Textures, oh my!

Being held up on the couch this week, has started to make me a bit stir crazy.  It always seems that I get sick right about the time that I am feeling extremely motivated to get some work done.  So, I'll just have to postpone cleaning out the office a few more days...darn!!  Instead, I have been playing around with some textures that I recently acquired.  I have not been a big user of textures in the past, but have started to become more intrigued in how they can add to certain images....I like the air of mystery in these below, and think the textures bring out a bit of wonder....my favorite!  

Indianapolis Wedding Blog

So, I've been slacking.  I know it, and I am sorry!  I have come down with the dreaded cold that has been a long time coming.  And, I have decided to open my arms and welcome it, as it has stayed away longer than I thought it would.  So, it's here and I hope it moves along quickly!  I've got babies to photograph this weekend!  

I finished my last big shoot day with Blue Cross Blue Shield this past Monday, and I will have pics to post from that.  Just not yet!  The shoot went incredibly well, and I was very happy with how the images turned out.  This was our 4th day shooting as a team, and we were in such a rhythm!  And, the new camera was incredible!!!

So, now I'm lying on the couch hoping to feel better!  In my couch ridden internet haze, I have just signed up to be a part of the Indianapolis Wedding Blog!  Since WPPI, I have had weddings on my brain, and I can't wait to start getting the word out.  I will be listed as one of their recommended vendors, and will have an ad up for a month that will link directly to my site.  So, check it out!  And, here's the small button ad I came up with...still one of my favorite pics!  

A moment in Vegas...

This WPPI was my first photo convention.  12,000+ photographers and me walking somewhere among them.  I had no idea what to expect!  I had an old friend that would be there for part of the time, and a friend of a friend that I was too meet up with as well.  And, I had high hopes of making some new friends.  So, when Jessica Claire {one of my photo idols} posted on her Shootsac blog that she was looking for volunteers to work in her booth at the tradeshow, I jumped on it!!  I kicked off the tradeshow hanging in the Shootsac booth and passing out awesome Shootsac tote bags to rowdy attendees...we ran out about 3 hours into the show and I quickly became the most disliked person in the room.  However, it was an incredible experience and I got to spend time chatting with Jessica and watching other photogs whose blogs I frequent pass by.  It was like a celebrity photog sighting all weekend long, and I loved it! 

I got home late last night, and am quickly getting back to reality.  I have so many thoughts running around in my brain right now, and have decided I need a few days to process it all.  The speakers had such great messages, the vendors incredible products, and the friends I made all inspiring.  So, for now I will share my Shootsac pics and work my way through the rest...
Jessica Claire and I
Joe jumped in for this one...
The new Hip Slip...perfect for my MacBook and my Shootsac covers work with it!  
Some more of the Hip Slip

Life in Vegas...

I have never spent much time in Vegas.  Only been here once before, and we didn't spend much time on the strip.  Well, this time I have come to be part of WPPI, Wedding and Portrait Photographers International.  The largest conference and trade show in the industry.  I am so excited!  Greg and I flew out on Friday, and made a small vacation out of it.  We spent time with friends, had fantastic dinners, stayed up way too late making friends at the craps table, and won big on a slot machine of all things!  It was a fantastic weekend, and a blast spending it with my hubby.  He returned to normal life in Indy last night, as my conference got under way.  I am so excited!  There are quite possibly 12,000 photographers wondering around the MGM!  For the next 3 days I will have the chance to see some of the photographers I idolize teach, hopefully make new photog friends, and attend the incredible trade show...a chance to see new album companies, be introduced to revolutionary software, and come into contact with all things new in the wedding industry.  I can't wait to see what it is all about, and to incorporate it into my business.  Here are a few fun pics so far...

and, a baby leopard we saw at the Mirage...

