Friends in da House

Lucas and Sofia.  They're our buds.  Their mama, Erin, and I have a sanity-saving arrangement of watching each other's children for a few hours once a week.  Thank the sweet Lord Erin lives near by and we're both as flexible as noodles when it comes to schedules.  Mostly Erin.  She could be in Schedule Flexibility Olympics and win gold.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, Erin.

While we watched the kids this Sunday so Erin and Jose could have a little afternoon date I was able to snag a few shots of the wildlife.  Mostly covered in peanut butter.






Dang, those eyes are something else!






Oh, happy day!

Living My Dream

I remember standing in the kitchen with my Dad discussing my future.  I wanted to be an actor/filmmaker and was debating what route to go after graduating high school.  During that time in my life what I wanted most was to be a part of Christian films.  Life rarely happens the way you plan, and after all these years I never expected that my first major role in a feature film would be in a Christian movie.  I'd given up on that dream long ago.

It hit me yesterday that, finally, I was truly living my dream.  Wardrobe fittings and a screen test for make up and hair, running 6 miles with the family, editing a large batch of wedding photos, my highlighted script open next to my home work station -family, creativity, entrepreneurship, acting: I hadn't abandoned my dreams; they were coming to fruition.

Life is marked by seasons, chapters, moments.  I continue understanding new levels of this reality as I stare down can'ts and see beyond my impossibles.  This moment in time I am embracing the beautiful chord strum by so many hopes and dreams coming into play at once.  I don't know if I'll have an opportunity like this again, but seeing that it's possible is a source of extreme happiness.  I wish I could stand in my kitchen with my Dad and tell him all the exciting things going on and see that proud smile on his face.  We'd talk about possibilities, the future, new endeavors and continue dreaming.  Though Dad is gone, I can't express how thankful I am to have Brian -my fellow planner, hoper, dreamer, idea generator.  And my best friend.

I'm packing up to shoot a wedding in San Antonio today and am looking forward to the two hour drive.  Time to dream.

A Map of Inspiration

A few movies and key moments have stuck in my mind lately as milestones of inspiration.  As I started tugging at strands of memory, more things shook out as key influences in molding my interest and style from childhood to present and I've been rather surprised (and delighted) at seeing a map of inspiration materialize as I piece together some of the important influences on my (young and older) self.

Laura Ingalls Wilder and Kirsten made me want to live in the wilderness and inspired many evenings of "pretend we don't have electricity.  Except for the oven.  And the TV."  My mother's homemade bread and comforting stews fed this country dream of mine as she spent a few years between leaving full-time work and before we began adopting.   The desire to live in seclusion from urbania, suburbia and modernity still maintains burning embers inside me, as long as I've got internet, though -right? 

My adoration for the elegance of the Victorian age, the lace, china, romantic gowns and jewelry probably started with a wee bit of envy over my sister Crystal's Samantha doll.  Sharing our American Girl books, then devouring the BBC books on tape Dad brought home from trips from England of A Little Princess, The Wind in the Willows and Peter Pan placed me firmly in a sweetly frivolous dreamworld ladened with cups of tea and doilies, from which I will never emerge.  Quite happily.

As an artistic soul, and already predisposed to the Victorian era, I fully (ridiculously) embraced the story and example of Beatrix Potter.  Hours were spent sketching, writing, designing and -of course- day dreaming.  The dramatics of a 10 year old know NO bounds.  I can only imagine what I have in store when Waverley becomes pre-pubescent.  Lord Almighty...

I still remember the first time I found and purchased Victoria Magazine.  At age 11, standing in line at the grocery store a few months from leaving with my touring choir to compete in England, I saw a Victoria issue featuring beautiful cottages in the British Isles.  It was love at first sight and I have been irrevocably influenced by its enchanting pages.  I still swoon when I open an issue.

Harriet the Spy, though seeing it when I was a sophomore or junior in high school, was such a jolt of inspiration that I immediately rearranged and redesigned my bedroom.  I stayed up past midnight and had a shopping list of decor items ready to go for the next day.  THAT was inspiration.  Color, style, avant-garde, attitude and sheer creativity.  When something grabs you like that, you'll never forget it.

When I was in high school and early college, Meg Ryan got me.  You've Got Mail and French Kiss influenced my dress, my hair and my overall outlook.  The conservative gal finding confidence and freedom in exploring new sides of herself.  "Look at you?  You would declare a pack of chewing gum!"

