School dances, now and then | Kirkland Senior Photographer

WOW.. I found this way back from fall and forgot to post it-some pictures from Homecoming (then added MY dance pictures for a little shock factor).

I couldn’t help but remember my days of nails and hair-dos, dates and dresses, dinners and PICTURES, corsages and boutonnieres.  Some things have changed (including home decor in the background) and some things haven’t (like my love for my fun friend).  I especially like the newly painted red manicure and the perfect puffy sleeves from 1992, Christmas Formal.  Do you think it’s weird that we have a real wood burning fireplace in Mesa, AZ?  I do!  I remember it being used all of about three times in the 18 years that I lived there.  AND, those stockings-my mom made those for us and still hangs them to this day.  She made them and we love them!

An unusual occasion | Phoenix Band Photographer

I have an aunt who happens to be a talented trumpist (is that the formal word for one who plays the trumpet?  I should go look it up…  I’ll be back).

I have an aunt who happens to be a talented trumpeter and she connected me with her band, Arizona Winds Concert Band.  They were looking to update their website and Facebook page, among other materials, and hired me to take their pictures.  Now, this isn’t a typical shoot for me since the families I photograph usually leave their tuxedos at home.  It was truly a most perfect morning in Phoenix, AZ and we headed out to a mountain preserve where I met up with the group all dressed in their fancy concert attire.  The clouds scarcely covered the sun, providing some beautiful diffused light.  The band was facing the east and prior to the morning, I was worried that the 60+ members would be squinting at the sun.   You can imagine how pleased I was with an slightly overcast morning (something I am used to up here in the Pacific Northwest).  I loved their location it was so appropriate for an AZ band!   With a little hill to climb to get started, I enjoyed seeing them come one by one with their instruments in hand, ready to shoot!   Each group of instruments took some formal pictures and then had fun with some unusual and unexpected pictures (just my type). The morning went smoothly and I’m anxious to see what they do with their site!  Here are a few from our perfect Phoenix morning together…

Butchers, Pigs and American Thighs | Kirkland, WA Photographer

A local, organic meat shop, Bill The Butcher, was celebrating its birthday at the Redmond location.  Not only were they roasting a pig (at which my kids said, “Who would ever really eat a real pig?”) and feeding the visitors, they were doing raffle drawings and entertaining us with live music.  It was a celebration not to be missed.  American Thighs was performing (Seattle’s newest AC/DC tribute band), and we had front row seats.  It was some good rock n roll-prefect addition to the celebration. It was all quite the entertainment in Redmond!

The Flash Bus and all that jazz

I looked around the room and quickly determined that I was the minority… I was under the age of 50 AND I was female.  (Which by the way, I get the same feeling when I walk into Tempe Camera in Tempe, AZ where most employees and customers are sporting grey facial hair and a scarce amount on their heads.)  I embraced our differences and picked a seat squished between two grey goatees (or something like that, I was too focused on the show that was about to begin).  I chose the closest empty seat and asked if it was available.  Lucky me, it was.  Then, I became aware of the chitter chatter surrounding my existence regarding how many years in the field, what type of work was being created, what contests were won and what famous photographers were their heroes.  I felt like those around me were fluffing up their feathers, determining who was the alpha.  I kept to myself, anxious to learn all that I could because I wanted to be the only one who knew that clearly I was not a flash diva, not even a lamp lover.  I was there to learn and soak up, like a sponge, all the information I could hold, retain and use.  Hence my reason for signing up the minute I saw promotions for The Flash Bus!

What I learned at this conference was something so simple yet so difficult.  There is not ONE way to do light.  Light is light.  Some have a tactical approach, some have a faithful approach.  The tactical approach describes David Hobby, who is a light master, has a fabulous blog, Strobist, where you can learn every about using flash and more and he has years and years of experience.  His new approach to photography and blogging is very unique and inspirational.  I yearn to know what he knows and think like he thinks.  The faithful approach is Joe McNally.  I was immediately at ease with Joe.  See that, like we are friends… JOE.  Anyhow, I never felt like Joe was trying to earn his superiority (is that a word).  We all know him and respect him and he too has many years in the field.  He was a photographer for Life Magazine so he obviously is qualified.  : )  Part of my love for Joe came when he told us that he says, “Let’s see what happens,” several times during his shoots (all while keeping his assistants wondering why he hasn’t figured it out after 35 years) .  He has faith that it will be something cool based on his vision and then tweaks it if it didn’t work out.  Joe McNally blog is a fun way to see his latest leaps of faith.  : )  Joe inspired me to stop trying to get it perfect-just go for it.  I have a tendency to over study and over research.  I need to put it in action now and tweak it as I go.  I loved the different approaches, I loved the different schools of thought, I loved the inspiration and I loved their passion for getting the light right!  I also loved the open question session at the end where we were able to put our minds at ease, learn more about them and feel like we got our money’s worth.  :)

As I am typing this out, it leads me to my next thought and possible post… natural light vs. other light.  Hmmmm…

To see the latest photos from Photo A Day, go to my Flickr page!

