Chikadeez Photography

We've Moved!

2009-11-03T18:26:00.004-05:00

Hi there, I just wanted to let all of my new visitors know that the Chikadeez Photography blog has moved. It's been set up to redirect you from Blogger to the new site, but in the case that it didn't, just click here: www.photography.chikadeez.com.

Since no post is complete without a pic, here's a shot from Halloween:

Casey & Todd Get Hitched!

2009-10-30T22:42:00.004-04:00

On October 25th, I was the second shooter for Forever Endeavors at the elegant Bradford House. Once again, I had the best time EVER. Casey and Todd were so much fun to work with. They were determined for their wedding to be a huge party, enjoyed by all in attendance, and it most definitely was!

Here are some of my favorite images from the evening:

Mandy & Steven Engaged!!

2009-10-26T14:19:00.003-04:00

This weekend I had the pleasure of shooting my first engagement session for Forever Endeavors. The couple, Mandy & Steven, were wonderful. I met up with them in Marietta, GA and trekked around looking for nooks and crannies that had character.

They are having a November wedding at the incredible Rhodes Hall, in Atlanta. I can't wait to capture the biggest day of their lives.

Here are some shots from the session:

Sweet Newborn!

2009-10-20T00:40:00.003-04:00

This past week one of our friends had their first baby, a little girl. We decided to go visit them and meet the newest addition to their family. She is so beautiful, and we are so happy for our friends. While I was there I snapped a few pictures, so I thought I'd share a few with you. My favorite shot is the one of their wedding rings on her feet with their favorite scripture below.

Peterson/Phillips Wedding

2009-10-19T21:31:00.003-04:00

Last Friday, I had the extreme pleasure of being a second shooter, for a wedding, for Forever Endeavors. I had a great time working with Allen (the owner) and getting to know the bride and groom. The day was overcast and chilly, but that didn't stop everyone from having a wonderful time. The love between them was undeniable. As you'll see in these pictures, you can see that they are absolutely smitten with each other.

Thank you Forever Endeavors for letting me be a part of that special day.

Here are some of my favorite shots from the day:

Friends & Family

2009-10-02T14:07:00.008-04:00

Chikadeez Photography declares that October and November are friends and family months. All photo sessions that are booked between now and Nov. 30th, and occur in that time frame, will receive 25 flat greeting cards.

The greeting cards will be custom designed, double sided, full color, and feature pictures from your portrait session. You will be able to choose which images are used on the cards and the greeting you would like the card to have.

Be sure to tell all your friends and family! Call today to book your session!

Since no blog post is complete without an image here you go:

First Trade Show!!!!

2009-09-12T21:51:00.004-04:00

Hey there, Chikadeez Photography participated in its first trade show today!!! A local organization, Dream House for Medically Fragile Children, held it's first annual Main Street Fair today. We were happy to participate in an event that helped such a good cause. The turnout was excellent, but more importantly, we had a great time meeting people in our community.

We would like to thank all of you who stopped by the booth and visited. We enjoyed meeting each and every one of you and look forward to capturing your fleeting moments.

Here are some pics of the booth setup. As you'll see we had a little face painting station set up for all the kiddos that attended the Main Street Fair. Maximus, from the Gwinnett Gladiators, came by to say hello too!

SUPER!!!!!!

2009-09-09T15:11:00.004-04:00

Since all the family was in town for Avery's party, and Jackson's follows in three weeks, we decided to celebrate Jackson's birthday while everyone was here. We just threw a small party with the grandparents and some close friends.

Jackson got the best present EVER from his grandparents, he calls it "SUPER!"

Avery in Wonderland!!!

2009-09-08T17:08:00.003-04:00

Well, this past weekend Avery went to Wonderland. The party was a complete success. The Mad Hatter was the most gracious host, and he seemed to be sweet on one of the guests too!!!! Avery had a wonderful time eating her three tier cake and visiting with friends and family. The only complaint I have is that I didn't get as many pictures as I wanted to, but it was more important to actually sit back and enjoy the party.

