Archive for June, 2009

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Celebrating Teachers

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

I’m blessed enough to have moved to a new state and find an amazing church that does some amazing outreaches, I use the word amazing a lot and so do they.

One of the outreaches they do is at a school in St. Louis called Patrick Henry.

An amazing fact is that the city of STL was going to close a slew of schools and Patrick Henry was on the chopping block. Because of the time and energy spent by Church On The Rock and it’s amazing (that word again) volunteers Patrick Henry was given a stay and was not one of the schools to close.

What an honor it is to be even such a small part of this great ministry and it’s ________ (insert amazing) works!

This day was also no exception. It was an honor to be asked to photograph this event. It’s taken me a bit to blog about it, but I wanted to make sure I include them in my blogging!

This day Church On The Rock (COTR) celebrated the teachers of Patrick Henry with makeovers, new hairdo’s, nails, and more. They were also each presented with Ipods and a GC to the Galleria Mall.

One of the things that I noticed on my way driving into Patrick Henry was a few bulletin boards with advertisements bombarding the children with images and thoughts they really did not need to be thinking about. The closer I got to the school, the more I saw.

As the teachers came in I thought about how tough it is for them to be able to control a classroom of inner city children whose focus was almost anything but school. I got to speak to a few of them and it was nice to be able to tell them how much I appreciate what they are doing to help these children.

It was an honor to photography the teachers of Patrick Henry School and to be part of such a great giving back.

Thank you for this opportunity to capture todays hero’s getting some pampering and appreciation that they deserve!
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Justin and Amanda – Married!

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of flying into Ohio to shoot the wedding of Justin and Amanda, a few months earlier I also had the pleasure of shooting their E-session.

This couple was so much fun and did everything we asked them to do. We had a blast and they were one of the first couples that got to experience our new “alley” that we found in Ohio.

One of the first things I realized about them is how much they cared for each other, concerned what each other thought and the respect. You know, when two people look into each others eyes and you can just feel the love that they have. It’s an amazing thing to witness.

One of the greatest things about being a wedding photographer is to be able to witness the bond and love between two people, it’s so strong and sometimes so overwhelming. I love being able to capture that emotion and give back an image that reminds them exactly what they felt at that moment in time.

Capturing Amanda and Justin’s love was and easy task, they were so comfortable with each other, it just makes my job fun!

Thank you both for allowing us to share in your very special day. We enjoyed all of it and wish you both the very best of everything life has to offer!

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I love to meet new people!!!

Saturday, June 20th, 2009

You know when it happens, a smile, a glance and then before you know it, you “click”. I’m not talking about photography at the moment, but people. I’m a people person. I love to watch people, observe and yes, talk. Sometimes I’ll just pick a conversation, or sometimes I’ll be thrown into a conversation with a complete stranger. I love the emotion new people bring to our lives and I’ve been very blessed to meet some amazing people. People that if you read my blog, have amazing stories and I come back home to share them with you.

Sam – the man whose wife died of cervical cancer and shared his story with me in a hotel in Westchester, NY

Bert Sugar - who told me amazing stories of his life and only at the end of our train ride did he tell me who he was, I was able to take one of the best Bert Sugar pictures ever!

The list goes on and on. Everyone has a story and if you take time to listen, you’ll learn some amazing things about life and people.

And so the story goes… on my recent flight to Ohio I shared a seat with a young man who was heading to Cleveland to spend time with his dad (a Jet Blue Pilot) (go Jet Blue)!! We did not talk till the plane had landed but just spending that time with him was fun and interesting to share stories with. Then this happened….

As I said goodbye to my new friend from Texas… I turned the corner to pick up my luggage and I saw two woman looking at some pictures, I’m a photographer so of course I looked. I saw a picture of a beautiful little girl, beautiful composiiton and the processing was done in such a manner the picture really stood out to me. So I remarked “That is a beautiful picture” Now I’m not sure what these two woman thought of me, but when I see good work, I make sure I say so! We ended up in a really awesome conversation, they were sisters, one had come into Cleveland to visit the other, they were full of smiles and sharing these beautiful pictures. As we talked I wondered why the one lady was not taking pictures of children, serious good pictures folks, and we talked about passion of our art and I explained I was a wedding photographer traveling to do a wedding in NE Ohio.

