ae

In the meantime, we have signed up (or I guess I should say I have signed up) on Formspring.  We plan to do a weekly post answering some of the random questions we get asked on there (if any!).  Go there now and ask away—give us some fun future blog post material!

See you soon.

My thoughts and opinions slowly changed as I began to see that photo blogs are equal in importance, if not greater, than a photographer’s actual website.  Up to date, current information and a little insight into the life of the photographer… a way to get to know them without actually having a face to face meeting if that isn’t possible.  I realized the importance of a photography blog for my business, and it quickly became a goal to get one up and running as soon as I possibly could.  This happened in December 2008.  After we got the first blog going, I didn’t really get into the habit of posting as frequently as I should.  I just never really liked the way the posts would turn out… the overall appearance and style of the blog really clashed with photos in general.  This discouraged me.  Then, of course, we got a new blog–and here we are

I now have a list of lovely blogs I check daily (while photos are batching, saving, uploading, etc.)–all of which inspire me to no end.  I love blogging but hate the fact that I seem to have very little time to actually do so considering how limited I am on the type of posts I’m able to do (with this just being a photo blog) and the sheer amount of time they take.

I have currently been in a rut.  It could be the winter… it could just be a phase… who knows.  I’ve felt the need to change nearly every area of my life.  I cut, died and permed my hair (possibly an awful idea).  I rearranged my house, organized, repainted, and I’m still not loving it.  I changed my daily work routine.  I have been hunting for new editing techniques and trying them out (hence the texture in the last two photos…something I never used to like until recently).  I have been rethinking the way we do our sessions and planning on changing them a great deal.  I have considered 2011 being the year where we start shooting fewer weddings and begin focusing on other areas of our career.  So much has been going in my mind lately.  All of those changes, and I still want to continue changing everything.  I want to completely revamp my home office and studio space.  I want to feel inspired while I work just from my surroundings.  I want things to feel fresh, alive and creative, especially when I’m editing or shooting… and of course, I need to get out of this rut in order to make that happen!

All of the ranting all for one simple announcement.  I am changing the blog.  I know I’m a photographer.  I know this is a photography blog, and it will continue to be… but it needs to have something more.  Honestly, it needs to have something more in order to keep me inspired to post.  I really just want to use it as a tool to inspire myself and you guys, have fun with it… and not have it be so much of a chore, since I have been so very limited while trying to stick to photography only.  I hope you will enjoy the places I plan on venturing to with this blog and continue to stick around and leave me lovely bits of encouragement.

This is pretty much my blog, not Eric’s, as he has never once done a single post…. so he doesn’t have much of a say : )

I’m excited to have fun witt it.  Will you continue to join me??

p.s. Don’t be surprised if you stop by sometime in the future and the blog has a whole new look : )

The left side of my face is currently swollen up in two different ways.  My jaw looks like I have a golf ball in it, and my check up to my eyebrow looks like a bee stung me and I had an allergic reaction.  All from 2 root canals–well, mainly one that ended up having a problem.  A problem, they say, that will go away in a year.  Did you hear that?  A YEAR!  So… let’s solve the initial problem by creating an even bigger, more painful one.  Seriously, if someone has a spare pair of dentures, I would pay you for them.  Free session, maybe?!

Okay, okay… enough complaining.  I’m sorry, I’ve been doing a lot of that lately.  I’ve realized severe, agonizing tooth, mouth and jaw pain for  about a year can really change your personality and your overall outlook on life.  It’s a terrible thing, and I’m always trying to remember than I’m not really this pissed off at the world… it’s just the pain talking.

Now, on to some info about ae photography.

The Boudoir Event was wonderful.  I had so much fun and only had severe tooth pain during one session (sorry Kaitlyn).  Every girl was so easy to work with, and it was such a joy to work with so many old clients again.  The thing that I enjoyed the most was seeing a room full of old clients, spanning from the past two years or so… all getting to know each other.  It was strange and exciting!  Each girl had a different style from the last, and they were all so unique!  It was like a dream event.  I have decided to do one every year.  The next one will be either in December or January and will stilled be geared toward a Valentine’s Day gift for you guy.  I created 4 albums for 4 different girls–all for their guys…. and they all were so neat.  Everything has been such a rush, that I had no time to photograph the albums for you to see :/  If any girls who received an album would like to send some of their own photos in to share with us, that would be excellent!  Thanks again to all the girls who came.  I hope you had a good time getting pretty, playing dress up and acting like models for the day!

