Closing down 2008 and ringing in 2009!

As I sit here and write this post, I have been reflecting on what a great year 2008 has been and all of the things I have accomplished. This time last year, I was in graduate school beginning to see the tiny light at the end of the tunnel but still wondering if I was going to make it to May. And, this time last year, I knew that I wanted to make the leap into professional photography, but had to finish my M.Ed. first. I did finish graduate school and earned an M.Ed. in College Student Affairs, and then formed Tira J Photography, LLC. How about that? 2008 has been the year of formation for me, as it has formed me into a professional at APU, and as a professional photographer. It has also formed me into being a better friend, wife, co-worker, daughter, sister and believer in Jesus Christ. I am thankful to all of my clients, friends and family that came along side me throughout 2008. I seriously could not have done it without you. Here's to 2009 and all that it has in store for this wonderful journey. I am just bursting at the seams to share with you what is coming up next for Tira J Photography!

I created a slideshow with some of my favorite images from 2008. I love the song for the slideshow because it says perfectly how I feel about 2009 coming around the corner.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SLIDESHOW


Happy New Year to everyone! May 2009 bring all of the greatest blessings to you and your loved ones. And one last quote from one of my photographer facebook friends, Ann Ruthmann, "Fear is a door to success. Those who are ready for success assume it is unlocked and proceed, despite not knowing what is on the other side."

My 3 Favorites & The Longest Day: Episode 1

Over the course of the last year, I have been networking with a lot of the top wedding and portrait photographers in our industry. Asking the craziest questions, mistaking them for their twin sisters, (sorry J* and B) and then laughing hysterically at the crazy antics of [b]ecker! I am honored to be a part of this industry where we document couples and families special moments in time with our time and talent. While I am still working full time at APU, I have invested a lot of time and money into improving my craft with the hopes of someday doing this full time. Because of my current job situation and the commitment I have at APU, I am not able to attend WPPI 2009 in Las Vegas. My goal is to attend WPPI in 2010 and see how this industry has been changed by people who want to make a difference.

Like I mentioned above, I have had the opportunity to meet some of the biggest names out there like Jasmine Star, David Jay and [b]ecker and I have admired their work for the past year. They have done so many amazing things for the photography community such as DJ and OpenSourcePhoto, [b]ecker and the [b]school, and Jasmine for her continual inspiration on her blog. Without these three photographers, I am not sure where I would be today. Don't worry, I am finally getting to my point. My three favorites are a part of The Longest Day project with Ron Dawson from F-Stop Beyond, who I think is also amazing. Ron has interviewed almost all of the top portrait and wedding photographers out there and asked some of the toughest questions, but really brings it down to earth for the rest of us to understand and respect who they are. You rock Ron!

So I guess my point is, watch the video below and see how some of the top wedding and portrait photographers (and my 3 favorites) in the industry are going to be making a difference for two separate charities, but will also be displaying their "other" talents in these upcoming episodes of The Longest Day! Cheers!




It’s been a long time in the making, but it’s finally here. The premiere episode of the first online reality TV show for and about professional photographers, “The Longest Day,” this year’s buzz-building videos series for WPPI 2009.

The premise is simple: get 24 of the hottest professional photographers in the country (and Canada), bring them all to southern California armed only with the knowledge that they would be split into two teams and given an assignment to complete in just 24 hours. Once they arrive, they find out their assignment is to write, shoot, and edit an original short film about photography, AND an original PSA about the respective charity for which they are playing: ThirstRelief and Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.

Over a series of ten episodes, you’ll see the drama; the comedy; and the battle for the best video and PSA as voted on by YOU. That’s right, as we lead up to WPPI (February 14-19) we’ll air the episodes. Then, about a week before, we’ll show the final short films and PSAs by both teams. You will then have an opportunity to vote for the videos you like the best. Thanks to our sponsors, the winning team will win $3,000 for their charity. The other charity will earn $2,000. (In this episode you’ll hear me mention $1,000 and $500 as the respective prizes. The ante got upped since the taping of this show).

A Savior is BORN! Merry CHRISTmas!

