One More from Portland

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Miller&Miller Photography

Back from After Dark { Portland, Oregon }

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It took me a full day of recovery to be able to sit here and write a coherent summary of my time at After Dark in Portland.  Four days of nearly non-stop (we're talking 10 a.m. to 4 a.m.) photography and hanging out with some of the world's top photographers was beyond exhausting and overwhelming.  But it was invaluable.  Not just for the knowledge and experience gained, but for the friends I made there.  I found my "brat pack" (Cristal from OK, Angela, Eve and Chris from VA) and then added an additional friend on the last day (Trisha) who happens to live in the opposite end of the Phx Valley (see ya soon!). 

I made friends among many of the mentors, but an extra huge thanks goes out to "Dinger" (aka Mike Ridinger) who let me follow him around like a duckling and ask a million questions.  I got to see my childhood friend and amazing photographer/mentor Wen McNally and her always entertaining husband, Sean.

I also learned a lot at an image critique from Chuckie Arlund (who said one of my photos reminded him of a photo of Francis Bean Cobain--i nearly fell over. Click here to see it.) and Martin Grahame-Dunn, a highly-acclaimed international photographer and classical artist who said one of my photos (below) was almost a "contemporary Mona Lisa."  I did fall over at that.  DON'T BE TOO CHICKEN TO DO AN IMAGE CRITIQUE!  Yes, it's SCARY having some of the best photographers in the world critique your images, but hello!  What an invaluable learning opportunity! 

My "contemporary Mona Lisa"  :

Some photos I made at ADE Portland:

And this is one of my new bff's, Angela Douglas:

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So I Get Up at 5:30 a.m. to Go Running...

...and as I'm hydrating myself {insufficiently, as it turned out}, my 16-year-old daughter comes in and says she's ready for pictures.  At 5:30 a.m.  The thought crossed my mind to ask her to wait until after my run, since, if I delayed my run much longer it would already be too hot to go as far as I wanted.  However, knowing how ridiculously difficult it is to get Allie in front of the camera, I knew that wasn't an option.  I put down my water and picked up my camera. 

Allie doesn't like "standard" looking photos of herself.  She likes them to be a little edgy.  These are the ones she "approved" of:

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Commercial Head Shots

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Amy stopped by the studio today for a quick head shot to be used in advertising her business.  She helps people who are facing foreclosure, giving them an alternative option.  If you're in that category, you can find Amy on Facebook:  http://facebook.com/amy.fulps

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Elias { More Fun in the Studio }

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This is one of the smartest and most polite teens I've ever met.  And as you can see, he's got a very fun personality, too!

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More Studio Time for The Mister

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Since we don't go outside in August (really, it's just too hot, and why be miserable?), we've taken some time off to work on some studio technique.  Here are a few photos from Todd's recent training session.  Nicely done, Mister!

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A Study

He's wrapped up in my jacket.  This is my buddy.  Next year he starts Kindergarten and I plan to obsess over him and spend every minute I can with him 'til then, when he goes out into the big world (mostly) by himself.  Sniffle.  Boogie-woogs, I love you soooooo o o o o much!

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Fingers Crossed...

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In the Studio with Michael B.

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I love it when I have someone in the studio and he { or she } says something along the lines of, "I don't photograph well," or "I don't look good in pictures."  I just give the "oh peesh" hand-sign and start shooting.  I can already see the gorgeousness waiting to be revealed.  And that.  Is why.  I love.  Photography.

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For the Sake of Silly

Sometimes I shoot stuff just for the haha of it.  Okay, not just sometimes.  I guess I do that pretty often.  So today, before I send my favorite studio light for repairs (I can't change stops on it, hence the huge, uninteresting depth-of-field in these pics), I decided to use it for one last haha.  I'll miss you light...please hurry home!

And yes, I read Breaking Dawn eons ago, but pulled it out for a prop.  What I'm really reading now is Her Fearful Symmetry and it's REALY GOOD!

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Playing With New Toys (Light)

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I just realized I haven't posted anything with or about my new light (the Alien Bee ringflash).  I've been having tons of fun goofing off with it.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LERRRRRVE the insane catch lights it puts in the eyes.  (No worries, commercial and portrait clients, I will reposition the catch lights into a "standard" position).  Here are a few of my daughter, the hubster and me just goofin' off.

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Blog Neglect and Red Mountain High School Senior Portraits

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My poor, dear blog, oh how I've been neglecting you lately!  I can't even remember the last time I posted even just a quick Friday Flashback.  Forgive me; I've been uber busy.  Here are some images from a studio/urban senior portrait session to keep you company 'til I'm better about posting. 

Sara was such fun!  She's cute and sweet and we had an absolute blast with her!  (Juniors/Seniors at Red Mountain in Mesa, see Sara for a discount card for your senior portraits!)

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Fun Family Portraits in San Tan Valley, Gilbert, Chander Arizona

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I feel like I'm so behind on blogging.  I think, really, it's more that I've done so much and blogged so little.  But, does that mean I'm behind?  Nah.  I don't blog every session I shoot.  It depends on how much down-time I have in between and lately, that's been very little.  I've been having so much fun!  I photographed the birth of the baby in the photo below; I can't believe it's been almost 6 months already!  If appearance is any indication, mom and dad are handling parenthood fantastically!

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Studio Portraits in AZ - New Backgrounds = Yay!

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One of my goals this year is to do more studio work.  So, to motivate myself, I went out today and bought a few new backgrounds.  My daughter (who absolutely abhors having her photo taken) actually sat for me for a few minutes so I could try one out.  I think she looks beautiful.  She, of course, does not agree.  Oooh, teens.  What are ya gonna do with 'em? 

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