{DysFunctional Photo Friday} taking the disˈfəNGkSHən out of your photos

We've all been there.  We have gobs of photos that are stored in drawers, on shelves, in tidy little boxes, or on the computer.  I'm a repeat offender...but I'm vowing to stop the 'dysfunction' and put my photos to use by displaying them creatively.  If you're like some of my clients, they order images and put them in frames. I love that!  But there's so much more that can be done with those images.  We just need to think outside of the box and that's what this series is about....making your prints functional, unique and displayed in a beautiful way.  Every Friday (or every other Friday) join me in this new series and discover creative ways to use & display your photos.  Put the 'Function' back into your photos with some of these fun ideas.

There's so many ways to display your photos - I'm excited to try some of these myself.

What a cute way to display vintage photos...using vintage milk and medicine bottles. Just roll your photos to fit into the opening of your bottle, the photo will unroll once it's in, and you have a cool display.

{photo via Apartment Therapy}

And another take on the same concept, this time with some twine wrapped around the neck of the bottles.

{white life photography - Lisa Roy}

If you live on the coast this is a very fitting idea.  I used to find drift wood along the shores in California all the time when I lived there.  A really organic display using twine, paper and wood.  For detailed instructions on how this was done visit the link below this image.

{Morning Creativity}

Driftwood as a photo holder!  So unique!

See, there's so many ways to creatively display your photos.  If you a unique way to display your images please share them with me at kara@karamayphotography.com with the title 'Dysfunction Photo Friday' and you might be featured here on my blog!  Thanks everyone!

{'My Instagram Life' - it's more than just food photos}

Most of us have them...another life on Instagram.  We may have a Facebook life, an Instagram life and 'real' life.  Instagram is a fun outlet for me to post everyday moments with ease and without lugging my big heavy camera around.  And I can honestly say I don't know if I've ever taken a food photo (shocker I know...)  oh wait....I have taken a picture of what I'm putting in the crock pot since cooking is a struggle for me as well as healthy smoothies I've made.  So I guess I lied...I may have a handful of food photos.  I'm just not a foodie. lol  Anyway, when I first started Instagraming I thought it was my own private albums and a place to store pics.  I had no idea they were shared for any user to view if they so choose.  Then my friend Laura & Haleigh informed me one day that they commented on something on Instagram...I was like, 'What?'  Yeah, I do that a lot.  I had seen comments but thought they were an auto thing from Instagram.  I know....you're laughing at me.  But now I get it and it's such a fun way to share pictures with friends near and far with ease.  So what can you do with your Instagram pictures?  That's what I wondered after taking dozens of pictures.  There are so many places to print your Instagram photos now!  Places are popping up everywhere with the most creative way to display and print them.  I just ordered my first set of images from 'Origrami'  http://www.origrami.com  I love them!  They're printed on heavy 4x5 postcard quality paper and they come in this cute little box!  I love them.  I plan on pinning them up with little clothes pins in my office...either within a large frame or just on the wall. I'll take a picture when I remodel my office and put it up.  The back of the print shows 12 unique designs if the photo map information is not included on your photo. This makes Instagraming even more fun!  I'll be sharing more Instagram randomness soon - I may make this a series too.

You can follow my instagram life at karaphotogirl on Instagram if you'd like.

{I did it! I finally have a Facebook business page}

It has been extremely very busy, insanely fun, ridiculously non-stop time for me and my business lately (and it's not even busy season).   I have so much to post about.  Workshops I've had the honor to speak at, ladies I've met and now call my friends, shoot after shoot, traveling like a nomad, and yet trying to be 'in the moment' as a mom, wife, friend, etc.  So with all of that business - I finally gave into the pressure from friends, clients and peers to get a Facebook business page.  I know...it's about darn time right?  {shrug}  Here it is!  https://www.facebook.com/karamayphotography  I'll be posting recent sessions, things that inspire me, everyday things that help with my creative juices, and more.  I try to blog as much as I can, but I have to be honest...it's much quicker and easier for me to post on FB and interact with you all.  I love hearing from you and of course getting to know those that follow my work.  We have a common passion, otherwise you wouldn't be here reading this right now.  So come visit me and say hi.  I'd love to hear from you.  Thanks!

