Photographers Recollect Life Quite Differently

When people consider memories, they think of them as in good or bad memories. Photographers are a slightly different breed of rememberers (if that's even a word). We remember in "how good we thought we were" at the time we took a photo. We remember by "what camera we used." We also remember by "how we edited at that time" and "what was I thinking by posting that photo."  We are quite the eccentric bunch of individuals.  I can honestly say that my memories of my work have been love/hate memories.  Though I now have an incredible following (which I am humbled by everyday) of over 1K likes, it is still not enough. I want more...I want to be better...I want to be recognized...I want to be the best....until something reminds me of how far I have actually come.

When I look back at some of the work I have done, I am in awe of how my style has changed, yet how my vision has remained intact.

This very night, while putting together a new downloadable pricing packages, I came across one of my first Senior sessions. What struck me was not how many of the photos were bad, but rather how many were STILL good. Despite the fact that I didn't understand lighting and under exposure to the extent that I do now.  Despite that fact that I wanted to pretend like I knew everything and now I openly admit "I'm a forever learning photographer." Despite that fact that now I am amazed I was even paid for my earlier work, my earlier work is still my art. It is still my experience. It is still something I can enjoy.

What's more is that no matter how much I despise the techniques I used at the time, someone will always have my memories somewhere in their album, Facebook page, school year book, or even wedding album.  I am forever engrained in this family. That is something for which I can be very proud.

So how does this overcritical, perfectionist, sadist photographer feel about this shoot? I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to shoot such a beautiful and intelligent young woman. But really, it doesn't matter what I think. What matters is what my clients will remember about their experience.

-Ollie

Sea Otter Creations Promotional Shoot: Miss Briley Wills

Sea Otter Creations is a Tulsa based handmade children's clothing store. She makes customized orders and sells her original creations.  Store owner, Kimberly Cotter and myself met almost two years ago when I did a photo shoot for her, then, Baby Amelia.  Flash forward to now, Amelia is now a walking toddler, Kimberly is a SAHM, and she SEWS.  When we got together and decided to collaborate on her website photos, I was thrilled when it all started to come together.

There are the first few test shots using items she made for my daughter, Briley.  Can't wait for the weather to clear up so I can get my other little models and shoot more of Kimberly's clothing items from her clothing line.

To order from Sea Otter Creation or to like the page, go to https://www.facebook.com/seaottercreationsOK .  Support Local. Support Handmade.

Popular Vintage Looks & Trends for the 2015 Bride

I remember waking up at 7:00am sharp to join my Mom (who I affectionately call Melinda Ann) on her ritualistic Saturday morning garage sale hunting expedition.  The mornings usually started out warm and hungry, but usually "metamorphosized" into this hot misty day filled with old dictionaries, timeless classics, clothes that smelled of mothballs & cobwebs, and of course the rumble of my stomach. My Mom placated these many sites and sounds with buying me cereal burgers (soy burgers with a mystery mixture of meat and lard) and crinkled dollars. 

I look back on many of these Saturdays with love and bliss because these very Saturdays are what has shaped my love for all things vintage and my very style in photography.

This year has brought something special with it: Vintage. Many brides are setting out to do a lot of DIY weddings to save on the cost and also put their personal touch on their special day.  I'm all for this.  This inspires creativity. 

Below are some pictures that inspire my photography and are definitely shaping up to be the most popular "Vintage Trends for the 2015 Bride."  Check out my inspiration.

sources:  Found on bestfriendsforfrosting.com Found on styledandwed.com , Found on mignonnehandmade.com, https://www.pinterest.com/source/mignonnehandmade.com/, www.greenweddingshoes.com , Found on greylikesweddings.com, Found on celia-grace.com , Found on celia-grace.com