Portrait of a Confidence Photography Workshop Student PART 3 {McKinney, TX - Me Ra Koh Confidence Teacher}

WOW! I have so loved witnessing the journey and transformation of imagery by a recent Confidence Student, Jennifer, whom attended my Workshop only a few short weeks ago. To see where she is today and knowing that she has the tools to take it even further makes me so excited for her AND for her kids!  The gift she is giving them of their childhood memories through storytelling imagery melts my heart!  I asked Jen to write her story in her own words.  She not only did that but she also is sharing the images that show how she has changed her Photography of her kids from the time she spent with me Growing her Confidence with her camera!  If you missed PART 1 or PART 2 of the May Workshop that Jen attended go back and check those out too! Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy Jen's story here:

Have you ever looked up to see your children playing in the most amazing light, grabbed your expensive camera and started clicking away? 

Who hasn't done that? 

Excitedly, you open up the photos on your computer and realize you didn't capture the beauty of the moment in the least bit.

I have an artistic and creative spirit...always have. I taught myself how to sew because I could never find exactly what I wanted at a price that I wanted to pay. I also taught myself how to design in Adobe Creative Suite. I am great with Photoshop. I can put people in places they've never been and delete people from moments they don't belong! I can design an ad or flier any day. But I couldn't, to save my life, capture the best moments of my journey as a parent or the simplicity of life with my camera.

Of course, I had accidental amazing pictures. Who wouldn't have one great picture out of 500 attempts? All I wanted was to capture the sun, the smiles and the thought of joy on my camera. I always seemed to get "in between" the awesome moments. You know the ones....the moment with one eye closed or the sun glaring right on a face. I just wanted to capture what my eye saw on my camera.

Well, who would have thought!? I just needed to take the darn thing off auto, turn my flash off and learn a few simple techniques. The creativity is in the eye. The capturing is in the skill! Oh boy, what I have done with just a few hours worth of knowledge!

Jill Ann, with Photography by Jill Ann, came into our lives at an incredible time. My family of three was soon to become a family of four. She captured our family of three plus a belly in the perfect way. In a way that didn't make me look fat or sick. In a way that I wanted to feel but just didn't on a daily basis. 

Here is one of the photos Jill Ann captured at our maternity session.

She followed that by capturing our family of four at home while praying that our three year old would stay still and our newborn would sleep! They turned out just the way I would have wanted if I were taking the photos myself...even though my three year old DIDN'T stay still and my newborn DIDN'T sleep!

Here is one of the family images she captured for us!

While capturing our family in our home, she mentioned finding the perfect light throughout the house. I soaked in everything she said like a sponge and used it in the following weeks. Even with the knowledge of the light and the other small things she mentioned, I just wasn't getting exactly what I wanted. They were close, but still not great. Why, oh why, couldn't I just capture the beauty that I was seeing with my eyes!?

Here are some examples of me utilizing the light that Jill Ann showed me in my own home but AUTO did not know exactly how to capture the moment perfectly!

 

Jill Ann also mentioned a Photography Workshop for MOMS that she taught. I so badly wanted to learn how to use this stupid camera I had for over three years! I was able to take decent pictures but they were nowhere near great. I saw a Mother's Day special on Facebook, screenshot it and sent it to my husband instructing him to get it for me! As a good husband would, he purchased the class for me after only the third reminder. :)

During ONE Saturday, I learned that I couldn't capture what I was seeing for two reasons!

First, I had the expensive camera on the auto setting. That's the only button I knew besides the on/off switch and the picture taking button! Now I know more about my camera buttons and why my iPhone pictures took better pictures. 

Second, I learned that the kit lens was worth NOTHING! All I needed was at least one new lens and three words,  "I am Sam"! You should take the Workshop to learn what "I am Sam" means. I promise, it is life changing.

I left the class feeling so inspired and empowered. I was going to get this once and for all. I immediately went home and took some pictures with my "kit lens". They were better...but still not great! After a few days of messing with the kit lens, I decided to buy a $200 50 mm lens. When I told my husband I wanted a new 50 milliliter lens, he died laughing! He said, "I think you mean millimeter." "Oh yeah," I replied, "that too!" I got the lens after only a few days and have been having a blast with it.

