What's your story- What's your secret?

More than a month ago I made a very blunt facebook post stating I was no longer interested in "just taking pictures" and I was ready to really push AJBC in to a new direction.

Since then I have photographed a stunningly beautiful child during a stylized shoot, a strong, gorgeous woman during a boudoir shoot in her downtown loft, and also a loving family during a lifestyle shoot in their naturally lit home. Next up is a fashion inspired Senior Session.

Yeah, those are a lot of big words and fancy phrases but what I really mean to say is every Portfolio Session I have booked since making that promise to myself has been SUCH an inspiring experience and it has been by far my best work yet.

Why?

Because it made me feel alive again

.

It got me excited again. And that's when I produce my best work.

So... was that my goal, just to give you better portraits?

No.

And why I am keeping so many secrets? Why won't I just release these pictures and start this new chapter already!?

Well, because. There is A LOT going on behind closed doors and once I get it ALL (and there's a TON of new things I'm exploring) to where I want it to be, where it feels right, I'm crossing that line and never looking back. I want there to be a distinct line that says this is where I came from and this is what I am now.

I basically want to come out of the gate swinging for the fences. 

I want to take no prisoners. 

I want to give you the best damn portrait session you have ever had.

So... what's going to happen?

Most importantly, more time. I love hearing your story, I love learning about you. I want to allow us both more time to dive in to that.

I want the session to not be so timed. I want to shoot until I feel fit. I want to be able to take all the shots that inspire me and not have to look at the clock.

When I edit I want to know every shot was NAILED and not just taken so my client could feel fulfilled by the click of the random shutter. Quality over quantity.

I want you to walk in to your viewing and have a life changing experience. I want it to hit so close to home that you can't believe we created that together. 

I want you to appreciate your life.

I want you to look at those images and realize how lucky you are because we captured YOU, not a fake perception, not a boring version, but YOU!

I want to help you design and decorate. I want to see you take those images and embrace them by showcasing them in your home so when people come over they see who you are and not the cheap sunset painting you bought at Hobby Lobby.

If I wanted this to still be about pictures, I would not be making this change, because I know how to take pictures. I want this to be about the experience.

So... what are my secrets? Besides the amazing images I'm waiting to release, my new pricing structure that I'm thrilled about, my new packages that have new items, my new system to prints and discs, and my desire to tell your story?

I guess I should say what WAS my secret....?

Fear.

I was afraid before. I was afraid that if I made this jump people would leave. That they just wanted a quick fix of pictures. I feared offering a better service because I thought people would say it was not needed and they just needed something easy, and in return, if I fought that they would just go out find that easy quick person somewhere else.

That fear is gone. 

The reason why?

Because- I don't fear those people leaving any more. 

I do not want to be your quick fix. 

Because by me fearing those "quick fix", that was jipping the people out there who are dying to have a personal, beautiful, and unique experience. And that is so so so unfair.

Again- there are lots of people out there taking pictures. But don't you want more than that?

I'm so excited to now be allowed to do that for you.

Let's Tell Your Story.

Together.

365

365.

To some of you those are pointless numbers.

To some, it's a full calendar year.

And to me, for the second time, it's a year long project to push, test, and challenge me.

For those of you who didn't follow me the first time I did this insane project- a 365 is a photographer's fun way of saying- I'm nuts!

A 365 is where I vow to take an image, 1 photo each day, non stop, no cheating, for 1 full year, for 365 days.

I did my first self portrait 365 back in 2010 with my DSLR. It helped me gain a TON of knowledge about portrait work and off camera flash.

I'm revisiting the 365 this year with.... it's true... my iphone.

WAIT! Before you judge me, hear me out!

What does an iphone offer that a DSLR doesn't!?

Ok, so quality is NOT on that list, nor is options- but that's the point for me!

I no longer can rely on crisp details to captivate my audience, I can't edit out mistakes, I can't enhance anything blah. All I can do is take a picture.

Wow. Talk about going back to the basics. My phone (3GS) doesn't even have a flash. All I have is a crappy camera, natural light, and my arm. No timer. No tripod. No tricks. Just me and the camera.

So why a phone and not a camera?

2 reasons. I needed to go back to the basics. I needed to push my creativity and realize what can be done when you don't over think things. Sometimes reverting back to where you started can help you grow and see things. Reason number 2- I am busy. Ridiculously busy. I knew if I had to set aside time each day to set up, pose, photograph, edit, post, I would fail, and.... I've been there, done that. I needed something quick and to the point.

I also wanted to prove- with the right light, the right creativity, you can accomplish great things, even with a phone. Is this a push for people to substitute professional portraits for iphone images? NEVER. I'll be the first to tell you I am SO over the 1 click retro edits that push people to think they are the next big artistic statement, but there's no denying- this is a digital age. People LOVE their camera phones. Why not embrace that. Why not have some fun!

So, here we go. 364 days left to go. Are you with me?

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ajbcphotography

http://instagram.com/ajbcphotography

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.