Sister Missionary {Utah Photographer}

  Earlier this week I had the opportunity to take this amazing young lady's pictures before she leaves on a LDS mission. The day before we had an impressive snow storm come through and there was around 2 feet of new snow up by the temple. It made for a winter wonderland and a few good laughs as most of the area was not shoveled or plowed. She is headed to warmer country and will probably not see snow again for 2 years so I wanted to capture her farewell to snow! I wish you the best on your mission Tina!

52 Week Photo Project - Week 4: Something White

  My daughter is in love with my WHITE ipad mini. She loves the lighter, smaller size and takes it wherever she goes. I can't blame her because I love it too! I guess we both will have to learn to share.
  Now it is your turn to share! Add a link back to your blog and thumbnail of your picture below. You will be able to link your photo through midnight on Thursday, January 31st. Don't forget to link back to my blog from your blog post so that others can join. If you don't have a public blog to post your picture on you can post your picture in the Google + community. To join the Google+ community you need a gmail account and you will need to request an invite.There is a category set up for each week. Just click on the week 3 category and then add your picture and comment to the thread. You can check out the entire year's calendar and read more about this project on this post. If you have any questions or problems give me a call or email me. (435.764.3598, iotamaker@gmail.com) Next week's theme is "Bathtime."

52 Week Photo Project - Week 3: Nightly Routine

This week's theme is "Nightly Routine" I decided to focus on Tuesday night because that is the night that all my kids have their extra curricular activities. I am just sharing two of the pictures I took here but you can read more about my intense Tuesdays on my personal blog.

I wanted to talk about black and white images. More specifically when do I convert a colored image to black and white. The answer is simple. If the image is more powerful as a B&W then I convert. If it doesn't add to the photo or it detracts from the photo then I leave it in color. In these particular images, I felt they were more powerful as B&W. There is some cool patterns going on along the back wall but the foam was a vibrant green color. In color it distracted the eye from the focus (Brock and his guitar). In B&W it was less distracting and the pattern was move obvious and interesting.

In this picture of Kassie, she is sitting in the dressing room. All the bags and cloths sitting behind her were distracting but in B&W they are less distracting and the focus returns to Kassie.

Now it is your turn to share! Add a link back to your blog and thumbnail of your picture below. You will be able to link your photo through midnight on Thursday, January 24th. Don't forget to link back to my blog from your blog post so that others can join. If you don't have a public blog to post your picture on you can post your picture in the Google + community. To join the Google+ community you need a gmail account and you will need to request an invite.There is a category set up for each week. Just click on the week 3 category and then add your picture and comment to the thread. You can check out the entire year's calendar and read more about this project on this post. If you have any questions or problems give me a call or email me. (435.764.3598, iotamaker@gmail.com) Next week's theme is "Something White."

52 Week Photo Project - Week 2: Family Room

The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family.

Thomas Jefferson

This week's theme is the Family Room. What makes any family room special is not the furniture or decor but the people who fill the room. Our family is a little crazy and our family room tends to be very chaotic but at the end of the day I am grateful for each member and what they bring to the chaos. For this week's photo I captured some of the chaos while the family was playing a new game we received for Christmas called Headbanz, in the family room. Check out more pictures from our Sunday game afternoon on my family blog.

If you are participating you can add a thumbnail of your picture and link back to your blog below. You will be able to link your photo through midnight on Thursday, January 17th. Don't forget to link back to my blog from your blog post. If you don't have a public blog to post your picture on you can post your picture in the Google + community. To join the Google+ community you need a gmail account and request an invite.There is a category set up for each week. Just click on the week 2 category and then add your picture and comment to the thread. You can check out the entire year's calendar and read more about this project on this post.  If you have any questions or problems give me a call or email me. (435.764.3598, iotamaker@gmail.com) Next week's theme is "Nightly Routine."

Clearly the Best: Embossed Resist Stamping (S01E18)

 I have a fun video for you today. The embossing technique is so easy and can be used to create a dozen different looks at least. This video is going to show you just a few ways to really add the wow factor to your artwork with the embossed resist stamping technique. If you would like to try it out you can order all the supplies you need from my website. Enjoy!

52 Week Photo Project - Week 1:52 Steps

1/3200 sec at f/1.8, ISO 100

It is week 1 of the 52 week photo project. I am so very excited to get started. The theme for this week is 52 steps from your front door. This picture was taken just down the street from my home. I have loved this sign since we moved to Millville and have wanted to take a picture of it. This week's theme was the perfect excuse to finally go and photograph this local landmark. I prefer the color version of this photo but my husband, Jason likes the sepia version. (posted on my family blog and linked below). I would love to hear what you think as well as see your picture for this weeks assignment.

