Why I've never blogged about this....is because I'm scared. Scared of what people may think and/or say. But why should I be scared? I took a risk. A BIG RISK. I don't believe I've ever done anything like this before. Well... not like this at least. Here's the story:
Last month, I found out about a photography scholarship through another photographer's Facebook page. It sounded really interesting... mainly because of the prizes (not gonna lie...I really did get excited about the prizes before I heard all the other info).
Anyhow... the scholarship is called SOAR! Scholarship through MeRa Koh. I've got to be honest, I've never heard of her before. But after reading about her, she sounds like an awesome person with a big heart.
I read more about the scholarship and slowly backed away. The submission was to be a 90 second video of yourself telling everyone why you should win. Doesn't really sound hard, right? It does when you're not comfortable in front of the camera. Then I heard about the assignments. Video blogs every month, teleconferences every month, etc. That doesn't sound like me. I'm perfectly comfortable in my shell.
Well...I thought about it, and thought about it. I wanted a change. I wanted to take a risk. What's the worse that could happen, right? Well... after maaaannnnyyyy attempts and a some tears, I entered the scholarship. Giant load off my shoulder.
Well, the giant load on my shoulder is gone, but the pain in my stomach isn't. Why? Well three winners will be chosen in mid January. Today is January 12. I'd say it's in the mid range. :)
Everyday I go to her website http://www.soarwithmera.com/ to see if she says anything about a date of when the winners will be chosen. Nothing yet. (Pain growing more..)
Even if I am not one of the winners, I will know that I have succeeded in taking a giant step towards my dream. I even plan on doing some of the assignments that the winners will be doing. (I guess they'll be posting the assignment themes for everyone to try.) I AM proud of myself for doing this. And actually, I encourage women (men can do this too) to do this. It made me step out of my comfort zone. To see what I want and work at reaching it. I feel like I'm growing into the person that I want to be.
Good luck to this year's SOAR! applicants and to future applicants. I'll see you in the SOAR! community/forum. :)
Veronica
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Gotta do what I gotta do with what I have
Okay, so a couple of blogs back I mentioned that I would do a post about my gear. I thought I would do that today (since I'm sitting here waiting to get my nails done :) )
My gear is far from fancy. I think it was 2008 when I asked for a DSLR from my husband for my birthday. If anyone has shopped around for a DSLR you know how much those bad boys cost.
Now, at the time my intentions for getting a camera were not for getting into the business. I have taken photography classes in high school and college and had always used a 35mm film camera. Since the digital era was here and screaming my name, I felt like it was time to get a digital SLR.
Next was choosing the brand. Canon or Nikon? Actually, this wasn't too much of a hard decision because I also had my heart set on getting a Nikon. I heard great things about it and it was only right to get it. Well...off to Best Buy we go!
I couldn't go too expensive (even though I had a coupon...THANK GOODNESS FOR THOSE COUPONS! ) And I didn't want to get the cheapest camera (which was the D40). So which did I end up getting? The D60 ( ha ha... just the next step up from the D40). It was the best we could buy. The next step up was $800 (don't remember what model that was) and we couldn't afford that one. So we bought me the D60 with the 18-55mm vr kit lens.
I was sooo excited! I wanted to play with it right away. BUT...I couldn't because it was my birthday present, and it wasn't my birthday yet ;( My insides we aching everyday up until my birthday.
Like I said before, when I got this camera, I wasn't getting it to jump into a photography business. I mean, eventually yeah, but not right away. So for about a year and a half my camera was on auto, shooting on jpegs. (Ha ha...)
Long story short, I purchase a 50mm lens on ebay. Good price and works well. Only thing is, its a manual focus. Doesn't bother me much in the beginning because I had to manually focus with film cameras. The lens was working well up until I think September last year. Used it for a shoot that was really beautiful, but when a photo was printed from that session, it came out not tack sharp (when it looked like it on my computer). I vowed never to use that lens again, so the next day I went to Best Buy to purchase a 35mm lens that DOES autofocus :) The reason I bought the 35mm instead of the 50mm is because the 35mm was cheaper.
Other than that, I have a Vivitar flash that I also got on ebay. It's one where I can attach it to the camera. Not the best flash, but it works. I also have a UV filter and now a Polarizer filter (thanks to my in-laws. THANKS!)
That's about it. Sometimes I struggle and wish that I had a pro camera because the one I have doesn't feel like it's up to par, but I have to remember that it's not really about the gear, its what I can produce with what I have. Besides, I still have time to get a real pro camera. :)
Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5
My gear is far from fancy. I think it was 2008 when I asked for a DSLR from my husband for my birthday. If anyone has shopped around for a DSLR you know how much those bad boys cost.
