We're moving!! ...to a new blog

Howdy! I hope everyone is having a fantastic week. I am in the process of setting up a new and improved blog! I am absolutely stoked about it. My photos will be amazing, my words will be riveting and my posting inspiration renewed...I hope. ;-)

I hope to have things up and running over there in the next few days. I have a big fancy weekend of nothingness but intense web time. I'm talking hosting/domain/database/URL/IP address/bandwidth/posting tutorial madness. You're jealous, right? I feel like if I ever get this thing up and running I will be able to hack the President's email. (kidding...kind of) You would think being married to a MIS major would come in handy in such situations, but Mr. Lens Envy seems to have a full plate himself. Needless to say this set-up should be an interesting adventure for me.

Another big change taking place will be the content of the blog. It will include my Lens Envy posts, news, and photos (in a slightly different format) and also some of my personal posts and family ventures. I think it will be fun for the readers--friends, family, clients and everyone in between--to see it all. I say all the time that my clients are like friends and family and Lens Envy is my life...so why not combine the two?

Anyway, when this new bad baby is officially open for business, you will be the firsts to hear about it. When I make the big announcement I do hope that you will all follow me there.

Have a great Friday and much love to you!
Erin

Lens Envy Studio!!!

This just in: Lens Envy now has a studio! We have been working on this for a very long time. I saw the need was there and I started talking about a long time ago. The biggest dilema is WHERE!? We played with several ideas. Finally we started slowing making some of the necessary purchases and then my sweet husband surprised with me with the remaining equipment needed.

For now it is a simple set up in our home. You all have watched me grow and change over the last few years and I expect this will be no different. And that's why I love you all!

I don't want my business to become solely studio based because there is no place like the great outdoors. I love taking photos on location, but now I have another option for those who want a studio look, for babies, or for days when the weather does not permit us to take outdoor photos.

I was in the process of revising my 2011 price lists when all of this started taking place, so now even more revisions will be required. I will probably have separate studio pricing. I will get all of that info posted asap so you can start thinking about your spring photos!

Thank you and good bye 2010

Three weeks ago I finished my last session for the entire 2010 year. It was bittersweet. I was so busy this year that the break was welcome. However, I'm missing all you sweet people! I think I was ready for the break (and so was my family!) but I dont know what to do with the free time.

What have I been doing you ask? NOTHING! I've done absolutely nothing. I have been lazy, I've been getting prepared for Christmas, and I've been loving the extra time with my family. The end. That is exactly what I intend to do for the rest of the year as well. My sessions won't crank back up until the second week in January, but I will be slow until spring and Easter pics. This is my slow time of year so you may not hear much from me over the next few weeks. I do plan to have some news to share after the first of the year...check back in a couple of weeks. ;-)

I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for the incredible year that you made 2010. It was by far the best year that Lens Envy has ever had. I cease to be amazed at the incredible clients and families that God continues to place in my path. I say it all the time, but I truly have the best clients. I never feel like I'm photographing strangers. As soon as I meet my clients I feel like I've known them a lifetime. I feel like part of the family. I love you all and I look forward to seeing you next year.

I wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Enjoy the time with your families and I will see you in 2011.

Much love!
Erin

100th post!

This is my 100th Lens Envy post! (Of course you can see lots more of my life over on MY BLOG.) I thought there was no better way to celebrate my 100th post than with a few photos of my own sweet babies. Well, they aren't all MY babies--two of them happen to belong to my sister, but they're close enough that I'll call them mine. ;)

Aren't they beautiful!? I love these kiddos.

Thanks for following Lens Envy and thanks for helping make this business a success. Love you all!!

