Tuesday, March 29, 2011

{B is for Baby}

Not that I am going baby crazy or anything, but being pregnant does make me appreciate maternity/newborn/child photos even more. Every little squishy cheeked baby that I come in contact with makes me love what I do even more.  I have to control my urge to squee when I see them. Yes, I used squee as a word. Thankfully my awesome clients know how much I love babies and kids and don't look at me like I have a tentacle growing out of my forehead.  I recently did a mini-session with the super cute and adorably Serenity Rose. I actually did her moms maternity session back in the fall, and when Serenity was born I did her newborn photos, and now she is a squishy faced, bright eyed four month old who is teething!  Let me just say that rolling around on the floor to photograph babies is not as easy as it used to be. But with her cute little face, it was totally worth it.





Now tell me that is not an adorable little baby!

So I am looking forward to the weather warming up. This week into next it is supposed to be in the 50's, but most days are supposed to be cloudy or rainy, and this does not please me.  I am about to go outside and do an anti-rain dance to bring back sunny weather. My husband keeps telling me that once it does get warm, I will be angry because it is too hot, and then wish that it was cooler.  He may be right, but I have so much more options to do fun things when it is sunny and warm!

But that is about it, I just had to share this adorable little baby with you! Now off to watch some random tv and enjoy the rest of my evening.
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Sunday, March 27, 2011

{Updates!}

It's Monday, a new start to the workweek. I spent 7 hours on Sunday working on updates for my site and such, and wanted to show you.  I updated my start page, and I am totally in love with it!  I have kept my promise to not start a new site, but updating and adding to the site is something I can totally do! So head on over to www.MarisaTaylorPhotography.com, and let me know what you think!

Also do not forget, I have the Spring (although the weather definitely does not feel like it!) Contest going on!  The way the contest works is simple, once we reach 500 fans over at my Facebook Page, the contest officially starts with prizes going out daily for one week. So that means...7 prizes and 7 lucky winners.  Right now, the page is sitting at 465 fans. Only 35 more are needed to get to 500 and get the prizes rolling. So share the link with everyone that you know!

And that is about it for now! I have new backdrops and props coming in which I am very excited about! Adorable babies to photograph, and weddings coming up!
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{Happy Sunday!}

It's Sunday! The last day of relaxation before most go back to work on Monday. For me Sundays have always been relaxing days, even at a young age, we never did chores on Sunday. We just went to church, came home, ate and lounged around the house all day. Now that I am an adult, married and have my own home, it's pretty much the same. I especially love Sundays during the spring and summer because I love spending them at the park.  It's quite, not a lot of people are there, and I can just lay out my blanket and read for hours, sometimes I even fall asleep!  Which is something I would have never done while lounging in a park back in New York, but Delaware is fairly quiet.

So this Sunday, I have quite a few things I would like to blog about and share with you. I was going to space them out over the next few days, but knowing me, more topics will come up, so instead of putting things on a a back burner, I will just let it all out now! So here we go:

Is becoming a photographer easy?


In one word...no. It is extremely hard, time consuming and expensive. I will tell you this though, I have not regretted it.  Sure, the desire and passion for photography is a huge aid in pushing you to pursue a career, but it takes a lot more than just desire.  Besides purchasing equipment, because obviously you need a camera for this career, you also need to purchase and invest into a lot of other things and this is where it starts getting expensive.  There are many out there who are totally going about the wrong way in becoming a business, and this can be detrimental to their careers as well to the memories of their clients, because if something goes wrong, then what is there to do?  Let's start with insurance. For your own protection you need both liability and equipment insurance. If someone trips over your camera bag or lighting stand at a wedding, and they blame you, you don't want everything you have worked for to go down the drain. Or what if, God forbid you leave your equipment in the car, and it is stolen. That is thousands of dollars worth of equipment that is gone, just like that, and it could take quite a while to acquire what you had before.  And talking about equipment, let me not even get started on that.  My two favorite words when it comes to equipment are "main" and "backup". Trust me when I say, you need  backup of everything. You even need a backup of your backup!  Backup cameras, backup lenses, backup flash units, backup cf cards, backup lighting, backup batteries, the list goes on and on.  You do not want to be at a wedding, have your camera or lens drop and that is the end.


I actually had an engagement shoot a few weeks ago where one of my favorite lenses dropped onto concrete steps and broke (thankfully I was able to have it fixed later on), but if that was my only lens, then the shoot would have been over and the couple would have been unhappy. I cannot stress enough how important backups are! In addition to equipment and insurance, you need to get a business license, and the fees vary from state to state. And one big thing, that many seem not to take into consideration is taxes. As a business you MUST pay taxes. If you are not paying taxes then you are not as professional as you think you are.  Plus there is the cost of advertising and promoting, purchasing business cards and such, and many times, especially in the beginning, the weddings or events you shoot are at a cost to you, but as you go on, you will start making a profit.