I also really REALLY want to thank my two greatest friends, Rachel Streit and Jessica Sena.  Rachel is an amazing stylist who did such a great job on every girl.  I was so impressed.  Because of her amazing job during such a hectic event, she will continue to be the stylist I use for any type of event or mini session. If you are getting a mini session done and would like a stylist present for hair, makeup and help with clothing–contact me, and we will make sure Rachel is there.  Jessica played hostess and helped all the girls with clothes, kept things in order and answered questions.  She was a lifesaver.  I didn’t realize how much I would need a “hostess”…. goodness, if she was there, I don’t know what I would have done!  It was a very, very busy day!  A huge photo post come!  Of course we have to wait until after Valentine’s Day!  ; )

I spoke about the Etsy designers that provided clothes for the girls to use if they chose to, but I never got a chance to post a list of the great shops so you guys could take a look.   I really appreciate each and every one of these designers and the fact that they were willing to trust me with their work. After receiving the pieces, I was able to see first hand all the hard work and amazing talent that came from each of them.  You won’t be disappointed if you purchase anything from the shops listed below!  You have my word!

FEATHERS and FRILLS

LOVES MARIESSA

DOGHEAD & FLINTOCK

EMPRESS JADE

PRICILLA DAWN

PLUM PRETTY SUGAR

GAIA CONCEPTIONS

BROKEN GHOST COUTURE

DISTRACTED BLACK RABBIT

PISH POSHES

L.A. NATIVE

MS. WOOD’S KIMONO BOUTIQUE

DECIDUOUS SOUL

LOVE AT FIRST BLUSH

THREAD RARE

CHAIN REACTIONS

CIARA OBSCURA

TWIN SYNDROME

A few photo blog posts are scheduled for this week, and then we will be getting back into the 2010 weekly blog post schedule I laid out awhile back.  I’ve just been way too busy to even think about doing all those posts!  I look forward to getting back into it, though

Click on the images to go straight to the site.

We just love how it turned out and are happy to get some new photos up, although there are a million more to be posted!  Check back soon for gallery pages.  We have never really done gallery pages, because they just seem too “traditional”,  so we always just make the slideshows our galleries.  I am working on a way to make the galleries unique and actually include them for once!  We need to got some of our session stuff up! Well, we are about to head out to get some work done!  Please, let us know what you think!!

-ae

MONDAYS: inspirational post. We are always on the hunt for things that inspire us.  After starring at a screen night and day, always clicking the same buttons, moving the same bars, watermarking, resizing, uploading,  yadda yadda–we can get in a fog easily.  As soon as we see something lovely, something brilliant, we are motivated to keep going and to do better.  Might as well share our inspirational finds with you, right?  Keep in mind that it is not always photography that gets us pumped… art and colors and stunning blogs… there are many things.  We hope you will enjoy them as much as we do!

TUESDAYS: tip post. We have website and blog messages quite often asking us for tips on how we do things around here.  These many not come every Tuesday, but we will try our best!  We will mix it up and give you some pro tips along with some tips for just catching some great snapshots of your everyday life.  We are not ones to act like we are full of knowledge… and I’m pretty sure you will never find us doing mentor sessions and hosting workshops (but who knows, maybe my thoughts on that will change in the future)… but everyone likes quick little tips and ideas to make any camera give them some neat shots.

WEDNESDAYS:  ae wedding post. So we aren’t the best when it comes to posting weddings, and I know I’ve explained my reasons for this before.  It’s 2010, however, and I am going to, as Tim Gunn would say,  make it work.  So maybe I won’t be able to do “full wedding” posts every time as I prefer to do, but I will just have to deal with it.  I know couples are dying to get a glimpse of their day just as soon as they possibly can, so that is something that is going to happen.  It may only be a couples shots, but it will be done.  So prepare to get sick of wedding fast, because we have stuff to post all the way back from May 2009.  It should be fun!

THURSDAYS:  thoughtful post. This day will be dedicated to random posts, whether they be personal or info about ae photography, they will give you a little insight into our lives, what we are up to, or what’s new with the business.

