This past Tuesday evening I left my kids with “JoJo” and traveled 5 minutes down the road to the Flourish Academy’s Camera Club. The Flourish Academy is a Facebook community for photographers who “want to gain confidence and improve [their] photography.” I have been following them since…not too sure, but for at least a good four years. Camera Club has been happening for over 10 years (even though I did not know about it until four years ago) but I have never gone despite loving photography and being practically neighbors with Heather, who is the founder of the Flourish Academy and Camera Club. Side note, if you haven’t met Heather, you are missing out. She has a heart of gold, full of wit and wisdom, and I don’t know, everything you want to be, she is. Also, her “photography” advise does not only apply to photography, but also to life. If you are bored and/or need some inspiration, go find Heather Lahtinen/Flouish Academy on the YouTube and learn a little about photography but also how to be a little more awesome-r in life!! Oh, and she hosts the Flourish Academy podcast where she shares 10-20 minutes of her wisdom and perspective. (For instance, one of her main purposes in life is to “leave everything better than she finds it, especially people.” I mean…) Ok, that was a long side note. If you haven’t guessed, I might have a crush on her (not really, but you know what I am saying).
Ok, back to the Camera Club meeting. Soozie from Studio Soozie is a fabulous and amazing senior photographer and since the high school seniors missed out on wearing their prom dresses this year, she invited some of her clients to model for us in their gorgeous gowns. And I discovered that I am a bit rusty on photographing willing subjects who know how to take directions! My comfort zone at the moment is the chaos of little children…their quickness and the 2 second to 2 minute time frame they give me to get a shot!! But there were other amazing and energetic portrait photographers that inspired me to get out of my comfort zone and I thoroughly enjoyed my time photographing these new scenes and girls! Also, just getting out of the house and talking with others who have a common interest was quite refreshing.
Below are some pictures taken at the Camera Club paired with what I am used to. :).
Above are two pictures of two beautiful girls…the difference? The first girl is going to school for nursing in the fall and willingly knelt by the flowering bush to be photographed. The second is a third grader who cannot wait for her last week of school to be over and I had to bribe her with a piggy back ride to and from these flowers in our woods. Oh, and another difference? The patience level.
Just a few swing pictures. I guess there aren’t always differences, but then on second thought, Molly needs an “under ducky” to look this happy. If she is not swinging high and fast, she’s mad screaming “ducky!! ducky!!”
And the lovely group pictures. The girls from Camera Club were awesome. Soozie posed each girl and they looked amazing as they stood smiling waiting for the many photographers to get their shot. Did you see that Easter picture of my girls? That’s the best I got. That’s probably why I avoid taking them (expectations vs. reality!).
Just a few more favorites from Camera Club.
I really had fun getting comfortable photographing “willing subjects”, experimenting with twinkle lights, and meeting new people!
Thanks for reading. Enjoy your day!!!