Autumn Hull Photography

Extended deadline to register for the workshop

As of today, I still had a couple of open spots left in the Ten For The Weekend workshop, and about a dozen people who said they wanted to register but needed a little more time to make arrangements before they could commit to the class.

Good news...

Today, the Hyatt let me have one more week to give them the final head count, so you all have a little bit longer to decide.

If you want one of the remaining spots in the class, visit my workshop website and register there. 

Hey all you photographers out there...

Tomorrow is the very last day to register for Ten For The Weekend, the three-day workshop on studio lighting, practice sessions, digital workflow, and Photoshop.  It is February 29th - March 2nd, and there are still a couple of spots left. 

The cost for all three days is $750, but all you need to hold your spot is a $250 deposit.  The rest is payable at check-in on the first day.

After this first weekend, the price will go up, so if you've been thinking about registering for it, now's your last chance!

The Picture Police

So I've missed a few days here and there, and you guys have been ON IT!  I have yet to get away with missing a day.

As promised, the following people will receive their choice of either a credit for an 8x10 print from a past or future session, or a 1/2 hour phone mentoring session:

February 17th - Kathryn Crawford
February 14th - Stephani Foster
February 9th - Kathryn Crawford

If I'm not careful, Kathryn may be getting some free workshops in the future!

Thanks for helping keep me on track guys.

Today's Workshop

Today was my first photography workshop for parents in about four years.  I used to love teaching this class, but just got too busy to keep it up.  With all the new workshops I've added this year, I decided to bring back my old favorite, "How To Photograph Your Child."

It was a smaller class today, just three people, but it was nice.  We were able to customize the class a little to skip the parts they didn't want as much, and spend more time practicing.  My students were Carla, who was the hostess, Mimi, who lives right across the street, and Barbara, who drove in from out of town.

Carla and Mimi have been clients of mine for years, and I've photographed their kids many times.  Our kids go to school together, and I am Mimi's daughter's Girl Scout Leader.  Needless to say, it made it very comfortable to teach to them.

Barbara is just getting started with a small photography business and already has a great eye for composition and finding the moment.  She just needed to know a little more about the technical aspects of photography. 

We had an easy day when it came to models.  Everyone was 6 or older, so we didn't have to chase down any toddlers or learn how to work with babies. 

We got to concentrate on working with available light and learned how to annihilate the need for my arch-nemesis: the on-camera flash.  We did spend some time talking about ISO, shutter speed, and aperture, which can make your head swim the first time you try to absorb that stuff, but all three of them hung in there!

I got some great suggestions on things to add to the class, like take-home cheat-sheets they can use when shooting in specific situations, like at an outdoor sporting event, indoor events at night, at the beach, on a sunny day in the shade, etc.  I love this idea, so I'm going to create them and add them to the class.  Thanks guys!

Here's a look at our four gorgeous models from today.  These are all sample shots I took during the workshop to demonstrate different concepts I was introducing, like window light, composition, angles, etc.

Thanks for being such great students today.  I enjoyed bombarding your brains with too much information.  My favorite part of the day... easy.  Carla's awesome mango salsa.  So yummy.

The Meanderer

In my family we have a little tradition called Adventures.  This means Daddy takes the kids out on a big long walk on the paseos, which are paths that wind through our city but avoid the streets.  Normally he would just take the older kids while I stay home with the twins, but today was the first beautiful weekend of the year, and we thought we'd try doing an Adventure together as a family.

As it turns out, one of us is not much of a walker.  He's more of a "stop and smell the roses" kind of guy.  Or more accurately, "stop and poke a stick into stuff" kind of guy. 

These photographs represent my view for most of our three hour walk today.  Had it been up to Ben, the entire  Adventure would have occurred within a block of our house.

Poor guy, I guess I'll have to plan a special Adventure just for the two of us next time.  I'll be sure to bring a magazine, or maybe War And Peace.

