The archives | Queen Creek, AZ Photographer

I love going back, reviewing the past.  I often find pictures that didn’t stick with me the first time I viewed them.  As I change, I find myself liking images that may not have impacted me on round one.  So, you can understand why round two (maybe three and four) is needed.  ; )  So, I remember being in this family’s backyard and while some of the members were putting on shoes or finalizing their last minute preparations for pictures, I took a stroll with the ones that were ready.   We were getting a grasp on lighting.  They were so accommodating and cooperative.  Maybe there was no pressure, they were simply allowing me to “get ready” for pictures.  Typically the bottom of shoes isn’t a pleasant view and maybe frowned upon (and possibly offensive in some cultures??) but aren’t rules made to be broken? : ) 

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!

My Studio | Queen Creek Photographer

This is my humble abode-my home studio.  I converted what was the living room and dining room, added a bit of a wall, some double doors and called it MY SPACE.  I can think in here, I can sing in here, I can spread out in here, I can teach in here, I can create in here…  I love to have samples on the wall, I love to display COLOR, I love signs that have meaning to me, and those door handles are truly the best part.  There is a story behind those but I should save it for another day.  This is my studio.

Let’s Dance | Queen Creek Photographer

THIS is why I love doing what I do…  Can you even look at these without smiling?  Sometimes goofy really is best.  Remember my thoughts about being REAL?  Can you argue or disagree with their cute little personalities?  They were getting ready for a recital and these little ladies needed to have pictures in their costumes. Sometime (soon) the costumes will be put away, their bodies will grow to the next costume and these days will be a faint memory that only a mother could describe.  It’s hard to imagine that these days will go by as some days feel long and full.  But, its true.  They grow up!  And, want to know the worst part?  Someday they will be “too cool” for this sort of goofiness.  Their portraits at that time will take on new meaning and it will be just as wonderful but definitely different.  In the meantime, let’s take advantage of the moments they share and give away!

Get your kicks | Queen Creek Photographer

Everybody needs a good pair of kicks… no matter your age!  And, add a great color to spice it up!

In The Moment | Queen Creek Photographer

I was having some thoughts today as I was struggling to listen to my kids tell me all sorts of things about their day.  I realized they were asking questions and I was giving answers but I never heard the question.  Have you ever done this?  Please say I am not the only one.  Anyhow, one of the questions asked was, “Mom, when does Karate Kid come out to the movie theatres?”  My answer (and the ah-hah moment that I was NOT in the moment) was, “Tomorrow.”  What was I talking about?  I had no idea!  I was just talking because I was hearing talking with a slight influx of the voice and a pause which typically means it is time to answer one of the million questions being asked.  (I was caught when the next question was, “really, tomorrow?”  Then I had to stop and realize what I had done and ask her to repeat the question. Embarrassing?)

I was sad.

I wanted to erase what was swimming in my mind.  I wanted to delete the other responsibilities in my life and really be MOM at that moment.  I wanted the kids to count on me being honest with a open ear.  I wanted to make a conscious effort to be In The Moment with each hat that I wear.  I want to be In The Moment when I photograph, I want to be In The Moment when I teach, I want to be In The Moment when I mother, etc.  Should I add that to my 2010 goals?  Oh, when is the cutoff date for new year’s resolutions and goals?  Did I miss that memo?  : )

I am always after the real stuff.  I want people to be In The Moment.  I want to capture their true interactions and real emotions.  Lately, I have been loving my 70-200 2.8 lens so I can get a little further away (hide I suppose) and get those real moments.  There is some pressure when being in front of the camera, a pressure to perform.  The closer I am, the more pressure.  I have tried to back up and I like that experience.  Ya know, I am always changing (learning and growing) and by challenging the way I do things, new worlds open up!

Here, a mother truly being In The Moment with her daughter.  This was in between some pictures I was doing-I turned to see this and tucked myself in a corner so I could capture its realness.  To me, it is a beautiful, real “In The Moment” type moment!

The road less traveled | AZ Photography

This was another find in AZ.  I was immediately drawn to it due to the condition, texture, and location.  It was tucked behind some old houses and buildings, just past an old bridge-ish looking path.  It seemed ancient and rugged, beaten down. As I sat there at the bottom of those stairs, I wondered what I would see at the top… something as interesting or maybe even more unique?  Unfortunately I didn’t have the guts and bravery to go on with it since a dog was barking at me, alerting the entire city that a stranger was lurking AND I was alone.  I did consider for a moment the roads less traveled in life, sometimes a tough road but maybe the reward (or lesson or view) is worth the journey.

This ‘ol car | AZ Photography

Discovering other parts of AZ can be so fun, especially when you realize that it is totally normal (in other smaller cities) to leave old cars that don’t run on the side of the building.  This city-Miami, AZ, had so much character and texture.  I am sure the residents wondered what I was up to taking pictures of alley ways, buildings, old cars, signs, etc.  It was an adventure!  Time for me to take some more adventures in AZ!

Play time at the park | Chandler Photography

Thanks to these little ones, I have discovered some fun play time at Tumbleweed Park in Chandler.  I didn’t even know this play structure existed.  I also didn’t even know that it could be so hot in April!  I got lots of exercise chasing them around with my 200 pound camera with my 70-200 lens attached (or maybe it was more like 400 lbs).  Nichole was ready for a snapshot at any moment-like she had been watching the movies and studying the moves of those being photographed.  She pivoted, turned her head, straightened her back, popped out her hip, etc.  It was a riot!  I loved to watch her catch the camera pointed at her. Then there was Joe who was jumping, climbing, running and hiding like the camera didn’t exist.  I hope to always be young at heart!

A little graffiti | Queen Creek, AZ Photographer

What says, “I am proud of you!” more than a little graffiti on a  home?  Yes, this was a home.  The other side was obviously the entrance (or maybe the entrance was plastered in addition to the graffiti to REALLY make a point?  : )