School pics

The building I had in my mind-- couldn't find it? The building I used had spider webs on it and my son wouldn't lean against it.  The children were all less than enthusiastic about the photo shoot.  Well, my daughter was on board- but that girl! She won't look at the camera with her eyes!!!!!! I also didn't realize sunset was coming so early and was running late so a time crunch didn' t help.  On top of all that- my shadow or the subject's shadow kept getting in the way.  Pro photographers can probably anticipate that.  I didn't and amidst all the other challenges, was having a hard time problem solving it. I left the shoot feeling very frustrated.  I wish I knew if I have what it takes for this or if I have an unusual amount of difficulties.  I honestly don't know if I have what it takes to be good at this.  This isn't a pity party- just trying to make a real assessment of things.  We'll see what I can salvage in editing- and as for the school picture portion- I remind myself at my own horrible photos from school pictures.  That isn't the issue- the issue is that I want to be able to take school age kids to a location and capture some decent images.  Well, that's not true.  I am not happy with decent.  I want to get some breathtaking images.  I am tired of my mediocre to poor production. grrrrrrrr......

School Pic Goals

I might be mistaken in this-- but I might try something crazy and try to squeeze this school picture goal right into the middle of a bunch of crazy!  We'll see how it turns out- but there's a building I think will work for a backdrop and hopefully light, too- on my way to Turlock on Santa Fe.  I hope it works so I can cross this one off my list!

Before

After

Before

After

I am thankful this evening for this blog, for this editing project, for this learning process, for this creative effort I get to pursue from time to time.  It has been one of those days-- like so many Saturdays- just chock full of responsibilities and never enough time to accomplish it all.  The work that was done brings relief and peace of mind, but so much remains.  Added to that, extended family health emergencies and intensive parenting moments throughout the day.

This-- it slows me down now, it gives me something concrete to work on, provides somewhere healthy for my mind to settle.

Before

After- notice under the eyes, smooth skin, depth of color in the image.

Barbed Wire

One more from my drive yesterday..not too different from my usual repertoire but..I still like it!

Before and After Portraits

The last one is obviously not the right "before" but it is very close to the original so it works. :) I don't feel like searching for the right one again.