After a little more talk I found out that Simona does hand tinting of photographs, much like the selective coloring that some photographers do today, but this is done with more of a softness and detail and of course “done by hand” which makes it so appealing to me and I am sure to others. Simona does not have a website, but it’s something I want to encourage her to do and to get. She has amazing talent and passion for what she does and I encouraged her to push through and to obtain that goal and desire!

I told her I was going to share a bit about her in my blog and when she gets home I hope she sends me a couple images to post here for you to see and then we can see what we can do for Simona Breibart and her artistic abilities.

Life is good, I could have easily just passed them by, got my luggage and went on my way. I’m glad I took time out of my day and my life to connect with Simona and her sister. I hope you two enjoy your time together and remember to think about me tomorrow at the wedding! Stay in touch!

I love to “click” with people! Life is too short to stay all wrapped up in our own tiny worlds!
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You’ve got questions, I’ve got answers

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

I’ve dragged my feet on this and my mailbox has been filling up…so for now…here are a few more of your questions and my brilliant answers :-)

Do you hire someone to do your portrait work?
No, we do all our own work at weddings and so on! There was a moment in time I felt to hire out those family sessions because my heart was just not into them. The stiff standing at the alter music stand, flag, crosses and other stuff photos. I really went through a moment and I had to address that issue! I’m a firm believer if you are not passionate about what you do it shows, and it did show, in our family sessions. So I had to face facts and dish out a tough lesson to myself and now, our sessions are rocking. It’s not my most favorite part of a wedding, but my brides and her family still desire these images and my job is to make sure my bride gets what she wants. That said. We do our own portrait sessions!

Where is the most exotic place to shoot?
I think anywhere there is passion is exotic! But if you are talking location. For me, wow, Israel, Italy or Spain. But honestly it’s not always about location but about attitude, you can be in the most absolute wonderful place in the world and your attitude is not right and wow, it can ruin anything. Love, Romance, Passion can make a back yard in Cleveland Ohio amazing. It takes an amazing photographer that can capture that emotion, anyone can take a snapshot, but to know how to capture that intense moment between two people in love that spark, that glance, that kiss, now that takes talent!

When did I discover my love for photography?
Well, my last blog of questions I talked about my father raising me with a camera in my hand at age 8. But, my passion for photography did not start there, I enjoyed what I did and I loved to take pictures but my passion started when I began to shoot people in 2001. When I started to watch people through the lens and capture that smile, that look, that glance. When I stood whispering to myself “come on, come on, do it, smile, do it” waiting for the right look and being prepared to capture it. Then came digital, one of my hardest moves to make but once I did, I got so excited about photography my passion began to grow!

What gear do I use?
I use only Canon gear! Now, before all you Nikon fans get mad at me, I’m being real. I started on a Pentex and grew into a Canon, there is no reason for me to leave and I love it. Right now I own the Canon 40D, I consider Canons consumer mistake and has now been discontinued. It’s a mistake not because it’s bad, but because it’s that good of a camera, it’s low light ability is amazing and it’s fast shutter and focus ability make it an amazing reception camera. That being said, I’ll be ordering the 5DmII shortly and moving up to full frame, I’m excited about that! I have to lenses that I love: my 24-70 (aka the brick) and the 70-200 (aka the block) I’ve been using the 70-200 more then ever lately and it’s a sharp sharp lens. I have a canon grip and the 580x flash!

How many hours at a function?
If you are talking weddings I can do an easy 12 hour day. I start when my bride wants me and finish generally an hour or so after everything has been done at the reception. It’s a long day and if you’re not lovin’ what you do, you’ll be hating that time spent shooting. I love it, in fact my partner will have to tell me at times “enough” because I’ll just keep shooting, you never know what you are going to capture.

What software for editing do you use?
I’m the Adobe Lightroom Queen. I love LR it’s where my images first go, then after that I take them into Photoshop CS3 for anything special I’d like to do.

Am I single?
This came up a couple times and it just made me laugh, nope I am not single and no I am not looking either! I am happily married with three children and one amazing grandson! I love my life, I have a great life and I feel very blessed!

What album company do you prefer?
Last year we made the choice to stick with one company for our albums and that choice is Memador! An amazing company that offers excellent customer service and a wonder array of product. They are an upper level company with an superb product that draws the attention of other vendors when we are at shows. I’m very proud of Memador.

