If you check out my Facebook page and my blog, you’ll notice that it looks like I’ve fallen off the face of the earth for the last 3 months.  I promise, I’m still alive and well.  You see…I just haven’t had the energy to put into blogging and posting…and in some cases, responding to e-mails (please forgive me!!!).  I’ve been putting a lot of time and energy into a huge project.  So, the big news?  The Kathy Ward Photography team is expanding.  In June, the newest member of the Ward family will be arriving.  That’s right, a baby is on the way!  Jerrad and I are beyond excited to meet our precious bundle of joy.  And I can’t wait to smother my child with photography.  How crazy is it that I’m already planning the newborn photo shoot!  I’ll finally have photography to hang on my walls that isn’t of my dogs or flowers.  Please forgive me if you had a session with me last fall.  My preggo brain stole my creativity and productivity.  I felt like I was just “surviving” through each session.  I was definitely not on my “A” game.  But now that I’m well into my second trimester, I’m finally getting the energy to get caught up with my photography duties.

What does that mean for you guys?  Not much will change.  The only difference will be that I won’t be available for portraits after the beginning of May this year.  If you are interested in Easter or Spring portraits, we’ll just need to book in March and April.  I don’t think you’ll want this gal “whaling” around a photo shoot with you in 90 degree weather.

Fall sessions may be a little more limited this year, but we’ll cover the details closer to fall.  The plan for now is to schedule several sessions per day in the same location.  That will keep me from having to schedule multiple days for child care.  But like I said, the details will come later.

To celebrate my BIG news, schedule a Spring session (good anytime January-May) with me by Sunday, January 22, 2012 and receive a complimentary 11×14 print (a $40 value).  Just shoot me an e-mail to reserve your spot.  kathy@kathywardphotography.com

And here’s a photo of our “Little Booger” from our first ultrasound in November.

Do you want your Christmas cards to standout from all the others? I recommend using one of the companies below. They offer unique and stylish products for every need and budget. And no, I don’t get any kickbacks from these businesses…they don’t have a clue who I am.  There are other great sites out there.  I just happen to like the work on these 5.

• inababycarriage.com
• Pinhole Press
• Minted.
• Tiny Prints
• SimplyToImpress.com

And now that KWP offers digital downloads straight from the Client Galleries, it will be easier than ever to use your family portrait images in your Christmas cards.

Santa Claus is coming to town! I’ve teamed up with Bellies, Babies, and Beyond Photography bring Santa to Walhalla, SC on November 26 & 27. Your session fee includes individual time with Santa, crafts, snacks, and a package of prints. You’ll even be able to preview and order your prints the same day. Contact me for more information and to reserve your spot.

And finally, as the holiday season approaches, be sure to take time to enjoy your family, your friends, and your blessings. Lately I’ve been reminded too often of how fragile life really is. Be sure to remember what is truly important in your lives!

Be sure to visit Amma’s gallery to see images from the special grandparent mini session.

To view more images from Gianna’s session, click here.

Click the picture below to view the rest of their gallery.

There are unlimited photography resources that are free on the web.  In an earlier post, I mentioned that I was mostly self-taught, using lots of free online resources.  So here’s where I got my start…

Now before I begin, none of the people/pages/businesses know who I am.  I’m not being compensated in any way for sharing info about their businesses.

I would start with http://www.digital-photography-school.com/  They have a section just for “beginners.”  Several professional photographers contribute to and write posts for DPS.  DPS isn’t specific to any niche of photography.  You’ll find topics ranging from nature to portraits and everything in between.  I learned most, if not all, my basics here.

There are several sites devoted to post-production (or editing the image after you put it onto your computer).  Two of my favorites are Everyday Elements and The Coffee Shop Blog.  Both sites offer free tutorials for using Photoshop Elements (the scaled back and cheaper version of Photoshop).

The Coffee Shop Blog even provides you with unique templates and “digital frames” for showing off your work.

Now, you may be asking, “Am I supposed to visit all of these sites every day?”  Well, no, not exactly.  After you’ve read through some of their content, watched the tutorials, and gotten a good bit from the sites, then you only need to visit when they post new content.  There are two good ways I’ve found to keep up to date on new site postings.  1) Follow them on Facebook.  Usually, they update their Facebook pages to let you know of new postings.  2) Subscribe to their RSS feeds.

