Just A Little Hello

I know I have been very bad about keeping this blog.

This summer has been a crazy one, and the sure thing to fall to the back burner of my checklist has been my blogs.  Learning to balance mommy life, with photography life, with Indie author life... and still manage to sleep somewhere in there has been quite a feat!

Still, I wanted to stop by and say hi.  I am currently working on updating photos on my website.  Along with editing like a mad woman.  And drooling over lenses.  And booking more sessions.

Have I mentioned that I love my clients?

Well, I do!

By the way: Once my Facebook page gets to 200 likes, I will be opening up a giveaway for one FREE photo session.  If you haven't already seen that announcement, now you know!  Make sure you like my page.  And get your friends and family in on it too!

Well, my kiddos are running around like mad so that must be my cue to get off this computer and tickle the little monsters.  I promise I will update here a little more regularly.  As soon as I get some sleep.

In My Camera Bag

I have seen other photographers do this, many times, and always thought it would fun to add my bag to the mix.  As you know, I have been working on filling that bag.  And I finally got the kick to tell you what is in it.

Why?
Because I finally own my first L lens!
*commence happy dancing*

That's right.  A friend of mine was selling her 70-200mm f/4 L, and I couldn't resist.  It was a good deal for the lens, and now it has a happy new home alongside my growing lens family.  I am trying to think of a good name for it.  It deserves one.

Camera phone pic of my pretty new baby

Below is the list of what is in my camera bag.  Of course, it will keep changing as I am able to upgrade and add to this amazing collection.  So, to make sure you always know what I am toting around, I am making a page on this blog that will always be up-to-date.  Just look to the right and click "In my Camera Bag" and you are good to go!

Now, without further ado, let's dig around this bag!


Body:

• Canon Rebel T2i

Lenses:

• Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II (Nifty Fifty)

• Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS (Kit Lens)

• Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L

• Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III

• Zeikos Super Wide Angle lens w/ Macro Converter 

Flash:

• 430EX Canon Speedlite Flash

Accessories:

• Stofen Omni-Bounce Flash Diffuser (For 430EX)

• Fotodiox 6"x8" Softbox (For 430EX)

• Zeikos ZE-LH58 58mm Soft Rubber Lens Hood (for Kit and 75-300)

• Fotodiox Dedicated Lens Hood (for Nifty Fifty)

• Ravelli Professional 65" Ball Head Tripod

• SanDisk Extreme 16GB SDHC Flash Memory Card (2 of them)

• Canon LP-E8 Battery Pack (2 of them)

And... The Bag:

• Canon Deluxe Photo Backpack

Of course, my wishlist will always exist.  Here are the top lenses I am majorly drooling over and cannot wait to add to my bag.  Someday.

My Lens Wishlist:

• Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 (Or even better: Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L)

• Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L (Or even better: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L)

• Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS

• Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye (Or even better: Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye)

• Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II

So, what's in your bag?

My Site is Official!

I originally planned to add just a few photos to my website portfolio.  That was the plan.

A few hours later, I had changed up the layout.  Fixed my Smug Mug page.  Cleaned up, switched around, fiddled and tweaked.  (Yes... and added more photos...)  There are still things to add and change, as always.  Still, I got much more done today than I even thought I would.

And best of all?

I officially registered my domain!

That's right.  I have been meaning to for some time, but kept dragging my feet.  Why, I have no idea.  It was just one of those things that ended up being: "Oh, I will get to that... someday."  Of course there was no reason for the wait.  I was just being internet lazy.

Today, I did it.  It is official.  And pretty.  And awesome.

So, make sure to check out the fully official Jenni Merritt Photography website.  (And pass the link on!)

www.JenniMerrittPhotography.com

Sarah and George | Engagement

The love, adoration, and fun that fills engagement sessions is one reason why I love doing this job.  Sarah and George's session is a perfect example of that.  These two are so in love, and so much fun, that I never wanted this session to end!

We headed out to Seaside on a gorgeous May day, revved for the shoot.  After visiting the carousel, we headed out to the streets of Seaside to enjoy the sun... and get some photos!  (As you will tell, I had a hard time narrowing down just a few photos for this blog post.  Enjoy!)

Won't she be a stunning bride?
With our street shots done, we decided to hit the beach.  George is a kick boxer, and they brought along some fun to capture.  It was hilarious watching them fight in the sand.

Alright, back to the more "engagement" style photos.  After changing once again, we fully hit the beach.  The sun was warm, the breeze cool, and these two were so perfect together I have to admit: I got quite click happy.

Yes, that's right.  They threw each other into the ocean.  Just from this snippet of photos, you can see how much fun these two are.  There is no doubt in my mind how in love they are, and I feel so blessed that they allowed me to capture these moments for them.

I can't wait for their big day!

Sarah and George | Engagement Sneak Peek

Yesterday my hubby and I drove out to Seaside.  My camera was charged, lens rented, and energy revved to do Sarah and George's long-awaited engagement session.

Lucky for us, the weather was amazing.  Not a cloud in the sky.  Quite literally.

This shoot was so much fun.  Sarah and George are gorgeous together, a perfect match.  I am so lucky I got the chance to photograph them, and can't wait for their wedding this July!

Here is a little sneak peek of the session.
Then entire preview will come, soon!

30 Day Photography Challenge: Day 30 | Self-Portrait

What a month.
My camera feels the love.  That's for sure!

I got myself human looking today, all ready to attempt that "self-portrait" once again.  My hair was fighting me, my makeup hated me, and my clothes... Okay, I am whining.  The point is: I was far from excited to be taking a photo of myself.

I think doing self-portraiture is a very, very good thing for a photographer to do.
It reminds you just how self-conscience and nervous a client can be!

As soon as I got my tripod set up and my camera set, my boys decided they wanted to get in on this photo taking action.  At first they were content with pretending they were taking each shot.  (I even set up a second tripod with a toy camera on it, so they could both be the photographer.  Aw...)

Then they couldn't resist and jumped in for some shots with mommy.

They have been my models off and on all month.  How great it is to wrap this challenge up with them as well?

This is my self-portrait.
I am an author.
A blogger.
A photographer.
An avid reader.
A dreamer.  A goofball.  A friend, a wife, a sister, a daughter.

But at the end of every day.  At the start of every morning.  What I do day in and day out.  What I love, could never live without, what I am... I am mommy.  And I love my self-portrait.

30 Day Photography Challenge: Day 29 | Black and White

I adore animals.  Especially dogs.  There is something about them that just makes me melt.  Someday I plan on owning pets (once this apartment stage of my life is over) and cooing over them at all hours.

That being said, I really haven't photographed animals much.  Like children... it is hard!

Tonight we celebrated my father-in-law's 50th birthday.  (Happy Birthday Brian!)  My sister-in-law brought up her new little puppy, Shy, to join in the family fun.  What a cutie!  She is a black and white husky, and truly lives up to her name.  I love this puppy.  *gets all mushy over puppy dog*

I decided to snap some photos of her.  Which proved to be hard.  She is very very very shy, and especially likes to hide from my camera.  Unlike a human, I can't just offer a bribe.  All I was pretty much left with was sniper shots, puppy stalking, and waiting... lots of waiting.

Still, I loved it.  I need to snag her from her mama again soon and practice animal photography even more.
What a great little model!