30 Days of Filming...A Personal Challenge.

One of the most amazing and most inspiring photographers that I looked up to issued a challenge. Film something that inspires you. One moment, for 30 days. Then put those clips into one video, upload, and tag her.  Simple enough right?

Hopefully, I will be able to carry out with filming each day. I already know that much of the film will revolve around Charlotte, since she is by my side all day.  I want to give a glimpse into my life, what I do, the things I love. And maybe, just maybe, get in on the video too.

The challenge officially starts tomorrow. So who's with me? http://www.inbedwithsue.com/2013/01/25/30-days-of-filming-project/

But before I start the officially challenge, I wanted to show you a fun little stop motion video I did yesterday. Watch, enjoy, and share. Cute babies always make your day better.

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The light that shines...Jill's story.

There is a photographer that I greatly look up to. Her name is Sue Bryce.  This woman is amazing. I first learned about her through her course on Creative Live.  To know that she started small and built a business as successful as it is today, focusing on photographing women, is truly amazing.

Sue is amazing because she is a great story teller.  And that is why I wanted to share a story with you.    It's a story about Jill...a few months after she was married she found out she had breast cancer.  She had a double mastectomy.  She is here. Sheis beautiful.  She gives a face to just how quick breast cancer can sneak into your life.

Please take a look.  And please share.

http://www.inbedwithsue.com/the-light-that-shines/






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Value.

I am the first one to tell you, I am a coupon queen. I love searching for things I want and finding a great deal. But when it comes to things that I value, I have no problem with paying full price for them.

For example, I love renaissance, I love victorian clothing, I just generally love historical clothing in any sense. And when you attend the events that I do, dressing the part is definitely a fun thing to do. The thing with dressing in clothing from a different time period, is that almost everything you will buy is hand made.  And it takes time, and a lot of skill to make these items.  I appreciate the time and skill that goes into making these items. Which is why I have no problem spending $400 on a two layer, custom wool cloak that I only wear a few times a year.  In fact, my historical garb costs a whole lot more than my regular clothing.  But these are things that I value.  I understand that it takes a lot of time to pick out the right fabrics, a lot of skill to sew these items and sell them. I understand that these people who make and sell these items need to make a living, and I definitely appreciate what they do.  So for things that I value, I will find a way to be able to pay for them. Whether that means skipping my Starbucks, or thrift shopping, or cutting back on eating out, I will get the things that I love.

I totally get that not everyone looks at the value of photography like I do. I get it.  Everyone values things different, and that is totally ok.  All I ask is that when you are searching for something unique, personal, something that takes time and skill from one or two people, understand that they are pricing their items, their business to make a living. Pin It

Getting real with your subjects

When people come to me and ask me questions about my technique, and how I connect with people and how I am able to capture the realness of the moment, especially when it comes to children, I feel two things. First, I am always baffled! I'm kind of like, "You're talking to me?" while looking over my shoulder to see if I am on an episode of pranked.  And then, I am of course honored. Honored at the fact that other photographers see something special in my work that has them asking me questions.

So, everyone knows that there are a bunch of different styles, techniques, ways that you can shoot a photo.  For me, I choose to approach photography with a lifestyle feel.  You may have seen that word thrown around a lot, and for many it can have a different meaning.  To me, there is not one set meaning for it. But for me, lifestyle photography encompasses people in their natural setting.  Capturing them just being them.  Kind of sounds like a snippet from a bit of National Geographic, but seriously, that's what I am to shoot for.  While posed portraiture is amazing, for the right conditions. I love freezing the moments as they happen. And for that, that means getting real with your subjects.

Much of my inspiration comes from photographing my daughter Charlotte.  Who else could I get more real with than my own daughter? And I take my experiences from being with her, and apply it to families and children.  What type of images would mom love to see of her little ones?  What can be looked at 20 years from now and bring a smile to your face? That is my goal. And that means getting real, and getting close to your clients.

