I'm Heading Back to creativeLIVE!!!!!

First, I need to thank creativeLIVE for bringing such incredible continuing education to the masses for FREE. If you still don't know who they are and what they do, please go check them out at creativelive.com. No matter what level you are at, there is always something to learn and even if you turn on a workshop for just 5 minutes, you are bound to learn at least one thing. You will walk away wiser. I guarantee it. And the community they are building among alumni of their workshops is the first genuine online photography community I have ever been a part of. I am honored to be called back to be in another workshop.

This time, I'll be learning Lori Nordstrom's Real Kids System. I am so excited for this. Children's photography is very near and dear to my heart. I love capturing children and their different personalities. I'm lucky enough to be blessed with two of my own to experiment with, which I do, relentlessly, often to their chagrin. I can't wait to learn more about marketing this product within my business. Photographer friends, you need to watch this. If you've never watched a creativeLIVE workshop, let this be your first. Plus, you'll be able to see my shining face learning right along side you! Visit http://www.creativelive.com/courses/real-kids-photo-system-lori-nordstrom for more information on how to enroll and where to watch!

In honor of my participation, here are some sweeties to feast your eyes upon! Can't wait to learn and grow this weekend! Thank you, Lori, for selecting me! Can't wait to meet you!

Guess what? Yep, another creativeLIVE submission!

Children's photography is near and dear to my heart and it would be so incredible to be able to attend this workshop!

Thank you, Kevin Kubota!

So, for the last few days, I've been watching Kevin Kubota's lightweight lighting workshop and oh em gee. It is EXACTLY what I needed. I have been experimenting with off-camera flash for a couple of years and so having a reference point for what I've already been doing is so valuable. I bought the course, of COURSE! In case you were curious, my set up is using my on-camera flash in commander mode with a Gary Fong Puffer over it, set to "--"...super low-budge, but effective until I get the PocketWizard system.

Yesterday, I got out my 3-in-1 (best $60 I've ever spent), removed the metallic cover and shot my SB-900 through it with a smaller 3-in-1 on the silver side for a kicker and got some cute portraits of my 5-year-old in our living room. The challenge is balancing the flash with ambient light! Wow...it is SO HARD. And I'm an intuitive shooter. Settings are daunting to me so I go with my gut (I'm usually pretty accurate) and test. I've even got some neutral density filters on hold at Tall's for my 50 and my 85. Can't WAIT to test with them!

Thanks so much to Kevin for his incredible talents and teaching and for creativeLIVE for making him available to the masses! I've enjoyed the last few days immensely and have learned SO much. I feel more able to use any space and the rainy season here in Seattle doesn't seem as ominous because I feel I've been opened up to any indoor space. I fell more confident in asking permission to use spaces in my area and I'm not afraid of the answer anymore!

Katie & Holly - Seniors

I'm pretty speechless. Feeling very blessed to have been able to shoot with not one but TWO gorgeous seniors this weekend. I am beginning to realize that this form of photography is one I am extremely passionate about. One that I am ready to put all my energy into marketing. Letting go of everything else. That is a huge step so one that will require more thought but one I'm seriously considering.

Recently, Sue Bryce did a workshop on creativeLIVE about her business and she got on the subject of seniors and the tradition in the US of getting senior portraits, which is something that just doesn't exist in Australia where she is based. She did say, however, that there is a growing market for "teenage" shoots, which she has been successfully capitalizing on. When I approached this shoot yesterday, I used so much of what I gained from listening to Sue. She kept emphasizing that a senior girl is "a girl, not yet a woman." This resonated so much with me because I wanted to capture these two in a way that conveyed their personalities as teens but also captured their youthful beauty in an artistic, fashion-forward way.

Looking forward to another shoot next weekend with another gorgeous girl and her violin! Stay tuned!

If you or someone you know is a junior and looking to score a screaming deal on senior portraits, please contact me to book for next season! I will be running an early bird special into the winter and spots will fill fast. My senior sessions are an experience, not just a shoot. Get in touch now because my book fills fast! And shooting with a friend is a fun, relaxing way to save, too, so be sure to ask about that! I'm a nice gal so gimme a call at 425.281.8312 or drop me a line at photographer@kristintetuan.com!

Holly's money shot. Lord, she's beautiful. She's also hilariously funny.

Katie is easy to laugh and full of life. Loved the challenge of getting her serious! ;)

I pinky swear you'll have a great time.

Holly's hair by Hair Ink. Make up by Kathy Mattioda.

Another creativeLIVE video submission!

I had the extreme honor of being selected as a live studio audience member for a recent workshop at the creativeLIVE studio in Seattle and it was life-changing. Once again, they are bringing an incredible opportunity to work with another incredible, world-renowned photographer, Matthew Jordan Smith, in his Working with Models Workshop. He is even bringing Yoanna from ANTM Cycle 2!! (If you know me, you know how obsessed I am with ANTM.)

I am hoping to be selected for this so I can gain some insight on breaking into this industry but also so I can fuse the knowledge I gain with how I approach my senior shoots. It will come just in time since I'll be shooting with a gorgeous senior the day after the workshop ends! Thanks for reviewing my submission, creativeLIVE! Love you guys!

First Birthday Shoot/First Blog Post!

What better way to kick off my first official blog post with a sneak peek from a recent first birthday session? Okay, I know tons of my friends are rolling their eyes. I've started so many blogs. I've made excuses. I've never maintained. But this time is different. 

My life was changed when I attended an amazing photography workshop put on by creativeLIVE recently. It was led by the incomparable Jules Bianchi of Jules Bianchi Photography and her equally talented marketing guru twin sister, Joy. Over the course of three days, they inspired me, they validated me and they gave me a renewed sense of excitement for making my photography studio more successful. I am truly grateful for that experience. 

I am even more grateful for the growing handful of clients who have been faithful to me and have believed in my work from the very beginning. Like Randi, Kara's awesome mom. (Kara is that little sweetheart pictured above.) Her mom and I went to high school together. We sang in choir together. We grew up then reconnected. Then I shot her engagement session. Then her wedding (which was on my birthday two years ago so I never forget her anniversary!). And now I am taking pictures of her child. I am blessed to have clients I have developed an ongoing relationship with who appreciate my work and continue to come back to me. I love seeing their lives unfold and love giving them something to remember those moments with.

Happy 1st Birthday, Kara! Can't wait to watch you grow some more!

(I also need to give a huge shout out to my uncle, Michael Bunch, for telling me about this workshop and suggesting I submit a video to be considered as a live studio audience member. I never would had this experience if it hadn't been for him. Thanks, Michael!)