Seriously?!

Wow. When really was the last time I wrote a post? This is terrible. But so much good has happened since then.

Here's a few shoots I did recently:
http://aliciajoyphotography.xanga.com/737358888/cole--2011-senior/
http://aliciajoyphotography.xanga.com/737362194/noah--2011-senior/
http://aliciajoyphotography.xanga.com/737363310/noah--cole--2011-seniors/
http://aliciajoyphotography.xanga.com/737367632/andrey--larisa--engagement-session/

I LOVE how I've figured out my branding!!! Well, mostly. The matte finish, simple yet powerfully professional looking photobooks...amazing. The custom cover designed magnetic-close CD cases...drop dead awesome. The cute little wedge-like box with goodies inside...soooooo sweet. The custom designed linen textured thank you cards...can't stop people from commenting on how gorgeous they are! Hard work is paying off. I'm so encouraged.

Today was the first day in presenting the final product with the new branding experience. I love how much everyone loves the experience.

Right now my brain is so joggled I don't know what I need to do tomorrow. Oh, I need to edit the shoot I did on Monday and make an order to the printing lab. I also need to re-evaluate my wedding package offerings and pricing. My contracts need help from a legal standpoint too, but I'll just concentrate on the first few items first.

Oregon Trip Sneak Peeks

Woah...I have sooooo much to catch up on! Not being on a computer or having internet connection for a few days is not a good thing for someone in a mentorship program or running a photography business and doing web design and graphics on the side!

Its been non stop since I left for Oregon last Saturday (or maybe the craziness started a few days before that...). I seriously felt like duct taping my eyelids open to stay awake after setting foot on that train! On the commute down, I worked on assignments, then edited some jaw dropping photo shoots on the way back. I plan on getting those up on my business blog by the end of this week. This blog doesn't do them justice.

Since I've returned home, I've hit the ground running. But no time to think about those things right now, because I have to focus on my assignments. I definitely don't have them all done, so unfortunately it looks like I won't get much sleep tonight. They need to be done for tomorrow.

I burnt about ten CDs and mailed off/hand delivered them to clients today. Scheduled four shoots for this weekend.

Ok, now I have to get on these assignments or else my eyes will be totally bloodshot in the morning...

5 Words and Their Phrases

Today I completed all my assignments just to be assigned more this afternoon. Crazy how that happens... ;) But seriously, this mentorship has caused me to ponder the core outward of what I want my business to represent--stuff I hadn't time to do. Just today I was thinking how I really should be laying on the questions for Christina instead of just doing the assignments. This is the last month, and she's for sure a wealth of information and experience all packaged up in a cute bundle of personality!!

So, here's the phrases I came up for my 5 words:

1. Stimulating | Images that preserve and honor life’s most beautiful moments
2. Simple | Using the power of simplicity to accentuate the genuine nature of what I see
3. Tasteful |Aesthetically captivating through the use of color, composition and light
4. Fresh |Capturing creative, fun, warm, and innovative images
5. Invigorating | Bringing energy to life through a friendship with my clients that elicits true emotions

I'll be going back to the drawing board on the phrase that sums up the message of each of the five words. What I came up with wasn't very hard core solid meat.

This weekend I'll be taking the train on down to Oregon for a few days to be with two young ladies who were on my mission team to Ukraine 5 years ago. It'll be some sweet times...finally being able to meet the family of the one and experience living on a farm, visiting both their churches, then hiking in the beauty of God's creation, and simply having a wonderful time reflecting God's greatness. So, I'll be needing to seriously be on top of these assignments.

Tomorrow will be a new experience for me. I was called up and asked to fill the photographer's spot (because they couldn't make it tomorrow) at a feed store taking pictures of children with Santa all day long. I in no ways want to endorse Santa, so I really don't know why I agreed to it...other than helping out a friend and getting my name out in the community more. I don't know how busy it will be, but we'll see if I can help create some giggles and smiles between Santa and the kids and have some extra green paper in my pocket by the end of the day. Oh, which reminds me...I should pick up some candy canes on the way for the kids to have fun with...

