{Upcoming} Simple Basics Workshop | May 3rd

I've had several of my personal friends, as well as clients, ask me that age old question... "how do I...?"

I so enjoy responding to those emails, texts, and drop ins. I really love to help people as much as I can with their question, but sometimes, you just need that hands on experience to really make things click.

So, after much consideration, I've decided to take on a very small 2-3 hour photography workshop for amateurs and new photographers who simply need to learn more about the basics of photography.

This class will take place in Remington, Va. with lots of fields and wooded area's available for us to take photos in and of. I will have a few people (and hopefully pets as well) that will be available for us to "practice" our camera skills on after you've received a crash course in learning about your DSLR, shooting in manual and shooting in RAW. Lighting and positioning are key as well, so we'll be talking about those key ingredients during our outside time.

The workshop will take place on SATURDAY, MAY 3rd (rain date, Saturday May 24th) and will begin at 12 noon. This workshop will be 1-1.5 hours of "learning" your camera and how to shoot manually, and the remainder of the time we will be spent focusing on outside work -- posing, lighting, and really learning how to shoot manually with the ever changing outside lighting.

-- THIS IS NOT AN EDITING COURSE -- I will certainly touch just slightly on simple editing techniques, but there will not be a demonstration with a computer. This is really a time to focus on learning how to properly use your camera, lighting, positioning, and the basics that so many of us took weeks to learn when we first started out.

There will be finger foods and drinks available to snack on. This is a very laid back workshop, so no need to get all dolled up! You can come in yoga pants, for all I care -- oh, how I love my yoga pants.

LIMITED SPACES ARE AVAILABLE. I would really only like to take on 6-8 people for this workshop, so please contact me ASAP if you are interested in taking this class.

The $55 includes everything that will be available to you that particular day -- the clients, the setting, the set ups and of course, we must eat!! The entire $55 is due 1 week after you've booked your space. You will be sent a paypal invoice which you can pay online -- you do not have to have a paypal account in order to pay it. If you're not comfortable paying online, you are certainly welcome to send a check through the mail -- please let me know this is your intention when you contact me. If you prefer to make two payments of $27.50, this option is available as well, however, the first $27.50 is non-refundable should you decide to back out of this workshop. All payment arrangements are due IN FULL by APRIL 1st.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask! I am very much looking forward to this fun time with you guys -- so excited!!

Email: amy.fewell@gmail.com
Phone: 540-827-8285
Or, feel free to message me on facebook!

Today you are you, that is truer than true...

"Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity."  [Margaret Dyreng Nadauld] Women of God or not, I have to say that this is my life goal -- to be a woman of integrity both personally and professionally. A lot of people tell me I shouldn't be open with my 'beliefs' when it comes to my business -- that I should just hide them. But it's a part of "me", and a part of my life.....even if I don't mention it at your photo sessions ;) Therefore, it is a part of my business. I would expect you to do the same as a business owner. A couple of weeks ago I received a few emails (which I have been hesitant to share on my business page) from other local photographers as well as clients, thanking me for my 'openness' and allowing them to see me for, well, me (and for not forcing myself down their necks, both personally and professionally) -- whether they agree with my 'beliefs', or don't agree with my 'beliefs'. It is inspiring, to say the least, to receive emails from both sides, both saying "...you inspire me to be bold and loving in my business as well, because my business is a reflection of me". And it so does my heart happy to hear those words from people -- putting their foot down and not allowing society to bring them down to the "popularity contest" level. In the run of the contest, they lose themselves. There is something to be said about integrity in businesses now days, and I assure you, you'll receive integrity here, both as a client and as a fellow photographer (if you are one). If at any time you don't, please call it to my attention immediately! I wish that more photographers could see each other as role models and friends, versus competitors and the next person on the chopping block. And I wish more clients had better experiences with photographers, versus having to wait 3 months before they receive 10 photos, or having their photographer heckle them every month to take more photos -- giving the rest of us a bad rep. We aren't all that way, trust me!

I wish...I wish....

I don't tend to do personal blogs on my business page, that's something I've never been a huge fan of, but I know there are several new (and experienced) photographers who follow my blog....so this is for them :) Never compromise yourself for anyone or anything....not even your business or for business. There's a difference between being yourself and being obnoxious. Don't be obnoxious or a horn tooter. If you are true to yourself and your business, your clients will know it. You won't have to force feed them over exaggerated integrity or life history or beliefs. You won't have to assure them every 5 mins that their money is worth your talent, nor will you have to defend your pricing on facebook for the entire public eye to see every other week. You won't have to beg people to book sessions with you. And you certainly won't have to email them and ask them why they chose another photographer this year rather than using you again. And even if they don't choose you again, chock it up as a learning experience -- at least you knew you had integrity.  So here's to the ones who go against the "flow"...against the cookie cutter photography business. The ones who have been through it, are going through it, and who have yet to reach that point. You're amazing. You're inspiring. And never forget that there is most likely always someone looking up to you -- be a voice, not an echo.
“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” [Dr. Seuss] xoxo

Family Session | The Dyrholm Family

A few weekends ago I had the pleasure of photographing the beautiful Dyrholm family. Jacki is a talented local photographer from Warrenton, VA and owns Jaclyn Dyrholm Photography. Her husband, Peter, is also a photographer and owns Four Legs Photography. And from the looks of some of these photos, Emma is an aspiring photographer as well ;)

Jacki and I both started our photography business around the same time and she has been a tremendous help to me, more than she knows! She has also become a sweet friend, which is a nice little bonus :) She had so many amazing ideas for their session -- she certainly broadened my style and posing horizon, and I certainly was pleased with most of the outcome.   I went with a more vintagey/old world feel with their photos -- I'm really not sure why, but I kind of like it! Here are a few of my favorite's from their photo session!

Peter and Jacki are so adorable together -- seriously, very much in love, and fun!!! ;)

Emma is so beautiful -- perfect porcelain skin tone, beautiful eyes, gorgeous flowy hair -- watch out mom and dad!! And the best thing about Emma? She loves to read <3

Reba, Peanut & Emma -- love those precious little puppy faces!

Pretty girls!!

And last but certainly not least, the "Charlie's Angels Camera Shot". As I said before, the Dyrholm Family is certainly a camera family! I love it!! Thanks to Peter for suggesting this pose ;)

Thank you guys so much for allowing me to photograph your family!! xoxo