Now, at the time my intentions for getting a camera were not for getting into the business. I have taken photography classes in high school and college and had always used a 35mm film camera. Since the digital era was here and screaming my name, I felt like it was time to get a digital SLR.
Next was choosing the brand. Canon or Nikon? Actually, this wasn't too much of a hard decision because I also had my heart set on getting a Nikon. I heard great things about it and it was only right to get it. Well...off to Best Buy we go!
I couldn't go too expensive (even though I had a coupon...THANK GOODNESS FOR THOSE COUPONS! ) And I didn't want to get the cheapest camera (which was the D40). So which did I end up getting? The D60 ( ha ha... just the next step up from the D40). It was the best we could buy. The next step up was $800 (don't remember what model that was) and we couldn't afford that one. So we bought me the D60 with the 18-55mm vr kit lens.
I was sooo excited! I wanted to play with it right away. BUT...I couldn't because it was my birthday present, and it wasn't my birthday yet ;( My insides we aching everyday up until my birthday.
Like I said before, when I got this camera, I wasn't getting it to jump into a photography business. I mean, eventually yeah, but not right away. So for about a year and a half my camera was on auto, shooting on jpegs. (Ha ha...)
Long story short, I purchase a 50mm lens on ebay. Good price and works well. Only thing is, its a manual focus. Doesn't bother me much in the beginning because I had to manually focus with film cameras. The lens was working well up until I think September last year. Used it for a shoot that was really beautiful, but when a photo was printed from that session, it came out not tack sharp (when it looked like it on my computer). I vowed never to use that lens again, so the next day I went to Best Buy to purchase a 35mm lens that DOES autofocus :) The reason I bought the 35mm instead of the 50mm is because the 35mm was cheaper.
Other than that, I have a Vivitar flash that I also got on ebay. It's one where I can attach it to the camera. Not the best flash, but it works. I also have a UV filter and now a Polarizer filter (thanks to my in-laws. THANKS!)
That's about it. Sometimes I struggle and wish that I had a pro camera because the one I have doesn't feel like it's up to par, but I have to remember that it's not really about the gear, its what I can produce with what I have. Besides, I still have time to get a real pro camera. :)
Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Testing, testing... 1..2..3..
Hello...
This is not what I really wanted to blog about today, but I wanted to see if I can blog from my phone. :) Hopefully it works so that I can blog on the go! :)
It'd be nice to get a comment out of this... *hint hint ;)
Well, until next time. Stay warm!
This is not what I really wanted to blog about today, but I wanted to see if I can blog from my phone. :) Hopefully it works so that I can blog on the go! :)
It'd be nice to get a comment out of this... *hint hint ;)
Well, until next time. Stay warm!
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Happy New Year!!!
Okay, okay... so I'm 4 days late. It's still the new year. :)
I actually wanted to do a new post on the last day of 2010, and the first day of 2011, but....um....I was too busy partying.... ha ha ha. Just kidding. It's still difficult trying to think of something to blog about, and I'm always wanting to add a photo with my posts. Well, there is no photo to accompany this post. Sorry! I promise the next one will. :)
I hope everyone had a great, wonderful, outstanding, fun new year's eve. :) It was pretty quiet on our end. Just stayed home. I'll have to include a photo of the kids playing Just Dance on the Wii in my next post. They had a great time dancing to "Who Let the Dogs Out..." My boys were actually getting down. LOL!
I'm so excited for this new year. A fresh start.... I have some new ideas, so watch out for those. I'm also excited to shoot a few weddings this year. It'll be my first time. :) Can't wait!!! I'll keep you guys posted!
Til then, good night!
I actually wanted to do a new post on the last day of 2010, and the first day of 2011, but....um....I was too busy partying.... ha ha ha. Just kidding. It's still difficult trying to think of something to blog about, and I'm always wanting to add a photo with my posts. Well, there is no photo to accompany this post. Sorry! I promise the next one will. :)
I hope everyone had a great, wonderful, outstanding, fun new year's eve. :) It was pretty quiet on our end. Just stayed home. I'll have to include a photo of the kids playing Just Dance on the Wii in my next post. They had a great time dancing to "Who Let the Dogs Out..." My boys were actually getting down. LOL!
I'm so excited for this new year. A fresh start.... I have some new ideas, so watch out for those. I'm also excited to shoot a few weddings this year. It'll be my first time. :) Can't wait!!! I'll keep you guys posted!
