Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy birthday to my daughter, myself, and my mom!
Happy Family Sealing Anniversary!
Happy Hannuka!
Merry Christmas!
Happy Solstice!
Happy New Year!
We wish you a safe and happy everything!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Holiday Break
I realized, while lying in bed very late Friday night (or early Saturday morning, depending on how you look at it) rerunning scenes from New Moon, that I had forgotten to post my Friday Flashback. Dang it! In lieu of that, and many other things, including regular updates and occasional posting of sneak peeks, new products, etc., I am announcing my intention to neglect this blog until after the holidays!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy birthday to my daughter, myself, and my mom!
Happy Family Sealing Anniversary!
Happy Hannuka!
Merry Christmas!
Happy Solstice!
Happy New Year!
We wish you a safe and happy everything!
Miller&Miller Photography
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy birthday to my daughter, myself, and my mom!
Happy Family Sealing Anniversary!
Happy Hannuka!
Merry Christmas!
Happy Solstice!
Happy New Year!
We wish you a safe and happy everything!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
We Interrupt This Program...
.
Friday, Monday or Tuesday, our internet provider will be tinkering with the boxes in our area and we will experience periods of no service. If you email us and don't hear back within 24 hours, please call us at 480-286-0112. Thanks so much!
Friday, Monday or Tuesday, our internet provider will be tinkering with the boxes in our area and we will experience periods of no service. If you email us and don't hear back within 24 hours, please call us at 480-286-0112. Thanks so much!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
NEW! Your Photo Laser Etched on Custom DVD Slideshow
You've seen our moving slideshows (or at least, little clips of them here on our blog). For only $25 each (after a minimum print order), customers can order a hi-res long version of their slideshow to play on your tv at home. Our DVD's are now LASER ETCHED with a photo from your session!
We believe in constant evolution and continually seek new, fun and creative ways to make your experience with Miller&Miller a memorable one!
Miller&Miller Photography
Friday, November 13, 2009
Flashback Friday: Living in Japan
If it weren't so late (I've been so swamped fulfilling customer orders [and checking out Hello Kitty gumball machines at Costco] I almost forgot about Flashback Friday!), I would dig up some of my old photos from Japan and scan them in for you. Someday I might do just that. In the meantime, let me share a few of my favorite things about Japan.
I lived in the small town of Misawa, Japan for two years (from age 19 to 21) while serving in the Air Force. When the C-130 landed on Misawa Air Base, I couldn't wait to get off that plane and start exploring off base. After the mandatory in-processing, I wandered the halls of my dorm, hoping to find someone to take me off base and show me a little bit of the town.
Quickly enough, a nice airman named Russ took me out for my first peek at a very strange and foreign land. He was a great tour guide. Since he was dating a Japanese girl, he spoke the language pretty well and I loved hearing him communicating with the locals. Pretty soon, I was picking up word and phrases myself.
I remember vividly the strange new smells and sights. I took in the vast differences between the United States and Japan. We checked out everything from clothing stores (where an extra-large Japanese shirt was just about my size--and I only weighed 100 lbs at the time!) to the grocery store (where watermelons were tiny and went for about $8 each, Fuji apples were as big--or bigger--than our grapefruits, and whole raw octopi were laid out on ice (ewwwww!). Japanese restaurants all had plastic versions of their meals displayed in the window. The side streets and alleys were NARROW--really narrow--I didn't see how two cars could fit without scraping each other, but somehow they managed. Construction vehicles were like Match Boxes compared to the hulking machinery back home. Everything was different and new.
Soon, I was craving a visit to Tokyo (a 10-hour drive south). My bff Rene, my roommate Sue and I decided to drive down for a long weekend. In Japanese cars, there's an alarm bell that chimes if you exceed the "safe" speed limit, which (if I remember correctly) was around 60 km/hour (that's about 45 mph or so!). Need I say that we drove for 10 hours with that bell chiming? After a couple hours, we hardly even noticed it ;o)
Tokyo was a wonderland of lights and people and amazing places. Harajuku was like a dream come true--an entire section of the city (kind of like a borough of New York) was completely punk. Punk music, punk stores, punk people (very cute on the Japanese, teehee)...love love LOVED IT!
