Happy Birthday to iheartfaces! | Traci Shupert Photography

The folks over at iheartfaces are celebrating their 1st birthday. This week's photo challenge is "Best Face Photo". As I read the description of the challenge, I immediately knew what photo I wanted to enter. You see...this is my niece, and she can be a silly little girl. After I convinced (i.e. bribed) her to let me take some photos of her this weekend in the cold and snow, she started making all these wacky faces. She told me that this is her face after her teacher has to ask her to refrain from talking. I'm calling it the "Oops! I'll stop talking now!" face. Oh, how I love that girl (even though she talks to much)! :)

10 in 10 | Traci Shupert Photography

Who: Anyone
What: 10 sessions in 2010
Where: Locations throughout the Michiana area
When: February - November, 2010

The last several months, I've been thinking about how I can use what I've been given. The lyrics of a song, Follow You by Leeland, have been on my mind for many days and nights.

You lived among the least of these, the weary and the weak
And it would be a tragedy for me to turn away.

All my needs You have supplied
When I was dead You gave me life
How could I not give it away so freely?

Today, as I was riding to church, I was struck with the idea, 10 in 10. Why not donate 10 sessions in 2010? There are many great charitable organizations (like Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, The Littlest Heroes Project, Think Pink, etc.) that create opportunities for photographer's to donate their time and talent. I've thought about joining each of those organizations (and I still might), but I would like to give 10 in 10 a chance this year.

Here's the 411:
I'm looking for anyone (families, children, newborns, expecting mothers and fathers, high school seniors, engaged couples, military families, etc.) who may not be able to afford custom portrait photography, who are survivors, who have served our country proudly, who have made a difference in the lives of others, who are in the fight for their lives...anyone.

If you know someone or are someone who would like to be considered for one of the 10 in 10 sessions, send your story to: traci@tracishupertphotography.com

Here's what each 10 will receive:
-Up to 2 hours of on location coverage
-Online gallery to view images and share with family & friends
-10 of their favorite images edited and ready to print on a CD
-A 4x6 print of each image in the gallery
-One 8x10 print of their favorite image

I will be taking nominations throughout the entire year. I will announce the first 10 on February 1st, and thereafter on the first of every month through November. Please contact me if you have any further questions.

P.S. I thought today was the perfect day to kick this off since it is 1-10-10! :)

Snow | Mishawaka Child Photographer

The sun greeted me when I awoke this morning, and I knew this would be a great day for photos. I called up my niece, and she agreed to venture out in the cold with me to serve as my model. She's been losing teeth left and right these days, so it's been fun to document her toothless smiles. We literally had to trudge through about a feet of snow to get to the spot. She let me snap away, and when I realized my legs were numb, it was time to escape to some warmth. I would concede that winter may not be the most ideal time to take photos, but as long as we have boots and light, we are good to go!

What to Read Wednesday | Traci Shupert Photography

I'm feeling a little nostalgic about Christmas today, so I'm sharing a photo I took during our getaway to Chicago right after Christmas. The bokeh in this image comes from this huge tree in front of the John Hancock building along the Magnificent Mile. I adore shooting wide open, which means there is a very narrow plane of focus and everything outside of that plane is out of focus or blurred. (Does that make sense? Sorry if I'm getting a little too technical. And I hope I'm explaining it correctly. Feel free to correct me.) :)

I'm putting a little twist on What to Read Wednesday. I do have a reading recommendation, but it's not your typical bookish reading. I've been thinking long and hard about my next steps in this fun, new endeavor that I ventured into last year. I've been trying to think of how I can describe for you how I feel when I'm behind the camera. There is this creative energy that is released from my heart when I get to spend time with you, and document your life. I think of each image as a creation - a piece of art that I get to shape and refine. One who creates, we call a creator. So, in the end, what really makes this all worthwhile, is that as I create, I am drawn closer and closer to my Creator. I get to use God's first creation, LIGHT, and his best creation, YOU, to create a photograph. Which is essentially, writing with light (graph = to write, photo = light).

So, with all that in mind, I've posted the brand spankin' new Session Information for you to read on this Wednesday. If you already had a session scheduled with me for 2010, your portrait agreement and pricing will not change. Thank you to all my clients who have helped make this creative endeavor possible! I'm looking forward with joy to possibility of being your photographer!

New, Part 2 | Traci Shupert Photography

Something new, part 2. Several years ago, I decided to learn how to do digital scrapbooking using Photoshop. I've scrapbooked for years (the paper way), and the idea of digital scrapbooking appealed to my techy side. With the help of Google, I found lots of *free* digital scrapbooking goodies and tutorials that helped me learn (some) of the tricks of the trade. Photography and design fit very nicely together, so I will now be offering custom design services for all kinds of cards, announcements, and you name it. Above, are a few samples of custom designed birth announcements that I can help you create.

Something New for Clients | Traci Shupert Photography

Welcome to a little something new for my portrait clients - Inspired Walls. So, you've had your photos taken, and now you're wracking your brain on how to display them in your home. Well, look no further. The Inspired Wall guides are here to help. After your session, I will take a sampling of the photos and offer up some ideas for you on how to display them. I'm a visual learner, so this is right up my alley! Let me know what you think? Would you find this helpful? Stay tuned for more things I've got buzzing around in my brain. :)

New | Traci Shupert Photography

Happy New Year! I've been working diligently on a website over my Christmas Break, and I am so excited to unveil it on this New Year's Day! Visit it by clicking here or on the photo above. Be sure to add it as a bookmark!

After lots of Christmas gatherings and a Chicago getaway (photos to come soon), my husband and I are enjoying our time at home relaxing today. A year ago, I was having fun participating in Karen Russell's Photographer's Workshop. Hoping that I would be able to take what I learned and create beautiful photographs for myself. As many stories go, I started taking photos for friends and family and my business grew from there. I cannot explain the unexpected joy I've experienced through looking through the lens and clicking all of the beautiful people you see on this blog and the new website. Thank you!

I will be announcing some changes to very shortly, so stayed tuned for more newness!