Til then, good night!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Special Times: Merry Christmas!!!
Merry Christmas!!! I hope everyone had, or is still having, a wonderful time with family and friends. I know I did.
It's so much fun seeing children's faces when they open up presents. When they open up something good, their faces light up, which brings a smile to my face. But when they open something up that they don't really like, that's always funny too. To see their expressions as they say "Oh.....thank you" and then shove it aside for another gift to open, it's kind of funny. :)
It was also fun seeing my boys open their presents. And.....it was even better because they were able to open presents themselves. :) But I guess that means they're getting older and don't need mommy and daddy much... major SAD face :(
As for myself, I got great gifts. Most of them are photography related, which is AWESOME!!! (Thank you to my family who gave me photography related goodies. I really appreciate it and it tells me that you are supportive in my craft. I love each and every one of you.)
It's so much fun seeing children's faces when they open up presents. When they open up something good, their faces light up, which brings a smile to my face. But when they open something up that they don't really like, that's always funny too. To see their expressions as they say "Oh.....thank you" and then shove it aside for another gift to open, it's kind of funny. :)
It was also fun seeing my boys open their presents. And.....it was even better because they were able to open presents themselves. :) But I guess that means they're getting older and don't need mommy and daddy much... major SAD face :(
As for myself, I got great gifts. Most of them are photography related, which is AWESOME!!! (Thank you to my family who gave me photography related goodies. I really appreciate it and it tells me that you are supportive in my craft. I love each and every one of you.)
A much needed camera bag from my boys and husband. (Loooove it!!!)
I also got a new game for my Wii. Can't wait to play it.... TODAY! :)
The one gift that I think makes the very top of the list...my ten-year-old niece made me something. She decided that for the adults, she'll make them handmade presents, which I think I was the only one who received it. :) It was wrapped in pretty black and silver wrapping paper (which I bought from Borders..which I loved!). I carefully opened the little present. She made a little paper box. On the top of the box she wrote "Photography Tips. Veronica Hudley Designs Photography Tips". When I opened the box, there was a dollar coin inside :) So cute right? But when I looked under the top of the box, she had written "Handmade by Arielle. Don't give up!" My heart melted. I wanted to cry. I gave her a giant hug. She's the best...
Well... I hope you all enjoy the rest of the holiday with your family and friends. Cherish it all. Have a safe, fun and fantastic new year. If you're not the type to make new year's resolutions, then make new year's goals :)
(Raise your glasses...) To 2011... CHEERS!!!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Weekend Review Part 1- December 2
Yes, that's right... December 2, a Thursday. I work Mondays through Thursdays at my regular job, which gives me Fridays through Sundays for the weekend. Don't you just love it? You wish you were me, huh? =)
Thursday night, my husband and I had a "date night" (okay, okay... it wasn't really a date night, but it was without the kids). We got tickets to watch THEE Adam Carolla at the Crest Theater in Sacramento. We've never been to a comedy show, so it was something new. We, or shall I say my husband, is an avid Adam Carolla fan. We used to listen to him on the radio on our way to work from Brentwood to Fairfield. I gotta say, I got hooked. I even got upset when I couldn't get radio reception in the building that we worked at. =)
Since then, he's moved on to having his own podcast show (http://www.adamcarolla.com/ACPBlog/). I haven't listened to it yet, but I'm currently working on getting it on my phone.
Anyhow, back to that night. It was fun, nice sellout crowd... it was great! Love his "What Can't Adam Complain About" segments.
Afterwards, we waited in line to try to get an autograph and/or picture. This was something that I have always wished for growing up... getting a celebrity's autograph. I have been to my share of events that involved singers, athletes, some actors, and never really got an autograph. So this time, waiting in line, I wasn't putting all my efforts into it because I figured we wouldn't get to see him or that they would end the signing. Well guess what? We got to meet him =) and got to get his autograph =) and got to take photos of him. Ha ha ha... I shouldn't really say "take photos of him". I only had my camera phone on me and it doesn't really take a quick photo when I want it to. Therefore, I resorted to taking a video when I knew my camera phone wouldn't do the job. Either way it worked out.
We had our names on sticky notes so he knew how to spell our names. Funny thing is, he didn't sign my husband's name. Great thing is, I have video of him saying "Veronica...that's a solid name." YEAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!! Adam Carolla said my name is solid. Yahoooo!!! =) Then my husband shook his hand, as did I. And let me tell you, I didn't give a weak, wimpy handshake. I gave a proper, good handshake. So hopefully, he'll remember that Veronica, with the solid name, gave a good handshake. Ha, ha... That was pretty much it.
