Taking Risks, Goals & Dreams

I'm the type of person that once I set my mind to something, get out of the way.  If I'm presented a chance, I jump.  Well, I just jumped and as of right now I will be falling for a many months before I land.  Guess that's why it's called a risk.

I have a goal, sometimes life, house, laundry, awesome kids, and time to get your hair-highlighted can become obstacles to reach goals in a timely manner.  What is my goal you ask, to be solely a wedding photographer.  It has been a goal since day one of playing around with a camera and thinking, pretty much out of the blue, I wanna be a photographer, a wedding photographer.

The sounds of a wedding day, the decor, the shoes, the sights and smells of colorful flowers, the sparkly things dangling from the reception table tops, the emotions of the controlled chaos of weddings is where I feel I belong.  So, I'm going for it, I want it, I want my photos in the magazines.  I had the privilege of working with another photographer years back, a wedding we photographed was featured in a magazine, some photos are mine that I took, I want to feel that again.

I love to build relationships with brides and I enjoy being around them on their special day, only a few months back they were a stranger and now the entrust in me to document their wedding day.  They know that it's important to me that they experience their day and that's part of my job...to let them experience their day. Wedding are just my niche.

My new web site is being built around weddings.  Fear not my clients I will still be photographing my sweet  families and my cool seniors for the time being, I still love that, I just need to focus on one thing for my family and my brides. It's like doctors, you have your ear nose and throat doctor, your heart doctor and your foot doctor, they choose to specialize in one area.  That's what I'm doing..specializing as a wedding photographer.  I'm will not lie it's scary for me to do this but if I don't start somewhere, I will never reach my goal.

I write this post not only to encourage someone to take a risk and shoot for their dreams, but for myself as documentation of the day I jumped.

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, Begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it, Begin it now.
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
No one knows what he can do until he tries. - Publilius Syrus
The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.- Joseph Campbell
Happiness depends upon ourselves.- Aristotle
Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear.- Mark Twain
You must do the things you think you cannot do.- Eleanor Roosevelt

~Handy-man to Fiance~ Gadsden Wedding Photographer

She says he spoils her, she really loves that about him. Candace and Cole meet in college, he was her neighbor, her friend and her handy-man.  Whether is was something broken in her apartment or a broken heart, Cole was there to fix it.  Yes, he listened, consoled and gave her advice on her love life...which formed a beautiful friendship between the two.

It took some time for Cole to confess his feelings for her but, time was on his side.  I think they make a wonderful couple and I'm honored to document their love for one another.

Candace presuded her career as an RN but I think she looks like a model.

Cole holds a state record in basketball, Candace told me more than once, you can tell she is so proud!.

Cole now teaches his talent by coaching a JV basketball team.  Click here to view their slide show.  People in love, what an awsome thing!  I guess that makes me a  lifestyle photographer of  people in love!

I'm waiting patiently for my new website and blog.  I'm working with Dustin Tanner at Simple Pixel Media and it's going to be faboulous, I'm so excited.  Should be ready close to March. 

3 Day Digital Negative Sale

Facebook

Sneak Peek Engagement Session

I photographed Cole and Candace today.  I wanted to share a little sneak peek of their engagement session!Click here for slide show!

Two Days, Two Brides, One Date Set

I sit here staring at a Monday appointment. What to do? What to do? I look back at my screen...what to do? What to do?  I love to open my inbox and my eyes read across the words, new client inquiry!  I open it with enthusiasm, only to find a date that seems familiar, why does this date stick out I ask myself.  I scan next weeks agenda and there it is, the same date!  There are 52 weekends a year and in two days I have two inquires for one date. What are the odds on that?  I have to make a yet another business decision, not a photography one, those are far and few between these days.  What to do?  To be continued....  

Workshop 2011

Ok, here we go!  Workshop is scheduled for February 26, 2011.  I had a little video that Dalyn and I shot yesterday but I can't even get it on the computer!  Is it me or is the computer changing constantly.  It's like you have to educated yourself daily because is always changing.  In a good way, you can do many more things and have all these options but I'm like where did this come from....wait should I click that!  So, enough about that! 
The workshop will be held here at my studio.  I posted on facebook and asked around about it and I receive various responses so, I though why not let's just do it!  I have to admit I'm trepidatious about it but everyone has to overcome fear and I know I can do this. After much thought, I decided that the first chapter needs to be about the camera.  How to shoot, exposure, composition, and just a good understanding of this marvelous machine that can freeze time and record our lives.  So, if you got a camera for Christmas and you want to make the most of it, or if you want to go into photography as a business, this workshop is for you.

For all the information go to http://www.kristichappellphoto.com/ and click on workshop.  Call me to reserve your seat at 256-546-1992 or shoot me an email photobykristi@comcast.net.  Any questions let me know! The workshop is an investment of $250.  There is a $100 deposit to secure your seat.  Limited seats are available!  The deposit is due by January 31st, the rest is due by February 18, 2011.  But like I said all its on my my website including the schedule. 

Happy Thursday!

Christmas and Rocking the Microphone!

We had a fabulous white Christmas.  Of course I missed my brother, he had his first Christmas in Heaven but, I'm sure he was with us in spirit. The babies are what entertains the adults during our celebration.......luckily Landri and Brady have made it through my mother not eating them up so ma bey Kinley has a chance.  I'm not real sure!  I have put together a slide show of the Henson side of the family.  I took both DSLR and the point and shoot, Canon of course.  I love to document but as Erin and I spoke about your like HOLD ON let me get my gear and you whoop around your well....big gun...canon.  It's sometimes hindering when your trying to socialize with the babies.  I normally shoot this type of situation on a high ISO and a slow shutter speed. Yes, you get blurry pics sometimes but it also gives a feel to it so I just rock it that way so I'm not constantly flashing everyone.  I can not believe that it snowed on Christmas, how awesome is that! It was beautiful! And so was my time with my family!

                                                                  Jenny in the snow!

                                                           Me and my Dad.

                              I know, Dalyn does not have a jacket on...he put one on later.

                                                                    Snow fun!

Did I mention that I learned to rock the microphone, because I did, I rocked it! This is one of Dalyn's gift from Santa.

                                                                        The girls!

Erin, Kinley and Blake.

                                                    
                                                              My mother playing with Kinley.

My beautiful sister.

                                                           Brady James and Landri.

Dalyn and I.

This is Chris and Leslie, this reminds me of my brother...he ALWAYS put my Barbie stuff together.

                                                          Daddy and his BFF Lucy.

Shane and Devin doing what they always do....aggravateing each other.

Click here to view the rest!  Now let's bring in the NEW YEAR!! The new year also brings a Kristi Chappell Photography Workshop on February 26, 2011.  Details brought to you soon!