Eeeek! I am moving! | Aberdeen, SD Photographer

Ok, if that didn't get you interested, I don't know what will!!! No, not really moving, but my blog is moving, to a blogsite (a website and blog in one). I've finally bitten the bullet and will be hosting my own site (which is sooo very exciting for me!). Sooo...this is just the 'soft' release of it, I'm still working on the design/layout in my spare time. But since I posted a recent session there, I thought I'd share the link:Awesome New Blog


You can also reach me at my NEW email address! katey@kateydidphotography.com


All right, I will see you over there! But, since no post is complete without an image, here is one from CJP!

Ah yes, the reason that this is no longer my home, the photo upload is not working! I promise though, if you head over to the new site (and don't forget to change your bookmark!) that there will be plenty of CJP!

Katey

Merry Chirstmas To All....| Aberdeen, SD Photographer

Well, we are gearing up for Christmas here...my tree is up, cookies are baking, cards are in the mail (oh, on the way here - I'm sending out New Year's cards this year), CJP's Gia and Papa are here, Aunt TT is on her way, and we are overloading with gifts already. I think, almost every night as I'm trying to fall asleep after staring at my computer screen for the last 3-5 hours, 'how lucky am I?'  I get to be the first one to notice the new things that CJP is learning. I have a WONDERFUL support system here. I get to do something I absolutely LOVE. *Sigh* Life is good. Here is a favorite shot from a recent session. This little girl started me on my way with photographing others. In fact, until recently, all of my client files were housed under her original folder (don't ask me why I never created a new one until now). What a joy to see how she has grown...

New Year's Resolutions | Ramblings | Important Information | Aberdeen, SD Photographer

The new year will be upon us quickly. I know, I haven't even really started decorating for Christmas yet (but we did make cookies the other day, so I'm not a super terrible mom). But, I've had in my plans certain goals for January and the new year. Before I know it, I will have been in business for a year. And I am well aware that something like 80% of photography businesses fail in the first 5 years. If you ask anyone close to me, they will tell you I'm crazy a hard worker, that I always have goals in mind and work to achieve them. Obviously one of my goals is to be in business past the 5 year mark (and turning a profit before then, since the IRS will require it...). I've spent many nights thinking, studying, speaking with other photographers who have made it past the 5 year mark. And I am starting to figure out what sort of business I want.

So here is the start of some thoughts that I have for the direction I want to take in the new year, and I'll post more about them individually:
I want to...
....build relationships with families, this means I will only take a certain number a clients each month. It also means I will rock your pre-session consult, your session, and helping you choose how to display your art.
...speaking of art, I want to create beautiful art for your family. Part of that will be the session experience, part of it will be the images I create, and part will be the products I offer.
....I'm excited to be working on 'branding', where I'll roll out a new website, many current clients have seen my new packaging, and I'll be creating fun, informative packets. 
...and most importantly I want to continue to grow, as a photographer, a business owner, and most importantly, a mom. I'll be working hard on a balance of these different aspects which do make up who I am.
...I will continue giving back to the community. I just offered my first auction item to Northern Nights, I am a proud photographer for  NILMDTS , I will continue to assist with providing breastfeeding support and education to local moms, and I have plans for other ways of giving - so we will see how everything goes.


So, keep an eye out for future posts on what fun and exciting new things I have in mind for the next year! But, since no photography blog post is complete without an image - here are a couple of the little man....

Happy Holidays from the {R} Family! | Aberdeen, SD Photographer

When I am contacted to create family photos, I most often suggest in the client home. You want your Christmas tree in the photo, you want your bed, you want to be able to take snack breaks or nap breaks, it's just easier, for you. So I was super pumped that Mama {R} was totally up for this and had the Christmas tree ready. It made for some beautiful bokeh in some of these images. I had a wonderful time with you, {R} family - your children are adorable and I can't wait to watch the little man grow up! Enjoy your sneak peek! Oh, and wouldn't you know it, that I spent the day chasing {J} and have one of my favorite images ever of her!

THIS! Christmas lights = beautiful bokeh!

An all time favorite. Mostly because she was a two year old on the move. Caught in a brief moment...

However, this one also has angels singing for me:)

Beautiful light, beautiful model | Aberdeen, SD Family Photographer

I occasionally take models out to practice new things (aka torture someone so that I can grow as an artist). This time I was working with my new lenses, testing their limits, finding their sweet spots and I had fun. It was cold, Christine was great. She's always a trooper. Good news about being a model - gorgeous images, bad news - you sometimes have to suffer extreme weather and my crazy ideas! If you are interested in modeling - let me know. I LOVE so many of these - but Christine is used to me and how I work by now. Enjoy some moments of our beautiful fall!

