friends and clients, to do what I love. 

As chaotic as this past year has been, I am hoping, praying and planning on doubling my workload as I push forward with my new brand, equipment, style and ambition!  2008 was good to me, but I can’t wait to see what 2009 brings!  Here is a little collection of some of my favorite images of 2008.  Enjoy!

Addison

Amy

 

Derek

 

Trevor

 Jason & Heather- Engagement

Andrea

Hannah

Alisha

 Kylee

Taylor

Justine

Grace

Kaydence

Ramp Family

Dustin & Jamie- Wedding

 Flora Family

 

Cody

Spencer

Jamie

Johnny

 Hannah & Tyler

Jason & Heather- Wedding

Mark & Justin- Engagement

Alex

Sarah

Jessica

Craft Family

Brandon

Brittany & Derek- Engagement

Scott & Brittany- Engagement

Kief Family

Thank you for an AMAZING year! 

 

My Bag of Tricks

So I am totally freaking out!!  I am married to the greatest guy in the world- honestly ladies!!  🙂  I am always amazed by Jeff’s unwavering support and love.  I just can’t thank him enough. 

When I brought up our need to purchases new lenses, he took it like a champ.  The lenses we had were okay, not horrible, but definitely not great either.  I want to move forward with our business and to do so, we needed new lenses pretty badly.  After many weeks of scouring the internet for reviews, looking at sample shots of several different lenses, we finally selected the lenses we would purchase.  Sadly, I really haven’t had a chance to test these babies out, but I have some fun sessions planned in the next few weekends and a wedding in mid-January.  Yay!! 

Here’s a little showing of my new equipment!!  Aren’t they gorgeous??  My poor family had to “Ooh and Ahh” to appease me, since they know verly little about photography, they just didn’t understand my excitement.  Hehe, at least they faked it for me!

50mm, 1.4  Prime Lens- so far my favorite!  I can’t wait to see what this little gem is going to do for me!

85mm, 1.8  Prime Lens- another fabulous lens.  I used this one all of Christmas Day and loved the results!

100mm, 2.8 Macro Lens- this is actually an old favorite.  I purchased this lens 2 years ago, it was my very first Prime Lens.  The moment I attached it to my camera, it was instant love.  🙂  I use this lens for every wedding ring shot and I absolutely love the way the images turn out.  I find myself using it to capture most of the details of a wedding day.

24-70mm, 2.8L  This lens was transferred in from another store and due to the bad weather up North, I just got it on Friday.  This lens will primarily be Jeff’s lens, but I am very excited to play with it!  Luckily for me, Jeff is very good about sharing.  🙂

70-200mm, 2.8L IS  My must-have lens.  I have been drooling over this lens for the past 2 years and it is finally mine!  Granted, this lens is a beast- but I am in LOVE with it!  I am totally looking forward to how in-shape my arms will be after wedding season next summer!  😉

I will post more about these lenses in the coming weeks, once I have a chance to play with them!  I also have to add that I cannot wait to receive my new Shootsac!  🙂  I have been begging for one of these bags since Jessica Claire  came out with them and I am just beside myself to get one finally!  🙂  YAY!

The new look of Holli True Photography!

You can view my site by going to www.hollitrue.com!

Family Session- Mt. Pisgah

So, when my friend Shauna asked me to do her family’s pictures, the intention was to go to the snow.  Unfortunately, we have had the driest winter, thus far.  I have always wanted to do a snow session and it always seems that Mother Nature has different plans for me.  Is this a sign?  Possibly.  Will I still do a snow session if the opportunity presents itself?  Absolutely. 

Anyway,  when the day of the session finally arrived, we decided not to waste our time driving up to the mountains- what would be the point?  Instead, we opted for Mt. Pisgah.  It would seem that I have been doing a lot of sittings there lately, but it’s just so darn pretty there- no one can resist it.  🙂

To the Kief’s, thank you for asking me to do your pictures- I had a great time getting to know all of you a little better!  Happy Holidays and I hope you love your pictures!!  🙂

Oh, and I adore Bailey!  🙂  He was such a trooper!!

I <3 Seattle- Seriously!!

So, years ago, and I’m talking years ago- I tried my hardest to get my hubby of less than one year to move up to Seattle.  I love Seattle… L-O-V-E!  “Come on,” I whined, “We’re young, we’re free…  We don’t have any kids yet, our parents won’t care!  Let’s move up there, puh-lease!?!?!?”  Jeff was not impressed, nor was he willing to budge on his decision of planting our roots here in Eugene. 

