For Sale

Just in case you don't check the {cb}h blog everyday. ;)

SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 2011

For Sale

In case Santa brought you a DSLR for Christmas......

These lenses have been sitting at the Hicks' Ranch waiting for a good home. I thought my little sister would have a DSLR by now and they would finally have a new home but she didn't and they don't. So I'm offering them to you. Email me if you are interested.

Canon 50mm prime 1.8 II: New $120/For Sale: $65 SOLD

Canon 55-250 F/4.0-5.6 IS: New: $299/For Sale: $150 SOLD

{cb}h in the new year

2010 brought so many changes and exciting opportunities to us here at the Hicks' Ranch. I am excited to see what is ahead for us.
I'm also excited to see what 2011 has in store for {cb}h. What started as a hobby for me, has turned into a business and it is very exciting!
When I started, it was (who am I kidding... it still is) difficult for me to not do photos for free for everyone. While I did several (and that's an understatement) free sessions, I got to a point where I finally had to stop. Photography is an expensive undertaking and it is very time consuming. While it's something that I LOVE to do, it is still work.
Alex from M Studios said that they made the choice to not offer any discounting to family and friends to make it easy. She pointed out that they are friends with their friends because of who they are and because they like to hang out with them, not because they can (or cant) afford their photography services.
I have to say, I completely agree with her!
The other side of it is that not all of my friends like my photography style. And that's okay! I also don't have the same clothing choices and taste in decorating as most of my friends. That doesn't mean I don't love 'em! I would never want for someone to feel obligated to give me business just because we are friends. I have friends/family with long time photographers they've been using. I have friends that prefer Portrait Innovations (well I don't really know of any that do... I'm just giving an example). And it's really okay. Just like I can't afford to do free sessions for everyone, I don't expect everyone to be able to afford or even want a session with me.
So while I wont be doing free sessions in 2011, I will be offering a few special deals available to friends/family only. Most of them I'll email out- let me know if you want on that email list! All of them will be first come, first serve. And, of course, I'll still be having client specials on the {cb}h page that you can take advantage of!
Thanks so much for your support in 2010! I'm so excited to work with you (or not- we can still be friends!) in 2011!!

A {cb}h Post.... for the D Family!

Okay... I don't normally do this... but this family's preview isn't scheduled to post until Monday and I couldn't make her (or Mary for that matter) wait until then to see her preview.... but I also didn't want to budge her up in the line. So to be fair (in a sneaky sort of way), I'm just showing her preview here. Until Monday. Then she'll be up on the main blog.

And by the off chance that a client reads the Hickstionary- and you were ahead of her in line and want to see your preview, I'll get yours ready for you too! Just let me know! :)

The D Family

In case you are like my husband (and I guess nearly all the rest of the population) and you don't get what the big deal is about blogging.... you probably don't get that this girl is a great friend of mine! Never-mind the fact that I didn't actually meet her until she showed up for family photos! :) It was soooooo much fun to meet this family (you know, in real life as opposed to the blog world), even though I already felt like I knew them when they showed up. I didn't plan it this way, but she was the last session of the evening that night so I got to chat her ear off forever before her husband finally got to take his family home.

And yes, I know, they're stinkin' adorable aren't they?! Thanks for coming up for photos! And thanks to Mairs for introducing us in the blog world! :)

Craft Room.

I know you can't tell but I haven't spent much time on the computer lately. (Nearly all of the last 10 posts were scheduled to auto publish- love that feature!)

I gave myself a mini-break in the photo schedule thinking I would need it to edit Vegas pictures. I was right- though I haven't done anything with Vegas (other than wedding) pictures yet!

Instead I've been crafting.

I've turned our guest bedroom into a craft zone. The bed is filled with fabrics and supplies. Morgan's table is a sewing machine desk. The book is case full of tools.

My husband thinks it's a (not so) subtle hint that I'd love to have the craft room in the basement completed. (He may be on to something....)

