Studio J Photography - Our little bit of the web

Fall Family Portrait Specials Announced!

Funny things that have happened- just something to lighten your day!

My top #1: One day recently I went out to get in my SUV, and a limb from a pear tree that was too heavy had fallen on top of it.  I was in a hurry, so pulled it off as quickly as I could but left behind 7 pears.  They rolled around for days on top, because I was too busy to get out a ladder and get them off.  With every turn, you could hear them rolling around.  Eventually they all fell off, except for one that had gotten caught and rotted under the edge of the luggage rack.  If you were slammed with a pear as you drove down the road, it wasn't me.  

One evening a couple of weeks ago, my oldest son and I had a store run to make.  It was a beautiful, nice, evening.  Cool, relaxing- so we were driving along enjoying it.  Until - we got stopped by a train, and were the first car at the track.  So much for having the windows down and enjoying the night.  We laughed like crazy people, because we didn't want to roll up the windows!  The train was forever long, and VERY VERY loud!  We were shouting at each other and then his phone rings, so he shouts into the phone " I'M AT A TRAIN CROSSING AND IT'S LOUD!!  I'LL CALL YOU BACK!!'  I love those moments with my 14 year old!

This past spring I was with Jessica and we were in a class.  This particular class we were just watching/listening and were stuck back in a corner with barely room to move.  As I was standing there, I look over beside me because something caught my eye.  The lady next to me had TP hanging out of the back of her pants, down to her knees!  I tap Jessica and nod over to the area for her to look, and she busted up!  Quietly, of course, she drops to her knees and bends over her notebook like she is taking notes just as a straight A student would.  The clincher of the whole scenario?  THE TP WAS WET AT THE END!

During the same trip, we decided to drive home straight through.  It was an 8 hour trip but we didn't leave until 9 or 10 pm.  At some point at 1 am, we got very tired and needed to stop for gas and food.  The only place open was McDonald's, so we pulled over there.  As we are walking in, there is a man in front of me that caught my attention.  I turned to Jessica and said to her "There is an Amish man in front of me".  She didn't believe me, thought I was joking, but sure enough when she looked up she was really surprised, considering she thought I was kidding, and she turned around and walked back out, again doubled over laughing.  It ends up that the whole time we are in McDonald's ordering, there is a busload of Amish people there, with a lingo we couldn't understand, carrying suitcases.  It felt like The Twilight Zone - someplace we just shouldn't have been. 

Something fun happened the other day...... | Bloomington Photographer

We had a great family come in the other day for family portraits and images of the kiddos.  This particular family has an adorable 4 year old and boy/girl twins that are just at a year old.  When they came in, the baby boy was already walking, but baby sister wasn't yet - though she was still steady on her feet but still holding on.

We did this fun image, with mom and dad holding their hands to show just how big they are.... and then something happened!

 

Little sister takes off!  She let go of mom's hands and took those first steps!  I still had the camera in hand, and got this cool little series of images.  Hope you enjoy them too, they are hilarious!

Just as she let go.....

All together now.....

 

Horray!  She did it!  (While she herself shows you that She's #1!)

Babies, Babies, Babies! | Bloomington Newborn Photographer

We are so excited to welcome another little bundle into the studio as part of The Baby Collection - a series of images of baby from the first year. 

This little man was so wonderful, and funny - he smiled in his sleep an number of times, of course every time I stepped away from the camera and toward him!  I did catch this one, though and was tickled about it! 

 

He was quite the little model!  Here he is, modeling a new style:

This one is a fav of mine - we usually keep it simple with babies, they are so precious all their own, but I couldn't resist the pea hat!

This one includes a piece that was also present in their maternity images before he arrived, such a great little saying, don't you think?

 

He was SOUND ASLEEP in this one, and mom, dad, and I had a great laugh together working on getting this one!

We can't wait to see him again, and just adore this little guy! 

Sunflower Field | Bloomington Photographer

Recently, we spent some time in a sunflower field!  What a gorgeous place, I can't believe we have them around here!  Even prettier than that though, is the young lady pictured in the field! 

 

 

What does it all mean? News to share!

There is a lot of exciting Exciting new to share~I'll have to do it in a couple of posts!  The first new is that recently, the International Print Competition was held in Atlanta, GA and once again, I entered.  This year I didn't enter any local competitions - state or regional.  It seems there just wasn't enough time in the day to get everything ready.  It is a LOT of preparation to enter competition.  You don't just pull an image and have it printed - you study it, study it, review it, retouch it, retouch it, scrap it, start over, retouch, get opinions, and then just as the deadline draws nearer you realize you have just GOT to stop.  Even if you aren't finished, or it doesn't seem finished to you - you have to be done.

There are degrees you can earn as a photographer - you may wonder when you see certain things along with your photographers name and wonder what they mean.  Here's a synopsis for you:

CPP (Certified Professional Photographer) - this means your photographer has gone through the process of choosing to be certified as a pro.  There are 2 steps to this process: Step one is to take an extensive test on photography - including film.  You have 2 hours to complete the 100 question test - and must pass with a 70 or above.  Basically, this test is to make sure you know what you are doing!  It is NOT easy, and many photographers study, study, study for this one.  Step 2 is to submit 20 images to a panel for review.  The 20 images must represent your business, and be from 20 different client jobs - you can't just go out and photograph anything and send those in - they have to be proportionate to your business.  So, for example, if you photograph 50% high school seniors, 20% children and 30% families, then you would send in 10 senior images, 4 children images and 6 family images, all from different clients and different sessions.

