21 Jun
A couple weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting, Brave’s mommy, Lacey for her “bump” session! Her session was incredible and little Brave’s is just as awesome! He tried to be a little stinker and not sleep…but just before sunset he couldn’t resist our attempts anymore. Here are his amazing shots! Enjoy…
30 May
Lacey and her family are just the most beautiful family…inside and out! Having had 3 children myself, I am totally jealous of her perfect prego figure with just a week left before the baby comes! Breathtaking views and beautiful children made for my favorite shoot to date!
Enjoy!
29 May
Recently, I have had several conversations about a soap box of mine…through emails and conversations. Trying to understand the why it would matter and why some photogs are more friendly than others…
Fellow Photogs, perhaps you have thought or even heard some of these comments…
“I hate how anyone with a decent digital camera calls themselves a photographer!”
“Just because you own a DSLR doesnt make you a photographer, but so many people think they are…”
That person copied my ideas! Stole my location! She stole my website information and blog theme!”
And my personal favorite, “I hate all these mom’s who’s husbands buy them a decent camera and they start a business…i need the money not them! They have real jobs!”
Honestly…i was starting to feel like that person, its easy to get caught up in the conversation…but then I realized…at a expo I recently attended…there are two kinds of photographers!
Taken from a book that I recently discovered, by Dane Sanders, “Fast Track Photographer”, there are two kinds of photographers: Grumpy’s and Happy’s. The Grumpy Photographer is self-centered feels entitled, arrogant, knows everything, and feels threatened, competes and gets upset by other photographers. The Happy Photographer is service minded, client centered, humble, personable, flexible, and welcomes the idea of networking and making friends with others in the industry and can work with other photographers in the industry.
Photographer, Brooke Snow says this: “We can choose to be open and share what we know. We can choose to be adaptable,. We can choose to help others and be happy and have fun. Or we can choose to isolate ourselves, find fault in others work, be upset and competitive when we see what others are doing. The attitude we choose to take-despite one’s consciousness about it-totally spills in to our personality and business dealings with our clients and our friends (both attitudes-for good and bad). …I think one of our biggest threats that a photographer feels is towards business. “They’re going to steal my work! Steal my clients! Steal my opportunities! Steal my money!” ”
Every photographer feels this way at some point. It’s a fast growing business and very competitive. Is there certain etiquette to be followed…yes! Does every newby photographer follow this etiquette – Nope. (Check out this blog by http://rising.blackstar.com/18-tips-for-being-a-photography-original.html this is for a “stock photography” but the advice/tips are universal) But honestly, I believe that there is plenty of work to go around. Yes…the industry is over flowing with photographers. In our area there is a “new” photographer every week, how do I feel about “newbys” coming into the business?! Awesome! I am a “Newby” myself:) I don’t know everything, I don’t have a degree in photography and I am always learning and trying to come up with a new twist on an old idea! I think it is wonderful people can find a release in photography and find joy in it the way I do! I have talked to numerous friends and women that have said they have found themselves in photography and discovered a hobby they love and enjoy AND it involves their family! You are documenting moments in life, how much more fulfilling of a career can one ask for…why wouldn’t anyone enjoy sharing that with others:) Blessings come in many ways and hopefully the photographers I encounter will be “happy” but not all of them can be. I look forward to sharing ideas and spending time with our area photogs.
We are throwing around the idea of starting an Upper Cumberland Photography Meetup…inspired by the lovely Shannon Kelley Photography and her Knoxville group! Each month meeting, being creative and building our portfolios with creative shoots for everyone to attend! It is important for us to utilize our local talent and help each other out. I love when I can call up Samantha Heady at iDigitalScrap because I have a new editing idea or concept that I can’t personally do on my own! These meetings can also help us to learn new skills and make new contacts…Let me know your thoughts and ideas!
Feel the love:) Local area photographers include: Red Letter Days Photography, JS Photography, Serene Spaces Photography, Runaway Photography, Becca Yager Photography, Epiphany Photography by Saralee Cross, MATTOGRAPHY, Ellie Odom Photography, Lynn Burton, Heather Loudermilk, Denise Wherley, Remember This Photography by Suzanne Dickerson, Dream Street Photography, Karla Parks Beaty of KB Photography, Alex Lisic, Bonnie Clinton Photography and …me Renee Bouldin Photography!
If you know of any more photographers in our area…share! and we will post them as well!
Blessings to all,
Renee Bouldin
25 May
Kristina’s cute baby bump! I think pregnancy is the most beautiful time in a woman’s life…and here is that moment…
Enjoy!
24 May
Only 7 days left to book your spring session…book by May 31st!! $99 includes 2 hours and a disc of your images…
18 May
2nd Annual R.U.N. DMC Charity Golf Scramble HIT A LONG DRIVE FOR A GREAT CAUSE! Riverwatch Golf Club July 17, 2010
4 Man Scramble/ $200 per 4 man team or $50 per person 18 holes / Shotgun Start / 8am and 2pm tee times / catered luncheon begins at 12:30 pm
*R.U.N. D.M.C. stands for Reaching Underprivileged Nations through Doyle Methodist Church. All proceeds go to our team for missionary work across the world.
