Lets be friends

The lazy days of summer.  I love that I had to call my kids in tonight from playing outside. It was 8:00 and getting dark and my kids were out playing with other kids in the neighborhood. I LOVE that!   It reminds me of growing up.  We would play outside  all day long, riding bikes,  building forts, catching tadpoles in the small pond, walking to the potato chip factory.

Now I am a technology person, I love the internet, facebook, online banking , cool software .... but nothing is better than memories. A lot of kids are going to grow up having memories of tv shows and computer games. I want my kids to have memories of experiences.  Catching lightning bugs and going to the beach.  

I took pictures at the beach the other day for a friend of mine, Mandi.  Mandi was one of my very first clients.  I took pictures of her pregnant with her 2nd child,

Then pictures of her newborn

 and then every year we do family pictures for her .  Every year we capture some memories for her. She is able to look back and remember what was going on in her life during that time, just by looking at the pictures.

This year  I had to call her the morning of pictures and ask if she minded if I brought 2 of my children then after I took her pictures  we could stay at the beach for awhile and let the kids play.  She said
  "Of course I don't mind that will be fun!  besides I don't think of you as the  professional  photographer you've become , your just my friend who takes awesome pictures"

I thought that was so cool. Thats what I want with all my clients.  I do not want them to introduce me as their "photographer"  I want to be introduced as their friend- thats what is my goal!

Lets capture some memories for your family this summer-
 Lets be friends :)

Heather

A Wells Wedding.

This past weekend I had the pleasure of taking pictures of Kelly Savage and David Wells.  I met Kelly when I started working at Cactus Taverna.  She is a school teacher and he is a chef at a local restaurant called Market Street inn.

The day started early as it takes some time to do the hair and make up of 7 brides maids, 2 flower girls and a bride.

Now Kelly and Dave picked a wedding package that included a Wedding day whisper. So the way I see it playing out is that they get their private videos and watch them before all the hubbub of the big day starts.

WELL...... when I arrived Kelly was hunting down a dvd player to watch her whisper video from Dave.  All the bridesmaids gathered round as Dave sweetly shared his love for Kelly and what he wanted for the future, what attracted him to her , excitement for the big day ahead of them .,,,

and then 

the best answer EVER on a Wedding day whisper , the question..... What animal does Kelly remind you of.  
Now NOTE TO SELF:  probably not a great question for future WDW (Wedding day Whispers) or at least let the couple see the questions before the actual taping so they can think about it.  :)

So during the taping Dave thought and thought, and thought some more .  A hard question when put on the spot.  Now  I would never be telling any of you this except that Kelly was very willing to share and it will always be a cherished answer as Dave says ....

"Um,  I guess Kelly reminds me of an  OX , because she is so strong" 

Kelly laughed  and said to make sure I got a picture of him when she got to the end of the aisle and whispered to him.... "so do I look like an OX today?"  With her beautiful dress and hair and makeup all done up .... I knew the answer,  not even a resemblance.

The Wedding was beautiful, the reception was great . Especially with a group of groomsmen that all were not shy about "shakin their groove thang"



They had the greatest wedding favors. Little whisks with a heart in the middle , a perfect gift from a Chef and his new wife.

I always feel so honored to be allowed to take part in one of the most special days of peoples lives. To Capture the looks, the touches, the laughter and the memories that they will cherish for years to come.

Congratulations David and Kelly! 

You guys are great! 

........and Kelly , I loved your shoes!!! 

Heather Wilson

www.captureaglimpse.com

  

Me?? A photographer??

How  and when did you decide to be a photographer?.. you might wonder.  I wonder that as well.  It is amazing to me that I am a professional photographer.  I told you the story about me buying my first camera.... ( if you didn't read it - you should probably stop reading and back up a few blogs and catch up ) 

So, I had bought a camera and was taking lots of pictures. Pretty much just of family and friends that would come over. Nothing posed or anything like that. Just candids.     At the time I also was a leader in a MOPS group  ( a group for moms of preschoolers) . I was getting ready to go job hunting and one of my friends in the group, Tammi, said  " I was thinking, you should start a photography business, I bet you would be good at it"   

hmmm.... that one statement started me thinking . I wonder if I could do it? Would anyone pay me for taking pictures? I decided I would test the waters ... I sent out an email to the moms in the groups offering something like $25.00 photo shoots to the first 10 people who responded.   I got a quick response from a bunch of moms.  

