» Photography

Haleigh Bug

Beth — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 03:37:59 +0000

Our niece Haleigh- she needed some photos for her portfolio and graciously let me ‘shoot’ her. She’s a pretty girl, and even sweeter than she is pretty.

By the Lake

Beth — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 02:37:52 +0000

This little lake is one I pass by quite regularly – I’ve taken pictures of it before on a beautiful fall day when the leaves had started turning, so I was glad I happened by during this very overcast day.

Photography Challenge – Photo a Day

Beth — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 02:14:14 +0000

Joseph on New Year's Day

Here’s my first day’s entry in the Photo a Day challenge. I shot this one with my Canon Elph.

I always love having a camera or my cell phone with me- most kids love to look at pictures of themselves, or other kids. My cell phone (a Palm Centro) is loaded with lots of pictures of kids and animals, and a video of some dogs my husband shot. No matter how shy, I can usually get a child to at least stand near me when I offer to show them pix!

Marketing Your Business

Beth — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 07:48:00 +0000

How ‘linked’ are you to related businesses in your area? Do you cross-market with them, to help each of you grow your business? I know this has been covered time and again, but it’s still worth discussing.
As a photographer, I want to expand my business into weddings and events. One way I plan to do this is to market myself to the local florists and caterers. I’ll approach one or two from each category and request a partnership with them. When I’m contacted to shoot a wedding, I’ll suggest my partners as my preferred vendors, and my partners will do the same for me. I hope to also work up packages with my partners, so our clients can get a discount by using all of us together.
While it will build our business base, it will also raise us from the level of vendor to trusted professionals.
What businesses can you partner with to build your business?

Photography

Beth — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 08:06:00 +0000

I love taking pictures in and around my community – it’s not a very big place, but I sure am proud of it. Lots of lovely ‘hidden’ places, fields, lakes, swamps and all sorts of beautiful images.
I recently entered a picture of our newest water tower, with a beautiful sunset in the background, in a statewide contest geared towards communities. I received a notice yesterday that my photograph won second place. I’m very happy about it, because it was one of those shots that just presented itself. I wasn’t even thinking about photography- I had headed out the door to pick my daughter up from band practice, and when I saw the sky across the road, I went back in and got my camera.
My picture will be on the cover of the February issue of the organization’s magazine.

Reflections of Gold

Beth — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 17:08:00 +0000

Reflections of Gold
Originally uploaded by Jim Vail Photos

Some of our bike group leave out on Friday, headed for a long weekend trip to the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. We won’t be going- hubby can’t get the days off.
One of my favorite places to go is the mountains – I love to stop beside the road, where the river is running over rocks; barefoot, freezing my toes off wading through the shallows (even in the hottest part of summer); driving along the river, waving to those who are canoeing or rafting in the deeper parts, wishing I was part of it.
My retirement dream is to live in the mountains; maybe owning a small motel, where we cook for visitors in the summer and fall, and spend the winter snuggled up in front of a fire…

New Year’s marketing pieces

Beth — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 07:45:00 +0000

Have you completed your 2009 marketing piece yet? This year I’ll be giving away calendars to my best clients and prospects.
I’ve got several very nice photographs I’ve taken of the local area, so I’ll have one photo per month, with a large monthly calendar opposite. I will add some dates that are important to my clients, and leave room for them to add their own information as well.
I want to make sure that I give something that is usable by my clients, and that will also remind clients of my business everytime they use it.
What will you be doing for the new year?

My ‘new’ camera

Beth — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:28:00 +0000

I love my ‘new’camera- I bought a Canon Rebel XT from someone who was upgrading, and I’ve really enjoyed it. There were several things I’ve had to learn, to get the best photos out of it, but as I tell my friend Toni – “Google is our friend”…
I’ve found several good pages that show how to figure out which settings to use in different pictures: shade, night shots, football games, inside, etc… I hate having such a nice camera and not be able to get good pictures other than the automatic settings. Here’s one page I found that has several good charts to help you learn how to be the ‘ultimate exposure computer’. I’ve been taking pictures for a lot longer than I care to admit, but I’d never bothered to learn how the f-stop, shutter speed and ISO all work together. On my original 35mm camera, after I set the film speed, I knew how to adjust for different shots, but putting the film speed into the mix with this totally manually set camera seemed to throw a kink in my thinking. Anyway, I’ve printed out the charts, laminated them and have them in my bag’s pocket, so I can check them for better starting places.
I’m confident that my pictures will improve, and I’ll have to do a lot less post-camera work on them.

Rutledge Loop

Beth — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:20:00 +0000

Early Morning Lake
Originally uploaded by bethmrogers

If you ever wonder why I call my blog (and my website) Around the Loop, here’s the reason – I live near the Rutledge Loop, in Crenshaw County. It has got some of the most beautiful scenery you can imagine. Pastures with cows and horses, old homesteads and barns, beautiful flowers (including a lovely garden of cannas at my friend Charlotte’s house), and a great woody swamp complete with a wooden bridge. I get the urge to drive through and just ride with my window down, looking and listening. This morning I took a short trip through and found some butterflies and wildflowers (see my flickr page for more).
This area is such a pretty place, and I’m so thankful I live here.

Before the lawnmower

Beth — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:35:00 +0000

Before the lawnmower
Originally uploaded by bethmrogers

I know, I know – I’m crazy for even taking pictures like this. And DH agrees- imagine a grown woman laying in the grass, shooting a picture of weeds!
LOL- that’s OK- I see beauty in all things, even weeds. God did such a good job creating all things, even weeds… of course, there are some things I don’t quite see the reasoning behind, but that’s OK – God knows why He does all things, and I’m going to praise Him for it. Even weeds that make a crazy lady happy.