Lauranette Photography

Catching Up...

2012-02-05T21:21:00.000-08:00

365 - Week 1

2012-01-07T19:54:00.000-08:00

I decided to try my hand at a 365 project once again. I hope I get farther in 2012 than in 2011! This year will be one to remember, that's for sure. I'll probably load a batch of photos once a week or so. To see my project on a day to day basis, see my Flickr stream, www.flickr.com/viewsfromlalaland.

Sarah & Nick are Engaged

2011-12-31T18:36:00.000-08:00

I've known Sarah since high school, but I just met her fiance Nick. He doesn't like having his photo taken, but I don't know why - these two are too cute!! Congratulations to the happy couple!

Welcome to the World Natalie!

2011-12-31T18:22:00.000-08:00

I've known Kristina since high school but I first met her entire family last year at Thanksgiving when they asked me to take their family portraits. They were one of my first ever clients, and my first repeat clients ever.

They invited me to their home this Thanksgiving to take some family portraits and to take some newborn photos of their newest little one, Natalie. I'm not set up for inside portraits but we made it work, and she was such a cute little model. Congratulations to the happy family!

Bill & Monica Are Having (Had) a Baby!

2011-12-31T17:57:00.000-08:00

OK so I playing catch up on my blog posts. Gotta tie up my loose ends for 2011 so I can get this 2012 party started! Here are the best of the best from our session. (Oh yeah, they didn't know they were having a baby girl but earlier this month welcomed little Avery to the world :))

Congratulations to the Brooks family!

Samantha's Senior Year

2011-12-03T18:24:00.001-08:00

Samantha and her friend drove all the way from Olney to do a senior session with me in October. It was kind of a chilly day, but the shoot went great! It always helps to have photogenic models.

We used Lewis and Clark Community College, which I sometimes joke is my personal studio. Of course, it isn't, but with such a beautiful campus right there at my disposal, I just can't help myself. About a week before this the leaves on the trees in Fountain Court were absolutely stunning. We had an outdoor event one windy afternoon and the leaves fell like golden snowflakes. My only regret is that those leaves couldn't wait one week.

At the end of the shoot, which wrapped up at Glazebrook Park in Godfrey, we decided to let loose and have a little fun. We decided that her senior session is a memorable moment from her senior year, and she should remember it fondly - not as a means to an end.

Catching Up...

2011-12-03T16:38:00.001-08:00

I've been fairly busy lately, so sorry for the lack of updates - but I guess it's really a good thing.

Since I last posted, I've done two senior photo shoots, one maternity shoot, one family shoot and my first newborn shoot. I've also done a couple gigs for The Telegraph's Home Style magazine, and of course, my regular duties at Lewis and Clark.

I've also decided to save up for a new camera with the intent of eventually taking this photography thing to the next level. For now though, my concentration is on having fun, improving my skills (one can never stop learning) and developing my style. I guess you could call me a semi-pro photography enthusiast.

Enough about the future, see my next couple of posts to catch up on what I've been doing lately.

If you haven't yet, "like" me on Facebook (and tell your friends)!

Scott Kelby's 4th Annual Worldwide Photowalk | Alton, IL

2011-10-04T19:36:00.000-07:00

This weekend, I went on my first photowalk. I was with a group in Alton that did the two-hour trek from the parking lot next to the prison ruins in Downtown Alton, along Broadway and back via 3rd St., but we were a part of something much larger.

The event was a local part of Scott Kelby's 4th Annual Worldwide Photowalk. It was a nice day to get out and shoot around town, but now we get to enter photos for a chance to win a bunch of great prizes!

I'll continue to load some pics in my Flickr album, but here are a few to entice you.

This is the photo I entered into the contest:

Sally's Senior Session

2011-10-04T19:26:00.000-07:00

Sally booked me last minute, but she got my only other October slot. It's going to be a busy month, but it's off to a good start! She was a little nervous about not knowing to pose, but I told her to relax and that as long as she didn't feel awkward the pics would turn out great. And they did! She's such a pretty girl anyway!

