Two days until.

In 2 Days, I will be celebrating my 33rd birthday. Yayyyy! For those of you who know me personally you would know that life wasn't an easy journey for me. I am blessed to have become the person I am today and I only have God to thank for it.

 I have a wonderful husband and four beautiful kids, a College education  my own photography business and I will soon be graduating from graduate school. Blessed is all I can say. Sometimes I wonder, what other plans do God have in store me. I will not question, and will do as I have always done. Let him guide me in the right direction, because he has never led me wrong.

While sitting here typing this, I have just completed one of the two Christmas Cards that I will give out to family and friends.  I will share it with you because they probably won't come here to see it, so it will still be a surprise to them.

To my fellow readers if I don't blog about anything else before Christmas I want to tell you Merry Christmas from me and my family.

Be safe and enjoy your Holiday! Remember this is the season for giving not receiving, be thankful for all that you have and remember any problems you maybe going through someone else is having a much harder time than you are. Put all of your problems and worries in God's hands and he will take care of it.

This year is almost at its end. WOW!

This year has really taken me for a ride. For the first six months of it I was wondering if I wanted to go back to work full time as a school teacher, not because I wanted to start my own photography business; but because all of my friends were working and I didn't have anybody at home with me to talk to, have lunch, or to shop with. I knew that working full time would be hard for me, being that I am a full time graduate student with four kids. The classwork requirements would have had to be put on hold until late, late at night after I have helped my kids with their homework, cooked dinner and gotten everyone ready for bed, mind you my husband works out of town so he's not home until after all of those things are done. So I opted to not even attempt it.

One day while at the zoo taking pictures all by my lonesome, I decided that this was something that I was really good at and people really did like my work, so why not make it full-time. Why not? I get flexibility, while still making a decent salary. Look when I say I love photography, I really love photography. This has been a passion of mine for some years and OMG if I could sleep with my camera and take pictures while sleeping I probably would. I wake up playing with it and I go to sleep playing with it. There is not a day that I am not shooting something whether it's for fun or work I am shooting.

This passion over the year has really brought a lot of light to my life, I have never felt so at peace with a decision that I have spontaneously made and not regret something about it. Where as with photography I have invested my whole heart and soul into along with my money.  If I had it to do all over again I would.

On December 15, 2010 I will be turning 33 years old and although I have a college education and working on my Master's Degree I couldn't  more happier with where I am in my life. It seems as if it took me all of my life to get here and I must say I LOVE IT! I look back on the last 7 months of this year and how fast it has passed my by, but I must congratulate myself. I have accomplished tons while maintaining a 3.5 G.P.A  in school.

Yes, it was hard trying to balance everyday life, school work and business but as I always say prayer makes a difference. God has never let my down, he has always been there to pick me up when I fall so I have no problem getting back up, dusting myself off and trying it again.

I'm Baaack!

Sorry for the delay in posting, but school has really been hampering down on me, not to mention all the things that I have to do with my kids, and oh photography to. Yep, I am still here trying to be superwoman juggling around everyday life. Somehow I manage to do it, but NO! I know how it all gets done, my father Jesus Christ. He always seem to make a way. Thank you Jesus.

Tonight is my last exam, and it should be fairly easy, the hard part was completing my thesis and a portfolio that had to be done at the same time. I've gotten those out of the way and I am ready to enjoy the holidays.

During my time off from blogging I was able to put all of my Christmas decorations out, go Black Friday shopping and also squeezed in a little Cyber Monday shopping as well. While in the midst of all that business has picked up quite a bit, which I am very excited about December makes month 7 of me being in business for myself. Thanks to all of my customers you are GREEAAT!

This morning when I got up I decided that it was time to blog again I have now completed all the task at hand that kept me so busy. As I was thinking about what I wanted to blog about I decided to post some pictures from this past weekend. I think that this weekend was full of adventure, I had so much fun with these sessions and it was the most fun that I had ever had while working.

It started with a little girl name V is what we will call her, because I don't want to butcher her name. She was as adorable as can be, her session was early 9:00am and upon my arrival she looked at me like, Why are you here so early?  She took a minute to warm up to me, but when she did OMG! we had toons of fun. I had these Large outdoor type ornaments that she absolutely loved she and I played ball with it. How did I do that and take pictures of her at the same time don't ask because I don't know. If we were not playing ball she was cutting her eyes at me, giving me the sweetest little looks. She was amazingly cute and even though she didn't say much other than ball and mama she didn't have to, she also loved to sit anywhere she flopped down and that was so funny because sometimes she didn't realize where she was sitting. This shoot with little V made my day, I could never ask for a better job. Pictures of little V will be posted at the bottom of the page.