If you are participating you can add a thumbnail of your picture and link back to your blog below. You will be able to link your photo through midnight on Thursday, January 10th. Don't forget to link back to my blog from your blog post. If you don't have a public blog to post your picture on you can post your picture in the Google + community. To join the Google+ community I need to send an invite via your email address. There is a category set up for each week. Just click on the week 1 category and then add your picture and comment to the thread.  If you have any questions or problems give me a call or email me. (435.764.3598, iotamaker@gmail.com) Next week's theme is "Family Room."

January Workshop Class Part 1 - Dakota WOTG

Hello January 2013! I have lots of fun artwork to share with you today. At this month's workshop we will be creating 6 2-page layouts. 3 layouts (shown in this post) will be created using the Dakota WOTG kit and some coordinating accessories. These layouts were designed by Karen Pedersen, my super talented upline. The other 3 layouts feature the La Belle Vie WOTG kit. (shown in a separate post).

I just LOVE what Karen did with this paper. It is super western but she made it fit perfect for this city girl that lives in the country. And check out the last layout. Perfect for those winter snow pictures! If you are excited about making these layouts then come to the workshop class on January 15th or 17th from 6:30 - 9:30. There is a shopping list at the bottom of this post and you will want to order your supplies by Saturday, January 5th. You can order by emailing me directly or you can easily place your order on my website.

January Workshop “Dakota” Shopping List

BASIC Kit G1047                                                                              Page

¡ X7157B        Dakota Level 2 Paper Pack                             32                 9.95

¡ Exclusive      Dakota Workshop stamp set                         35                13.95

¡ Z1706           Durables round studs                                  126                 3.95

¡ Z282             **Black Hemp                                             125                 2.25

¡ No #             2 sheets of Whisper cardstock                       8                  1.40

¡ No #             Workshop Guide                                                                1.00

                                                                                                          $32.50  You Pay $29.95!!

BETTER (Basic Kit + More Accessories)

¡ G1047          Basic Kit                                                          35              29.95

¡ X7157C        Dakota Complements                                      32               4.95   

¡ Z1745           Sparkles Flourishes Black                              127               4.95

¡ Z1695           Felt Alphabet Urban                                      130               5.95

¡ Z1762           DE Snowflakes                                               131               4.95

                                                                                                                          50.75

Add ons:

S1301              January SOM: Happy Valentine’s                144                17.95 or 5.00

Z1151             3-D Foam Tape                                            135                 5.95

Z1039             **Create a Shade Pearl Paint                      133                2.95

Z1380             **Spray Pen                                                 133                 3.95

Z134               **Prisma Glitter                                          134                 4.25

9035               Make It from Your Heart Volume 1              11                7.95

Z1686             Cricut Art Philosophy Collection                    15              99.00

       

*Stamp pad colors used Black, Pacifica, Barn Red

** You may already have this item from a past workshop

January Workshop Class Part 2 - La Belle Vie

Layout Inspired By Brenda Rose 

As promised here are the other 3 layouts we will be creating at this month's workshop class. (See the Dakota Layouts Here).  This kit is the opposite of the rough and tumble Dakota kit. La Belle Vie is elegant and classy! These layouts were inspired by 3 different fellow consultants. I love being part of such a talented group of ladies!

If you are excited about making these layouts then come to the workshop class on January 15th or 17th from 6:30 - 9:30. There is a shopping list at the bottom of this post and you will want to order your supplies by Saturday, January 5th. You can order by emailing me directly or you can easily place your order on my website.

Layout Inspired by Pam Thorn

Layout Inspired by Tamytha Jenkins

January Workshop “La Belle Vie” Shopping List

BASIC Kit G1048                                                                            Page

¡ X7158B        La Belle Vie Level 2 Paper Pack                       38                  9.95

¡ Exclusive      La Belle Vie Workshop stamp set                   41                13.95

¡ Z1763           Boutique Assortment                                    128                  5.95

¡ No #             2 sheets of Colonial White cardstock               8                   .80

¡ No #             Workshop Guide                                                                   1.00

                                                                                                           $31.65  You Pay $29.95!!

BETTER (Basic Kit + More Accessories)

¡ G1048          Basic Kit                                                          41                29.95

¡ X7158C        La Belle Vie Complements                             38                   4.95   

¡ Z1745           Sparkles Flourishes Black                              127                 4.95

¡ Z1732           **Seam Binding Ribbon                                124                 6.95

                                                                                                                          50.75

Add ons:

S1301              January SOM: Happy Valentine’s                144                17.95 or 5.00

Z1151             3-D Foam Tape                                            135                  5.95

Z1380             Spray Pen                                                     133                  3.95

9035               Make It from Your Heart Volume 1              11                   7.95

Z1686             Cricut Art Philosophy Collection                    15                99.00

       

*Stamp pad colors used Black

You will need 2 sheets Desert Sand Cardstock and 2 sheets of bamboo cardstock.

** You may already have this item from a past workshop

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.

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)