Giving it away

I want to give it away! I have said on my website that I want to be more of a giver than a taker and I am taking more steps to being that kind of company. So for every paying job I receive I want to give away 15% of my revenue to christian charity or cause. I am not sure what to do so if any of you reading this have any suggestions I am happy to hear them. Well I don't believe in dragging out conversations (or in this case monologues) so you have a great week and don't be afraid to drop me a line.

Chalkboard Chic: How-To Make Your Own Wedding Chalkboard

How to make your own chalkboard?! What?! I thought you said you were some kind of awesome photographer. Yes I am (thank you for the awesome part) and guess what I know how to make stuff too. That's right I am a multifaceted individual. I got the idea of a wedding chalkboard from The Knot (a very cool site indeed). I thought the ideas was cute and then I was like "I could do that." Then I thought " I can tell people how to do that!" Now that you know how I came up with the idea lets get started.
 






You will need:

1. (4) 24" in. and (4) 36" in. floor or door molding strips of your choice
2. (2) 24X36 carpenter grade plywood pine
3. paint or spray paint (for the molding and back of the boards)
4. chalkboard paint (spray or roll on)
5. paint rollers (if you aren't using spray paint)
6. chalk
7. miter box and hand saw
8. (2) chain links (this will dictate how wide the A board will stand)
9. (2) door hings
10. finishing nails make sure they don't go through the board and molding (we want to put some sweat in this but we don't want blood, just sweat and maybe some tears)
11. short round top screws for the chain
12. screws for the door hings, number and type depends on hinges (we just want them short enugh to go threw the plywood not the molding.)

Now on to making this thing

1. Paint your molding (preferably the colors at your wedding)
2. Prime the plywood with a dark colored primer
3. Paint the 24X36 plywood with the chalkboard paint. Give it about two coats or until the board is evenly coated. Allow a good hour in between each coat if you are rolling on the paint.
4. Don't forget to paint the back side of each board with your wedding colors.
5. When the paint on the chalkboard is dry lay the two chalkboards in a line and screw the hings onto the tops of them (on the underside of the board). Make sure that the ends of the boards are matched up so that you don't have a wobbly chalkboard.
6. After the paint is dry on the molding use your miter box to cut the the ends at 45 degree angels. (make sure they look like trapezoids and not diamonds or slanted rectangles.) When they are all cut they should fit together like a frame (here is a tip you can put the molding down in a rectangle and mark which way the angles should be)
7. Then nail the molding to the chalkboards
8. Since the boards are attached close them and attached the chain about half way down the sides of the boards.
9. Allow the chalkboard to cure for three days
10. Now you can take the chalkboard to your reception and allow everyone to admire your handy work

Let me know how you used your chalkboard! Please send me pictures so I can put them on my Facebook page.

Day at the State Park

The family and I all packed ourselves away for a day trip to the Guadalupe River two weeks ago. I was excited because I have never been to the Guadalupe River before and it was also the first time my baby boy would get to experience water (not including the bath). I didn't think that he would like it but he wasn't bothered at all by the water. The family also brought our pack of dogs,which include beagles and my little corgidor, their as well. Beagles are almost the family bread and they made the trip very interesting shall we say. I didn't think my dog would do the water thing but she was not bother by it and I was very proud. Here are the beautiful pictures I was able to take a the park  I hope you enjoy them.

Congrats Luke Linsten

I just recently finished a senior photo session with a very talented young man Luke Linsten. He is on his way to be a Marine so Semper Fi Sir and good luck!

Tips for Choosing Wedding photographer

Actually this should be titled Tips for choosing a wedding photographer: what you should know about you, your wedding photographer and your photos. This subject is very important because your photographs are one of the only things that you will take from your wedding.

Know what you want

I will say it again know what you want or at least what you like. Sit down and think about the kinds of pictures that you are attracted to and if you don't know shop, shop, shop. Use the internet to look at all types of photographers and see what kind of pictures inspire you. Are you drawn to more traditional photographs or more off beat pictures. Is it all about the color, or do you want the drama that comes with black and white photographs.


Picking someone you can Trust

It is very important that you can trust your photographer and I recommend that you ask your friends and family if they know a good photographer (emphasis on good). You can also look online and find photographers that have blogs. That way you can kill two birds with one stone by getting a feel for your photographer while also getting a look at their work. Keep in mind this person is going to be with you on one of the most important days of your life (which means they should annoy you ). So after you have decided on a photographer sit down and talk to them so that you can see if your personalities doesn't clash.  Your meeting is also an opportunity to communicate what you want from them and where you want them to be. This is easily done by giving your photographer your time line so that they can be there to get all the images you want.


