Fresh Perspective

You know how sometimes your heart needs new perspective on something? Or mainly, your heart just needs a little space to breathe. Well, I was against our big farmhouse table eating my toast this morning looking out our back door… The sun was to the point of rising where it’s bright, but still very golden – the shimmery light photographers swoon over. I scurried around for flip-flops, my camera, and a fresh memory card because something caught my eye by our garden. Let me also add that it’s not as glamorous as it sounds, that running out in flip-flops and sporting a slightly messy, unfixed pixie cut (we’ll just call it boho). Nonetheless, it was the space to breathe that I didn’t quite know needed, but it felt good. It was a happy sort of peaceful moment – just me, my camera, clothes I felt awesome in, hair that’s naturally boho, slightly dewy grass, and warm morning air that hints it will be over 80º. I had space to be. Sometimes I think it’s good to just allow ourselves that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soul Expressed in Art

One thing about being a photographer, an artist who likes to paint her pictures with pixels and explosions of shimmery light, is that it has given me a window into beauty that I might not have ever come close to touching before. It’s unveiled Photoshop misuse and Photoshop that induces even more shivers down your spine because it just feels so real and raw – somebody’s soul expressed in art.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scars and Love

Scars and Love

Alyssa + Nicolas – Hopkinsville, KY Children’s Photographer

This shoot was one of the most fun I’ve probably ever done! We did it at the Western Kentucky State Fair and I’ve been dreaming up a shoot to do there for forever! This was it and it turned out just like I wanted.

Hannah Braboy Photography - Hopkinsville KY children's photographer

I’ve been aching to get these two shots since the first spark of inspiration in February. It’s one of the shots that reminds me of summer and of my home town. I just love it.

 

Hannah Braboy Photography - Hopkinsville KY photographer

This girl was pretty much fabulous! One reason I love photographing older girls is that that they practice poses in front of the mirror at home practically everyday, so when we go to shoot, they are overflowing with ideas and are pretty much naturals! Alyssa was no exception.

 

Hannah Braboy - Hopkinsville KY children's photographer

This little dude flat out loved my camera! He he can go from the silliest things I could come up with to the most serious.

 

Hannah Braboy Photography - Hopkinsville KY photographer

Here’s one thing about Alyssa: She’s totally not afraid to do things with her little brother, but she’s definitely going to put her own twist on things. I love that!

 

Nicolas was ripping off and shoving enormous hunks of  blue cotton candy into his mouth, while Alyssa, on the other hand, was pinching off little pieces of her pink cotton candy.

 

Hannah Braboy Photography - Hopkinsville KY children's photographer

See what I mean about him being able to pull off a totally serious look?

They were both total troopers throughout the whole shoot! July in this part of the south gets a little intense sometimes, but they didn’t seem to mind at all. Alyssa + Nicolas- Thanks for being so wonderful! I had so much fun with you guys! Becky + JD- Thanks for letting me work with your kids! You all are wonderful.

 

xoxo

Summertime

Summer is super busy for me. This summer has taken busy to a whole new level. I’ll have 3-5 days of things back to back to back and then a couple days of completely nothing. I’m really liking that! It just fits me so perfectly.

I’m trying not to look at the date on my last published blog post. June has faded and July has come in with a big awesome bang.

I went to Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana with my people around the middle of June. It was so much fun! If you are ever near there during the summer, definitely go.

I did some business training for my friend Alli Worthington at the end of June. I’m her intern! It’s just the begining and it’s already been a blast! I’ve learned tons, too. [Someday I want to be awesome like her and have interns.]

The 4th of July weekend came and the celebrations and fireworks carried on well into Tuesday. It’s probably my favorite holiday and to see all my favorite people and meet some fabulous new ones was just outstanding!

In between all that, I judged the 4H photography division at the Western Kentucky State Fair, and I’m sure there are some little random events wedged in between there that I’m forgetting. I’m also doing a children’s shoot at the fair tonight, which I’m totally stoked about! Be on the lookout for those images to pop up here.

Soapbox Derby 2011 | Hopkinsville KY Event Photgrapher

Hannah Braboy - 12

Last Saturday I slung my camera bag around my shoulder and over my right hip. Saturdays are busy and that day was no exception. It was a little before 8am when I stepped out the door and the Kentucky summer air was already thick.

To say I loved shooting this would be an understatement. It was such an awesome day!

This is Warren. He was the driver for my dad’s company’s car.

He came in second place and did such a fabulous job!

These two best friends were sitting on the sidewalk beside where we were standing. They were completely adorable!

This is Randy. He’s the adorableness that is also in that image at the very top of this post!

He was hamming it up for the camera the entire time! I loved it! He was totally cracking up here!

I make it a point to never tell my subjects to “smile for the camera” or some other equally cheesy attempt to get someone to smile. This little dude seriously couldn’t stop smiling and looking cute, though!