As you'll see, there were flowers galore, chocolate covered marshmallows stuck in an apothecary jar with Lemonheads, chocolate covered strawberries, pom pom garland, and an A that I decoupaged and dressed up with a flower, feathers, and pearls. Over on the left side of the table, you'll see an album on display. I made an Avery Volume 1 photo album that had pictures spanning over Avery's first year for guests to view.

Here are some pictures of the party dress in full and from the party:

Wonderland is coming . . .

2009-08-25T13:59:00.007-04:00

We are in full preparation mode as we countdown to Avery in Wonderland. This being Avery's first birthday, it MUST be a day of magic and fun. Though she won't remember it, it will be a very special memory for mommy and daddy and who knows Jackson may even remember it too! If not, there will be beautiful pictures to view for years to come.

Here are some teaser pictures that I took of her yesterday in her custom made (or should I say couture) party dress. I didn't want to show the dress in its entirety until the day of the party, so stay tuned for the birthday bash post. Until then, you can salivate over the girly pinks, lace, feathers, and sparkles.

Vacation Find

2009-08-17T20:30:00.003-04:00

On the drive to Florida, we always pass this small country store, and we say to each other, one day we should stop there. We didn't notice the name of the store (Jackson's Country Store) until the recent trip we just took, so we decided that on the way back to Georgia, we HAD to stop. The store just kind of pops up out of nowhere on the drive. On the way home, we accidentally passed it, so we had to turn around. It was worth turning around though. It was a treasure trove of vintage nick knacks, signs, and gas pumps. The colors and imagery were fun and eye catching, you had to be sure to look everywhere, or you were sure to miss something great. If you're ever in the Dozier, Alabama area be sure to stop by.

Jackson's Country Store
16445 Opp Highway
Dozier, AL 36028

Family Vacation

2009-08-17T11:57:00.005-04:00

Our family recently took a small vacation back to our hometown (Destin, FL). We are so glad we went when we did, because the weather was absolutely beautiful. We got to stay in my parents condo, so we were right on the beach. The kids loved floating in the Gulf of Mexico and when they got tired of the sand, we just headed up to the pool. I don't think we got out of our bathing suits other than to go out to dinner. Here are some pics from our trip:

Featured on Teacake Martini

2009-08-05T16:57:00.003-04:00

This week Chikadeez Photography was featured on a great new blog Teacake Martini. The blog features a new item each day, each one fabulous in its own right. Be sure to check out our feature here.

1st Birthday Preparations

2009-07-27T20:47:00.003-04:00

Well, my baby girl's first birthday is coming up fast. Over the past few weeks, I've been buying things here and there to decorate for her party. The theme is vintage Alice in Wonderland, so I've chosen fabrics and papers that have pastel color themes. I'm using pearls and rhinestones to accent each piece. I bought a beautiful vintage copy of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and plan on using the illustrations as artwork for the party. I'll be sure to take some pics of the book when it comes in the mail.

Wedding Bells Were Ringing!

2009-07-23T19:03:00.004-04:00

Last Saturday, I had the extreme pleasure of being a second shooter, for a wedding, for Forever Endeavors. The family was so much fun to be around. The bride was absolutely gorgeous and so easy to work with. The ceremony was held in a Greek church, so the setting was absolutely breathtaking. After the ceremony was over, we went to the reception, where EVERYONE had a blast. I'm telling you, every age you can imagine was out on that dance floor. They really knew how to PARTAY!!!!!

This being my first wedding to shoot, I was really nervous, but I had a FANTASTIC time. Thank you Forever Endeavors, Sandy, and Joe for letting me be a part of that special day.

Here are some 0f my favorite shots from the day:

Baby Ansley is 8 Months Old!

2009-07-23T18:16:00.004-04:00

Last weekend, I had the privilege of photographing beautiful baby Ansley again. She is 8-months-old now, and getting prettier by the day. She had a great time eating rubber duckies, picking flowers, and getting lovin' from mommy and daddy. Here are a few of my personal favorites from her shoot.

You wouldn't believe the amount of coaxing we had to do to get Brutus in this next shot! Man, I love that dog; he's just so handsome!