Focus on things that for some, they would pass up.  Children don't always need to be smiling at the camera, or looking directly at you. In fact, you don't even need to see their face in all of the images.  The moment itself, can speak volumes.

This is what I mean:

Don't be afraid to get close. Get on the floor if you have to. Sometimes, I set my focus and put the camera on the floor and hit the shutter button, I am not even looking through the view finder, that's what I did with the image of Charlotte standing on her toes.  Don't be afraid to shoot where there are imperfections. The bed doesn't have to be perfectly made, the toys don't have to be put away. Get CLOSE. GET REAL!

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DIY Today: Quick and Easy Lounge Shirt

Ok! So many of you know that I love to sew, and craft, and re-purpose things!  And one of my goals this year is to make my blog more diverse. I want to feature stuff that appeals to you!  So when I asked on Facebook what would readers like to see, mostly DIY clothes, DIY home decor, and recipes came up!  And since I am a mom, and many of my clients/readers are parents, it's something that we can all relate on.

And with that said, I want to introduce to you, DIY TODAY!!!  I will be posting tutorials of things that I make, as well as some awesome finds from around the web.  And it won't be a set day, because depending on sessions, and taking care of Charlotte, some days I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off.

So today's project for DIY TODAY, is a super quick and super easy lounge shirt. It took me about 10 minutes to make, and the best part is that it only has 2 seams. If you know how to sew in a straight line, then this is perfect for you!  I made this shirt using inspiration from kimono tops that I love, and loose drapey type shirts (hides the belly).  This project is best done with a fabric that drapes well (like jersey knit, knits, and even silks).

Follow along!

1-Gather your fabric, and supplies. Again, the best type of fabric for this is one with a good drape, I used a heaver knit, like a sweatshirt fabric that I had laying around the house. I also had elastic (in case you wanted to scrunch up the sides), and scissors)

2- Measure your fabric from elbow to elbow, and add about two inches. You don't need an exact, perfect measurement, it's meant to be a little loose. Take your fabric and fold it vertically. So that the folded edge is along the top, and the two sides and bottom are open.

3- Take your fabric, and fold it again from left to right.  Then you can cut your neckhole easily out of the middle. I made a v-neck, but you can definitely make a crew neck, or even a square neckline if you wish.

4- Unfold and mark where you want your armhole to stop. (don't be like me and measure too small for your arms).  Turn fabric inside out (remember, most times when you are sewing, it's right sides together), and sew up both sides to where you marked your arm hole at. As you can see with the awesome black lines that I put in with photoshop!

5- Flip it back to right side out, and put it on, and look fabulous!

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Henry and His Family {Delaware and PA Family and Newborn Photographer}

On the last warm day of January, I headed to Kennett Pike to photograph sweet little Henry and his awesome big brother Christian, and their parents Michelle and Paul.  There was laughter, jumping on the bed, and tickling of the "belly meat".  I'm excited for the weather to get warm again so that we can do their next session in the spring! For now, take a look and fall in love at how much in love this family is:

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Photo Challenge: Sleeping! {Delaware Family and Child Photographer}

I am ALWAYS entering some sort of photo challenge/contest. It gives me a chance to stretch my creativity and photograph things that I may not normally do. And it also helps me focus on the task at hand.  So I thought it would be fun to start doing some photo challenges with my fans!  This week, it's all about one of my favorite things to do...Sleeping!  So check out some of the cute sleeping pictures below:

Rice Bowl Photography

Mariah

Rice Bowl Photography

Ducky

And the picture that inspired it all...

This weeks theme is: Bathtime!  So head on over to Marisa Taylor Photography, and post your cutest bathtime pictures on the wall! Pin It

A message to parents...{Delaware Newborn and Family Photographer}

A message to moms (and dads): I know sometimes that we hate having our pictures taken. Most days we don't have the right outfit, or our hair is not cooperating...which is a daily occurrence for me. Sometimes we feel like if we lose just 10 more pounds, then we can do pictures. Let me tell you what, your kids, the little people that you gave life to, don't care about any of that. To them, you are a super hero. You are beautiful, you are awesome. You are the bringer of food, the chaser of bad nightmares. You are mom, or dad. When they get older, they are going to want to see pictures of you and them...together.