For me, I am thankful that the stars aligned correctly for me.  With support and knowledge from friends and other professionals, I was able to embark on this adventure (and I say adventure because it truly is), and for me, I am exactly where I want to be. Living life, having fun, and having a job where I LOVE doing what I do.


But in the end, no matter how hard I push for my business, or how strong my desire is, I would not be where I am without YOU. My clients, are the ones who made me successful. If it was not for them, I would just be another "starving artists", and I cannot express how thankful I am to them for all that they do, their awesome words, their trust, and their support.



Textographer!


What is this textographer?  Well, I found this on Offbeat Mama a few days ago, and I absolutely fell in love with it.  Basically, the folks over at Textographer.com take a picture that you submit, and then make the image out of words. The words can be lyrics to a song, a poem, a love letter, anything that you would like. But the words themselves compose the actual picture. It is AMAZING!  If you are looking for a very unique wedding item, or a gift for anyone, then this is perfect. My husband and I are planning to take one of my maternity photos and our daughters newborn photo (she is due August 18!) and have them compose one of the pictures from the lyrics of "Mother Earth Father Time" from Charlotte's Web (our daughters name is going to be Charlotte!) and the other picture will be composed from a letter we both will write her.  I cannot wait!  But definitely check them out! With that being said, I have included a link to my favorite rendition of the song: Mother Earth Father Time



And next up is a letter I received a few days ago and it almost moved me to years. I am quite an emotional person if you can't tell.  The letter was from a guest at a wedding I shot two years ago (wow I can't believe it has been two years!).  I thought I would share it and share what I sent back:


dear marisa


hello! my name is lauren, two years ago you shot the wedding of my very good friend sara. im almost positive that you dont remember me, but during dinner you were seated at my table, and we sat and talked a lot about business and dreams and just random stuff. i didnt tell you then, but you made a major impact on me, and because of that i wanted to thank you.  i have to say that the fact that you enjoy what you do radiates. you are such a positive and fun person and it seems like everyone you come in contact with loves you. i remember at the wedding when things were getting hectic you took charge and seemed to cool everyone down. you were nothing but smiles (even though it was so hot outside) and i can tell that you genuinely enjoy what you do.  but with everything, there was one thing that you said while taking pictures that had everyone laughing, but it was so profound, and that was "love is only the beginning".  i cant tell you how strong and meaningful those words are, and trust me, it has gotten me through alot. so i just wanted to say thanks for being awesome, thanks for loving what you do, and thanks for being you. you have helped me without even knowing it.


xoxo lauren



Wow, was all I could say.  I have always been taught that what you say impacts someone. But I didn't really think of it until I received this letter.  I mean, just think about it. A simple "thank you" to someone could make a world of difference. Even actions do the same thing. A small smile to someone who is having a bad day could make their entire day better. This letter made my entire day, well week actually!



In other news, um, where did the warm weather go?!?!  It was so nice, then all of a sudden we are back to wearing full jackets and scarves.  We are about to enter April right? Why is the temperature in the 30's and 40's again?  I desperately need it to be warm again. I have some adorable baby sessions lined up that I need to be outside for! In addition to the upcoming engagement shoots!  Oh warm weather, I need you!



Till next time!



























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Wednesday, March 23, 2011

{I love my clients!}

I can say it a thousand times more and it will still be true. I absolutely love and adore all of my clients. You guys are so awesome, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for trusting me with your important and priceless memories, and for bringing me into your family and special events. I'm very big on emotions, so with every maternity shoot, baby session, engagement and wedding, I get just as excited as you are!  If it were not for my clients, I would not be where I am today. You guys allow me to do what I love, which is photographing awesome people. So thanks again!

With that being said, I added a new page to my website, www.MarisaTaylorPhotography.com, that showcase some of the awesome words that my clients have said about me.  You can see these under "Client Raves". To see more of my reviews (since not everything is on the website), head on over to Marisa Taylor Photography on Facebook, click on "Reviews" and check them out!

Here is a review from Shimul, whose maternity session I did about 2 weeks ago. She is due early April and I absolutely cannot wait to see the baby for his session



In other news, I have some backdrops and new props coming in, which are going to make my newborn/baby sessions very exciting.  I cannot express how much I love baby shoots!  Babies are so amazing, and their little dynamic personalities are so unique.  I think I am a bit more excited since I am having my own baby! I already know that as soon as we get home, I am going to be busting out newborn pictures left and right!

