PPO School 2010

I had a really great week at the Professional Photographers of Oklahoma School. This is a week long school hosted by the Professional Photographers of Oklahoma every summer. They bring in professional photographers from all over the country to help keep us updated and constantly raise our skill level to help the true professionals stand apart from those that just say that they are professional. I learned lots of new stuff that I know will help me become a better photographer and business owner. I'm really looking forward to making a few, much needed changes!

While I was at the PPO School, I entered 2 of my images in the print competition. This is such a great experience because it is a little bit of a trial run before the local competition in Tulsa and the state competition in August, as well as the Regional competition in September. Through print competition, if I score high enough on images I can receive merits that, along with educational & service merits, will accumulate to hopefully one day my Master's degree from the Professional Photographers of America.

One of the requirements for this competition at the school I attended is that each entrant must photograph their image during the week of the school. The last 2 years that I have entered, they have awarded an Honorable Mention, 1st Place and Best of Show. In the past, I have been so close, but only received Honorable Mention. This year I was honored that they chose my image for the Best of Show award!!! I am so thankful for that honor!!! For winning Best of Show, I was awarded a full scholarship ($400 value) for next years PPO School and a professional printing lab gave me a gift certificate for 2 competition prints!!! Woohoo! I can't wait to go back next year!

I have attached the 2 images that I entered in the competition. The one that won best of show was the image titled "You Are My Sunshine." I really appreciate everything the Professional Photographers of Oklahoma organization has done to help me grow as a photographer!

Title: "You Are My Sunshine"

Title: "Cute, But Sassy"

Maternity Portraits

What a great session! Mandy is a beautiful mommy-to-be and is 8 months pregnant with baby Jaxson. This was a real treat for me since I don't get the opportunity to photograph maternity sessions very often. Most of the time I just get to photograph the newborns, but it is nice to see the mom get some of the attention she deserves! She was such a great sport... I had lots of ideas and she was willing to try everything! And I have to say that Dustin was a great sport as well. I was very impressed. I hope you guys like these! I had such a hard time picking out my favorites to post. I can't wait to show you the rest of them, Mandy! :)

The Cope Family

I am so excited to finally have the chance to post these portraits! Sheree has wanted to have her family portraits made since she was pregnant with baby Weston. A few reschedules later & we made it happen. Although it was a hot day in June, the kiddos did great and their portraits turned out beautiful. Aren't they an adorable family?!! Their kids were hilarious! The oldest son even asked me if I would be his aunt. Of course, I said yes. LOL! Aren't kids great! I was honored to be able to photograph Sheree and her family. She was one of Adriana's 1st teachers ever last year at preschool. Thank you for everything, Sheree! I can't wait to show you the rest of your portraits! Oh, and feel free to click on the family portrait image to see it enlarged a little.

Woohoo! Blog Makeover!

I'm so excited that I finally took the time to update my blog & give it a face lift. I hope you all like it! :)