Immediately following the Workshop here are a few backyard playtime gems I captured with my new skills!

After buying my new friend (the 50 MILLIMETER lens), I unpacked my SWAG bag from the Workshop. (which was an awesome bonus mind you!) I stumbled across the 30-Day photo challenge. Of course, being the creative human that I am, I couldn't go by just the items listed! I took my own twist on the list and have started capturing photos of my children's lives without my children in the photos. It's great practice and helps me capture items as memories and not just "things".  

This is the lamp in the nursery that shows the books that I had as a child.

These are my toddler's shoes that I know she will grow out of quickly. I took these images using the backyard playground to show where my daughter plays wearing these shoes!

I'm loving my new knowledge and the creativity that it has inspired. 

First and foremost, thank you Jill Ann for empowering me to capture the "little" moments that we have each and every day. 

Second, watch out world, my camera and I are on a mission to capture the hearts and joy of people. 

And lastly, I'm sorry Facebook and Instagram friends! I know you have seen tons of pictures of my children over the past three years. You will definitely be seeing more! At least they will be more creative and fun to look at!

If you ARE like me from the past 3 years, carrying around a huge expensive camera without a lick of knowledge on how to use it, I have 2 suggestions for you!  

ONE, get rid of the DSLR and stick with your phone and the grainy pics you get with that.

TWO, invest in learning how to use it with this life changing Photography Workshop I took with Jill Ann!  I am so sad that I wasted so many years without this precious gift of knowledge on my camera and how to be a better storyteller through my images for my kids!  Worth every penny and more!  You can't put a price tag on the images I am now able to capture of my kids!

Here my daughter and I were enjoying a pedicure date so we stopped by the makeup counter for some special beauty fun and a photo opportunity for mama!

 Love this image of my baby girl!

XOXO
Jen

Thank you so much Jennifer for sharing your journey with your DSLR!  I am beyond excited to watch you capture your kids story through the years!  So wonderful to see how much the Workshop has changed the world you see through your lens!  Wishing you many blessings!

Are you ready to go on the same journey?

WHEN is the next WORKSHOP?  That's the question I keep getting asked!  I am taking the Growing Confidence Workshop to WISCONSIN on June 28th!  There are only a few seats left so hurry to grab your spot!

JUNE 28th, 9:30am to 5:00pm, HARTFORD, WI
Still time to utilize the 20% off Discount Code: earlybird

TEXAS GALS!! Email me if you want to be placed on a special list to contact with the next Workshop sign up date before the public knows!  photographybyjillann@gmail.com

COMING THIS FALL! Woot! Woot!

October Blog Circle. COMFORT

Welcome to the October Blog Circle with Me Ra Koh and the Confidence Teacher Team! This month's Blog Circle is around the word COMFORT. Read on to hear what I say about Comfort and then follow the link at the end to the next blog post on Comfort. Grab your coffee, it's gonna be a COMFY Ride!

COMFORT........I sat here at my desk wondering what I should write about to share where I find Comfort in my life. I thought of...

• ... my cozy socks (I smiled)
• ... a warm cup of coffee (I got up and got another)
• ... a morning walk with the sun shining down from the sky (I thought about it but stayed seated)
• ... my Stress Relief Eucalyptus Spearmint hand lotion (divine, had to put some on)
• ... a delicious scent filling my home from my Scentsy Warmer (I took a sniff, Mmmmmm, Spiced Pumpkin Pie).  

All those things are comfort "items" to me. However, when I stepped away from my desk for a moment and walked up my staircase I was once again struck by this image displayed of my mom and dad.......I knew then where I find true comfort.

Here you see my parents walking hand in hand down a path that is surrounded by the beauty of God's Creation. I find comfort here for the obvious reason, they are my parents. I love them dearly and still look to them for comfort, reassurance and their unconditional love for me. The not so obvious reason why I find comfort here in this image is a blessing that the eye cannot see.....my father is still walking. Receiving the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 1999 was a devastating blow to our family. How could my strong daddy that could carry me as a child have MS? What would the future hold for him? He is our rock, the core of our family how could this be? So much sadness engulfed me when we first learned of the news. Can I just say that my dad is a pillar of strength! He has never shown a moment of sadness over this disease not even during our first conversations following the diagnosis. His faith in God is what keeps him going, he knows that God will take care of him every step of the way. This picture was taken three years ago, it is now 14 years since that day the phone call came in of that dreaded MS word and God willing he is still walking. So for the not so obvious reason when I look at this image I see the COMFORT that God has given our family by carrying my father through this disease. Allowing him the ability to continue to walk, to play golf and to enjoy his retirement.  

