Creations From Everyday Life

Changes

If my blog suddenly goes crazy, it's because crazy changes are currently underfoot. As in, Amy Hummel Photography is closing. But but in the famous words of Douglas Adams, DON'T PANIC! The business is re-opening under a new name (yet to be disclosed), and I'll be working with a partner. This blog is being converted back to a personal blog, and the business blog will open under a different name.

I'll post links to all the new stuff when this happens.

xoxo!

Amy

WPPI, photo booths, albums, Jasmine Star and, my husband as a business partner...

A couple of weeks ago I went down to Vegas for the WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) trade show with a couple of awesome girls. And my husband. A few days before I casually asked Jared if he wanted to go with. He said,"sure, I'll go."

I said, "Really?"

So he went, and it was fun! Despite the fact that he hates crowds with a capital H, Jared had a good time. Because we were trying to get the kids taken care of and ready to go the morning of the trade show, neither Jared nor I ate. We realized this half way to Vegas. We didn't want to stop and eat. Time was too precious to waste on eating. So, we plugged along.

Last year was my first year attending the trade show. And any one who has been can attest to the sensory overloadness of the event. If you don't go in with a plan it's easy to get lost in the sea of album companies, print labs, prop shoppes, camera bags, flashes, cameras, lenses, design..... ahhhh! My head is spinning thinking about it. Last year I was LOST! This year I had a plan. I knew that I wanted to do 7 things.

1. Attend WHCC's in booth education on making and marketing the photo booth.
2. Look at pre-made photo booths for sale at the trade show.
3. Play with the 85mm f/1.2L lens at the Canon booth.
4. Research WHCC's albums as a possible cheaper option to my top of the line album supplier, Leather Craftsmen & see about ordering a cover swatch.
5. Buy a new cover for my ShootSac.
6. Look at Leather Craftsman's albums in their booth and discuss ordering a cover swatch.
7. Meet Jasmine Star.

I did them all.

First we stopped at the WHCC booth. The number one thing I wanted to do was attend the photo booth class... so I wasn't about to miss it! It was taught by the Bebb's, and I just want to add here that they are the most awesome & hilarious couple. It's moments like this that make me sad that Jared doesn't want to be my business partner.

 

 

 

I had Jared take a picture of me to prove I was there. I did the same for him. His is better. See, he should totally be my business partner!

 

 

As we were starting to waste away from zero food in our bellies, we happened across a booth giving out popcorn. Genius! While I munched and meandered I noticed Jared was gone. No matter, I was happy to wander alone for awhile. I happened across Doug Gordon, who is photographer extraordinaire! His studio shoots over 1000 weddings a year and works out of 3 studios in New York. I was originally familiar with him through his Animoto ad I saw in a magazine. Check out the link for a laugh. Animoto has the BEST marketing campaign!

I stood there and watched while he seriously knocked out 100 poses in about 5 minutes with this model couple:

 

Now, of course they've probably done this 1000 times, and the girl is gorgeous... but STILL! To have a shot list in your head like that!

Just about then, I decided I was DYING of thirst from no food/water + a bag of popcorn. When what to my wandering eyes did appear.... Jared with a pack of Reece's Peanut Butter Cups and a bottle of water. All for me. The perfect assistant I'd say.

Then I bought my ShootSac cover.

Toward the end of the day I made my way over to the Leather Craftsmen booth. I planned on spending a lot of time here checking out all their album samples IN DEPTH... seeing as this is the company I use for my albums. I learned a couple of things like I want to offer the the 3500 Flush Series instead of the 300 Hingeless (which I have a sample of). I also learned that it is preferable to have a book designed (split) with a small gutter and not have it lay all the way across (folded). And I learned that I can have a cover swatch for FREE, unlike the $25 WHCC charged me.

 

 

Hey, whaddya know... Jasmine Star albums:

 

And then there she was... my wedding photography idol, handing out raffle tickets to a drawing of several albums she was giving away at the LC booth. She always talks about how short she is... so I decided that I must be short too (although I never considered myself short)... because we were practically the same height (granted she had heels on). But they weren't HUGE heels. I told her this.

After looking at the photo, I decided I was WAY too pasty white, and need to go somewhere tropical and get some sun.

Here she is calling the ticket number right below my number. ONE NUMBER OFF!

 

Ugh, so close!