FRIDAYS:  fabulous wedding post. Of course I had to squeeze in a posting day for weddings.  I do so love them.  I love looking at wedding blogs, funky + unique wedding ideas… and basically just stylish weddings in general.  I know many of our followers are planning weddings, so I figured these posts might give them some great inspiration.   I will feature great Etsy designers, helpful wedding articles I may stumble across, ideas we’ve seen at weddings that have totally stood out, neato gowns (because I love to look at those!), and pretty palette ideas… and whatever else I think of.  Sound good?  Hope so.

SATURDAYS:  who knows. Obviously Saturdays are our busiest days, so blog posts can be quite tricky.  We barely get time to eat and sleep.  You can expect twitter updates with wedding details, though–and those are always interesting, right?  If we are not completely busy, we will try to post a little somethin’ somethin’ on here.  I guess it will be called a “wild card day”.

SUNDAYS:  session post. Engagements, seniors, trash the dress, maternity, family + many more… all of those things are possible.  We have plenty backed up to share, so this day won’t go post-less for awhile.  Unless I take a nap or something.  Sounds amazing right about now.

I decided I would just postpone it and focus on other things… but, as I sit here, I’m feeling a little disappointed.  I was really looking forward to the event–something new + different… a style of photography I really love shooting. I love “fashion/model” photography.  While editing my butt off today, I have been thinking of a way to open the event back up again.  I will have to change the date, of course.  The new one will not be invite-only and will not be labeled as “boudoir”–I know that can scare people!

Our “boudoir” does not have to be ask risque as people assume all boudoir is.  It’s about getting all fancied up (or down–whatever works for you).  It’s about getting some beautiful shots of yourself to give your guy as a surprise gift.  The Boudoir Event was meant for a Valentine’s gift for 2010 for the special man in your life.  Think pajama bottoms + a tank top…. boxers + a t-shirt…. cozy, cute and beautiful.  I’m thinking a range between Sear catalog sleepwear and Maxim magazine.  You choose where you want to be.  Haha.  Eric is not involved what-so-ever… just me!

I had so many things lined up that all came together so wonderfully, I would hate to just flush the opportunity away!  I will be so much fun for anyone who does join me for the new “event”!  I have changed the packages a bit, so here is what you would be getting:

*professional hair + makeup

*snacks + beverages while you prep and hang out

*NEW!* amazing, amazing, amazing selection of handmade boudoir items, lingerie, cozy sleepwear, and some fun + funky clothing.  Over a dozen designers have signed up to send in their items for you to use so far!  If you would like links to view some of the wonderful pieces that you will be able to play dress up with, just send me an email!  :)

*lovely handmade accessories–also from independent designers (hairpieces, headpieces, etc.)

*30 minutes of shoot time with yours truly

*pre-session online consult with ashley to discuss the style/s you like most + share some favorite found images you like the look of!

*private online gallery to view an order prints!

Here is the NEW part:  There will be no sitting fee!  Horray!  The last event had a $499 fee.

I’m guessing those of you who signed up are pretty excited now!  This is what is changing:

***All of your edited images will be available in your Online Gallery.  From there, you can order an album for your guy, your favorite prints, a giant poster for your living room (hahaha)–there will a bunch of options for you.  You can also order the Photo Disc with release rights or rights to individual images of your choice!  So basically, you book your time slot, show up and get pampered + lovely, have a fun session with me + get an online gallery all for free. If, in the end, you decide you don’t want to order any of the photos–that’s fine with me.  I just want this event to HAPPEN!!  Email me if you would like to attend.  I know many ladies wanted to attend the other event, but money was too tight at the moment (trust me, I know the feeling) — so I’m thinking this is a great opportunity for everyone!  You will still have time to create an awesome Valentine’s Day gift for your guy! The location is not set quite yet, but it will be in the area (it may very well be in my home studio!)  Help us create the most stunning new website ever!  We want you!!

Sunday, January 31st 2010.

12pm-7pm (it may go longer, if needed)

Schedule your 60 minutes (half hour for prep, half hour of shooting)

I am assuming this is going to fill fast since it is free and all –but I’m putting an end date to the sign-up.

December 31st, 2009.  Can’t wait to work with you guys!!

Here are a few more sweet shots form Ona’s session!

