The Photography

The "studio" is almost complete. I have a camera, tripod, awesome pistol grip head, lights, umbrellas, seamless paper, the paper stand is a work in progress (I'd say 90+% done), and the battery grip with extra battery is on the way. We're supposed to do a commercial on-location shoot next week that I'm looking forward to. It's for a company that produces a hair straightening product. They may still need a female model who has big bouncy curls. If you know someone, get me a pic and I'll forward it.

I started a gallery (http://www.kaspinn.com/gallery.aspx). Take a look. Positive and negative feedback would be greatly appreciated. :)

I wish you a happy and properous 2009!

It's not too late to set some personal goals for next year. Notice, I didn't say resolutions. I prefer to think in terms of having something to work towards instead of resolutions that may imply a sudden and drastic change in behavior. For me, one goal is to grow my business so it's actuallyprofitable in 2009. To do that I have to put together an action plan for each area of the business. If I want more exposure, what do I have to do to get it? If I want more commercial work, what doors do I have to stick my foot in? If I want to produce better quality work, what practice can I get, what classes can I take, what other photographers/videographers can I work with. All this and more I have to think about for 2009. What will YOU be doing next year?

Check out the rainforest

Make sure to watch the bloopers at the end too. :) That's my boy!

Rays of Sunlight Near Sunset

 

Civil Rights

What do you think about the whole gay rights issue? Should marriage be defined as one man and one woman? What is marriage? Should two people have the right to decide to spend their lives together? Should they be denied survivorship benefits? Why do we have to be so stuck on words? Ok, so marriage is defined as one man and one woman. And let's say we call the union between two men a civil union. What's the difference again? Take religion out of it and tell me what's left?

Marriage was defined in the Bible. For someone who doesn't believe in the Bible it doesn't make sense to be forced to be defined by it. The Bible is for believers.

Have at it if you want. I'd love to hear from you on this one.

Is it for real?

Not sure how to take all this excitement. It's easy to get caught up in it though. People gave their lives so that a day like yesterday could happen - that a man could be judged by his character instead of his race. Everywhere I turn people are smiling and happy and talking to each other. Thinking back on today it seems I was one of those people. lol. I think even the world has breathed a sigh of relief at the election results.

To my son, who is five and said he would vote for Obama without any prompting from me or hubby, it doesn't seem like a big deal. He can't fully appreciate the enormity of what has happened. Not even I can. But when I see men like Colin Powell overwhelmed with emotion, I get it.

I wish Obama the best. I don't expect miracles like saving the world. I do expect that the next four years will be something to look forward to in this country. After that, who can tell, but at least for now there's hope.

McCain Concedes

What can I say?

I hope the economy picks up after this.

The Boat Show

I'm not a big boat person but I went to the show. I was given two tickets this morning. It helps when you know people in high places. :) Those boats were really nice. I could see if I had A LOT of disposable income I wouldn't mind having one or two for myself. Should have brought the kids - they would have liked it. But, nah, they would have wore us out even more than we already were.

Tomorrow is the big day. Anxious to see what Wed will hold.

Been taking random pix lately. Maybe it's time to post some?

There's nothing like manual labor

Last week found me trimming hedges. Today I pressure-cleaned the driveway. Who knows what I'll be doing next week!

I Voted!

Yes, I exercised my right as a citizen of this country. I was in and out in an hour. Good stuff.

Shelby is sick (again). Change of weather maybe or because of other sick kids, who knows. Either case she's got something that I don't need to catch because it always affects me worse than it does the kids.

Sid is a bookworm lately. I'll send him to bed only to find him half an hour later still up with his nose in a book.

NaNoWriMo starts midnight tomorrow night. All you potential authors take note. There's no better time than the present to get that book on paper.

Usability Quote of the Day
"Any intelligent fool can make things more complex. It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage - to move in the opposite direction." -- E. F. Schumacker (via interaction-design.org)

 

Playing with Photoshop

I'm going to have fun this weekend - we rented a 50mm f/1.4 and an 85mm f/1.8, a Canon 580EX flash and we bought a LightSphere diffuser! All of that for $112 USD.

For as long as I've known her...

...she has been creative. She has always had an eye for the beautiful, for the non-conventional, for the extraordinary. She has been my best friend since forever. Ok, at least since middle school. She recently took up photography and as I would expect, her pictures are awesome. Check out this young lady who is in search of being here.

You learn something new every day

I used to crack my boiled egg on the corner of the sink and start peeling from there. My aunt told me to make a crack and then roll the egg. Then when you start peeling the little broken pieces come off a whole lot easier. I tried it and it works. Amazing.

Be strong and of good courage. Be not afraid...for the Lord they God is with thee.

Joshua 1:9

Next year this time I will have a testimony like no other. I have no worries for the future. I'm concerned about the present. If I can get through this there's not much left to phase me.

It's a good day when...

...you finally get your income tax return! *whew*

...you see that justice may be served to the scum that screwed you AND made tons of money off of you.

Got to get back to writing.

TODAY is my 7 year anniversary! Yay!!

My Latest Idea

Stories of Redemption
A collection of anonymous testimonies of youth (ages 18-30), where they talk about one experience/trial in their lives, how they dealt with it, how it has brought them closer to God, and words of encouragement to others in a similar situation.

I think this would make a great fundraiser for the Youth Department of my church. It would be a book written by the youth, about the youth, for the youth. I wonder if I can get the youth leader's (and the youth's) buy-in. Would they write about their experiences? Would they make the effort?

A Mother

I have no respect for a woman who can consciously or otherwise put her own needs above those of her child.

I look at my children and can't imagine being able to leave them while they are still dependents. What would make a woman able to do that?

School Pix

Project #2 - School Class Pictures and Yearbook

We took over 400 pictures yesterday. Phew. It was hard work keeping those kids entertained and coaxing them to smile. We got there at 9 am and didn't leave until 1 pm (which fortunately included a half hour lunch break). We took pictures of every child on the premises - from age 1+ to fifth grade. We had two setups - one was a makeshift green screen, and the other was a print fabric that we'll probably use for the yearbook. The green screen will just make it easier to extract the kids and put them on different backgrounds.

After going through all the pictures yesterday afternoon we narrowed it down to 100+ really good pix to put in the yearbook and to offer to parents in packages.

The last time I worked on a yearbook I was in middle school - remember that, Ardean?!

I'll post some pix soon.

I wouldn't call it a fiasco exactly

I did a pro bono wedding this past Sunday morning and a 40th birthday in the afternoon. Needless to say it was a looong day. I got to the bride's house minutes after 9:00 am. I didn't leave the bday party until 9:00 pm! The next day I was a zombie.

"How did the pix turn out," you ask. Well, let me photoshop them first and get back to you. For sure I'll take some good oens and put them on my company website.

I'm nervous about this whole 'business' thing. What if after all my efforts I end up less than mediocre and it all flops? I have a grandiose vision of owning a photography and video production studio, with real employees, and a training/seminar/meeting area, and hosting local club meetings, etc. What if it doesn't work? What if it does?

Me and Hubby

Working on Lighting

Pic one is the tomato without any special lighting - only a camera set to auto and a flash. Pic two (80+ shots later) is the final tomato. Much better, I'd say. After all was said and done the tomato was a nice addition to our dinner.