DOES ANYONE LIKE WRITING ABOUT THEMSELVES?

ABOUT-imagepinthis

The Backstory
Originally from Kansas, my business started in 2007 as Gingeroot Studios. I had a schnazzy space in downtown Wichita where I built a rewarding photography experience for high school seniors, new mothers, happy families, sexy ladies, and the cutest kids on the prairie. When I became pregnant with my second son, my husband thought it would be funny to accept a new job offer and move us all to Colorado when that baby was 8 weeks old. I used to curse at him for even thinking this was a good idea… but pregnant ladies are crazy so I take it all back. We packed up our life, said our goodbyes to family and friends, and shut down the studio to go live in the mountains. Best. Decision. Ever. I have been raising my two sons and enjoying everything this outdoor wonderland has to offer.

Struggling Artist
Photography is what I do. Even when I’m not doing it. I live to create whether it is cooking, gardening, decorating my home, putting together an outfit, doing my makeup, organizing, doing crafts with the kids, planning a party…I could go on. But, making pictures is on another level for me. Totally fulfilling. Until it wasn’t. Full disclosure… I have been stuck in a deep, dark, grumpy hole for the past few years. I knew I could shoot, but I didn’t want to. Nothing felt authentic. Nothing felt creative. Nothing felt like me. Everything was just on autopilot and I didn’t even realize I wasn’t happy. I didn’t even realize that my happiness was important! Dumb… So I took a break. I started out rethinking my craft and my business in my head 24/7. But that just made the hole deeper. I couldn’t find a solution. Then I put away the camera. Then I felt guilty. Then I felt sad. Then I felt like a failure. Then I felt like a waste of space. And so went the rollercoaster. Finally I came to terms with how fleeting life really is and started to try out the idea of just being. What were the absolute essentials to be happy on a basic level today? Stressing out was never on that list. So I went from there. 

 

Today
Today I am feeling happy. Even inspired. I want to shoot and I want to work. But… it will be for me. This may be your family, but it is my art. You are my muse and I want to keep that focus. If I go back to doing this for all of you, I will lose myself again.

The time has come to put on my photographer pants once again. So, come and see me! Let’s find a spot by the river and have a picnic. Let’s hang out in an Aspen grove. Let’s stroll through a village and sip coffee and eat baked goods. Let’s meet at the top of a friggin’ mountain and make beautiful photos until we can’t take it anymore! Ready? Now accepting a limited number of clients!

ABOUT-quotepinthisFor Gear Geeks
I know I asked this question to every photographer I ever aspired to be like. Eventually I found out that it truly doesn’t matter in the end… What’s in my bag?

  • Nikon D800 36.3 MP CMOS FX-Format DSLR
  • Nikon 20mm f/2.8D
  • Nikon 35mm f/2.0G
  • Nikon 50mm f/1.4G
  • Nikon 85mm f/1.4G
  • Nikon 105mm f/2.8G micro
  • Nikon 135mm f/2.0D
  • Nikon SB-910 AF Speedlight
  • There are some CF cards, rechargeable Ni-MH batteries, filters, tripods, reflectors, PocketWizards, and a set of Alien Bees in there somewhere, too.

“HOW DO I SHOOT A PICTURE LIKE THAT?”  Discovery is part of this craft, my friend. If you really want to learn about your camera, proper exposure, finding the light, location scouting, posing, client relations, editing… come to a workshop! I host private and group workshops throughout the year. See more details in the menu under WORKSHOPS or fill out the contact form!

“DO YOU OFFER DESIGN TEMPLATES OR BRANDING SERVICES?”  I do! I just haven’t made them available on the new site yet. Please contact me if you are interested in templates or design services for albums, cards, blog collages, blog themes, etc. Keep checking back for design details under DESIGN.