Clubbing in Tokyo was quite an adventure. Each trip, we would find a couple new clubs to try out. They were really big into the decor, which ranged from posh and frou-frou to just plain weird. Wish I had pictures of those places!
If you ever get the chance...see Japan! You won't regret it! I'm going back someday (when my little guy is old enough to keep the memories). If you go, let me know; I'd love to hear about your adventure!
smooch!
s
Miller&Miller Photography
I lived in the small town of Misawa, Japan for two years (from age 19 to 21) while serving in the Air Force. When the C-130 landed on Misawa Air Base, I couldn't wait to get off that plane and start exploring off base. After the mandatory in-processing, I wandered the halls of my dorm, hoping to find someone to take me off base and show me a little bit of the town.
Quickly enough, a nice airman named Russ took me out for my first peek at a very strange and foreign land. He was a great tour guide. Since he was dating a Japanese girl, he spoke the language pretty well and I loved hearing him communicating with the locals. Pretty soon, I was picking up word and phrases myself.
I remember vividly the strange new smells and sights. I took in the vast differences between the United States and Japan. We checked out everything from clothing stores (where an extra-large Japanese shirt was just about my size--and I only weighed 100 lbs at the time!) to the grocery store (where watermelons were tiny and went for about $8 each, Fuji apples were as big--or bigger--than our grapefruits, and whole raw octopi were laid out on ice (ewwwww!). Japanese restaurants all had plastic versions of their meals displayed in the window. The side streets and alleys were NARROW--really narrow--I didn't see how two cars could fit without scraping each other, but somehow they managed. Construction vehicles were like Match Boxes compared to the hulking machinery back home. Everything was different and new.
Soon, I was craving a visit to Tokyo (a 10-hour drive south). My bff Rene, my roommate Sue and I decided to drive down for a long weekend. In Japanese cars, there's an alarm bell that chimes if you exceed the "safe" speed limit, which (if I remember correctly) was around 60 km/hour (that's about 45 mph or so!). Need I say that we drove for 10 hours with that bell chiming? After a couple hours, we hardly even noticed it ;o)
Tokyo was a wonderland of lights and people and amazing places. Harajuku was like a dream come true--an entire section of the city (kind of like a borough of New York) was completely punk. Punk music, punk stores, punk people (very cute on the Japanese, teehee)...love love LOVED IT!
Clubbing in Tokyo was quite an adventure. Each trip, we would find a couple new clubs to try out. They were really big into the decor, which ranged from posh and frou-frou to just plain weird. Wish I had pictures of those places!
If you ever get the chance...see Japan! You won't regret it! I'm going back someday (when my little guy is old enough to keep the memories). If you go, let me know; I'd love to hear about your adventure!
smooch!
s
Miller&Miller Photography
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
The Crouch-Sandelin Family - Portraits on Slideshow
Did you know...portrait sessions come with a free low-res on-line short video! Full-length, hi-res versions are available for purchase on DVD to enjoy on your tv while snuggled up on your sofa. Enjoy this adorable family!
Miller&Miller Photography
Miller&Miller Photography
Monday, November 9, 2009
Sneak Peek 2 for a Wonderful Family
I met Gina soon after I moved to Arizona in 2003. Our girls met in school and were fast friends. Soon our boys were hanging out, too. After a while, I got to know Gina better. She is one of my favorite people on the planet! She's hip, cool, fun, smart, patient, wise and true. (Gina, I need to see you more, friend!). Jim was added to the family a few years ago and he fits right in like the missing puzzle piece. He rides a bike (of the motorcycle variety) and has read Anne Rice (instant bond for me!). Morgan and Mike are a couple of the greatest kids you'll ever find. Both of them are smart, involved, and very loving. I always loved it when our kids got together because I knew they were in great company! I was so excited when Gina called me to do their family portraits...fun! (Let's get together soon, G!)
