Time flies when you're...um...working?

I was casually reminded by a blog that links to mine that I have not posted in three weeks. Wow, thats quite a long time. Oops.

I promise I am not dead, nor have I run away to Paris, or anything exciting like that.

I am just busy. Working.

On what might you ask? The best answer to that is "stuff".

Coming up, we have a new super exciting website (heck yeah! Just have to decide if I want to add music to it/ figure out how to license some cool music...and finish the galleries) which has been a bit of work, a couple different destination shoots I am working on the planning kinks for, lots and lots of editing and more. Weddings and sessions on the weekends, family junk, and puppy snuggles. Exciting stuff.

Since I really have very little useful to say today, I will leave you with a video from Kate Micucci, who you may have seen on Scrubs lately (<3) or maybe in the new movie "Bart Got a Room" which should be out someplace near you soon...(further proof that naming your kid Kate will mean they will grow up to be awesome). Shes multi-talented and fabulous. I get hours of laughter and happy from her music. Its awesome. Her art work is pretty awesome too.




Adorable and hilarious right? Told ya. If you are in LA you can apparently go see her sing songs and tell stories on the last Monday of each month. If you have the opportunity- go!

Do Good. Hear Beautiful.

If you don't have plans on the 25th, and you like really amazing, truly beautiful music for good causes...you should go check out the Mindy Geldhill concert. (click for bigger!)



The concert is selflessly in benefit for the Neilson's, a local family from Mesa who had their lives changed back in August by a tragic plane crash. Pilot Doug Kinneard did not survive. The Neilson's survived, but their medical treatment has and will be long, arduous and expensive. They have a very long road ahead of them. Meanwhile, their incredible family updates the world regularly through blog posts and keeps Stephanie Nielsons inspiring blog about the joys of family life and love alive through reposts of favorites requested by thousands of readers.

The whole thing thus far has been an amazing demonstration of the good left in the world. In times of hurt, fear and uncertainty, hundreds have worked together to help, thousands have sent well wishes, good thoughts and prayers to the family- many of them knowing Stephanie Nielson and her family only through her heartwarming and openly honest and sincere blog.

In addition to being entirely for a very very worthy cause, Mindy's music is incredible. Seriously. Check her out. After listening to just a couple songs, I really could just listen to them over and over.




The concert begins at 7pm at Mountain View High School in Mesa. Tickets are available at www.mindygeldhill.com. Get the full story and updates on Courtney's (Stephanie Nielson's sister) equally amazing blog.

Do Good. Hear Beautiful.

A Colorful Diversion....

Over my years working with images, I have developed an intimate relationship with color. My world revolves around hues. I dream about them at night. I throw fits when my monitor is not perfectly calibrated. Its an obsession.

We all have a relationship with color, as part of the world around us. But how often do we test that relationship?


Well, now is as good as ever. I dare you to test your color IQ. Its easy (or is it?). Just arrange the colors in order in each row!

This was sent to me by a friend, and I decided to try it. I took about five minutes of rearranging and I scored a 0, which sort of surprised me. How did you do?

Pretty little Finao books all in a row....

Golly how I love them! 4x6, tiny and sweet- almost like candy!

Our Hosting Company is KILLING Me Here!

As you may have noticed by the distinct lack of images at the moment, our hosting company has messed up (again) and our domain is down.

This means no photos on the blog, no website, no email (!!!!!!!) etc. Please bear with me until we get them to fix this mess.

Sorry. Sometimes these things happen...I know, Kirk works for a hosting company. However, it still sucks when they do.

Edited to Add: We're back now! Hooray! Let's hope it does not break again....

Meet the RedFeather Photography Bridal Crisis Kit!

Its your big day and lets face it, with that much stress and so many different things going on, something is bound to go other than planned.

Its true. We have countless stories of little things that have happened- but it gets easier to avoid disaster if you are prepared! As a courtesy to our clients (because we want your whole day to be PERFECT) we help take some of the weight off your shoulders. If you have worked with us recently and something has gone not quite right, you may have met our little friend, the RedFeather Photography Bridal Crisis Kit!

On the outside it just looks like a leather case with our logo...but on the inside its so much more!

If you have not had a chance to get acquainted, heres a glimpse at our trusty pal.


Just a few of the things we carry include (in case you are interested or wish to make your own):

safety pins
bobby pins
hair ties
florist tape
baby powder
aspirin
midol
feminine products
sunscreen
vaseline
Listerine strips
blister prevention
cold packs
makeup remover
several colors and flavors of lipgloss
batteries
superglue
lotion
kleenex
antibacterial wipes
antibacterial hand solution
first aid kit
tums
floss
hair spray
brush
nail kit
sewing kit
razors
shout and tide stain removers
cotton swabs and discs
crystal light on the go
contact solution
eye drops
oil sheets
shoe polish
mini files
pen

....and thats only some of what we carry.

As you can see, we are well prepared to help may your day the best it can be! Hopefully you never have to meet our Bridal Crisis Kit- but if you do...odds are we've got you covered.

New Preview Galleries!

Sad news for *ahem* those of you *ahem* who regularly hang out in my preview gallery, checking out quick previews of whatever-it-was-I-shot that day...we have changed formats!

For the convenience of couples and their guests, everyone now gets their own gallery url, and a super secret login they can share with their guests, friends and family. Incredibly cool.

Preview gallery stalkers, I know, your heart is broken- no more storybook weddings to peruse at your leisure. No more senior picture out takes. No more commenting on photos before the couple has even seen them. I am terribly sorry. You are just going to have to come to the blog for that stuff now.

On the plus side, the preview galleries are now pretty and flash based and match the site! They are customized to each couple and very very nice. Hooray!

Oh? You want to see one you say?

Clearly the only answer is to book a session then. :)

Since you have bothered reading all this drivel today, heres a little goody to share. This is an image from the father daughter dance at Rachel and Chris's wedding last week. Can't you feel the love?


As soon as they have had time to see their previews (they were a little late with some minor software mishaps we had with the preview galleries- I am happy to report, they are all worked out now!!!) I will go ahead and share a handful. So pretty!

Oh baby, do I want a Lensbaby!

I have a super big event coming up to shoot. Two days of storybook coverage. Naturally being the well prepared photographer I am, shot lists have been forming for weeks, product has been ordered, and I am hyped.

I replaced an old flash unit that was on its way out. I picked up some fun stuff for goofy shots that have been on my list for a while. Shopping was done.

I admit to straying (like most girlies do) while shopping. I admit to having a strong urge to use the magic plastic. However, my vice is not shoes, diamonds or chocolate. My vice is glass.

Looking at my gear closet (yes I have a whole walk in closet!) it would be obvious. I loooove lenses. So naturally, I have been eyeing the lensbaby g3 like forbidden candy since it came out. Along with its custom aperture kit and macro adapters its the most fun since the see-saw.

What is it you ask? Well thats a good question, thats a bit confusing to answer, simply because its unlike anything else. Lensbaby calls it a selective focus slr lens. Really, its like a tilt shift from mars. Everything is 100% manual. No wires, no electronics. No automatic apertures (thats right you get little discs to change out). Focusing? Yeah. Its manual...but not the kind you're used to. You focus by moving the lens itself with your fingertips. It even kinda looks like a little alien.

Isn't it cute?

Sadly, I can't do it right now (much as I would like to)...the responsible part of me can not spend an extra $350 on a fun lens I might use for just a handful of specific shots (and macros!!!). There is so much more I could be doing with that money...and lets face it the economy is not awesome right now. Still its on my list. I want it. I want it like my little sister wanted Justin Timberlake when she was in Junior high.

Kevin Kubota uses one quite a bit it seems. I love the shots he comes away with. Seriously.

It just looks like such fun. I love manual focus anyway and this takes it a whole step further....manual focus with delicious bokeh and blur. An element of motion and mystery. Its work with your hands. No fancy digital anything. You change your own aperture with a magnetic ring, one hundred percent manually from one to the other. It gets more fun when those aperture discs have stars and hearts in them, giving those twinkle lights at receptions and more a whole new purpose. Heck you can even cut your own cute shapes.

I am gushing.

Its a cool tool that produces some one of a kind images...and lens baby has worked hard to make this iteration of their lens the very most awesome yet- more predictable and easy to use making it just that much more tempting.

One day I will pick one up. Sadly I won't likely have it for this event like I was hoping for. That's life. Until then I will just admire the yummy blur from afar and keep dreaming up excuses to bite the bullet and order one...or beg Kirk.

A Quick Weekend Recap...

We had a FANTASTIC wedding couple this weekend- and Kirk and I both had a great time spending the day with them! Starting early in the hair salon, to a vintage heirloom dress, a beautiful ceremony, to a "thrilling" surprise at the reception- it was a beautiful and very fun wedding. Rachel and Chris looked AWESOME and the bridal party cleaned up pretty nicely too! While there were a few limitations photographically speaking, we came away with some gorgeous shots.