Chikadeez Moo Cards

2009-07-13T14:53:00.002-04:00

I had been reading and hearing about the wonderful Moo cards, so I decided to order some for myself. I plopped myself in front of the computer and started picking out images. I was able to pick up to 50 different images to feature on one side of the card. The other side of the card was to feature my logo and contact information. Once I was done with the layout, I chose the recycled paper (matte) version . . . I was feeling green that day. However, don't worry if you are a gloss lover, they do offer that! Everyday, I would sit by the mailbox, biting my nails in anticipation . . . not really, but I was excited. Finally, they came in . . . I ripped through the packaging, opened the sweet display box they come in and light poured out of the box. Here, see for yourselves:

Oh yeah, I got a 50 mm Lens!

2009-07-10T22:17:00.003-04:00

I had a lot of fun today using my new 50 mm lens. I was able to take pictures in my house in the evening, which was virtually impossible (without a flash) with my other lens. I decided to get the cheap Nikon 50 mm 1.8G lens to start out. Here are a few shots that I took today.

The Life & Death of Michael Jackson

2009-06-25T22:55:00.004-04:00

Unfortunately, today we are having to mourn the loss of one of the greatest men in the entertainment industry, Michael Jackson. It doesn't matter what country you grew up in, if you grew up in the 80s or before, Michael probably played a big part in your music library. I don't know of any other artist that has affected so many cultures as much as Michael did. That man's music and dancing was absolutely timeless and will NEVER be forgotten.

We all have many stories of how he has affected each of our lives . . . I mean come on Thriller alone takes the cake. Who would've ever imagined that a song about zombies, released in 1983, would still be just as popular in 2009. That's just one of the songs, there are tons more. All of his music was wonderful. Just the other day I was talking to a friend about which song of Michael's was my favorite. I would name one, then he would name one, and I'd say, "oh, I love that song too." I don't know that I have a favorite song because so many of his songs I could listen to over and over again on loop. Even now, trying to go through my iTunes MJ list, and I can't decide what song to listen to to help inspire me while writing this post.

Each time I think that the news of his passing has sunken in, I go through another moment of disbelief. I'm in complete and utter shock over this. Of course I didn't know him personally, so part of me thinks I shouldn't be this distraut over his death. Then on the other hand, I'm thinking that in a way I did know him personally, he just didn't know me. For the past 29 years, I've known nothing other than a world with Michael Jackson and his music in it. Some of my first memories are of me staying up late to watch Thriller on TV. I was about 3 years old, sitting on the floor infront of our boob tube, singing along. Then I'd go to bed and have nightmares (haha), but I'd be there again the very next night. Now, I'm 29, and when I hear/watch Thriller I still sing and I still dance (every single time), the only change is I don't have nightmares after.

As I said before, we all have our own stories/memories of how Michael's artistry touched our lives. I'd love to hear some of your stories, so please leave comments and tell me about your special memories.

Tips: Amateur to Pro Photographer

2009-06-18T15:14:00.012-04:00

A common topic of discussion right now is whether or not now is a good time to start a business. Let's say you have weighed the options and decided that you want to proceed and take on the daunting task of becoming a business owner. Okay, so you're ready, but you still have some common fears on starting your own photography business, well here is where this article comes in handy. Economics, business savvy, and a go getter attitude are all important things that one needs to possess when deciding to make the shift to professional photographer.

As a current small business owner, I know how the business side of things works, but I still had some questions regarding the business of photography. That's when I decided to go out and pick the brains of some professional photographers to see what tips/advice they were willing to share. Here are the topics that I asked them to touch on:

• You read that a lot of photographers just started out on their own. Is that a good
way to go or should you work with/shadow a professional before crossing over?

•Brooke Mayo: I think you should work for a professional to learn the ins and outs of the
business side of photography. Make sure this person is not someone who
will be your competitor when you do go out on your own and be upfront
about your intentions.