Okay so for today that is enough, I’m heading to Ohio tomorrow for a wedding and I will try to blog tonight or tomorrow some more answers to your fun questions!

Till then….be safe and be inspired
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CANDLES!!!!

Monday, June 15th, 2009

Driving back between Saint Louis and NE Ohio I would always look over to my right and see it. Sticking out, peeking my curiosity and drawing me.

I think I’ve said “I’m going to stop there…next time” probably 10 times.

Next time finally came!

In Centerville, Indiana, exit 145 off of I-70, you can’t miss it and if you like (love or lust) candles, you can’t miss it! Warm Glow Candle Outlet

I had no idea what to expect, except candles, and if you know me well, you know I like candles amongst other things, but for now, we’re talking candles.

When you get off of 70, make sure you keep going about 300 feet to hit the driveway to the parking lot, if not, you’ll be right back on i-70. Don’t ask!

When you pull up there is a beautiful Koi Pond, something similar to what I am doing in my back yard. Then you see the BBQ sign. Something I’ve learned to love since being in STL. You get to the doors, open them and *the sound of angels* It’s amazing and I really don’t want to get to descriptive because my daughter has yet to go and I want her to experience the same way I did. But, it’s amazing. WOW!

*Overheard conversation of a husband/wife shopping “You want me to choose? You know I can’t choose just one.” HA, how fun!

I had no trouble choosing. My favorite scent (if you read my blog) is Patchouli so I went right to that section, picked up two nice size candles, a large clear glass container and a few smaller candles.

Oh and they have home made candy there too, I had to pick some of that up also. YUMMY!

Tonight I’ll be blogging more of your questions, but for now, I had to show some support to my candle lovin’ buddies!
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Some Answers:

Friday, June 12th, 2009

Wow, first of all I am overwhelmed by the response and the questions….and some of you are just plain funny!

I’m thrilled and honored to answer your questions and humbled that you feel I have anything worthy to share with you!

I want to tell you that the first thing I tell anyone that asks me about being a wedding photographer is You have to have Passion for what you do. This goes without saying in anything and any relationship you have, without Passion, it’s really not a whole heart effort. You won’t succeed to a level of satisfaction with out Passion.

Another thing I’ve found is that woman who have spent their lives raising children have somehow lost their passion and their desire. I’ve asked a few woman “what are you passionate about?” and the answer come back vague or even not directed on a hobby or interest.

I feel because they have given up their lives to raise their children, help their husbands or worse yet… single moms who give up their lives to play both mom and dad in a household for many many years, they have buried so deep down inside them the things that they LOVE to do and are Passionate about and it takes some digging and soul searching to find out what those passions were.

So for all you moms out there, your time is coming, and even you dad’s that have and are giving up your lives for your children, your time is coming and be prepared to dig deep and find that thing that makes you tick!

I’d really like to concentrate on those people, so, if you’d like…let’s start some dialog and contact me I’d love to chat about your lives and your experiences.

Now on to the questions:

I’ll only answer a few tonight, I’m packing for Ohio and will be a bit MIA for the weekend.

    Who is my inspiration?

Hands down: Joe Buissink, he’s an amazing emotional photographer and man, I can listen to him speak about photographer over and over again. Beyond Joe is another amazing man Yervant, who is in a class by himself. Both these men are “real” and I appreciate both of their influence in my life.

    What gear do I use?

I shoot currently with the 40D, a camera I feel was canon’s mistake as a consumer end camera. It’s got an amazing low light ability and as we speak has been discountinued. I think canon realizes it did a boo boo. Beyond that the 5DMII will be in my hands in a month or so. I’m excited to get my hands on this baby! My favorite lens has to be the brick: 24-70 IS L 2.8. But I’ve been leaning towards the 70-200 2.8 IS L lately.

    When did I discover photography?

Good question! My father gave me my passion for photography. He put a camera in my hand at a very early age and I started shooting landscapes and cemeteries, which today I still like to do. I believe I was 8 when I first started shooting a film Pentex MX camera!

    What’s my absolute favorite fragrance?

What a question! Hands down it’s patchouli. Nothing I love or have is by chance and everything I love has a connection to someone in my life. This is no exception.

    What are some ways to advertise my business?

