Captured Photography

Live Life ... Capture Memories

I must admit - I have a short attention span.  I don't know if I've always been this way or if it has come from the last seven years of mothering small children and not being able to complete a sentence (or even a thought) without interruption from one of my little guys.  But there it is - I've said it and I feel much better now, thank you very much!  A few years ago, however, I realized that there was one thing - something very special - for which I had a true passion.  And, unlike so many of my other hobbies, it wasn't fading away as the next latest and greatest thing came around.  This passion, this obsession, was capturing the memories of my life on that magical gadget called a digital camera.  I was hooked, and I was staying hooked on living my life to it's fullest and capturing the memories along the way.  So now, I'm doing it for others. Yea!  Well, not living their life of course (although that may be fun for a while!). But capturing those special memories through the lens of my camera and sharing it!  Watch for updates to my blog for images of my latest shoots and funny moments along the way.  So here it goes (remember to breathe deep) - one more exciting step on this crazy adventure we call life! 

New blog ...

Hey guys!

Just poppin to to let my readers know that I've got a new blog and will be posting there from now on!  I'm super excited about it and can't wait to have you follow along!

You can now find me at http://bcapturedphotography.com/

So ... bookmark me, add me to your favorites or your google reader!  I'll keep this site active for a while, but all my current work will be on the new blog!

And just because ALL posts should have a pic ... here's one posting to the new blog soon!

Hugs!

Style & Fashion Fridays - Using a Color Wheel

 
You’ve probably seen or used a color wheel at some point in your lives… maybe when decorating your home, scrapbooking, or doing some other creative project where you had to choose color schemes. But, have you ever used a color wheel in your wardrobe?  Using a color wheel is one of our secrets to adding versatility to outfits, and bringing fun pops of color into your look.  So, today we’re talking about how to use the color wheel to BAM up your wardrobe!

 There are tons of ways to use your color wheel in your wardrobe, but let’s just chat about three of them:  Split Complementary, Triad, and Complementary color combinations.  If you’re a color-wheel-newbie, here’s what that means.  Grab a color wheel and look in the center.  There you’ll see two triangles, one that says “split complementary” and one that says “triad.”  To use in your wardrobe, just spin your color wheel so the peak of the triangles points to the main color you’re wearing. Then build on your main piece by accessorizing it in the other colors of either the split complementary or triad combinations.  Also pay attention to the colors directly across from each other on your color wheel.  They are called complementary and are super fun when paired together.

Case in point: my blue-green shirt. The Split complementary colors for blue-green are orange and red. Before I embraced the color wheel in my wardrobe, I would have just worn that shirt with my jean shorts and some metallic jewelry to accessorize (like maybe some big silver earrings and a fun cuff bracelet), and it would have been perfectly fine. In fact, I still do that sometimes and it’s super cute. But by adding that orange scarf, BAM!!  The outfit became so much more fun!!

 Just so you know, my red accessories and red heels just weren’t right for this particular outfit, so instead Bethany and I brought some red into the background of our shoot to illustrate the split complementary color combination (doesn’t that look cool?!). Except, life is not a photo shoot, and we can’t walk around carrying a super-cool urban background with us.  Bummer! So, just work with what you have in your wardrobe. Color combos often work best in threes, but don’t toss out a great opportunity to use color accents if you can’t work in all three. My outfit still totally worked without any red and just the orange scarf as a fun pop of different color.

Create more versatility with the same clothing piece by wearing it a different day and using the Triad colors instead of the split complementary colors.  Keep in mind, your pairings can be as simple as adding a necklace or scarf, earrings, and cuff bracelet, or as bold as creating your color combos through layering your clothing pieces. You can always keep your shoes and accessories neutral.

 One last tip … color blocking is super hot right now, especially in bright shades of color!  Color blocking is pairing your top and bottom pieces in two Complementary colors resulting in a bold and colorful statement.  These combos are for the days you really want to stand out.   Does the "Sassy You" want to give it a shot?  Just grab your color wheel and get inspired by the perfect color combo.   

 So get yourself a color wheel ladies and keep it handy when getting dressed! Take it with you when you shop. Be creative, work in some new color combinations, and have some fun BAM-ing your wardrobe with the color wheel!

 Yours in style,

Adrianne

 

Andrew and Jamie - Tempe Portrait Photography

I LOVE that I got a call from this handsome guy asking me to photograph him ... the "new and improved" him as he put it!  Andrew recently returned home from serving a 2-year mission for our church and was excited to document who he has become.  Like I said, I LOVED this idea and was totally all over it!

We showed up at the Tempe Arts Center on an overcast day and he brought a long-time friend, Jamie, just for fun!  I loved exploring this new location and playing around with all the cool architecture there.  Mostly though, I loved watching Andrew through my lens and seeing for myself how much he has changed and grown.

Thanks Andrew and Jamie for such a fun afternoon and for asking me to be a part of this fun and exciting part of your life.  And thanks for sharing in some of my silliness too!    

And a few of  two great friends ...   

 

 

Then just Jamie ... gorgeous!

The last 15 mins of the session ... LOVED it!