•Kristen Kalp: If you work with or for someone, you'll find yourself growing a whole lot
faster than if you discover everything on your own. Think about it -- if
someone had expected you to *discover* the alphabet, you'd spend a lot
more time learning than if someone sits you down and says, "This is the
alphabet. You're going to need this." Being a wedding assistant for a
photographer is a fabulous way to learn the ropes, if that's where you're
headed, or working for a studio to learn artificial lighting can be a lovely
learning experience. In photography, if it teaches you something, go for it.

• Finding a location to work from . . . is it that important in the beginning?

•Brooke Mayo: It depends on what kind of photography you do, some need a studio and
some can work from their home or some have a home studio. It always
helps to cut costs where you can if you don't have to have a studio/office to
operate.

•Kristen Kalp: I have always had a location to work from -- first working for someone else,
in a studio, and then branching out to open my loft. This is important for
me, as it helps me to better define 'work time' and 'play time', or I would
simply let business take over. I don't believe this is a necessary first step,
though -- creating a dedicated portion of your home for your photography
and editing, then sticking to a schedule can be an effective way to make
your home work for you.

• What are some ways that you got over any (if any) fears?

•Kristen Kalp: Really, truly ask yourself if you want to *be in business.* Yes, it's wonderful
to think that you'll be compensated for taking photos -- isn't that lovely?
But the business aspect of photography will make or break you. Not your
photography skills.

• Can you offer any marketing tips for someone just starting out?

•Brooke Mayo: Network with other photographers and businesses in your area, word of
mouth has been the biggest for me!

•Kristen Kalp: When you find your ideal client, work with them. Learn from them. And
do your best to satisfy them.

• Common business mishaps and trip ups . . . what did you live and learn?

•Kristen Kalp: For me, the business side of work doesn't come naturally, which is why I
have a business partner. If you know someone who adores numbers,
strategy, logic, and doesn't have an interest in shooting, they're an ideal
candidate for being your partner. Think long and hard about partnership,
but know your weaknesses as well as your strengths. A good partnership
minimizes them.

• How much is your work worth? What is a good way to set your pricing structure?

•Brooke Mayo: Price your work what you think it's worth, not what you can afford to pay.
There are lots of studio management software programs that will help you
run the numbers, many photographers starting out will charge way too
little, so much so they are losing money. You have to think of each and
every aspect of your business before pricing, not only what does the print
cost but what does your time cost to retouch it, how much is storage
costing you, all of these things play into how much you should charge.

•Kristen Kalp: Your work is worth as much as you believe it's worth. I've never heard a
bad thing said about Easy as Pie for pricing strategy.

• Handling the conundrum of family and friends wanting your services? Free,
discount, or no deals?

•Brooke Mayo: We have a 10% friends/family policy. Most the time, you could have paid
work instead so 10% is fair for both parties. I don't photograph friends
weddings as I don't like mixing these two relationships.

•Kristen Kalp: I have a very short list of people I shoot for at no charge. Everyone else
pays full price. (That gray area is what kills -- so I either love you enough
to make a gift of my work, or you're a client. Period.)

• Assistant, yes or no? What if you think you can’t afford it?

•Kristen Kalp: An assistant isn't as important as being organized and having a plan from
the beginning. I recommend Strategy Avenue products for getting
your thoughts together and laying the groundwork for your business.

• Dealing with unruly clients, what should you do?

•Brooke Mayo: Make them as happy as you can and let them know you truly do
understand why they are upset and you will do everything you can to fix
it.

•Kristen Kalp: Listen to what they're really saying. If they're upset that their delivery was
2 days later than you promised, it's a matter of managing their
expectations about delivery times before a problem crops up. And always,
always be up front with your pricing information. No surprises delivers
better sales.

• Any other comments or suggestions.

•Kristen Kalp: Err on the side of being generous. Life is much smoother that way.

Again, many thanks to Brooke and Kristen for their time and valuable input. I respect the work that both of you do, you are unique women and posses such talent. I really appreciate both of you taking the time to share your tips and tricks of the trade. Love to spread the love and word of other female owned businesses!