From Belly To Baby

introduces the new

Newborn Photography Plan

4 Portrait Sessions:

 *Newborn Session (within the first 2 weeks of birth)

*6 Month Old Session

*1 Year Old Session

*And, your choice of a Maternity Session or 9 Month Old Session

Also, included is a 5x5 wallet, hard cover album of all ordered images up to 20

Perfect to carry and show off your little ones!

Plus, you receive 20% off ala carte items...prints, canvases, storyboards, and much more!

$800

(with a value of over $1250!)




Let's capture all those special moments

that happen in their first year!!!





If you would like to register to receive the Belly To Baby plan as a gift, we can make that happen too!  We'll set it up, and your friends and family can call and make contributions to your plan.

If you are pregnant, just get in touch and we can talk about all of the details!!!!

Looking for a pregnant model...

Help!  I have one more day of shooting for my Blue Cross Blue Shield project, and I am looking for a pregnant model to pose for us.  The shoot will take place on Monday, February 23rd at Methodist Hospital from about 5pm - 10pm, but you will not need to be there the whole time. The gig pays $300, and will be a lot of fun!  Woo-hoo!  The purpose is to capture images of a Dr. interacting with many different patients.  The only requirements are that you be pregnant and showing!  If you fit this description and are available, or know someone who does please shoot me an email: saramorrisphoto@gmail.com with a picture of yourself or your friend.  And, to make this deal sweeter...the client will pick who they would like to use as their model.  And, I will take the remainder of the names and select one to win a free maternity shoot!  Because the time is quickly approaching, I have to find someone quickly!  So, to be eligible I need to receive your email by this Thursday at noon.  So, don't delay!  And, please pass along!!  And, because no post is quite complete without an image, here' s one from my last maternity shoot:

The James Hotel

We had a great weekend in Chicago...beautiful weather, a dear friend's birthday, a night of Karaoke, and a fantastic place to stay.  I am planning a retreat in March in Chicago, so I did my site visit of our venue over the weekend, and it is incredible.  The James Hotel is a small boutique hotel at Ontario and Rush, and is perfect for the upcoming event we are having.  The space is hip and modern, the rooms spacious and unique, and the food incredible!  The room was so cool when we walked in I had to get some shots before our luggage uglied it up.  

Albums...

Not only did the UPS man bring my beautiful new camera today, but he also delivered my album samples!  I am going to start selling these as session albums for child and family sessions, and they are so fantastic looking in person I can't even get over it!  So, I will have more details on how they are going to work into my soon to be packages and new pricing.  But, till then...

I am so in love with the white snake skin!  My favorite cover by far!!

Some Photoshop Action...

I have been thinking a lot about my photography recently...reflecting and looking ahead at the same time.  I am starting to talk with a designer about creating a new brand for Sara Morris Photography, and I have been coming up with some thoughts on what my photography is all about.  The one thing I keep coming back to is that I strive to be the best portrait artist I can be.  Because I do so many things...children, families, weddings, jewelry, retail, etc...what ties it all together?  I make sure to treat every image, whether it be a portrait of a two-year-old or a closeup of a bracelet, as it's own special piece of art.  For a family session, you will be given around 30 images of pure art.  And, for a wedding you will be given hundreds of artful images. I am not the photographer who is going to spend seconds on an image.  Every single image gets personal attention and a special touch.  So, here are a few examples of me playing around with some different finishes:  

Have a great rest of your week!  I am off for a very quick trip to Chicago for my friends birthday.  So, I may be able to post, but not totally sure.  The new camera arrived today!!!  I can't believe it is finally here and appears to be in working order.  I'll take some test shots while I am away for sure!!

iHeartFaces

iHeartFaces is a superfun photo sharing blog for any person in love with photography.  And, they focus on the art of capturing faces, which is my favorite part!  There current contest is called "The Eyes Have It" and here is my entry:



This is one of my favorites from this past year! Check out the site, it is a lot of fun! And, I have to thank Jessica at Lemongrass Photography. She always finds the best sites!!