Denise Photography » Photography

#82. Sell my rental house

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:05:04 +0000

#82 Sell my rental house. Crossing this goal off my 101 in 1001. I bought my very first house about 8 years ago. It was a cute, little, cozy house. Just big enough for me and my 2 children. When I decided to move in with my boyfriend a few years ago I rented it out. Things fell through with the renter and I tried to short sale it. Well long story short that didn’t work out as planned and it ended up foreclosing. So now I can cross this off my list. And if there was a goal for ruining your credit for the next 5-10 years I could cross that off too! Trying to keep this post light hearted. I was really sad about this especially after how hard I have worked my whole life to keep my credit in good standing. Well that weight is now finally off my shoulders and I can move on. Onto new adventures in life. We live and we learn.

And to cheer you up. Here is a photo of a gorgeous doggy named Jazzie. Such a love muffin! She makes me happy!

#79. Teach my son how to drive

admin — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:30:47 +0000

Another goal completed on my 101 in 1001. # 79 Teach my son how to drive. This was no easy task. And I am not just talking about physically. Emotionally this was the hardest thing for me to do. My baby is growing up. How do mom’s deal with this kind of stuff? Six months of having him drive me around town to make his skills flawless was fun yet exhausting. He is a great driver. He has to touch up on some things, like looking both ways before moving forward in a parking lot (lol, what we teach our children to do before they walk across the street) you know, simple basics. But other than that he is pretty darn good. He passed his test with flying colors and is now the new owner of a driver’s license. Watch out world!!! I am so proud of my baby! Be careful out there love. I think about you every time you walk out of that door and get into your car. Oh the worries of a mother.

#2. Write on my blog every day for 1 month

admin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:01:48 +0000

I have completed many goals since I started my 101 in 1001 and I would like to post about the ones that I have completed to show that I am excited about it. Any goal big or small is an accomplishment and you should be ecstatic about doing so. I completed goal #2 Write on my blog every day for 1 month. Whoa was this harder than I thought but once you get into it, it becomes easier as the days go by. If you would like to see those posts you can find them between the dates of 1/10/2010-2/8/2010. I rambled a lot and might have bored you to death, but hey, I did it!! And that is all that matters. I do want to write on my blog at least 3-4 times a week to keep my audience entertained. I mean i do have an audience out there don’t I?? (Crickets). Are you listening to me?? (Crickets) I thought so. Even my own mom doesn’t read my blog! LOL! But I am sure that’s because she doesn’t own a computer or have the Internet people. Come on do you really believe my mom wouldn’t support me otherwise? I guess I should write that down as another goal, buy mom a computer, set her up with Internet and show her how to use it!!!! Yes people, I may have to write this down as a goal in order to make it happen. My mother should be up to speed with the 21st Century. I would be a horrible daughter if I didn’t teach her otherwise. In order to keep up with postings I will schedule a day where I sit and write up a weeks worth of work and pre-schedule it for your personal viewing. Let’s say Sunday will be my blog writing day. So if you are out there and you are actually reading this. Jot me down a line. I would love to know if you have a blog that you update frequently. And it’s nice knowing you aren’t talking to yourself. So leave me some love. I would love to hear from you!!!