    I did this step in 2007, I drove to Alabama to take the exam and submitted the images online for approval.

Something else you can earn as a photographer is the Photographic Craftsman degree through the Professional Photographers of America.  To earn that degree you must acquire 'merits' (think: college credits) though participating in educational programs, teaching and speaking about something related to your craft, entering and having a print merit in the international competition, taking certain webinars, etc.  You must earn 25 merits for the Craftsman degree - 13 of which has to be as a speaker/instructor and 12 of which can be other types, attending programs, competition, etc.

    This degree I received in January of 2009 - the teaching I did to earn this degree took me to Virginia, Tennessee, Illinois, Wisconsin, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Maine.  It was a GREAT experience.  I still teach as well, though now it is for 'bars' which are an accessory to the degree.

The Master of Photography degree is more about print competition - you have to earn 25 additional merits (you can't use the same ones for each degree), 13 of which have to be from print competition.  You can only send in 4 prints to the competition per year for judging.  Only if it is accepted for exhibit do you receive a merit. 

    I started entering print competition in 2007, with 3 of my 4 images meriting, 2008 had 3 images of the 4 merit,  in 2009 I had 4 images merit with one 'going loan', meaning it was considered one of the best of the best and travels around the world on exhibit.  You earn an extra merit for an image going loan.  For 2010, I needed 2 more merits to be eligible for my Master of Photography degree and had 2 of my images merit, therefore qualifying me for the degree!

 

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Little Ones | Bloomington Baby Photography

We LOVE babies here!  Newborns are such a blessing to photograph, especially when we see them before their 2 week birthday!  There's nothing better than that little one all curled up and sleeping, well, like a baby!  There is always some extra snuggles for them too - because we just can't help ourselves! 

Family is a Gift

You may or may not know about our relationship with The Baby Fold - each year we host a fundraiser event for them which is a baby and child portrait contest.  We have the opportunity to meet families that are great supporters of The Baby Fold and families that are touched by the great things The Baby Fold offers to our community.

This year we met one family in particular that stepped right into my heart - great parents that have been given a gift of 3 wonderful children I absolutely fell in love with.  I can't wait to share them with you!  This family is a true testament that family is a gift.

Not flesh of my flesh, Nor bone of my bone,
But still miraculously my own.
Never forget for a single minute,
You didn't grow under my heart - but in it
--- Fleur Conkling Heylinger

Family is a Gift from Studio J on Vimeo.

Wonderful Unique Frames | Bloomington Photographer

We can't wait to show you these new frames!  A specific line - hand-crafted and painted in a variety of color combinations!

They are wonderful, adding to your home decor as a stand alone piece, displayed on a easle, or as a group on your wall!

Shown here are 8x8 frames which hold a 4x4 image - we will also have 12x12 frames and 24x24 frames! 

Colors pictured are: Cranberry Juice, Black Licorice, ButterCream, and BooBerry! 

Coming soon - Oregano, Mr. Piggy, Cookies and Cream and Oreo Cookie.  Stay tuned!

 

 

 

 

Photography Classes Offered | Bloomington, IL

Thursday, July 29 6:00-8:00pm:  Digital SLR Camera Basics (part 1 of 3)

    Instructor: Jackie Haggerty, Cr. Photog., Certified Professional Photographer, 2010 International Photographer of the Year

    Cost: $55 per individual

So you have an SLR camera, but aren't sure what to do with it now?  Are there too many buttons to learn, with not enough time to read that manual? This class will cover: 

• Camera operation
• Handling your camera
• Camera settings and use
• Accessories for your SLR
• Choosing the right lens
• Moving beyond the auto setting
• And more 

Tuesday, August 3, 6:00-8:00pm:  Exposure Exposed (part 2 of 3)

    Instructor: Jackie Haggerty, Cr. Photog., Certified Professional Photographer, 2010 International Photographer of the Year

    Cost: $55 per individual

     Now that you know your camera, let's talk about how to use it! Choosing the right exposure for the situation is the number one key to capturing a great image-this class will:

• Basic exposure
• Exposure compensation
• Choosing the right exposure for the situation
• Exposing into the sun
• Preventing common mistakes
• And more

Thursday, August 5 6:00pm-8:00pm:  Exposure Safari (part 3 of 3)

    Instructor: Jackie Haggerty, Cr. Photog., Certified Professional Photographer

    Cost: $55 per individual

    You've got an understanding about how exposure works, but how to do you use it in a real situation?  Let's go on an Exposure Safari!  This class is for those that have taken the Exposure Exposed class as a follow-up hands on opportunity to work with what you learned.

• Photograph is a variety of situations
• On location exposure guidance
• Hands-on assistance in choosing the right exposure
• Real situations
• And more 

Pre-registration is required, with registration paid in advance.  To register, call the studio at (309) 828-4200.  Attendees may register for any individual class or all classes, with limited availability to keep class sizes small for the best learning environment. 

*Professional photographers or photographers with an interest in the business of photography are not eligible to attend.  Please contact us for additional information on classes in the area for professionals.