Lots more to edit, but here's a preview:

Olivia is Turning 3

2011-09-09T22:34:00.000-07:00

At the end of this month, my cousin's youngest daughter Olivia will turn 3. I took her portraits this afternoon, and then afterward we went to the Great Godfrey Corn Maze.

Happy early birthday Liv!

Lisa & Kevin's August Wedding

2011-08-17T20:13:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Lisa and Kevin! Here's a preview of their photos. It was a beautiful wedding, except when it started raining a little bit and I wasn't prepared to keep my camera dry! I hear it's good luck if it rains on your wedding day.

Lisa's Pre-Bridal Photos (For Real)

2011-08-17T19:59:00.000-07:00

Now that she and Kevin are a Mr. and Mrs., I can finally let fly the beautiful pre-bridal photos I took for my cousin Lisa. Enjoy!

A House is Not a Home...

2011-07-29T08:47:00.000-07:00

But this one in Alton became a home for the family of an L&C adult education graduate last night, and I covered the event for the college's Media Services department. It was a moving event, and a lovely house. I just wanted to share some pics and congratulate the family on their new home :)

Read the full story at www.lc.edu/news or see more photos at L&C's Flickr album.

There's Talent in These Genes!

2011-07-26T20:33:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege this summer to see two of my young relatives sing at the Jersey County Fair Talent Show. Maggie Collins, who also performed last year, won 2nd place in the junior division. Though I still think Clara Miles, who performed for the first time this year, got ripped in the senior division - both did extremely well and I am proud of them!

If you didn't catch their performance, they'll be singing at Lisa & Kevin's wedding in a couple of weeks!

(Top - Clara, Bottom - Maggie)

Lisa's Pre-Bridal Photos

2011-07-26T20:14:00.000-07:00

Just teasing! I can't show them to you yet. (But I will update as soon as I can.)

Until then I can tell you that her dress is absolutely stunning - I can't wait to post and I haven't even shot their wedding yet! The happy couple will tie the knot August 6, 2011. Stay tuned.

I See Fireworks

2011-07-26T20:11:00.000-07:00

We went to the boyfriend's uncle's campsite this July to see some fireworks. The place was beautiful and I couldn't help but take some photos of everyone having fun.

Bonnaroo X

2011-06-23T13:04:00.000-07:00

I haven't properly posted about Bonnaroo this year because I got sick the day after I got home! I still don't feel well, but I do want to share some photos from this year's fest:

Father's Day at MOBOT

2011-06-23T12:56:00.000-07:00

At my dad's request, we went to the Missouri Botanical Gardens on Saturday this past weekend to celebrate Father's Day. It rained all morning, but the blue skies and sun came out by the time we got there. Lots of people were getting married - we saw at least 3 different wedding parties! It would be a beautiful place for an event. Afterward, we ate lunch at Amighetti's on the Hill.

To my daddy, I love you.

Nathan & Kayla Wedding

2011-05-22T20:10:00.000-07:00

I worked as a second shooter at the wedding of Nathan & Kayla, who are friends of a friend. Mostly, I hung out with the guys or took photos from different perspectives than my friend, who was the main photographer. I really liked the photos I came away with so I hope she and the couple are happy about them too. The wedding was a lot of fun to work and I wish nothing but the best for the happy couple. (Oh, and Korin, if you read this and you need a second photographer ever again, you call me anytime :) It was a pleasure working with you.)

These are quick edits - just a preview of my favorites. Tomorrow I'll hand my RAW files to the main photographer and she'll edit them along with her bunch. Check out the real album on her FB page.

Photoshop World 2011

2011-05-22T19:56:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege to attend Photoshop World 2011 in Orlando, FL this year on a student scholarship (actually went before the wedding, but oh well). Coworkers Paige and Korin went for our department, so we got to see them quite a bit. It was amazing - the fun we had and the learning experience down there was a once in a lifetime opportunity I'm glad to have taken part in.

Steve & Malinda's Wedding

2011-05-22T19:52:00.000-07:00

My cousin Steve invited me to be the photographer at his wedding to fiance Malinda in April. I was pretty nervous because I'd never done a wedding before (let alone solo) but I think it went really well! Congratulations to the bride and groom!