Yes, my comfort lies in God, it is with him that I find all the Comfort I need. God also is the one that blessed me with the two most amazing parents a girl could ask for, they were the perfect fit for me. 

Are they precious or what?

And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.  2 Corinthians 1:7

I Love you mom and dad! xoxo, JA

Grab another cup of coffee and jump into what COMFORT means to....Cathy Mores!

MAYDAY we have a RUNNER!! Not to Worry!

Mayday we have a Runner!  Does this happen to you at your family photo sessions with your young children?  This is so common when kids turn one and discover this new thing called walking.  It then revolves into the "let's see how fast I can go" stage!  I want to encourage moms that this phase does not need to be frustrating or intimidating.  I want parents to know that it is okay and that the session is very doable!  The best thing to do is stay relaxed and allow your child to enjoy their exploration.

How sweet is it to see Big Brother running after his Baby Sister to "try and stop her".  I can assure you that sister is enjoying this fun game of chase here and that this is most likely a common occurrence in this families home!

What to do when this happens.  Many times I will just let them go, observe them and follow their lead. Having distractions available to stop them in their tracks is always a good thing.  I find bubbles, a stuffed toy, noise makers (bells), a string of pearls for girls or a wagon to contain them work well.  I will ask the parents to pick up their child to see if they will stop running to get into a family pose, however, if they want down or begin crying we immediately let them go explore again.  It is not worth forcing the issue for a family image. Candid Photography is my favorite because it tells the story of our time together and let's the viewer see what your family is all about during this season in your life.  These are the moments that mean more to mom and dad then any posed image all looking at the camera.  IN FACT, runners actually help the magic happen! 

Here we are giving it a go, gosh I think this moment is precious!  Look at how big brother is totally oblivious to the chaos. Mom and dad have joy on their faces because this is their season and its real.  Then the one year old saying "not gonna happen, I gotta keep runnin'"! Do you see the story?  I know this family will always remember our time together through this image. As their children grow and mature, this image will make them laugh and they will remember this fleeting moment in their lives.

The truth about our time together is that we got so many great moments like this one below.  Because we had a runner, precious moments like this were made.  THIS is what storytelling is all about.  THIS is what makes mom and dad remember this season in their life 20 years from now.  THIS is the image that will allow dad to feel that feeling of holding and loving on his baby girl over and over again.  THIS is why I love Photography so much, all the moments captured whether running, crying or just a pure loving moment they all hold a special place in our hearts. 

To the R Family, I have loved every minute we have shared together at your sessions.  I am so excited to share the many more moments I captured of your family together!  You are blessed with two blessings from above!  Thank you for sharing YOUR FLEETING moments with me! 

xoxo, JA

Moms, are you ready to take control of your own DSLR and shoot in Manual to capture all of the fleeting moments of your child's life?  I want to empower you to be the storyteller for you family through your Camera!

Sign up for my All Day GROWING CONFIDENCE Photography Workshop this November 9th to have the confidence with your camera before the holidays!  You can SIGN UP HERE and use PROMO CODE earlybird for a 20% discount or use PROMO CODE early2 to pay in 2 installments and receive the 20% discount. Discounts expire soon!  

Limited Seats Available!  Lunch and Laughter is included.  Got some pretty AMAZING Swag items for the attendees that I know you will love!!  What woman does not love a lil' SWAG!

I am so excited to say that I have partnered with ME RA KOH a nationally acclaimed Photographer and author of not one but TWO amazing parenting photography books, Your Baby in Pictures and just released this week, Your Child in Pictures.  These books are filled with Photo Recipes to capture your babies and toddlers through age 10 with your point and shoot or DSLR!  A must have and a WONDERFUL GIFT IDEA for baby showers and for your mom friends! 

SEE YOU IN NOVEMBER  FOR A DAY THAT YOU WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER AND TAKE AWAY SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME!!