I couldn't believe it when 'just a girl' agreed to skype with me before I head out in the morning! We're gonna bounce some branding ideas off each other. I'm definitely looking forward to it! Also, if any of you guys want to do the same, let me know, and we'll work something out!

Christmas Card Designs

Today I whipped out 6+ Christmas card designs for some clients and just used some pictures of my sisters and I as the sample images. These are two of my favorites designs. They're fairly simple, but I like simple. I'd love to hear your thoughts on them...negative or positive! :)

Check out lydia.com sometime. They have some awesome video tutorials on all sorts of photography and Adobe software. Lydia.com has so many more video learning resources than just those two topics, but those are the ones I've been soaking up this past weekend. I've been focusing mostly on Lightroom. They walk you through all sorts of keyboard shortcuts, how tos, and tips of the trade.

I've never really done photo books before, but I'd like to incorporate those into my session packages. I've been comparing different sites and keeping in mind the style I'm going for.

I'm totally stoked that I got a few more shoots lined up today! Love it when that happens!

These are the five words I decided on a few weeks ago for my business:

1. Stimulating
2. Distinct
3. Tasteful
4. Fresh
5. Invigorating

But I think I'm going to swap out 'Distinct' for 'Simple.' I think it describes me more. I've been working on the phrases to go with each word and then one that sums them all up, but I'm going to keep churning over them a few more days before I post them. :)

Tomorrow I'll be tackling writing out 5 different systems list emails that I'll be able to use as templates for emailing clients. Major time saver in the long run.

December is yet a half an hour away!!! Yahoo!!!!

Preset Evaluating Continued

Yesterday and today I've spent in Lightroom, trying to re-evaluate and re-create presets that really describe my style and branding. After looking through Wedding Photography Unveiled and some of the photographer's websites that were feature in that book, I definitely want to spend more time on this to get just the right look I want. I haven't really been consistent in my editing, and after talking with Christina, I see the value in that.

I'm really excited for tomorrow, as its is seriously my favorite holiday. Ever. Everything I am surrounded by is all because of what God has done. I am humbled by that.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving everyone!

A Loooooong Night Ahead

I'm afraid this is going to be a looooong night as I finish up the last of my assignments. I got so much on a roll today about nailing down more presets, seriously figuring out what services/products I want to offer, and finishing up designing my 5x5 trifold, that I totally lost track of time! Its already past midnight! But I'm feeling more sure and confident about my branding style, which is very reassuring.

With all this snow and wind we've been having, the lights flickered a few times this evening and made us all wonder if it really would go out for sure. So tomorrow, depending on if we have power or not, I'll be skyping with Christina in the morning. I'm excited to find out what assignments she'll have for me over Thanksgiving (my absolute favorite holiday)!

Let it SNOW!!!

I LOVE THE SNOW!!!!!! My sister freaked out when we woke up this morning to it falling outside the window, and in her excitement, decided to pounce on me while I was still resting contentedly under the warm covers!

Even though I like it when people save the Christmas lights and music till after Thanksgiving, we just felt the urge this afternoon to make our lampposts out front look like Christmas light peppermint sticks. I must have been quite the sight amidst the falling snow, trying to keep my hair dry with a t-shirt tied around my head, and bundled up in a fuzzy jacket with a knee-length skirt, leggings, and a pair of running shoes to complete the statement. I go all out for fashion.

This weekend I've been playing around in Lightroom creating presets. I'm mesmerized by how truly ugly my edit jobs were before this last year! I think I'm swaying back towards more classic natural-looking-color-pop photos than the muted-eerie-looking-Gaussian blur style I've been seeing quite a bit of in the photography trend.

I'm getting pretty close to finishing the design of my Portrait Session Information 5x5 trifold, which includes quite a variety of my work. I'm totally stoked! Can't wait to start on the Wedding Package Information 5x5 trifold, but I think I'll hold my horses till I get a few more stunning shots. These will especially be handy for me to pass out, and something tangible for my clients to give their friends and such.

Got a bit left to do on my assignments before Tuesday morning's skype call. But tomorrow:

• Create bullet points of the practical pieces of your dream business
• Create a development schedule for my Master Systems List
• Finish Portrait Session 5x5 trifold design