I’ve been asked numerous times, when will I host a workshop for those with a camera that don’t want to be in business. With the drop in the price of entry level DSLR’s so many people today own one, and many of those same people never exit “auto” mode.

So I’ve decided to take the leap into hosting two workshops for those looking to learn more. On February 20th, I will be hosting a workshop on DSLR (or SLR) camera basics at the studio in Detroit, from 11am-3pm. Learn how to exit “auto” mode and venture into other camera settings including full manual.

What’s included in the workshop:

* Getting to know how your camera works (ISO, Shutter Speed, Aperture, etc.)
* Natural light and how to use it
* Hands on & Interactive (so bring your camera!)
* Lunch (lunch will be provided!)
* a copy of Bryan Peterson’s Understanding Exposure

What to bring:

* A positive attitude
* YOUR CAMERA (It would also be helpful if you could bring your camera manual to refer to if necessary)
* Your laptop or a notebook to take notes
* Your Questions

What’s the cost?:

* $150 early bird registration – register by Jan 31st.
* $25 off your registration if you bring a friend.
* $175 if you register after Jan 31st.

A minimum of 4 participants is needed for this workshop. A maximum of 10 students will be allowed.

Note – This is not for professional photographers, but for moms & dads that want to get the most out of their DSLR cameras. Business aspects such as vendors and pricing will not be discussed.

About Me: Many people do not know, I originally attended the University of Michigan School of Art. In addition to coursework there, I taught black and white film photography and darkroom at Rochester High School.

Email me for more information

First and foremost, Happy New Year.  I’ve been swampped in the land of client orders, and holiday planning for what seems like 2 months.  Add in the fact we hosted 5 versions of Christmas, as well as a baptism over the holidays, and you may understand the lack of posting on here for awhile.

2010 is here and with that comes lots of new plans and ideas in my head.  First of all…..VALENTINE’S DAY Mini Sessions!  I’ve wanted to do these for the past few years, and I’m now finally able to offer them!  Look back soon for a workshop offer for YOU!  Yes, that’s right,  a workshop for my clients…time to learn how to use that new (or old) dSLR (or regular SLR)!

Did the Holidays pass before you managed to get a new photo of your child? Looking for something unique and adorable this Valentine’s Day?

I will be offering Valentine’s Day Mini Sessions at the studio in Detroit on January 17th. For $95 you’ll get a 20 minute sessions with 8 proofs promised in an online private gallery for your viewing. The session will also include your choice of 48 – 2.75″x4″ “class cards” or 24 – 4″x5.5″ flat cards. The class cards are a very cute alternative to the traditional store bought valentines your child usually passes out. Tape a heart shaped sucker on the back, and you’re good to go.  Sessions will be available from 10:30am-3:30pm.

There will also be special digital mini collections available for purchase.  Click, mini sessions, to reserve your spot NOW!

Let’s all start sining “It’s a small world after all….”  Now why do I have that song now going through your heads?  Well it IS a small world.  Seems A (the twin’s mommy) found my site online looking for a photographer for her new twins.  She was shocked to see it was ME, LOL!  A lived two doors down from me my sophomore year at Michigan.  A and her (then boyfriend B) even came to my wedding.  But as we all know, prior to facebook it was harder to stay in touch.  I moved off to Vegas, and A and B got married.

I was so excited when she decided to book me to shoot her new twins M and T.  It was great to catch with both A and B and while photographing their adorable boy/girl twins.  I had a BLAST at the session, and B I’m kind of dissappointed we didn’t pursue your whole urban infant concept w/ gold chains

Okay enough typing, let’s get to the photos.  Twins means more photos for me to share!  I had to share the image of T trying to eat M.  Poor girl!

When I found out Brady was a boy, I figured he’d just have to date an older woman, R.  Mads boyfriend is D.  D’s little sister is R.  Kelly and I had it all planned, they’d double date.  But Kelly decided not only get get pregnant again, but also have another little girl.  Wooo!  Brady had a girlfriend-to-be who would be younger then him.  Sorry R, you’re gonna have to date outside the Porter pool, LOL!

