{Black} | Henderson Photographer

I am very excited to have joined a blog circle! 

This is my first post with the group.

We are given a theme each week and shoot photos based on the theme.

(Or at least that is what I will be doing.)

I look forward to pushing myself creatively as well as practicing my photographic skills.

I can't wait to see what the other talented photographers in this group share each week as well!

I'm sure it will be inspiring!

This week the theme is {black}.

Black is one of my favorite colors.

Halloween is my favorite holiday.

I decided to work on some product photography skills and shot a bunch of black Halloween objects on a white background in natural window light.

These photos have been edited slightly for exposure and white balance and some cropping, but no photoshopping occurred so please excuse any lint or kitty hair!

This first one was shot on my table, where I have shot other products (for my Etsy site) in the past. I love my table but the background isn't pure or solid white.

I then decided to put a poster board in one of the chairs and like the look of these next shots so much better!

But, there's definitely room for improvement in getting my white balance correct. The one above is definitely on the cool side, now that I see it here with a white background. Eek!

 The flowers could have used a slight crop on the left edge.

 Aye, maiteys! Next time I think I'll use a gray card!

 Da da da da da da da da....BATMAN! 

(I can't say I or anyone else has worn these yet...but for $1.00 or so after Halloween, I couldn't resist them!

 I made this guy (and a few friends) this year with craft supplies I've had hanging around for years!

 I tried different angles and posing with the snakes and liked this one the best.

 Which angle do you like better with these centipedes?

 I think I like them both.

 I have a PEZ collection. Here are two that fit the black theme.

 Which angle is more appealing on these cat eye glasses?

 Another super cheap after Halloween find. I love them! And after I took this photo and set them aside, I stepped on them. :-(

 My fabulous Target dollar aisle find! 

It was outside and almost blew away in the crazy wind we had here on Monday!

 I made this little guy last year. He has a ghost friend.

 And a few more creepy items to balance out the cute...

Happy day before Halloween!!

Click on the links below to check out more {black} themed photos!

Priscilla Davis Studio
www.priscilladavisstudio.com

Kristy G. Photography
www.kristygphotography.com/blog

Brooke Hazel
Dream Baby Photography
www.dreambabyphotography.com/blog


Jennifer Marie Photographer
Moments For Lyfe Photography
http://momentsforlyfe.wordpress.com

Thanks for stopping by!

~Holly

The Adventures of Skelly | Henderson Photographer

I have been remiss at posting my daily Skelly's here on the blog! 

Here's what you've missed in the adventures of Skelly...

 He wasn't very much help with the decorating. 

He got tangled up in the lights!

And then he got himself into trouble drinking far too many beers while we were away! 

While the living are away, the skeletons will play!

(Thankfully it goes right through him!)

A little milder mannered the next day. 

Doing his early morning stretches...

And then he decided it would be fun to hang out in my sons marching band hat.

Later, I found him taking a little skeleton siesta!

Happy napping, Skelly!

Hope that candy corn pillow is comfy!

The next day was full of All American fun as Skelly and friend played some backyard skeleton baseball!

Skelly at bat for the Dodgers and his buddy catching for the Red Sox!

(Props to Amy for the idea and the tiny hats, catchers vest and bat.)

And who says those on opposing teams can't be friends?

Look what a great example these two are setting!

Tolerance, people, tolerance...

That's what I'm talking about.

After getting a bit dirty playing baseball outside, Skelly decided he needed to clean up so he had a nice skeleton soak.

The following day, I found him in one of the costume boxes.

I think someone has a thing for shoes!

(Or maybe it was just comfortable in there...who knows!)

Either way, he looks happy in there.

And later that night, this happened...

A glowing skeleton dance party!!

Looks like fun!!

And then Skelly and friends polished off 2 bottles of wine.

Really, guys!? Come on, now!

 This one is for Misty...

Ghoul on the stool! 

(*Patent pending :-D)

This shenanigan happened Saturday night at our open house. 

It looks like a skeleton crime scene!

Don't worry...no skeletons were harmed!

Just slightly covered in jello mush!

And now you're all caught up with his adventures!

2 more days until Halloween!

I'm sure he's bound to have at least a couple more...

Stay tuned!

And thanks for stopping by!

~Holly :-)

The Adventures of Skelly | Day Nine | Henderson Photographer

Day Nine- 

See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil

PPA Merited Images | Henderson Nature Photographer

In June, I submitted four photographs to the PPA 2013 International Photo Competition. Being a second year member, the entrance fees were waived this year, so I figured I had absolutely nothing to lose...so why the heck not! Later in the summer, I was informed that two of my photographs were chosen to be a part of the PPA General Collection and each received a merit. I was incredibly blown away and honored that two of my photos were chosen! These are the first merits I have earned from PPA and I hope to continue on a path of earning enough merits to receive my Master Photographer title someday down the line.


"Backyard Visitor"

 I shot this photograph in the backyard of our first house here in Henderson. One Summer day, this dragonfly came around and decided to just hang out for awhile. I grabbed my camera and snapped several photos and got pretty darn close and it didn't fly away. It was almost like it was posing for me!
This was my favorite shot from my photo shoot with a dragonfly.