Slacker

Yes, I am SUPER behind on updating this little blog. Until Friday I have been consumed with work and then we took off for the weekend for a little fun. Now its back to work! So stay tuned and I will soon have LOTS of new sessions posted. Happy belated Halloween! (insert evil laugh)

New pics of my nugget

Yesterday I was bored and decided that it would be fun to get out in the 100 degree heat (that feels like 2000 degrees) with a two year old and a 10 pound camera. Have I ever mentioned what a great decision maker I am? Well obviously I am because look at these photos I was able to get right before we started POURING sweat...or maybe that's just due to my quick trigger finger. Whatever the case may be I love this guy!! He's my heart and soul. Enjoy these photos of my sweet little man. You can click HERE to go to a gallery and see all of the photos from our play time yesterday.

Chromaluxe Panels

I ordered the Chromaluxe Panels for myself last week. It arrived yesterday and I'M IN LOVE!!! These things are gorge. You must have one for yourself! Click HERE for prices. They are super cheap, they come with their own easel back (if you so desire), they are very sturdy, mounted on some type of MDF board, the front is glossy. LOVE IT!!!

I also ordered the accordion mini and its precious!! I just forgot to take a picture of it.

My sweet thang

Its been awhile since I've posted a photo of my little man. We went out for a photo shoot, but it didn't happen. I did get this one and only decent photo. We'll try again in a couple of weeks!

Another behind the scenes session

Once again as I'm sorting through a wedding I find several photos of myself. Thanks Lantis. Here are a few that cracked me up this time.

This is the Zanetti-Myers wedding. I will have their wedding photos up in just a few days. I can't wait to share! They are a precious couple. I know I probably say that about everyone I photograph, but its the truth. I have the best clients in the world. Ok I'll save the gushing about the Myers for their wedding photo post. Enjoy pics of me for now...

Taking a time out to stuff my face. I don't always eat at a wedding but it was a thousand degrees that day and I was about to pass out. Food required. Lantis, who is supposed to be on duty catches me in action.

Savoring a little bit of shade. It was SO HOT!! Fo' REAL!

I'm either saying "smile!" or "I love it!" Whatever face you are making in front of my camera, I'm mimicking it behind. I would also like to ask the fly lady behind me where she bought her hat and blouse. ;)

"Let me hold your train."

"I want to go right. over. there."

"Yall made me cry!" No I'm for serious. That's exactly what I was saying right here. This was just after the bride and groom saw each other for the first time and I was boo-hooing behind my camera. I heart this couple! :*)

Where's Waldo

As I'm sorting through wedding photos I always get cracked up by the random where's-Erin-type pics. With two photographers running around I think its inevitable that one or both of us make it into the background of each other's pictures. This may have to turn into an after-every-wedding-post. I didn't have too many of Lantis this time. In most of mine, he's blurred running through the back ground, but there were a lot of his pictures where I make an appearance. These are fun...

I'll give you a hint in this one. Left side between two guys' heads: there you'll see my blond head and my camera peeking over the top. I really wanted to bust in that circle to get some good pics, but that would have messed up the fraternity mojo, so I settled for over the top.

Dress-fluffing is a constant job on wedding day.

Oh no. Please don't take my picture. I'm totally camera shy!

Groomsmen love me when I make them stand in the broiling sun in black tuxes. I can guess I'm probably saying, "Now. You stand right. here. just like this."

More dress/flower/veil fluffing and sweat wiping. Yes, Ben. Its HOT! I feel ya buddy.

Lantis really knows how to capture my best side.

Lantis patiently waiting on bridesmaids. He's used to waiting on chicks to finish their hair! ;)

Happy Tuesday!

We're here!

Wow! I've really neglected my blogs lately. I feel so out of touch. I do enjoy updating everyone on what's happening in my little world. We have been busy in the Hollis house just living life. I took a couple of weeks/weekends off to hang out with my family. It was a much needed little vaca after the Easter/spring photo rush, but BOY OH BOY did I miss being behind my camera!!!!! I'm back in action this week so I'll have several new posts in the next few days with some of the fun families I've photographed.