Now the first shoot I did was schedule to be inside my house.  I do not like indoor lighting now- although I understand it and my camera better , but at that time I didn't know ANYTHING!  So I had my first shoot . I set up a backdrop, it was crazy , looking back but I kept with it. After each session I sent out a questionnaire.and would see what people said I did well and what I could do better.  I would read everything I could about my camera and how it works. I experimented and got referrals.   

And now here I am 3 years later.  Capture A Glimpse STUDIOS .  Opening a studio. A busy June with 5 Weddings and many family shoots.  I LOVE what I do .  I attribute where I am today to God.  This is not a coincidence.  God knew we would need the income of this job.  He knew what He created me for and I think part of it is to step out of the walls  church and use the creative gifts HE gave me to  Capture a Glimpse of His favorite Creation.... People. 

If no one has told you today, this week , or even this year. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! YOU ARE LOVED and I just know that there is SPARKLE in GODs EYES when HE captures a GLIMPSE of you!! 

Heather

50th

I took pictures at the beach on Sunday.  I am a hired photographer for Rox Weddings and Events, they specialize in beach wedding packages, so I was hired to take pictures of Vandy and Bessie.

 With these beach weddings its a little different. I don't usually meet with the Bride and Groom beforehand, just a phone call to confirm date/ time/ location and details I might need to know as a Photographer.

Now, this Beach wedding ended up being a Beach Renewal of Vows for this great Couple.  They were celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary.  

They were surrounded by family and just as sweet as can be. They were still very much in love and very proud of their beautiful kids, grandkids and great grandkids.  Watching the 2 of them it made me wonder what those 50 years had held. The good the bad, the struggles, the celebrations.... a lifetime of memories.

Dan and I just celebrated our 13th anniversary and its hard for me even to imagine 50 years!! I think of how much we have done and been through in just the 13 years and I get a  excited to think of the stories that we will have to tell when we are celebrating a whole lifetime of love.





Did you know that Capture a Glimpse Studios offers a Legacy video package?   This idea started when I decided to sit down with my grandma with my video camera and have her reminisce with me about her life. IT WAS THE COOLEST THING EVER!!!  She talked about her life growing up, her parents and grandparents, living through the great depression and it was the most interesting thing I think I have ever heard.  I am now so glad that my kids and their kids will be able to "know" my grandma and understand where they come from and a little piece of their history, told from their actual great grandma.

Don't put it off. What a great Christmas Present, Mothers Day gift, Fathers Day gift.  Especially for the person who has everything.   Call me today and we start Capturing your Family Legacy before its too late and you only wish you had.

Make memories this summer!

Heather

www.captureaglimpse.com

443-944-1789

Capturing a Glimpse of Matt and Jessica

I met Matt and Jessica through my daughter Rachel.   I got to know this wonderful young couple when we headed to Pemberton Park to do their engagement shoot.  They are so cute together!



Their wedding was held at a country club nearby and started at 6:00.  I arrived at around 4:00 and caught the tail end of their hair and make up.  The atmospheres was so fun , with excitement buzzing!  The girls blaring music and randomly dancing let me know I was in for a fun day:)



The wedding was outside , right on the water.  There were threats of a thunderstorms, but the ceremony went off without a drop from the sky.  We then all loaded into the golf carts and tore off down the golf courses trying to find the perfect spots and trying to get all the pictures done before the sky opened up.

 This was by far one of the most energetic bridal party I have photographed.  The guys were a riot! I couldn't snap quick enough to catch all their antics- and I have never seen a group of guys all jump soo high all simultaneously, definitely  a talented bunch!

We made it back to the Reception just in time to get inside before the rain started.