Great prizes including the chance to win a Brand New HARLEY DAVIDSON!
Hole-in-One / Longest Drive / Longest Putt / Closest to the Hole
*On-site, professional golf portraits included with paid registration…by Renee Bouldin Photography!
Prizes and Awards Ceremony at 7 pm
Sponsorship opportunities
Title Sponsor: $2500+
Includes: Two foursome, advertising, event signage at luncheon and awards ceremony, tee or green signage and an ad in the program*.
Driving Range Sponsor: $500
One foursome, advertising, banner signage, and program recognition*.
Hole Sponsors: $250
Includes: Advertising, event signage at your sponsored hole and program recognition*.
Contest Sponsor:
Longest Drive: $500
Hole-in-one: Valuable Prize/Cash donation. Minimum $1,500
Closest-to-the-hole:$500
Includes: One foursome, one of 4 contests sponsored by your company and *program recognition.
Green Sponsor: $100
Green sign and program recognition*.
Goodie Bag Sponsor: 100+ bag items/cash donation
Cash donation or gift includes program recognition*. All Sponsors may provide an item for the goodie bag!
*If sponsorship is received before July 1st* (Program recognition)
RiverWatch link: http://www.riverwatchgolfclub.com/index.php
DIRECTIONS:
From Nashville, on I-40 east, take exit #239 at Lebanon and follow US Highway 70 east through Smithville. After you proceed through the intersection Highways 70 and 56, proceed 8 miles, turn right on Billings Road and follow the signs to RiverWatch Golf Club.
From Chattanooga, Hwy 27 to HWY 111 North, take Smithville Sparta exit, Turn left on US Highway 70, proceed 11 miles RiverWatch will be on the left.
From Knoxville, I-40 West to the Smithville exit. Exit onto Silver Point Road, go approximately thirteen miles into Smithville to the 4-way stop. Turn left on Highway 70 toward Sparta. Go approximately five miles, cross the Sligo Bridge, and go approximately two miles. See large sign Mountain Harbour Lake Lots and RiverWatch.
From Cookeville, Hwy 111 South, to Smithville/Sparta exit. Turn right on US Highway 70, proceed 11 miles RiverWatch will be on the left.
Contact Information: myself Renee Bouldin @ (931) 256-0726; renee@reneebouldinphotography.com or Jason Murphy (931)252-0201
Mail registration and fees* to:
Doyle United Methodist Church
c/o R.U.N. DMC
792 James Austin Rd.
Sparta, TN 38583
*make checks payable to
Doyle United Methodist Church
OR PAY VIA PAYPAL!
13 May
So its been awhile since i blogged, but I had to take a minute to share a couple of this beautiful baby boy! Brayden is only 6 days old…and his mommy was fantastic and let me experiment with a new prop:) Not many first time mom’s will let you put their newborn on a piece of driftwood, but the results are amazing! Thanks, Amber!
7 May
Lanie is the sweetest little baby girl! All smiles and loves the outdoors and her dollie! But I think she is definetly a Daddy’s girl…when all else fails…Daddy saves the day with a goofy voice and silly face! Congrats, Stephanie and Jonathan on your beautiful baby girl! Enjoy…
4 May
May is, next to the holiday season, my favorite time of year. The weather is typically warm with scattered showers and full of new life. Birthdays and Mothers Day. The end of the school year and the emergance of summer… This year May is a bit harder for me. Typically, my dad would have taken me and the kids to my favorite nursery in Doyle, TN; to visit Smith’s Greenhouse for my “Mother’s Day Flowers”. And we would walk the aisles of flowers and ferns to decide on what color scheme of flowers I would choose to grace my front porch for the summer. I always lean towards the hotpink or deep purple cascading petunias and he loved a more delicate plant called the “Bleeding Heart” or a tropical “hybiscus” or “Bougainvillea” . He would always tell the boys the names of the flowers and why we couldn’t buy that particular plant due to things like; the lack of shade at my home, or too much sun. This year I got a little of both of our favorites…and who would have thought buying my spring flowers would be so hard. As I filled the van with my purchases and drove away, Max said, “Mommy buying flowers today made me miss my Poppy.” As tears streamed down my face, I said, “It makes me miss him too…”
Thursday, May 6th, would have been my fathers 52nd birthday. Tomorrow, I would have gone to the store to buy carmels, chocolate chips, a german chocolate cake mix and classic chocolate icing to make his favorite cake…and all the ingredients to make an extra cheesy homemade lasagna. Dad would have been so proud that on his birthday this year, Max is receiving a special reading award for the highest average in the 1st grade, from the superintendent of schools at an awards banquet to be held at the High School. Nothing made him prouder than his grandchildren.