Alys Beach Vacation

2009-06-10T20:32:00.005-04:00

We recently took a vacation (back home) and went to Alys Beach. Talk about a B-E-A-utiful place . . . if you are looking for a new vacation spot, this is the place. Alys Beach is located between Destin and Panama City, Florida. The area seems to still be pretty undiscovered (not overrun by tourists), so it's peaceful. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking; the meticulous landscaping and unique architecture complement the beautiful sugary sand beaches perfectly. Here are some shots that we took while we were down there:

Can You Dig It Triptych

2009-05-29T17:38:00.003-04:00

We've had about a week and a half of cloudy/rainy weather, but finally, the clouds have parted. Today was a beautiful day, so I decided to get the kids out in the bright sunshine. I took them to the park to run around and explore nature. It's amazing how much stuff a toddler can find to do. He made a drum set using a stick and a trash can, threw pebbles down the steps, watched the ducks and the geese swim, then topped it off with picking a big wedgie. I guess all that playing had created quite a clog.

I kept trying to get his attention to take a portrait, but he wasn't even hearing me, so this is what I ended up with:

Fun with Photoshop Brushes Tutorial

2009-05-29T01:25:00.003-04:00

Lately, I've been creating some Photoshop brushes using sketches made by hand. I just wanted to take a minute to step you through the process:

1. Sketch your ideas.
2. Scan them and do a live trace in Illustrator
3. Once your settings are where you like them, save them out as an EPS file
4. Open the EPS file in Photoshop
5. Delete the white portions with the magic wand tool (if you want it to be transparent and outline
form only)
6. Select each portion of the image that you want to be an individual brush
7. Go to edit, define brush preset, and name your new brush (it's that easy)
8. Decorate your pictures or artwork with your handmade Photoshop brushes!!!!

Wonderful Photo Collage Tool

2009-05-25T20:01:00.002-04:00

I recently stumbled upon this great program (Shape Collage) that you can use to create photo collages. I used photos of my little girl and made them into her first name initial. It turned out so cute.

Photo Published on Schmap

2009-05-22T10:25:00.003-04:00

I recently had a photo chosen to be published on www.schmap.com. The photo is of Oakland Cemetery, a famous spot here in Atlanta. Schmap has a very cool iPhone app too, so be sure to check it out here (top left photo by lmcphail22 is my submission).

Alphabet Project

2009-05-21T22:46:00.004-04:00

Hey there, just wanted to check in to let all of you know that I'm half way done with the photographic alphabet project. My family and I have had a great time working on this together. We've changed what will represent each letter a multitude of times. I find that after snapping a bunch of pictures, a completely different idea replaces the original. I'm hoping to finish this project up this weekend . . . weather permitting. I'll post the collage as soon as it's complete. Here's a little taste.

How I Rejuvenate My Creativity

2009-05-04T14:24:00.007-04:00

All creative types know that sometimes it can be difficult to keep the inspirational juices flowing. After doing some soul searching, I have decided that I need to work on a personal project that will allow me to freely express myself. I think that this will help keep things fresh and inspire me in my everyday work.

The idea for the project stemmed from being a mommy. Right now my toddler is learning the alphabet, so I'm always singing the ABC song to him and showing him how letters apply to everyday life. I figured what better way to show him than with a photography alphabet?

Basically here's how it will work . . . I'll take pictures of things that he encounters in his daily activities. Once each letter is accounted for, I'll make a collage of the images and post it. Who knows, if it turns out really good, I may even turn it into artwork for his bedroom wall!

Beautiful Weather

2009-04-26T21:22:00.005-04:00

The weather has been absolutely beautiful lately, so we decided to get out and enjoy ourselves. We all went outside to play some ball, and I decided to bring my camera with me. Here are some of my favorite shots of the day:

Atlanta Pet Rescue Part 2

2009-03-31T17:10:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, I went back to the Atlanta Pet Rescue shelter to take more pics of the animals available for adoption. I'm happy to report that Clyde and Costello found loving homes! :) However, there are still some sweeties that need homes. Here are a few that I met this week:

Fashion Shoot

2009-03-30T19:25:00.003-04:00

Last week, we did a fashion shoot for a local clothing designer, Nikhol Hing. She needed her Spring '09 collection to be photographed for her website and portfolio book. As you will see, her clothing is extremely detailed and well crafted. Be sure to keep an eye out for her pieces at local boutiques. We had a great time working with her and look forward to working with her in the future.