Currently, we are waiting on the electrician to work on the basement... if all goes as scheduled (ha!) our basement should be ready to use in early September! Craft room or no craft room- it's exciting!

So what have I been crafting?

Well besides the plethora of Ugly dolls, head bands, & fabric flowers (I'm still working on getting that 'tutorial' up, Amy!) my latest obsession craft are these little hats.

I'd been wanting some for photo props for a long time but I couldn't find any that I LOVED. And I couldn't even find any that I liked for a price I was willing to spend. I tried a couple times to set up a 'trade of services' type deal but they just didn't work out. Sooooo you know where I turn to when I'm too cheap to buy something (which is a lot). Yes- my 'craft room.' The flowers are all interchangeable.... but do you get the slightest feel for Fall or Christmas here? Yikes. I better go change them up! ;)

So now that I spent the time to make them... I'm sure you'll be able to tell me great places where I can buy these things for cheap. (By the way- don't, ha) But how about cute little boy accessories? Anyone know where I can find some cute (real) little boy ties and fun hats?

Shameless Plug v2.0

I've been busy booking photo sessions today. I opened up October booking at midnight today and in less than 14 hours, all of my full family sessions were booked. As I'm typing this, 170 visitors have been to the {captured by} heidi page today. I'm not sure if they were there to book appointments or view Holly's wedding pictures. But either way. Wow.

I'm completely amazed at the doors God has opened this year. I really never, ever expected this. In fact, I bumped my prices up (quite a bit, in my opinion) thinking business would slow down. It didn't.

I appreciate all of the support so, so much. I'm really amazed by it. (Have I mentioned that yet?) Really.

I have had so many friends ask about Christmas pictures. I'm going to try something new for them. Saturday, October 16th I'm doing mini-sessions. You can check out the details here on the cbh page. And let me know ASAP if you in on one. And just because we're friends, I'll extend the free 8x10 to people that are linked up on the Hickstionary till the end of the week.

Also, because we're friends and I know how tech savvy you all are, if you send me Christmas card template that I love (and don't already have), I'll give you $15 off your order. (Be sure to ask first though- I may already have the one you want so you wont need to purchase it!)

Anyway. Thanks again friends. Seriously. I was clearing pictures off my computer tonight (thousands and thousands of them) and couldn't believe some of the pictures I was looking at. Pictures in my kitchen! (Ha) Little babies that will be back for their 3rd session already. Families from hundreds of miles away. My first paid session. That maternity session.

Things have changed a bit since I had to move out the kitchen table for pictures. And there's more changes planned for the near future.

So fun!

Lately...

...I've been shoot and edit happy. Well maybe not 'edit happy.' But definitely shoot happy. And spending a lot of time editing because of it. :)

And I am loving it!

(However if you haven't heard from me in awhile, it may have something to do with the hours of editing and other work I'm doing! Who knew it was so time consuming?!)

Shooting makes me smile. Especially when it's with kids as cute and funny as these guys.

This was at the end of their session and we were hiding out under the shelter from the rain. I had them lay on their bellies and he says, "Oh yeah, like for REAL pictures?!" You'll have to check out the capturedbyheidiphoto.com blog for that picture. Hilarious. He does not look thrilled to be taking 'real' pictures at the end of the shoot. But look at those muddy legs and toes. Obviously we didn't spend too much time taking 'real' pictures. Hope their mom didn't mind having to clean them up afterwards.

But muddy toes and big laughs are definitely a part of this hobby that I'm loving.

Shameless Plug

Yup. I'm linking up to my 'other blog' today. I just cant help it. I had so much fun taking M's 'maternity' photos. She's a beautiful momma to be and made it really easy to get great shots. I am so excited about them that I wanted to share them here (in case you don't read that 'other blog').

So if you know any mommas to be that want maternity (not of the showing too much skin variety) pictures, send them my way. Pretty please! :)

In the meantime, go check out M's pictures. She's so pretty and going to be such a great momma!

I'm Not a Photographer

I'm a teacher.