Wittman Family Christmas

2011-05-22T19:48:00.000-07:00

Brought the ole' camera out for the annual family Christmas party at the Susnig Center in Jville. We had lots of fun!

D Family Portraits

2011-05-22T19:43:00.001-07:00

I did my first large family portraits the same weekend as Kris and Isaac's engagement session. Kristina's mom wanted to take advantage of having everyone home for Thanksgiving weekend so I stopped by to do some quick portraits for them :)

Kris & Isaac Engagement

2011-05-22T19:41:00.000-07:00

My second engagement session was with some friends from high school - Kris and her fiance Issac. We went out to Lewis and Clark and they brought their puppy Penny!

CJ's Senior Portraits

2011-05-22T19:39:00.000-07:00

After some of my family saw my engagement shoot with Lisa and Kevin, my cousin Amy asked if I could take her son CJ's senior portraits. We took some in Jville and some at the family farm in Hamburg.

Lisa & Kevin's Engagement

2011-05-22T19:34:00.000-07:00

My cousin Lisa and her fiance Kevin asked me to take their engagement pics. They were my first couple so I was happy to be able to get some practice on a family member. They were laid back and really a lot of fun!

So it's been awhile...

2011-05-22T18:55:00.000-07:00

I came to a point where I wasn't sure what blog I was going to use for Lauranette Photography, but I think I'm going to stick with Blogger so I'm going to backpost what I've been up to for the past several months. Enjoy!

In the Spirit of Halloween

2010-10-05T20:54:00.001-07:00

Not trying to be super gory or anything, but I dug out the Halloween decs and found my fake blood stash - so I decided to have a little fun.

Landscapes for Class

2010-09-28T21:16:00.001-07:00

I recently discovered I prefer taking pictures when the rules aren't so cut and dry. That being said, landscapes weren't bad. I wish we could have gotten more usable photos from our Chicago trip, but there just wasn't time unfortunately. Hope everyone had a happy weekend!!

Portraits for Class

2010-09-11T19:53:00.001-07:00

This weekend I have to shoot some up close and personal portraits (without editing) for my digital photography class at Lewis and Clark Community College. I shot at least one pose of my dad I can use, and tomorrow I'll take some pictures of David. I need 4.

Regardless of the rules, I like cross processing and softer editing for my shots. I edited this the easy way on Picnik (most of the time I switch computers and do it with Photoshop) so here you have it.

This I converted to black and white with Photoshop Elements 8 and adjusted the levels.

Here is the original I'm going to show in class.

Let me know what you think!

Down on the Farm

2010-09-07T20:30:00.000-07:00

Diane was in town the same weekend as little Madden's birthday. It was great to see my best friend again - see, she lives in Texas and it's not that often we get to hang out.

Her family's farm has been on the market for years and is finally selling, so after we spent the day at the pool, we took a ride out to rural Godfrey and shot some pictures for her to remember it by. It was a really pretty day.

I saw this awesome oldie just sitting in the shed...

This gal's name is Gert. I am told she will eat the plastic off your car (but the Fusion was lucky this time around!).

It's interesting to note (for anyone who went to high school with us) that the farm is also the final resting place of Diane's red Dodge Neon... if that wasn't a blast from the past...

A great wrap-up to a busy, but super fun weekend.

Madden's 2nd Birthday

2010-08-30T18:27:00.000-07:00

Our friends Beth and Thomas came into town this weekend to throw a big birthday party for their little boy, Madden. I've taken photos of the family before, so I decided to bring the Rebel along and shoot some photos of the party. I posted more than 200 photos of the party so they could print or download whatever they like from my Shutterfly page, but I picked six of my favorites and tried out my new logo on them.

What do you think?

P.S. I also posted them on Facebook. If you haven't yet, "like" me today for regular updates.

P.P.S. If you use some of my photos on Facebook or otherwise, all I ask is that you give me credit and/or link one of my pages. Thanks!

Cross Processing

2010-08-12T08:11:00.001-07:00

I got CS5 recently and I'm practicing my cross processing and digital editing skills. Most of what I shoot is largely unedited (levels or changing photos to black and white are usually about it), but I'm always curious to learn more and try new things.

