Flashes!

Well, I told you I would update you on my flash shopping experience. I had no idea where to start...what kind of flash do I need? Frankly, I just didn't know. So, I went back to my trusty professionals to get their input. The ones I asked were very helpful...if I used a Cannon. I'm a Nikon girl. So, my second advisory board came from my Facebook friends who commented on my status asking for any Nikon flash recommendations. I had a couple friends suggest I start with the Nikon SB-600 or SB-800. I wanted to search for a used one.
The sights I started looking where...
KEH
B&H (This is where I bought my Nikon D70 used for a little under $500...What a deal!!)
&
Adorama
No luck. I couldn't find any used SB-600 or 800's and the new ones I found were more that I wanted to pay at this time.
I got a bit discouraged and just thought I would have to start putting money aside bit by bit to save up for one. That is until one day I decided to check Amazon.com.

Low and behold...they had a Nikon SB-600 Speedlight Flash pretty close to my budget!!
My Bday isn't until next month, so I am going to wait until then to purchase it! Can't wait to start experimenting with it!!

Until I get my flash...

here are some pictures I took on my son at the park one day. We got there so early we had to whole park to ourselves. He had a blast.

Enjoy!!!
shutter-happy,
Kim

Wedding Bells and taking a step back

I hear wedding bells are in the air!!
I got asked to shoot my first wedding!! GULP!! I am so excited and scared at the same time. I have gone through a plethora of emotions as the thought slowly sank in. I corresponded with the bride and found out…
#1. It’s in March 2011 (oh good, I have 6 months to prepare for it)
#2. It’s going to be a small, intimate wedding, just for the family and close friends. (shheeww, not as much pressure as a big wedding will be)
I agreed to do this wedding, and then shot out a couple emails to professional photographers I know to get some tips and advice. I got a range of answers. One told me not to do it, because I wasn’t ready for such an important event, referencing a couple articles for me to read about not shooting weddings until I’m a pro. While, on the other side of the spectrum, others told me to go for it. As well as sharing with me that this is how they started, and gave me some tips, for which I am grateful.
After reading the article, Three Reasons You’re Not Ready To Shoot A Wedding – And One Way To Fix It: by Angelo Stavrow, I began to rethink my decision. I went back to the bride to emphasize that I am not a professional and I can’t guarantee quality. I told her I had a friend who was a pro who I could refer her to. She assured me that she wanted me to do her wedding!! Therefore, we are on!! I am shooting my first wedding in March! Pray for me!! 
I, also, just found out that I am getting a flash for my birthday!! Time to go cyber shop.
I will fill you all in on that adventure…
On another note….
I have been feeling overwhelmed lately. My life as a wife to a very busy husband, with two demanding jobs and he has to manage chronic pain everyday; and a mother of two blessings; one being a special needs son who has many needs including being taken from Dr apt to Dr. apt, and therapy; and a very active, into everything, 2 year old son…keeping me pretty busy. Oh, and a house I attempt to keep clean and fail at regularly. All that to say…
I am starting to think I may have tried to bite off more than I can chew with my pursuit of becoming a professional photographer…AT THIS TIME. Don’t get me wrong, that is still my ambition; I just think it is going to take me longer than I thought it initially would. Right now, I will still shoot and edit when I can, and any one who wants me to photograph them, I will willingly accept…knowing I need the practice. But I am thinking I will be able to give more attention and time to following my dream of going pro once Levi (the 2 yr old) starts school.
In the mean time, I will continue to update you on what I am learning and posting some of my picture.
Thanks for reading!! More to come!!!
Kim (Future Photographer)

Here's all I had time for today!

Enjoy!!
Remember...feedback is always welcome!!

Time to get shooting!!!

I went on vacation and have been slacking on my photography ever since. Come to think of it I have been slacking in a lot of areas since we've gotten back. Having a hard time getting back into the groove of things. But I really am looking forward to shooting again!! I have had several people take me up on my offer to be my models so I can practice. now I just need to schedule them.
oh and my new photographer friend, Amanda Berke is letting me join her on her next Littlest Hero's shoot. That should be exciting!! The Littlest Hero's Project is definitely something I would like to get involved in when I become a little...a lot better. :)

here are a few of my most resents. Feedback!!

thanks for reading...happy shooting.
Kim Boucher

What is God up to?

