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    NAPCP Blog Feature: Reverie!

    August 31, 2011 | Posted by Kristen the designer


    So unless you have been living under a rock, by now you have most likely checked out Skye Hardwick Edmonds new inspiration blog, Reverie! And if you haven’t you must certainly do so now. The definition of Reverie says it all: a state of fanciful musing; lost in a daydream. Looking through the gorgeous images on the site certainly feels like getting lost in a daydream. Each new post is bursting at the seams with a wealth of inspiration! And let’s face it, we all reach a point where we so desperately need to be inspired. I could ramble on about my love for Reverie all day, but let’s hear a little bit from the creator herself. We had a chance to catch up with Skye and ask her a little bit about the site and what inspired her to create it.



    1) What was the inspiration behind Reverie?

    The premise of Reverie is inspiration. There are many amazing inspiration blogs out there for photographers, but I wanted to create my own take. To not only show the end result, but to also show how the inspiration evolves from initial spark, to the final images.

    2) Reverie has such a unique feel and is full of inspiring content. How important do you think it is for fellow photographers to explore this kind of creativity in their own work?

    It is essential. An un-inspired photographer can quickly become a burned out photographer. Once burned out, things can quickly spiral downhill from there. I want photographers to know and see inspiration is out there. I hope to make things a bit easier by bringing together some of the creative ideas I’ve found in various formats. For example, why I include a section on Reverie on my Pinterest pins. To help get the wheels spinning.




    3) What are your hopes for the future of Reverie and how would you like to see it grow?

    I have many plans in store from Reverie. As to what they are, well, you’re just going to have to tune in to see! {wink}

    __________________________________________________________________________

    A big thanks to the wonderful Skye Hardwick Edmonds for the interview! Now don’t waste another second…stop by Reverie right now for a look at all the yummy goodness :)

    Allison ParkerAllison Parker

    Newborn Session Share: Orange Sherbert!

    August 29, 2011 | Posted by Allison Parker

    Inspirations: Orange sherbet! Yes, I’m really serious. Can’t you taste it??

    Favorite Element: I think I’d be a really bad newborn photographer if I didn’t say THE BABY!! Of course! But, secondly, the entire session was styled around that rainbow sherbet hat. (compliments to Persnickety’s Knits)

    Biggest Challenge: Taking these in their middle daughters very small room, as it was the only room with light in their entire house. It was easy to warm the room up, which kept the baby really happy, but I had to sit in the closet to be far enough from her to take her pictures. I probably looked really ridiculous now that I think about it.

    What Client Said: This is baby number 3 in a really busy family, so I’m not sure I have any quotes to use from mom. But, they were very, very happy and I’ll being seeing this sweet baby again in a few months! That’s good enough for me.

    Photographer’s Final Words: When I arrived for her session, her parents were a little concerned about the hemangioma on her lip. They were all (in a cute quiet voice – as if the baby might hear ;o), “what do you think – can you take it out??” Generally hemangioma’s fade away by 2 years of age, but not always. Some do require surgical intervention and some last longer into childhood or adolescence. They asked my opinion about removing it in post-processing. And, I was very honest. I absolutely don’t think you should choose to do that. My oldest daughter had a small hemangioma on her nose, which did fade away completely by her 2nd birthday. BUT, when she looks back at pictures she does notice it and asks us about it. I edited it out on one picture of her at about 3 months old. She has now noticed that it wasn’t there in that one picture and asked me about it. I was so embarrassed at my choice and I will be finding that original file soon and be “fixing” my error. I just don’t think it’s a good message to send to a little girl in our already heavily “edited” media saturated world. And, although the parents weren’t sure what to do about it with regard to her newborn pictures, as soon as I explained the bigger picture and my experience, they wholeheartedly agreed and instantly felt the same way. She is and was complete perfection just as God sent her to us. And, I for one hope she never doubts it for a second!

    Extra Notes: One more final word (ok maybe a lot of final words ;o)) .  .  . There has been some “back lash” about newborn photography and the safety of newborns with the ever evolving and endless stream of “poses” for these little masterpieces. I just want to take this chance to say there are a lot of ways to use your creativity to bring more variety to a newborn session without twisting them into the next cool pose of the week. This session is a great example of using a color story or theme to “paint your canvas.” I started out with the sherbet colored hat as inspiration and started collecting things that matched my color story – use your color wheel; you have to pay attention to complimentary colors. Newborn babies also love and need physiologic flexion (bringing their limbs in close to themselves) . . . she automatically placed her hands up to her face when I just left her to herself. That was the most organic picture of the bunch and one of my favorites. While I do like every finger in it’s place and refuse to snap it until I’m happy, I also like to see what their favorite position to put themselves into will be. It’s kind of fun to see how each baby is different from the next already.

    Kristen the designerKristen the designer

    Happy Fridays: DIY Craft Projects!

    August 26, 2011 | Posted by Kristen the designer

    I sometimes wish I had a million dollars, could quit my job, and just craft all day long. We can dream can’t we :) In all seriousness, I am a sucker for DIY craft projects. Not only are they usually a great deal cheaper they are also more special because it is something you made! I find that Pinterest is a great resource for all things crafty. If you are looking to do any sort of side project or makeover in your house, yard, work, etc, definitely check there first! So many ideas with a lot of materials you probably already have and may have been thinking of throwing away. DIY projects can also be a great way to make something with the kids, which I have highlighted in the example below. But first, some pretty images of my fave projects from this week!

    Clockwise from top left: Flower vases out of old light bulbs, Pinwheels from colorful paper, Chalk painted mason jars for spices, and cotton and tulle fabric flowers!

    Project – Patterned fabric from dye that exposes in the sun

    I had never heard of such a thing before I saw this on the How About Orange blog earlier today! This is special dye that you can paint onto fabric and then expose in the sun to make it as dark as you want or as light as you want. But the best part, only the areas exposed to the sun will get darker, so you can create patterns by laying objects on top of it during exposure. In the above example they chose to use safety pins, but you could cut out shapes from paper, use lace, string – just about anything you can think of! This is a great project to do with kids. Ask them to pick objects they like and then use the patterned fabric to make pillows for their room, or a new little nap sack, even a T-shirt if you are ambitious!

    The dye works on several other objects as well. Check out a few other ways to use it below:

    Happy crafting…and Happy Friday!!

    Kristen the designerKristen the designer

    NAPCP Giveaway Winner!

    August 24, 2011 | Posted by Kristen the designer

    We would like to congratulate our 2 winners who will each be receiving a set of Lilyblue Actions from the wonderful Leah Zawadzki! Congratulations to Jennifer Kapala and Keli McCoy! And a huge thanks to Leah for this amazing giveaway.  If you haven’t had a chance yet, check out Leah’s interview from our August newsletter here!

    Kristen the designerKristen the designer

    Happy Fridays: Back to School Goodies!

    August 19, 2011 | Posted by Kristen the designer

    In honor of the first week back to school we are sharing some fun finds if you are in need of last minute school supplies!

    1 – Adorable animal themed backpacks from Skip Hop!

    2 – Super fun eraser ring, that comes in several different colors from Generate!

    3 – Modern lunchboxes that can be customized with included stickers. Available from Goodbyn.

    4 – Colorful wrapping paper from Paper Source perfect for covering text books!

    5 – Beautiful pencil tins from Susy Jack!

    6 – A robot pencil sharpener that winds up as you sharpen and then will walk across your desk.  Available from Think Geek.

    7 – Funny animal shaped scissors from Fiskars.

    Happy Friday everyone!


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