Designer & Makeup Artist: Nikhol Hing
Hair: Albert
Models: Thara Cummings and Taylor Hing

Companion Animal Rescue League (CARL)

2009-03-29T21:47:00.005-04:00

Today I had the pleasure of attending ARF 2009, which is a fundraiser to help get animals adopted into loving homes. Although the weather left a lot to be desired, I had a lot of fun photographing some dogs that are currently available from CARL. Here are the sweet k-9s:

Atlanta Pet Rescue

2009-03-16T18:40:00.010-04:00

Today, I got the privilege of completing my first photo shoot for Atlanta Pet Rescue. The animals that I met there today were so incredibly sweet. Being the animal lover that I am, it was extremely difficult for me to not take some of them home with me. I'm planning on taking pics of the animals up for adoption twice a month. Each time I do, I will be posting the pics here, so stay tuned! If you want to see all of the sweet animals available for adoption visit Atlanta Pet Rescue. Here are some pics from this week:

Trixie, a sweet Doberman Mix:

Costello, a fun-loving Golden Retriever Mix:

Pammy, a shy kitty:

Trash the Dress Photo Shoot Part 2

2008-12-18T16:50:00.006-05:00

Well, the trash the dress shoot went great! We didn't get to do all of the places/ideas that we had lined up, but it still turned out wonderfully. It was a very long/tiring day, we met up at 9:30 and didn't finish shooting until 5:30pm. The shoot spanned consisted of 3 locations all around Atlanta.

We started the day off at a local body shop that specializes in restoration of old cars. There we took pictures of the bride with her mom's Stingray Corvette. They pulled the car off in to a gravel parking area, which was a great setting for the pictures. There were mounds of broken pieces of asphalt, gravel, and clay. Then right behind the mounds were some woods that weren't too dense. We basically got 3 settings in one there.

The next stop on our list was a bowling alley located in the heart of midtown. This bowling alley had a great retro motif that lended itself nicely to the look we were going for. There the bride wore bowling shoes and took a shot at bowling in her dress. She got comfy by trading the bowling shoes for a pair of brown and pink "Chuck Ts," sipped a beer and ate a chili dog!

We ended the day at Sope Creek, where we really got down and dirty! There was a really cool rock structure that had water coming through it then flowing into the creek. There were all sorts of cool spots to shimmy in to for great pictures. At the end of it all, she put on her red and white polka dot rain boots and hopped in the creek. We placed her just right so that the train of her dress was flowing down a fall in the creek. That's probably one of my favorite shots of the day!

You can view more shots here:

http://flickr.com/photos/28292619@N02/

Newborn Photography Tips & Tricks

2008-12-08T13:47:00.003-05:00

Newborn photography is such a wonderful experience. You are getting to document the most special moment in someone's life. I remember the first newborn shoot I did, I was so nervous. I kept thinking, this has to be perfect. These parents will never get this time back with their little one, so I felt that there was a huge responsibility on my shoulders to capture as many beautiful shots as possible.

Here are some tips and tricks that help me when doing newborn photo shoots:

1. 2 week rule. Schedule the shoot to take place before the baby is 2 weeks.

2. Setup beforehand. When you first arrive, prepare all of your props and go from room to room of the location to decide what you will need to use and where you'll use it. You can also take test shots, so you know what settings each room will require.

3. Be patient. The baby will need to take many breaks to eat and possibly be fussy, so be ready for that.

4. Heat the home or use a space heater. Since the baby will be nude in most of the shots, you want to make sure that he/she is plenty warm and comfy.

5. Have diapers and puppy pads on hand. The baby will have some accidents (both kinds), so in between shots, be sure to protect furniture and yourself with these.

