Sweet newborns
Kiddos
Couples 
Family
Posted on May 26, 2011
Wow! Hello there! It’s been 2 weeks since we’ve had a Talk To Me Thursday and I will fully blame it on craziness. Well, if you’ve been reading, you’ll know that my husband was getting ready to graduate, and it was crazy around here. Indeed, it was. We had to get ready for graduation, plus his graduation party, and we had family in town. Needless, to say mix all that craziness with end of the school year craziness for my oldest dd, on top of sessions (which I still need to post on the blog), yep…surprised I made it out with my head still attached. 
However, we do have an awesome photog with us this week, and this will not be the last you will see of this sweet gal. Oh no…we will see her again.
Well, I will give you one guess as to how I met this photog. I haven’t met in her person, so where else could I have met her? Oh, you guessed it…a photography forum. I remember she was the first person to respond to a question I had, and she is always so helpful to me and others. Her work is fabulous and her macro photos make me drool, and want a macro lens even more. I knew she was going to have to be with us for Talk To Me Thursday when I saw her work. She’s a sweetie for sure, and cracks me up with “how she rolls.”
So, why don’t I introduce her to all of you…let’s say hello to…
Crystal Samson – Life. Captured. Photography by Crystal
Treasure Valley, Idaho Photographer
www.lifecapturedphotographybycrystal.com
Where are you from? Where do you currently live?
I was born in Wyoming, but have lived in Idaho for most of my life.
What does photography mean to you? What attracted you to photography?
Photography means capturing memories, capturing life. I’ve always loved to take photos of my family…and I love taking photos to share with others.
Describe the area of photography you specialize in? Why did you choose this area?
Babies and Ladies (Maternity, Birth, Newborns & Boudoir). How can you not love newborns? Oh wait…you mean the poop & pee and 4 hour sessions? Well…maybe not so much…feedback from my clients about their beautiful baby and how I captured them so perfectly? Priceless. I also think every woman deserves to feel beautiful and sexy no matter what time of her life she’s in…whether it’s growing a baby, having a baby, or after the kids are grown and gone. Women are beautiful, and we’re so hard on ourselves. I think every woman deserves to have a boudoir shoot just so SHE can see how amazing and special she is.
How long have you been a photographer?
Well….I’ve been photographing since I was a kid…but I purchased my first DSLR last year and really got serious about it then. Learning how to really use my camera, and creating with it instead of it doing what it wants
Is it only you with your business, or do you have an assistant?
Just me. My hubby helps out sometimes…he’s nice like that.
Are you self taught or have you attended formal schooling? What workshops/seminars have you found useful to you?
I can’t say that I’m self-taught…I belong to a forum of great photographers, hobbiests, and really just nice people called Clickin’ Moms, and really, they’ve helped me learn, grow and progress all along the way. I’ve taken one workshop, but have had no ‘formal’ schooling. But I practice. Alot, and I’m always trying new things.
Morning or night owl?
Night, definitely. I can’t even function in the morning.
If you could describe your style of photography in 4 words, what would they be?
Fun, simple, real…..ok that’s all I’ve got
Who is your family? Include some pictures of them since we all know that our family is always in our photographs.
My family is a group of handsome boys. They are easy to get along with, and will usually cooperate without too much complaining when I need models. They are even getting to where they like me to tag along so I can take photos of them doing what they do (bikes, skateboards, snowboards, anything boy-related).
What is a project that you would like to do this year with your photography?
Hm…more births! And to keep making sure I take time to shoot for myself. It’s so much different shooting for a client, making sure everything is just as it needs to be….which I love, but taking time to shoot for myself keeps me grounded, creative, and still loving photography.
How do you balance work, and your family?
Not very well…haha
We all want to know…what’s in YOUR bag? What lens could you not live without?
5D classic, Tamron 90mm macro, 50mm 1.4 and Tamron 28-75 2.8. I don’t think I could live without the 28-75…it has such great range…it’s perfect for an everyday lens to tote around with my family, but it’s sharp as a tack and works very well for a portrait lens as well.
If you could photograph any person in the world, who would it be? Why?
My family…all smiling together…in a gorgeous location.
If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be?
Some kind of crafty Etsy handmade seller. I love crafting…sewing (not good at it, but I try), & scrapbooking.
What are 4 words your husband would use to describe you?
{pain in my a**} hahaha…then he said creative, intelligent, artistic, passionate. (Why does it seem like the first one is also what my husband was thinking when I asked him this question for my interview? Lol –Melanie)
What helps keep you motivated with photography?
Um…I think I kind of already answered this one…hahaha. Shooting for myself, shooting things I love (babies & ladies) and finding great light.
Tell us about some of your long term goals (with photography or personal life)?