The next shoot I want to tell you about is the Wright Family. This was the most comedic family I have ever encountered they wore me out. We had sooooo much fun taking pictures from the two baby girls to the dad and don't forget about the dog. I don't know very many men that like to take pictures, every male I photograph is only doing it because the wife or the significant other is making him do it. Not Mr. Wright he had his own poses that had to be done I want post any of those, but let me tell you they were funny as you know what. The dog, now I have a dog and he refuses to sit still and let me photograph him but this dog and her name is Cutie she would come and place herself in the picture like I am apart of this family too. Look too funny to me if you could have only seen some of the things she would do, you would be dying laughing.  No one had to call her she would just jump up in Mrs. Wrights lap because everyone else was posed to take their family portrait, and I guess she felt she needed to be there too. You can also see some of their pictures posted at the bottom of the page.

Giving Thanks

I am sooooo ready for the holidays. I have gotten all of my decorations and I am now ready to put them out. Before any of that happens, I still have a portfolio to complete. I have two more class sessions left before the semester ends and OMG! I can't wait.

November makes my 6th month anniversary for being in business for myself. Yea! I made it through a 1/2 of a year mostly doing portraits and I am thankful for all of my supporters, because without the help of you all I don't know if I would have made it this far. Thanks!

Thanks to Tasha Prescott for all of her business advice, Special thanks to my husband and kids for supporting me in this endeavor, all of my family and friends that helped out with everything from modeling to listening. Wow! I have so much to be thankful for and so many people to thank, I can't name them all. You know who you are, and to all of my clients, you will continue to hold special places in my heart, because you were the first ones there to make all of this happen for me. I am ever so grateful for you. THANK YOU.

I have come along ways, but I still have an even longer journey ahead of me. I will continue to put God first and allow him to lead the way, because without him none of this would have been possible. I am eager to accomplish things, however I know that patience is a virtue. With that I will continue to research, read, study, and learn all that there is to learn about the business of photography. My ambition is to one day be one of the best photographers known in the state of Louisiana and where ever else the Lord sees fit.



This 

Holiday Season Yea!

 I love the holidays, all of them but most of all Christmas.  I am one who is always ready to shop, I love love shopping, most of all I love shopping sales. (Lol) I will walk from one store to the next trying to get the best price for the same exact item. When I go shopping I tend to shop alone, because most times my tag -alongs get tired and start complaining. Nope you can't hang with me.

Black Friday is my favorite shopping day of the year, there may not be anything in the sales add that I really want but I'm going anyway. I usually go to my husband's aunts house  for Thanksgiving stay till about 6:00p.m. then I leave him and the kids, I go home take a nap and get back up at 12:00 a.m (Yep I am one them, I spend the night in the 24 hour Walmart and scope the store out so that I know where everything is) Since I am there so early I am able to get what I want get in line and out the store by 6:30a.m and on to the next one. I will normally finish shopping around noon, once I am done I will come home wrap my gifts, then put out decorations and decorate my Christmas tree. Yes my house is one of the one's that's all decorated the day after Thanksgiving. I look forward to this every year.

 
So while I am planning for next week I have created some of the Holiday Greeting Cards that will be included in my holiday packages. Here is 4 of 10 designs that I will be selling.

The end is finally here

The semester is finally coming to an end, two more weeks of school and the fall semester of 2010 closes. I am soooooooo glad, because now I can focus 100% of my time to my business. Networking, passing out fliers and placing myself in places where I can be found or seen. Shooting more, spending more time with my camera if you know what I mean. I have approximately four weeks to enjoy my camera before the start of a much more rigorous class schedule.

I will be taking 12hrs next semester and for those of you who have been in graduate school you might know that this schedule will take up most of my time, however it has to be done. This is my last year in graduate school these 60hrs seemed like a lot, but the time has flown by. This will be the only semester that I will have to take 12hrs so I am going to be a soldier at it, because hey it's only a few months. Four to be exact, like Thomas the Trains always say I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I know I can do it.

I have planned for a lot to happen in 2011 and I hope the Lord gives me strength to endure it all.  So to my fellow classmates congratulations on completing your 600 internship hours and I look forward to seeing you all walk across the stage in December. I can't wait to grow up and be like you. May of 2012 here I come I know that you are right around the corner, and I will have to be strong and complete this journey while maintaining my business at the same time. Lord be with me!

Awesome shoot with a baby boy today!

Today I shoot a beautiful toddler, who was just as serious as they come. Although he loved to play peep eye and blow kisses. I followed this little man around as if he was telling me what to do.

Finally Matching

Today I was able to redo the shoot of my cousin and while I think the photos came out very well this time, I will only post a few. I found some awesome new locations for my wedding shoots, I can also use them for portraits too. The lighting out there today was immaculate, while scouting the city for new spots my cousin and I were able to spend some much needed quality time together. She's the best Love ya Shalida.










After finishing that, we came back to my house and I showed her some more features on my olympus camera and allowed her to take it with her for the rest of the week. Have fun with it girl!

I also took the time out to complete my brand and finalize it all. My Blog now matches my website. I would love to hear what you think about it.  Thanks guys! Good night all.