There were so many more images that I loved ... but seriously, this post is getting a little long!  LOL!! So, thanks again you two for an awesome afternoon!

Hugs! 

A Midnight Summer's Dream - Orange County Photography

Last weekend I had the awesome opportunity to attend a Tonya Joy Workshop in Orange County, CA.  I have followed Tonya's work for a while now and I went to her workshop to grow, to improve, and to change.  I went there to work on two of my goals.  I went there fully expecting to come home a totally different photographer!!   

Hahaha!  Well, maybe not a totally different photographer, but I really was super excited to go.  So I arrived in beautiful Corona, CA with an open mind, camera in hand, and wearing a huge smile on my face.  I was ready to be inspired and to learn!

And boy did I get both!

The theme for the workshop was A Midnight Summer's Dream and the styling was romantic, whimsical, and pure magic.  I was totally inspired and definitely learned a ton of awesome photog techniques that I can't wait to start including in my work.  

Ya, basically I loved it every second of this workshop and was sooo happy to grab some shots of this gorgeous and newly engaged couple who worked as our models that day.  Ahhh, young love. Makes ya just want to smile.     

 

 

    

 
    

Style & Fashion Friday - Fashion Myth Busted - You CAN Wear That!

OK, so how many times have you seen an outfit,  a trend, or someone’s style that you liked and said to yourself, “I LOVE that! I wish I could wear it, but I could never pull that off.” For us, it’s been, like, a million trillion times. Not kidding. That many. But we’ve had some mini-epiphanies (what our mom calls a “piff”) recently that blew that thinking straight out of the water.  Such a simple things, really, these little “piffs”, but they completely changed how we feel about this topic. So, now we KNOW that saying to oneself “I could never wear that” is a fashion myth, and we want to BUST IT!!

 So, Adri’s “piff” was this: I can wear my shirt tucked in.

Kinda simple, right? But let me tell you, I’ve NEVER thought I could pull off the tucked-in look. I’ve seen other women do it all the time and it looked SO classy, and I always wished I could do it too! But I’d say to myself, “Nope, that look is not for me. I’m not skinny enough; My tummy isn’t firm enough; I’m not tall enough; etc.” Then one day I was bargain shopping at Marshall’s and I found this super fabulous pencil skirt and this really fun green shirt (not necessarily to go together, but two great pieces). In the dressing room, I tried on the skirt and fell in love (you know the feeling – that thought of OMG I HAVE to buy this and if I don’t I’ll regret it forever). Then I decided to try the shirt with the skirt.

I put the shirt on, un-tucked of course, and super-loved the shirt too! But together they weren’t really working. And then it hit me. The little question tickling the back of my mind: Could I tuck the shirt in? I’ve never owned a pencil skirt before, but every time I see a woman wearing one, I LOVE.LOVE.LOVE the look. And quite often, the shirt is worn tucked in! So I said to myself: “Self, try it. You never know. You’re all alone in the dressing room and if it’s horrible then nobody will know but you.”

So, in went the shirt.  And voila! My “piff” happened! It was awesome! I loved the outfit and I felt like a million bucks. So off I went to buy the two pieces (and a really great pair of shoes, I might add). 

So, our message to you is this: Yes, you can TOTALLY wear that! Whatever “that” is for you! Just be willing try it. That’s it. That’s all it takes. Have an open mind to the possibilities… And maybe you’ll have to try it more than once in several different ways, but that’s the greatest thing about fashion! You can take a look, or style, or trend and make it your own! (But when in doubt, phone a friend!… Or as a last resort, ask your dressing room neighbor!).

So dig through those closets, ladies, and try something new! Try a new combination of pieces that you’ve never thought you could pull off, because you never know, you just might be able to tuck your shirt in too! Good luck!

Yours in Style,

Adrianne

 

Styled like a dream - Orange County Photography

My head is still swimming over all the amazing photog stuff I learned at the Tonya Joy Workshop I attended last weekend in Orange County.  Ummm ... can you say gor-ge-ous???  Can't wait to show more, but here's a sneak peek!  

My new bloggin buddy - Style and Fashion Fridays

Hey guys!  

Remember when your Mom used to tell you to grab a buddy whenever you went anywhere new?  Well, that was seriously good advice ... and since I wanted to go somewhere new with my blog, a fab-o buddy was a must!  

Say 'Hello' to my new bloggin buddy, Adrianne!  

"HEELLLLOOO Adrianne!"

Hey everyone! My name is Adrianne!  I'm Bethany's little Sis and I’m SUPER excited to be working with her on this new adventure of ours … A little bloggie conversation about fashion, beauty, and feeling fabulous!

   
Let me tell you a little about myself! I’m 30 years old and a single mom to an adorable, bright, wonderful (but let me not forget TOTALLY precocious!) 4-year old girl. Her name is Peyton. I love her to pieces. She can be so wonderful and SO aggravating within the span of barely 5 seconds, but I’m pretty sure that’s part of her charm. Talk about a girl with personality. She’s definitely got it.