  Now, don’t get me wrong, I adore Eugene.  I was born and raised here and I can’t imagine raising a family anywhere else.  I love that my Grandma stops by every single night, that our families get together for every single holiday because we all live so close and that my children will most likely attend the same schools I attended.  It’s comfortable, it’s perfect, it’s home.  🙂

  But, when I was 18- yes, I got married when I was 18- I just wanted a change of scene.  More than anything, I think I wanted to prove my independence and show that I was an adult who could make it with her new husband in the big bad world.  We never made the move to Seattle, but we visit often.  And every time I go there, I always beg to make the move.  Our last trip, two weekends ago, was no exception…

So, when I booked an Engagement Session in Seattle, I was thrilled!!  The shot above caught my eye the moment I started my shoot.  I used this brick wall for some shots of the future Mr & Mrs, and decided to steal a few personal shots, too.  🙂  The next few images were all snapped during their shoot.  I am such a tourist when I am in new territory and I kept apologizing while I happily snapped away.  🙂  Luckily for me, they didn’t seem to mind much!

The breathtaking view from Kerry Park- Seattle’s hidden gem.  I fell in love with this place and now I will have to visit every single time we go there. 

The next few shots were taken the next day.  We went back up to Kerry Park, I wanted my kids to see how beautiful Seattle truly is.  🙂  Cole loved the park immediately!

In the above you can see Mt Rainier in the distance.  In the image below you can see my son was dying to be my model.  🙂

Occasionally I step out from behind the camera- usually this only happens if my kids are going to be in the picture with me.  Oh, and I know I look like a horrible mother having my child stand on the ledge like that.  I have to say that there is grass just on the other side of this wall, a few feet from the wall, the ground begins to slope down to a children’s park- so it isn’t nearly as horrific as it looks!  Plus, Cole isn’t very brave, so he wouldn’t have ever climbed up there otherwise!  🙂

Our last stop before heading home was the EMP- Experience Music Project.  This place is only one of the coolest museums I have ever been to.  We all decided we needed at least a full day to really see all there is to offer there.  Unfortunately, they forbid you from taking pictures in any of the exhibits, but you can snap a few shots in some the areas.  If you ever get a chance to go to the EMP- do it!  You won’t be sorry!!  If you love music, you will LOVE EMP.

For those of you who don’t know, my son is a future Rockstar.  He loves Rock-n-Roll and can currently play Expert on both Drums and Guitar on Rockband- pretty amazing for a 5 year old!  🙂  We are going to get him some real drum lessons soon- his eye-hand coordination is mind blowing!  This tower of guitars made his whole face light up- watching him made mine light up. 

Until next time, Seattle…  🙂

Why Photography?

My dad recently said, “I’m surprised you chose photography.  When you were a kid you were always drawing and writing.”  I sat there for a minute and knew instantly that he was right.  As a child I would tell anyone who asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up that I was going to be a writer or an artist.  All through high school I wrote novels and never went anywhere without my charcoals and sketch pads.  I would spend hours lounging on my bed, scribbling story ideas on notepads or sketching face after face, practicing eyes, noses and hands- the hardest body part to draw, I might add. 

The truth is, I didn’t choose photography.  It chose me.  Over 7 years ago my husband and I were faced with a tragedy.  We lost our baby girl, Jenna Tylene, when I was 5 months pregnant with her.  It was devastating.  It changed me.  It changed him.  It changed us.  I was 20 years old, married for 2 years, just ready start a new career. 

And then came the news. 

Jenna was sick.  She suffered from Turner Syndrome.  She was the 1 out of 2500.  What made her special, was that she also fell into the 2% that would live beyond 12 weeks gestation.  She was my little fighter and I would have given anything to have her in my life.  I still would.  We hold strong to our faith, and we know that one day we will all be with her, our little angel. 

Days turned to weeks and the weeks turned to months.  My life was not the same and I knew it never would be.  Part of my healing process was forcing myself to work with children.  I needed to surround myself with them.  So, I got a job at a children’s studio in the mall.  It was 4 hour a day therapy session.  Sometimes the days would make me laugh- like meeting Max and photographing him in his daddy’s Firefighter uniform.  Sometimes the days would make me cry- like photographing a newborn baby who was born on Jenna’s due date. 

As good, bad, and sometimes ugly as it was, it was exactly what I needed.

Three years ago I ventured beyond the studio walls and formed my own company.  I love every minute of it.  I made the transitions from film to digital, studio to on-location, and therapy to passion.  Having one been a children’s photographer, 90% of my business now is Seniors and Weddings.  I honestly couldn’t think of a better fit for me, than photography.

So, my response to my dad was that he shouldn’t be surprised.  Photography has become my creative outlet.  It’s the perfect blend of story-telling and art.  I’m still a writer, I’m still an artist.  I may not put pen or charcoal to paper as often as I used to, but now I put emotion to paper.