Getting my Groove Back...a day outside the box

Today I got stood up by one of my senior ambassadors...AFTER I had confirmed the appointment and drove 20 miles. I normally wouldn't mention this, because that's just how uptight I am, but a lot of very interesting and cool things came out of this day...we were supposed to meet in Carefree, who was having a funky little craft fair, so when it became very apparent that the girl wasn't going to show, I decided to hang loose and check out the fair. I got stopped within seconds by a Gabe, a super cool dude who thought I was one of those people who go around photographing booths. I wasn't, but in shaka brah interest, I shot that booth. And here it is.

Nice clean shot, no great shakes, but definitely not something I usually do. So it took me 30 seconds to shoot the booth, and then another little bit to take away parking lot and add grass, and to take my reflection out of the mirror, and I made a day's wages and the promise of more work, with gratitude. So I was driving home, and it's biker week in Cave Creek, and I thought I might as well stop and check it out. I used to do this kind of thing all the time, but I haven't in probably 10 years. So I just went and hung out with all the bikers and biker chicks, and it was real cool. Here's what came out of that...

Cool bike, huh? When would I ever shoot a booth? or a bike? Or a biker chick, for that matter? but I did it and combined the shots and they look cool, and I feel inspired again.

Lily

I had the opportunity to shoot the glorious Miss Lily today for the Happily Ever After League calendar at Creative Castle Preschool here in Anthem, AZ. She was absolutely adorable. I just wanted to gobble her up. Lily hadn't been to the preschool before, and loved all of the fun colors, turtles, and, of course, the awesome castle that they had in their lobby, so naturally she wanted to run and play instead of hanging with me and my boring lights and camera, but when she came around, she came around in a BIG way!! Her daddy helped a ton, too...he took her wand and was booping her on the head with it, and she's just laugh and laugh. Thanks, dad!! If you ever want a job booping kids on the head, I have a spot just for you!! Kids respond to the darndest things. I'm reminded of my dear friend Julie Widman, who brought her handsome son Bennett into my studio many times, whether for portraits or calendars, or stock pictures. Bennett had a great face and an AWESOME smile, that absolutely lit up the room, so much so that he was my preferred baby...when I had anything that could use a boy baby, he was my go-to guy... but he would only smile if Julie flipped her hair over her face and back. Then his face would light up, and he'd absolutely chortle until the flipping process was complete, then he'd go back to his Cheerios, or whatever else he was doing, until the next flip...and the next...Julie must have flipped her hair 50 times a sitting. Now that's dedication! I think I enjoyed watching her flip almost as much as I loved watching Bennett's smile, and they were both up for anything...one time we took about a thousand baby food jars, opened them, put baby food all over him and and let him go wild. That was a great shoot. Lily, I'm going to be calling you again, woman. And don't forget to bring your booper.

Regina

I had a very fun morning shooting the effervescent Regina, our very first model for the Happily Ever After League Calendar. This is such a great cause...the Happily Ever After League helps moms who have cancer. Visit their site, happilyeverafterleague.org, and make an appointment to have the opportunity to put your sweet little prince or princess in the calendar. If you can't make one of the dates, I'll make a special time for you. Tell Lauren I said it was ok.

What it's all about

One of my cousins sent me this picture of all of us when we were little. It was the first time I met my cousins, the first time that I realized that I, an only child, had actual relatives my age, and that's me, in the blue stripy pants and unibrow, demonic expression in my eyes...looking mighty ploopy...pretty much the antithesis of every single thing I strive to give to my clients. When this picture made it's way to my email box, I first freaked out at the overall hideousness of it all, but then it started me remembering running all around my cousin Gary's property in upstate New York,with my cousins, Paul, Dougie, Heidi, Robert, and little Karen, marveling at the abundance of wildlife and skipping stones in the raging brook right outside. I found a little silver heart ring that my cousin had given me and told "cousin stories" to my girls and I realized that this is why I do what I do. You remember the moments, the laughter, the tears, best when you look back at your pictures. Hideous as they may be, you do.

So, if you have a choice, you might as well have great pictures to look back on. Go get your '70's plaid pants, burn them, then call me to photograph you and your glorious family. You'll have beautiful memories of this very special moment in your life for a very long time.

Come one, come all, I'm going to be speaking at the Ironwood Counry Club on May 30 from 10 until 11 for their knowledge seekers series. I'll be speaking on how to take great pictures with your point and shoot camera. I never actually owned a point and shoot camera prior to this past summer, and I took only that camera on a two week vacation and actually took some awesome picturess like those above. Woo hoo! Who knew? Maybe I should toss my new Canon 5D mark II's...Nah. I love them too much.

Kayli and her Mom Lauren and sister Grace were all so great to work with. We started out at the JW Marriott, which was so beautiful and perfect and pristine, just like Kayli, and because I'm an idiot and left my camera battery on it's charger in my kitchen, we moved to a super boho area of Carefree, which actually seemed to work in our favor. Kayli was a total professional and just shines no matter what, and I have since purchased three more camera batteries, all of which are permanently affixed around my waist to avoid further mishaps. Where is my head? I just don't know. Thank goodness the Lovely Kayli was so cool about it!! If you'd like to see more shots of Kayli, and others just go to http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=64216&id=45325794506&saved#/album.php?aid=64216&id=45325794506

The Happily Ever After League Calendar!

It's here!! It's here!

Announcing the 2010 Happily Ever After Calendar

Calling all Princes and Princesses to be in the First Ever 2010 Happily Ever After Calendar.You will not want to miss this very special opportunity to have your child in this Calendar for a Cause! Award winning professional photographer Barbara Stitzer (that's me!! Woo hoo, I'm famous!!) will photograph your child, dressed in full prince or princess regalia, or they can choose from our beautiful outfits and props.Your $100 tax deductible donation per child will benefit moms recovering from cancer. Please note, donation needs to be made at the time the appointment is set.
After you make your appointment with Lauren you can make your donation online:

Your child will have the opportunity to be selected as one of 12 for the 2010 Happily Ever After Calendar. With your permission, we will put your child’s photo on the HEAL website to be voted on by family, friends and supporters. You can vote as many times as you like for $1 donation per vote to HEAL. The child with the most votes will also be the cover model of this 2010 calendar which will be available in September.
Photo session locations, dates and Times. For your convenience, we are happy to come to your play group or organization's location. Please call 480.275.0613 for more information. Packages are available at special rates to be purchased after the session by appointment.

Saturday, March 28
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Monday, March 31
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
All About Dance
10810 E. Via Linda, #106
Scottsdale, AZ 85259

Wednesday, April 1
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Friday, April 3
10:00 am - 1:00 pm

The Village Healthclub
18501 N. Thompson Peak Parkway
Scottsdale, AZ 85255



Saturday, April 4
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Creative Castle Preschool
4220 W. Opportunity Way
Anthem, AZ 85086

Monday, April 6
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Saturday, April 11
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Bunna Coffee Tea & Market
7520 S. Rural Road, Suite #12
Tempe, AZ 85283