I cut my bangs after watching A Series of Unfortunate Events.  My style was also highly influenced by this Victorian/Vintage/Goth inspired film.  I went from conservative Lands End/JC Penney-type to slight rocker/retro-vintage/elegant-inspired.  Okay, okay, it's not really a style, BUT it opened up a different side of me and I found a new surge of inspiration!  That's the point.

As my nesting instincts started kicking in a few months before having Wilder, Bend-The-Rules Sewing and other crafters like Amy Karol encouraged my fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants creation.  Say goodbye to structure and hello to productive, short projects!  That's MY kind of craftin'!  In this phase, I realized I can wear all sorts of hats in life.  I didn't have to grow up and be one thing; life holds a series of titles and chapters.  I can be an author, mother, dancer, singer, sewer, wife, photographer, actress, baker, entrepreneur, jewelry designer, corporate woman, gardener, etc.  Life is full of opportunities and seasons.  Being content with the season I'm currently in and looking forward to the next (as inspiration hits) is part of this grand adventure that makes me so happy.

Ree Drummond and her beautiful brood.

In the last few years as I've discovered the incredibly diverse world of female bloggers, MUCH inspiration has been derived from folks such as Ree Drummond and Ashley of Under the Sycamore.  These are women who encompass much of what I aspire to be:  mother, creator, writer and photographer and entrepreneur.  

Ashley of "Under the Sycamore" blog.

Sifting through the images that float to the top of memory as I reflect on inspirational turning points, it has helped develop clarity in who I am.  It also encourages me to continue seeking out new areas of inspiration and go boldly where I've yet to travel in my creativity.  Firmly planted in 30, I'm allowing my style to swish around, embracing a little of this, a little of that and not being scared that I'm turning into someone I'm not.  I am a collector of styles, clothing, projects and ideas.  And I'm happy acknowledging that.

So today, BE INSPIRED!  Go, seek, and love!

Running For My Life

I've said it before:  I didn't grow up athletic.  In my early adulthood I took my physical fitness by the horns and attempted to get in shape and live a (relatively) active lifestyle.  Aerobic kickboxing, gym membership, step classes -I felt like I was pushing myself to new heights.  When I worked up to running my first two miles on the treadmill, it was major cause for celebration.  I developed my fitness routine(s) and stuck to my limits -20 push ups (modified, at that) a set amount of crunches, maxing at 2 miles, etc.

It wasn't until I met Brian that I realized I could go further, faster.  He's been avidly into fitness/body building for nearly two decades.  Yeah, he's been doing this awhile.  Brian has taught me over the past six years that I can plow through my mental blocks that keep me working out "like a girl" so I can achieve greater physical fitness.  Which brings us to the present.  The biggest, scariest goal I've ever set for myself:  running a 1/2 marathon.

EEK!

Okay, I'm good.  I'm good.  Just recovering from the enormity of the challenge.  See?  Mental blocks...

Brian has run 5 full marathons; I've run one 5 mile race that I was just thankful to finish alive, so while this training is a cake walk for The Hubs, it's a MAJOR challenge for this mama.  Last week we started our training with the goal of a 4 mile run.  Brian pushes the double stroller and I pad along side.  We ran two 4 1/2 mile days and two shorter runs, so this week we're on to 6 miles for the long run.  Yesterday (-deep breath-) I conquered the never-been-done-before.  For me.

I ran 6 miles.  6.  Whole.  Miles.  And we were sprinting at the end.  I'm still amazed and allowing myself to feel the glorious accomplishment of it.  Though it's not quite half of the total I'll be running in just a few weeks, six miles is something I never thought I'd be running without months of gradual training.  Thanks to Brian's experience, athleticism, (and for ticking me off at the last half mile,) we sprinted to a finish I was certain I would be hobbling toward.  Another feat -we finished just under 60 minutes.  I didn't know I could do 10 minute miles for that length.

Busting through the impossible, thanks to my incredible fitness coach -and making it a family affair.
We'll see how the journey goes as we conquer the next several weeks.  For now, I am rapturously happy leaving 6 miles is the dust.

Photography Tips: Choosing Locations for Portraits

No matter what your job is, it's easy to fall into a pattern -find safe bets and stick with them.  You figure out what works and you stay with it; if it's not broke, don't fix it, right?  I'm reminded of something a wise friend once told me, "I always try to get to a location by a slightly different route.  It expands your brain."  Basically, she was saying, "Think outside the box.  Always."  The lesson most definitely applies to the creative arts, particularly if you want to be competitive.