Now no marriage happens with out a few bumps in the road , and I watched as a few "bumps " took place during the reception.
It was awesome to see them handle the stress of the food centerpiece catching on fire, the bartender cutting her finger enough to have to go to the hospital, Jessica not feeling to good from delayed eating- yet the way Jess and Matt handled it tells me that these guys are going to make it.  We learn the most about each other during the stressful , crazy times of life , and to watch these guys decided to make the most of the day was amazing.

It was beautiful and magical and will be a great story for them to tell their kids one day.   Make more memories together Jess and Matt.  Thank you for allowing me to " Capture a Glimpse" of your love story!

Last Day of School

Crazy~ as much as I can tell you time flies .... it never really sinks in .  But I know before I know it, not only will Cade be in FIRST GRADE,  and Harmony in FIFTH GRADE,  and Brieya in SEVENTH GRADE ,  and Rachel will be MARRIED  , but then I will blink and I will have grown up kids with kids of there own.

Its one of the reasons that what I do is so important.  Memories can fade very quickly. The funny haircuts, the cute toothless smile, and as much as we all think we will never forget, its not realistic.

So I love when I have a chance to sit down and pull out the old pictures , and it all comes back. MUCH clearer than my old brain remembers on its own . I look at childhood pictures and notice the paint color on the walls - and think    "I remember that pea green color"   and that wall hanging that said " God doesn't lead us through stormy water to drowned us , but to cleanse us"

Give me a call. No stress. I say don't worry about what you are wearing , or whether every one is cooperating that day.  You will look back one day and have a chance to reminisce about all the good ole days!

Lets schedule your memory making session  today!






Heather

My thoughts on photography

A FEW OF MY PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS 

1.  Photography should be fun!
                    


2. Don't be afraid to try something new.

3. Shoot , shoot , shoot  - keep practicing

4. Think outside the box. Try different angles, and poses

5. Everyone is beautiful. Its my job to capture the beauty.

6 Relax, and everyone else will relax with you 

Matt and Amanda

 Spent the afternoon yesterday with Matt and Amanda. 

 They got married 2 years ago in Hawaii and now have moved back to the East coast and wanted to throw a party for friends and family. It was the most beautiful day!! Mid 70's and sunny. A slight breeze. And best of all , it was held at a beautiful vineyard. WHO knew that in the middle of Eden a little town in the middle of no-where was BORDELEAU Vineyards.

Matt and Amanda were so fun to work with. It was probably the most laid back reception I have ever been at.  The guests were all there to have fun. We took a lot of spontaneous pictures. Laughing in between most shots. It was just a FUN day.

 Have I told you I LOVE being a photographer.  Spending the day making new friends and having tons of laughs.  Totally loved Capturing a Glimpse of this great Couple and their friends and family!

Thanks for allowing me to be a part!
more pictures found at www.captureaglimpse.com/weddings

live , laugh, photograph

LIVE~LAUGH~PHOTOGRAPH  

    So I saw that  phrase on another photographers website and soooo wished I could have come up with that because I think it is perfect. So now I am trying to come up with a perfect phrase for Capture A Glimpse.    I am designing a new web and I came up with a kinda cool design and thought it would say  "What do you want to remember?"  in fancy writing .... and then have little squares with video that when you clicked on you would see people saying what they wished they had been able to take a picture of or video of.

Because if you are at all like me , I can hardly remember what I did yesterday , and I love when I find old video or pics because it totally brings back other times of my life, But I am not totally sold on the "What do you want to remember"    Any body have any other suggestions? something creative ...

Let me know - I would be happy to steal your ideas ......

Thanks
Heather

Smartphones

I just saw this on someones facebook and it is sooo funny!  I think I find it even funnier because I just got a I-phone and it does put weird things in but I usually catch it.

http://www.getfuns.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/8.jpg

Its good to start the day with a smile :)

Happy Friday!

the camera that started it all.

I am so lucky to be a photographer. It is really weird that I actually am making money at something I love to do.  Have I told you the story about how I bought my first camera.... Well not my first camera , but the camera that started it all...... 