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Quick Preview: Morgan
We had the best time today photographing a wonderful family in Mesa. I know the lovely Morgan is DYING for a preview, so here's one. More tomorrow, chica, I promise!
Miller&Miller Photography
Friday, November 6, 2009
Flashback Friday: Dodging and Burning, Then and Now
Back in the old film days (I feel old when I say that!) I loved shooting black and white (Ilford, I miss you). Even more, I loved working in the darkroom and watching my images magically appear in the tray of developer. There were times, though, when the darkroom would get the best of me, especially if something needed a little more dodging or burning than normal.
As we all know, even a perfectly exposed photograph can often have areas that need a little help. In Photoshop, the dodge or burn tools are quick and easy solutions for darkening or lightening certain areas (there are many more ways, too). But back in the darkroom days, dealing with such things required a bit of practice.
I remember a photo I made that I really loved. It was an old, partially falling down grist mill in the country (rural Virginia...reeeeally rural). The old wood was almost shiny from being so worn. A huge tree stood out front, just off to the side, and high grass decorated it all around. The problem was the tall, dry grass in the very front of the structure. It added a terrific element to the image, but needed a lot of burning.
I will admit, dodging and burning made me nervous. I would hold my tool, quickly and frantically moving it over the area in question while the enlarger shone it's light on my paper. The timer would click the light off and I could breathe again (and hope for the best). Nowadays, I often catch myself making that same frantic movement while dodging or burning in Photoshop. I have to laugh and remind myself I'm not on a timer and gentle motions will do the trick.
The negatives of that image were destroyed in a flood (that's a story for another Flashback Friday...a sad story), but I know someone who has a print of it hanging in his home (with my "amazing" burning talent, haha). Next trip to VA, I'm going to go there and see if he will kindly let me borrow and have it scanned. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have that photo back, if only for myself. I also hope to reshoot that same mill on my digital cam when I go back home in May. Keep your fingers crossed that it's still standing!
Happy Friday!
Miller&Miller Photography
As we all know, even a perfectly exposed photograph can often have areas that need a little help. In Photoshop, the dodge or burn tools are quick and easy solutions for darkening or lightening certain areas (there are many more ways, too). But back in the darkroom days, dealing with such things required a bit of practice.
I remember a photo I made that I really loved. It was an old, partially falling down grist mill in the country (rural Virginia...reeeeally rural). The old wood was almost shiny from being so worn. A huge tree stood out front, just off to the side, and high grass decorated it all around. The problem was the tall, dry grass in the very front of the structure. It added a terrific element to the image, but needed a lot of burning.
I will admit, dodging and burning made me nervous. I would hold my tool, quickly and frantically moving it over the area in question while the enlarger shone it's light on my paper. The timer would click the light off and I could breathe again (and hope for the best). Nowadays, I often catch myself making that same frantic movement while dodging or burning in Photoshop. I have to laugh and remind myself I'm not on a timer and gentle motions will do the trick.
The negatives of that image were destroyed in a flood (that's a story for another Flashback Friday...a sad story), but I know someone who has a print of it hanging in his home (with my "amazing" burning talent, haha). Next trip to VA, I'm going to go there and see if he will kindly let me borrow and have it scanned. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have that photo back, if only for myself. I also hope to reshoot that same mill on my digital cam when I go back home in May. Keep your fingers crossed that it's still standing!
Happy Friday!
Miller&Miller Photography
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Commercial Photography in Mesa, AZ
When I started my photography business back in Virginia in the late 90's, I shot about 80% commercial, and that's how I preferred it. Nowadays, I don't advertise for commercial work, because I prefer photographing people. But, when a fun commercial shoot presents itself, I won't turn it down (note I said "fun!"). Here are a couple of the photos I did for Team Core Group...fun people, fun space!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Portraits in the Country (San Tan Valley, AZ)
I love love LOVE it when clients let me do what I want, where I want, when I want, and how I want to do it. When they trust me with all the details, the shoot is more effective, fun, and the results are SO MUCH BETTER! Thank you, Amy and Ray, for letting me have creative control and do what I do best!
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