Very Productive!

I had an awesome time BY MYSELF, felt a little overwhelmed at first. I actually thought about leaving and going back home, but I stayed and I'm glad that I did.  I meet some wonderful brides, although the show was a small one progress was made.

I also did some networking, Shouts out to Zonda B. of L.A's Finest a makeup artist very down to earth and her makeup was the BOMB! To bad I don't wear it:)  If you need her number feel free to message me on my facebook page I will inbox you her number.

Another shout out to Vonda Franklin an Event Coordinator. She offered to take some of my cards and put them out for me at some of the shops she deals with, along passing them on to her brides. Thanks Vonda I look forward to working with you.

After meeting them I started talking to other people as I always do, and I was able to give out quite a few of my fliers. So I'm feeling really good about the way the day went.

Today will be the bomb!

I will be attending event #2 a bridal show another event that will help determine which way my business will in which turn. I am so excited, even though I will be attending this by myself.  (Readers I am a Mental Health Counselor Graduate Student and I have many issues with doing things on my own and I am not afraid to say it. Hello, my name is Natasha James and I am afraid of doing things on my own. I have been with my husband since I was 13 years old. When we reached a age were we were able to go out on dates I have never had to worry about lifting a finger, and it is still that way today).

I have never traveled alone, everywhere we go, he leads the way, and everything we do he guides us. I have the best husband in the world but I think he has made me dependent upon him and Nope I am not afraid to say that either. He is my chemical and I am dependent on him. I have learned that this is not good, but it wasn't that I didn't already know that I just never worried about it. Until now there are things that I have to do for my business that only I can do. So I have taken my own counseling advice and I am breaking the leash.

No longer will I depend on my husband to guide me in the direction I want to go, I will take the initiative and direct myself,  I will travel where ever I need to without him, and the uneasiness that I feel about it. I am a completer (meaning when I start something I have to finish it). So failing at this is not an option.

So with all that being said, it brings me to this: I ordered some fliers for today's bridal show and I plan to give out at least 200 of them, I asked him if he would go with me and he says "You don't need me, that's something you can do on your own". Well I know that, I just wanted him to tag alone with me. Ha Ha.

So lesson learned make the move. I will do what my horoscope tells me to do today;


You feel threatened by a different way of doing things. This isn't about you. Progress will have its way no matter what you think. Help the changes happen instead of trying to block them. Thanks Daily Horoscope. Mwah

Happy Shooting readers! Have a wonderful day:)

Holiday Mini Sessions

 Book your session now

Still learning! Wow :)

Hello,

To all my readers. Today I realized something, yesterday I blogged about a playful and educational photo shoot with my cousin. At the end of the post I said "I will post pictures later". Blogger wasn't letting me post any within my blog. Well it's still not allowing me to post within the blog and I wish that it would, but I'll figure something out by the end of the blog. Anyway what I learned today was awesome. ALWAYS check the settings on your equipment before you begin a session. Small but necessary.

I said that my cousins pictures looked better than mine and I really meant it! She used my old baby the Olympus E420 and she shot everything using auto just to get a feel for using the camera. I shot with my Canon, because of course I'm still familiarizing myself with it and its features. Hey it's only 1 month old it's still my little newborn.

Well I received some positive criticism on them which is how I learned the lesson. The night before my cousin was at my house playing with my camera and so was I. I was trying out the different white balance settings and realized that auto was not what I should always be using, however we were indoors so I put the white balance on tungsten light. When we finished with the camera I turned it off without putting the white balance back on auto duhhh.

So for the shoot we did I thought she blended in with the atmosphere to much, she had on a green shirt, blue jeans, pink scarf, and camel colored boots, don't sound to spiffy but it was cute. The sky was a beautiful blue color, it was nice and windy, and for the shoot we decided to use the teal blue poles that were located right in front of a awesome waterfall with clear blue water that reflected off the sky. Back to my pictures, although the day was beautiful my pictures looked very blue. Because I have had no formal training in photography white balance wasn't something I would have thought of.

One of my face-book friends caught it and told me. Thanks, Mr. Carter and that's when I realized that I had totally forgot to change the white balance back to auto when I finished and to check my settings before I began a new session.

That's something I never worried about because I would only change my shutter speed, iso, and fstop. In manual those are all changed on the top of my camera, so I would basically get my settings right and go. Never realized that there was a little icon on top with the settings to tell you what your white balance was set on. Another Lesson hummmm!

So there you are:) My little goof up for the week. For my fellow newbies here is my mistake I'm sharing it with you so that it's a mistake you won't have to make. By the way for those of you who can't see what I am talking about the pictures of and her pictures were taken in the same place just a different area. Mine is a bit bluer than they should be. 

To everyone else,
Thanks for reading

P.S. Still won't let post pictures here see them at them bottom of the page:)

 Finally able to post the pictures.  11/6/2010

Having Fun!!