It was just a really good day and awesome shoot! I never get tired of this.

What I Love Wednesday #4

Today, I hand selected a little bit of a variety of things from my Pinterest, including photography, design, interior design, fashion, food, and parties. I pulled them because I think they are just fabulous already, but I really wanted to get my hands on what I was doing here and make note of the detail and what I liked so much about each piece.

 

I really love the shot below. Usually in a photograph, the eyes have to tell the story.
This shot is different, though, and I like it! The eyes are hidden, so all you have left
to tell the story is the pose and how she is forming her lips. It’s a very artsy shot and
I’m quite liking it!

Source: blissfulbblog.com via Hannah on Pinterest

This Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Grilled Cheese looks just divine! I’m always one to try some new food and this looks like a very nice Italian spin on the original grilled cheese. I’m thinking this could probably be thrown together super quick on a hot summer night.

Source: closetcooking.com via Hannah on Pinterest

These clementine place cards are just about one of the most cute, brilliant ideas I’ve seen lately. They would be perfect for a party!

Source: stylemepretty.com via Hannah on Pinterest

These red TOMS wedges are just perfect for summer! The simplicity and the punch of color is just amazing.

Source: toms.com via Hannah on Pinterest

This photo arrangement is something I’d like to do with my iPhone pictures.

Source: nestegg.typepad.com via Hannah on Pinterest

This door is something I think is really, really neat. First of all, it’s unlike a typical interior door so it adds interest and that little bit of flavor. Second of all, the bright color makes it stand out and kind of showcases it as a piece of art. I really like that!



This post was linked up to the ever-fabulous:
lollipops

Saturday Thoughts

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot, and that probably doesn’t come as a surprise to you if you’ve known me for very long. What I love to do and my business decisions have been rolling around in my mind like rocks in a rock tumbler. I don’t regret anything, but I sometimes the questions of “What if?” wander around in my mind.

Sometimes I wonder if I jumped into photography too soon or if I’m doing it the wrong way and messing something up. I’m the kind of person who likes to take things by storm, so slowing down and just enjoying right where I am is somewhat of a new thing for me to learn.

Lately I’ve been taking a lot of photos with my iPhone. Last month I backed up a little over 2,000 photos from it to my external hard drive. I love my big Nikon, but some moments I love most can’t be scheduled and they can’t wait. I love the how I can stick my iPhone in my pocket, and thanks to it’s tank-esque Otterbox case, it can go with me everywhere. I’m trying not to feel guilty because I use it some too.

So I’m still figuring out what I love. I’m trying not to jump ahead of myself.

Photography Lessons: Community

Everyone needs a community. It gets lonely running a photography business sometimes. Inspiration runs dry. You need someone to bounce ideas back and forth with. Second shooters and assistants need to be found to hire, at some point. You know the deal.

Now is the time to create yours! This is going to look a little different in every case, but here are some ideas to get you started.

  • Join a local photography club.
  • Regularly meet with some local photographers/bloggers/other creative business owners.
  • Regularly Skype friends/photographers/bloggers/etc. that live farther away.
  • Attend local events, especially those that are targeted at your target clientele.

You all are brilliant! Do you have any ideas for creating community?

Photography Lessons + Practice: Creating A Business Plan

A business plan should tell the who, what, when, where, how, and why of your business. I promise it’s not as scary as it sounds. Creating a business plan will help you keep your business focused and productive. Let’s dive in.

Who - Who is your target clientele?

What - What do you offer? Obviously, you offer photography services, but let’s go a little beyond that. For example, your target clientele are seniors. They probably want digital images files, a preview on your blog, photos on Facebook to share with their friends, and some outfit/style boards. Think about your target clientele when deciding what you offer.

When - When did you start?

Where - Where (what area) are you offering and promoting your photography?

How - What’s your philosophy? What’s your style?

Why – Why do you do what you do?

I’ll go first and then you can enter your post link below!

Who - children, babies, and seniors

What - Right now, I’m keeping it simple with just the processed, high-res digital image files. I also post photos on my business Facebook page and post previews here! I think I want to start throwing together some style boards occasionally and posting them on here and Facebook.

When - Fall 2010 (which is a story all of it’s own!)

Where - I cover the Hopkinsville, KY area.

How - I believe that life is lived in moments and those moments deserve to be captured. I could write pages and pages, but that is the gist of it. I am a lifestyle photographer. I find beauty in the everyday and capture the moments that we carry in our hearts forever.

Why - I am a photographer because it’s part of me. It’s part of me because I find beauty in the moments that go by so fast. I love it because it offers up a different, fresh perspective. Wherever I am in life, I’ll always need to photograph it. This is now. Let’s capture it.

Okay! That wasn’t hard at all! Now, it’s your turn.