A fellow photographer emailed me last week for location suggestions for engagement portraits.  That made me think about the first few months after I started my business, how I learned about my favorite (semi-secret) spots and what it takes to make a great location for portraits.  As I've been at the business for a bit now, I've learned that it's necessary for me to constantly be looking for new ways and locations to shoot.  I have a few beloved haunts, but if I just bring clients to those same spots, recreating poses with the same backgrounds with different people, my pictures are going to look repetitive.  I have to keep thinking outside the box in order to please clients and keep myself from stagnating as an artist.

Tips for Selecting Portrait Locations:

1) Variety.  Choose a location that has several different kinds of backdrops within easy walking distance.  The best places I've found have different textures and colors within five minutes walk of each other.

2) Lighting.  If you're shooting with natural light, find a place that has ample shade to use indirect sunlight. Eaves, overhangs, tall buildings can all cast great shadowed areas while still allowing enough light to capture your subjects well.

3) Time of day.  Shoot either in the morning or mid/late afternoon for the best indirect sunlight.  Or, pray for cloud cover.  Cloudy days create some of the best even lighting conditions!  Trees can be pesky to shoot around when you've got that lovely sunshine out.  Your subjects are usually speckled with light and shadow; it just don't look good, folks.  But cloud coverage changes all that.  Oh, lovely clouds...  

Don't underestimate the power of your editing software.  If you're not able to get that perfect glow straight out of the camera, there are easy ways to illuminate your subject(s.)  It's always easiest to capture it correctly, but thank goodness for photoshop, yeah?

I shot this in the early afternoon with rather heavy sunlight.  Though the other side of the building had great doors with fabulous color and texture, the sun was blazing and created harsh shadows on Sarah.  Thankfully I had chosen a golden location that had lots of backdrops to choose from, regardless of what angle the sun was at.  Here we shot the back of the building with an equally interesting wall.

Keep your eyes open, find new spots, look for the unexpected and keep thinking outside the box!

Making the "Kelly Cameron Photography" Promo Video

Two amazing videographers, James Burniston and Karey Cannon, shot all day to create the Kelly Cameron Photography promo video that will be posted, well, everywhere I can possibly put it.
These gents are gifted, SERIOUSLY gifted, and I was smiling bigger inside and out than if I had won one million dollars.  The raw footage alone was as gorgeous as a feature film.  UGH!  Too much, too much wonderfulness!


These shots are just a few from a snippet of the day's adventures.  We started out on South Congress street in Austin.  James and Karey shadowed me as I shot engagement portraits for a fabulous couple getting married this Fall.  Afterward we hustled back up to Georgetown and the men set up in the studio to shoot some wonderfully fun and touching testimonials.  I mean, if both of the brides that I interviewed cry because the way your work has touched their lives, I think I'm doing a decent job.  I aim for happy tears.



Between testimonials, we jaunted out into a field near our home to catch some footage of our family.  Karey chased Wilder with his camera.  Waverley was a total ham.  Brian caught us all in a Mexican standoff with our cameras.  We were all armed and shooting.  It was glorious.



Who's a happy elf?  Who's a happy little elf?  That's right, YOU are.






Why, hello there.



Hours later and I'm still smiling.






The men.  Armed and, well Wilder is the only one dangerous.  He's got a rock.


The final product should be coming in about a month.  'Til then, happy dance, happy dance!  This video is going to be phenomenal!

Feature Film Booked!

Well, big news here, big news!

Finally, after auditions and callbacks since September,  the Christian feature film "Out of the Darkness" has been cast!  Written and directed by filmmaker Danny Carrales, recent recipient of a Lifetime Achievement award by the National Broadcasters Association for his contribution to Christian filmmaking, "Out of the Darkness" is a faith-based political thriller that will rock your socks off!

Yours truly gets to play a supporting lead as the main character's wife!  From an actor's perspective, the script is fabulous as it showcases so much talent.  Quite an ensemble cast.

Filming starts April 10th through May 30th.  I'll keep you posted and share some behind-the-scenes photos from days on set!

I am so grateful for this opportunity to work on such a powerful film, with Danny and a stellar cast, and highly anticipate the spiritual journey filming this will take me through.  Please pray for the production and folks involved.  This is going to be a strong instrument for God's work!  Yay, God!