Knight: black and white edition

I was lucky enough to have the honor of photographing Lauren and Casey just a few days after they were married! I have known Lauren for 5 years now and remember the first time she talked about Casey.... time sure does fly! I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for them!

Please feel free to check out my website (www.sunnysideupphoto.com) and let me know if you have any questions! Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!

Cheers,

Renee :) 

Carlson Family

WHOO-HOO! I really enjoy getting a general feel for different photographers or a recent session they did by glancing at their blog. I find myself learning so much, grasping inspiration,  all while continuing to expand my love for photography! I am so excited to dive right in and try the blog thing out for myself! Please be sure to let me know what you think! :) 

While visiting Nebraska earlier this month, I got to photograph this beautiful family- and thought they would be perfect for my first preview blog debute! We met at Pioneers Park and were surrounded by great weather. Addison was only a few weeks away from her first birthday and was in great spirits during the entire session. Kristin and Andrew may have a future model! :) 

Cheers!

 -Renee

p.s. all images are personal. Please feel free to contact me- or check out: www.sunnysideupphoto.com

NYC

Earlier this month, I had the incredible opportunity to attend a meeting in which my husband was presenting. The best part of this deal- was that the meeting was in NYC! I haven't spent much time on the east coast, and I had definitely never been to NYC. I was ecstatic! 

We spent three days exploring the city and enjoying each other's company. Here are a few images from our trip! ENJOY!

**all images are personal**

Until next time,

CHEERS!

-Renee :) 

Inspired in the studio

San Francisco is this incredible community; full of unique individuals with an insurmountable amounts of talent and creativity. While walking the city streets I dream and wonder what each individuals personal story is- you know, the events that brought them to San Francisco, what they do for fun, what their favorite restaurant is... More importantly, what makes them tick and what talents do they hold.

Over the weekend, I had the incredible opportunity to spend 14 hours with 6 additional photographers. To my amazement, not one of them credited photography for their paycheck. They each had some other passion or means to pay the bills. However, each of them spoke about photography as though it was their life blood.

During our time at Rayko Photo Center, we spent a few initial hours discussing our experience with portraiture photography, our goals, a little bit about our families, how we pay the bills and a few knock knock jokes here and there. However, most of our time was spent with free reign to a studio.

Let me paint you the picture- turn on the CW at 7pm on Wednesday's and you'll see an episode of America's Next Top Model- BAM- that is the set I was working on. Well, sort of. 15 foot ceilings, access to a variety of back drops, soft boxes, reflectors, light meters, strobes, pandora, fans, and an abundance of creativity surrounded me. It was a photographers dream- especially one who does not generally have access to such equipment.

We spent hours tweaking lights, and learning the traditional studio settings- rembrant, core, side and butterfly lightning. All questions and ideas were welcome. No idea was too big or turned down.


 Uniquely enough, outside of the workshop instructor- I was the only woman in the class. This in turn gave me several opportunities to practice what I in turn ask my family, friends and clients to do--- be comfortable in front of the lens. Although, part of me loved every minute of it, it certainly was a challenge. It's probably every young girls dream to be on set with photographers, the wind of a fan blowing through your hair, five assistants telling you that you're beautiful while holding reflectors to ensure that little speaks of light are present in your eyes- all while a director and photographer attempt to capture a unique image. So, yes, while it was awkward- it was fun as well. 


Check out some of the images they got:

After my fifteen minutes of fame as a professional model, I decided it was my turn to get back to the comfortable side of the lens. We cranked up some James Brown (which reminded of my father in law- honestly, who doesn't like James Brown?) and had all five of the other photographers get infront of my glass. 

Here is a little 'behind the scenes' during a lighting check. (CRAZY FUN!) Honestly, even preparing for this mini shoot was a blast. 

They do not appear as though they are having a great time. Let's change it up a bit. With music blaring, free reign in posing and lighting, I attempted to create a fun environment with care free fun photographs- as many of you know, I live to photograph children- small and big kids alike. I had a blast- and cannot thank them enough for allowing me to capture their inner child. :) Enjoy! 

 Boy band pose 

 Air Guitar 

Please remember to check out my website: www.sunnysideupphoto.com and feel free to ask any questions. Have a great week! :) 

-Renee 

DIY: camera strap!

A few months ago- I stumbled upon bloom theory straps (http://www.bloomtheorystraps.com/) and fell in LOVE with them. Almost every single camera strap is my favorite...honestly, they are all adorable. But, they all come with a steep price tag...$100.00 +! YIKES! Maybe, I'll get lucky for Christmas this year..but until then, I'll just continue to dream about them.

Since that life changing event, I decided that I am no longer happy with my boring 'Canon' strap. There had to be a way that I too, can have a fun strap. So- off to pinterest I went. :) Now, I have yet to make the big jump into buying a sewing machine- so I had to find a no sew solution. Luckily, someone was on the same page as me and offered a blog. 

Below are pictures of the strap that I made...I am still hunting for the perfect bow or flower to add- but you get the jist. Here is the blog that inspired me: http://ourlifeisblessedbeyondmeasure.blogspot.com/2011/03/diy-no-sew-camera-strap-cover.html

The strap is made so it is like a cover to your original strap- therefore it could be washed, or switched out with other fun straps! I may just make a few more! :) 

Enjoy! Have a great day!!

