Happy Holidays! (Christmas photos)

For those who celebrate the Holidays, taking and sharing pictures of what the Holidays look like at your house may just put a smile on their face.

There is always something we can shoot and share!

Enjoy a couple of photos from my house...

More photos from my house to yours:

Around the house pics

Cute animals

Should you register your photography business name?

Yes! You should register the name of your photography business with the state in which you reside.

Start by visiting the website for your county's Register of Deeds. Do a search to make sure the name you want to use is not already in use. Then, print off the form to register your business name.

After you print it, fill it out and take it to get notarized. If you take it to a bank where you have a bank account, there should be no charge for getting this document notarized.

After it is filled out properly, make a copy for yourself and mail the original to the address listed on the bottom of the form along with the filing fee. As of 12-2-18, the filing fee is $26 (In NC).

Read the payment information carefully to see what options your county allows you to use for payment.

Need help deciding on your photography business name? Check out this article: How to choose a name for your photography business 

I have also written a piece on: How to determine what type of photography feeds your soul  that you may find useful as well.

Around the house pics...

I have learned over the years that if I want to become better at a task, I need to do that task as often as possible...and challenge myself to do it better each time!

The same goes for taking pictures... the pictures you see in this post as in many of my posts are taken right around my home. There are days that I am unable to travel to take pictures, for one reason or another, so I have learned to challenge myself by taking pictures around the house! 

More pictures from around the house:

Sports car pictures

Cute animals

Sports car photos...

My hubs has a Subaru WRX STI that he adores. I offered to take pictures of it for his Instagram account. The day I went out to take the photos, there was terrible shading on the car. He couldn't move it to the cul-de-sac at that time (and I can't drive a stick shift) so I made the best of it and ended up with 2 decent shots, which I edited 3 different ways.

I'll give it a go another day...

More photos:

Cute animals

My children

Cute animals...

Need a quick pick-me-up or a ray of sunshine to brighten up your mood? Here are a few cute animal pictures that will help!

A few nature shots to feed your soul:

 A touch of summer

The beauties of autumn

Capturing an icy winter

A touch of summer

It is always heart warming to see pictures of summer beauty. Here are a few of my favorites, taken from the North Carolina beaches...

More seasonal photos:

Beauties of autumn

Capturing an icy winter

Free online photo editor: iPiccy

borrowed from ipiccy.com 

I have been using iPiccy for my free online photo editing for quite some time. I have to say, it does what I need it to do and then some. For a free photo editing site, it offers many options to enhance your already beautiful photos.

You are not obligated to create an account, but it is free and does enable you to use more of the advanced editing options.

• The basic editor options offers things such as auto fix, cropping and resizing. 
• Photo effects tool offers ways to change the color of your photos.
• The retouch tool is great and offers options such as blemish fixer, shine remover and airbrush.
• Then there are choices for designing, painting, frames and textures.

You should be able to find just about anything you need for basic editing as well as a few advanced editing options with this website. I do recommend it. It is free and perfect for the beginner photographer or even another option for the intermediate or advanced.

More articles you may mind fine helpful:

How to determine what type of photography feeds your soul

Beauties if autumn

How to choose a name for your photography business

Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to the question: How do I choose the name for my photography business?

I can tell you this; choose a name that encompasses your personality as well as the subjects you specialize in shooting.

An example: I enjoy shooting nature photos best. I named my business 4 Seasons Photography. Winter, spring, summer or fall, I will shoot them all!  I know, that was cheesy but see how the name fits perfectly with what I specialize in photographing? Don't get me wrong, I take portraits and animal photos, but nature makes my soul sing.

Here are a few simple tips to choosing the perfect name for your new business:

• Choose a name that brings you comfort...a name that brings good feelings and memories.
• Keep it direct, short and to the point.
• Make it easy to pronounce and spell.
• Be sure it means something to you.
• Have it social media and website friendly. 

Hopefully these tips have helped you or at least placed you on the right path to choosing your perfect photography business name.

How to determine what type of  photography feeds your soul

How to determine what type of photography feeds your soul

When are you the happiest? Is it when you are photographing people? It may make you happy to bring out the joy in others. If so, photographing people is probably the best idea for you.

Do you enjoy taking in the views of the sunset, the waves rolling onto the sand, leaves falling from the trees or piles of snow piled up on the side of the road? If nature makes you smile, you may want to consider making nature photography your specialty.

If you are a cook and/or a baker and enjoy looking at the crisp photos of food, then specializing in food photography may be the way to go.

Whatever it is that brings a smile to your face and warmth to your heart, is just the thing you need to photograph.

Now, start taking pictures of everything you like. It is never too soon to start building your portfolio.

Portraits: My children

The beauties of autumn

Portraits: My children

As a parent, you know there are a few special photos that you absolutely adore...of your children.

Here are a couple favorites of my two loves:

Anthony 1st day of school, junior year

Missy 1st day of preschool

Missy with cookie cutters, ready to bake

More family pictures:

The beauties of autumn

Christmas 2012

The beauties of autumn

"Nuts" my daughter picked up 

There is something about seeing nature through the eyes of my camera that not only appeals to my senses, but to my soul.

Seeing the vibrant and muted colors intertwined brings joy to my being... reminding me of the old and the new.

Today, I took a walk around my property and took shot after shot of natures beauty. Here I am, sharing it with you...

And now my sweet daughter...she took her camera and took pictures along with me...

Love and hugs to you this fall season!


A few more photos:

A day in the country

Winter beauty

Capturing an icy winter