Thursday, December 20, 2012

52 Week Photo Project




Last year I thought it would be fun to participate in a 52 week photo challenge. {A 52 week photo challenge is when you take a picture and post it on your blog every week. There is usually a theme for each week's post} The only problem was that I didn't stick with it. Which I regret because the pictures I did take I loved. So this year I am recruiting my friends, family, acquaintances and anyone else who wants to participate to join with me. You can all hold me accountable and I you. Why should you participate?

  1. If you are like me you take fewer and fewer pictures of your kids, family and everyday life and want to change that.
  2. If you are like me you have become a terrible blogger and where my blog is my family journal that means I am also a terrible journal keeper so taking pictures and posting them every week will help us accomplish two goals at once.
  3. You want to improve your photography no matter what kind of camera you use and the key to being a better photographer is PRACTICE!
  4. It will just be fun and you will have a treasure of photos after the 52 weeks.

I have put together a 52 week schedule (bottom of this post) and I am setting up a weekly post on this blog where you will be able to post a link to your blog post each week. This way we can all see what everyone is doing and hopefully this will help keep us motivated. Here are a few more details that will hopefully answer any questions you might have:


  • Do I need a fancy DSLR camera to participate?  -  Of course not! You can use any camera you want - iphone, point and shoot, DSLR etc. I don't care what you use just make sure it is your own work. 
  • Do I need to stick to the weekly themes or prompts? No.  I have put together a schedule with weekly themes that are merely suggestions and to help get the creative juices flowing. You are welcome to pick your own topic or just post a favorite picture from the week. The point is to document your life and what is most important to you. Having a topic or theme will hopefully add variety and encourage creativity.
  • Be Creative! Not only with the topic or theme for the week but also how you take the picture. Consider shooting from different angles - high, low, close up or even far away. Ask yourself "How would I normally take this picture?" and then try shooting from a different position.
  • I will have a weekly Friday post sharing my photo and you will be able to add a direct link to your blog post with your weekly photo. I would ask that you link back to my blog post from your post so that others who want to see what we are doing or join in the fun can.
  • You can post on your own blog whenever you want but as far as the linky submissions form it will be available Friday through Thursday. If you miss a week don't give up and just start again on the next week.
  • I encourage you to check out other people's posts and share some comment love and words of encouragement.
  • I reserve the right to delete any submitted entry from my blog post that I find offensive. I doubt I will actually have to do this but you never know. We live in a crazy world.

We will start the first week of January with your first post scheduled for Friday January 4, 2013 and the theme is "52 steps from your front door." 


To be clear on the dates here is an example of week 1. Ideally you will take your picture between Sunday December 30th and Friday January 4th. Post your picture on your blog on Friday, January 4th and then add your link and thumbnail to the blog post on my blog. If you don't get your picture taken and posted on Friday, January 4th don't despair. You have until Thursday, January 10th to link your post for week 1. Clear as mud?

If you would like to participate or if you have any questions please  leave a comment on this 52 week blog post.  I am excited to hear who will be joining me on this journey.


Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Melani Family {Utah Family Photographer}


I love photographing families! This family was especially fun. The kids were great and had a fun time. The greatest compliment came from the kids when they told their Mom after the session that they had fun at the photo shoot.  I definitely try to make every photo session an enjoyable experience.  Here are a few of my favorites from the session.



















  When you are ready to schedule your next family, newborn, couple, senior, individual, baptism session give me a call or drop me an email (435.764.3598 ~ iotamaker@gmail.com)


Monday, December 17, 2012

Whooo's Your Valentine? National Papercrafting Month: January 2013



Check out the National Papercrafting promotion highlighted in this video. Then head over to my website to order.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Kelly Family {Utah Family Photographer}


  Over Thanksgiving weekend I had the opportunity to photograph this amazing, fun, generous family. I just think the world of Mike and Elsie and was so excited to have the opportunity to photograph their family. We got some great pictures of the whole group (these kids were amazing!) But what I loved the most is the few pictures I was able to take of just Mike  and Elsie. These two are just fun to be around. I am sure it has been  years since the two of them have had their pictures taken. Here are a few of my favorites for you to enjoy and when you are ready to schedule your next family, newborn, couple, senior, individual, baptism session give me a call or drop me an email (435.764.3598 ~ iotamaker@gmail.com)












Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Another Great Video Tutorial and More December SOM Artwork!



 A couple of days ago I shared with you the December stamp of the month. Well today I wanted to share with you a new video tutorial and some more cards featuring both the December SOM and the "Perfect Fit Frame" stamp set that is featured in the video.  The talented Karen Pedersen created these cards and has given me permission to share them on my blog. The December SOM is appropriatly named "Year-Round Cheer" and has a stamp for every month of the year. Could Karen's cards be any cuter? I didn't think so. You can order this set as well as the "Perfect Fit Frame" set on my website. And don't forget that with a $50 order on my website you will also receive a free bonding memories glue pen!




Monday, December 3, 2012

Sale, Specials and a Video Tutorial!



Wow this post is jam packed with some fun stuff. First (above) is another great video tutorial about how to "Rock n' Roll" with our 40 exclusive colors. I love this technique and have used it a number of times in my classes and workshop. 


Then I want to share with you some great promotions and sales going on this month!

1.  Huge Sale
2.  Free Holiday Gift
3.  December Stamp of the Month
 --------------------

1. HUGE Sale: You’ll be tickled with the FABULOUS new sale items on my website that went up at midnight this morning (December 1). Just head to my website and click on "While Supplies Last." 


Among the new additions you will find a wide variety of paper and coordinating accessories, all with a substantial markdown. You will also find that most of the items that are currently available will also see a further markdown at that time.

2. Free Holiday Gift:
  To sweeten the deal even more, from December 1–31, all orders placed on my website that reach or exceed $50 will also include a free Bonding Memories® glue pen (Z553)—a $4.50 value! Shop early, because these deals are only available while supplies last.
3. December Stamp of the Month:  With every $50 you spend (before shipping and tax) during the month of December, one of these awesome month-to-month stamp set (Year Round Cheer) can be yours for only $5.  That means if you spend $100, you can purchase 2, and so on. Nice!  This stamp set is a perfect holiday gift, and for only $5...why not? Check out the adorable card Karen Pedersen created using this stamp set! 
December Stamp of the Month (Year-Round Cheer). Actual size of carrier sheet is 6" x 6"
Frame cut with the wonderful CTMH/Cricut Artiste Cartridge.  This cartridge cuts over 700 images and fits many of our stamp sets!  
Close To My Heart Supplies used:
 December Stamp of the Month,Universal BackgroundsPerfect Fit FramesWhite Daisy CardstockTopiary CardstockRuby Pigment Ink PadVersamark PadWhite Embossing PowderRed, Pink and Purple Sparkle AssortmentHarvest Twine AssortmentCTMH/Cricut Artiste Cartridge (to cut frame.  Yep, it fits with our stamp sets!) 3D Foam Tape.
CTMH/Cricut Artiste Cartridge
Universal Backgrounds Stamp Set

Perfect Fit Frames Stamp Set