-Renee 

p.s. I also ran across this super easy DIY workout tank top- its brilliant really. So, before my jog today I made one up...it worked wonderfully. Check it out: http://dollarssenseandmore.wordpress.com/2012/03/16/diy-tank-top-fashion-on-a-budget/

p.p.s. this is day 40 :) 

weekend challenge: just for fun! :)

It's just about at the 1:00pm mark on a Saturday- and I am proud to say that I have been quite productive. No t.v. time, a nice book, a few online photography blogs and some quality time with my best 4 legged friend. Ahh- yes, this is the life! :)

This morning while scrambling through the beautiful world wide web, I came across this simple article:
http://www.beyondmegapixels.com/2012/06/your-weekend-photography-project-ordinary-objects/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BeyondMegapixels+%28Beyond+Megapixels%29

I thought- hey, I can give that a try. The over all message was simple- turn something ordinary, that you see everyday and make it extraordinary. I mean, thats the true power of a photograph. So- I immediately picked up my camera and here we have it...

Take a look at these photos I shot in one room of my house... can you tell which room I was in? :)


Have a wonderful Saturday! Until next time...

Cheers!
-Renee

p.s. this is day 39
**all images are personal. please feel free to contact Renee at sunnysideupphoto@gmail.com **

San Francisco Landscapes

I have the wonderful opportunity to live in an incredibly beautiful place! Pictured below is Alcatraz as you see it while approaching the island from the ferry, a few views of the bay from the island of Alcatraz, and the pier 39 sea lions. :) 

Today, I spent many hours working with collages, accordion style books, photo cards and even making my first i-phone cover! I placed an order with my favorite printing company and am ecstatic for my order to come in! Please let me know if you are interested in any of those fun options! (or if you'd like to see previews!) 

Happy Friday- Have a great weekend! 

Cheers,

-Renee 

p.s. this is day 38

**www.sunnysideupphoto.com**

Dreams and Alcatraz- quite the mix :)

Recently, I have been faced with some 'big kid' decisions-  life moves, career changes, old ideas with new reasoning. All of these things my 18 year old brain would have been scared to death to know that even at the age of 26, I am still quite lost when debating future life plans. YIKES! Being a grown up is hard. :)

However- through this crazy journey, I have accepted that I love photography. I love capturing still images that are as powerful as a time machine. I want to share little moments. I want to remember every trip, every tear, every birthday, every hair cut...simply stated- I want to remember it all!

So, I'll never be sure if my dreams are too ambitious, or if I'll ever truly 'make it'. I guess at the very least, I'll know I was never too afraid to try. I suppose all of this may be the 18 year old brain talking again- however, she steered me this far..and I think I've turned out alright. :)

I truly hope you are brave enough to follow your dreams. I'd really love to hearing about other 'dream chasers' or 'crazy thinkers'. Ya know, anything that defies most logic and takes a little bit of courage- anything that really just kind of scared the crap out of you. Those are the stories and people who inspire me.

So- cheers to crazy big dreams. :)

p.s. while debating your next big move- take a glimpse at my most recent trip to Alcatraz. It was a beautiful sunny day- which was fantastic for our excursion- however, terrible for lighting. :) So, I went ahead and experimented with black and white images. Please be sure to ask any questions regarding any or all of the images. Alcatraz is truly an amazing place to visit and learn about. Enjoy! (please remember all images are personal)

Alcatraz island is just 1.1 miles from San Francisco's bay. 

A view of an old school house from the years that Alcatraz prison was in operation. Many families and children lived on the island with their fathers- who were prison guards. 

A view of the old social hall from the small community that lived and worked on the island.

Another view of the social hall.

Inside the cafeteria in Alcatraz- thought to be one of the dangerous places within the prison- as three times a day every general population inmate would gather to eat. All armed with utensils- which could be used as weapons- but never were.

                                    Inside the bars is the kitchen where the food was prepared.

A view of an empty general population cell.

A home made bar spacer made by the inmates- which was used in an escape attempt and murder of prison guards in the Battle of Alcatraz.

Solitary confinement. During the tour I learned that an inmate in solitary confinement had a lose button- as to which he tore off and would throw in the air- then crawl around in the dark small cell searching for the button. Once the button was found he would throw it and repeat his search. A game he played for days on end.

A view of a furnished general population cell.

p.s. lets call this days: 28-37. :) 

Day 27: you win some, you lose some.

Well- this lesson was bound to happen...

You know... you walk around for two hours, you're enjoying a nice evening- you find a PERFECT spot sitting in the sand, you can hear the crash of the waves..you set up your tri-pod, find the perfect shutter speed and aperture... you are ready to go! Then you realize you are surrounded by hundreds of your best friends and you never get a good shot of the beautiful fireworks that are lighting up the golden gate bridge.

Irritating!

However, after missing some of the show- I turned my camera off and instead snuggled up against my husband and enjoyed the show. No amazing shot to prove that we were there- but it was fun none the less. :)

Below is a picture I snapped while testing out my shutter length. (thats why you'll see the white streak in the left corner-- it is a plane.) I decide against editing it out..and just let it be. I didn't get any 'winning' shots..but I did have a nice evening with Jim.

Happy Memorial day everyone- I hope you forever remember the true meaning of this holiday! :)

Cheers!
-Renee

Day 26: what color would you paint your house?

Would you be brave enough to paint your house lime green? Pour yellow on your window shades and have pink flowers dance the trim of your roof?

The individuality and beauty that houses around San Francisco possess continues to amaze me. While walking down Harrison street this house literally stopped me in my tracks. The colors and attention to detail are incredible.

I truly hope you all get the opportunity to visit SF one day and enjoy the beautiful culture it has to offer.
I hope to live in a home as colorful as this one day!

Cheers!
-Renee