Be your own personal stylist

Another question I get asked A LOT is "What do I wear?"Well, what do you want to wear? What do you feel comfortable in? What is YOU!?That will give you a pretty good start. After that- here are some dos and don'ts to really make your portraits POP!1. Layer up! (my number one rule )

Photographs are not like every day life, there isn't any movement and the world as the viewer knows it is completely flat (the world of photography does indeed prove Magellan wrong) so it's up to you and your background to create that movement and depth. Layers, from a stylistic stand point, also make you look like you are a complete fashionista all the time (even if every other day you wear t-shirts.) It gives your outfit just a little added extra.

2. The days of matchy matchy are OVER, but that doesn't mean you still can't coordinate!

While matching is not a rule, it can add a nice cohesive feeling to the photograph. While all dressing in clean white or looking sophisticated in all black can still pass as ok in modern times, picking any other 1 solid color and plastering everybody in it is just too much! If everyone can't agree on one color to coordinate with, at least picking common color tones can still give you that same color cohesion you might be looking for.

3. Pick a pop of color

To add a little visual interest and excitement to your portraits try picking an extra fun color and throwing that into the mix! This is especially great to do with kids!

4. Accessorize

You can not believe how much an accessory can add to an everyday outfit. Maybe it's a headband, hat, showy necklace, scarf. Whatever it is, it adds some visual interest and goes with the layer rule- it makes you really look like you know what you are doing in the fashion world.

5. Add a little personality

There's nothing that I love more then when people let their true personality shine through! Don't be afraid to do something a little different and a little over the top! If you want a portrait like you see in the magazines and on the web, then you need to dress the part. Most of the time what people don't even realize is that half the reason why they love an image that they draw inspiration from is not just the lighting or the pose, but the outfits showcased. They can really set the tone and give the portrait true individuality. 

6. Don't forget the details

Details are what's going to separate you from the little guys. They are the things people often over look, and although they may be small, or go unnoticed in some shots, the 1 shot they DO show up in, you'll be so happy you took the time to remember! Things like shoes, painted nails, rings, belts...

We Can Do It!

As Ricky would say, "Lucy, you got some 'splanin' to do." And I do. I owe it to you ladies to truly explain to you what Pin Up is all about, bc it's not what many of you think, and I think after this little "chat" you will find the inner pin up in you, as I have as well.

Why do I LOVE pin up photography? Is it because I am a sexy girly girl? Don't make me laugh! I am far from sexy! I love to wear tall army boots, high top sneakers, or throw on a back pack and hike into the middle of nowhere. I'm just growing my hair out from a mohawk and I just upgraded my closet from 2 dresses that I wear about once a year to 3. So- do I have some hidden side to me? No. I appreciate Pin Up for what it is- creative, fun, angelic, timeless, and above all else- confidence.

Pin up isn't about being a size 2, it's not about being Vogue cover material, and it's not about being half naked in a centerfold. It's about having confidence in yourself, stepping out of your box, not caring, appreciating yourself, and producing an image even your grandma could enjoy- and I really mean all of that!

Let's have a short history session- pin ups were originally photographs or paintings that men would literally 'pin up' on their walls, next to their bed, or when they were off in the war. They weren't scandalous, they were simply a flirty version of your everyday girl!

This all started last year when I ran my first pin up special. I only did it bc it was close to VDay and I wanted to try something different, plus it was as close to model / fashion photography that I was going to get, which is a passion of mine. I was pretty naive about the true essence of pin up, looking back now, but it has truly taught me so much.

Like what you ask? Well, last summer was the first time in probably 10 years that I have went into public with shorts on. Don't understand what I am trying to say? I'm saying that even at 5 foot 2 and 104 pds I was too self conscious to go out, anywhere, in shorts bc I didn't want ppl looking at my body. I would sweat and die in the middle of summer in jeans before I would put on a pair of shorts- you might catch me in a skirt... Then I started doing these pin up parties. I started dressing up for them too. I started photographing myself for promos. And before you know it, I had bought a pair of high wasted black shorts and wore them out to an event our town has that draws in more ppl than you could ever imagine, and I didn't think twice about it. I liked those shorts, I was going to wear them, I was going to rock them, and I did not have one care in my mind about who saw me in them bc I felt good! And I 100% accredit that to my Pretty Little Pin Up Parties.

