2010 » Noelle Reynolds Photography

Yearly Archives: 2010

December 31, 2010

Resolutions! – Cedar City Utah Photographer

New Years is about resolutions and this post is going to be as such. Last year at WPPI we were taught that if you don’t share your goals with anybody else you aren’t held accountable. Meaning nobody but you knows what they are so if you don’t hold up to your goal, nobody will be there to keep you in check. By telling you my goals I’m not only asking for your help in keeping me check but I know that you know. Like I said, I’m being held accountable. So here are my 2011 New Years Resolutions!

1. Blog daily – I’ve also heard when setting goals, make them realistic. I’m not really listening to that advice because I already know how hard it’s going to be for me to blog daily but I want to give it the best go that I can. I love blogging. I love getting comments. I have so much I want to share. I NEED to blog every day!

2. Stylize – I can’t really describe this goal other than 2011 is going to be full of style! I have so many ideas in my head that its going to scream MODERN, FUN, FASHION, FRESH, NEW, STYLE! Towards the end of this year I looked inward and outward and found I was lacking a sense of pride that I wanted. Now I don’t condone being a proud person but I want to be happy with my look, my ideas, my vision and this next year is all about what I feel! I’m SO EXCITED!

3. Film – In October I’m taking a workshop with the ever wonderful Jonathan Canlas who shoot 100% film. I want to incorporate more film in my photography and vision. There is a certain look to film that I luurve and I want to make it my own.

4. Customer Service – I’m going to give myself a pat on the back for this and say I was extremely happy with my customer service but I want to know what you think. Is there something you’d rather I’ve done differently. Was I too slow in getting your photos back to you or my products weren’t as up to par as you’d wanted. As my clients I would love to know these things but wether you tell me or not, I’m going to step it up. I don’t know if you’ve noticed but I’ve changed my pricing for my weddings. I used to only give photos on a cd, printable up to a 5×7 or 8×10. Now I’m giving you full resolution images. I only have two wedding packages for your convenience. To check out my pricing and packages you can go here to my prices. The prices reflect not only my time and talent as a photographer but the quality service you will receive from Noelle Reynolds Photography.

5. Personal – Any business owner knows that their business is their baby. It’s like my fourth child. But I’ve never wanted nor thought my fourth child would be such a chore. Sometimes I need to take time out for myself. In 2011 I’m planning on doing so much personal work you are going to be in awe! You won’t see me without my camera wether it’s going to the Grand Canyon or the bathroom in Walmart. My camera is going to be like a third arm. Sexy! So get used to it because nobody’s safe… except at church. :)

These are my 5 main goals for 2011. I have a ton of little ones that can be categorized in these 5 so I’ll spare you a headache but know that I’m so excited for 2011. Every year it feels like a do over. We get to correct past mistakes and get a fresh start. I know I’ll still make mistakes but I’m very confident that 2011 will be a blast! Thank you for all those that follow my blog and who’ve become my supporters. I cannot tell you how much it means to me!

December 29, 2010

Parowan Family Portraits Ya’ll!

I cannot express how fun this family was to photograph! Seriously so fun! They are such a gorgeous family as well. I loved everything about this shoot from the location at their beautiful cabin, to the lighting and again, the subjects. The youngest daughter wanted a picture with me and I honestly felt so honored and loved. Thank you Awesome family.

Tags: Family Portraits, Parowan, Portfolio

December 28, 2010

Finding Christ in Christmas

I gave a talk in church on Sunday for our Christmas program and it’s only been four days and I’m already having to remind myself of my talk. Not because I forgot what I said but because I’ve already forgotten my important message. So I’d like to share with you my talk and message as a reminder for myself.

Right after Thanksgiving, when Christmas is a go, I was super excited! I had great plans to decorate our house like the movie Elf, with white snowflakes and chains covering every inch of our ceiling that it really looked like a winter wonderland. We were going to a get as big of a tree that we could get and everything was going to be wonderful and merry. Well, then our internet went down and we had to have a repair man come out and fix our line, then our car registration needed to be renewed along with a safety inspection and a changing of insurance. We then decided it would be a good idea to cut out our house phone and save money by getting Kurt a cell phone. We specifically asked if we would get any additional charges other than what we were signing up for and, well, we were charged. Not only extra fees and other nonsense charges but I guess they charge you a month in advance as well. So for the month of December we paid for two months worth of service. And let’s not forget that we had to have our heater fixed… twice. And for the reason I need the reminder is because our toilet clogged big time today and we had to call a plumber out. He said it would be cheaper to buy and install a whole new toilet then to try and unplug the 40 year old toilet we have. *BIG SIGH* Our Christmas funds are depleted.

I was/am depressed. I was/am angry.

* I say was because before my talk we literally had no more money for Christmas. Grandma’s and a few amazing anonymous members from our ward have changed that but I am still angry because we just don’t have the money. We’ll be fine and we’ll be back on track at the beginning of the year, so don’t worry, but it’s just one. more. thing.

And then I got a call from a friend on Friday and her friends 7 month old baby had died in the middle of the night. And she was wondering if I could drive to Kanab to photograph the dressing of her baby girl. On my 2 hour drive to Kanab I had time to think. And all I could think was:

Shame on you Noelle! Shame on you for being so selfish.

