I did a thing...

I had a problem with storage in this tiny converted sunroom office. I knew I needed shelving but I also needed a desk space... I found the perfect solution on Pinterest. I decided why not try it for this space...

I went to my local hardware store, and got the adjustable shelf tracks in the closet organization aisle. Mine were ClosetMaid Brand like the ones HERE. I just got the white ones (they also come in black and silver). I measured the wall and knew how many I needed. You will also have to "map out" your shelving unit to know how many brackets LIKE THESE to purchase. (I actually bought a few extra to have around incase I felt like changing mine up from time to time).

Once I got them home I pre-measured the width of my wall and made sure the hight for all were level with the floor. This took a little brain work because I am not that great at math and numbers and straight things. And because NOT ONE hole fell on a stud, I made sure to use sheet rock screws to hold the weight of it all.

I lightly sprayed the tracks and brackets with Rust-oleum spray primer for metal. Once it was dry, I then did 2 coats of this pure gold metallic spray paint.

Clearly my set up wasn't science... if you don't know enough about me by now, you should know when I have an idea I am a "jump in and make it happen, lets think about logistics and all that dumb stuff later" kinda gal... sometimes that works for me....sometimes not so much! ;)

Then I put it all up and measured the 1' x 4's **I opted to use real wood instead of the pre-made plastic-y looking precut ones they have available with the units. You can ask the hardware store to cut them for you. mine were measured in 2" foot and 4" foot sections. (because my spans were 2" foot)

This is the most "brown" stain I quickly found browsing the stain aisle (because very little of this was thought out for this), I got an old sock...don't judge me...and ran the stain over the cut boards, let it dry and put them up. I also only did one coat because, well I was super anxious to get it done and that is just how I do things. I didn't secure them to the brackets, that again would have taken more time and yah...we have gone over this already! I felt the weight of the wood was fine. **the bottom shelf is wider 1' x 4" because I needed it to fit my computer (keep in mind those brackets need to be the longer ones as well).

there you have it. I made this entire unit for under $200 and in less than 2 hours. Any questions? If I can do it...with one hand while drinking my wine...anyone can do it...so go...build you a desk people!

TOOLS NEEDED:

drill and bit to pretrial sheetrock screw holes.

hammer to get those plastic sheetrock screw things in.

Phillips head screwdriver to put said screws into said plastic things in said holes.

sock or rag for stain.

*wine is optional but highly recommended.

SHOPPING LIST:

shelf tracks (I used 4)

9' brackets (my unit layout used 14)

18' brackets (I used 3)

1' x 2" boards (I used 4)

1' x 4" boards (2 were used here)

1' x 2" x 4" piece of wood (I think that is how you say it...the bottom piece of wood for my "desktop") *I found this piece in a precut section of HomeDepot it was actually Birch wood but stained still matched the pine shelves.

stain of your choice.

spray primer.

spray paint.

blur.

 

That is what this past year has felt like for me. Not because it went by too fast and not because I had so much fun...but because I was lost. I was lost in who I was and what I was creating.  I was allowing those voices in my head telling me I am was not good enough to become louder and louder and eventually hold merit within me. I questioned my every being. I became paralyzed in my own doubt and fear.

Am I really an artist? Can I create work others will like? Is the work I am creating anything I even love anymore? If I can't love it why would anyone else? Am I even good enough?

The house is quiet... I look up at the clock, it's 2am...how did I get here? How has this become my life? Fighting back tears as I edit yet another gallery that I am not in love with. One I was almost ashamed to show my client. It hurt so bad to see the work I was "creating" and knowing...KNOWING somewhere within me there was more. But what if that more wasn't what anyone wanted to see. What if no one likes what I create? Since when did I became such the people pleaser? Sure I already had that people pleasing quality inside my personality but this was different. I was allowing that to paralyze me in fear. So afraid I was going to create something that wasn't understood or received by my clients, friends, and followers. So instead of creating freely... I froze. I have spent a year of my life doing something I hated. I loved my clients and by wanting to give them exactly what they wanted,  I quit giving myself what I NEEDED. There was a small part of me, maybe bigger than I really even knew, that felt guilty. Like I was a fake. I was offering my clients a product that I didn't believe in. A product that pained me to see once it came off my memory card and hurt even more so to have to look at and pick apart as I was forcing myself to edit and prepare a gallery I could "sell" to them. How can I sell something I was ashamed to show, something I didn't believe in?

