Practice, Practice, Practice! Learn! Experiment! Learn More! Practice More! Get Better!

I have taken so many steps forward in the development of my business lately. I registered (finally!) with the Houston Center of Photography for their Certificate of Completion program. I have to test between difficulty levels, have to submit a portfolio before receiving my certificate, and have a great line-up of classes/workshops ahead of me. As I matter of fact my very first class is coming up very soon! I absolutely can't wait. The class is a remedial class just about using a camera and learning all of the settings. I am purposefully starting at the WAY bottom because I want to learn all that there is to know. When I have finished the certificate program I am going to pick an official name for my business, obtain a logo, and register as a real and true legitimate business. I am so looking forward to that day. I would love nothing more than to own a studio but I know that if I work hard enough I can make this business a success even without a studio.

One problem I am encountering is a lack of detail in the important features of my images, namely the face and eyes. I have been told and have learned from research that a big part of that is the fact that I still shoot in JPEG and not RAW. Next Tuesday I am doing newborn pictures for my God-sister whose maternity photos I did in the summer. I plan to shoot 50/50 and see what a difference it makes. I have bought a TON of new props and a great bamboo rug for a backdrop so I really have high hopes for this photo shoot. So much is invested in it.

My First Boudoir Session

A friend of mine was needing a little pick me up, and requested a boudoir session. I have been on the model side of glamour photography but I hadn't shot any myself yet. I felt like this was prime opportunity for a new experience and accepted. I found the session fun, but very challenging. We used my own bedroom for the backdrop, which I was resistant to, but it actually came out quite cute. I always shoot in natural light, alternate lighting is the death of me every time. My client however, wanted to do the shoot at night and so we did. That in itself was a large step out of the box for me, and during the shoot I found establishing the right settings on my camera difficult. Too often I was either producing too dark images or too blurry ones. My biggest hurdle was the subject herself. She was feeling a bit uncomfortable and though I tried to be silly and have fun, I just couldn't pull her out of it. Posing was difficult, I would move an isolated body part and she would turn to jello. I tried explaining that she was to only move the part I was touching but often we wound up giggling and distracted. I know that with practice and study I can learn techniques that will help in situations such as these. I came out of the session with low expectations and found myself pleasantly surprised! I definitely lost a lot of images to darkness, blur, or awkward set up, but I also had a moderate amount to choose from for final edits. I can come out of this experience knowing a little better what to expect out of a boudoir shoot, and I plan to research ways in which I can improve my approach.

Sophia Martinez

My session this morning with the Martinez family was a bit challenging. We were quite pressed for time and sadly didn't get to include little Olivia as planned. We are going to re-shoot next weekend however, and I did manage to get quite a few gorgeous images of miss Sophia.

More of these gorgeous fall images can be seen on my Newborn page!

Can't wait for Friday!!!

My repeat customer little Romeo has a brand new cousin and guess who gets to photograph her sweet little face?!? Why me of course! I have been itching for a newborn to shoot ever since little miss Maggie and I am so looking forward to implementing some new ideas, along with my new lens! Can't wait to get them up for everyone to see!

Transitioning into Fall

It's that time of year again, the rush of the back to school madness has subsided a bit. High school kids are all planning for homecoming, the Holidays will soon be on their way, and Halloween is right around the corner! Every one is busy busy!!! I am getting a new 10-35mm lens soon and I am hoping to have it in time for the Homecoming season. I would really love to have the opportunity to shoot some great couples and group shots for the local teens on their big day. I did a little advertising on Facebook but that can only go so far of course. Hopefully if I am persistent enough word of mouth will bring me some work. One can only hope! I definitely have 2 maternity and 2 newborn shoots in the works, neither of which am I permitted to discuss yet. Secretive mommies!!! I sure can't wait though!!!! Anyone who lives in the Houston area and would like to make an appointment with me please feel free to email me at ashleynicolephotography2012@gmail.com

New Opportunities Are Always Awaiting Me

I started feeling rather discouraged not too long ago. I'm not getting many clients, and I've done very few sessions that I've actually been paid for. Granted practice makes perfect, and anything that can be put in my portfolio is always worth doing, but that doesn't quite put food on the table. I was feeling pretty low about things until I was working at the comic store one day and struck up a conversation with a regular. Turns out he's a realtor and needed someone to shoot the images for his listings. I promptly volunteered! I AM YOUR GAL!!! So now we've worked on three houses together so far. It is a lot of fun getting to see all these homes all dolled up and ready for sale. It's also fun to know that people are actually seeing and appreciating my images. I know it isn't family photography like I'd prefer to be doing, but any job is a good one when I'm getting experience. Look forward to some links being posted in the near future!

Maternity!!!!!

I am currently in Newport News, Virginia, my childhood home. My God Sister is pregnant with her third child and has never had maternity pictures done. Never! How could I resist?!? So today we did a beautiful maternity/boudoir session to celebrate this new life she has been blessed with. I am ecstatic about how well they came out! I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to be her photographer and to catch such a heartwarming moment in her life. Hopefully in a few months I'll have another newborn session to do!!!

My Last Day as a Nanny

Today is monumental, today is the end and a new beginning. While I would love to emphasize on all that entails, I don't have time. So for now I will just share this little gem I caught of Luke yesterday while shooting him during playtime.

No More Nanny! Time to Get to Business!

This coming Friday will be my very last day as a full time nanny. I cannot begin to describe the excitement that I feel. I am finally at a place in life where I can do what I need to in order to hone in my skills. I still want to pay for a membership to the Houston Center for Photography, and finish their certificate programs, however at the moment I just haven't. For now I have been putting in applications to every single portrait studio that I can find. I am hoping to be hired by someone who will provide me with training in the areas in which I find myself lacking. Looking forward to new opportunities and experiences!!!!

My Very First Repeat Customer, and My First Cake Smash Session!!!

I was so excited to get another opportunity to shoot little Romeo today. The last time I photographed him he was a month old! He was my first real NB shoot, and is now not only my first repeat model but also is the first time I've attempted a cake smash shoot! So far I am fairly pleased with the result! Here's a preview for you!!!

Update: Romeo's Shoot can be found at the bottom of the Infants Page. Also, please check out my new Events page as well!

Newborn Shoot!!!!

So a friend of mine just had her baby and was gracious enough to allow me to do her newborn photos. I am so absolutely ecstatic about how they turned out! I have been practicing with my 50mm lens and it seems to be paying off! Maggie was a joy to work with, and I can't wait for her future shoots! Enjoy!
~Ashley

Boy, has it been awhile!

I have been so busy with work and school that I have had little to no time for shoots. I do need to upload some candids and also my holiday shoots so be expecting those soon! A friend and I are looking to book some Prom shoots so hopefully if we are successful those will be coming up soon!