My family and I have our health, food to eat, a car to drive, a roof over our heads, jobs and I was caught up on materialistic things. While this family was grieving I was acting like that ungrateful child on Christmas that only wants more and didn’t get enough or throws a fit because they didn’t get what they wanted. That’s not what Christmas is about. Christ was born so he could die for us. His birth and the atonement are so intertwined. We couldn’t have the atonement if he wasn’t born. That is his gift to us and by being so ungrateful for what I had, I was throwing his gift away. So I thought, what gifts could I give to Christ this Christmas. I made a list of a few things we could do.

1. Forgive Others. It is NOT worth it to hold a grudge. I’m going to say it again. Forgive others because it is just not worth it.

2. Be that better father, mother, sister, brother.

3. Make amends. If you’ve wronged someone, make things right. Wether you are in the wrong or not, if you at least try your hardest to make that effort then that’s all that matters.

When I was photographing this baby and her family I noticed which family members had lost their way. The ones who weren’t doing the things the things they were supposed to be were the ones who were having the hardest time and they knew it. They knew at that moment that if they didn’t start living better lives they weren’t going to be able to live with that precious, pure baby, for eternity. It was heart breaking but sometimes that’s what we need. A wake up call. I’m so grateful for the gospel in my life. I absolutely love, love, love our ward and our bishopric. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

December 27, 2010

WPPI 201

If you want to see the first part to this post visit WPPI 101.

Tradeshow – The tradeshow is like a photographers expensive candy store. You want it all! What they did last year, and I don’t know if it’ll be the same this year, but you’re given a badge when you first check in. On your badge is a bar code and what you do is go around and have the different booths scan your code. That in turn gives them your email address and after the tradeshow they’ll email you a bunch of sweet deals or even free products. The big candy store is also the perfect place and time to get that back drop or bag that you’ve always wanted with a tradeshow discount. Also if you’ve been wanting to shop around for a different lab or album designs now is your chance. Ask questions and try out the products. Almost every booth will have a presentation or more during the convention. Find out who’s speaking, what they’re speaking on, and when. Sometimes these little presentations can be more valuable then the actual scheduled speakers for the convention. Again, ask questions, test products, and take serious notes.

Speakers – The speakers at WPPI are in two unwritten categories. 1. Rock Star’s and 2. Legend’s. Rock Star’s are the “in now” photographers. They’ve made it big in a couple of years. You probably follow their blog but they don’t have much to contribute to the table. I know that sounds mean but really, they haven’t been in business long enough to tell you something you don’t already know. The Legend’s on the other hand have been in business for years and actually have something to share that’s worth while. Again I know that sounds harsh but really, I was disappointed with a couple of speakers last year because they were Rock Star’s and I wanted Legend material. Just because they are the in photographer doesn’t make them a great speaker. HOWEVER you should listen to the people who you want to hear. Judge for yourself. As long as their platform classes you can come and go as you please but be careful because a lot of times there are waiting lines to get in to hear speakers. So if you find yourself leaving one class you better hope you can get into the other or get back into the one you left. Call or text friends who are in the other classes to help you out. Going along with that if you’re a wedding photographer and your friend is a children and family photographer, you don’t have to go to the same classes. Again a lesson we learned last year. We were going to the same classes because we were scared fish and didn’t want to separate but after a couple of classes we realized we could cut the cord. Another point is to find out how large the room seats for each speaker you want to hear. I thought one room was going to be larger than it was and it wasn’t. I had to wait in line because I was late and what I should’ve done was look at the catalog of speakers and information before hand. Edumacate yourself!

Camera – Last year when I researched about WPPI, someone said something along the lines of: Everyone there is a photographer. We all know that. You don’t have to go on an ego trip and bring your DSLR everywhere you go. Just bring a simple point and shoot because again we all know that you have a DSLR. I listened to this dude and I felt dumb. I was the only one with a point and shoot that first night. Yes, you don’t have to bring your huge 75-200mm lens but you also don’t have to feel like you’re better than everyone else and bring your point and shoot. But again you don’t have to prove anything so if that is the way to go, and I see you with your point and shoot, there’ll be no judgment here. There shouldn’t be any judgment at all but that’s not how things roll. The other reason you want to bring your camera is to take notes. The speakers will have a slideshow of notes and sometimes they roll through them before you get a chance to write it all down so photograph it.

Workshops – WPPI is creeping up! Are you ready? Another thing I’ve noticed from last year was that there were a ton of pre WPPI workshops. Check out your favorite photographers and see if they’re hosting a workshop before or after WPPI. You’d be surprised how many do. I know Sam Puc’ and Jerry Ghionis are, last year I think it was Tamara Lackey and another children’s photographer paired up for a hands on workshop. Google, google, google. Research for your self I know you can find the answer.

Well I think I’ve talked your ears off about WPPI enough. If you have any questions for me feel free to ask and remember you can always as WPPI themselves. I hope this helps you plan and organize your trip! See you in February!

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December 20, 2010

Sugar and Spice…

…And everything nice.

I’m so glad cards as well as photography is where it’s at today. If our baby announcements were still saying stuff like that I’d want to throw up every time I opened a card. Here I have three examples of different cards I mocked up for my sister in law to choose from. She actually had the idea for the last one which was the one she chose but I had a lot of fun coming up with these different ideas.