9.30.2010

Sarah & Joey E-Session {SNEAK PEEK} | Franklin Tn Photographer

Oh my! I am going to have the longest post ever when I post Sarah & Joey's full post! They are sooooooo in love... every pictures is just HAPPY. Such an awesome couple and good looking might I add;) Almost done with your images Sarah & Joey! Hope you like your little peek!



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I have been rocking out my Pandora... and I get so pumped everytime this song comes on.. SO FUN.
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9.29.2010

Inspiration.... get me some of that! | Franklin Tn Photography Related Group

This week I want to discuss finding your inspiration. Something I myself have been really trying to focus on. I find for me personally I can have moments of being completely uninspired. Maybe its normal... maybe its not... maybe I'm too hard on myself... maybe I'm not hard enough! Who knows.. either way I want to share a few ways to get your creative behind into gear.

1- Obviously being inspired by other photographers, designers, models, & artists etc. is a huge way to find inspiration.... but what do you do with when you find it?? Well first you really need to pinpoint what exactly it is that is inspiring you? Is it the light, the colors, makeup, style, or the model??? Then take a note in a journal or post it.. whatever you have. Then go to 2.

2- Catalogs/Magazines... something you can have physically in your hands. Flip through them... and again what jumps out to you? When you find it cut/tear it out. Put it into a book a folder.. whatever... just keep them together somewhere. Then go to 3.

3- Open your eyes to the world around you.. find inspiration from people at concerts...coffeshops...walking down the street. Do you see something in their style that speaks to you? Do you see a color of a building or a sign that would make a cool location?? If so.. take note! Then go to 4.

4- Now look over all your notes and your pictures... are starting to see your style...and what you want to work toward? Once you figure that out you can take a mental note of what you would like to work on. Do you have a job coming up that you can try something new on?? If not.. make your own job! Sometimes practicing something new on your own time brings more satisfaction than a paid gig. The point is don't just sit and wait for it to hit you in the face... develop your style and continue growing! Then go to step 5.

5- Okay.. so you feel like you are unstoppable.. you have tried awesome new things...and actually seen what you know will make you happy with your work. Well...how to maintain it?? DON'T STOP. Constantly be craving inspiration... challenge yourself. I set up a 52 week challenge with another photographer.. that way I have to be accountable for at least once a week to push myself. What can you do??

Well there you have it! I hope this was helpful on some way to everyone in ALL of these photography related fields. We will definitely be talking more about staying inspired at our meeting November 4th. I will also be posting soon about originality.. and an interesting take on finding something and being inspired vs. the be original issue. Stay tuned!

Since... pictures of things are cool.. here is how the inspiration for this photo came about.
- assignment for 52 week challenge
- brainstorm...toss an idea to Sara.. she became inspired!
- She mentioned an old catalog I have never even seen.. but described it in a sentence.
- I became inspired by the sentence.. created my own visuals in my head.
- Sara then remembered an inspiring makeup look she had seen in a book.
- Once Sara was completely styled we went and got our shot for the assignment.. that's it we were done.... but wait...
- After we got done with the shot.. I was all kinds of inspired to keep going and shoot just for fun! That is when I got the shot below. It was awesome.. and probably my favorite personal shoot of the year.
I love this shot...



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See more on the my 52 week challenge HERE!!!



Have a way cool suggestion about getting your inspiration on??? Share below in the comment section!!


- Brenna
Did you like this tutorial? Want to see more? Then head over & 'LIKE' MY FACEBOOK FAN PAGE!

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Marley {FULL POST} | Franklin Tn Dog Photographer

Have I mentioned I LOVE dogs?? ;) Marley won second place in the pet contest a few months back.... and boy did his mom work hard! He was so excited to be out and about... so cute.. and he did a great job. Sharon & Josh(his parents) also did a wonderful job modeling... it makes my job sooo much easier with naturals! You guys rocked it.. I had a great time! Leave them some comment love below:)

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9.28.2010

SNEAK PEEK Marley | Franklin Tn Dog Photographer

Just wanted to toss out a quick sneak peek over here on the blog. I will be posting more this week:) His ears are sooooo CUTE!

