Clients, Photographers, and a Whole Lotta Trust

It’s a scenario that I’m sure most all photographers and clients have been through at some point in time:

Client: “Are you sure this is gonna work?”

Photographer: “Yes, just trust me.”

Client: “Are you sure all these layers and patters will look o.k.?”

Photographer: “Yes, I promise.  Just trust me.”

Client: “This location, it looks a bit…um…not picturesque.  Are you…er…um…sure about this?”

Photographer: “It’ll look better than you can imagine and nothing like you’re picturing right now.  Just trust me.”

In all of my experiences in life and photography, the times I’ve prepared, prepped, and went with my gut instincts, are the times I’ve been happiest with my work.  They’re also the times the clients have been most proud of themselves in the work.

A good photographer will communicate with you before the shoot.  Find out about you, what your overall vision is (i.e. natural or urban setting, intimate or outgoing, etc.), coach you in what to wear if that’s not your forte, and guide you through the process.

Tori, one of my most favorite Seniors, wanted an urbanesque feel to her shoot.  When I drug her to some rough warehouse she didn’t look at me like I was straight up crazy, rather her reply was a trusting and confident, “This is fun.  Let’s do this!”

It’s sometimes hard to see beauty when surrounded by surface-level ugliness, but then again beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  Beauty is everywhere, sometimes you just have to look hard to find it.  And don’t worry, if you can’t see it, your photographer will!

*A big thank you to Ms. Tina for this picture from her fab phone during our session!

Have a Blessed New Year!

A Give-Away In Honor of Springtime…

Springtime has always been one of my favorite times of the year.  There are sooooo many things to love about spring.  Windows flung wide-open. Birds chirping. Flowers in bloom. But perhaps the best thing about springtime is that even MOREso than January with it’s New Year’s resolutions (that rarely stick), springtime makes me feel: rejuvenated, revived, renewed.

My Type-A overdrive mind starts springing up all sorts of ideas and I go into project mode.  One such idea is in full swing.  I have a deep-seeded passion for all things food.  Love, love, LU-HUV food. All sorts.  From down-home cooking to that perfectly presented platter (the ones that repulse my husband because they barely give you a morsel to taste) that only a master chef and all his sous can create.  Lucky for me, one of my nearest and dearest friends has this same love.  While I was sitting enjoying the weather in my house one spring day this past month, it happened.  Another idea.  We could write a cookbook.  But only together.  It’d be perfect! I played with text messages and facebook for more than an hour thinking of how to break this dauting escapade to her that I prayed she would want to join in on. When I finally got up the nerve to ask, she was basically like, “Really?  Yes, I’m in.”

So, we’re combining our loves and talents:

She= foodie + talented writer.

Myself =  Lu-vah of all things edible + photographer.

Together (we’re hoping) the equation = 1 smashing cookbook!

So in honor of ALL this FAb-U-LOUS-NESS that spring has sprung forth, I’m giving one of YOU lucky-duckies a gift.

A 5×7 frame from ORGANIC BLOOM.   Their frames are sheer delight.  AND the winner gets to pick the color.

So how do you get a chance at one of these blooms for FREE?

DETAILS:

Just go to my Ashley Miller Photography facebook page, like it, and post or message me the words: Organic Bloom.

Voila!  You’re entered.

The contest will be running from now through the Month of May.  One winner will be selected at random on May 31st and announced June 1st via facebook.

BTW, go see my friends blog.  It’s good.  Really great reading. The Star-Crossed Blogger.

Blackberry graphics

With the advent of e-mail, texting, twittering, no, tweeting – taking time to send someone a personal handwritten letter rarely happens.  However, in my family it’s more common than sending a text.  Maybe it’s because my Grandma was a writer and wrote scads of letters on a daily basis.  Maybe it’s because none of my sisters nor I live enough to each other to visit on a regular basis.  BUT maybe, it’s because it is SO much stinking fun to still run out to your mail box (sorry inbox) and find that there’s something amidst all that junk just for YOU!

So, what’s the point? You might be thinking this. I don’t’ have time to write.  Hi-tech is totally today, and I only fly in-style.  Well, I have this friend from church who does AH-MA-ZING stationary design work.  It’s seriously the bomb.  Modern. Fresh. It’ll make you want to start writing is so great.  Her designs are totally up-to-date with anything you can order from the cost, and you can get it right here in the Midwest for crazy low prices. 

I think what’s possibly the best thing about Jen’s work is that it’s all her.  There is no template copying or replicating another person’s style.  Nope.  She sits down with her trusty sketch book and puts pencil to paper and….voila!  Out pops something magical.

So go to her etsy website today- Blackberry graphics.  Look.  Be amazed.  It’s refreshing!  Anyone who orders within the next month will receive 10% their entire photo purchase in the 2011 year.

Happy Tuesday!

p.s.  Yes, I used the word totally too much in this post….you’ll have to exscuse me =)

Dresses, Tresses, & all things Girly!

