I mentioned in Day 81′s post that I was borrowing studio lighting from Severna Park Photo.  I decided to try it out one more time – in a more controlled setting – to get some shots of my new CD/DVD cases for my digital clients.  These are completely un-edited, which was sooooo nice!  I think it shows them off pretty decently.

And for those of you wanting to know, here are the specs on these cases:

Template: Design Aglow “For Collectors of Art & Style” DVD Cover

Printer: White House Custom Colour (WHCC)

Model: Clara

How do I get this case for my digital images?

Today’s 365 post will have a few extra photos to make up for not posting anything yesterday – I was pretty busy gathering items for my not-so-successful yard sale & ran out of gas.

Today, after said yard sale, I went to the Prana Studio in Annapolis to do a photo session for the DragonFly Dance Experiment.  This session was scheduled with a friend, Megan, in the hopes of updating her dance group’s photos.  I told her from the get go that I have literally no experience shooting dancers & very little experience using studio lighting.  I got a really generous deal from Tim at Severna Park Photo to borrow his extra studio lighting equipment & he even gave me a mini lesson on how to use it.  (Don’t critique me, I’m a newbie!)  Here’s the last shot of the day we got in the studio:  Megan & all the fabulous girls & Megan’s super cute son, Jacob.

After the marathon session, I dragged each girl outside for my favorite – headshots!  These girls are gorgeous!  Maybe they can teach me how to do my make up….

Tonight my husband was gracious to grant me my third night out alone in one week!  I got to have dinner & play mini-golf with my new (and southern & single) friend, Rachel.  Don’t worry, I warned her that I aspire to be like Emma in Jane Austen’s book & play matchmaker for every single friend I know.  It’ll happen one day.

Well, we played mini golf after a very fulfilling dinner at Bella Italia.  And, like the title says, I was the loser.  Rachel won by 3 “strokes” – is that the right term?  She beat me!  Probably because she got 2 holes in one & I got zilch.  Oh well, it was about the fun, not the competition (until I am the WINNER!).

We got to talking a little about humility & how she lets herself be photographed even though she’s totally un-photogenic.  So, I decided to emulate her good advice & start liking myself & how I look in photos.  And that starts with actually being IN a photo.  So, we set up the pose, set the self timer, looked out for stray golf balls, and jumped in front of the camera!  Here’s a second one with me looking more stupider…or more stupid.  It’s okay, it’s a start….

Thanks for the “date” Rachel!

Today was Rodeo Day at Emma & Brooke’s preschool.  They walked into a dude ranch setting with paper cacti along the walls, boots, cowboys, cowgirls, and all kinds of fun stuff adorning the hallways.  They got to ride a pony, wear bandanas & cowgirl hats, and even make a stick pony!  I was in the room with the stick pony craft.  And yes, I was the slowest pony assembler. I guess my days at a sweatshop factory are over, but dang it, my ponies looked good!

This is Emma wearing all of her garb from the day.  She added the rainbow belt and the water gun on her own.  Very inventive!  Love you Emma girl!

Danny & Sarah contacted me for a session that many photographers in the industry like to call an “Anytime” session.  It’s just a session that you have for no particular reason at all.  You’re not newly engaged, you’re not having a wedding, you’re not pregnant, you’re not new parents, you are just a person, or people, who are ready to work it for the camera!  And believe me, once I get my self back into shape, I’m dragging my husband out & getting an anytime session too!  I think it’s a great idea.  It just celebrates you & your life – which are amazing & wonderful things!

We met at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.  They live down there, but I took the metro.  I accidentally took the zoo stop that makes you walk uphill to the entrance instead of the one that lets you go downhill.  I’ll know better next time!  It was amazingly busy, but Danny & Sarah were so great!  They were patient, they were flexible, and they listened to everything I said!  I guess I kinda like being bossy!  I think this was the most awesome trip I’ve had to the zoo due to the fact that we met the craziest peacock!  You’ll have to read my blog post about it here.  That dude was wicked cool!

Well, now on to photos of Danny & Sarah.  And remember, if you’re reading this, give them some blog love via comments.  If they can muster up 20 comments, they get a little freebie 8×10.  So tell them how gorgeous they look!