"Snow Squirrel"

This photograph was shot on a family trip to Big Bear a few years ago. It is one of our favorite places to visit, although we don't get up there nearly as often as we'd like. It is just so beautiful and peaceful. We love to buy peanuts for the birds and squirrels and watch as they come and find them. I caught this little guy peeking around the tree at us!


I am a huge nature lover, and capturing nature of all kinds definitely puts me in my happy place!


Thanks for stopping by!

~Holly :-)

The Adventures of Skelly | Day Seven and Eight | Henderson Photographer

Day Seven- Hanging Around

 I guess Skelly got a little bored yesterday and decided to try some acrobatics. I found him swinging from the ceiling fan! 

He was enjoying himself and since he wasn't really getting into trouble,  I let him be! ;-)

 Day Eight- Getting their yoga on

Today I found Skelly and friends practicing their yoga. Good thing they're bendy!

Although, Skelly likes the corpse pose the best. Big surprise, right?!

Stay tuned for more adventures...

Thanks for stopping by!

~Holly :-)

The Adventures of Skelly | Day Five and Six | Henderson Photographer

I was remiss at posting Skelly's photo yesterday.

This is what I walked in on. I think he has a problem. A slight sugar addiction. He had found a leftover jumbo pixie stick and was having at it!

His face is a mess and he left quite the mess on my table.

Bad, Skelly!

Not to mention he was pretty damn hyper after that!

Day Six: Skeletons in the sun.

Skelly and his crew soaking in some sun on this glorious Fall day.

Hope everyone has had a happy Sunday!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Holly :-)

Boulder City Wurst Dam Car Show | Henderson Super Run Car Show | Las Vegas Photographer

I have a love/ hate relationship with car shows.

I truly LOVE the cars. I love seeing so many incredible cars all together in one location. I love seeing so many other people with the same love (or at least appreciation) of old cars that I have always had. My dream job would be to photograph these beauties for a living. Seriously. I love them that much! 

The "hate" part of my love/hate relationship comes from trying to get awesome photos while the cars are surrounded closely by other cars and the people appreciating their beauty. Not to mention trees, buildings, etc. It's very difficult to get a shot that doesn't have people or other things directly in the shot or reflected in the paint or the chrome. I don't love that the hoods are open on lots of them. As a woman married to a mechanic (who has restored cars and transformed them to a brand new state under the hood) I truly appreciate why the car owners want to show that off! Chances are they spent a pretty penny to get them to look so incredible under there! It just doesn't always work for me photographically. I also don't love the papers that are always in the windows of every car at every car show.  I get why they are there, but again, they just don't help me photographically. 

I still take photos of the whole car, but more so I like to get creative with my shots and just show a portion of the car, or some details I find interesting. That way I can crop out some of the distractions. 

Although when I get closer to the cars, the one thing I can't always avoid showing is my own reflection! So, if you look closely enough, you will see me in many of my shots.

I would really love to get some of these cars on their own in some awesome environment (like maybe the dry lake bed), and really be able to take the photos I want. If you're reading this and you either own one of these beauties or know someone who does, please contact me. Seriously. Awesome photos of your baby free of charge and I get all the shots I've always wanted. It's a win/win!  ;-)

We hit up two car shows last Saturday. First up, the Wurst Dam Car Show which was in conjunction with Wurstfest at Bicentennial Park in Boulder City. I really love Boulder City. To be honest, I have not been there too much since moving here, but every time I go there I love it a little more! One day, when I have the time, I plan to wander the city with my camera.

Here are some favorites from that show...

 ^ This one caught my husband's eye, since we also have a '40 Ford. Hopefully someday it will be car show material!

 Another reason I like Boulder City...people are nice and actually talk to you! A man told me I was too young to like these old cars (told him I think I was born in the wrong time then!).

 This ^ '67 Cougar interested me since I currently own my dad's '68. They are quite similar.
(Another one that we hope to someday be car show worthy!)

Some of these license plates are hilarious! And awesome!

After checking out all the cars in Boulder, we headed back to Henderson for the Super Run Car Show that we have gone to every year since we moved to town.

Here are some favorites from that car show...

 ^ this one wasn't part of the car show, but I walked by it on the way in and really liked it so had to photograph it too!

There are different works of art in the shape of hearts all over Water Street. ^ This one made me smile! :-)

 A detour to the parts corral to look for parts for our project cars...

 The lovely building that provided brief shade!

 

My son calls these "hippie" vans. This one definitely fits that description with the peace sign on the side. I've seen it (and photographed it) before, but it always makes me smile! :-)

I'm going to say this was probably my favorite of the day! (Definitely my most photographed!) Purple... and a "4D"

...perfect combination!

I love all the details people add to make their cars unique to them.

We had a fabulous day filled with too much sun! 

(But never too many awesome cars!)

Now to figure out which of my favorites to get printed and up on my Etsy...

Thanks for stopping by!

~Holly :-)