Labor Day Weekend

We've been internet free for the last two days. I never realize how much I use the internet until I can't! Everybody have a wonderful holiday weekend. Next week I'll have some blogs about our camping trip, some beautiful new portraits of a wonderful two-year-old, and many more things.

Support Your Local Athletes

Students involved in extra-curricular activities really deserve our support. Just the other day, I watched the M-CHS boys tennis team practice. These guys really work hard.
Keep an eye on the Cortez Journal for dates to support all our local students.

Picnic Time

Last weekend my husband's work hosted a company picnic. We were up on the Blue Mountain outside Monticello. It was a beautiful location and we all really had a great time. Everyone got together to play horseshoes, baseball, volleyball, frisbee, and eat.
One of the things that sets a professional photographer apart is the things their equipment can do. As you can see it this snapshot from the baseball game, everything around Weston is blurred out, putting the entire focus on him. This is called a shallow depth of field. Personally, I LOVE shallow depths of field. It is one thing you can expect from much of my work. Take a look at other photographers and your personal work to see how different the depth of field can look.

New Phone Number

Next Tuesday morning, NGC Photography will be getting a local Cortez phone number. As of Tuesday, August 28th, I can be reached at 970.565.4178 as well as 303.880.3131. Let's get that phone ringing to book some sessions! Especially senior sessions, I've got some great ideas for those....

The Difference with NGC Photography - Part 1

One thing that sets me apart from other photographers is the time that goes in before the first click of the shutter on the camera. I meet with every client prior to their portrait day to discuss wardrobe choices, locations and the general direction of what they are wanting in the portrait. The extra time before hand really makes for a wonderful, well put-together portrait.

Great Child's Book

Looking for a great book for your little one? My folks bought Gabriel "Not a Box" by Antoinette Portis. Now Gabriel does love little bunnies, and the hero of this book is a bunny. The first time I read this book to Gabriel, he laughed so hard. Now he "reads" it to himself. "I said it is NOT a box!"
I suggest it for all little kiddos!

Back from Oklahoma

Gabriel, Glenn and I had a great time in Oklahoma last week. We made it back Sunday, but due to a city-wide internet outage, I couldn't blog until today!
One of the highlights of our trip was a visit to Stillwater's world-renowned Eskimo Joe's. Gabriel really had a great time. While we were sitting at the table, he kept pumping his fists chanting, "Eskimo Joe's!" Visit www.eskimojoes.com for information about this Stillwater restaurant staple.
While there, I also picked up a centennial t-shirt commemorating 100 years of statehood in Oklahoma. I think many people would be surprised to know that Oklahoma is one of the last states to join the union. Pretty surprising since it's right in the middle of America!

Mini-Blogging Break

Gabriel and I are heading to Oklahoma tomorrow for a short getaway to visit family. And as most of you know, every time I go home, I do some training with my dad. The portrait to the left was from our lighting session last time I went home.
When I return, you'll find out what I learned this time. Have a wonderful rest of the week and we'll blog again on Monday!
Enjoy.

Kaylor Family - Part 2

The Kaylor family picked out one additional image to possibly use in their Christmas card. The deck was built by Gregg and has a perfect Colorado view.

Updated Website

If you get a chance, check out www.ngcphotography.com and click on the Featured page. I really love putting images to music. Enjoy! Have a great weekend everyone.

Golf

Here in Cortez it is a beautiful day with just a little bit of a breeze. On days like these, I want to go play golf!
One of my favorite stories about playing golf is this: Over in Monticello, Utah, there is a beautiful 18-hole public course that was really created with the natural habitat in mind. One afternoon Chris and I were playing with his dad, Gary. Chris and Gary were practically stroke for stroke the same score. On the 18th hole, Chris was in the lead by one stroke. As Gary approached the tee box, a deer walked across the fairway. I told Gary that if he could hit that deer, we would take one stroke off his score. And, as I'm sure you can guess, he hit it (it was on the bounce, not full force). And to Chris' dismay, Gary won the game by ONE STROKE!
Got a great golfing story? Let's hear it! The photo above was taken at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina last summer. If you are passionate about golf, you must stay and play there sometime. www.pinehurst.com.

Album Design

This week I am spending time working on Karen & Omar's wedding album. This is fun!! Today I put together the page that has the cake cutting on it. Karen & Omar will be receiving a 12x12 panoramic album.
Chris and I were married just seven years ago and the options in photography for couples has changed so much since then. We can thank the digital revolution for that. Many photographers were nervous about the digital change, but I love it. It allows a photographer to be so much more creative in their products they offer their clients.

Camping anyone?

The fire ban was lifted on Cortez yesterday. Hasn't all this rain been wonderful? It's saving us money since we don't have to water our lawn anymore. Yeah!
I think a weekend of camping with cooking out sounds like a lot of fun to me. We'll see if that pans out.

The Kaylor Family

Last week I photographed the Kaylor family at their home. Gregg and Mary have been building their dream home (with a glorious view) for the last five years. As their daughter prepares to leave the nest, Mary decided it was time to get a family portrait. Sometimes everything comes together: beautiful family, awe-inspiring view, and great weather. All of those things worked together to make this beautiful family portrait.

Announcements

I know I have mentioned how much I enjoy design work when it comes to photography. Today I was working on a wedding announcement for Karen & Omar. It's fun to come up with new looks for each special client.

Monk

Thanks to my folks, Chris and I really enjoy Monk. We are going to be starting season 5 tomorrow. (Which is a good think since season six has already started on USA...thank goodness TiVo.) If you haven't watched Monk or Psych (the show after Monk), you can catch them on USA Friday evening from 7 to 9. Funny stuff.

The Ginger Jar

For those who live in the Cortez area, but haven't been to the Ginger Jar in Dolores, I suggest it. Ginger Black, owner, just finished training to do facials. While browsing around the store, which has lots of hand made local crafts, I decided to get my brows waxed. Ginger has a very gentle hand (and if you've seen the episode of Friends where Joey gets his brows waxed) you know it can be a painful experience with the wrong person.
Ginger's facials are so reasonably priced that it could be a monthly indulgence! Book an appointment by calling 970.882.2550.