Ona had us take some shots with her sister.  They are both such gorgeous women!!  I love these sweet, natural moments of the two of them.

Some more of Peter + Ona:

And now, our version of  ”American Gothic (with child)”

Haha, I love it.

]]> http://www.aephotographyblog.com/ona-maternity-part-two/feed/ 1 http://www.aephotographyblog.com/ashleys-health/ http://www.aephotographyblog.com/ashleys-health/#comments Thu, 10 Dec 2009 02:51:33 +0000 ae photography http://www.aephotographyblog.com/?p=158 This is a notice to let everyone know that no new sub galleries or new online galleries will be posted until further notice.  Ashley is extremely ill (teeth, jaw, mouth) and we are unable to work at this time.  We will let everyone know as soon as things get better.  It shouldn’t be too much of a wait.  We just want everyone to be aware of the situation.

Beth – I sometimes feel like that–no matter what we do, people are going to find something to complain about.  I just want everyone to be 100% happy… actually 110% happy.  My business is so important to me.  Aside from my family, it’s my life.  I know not everyone is going to be happy 100% of the time, but I always want to try my best to make it happen, hence the reason for this HUGE PERSONAL DISPLAY OF UNCERTAINTY!!!   Thanks for your kind words : )

Amber – You thoughts mean a lot since I know you deal with a lot of the same issues since you run your own business, as well.  I agree with you 100% and feel like you just recited my thoughts!  ”We need to do what we feel is best to represent our product”…. exactly right.  Thanks for being an awesome client and now an awesome friend!

Kristy – Thanks for your thoughts!  I really look forward to the day we shoot your wedding.  We have talked for so long and you have been viewing our new weddings/sessions for a very long time period, so I am certain we will all work together just great!   I feel like we’re friends!   I can’t wait until your big day

Keli - YOU are someone I know we “mesh” with   I could completely tell when we send the email getting the specifics so we could get our “prop” ideas set to go and you were so excited about the “unique things” we have planned.  It makes us feel relieved that you are on board with our style and different ideas!  We know it will pay off when you get the photos!  I can’t wait for the Engagement Session in Chicago on our anniversary!  I can’t think of a better way to spend the day… with a fun couple, doing what we love (truly), and in our favorite city.  Excitement!  See you soon!!!

Lesley – I’m happy to hear you like the way we post are are impressed by our shots!  Your unique wedding was just right for the style we shoot.  You guys were/are great to work with.  We have, in fact, added complete specifics to the different times it will take to start viewing/receiving photos in the 2010 contract.  That was done because of this issue, so I’m hoping the 2010 couples are fully aware of the different time periods and are completely fine with it because of that!

Jona – A questionnaire is currently in the making.  I’m planning on using it more so for meetings and not for couples to decide what they want but rather to see if we all “mesh”.  I have read countless time (without really understanding) how photographers specifically decide who they work with.  They want to make sure their is a connection.  I just figured “it’s work–be kind, do your job, and everyone will be happy”.  Now am able to 100% fully understand the reason they do this.  Eric and I have a specific style.  People are drawn to our style when they see the site.  They tell us how much they love out work and our “different ideas”, but then when we shoot their wedding, we realize that they definitely should have hired a more traditional style photographer.  So,  it’s very important for us to meet or chat online(which we already do, but for other reasons), really get to know they specific styles they are looking for, explain how much time we put into the photos and then see if we everyone feels we’re a good match!  We do currently have 2 forms we send out to couples.  The first is our Photo Form, which gets sent with pricing.  We get the basic info and what their are looking for (we ask about style, too) with this one.  Then there is the “getting to know you” form.  This was created specifically to understand exactly what our couples wanted.  It’s helped a bit… but the new questionnaire will definitely take it’s place and include a lot more specifics!

Erica —  You guys were great  We definitely meshed and had a great time shooting your wedding and day after/trash the dress session!  We are so happy to hear how pleased you are with your photos!

