Giving Thanks!

     I am ready for this wonderful holiday that is this Thursday called Thanksgiving.  I know for some it goes a little unrecognized, but for me it has been the only holiday that has stayed a somewhat constant after all the changes in my life.  My relatives always ask me how my photography is going, which I am happy to answer them.  We spend days together catching up and Thanksgiving was the first time anyone really took the time to celebrate my 21st birthday (a month and half later) at a bar.  I mean I know that might not mean much to some people.  As I have grown up, I have learned a few things.  You are the one who makes your own happiness and I know that is quote by someone, but it is so true.  If you want to celebrate your birthday; I say call your friends and ask them to join you.  Thanksgiving is all about giving THANKS and I am thankful that I have started my own company as a photographer.  I em enjoying doing what I love and see happy customers in return.  I am so thankful that my friends and family are supporting me.  I am just so glad and thankful that I am able to do what I love.
     I have been honored this past month to do two commissions, help with some wedding albums, put my work in a new store called A'mano and even work on some Christmas card pictures!  I wish I could post some of those up now, but I have to wait until after the holidays.

As always thank you for taking the time to read my blog. Please follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Etsy.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Finding Art

     Today, I want to go into more detail why I started a photography business and more about my inspirations when photographing.  When it comes to photographing nature I think about all the wonderful experiences I had with my dad.  My dad loved nature more than anyone I know.  While we were growing up he pointed out the sunsets to my brother, sister, and I from our back porch.  Now, whenever I see a sunset I think of him.  Another experience I had with my dad and nature is we would be driving in the mountains along the curvy roads and he would point out the beautiful scenery to us.  Some of my favorite things to do while hiking is to sit and just let all the scenery soak in, because it can change in a heartbeat.  He taught me how to appreciate the little things like: flowers, beautiful views, sunsets, and many more things about nature all while on our family trips.  My dad loved art, and he would always be willing to point out a Monet or Manet painting or one of the artists from French Impressionists era.  He gave me drawing books while growing up.  He helped my mom name her paintings whenever she showed him a finished painting.  Today, I wish he was here to see how I am pursing my dream of photography in honor of him.
     My dad passed away 6 years ago, but I think of him daily when I photograph, create my pieces on silver or gold leaf, and love how my senior project in photography was a book about him.  It might have taken me all of college to finally open up about my dad, but I did have a few good professors who knew I was strong and knew what I should be looking for when I graduated.
     In his honor, I am taking pictures whenever I travel whether it is on my iPhone or my DSL camera.  I always try to also always get a picture with the people I am with, since there is one photograph I wish I had gotten, but I never did.  So for that reason I will be taking photographs for keepsake and to remember the good times whether they are at the Halloween Parade with my nephew, dinner with my friends, or even a party I am taking pictures at I will have some candid shots along with the posed ones. I might even try and take pictures of dogs even if they are shy of the camera.

The book I made my senior year at SCAD.

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Halloween

     Yesterday was Halloween and I went to the Halloween Parade in the village with my nephew and my sister-in-law.  I was so excited to see all the children dressed up and so exited.  The people on the floats were throwing candy, miniature footballs, pencils, spider rings, and much more.  Parents were watching their children and making sure they did not go to far in the street to get the candy.  It was so fun seeing my nephew smile at the balloons passing by, but he was dressed as an alligator with his hat off.  It was so funny, because whenever my sister-in-law or I tried to put the hat on he was so cute when he started crying.  Who has not been through this issue at least once?  I used to complain about my costumes before going trick or treating, because they were too itchy.  I understand exactly how all the kids feel when they start disliking a part of their costume.

     I was taking pictures at the parade and some of them were a little fuzzy, because as you know things are not always still when you take a picture, so you have to make sure you have your settings when you are taking photographs at any event correct.  You may have to do some test shots, which is always a good idea.  As always I am still learning and photographing anything that means something to me.

 

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Photo Editing

     Over the weekend I was at a birthday party taking pictures.  The birthday girl turned 1! Her family and my family have known each other for as long as I can remember.  My nephew was invited to her party and when he showed up he saw the balloons which he immediately called 'balls' in his cute adorable voice.  For my nephew anything that is round is a ball (balloon, pumpkins, etc.) and that means he can throw/toss it.  I saw this opportunity to photograph the birthday girl coming towards me and her new toy (which of course I thought I had gotten), but when I looked through the pictures while uploading them there was a pink balloon in the way which my nephew had put in front of her face (by accident).  Of course, to me that is both hilarious and sad at the same time.  Today, we know that all to well as photobombs.  I for one can not blame any one year old for ruining a photograph, because they are so young.  Their eyes are so sensitive and they do not like the sun shining on them (but then again who does).