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9.27.2010

Mention Monday | Franklin Tn Photographer

Happy Monday! What's happy about it you ask? Well... I can't think of much other than I bought some $14 cookie dough from the neighbor's children. I always get suckered into buying whatever they are selling for school.. and I ALWAYS have a tinge of remorse when the NEVER say thank you. Oh well.. its all about the good cause right?;) Anyway, MENTION MONDAY...here we go...


Week 5 Photo Challenge: "The Catalyst" by Linkin Park.


If you missed the "who what when where why?" of how our challenge works....read THIS! I have absolutely no opinion on this song.. I haven't heard it.. but I was excited that I happened to have the perfect thing to shoot as I had an E-Shoot on Friday! Nothing better than beautiful diamonds to get things rolling right?! I absolutely LOVE Denné's....maybe my fave so far!

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Don't forget to check out Denné's Flickr!!!

here is the video if you care to see the song(we use the title only for our project)



Shoot Franklin is getting HIT ON!!!!




Shoot Franklin has been launched for 10 days.. and has had a TON of hits on the blog! If you are a located in Franklin Tn or surrounding areas AND are a photographer, stylist, makeup artist, prop designer, graphic designer, or other vendor then you MUST check this out! I'm doing a special shout out for Makeup Artists this week.. we want you too! So come join our FB group if you are local!

We will also be having at least 2 new blog posts this week so keep an eye out for those!

Shoot Franklin Click her for the ins and outs of Shoot Franklin, plus inspiration and knowledge. We also have an exclusive facebook group that is NOT public and all members must be approved by the admin. This will be a space full of information, interaction and getting to know other members. Want to be a member of the facebook group? Join HERE ..and we will try to get to your request asap.

Halloween Mini Shoot Specials!

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Getting so pumped for this!! We will hopefully be narrowing down the location and getting postcards out on main street within the next couple of weeks.. so don't miss out! Appointments are from 10-6pm and are in 30 minute increments... book now!

****** First 5 people to book get a FREE additional 8x10 or 5x7 photo!!!*****

All ages even pets! We don't judge;)

Here is an awesome costume place for the whole family! http://www.costumekingdom.com/

Already have a costume picked out?? Tell me what it is below in the comment section!


If you have any questions.. let me know brenna@sparklingsealphotography.com! Have a great week:)



My tune of the week.... I will always LOVE this song!



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9.20.2010

Mention Monday | Franklin Tn Photographer

Happy Mention Monday everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend:) I did, it was pretty low key.. just how I like it! I have a few things to go over in this post.. so get comfy and dig in!


Week 4 Photo Challenge: "Dog Days Are Over" by Florence and the Machine.


First of all I have always LOVED this song.. and I think it is so cool that a song that was released so long ago finally found the acclaim that it deserves! I saw her performance on the VMA's and her voice was crazy good. Anyway, back to the important stuff.. My favorite thing about this challenge is seeing how Denné interprets the title. Hers is all about freedom, movement, happiness, and anything but stagnant. So pretty! She has the prettiest OOF(intentionally out of focus) shots on her flickr!This week I went for a more literal approach.. summer/heat over.. cozy up with winter and coffee. BTW.. went to Ugly Mugs in East Nashville for the first time.. and I had hot chocolate... THE BEST I HAVE EVER HAD!! They were super nice too. If you missed the "who what when where why?" of how our challenge works....readTHIS!



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Don't forget to check out Denné's Flickr!!!

Here is the new version of the video.. listen it is good!



Newly Launched Shoot Franklin!!!



I am so beyond PUMPED for this. My awesomely talented friend Sara Thomas and I are heading up an amazing new group called Shoot Franklin. If you are a located in Franklin Tn or surrounding areas AND are a photographer, stylist, makeup artist, prop designer, graphic designer, or other vendor then you MUST check this out!

Shoot Franklin Click her for the ins and outs of Shoot Franklin, plus inspiration and knowledge. We also have an exclusive facebook group that is NOT public and all members must be approved by the admin. This will be a space full of information, interaction and getting to know other members. Want to be a member of the facebook group? Join HERE ..and we will try to get to your request asap.

Halloween Mini Shoot Specials!