Today was a beautiful day, windy but beautiful. I think I have convinced my cousin to purchase herself a camera. She was off today, and because it was so nice out we decided to go play with my cameras.

She enjoyed every minute of it. I told her that it was contagious and that she need not put her hands on the camera if she ever wanted to use her Kodak Point & Shoot again. I told her that shooting with a DSLR changes the way you look at taking pictures.

She took very nice pictures of me and if you ask me hers look better than mine;) LOL. She wore a green shirt and blue jeans which blended in well with the beautiful blue sky, the teal green poles and the clear blue water in the fountain. She had on a awesome pink scarf that I wished she had left in my truck.


I really enjoyed the shooting time we shared today. We had so much fun that we really didn't want to stop but of course we had to go pick up the kids.

Here is some of the shots we took of each other. Maybe later pictures won't post OMG!

Risk Taking

last night my cousin and I were sitting at my house researching and looking at different photographers work in the Atlanta,Georgia and Dallas,Texas area. We ran across some wonderful photographers. While searching through the different websites I ran across a you tube video and in the video it gave a lot of information and it was very detailed. One part that stuck with me it the part about RISK TAKING.

The interviewer asked the interviewee if she had any regrets? Her reply was that she wished she had invested more in herself when she first started her business and had not been so scared of failing. After hearing that I realized that I had not made any mistakes in my investment. I wondered if I was making a mistake buy purchasing the most expensive equipment on the market just starting out. I had a camera an Olympus E420 but I wanted a more professional camera. I am glad to know that I didn't, even though I changed brands (Olympus to Canon) the is very different in all aspects but I think I have learned a lot while using my new camera within a months time.

Because I am here in Louisiana and basically teaching myself as I go, using the internet to learn from others gives a great pleasure, in knowing that I'm not alone.

So for those of you who are scared of taking that BIG step, don't be I stepped out on faith and God has not led me wrong so far. Don't be afraid of making mistakes, because we all do. I have always been told if fail at one thing keep trying till you find that one that you could master and be good at.

We have to work for anything worth having and if you give up because something didn't go right, you will only be giving up on yourself.

Continuing in an upward trend!

To learn is to acquire knowledge or skill. Learning also may involve a change in attitude or behavior. Through this one should educate themselves, while acquiring and applying the skills learned. One should never give up on trying something, because they have been told they can't.


Today I have come to the conclusion that if I want my business to move forward, I have to be the one to move it. So here goes. I have assessed my growth thus far and through my assessment I am not where I was six months ago and I plan to be a bit further six months from today, no matter what it takes to get me there.

After completing my first wedding, I was in AWE about what I had accomplished it was done totally by me with no help. Even though I was a limited in my equipment the bride loved her images and so did at least l00 of the 200 quest that was there. I say at least 100 of the 200 because 100 emails were collected from her quest viewing her pictures and returning to view them over and over again.

Since then I have been thinking about shooting weddings and well guess what? I am! Some might say I am not ready, Some might say I am not good enough, Some might say I don't have what it takes to be a wedding photographer, but hey it is what it is! for everyone that says I'm not there is someone who says I am. I believe that God places people in your life for different reasons and I had been praying to God and asking him to send a wedding my way and as a matter-of-fact he sent two my way one was a combination of a baby shower and wedding and the other was a large traditional wedding. He answered my prayers. Thank you Lord, because you gave me what I asked for and more. Though all of this came about, because someone had been watching me in the background silently. I believe that God works in mysterious ways.

So for me, I think the only way for me to get better at it is to do it. I have read tons about the subject, obtained the necessary equipment and now it's time for me to implement what I have learned. Hey if I don't practice how will I get better. As my husband would say Rome wasn't built in a day, and I know that I won't be perfect overnight.

I think I have it and one day I'm going to be well known as a wonderful Wedding Photographer. So until then I plan to start booking weddings for 2011 as of Now:) This will be my first attempt to move my business in a new direction. Soooo, with that being said The first few brides to book a wedding with me it will be well worth the investment.

Cheers to the New Year

Halloween:(

As I lay here watching the Halloween Fest on television I think of how sad Halloween is for kids today. Sitting here reminiscing about my child hood and how much fun my cousins and I had. None of us had costumes nor did we care. One of my Aunts or Uncles would go and buy a scary mask to play around with us and try to scare the living daylights out us, but that was it.

I grew up in the hood Zion City to be exact, and on Halloween night me, my brothers, and a wholeeeee bunch of my cousins would go trick or treating.  No one was worried about someone bothering us because everybody in the hood knew who we were. If we were doing something we had no business they would call and let my grandmother know about it.

We didn't have any money, but Halloween was so much more fun for us than it is for my children.  Although it seems if they really enjoy it, but to me it's horrible. There is no more walking the neighborhood and knocking on doors for candy. Who wants to be in a carpool line going through the neighborhood trick or treating GOOOSH!