We've done nothing extremely productive in the last two weeks. I've been very busy at my full time job, planning some events, doing end of the school year things with my son, attended some fun events, and spent lots of time playing outside, and just doing what Hudson wanted in general. Here are a few snapshots of us over the last couple of weeks.

Some fun time in the yard with my boys.

Grilling some fish and chicken for my Dad's birthday.

Spending some time in the sun at the lake

Tried some new Q! YUM!

My sweet baby boy at the Zoo.

He was a little scared of this old truck and the bumble bees surrounding it.

We went to see the Blue Angels

Me, Hudson, and one of my best friends Alesha at the Blue Angel show.

Hudson showing us his heli-heli (helicopter) during the helicopter show. :)

The chick behind the lens...

A couple of weeks ago Lantis and I hopped on my in-laws' golf cart and went for a little drive through the country side. They live in a gorgeous area. Its an old area on the outskirts of our little town where theres a lot of "family land". Its rare when anything goes on the market and its a coveted place to be. Most of the houses sit on several acres and there are farm animals here and there. Nature and wildlife are abundant. We love it down there and if we ever had the opportunity to live there, we would jump on it!

I had my cameras...of course, in hopes that we'd see something worth shooting. Turns out nature was restful that afternoon so I became the subject. This is a rare opportunity. Lantis is a wonderful photographer. He's working with me on some events that I have coming up and I'm stoked about it. Can't wait to show off our teamwork.

I think this where the photo battle began...I'm shooting you shooting.

pics of me?

ok you win. Since I hate attention. ;)

I look like a tiger ready to pounce! Grrr.

I turned over the big camera...

I love, love the tall grass.

I was probably looking to see if they were about to boot us out of their field. We literally hopped a fence to get these shots.

Thank you Lantis, for an impromtu photo shoot that will help me remember. Help me never forget the good and simple things: Sunday afternoons, beautiful spring weather, the beauty in nature that surrounds us, a breezy golf cart ride in comfortable silence, hopping a fence to get in that field for my crazy-must-have-standing-in-tall-grass-photos, my excitement and passion for photography, and your never ending support to follow my dreams.

Fortune Cookie

The other night my hubby and I went to one of our favorite Japanese restaurants and were given the typical fortune cookie after our meal. I rarely accept or eat the fortune cookie, but just look over my Lantis' shoulder as he dives into his. If I do take the cookie I'll read the line and then toss it onto my plate of mostly eaten food without another thought. This night I was in the mood for it. I cracked my cookie and this is what I read: "Use your abilities at this time to stay focused on your goal. You will succed."

Was that little Asian guy reading my mind when he handed that cookie to me? I have never been as focused and goal driven in my life as I am right this minute. There are days that are frustrating and people can be absolutely heartbreaking, but the bottom line is: I'm focused on my goal. I will succed.

I know, I know, it's just a simple piece of paper baked into a cookie that thousands of people across America receive daily with the purchase of an egg roll. Its meaningless. However, this one was incredibly coincidental. A perfect little reminder that I'm on the right track.

Mama Nature...

Give me a break will ya!? This month I've had to reschedule more appointments than I can count thanks to your relentless rain, snow, freezing temperatures and general unpleasantness...is that a word...whatever. You're killing me mama!

Thanks to all of you out there who have stuck it out through freezing cold photo shoots, rescheduled countless times in hopes of good weather, and hidden under slim cover with me while waiting for a shower to pass by. Hopefully we have a beautiful spring ahead of us with rain-free weekends! I look forward to it!

Bag Envy?

Yes, I've had bag envy twice in one day today. I thought once was typical when I saw a lady with a bag slung over her shoulder that I must have. I stopped her, asked her where she got it, and immediately went to my computer and ordered it! Then...bag #2 took me by surprise.

Check out this photographer's dream:




I must have this super cute and handy Shootsac. I know all you people want to see this on my hip while I'm taking your photos, right? I'm seriously in love. Got. to. have. the. shootsac. asap.

My little nugget turns TWO!