Evelyn in the Daisies | Mt Shasta Portrait and Wedding Photographer

Just a quick random shot from yesterday with my niece, Evelyn Sky and her new hair ribbon.  She’s such a cutie, and always so deep in thought.  She likes to look through my camera and say, “Wow, that’s so cute” to every photo on the memory card.  3 is such an adorable age.

I’m also entering this one in I Heart Faces’ People’s choice contest for the week.  Be sure to stop by and vote here:

Kelly

530 Bride Guest Post - Top 10 Reasons You Should Hire a Professional Photographer

I was recently featured as a guest writer for a Northern California wedding blog called The 530 Bride.  It's called "Top 10 Reasons You Should Hire Professional Photographer" and it has great information about ways you can use professionals to make your special day more relaxing.  Here's a taste:

In this economy, budgets are tight. People are trying to decide where to cut wedding costs.  Should I get a cheaper dress? Skip the DJ and use an iPod?  Have my friend/Uncle do the photography (or worse, skip it all together)?  In my opinion, I have just named the 3 biggest things NOT to skimp on.  Here are the top 10 reasons why you should hire a professional photographer for the most important day of your life.

To read the full post - go here

Kelly

Edit Out Breast Cancer | Mt Shasta Portrait and Wedding Photographer

If you follow my work, you may have noticed that breast cancer is my cause of choice.  I have a sister, mother, and a large group of close girl friends I love so much.  I want to find a cure before breast cancer effects any more of the women in my life or the lives of others.
I’ve been donating 5% of proceeds from photo shoots to breast cancer through Passionately Pink for the Cure.  I also have organized a number of fundraisers.  In addition to running another event this upcoming October and a special photo fundraiser for Passionately Pink (more on that soon!), I’m going to start a regular feature here and on my Outside the Frame blog where I will edit viewer photos to raise awareness and funds for Passionately Pink for the Cure.
Here’s how it works - send your sharp, high resolution photos to authenticallybeautifulphotography@hotmail.com.  I will edit them (for FREE), then post a 500px wide copy on this blog. 
I will retouch the photo using all the fun tools and actions available to me in Photoshop and post the before and after shots.
If you sent the photo in, you will be free to download the blog sized file and use it online to your content.  If you love the photo, I will sell the high-resolution version of the file for $25, all of which I will donate to Passionately Pink for the Cure.  The high res file is great for websites and printing spectacular photos to display in your home.
Here’s an example of a fan photo sent in by Melanie that I retouched recently.

Now she has an amazing photo of her and her daughter to print and display in her home.
To participate, send your photos to authenticallybeautifulphotography@hotmail.com.  I’ll be posting a new edit every Monday for your viewing and fundraising pleasure.
Thanks,
Kelly

Exclusive for this Year! | Mt Shasta Portrait and Wedding Photographer

When I originally built the photo booth, I really wasn’t looking to start a rental business.  I did it because it was fun.  I wanted it to be a feature at last years Weed Arts Council breast cancer fundraiser.  I rented it a few times, donated it a few times and charged for it as a vendor a few times.  However, the most fun I’ve had was at events when it was open and free to use.  There is nothing quite like hearing the constant giggles coming from the booth (or better - being the one giggling in it).
Also, you may have noticed that photography is my passion.  I love doing it.  I love being around people and being a part of special times in their lives.  I love weddings.  Just so you know I’m serious, I love weddings.
So, for all the reasons above:
I’m including my photo booth free at all weddings I book through Authentically Beautiful Photography in the next year.
You heard me.  I haven’t lost my mind, I just want to have a fun year and I want everyone to have a fun year with me.
Here’s the fine print.  To qualify for the FREE photo booth, simply book and pay for your wedding.  I will bring an assistant to run the booth for the duration of the time that I am booked to photograph your wedding reception.  The amount of time the photo booth will be at your event depends on both the package you have booked and the schedule for your wedding.  The schedule for booth rental will be determined at our consultation.  At this time, this offer is limited to local (Siskiyou County I-5 corridor) brides.  I will accept weddings outside that radius on a case by case basis.
I think this is a pretty fabulous detail.  I will be adding new features to the photo booth over the course of the year as well.  This offer is good until the end of September 2012.
To see wedding packages Read my Wedding Welcome Packet.  To contact me, visit www.AuthenticallyBeautifulPhotography.com, www.facebook.com/AuthenticallyBeautifulPhotography, email authenticallybeautifulphotography@hotmail.com, call (530)918-8575 or send a letter to Authentically Beautiful Photography, c/o Kelly Samuelson, PO Box 1391, Mt Shasta, CA 96067.
Looking forward to wedding season!
Kelly

Print Sizing | Mt Shasta Portrait and Wedding Photographer

Not everyone knows this, but the sizes that prints are available in don’t always use the same ratios that cameras capture pictures in.  When you take your prints to Walmart, you could be losing precious space in your photograph.  Need a visual?  Here’s a standard photo showing different sizes and how they will affect cropping.

Now, what can you do to save precious space in your photos?  Have a professional help you get them printed.

Need an excuse? | Mt Shasta Portrait and Wedding Photographer

There are certain obvious times in our lives where we take photos.  Weddings, senior portraits, engagement photos, newborn and maternity photos… but if you do the math - there are such crucial times in between these huge life events that deserve documentation. 
Don’t you want to look back when you’re 90 and remember how great you looked in your 20’s (or 30’s or 40’s… or you 90’s for that matter!)
What about your kids?  Will you remember in 30 years what your child looked like at 18 months?  Have you taken a single decent photo in between birthday parties (other that possibly those awkward, embarrassing photos the school takes each year)?

Do you need an excuse to take photos more often?  Click Read More for a list of great excuses.

Becky and Tovy’s Engagement Session | Mt Shasta Portrait and Wedding Photographer

These two make such a cute couple, I haven’t finished editing all the photos, but I had to throw a couple up as soon as I finished them since I liked them so much!

Looking Back

I won’t forget.

Night Photography | Mt Shasta Portrait and Wedding Photographer

There are so many interesting things to photograph at night.  Stars, lightening, and a multitude of interesting things that can be seen during the day, but have an entirely different look at night.  Here are a series of shots I took in the backyard the other night during a lightening storm.

Fall Facebook Special | Mt Shasta Portrait and Wedding Photographer

The weather is still beautiful and I just can’t wait to get outside and take some photos!

Use your smart phone to save on your next photoshoot | Mt Shasta Portrait and Wedding Photographer

Have a smart phone? Email? Facebook? You can use all of these tools to socialize with friends, research an interesting topic and now - to save on your next photo shoot with Authentically Beautiful Photography.