Unfortunately, I was pretty much deathly ill all day yesterday. Perhaps it was the attack of the killer tomatoes, or something else I ate, but I pretty much spent 24 hours in bed. Dreadful. This of course led to very little of me reviewing and editing images as I normally do the day after a wedding, and a lot of me being sick/sleeping/being taken care of by two worried puppies and Kirk.

I am feeling slightly better today, but am still taking it easy. I am hoping to have some photos up to share from Rachel's bridal session and the wedding as well the preview gallery up tonight. Please bear with me.

In the mean time, a little something amusing to entertain you...I can not help but crack up seeing this!:

So True.

Seeing as two wonderful years ago, I married one of the biggest, most wonderful, sweet nerds on the planet- our daily routine is that he sends me every single geeky comic known to man (whether I have time to/care to read them or not).

Among this fine sampling of nerdy giggles, is the notoriously true-to-life-with-a-game-nerd CTRL+ALT+DEL.

For a while now, two of the main characters have been planning their wedding. Ever-so-true hilarity ensues (often might I add), but in this case it rang so true I had to share for all of my brides who are currently having the same frustrations.

(click for bigger)




See? Doesn't that feel better? And to those of you lucky enough to have men that have a clue- congrats!

Ninja edit: Kirk just scolded me for forgetting a family favorite, where life imitates art. Poor Phillipe. I make him sad.

Yay! We had a GREAT time at the Dillard's Bridal Show!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by- we were so happy to see you all! Seriously, every single person I met was completely AWESOME!

The Dillard's show was a huge success! Hopefully we will have some photos to share very soon- and in honor of some of the awesome fellow wedding industry people we met, all this week I will be sharing info on some of my favorite vendors from the past, and some cool new ones we got to know today!

Highlights included an awesome hair style/ fashion show, pretty flowers, cake so good it makes you cry, and treats that I can not even imagine the calorie count in. On top of that there were a few fabulous local photographers with just gorgeous images, and even a cool video guy! See what you missed out on? Seriously- awesome.

With that said, I am off to crash. Its been a long (fun) day, and I am beat!

Mac addiction here we come!

Today was an amazingly good day, putting me in an amazingly good mood. However, the cherry on top, is the new shiny hardware Kirk and I just could not help but treat ourselves to.

I was surprised with an "emergency trip" to the mac store tonight. We go in there now and again to drool on the latest shiny goodies in Apple's line and stare glossy eyed at the sometimes insurmountable price tags.

For me, its usually the ginormous monitors, or teensy tiny little hardware that makes me stop and stare. For Kirk, its whatever is new, fast, and awesome.

After several years of "passable but not pretty" IBM dinosaurs, we have decided (only sort of on a whim) that I needed a MacBook Pro. Not want, need.

Lets face it, they are fantastic editing machines. That thing is as fast as my current editing box and I can edit images and not miss the latest episode of my favorite show or whatever other distraction is in the living room. Heck, I can edit in the park, or in the car between the wedding and reception if I want to.

This opens up a world of whole new possibilities for us. Freedom, without feeling like I have to explain the butterfly stickers on the IBM (what? its the only way to tell ours apart from one another...). Not staring around the coffee shop during consultations anymore wondering if people notice that my laptop is roughly as old as the dinosaurs.

Not to worry, I did not get so excited that I bought it at the Mac store. Kirk calmly dragged my instant gratification loving self out of there, and home to order it on amazon where it was about $300 cheaper after Amazon's rebate on it right now. It gets here Wednesday.

I am so excited!

Sepia Sweet

Recently, it has come to my notice that there is a serious lack of photographers utilizing sepia tones to their full potential. Why is this? The world may never know for sure, but allow me to speculate.


Color images are loved for their vibrant hues and black and whites are adored for their artistic simplicity and ability to convey strong messages. Where does that leave the warm, mapley sepia? Many consider this style only when thinking about early images or western style images- the ones you get dressed up silly for at the state fair. However, this sugary style has its own sweet points.

Sepia images convey warmth along with the emotion and drama of a black and white- all the while giving you a little something thats hard to place- something different and a little lighter than its monochromatic counterpart.

With the versitility allowed by todays digital imaging, I am counting the days until this style comes back a little more. There are many ways to accomplish the look and more than a few ways to customize it to fit your your image, your home and your life.