Thanks to korinrochelle for some helpful tips and tricks...

Relay for Life of Riverbend 2010

2010-07-16T08:11:00.000-07:00

Just getting around to posting Relay photos as well. I was this year's PR chair for the event, and I brought my camera along that night to capture some of the fun (in addition to walking a total of 15 miles around the track).

Visit http://www.facebook.com/relayforliferiverbend to "like" us and receive updates throughout the relay season.

Richards family portraits

2010-07-16T07:52:00.000-07:00

I shot these the weekend of the Zipprich wedding, just haven't loaded them until now. First time on a toddler shoot. Bright, hot day, so we didn't have long to get the shots we wanted.

Jersey County Fair

2010-07-14T14:10:00.001-07:00

I love county fair season. This year, I loved it even more because I got to experiment with flow shutter speed photography. These would have been better with a tripod, but you use what you've got handy I guess.

Bonnaroo 2010

2010-06-15T12:52:00.000-07:00

Just some of my favorites from the photos I took at Bonnaroo 2010.

The Centeroo Fountain

The Flaming Lips

Glowstick Twirlers

Ferris Wheel at Night

Centeroo Archway

Keasler-Zipprich Wedding

2010-06-02T14:17:00.000-07:00

A couple that plays volleyball with us got married this past weekend and I took some photos at the ceremony and reception. I wasn't an official photographer - I just wanted to give them a little something extra as a wedding gift.

Still trying to burn their DVD - Mark did the dance to "Footloose."

I'll post the video when I've processed it.

http://lauranettephoto.shutterfly.com

Meet Prince

2010-05-19T14:18:00.001-07:00

So I ordered one of these off Amazon yesterday. It shoots 120mm film but I bought the adapter to enable 35mm film shooting as well. I'm super excited to get it and experiment with it and see what I can come up with. When I do, I'll post some pictures for sure.

I wanted something to take with me to Bonnaroo, something more than my digital point and shoot, to take it up to the next level from last year, and this fits the bill perfectly. :)

Project 365

2010-05-07T20:22:00.000-07:00

Today, Day 127

Day 126

For those of you who aren't familiar with Project 365, it's a Flickr group where members are meant to post one photo a day for an entire year.

I previously tried 3 different 52 Weeks projects, but wasn't ready and grew tired of my limited ability with the Sony Cybershot (the new version of which is pimp; how bout that Sweep Panorama action?), so I quit way before my time. This time, me and my DSLR are hoping to stick to it. One project, not a million at a time, which is usually my problem.

My first photos are macros and don't have people in them, but I'm thinking there will be a mix of inanimate objects, landscapes, candids, portraits, food and cooking, etc. by the time I hit Day 365.

By the way, I've started on Day 125 (Cinco de Mayo) and plan on starting over on Jan. 1, 2011 if I make it all the way there.

The idea of the project is to practice everyday. To grow and progress. And to have something to show at the end of the year. I hope you'll follow my efforts on Flickr.

I'm on Facebook!

2010-05-07T19:15:00.000-07:00

Actually, I've been on Facebook since college - what I meant was that I published my photography fan page and I've gotten more than 100 fans in nearly two days.

Thanks to everyone for following me! I hope you like what you see and share some feedback.

If you're interested in a print, let me know and I will upload it to my Shutterfly share site at http://lauranettephoto.shutterfly.com.

... bring May Flowers

2010-05-05T20:45:00.000-07:00

"April Showers Bring May Flowers," or so the saying goes, so I grabbed the Rebel after work today and went for a walk. In my backyard and around the neighborhood I shot some macro flowers. So I don't have a fancy macro lens, but I thought I got some decent shots off anyway. You tell me.

The purple one is my favorite.

Visit my Flickr photostream for more.

Day at the Ballpark

2010-04-30T20:02:00.000-07:00

David and I spent our Thursday at Busch Stadium, watching the Cardinals defeat the Atlanta Braves 10-4 (and it was Pujols' day off).

I couldn't resist trying a panorama (without a tripod this time) and some self-portrait action - especially because I had colored my hair black that morning.