Budget

What can you afford? I believe  throughout the price range of photographer you can receive just what you need until you get to a certain point. Do be realistic, you won't get the same kind of service from a 20,000 photographer that you will get from a 1,500 photographer. It doesn't mean the the 20,000 photographer is better than the 1,500 photographer but you better expect more from your 20,000 photographer. No matter which photographer you choose the photographer should be up front with you and tell you how much it going to cost. Don't be pushed into a package that you don't want or can't afford. If the photographer has a package that almost suites your needs ask if you can customize it.


Picking your images

 Before your wedding happens your photographer should walk you through all the ways you can get your pictures. Most photographers allow you to see you pictures online and some also give you the option of ordering online. Still I recommend that you decide what you want before your wedding so that when day to day life crowds in you will have already made your decision. Ask yourself who in your family will want prints and do you want an album or a book instead .  After your wedding when you have time, sit down with your spouse and look through your proofs to see which ones you want. Try picking different that will go in to your album than the ones that will be printed out. Make sure all of the one you pick speak to your heart and help you keep the day fresh (like a Ziploc bag). Also get the pictures that surprise you because you didn't get a chance to see them on your day.

For you and your photographer's peace of mind know how long it will take for you to get your photos back. Ask your photographer if there is a certain time period in which you have to pick your images. I know after the wedding you will be more interested in starting you new life but you still need to keep in contact with your photographer so that you can get the pictures the way you want them.

Read your Contract

You should always read what you put your signature on. I know some of you may feel like you are taking to long to read but don't be in too much of a hurry. You need to know what you are responsible for and what the photographer will be responsible for. There are also details in your contract that you need to know like who has priority your photographer or videographer. How long you are going to wait before you get your pictures ect.

Well I hope that helped. I know I wish I would have shopped more as a bride. You should pick that person that inspires you and that is going to make you look the best on your day. Happy photographer hunting and I will talk to you on my next post

baby puppies

I said I would be back after the puppies were born and they came into the world about three weeks ago.  They were given names by color because only one is going to be kept.

 

they are just precious and super cute.

Welcome to my Photographic world

Hello! This is my first time  posting so sorry if it is random and rambling. I just want to let you into my mind (sorry for the mess I am trying to clean it up).  Yep that's all I got Peace! Nah just joking. This is 3-Design's Blog and right now I am 3-Design but my friend (I mean friends I have more than one friend) usually call me Rekeisha or Keisha for short. (Still Keisha is just two letters shorter but strangely a lot easier to say)

Well since these are my photographic adventures lets me show you what I have recently done and when I say resent I mean in the past year. (random thought I love The Blues Travelers)

So I piggy backed on one of my friends wedding shoots and that was great because I didn't have to direct people. What wasn't so great was being 8 months pregnant with my son Abram. It sounds crazy but I had a lot of fun and learned some good stuff from my friend Gerri.

  

What I think is cool about being a wedding photographer is that you get to be there and peek into peoples lives and give this gift of visual memory to share with them. I remember what I was doing and what was going on at this woman's wedding. She is going to remember the joy and excitement she had getting ready. Also thinking back to my wedding man did that day go by fast! It was crazy and I am really glade I had someone there to go take pictures of such an important day.

 The guys were late so this is them finally arriving. I find that is a trend with me. At my sisters wedding the men were late too! what's up guys?

This is a pic of the bridesmaids making their escape so that the bride wouldn't be seen by any of the groomsmen.

Moving on,  like I just eluded to earlier I have a baby. He is Super Cute if you don't believe me check out the about me and I will show you. Prepare yourself  for the cuteness if you look directly at him and haven't taken the right precautions you might hurt something. (what that something is I am not quite sure but I have seen it happen a couple of times ;)

 What did I say! I am not liable for anyone who didn't take my advice.

So me and my husband are planing on calling him Tank like the Abram's Tank. (look it up) It's because I don't like the nickname Ab.(is that how you spell it?) Anyway he's not very tank sized so I am not sure how that nickname will play out. He has gotten other names since he arrived like super baby (he can fly) and milk man. I like milk man the most.

I told you he could fly :)

Well since you have seen him  I'll introduce you to the rest of the family.

Here is my wonderful husband Marc and the greatest dog in the world (when she isn't chewing on pacifiers!) Ine. If you are wondering what breed she is she is a mix of Lab and corgi. She got all the good traits.

So my mother-in- law just bought a doggy dress and put it on her pregnant dog Artemus or Arty Farty for short.  So why not take pictures

ohh she looks a little crazy... but in a cute way

Yes if you want your dog to do something train it or bribe it with treats! As you can see this dog prefers the treats

 Check out more puppy pics in post to come or at my website www.3-design.org

This pretty little beagle will be having her puppies in about a couple of week. When they come hopeful I will have time to take some pics of them and then I can show you guys! (Did I say I love the Blues Travelers?)

The adventures don't stop I will be taking a cliche photo op in Blue Bonnets and also taking my son to see his grandma in Austin. Peace until then and this time it is for real.