Competition Images

I have finally posted the comp images!! Yeh!!

This Image is called: Back Alley Moods. It scored a 78, which is pretty good. It was also selected for exhibition but all of my images were selected for exhibition, so that was pretty cool too.



The second is called: The Horse and His Girl. It scored a 79. Even better score. This was my highest scoring image. A judge also selected this image to discuss during the judges lunch. She didn't like the name of the image. She thought that if I chose a better name, it might have scored better. Good to know...



The third is called: Before the show. This image got a lot of attention. A few of the judges wanted it to score higher than the final 78, but the other judges didn't feel it. That's ok. It still got a judges choice award.



The fourth is called: Wake Me Up Inside. This one also got a lot of attention. Since I was going for the more raw and edgy images, I knew that some if the judges would love it and others would not. I was totally excited that three out of 4 of my images were discussed and 2 of those were challenged!! One said if I tweeked this image here and there, it could probably score between 85-90 (that is a totally awesome score). It was very exciting.



On a side note, anyone who knows me pretty well knows that I love the band Evanescence. Wake Me Up Inside is a line from one of their songs. All of the judges on the panel were 40 and older, except for maybe one, so I totally didn't think any of them would get the title (I just didn't think they were THAT kind of cool). Well, I was wrong!! One of the "older" judges knew were the name came from (maybe someone really cool told him but I'd like to think that maybe he is a closet fan), said he got it but thought that maybe our "older" panel of judges would not. I knew that they probably wouldn't get the song part, but in my heart, there was no other title.

On a last note, one of the judges suggested that I make a few changes to my images and then enter them at nationals.... hmmmmm.

Wow! I just got back from Professional Photographers of Oregon annual convention and had a blast!! I learned so much about keeping our business skills sharp, fun and super cool photoshop techniques, and different design tips. WOW! I think I had a brain overload and had to take a couple of days to digest everything. I really can't wait to start implementing everything I learned!

Also, before I forget, this year, like every year I entered 4 images into print competition. This year, I wanted to take a few risks with my image choices. Break a few rules and get the judges talking and maybe even thinking. I didn't want to enter the same old stuff that merits every year but something cool, modern, and funk-ay! A couple of the judges got me and a couple didn't. There was even a judge who fought for two of my images arguing why they should merit. Even though my images scored very well, alas, none had recieved the award of a merit. BUT, I got the judges talking and I was totally excited about that!!!! Oh, and one of my images did get a judges choice award. That was totally cool.

I will post all the images that I entered very soon. It will be the next post. Promise!

Andy Meinert

Being a photographer is really the best job in the world. At least for me it is. Photographers have the wonderful opportunity to capture life’s most precious moments. Tiny sleepy babies with their sweet tiny toes to expressive toddlers and their accompanying many moods. Preschoolers and tweenies and then on to HS Seniors on their way to independence and adulthood. And then it starts all over again with the next generation. Brothers and sisters. Mothers and fathers. Daughters and sons. Families. Love and the beauty it brings.

Being invited to share in some of these intimate moments is in many ways, very sacred to me. Each portrait session is very important for our grandchildren, our great grandchildren, and so forth. I always thought I new how important a photographer’s work is. I think now, maybe I have only scratched the surface in beginning to truly understand that importance and how much portraits can help comfort, soothe, and heal.

In September of 08, I had the opportunity to sit down with a young man named Andrew Meinert and his mom Anne to discuss his upcoming senior portrait session. He told me that he loved to play tennis and played for the High School. A team mate later told me he was the best on the team. He also said he loved the outdoors, to hunt, fish, and go hiking. His mom, Anne told me that he loves his dog, Trooper, and his cat, Joey. “Andrew is going to college”, she answered when I asked what his after high school plans were. University of Oregon was his choice and to study radiation therapy was his goal. The military also fit in there somewhere. Andy heard the Air Force and the need to defend our great country calling. I always ask kids to discribe to me a picture of themselves that they like. Andy discribed to me an image we had done the year before. He liked his hair. It was long back then.

In Mid October, we went forth with the planned portrait session. We smiled, laughed, and joked and had a good time. Trooper came along and even he managed to “smile” for the camera. I found it rather compelling that Andy never complained at all even though I found out weeks later than the session was quite painful and exhausting for him. Because you see, Andy had a rare form of cancer called glioblastoma multiforme. To me, it was a miracle that we were able to create those portraits when we did. Just a few weeks after the session, Andy could no longer walk.

In the following weeks, I, along with all of Newberg, got to witness a coming together in support of the Meinert family. From “Andy night” at Jem 100 to the ubiquitous yellow bracelets bareing his name. Talent shows, trust funds, and even T-shirts were dedicated to Andy. Though I do not know all that was done in Andy’s name, it is the “senior project” that touched me the most. Three of Andy’s buddies: Alex Lilley, Riley Sump, and Kyle Kosters kind of adopted the Meinerts. I am sure I will never know all the tiny acts of kindness those three boys did, but I do know that they were a comfort to a family in need.

On December 30th around 7:45 PM, Andrew lost his battle with cancer. He passed away at home with his family at his side. Andrew was an incredible young man and a talented athlete. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A celebration of Andrew’s life will be held on February 14th at 2:00 PM in the Baumann Auditorium at George Fox University.

Snow!

Wow!! This whole week has been amazing!! I love snow and it always put me in merry spirits because I know that Christmas is just around the corner. The kids have had the whole week off and my husband worked from home 4 out of 5 days. Today we got at least 4 inches of snow and it is just beautiful - so light and fluffy and so much fun to play in. I can't help but smile everytime I look out the window. If it is snowing where you are - have fun and be a kid. Play in it, make snow angles, have a snow ball fight, and take lots of pictures!!!

Newberg has snow!!

Here she is again at 1 Year

My Niece at 3 months and 6 months

Ny Niece at age 0-6 weeks

Miss Kennedy

We first met this awesome family when their baby, Miss K was just a few weeks old. What an adorable baby with some of the most precious expressions! Below are her 0-6 weeks and 3 mo portraits. Pretty soon we'll put up her 6 mo and 1 year portraits (of course, she has to turn one first...)








Here she is at 3 months and just sooo cute! And her dimples will just melt your heart. Everytime I see her, I am at awe at how she just keeps getting cuter and cuter. Just when I thought she couldn't get more beautiful.... and look!!

The Perkins Family - Newberg Family Photography

Look! You would be so proud of me! I have put in two posts in one week!

This is the P Family and they are totally cool! Their kids are just the cutest ever! The older boy is so sweet and very social. He had so much to say and he was so entertaining. The younger boy seemed to love trains so we couldn't have been at a more perfect spot. He seemed to be completely fascinated by them. His smiles are so adorable and heart melting. Naomi liked him so much, she was quiet the whole session which is very rare.

The Turner Family

I know, I am so bad. It seems I only post about once a month. With the cute little baby and running the studio, things get pretty busy around here. Not to mention my two very sweet older children, my beloved husband, and everything else that is involved in running a house.

This is the T family and their two girls are just the cutest ever!! I first met this family a few years back when the older girl was only 3 months old and now she is 4! I am just in awe on how what a beautiful little girl she has become. And her little baby sister! I just wanted to take pictures of her all day! What a cutie!!