I remember one year my grandmother and my aunts gave us a Halloween party I mean we had fun. Bobbing for apple, dancing, my uncles with that same scary mask that he had several years prior trying to scare us with it, playing all kinds of games, and just having tons of fun not really realizing that, that event would be something to remember OMG fun, fun!
 
I think next year I think next year I will recreate that event for my kids. I even remember walking through Zion City trick or treating and for those of you who don't know you could cover a lot of ground in two hours. My grandmother lived on Ford St. in the middle by Beach Grove Church  and we would leave at exactly 6:00 and by the time it was time to come home we would have been all in the projects and through Glen Oaks getting candy while still being back before 8:00. Man those were the days. Boy do I wish being a kid SOMETIMES.

I wish the world wasn't so twisted, because the kids are missing out on sooooo much.  Parents take a minute and go back to your child hood so that you could see all the things that you have taken away from your children for whatever the reason may be and allow them to be kids in the safest way possible.

I think they deserve to look back on their child hood and reminisce about some of things you allowed them to do as they were growing up.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Thank you Lord for the wonderful weather!

Today was a beautiful fall day, the sun shining bright, the clear blue sky and the wonderful temperature that allowed me to be outside shooting a wonderful couple without getting hot and sweaty from all the movement.

Dennis and Delacer chose the best day for a photo shoot. Although the sun was shining bright it allowed me to practice my manual settings with the different light of the day. AWESOME, I was able to twirk it with no problem. I almost felt like I had been shooting with a Canon for quite some time, however it has only been a month since I upgraded my equipment. I think I am getting the hang of shooting with a full frame quite well. I LOVE MY CAMERA.

The shoot was great and the couple was AWESOME  Thank you Dennis and Delacer for allowing me to shoot you, you could have chose many more photographers over me and I am grateful for your business.

Wonderful evening for opening night:)

Last night my husband and I took our kids to opening night at the state fair, it was AWESOME. Evey year it normally rains or it's raining and cold or maybe it's misting and cold however last night was Perfect!

The weather was amazing, not to cold but cool enough for a lite jacket if you're cold natured. The day was a beautiful Autumn Day, nice and windy, the sun glistening in the sky not burning us to death, and as it set the sky was a beautiful purplish and orange color.  We were there longer than we planned on being there, cause you know it was a school night right.

We arrived before the gates opened and were some of the first ones to get in. Yep for those of you who know me, you know that I am always on time and have to beat the traffic so if that means being early oh well. The early bird gets the worm, LOL.  There was a nice crowd not a lot but enough to enjoy the rides with.  No standing in lines, so my kids were able to ride all the rides they wanted to with no problem a plus for me.  They were so tired and full, because you know we had to eat at the fair right. Love the chicken on the stick, alligator on the stick, cheese fries, corn dogs, lemonade and the Italian Ice oh my. We ate so much we didn't know what to do.

Of course this was the twins first year being able to enjoy having fun at the fair as they are only four years old and I think they had the most fun.  My twin girl said to me as we were leaving, "mom can we please ride just one more time".  I said to her no you have school tomorrow and she says with her arms folded but mom just one more ride Pleaseeeeeeeee! I hated to say no again, but if I would have let her ride the ride she wanted then the other three were going tostart whining and wanting to ride another ride to. The cycle starts all over again.

Shouts out to my customers that was there and spoke to me last night. Ya'll made me feel so important WOW!

Productive Day!!

Whooo Hoooo:)  I have completed my first business seminar, and I am excited about the information that I have received.  It was very informative even though much of what was said didn't apply to me. I didn't know there was so many avenues (Free Avenues at that) for small business owners to get help with starting and growing their business.

I did do a little networking, gave away a few cards and asked a few questions.  Very informative and I feel like I've learned a lot.

Very Productive Day !!!  Now I gotta go make some money photo shoot in a few min.

Making Strides:)

Tomorrow will be the first day of my venture, I will be attending my first business owner seminar at the Baton Rouge River Center. Excited and can't wait to see what I will learn,  I am sooooo looking forward to it the networking, the meeting new people and hopefully meeting  a new friend are two.  I have many ideas in my head as to where I would like my business to be or go.

I have always had high standards and I have really high standards for my business, this makes me think, well Tasha; what are you going to do to get where you want to be? I am a researcher and a reader, I also love talking with others and listening to their ideas. I love constructive criticism along with positive reinforcement. I guess you can say I'm like a child the teacher in me says never criticize with out uplifting. As a teacher I saw many kids that was uplifted by the constructive criticism I gave them, however I saw how disappointed they were when I only gave them negative feedback.  I know that we are all human and want to help but remember the person's feelings when trying to help them. We are all learning because none of us are perfect. You had to learn how to do what you do and I have to learn about the things that I want to do. We all learn in different ways, but I am always willing to help others as well as willing to receive help from others to make me better at what I do.  None of us can say that we have made thus far on our own!