Introducing Limited Edition Sessions

This year I have several new things I'm adding to the business, including the Limited Edition Sessions.  These are similar to mini sessions, but with a few twists.

First of all, they are themed sessions.  Some of the themes will include Generations, Halloween, A Visit With Santa, Valentine's, Girlfriends, Mother/Daughter, Father/Son, and Buddies, just to name a view. 

Secondly, it will take place ONE day only.

Lastly, a Limited Edition Session will include your choice of one of three items that are offered at a special price just for the session.  For instance, it may be a photo purse, a canvas portrait, an album, or a set of photo cards.  Each session will offer a different set of items to choose from.

The Limited Edition Session for February is Tutu Cuties, scheduled for Saturday, February 23rd, from 9am to 2pm. 

I've got a great stockpile of tutus, (including the adorable "chicken" tutu and headband shown here), pettiskirts, wings, tiaras, glitter, and all kinds of fun girly stuff.  You are also welcome to bring any of your own costumes or props.  There are up to three costumes allowed per session.

You can read more about it on my website.

Hope to see you there, and stay tuned for details on March's Limited Edition Session!

Beach Sessions are back!

Last year I wasn't able to accommodate everyone who wanted a beach session, so this year I'm starting earlier and adding more dates.  They are already starting to book up fast, so if you would like to have a beach session this year, be sure to visit my website to see what is still available, then contact me asap to book.  You can email me autumn at autumnhullphoto.com or call me at 661-297-6951. 

Cousinpalooza 2008

My mom & sister came for a visit today and brought my niece and two nephews.  I don't get to see them very often, so it was a really nice treat.  When my mom told me she really wanted a picture of all seven of her grandchildren in one photo, I think my reply was something really nice like "yeah, I'd like to live in that world." 

My snarky response stemmed from my many failed attempts at getting a photograph of my four children together.  When you mix twin 2 year olds with a 5 year old drama princess and a reluctant, impatient 8 year old boy, and I am playing both the roll of photographer and mom... forget it.  It really, really is not going to happen.  It's my everest... my holy grail.

Now throw into the mix a 9 year old boy, a 6 year old girl, and a 3 year old boy who have been in the car for 7 or 8 hours and haven't seen their cousins in over a year...

Yeah... that should be no problem.

What is my favorite part of this photograph?  Where to begin...

Could it be the complete lack of any kind of coordinated clothing?  The fact that the only kids actually looking at the camera look completely miserable?  Could it be Katie and Whitney's wrinkled princess costumes?  Sam screaming as he runs away?  My mom's arms holding Jayden in the frame?  Maybe it's Alex's obvious lack of patience with the entire experience?  Dilon's hat blending into the background, making him look like he has the world's tiniest skull?

No, it's Ben, with his completely heartbroken expression and one pathetic little untied shoelace.

Believe it or not, it's the best one from the session.  Everyone is actually in the frame and facing roughly the right direction.

I love this photograph.  I absolutely love it. 

Here you go, Mom!  Is this what you had in mind?  Which would you like; a purse, a locket, or a 20x30 canvas wall portrait made from this image?  Take your time, let me know when you decide...

January Commenters Drawing

As part of an ongoing monthly contest, I chose one commenter at random to receive a 5x7 print or a 15 minute mentoring phone call.  The winner for January is Brenda Metro.

Thank you to all those who have commented on my blog.

Keep 'em coming, the February winner will be announced in March.

Best of 2007 Winners!

The votes are in...

The first prize with an overwhelming lead was this little sweetie, Ava.  Her mom and dad will receive an 11x14 custom print of this image as a gift.

The second place winner was #11, so the Reed family will receive an 8x10 print of this image.

In third place, we have another newborn.  The Feldman family will recieve a 5x7 print of image #13:

In addition, one voter was chosen at random to receive a $50 credit toward a photo session, prints, or a workshop registration.  The winner of that prize is... Rene Mason! 

Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to all those that voted.