{What ______ looks like} 'siblings, swimming & sugar'

It's that time again!!  These are so fun and I so look forward to making sure I squeeze these into our busy life.  I usually have my iPhone camera where ever we go but this forces me to get out my big camera and capture every day fun.  This month has been nuts and I wish I could've captured more fun, simple, living in the moment fun.  This month was the opening of 'pool season' (sort of) in the May house.  Brielle was dying to go swimming so she talked her brother into coming out and jumping in with her.  They ended up only getting in to their shoulders since the water was still 70 degrees.  Ty's only a fish when the water is 80 degrees.  Brielle is normally always a fish but she only wanted to get in all the way  if her brother joined her.   Below, is a treat!  We try to really manage the amount of sugar we give our kids (don't laugh) so this was a BIG DEAL!  Cookies!  Girl Scout Cookies!  The kids made me giggle as they got these out, stacked them and then asked me for some cookies.  Yes, guilt trip!  So I made a little shoot out of it and had them wait a little.  I asked them questions and got some silly expressions.  I'm easily entertained by them. After scrolling through this post please click through the circle to see what the other talented ladies in the group have posted. I'm sure Jenny Cruger will have some amazing eye candy.

{sunshine + a happy family = a fun photo shoot!}

Guess what I got to do this weekend?  I got to finally meet Stephanie Moore in person!  As many of you know, she's a very talented photographer in Tucson, AZ.  We've been friends for a while on-line and we teach classes together on "The Bloom Forum".  We've seen each other over the internet and talked on the phone but we've never had an opportunity to meet up in person.  But when I met her I felt like we'd known each other forever!  She's an amazing mom, photographer and friend.  I'm so glad I got to meet her family too.  What a fun bunch!!  Carter, her son was a giggler.  Every time I went to straighten his shirt he busted out in laughter...he's EXTREMELY ticklish!  And sweet Brooklyn, is a sweet soul.  She's a little pro too.  I can tell her momma is a photographer!  And the newest little one in the bunch was so patient!  What an amazing little girl.  I pushed her to the limits with all of the locations we hit and she didn't make a peep until the very end letting me know she was over my camera ha!   And of course Stephanie's husband was very kind and held my bags for me when I had my hands full.  Seriously! What a guy!  I loved our time together and can't wait to meet up again.  We agreed we need to get together more - my kids would love her kids.  I'm excited.  Here's a peek at our session.

{New Workshop: 'Defining Yourself' on the Bloom Forum}

I'm excited to tell you all about a workshop that Stephanie Moore and I are putting on April 8th to the 18th on the Bloom forum.  There are only a few seats remaining since we pre-sold a most of them.  This is a 2-week on-line workshop that will take you through various 'shooting' and 'editing' styles to help guide you and your business to a more defined style.  We'll share editing using Photoshop so an understanding of the basics in that program is needed.  Shooting in Manual mode is also going to be beneficial for this class.  Does that mean we'll be showing you exactly how we edit?  No, we'll be talking about various ways to edit to enhance your images and/or add drama.  Here's a little information about the class below. Please contact me at kara@karamayphotography for any questions.  Thanks!!

{Urban Session - 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun'}

Last night I had a blast with these 3 girls!!  We literally shot this session till the sun went down.  Although we got started a little late but we managed to cram so much into such a small amount of time.  The 3 of them were so easy to work with and had fun - which makes all the difference in the world with capturing real 'girl moments'.  There were texting breaks, candy breaks, giggles and we can't forget....locking keys in the car.  Yes - it added a little adventure and mystery to the evening...'would we get the car unlocked?'  Then I remembered, I had my trusty AAA card and within 30 minutes a man in a big truck rescued us.  :0)  It reminded me of all the times I locked my keys in my car in college.  This was a first for Cassidy (at least having it happen further from home where a spare could be found).  It all worked out  though!  AAA is the best!  Anyway, here's a little peek at our session.