Finding the Right Fit

admin — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:31:06 +0000

It’s hard owning your own small business. I mean. It down right sucks sometimes. Never in a MILLION years would I have EVER thought that I would be a small business owner. When I was younger I wanted to be a teacher, a fashion designer and maybe even a singer. But a photography business owner??? Heck no! But I am here and I am happy yet need to really figure this out. My business consumes me. I am constantly looking for inspiration in my spare time and am looking for other ways to help my business grow. It’s a full time job people. How can I do this??!! I work a 9 hour day at Corporate America and I go home and work another full time job with my kids and my photography business. So I sat and thought really hard yesterday on how I was going to make this work. Well I am going to hire one of my best friends, Miss Sonia K, to do all my booking, accounting and scheduling for me. And then I will eventually show her how I edit my photos so that I can free up some of my time at home for my family. It really is important to be able to trust the people that will be handling your money and being the front man in line with your clients with talking to them on the phone or meeting them for any kind of questions or discussions and I could NOT be happier with my decision. I know Sonia will take care of my clients and be the voice that I need to help me along the way! I am very excited about this change and I know it will be one very smart investment. Sooo yayyyy me!!! Thank you Sonia for helping me make my business grow and coming along for the ride with me. I appreciate this more than you will ever know! In other news finding the right fit for business partners is always something hard to do. I needed a hair and make-up artist. I know that this person’s responsibility is going to be like a receptionist answering phones at a large company or greeting people as they come in. This artist is going to be the first person they interact with before they see me. She needs to click with my clients. Make them feel comfortable. Make them feel welcome. This is going to be thier first impression of my business. One of my best friends, Tanya Moreno, has been pushing me along all this time to help my business grow. She gives me encouragement. She believes in me. She helped me see the beauty in my photos that even I couldn’t see in the beginning. Well Tanya is a beaut. I mean inside and out. But really I wanted to take her along this ride with me. From the beginning. I didn’t know how. But I was going to do it. She has been such a HUGE part of my business that I wasn’t gonna just leave her behind. I thought maybe she could be my 2nd shooter because she is gifted. She has the eye. But one day we took a trip out to Flagstaff to photograph her Saucey Session back in May and T did her own hair and makeup for her shoot and then turned around and hooked me up for a little fun as well for some head shots. And whalaaaaa. It hit us. Right then and there. She could be my personal Makeup Artist. She is awesome at what she does and she loves doing it. She never put makeup on anyone else but herself before and she was scared to try but I had faith in her. I pushed her along. I believed in her. And here we are now working as a team and trying to build this business together one step at a time. I know T will make it big. She has that kind of passion. She is so kind and caring and makes you feel so beautiful and that is exactly what you need to be in this kind of business. She has a heart. A HUGE heart. And I just know that everything is going to work out in her favor. I don’t know where I would be without her. She is my rock. She has seen the ugly and she has seen the good and she has continued to support me 100% through it all and I will do the same for her. So cheers to a fun, happy and prosperous business together T. I am so glad you decided to come along this journey with me. I love you!

Hair and Make-Up by T

Yes I know we need to get her hooked up with a website and blog. That is coming next.

T hard at work.

Admiring her work.

Such a doll!

I love her interactions with my clients.

Thanks for everything you guys!!! You make my heart happy! Not only are you my best friends but now we will be partners in a dream I have and hope will come true!!!!

101st Post and Branding

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 01:21:59 +0000

I have had this blog for a year now. I didn’t know at the time who I was or what brand I wanted to bring across to my clients. But I am really trying to brainstorm on a brand that is totally me. It’s a lot tougher than you think. This is something that when people see my logo they will know, that’s Denise. When they see a photo they will know it’s my style and my image. I have a meeting with an awesome designer, Veronique James of the The James Agency this Saturday. I cannot even say how stoked I am about this. I am going to put all things that I like in a box as Jasmine Star mentioned, her friend Jessica Claire, did when she was wanting to re brand and see what we can get from that. I thought it was an awesome idea and it will give the graphic designer a little more insight on who I am as a person and what things I love. Because I have NOOOOOO idea how I want my logo or brand to look but I really hope that someone can pull it out of me with what I provide them. I’m a little nervous, a little excited and cannot wait to share the new me. I will keep you all posted. And because I like to celebrate little moments in life, because those are the ones that matter the most, this is my 101st post!!! Whoohoooo!!! I wanted to do this for my 100th post but I got carried away with The Jasmine Star Workshop and Napa Valley so we will go with 101 because that is a great number as well. I am going to give away a Starbucks Gift Card to the 11th commenter on this post. That’s it, plain and simple. All you have to do is comment and you get a gift card. Wow. I’m easy like that. It doesn’t take much to please me. Ha! Happy commenting.

Jasmine Star’s Workshop

admin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:00:28 +0000

Wow wow wow. How can I possibly put into words the feelings that I felt after attending The Jasmine Star Workshop??!! It was definitely a dream come true. A goal that I knew I would complete one day but definitely was not prepared for the awesomeness that was in store. Most of my close friends know that I totally adore Jasmine Star. And if you don’t, well this post will catch you up to speed real quick. I found her blog about a year and a half ago and have been a fan ever since. Even if you are not a photographer, you NEED to check out her blog… she is like chicken soup for the soul. No joke!!! She can totally turn your frown upside down on a bad day. A year and a half ago… let me see, where was I??? I was a girl with a hobby. I loved taking pictures. I never thought it would turn into a career, or a passion that fills my every pore. However I was given the opportunity to photograph for my friends local magazine and that pretty much changed my life. I knew photography was the thing I was missing. It was a HUGE challenge and at times I wanted to just quite… but after reading one of Jasmine’s posts it really hit my core. Deep. I continued to move on, harder, faster, more determined to reach my dream. Because of her, I have accomplished so much in such a short amount of time. She gives you hope. Inspiration. Motivation. And most of all it feels like you have known her your whole life.