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****** First 5 people to book get a FREE additional 8x10 or 5x7 photo!!!*****
All ages even pets! We don't judge;)

Here is an awesome costume place for the whole family! http://www.costumekingdom.com


Okay so I think that is all I need to mention for today... as always if you have any questions.. let me know brenna@sparklingsealphotography.com! Have a great week:)



For the my music video selection for this choice... going old school again... I LOVE 80's music..especially haunting new wave. I was somewhere recently and this song came on.. and I was the only one who knew who it was. TRAGIC;) So anyway... enjoy!





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9.17.2010

Announcing Shoot Franklin | Franklin Tn Photographer



Remember when I asked if anyone based in Franklin and surrounding areas was either a photographer, stylist, makeup artist, model, web designer, prop designer, or vendor?? Well this is why.... I am so beyond PUMPED for this. My awesomely talented friend Sara Thomas and I are heading up an amazing new group called Shoot Franklin. Our goal is to create, share, & inspire all while learning and networking.

We will be having monthly meetings starting November 4th and will continue on the first Thursday of every month. In between meetings you can check out the brand new Shoot Franklin for the ins and outs of Shoot Franklin, plus inspiration and knowledge. The Shoot Franklin blog is open for the public and anyone anywhere can follow and comment. We also have an exclusive facebook group that is NOT public and all members must be approved by the admin. This will be a space full of information, interaction and getting to know other members. Want to be a member of the facebook group? Join HERE ..and we will try to get to your request asap.

I look forward to meeting you... and please share this link with anyone who has the same interests! Sharing is caring and we all certainly care about our passions;)
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Shoot Franklin | Franklin Tn

Okay... here we are, the first Shoot Franklin blog post! Yay! I'm officially going to start spreading the word to all the talent in Franklin and surrounding areas... please do the same:) We will be having our first meeting November 4th... we will continue the meetings the FIRST THURSDAY of EVERY MONTH. We are skipping October so we can get the group built up a bit and have time to create an AWESOME first meeting. There is not a membership fee for the group and you won't have to pay for any meetings... HOWEVER, we will be selling some fun Shoot Franklin products and accepting donations to pay for the fees involved in the meetings. I will have all that info up and ready over the weekend:)

Sara and I are so excited about this group...we love collaborating and inspiring each other... so we thought if we get so inspired with just the two of us.. imagine what an awesome group from all these different fields would be able to do for everyone involved! We came up with a list of words that would represent what Shoot Franklin is all about and you will see them very frequently in all aspects of Shoot Franklin.

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What can you expect from this blog?
To keep you informed on all levels of Shoot Franklin and to keep you inspired and learning in between meetings!

What can you expect from the meetings?
Snacks, speakers, discussions, inspiration challenges, networking, tutorials, and over all good times:)

Here is the first peek at the poster that will be up in October!


Join our facebook group! Comment below what would you like to gain from Shoot Franklin??

- Brenna
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9.16.2010

Halloween Mini Sessions | Franklin Tn Photographer

Did you get your child, pet, or even yourself an AWESOME halloween costume?? Then you must come out for the Halloween Mini Sessions! Location is TBD.. but will be in Franklin. Must book an appointment and be paid upon booking. Here are the deets... see you there!

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this is only fitting.. I LOVE halloween!!!
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9.15.2010

Phone Mentoring!! | For Photographers

I am so excited about this! I get so many emails from photographers out of state with questions... and I just can't answer them all(I try really hard).. especially over email. So I am proud to announce that I am now offering mentoring sessions over the phone! This will be a perfect addition to the current mentoring lineup of in person meetings and full day workshops! All of my mentoring/workshop options are still in their introductory prices. This will be changing dramatically January 1st.
So if you want to take advantage of these SUPER CHEAP prices.. now is the time! Constantly learning and developing is so important.. and it is truly an investment in your business. I would have given anything to have this when I was just starting out. It would have save me A LOT of time and trouble(plus some embarrassing moments). I will post what the new prices(Jan. 1st) will be at the end of the post.

want the deets?????

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here are the other mentoring options!


These will be the updated prices come Jan. 1st 2011:
mentoring:
Phone Consult- $150
In person- $200

Workshop:
Full day- $600
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9.14.2010

Harrison Vs. The" Animal" Photo Shoot | Franklin Tn Photographer

Just wanted to share some of the other fun shots from the "Animal" shoot... Harrison was soooooo not trying to cooperate;) We were running behind and were shooting too late... along with him being 3.... it was stressful to say the least..BUT.. here they are!


