Heading into summer, I am excited for many reasons...

Taken a few years ago, I tossed Gracie out in the snowy field so I could play with winter portrait ideas.

1. My daughter officially becomes a SENIOR!! GAHHH!! Of course I have used and abused this girl, throwing her in front of my camera for a million years, taking senior-type photos any time I see a great spot I want to try or I'm just in the mood to shoot and it's days before my next client! But this summer is the summer I officially take SENIOR PORTRAITS of my girl!!

Understanding light & exposure is STEP 1 to capturing amazing images. It is a highlight in life when I get to see it begin to click together for my students...when they begin to understand what their camera settings can do for them. haha - what you can DO with that kinda control!!

2. My summer workshop series is HERE!! I only do 2 workshop series during the year (winter & summer) so it is always exciting for me to tap into my teaching side of photography. I spend the school year encased in teaching science, but being able to combine photography with teaching....well....that is the perfect beautiful storm for me! 5 awesome options this round and I decided to convert 2 of the 5 into private sessions as opposed to small group classes. Photography 101, Macro Photography & Portrait Photography are all small group workshops with set dates & times, while Photography 102 & Photoshop 101 are private sessions. I'm excited for the change as I always love the connections I get to make with my students and with the private session options for those two particular workshops, it just makes sense.

Gracie & Katie during a quick "friend shoot"

3. Back in 8th grade, Gracie and I discussed how very cool it would be to take her senior photos somewhere amazing. We began looking at senior trips. We settled on Hawaii and she began saving all babysitting, Christmas, birthday, and job money. She finally reached her goal a couple of months ago! Next month we head to Kauai, Hawaii for a week!! We stop for a couple of days in Vegas as well. Gracie, her good friend Katie, my husband & I will be off on a crazy adventure. But my favorite part is the senior photos that I will get of Gracie and Katie. OMG!! So...you know...I've been dreaming about this for years... Stay tuned for some photos to start trickling in! This year...I will have that same conversation with my going-to-be-an-8th-grader son, Easton. I'm not so sure he will be thinking senior photos, but will definitely be all about saving for a trip <3

During summer camp, students will shoot a wide range of subject with a wide range of camera settings. This day we shot lab equipment on the lab tables in my classroom, lol. In this case, we played with aperture to achieve the beautiful, creamy bokeh that comes with shooting wide open.

4. Going on 6 years (I believe), I have applied for and received funding & support from the Portage Education Foundation to run an almost free (lol) summer photography camp for Portage-resident students. It always happens in July and this year is from July 15-19. I LOVE these creative and open-minded kiddos in grades 8-12. I usually end up with about 10 and they inspire me with their ideas! We do mini exposure lessons followed by shoot and shares. By the end of the week, they select their favorite photo to be put on public display in an exhibit at the Portage Library. So excited!

#5 includes some new things coming... <3

5. SENIOR SHOOTS & NEW STUFF!! I have 22 shoots already scheduled for my senior season (Aug-Nov) and we haven't even gotten to June yet! It is always a bubbling, brewing build up of excitement when I start getting sessions booked on my calendar. It's like I am laying out my summer party plan. I am BEYOND excited to try new things this year. There are new ideas brewin' that I can't wait to unleash. This winter I introduced my Senior Welcome Magazine full of tips and tricks for clients and I now do online invoicing/payments and private galleries to make it easier and more enjoyable for all. I am excited to see how these new additions play out <3 AAAANNNDDD STAY TUNED...next winter I will be compiling a senior model team for the first time EVER! More announcements on that coming in January/February. But that will be very exciting.

A beautiful senior client this past year, McKenzie. We did her session at Celery Flats. This venue offers many different scenes and appeals to many clients.

6. In July I will be getting IB science trained in NYC. NEW YORK CITY!! This small town gal will be overwhelmed and nervous, but I am excited. I've never been there - but am hopeful about some photo opportunities I will have while there. I will be in the Manhattan area...anywhere I shouldn't miss for photographs?? Let me know! Leave on comment on this blog post.

7. July is busy (coming back from Hawaii, 4th celebrations, NYC training, and PEF Photography Summer Camp), but I always schedule a short mom/son trip with my son, Easton, in the summer. I look forward to it every year! I love connecting with him ...from talking about ideas, to planning & ultimately enjoying a road trip with JUST US. He's 13 and we started this annual adventure when he was 9. It looks like we will be heading to Ohio this round to see one of our favorite comedians, Jim Gaffigan! I'm sure I will get some fun zoo images while we are there.

Kalamazoo Area Photographers (KAP) home page on Facebook. A fun and local community of people who love to take photos and learn!

8. Any interest in joining up with fellow photographers (professional and amateur) in the Kalamazoo area?? This spring I set up Kalamazoo Area Photographers (KAP) with the help of several of my photography students. We house ourselves on Facebook, but have planned 1 Meet & Shoot per month. Each month is a different place and theme. This summer we have June (downtown Kalamazoo architecture & composition), July (sunset & light play on the beach in South Haven), and August (slow/fast shutter speed with hummingbirds & waterfalls). No cost - just FUN! This absolutely made the list of excitement <3.

9. AUGUST is when I dig into my senior season!!! This will be an amazing summer for sure!

A handsome senior client, Tanner. He had some of his session take place on the football field. Tanner has a great smile, but it was this serious look he has that makes him look like a model!

A beautiful senior client, Shea. She chose downtown Kalamazoo for her session location. She wanted the downtown vibe, but located in the middle of concrete buildings & roads, was this little natural niche. She got a couple of different "looks" because of this find.