The Final Bow

WHAT!!!!?????? Uh, yeah. You heard me right. This, ladies and gentlemen, is my last bow as TerraDawnPhotography. Not only am I changing websites, but I am changing blogs!!

Ok....breath.....I'm not quiting the photo business.

I'm just moving.

I am looking at this as moving on up. I am moving from a small apartment with an attached garage (in the virtual world) to my first real home and my own studio downtown (again...only in the virtual world. *sigh* One day, Terra. One day.)

If you haven't been following me on Twitter or Facebook, then you probably don't know that MY NEW WEBSITE HAS GONE LIVE!!!! Check it out at TerraDawn.com !!! That's right, I am officially dropping the "photography" portion. I mean, c'mon. Most people don't go to my website and say "Wow!! What delicious looking peacans she is selling!!". Really....if it's not obvious I'm a photographer, then you're a nut case (*snicker* Get it? Peacans? Nut case? *snort* )

No, seriously. The guys at Livebooks (particularly Brian, who did my designing and had to deal with my annoying habit of saying "That looks awesome!!! Now...if we can just add....) really did an amazing job!! I am in love with my new home. They took what I was thinking and made it a reality.

The website is still a bit under construction, so expect changes with each new visit (unless you are just refreshing your browser over and over...in which case, stop. You'll make yourself dizzy and I don't have insurance for your stupidity).

Ahhhh...and onto the virtual downtown studio!!! My new blog is just about ready for it's big debut as well!!! No more is this Terradawnphotography.blahblahblahblahblah stuff. You can now check it out at www.terradawnblog.com!!! Simple and easy to remember!! I'm still figuring out how to use some of the fabulous wordpress features, but a quick thanks to Pro Photo Blog for showing me the way to a FABULOUS new layout. Easy to use....easy to customize....and kinda fun. Oh yeah, baby. It is teh awesome.

On that note....I bid you all adieu. I will be premiering this week at the BRAND NEW!!!! EASILY SUBSCRIBE-ABLE!!!! BEAUTIFULLY LAYED OUT!!! terradawnblog.com. Come and visit and don't forget to leave some love for not only myself, but the awesome kids at "Inner City Inner Child". It's slow going, but I have faith the comments will come and the goal will be reached.

See on the greener side!!!!

Terra

**************UPDATES*******************

COMMENTS FOR A CAUSE TOTAL: $17 - Keep the comments coming!! $17 is not a lot and we want to see that grow!!! Comment with any comment on ANY post and $1 goes to Inner City Inner Child!!! Check out this post for more information........

Melissa + Josh Johnston

Melissa and Josh are, without a doubt, the clients I feel closest to. They were the first couple that decided to take the plunge with me. They allowed me a HUGE learning curve and even put up with my "I am soooo excited" comments, every five minutes. And through all of that, they have become very sweet friends of mine.

In addition to this couple being absolutely the most romantic thing ever, so was their ceremony and celebration. These two created a day full of all the sweetest moments they could pack in. They included family, friends (many of whom were part of the local Rocky Horror Picture Show cast), and moments that touched EVERYONE included. (Even the photographer.) Thank you guys, again, for the faith you had in me and the love you have for each other. It is TRULY inspirational.

You'll be at the top of my favs list forever. I really look forward to seeing more of your happy moments in the future.

**************UPDATES*******************

COMMENTS FOR A CAUSE TOTAL: $12 - Keep the comments coming!! $12 is not a lot and we want to see that grow!!! Comment with any comment on ANY post and $1 goes to Inner City Inner Child!!! Check out this post for more information........

If your a wedding photographer, check out the brand spankin' new "Off-Beat Wedding Photographers" community!!!

Ed + MichaelAnn

I had the pleasure of attending two absolutely gorgeous weddings last week. I may have been exhausted the weekend ended, but it was so worth it. Ed and MichaelAnn were married last Saturday on the 23rd at Ebenezer's Baptist Church in Occoquan. Their reception was held at the absolutely gorgeous Osprey's Landing.

Allie, my awesome right hand co-shooter for the day, met me at MichaelAnn's house early that morning where we began shooting the preparations for the big day, the details, and the really SWEET limo that pulled up. Not only was the beautiful bride working to get herself together for her big day, she was working to get her son ready as well.

Ed and MichaelAnn each have a son who participated in the ceremony. MichaelAnn's son gave her away, and Ed's son participated as a best man. Friendship, love, and family came together stronger that day, than any other day I've had the privilege to see. From break-dancing at the reception to the bonds of the couple at the alter, it was all one sweet day and one sweet moment.

Congratulations to both of you!!! It was such a pleasure to be able to share in your lovely day.

Albums and THE Question

Listening To: "Details" by Frou Frou

This week has been crazy!! So let's jump right in, shall we?

*dips toes into water*

Never mind. Easing might be the best.....* EPIC SPLASH!!!!!!!*

Alright....who's the wise ass that pushed?

*sigh* Alright...diving in it is.

FOR THE TOGS:

I've been trying to manoeuvre through the maze that is album creation in the wedding world. For those photographers that have mastered it, I solute you. For those brides who want to try to do it themselves.....good luck with that. lol.

