everything indigo

Memphis...first round

A few weeks ago...ok...well...maybe time has gotten away from me and it's been more than a few weeks now.  Anyway, I was in Memphis with some fellow photographers and we headed downtown to see what we could see.  My friend Amy was so good at talking to people we ran across and pulling visual stories from them that it made me want to follow her around like a puppy.  But, in the mean time, I did snag some shots that were more the kind of thing I usually see.  I'll spread this over a few posts.  The first few here don't really require explanation--some of the later ones might.  If I feel brave, lol. 

 

 

A Hard Post

Well...I should have done this weeks ago...but I've been putting it off.  Many of you know that I have been anticipating a move South to Nashville, TN.  The time has finally come.  I've been packing for a week or two.  Pre-packing anyway.  You know...the fabulous task of going through everything you own and wondering why the heck you ever thought you needed so much stuff.  The self-promising to not accumulate that much ever again.  The inevitable keeping of more than you should.  So, next week comes a trip to Memphis and then the real packing happens.  Then the move in about two weeks.  I've been slowing the business down and forwarding new contacts to other photographers for months now...but this post just seems awfully final.

The blog and website won't go away.  The photography won't go away.  But the website will get an overhaul over the summer and the photography focus will shift.  Which I should be looking forward to...a chance to rejuvenate and recharge the creative engine.  But not tonight.  Tonight, I just want to pour myself a drink and forget I had to post this.

There are plenty of great photographers in the Michiana area...so if you stumble across my site and would like me to refer you to another local business, feel free to email me...and let me know your location when you do.

If you're a potential Celebrating Adoption client, I have a referral for you as well, just get in touch.

To ALL of you who have read this blog, encouraged me along the way, shared of yourself in front of my lens...thank you from the bottom of my heart!  May you all celebrate indigo moments...daily...

LUVYA....michelle

Family Photography in Warsaw

I don't have a lot to say tonight.... other than...  Teri Sue... I love your family!  Y'all have been very good to me over the last few years.  Best of luck in the next few months as you all have so many changes coming.

Chicago Photography and Pet Expo

Recently I spent a few days in Chicago with a photographer friend of mine.  Barb is the owner of Barbara Breitsameter Photography and has a real gift...especially with animals.  If you're in the Chicago area, check out her work and RUN to get a session done!  Ok, maybe wait a few weeks, because she's getting a very cool new loft-style studio set up and you won't want to miss that!  Anyway, I traveled to the Windy City in the prime tourist month of March and helped her work a booth that she had at the Pet Expo.  The follwing day we got to hang out together...and you know what photographers do when they travel and hang out?  They shoot things!  We went to the Chicago Botanic Gardens which is an amazing place and I'll definitely be going back when it's actualy pretty!  It was freezing there that day, so we did a lot more shooting inside than anticipated.  We had a great time and thanks Barb for your hospitality!  Here are a few images from the trip...enjoy...

 

I don't usually name images... but this one is "Soldiers"

and now a few of the chicks together...

   

A Celebrating Adoption Session

We FINALLY have the studio space back to a minimal state of usability!  Woohooo!  So, you can look for me to be back to blogging more regularly again.  Lucky, aren't ya?  ;)   A wonderful family of four came and inaugurated the space this morning.  This family has an enchanting little daugter adopted from China.  I think it's been a while since I mentioned Celebrating Adoption, a national network of photographers who donate time and images to adoptive families.  This was a CA session with the whole family and it was great to have them here today!  Aren't they lovely?!

Photographing an Angel

This little angel-baby was in-studio (and I use the term loosely since the studio doesn't really exist at the moment) yesterday and though she never once cracked a smile...she is the most adorable little thing.  This image--for me--is what she is all about...delicate coloring, big, big brown eyes and perfect wispy hair. I love you guys so very much...

I'm baaaack!

Well, I finally got home!  Got stuck in Indianapolis because of weather, but am back in the frigid North now!  Just in time to completely tear up the studio space.  It's all in my office.  What a mess.  I'm hoping for a very quick turnaround for this renovation project!  Think they can get it done in one day?  We'll see...  Well, I had all kinds of electronics problems while I was gone.  My iPod died (a crisis), my laptop worked well...most of the time...sorta...and my phone worked about 30% of the time (the real crisis).  Yikes.   Not a good thing in my world!  So, I got no pictures posted on my travels, sorry about that.  I'll try to share some in the next few days.  It was a great time though!  I got to meet up with several friends I've only known online and a lot of people I haven't seen in about a year.  I spent about 10 hours a day in classes with some of the best wedding and portrait photographers in the world (and that is not an exaggeration) and had a great time!

I'll share some quotes that speakers shared over the next weeks...but this quote was actually from one of the speakers themselves.  My favorite quote of the week.  I'm struggling with systems right now and backups are one thing I need to be more disciplined about.  From Craig Minielly (check out his imagry and his actions), a fabulous photographer from the even-more-frigid-North-than-here...

"If your backup system is too complicated to do when you're half drunk, it's too complicated."

Words to take to heart I think...I'm all for simple!  Have a great day, y'all!

Warm Weather, Sunny Skies...

...HERE I COME!!  Well, sort of!  I'm on the first leg of a trip to a photography conference in Orlando.  Where it will be sunny and warmer than here...and I'll be in classes all day!  Just wanted to let everyone know that I may be a bit more difficult to reach over the next week while I'm soaking up all the inspiration, new ideas and knowledge that I can.  I'll try to post some shots of what photographers do when we get together.  You know...the same thing other professionals do...only with photo documentation, haha! 

Another Celebration of Adoption!

I had two great little girls here today for a Celebrating Adoption session.  Thanks so much girls for braving the cold to share some time and smiles with me!    You guys were wonderful!  So good...and Cody's been asking about you all afternoon!  Here are a few images from this morning to share...

Back In The Saddle

Well, everyone...it's been a few months since I've been posting regularly.  We've had quite a few things change for our family, for the move and for the studio in the last few months.  The winter studio shut-down is officially over though and I should be back to posting a few times a week.  Our move has been rescheduled to sometime late Spring...at this point we're looking at early May for a target date.  What does that mean for you, my faithful blog readers?  Well, if you're local clients it means that you have several more months to schedule sessions than we previously thought.  However, I am going to be working on a very limited basis, so email me early to secure a spot!!

A former Celebrating Adoption client was back in the studio today for a few child-free hours of fun!  Well, sorta child-free as my child was really, really wanting her to play trains.  Girl, you are beautiful and it was a treasure to shoot you and just plain fun to hang out!  And...a few minutes after you left...I found your shoe box!