Slap-it’s back to reality | Kirkland, WA Photographer

Here I am coming back from winter break… it was snowing and about 25 degrees around here when I arrived on Thursday night. Thankfully, during the Winter break, I went to Las Vegas where it was sunny and about 55-60 degrees. It was lovely. I visited Las Vegas for WPPI as it is there every year. I was inspired on many levels and had the opportunity to meet, mingle and learn from some great photographers. Each day was filled, I mean filled from 8:00am to 10:00pm with classes, speakers, and meet-ups.  I was struggling with light the whole time I was there-feeling frustrated that I was never able to get some “normal” light to work with.  And then, I was reminded about the secret of the casinos.  There are no windows and no clocks with hopes that you will stick around all day and night without regard to time.  Ah, tricky.  On one evening I met with Kelli France and other students from her Francypants Academy for some headshots.  MGM Grand did  not look kindly upon us trying to use their pool grounds about eight minutes before they closed.  We squished in as many as we could but when the clock struck 5:00pm, they approached with a smile and reminded us that it was quittin’ time.  I am ready to put into action some things that came from this conference!  I am ready to work on my craft.  I am ready to get some models.  I am ready to make some changes.  Unfortunately, my head is swarming and I can only do so much at a time.  I am learning patience.  I thought maybe one thing per month would work for me.  : )  BUT, first I am making changes around here.  Remember my Photo A Day project?  I am keeping up with it but try not to bore you here.  I am entertaining the idea of keeping it where it is now… on Flickr.  So, if you are at all interested in my personal project of documenting the daily and ordinary, you can go to my flickr set.

One of the speakers, Mary of Justin and Mary Marantz, made the biggest impact on me. It was a perfect way to end my WPPI experience.  Thank you to Kristin Conk for convincing me that I needed to be there!  Most of the speakers I didn’t know much about so it was great to branch out and discover some awesome talent and some very saavy business people!  Below is a picture of some business cards, duh!  I excused myself to the restroom and came back to a fancy display of some business cards.  : )  I thought it was creative, regardless of the lovely overhead lamp, and wanted to document a fun moment with other photographer ladies at lunch.  Thank you WPPI for the opportunity to mix with these gals!  I look forward to going again next year.  Until then, Studio 54 will have to dance the night away with Mr. Ferrari bling boy and his orange pants!

Holiday mini sessions | Queen Creek, AZ photographer

As I was preparing this little nugget, I had to stop and wow at the fact that it is already time to start thinking about the holidays.  Well, I suppose it’s only time if you don’t want to fall behind.  : )  The end of the year can get so full, so busy and so complicated.  I’m excited to be in the Queen Creek area for some mini sessions on November 11, 12, 13.  The mini session will include a digital image since many like to design their own holiday greetings.  If you prefer to NOT do your own, you can substitute the digital image for other products including customized cards.  I have a limited number of appointments remaining so if you are interested, call or email me! 

Guest speaker| Queen Creek Photographer

I have an announcement (is this sounding serious?)…  Lisa Heuer Photography has moved to  Kirkland, WA…. yes, Lisa Heuer Photography has a new location.  It isn’t like it scooted around the corner!  It is a big move with many adventures ahead!  I recently posted a little tidbit about my studio (that I love) and a perfect comment was made (thanks Jen!), “may it rest in peace.”  Oh, should I insert cry here or later?  It certainly is hard to make changes and leaving the studio behind was one of the hardest!

I have seen beauty before but the beauty here in WA is an everyday (blessing) thing.  The greenery, the rain, the water, the wetlands, the lake, the bridges, the trees, etc. are all so different than the brown and the cactus in AZ.  OK, don’t misread here (and certainly don’t put your own ending to my story) I love AZ and have only known AZ for many years but change is good, it feels good.  I’m not sure what my song and dance will be when it is December and I haven’t seen the sunshine for far too long and then February rolls around and still no sunshine…?  I will be keeping sessions in AZ (of course a good reason to visit) so if you are interested send me a note.  I will be updating here and through email the dates of AZ sessions so stay tuned.

Ok, the reason for my post-I was asked to be a guest speaker to a group of AZ women photographers.  What a privilege!  It was an honor to share with these ladies as well as learn from them!  I am so passionate about business and I love photography and I guess when you put those two together, I am one hot mess.  ; )  I can talk shop for hours and probably days so I am truly humbled that they would want to hear from me.  The ladies were fabulous! …and then I was featured  on Jess Leonard’s photo site. 

I really enjoyed sharing and learning!  Thanks ladies for inviting me to share and join you for the afternoon!

So off to getting settled I go!