If you feel yourself ever needing something light and warm in an image- consider playing with sepias- We all could do with a little something sweet in our lives.

Look Out Internets!

After much hmming and hawing, along with my regular does of speculation, rejection, suggestion and then acceptance...I have finally caved in to the less crazy side of me and decided to open a flickr account.

Ok...collective gasp here...I know. Generally I am the last person on earth to use such a thing, but some of my photographically inclined friends pestered me into it for the simple reason that its a great place for photographers to share ideas and critique - and its a great place for anyone to share photos.

So I have given in...last to the party as usual. Figures.

Click here to go to the RedFeather Photography Flickr Page!

Exploring Boundaries with Composition

I do have standard composition shots of this male western tanager. However, among those standard, normal style photos I did manage to snap one that was a little different. As he hopped over my head and just barely into my frame, he glanced down curiously at my lens- making for a unique perspective, and somewhat unusual composition for a nature photograph.


Now bear in mind, this is what most people expect in a standard wildlife composition:


Note that the camera and bird seem to be about level with one another, the bird is neatly perched and appears to be looking directly into the lens. Not too interesting but typical- check just about any Audubon Society field book... you will see them by the hundreds.

The unique image still holds true to the rules of good composition. The rule of thirds is followed, but in a slightly less conventional way. A unique perspective is used to add some interest and interaction with the subject, and important features such as eyes are still sharply focused. The negative space is divided by the branches the bird is resting on- narrowing near to his face and drawing the viewers eye to the subject (not that he could be missed dressed in summer yellow and orange).

What makes it different and unique is its feel. The bird seems to beckon, and even play with the viewer. Not everyone will like it...heck, not everyone likes any particular image- such is the nature of the arts. That being said, many will stop and look at it longer, consider it for what it is, because it is not the norm.

I encourage you in your excursions to photography- be it a point and shoot or the best equipment on the market- to play while you shoot. Mess with rules, change them if you must- and find a unique perspective. You may be very surprised, and even pleased with the results.

Why Shouldn't You Have It All?

My experiences on the other side of the lens have helped me develop a lot of my personal business practices I use with my current clients. I can see both points of view easily, and this allows me to be as fair and friendly as possible for my clients.


One policy that many digital photographers impose- that I will never ever understand for the life of me- is not to provide their clients who are getting the digital files, with the standard color image if they are going to give you an edited version such as a black and white, sepia or hand colored version.


Top: Hand colored version Bottom: Black and White The client got both of these versions and the full color version on their disc. A bit of a repeat? Maybe, but they were not left wishing they had a different version..they had them all right there at their fingertips! Notice how the different versions have a different feel to them.

It really does not take any more work from the photographer- at least if they are working smart in their post work. An image can take on a different meaning or evoke a different feel or emotion just by changing the way it is edited.

When I modify my images, add special tints or effects or change elements such as adding selective shading or blurring in post processing, I make it a point to provide my clients with the standard color file for several reasons.

First, it doesn't cost me any more time. Really. It doesn't.

Second, if the client is paying for their images, they should get them. Perhaps I love that particular image in black and white, but maybe they would like it in its rich and vivid color? Or maybe I have added an artistic element- they may want to see the image without the digital magic.

Third (and most importantly) I remember looking at portraits Kirk and I had had done, and gotten in one edit or another...and really wished I had the original. In some cases the edits that were done had lost elements to the image, or I just wanted to see the color version, or I had an idea for post work that I could not do without the proper original file (we used a newer photographer who was learning to edit, so sometimes either the edit was poor or incomplete or just plain awkward...glad to say her work has since blossomed and I would gladly recommend her).

This was such a big deal to me in fact, that when our wedding photography was done I asked the photographers to send me the raw files, without any editing. It did not happen (a handful were heavily modified without the plain color file provided) but it was only a few so I could easily go back and request the originals.

Whatever the reason, I believe my clients should have it all. I will admit, I can go a little overboard and in some cases clients get three or four versions of an image (very different editing styles) but I look at it like this: If I can give you more options, then it is likely that you will have something there you love. Thats my job...to take care of your needs and give you images that you love.

We Think.

Every photographer has that moment... You have finished what you have come to do. Once the shot list is done, the client is satisfied - you are left to your creativity to play a bit of fill in the blanks so to speak.

Or... A personal project, an art concept or open ended shoot. You go and shoot, creativity and the situation directing every frame you capture. Spontaneous yet precise.