After that we ate at The Cheesecake Factory and went home. Thanks to WPPI, I now have a functioning photo booth and a plan... and a better idea of the products I want to offer. I hobbled together my photo booth and played with it with the kids. It was nice because I had it in my mind that the photo booth needed to be this extravagant contraption. After attending the class, I realized that I already had everything I needed sitting in the basement waiting to be sold on eBay! One thing I didn't have was a monolight (which is a studio strobe with a modeling light). I made the booth work anyway with a flash and umbrella.

Then a couple of days ago I got paid by a bunch of people at once and realized I could afford to buy a monolight. I bought a 300W/s light.

Now, normally when I buy things business related and tell Jared he says, "WHAT!"

But this time, because he went to AND enjoyed the photo booth presentation he said, "What size?"

I said, "300."

He said, "That's not what size theirs was. Theirs was bigger."

I said, "I know, but this was cheaper."

He said, "Oh, ok."

And then we had a lengthy conversation about how I thought it was funny he didn't jump down my throat because he went to the trade show with me, and how... "wouldn't it be fun if you were my business partner." To which he disagrees because we'd both want to be in charge so it would never work. Which is true.

So for now I get to be successful on my own, and maybe one day I can hire a business "partner" ;)

The Photo Booth.

When it comes to WPPI (a convention for Wedding and Portrait Photographers), it does 2 main things.

1. Gives me lots of great ideas.
2. Makes me spend money.

Last year when I went to the convention I had never been before. I had no clue what I was getting myself into and quite frankly was in over my head. THIS YEAR I had a plan. Unfortunately I was only able to attend the trade show this year (there will be more on that in a later post). At the trade show I planned on researching 2 things. The first and foremost was photo booths. Second was albums.

After attending an in booth presentation sponsored by WHCC and taught by "The Bebbs," I decided I didn't need to spend a lot on a photo booth. I decided that it didn't need to be something completely enclosed and automatic to be fun. After the presentation I realized that I had EVERYTHING minus a $25 dollar piece to make the "booth."

Today I went into town and bought that piece. I came home, put the booth together, and wa-la! I give you the first ever Amy Hummel Photography Photo Booth photos!

 

 

In a couple of weeks when I launch my re-designed website (yes I'm doing that again), there will be a section with details about the photo booth and how to book it for your event!

Happy Wednesday!

My booth.

I thought since it was Sunday, and my husband is away, and Jocelyn is sick, it would be an appropriate time to sort through the pictures I took at the Ultimate Wedding Showcase this weekend. It's hard to believe I have another expo under my belt, my second in the short time I've been a business owner.

The show was amazing and everything I hoped it would be. In my wildest dreams I visioned brides flinging themselves at me, begging, begging, begging me to be their photographer. Obviously that didn't happen. Although I did have one extremely giddy "fan" from Vegas stop by, and was notified by several others that they blog stalked me. This makes me happy for some reason. So there you have it...

Hi blog stalkers! ::waving::

My booth was actually very simple to construct. I used the fomular board I had from a previous expo and re-covered it with newspaper. Over the newspaper I glued/pinned interesting articles and snippets of planning ideas from various planning magazines. Over THAT I hung canvases and framed photographs along with a few trinkets that make me, me. Like pictures drawn by my kids, a Nerd Machine sticker, and a Kentucky license plate.

I used contact paper to add a fun embossed pattern to the bottom 3 feet of the "wall" and painted it using left over paint from the construction of our house. The baseboards were also left over from our home construction. The chair rail I bought from Home Depot for $10 for a contractors pack. Basically it was enough chair rail to do a whole room. Obviously I didn't need that much, but it was cheaper than buying a single piece. Chair rail anyone?!

The couch was borrowed from my BFF and Photographer extraordinaire Beka. The flowers were real. I was constantly asked if I borrowed them from Tai Pan, but nope. I bought them from Star Nursery and potted them in cheap $1.00 pots from Walmart. My black frames were also $1.00 each at Walmart. The coffee table was borrowed from Tai Pan Trading, and I LOVE it. I considered purchasing it, but it was a little too distressed. My kids will do a good enough job of distressing a coffee table so I didn't want to purchase one that had a head start! The Tiffany chairs were also property of Tai Pan as well as the end table on which the laptop sits. The flowers on either side of the couch sat on large planters that I turned upside down to turn into funky end tables.