So now that I have said that, let me apologize to anyone that I may have come in contact with over the past few weeks and you may have asked my opinion about something and I only gave you the negative side of the answer without reinforcing the positive side about the question or the advice.

Friends

I have some of the most thoughtful friends a girl could ask for. Yesterday one of them came by and brought me an antique bike, someone had given it to her daughter but her daughter was to big for it. She knew that I LOVE LOVE antiques, and she thought enough of me to bring it by and surprise me with it. Thanks Dee, I love it.

 Friends are those that we can count on no matter what! They don't look for anything in return, they cheer for you when you need an audience, they support you with constructive criticism, they build you up when you are down, they are their when you need to talk, and most of all they don't do something for you and turn around and talk about what they have done.


Thank you to all of my friends, Terri Hollins, Shalida Anderson, Keisha Oliver, Jalisha Anderson, Delacer Sylvester and my best friend of all My husband Earnest James Jr.

I thank you all, because without you standing behind me and supporting me I probably would not be where I am. I love you for cheering for me in the background, giving me the constructive criticism without having a hidden agenda behind it, and being there when I need someone to talk to. Ya'll are the best.

I just thought I would share this with the world. I hope I am as good a friend to you as you are to me. Thanks for being you.

Homework!!! Cleaning!!!!!! Children!!!!! It Never Ends OMG!!!!!!

I decided that I would put on my Superwoman cape and get in gear.  I have slipped and let the duties of everyday life consume me. Things that I am slacking on;

#1 School, no matter what I do and how many times I sit in front of my laptop, homework is not on my to do list. I am now in gear and  almost done. Thank you God for giving me the strength to get it together and complete my assignments. Thesis almost complete chapters 1-2 done.

#2 Cleaning my house. Now I don't care how many times I wash clothes completely, fold them nicely, and put them away.  Every time I go into my laundry room there is a million clothes there for me to start the process all over again. YES, I love my kids but I didn't say I like cleaning up behind them.

You would think that I never cleaned around here because every time I go into the kitchen there is dishes to be washed, the floor needs to be swept, or the bathrooms need to be re-cleaned  Whoooooooooo!


#3 I haven't combed my hair since Saturday it needs washing sooooo bad but my beautician was unavailable for 2 WEEKS and yes I am putting you on  blast, because I have class tomorrow and my appt. is not until Tuesday!

Ya'll since I  put my cape on I have been  in homework mode, determined to get all of what I needed done done.  I have and you should see my house the kids and my husband have destroyed it as if I wasn't even here. Yes him to. He has been in front of the television watching football all day and the kids were able to do whatever they wanted, yep whatever they wanted. No I didn't say anything because it would have been a distraction for me and I would have gotten up and started cleaning then there goes my goal to complete my homework once again.

OK, I would take a picture and post it; but I think I'll pass this time to embarrassed OMG!!!!!

I CAN'T WAIT TILL TOMORROW WHEN THEY ALL LEAVE.

My Kids

Another wonderful day, I am pleased to say.  My son and daughter had a football game, which was amazing although the team lost. Hey, we can't win them all!  My husband had to work so I was all alone on this one.

My son is maturing so, he will be turning 13 soon. Oh  my, a teenager. What am I going to do, hormones raging, girls, high school. Whooosh  I just hope he continues to be as mannerable as he currently is.  As I took his football picture for his trader cards I thought to myself, Wow look how big my baby is.  Oh and how handsome he has turned out to be, don't get me wrong he has always been a handsome little boy, but he is turning into a young man and soon he will be gone off to college.

I can't leave my mini me out. Her birthday is around the corner, and she usually starts talking about what she wants in January. We would normally have this big to do for her birthday, the party would be a sleepover with about 25 little girls. They would stay up as late as they could doing little craft activities, dancing and singing. This year we decided we would take them to Disney World and that would be considered her birthday gift since we would be leaving around the time of her birthday.

As my kids get older, I am constantly reminded that I am getting OLDER too. (LOL) ha but I am not that old still in my early early thirties so early that I just got into the thirties. Thank you, Lord for sending me my husband when I was very young.

What a week:]

My first wedding, a portrait shoot and a piano recital. Wow, I was really busy this weekend past and not to mention ripping and running back and forth with the kids. Soccer, football, cheerleading, and piano. Thursday was the Soccer Banquet for the twins and it was held at Chuckee Cheeses and the kids had a blast.

Today was Ms. Heather's Pumpkin Patch and that was AWESOME!!!!   I even had a good time. The twins went with their school and it was two other parents that went along on the trip so it was two teachers and three parents, We all had four kids to take around the patch. There was so many things for the kids to do there and so much more fun than her strawberry patch.

 When we got back to the school they were having an award ceremony, where as my middle daughter was receiving awards.  After taking pictures of her I hurried home so that I could dive off into the bed because those kids had worn me out. I needed a nap to before they were to return home. 

It takes me back to the best part of it all, being able to move around freely without having to request time off from a 7-3:00(school teacher) job.

I love being a stay at home mom, because it allows me to be the mother I have always dreamed of:) Photography adds the icing to the cake, because now I can be a stay at home mom and still work while doing what I enjoy most.  I took lots of pictures of the kids, so that I may get better at what I do. I know I will never be perfect, however there is nothing wrong with trying.

Goals

Today was another wonderful day that the Lord has made, and again I would like to thank him for the many blessings he has poured upon my life.  As I sit and continue to edit my photographs from this past weekend I decided that I would set some goals for 2011.

Goal Number 1:   I will try to make it to as many bridal shows as possible.

Goal Number 2:  While attending the bridal shows I would like to network with new and old photographers. I am open to working to other photographers and I will even do it for free.

Goal Number 3:  I plan to buy 4 new lens  a  24-70 2.8, 100mm 2.8, a 70-200 2.8, and a 16-35 2.8

Goal Number 4:  I would like to shoot x amount of weddings next year. ( Yep I have a number in mind but I think I will keep that to myself )

Goal Number 5:  To make x amount of dollars next year. ( Yes I do know what I want x to be, but I think I'll keep that part to myself  too) Lol;)

I will keep the list short and simple, I like to be realistic about things.  I know people tell you to reach for stars, however I never could understand that saying because when I look up into to the sky that  just seems so impossible to do. So I'll just take another approach, because I actually want to touch the star eventually.

I'll keep you posted as to how many of these goals I'll actually reach.  As for those numbers I did tell a few of my close friends what they are, because they keep me grounded and focused without having a hidden agenda.  So as I reach them I will be blogging about it and striking it off my list.

If I am able to accomplish all of my goals by the end of the year of 2011 I think I'll treat my husband to a cruise or something. He deserves it, after all he stood by my side through all of my years in school and helping fund my start up cost of my photography business.  So as Porky the Pig says "That's All for Now Folks"  Stay tuned.

Accomplishments and an abundance of blessings!!!

I had been praying and asking God to take my business in a new direction by helping me to step onto a new a playing field.  He answered my prayer and sent one of my church members my way. She had heard that I started a photography business and she was in need of a wedding photographer. Although I didn't consider myself a wedding photographer, cause hey I only shoot portraits but  I was delighted to take the job, because after all this is what I had been asking God for.  Now don't get me wrong there was all kinds of emotions going through my mind as to whether or not I was ready. I prayed to God I asked him to guide my hand and help me produce the best images I could.  I accepted the job.

The wedding was Saturday October 16, 2010 I prepared myself as I do for any other portrait shoot. Nothing serious. I meet with the bride whom by the way was beautiful inside and out, she and her husband had LOVE written all over their faces. It seemed to me that they didn't just love each other it was more than that, he was their to support her, he helped take away any uneasiness she was feeling, to me she had found her rock. This was something that I saw in them that made remember back when I married my husband. The two of them were so committed to each other and it seemed as if they were mountains that had some how fused together and could not be broken apart.

I graciously shoot this wedding and hoped that I did as well as many of my constituents that I follow daily.  I have come to the conclusion that I really enjoyed being in the wedding environment and that I was not out of my league and as I have said before " I am ready and willing to go where ever this journey takes me, while putting all of my fears aside".

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to shoot your wedding Mr. & Mrs. Daigre the two of you will always hold a special place in my heart. Congratulations and I wish you many blessed years of marriage.

To New Beginnings in your marriage and in my business, because I am now ready for the next one.

Thanking God for all that he has done, I am truly blessed!

As I look back on were I am in October 2010 I realize that I have come along way. I have accomplished so much although to me it seems so little, I have to thank God for all that he has done for me and all of the obstacles he has seen me through. I pray he continues to bless me, watch over me, and teach me. I know that sometimes things happen and whether it be good or bad we want to question why, but for now  I will not question why, I'll hope that I make the right decision, do my best and learn from my mistakes. "Life is an ongoing classroom where you are always learning, and if you are not learning you are not living". (author unknown) Happy Shooting:)

Little Miss Janeil Turns 1

Today was a wonderful day!!!! I did a very interesting shoot of a baby girl who made one today.  She was very playful and energetic, she loved to dance and snap her fingers.  Her mother would sing a song that she made up to her, and it goes something like this: Janeil shake that booty booty booty. She would start bouncing up and down, snapping her fingers and grinning from ear to ear. I thought that she was just the cutest lil thing bouncing around in front of my camera.

Well see for yourself;)

It was AMAZING!!!!!

The party was a total Success! I was able to pull it off without a hitch. My husband was as surprised as could be, he tried to say that he knew and I know he didn't.  I prayed that nothing would go wrong and that he would be excited about this event that was being held all in his honor and everything turned out well.

While being apart of all the hustle and bustle that was going on, I was able to play with my new toy so I didn't really feel left out. The plan was to not be home when he got there, so that meant taking everything I needed with me upon leaving my home. I did, however I did forget a few things and my camera WASN'T one of them. I forgot the centerpieces, the money to pay the D.J, and pans to put the food in. I know huh, did I have anything?  One of my twins even left their socks so I had to send someone to get him socks. I had my camera and really that was the only thing that I was worried about.

After sending my cousin and soror back to my house to get the things that I had left everything turned out well. The decorations were beautiful, the cake was absolutely amazing and the food was as tasty as ever (I cooked).


The photographer was even ready to play.  I was able to put the 50mm 1.4 on and shoot till I couldn't shoot anymore.  I got to  play with my settings a bit, although I did get some camera shake, this camera is a bit bulkier than my Olympus is so my arms got some much needed exercise LOL;)

Here is a few shots from the party

Overjoyed and filled with Emotions!

The wait has finally ended. The purchase has been made. The items have arrived, and I am to busy to even stop and play.  OH MY!!!!!
I have been planning a surprise party for the love of my life.  As through the years 21 to be exact. (Yep 21  he was my middle school sweetheart) he has been my knight in shinning armor. God has allowed and given him the means to be an AWESOME  father, husband, and provider. So today is the day that I will surprise him with a birthday party in hopes of showing him how much I appreciate him all that do.  Although there is nothing in this world that could repay him for being the man, father, or husband that he is.

I am truly blessed for this man to have entered into my life and for that, I thank God everyday, because he is one in a million.

I love you Bae!!!!!

 

After this is over maybe I can have some fun with my new items.... Whoooooo Hoooooooo

 

Little Miss Taylor

The delivery date is slowly approaching and Taylor's parents are anticipating her delivery. Invitations done, maternity shots done,  baby shower around the corner, baby room in the stages of preparation and all that left to do is to let Little Miss Taylor bake a little while longer. Everyone is overjoyed with the anticipation of waiting for the arrival of Little Miss Taylor.

Loving life and living it to the fullest!

On Saturday morning my day started at 6:00 a.m which is really not unusual for me however, my twins have now been included into the sporting event mix.  My oldest son and daughter had a football game at 8:00 a.m, (My daughter cheers for his team) my twins had their first soccer game at 10:00 a.m. So as you can see we had a really busy morning. Now for me that didn't end my day, we also had a birthday party to attend later that afternoon. Some of you reading this might ask, well how are you loving your life and living it to the fullest? I will tell you that my dream was to have four children (two boys and two girls) that I have and to own my own business. I have been blessed to have all that I have asked God for. For me there is no greater gift that I could have received over my children, and I thank God everyday for the lagniappe (my business) because it has given me the freedom to participate in their extra curricular activities, while still being able to make a decent salary.

Here is some of the picture from the soccer game. The kids were sooooo cute, they were able to play at their leisure so most of them would kick the ball and run back off the field because they were thirsty or tired. My girl twin played long enough to make a goal then that was it for her. Her brother on the other hand made two goals and then quit. FUNNY:) This picture she was hot and telling her dad that she was ready to go.


http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Natasha-James-Photography/131912213520298?ref=ts

Patiently Waiting

I have been contemplating my next move, what is that you might ask? Well I have a desire to achieve the goal of reaching greater heights in my business. I am upgrading my equipment and shooting everything under the sun. My research has shown me that just because your business is new in name, doesn't mean that you have to settle for small jobs until you get your name out there.

Sitting at home in my down time allows me to look at the work of others that's in the photography business. I have quite a few bookmarks of photographers that I follow. Yep, I FOLLOW them daily sometimes more than once a day. like quality work and as you can see I try my best to give my customers quality images and with that I want the memories that we create together to last a lifetime. I want you to look back and say I remember that shoot!!

Earlier I said that I was upgrading my equipment yes, I am upgrading to top of the line equipment a full frame Canon EOS 5D Mark II, a new camera bag called a Shootsac, two new lens 50mm 1.4 and a 85mm 1.4 this will be my gear withing the next two weeks.

Thanks to all the photographers who have helped me to decide on whether or not I should make the move, and my decision is final I am upgrading!

Baby Taylor

Soon there will be a new baby girl in town, her mother just called on me to create her invitations for the baby shower. I am so excited for her, because this will be her first little one. I Can't wait for the maternity shoot and baby session for little Miss Taylor. Congratulations to my Soror Jalisha and her husband Troy.

Alicary Dewayne

I would like to welcome this handsome little man into the world. He was a pleasure to photograph, one of the most calmest little ones I have ever known. Born August 26, 2010 weighing 8lbs 13oz  he was no little man, but we'll just call him that for fun. Being a week old you would probably say that he mostly sleeps, however this one didn't either wide awake and calm as ever. He didn't mind the camera or me moving him around, being bright eyed and bushy tailed he posed flawlessly as if he knew I was photographing him. Thanks Little Mister Alicary you were wonderful welcome to the world:)