I was once in love with what photography offered me. Not only was I helping contribute to my family but I was feeding something deep inside me. I was happy. Where did that go and how do I get back to that place? Am I just an "artist" and we all have to go through this? I am sure that is some of it, but no one ever told me it could get THIS serious.

I decided I was going to quit. Maybe I  just lost it, maybe what my mind was telling me was the truth...maybe I wasn't good enough.  I wasn't making myself happy, in turn was making my family miserable, and I felt I was cheating clients. Nothing was "good enough" anymore but I didn't know what to do to find where the "enough" was hiding. If you follow me on Facebook you'd notice how this past year I posted very little of my work. It consumed my daily thoughts. It seemed I couldn't break these chains that bound me by the words my mind was telling me.

One day I asked a friend to go on a shoot with me. This time was different thought... I wanted her to shoot...ME.  I wanted to express in images how I was feeling. How I was seeing the world through my own fog.  Through the blur.

When I got those images back I went through them... and wept. Not one image was in focus yet it was just so clear to me where I was and what I needed to do to get out of this haze. I needed to go and shoot EXACTLY how I was seeing the world at this very moment. For me. No one to give me approval and without the fear that I just may never get it. I needed to stop doing what was comfortable and allow myself to shoot off emotion alone.

I researched images I loved and related to at this very stage in my life. I put them on my screen and began writing down emotions I got from those images. I looked at the images in a way I had never look at anyones work before. I wasn't looking at the beautiful and perfect imagery, I was only pulling off the emotion of the image. I sat and studied those images for hours. I processed those emotions and when I shot for the very next time, I shot without paying attention to the final image... I shot for the final emotion.

I can say for the first time ever I can look at some of my work that is more than 48 hours old and STILL love it (I know you all know what I am talking about). I have come to the conclusion that I may not make everyone happy with my imagery, but those who do trust me to tell their story, will love it and appreciate it so much more because it is shows a tiny piece of their soul. We will not stay in a safe place,  we will step out of our comfort zone together.

FIVE things  I learned thought out the storms of this past year...

1. Voices in your mind can play really ugly tricks on your heart. Allow yourself to hear them though, if you repress them they will get louder and more nasty with time.

2. You are not perfect, sometimes you are not even good enough...that just means you are relatable and your clients will see a piece of themselves in you.

3. Allow yourself to be vulnerable. It isn't easy to see yourself in the blurry moments but through that your growth will come.

4. Becoming an artist that doesn't play "safe" will narrow down your reach to the masses, but it will strengthen your reach to those whom your work touches.

5. When your heart is telling you it is no longer being fed by what you do, allow yourself to hear its voice.

The Reset Confrence

(Bex, myself, Kellie, Bobbi and Mike)

I will never forget the email I got from Bex telling me about The Reset Conference. About her and Kellie's dream of a conference to help inspire and educate others. I was blown away and so humbled that she was asking ME to be a keynote speaker. I will remember our first phone call like it happened yesterday. A stranger. Someone I had never heard of or spoke to before... God put her in my life and the minute I talked to her for the first time I just KNEW. We talked for almost two hours...TWO HOURS! Like we had known each other for years. We talked about business, family, our chaotic and busy lives, about God and our parallel faith. We talked about our dreams, goals, fears, determination to overcome those fears and so much more. This girl was meant for me. She is a forever friend.  We briefly met at WPPI a few months later but those of  you who have been know what a crazy busy time that week is and coordinating a meet up is almost impossible. So it wasn't until she was picking me up from the airport the weekend of the conference did I really get to KNOW her in real life.

Her and Kellie, whom I was meeting for the first time too, were more than I could have asked for in hostesses and as friends. They showed me around the town of Champaign. We ate...GOOD... and shopped and enjoyed each others company all of Saturday before it was time to crack down and be ready for the full day of conference Sunday! Enjoy a recap of  my trip via my SPANK.stagrams...

1. Well I was enjoying my cup of jo special THANKS to my sweet friend Marie owner of Bloom & Grow Photography who gifted me a start bucks card via FB!

2. the obligatory "wing in the air" shot

3. FINALLY got to meet my sweet BEX!!!

4. When I landed the scooped me up from the airport and took me to get sushi... FLAMING SUSHI!!

5. Bex, simmer down with the camera you photog.

6. WHAT...again? gah crazy girl.

7. obligatory coffee house shot...you know..."when in a coffee house do as the coffee house peeps do"... oh. did I make that up?

8. Sweet Kellie, we had SUCH a fun time over breakfast!

9. "when in an alley with crazy fun light...do as the peeps in the alley"... oh am I making this one up too?

