Many people have asked how I edit my work, so here it is! A rundown of an LPC basic edit :)

The actions used in this video will be available for purchase beginning March 1st in The Shop!... Some of them will even be FREE! :)

In this video, I touch on running actions, how to make layer adjustments, layer masks and how they are used as well as some minor blemish removal, skin smoothing and basic editing adjustments!

THIS is exactly why I don't look down on photographers who are just starting out! The bottom image I shot in December and the top image is from my very first "session" with my first DSLR.

Um.. WOW!
Why would... How did.. Who would... Wow...
Double-You... Tee... Eff...
(No worries.. Jen -top photo mama- and I have talked about these photos before lol).

I was the epitome of "give a chick a camera and suddenly she's a photographer."

I busted my butt to get to where I am and am completely self-taught. I didn't have a photographer mentor, I never went to any classes.. Just LOTS of researching and trial & error! If you want to be a successful photographer, it's going to take work.. A lot of HARD work! I'm talking 18+ hour days, editing until your hands feel like they're going to fall off, brushing up on your business and customer service skills.. There is SO MUCH more that goes into a photography business than "taking pictures." 

I would venture to guess about 5% of my time (and that's being incredibly generous) is spent actually pressing the shutter.

So before you think, "Hey! I've got a nice camera! I'll step into this overly saturated industry with no skills and no drive to learn the necessary information and techniques to make anything out of myself," don't. Just don't. I would do things way differently had I known in 2011 what I know now!... I spent a long time making a total ass out of myself because I called myself a "photographer" but couldn't tell you what ISO meant and couldn't understand why a $2000 lens was worth the money over my kit lens. 

People know... They know a crappy photo when they see it and they talk about it. I know of so many people who had the whole "give a chick a camera" chat about me, but look where I am now! 

IN YO' FACE! :)

If you're producing images like the top example, PLEASE don't charge anyone money for that! Use it as a learning experience and practice, practice, practice!!!

AND before you jump to judge new "bad" photographers, give them some time. If in a couple years he/she has made little to no improvement, chances of improvement and growth ever happening are pretty damn slim... HOWEVER, when you can look at images from the same photographer taken a few months apart and can instantly see a difference in quality, THAT'S someone to watch.. That's someone who will do big things.

I, my friends, plan on doing big things :)

Mr. Owen was wiiiiide awake for his session, but I managed to get him settled and cozy wrapped up nice and tight :) Dad is a pig farmer, so I had my friend (and brand new entrepreneur) make me a piggy hat.. With only 24 hour's notice! She rocked it and got me exactly what I asked for at super speed!. (Check out her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HooksByLeah). Mr. Owen wasn't a big fan of the hat, however, but I managed to snag one shot with him wearing it to support his daddy :)

Big sister Harper is still a bit unsure of her new baby brother, but smiles at him, gives him kisses and tries to hug him :)

Oh. My. Goodness! Cade is the sweetest, cutest, squishiest little guy! He is SUCH a good baby and didn't even start to fuss once! He's very tolerant of his big brothers and is just full of smiles! I had a great time playing with this little man and hope to be seeing more of him!
Happy 6 months, Little Man!

My girls are turning one! How is it possible that they've gotten this big?! I had a bit of a lump in my throat during their session knowing they had completed the final session of their package. I get so attached to these babies and their parents, that it's hard to let them go! I know these two will be back (this summer as a matter of fact!), but it's a little heartbreaking to know I won't be seeing them every three months! 

Happy birthday, Isla & Halle! I'll sure miss you ladies!

It's their party and they'll cry if they want to!

I can't believe all my package babies are getting so big! Sydney is standing strong at 9 months old. She's full of smiles and curiosity! She loves her zebra and isn't a fan of headbands ;) Sydney adores her big brother, Chandler and is an all around happy baby girl! 

Sweet Charlee Girl turned one! She loved her cake and boy, was she mad when we took it away and Grandma gave her a bath in the sink! She was very curious about the decorations and the cake throughout her session and gave us some good giggles when she kept tilting her head to the side and grinning. Mom has been busy painting her room so I sent home some of her cake smash decorations to throw in there since they're the same colors... Hopefully they were put to good use :) 

Here it is! My very first video tutorial! I'm hoping to get a lot more of these made over the next week.. Some will be simple, short and free that I will post right here on The Blog and YouTube and some that will go into more depth that will be available for purchase in my shop (opening soon!!)

I made this video with a specific client in mind. She's asked me a few times about editing software that does not use layers. She says she hates layers and they're just too complicated... I hope this helps Crystal (and everyone else having the same frustrations) see the GOOD in layers and layers masks! PLEASE let me know what you think by leaving a reply! 

Like I said, this is my first time ever doing this, so please be gentle!! :)

Miss Caydence was not too sleepy the day of her session, but after lots of cuddles, rocking and soothing Mom finally got her good and zonked out for a while :) I can't wait to see how this little beauty grows between now and her 6 Month Session!! :) Congrats, Mom and Dad!!

I can't believe these two sweet babies are 1! I was lucky enough to be there with Mom and Dad the day these two were born so I feel like I have an extra special connection with them! Hayden and Haylee were both very well behaved and didn't squirm around at all during their session :) There was a little vomiting incident at the end, but it was short lived! These girls apparently don't get sweets too much because Mom said they threw up from their actual birthday cake too.. On the new puppy! haha I sure hope I will be seeing more of these precious baby girls!!