But I really, really, really like pretending to be a photographer!

And when I got to spend the weekend learning from a real photographer (former teacher), I was beyond excited!

An updated Top Ten list of things I've learned lately.

Ten: There is a difference in black and white styles. And I now have an amazing action named "Amy's BW" in my action folder.

Nine: Speaking of actions. I went ahead and recorded some of my favorite edits. It's amazing how much faster the editing process is.

Eight: Boys aren't as patient with photos if you are married to them. Work fast.

Seven: Kids prefer parks to photos. Work faster.

Six: Don't forget what you've already learned (see #7).

Five: Toes are pretty. They should be photographed. ;)

Four: Blankets in the park make for adorable pictures. Frame them and hang them in your bedroom. Don't post them on facebook for his buddies to see.

Three: If said blanket in the park photo is posted on facebook, be prepared to do some major negotiating for your next round of pictures.

Two: I have a lot. No. A ton. To learn in photoshop and about photography. I need another cousin date soon!

And the number One thing I learned about photography this weekend:

It's not a good photographic location unless there is the fear of tetanus!

LAST CALL

LAST CALL for free photo sessions!! If you got the freebie email from me and are wanting to book your free session, please let me know by Wednesday, April 14.

My calendar is filling up fast! (I'm booking through the end of July right now.) And THANK YOU so much for all of your support!! I'm loving it!

________

Updated: It's funny to me that someone clicked they like this post. -Probably my "business manager." =)

__________________

Updated (again):

Freebie sessions are now full. If you didn't get in on them, head over to my new blog. There's a special there NOW!

Sweet Shot Tuesday..... on time! :)

I'm trying not to repost pictures for my sweet shot (otherwise I would have posted the chair/guitar or the one of Jay and the chair up against the wall- you can check those out too though). So here's a new shot for the week. I love warm weather and shooting outside!

Jay Peasley Live

I got to shoot another member of the P family today. Check out Jay's music here then check out his pics below. We got some good shots and didn't even get asked to leave anyone's property. I'd say that's a successful day. Thanks, Jay!!

{more jay shots here}

Our Other Family

I'd been begging this beautiful family to let me take their pictures for a long time. Judging by the fact that I drug them out into the cold for outdoor shots and they had to be very patient with a lighting issue I was having... it will probably take a lot of begging before they'll let me do pictures again. Ha. Thankfully, they are some of our bestest friends and we love these guys. So I'm hoping they'll forgive me soon. :) Thanks for yet another fun time, P family!

M&M All Dressed Up for Easter

Remember these two?

They are two of the sweetest, most polite, loveyest (oh shush, red squiggly), silliest little girls I know. And look at what great little models they are. Can you believe they are two?

Zane

Remember Zane from the basketball game (okay, two games if you count the one he was at pre-birth)? His mom & dad brought him up to visit us today (you know the guys were watching basketball) and we got some great shots of little man. He is such a good baby. And my friend Meredith was so patient while I tried new shots. Thanks for the fun afternoon, Little Z!

Matthew

I was blessed to spend the afternoon with Matthew and his momma today (she's one of my friends that I beg to let me take pictures of their kids that actually agrees, ha).

And I know I should post sweet pictures like this one.

Or pictures of his contagious gap toothed grin.

Or even pictures that we tried to pose him for.

But my favorite thing about photographing Matthew is this.....

This little face full of personality.

I dare you to try to look at him without smiling.

Cracks me up. Every time.

Thanks for the fun afternoon, Matty J!

Bryse {sneak peek}

Meet Mr. Bryse.

He (and little miss alea) live in the same town as Mr. Maddox. I have a feeling they will be great buddies! I had so much fun with Bryse & Alea today. I'm so glad their mommies drove all the way here for me to meet them!

Alea {sneak peek}

Did I mention it is spring break week?

Did I mention I got to photograph two newborns today?

Meet little miss Alea. I worked with her daddy when I was in high school. Her mommy brought her to come see me today. What fun!