In some cases, a couple days later, I find myself replaying things...a review of my services as it were- so that they are just a bit better the next time.

After all, once you give up and stop striving for perfection- why continue at all? You would be doing a disservice to your clients and your profession. Photography is an art and all about constant growth and breaking new boundaries.

In some cases, I think of another couple of shots I would have liked to achieve- in other cases I consider my use of light, lines and composition. In more cases still I think about great ways the image could be used and the thoughts it provokes.

The point is I think. That is really what makes a photograph.

A thought.

You think. You line up the shot in a creative or thoughtful way, you light it perfectly, your lines and composition playing off of one another. You shoot. You process and think some more. You edit...and your thought is printed for all to see. You can let your viewers into your thought. They think.

You observe. You think. You feel. You shoot the scene as is, an observer to the world around you. You process and think some more. You edit...and your thought- a scene that provoked a feeling- is printed for the viewers to see...and to experience. You can affect your viewers. You can let them in on a fleeting frozen moment and let them think.

This is what photography is...and does. Be it a portrait to portray the love of a family, or the uniqueness of an individual- or war torn- dirty drag out- photo journalism.... Photography has an incredibly profound presence in society. It shapes the way we see the world and lets moments be frozen for all to experience. We think.

Congratulations Chelsea and Darin!

Chelsea and Darin were married mid day on Friday at the Mesa Temple. It was a beautiful (if slightly warmish) day- perfect for a wedding. Their family threw a beautiful and intimate reception that evening. The bride and groom played/sang a beautiful song together and then were whisked away in a horse drawn carriage. Beautiful.

(Note: Family members- if I did not get your email to send you a link to the preview gallery, please email or call me using the contact page- I will gladly send you a link to the full preview (100+ images to start you off). )














I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to photograph my first (of hopefully many) LDS temple weddings this weekend. I have to say right off the bat that I much prefer LDS weddings to any other type I have worked on to date.

I would like to get a few more under my belt because I think that maybe I would like to specialize in them. Any couples want to volunteer?

I think the reason I like it so much is because the Mesa Temple campus is gorgeous and its really fun to see all of the excitement when the couple comes out! Its great to see families with such a close bond and there is something very heartfelt and sacred about this kind of a religious union. In addition to this fact, Temple weddings have always been kind of special to me because Kirk's side of the family is Mormon.

In addition to the beauty of it all and the family ties- I seet something I found slightly odd. A lot of photographers offer temple packages...at rates as high and even higher than conventional weddings!!! I was shocked to see such highway robbery. After hearing my step brother and law and his wife paid nearly a thousand dollars for photographs they did not get for nearly half a year I was appalled! Even worse still, is that a lot of these couples are young, just getting on their feet- so asking them to spend so much for what amounts to just a couple of hours of photography certainly is not helping them. YES, great photographs of your wedding day are incredibly important, but you should not have to go into debt or eat ramen noodles for a month for them. I feel that as a photographic professional, I can offer great services for these couples at prices they can handle.

So, a great day, a WONDERFUL couple, and some great ideas for affordable temple packages.

All in all a great wedding! We had a great time...engagement photos to the end of the reception Chelsea and Darin were a blast!

YARRR!!! Congratulations Amanda and Scott!!!

What an amazing couple (and the coolest family and friends ever!). Kirk, Sarah and I had the pleasure of offering photography (and m.a. services) for the most unique wedding I have ever seen.








Congrats guys! That was the coolest pirate wedding ever! Jack Sparrow would have been proud (then asked for more rum). Thank you for letting us be a part of your special day!

Infrared Fun

I have to admit, I sometimes have more fun with less than conventional use of techniques. By looking at my site, it should be obvious to you that I favor the use of vibrant color to the drama of black and white (though both have their place). However, when setting up an image in monochrome, I find that the infrared style of editing can be very strong.


Its not to say that color infrared does not have its uses, it absolutely does...but something about this technique gives me a bit more pop in my black and white.

As I am taking full advantage of spring and booking quite a lot of shoots as well as art projects of my own, expect to see a bit more of this. Its different, and when this technique is paired with others, the results can be powerful.

I like this image because it reminds me of one of those Japanese paintings, delicately brushed on to silk. In reality, it was a starling sitting in a tree about 15 feet in front of me- covered in yellow blooms that have been the cause of my allergies as of late. I will gladly sneeze for opportunities to play with images like this.