Was it because being around group after group of these girls who were booking parties was empowering? Was it because I saw myself in some of these nervous yet beautiful girls? Or was it because it taught me curves are awesome and there is not 1 girl out there with a "perfect" body and that's even more awesome, bc all that means is that we are real, living, human beings that can all relate on the same level- we aren't perfect and you're a joke if you think you are!

Aside from it being a great emotional experience for me, let's talk about you really quick. Sure, you can book a party with me, it can be a girly day, but I want it to be more for you! I want it to be that day when you realize you have the potential to be timeless, a show stopper!! I'm not here to judge. If you do want to get photographed as a nude goddess, well girl, you work it!!! But that's not what I'm offering at my parties. So when you book a party with me, yes, your price includes my set up, my time, my props, your hair done, your make up done, and all that jazz. But it also pays for that first day in your life when you realize you're a women, you're strong, you don't have to hide under that coat, no matter what size you are, no matter what shape you have, and you're going to do it in a way that is SO classy it's going to make even the sexiest of girly girls jealous.

And above all us, keep that inner child alive- no girl should ever turn down the chance to play dress up. <3

“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.”

― Marilyn Monroe

Anything is possible, while driving

So my husband and I have this thing. Every time we go on vacation, or drive fairly far away (and I find we actually do this quite often...) we find ourselves talking about "crazy" things we hope to one day accomplish or ideas we would love to live out. I say "crazy" bc, really, are they so crazy? Or are they just crazy because we've been taught to live safely, to not take unneeded risk, to be happy with what we have. And while I AM happy with what I have, and I don't really consider myself risky, and I am one to worry about everything, I am, by far, probably more than anything, 

a very big dreamer.

The "problem" with this? So is my husband. This causes my dreams to, at times, get even further out of control! That's why I think we have gotten this far in our relationship without killing each other though, especially during times of actually living out some of our "crazy" dreams- like finish the construction of a house (that contained only plywood and studs) by ourselves at the age of 20, both start our own business by the age of 25, and the countless DIY projects we have taken on,bc we secretly love it. 

With that being said, my latest road trip talk was taking my business to the next level this year. It consumed several hours of our trip to Savannah from Michigan. This talk was different though. This talk felt really in my grasp, and I was EXCITED, so so so excited about it.

I keep saying I'm really looking forward to this year, but it's here! We're living it! 2013 has begun and I feel like in a few short weeks I've kicked it into high gear. 

I'm READY!

Are you..........?

So,when do you dream? What's your "crazy" talk?

Make it not so crazy. Make it not just your dream.

Live your dream.

Today. 

90 and counting.

2012 was a beautiful year.

I turned my love and passion for photography into an official company-  A.J.B.C. Photography

My husband built me my own inspiration get away- what most call my studio.

And I learned MORE than I ever could have imagined about myself.

I also had the support of so many wonderful people- my family and my friends and my dedicated clients, who most now fall under 1 of those 2 categories :) I've had the pleasure of working with SO many great people! And I can honestly say I've had fun on every single one of them!

All 90 of them. 

Yep, that's right. 90.

In 2012 alone I had 90 sessions- which blows my mind.

I know it may not be a lot to some companies but knowing I started this business MYSELF and knowing I did the work alone, well, 90 seems like 2,000 (and believe me, some days it DID feel like that, rushing to meet deadlines, completing last minute orders, driving hours away to return hours later- yeah, I know, I know, I secretly love every minute of it!)

I wanted to post an image with this entry and I thought there was nothing more fitting than, literally, the last couple I photographed in 2012.

Do they know I photographed them on the beach, arm in arm, walking into the sun? No.

And I think that's what makes it even more beautiful for me- how ironic that fact is. 

Thank You, from the bottom of my heart, for an amazing year!

I couldn't be MORE excited about 2013!!

Here's to 180!