Much like older sister R (who if you remember, waited until I got my camera back from repairs to be born), N decided to take her time getting here.  Something about those O girls, they want to cook a bit longer.  Something special about N’s entrance into this world….she was born at home!  My goodfriend Kelly went from a c-section, to a VBAC to a HOME BIRTH!  WOW! (I should add, N came in weighing 9lbs 8oz too!).    And here I was signing on the dotted line for a repeat c-section the minute the stick turned blue!

Enough of the novel.  N, welcome to the world.  I really hope Brady and you get the chance to grow up together like Mads and your big brother D.

I know P and M’s mom through one of those online mommy boards.  You know those places you go as a new mom for all kinds of advice and then get sucked into the drama of it all, LOL!  I remember reading when P came to live w/ V (mom) and when M was born.  So it was great to finally meet V this summer when she volunteered P and M to be models for my workshop.  And I was flatter when V decided to take advantage of my mini sessions this holiday season.  I have to share a few outtakes of M&P for you to understand my title.  M loves her brother P.  I think I caught her licking him a few times, and hugging him a few times.  But nothing says true sibling love to me like a choke hold, LOL!

M and P I had a blast w/ our session.  V and C, I hope you like these!

You might recognize L and A.  Their session from last fall is rotating in my blog header.  This year they were a year older and much spunkier.  It’s fun to get a glimpse into what’s to come now that I have a boy of my own.  L and A were great troopers and I think we got some great images.  But I just have to share atleast one outtake from the session.  With two 3 year olds, there’s always someone there to egg you on.

A few weeks back I got to photograph R & N at their grandma’s beautiful house.  Seriously, if I could move into her yard and only do sessions there, I’d be in photographer heaven!  R & N were on a coast to coast move (from Cali to Conn) with a stop in MI to see grandma.  Think that’s a handful?  Add in a pregnant mommy and two dogs to boot!  I’m tired just typing all of that

I had a blast photographing R and N!  Congrats on your soon to be new little brother.  I hope mom, grandma, grandpa, dad and your aunt all love these photos!  I know I had a hard time choicing my favorites

For my husband, January through April is his busy time (he’s a CPA).  For me as a teacher, September and May/June are my busy times.  And as a photographer, Fall is by far the busiest time of the year.  The beautiful Michigan colors, the need for photos for the holidays, the cool crisp autumn air…..fall is nearly upon us.

I will be doing full session throughout September and October on limited weekends.  Please contact me ASAP if interested.  In addition to the full sessions, I will also be doing two rounds of mini sessions again this fall.

Round one of holiday mini sessions will be held at Mill Race in Northville on October 11th. The sessions will be scheduled every 30 minutes.

For $175, you get a 20 minute photo session and your choice of 25 Holiday cards (from a selection of premade designs) or an 8×10 image. You will be shown up to 10 images from the session to make your selections. Portraits, additional cards, bulk image discounts and albums will be available for purchase as well.

The Holiday Mini Session gives you the chance to get an updated image for Holiday cards and gift giving, without locking yourself into the cost and time of a full session.

You can sign up and pay for your mini session online, Holiday Mini Sessions.

Times available……

9:30am –

10 am –

10:30am –

11 am

11:30 am–

12 pm -

12:30pm -

The second round of minis will happen in November in my Urban Loft studio.  More details to follow.

You’d probably think seeing as I take photos as one of my many jobs, I’d have a million photos of Brady right now.  Truth?  I don’t.  I don’t know if it’s the second child snydrome.  Those that have been to my house can testify to the fact it is a shrine to Madeline.  I don’t know if it’s the fact that he’s mine, and when he’s sleeping I don’t want to wake him, I take a shower, or eat, LOL!  Maybe it’s stems from the fact that we’ve been battling reflux so there really hasn’t been any happy awake time, and I don’t want to photograph him while he’s sleeping (see above comment, LOL).

I tell myself that likely I DO have more photographs then the average parent, I just don’t have as many of Brady as I do of Maddie.  So Friday, the lighting was nice in our bedroom, Brady was pretty happy after eating, and I decided to go for it.  I wanted to try out my LaFolie hats on him.  He wasn’t too sure about that.  But I’m pretty happy with what I managed to get.  Honestly, I’m happy I got some photos that show off his still blue eyes (with flecks of brown in them).