There was a mixer the night before the workshop that a few of the girls set up at a gorgeous restaurant called The Winery Restaurant andwe had such an amazing time getting to know one another! These girls seriously are the best!!! I could not believe the talent that was sitting all around me! Jasmine Star showed up even though she was a little under the weather and joked about blaming it on the Sudafed if something came out wrong or totally uncalled for! Ha! Love her!

The next day was jam packed full of knowledge. Jasmine talked about branding, finding out who you are and making that your signature. I still have yet to find out what words describe me and my work. I am so versatile. Guess it doesn’t help being a Cancer/Gemini… does that mean I have 3 personalities? LOL! Maybe by the end of this post I will have it nailed. She is a natural with making people feel comfortable. Hilarious when she poses them!!! She is such a doll and you can’t help but love her when you watch her go go go. JD, her adorable husband and 2nd shooter, is nothing short of amazing!!! He really supports her 100% and it shows just how much he loves every minute of it. I want a team like that!!! Jealousssss. So much was learned, so much was shared. Friendships were made with girls from all over the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. I cannot express how excited I am to watch them all grow. I just know big things are coming their way. They are already fabulous and when implementing J*’s stuff in the mix. Well Uh…. they are gonna knock your socks off world!!!! Thanks for everything girls!!! Jasmine and JD you guys are such a big part of my success and I cannot wait to implement all your goodness with my business. Thank you for being yourselves. It’s not often that you meet such down to earth people. And I am truly honored and grateful to have finally met you face to face. You make my heart smile!!!! Here’s to a great year ahead and many many more to come! HUGS!

Hmmmm two words that explain me… sweet and saucey. You think that fits??

It started off with a fabulous gift. Score!

And the lovely Jasmine *

Having fun at the workshop

I just adore her many facial expressions!

The adorable couple that modeled for us that day were Joe and Jihan Cerda. Can you say Gorgeous!!!!?? Wow!

I just love how cute they are together.

YUM!

Its hilarious how Jasmine grabs a hold of the guy, looks at the girl and then says. I’m happily married… don’t get jealous. Then goes on with her posing them.

How can you not love this couple??

Beautiful flowers by Carissa of JL Designs

You guys are beyond gorge.

Hey girl heeeyyyy.

Love is priceless.

Helloooo handsome

Fiyah…

Stunning make up by Vivian of All Made Up. You are killing me with your beauty Jihan!

It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside with the way he looks at her. Total adoration.

The moment in between the kiss. Ahhhh. Lovely.

The lovely Menu at the ever fab restaurant Maggiano’s. Yes she is cool like that!

I just love how McCall was in the back ground of all the photos. Ha ha! xo

Some workshop attendee fun in the sun photos… taken by JD. I love how I am all on the floor in a dress. Classy!

My girls. Holla!

Some dinner fun…taken by the adorable Mikaela Ruth. Hope you don’t mind that I snagged this from your site hon. Loved it!!!

Wow, like I said, such an amazing time! Words cannot begin to express how full my heart is at the moment. Thank you for everything Jasmine and JD. Much love!!! Muah!~

#41. Go to Justin and Mary Martantz ’s Workshop

admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:20:40 +0000

I was lucky enough to grab a seat to Justin & Mary Marantz’s Spread the love tour workshop back in November. They finally made it to Phoenix, AZ, February 2nd and I was sitting right there, up front and center!!! Enjoying every single minute of it. They are so inspiring!! The stories she told broke your heart, gave you hope and welcomed you into glimses of their lives. It was a life changing workshop. Helping you to understand the maddness of a small business and how to keep your head above water. This is sooo what I needed to keep me chugging along. I am getting to the point where I am burnt out. And that is a NO NO in the small business world. I am setting myself up for failure. Oh internet I will NOT let this happen to me. Thank you Justin and Mary for giving me hope. For making me open my eyes. For helping me understand that I am worth more and my time is priceless. You guys are amazing!