Also this month our daughter, Lorelei Claire, is celebrating her 2nd birthday. This our last child… so for me, again, is a sad but joyous occasion…she is truly no longer a baby and is ultimately a “TODDLER”. Having already had 2 boisterous boys…i have some idea of what is to come! Over the past year, Lorelei, has learned to talk…and has moved up to full sentences. Her favorite sentence at the moment is “Jack did it!” She has learned to dance, jump, run and sing…the latter is her favorite. She sings about anything. Her current favorite songs are “Baa baa Black Sheep”, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”, “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” and “Ring Around the Rosy”. She also enjoys singing the “Daddy Song” Lyrics are as follows….”Daddy, daddy, daddyyyyyy, daddy, daddy, daddyyyyyy!” (repeat and repeat again) She has a best friend already…Ashyln Grace which she lovingly refers to as “Ashey”! She thinks “Ring around the rosey” is written about Ashey…and she says “Ashey, Ashey we all fall down!” For the most part, I would rather hang out with my children than most adults. Everything is funny and new…and their eternal optimism is refreshing. She still insists on being rocked to sleep and I gladly do so…because I know it won’t last too much longer. And my favorite part of the day is right when she wakes up in the morning, which is typically our bed. She opens her eyes and smiles, always touches our faces and snuggles in close under the covers. Those moments I try to memorize and breathe in her beautiful baby-ness (i realize that isn’t a word:) Of all the things I capture in film/images, I wish i could capture those moments…the most.
I am blessed beyond measure…and here are Lorelei’s 2 year portraits! Enjoy and be blessed!
Lorelei {2 years old}
3 May
Designed by Samantha Heady...
This year I am offering a great “Senior Portrait” package! For only $99…includes up to 2 hours, unlimited wardrobe, and an edited disc of ALL your images! I also offer reasonably priced prints and print packages…much less than the portraits provided by the schools! Give me a call at 931-256-0726 or email me at renee@reneebouldinphotography.com or fill out a contact form on my website at www.reneebouldinphotography.com
Tips for a great sesssion
1. Outfits…
Arrange to bring several outfits to your photo session in a variety of colors, not just your favorite hue. Choose clothing with solid colors or very small patterns. Consider how your clothing colors complement or detract from your skin coloring. Pastels and very light colors tend to photograph lighter than you would expect. Darker colors bring out skin tones better than lighter colors! Don’t bring outfits with words or designs, stripes or pictures, except possibly your school logo. You want your face, eyes and expression to command attention, not the words on your shirt. And make sure clothing is as WRINKLE FREE as possible!
You may be wondering why we talk about clothing selections. All of the things mentioned will draw attention to your clothing, and away from your face and expression. And, those types of patterns and designs will create the illusion of being heavier.
And while we are on the subject of what makes a person look heavier, here are some more very important items to consider. In other words.. what will make a person appear heavier in a portrait. O
If you feel you have heavy arms, avoid “spaghetti” straps as they tend to make arms look heavier and draw the attention away from the face.
Wear a neckline that is flattering. Round faces and square jaw lines look best in a v-neck as opposed a round, crew neck. Thin faces and pointy chins look best in a round neckline. Only those with a relatively long neck look good in a turtleneck.
2. Apply makeup normally…
It’s tempting to get very “glam” when having pictures taken, but this could very well make you look like a stranger in your senior portrait.
Apply your makeup as you normally look on a day-to-day basis, but bring your makeup with you and let the photographer know you have it. If the photographer feels you need a touch more blush or eyeshadow, he or she will let you know. Avoid glitter or sparkly anything (powder, eye shadow, blush) – it tends to reflect the flash and leaves white spots. Also avoid too much lip gloss. It can also leave white spots from the flash or make you look like you’re drooling.
3. Accessories.
A unique piece of jewlery or hair accessory can make or break a photo. Trendy pieces are tempting, but 10 years from now you may say… “What was I thinking?!” So becareful when choosing your jewlery and accent pieces. Think Classic!
4. Hair…
In general, friends and family prefer to remember you as you looked most of your senior year, not just during the period when you had your pictures taken.
Santees.com suggests working with your desired hairstyles a few days before the photo shoot to get the look you want in advance.
Get a haircut at least a week in advance to give your hair a chance to adjust and look natural. Girls having their hair styled for a formal picture can, of course, wait until the photo session day to get their hair done, but they should practice with their hair stylist beforehand so there are no surprises on picture day.
5. Guys…SHAVE!
Guys need a fresh shave.
A fresh shave for guys is recommended, and moustaches or beards should be neatly trimmed.
6. Hands and Feet…
Make sure your hands are presentable.
Like shoes, hands can show up in some of your favorite poses, so be sure to take the time to make them presentable – guys should trim their nails, and girls might need to touch up their manicure/pedicure.
7. Personalize your portrait…
Personalize your photos with props. And by props I mean nothing corny:)
Many photographers will invite you to bring favorite props to the shoot, such as sports equipment if you are a team player or fan, musical instruments, dance/ballet outfits, or hobby items. You can even bring a favorite portable piece of furniture, such as a lightweight chair or stool.
You can even bring your pet to appear in some of the shots with you!
8. Bring a friend or parent…
Sometimes it helps a person relax if they have a friend to help make them laugh and give the photographer a more natural smile! Parents may want to come because this is a moment they want to be included in…if however a friend or family member will embarrass you…then come solo!
Relax and enjoy!
Renee Bouldin Photography 