Well, that is about it for now. Stick around!
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Tuesday, March 22, 2011

{Engagement Session-Jackie and Rob}

I have definitely been taking advantage of the nice weather we have been having. Now that it is officially spring, I am so excited to get outside and do more shoots.  This past Sunday (which happened to be free water ice day at Rita's), I photographed Jackie and Rob. They are getting married in July, and we have been waiting to do their engagement session for a while. But since the weather has been so weird and cold we had to keep putting it off. One day it would be sunny and mildly warm, the next day it would raining, and would rain for like 2 days, then of course the days after it would be dreary. But not this Sunday! It was gorgeous! Bright and sunny and warm, which made for a perfect shoot.

Now, let me tell you something about this couple. They are hilarious. We laughed pretty much the entire shoot.  Rob is definitely the king of making anyone laugh, and you could see that through the photos. And that is why I love doing what I do, what other job besides being a comedian do you get to interact with people that make you laugh constantly?  My job is fun!  So here are a few previews from their awesome session.




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Saturday, March 19, 2011

{Contest Time!}

Hooray for warm weather! I love it. Yesterday we hit 78 degrees, and I was in absolute heaven. I don't like it too hot, but yesterday's weather was absolutely perfect. And now that the warm weather is finally coming around, I am in the mood for a Spring Contest!

Spring Contest you say, well what is that?  I love sharing things with people, so this contest gives me a chance to share some amazing items with you. There will be multiple winners with multiple prizes. Some of the prizes include:  A free mini-session, $25 Visa Gift cards, mini picture frames, and more!

So how does this contest work!  Well it is simple. The first part of the contest is based on you, the fans and clients.  Share this page, http://www.Facebook.com/MarisaTaylorPhotography with all of your family and friends! Once the page hits 500 fans, the contest will start.  I am currently at 455 fans right now.  To enter the contest is easy, all you have to do is send an email to MarisaTaylorPhotography@gmail.com and put "Spring Contest" in the subject line, and you have entered!  The winners will be picked at random for the prizes and notified via email.

The best part is, if you share the Facebook link, and tag @Marisa Taylor Photography in your post (by adding the "@" symbol, it links to my wall and I am able to see that you shared the link), you get an extra entry into the contest!

So go forth and be merry and don't forget to share the page! And for those of you itching to get a session in, schedule one today!
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Sunday, March 13, 2011

{Maternity: Shimul & Shiv}

Finally! We had a nice warm day, and I took advantage of it. This past Saturday I headed to Battery Park (one of my favorite places) to photograph Shimul and her husband Shiv for their maternity session. Shimul is due in early April, so we were pretty close to the wire!  The day was gorgeous, the sun came out, the weather was warm, and it was just perfect. Shimul and Shiv were so great to work with, and I absolutely love the faces that Shiv makes.  When the dads get on the photo action, it makes for some fun and amazing pictures.  Here are a few of my favorites:






 So thank you Shimul and Shiv for allowing me to be the one to photograph this very special moment in your lives!  I can't wait till the little one is born and to photograph him!
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Saturday, March 12, 2011

{How to have an Awesome Maternity Session}

This is just a quick guide to helping you have an awesome maternity session!  I will be making more for engagements, newborns, etc!  I actually have a maternity session today that I am very excited about!

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Tuesday, March 8, 2011

{Coming Soon!}

So as you can see, a lot of changes have been under way. My site, www.MarisaTaylorPhotography.com has went through yet another makeover. And hopefully this time, my creative brain won't create another one for quite some time.  I love where it is at, but of course the more I see and the more I learn when it comes to design, of course makes me want to test it out.  It's something I can't help! I guess that is one of the reasons I love photography. There is always something new to learn, test out, experiment with and such.  Also, I have a new blog. This is the temporary home, until the final design and such is sorted out. I was going to go without a blog, but I realized that quite a bit of my clients come from my blog! And being that I post different articles, it draws people in.  Besides photography, I also love fashion and such. So anything related to weddings, I love to share with you.

Now, 5 days away...Daylight Savings time! One of my favorite times of year, it means the day will last longer. I am one of those people that LOVE sunlight and love long days! I seem to get a lot more accomplished when the sun goes down later.  This winter was horrible for me!  I miss the warm weather, picnics in the park, outside shoots, ren fairs and all that fun stuff.

I am going to be running a contest very soon, so keep your eyes open! There will be two prizes (possibly more) up at hand. One will be a $25 Visa Gift card, the other will be a free mini-portrait session! More details about the contest to come later.

In May, I am also running a special promotion.  It is going to be a mini-session marathon. $55 gets you a 30 minute mini-portrait session with a select number of images.  I am started out with 5 spots, but more than likely will increase.  Check out the flyer below.


In the meantime, I am looking forward to slightly warmer weather this weekend. I do have engagement shoots and a maternity session scheduled, two of which have already been rescheduled from last week due to the weather. So let's hope the weather holds out for this weekend!!!

But that is it for now!  In the meantime, what about spring do you look forward to the most?
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