I {Heart Faces} Photo Challenge: Pets

One of the goals I have set for myself is to participate in photo challenges.  This week I am participating in I Heart Faces photo challenge.  The category this week is Pets.  Poor Peanut is looking scruffy and needs to go to the beauty parlor, so I all I was left with was Dixie.  She was taking a nap in the sun and opened her eye to peek at me at just the right moment.

Becky Dustin Photography

CD Packaging

I spent today designing my packaging. My goal in this venture is to make quality pictures affordable. I will be offering high quality images on CD as well as quality print services at discounted prices. I would love to know what you think of my CD packaging design. :)

Its all starting to come together and I am almost ready to begin scheduling appointments.  SO excited for that!


Becky Dustin Photography

A Challenge

On July 2, 2010 my in-laws will be celebrating 45 years of marriage.  That is quite an accomplishment in this day and age. They started out married life at the age of 15 and 17. From humble beginnings they emerged victorious against the odds. Dad retired this year, so this will be a year of new beginnings and accomplishments. Marks sister and I wanted to do something special for them to mark this occassion. Due to work schedules we were unable to get our two families together for a complete family picture, so we settled on a picture of all the grandkids together, since this may be our last chance with Ashlyn graduating and moving on to college. She came up this week to go camping with us at Birch Lake, so Monday was our opportunity to do it.

Each of us had one of our children who were...less than happy about participating...even when we explained how special this was. That made it especially challenging to get an acceptable shot. Lots of scowls, closed eyes, groans (from both sides of the camera) and we walked out hoping we had at least one that was good. In one hour we took 450 pictures...and good news! We had 2 contenders....2...two...aaack. It was a bit of a blow to my newfound photography confidence.

But...I do think it is easier working with other peoples children than it is with your own at times...thats what I keep telling myself.  Here is the winning shot that we are going to have blown up on canvas for them:

Congratulations mom and dad in-law.  You have an awesome family.

Susan

So...I did my first non-family photo shoot a couple of weeks ago. Susan agreed to help me out. We were both very excited to work together. Here is a sneak peek of her session

Thanks Susan...John is going to smile every time he looks at your picture on his desk.

My Girl

I had a wonderful time today playing with my camera and taking pics outside.  Isn't she a cutie?  Overall I was pleased with this shot straight out of the camera (SOOC), I did just a couple of tweaks and it was ready to go.

I am finding since I've started carrying my camera with me, that I am looking at my surroundings much more differently.  I am constantly framing things in my mind, looking for something unique that I can highlight in an extraordinary way.  It gives me a newfound appreciation for my daily existance and THAT makes my heart happy.