We lived in NH and Dan had bought me a Canon Digital Rebel . I LOVED it . It was so awesome.  I didn't think about starting a business or anything, I just loved taking pictures and this was a great, new , camera that was very expensive for our budget.  THEN Dan stopped working at the church we were at, and  the sensible thing to do was to return it , because it was only about 2 weeks old, and  it cost over the price of a month of rent.  So sadly , I said goodbye to my camera, packaged it back up and returned it to the photo shop.  

Now, skip ahead about 3 years later.....  We have moved to Salisbury , working at a church and I am waitressing part time.  One night when Dan was at practice or something, and the kids were in bed, I hopped on the computer and was just browsing around and something spurred me to go on to ebay- which I don't really go on very much.  WARNING* ebay can be dangerous* 

I saw the camera that I used to have and it had come down in price alot. It had an extra lens, and a case, and a mini tripod, and bunch of other cool stuff all for hundreds cheaper than the first time. WHAT A DEAL!!!  So I tentatively thought let me bid on this .. so i put in a way low $$ number and press send.  Immediately it send me back something saying I was out bid ... "WHAT?!?!! who would out bid me"   I guess I should change my warning:  WARNING*ebay can be dangerous to competitive people* 

So needless to say I kept bidding, ended up winning - still paying less than what we did up in NH - so it was a GREAT deal, only problem is , 

        

I knew I should have talked it over with Dan first. 

AND Now I had bought a camera from Ebay and I imagined he was going to be like " WHAT?  From Ebay?!  It was probably some scam they took your money and we will never see the camera"

  so because I was sure that is how he would react , I decided I wouldn't tell him about me buying the camera , until it showed up so he wouldn't get on me about purchasing from someone I did not know was reputable.   GOOD IDEA - right? 

I thought it was , until I got home from work the next day and Dan and i was talking about our day. Then Dan says " oh and a camera company called and needs you to  call back"   I looked up and blurted out "I DID SOMETHING BAD"   

He immediately started paying attention to me and said.. "what do you mean?"  so I told him . I  explained all the wonderful , great , accessories that came with the camera and how it was so much cheaper and on and on.  He took it well , and I am just waiting for the day when he comes home in a BMW convertible and says " I did something bad "

I can say this much , I have made my money back on the purchase , and with a little extra to buysome groceries too :)   

So moral of this story...  not sure there is one. 

Just a glimpse of my life as a photographer. 

First Day of June

HOT HOT HOT ... it has been so hot out recently. Its hard to believe it is only the first day of June.  I went to the beach today with my friend Tery.  It was a perfect beach day.  Although when will I learn that I need to wear sunscreen even though I am known to tan pretty easily-  OUCH!  Red shoulders and face that will hopefully stop stinging by tomorrow.   

I am trying to work on a new website. When I get a few ideas down, I will post them and let you all give me feedback.  Actually one is up just as a practice at www.growbyfocus.com  It will be changing often as I try to figure out what I really want Capture a Glimpse studios site to  look like. 

The HVAC is installed in the studio. Its going to be sooo cool  to be able to have that available. I am really excited. Who wants to be my first studio client???  

7 more days of school for the kids. I am needing to get in the mindset of summer. I am looking forward to having time with my kids. I work a lot of nights so I don't get to see them that much during the week right now, and then when I do have a night off ( like tonight) I find myself getting frustrated with them... as they are full of energy and I have things to do , but I do not want them to grow up thinking I always had more important things than them in life .  I need to be a thermometer and set the temperature ... ask my mother . She wrote a blog about it.  Check her out at

http://comeinandrest.blogspot.com/2011/05/whats-temperature.html... 

Well thanks for listening to my rambling.  -Hey here is one more cool site I have found using stumble upon. If only I could be as creative as some of these ideas, then I could be rich!!  http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2IEztu/www.dumpaday.com/index.php/2011/05/simple-ideas-that-are-borderline-genius-part-8/

Have a great night.  Give your kids a kiss , tell them you love them and lets plan a time before they grow up to capture a glimpse of life as you know it now!!

NIGHT ALL!