Ahhh having a son who is a marketing (stomper net) wiz, I’m learning all about this. I did my own experiment with newspaper ads (not very good) and found that since I’ve moved to a new area when I was looking for a dentist or doctor, printer or health food store the first place I looked was the internet. So I’d have to say, get on the net, work on getting your website in a good place and work it from there. I’d also say get out and meet other photog’s, and get involved in a show that is directed towards your niche. Mine is weddings so I do a few bridal shows a year. I love to meet people and talk!

    My birthday Month?

June, the 29th to be exact! and I’ll be (ahhh a lady never tells her age) :-)
So if anyone wants to send me some love? I love Teavana!

    How do I get some of those cookies?

Arent they amazing?
ahhh you’re going to have to tag along with me to some amazing wedding receptions and I will be the first to tell you. I shoot weddings for the cookies! But, don’t tell my brides that! :-)

So keep your questions coming, I’ll blog some more this weekend with more answers to your questions.

Have a good one! Enjoy!

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I’ve got a question, can you help me?

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

When I first started out online I never thought my world would revolve around others in places such as Twitter or Facebook, along with a ton of other marketing place where I hang my hat.

It’s an amazing life we live in, and because of the internet we can touch the lives of so many people in so many different places. It’s an amazing place. We just have to be careful to not become an impersonal personal people, unattached and unemotional, not caring about others and only about ourselves. It’s easy to do when you sit behind a keyboard. I tend to go the other way. I get involved and I get attached and well…that is just me! and I love me so I’m cool with that.

This past week has been an incredible week for me. I’ve been very humbled and honored by several people asking me to assist them in their business.

If I look in the mirror I wonder why me? But, then again, why not me? I’ve been doing what I’m doing for almost 7 years, I’m extremely organized and I don’t procrastinate much.

I’ll give you all a hint on that procrastination. I generally answer questions right away, I don’t let an email sit long before I respond and I react quickly. I do all this because….If I don’t….a day will pass and I’ll soon forget and it will be behind me before I know it.

I get a ton of emails a day, my box is full and I don’t complain because I am very honored by the questions, comments and friendships I have made. If your a friend of mine, you will know I am here to help and assist and do what I can.

But, there is only one me…so I’m opening up this blog post for anything you’d like to ask me. I’d say keep it business but you know what, if you have any other kinds of questions go for it and ask. I’m pretty much an open book and I will answer almost anything.

So, let’s get busy…you can leave them as comments here or send them to my Email at CreationsPhotoLB@gmail.com.

I’ll give a few days for everyone to respond then I’ll start to answer a few questions a day. I won’t put your names in the post unless you’d like me too.

I’m anxious to be able to help you all and assist in any way I can and share with you what I’ve done and how I’ve done it, what I’ve used and what has worked for me.

Pull up a chair, grab a cookie and let’s chat!
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Have a great day!
Lisa B

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Diamonds no Disses….

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

As early posted I have way more likes then not.

This is one of those Diamond posts that has more meaning them most.

Before I moved from Ohio a group of girlfriends and I would go out for each others birthdays, we would pick a place to eat and just go and talk and have a lot of fun. During the years we’ve met in many different places and in an array of different things going on in our lives. There have been way happy occasions and a series of very sad and confusing events that wrapped our lives together in a drama filled saga that continued far longer then I would have wanted.

But during these times, we became family. Then people move on, make choices in life that remove them from the midst of that “family” I don’t think it makes them less family, but it sure does make being family more of a choice and an effort.

But this is what this post is all about, During what was to be my last birthday party (however I did not know it) I got a gift from my girlfriends that I believe is the best gift ever and I wanted to share it with you. Because every time I use it I think of them. I’ve had this now a few years, and I use it off and on.

If you think about it, it’s a sweet gift to give anyone, because the memory of you is in it each and every time they use it, it does not have to cost a fortune but, it can.

Either way…

You have someone special out their and you want them to keep on thinking of you and your kindness and thoughtfulness I suggest a gift like this one.

I have three main perfumes I wear: bvlgari – Tea Time, Cannabis Santal and this…
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Paris Hilton:Paris

It’s a great gift and a way to be remembered in a persons life for a long time to come. Just make sure you pick something he/she likes and give a gift that keeps you in the thoughts of the person you care about!

So here’s to: Flo, Anne, Heather, MD, Lucy and Sandy, my “old’ birthday buddies.

THANK YOU!

PS, you notice the bottle is almost empty and my birthday is at the end of this month… I’m just sayin’ ;-)

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