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^^ this one makes me smile...he was doing the "grrrrrrrr":)

Stay tuned for a super awesome announcement about Halloween!!!

I normally don't like Shakira.... but this song is way fun! Lyrics can be a little silly.. but aren't we all when it comes to love? ;)
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9.13.2010

Mention Monday | Franklin Tn Photographer

WEEK 3 Photo Challenge - "Animal", by Neon Trees

This challenge was really fun! I have had so many pet shoots recently I just had to switch it up... so I went for animal as in instinct along with feathers,horse hair etc.. I will post more later.. I picked this one because of the pose:) I ADORE Denné's cat shot! So fluffy and relaxed! I love her style:) If you missed the "who what when where why?" of how our challenge works....read
THIS!

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Don't forget to check out Denné's Flickr!!!

Also shout out and thank you to Sara of scooterKnits for helping me style him and painting him up!

Here is the song:



Don't forget.. buy one get one 1/2 off!! Etsy Shop!!

Everything in the Etsy Shop is BUY 1 GET 1 50% off!!! I had a contest to see if anyone could name the 5 big changes I made to the websites... and it was really hard. Since nobody got it.. I am gonna run this awesome sale! The half off item must be equal or lesser value. Once you are purchasing the first piece just put a message for seller on which item you want for half off!

Oh and still want to know what the big changes were???

1- New splash page!
2- new background on lifestyle site
3- new background on boudoir site
4- new music on boudoir site
5- new layout on boudoir site

Check out all the changes on the WEBSITE and let me know what you think!

SIGN UP!!!!! DON'T MISS OUT!!

If you missed the announcement.. here is the info! Lots of laughter, music, and prettiness going on.. sign up now!


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I was totally jammin' out to Billy Idol while preparing for my "I've been a mother 3 years" party.. and I love this song.. its not hardcore Idol.. but it is a great song to have in the background:)
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9.10.2010

Lovely Lucy | Franklin Tn Pet Photographer

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all have an amazing weekend... I know I will! I am going to see The Pixies in concert tonight(a dream of mine) and my beautiful son turns 3 tomorrow! I can't believe it! So the last post for the week will be Lucy! You may remember Lucy... she was the 3rd place winner of the pet contest I held a couple months ago. Cats can be difficult to photograph...Lucy however was not difficult at all! She had been practicing all week apparently so she just did what we wanted... although I am sure she wanted to murder us when we put the cat hat on her! With winter around the corner hook your cat up with an awesome hat from scooterKnits! I am normally not all about dressing up animals..but I think these hats are so awesome and such a great price that it has to be done! haha Take it away Lucy.....


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Since my son is turning 3... the music post today is a song that I will forever link to him. When he was a tiny 3 month old... he would get into a crying fit in the car every now and then.. no matter how hard or why he was crying.. if I played this song he would stop as soon as he heard the first note. It was amazing.. and in turn became my favorite piece of advice to give to new mothers.. find a song and play it a lot... sing and dance with your baby to it everyday... then they will recognize it and it will immediately get there attention in those times when you can't physically soothe them in the car.
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9.07.2010

Photo Challenge Shoot | Franklin Tn Photographer

EEK! I am so beyond happy with these images! This was a challenge inside a challenge for me.... Not only did I have to end up with a photo for last weeks theme which was a tough one, but I wanted to shoot at night. I am a natural light photographer and that's the way I like it... I have ZERO intention of ever having to have lighting equipment that has to be set up and on stands. I am too mobile and too quick to change my mind during a shoot. I will use my speedlite if necessary, but its always on camera when I do.

I collaborated with my awesome friend Sara for this shoot... she styled herself and did her awesome makeup! It had a rocky start at first, but as soon as I had an assistant to help me it just clicked... We originally only intended to take a couple of shots for the challenge... but she was so gorgeous I couldn't stop at just the two crazy ones.. so pretty we went!

Here they are.. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

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oh and if we had played music... and we should have... it would have been this! I automatically associate crazy with this song ever since I heard it in Silence of the Lambs when I was young... and I just recently heard a cover of it on an episode of Nip Tuck last night... so I thought it was fitting:)

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