10. Bex writing on the dry erase wall in the coffee shop....leaving our mark.

11. because its the truth.

12. poppin tags...

13. dinner with the speakers!

14. getting our speeches ready for the conference.

15. is that Bex stressing her presentation or covering her nose from the dog's "little extra smelly gifts" you decide...

16. officially a peeper... I see your door ladies!

17. ALL OF MY FAVORITE things in one cute box on my bed from Bex and Kellie! So sweet and thoughtful.

18.eeeeek I FINALLY got to meet and HUG Kim from SHUTTERbagUSA I adore her real leather bags!

19. whaaaa a Photo Booth! get out. a room full of photographers + a Photo Booth = can not pull me out of that thing!

20. I seriously was so so so excited to get to meet all the fun people I am friends with on FB in REAL LIFE!!!

21. feet.hurt. loooong day.

22. again. Bex. get outta mah food woman.

23. these sweet ladies brought me coffee while I packed up and headed to the airport.

24. FUN weekend but was ready to head home to see my family! (thats not really me in that plane) ;)

so serious I am. speechin'

It was a FANTASTIC weekend. I am so grateful for the relationships I have made throughout my journey. I know I say it often but this is a gift I never expected out of photograph and it is one I NEVER feel worthy of deserving.

testimonial from Rosie

Meet my sweet friend Rosie with Reflections by Rosie...she was kind enough to share her story of struggle, strength and perseverance. It's funny how much life has changed in a matter of two years. Seriously.

I remember tripping across Spanki's Facebook page for the first time.  At that time, I was a brand-new photographer.  I had been running my business for a little over a year, and had recently had my fourth child.  Things were going…well…okay with my business.  I had made a profit, but BARELY.   Definitely not enough of one to justify calling Reflections by Rosie a full-on, full-time, BUSINESS.

At that time, too, I had just wrapped on my second year of shooting high school senior portraits.  I was busy, but yearning for more advice on posing.  On locations.  On...well...everything!  I was fumbling through the dark.

I basically needed someone who was successful in senior portrait photography, and whose work I loved and connected with, to talk to.

In a bad way. :)

Then I found Spanki Mill's Photography page.

Spanki and I had a few things in common:  we are both photographers who are moms of four kids.  We are both strong in our faith convictions.  We are also busybodies, but in a GOOD way: we both like to keep our creative minds active.

We also had a few things that were different: she was rocketing to success in high school senior portrait photography.  She was also earning much higher numbers in sales than I was, and we were both in similar markets.

I needed her to teach me HOW THE HECK SHE DOES IT!  How did (and does) she market to this elusive group of high school seniors?  How does she talk to them in posing them that results in such natural-looking images?  How does she keep her business relevant and active in her community?

So, I e-mailed Spanki and signed up for my first "A Day With Spanki" workshop (one-on-one).

I remember my mind being blown, on multiple occasions, during my first workshop with Spanki.  She had such simple, but effective, ways to suggest marketing to me in ways that I had not even considered.   Being so new into the business, I was only thinking about the "traditional" ways to market.  I was forced to think about billboards (which I couldn't afford!) as opposed to looking at the businesses that are UNDER the billboards.   She also helped me to understand that I needed to focus my efforts on marketing to a specific KIND of high school senior, as opposed to EVERY kind of high school senior.

The posing part of the first workshop was wonderful; but honestly, I walked away with much more of a savvy business sense than I had anticipated prior to our first workshop.

After that workshop, I really dug in and focused on what Spanki had taught me.  I wanted to find local businesses that was consistent with what I wanted as a brand.  For my business, I wanted more a "fashion" feel to my images.

For a few months (no one said that it was going to be quick!), I contemplated, studied and applied what I had learned with Spanki for the first workshop.    I worked on making my images better and more consistent with what my "target" senior would want in their images.  I had also signed up for a Critique session with Angela Richardson from AMR Photography with the Chic Critique Forum so that I would have another photographer whose work I admired's opinions on my images.

Then, Ella Zane Boutique opened.   I was totally, and completely hooked!  The boutique was perfect- very modern looking clothes with a classic feel.  The inside of the store felt very much like something you would see in Los Angeles (where I lived prior to moving to the Houston area).  Clean lines, amazing clothes, sweet staff….I was in LOVE!

I remember the day that I met the store's owner, Jessica.  I also remember how flabbergasted I was when she asked me to photograph her whole line!

Score!!