This past weekend I made the annual trek home to help my niece Randi Lee get ready for prom.  I say annual because I always help get her ready for her big events.  It’s tradition.  And some traditions canNOT be broken.  They just can’t.  It makes me a bit teary-eyed thinking just how great this gal is.  I know it’s doing the same thing to everyone else in our family that reads this (especially) by BIG sis – her mom.

She’s supposed to be little.  Tagging along.  Wanting to be like her older Aunties.  She’s not though. 

She’s tall & beautiful – even moreso on the inside than the outside (if you can believe that!).  She walks to the beat of her own drum.  She’s talented.  Beautiful voice, great student, & STELLAR athlete.  She’s been named to the first-team ALL-STATE for a couple of years and Missouri State Champ in basketball this year. She has made it to the final four basketball tournament every single year she’s played.  And her long legs fffffllllllyyyyyyyyyyy around a track.  She’s the kind of girl that I hope Zoe grows up to be.

Yes, I’m bragging.  I have these rights as an Auntie.

Little Z turns 2

Where does the time go?  I am pretty sure I just brought this little guy home yesterday.  But nope.  It was over 2 years ago.

We celebrated.  ALL. DAY. LONG.

We put balloons (one of his most FAVORITE things next too futbols) all over the floor before he woke up.

We listened to him say “Happy Birthday to you!”  OVER and OVER. 

We let him pick the menu…Pizza, Cake Pops, and Horizons Milk & Juice Boxes (with Izzy’s for the grown-ups!) And yes, I actually made them myself!  Go to sur la table for the sticks.  ONLY $2.50 for 35!

We relished in how happy he was to open presents this year, since he realized they were ALL for him!

We surrounded him with people that love him.  No matter how near or far (he’s skyping to Argentina =) People that have helped us raise and nurture his cute little self.   We love you all for that.

Then, we played with his toys & watched his movies until we just couldn’t play and watch any more.

He’s 2. 

We LOVE you Little Z!!

Yes, I’m a month behind on this blog.  Don’t judge me =)

Free Session for the Taking!

I’m in a GIVING spirit.  Maybe it’s all the Christmasy music playing as I work in my new workstation.  Maybe it’s just looking out my large window at the glistening snowy white landscape while I work. Or maybe it’s my hot chocolate with X-tra whip that is making me feel all warm and fuzzy while I sip it.  What ever the cause may be, I’m feeling downright GIdDy at the thought of one of YOU getting a free photo session. 

How do I get this you may ask?  Well, it’s simple.  Be the first to get 10 people to “LIKE” my facebook page (and have them msg. me with your name) and you win.  Yes, it’s just that simple.  The session is free for the taking.

So what are you waiting for?  Get out there and get yourself, your family, or the last person on your gift-list a photo session good for the 2011 year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Gifts of the Perfect Kind

Today was the day of gifting.  Gifting of the MOST perfect kind.

Today, we dedicated our precious little Zoe Caroline back to the Lord.  We thanked HIM for entrusting us with such a perfect gift and then promised to raise her loving and living for HIM.

 

Then we did a little gifting of our own. Big Z decided that a sled was the ONLY method of transportation perfect enough to spread some home-made Christmas cheer to our neighbors.

On our way! 

 

YUMMY! 

 Truffles & Chocolate-dipped pretzels.

I hope you are able to take time this Christmas season to reflect on the gifts you’ve been given as well as those that you’ve given to others.

 What fun & such a blessing to share gifts like these during such special season!

My Christmas Package Arrived late…or early?!

I honestly couldn’t take it any longer.  I’m ready to meet this child.  Girl or boy.  I MUST know now!  This was me just 2 short weeks ago lamenting to Hernan about how being 41 weeks pregnant is ENOUGH while we were on our way to the hospital.  And then, just like that.  She was here.

And today, on December 1st, I get to rock her. Perfect. Precious. Her. Zoe Caroline.

           And I get to chase him.  Hilarious.  Cheerful. Full-Of-Life.  Him              

Zion Hernan

And I realize that these two are the best gifts ever.  That little package that I just couldn’t wait for any longer – Miss Zoe – well, she arrived right on cue.  She’s sure to sweeten up this Christmas season!

Remember this holiday season, “Every good and perfect gift comes from above..” ~James 1:17

New Products!!!

EEEEEKKKKK!  I could NOT be more excited about these new products. 

They are FAB-U-LOUS! 

NEW PrEss BooKs – Puuuurrrfect for your family, kiddo, or senior sessions!

De-lightful Customized CD cases – Customized casing for your session on CD or DVD!

Session Info Cards – A.M. Photography will now send you a session card with ALL products available & their pricing on it.  Details of your session included! 

Pictures of the products will be posted as soon as they’re ready!

EEEEKKKKK!  Yes, scream with me!  You can be just as excited 😉

ComputER IssuEs!!! :(

I had a major computer breakdown last week & thus have been M.I.A.

SO SORRY 😦

New posts from last week’s sesions to coming soon! 

PROMISE 🙂