God is always at work!!! Sunday, Chris Boucher preached an amazing sermon on the spiritual discipline of Frugality. In addition I am reading the book, Radical by: Daivd Platt. Both are leading me consider where God might be leading me in this photography pursuit.

Question/Prayer swirling around in my mind:

How does God want to use the passion for photography He put in me to glorify and draw others to Himself?

I don't know something I've been and will continue to ponder and pray about.

Time has been hard to come by lately. I am finding it hard to find the time sit down and focus on photography. But every chance I can squeeze in I will try to.

Still receiving great advice on The Photo Forum. People on there are super helpful. I would like all you readers out there to help me too. Can you check out the below pictures and give me you opinion.

Chelsea's Maternity Shoot

Well, I am posting these pictures with excitement mixed with confusion and frustration. The shoot it's self was a lot of fun! Chelsea was great and patient with me; and as you can see she is amazingly photogenic. She was sweet to offer for me to come back again before Jonah is born to practice some more; and after for a mother son shoot. Can't wait. Thanks Chels.

I tried to worked on my composition and poses. The frustration came with the editing. I still don't really know what I am doing in Photoshop Elements. So what you see is me just playing around and hoping I do something right. Although, through this trial and error, I think I am learning; bit by bit.

I did utilize the Elements Tutorial under the Help menu. There are several videos there that explain different features and tools. It was some help with navigating. I haven't made my way through them all yet. I hope to soon.

So here are the pictures. Any of you Pros and Amateurs out there please feel free to give me feedback. good bad and ugly...that's the only way I will learn and grow.

My Photography Journey Continues,
Kim

Maternity Shoot Postponed

Hi all,

Well, the Maternity shoot had to be postponed due to scheduling issues. So we are shooting for next Monday.

This gives me time to plan and research more. As a result of my last post, a photographer friend gave me a resource to check out that has been helpful to him. I am going to definitely check it out. Since I am concerned about the lighting and my lack of...he suggested I start with the Lighting 101 section and complete all the assignments. Thanks for the tips Brian!!

I also take "classes" from the Michael's Photography School online. He give brief classes via video and has assignments you can do to practice the different areas he covers.

One more resource I have used is FontanaKnowledge. He posts his videos to YouTube to help us newbies out there with the different areas of photography.

Looking forward to my maternity photo shoot...but if there is anyone out there that wants to let me take their picture or your kids picture let me know.

Thanks for reading,

Kim

First Maternity Shoot

Hi all,

Well tomorrow I'm attempting my first maternity shoot, thanks to a willing friend willing to be my guinea pig/model. I did some posted a question on www.thephotoforum.com asking tips. I received one reply and he said :

1. plan my shoot
2. good lighting

I planned it by getting composition and pose ideas from other photographers maternity pictures.

The lighting I am a little concerned about because right now I just have a camera with the built in flash. It doesn't always provide me with the right light I need.

A flash in definitely the next thing I would like to get; after that would be a zoom lens.

Nevertheless, I plan doing part of the shoot outside to take advantage of the natural light.

With my friends permission, there will be a sneak peek.

stay tuned,

Kim

Welcome

Welcome to My Expedition into Photography.

My God has given me such a heart and passion for photography. Therefore, I will be taking you all along on my journey of ups and downs; and joys and frustrations, to becoming a (Lord willing) professional photographer.

I have loved photography for as long as I can remember. There's something so precious about capturing those priceless moments in time that slip by so fast.

So far on my Expedition I have gone through several point and shoots until finally I saved up to purchase a "starter" D-SLR; a Nikon D70. I bought this last year and have been shooting my heart out. My youngest son knows it well. His name for my camera is "CHEESE".

Just recently I purchased Photoshop Elements 8.

To say the least I am still in the learning process with both my camera and the software. I have been asking a lot of questions of professional and have received great feed back and advice.

I have recently joined The Photo Forum...which right not is pretty confusing for me to navigate, but I will keep going back to it and try to figure it out. I am told that that is a great place to post my pictures to get other photographer's feedback and comments. Once I figure it out I will be grateful for any help and feedback.

If there are any Photographer that stumble upon this blog of mine...your comments, criticisms and complements are welcome.

stay tuned for my of my Expedition!

My boys and my friend!