Anyway, I work as a salon manager at an upscale salon in North Central Phoenix. It’s called Salon Estique and in one awesome location you can receive all things hair, skin, makeup, nails, and products related (www.salonestique.com – go check us out!). I’ve been there for two years, although sometimes it feels like 10 years and others it feels like I just started yesterday! I’m pretty sure I couldn’t love it more. OK, well, maybe I could, but I flipping love my job. Seriously. I dig what I do in a MAJOR way.

 

Anyhoo, Bethany texted me one day and asked if I would blog with her about fashion and beauty. As a woman who works in that industry and loves so many things style-related, I contemplated for all of, like, one second. Psh, YEAH! Give me a way to talk about and help others with two of my favorite things?! AND do something fun and super cool with my sister?! Duh. I’m all over that one.

 So, here I am, and UBER excited!!

 
 We know there are a lot of fashion blogs out there.  We also know that we are not fashion “experts.”  But, we LOVE this stuff and believe we have something different and unique to offer.  So, instead of just showing you some cool clothes, we want you to know that YOU can learn to dress your body, take risks, play around with your makeup, try a new hair style and feel fantastic!!  So, we’re putting our heads together to help you look as great on the outside as we know you already are on the inside!

We have tons of ideas girls! Literally… tons… most of which began with a brainstorm session written on an AJ’s Fine Foods napkin (Eeek, so cliché! But true!). So from the proverbial napkin ideas to reality …. we hope you’ll follow our series, have fun with us, laugh, pick up a tip or two, and maybe even get inspired along the way. Because, we tell you what, women inspire us. Women helping women inspires us. And, not gonna lie, a really cute outfit or fab pair of shoes TOTALLY inspires us! 

Hugs!

Writing down my goals ... finally!

If you follow my blog, you know that I've been hinting around a lot lately about some photography goals I recently set for myself.  I know that I haven't actually come out and said what those goals are yet ... I guess I just haven't been ready.  And actually, as I'm typing this, I realized that I haven't even taken the time to write them down for myself!  Geez!

Here's the deal.  I feel like I've reached a point where I finally need to make some changes and improvements in my work and my brand.  I've been asking myself lately if I'm where I want to be creatively, if I am who I want to be as a photographer, and if am I sending the message I want to send with my work? In many ways, I could say yes to these questions.  But in many other ways, no. So, I knew it was time to set some goals  ...  

1.  Finally invest in a logo

2.  Blog more ... consistently!

3.  Get a NEW blog ... one with gorgeous, high res, giant images!!

4.  Study the light more and start using it in interesting ways in my work

5.  Seek out opportunities to improve technically

5.  Include my love of fashion in my work more

6.  Develop a concept, plan and carry out at least one styled shoot by the end of this year.

7.  Grow and develop my High School Senior sessions

8.  Connect with and assist for a photographer I admire

9.  Shoot an editorial/commerical fashion project

10.  Get published

I really don't know why I haven't done this before ... write down my photography goals, that is.  I guess I just thought in the beginning that I'd pick up my camera, do what I love, and it would all just happen.  In some ways it has and I have been so very thankful.  Thankful for good friends, for great clients, and an amazingly supportive family.  But I can be better, get better, and offer MORE to my clients.  I want that for me and I want that for you!

Checking some of these goals off the list is already in the works ... and I'm super excited!  Goals 9 and 10 are huge for me ... just seeing them in writing puts butterflies in my stomach.  And, honestly, I have NO idea how to make them happen.   But, I'm a bit of a dreamer and I figured it was time to write these things down and share them with you.  Maybe you know something or someone I don't and you'll share it with me.  Maybe not.  But, they're out there now and I'm gonna work hard to make them happen.

Signing off ... here's an image that caught my eye this week.  You'll probably see it again in another post coming up.  I love it that much.

Hugs! 

 

 

 

 

Capture {Ties & Tutus} ... We have a winner! - Phoenix Child Photography

Oh my goodness!  What an amazing response I had to the Capture {Ties & Tutus} Contest!!  I really have the very best clients ... EVER!  It was an amazingly close race all the way up until Midnight last night ... it was SOOO exciting!  

Thanks so much to all my cutest little contestants!  Your chubby little cheeks and adorable little personalities made my first annual {Ties & Tutus} contest a huge success!  It will be hard to beat next year, FOR SURE!!

And now for the winner ....

CONGRATULATIONS CHLOE & FAM!!

Chloe and her Family just won a FREE Capture {Family} session!!  Can I get a Woot Woot?!  And boy, their session is gonna be a blast!  Two awesome parents and SIX amazing kiddos will be in front of my lens very soon!  Can't wait guys!

Thanks again for joining in the fun everyone!  

Hugs!

Capture {Ties & Tutus} - Grady and Brynlee - Phoenix Child Photography

 

It's so much fun when I get the chance to photograph a family as they grow, change, and add new little ones to the mix.  I shot this family a couple years ago and Mom contacted me again when she heard about {Ties & Tutus}.  Back then she only had one little guy.  Now she has two  ... one in a tie and one in a tutu!  So stinkin' cute!

Thanks R, for letting me do what I love with your beautiful and {silly} kiddos!  And, speaking of silly, let's just not mention that parking ticket ever again, K?  Hahaha!

Hugs!