A very interesting fact that Justin and Mary said was that 80% of Americans do not have any goals. 80 percent!! Wow that is a large amount!! Out of the 20% that do have goals only 16% write them down and 4% write them down and revisit them frequently. People who write down their goals make 9 times more in their lifetime than those who do not write them down. So what are you waiting for????!!!! Go write down some goals!!! I already have a goal list for the next 3 years but what the heck. I need to make a few more after this workshop so here goes world:

* Start a fun blog commenting contest for my clients to win free stuff

* Figure out gifts to provide to my clients prior to their wedding day, and a one year anniversary gift

* Display more of my personality in my logo and on my blog/website

* Always be you

* Attract clients that you can relate with and be friends with when all is said and done

* Stop asking yourself what everyone else is doing to be successful and what should you do — setting yourself up for failure

* Read The E Myth Revisited by Michael E Gerber

And this is another one of my goals that I can cross off my 101 in 1001 list Internet!!! Yay for me!!!!

Here is a picture of the beautiful Justin and Mary Marantz that I snug from their website. Gorgeous aren’t they?

#3. Give away a free family, wedding, engagment/couple or boudoir session

admin — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 13:08:33 +0000

Yay!! I am proud to say #3 is marked off my 101 in 1001 goal list!! Celia is the lucky woman that gets to experience something she never has before. A time to shine, to feel alive, womanly and exotic. This woman is unbelievable. She lives for her children. She has a day time job that she is surrounded by children all day. When she gets home, there is no time for resting. She has to cook, clean, do homework. Things that mothers do. When is there time for her? Well we are going to make time! She deserves every bit of this contest that I ran without a doubt. Her story made me cry. It made me want to grasp life by the horns and take control of it. It made me want to dance. Just like Celia did in her younger years. I will not share with you what she wrote as it was very personal but I did get permission from her to post a little section of the story that stuck out and grabbed at my heart.

”This boudoir session leaves me to wonder, will it help me? Will it be one of those things that make me remember that I was once a vibrant beauty, dancing on stage and her way through life? Regardless of whether I get chosen, writing this has actually helped me remember some of the things I often forget. And that is to live life fully and that no matter what I am at home, my responsibilities are not what makes me and that I am important to myself and I need to allow the time for myself to be nurtured and cared for. And always, love myself.”

Wow. Congrats Celia. We will have a rockin’ time photographing you and all your beauty!! I can’t wait!

And a shout out to the Boudoir Vixen who inspired me to do this in the first place… Courtney Dellafiora. Be sure to check out her boudoir site. She is an awesome photographer!! She also does weddings and all kinds of other wonderful stuff. Love her!!!!!!

In the mood for giving:Free Boudoir Session

admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 03:46:34 +0000

FREE BOUDOIR SESSION!!!! HOLLA!!!

So I am in the mood for giving!! Giving makes me happy!! And Lord knows I need some happiness in my life at the moment!! Or maybe it’s just because American Idol is back on again and I am estatic??!! Either way you are going to benefit from it! Ha! Lucky you! So here are the rules:

* The shoot must take place in the surrounding Phoenix, AZ area

* It must be on a date that I am available

* It will be an hour to two hours long

* You must tell at least 3 people about it and they must friend me on facebook or follow me on twitter and mention your name (these ladies also have a chance to win)

* Submit a story about why YOU deserve this session and why YOU are soooo Fabulous to denisephotography08@gmail.com

* You MUST bring your favorite music along so we can have some fun and rock it out!!!!!!

You will get a DVD of all high resolution images and an experience to last you a lifetime.

A winner will be chosen for the most fabulous story submitted by January 19, 2010.

Ready, set go!!!

Happy Submitting!!!

101 in 1001

admin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:28:56 +0000

I heard about the 101 in 1001 from Melissa Jill. I mean how fabulous is this idea?? Write down 101 goals and complete them in 1001 days. I don’t know about you but if I do not write down my goals they never get accomplished. Guilty as charged. Out of sight out of mind. I am very horrible about not getting things done. I am on a mission people!!! Ready, Set, Go!!!! I have things on my list that are as simple as brushing my teeth to as hard as taking candy from a baby. Either way, they are things I have wanted to do but never had the chance to do it. You understand, right? I’m sure you have done the same. I will keep you posted with each item I cross off. How great will you feel crossing off that one thing on your to do list? Big goals, small goals. Its nice just to have goals in general. I can feel it now joy, confidence, excitment, gratification, giddyness and eternal bliss once my entire list is completed! What great feelings. What will your 101 be?? Let me know. Drop me a line. Show me some love.