To have happy kids, and be able to do photography full time…shooting what I love. Totally generic sounding…but it’s me….
What blogs do you love to stalk (doesn’t have to be photography related if you don’t want)?
I really don’t stalk blogs….except the Pioneer Woman. She is amazing. I don’t really ‘get’ the whole RSS thing…so my blogs are limited to what is emailed to me each day (which surprisingly is a lot…but PW is the one I look forward to everyday).
When you’re not shooting, what are you doing?
Practicing, learning, hanging out with my hubby & kids. I’m trying to make sure I’m moving more, so we’ve been going on walks. It’s really nice.
Where is one place you would love to travel to?
Just one??? Probably Bora Bora…it looks so beautiful, and peaceful, and warm.
What is one thing that you want to do in your life?
Stop being afraid of rejection, and just do things! I am constantly holding myself back.
What is a quote that means a lot to you?
You are responsible for yourself. I am constantly trying to teach this to my children.
It doesn’t matter what someone does or says to you. You cannot control them, and how they
behave, you can only control yourself, and your reaction.
If you could pick one photographer in the world to do a session for you, and your family, who would it be and why?
I don’t really stalk blogs, and I don’t even know who alot of the famous photogs are…but Bobbi + Mike seem pretty cool. I like their style, and how they interact on their blog.
If you could photograph one area of photography for a day, what would it be, why? (Something other than what you photograph, i.e. architecture, food, boudoir, birth, etc.)
People on the street. It terrifies me, but I want to do it sooo bad.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting out in photography, what would it be?
You don’t have to be everything to everyone. You do this because you love it, don’t allow others to ruin it for you by compromising your time, your values, your vision, or your heart. Some will get it, and some won’t. Move on to the ones who will.
What magazine could you not live without?
None. I don’t read them.
Please include some of your favorite images….
Amazing images Crystal! Thanks so much for joining us this week for Talk To Me Thursday! It’s great to have you part of this fun project! Can’t wait to have you join us again….SOON. 
Thanks again!
Well, everyone I’m off to get ready for a busy next couple of days. While you’re here on the blog, check out the post below this one, and grab the FREE Summertime Subway Art. I’m loving these gems right now, and can’t wait to get this one printed and displayed. So glad summer is actually here and we have an excuse for the hot weather we’ve had for the last year. Oh yes, our winter was pretty much non-existent this year, so might as well embrace summer now. Have a fabulous Thursday!
Make sure to leave Crystal some love for her feature and awesome images.
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Posted on May 25, 2011
I’m totally loving the Subway Art right now, and needed one for Summer. Couldn’t find one that I was liking, so I decided to just create one of my own. The *Happy Days* wording, and the flowers are from the fabulous free digital kit over at Hopscotch Studios. Go check out the wonderful free digital kits she has and also enjoy checking out this designers blog! Let April know that Melanie sent you!
This file is sized as a 16×20, but I normally print my subway art as an 8×10, and display it on an easel. Enjoy the Summertime Subway Art!!!
Enjoy and thanks for stopping by!
Posted on May 5, 2011
Wow. Life seems to be going 1,000 miles per hour lately. Molly is almost done with school for this year, and it’s incredibly hard to believe that she will be in 3rd grade next year. 3 GRADE PEOPLE! So hard for me to believe that. She’s been in gymnastics for the last month and is completely in love with it. She did gymnastics when she was younger for 2.5 years, but once we found out we were moving, stopped. Then she did dance for a year, and that was NOT her thing. She has been doing fantastic with gymnastics, and practices every day. The other day after gym, she told me we could build a bar set for her to use at the house. Yea, don’t think so. I have been looking at getting her a balance beam, so she can practice on that, bars…nope. Maybe one, but not at this time. I’ve been seeing this really cute man wondering around my house lately, and my kids call him dad, so I’m assuming it’s Brett. Like I’ve said before he’s wrapping up school, and since this week all the students are out of school, we’ve seen him around more. Which has been awesome. Lily, well she’s awesome. She’s so funny, and is definitely a momma’s girl. She is excited to start pre-school next year, although she doesn’t realize that mommy won’t be there. So we shall see how that goes. Well, I better get going on the photographer for today…we have a vet appointment in an hour. Our little Roxy is going to be getting fixed, so she’s getting all her vaccines up to date today, and her exam. So…onto our awesome photographer for today.
This photographer is amazing. She specializes in seniors. She is amazing in this field, and you can totally see it in her work. I met her on a photography forum, and she is a huge inspiration. I see her work, and it totally makes me want to do seniors. There’s just something about seniors that is awesome. They’re so full of life, and at this point in their life, are about to embark on one of the biggest journey’s. It’s absolutely amazing. On top of being a fabulous photographer, this photog just found out that her and her family will be welcoming another boy into their family! So let’s say hi to this photographer, and also say CONGRATULATIONS!