(Yes, that's not me. Some random lady that was still trying to get her photo in. This was the last photo I took before I took the video.)
Good night, and mahalo! (Adam's words) =)
Thursday night, my husband and I had a "date night" (okay, okay... it wasn't really a date night, but it was without the kids). We got tickets to watch THEE Adam Carolla at the Crest Theater in Sacramento. We've never been to a comedy show, so it was something new. We, or shall I say my husband, is an avid Adam Carolla fan. We used to listen to him on the radio on our way to work from Brentwood to Fairfield. I gotta say, I got hooked. I even got upset when I couldn't get radio reception in the building that we worked at. =)
Since then, he's moved on to having his own podcast show (http://www.adamcarolla.com/ACPBlog/). I haven't listened to it yet, but I'm currently working on getting it on my phone.
Anyhow, back to that night. It was fun, nice sellout crowd... it was great! Love his "What Can't Adam Complain About" segments.
Afterwards, we waited in line to try to get an autograph and/or picture. This was something that I have always wished for growing up... getting a celebrity's autograph. I have been to my share of events that involved singers, athletes, some actors, and never really got an autograph. So this time, waiting in line, I wasn't putting all my efforts into it because I figured we wouldn't get to see him or that they would end the signing. Well guess what? We got to meet him =) and got to get his autograph =) and got to take photos of him. Ha ha ha... I shouldn't really say "take photos of him". I only had my camera phone on me and it doesn't really take a quick photo when I want it to. Therefore, I resorted to taking a video when I knew my camera phone wouldn't do the job. Either way it worked out.
We had our names on sticky notes so he knew how to spell our names. Funny thing is, he didn't sign my husband's name. Great thing is, I have video of him saying "Veronica...that's a solid name." YEAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!! Adam Carolla said my name is solid. Yahoooo!!! =) Then my husband shook his hand, as did I. And let me tell you, I didn't give a weak, wimpy handshake. I gave a proper, good handshake. So hopefully, he'll remember that Veronica, with the solid name, gave a good handshake. Ha, ha... That was pretty much it.
(Yes, that's not me. Some random lady that was still trying to get her photo in. This was the last photo I took before I took the video.)
Good night, and mahalo! (Adam's words) =)
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Dionne - Rodriguez High School Senior
Dionne, my first high school senior subject. I was in awe of her. She's very beautiful and it definitely showed in her photos.
I actually did two photo shoots with her. The first, I loved! Not only did my good friend join me on the shoot, but Dionne was very sweet and willing to pose any way we wanted her to. I had fun on the shoot, but the only thing that wasn't fun was trying to use my 50mm lens (which doesn't autofocus). The photos came out fine, but some were not tack sharp.
With that, I vowed that it was my last time I was going to use that lens. Off to Best Buy I go to purchase a new one. Which do I choose? The 35mm f1.8 (because it was cheaper =) ). It's a good lens. Very wide. I like it, but then again I have to like it because it's what I have. That's the thing with just starting out. I don't quite have the funds to buy what I want, so I have to use what I have. (This will lead me to my next post... hopefully tomorrow).
Back to Dionne. I asked her if I could try my new lens with her, since I wasn't too happy with the outcome. She agreed. And in fact, my friend Lateisha and I had a double shoot with her and Dionne's cousin. (If you would like to see that shoot, check out her blog http://www.fusionphotographyinc.blogspot.com/)
Here's Dionne (from both sessions):
I actually did two photo shoots with her. The first, I loved! Not only did my good friend join me on the shoot, but Dionne was very sweet and willing to pose any way we wanted her to. I had fun on the shoot, but the only thing that wasn't fun was trying to use my 50mm lens (which doesn't autofocus). The photos came out fine, but some were not tack sharp.
With that, I vowed that it was my last time I was going to use that lens. Off to Best Buy I go to purchase a new one. Which do I choose? The 35mm f1.8 (because it was cheaper =) ). It's a good lens. Very wide. I like it, but then again I have to like it because it's what I have. That's the thing with just starting out. I don't quite have the funds to buy what I want, so I have to use what I have. (This will lead me to my next post... hopefully tomorrow).
Back to Dionne. I asked her if I could try my new lens with her, since I wasn't too happy with the outcome. She agreed. And in fact, my friend Lateisha and I had a double shoot with her and Dionne's cousin. (If you would like to see that shoot, check out her blog http://www.fusionphotographyinc.blogspot.com/)
Here's Dionne (from both sessions):
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