Merry Christmas to everyone! Tradition in our family entails going to a Christmas Eve service at church, having a wonderful dinner prepared by my Mom, and then opening our gifts. Yes, it's true, we don't open our gifts on Christmas Day. Today, we will just hang out as a family and enjoy each others company. I leave you with three things. First, one of the most powerful passages in the bible for this season, second, a pretty powerful video clip I grabbed from [b]ecker's blog, and then a picture of our new Nativity. I hope that through reading the verses below and watching the video, you will embrace the true meaning of Christmas.


The Birth of Jesus

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.

4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.


The Advent Conspiracy Promo Video from theadvance on Vimeo.

Baby Vince: Newborn Session

Meet Baby Vince. He was also born December 2nd, the same day as Kylie, and was born at 12:30 p.m. His parents Vince and Dianna couldn't be happier to have him here, and he was just a little bundle of love the entire afternoon. I also work with Dianna at APU, so it is exciting to see how lives are constantly changing around us, and to watch their new family grow.

*Vince and Dianna, thank you so much for inviting me into your home to photograph your precious little guy. And thank you for being patient while I get these pictures up for you. Merry Christmas!

Baby Kylie: Newborn Session

This past weekend, I had the amazing opportunity to do two newborn sessions, for two babies that were not only born the same day, but their parents both work with me at APU. And no, they are not twins.

Little Kylie Elizabeth was born December 2, 2008 at 10:11 p.m. and weighed 8 lbs. 8 oz to proud first time parents, Deric and Liz. Kylie was just too precious for words, and hardly fussed during the session. Nana joined us for the session, because she cannot get enough of either one of her granddaughters now. If you remember Jadyn from some previous sessions, she is Kylie's cousin, Sharon's granddaughter.

Deric and Liz are such wonderful parents and were so calm throughout the session. For being first time parents, and only for 12 days, they were doing pretty well. I can't wait to watch another one of my little ones grow up.

*Deric and Liz, thank you for inviting me into your beautiful home to photograph your precious gift from our Lord. She is gorgeous! And Nana, thank you again for another amazing opportunity.

To view more images from the session, CLICK HERE FOR A SLIDESHOW!

I am second!

As I was working on editing a session tonight, I came across this when my Google Reader refreshed and Angela Weedon in Dallas added it to her blog. Thanks Angela for this great reminder!

I am second Go click on that link to find out more!

Shahbaz Quads: Christmas Session

The week of Thanksgiving I was pretty busy with 5 portrait sessions. I had never done that before, but I will tell you that it was so rewarding to see what it will be like someday when I can finally do photography full time. Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, I ventured over to the Shahbaz home to do their Christmas pictures, and something else, that you will just have to wait to see. Patience is a virtue!

The Quads: Cedar, Jeremiah, Jordan and Jonah were "decked out" in their ever so stylish outfits made by Amy's Mom, Grandma Wendy. She made the boys vests and the buttons had their special color. And Cedar's dress was another special piece done by Grandma Wendy. The lining was from her going away dress from when she and Grandpa Darrell were married. I just love all of her work and the Quads certainly have benefited from her talent as a seamstress.

On to our session, we first did some photographs inside as a family, and then on an antique sled Grandma Wendy brought. Now that the Quads are 19 months, they are talking, and definitely mobile, meaning they don't sit still for very long in one place, so I had to really be on the ball. Each and every time I go photograph the Quads, I am reminded how precious life truly is, and what a gift children are.

Here are a few from our time together as we captured some Christmas memories. Enjoy!

Pepe Le Pew - you will be missed

Last Monday, we came into the office at APU and were greeted with the wonderful smell from our dear friend, Pepe Le Pew. Yes, we have a friendly skunk that has been living underneath our building and decided to spray his wonderful malodorous scent. So, all week our entire building would make fun of our friend Pepe Le Pew and pray that we would not see him while working (note that they are nocturnal animals).

The friendly pest control dude brought a trap to catch Pepe last week and we were literally all FREAKED OUT! We are the last group of people on the face of this earth that wanted to bathe in tomato juice.

Today (Monday) I came into work and one of my co-workers asked if I had seen our friend Pepe. I said, nope. Well, he was caught and waiting patiently for the pest control dude to come get him. Forgive me for not taking a picture of our friend Pepe in his little trap, but I did not want to get sprayed.

This afternoon when Pepe was being taken away, he apparently got upset and let out his wonderful scent which smells like rotten eggs, garlic and burnt rubber. All of the offices close to where Pepe made his last journey, were open for some fresh air.

Dear Pepe, "Thank you for entertaining my co-workers this past week with your wonderful scent. Even though you really do STINK, you were pretty cute. Hopefully none of your family members are still living below our building."

Enjoy this cute little video featuring 'Pepe Le Pew'



!

Precious Kayla: Newborn Session

Over the Thanksgiving break, I had the awesome opportunity to photograph precious Kayla, daughter of Shino and Eric. She was born October 26th, and is a precious gift from the Lord. Shino and Eric invited me into their home to basically live with them for a few hours to photograph Kayla in her own element. Of course, Mia, the first child (their Cocker Spaniel) had to be the star of the show at times and definitely let us know when she wanted her picture taken. Kayla is the sweetest newborn, and hardly fussed the entire time I was there. Even though, she did give her parents a few surprises during the session, we all had a great time.

*Shino and Eric, thank you so much for inviting me into your beautiful home to photograph your precious little girl. You are both so blessed to have Kayla in your lives.

To enjoy more photos from the session, CLICK HERE FOR A SLIDESHOW!

Maxwell Bryant: 6 Month Session

I can't believe how fast they all grow. You have all heard the old phrase, "they grow like weeds". Well, little Maxwell is now 6 months and he is so grown up!

We waited to do this session until his Grandma (Nona) came back from Italy. The bib Max is wearing in one of the pictures below is straight from Italy. If you saw the previous post, Mr. Maxwell wished you all a Happy Thanksgiving and enjoyed being outside. We had a lot of fun with his 6 month session because he is learning where his feet and hands are, and developing those fun facial expressions. Mr. Maxwell would rather be outside on the grass with the breeze blowing through his hair than inside all bundled up. He is definitely an outdoors kiddo!

One fun thing to mention is that we went over to Max's grandparents house last night after Thanksgiving dinner to give them a preview of the slideshow. I think everyone watched it about 25 times. So be sure you watch it that much as well. Just Kidding!

*Susan and Kathy, thank you so much for a fun day with Maxwell. It was a blast catching up with you and also capturing Max in his next stage of life.

To view more photos from our session together, CLICK HERE FOR A SLIDESHOW!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I was going through my next session and just could not resist this little one who wanted to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving.

Max is 6 months old and his session is coming up next, so here is a little sneak peek!



May you enjoy the good food, fellowship, blessings, and love that comes with this wonderful holiday.

Brian: Senior Portraits

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I have a lot to be thankful for this year. Without getting all mushy on you, I will leave you with this. I am thankful for all of my wonderful family, friends, clients, and fellow photographers who frequent this blog, and support my dream of being a photographer. If it were not for you, I wouldn't be here.

Last weekend, David and I made the trek up to Apple Valley High School to meet Brian and his Mom Kerri. Brian was not a huge fan of his senior pictures and wanted something a little more sophisticated and some added character that those traditional pictures can't give you. And, he liked Lauren's pictures so much, that he and his Mom asked me to come up to photograph him. Lauren is Brian's cousin, I think. Brian's Mom is Lauren's Mom's niece, so they are related somehow. Their family is so huge, but after all these years, I haven't figured it out. Sorry Kerri!

Brian brought his dog Sam along for the portrait session, and as you can see in the pictures below, she is a beautiful dog who will definitely miss him when he leaves for college. Speaking of college, Brian is smart, athletic, and will go on to do great things after high school. He plays basketball and baseball for AVHS right now and is hoping to get a scholarship to one of schools he is applying to. Hopefully UCLA, so he is close to home. We had a wonderful time walking around the high school and capturing Brian in his element. His Mom told me that he did not like to have his picture taken. I beg to differ, because look how great he looks below! He rocked this entire session. And, it also helped that he was my first client to be photographed with my new 85 1.2 lens from Powell Camera. I shot this entire session with that lens and it worked like a charm. Plus, Brian was a wonderful model.

Brian, I am so proud of you in all that you have accomplished in high school. Reach for the stars and dream big, it will all be handed to you. Thank you for the opportunity to photograph you for your senior portraits. I wish you all the luck in the world as you embark on the journey we call college.

To view more images from the session, CLICK HERE FOR A SLIDESHOW!