The rest of the year was a total whirlwind.  Seniors started booking me at a much higher rate than before.   I had increased my rates; and I was making money; but I was starting to teeter on the edge of burnout.  I remember feeling both happy that I was seeing success, and sad that I wasn't spending the time with my family that I had wanted to anymore.

In other words, I was starting to become a victim of my own success.

Fast-forward to this past November: Spanki wanted to hold a workshop in Galveston.    When she asked me to be her hostess, I was flattered and excited, as a refresher course was something that I needed (full disclosure: I had also taken a course from Alicia Caine of Profit First Photography that was helping to re-establish equilibrium in my business and personal life).  Helping Spanki plan the workshop was a lot of fun, and the fact that Spanki was local to me probably made it easier, too.

I was excited to meet the 9 other photographers who had signed up for Spanki's A Day With Spanki.   Most of us were local to the Houston area; however, there were a few women who had commuted in from Austin.

The house- oh my gosh- was incredible.   The waves crashed right up alongside the house.   The interior decor was simple and modern…it had a California meets the Mediterranean feel to it with a little bit of a Swiss flair.    The living room where Spanki ran her class was perfect for the workshop- it was open, inviting (just like Spanki!).

The other photographers, though, were what really made this workshop special.   Being a one-on-one alum, I had missed out on the sisterhood that is A Day With Spanki workshop.  Each of these women brought something unique and special to the table.  Each had a story to share, and each had a unique perspective on photography, posing, and life in general.  Over the course of the weekend, we discussed SO MANY things that I will take back and use going into the future.   I was able to hear about Spanki's, and the other photographers, successes (and sometimes failures!).   The whole experience was both insightful, business-wise, and cathartic, personally-speaking.

Long story short, I came out of my second A Day With Spanki Workshop with both professional insight that I may not have grasped the first 'go round, but also with personal insight and friendships that will carry me through for many more years.  I also had a chance to really get to know Spanki again, and we learned that our lives continue to intersect in some amazing ways.  It was refreshing to level with Spanki on the business in a way that I was not ready, or capable, of relating to her on for my first one-on-one, and I walked away with a whole new set of ideas that I will take forward with me.  I was grateful that I had this experience- again- and I was appreciative of all that Spanki continues to teach me about photography, business, and as a friend in real-life.

In this crazy, chaotic and sometimes isolating business we call photography, it is wonderful to have friends who can truly relate with you on both a personal and business level.   I've learned that success isn't measured in just dollars and cents, but also how rich your heart feels at the end of the day.

SPANK.stagrams | real life

Life has been a little bit of crazy. A mommy of four means I have little time to just sit and do nothing... so what have I been up to lately?

1. My twins have had 2 major school projects which as you know turns into a "mommy project" I am happy to repost I can officially pass the 6th grade again! ;) (I am kidding, this time they actually did the majority of the project themselves... it is hard for me not to pull out my hot glue gun and glitter and take over, but being BOYS they seem to have an issue with me putting pink glitter on their class work...maybe my daughter will appreciate it more)

2. Yet another Valentines Day has come and gone... the hubby took me on an out of town road trip date day (ok so really that was just a fancy way of saying we had something to do out of town and threw in a "date" lunch) so we left a little something on the table so when the kiddos got home from school they'd have a little treat...candy, stuffed animals and Starbucks Mochas with a little note telling them "You MOCHA us proud to be your parents) yes people, thats as CREATIVE as this once very creative momma gets these days.

3. Our Valentines day road trip selfie. (really you all know car light is the BEST sooooo.... it was more about looking good in the light than capturing the moment) ;)

4. Oh did I mention that our Valentines consisted of walking property? Soooo romantic... funny though, our first Feb 14th SIXTEEN years ago was spent doing the exact same thing!

5. This past month I did another full day 1:1 mentoring session and they are FULL days to say the least, but so much fun. I LOVE getting to hear each story, dream, and journey.

6. We had an amazing model, Carly.

7. Not sure, but when I teach I clearly channel Vanna White and make it look pretty good...wouldn't you say ;)

8. And....it is select ball season again. This is one half of my duo, Brylen but on the field he is known as Ya-ya (because I love the Sandlot and it is just as cute as he is)

9. If it isn't baseball, or volleyball, it is running my 14 yr old from track practice right over to his 7:7 football practice... is it time for a margarita yet?

