Class of 2009: Rachel

I had the pleasure of doing Miss Rachel's senior portraits when I was in Phoenix a couple weeks ago. I thought I couldn't ask for better weather: sunny and nearly 80 degrees. I certainly couldn't complain... that is until my sister and I got in the car to drive to the location of the shoot. Large black clouds loomed in the distance to the east, and as we began to drive, huge, fat raindrops began to fall on the windshield.

I started to get a little nervous as the clouds got darker, and I thought "What the heck?? This is Arizona! It's not supposed to rain here!"

Luckily the rain and thunder part of the storm stayed to the east, and away from where we were shooting. However, a good amount of wind kicked up for the remainder of the afternoon. Which makes it difficult to shoot outdoors. But we pushed through, waiting for the split second of calm between wind gusts (which were few and far between). We ducked between buildings and found a moderate amount of shelter. And though the remnants of the wind still showed in the photographs, it wasn't anything I couldn't photoshop out.

Have I said yet how much I love photoshop?

Congratulations, Rachel, on graduating this year! Thanks for putting up with the wind with me!

Interview with a Professional

A high school senior from Lebanon, Oregon contacted me last weekend. She was doing her senior project on photography, and her interest in becoming a photographer, and asked if she could do an interview with me. I loved doing the interview, even though some of the questions really made me think, But it forced me to take some time and actually define what it is I do, why I do it, and why I love it. Here is an excerpt from the interview:

Why is photography important to you?
Every person in this world has his or her own story. Whether it’s a story of adoption, or battling cancer through a pregnancy, or simply being a pastor’s wife (as if that's simple)… there is a story to be told. Life goes by so quickly, and having the ability to culminate a person’s life and personality in a brief moment is amazing. I love to tell the stories that might not otherwise be heard, to catch the look a wife gives her husband that only he can recognize, and to share life stories through my camera. Showing a mother a portrait of her child and watching her cry with joy is an amazing thing.

In your opinion, what makes photography an art?
Anyone today can pick up a camera, click a button, upload it to the computer, and publish it on a site. Photography becomes an art when a person has the eye to convey a personality in a split second, without using words; and also has the ability to transform an ordinary snapshot into the perfect combination of light, color, and exposure. Anyone can take a picture. But mastering all those other things is a creative gift.

What does photography mean to you?
Artistry. Creativity. Passion. A medium of self-expression.

You can read the rest of the interview by clicking here. Happy Thursday!

Calling Class of 2009!

I'm looking for a few 2009 senior reps! Each rep will receive a complimentary session early this summer, custom designed promotional cards with your portraits to hand out to your friends, and varying incentives based on the number of referrals you send who book their senior portrait session with me. Incentives include print credits, and even a complimentary album if you're a fantastic salesperson!

If you are interested, email me at jane@ethniphotography.com with a current photo of yourself, and the following information:

• Name
• Email
• Phone Number
• High School
• Extracurricular Activities
• Why you want to be an Ethni rep

Please contact me no later than May 1 for consideration! Also, 2009 seniors who book their portrait session with me before June 1 will receive 2 free 8x10s! Looking forward to celebrating your senior year with you!

Last Senior of the Season!

Let me just say that Andrea is SUCH a trooper! We did her shoot on Sunday afternoon. No snow in the forecast, but the temperature was barely at freezing. Of course, right at 2:30 when we met downtown, it began to snow. And it snowed for the full hour! Poor Andrea wasn't exactly dressed for the weather, but you can't tell that she's a popsicle in the photos! Thanks for pushing through with me, Andrea! You were great!! Here are a few of my favorites:

Miss Megan

I got a little carried away with Megan's senior photo shoot last Friday--we were out for almost two hours! Probably because she has the most amazing eyes! They just pop out at you. Also because part of me knew it was the last of the great fall weather. We were lucky enough to get 67 degrees in November!

Murals

I have a thing for murals painted on walls. Probably because they make for instant, funky backgrounds that are full of rich color!

Lauren

It's taken me almost a week, but I finally have Lauren's senior photos finished. Nearly every single shot turned out--she is so photogenic! That makes it hard to pick my favorites, but here are a few. This first photo is of a traditional Japanese garment she received from her host family in Japan this summer. So beautiful! And the very last one of Lauren and her mom is my absolute favorite from the whole shoot!

Finding My Style

I'm so excited to finally discover my style. After two years of exploring photoshop, turning my camera in every direction and choosing every possible option I could think of, I've found my niche. Rich, artistic "outside the box" processing techniques that leave unique and striking results. This is one of Lauren's senior photos I took last Sunday. Working a full time job in addition to photography leaves only a few hours each night to edit 280 images over two shoots. I'll have the rest up this weekend.