{When a Commercial Shoot turns into a Circus}

This week is Spring Break for my kids.  Woo Hoo!  But this is the first year we haven't gone to Mexico during Spring Break and just stayed home.   We have been busy with to-do's appts and working around my crazy schedule and the kids have just had to go with the flow.  Well today was no exception.  They were peacefully playing when I announced I really wanted to do a quick indoor  commercial shoot with them.  They were excited at the idea of staying in and shooting at home so we didn't have to leave the house and completely disrupt what they were doing.  Um, I have a schedule too kiddos, and it doesn't involve playing all day.  I've got deadlines, orders to package, editing, more editing and a couple of workshops to get ready for.  But for some reason this week the kids think it's 'their week'.  I get that...but really, I need to get my things done too and it's hard.   I'm trying to make it fun for them....I really am.  So that means I've had to put some of my work aside and just live in the 'now'.  I'm trying to do that more and more even if that means pushing back deadlines a touch (those that can be pushed).  This week I'm a momma all week with moments of work sprinkled in when they are sleeping and sometimes when they are awake and needed for my 'commercial jobs'. Thankfully, Tyler was excited today  - he got to help me move furniture!  He felt like the man of the house - cute to see.

So this was a partial attempt at an indoor commercial photo shoot.  They lasted a good minute before the craziness broke out.  I told them we'd try again later and they happily ran off laughing.  Kids.  This is the struggle photographers deal with when working with our own children.  It's a blessing and a headache all at once. ;-)

{Urban Session - Beautiful Momma & her Sweet Lil Lady}

Last night I had so much fun photographing  mother-daughter beauties!  We did an Urban session which was fun and kind of new for me.  I think I like it!  I think I want to do more urban sessions.  So much to see so little time.  I was on a high after this session and ready to do more in this landscape.  Here's  a little peak at our session!  Oh and I mentioned this on FB so this may be a repeat... but while we were shooting a cop pulled up.  Yeah, that's right...busted!  I wasn't trespassing and I was being úber respectful of the properties we were near.  I was pretty embarrassed in front of my client getting in trouble for shooting possibly where I wasn't supposed to but there was not a no trespassing sign anywhere. He looked at me and  asked if I  was a 'paid photographer'. I had to be truthful but I knew that prob meant I was in trouble. Then he asked for my card explaining that he and his wife were due with their first child soon and he was looking for a photographer. I gave him my info and said, 'Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy, but here's my number, so call me, maybe? ' Okay, I didn't say that. But I didn't get in trouble he just watched for a bit and then was in his way.  Had my heart racing.  I must say...if he contacts me...he will get a very nice discount.  He protects us ya know?   Had the share my 'scare' for the night.  Here's a peek below of my fun last night with my beautiful clients.

{What_____ looks like} our Saturday entertainment.

You don't  know how much I look forward to this monthly project.  It gets me used to capturing simple moments at home that I otherwise wouldn't be photographing.  This past month was a crazy busy one but I didn't want that to stop me from capturing my own families moments.  The kids are at such fun ages.  Brielle is adamant that she wears her converse boots daily (except on PE days) and her hair in a bun most every day.  I love the little person she's become.  And Tyler, still not loving to be photographed...just got his braces off!  That's HUGE!!  He looks so handsome with gleaming white teeth and his retro glasses (oh the round nerd glasses pictured further down on this post are NOT his new glasses - we were playing and he got those out).

So what is this month's post all about?  It's what our Saturday entertainment looks like.  Primarily...dressing up August with play clothes.  He doesn't love it but Brielle made sure she had treats on hand for him.  He's such a good sport!  These are the moments I want to remember.

Continue through the circle to see what the other girls posted about this month!   Click here to go the Stephanie Moore of Stephanie Moore Studio and see what she posted for this months project.