Photo sessions in the cold and other things

My WEBSITE Raq A Bye Photography

I finally got that done in the last couple of months. I still need to add quite a bit to it, especially galleries of my work.

I'm plugging along. Opened up my studio so I can do custom portraits in my home. I've been working on doing boudoir, infant photography or newborn photography, and would like to start adding high school senior reps to my portfolio because I LOVE Senior Photography!

I'm in school Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. It's tough b/c I'm getting burnt out. I think I may take next fall off. In fact, I may have to anyways b/c there might be a move in process.

Here are a couple images from my most recent session. It was freezing cold outside, but we managed through it. I keep telling myself "we're not back in the 1800's, tough it out, don't be a baby! Be grateful I'm only out in the cold for an hour or so and not walking the plains like settlers had to do!"

Whatever it takes, right?

My friend from high school recently had a baby...

I love how the whole time she was just texting casually. haha

To see the birth story video, click HERE

Not all illnesses are seen....

My friend, Erika, of Wonderfall Photography did a very special tribute to those suffering w/ depression and mental illness.

I thought it would be nice to share it here.

Found these interesting to see

stanley kubricks 1940s subway photographs

Oh Deer My Dear

just thought this was interesting to look at. Kept me entertained for a bit.

What's the matter here?!

Natalie Merchant/10,000 Maniacs is speaking to me this week...

Listening to this song gets me every time. I am very passionate about Human Services and this week we went to hear a speaker, Erin Myrinne (pen name), speak about child abuse, in particular, sexual abuse. It was heart breaking to know the statistics.

I plan to do a storyboard/shoot based upon the lyrics to this particular song.

"That young boy without a name, anywhere I'd know his face. 
In this city the kid's my favorite. 
I've seen him, seen him. I see him every day. 
Seen him run outside looking for a place to hide from his father, 
the kid half naked and said to myself "O, what's the matter here?" 
I'm tired of the excuses everbody uses, he's their kid I stay out of it, 
but who gave you the right to do this? 

We live on Morgan Street; 
just ten feet between and his mother, I never see her, 
but her screams and cussing, I hear them every day. 
Threats like: "If you don't mind I will beat on your behind," 
"Slap you, slap you silly." 
made me say, "O, what's the matter here?" 
I'm tired of the excuses everybody uses, he's your kid, do as you see fit, 
but get this through that I don't approve of what you did to you own flesh and blood. 

I have heard the excuses everybody uses, he's your kid, do as you see fit, 
but get this through that I don't approve of what you did to you own flesh and blood. 

"If you don't sit in your chair straight 
I'll take this belt from around my waist and don't you think that I won't use it!" 

Answer me and take your time, 
what could be the awful crime he could do at so young an age? 
If I'm the only witness to your madness offer me some words to balance out what I see and what I hear. 
All these cold and rude things that you do I suppose you do because he belongs to you 
and instead of love and the feel of warmth you've given him these cuts and sores that don't heal with time or with age. 

And I want to say "What's the Matter here?" 
But I don't dare say "What's the Matter here?"
But I don't dare say."

John Batdorff - following this photographer for a few years now

he has workshops, a blog in which he gives advice about software, lighting, etc. He also has great books out.

Check it.