Most sites have an RSS feed…a service that notifies readers of new content.  To be notified of new content, you need an RSS reader.  I personally use Google Reader.  It’s free.  And it’s fairly simple to use.  In most cases, I copy the site’s web address in the Google Reader and click to add a subscription.  Google Reader automatically updates itself with new posts.  What I love about an RSS Reader is that I can check one site to see updates from all of my favorite sites.  I can see the news updates, read photography tutorials, and yes, even see the most recent announcements posted to the school website.  If you’re still confused about RSS Feeds, just Google it.  I know there will be tons more explanations.

Here’s what my Google Reader page looked like at 9:16pm on night last week.

And the last resource, of course, is Youtube.  Need to know how to take better pictures at your child’s awards ceremony?  Your son is playing football?  The pictures from last year’s Christmas were grainy and blurry?  Just type in what you want to know and you’ll have tons of videos at your fingertips.

As you start your journey into these sites, keep your eyes open.  There are tons more places you’ll learn about from following these sites. I also recommending finding the Facebook pages of these sites (and others) and “Liking” them. They are constantly mentioning the names of other sources.  You can start by liking me on Facebook! Haha!  Seriously.

I hope you can learn something by visiting some of these sites.  I hope to do a couple more posts about some resources for more advanced photographers and sites that cost a little bit of money but are well worth the investment.

Hopefully my husband won’t fuss at me for giving away too much help for free.  Lol!

Some random facts about me:

1. I am painfully shy.  Yep, that’s right.  Unfortunately, my shyness has been misinterpreted as being “stuck up” or rude.  I am really neither.  As I’m getting older, and with great help from my husband, it’s much easier to be outgoing.
2. I’ve never taken an official photography course.  My friend Lezlie did sneak me in as a model for one of her portrait lighting classes at TCTC.  When I got my first DSLR camera, I wanted to take courses but couldn’t really afford them at the time.  I am mostly self-taught.  There are unlimited completely FREE resources on the web for learning photography.  And there are tons of others that are affordable.  Hopefully, one day I will post about a few resources.
3. I am the baby of the family.  And I am spoiled.  I’m also the only granddaughter on my mother’s side of the family.  My grandfather used to say that he has 3 worthless grandsons but one golden girl who could outwork them all.  I think I had him snowed!
4. I’m a self-proclaimed nerd and I love to teach.  I am an information junkie and love to share what I’ve learned with anyone who will listen.  Even if I’m not teaching kids, I’m always finding ways to help educate others.  I’m itching to teach a Photo 101 class for newbies.  My husband tells me I give away way too much information for free.  I can’t help it.  It’s instinct.
5. I am an Amateur Radio Operator (Ham Radio)…and so are my dad, his father, his brothers, his nephew, and my brother.  My call sign is KI4UZX.
6. If you couldn’t afford a photo session, I would gladly accept payment in the following forms:  Dr Pepper, Ruffled Chips with Dean’s French Onion Dip, or Papa John’s Pizza with ham and green peppers.
7. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in June of 1999 (before my Junior year in college).  Since receiving treatment, I have maintained wonderful health.  It does not interfere with my daily life and thankfully, I do not have the horror stories that many people have with the disease.
8. We have 2 indoor Border Collies who are like our children, both of which are trained to herd sheep (like in the move Babe).  We’ve also trained them to do things for us because we are lazy.  Sometimes one dog accidentally closes herself into a bedroom and can’t get out.  We’ve trained the other to open the door and let her out so that we don’t have to.
9. I am a procrastinator.  It’s genetic.  Very few people in my family work efficiently without deadlines.
10. I am a rule follower.  They make me feel safe and secure.  But I’m a “wall” breaker.  I like to challenge barriers created by ignorance or prejudice.  I like to find new ways to do things even if it changes the way we’ve always done it.
11. I have a dream of becoming a secret philanthropist.  I want to become wealthy and secretly pay bills, buy groceries, and do other wonderful things for people who need it.  My mom used to work for a small-businessman who did the same thing (Mr. Allen Riddle).  And the generosity of others has been demonstrated to my family in our times of need.  I’ve always wanted to do same.
12. My faith in Jesus Christ has made all the difference in my life.  It has only been in the last couple of years that I have learned that Christianity isn’t about rules…rather it’s about showing love to people the same way that Christ loved us.

So, now maybe your head can be filled with as much random knowledge as mine!