Black Friday Specials | Aberdeen, SD Photographer

Since I've moved to Aberdeen, I've avoided the whole 'black friday' shopping day (bc honestly - I  LOVE cyber Monday - it's too cold here!). And I didn't think that I'd offer a special for my business, but then a deal came along that I could not pass up and I couldn't let my fabulous clients in on! So here it is: a canvas sale! $15-50 off prices - ONLY GOOD IF YOU EMAIL ME BEFORE 9pm on Friday and you must pay within 72 hours (I take pay pal or you all know where I live :) Here's the list (and you don't have to pick an image today - just pick a size!):
11x14 - $115 (reg $130)
10x20 - $140 (reg $180)
16x20 - $140 (reg $180)
16x24 - $175 (reg $225)
20x30 - $225 (reg$275)
24x36 - $300 (reg $350)
30x40 - $350 (reg $400)

If you have a question on sizing, I have a few examples and will be working on organizing my closets on Friday (doesn't that sound like fun?), so you can give me a call or stop on by. These are crazy discounts that I haven't seen since...last year!!

Also, I don't want to short change any future clients - so if you are looking to book in 2011 (2010 is FULL!!!), I will offer a $50 print credit with the paid session fee and this will also lock in you to 2010 pricing *sessions must take place by March 31, 2011* 

Let the Holiday Season begin! And stop out to the Dakota Events Center for the first annual women's expo and see some gorgeous new prints!

...and just one more of my little boy....looks like he is already tired of shopping...

This is exactly what I wanted...Maternity Session | Aberdeen, SD Photographer

I've been working hard, trying to find my style. Every photographer out there wants to 'capture memories' or moments or something to that effect. I'm no different, but when I'm working with top photographers in the industry, learning from them, we talk about how to capture that memory, in a beautiful way. Many photographers just starting out will say - I shoot candid stuff, and to me, that means that they haven't yet stumbled across the art of posing. During a session, I will pose you, but in doing so, I'm creating the setting for a beautifully captured family moment. I'll sit you together, tell you to pretend to like each other (ha.ha), tell you to snuggle, talk, tickle, laugh, be funny, be serious, etc. And in those in between moments of my lame stand up comedy routine, it will be there. The genuine smile, the genuine love, the genuine connection.

This session was it, for me. Mom was the first mom (stranger) that got what 'custom photography' is about (I usually send quite lengthy emails describing it, and she was like - yeah, that's why I'm hiring you, silly Katey- Ok, my words, not hers...). This family...so in love with each other, so fun to be around, to watch, to listen to. Soon-to-be big sis was a little tired, but we did manage a few great family shots. But, wow - the couple ones, just what I was looking for. Almost. I still have work to and I'll keep learning as much as I can, but I'm seeing it now. The lighting, the posing, the connection. Mama {J} enjoy - you will love your gallery!

And one from the studio work that we did.

Amazing light! Aberdeen, SD Photographer

This little man only had time for a super short session while his brother was in school. It's ok because kids this age are hard to get to sit for any amount of time. So, I mostly chase, tickle, and let them be themselves. This is a newer location for me and at this time of year, the lighting is amazing. I'm in love and if you schedule a session soon, you bet I'll be using it. I only have 1 opening for Nov and one for Dec, if you are looking for family photos this year! 

Hats kind of make this my favorite time of year!

The lighting is phenomenal!

A lot of variety can be caught in a mini session!

The {R} Boys | Aberdeen, SD Photographer

So I've been swamped. Bad. And I apologize to everyone who is waiting so patiently for their galleries, sneak peaks and orders. If anyone knows how to add more hours to the day - I'd love to know! But...speaking of not enough time - I met with this mama one day and just happened to have moved an ordering session for the next night and BAM - she got her gorgeous day that she was hoping for. Boys - I love em - hope to have a few more some day myself. Especially looking through these images and seeing them together. Mama - you waited so long for a real sneak peek - I hope you love them as much as I do. And for fun - I will offer a little commentary to how a session (full fun session) with me usually goes....

We always start by running around... and run around a lot - it's fun!

Shhhh...we tell silly secrets (which usually involve fart jokes by moi)

And to get this beautiful shot, we have to first start with...

A super silly face!

And to get true brotherly love - we must wrestle (bring extra clothing!)

We take just enough breaks to capture beautiful light (OMG - I'm in love!)

Again, with lighting to die for...

And I love eyelash shots (maybe because there is almost no way CJP will give me one right now, but as a mom, I've spent hours staring at his eye lashes)

Couldn't help but love it...

Just in time with the colors

And my favorite from the day!