Chris + Stephanie (since you both said the same thing in a way!) —  That is really what we were considering–giving them the option.  Last year we shot an off season wedding and gave the couple a good deal.  Because of the good deal, she told us we just didn’t need to worry about editing the photos.  Well, there was no way I would give anyone unedited photos.  The though of doing that had never even crossed my mind at that point.  We shot the gorgeous wedding and the couple was great and so easy to work with.  I decided I was going to, of course, edit their photos–it’s my work and I wanted it to be perfect.  I’m not sure if they needed them quickly or what, but I decided to edit everything except the regular “dancing” by all the guests.  Now, I see those exact photos posted on Facebook.  They are not bad,  just unfinished, and because of that, it makes me cringe.  So, I just can’t imagine that happening with a lot of couples.  It doesn’t feel right.  I don’t know if I would be able to give the option.  I want the photos to be perfect for my clients and my business.

Hanna - : )

Jenn – It’s been great to working since you are one of the first people who we have worked with who knows first hand that 1 year is a typical time for photographers to show/give the photos to their clients… AND that most photographers don’t edit the photos, and if they do, it’s like 50-75 favorites or something.  With the portraits–we actually got critiques to change it to the way we have now!  We used to put so many and let couples choose, but it was hard for everyone else (family + friends) to really see all of the important details (weird faces, eyes closed, looking in the wrong direction,etc) on the site, so they had asked us to narrow it down to the photos that were best of the whole group…. so we did.  Like I said, everybody is different, and I’m realizing now–you just can’t please everyone no matter how hard you try!  Aside from that,  I am glad you are happy with everything.  Congrats on winning the “be thankful” contest, and we look forward to shooting your maternity session!

Jessica – Thanks for your thoughts, best friend. : )

Lindsey – I supposed I did already give my thoughts on this in my response to Chris + Stephanie’s thoughts.  Thank you for your comment.  Specific times have been in the 2010 contract and will always remain there, so we are definitely completely upfront now : )

Liz – I am happy to get a response from you since you are a photographer and a client who is currently experiencing the waiting process!  I definitely know about “teasers” and used to do them.  I love the idea and know couples do, too.  I “stopped” doing them for a reason.  Being the perfectionist that I am, it is so hard for me to just go through and pick 10 -15 to post on the blog.  I did this with a couple weddings, and then once I had finished the wedding, I had sooo many others I would have rather posted to showcase our work and better describe the story of the day.  When I did it, I would spend so long on those blog posts, only to later wish I would have waited until the end so I could go through the entire fully edited wedding so I could post the best possible images (which is what our blog is for).  I feel like doing them before I edited the wedding in full only took time away from the actual editing process.  Everything takes so much more time than it appears to.  I have decided to do “full wedding” posts once I have completed the wedding instead of doing teasers right now.  I just like being able to choose from every photo and make the post the best it possibly can be.  I like making the post a story and going through the full day.  When browsing the blogs I currently follow, it seems like their teasers are posted about 4 weeks or so after the wedding anyway–which is when we start posting the Online Gallery, so technically you get more with our first Online Gallery post than you would with a teaser anyway…??  I think : )  I may try to do teasers again beforehand in the future if/when things slow down, but for now, we will be keeping it like this.

Nikki + Johnathan – Once again, I know you guys totally get our style, and we can’t wait to work with you.  I knew when you asked initially if every photo was edited and what software we used to edit that you were going to be a couple that appreciates what we do and allows us to do our job the way we feel is best.  When I put myself in the bride’s shoes, I just can’t imagine not having completed photos.  If I wanted basic snapshots that didn’t have a professional touch, I wouldn’t have have paid $1000-$5000—I would have had a family member or friend do it.  I feel like the editing is half, if not more than half, of what our job + style is.

Thank you so much everyone.  It’s great to see that this many people care to give their two cents.  We absolutely love our jobs and love our couples.  I know that impatience can get the best of us sometimes–especially when you are waiting for something so special.  I just want to make it known that we are working our little tails off and always want you to be completely satisfied.  There is so much behind the scenes work to this job that everyone is not able to see.  It is just the two of us.  We photograph, we edit, we do the site, the blog, the orders, the shipping, the advertising, the albums, the products, the customer care… and so on.  Please be patient and know that the wait is for a reason.  We treat everyone’s photos like they are our wedding photos and want them to be perfect for you.  We are so honored to be chosen to capture your special day and are only satisfied with giving you the best.

I will post an update with any changes we plan to make.

The next post will have photos!!  It’s about time I do a photo post since this is a photography blog and not a soap opera.