The Photos:

 

Just a quick note about this album for anyone who knows RaeJeanne & Doro or if you ARE Rae & Doro... I'm well aware that your wedding was on 1.1.11, NOT 1.11.11. I made a slight mistake on my order form, and could have changed my error but didn't see it pertinent seeing as it's a sample album for studio use only.

The album is made by Leather Craftsman and is a WORK OF ART! Seriously! I had so many people compliment it. It really does sell itself. Later I'll feature this album in a post and show some more detailed photos of the design and construction.

 

 

I used the lap top to show my custom websites and slideshows I do for my clients.

The iPad. My newest tool in making your photography experience more enjoyable. It's intended to be a portable portfolio and device to show same day slideshows at wedding receptions. I charged it before the expo each night and the battery lasted all day 8+ hours while it continuously scrolled through pictures.

 

Shown below is one of my DVD cases along with some SweetTarts and a photo of Chelsea and Laramie. Note the "distressing" on the black table.

 

 

The Flowers. Again.

Today will be my second day at the Ultimate Wedding Showcase at Tai Pan Trading. Yesterday I met a ton of people and hopefully it will yield great results. I'm trying my best to shine through the 6 other photographers out of 50ish vendors. Yes, I said 6 other photographers. The connections I've been making with other vendors will be priceless. Or I guess I should say "highly lucrative" as I'm sure they'll send business my way. Yesterday I had an assistant working with me, which freed up a lot of time for me to roam with my camera and photograph vendor booths. Over the next week, I'll showcase the best of the best!

For now, check out my view for the next 8 hours today.

And wish me luck!

Ultimate Wedding Showcase: St. George, Utah

Tomorrow I'll be setting up for the Ultimate Wedding Showcase which takes place this weekend. But before I get to the details on that, here is the picture I talked about in the previous post:

 

To see me, my assistant Julianna, samples of my work, and these beautiful flowers... stop by my booth (located in the back of the Garden Court Reception Center at Tai Pan Trading).

Who: Amy Hummel Photography

What: The Ultimate Wedding Showcase

When: Friday 12pm - 6pm.  Saturday 10am - 6pm.

Where: The Garden Court inside Tai Pan Trading - St. George, Utah

Details: I'll be offering deals on all of my collections only available if booked during the show!

Kurt + Amber - St. George Utah Engagement

Kurt and Amber disagree on how they came to be a couple. I asked Amber about how they met, and she was more excited to tell the story than any other future bride I've interviewed. They met at a speed dating event hosted by their church. But, Amber admits that she had her eyes on another fellow - ultimately her reason for being there.

The story of Kurt and Amber, the couple, didn't start until several weeks later. Amber had been dating a friend of Kurt's, meaning that he was a little hesitant to make a move. Only, their attraction was irresistible. After a whirlwind of attraction and excitement, they knew they never wanted to be apart.

I commented to Kurt, "So you met speed dating, huh?"

To which he replied... speaking to Amber, "Why do you tell everyone that?!" Then speaking to me, "She wasn't even interested in me there...I don't know why she tells everyone that."

At the time of their engagement shoot, they'd only been together for a few weeks, and had only been officially engaged for 1 day. Yes... ONE day. And, their wedding is in less than 2 weeks!

Kurt + Amber, I hope many blessings will fall upon your marriage!

View their custom website & slideshow here.

 

 

 

Brad + Lucy: St. George Utah Engagement.

"So, did you grow up here?"

"No. Actually, I was born in Mexico."

"Nuh, huh! You barely have an accent."

"Yeah! I didn't even learn English until I was in my 20's"

"SHUT UP!"

No kidding, that's how the conversation went with Lucy and I. We were walking around downtown St. George (if you consider it a downtown, really) looking for places to shoot.

This was our second time shooting their engagement pictures. The first session took place in Brad's back yard. Which was gorgeous! But we all felt we need some variety in the pictures. Hence the second shoot. Lucy is a tigress with the camera. Making love to it with her eyes. Brad is awkward with the camera, behaving much like cardboard. Pretty stiff. Not very flexible. So Lucy and I poked fun and got him to loosen up. Lucy and I discussed how you could smile with only your eyes and tried to coach Brad. He said that he didn't know there was more than one way to look. Looking is looking.

Honestly, I had a blast... with Brad just looking and Lucy making love with her eyes. I sent her an e-mail asking if she'd be a dress model actually.

Here's some from both sessions: