Dreamcatcher Road Photography Blog

Katie and I recently returned from our adventure to the Big Easy for Imaging USA! What an incredible event! We spent several days scouring the tradeshow floor finding amazing new product offerings and attending workshops from some of our favorite “big name” photographers.

When we arrived, I was greeted with this fabulous bouquet of flowers that my sweet hubby and kiddos had our friend Katie, with In The Woods Floral and Events coordinate sending. Apparently the transaction required a bit of translation, but the end result was fabulous and such a surprise!

 

I was really excited to spend some time answering questions in the Certified Professional Photographer Booth…I met some awesome people that I look forward to keeping in touch with! One of the highlights for me was the opportunity to spend some time with one of the PPA jurors who judge International Competition. I got to share some of my work and get his insights on how to best improve them for competition…such an incredible learning tool! I even got to spend a little one-on-one time with Vicki Taufer, who has been a valuable mentor to me as I have grown my business! Although we were there on “business”, we still managed to find some time for a few cocktails and some AMAZING meals in the french quarter. YUM!!! One night we even braved the streets with our cameras in hand…

 

 

 

So, Katie and I leave Saturday morning for the amazing industry tradeshow ImagingUSA in New Orleans! I am seriously so excited I could burst! I am really looking forward to some of the opportunities that await…I will have images featured at the CPP booth as well as at the Hand Crafted Framing booth! I also will be spending some time Sunday at the CPP booth answering questions and distributing information. I can’t wait to spend a little time chatting with one of my favorite photogs -Vicki Taufer-during a mentor session we will be having …if you will be at Imaging…don’t miss her presentation on Sunday! And finally, I undertook the daunting task (and Katie did too!) of going through my portfolio to choose images I want to consider for competition. Here are a few of those images…although the selected images (only 2 or 3) will likely undergo some transformations after review and editing for competition. Hope you enjoy a glimpse at some of my personal faves from both client and personal work!!!

OK, so I am the WORST at updating my blog! I just realized that it has been nearly a YEAR since I posted anything here! lol! The first year in the new studio has been amazingly fabulous, but completely time-consuming, so I played favorites and chose facebook over blogging… sorry blog-lovers!Anyway, now that I have become a HUGE fan of pinterest, I have decided that blogging is now a necessity for allowing my clients to pin their images. So bear with me as I TRY and get into a new routine. Let’s start with a little contest on my FAVORITE online photography forum! Rock the Shot forum www.rocktheshotforum.com  is such a fabulous resource for both pro and hobby photographers alike. There is wonderful advice on both the blog and the forum for those of you who like to play with your cameras. I recently even wrote an article for them. You can check it out here… www.rocktheshotforum.com/2011/12/23/accidental-marketing-success/ 

 

Rock the Shot does a fun monthly contest and I am finally taking the time to participate. This month the challenge is self-portrait. So, here is my entry… enjoy! (and don’t laugh!!!)

I don’t even know where to begin to thank all of the amazing people who came out to support Barb, Katie and I for our Grand Opening Celebration this past Thursday evening! The new place was a huge hit with everyone and we got to play a bit in the studio shooting some facebook photos that will be posted to facebook later! I was completely overwhelmed by the response and cannot thank everyone enough! Here are a few images from the party…scroll down to the bottom to find out the WINNERS of the drawing!!!

The foyer

the foyer

Our amazing new frame from My Redhead Designs!!!

as always, Katie with In The Woods Weddings COMPLETELY outdid herself!!!

 Heather at The Brick House in Cable made us some scrumptious treats…this was my personal fave!

AND the winners are…

Oil Change from Naylor’s Auto Repair: Becca Zeigle

Oil Change from Naylor’s Auto Repair: Jaime Harris

Basket of Scentsy products (donated by Michelle Christian): Tom Dierl

Handmade tutu and cupcake purse set  from Sassy Pants Couture: Wade Bishop

Red 5×7 Frame from My Redhead Designs: Allison Somerville

Bottle of Walleye Blush Wine from Hookstone Winery: Laura Zeigle

Mary Kay $40 gift certificate and Satin Lips set (donated by Michelle Christian): Brittany Staeck

A visit from Santa (donated by Paul Eckerline): Sundee Hansen

Marrakesh Hair Care set from JC Salon: Trina Starr

Damask Diaper Wipe case filled with handmade items from Sassy Pants Couture: Bobbie Petersen

Momma’s Boy Tie from The Scarlet Poppe: Emily Williamson

Skin Matters Spa Bioelements skin care package: Paul Shagan

17″ Strand of Freshwater Pearls ($129.00 value!)  from Anthony Jewelers: Lori Clifford

Paparazzi Party!!! (GRAND PRIZE): Laura Haack

Our Generous Sponsors… 

Naylor’s Auto Repair 715.934.3015

Sassy Pants Couture www.sassypantscouture.com 715.634.2412

JC Salon 715.634.3437

Anthony Jewelers www.anthonyjewelers.com 715.634.8385

In The Woods Weddings www.inthewoodsweddings.com 715.558.1712

Hook Stone Winery www.hookstone.com 715.634.9463

Skin Matters www.skinmatters4u.com 715.934.2003

Mary Kay 715.558.4559

Scentsy http://mchristian.scentsy.us 715.558.4559

Paul Eckerline as SANTA CLAUS! (ask Kelly for details!)

The Scarlet Poppe www.etsy.com/shop/scarletpoppeboutique 

My Redhead Designs (ask Kelly for Details!)

The Brick House Cafe  www.thebrickhousecafe.net (715) 798 – 5432

Lucky me!!!!!!!!! Look at this beautiful girl and the amazing property that she and her horses call home! I had such a blast with Suzanne today! This girl just sparkles with personality and we had a blast trying to get horses to cooperate with us! Looking forward to finishing up with a studio mini-session soon!!!