WPPI adventures

my feet are still sore and the bags under my eyes are still there, but what a great time WPPI in las vegas was! SO much learning, inspiration and friendship was had. i just wanted to show you a small glimpse into some of the things that were going on. if you were there, we would LOVE to hear what you loved the best, who you loved to hear speak...and anything else you'd like to share. if you are even kind of considering going, i say DO IT!! worth every penny!!! hang in there...this is a BIG post!!!

the worst part of WPPI is the lines at starbucks :)

all of the platform classes are so great! one of my favorites was bobbi + mike. the were funny, honest, passionate and inspiring. they made me cry, they made me laugh out loud. the passion and love they have for photography and what they do is awesome!









and, of course, who doesn't love the AMAZING jose villa. i knew he was the bee's knees, but listening to him talk was incredible. he is such a beautiful soul and his inspiration to all is unmatched. every single word he spoke has been replaying in my head. his talked changed me. oh, and i won an instax camera!! whoot!! okay, my husband did....but really, it's mine :)
and can i just say, jose's new book looks amazing!!!





here are some of the trade show booths. there is SO much information in the trade show. you could spend days just in at the trade show. lots to see, lots to soak in.





it was great to see so many supporters of the maternal lens at the trade show. we are really lucky to work with so many wonderful vendors. we thank you all!!!
MPIX and MPIXPRO, we love you!!

alicia at mpix has been so wonderful to TML!

she is so great, in fact, she is passing along a coupon code for all of our readers!! yay!!!



okay...so a little side note. i totally geeked out when i saw my photos at the mpixpro booth. i admit it...i was a bit out of control. so fun to see one of my weddings on their beautiful image boxes!!

the incredible jamie schultz talking at the mpixpro booth...





i'm sure you know by now how much the maternal lens loves borrowlenses.com!!!!



it was so great to meet joel of adorama. he is such a wonderful person. be on the lookout for some great things coming to the maternal lens from adorama. we are brainstorming big ideas!!



joel himself (please excuse me in this photo. haha!)

and, of course, the lovely and talented jasmine star doin' her thing.

you can see her low down, throw down HERE.



and her handsome other half, jd :)



thank you to brett and life. camera. actions. for supporting TML!!




some random trade show photos....












one of the big benefits of getting the full registration to WPPI is that you can take the master classes. these classes are on a smaller scale (20-30 people) and you get a lot more info from them and lots of hands on experience. one of them i took was on low light photography by pierre stephenson. he was full of great information and wonderful tips. we even got to see him in action :)




another i took was a posing class called sudden impact by the very kind fernando basurto. it was great to get out and see him with the models. so much great info!!!





and lastly, a few familiar faces to the maternal lens blog!!!
you may know and love them as much as i do.
in the middle is liz leighton. see her low down, throw down HERE.
she was our very first one!!!
and on the right is meg borders. see her low down, throw down HERE.



and i know you LOVE these ladies!! on the left is terry of sassy design and in the middle is kristen of kristen caldwell photography!



and one of my most favorite moments of vegas was taking a little trip off the strip to red rock canyon for a photoshoot. if you are interested, you can see more here.

It's Mommy Monday!

...and we thought you all should see this. :)

WINNER WINNER WE HAVE A WINNER!

good morning TML'rs!!! we are pleased to announce the winner of the positively beautiful brood pouch by jwrobel. drumroll please..... sara jensen!!! lucky gal we know you are going to love it.


if you are sara  please email me at - meg@bluelimephoto.com to claim your prize.
many thanks to all of you for showing such great support and welcoming jwrobel into the maternal lens community. keep on visiting jwrobel as jess is always creating something new and wonderful. xo

winner, winner!! Simplicity Photography Designs

And the winner of $75 worth of goodies from Simplicity Photography is.........

Jenn!!

If you are Jenn, email me at jlpinkerton@cox.net to claim your prize!

Be sure to stop by and see what Simplicity Photography designs has to offer...fabulous templates, calendars, frames, albums and more!

[one clever photog] - wow!

she has a new baby. home on maternity leave. she is a photog. she was bored. well she is beyond clever. if you haven't seen or heard of adele enerson you are in for a treat. while her baby sleeps.....she imagines her dreams..........BRILLIANT!!!





link to more photos here!

link to her blog mila's daydreams

[inspiration is everywhere]

i secretly want to live in the uk - i fancy myself right out of a rosamunde pilcher novel - always wanted to go - never have.  i don't recall  how i discovered the fabulous uk catalog "toast" - it is very reminiscent of anthropology - with beautiful photography and lovely clothes and accessories- there is an interactive website too. the blog is a fav - very organic - filled with stories from their catalog photo shoots. i wanted to share their latest video showcasing their mediterranean travels for spring/summer 2011 featuring the photography of nick seaton. 


spring. it's coming!


ps - if you haven't read the shell seekers. read it. read it now!

{low down, throw down} with Amanda K

We have a treat for you today! The lovely Amanda K is sharing a little bit about herself with us and you're going to love her! Amanda's work is peaceful and serene and she works the light like nobody's business! Feast your eyes on her beautiful images and meet Amanda K...