     As a photographer, I am learning yes I do take a tons of pictures when I am at an event which is a good and bad thing.  It is a good thing, because when your nephew shows up you think 'Oh my goodness look how cute he is playing with the balloons,' and you have to remember I am here on a job taking pictures of someone else not who I want to photograph.  It is a bad thing, because when you begin editing them there are a ton to narrow down.  But at least I will have enough to choose from and hopefully make the clients happy and want to use me again.
     Here are a few more pictures from the birthday party that capture the birthday girl.  I am so glad that I was there to capture the event for the family.

  

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Bravery

     When those birthdays where you turn life changing ages such as 13, 18, 21, 25 and so on come along I feel like you begin realizing everything that you have ever done with your life.  That is at least what I have been doing.  It started when I was on Facebook and friends would post things from Buzzfeed or ThoughtCatalog.  After reading the posts for a few months, I began to realize how this was not helping me in any way.  Instead, I emailed and asked people who I respected what they wish they had done or known by 25.  I have received a lot of good feedback and I have started doing some of the advice.

     The thing is I am realizing that I need to be able to take and accept advice for my business; realize when I might need help; and everyday is a learning process.  I am glad that I started this business Allie Ray Photography because I have this rare opportunity to show people the way I like to print my photography on different mediums.  People have asked me what is it like to run your own business and that is a tough question to answer.  The thing is I am different from what you might think an artist might be like.  I am very organized.  I have a certain way to do things and when something is out of place I can tell.  This is good when you run your own business.
     Another thing I have begun realizing is that you have to be brave.  Brave has several different meanings, but when I think about brave I think about putting my artwork out there for people to see.  People will begin to criticize your work in good and bad ways, which you have to remember to put one foot in front of the other to keep doing what you love.  I might want to go travel to find the right photograph for what I think people will like.  In order for me to keep my dream going I have been digging deep inside myself for courage, bravery, and everything in between.  So, to all you potential dreamers out there never give up on your dream.

"Photography is an art of observation. It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them." ~Elliott Erwitt

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A Pat on the Back

     I feel like every once in a while we all deserve to give ourselves a pat on the back.  I am saying this, because for the past 5 to 6 years I have always acted like the month of September does not exist. I know that sounds crazy, right.  Well, I am just so overjoyed that this month I was able to help some family friends finish their Christmas card.  I know this seems very early, but think about all the hard work that is put into a Christmas card every year.  We try to find a picture that everyone in the family agrees on.  In my family I somehow got the short end of the stick a few years running.  If I could I would shred every last one of that particular card.  My dad has this one framed in his office (its not there anymore).  The Christmas cards are sent out to all your parents friends and family.  Peoples addresses change so we have to find the new address, buy the stamps, mail them, and the post office is sometimes slow over the Holidays.

     Enough with why I would start early on Christmas cards and back to my business.  I am a very shy person so I sometimes feel like my family who loves me a ton is worried that I will never get my business to where I really want it to be.  That is why I have signed up for Birmingham Art Crawl.  This way I can try and get myself out of my lovely shell.  I have to admit I am nervous, but I know that this will be a good thing for me.  It will help me with discussing my work without someone trying to explain it for me.  I will also get a feel for what people like when it comes to art and photography.  I have no clue how the event will turn out, but I will let you know that I am creating a few new pieces for it.

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Who Am I?

     Today, I want to take a little time telling you about who I am.  I am person who loves to photograph to express myself, because I do not know how people will react when I tell people my stories.  I enjoy traveling and trying new things.  Trying new things is more like swinging from a rope swing in Costa Rica along with everyone else in the family or hiking on a new trail.  Trying new foods is coming along.  I have never felt like I have fit into one place, so when I see people doing something brave that makes me feel two things: 1. I want to one day to find the courage to step out of my comfortable shell and 2. Those people rock for doing that.  That is why I challenged myself in a way this month.  I have been trying new things.
     The new things I have been trying is a bible study and a kickball league.  But for my artwork,  I am trying anything to get my name out there.  I decided after seeing Birmingham Art Crawl on Twitter and reading more about it on the website (http://birminghamartcrawl.com) to sign up.  I have no clue what the results will be, but I am trying to think positive.  The only thing I do know is that I have my family and friends as my supporters.
     So who am I?  I am someone who is trying to be brave and show people what I can with my photography.  I am trying to use my resources to find the ways.  I am stepping out of my comfort zone to do this.  This might be hard for me, but I express myself through my photography.