Good luck and happy goal making!

Start Date: November 11, 2009

End Date: August 8, 2012

1. Learn how to frame my images for my blog

2. Write on my blog everyday for 1 month

3. Give away a free family, wedding, engagment/couple or boudoir session

4. Go to church more often

5. Get updated family photos of my fabulous family

6. Purchase a Shootsac by Jessica Claire

7. Take my children to a museum

8. Read one book each month for a year to better my business

9. Read one book each month for a year for my own personal satisfaction

10. Scout out awesome photography locations

11. Create contracts for clients – completed 11/1/09

12. Be firm with my pricing

13. Find my brand

14. Get a new website

15. Book at least 10 weddings for the year 2011

16. Eat healthier

17. Go to a movie with a girlfriend – Completed 11/14/09

18. Go camping with my children

19. Take the kids to The Grand Canyon

20. Go to Slide Rock in Sedona, AZ with the kiddos

21. Learn how to roller blade

22. Use all my vacation days in one year

23. Start jogging 3 times a week

24. Make a promotional video for my website

25. Put up Christmas decorations- completed 12/11/2009

26. Take the dog for a walk 3 times a week

27. 2nd shoot a wedding with a photographer that I admire

28. Create a gift bag for my wedding clients

29. Join a Dance Class

30. Take Lani to swimming lessons

31. Put all my old photos in photo albums

32. Clean out my closest (get rid of all the clothes that I “say” I will wear again and don’t)

33. Get rid of at least 15 pairs of shoes (without buying new ones)- Completed 11/25/09

34. Join a Jasmine Star Workshop (need some quick fingers for this one)

35. Learn how to master off camera lighting

36. Get married (Yes, I just made this a goal if you don’t write it down it will never happen!!!!)

37. Dance in the rain

38. Have a dinner party with friends, tons of gorgeous details, a home cooked meal and possibly all things Vintage.

39. Take one family trip per year

40. Purchase Totally Rad Actions

41. Go to Justin & Mary’s Workshop

42. Shoot a traditional Indian wedding

43. Conquer my fear

44. Take a class on lighting

45. 2nd shoot a wedding

46. Lose 20 pounds

47. Go to PartnerCon in New Orleans

48. Find my confidence

49. Pray everyday

50. Sign Leilani up for a dance class or anything she would like to join

51. Learn more about Photo Shop

52. Purchase Kevin Kubota Action Tools

53. Join a photography organization

54. Become a destination photographer

55. Go to Hawaii

56. Quite my full time job so I can focus solely on my photography business

57. Watch a sunrise while laying on a beach

58. Purchase Show It Video to post slideshows on my blog or email clients

59. Pay off my credit card

60. Purchase a 70-200 2.8 lens

61. Upgrade my camera

62. Get an assistant

63. Find a second shooter

64. Look at more photography forums

65. Go to WPPI in Vegas

66. Get Quick Books

67. Learn to organize

68. Buy a fashion magazine

69. Become more confident with stage posing

70. Shoot a celebrity wedding

71. Have a girls night out once every few months

72. Go to Napa and wine taste

73. Learn more about wine

74. Have the courage to ask a photographer I admire out to lunch

75. Take nice photos of my mom

76. Take photos of my closest friends and their significant other

77. Take my mom on a nice vacation

78. Get a Mac computer

79. Teach my son how to drive

80. Go to New York

81. Sell all my old furniture and cancel my storage unit

82. Sell my Rental house

83. Get professional photos of myself taken for my blog

84. Have “Date Night” with my love at least once a month

85. Try a new restaurant every few months

86. Shoot a Vintage Wedding

87. Get a Wedding published in a magazine

88. Teach a workshop

89. Overcome the fear of public speaking

90. Read the entire bible

91. Learn a new language

92. Create a shoot that involves lemons, lemonade, lemon trees, anything to do with lemons

93. Frame my art and hang on my walls

94. Cook Noni my Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas

95. Be more appreciative of my work

96. Wake up when my alarm goes off without pressing snooze for one week straight

97. Hike a mountain

98. Network, Network, Network

99. Travel the world and photograph what I love

100. Do something each month that will benefit my business

101. Thank God every day for everything he has given me

And because every post deserves a snap..