Pet Portraits: Sadie and Hayley

2010-04-09T20:19:00.000-07:00

Quick Friday post.
Mini kitty and her big gray sister are my best little models. Here are a couple of my favorites:

Inlow family portraits

2010-04-08T13:14:00.000-07:00

So, these were taken before Christmas 2009, so they're a little old. Also, they were taken with the XTi rather than the T1i because I didn't have my camera back then. I did have a pretty kick butt idea for David's parents' Christmas present though.

I had the guys fake a game night at our house, and we went down to the Alton Ampitheater grounds to shoot some portraits - a couple group poses then both serious and silly individual shots. Here are some of my favorites:

David, a silly shot

Brian's regular shot

Danny, genuinely laughing at his brothers

I blew this photo up into an 8x10 and it was the main focus of the present (prints) I gave to his parents.

This was one of our fun group shots, which I desaturated to black and white for effect.

I thought the shoot turned out really well and the guys were great. It wasn't a serious thing at all, we played around and laughed and made a good time out of it, and I think that shows in the shots I ended up with.

If you're interested in portraits, shoot me an e-mail at laminette.griff@gmail.com.

Early self-portraits

2010-04-08T13:08:00.000-07:00

I took this shot the day I got my camera, to show off the camera, not so much myself.

Exposure: 0.017 sec (1/60)

Aperture: f/6.3

This one I took of myself on Good Friday at the park down the street from my home. I spent hours enjoying the weather and experimenting with my new toy. This shot was taken with a tripod.

Exposure: 0.001 sec (1/800)

Aperture: f/3.5

I'm not the world's greatest model, and I certainly wasn't dressed for it, but I thought the mostly-abandoned park was a good setting for some photos of myself.

Photomanipulation: Early efforts

2010-04-08T12:58:00.000-07:00

Most of the time, the photos I post are largely unedited. Maybe I messed with the levels a little, maybe I changed some curves or even desaturated to black and white. Korin, of korinrochelle photography & art, is really good at Photoshop and had me inspired a while back to try some new things. Here are two of my best efforts with digital manipulation, using my own photos (the first taken with a Motorola Krave phone, the second with a Canon Rebel Xti borrowed from work long ago).

As far as pure photomanipulation, I've only been happy with one attempt so far (Lady | Background) :

Although I'll play around with Photoshop from time to time, I'm going to be focusing mainly on honing my camera skills.

First shot with the new camera

2010-04-08T12:43:00.000-07:00

This is the very first shot I tried with the new Rebel.

We didn't plant flowers in the yard, but the people who lived there before must have. Each spring (and we've been at the house for two) these babies crop up. They're not with us for long but they're beautiful.

I'm in a stage at this point where I'm doing a lot of macro shots and focusing in on objects with a lot of blur in the background. Aperture wasn't something I was able to control with the Cybershot so there you have it.

Exposure: 0.013 sec (1/80)

Aperture: f/6.3

Welcome to my photo blog

2010-04-08T12:29:00.000-07:00

Recently, I became the owner of a Canon Rebel T1i DSLR camera that I named Black Dynamite. Black Dynamite and I have only been together a short time, but in that time we've had a lot of fun and I can't wait for what's to come.

I've always loved photos but became interested in photography during college while working at the student daily newspaper, the Daily Eastern News. I befriended some of the staff photogs and looked up to them and their talents. Some of them remain a few of my favorite photographers.

While working for The Telegraph in Alton as a reporter/page designer/Web editor, I got to shoot some people portraits and some other jobs when the other photogs were busy. It wasn't much, but it gave me experience and a few clips to go on.

When I started at Lewis and Clark Community College in August 2009, my interest in photography grew exponentially as I became surrounded by talented artists like Paige Allen and Korin Fisher, both coworkers, a professional photographer and graphic designer/photographer respectively. I started shooting more and more, but then began to feel restrained with my little Sony Cybershot.

That's when I decided to invest in Black Dynamite, and now I get to play. I'm even taking a photography class here at L&C in the fall.

Follow me here as I try different photos and styles out, and as a find myself as a visual artist. View my Flickr slideshow at the bottom of this page more more.