(image by Simply Rosie)

Name: Amanda K
Business name: Amanda K Photography
Location: Pacific Northwest (Oregon)
Website/blog: www.amandakphotoart.com

Tell us one sentence to describe your photography:
My style is fine art & lifestyle portraiture.

What's one thing that everyone should know about you?
I consider myself an artisan; my dream is to be an artist.

How long have you been doing photography and how did you get started?
I have been in the business of photography for about 6 years now. The story of how I started is long and emotional. :) You can read my BIO on the new blogsite if you're "truly" interested. :)

LOVING the new blog/look! What prompted the change and, seriously, how much do you love it?!?
Thank you!!! As a creative individual, my "style" is constantly evolving. In this sea of amazing photographers, it's vital to find your own brand. As we grow, we figure out what we are truly passionate about. Weddings and high school seniors are by far my favorite. I wanted my new site to appeal to the couture bride and senior; while still keeping that familiar Amanda K look.

What change are you looking most forward to in 2011...both professionally and personally?
Very thought evoking question! Professionally speaking, I am looking forward to broadening my horizons both physically and artistically. Personally, I am looking forward to seeing my son graduate from high school, and begin his journey at the U of O. Nothing is more gratifying to me than to see my children succeed.

When you take pictures just for you, what are they of?
I'll be honest, I don't do this enough. :) When I do, it's always of the important people in my life. I am not one to go out and shoot "details" of things..I am more about "looking at the big picture" kind of gal. There's more of story there. Someday, when I am gone, I want people to look at my work and see life, love and laughter...not a cool piece of vintage furniture.

If you were given $500 today, what would be the first thing you would do?
Do I have to be honest?? LOL I would save it towards gear, and possibly buy a pair of shoes. (ok, definitely shoes.)

Where do you go to find inspiration?

I find inspiration from every angle. I am inspired by pondering what obstacles I have overcome. I am inspired by watching the masters of today and studying the masters of yesterday. I am inspired by God's word. I also draw inspiration from movies, magazines, catalogs, and music. Most of all, the LIGHT!

When processing your photos, what is the best trick/tip you've learned?
LESS IS MORE. The healing brush is my friend.

What would you tell someone who is just starting up a photography business?
"Be yourself; everyone else is taken." Oscar Wilde

What color paint is your bedroom? Why? What about your bathroom?
My bedroom walls are a warm ecru. It goes with everything! My bathroom is a pale yellow. (yellow is my favorite color)

What equipment do you use and if you had only one lens to use...what would it be?
I shoot with the Canon 5D and 5D Mark II. I shoot with several lenses, and it would be tough to narrow it down to only one. My favorite portrait lens is the 85 1.2L , but if I could only have ONE, it would be the 35mm 1.4L.

What session idea are you dying to do, but just don't know how to pull it off?
That's top secret!!! No, my DREAM session would be to shoot Taylor Swifts wedding. Good luck right!?

Do you have a hidden talent? Or a stupid human trick?
HA HA!! I can sing "Someday My Prince Will Come" exactly like Snow White. LOL My girls ALWAYS try to make me do it in front of people. I HATE DOING it. So, don't ask. LOL

What was your first paid session like? Were you nervous? Did it turn out how you wanted?
Great question! I was VERY nervous!!! It was with a 3 year old little girl who DID not want anything to do with me. We re-shot the session 3 times. It was a GREAT learning experience for me...I have GREAT respect for the children photographers out there!

What music do you love? Do you have a favorite song of all time?
I love Acoustic, Folk, (Jack Johnson) , classic rock, 80's, christian rock, and some current pop. "I feel good" by James Brown. FAVE.

What is at the top of your wish list right now?
The Mac Book Air.

Tell us the best advice that you have ever received (photography related or life in general):
I can honestly say, the loving words of my mother are what has been the driving force behind my life. Having someone truly believe in you, encourage you in all the right areas (spiritually) is vital to my personal success. While it's SO important to be encouraged, it's even more important to be critiqued. Zac Arias is a master photographer that I truly admire, and he will critiques photographers that send in their work. You can't grow unless your being shown where you are lacking.

If you could travel to anywhere in the world to photograph it, where would it be?
Tuscany, Austria, and Greece.

When you look back at your life, what are you most proud of?
My children. They still love me in spite of my many flaws.

How do you get a connection between you and your client(s)?
Getting them to talk about themselves is key!! Being authentic and down to earth. Being truly interested in learning about their lives. Going the extra mile from first meeting to final delivery.

What do you find that you still struggle with when it comes to photography?
Artificial lighting is my nemesis. I still have yet to be completely happy with my reception lighting.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I have no idea. Life for me has proven that it can be forever changed in an instant. I just trust God and take it one day at a time.

And lastly.....when we started The Maternal Lens, all of us filled out this questionnaire and shared our answers....now it's your turn :)

What is your favorite word? Fabulous
What is your least favorite word? Sick (when used in place of AWESOME)
What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Amazing light at a session, prayer and devotions, music.
What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Winter, silence, the news.
What sound or noise do you love? The cork pop of a champagne bottle!!!
What sound or noise do you hate? Anything repetitive..oh and RAP music.
What is your favorite thing to say when you get mad? I don't say, I slam doors and I clean feverishly.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Videography
What profession would you not like to do? Dentistry
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? "Well done, good and faithful servant."


Amanda, thanks for playing! xoxo