6. Photograph in natural light. Flashes can sometimes startle a baby, so if you do use a flash turn other lights on so the flash isn't so harsh and angle the flash so that the light bounces off of the ceiling.

7. Get close. Newborns have wrinkles and lanugo, these are wonderful things that a mom will look back on fondly, so be sure to get close and capture that. Also, if the baby has birth marks, photograph those too.

8. Use all angles. Take pictures from every angle. Even if it seems like a strange angle, sometimes those are the ones that turn out the best.

9. Don't take a break. Sometimes the pictures that we all ooh an ahh over are the ones that chronicle real life. If mom is changing a diaper or feeding the baby, keep taking pictures (ask her permission on shooting her while feeding though).

10. Make use of every part. Be sure to photograph the baby's hands, feet, ears, etc. You can get really creative with these kinds of shots.

Trash the Dress Photo Shoot

2008-12-06T22:14:00.004-05:00

I have a trash the dress (TTD) photo shoot coming up (next Monday) that I am really excited about. This will be my first trash the dress session, and I have a lot of really cool ideas. We are planning on shooting at a few locations. Right now the plan is to go to Piedmont Park (Atlanta, Ga.) so we can do some shots of the former bride with her dog. Then we plan on going to a bowling alley that has a really retro look and feel to it. After that, we are going to go to an auto shop that repairs old cars. I'm hoping to get a shot of the bride holding a blowtorch and wearing the worker's mask. We will probably end the day at the Paper Mill/Sope Creek. Even though temperatures have been chilly, my former bride is a total trooper. She is ready and willing to get in the creek for some great water pics.

We plan on accenting the dress with red accessories. She'll be wearing red hair pieces, a red beaded necklace, red peep-toe pumps, and we are going to pin 3" wide satin ribbon just under the bust of her dress. She also got a cute pair of brown and pink chucks to wear in some shots. Be sure to check back soon, and I will definitely have some pics posted within the next week or two.

I would love to hear some of your ideas if you have any.

Pet Photography

2008-12-06T00:01:00.004-05:00

The culture of America has become loyal pet lovers. In fact some of us don't even refer to them as pets; they are now our "babies." Clients are now including the furry family members in the family portraits; Christmas card photos are no longer complete without them.

As a HUGE animal lover, I truly enjoy photographing pets of all shapes and sizes. Animals are such sweet creatures that know the true meaning of unconditional love. One thing I have noticed is that to capture the animal’s personality, you must be patient. Just keep snapping pictures and you’ll definitely get some great shots that are sure to please.

It’s best to photograph animals in their natural environments, where they are most comfortable. If shooting inside, I prefer to be near a window. I find that natural lighting is the most complementary. If it is dark and I need to use a flash, I aim the flash up towards the ceiling. This method allows the light to bounce off the ceiling and that provides a more natural lighting effect.

Outdoor shoots can be much more interesting and fun . . . for both you and the animal. You can get shots of the animal playing, investigating, bonding with their human, or just relaxing under a big tree.

No matter how you do it, just have fun and enjoy working with the sweetest clients ever!

Beautiful Handmade Journals

2008-12-04T12:16:00.004-05:00

Like many people I love the Etsy community. You can find anything your heart desires on that site. I love that when I buy something from one of the Etsy sellers, I don't have to worry about seeing other people with the same thing. Not only are you getting unique items when you shop on Etsy, but you are helping out entrepreneurs that love their craft. I know that when I buy something on Etsy, the item that I purchased was carefully thought out and made with love. It wasn't made in some other country in a sweatshop, and some big machine that churns out 30 pieces per minute didn’t make it.

My latest find on Etsy was a cute handmade journal that had sheet music on the front and back covers. Being a profound music lover, I was immediately drawn to it. I decided to get one to use as my inspirational journal. I always keep a journal on my bedside table . . . you never know when you'll have a creative idea that's worth jotting down. There have been many a night when I've woken up with an idea and quickly scribbled it (half asleep) in my journal. Now not all of them are great, but some have turned into really wonderful things.

Visit JournalisticTendency to see more journals like this on Etsy.