The first album I came up with....I thought was genius. It involved the images....graphics.....crazy cool effects....and a guarantee that meant it would only be in style for approximately 2 years. That's right. As cool as it looked, it wreaked of out-dated "new millenium" styled PS graphics. (Awwww....the mistakes of the newb.)

I moved onto a new, more simple design. Black background, simple layout, nice...organized spread. A nice.....organized......boring spread. *blech* Can't their be a nice civil union....a nice marriage (haha pun) between edgy and clean?

and then......EUREKA!!! I'VE FOUND IT!!!! Nah.....just kidding. I'm still looking. BUT, I HAVE found some beautiful inspiration!!!!

These are some beautiful examples of a cover that manages to evoke the awesomeness of today, 40 years ago, and tomorrow.

I know this album has been plastered (in a good way) ALL over this here interweb....but you can officially add one more fan to the design. Jenn and Steve Bebb created this absolutely genius wedding album. Each page consists of only one image, but each image is stunning.

Be sure to check out their website for even more stunning (and depressing...since I didn't take them) images!!! Amazing inspiration!!

Part 2: The Question every bride is asking about Albums......

**************UPDATES*******************

COMMENTS FOR A CAUSE TOTAL: $9 - Keep the comments coming!! $12 is not a lot and we want to see that grow!!! Comment with any comment on ANY post and $1 goes to Inner City Inner Child!!! Check out this post for more information........

If your a wedding photographer, check out the brand spankin' new "Off-Beat Wedding Photographers" community!!!

Saturday Part Deux: To Cop A Feel

Listening To: "Strange" by Built to Spill

What happens when:

a) Conor gets hold of the camera when the photographer is otherwise occupied?

b) Allie gets to wear red lipstick?

c) Conor finally gets to cop a feel on a model without getting smacked?

This slideshow:



If you can't see this slideshow, check out the images HERE!!!

*********

COMMENTS FOR A CAUSE TOTAL = $6 Keep the comments coming!!!!! $6 is not a lot and we want to see that grow!! Comment with any comment on any post and $1 goes to Inner City Inner Child!!! Check out this post for more information......

*********

If your a wedding photographer, check out the brand spankin' new "Off-Beat Wedding Photographers" community. It's not your regular community. With the right guidance, this young padawan will grow into a great library of information for new AND seasoned wedding photographers. Sign up and add your 2 cents!!!

Until next time!!

Comments for a Cause

**********VERY IMPORTANT POST****************

Brian, the hubby of photographer Jodi Wilson, has begun a quest to raise money for his local food bank. When someone comments on any of his posts, a dollar goes into a donation fund! Once that donation fund reaches $500, the donation will be given to his local food bank (in his case, the Akron/Canton Regional Food Bank).

He's putting the idea up for grabs for any bloggers who want to participate in both the comment and collecting process!!! So....I'm joining in.

From this post on, $1 will go into a donation jar for every comment received!!! At $500, the donation will go to "Inner City - Inner Child". They are a wonderful DC based program geared towards early childhood-development through literacy and the arts!! In case you didn't know....I'm a bit of a fan of kids books/literacy.

From now on, in every post I'll give you an update on where we are in the collection process!!!

So, ladies and gents......GET THOSE COMMENTS A-ROLLIN!!! And, as Brian said, feel free to steel this idea as well!!! Use the contact button at the top of this page to send me a link your blog, should you choose to participate, and I will put up a post at the end of the week featuring all your blog links!!

And one more thing....DON'T FORGET TO HEAD OVER TO BRIAN'S BLOG AND COMMENT!!!!

Saturday Shoot: Part Un

Listening to: "Oh, Steady" by Nicholas Megalis



Yesterday didn't go quite as planned....it went!! But not as planned. (That sounded redundant. Poetically redundant. (So did that.) ) We arrived at the studio, spent about about fifteen minutes setting up for the shoot (it was a test shoot for a new model). I got my lights all positioned, my settings worked out, the backgrounds chosen...not to mention EVERYTHING hauled up from the car. Only draw back to this awesome studio is the stairs. *sigh* Can't have it all. ;) (That is my lazy side talking...there actually aren't that many stairs.)

We waited around for a bit (Allie did my make-up...which is a shocker, as I usually don't wear any anyways!) and at about 45 after and call to the model's voicemail, came to the conclusion that she wasn't going to show. I was really looking forward to working with her!! Unfortunately, being burned means I have to change my policies a bit. So, I apologize to any future models. I now require payment in advance...

MOVING ON!! About that time, a shoot at the studio across the hall finished and this gorgeous model with hair PAST HER KNEE-CAPS (notice my continual use of strategic capitals), appeared and began to pack up her things. She was talkative and really friendly! Anyways, she saw the clothes I had brought and we eventually worked out a quick 45 minute shoot before she left. The above slideshow is the result! FA-BU-LOUS!!! I luuuuurve getting new portfolio shots.

Thank you so much for sticking around Jen!!!!!


Stay tuned for tomorrow's "Saturday Shoot: Part Deux". It will be full of all of the fun, behind the scenes shots. We played......(and may I just say that Trampoline + Women's Heatherette tank top + Conor = GAY NINJA FABULOUS!!!!