10. THIS makes all the running, laundry and stinky socks worth it.

11. Oh annnnnd.... Pretty Paysli had her very first speaking part in her 2nd grade play, if you couldn't tell by the very awesome and oh so elaborate homemade costume, she was a ladybug! (don't hate on my sewing hot glue gunning skill)

12. Pacen, the other part of the twin duo in this house... also known as Pac-man on the baseball field. He just eats it up...haha get it "pac-man...eat it up) yah I think I need that margarita now, I am so much more funny when I have been drinking! ;)

enjoy a few images of Carly from our mentoring day!

can we be besties?

Have you ever wondered how I pick my workshop locations? How I get it all done sight unseen and MILES away from my home… well it would NEVER haven without YOU!

I asked my sweet friend Laura to do a quick write up on what it was like to be a hostess for "A Day with Spanki" workshop for you.

Spanki Workshop

I’m was strictly a wedding photographer when I asked to take a senior portrait, and instantly fell in love. It was like a girlie makeover day with outfit shopping, hair, makeup... the works! I knew I had found a passion. Showing teenage girls, on the age of woman-hood, how to be tastefully beautiful. I started tasteful stalking other senior portrait photographers blogs that I loved when I ran across Mrs. Spanki Mills. For a moment my world stopped. Her portraits, her lighting, her location, and her poses... seriously, they couldn’t get any better! I was her average social media follower for a few weeks until she announced she was hosting a workshop. All I knew is it was far away, but I going to do what ever I could to get both me and my daughter (who’s also a photographer) in that workshop.

After reading about the workshop details on Spanki’s blog, the last line caught my eye “Contact me if you’re interested in hosting a workshop in your area....” Oh. My. Word. I didn’t even second guess it. I emailed Spanki, probably sounding like a over-excited teenager talking to a movie star, “I adore your work and would LOVE to host a workshop if you’ll come to California.” In the back of mind thinking, she’ll never respond, and if she does, Texas to California is too long of a trip. To my surprise, she responded immediately with a “when should I be there?” response.

We set a date. That made things much more official and my first thoughts were, now what? Spanki made what could be a stressful idea, into a fun adventure. We both started to advertise the event. Once we had a final attendee list, now it was time to work on venue. As a hostess, part of your obligation is to do the leg work in your area. Spanki and I messaged each other 20-30 times a day (I’m not kidding), going over details. First where to host the event. From hotel meeting rooms, to a restaurant banquet room, to a house rental. Then food. We had chosen to rent a house so we chose to bring food in. The planning of what type of food. From where? Did they deliver and if not, how was it getting to the house? Supplies. We needed to fill the house of day-to-day necessities for a house that would home 8 women for a weekend. That meant shopping trip for me. And that was only lodging and food. I was so excited I even had t-shirts made!

Next we needed models and a shoot location. I scouted the area sending photos to Spanki of ideas. Once it was chosen, then we talked props. What ever we needed I was going to need to bring or build. I started my own model search. Since our attendees were a mix of family, wedding, lifestyle, and senior photographers, we needed a few of each. I ended up with 2-senior models, 3-mid 20’s female models, and 1-couple. With the help of Spanki, we hand picked 2-3 complete outfits per person. Not always is a hair and makeup artist brought into the event, but to host a workshop you HAVE to love planning, and to me this was to me part of the fun. I worked within the community of beauty consultants and had someone volunteer for hair and another for makeup, in exchange for portfolio building portraits of the models.

That was months of planning turned into a few paragraphs. Then the even weekend arrived. As the hostess, I picked up the keys to the house early the day since I knew Spanki was flying in late that night. I went to the house, delivered all the supplies, and made it feel a little more homey. Left the key hidden outside (that’s another story on it’s own), and headed home knowing the next morning the fun began. This entire time texting with Spanki back and forth letting her know how everything was unfolding.

Day of. Yes, it was here. Woke up to Spanki’s Instagram feed of “I’m in California!” I wasn’t sure who was more excited, me or her? As the hostess I had to make sure I was at the house a few hours before the workshop began. I brought bagels, donuts, fruit, and of course my Keurig machine. Arrived to see Spanki on the porch taking detail pictures of the house. We had talked so much about so many things for so long, but seeing her made it real. I was with Spanki Mills! We hugged with excitement and the weekend began to unfold like magic. All our meticulous planning and hard work had paid off and it went off without a hitch.

As the workshop attendees arrived and the workshop began, it was perfect. As a hostess, yes you have to be on your A-game and ready for anything but because how we had prepared, I didn’t miss a thing. I gained not only unforgettable knowledge of our industry, but a best friend. Thank you Spanki. You simply came in and changed our worlds.