Amii Wroblewski – Amii Wroblewski Photography
Dallas/Ft.Worth Photographer
http://www.amiiwroblewski.com/blog/
Where are you from? Where do you currently live?
I was born in Arkansas but call Texas home now!
What does photography mean to you? What attracted you to photography?
Photography to me means capturing who you are right this moment. I’m a technical gal by nature so being able to have control of all the settings on a camera really was what attracted me! Well, that and I only had ever taken a handful of pics of my son in his first three years…I wanted to get better about documenting him.
Describe the area of photography you specialize in? Why did you choose this area?
Seniors! I think the senior group really found me, to be honest. I mean I was seeking out the senior market but after the first senior session, I was completely hooked!
How long have you been a photographer?
Professionally, a year and a half.
Is it only you with your business, or do you have an assistant?
Just me, myself and I!
Are you self taught or have you attended formal schooling? What workshops/seminars have you found useful to you?
I won’t say I’m self taught mainly because everything I’ve ever read online or in books, in forums, etc. have all helped mold me. I think belonging to Clickin’ Moms, an online photography forum for moms/women, really shaped my work.
Morning or night owl?
Morning!
If you could describe your style of photography in 4 words, what would they be?
Natural, colorful, free and fresh.
Who is your family? Include some pictures of them since we all know that our family is always in our photographs.
My husband, Jason, my 6 year old son, Lawyer and in September, we will welcome our 2nd son, Jock!
Image courtesy of Sara Seeton Photography (www.saraseetonphotography.com)
What is a project that you would like to do this year with your photography?
A stylized session, which I’m actually getting to do here in a few weeks!
How do you balance work, and your family?
My family comes first and then work revolves around that. My calendar is filled with my family activities and then I plan photography around it. I never put work before family. I also started to have set days/times that I would do my in-person consultations plus I meet with my make-up artist to go ahead and put session availability on my calendar and that has helped a ton.
We all want to know…what’s in YOUR bag? What lens could you not live without?
I’m a minimalist. I currently have my MarkII, my 85 1.8 and my 50 1.4 in my bag. I would say that I use the 85 about 95% of the time BUT I shot my last two sessions with my 50 and I really like the results.
If you could photograph any person in the world, who would it be? Why?
My son! I just don’t photograph him enough these days and add in that he hates his pictures taken, it’s been about a year since I’ve actually taken him out for pictures.
If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be?
A mom and wife…which I already am!
What are 4 words your husband would use to describe you?
Motivated, smart, pretty and confident.
What helps keep you motivated with photography?
Being strictly a senior girl photographer, I’m motivated to be ever-evolving since that age group is constantly up on the latest styles and trends.
Tell us about some of your long term goals (with photography or personal life)?
Photography goals…have my own office studio (not for shooting, just every day work stuff and for meeting clients). Personal goals…just keep on, keepin’ on!
What blogs do you love to stalk (doesn’t have to be photography related if you don’t want)?
Pioneer Woman, Michelle Moore (uber amazing senior photog out of Seattle) and, currently, Oh Dee Doh…for nursery design inspiration!
When you’re not shooting, what are you doing?
Relaxing with my family.
Where is one place you would love to travel to?
Bora Bora! We are hoping to get there for our 10 year anniversary.
What is one thing that you want to do in your life?
Eek! That’s a hard question (and makes me feel like such a slacker for not thinking more on this!)….I really think that I just want to spend as much time with my family as possible.
What is a quote that means a lot to you?
My super wise 6 year old told me the other day that:
“Wishes don’t come true…somebody has to buy them or make them themselves”
…seriously, truer words have never been spoken!
If you could pick one photographer in the world to do a session for you, and your family, who would it be and why?
I think someone like Tara Whitney would be really cool but really I would want a lifestyle session of my family and I in our own home doing our own thing.
If you could photograph one area of photography for a day, what would it be, why? (Something other than what you photograph, i.e. architecture, food, boudoir, birth, etc.)
I think birth photography would be really cool…capturing nothing but raw emotion would be awesome!
If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting out in photography, what would it be?
Focus on one thing at a time! It’s so hard to advance your skills if you are trying to learn everything at once.
What magazine could you not live without?
Cooks Illustrated…I’m a nerd for this magazine!
Please include some of your favorite images….
Thank you so much Amii for being our featured photographer! It’s awesome to see your work, and to see how much you rock at what you do! You’re a huge inspiration to me, and a lot of others that I know of. Thanks again, and I can’t wait to see you continue rockin’! Congrats again on another boy joining you! How fun, and can’t wait to see what you capture with him.
Thanks again!
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