$1.75 for an hour of FUN! | Erin Rachel Photography

So if you've been around me for any length of time you should know that

I love a bargain

So when Annie asked if I wanted to go to the Penny Arcade for fun, I said sure! So off we went, our loose change in our pockets, coats on and of course my camera on my shoulder!

We laughed so much and had a great time! It was well worth the $1.75.

We played a ton of games-some a penny-some a nickel-some a dime- and few a quarter.

Themed model shoot | Erin Rachel Photography

On Thursday of my internship in Colorado, Lindi modeled for me. Talk about {amazing}...whoa!

I was blown away with some of these images! It was freezing cold, well should I say cold and snowing! Poor Lindi...

So we went into a local coffee shop, The Gift Shop. So my creative juices start flowing...

I looked around from front to back of the shop and saw some amazing couches and chairs!

I wanted to shoot her on each! With creating a different mood for each one.

Christina, Lindi and I had so much fun! We pretty much captured each image within 2-3 shots! That's what you call amazing and so fun! This was my second to last shoot with Christina and my adrenaline was pumping, I had finally gotten the concept and gotten it FAST! This was such a relief because the first shoot, I was ready to give up! Even though I am not one to quit, I was tempted:-) Thank goodness I didn't...:)

p.s. do you notice something different on my blog???

Up to a Challenge? | Erin Rachel Photography

A... Facebook Challenge!!

Here are the details-

Go to my Fan Page, click on suggest to friends on the left hand column and invite any friends that you think might be interested in keeping up with the latest news, updates, sessions, specials and events of Erin Rachel Photography

Here's the fun part......

When we reach 750 Fans, 1 fan will be chosen at random to receive a free Spring mini session in April valued at $100.00

When we reach 1250 Fans, TWO LUCKY FANS, chosen at random, will WIN a Spring mini session in April valued at $100.00

So help me spread the word!!!!!

It's easy for you...either post it in your status or simply invite them by suggesting they become a fan!!!! YOU could win this session!!!!!! You can do it!!!!!!!

Go here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Erin-Rachel-Photography/60754487341?ref=ts

It is growing...by leaps and bounds! So keep spreading the word...you just might be the one that gets a free mini session valued at $100.00! Woohoo:-)

And....a post isn't complete without a picture!

These are happy times in Colorado:-)

Sophia's Coffee Shop | Erin Rachel Photography

Sophia's Coffee Shop...quite an amazing little place. If you're ever in Old Town Colorado Springs you should stop by!!!

We ordered our drinks and headed upstairs to the quiet and quaint working area, with all kinds of books, comfy chairs, neat rustic tables and some interesting art on the walls!

We were using Sophia's as our office away from "home". You know how it's nice to get out and be inside of 4 different walls than normal, well thats how we felt! It was great:-)

We talked business, goals, ideas, marketing, equipment, we laughed, worked, chatted about life and you know everything that friends do! Thanks to Julianne (at the bottom!!) for getting us to and from, she came along, well should I say we went along with her! I think she actually worked over in the corner and watched us for some free entertainment:-)

Dusk to Dark Shooting | Erin Rachel Photography

So the first session I did with lighting...honestly I was hating it.

The second session with Julianne it was beginning to make a little more sense...and honestly I was O.K. with it.

The third session well this is it...and I'm loving it. All of the coolness that you get from it is well wow-ing me! These are very dramatic obviously and it's just a technique that I'm learning.

I can't see myself using this often but I know it will come in handy at some point with a session that I do. It's just fun! I really didn't have to think much about setting the lights up, manipulating my camera settings etc. It's becoming fun and easier!

Thanks Madi and Elise for being so awesome and enduring

the freezing cold weather for me to practice and learn!

You are s.t.u.n.n.i.n.g.

Julianne | Erin Rachel Photography

Wednesday morning of the internship we headed to Old Town Colorado Springs for a session!

It was up to me this time...I had the model, the camera, the flash and stand and I had to work magic!

Thankfully Julianne is awesome and a photographer herself. She felt my pain:-) Julianne and I met two years ago at PWP1 in Olympia, WA at a photography class. So it was great meeting up with her again!

The more I worked with the lighting it has become second hand to me...well almost should I say. It's def. more than setting a flash on the stand and firing it...way more believe me but it's amazing and fun! I love taking a shot and nailing the lighting! After the shot I look at the image and pretty much get ecstatic! Then I show the model and they do too!

Check out the images below-

Thanks Julianne for being an awesome model! You are fun, full of life, energy, amazing and beautiful. Thanks for the many laughs and friendship!

A walk in Manitou Springs

Manitou Springs is a gorgeous, small quaint town set in between some beautiful mountains!

It is VERY diverse and actually very different.

We started the day off in a coffee shop by ordering a yummy mocha and having a review and critique of some images.

As finished up there I took a few minutes on the way back to the cabin to grab a few pictures of downtown Manitou Springs.

These next two are my {favorites}

This has been home for the week!

And this is my view from "home"

First Day Challenges and Results!!!

Today was fun...very enlightening and that goes without a pun!

I came to intern with Christina owner of Bride Inspired to learn more about lighting techniques.

Will I use flash all the time? NO! Will I use it some? YES!

I've always been turned off of using flash because it's used in soooo many wrong ways and I really don't like that. Honestly another reason I haven't used it in the past is I was scared of it and scared of using it the wrong way. So we spent the morning going over settings, off camera flash, umbrellas, reflectors, available light, bouncing light, diffusing light etc.

After lunch we talked about posing and view of the face, as well as watching where the shadows fall and what is most flattering.

Then I had to put it to practice...yes...yes...the hard part!

She set up a model,Krystan, to come and let me learn hands on. She was a trooper! Whew I can't imagine being in her shoes working with me. At first I was overwhelmed, frustrated yet I knew I could tackle this project. First we set up the lighting as if I were studio shooting...then Krystan and I hit the streets of Manitou Springs, Colorado.

So let me show you...

So that's all friends! I made it through my photo critique this morning, sometimes that's the scariest yet BEST part. That's where I find my growth the most as a photographer!

I can't wait to show y'all more as my internship goes on:-)