So there you have it… it DOES require work on your part, BUT I try to help the best I can to make sure we make it a weekend to remember a LIFETIME!! I also forgot to post a few images of our cute little home away from home while we were there…

If you are interested in hosting a 2014 workshop in your area… email me with SUBJECT:  "Host a workshops in YOUR TOWN" and tell me how we can make it work there!  info{at}spankimill{dot}com

its the small things in life...

I was just trying to get a few head shots. And along came a little visitor and well…this was all captured on film! It is surprising that I even have friends! haha

Those are some typical SPANKI expressions at their finest right there! Hope you enjoy your day, don't forget to treasure the small things…you never know how long they will stay around! ;)

what is a one on one with Spank?

Well many of you saw a few images on my IG feed from my ONE on ONE day with Tiffanie and started asking questions. What is a ONE on ONE and how is it different than a workshop? A workshop, obviously is a group setting and is intended for those who are already started in a photography business, no matter what level you are at, but we do not go over the start up (like getting legal)… we dive right into pricing, marketing, clients, shooting and selling. It is a FAST weekend FULL of information and shooting. That is one thing so many, including myself love about the workshops too, it is a weekend FULL of laughing, learning and growing with friends. A ONE on ONE session is really for anyone, new or established, it is catered to YOUR needs and some people like the more slow paced personalized day. Some of  you learn better this way. We go over where you are and where you are struggling most before we meet so I know how to schedule our day. The shooting portion is specifically catered to help where you need the most improvement. Including going over camera settings and shooting in manual if needed.

The ONE on ONE is VERY similar to a workshop it is just formed to work around your personality and schedule a little more, that is all… and if you are interested in a TWO or THREE on ONE, let me know… you can make a fun friends trip to me….or I can come to YOU.

My day with Tiffanie went a little like this:

We met at about 10:00am ate a little and chatted, I love getting to REALLY know you and hear your story. I want to know why you reached out to me and how I can help. (we did some of this prior to meeting via email as well) We talked, and she took notes, we went over the tools and templates I use for my clients and shared my emails, promo pieces, and marketing ideas until we stopped to eat lunch. Then we started going over my client process (using the model we were going to shoot later that day) I showed Tiffany how I interact with my clients not only for booking but for location and styling to create a session we BOTH love. Then we packed our things up and walked around location scouting, looking at light and getting ready for the model. We shot our model in a few of my favorite locations and I challenged Tiffanie with lighting by shooting in a building, shooting in open shade and in full sun. I wanted her to be put in situations that my come up during a real session and help her problem solve while I was there to help so she felt better about it when she was shooting on her own. After we shot we went to dinner and while we waited on our food we uploaded our images from the day and culled… we rushed through our food because we were so anxious to start EDITING!!! here are a few final images Tiffanie sent me! WHAT WHAT…they are AWESOME!!!!

Since our day together I have been in contact with Tiffanie via email, going over any more questions she runs into along the way… when our day is over our time together is just beginning. I LOVE getting the opportunity to watch her journey unfold and take flight before my eyes.

"I had such a fabulous time on my day with Spanki. A tell all is exactly what you get. Spanki does not hold anything back!!! I feel so much more confident and I am ready to tackle the next aspect of my business!! Thank you Spanki"

If you are interested in a ONE on ONE  ( 2 on ONE, 3 on ONE, etc) email me and we will chat… I only open a few spots a year as it is a FULL and lots of emails and skypes through out the year. Can not wait to see what this next year has in store…

**to see my images from our day together look HERE

iphone play | behind the scenes

so. this is so funny for me to actually blog about but YOU asked so here we go... it all STARTED

This image started the questions...to show how I come up with creative iPhone selfies. So let me tell you what I look for

LIGHT.

Simple as that.

so I walked around my house and noticed where the light was...

SO. I knew I wanted my background to be dark (since I hadn't cleaned my house) so I looked for DIRECT, bright light and this is what I got...

by tapping on my phone screen to expose to my face I got this:

ok. so I can work with that... a little editing and I think I can make it want I was wanting (notice how dark the back got) My favorite iPhone editing tools is the VSCO cam app. and here you go...the final product:

I hope this gives you inspiration to play and FIND YOUR LIGHT! Here are a few more images I have used light to make it a little more fun...

behind the scenes

I posted my BTS iPhone image to my FB page and got over 600 likes in a few hours with TONS of you asking to see the finished product and many asking about my camera settings.... sooooo, I am thinking about including a tiny "Behind the Scenes" from each Spanki Mills Photography session. You tell me if you think this will help you and if so what kind of things would you like to see BTS on. Hope this helps those of you who asked!