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Tatum Jane {Delaware and Maryland Newborn & Family Photographer}

It is an amazing thing to grow with a family.  I photographed Miranda's maternity session, and the birth of her daughter Tatum Jane, and then I had the pleasure to come back and photographer the newborn session.  Have I mentioned that I love what I do?

So without any further ado, here is Tatum Jane's newborn session!

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A New Year and a New Brand

Some of you may have noticed a couple of changes going on with Marisa Taylor Photography lately.  Starting with a newly updated website, a new logo and blog, and business cards.  My brand revolves around a tree, with roots deep in the ground and branches growing high in the sky.  The tree represents love and growth.  Which is perfect since I specialize in capturing love and the growing family. So with a basic anchor to my brand, I have new packaging!  Take a look:

Everything is made from recyclable/reusable products. I love being green!  And the canvas wraps are wrapped in 100% recyclable paper too.

I'm excited for the next round of print orders to come in to show my new packaging off!

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The Nostalgia Collection Kit {Delaware Family and Child Photographer}

I love memories and trinkets. I love keeping things that are important to me in special places, and going back to open them whenever I need them.  When I was little it used to be a shoebox that I decorated. As I got older it went from a shoe box, to a wooden box I made in art at school, to a plastic bin.  But now, now I have something amazing to keep my memories in.  Pictures, letters, little pieces of things that mean something to me.  Take a look...

What you see above is the Nostalgia Collection kit. It is perfect at holding memories. Here are the details:

Handcrafted hardwood chest.

Approx 12"x9"x6.5"

Designer cloth print wrap

Leather print wrap

Corked glass vials(5)

Loktah paper notes and envelopes(10)

So you may say to yourself, "Ok, so what's the big deal?".  If you are like me, and love preserving memories. Then this is a perfect add on to your session.  First, the quality and workmanship of the chest is AMAZING.  The leather print wrap and fabric that holds your prints (up to 100) are cut to be one of a kind.  The glass vials are probably my favorite. You can store a lock of your babys hair, a couple of petals from your wedding bouquet, a bit of your favorite perfume...the list goes on.

And since I love words, and the powerful message they can deliver, the notes and envelopes are perfect for jotting down what you feel.  I have one of these for Charlotte. It has everything about her.  And I plan to write her a letter each year for her birthday. And at some point, when she is older, I will give her this box, and she can look back at her childhood that was full of love and fun, and read the words that her and her father wrote to her.

Since I am a photographer focusing on love and the growing family, I think these are perfect.  One for each child or one for the entire family.  No matter what, it is a place that will hold everything, and can be passed down again and again...

Interested in ordering or adding to your current session, contact me at MarisaTaylorPhotography@Gmail.com

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Happy New Year!

Well technically, happy three days after the new year!  Hope you have all been doing well! On this end, everything has been going wonderful. I am so excited to see what this year brings. Lots of goals to accomplish, places to go and stuff to do.

2013 means new branding for Marisa Taylor Photography too!  Well not new exactly. It's been more of an ongoing process.  Starting with my new logo, and website design, and now I am moving onto new packaging.  I admit, I kind of had an Etsy.com shopping spree and that is where all my packaging items are coming from. I LOVE Etsy! So when they are in, you guys will be the first to know.

Also, another one of my goals is to be in front of the camera more. Whether its myself, with Charlotte and Wes, or with friends. Or taking it by myself, or having someone take it for me.  I am determined to be on the other side of the lens.  I think this here is a good start:

If you noticed something different about me, you are right. I have bright magenta hair now!  It's something I have been wanting to do for YEARS now, and I finally did it!  YAY!

So tell me, what are your goals for 2013?


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