web page

http://heatherhughesphotography.weebly.com/ via @weebly
The web page should be just about perfect.Take a look and tell me what you think!

What?! I have to learn marketing too!

I  am comfortable in my photography at this point enough to start putting myself out there.This blog was a big step in doing that as well as getting over my writing phobia! I'm no Ansel Adams or Annie Leibovitz or my new found photog love Simon Powell...but I'd like to think I'm at least at the top of the bell curve, at least in my area!

It didn't take long to realize though that it isn't only talent you need in art to make anything at it  or get recognition, you need business sense and marketing skills. You are selling you the artist as much as you are the art!  I know I can be a great sales woman if I try.I could sell a lawn mover to a man with no grass if I tried hard enough!

I had been looking and looking for  weeks for a free layout to design exactly what I needed for my business kit...it was just not to be found.  I decided I was just going to have to buy one but the penny pincher that I am just kept getting turned off by the sticker shock of how expensive they were.
I decided to vent to a group of wonderful gals I know online about my frustration and one of them not only pointed me in the direction of one that was a fraction of what else I was seeing but was exactly what I was looking for style and color wise. She then surprised me with a coupon that made it even less than I had planed! I am indeed feeling blessed and am over the moon happy with my purchase.

This step probably seems so tiny to some but for me it is a big step in laying the foundation for success! Buying something for myself is not something I'm used to doing, but when that little bit of guilt creeps in that I have, I'm going to swat it away with the mantra that I am make a concentrated effort to investing in myself this year!

 

I'm not sure if these photos will stay,
but for the moment here is my reminder card!

  

Little tid bit about me...I actually used to sell lawn mower,once apon a time!

My Style

I feel very torn as far as my style goes.

 The sepia image is under my old brand. I love adorable children portraits captured in a shabby chic heartfelt way. I love capturing moment in a family's life that are timeless. To me  this screams TEXAS! It my opinion it captures these military children's short time in this state. It is the type of image I can see in daddy's wallet or on granny's wall.

This image is under my new brand and is of a local model.I am drawn to high fashion and glam.It is edgy and bright,sharp lines and beauty.  There is something alluring for me of creating images that make a grown woman say. "WOW look at Me!" Particularly when as a model she has likely had her likeness captured hundreds of times! The brick and teal feel southwest but the don't have to. This could be Denver, as easily as it could be Philly,or El Paso. I see this image in her portfolio, I see it advertising those jeans, I see it as something she looks at ever so often and says to herself "I look great!"





So the question is where do I go from here? Do I divide my brand and go one way or another or do I do my best to stay true to my duality?

 I grew up in a place like this.Its not Detroit but it is city.It has an urban element.It had  crime,and culture,grit and glam. It  only has a handful of tall buildings but it goes on and on land wise.This is just a sliver of it. I loved the music scene and remember as a teen hoping on the city bus and heading to the mall.I enjoyed it for what it was.

I kind of came into my own in a place like this.That is all of downtown.Those maybe 1/2 dozen buildings.A grocery store,a hair dresser,a bar,a bank,and because its CO a dispensary that is it.What more do you need?! I had a horse,a cow I bottle fed and a handful of chickens. I stil had to ride a bus but this time it was out of town to go to school since the town was to small to support a High School. I loved the wide open space and the simplicity.


I don't consider myself a street wise urbanite but don't consider myself a country cowgirl either. I'm not a socialite snob but not a backwoods bumpkin' either.I'm just not sure where I fall. Can I ware couture with cowboy boots? Listen to Aerosmith while baking apple pie? Leather,Lace,and Louis Vuitton? Is it okay to be a dash of POP with a little bit Country AND a little bit  Rock and Roll?

Poppies

The desert is not known for its lushness or flora. For a very brief time a small part of El Paso is covered in beautiful yellow poppies.

  Last season there were none
 due to a out of character for the area freeze.This year made up for it! My husband,children and I took an outing to see the little beauty's this last weekend.    

I loved watching the kids run and play and have a little adventure. They were Native Americans, they were in Oz on the yellow brick road,they were Lightning Mcqueen and Mater on the dusty dirt track!  

                                                                           
 My husband even wielded the camera...the image with me in it, obviously, and the one with the very blue sky  I believe are his.

 They were respectful of nature as I have taught them to be...no trampling the plants or grabbing clumps of flowers. Even think I heard my oldest son say remember to leave this place the same or better than we found it...very proud.

 We even managed to find a little lizard friend on the trail.He stayed just long enough to pose and then ran off!

Here are a few links for you:
Want to learn more about the beautiful California poppies(I can't find any information regarding mexican gold poppies as they are sometimes referred to as)? Take a look at this page,it is full of great gardening information
http://www.finegardening.com/plantguide/eschscholzia-californica-california-poppy.aspx
Here is a link to the area we visited
http://www.elpasotexas.gov/arch_museum/education.asp
Lastly there is annual poppy festival.If you are in El Paso take the time to go, here is a link to a  story in th El Paso Times about this years festivity!
http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_19849221

blah

Really worn out lately. I would like to get out a hike or something,,,but the wind is crazy the last few days. I need a jolt or energy and an infusion of enthusiasm.The blahs normally get me in the winter months,this spring time second coming needs to hurry up and end!I really wish I had more or something witty to add. Next post I promise :)

Photot is a bit dated and with my old name...i'm sure im breaking some sort of blog rule

b&b

As a photography babies and brides scare me more than anything out there.I'd rather photograph a group of 100 than 1 bride or baby! Thankfully this little guy is my youngest child so I didn't mind with him. He looks almost nothing like this now given its been about 9 months! I really hope to get more comfortable with the babies and have a few newborn clients...still no desire to deal with the brides!