Finally I Have Arrived

2008-12-03T17:53:00.005-05:00

After years of hearing about how the Internet world had shifted to blogging, I have finally decided to take the plunge. I'm going to use this first posting as an introduction. A couple of years ago, I opened up a marketing boutique with two other creative women. We refer to ourselves as the three creative chikadeez. Although the business is geared towards marketing, hence the name Chikadeez Marketing, photography is a BIG part of the advertising industry. After all, imagery can make or break an entire ad campaign. Yes, concept and copy are a HUGE part too, but you must have all three components to have a successful piece.

Photography has always intrigued me. Out of all the components of a picture, I'm most interested in the lighting and composition. By making a slight change in where a shadow lands and a slight change in how some one is positioned, you can turn a "Plain Jane" picture in to an absolutely stunning shot.

I have recently branched out to the other areas of photography offering more than just product shots. I now offer head shots, portraits, family portraits, newborn photography, bridal portraits, and engagement photography.

This blog will have posts that touch on the subjects of photography, marketing, and anything else that is creative and catches my eye.

Links

2007-06-16T22:57:00.001-04:00

www.chikadeezmarketing.com
www.roguesquirrel.com
www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6179548
www.twitter.com/chikadeez

Contact

2007-06-16T22:56:00.003-04:00

(404) 387-8875
laura@chikadeez.com

Prices

2007-06-16T22:50:00.009-04:00

Sessions

*2 Hour, on location, session fee for up to 4 people: $150
additional $50 for every hour beyond that
additional $20 per person beyond 4
*within a 20 mile radius of my location

We require a $50 non-refundable booking fee to secure your session date. For your convenience, you may pay the booking fee with a credit card. Once you confirm your session day and time, and invoice will be emailed to you, which will allow you to pay the deposit via credit card. This fee will be applied to your final session fee.

The session fee balance is due at the end of your session (cash or check only).

All prints are A La Carte (if you need a size that is not listed, please contact us for pricing):

Lustre Finish Prints:
Wallets $4
5x7 $6
8x8 $8
8x10 $10
10x10 $12
9x12 $16
11x14 $18
16x20 $26

Custom Story Boards:
10x10 $40
10x30 $60
20x20 $80

Fine Art Canvas:
11x14 $150
16x20 $200
20x24 $250
24x30 $300

High Resolution Digital Negatives:
$100
A high-resolution, printable CD of your online gallery images is available. You may print these images at your discretion. However, if you use them for online purposes, we do require that you give credit to Chikadeez Photography.

Custom Memory Books:
(Contact for Custom Quote)
We offer custom designed, UV coated, hinged paper photo books. The UV coating provides extra protection for the pages, and the hinged paper allows the pages to lay flat, when the book is open.

Custom Birth Announcements & Cards:
(Contact for Custom Quote)
We offer custom designed cards to suit any occasion. There are multiple paper options and quantities for you to choose from.

*Shipping and 7% Georgia sales tax not included.
Prices subject to change without notice.

About

2007-06-16T22:32:00.002-04:00

Hello there, we are glad that your journey has led you to our blog. Chikadeez Photography specializes in natural light portraiture. Typically we photograph families, children/teens, and of course the family pet(s). We also have experience second-shooting weddings.

The colors and depth that come from natural light photography is so expressive. There’s a glimmer of light that you can capture in the eyes of your subject that has so much life in it. The true job of a photographer is telling a compelling story, and that is just what Chikadeez Photography strives to do. Each image that we capture leads you deeper into the story.

Time is so fleeting, if you aren’t careful, life will pass you by in the blink of an eye. We don’t just capture moments; we capture life!

Contact Chikadeez Photography today to capture your journey!

Gallery

2007-06-16T00:13:00.004-04:00

Here are some images from my portfolio. I also have a larger portfolio available here:

Clients

2007-06-16T00:12:00.006-04:00

Hi friends, we hope you enjoyed your Chikadeez Photography session as much as we did! If you have received a personal username and password that means your pictures are ready to be viewed! Login here to view your proof gallery.

*Galleries will be available for 7 days. It will cost $30 a week after that to keep it active.