I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has visited my blog in the month of June. I had the most visits to my site than I have ever had. In the month of June I had 770 visitors and before that my highest count was 560, so I totally stomped that number! There is no way I could have done this without friends and family spreading the word about little ol’ me here in Dallas. I know there are some blogs out there that get 770 in like a day or even a few hours, but I am proud of that number for the month. My only hope is that it just keeps climbing and more and more people can see my work. That is all I have for today, stay tuned tomorrow for a fun family session post!

Todays album comes from a guy who has been around for awhile and is a favorite for many I am sure. I have been listening to Jason Mraz since his first album “Waiting for my rocket to come” came out in 2002. I heard about him through old John Mayer forums and got to see him in concert and became an instant fan. I think Jason Mraz is one of those guys who could sing about anything and just make it all work. He is very quick to come up with lyrics on the spot and his songs usually have tons of words. I love people who have that sort of talent. His new album “We sing, we dance, we steal things” just came out a couple months ago and it is hands down my favorite album from him so far. It is quick, it is clever, it is fresh. He has James Morrison and Colbie Caillat as guests on the album which should make you instantly interested I think. He has a few songs with choirs and big band sounds which make for some fun songs. It is simply just some good, fun stuff to listen to. I recomend you go check him out if you haven’t already and then go buy the album!

Jason Mraz Website
Purchase Album

Tomorrow will be the one year anniversary of me starting this blog, but since it is my last work day of school tomorrow and I plan to drive to Austin to shoot a wedding I thought that this would be a good time to celebrate.

I can’t believe that a year has gone by since I started this blog and began my journey of pursuing photography as a career. So much has happened over these 12 months and I can definitely see God working through me and teaching me not only about photography but how to be a better husband and follower of Christ.

This time last year I had just got my new equipment and I had no idea how to use any of it. I only had a basic understanding of aperture and shutter speed and the thought of lighting just terrified me. I hadn’t shot a wedding yet this time last year and I had no idea if I would be cut out to do something like wedding photography. It was a scary time and I had so many questions but was willing to do my best and just throw myself out there and start shooting. God put some wonderful people in my life to help me along through this year, my wife Jessica who married me on 7/7/07 at 7:00 p.m. has been the most encouraging person through all of this. Forums like photo.net, websites like [b]ecker, and local photographers like Poser, Fred Egan, Ashley Langford, Laine Anderson, and Andrea Crosswhite, and amazingly inspirational out of state photographers like Kristy of Wreckless Photography, have truly helped me get to where I am right now and I can’t thank them enough for answering ALL my questions. All of the photographers listed are so great and amazing and produce consistently amazing work. It is so wonderful how helpful professional photographers are for new photographers, it is a good time to learn!

I still do not feel like I am a master of photographer yet, but I know without a doubt I have definitely been learning and growing. After attending the One Light Workshop I want to make it my goal to keep attending at least one workshop a year, so I can continue to challenge myself, not only for me but for my clients. Three things I would like to learn this year would be:

1) Learning off-camera lighting techniques.(This doesn’t terrify me like it once did last year, but I still know I have many things to learn. Practice practice practice!)
2) Creative Posing (I still do not feel great with my skills in this area yet, I know I still have much to learn to make posing look natural and comfortable)
3) Business Side (I am just barely getting by with this and would like to learn more about business and how to continue to grow)

Last, I would just like to thank all my friends, family, clients, future clients, and photographers for visiting my blog and continuing to visit my blog. I am still just starting out my business and still consider myself a small fry compared to other photographers in this area, but I love checking my web stats to see who is visiting my site, it fascinates me that I continue to have both returning and new visitors each day. For the past 6 months I have averaged 500 visitors and over the past 4 days I have had over 100 people visit! I know there are photographers that have like 500 or more in one day but for me I think that is just awesome that I would have that many people come and visit. Thank you!

I would like to give a shout out to some of those visitors who leave comments and visit on a regular basis or every once in awhile; thank you Natalie Pocta, Justin Pocta, Graham Pocta, Jasmine Marie, Eric Clausen, Fred Egan, Tori Gentch, Darren Smitherman, Lauren Zaffos, Andrea Crosswhite, Leigh Kay, Ohana Photography, Emily Paine, Chris Smith, Challo Juarez (my wonderful aunt), and <insert your name>. I am sorry if I left anyone out but if I did leave a comment so I know!

I appreciate everyone who comes and visits and who has been supporting me over this past year. I look forward to another year of growth and getting to see how God will work this coming year.

I am going to have to be honest with everyone when I share this next artist with you. I have a little man crush on this guy, think of me what you will but this guy is just awesome. For several reasons.

1) He is a Christian
2) He doesn’t necessarily sing “christian” music
3) He is probably one of the funniest guys you will see in concert
4) His music is positive

I do not listen to mainstream christian music for some reasons and one of those reasons is because much of it tends to just copy what is in mainstream music but add christian words into the lyrics, at least that is what it used to do. Kind of turned me off towards that type of music. I like something original, something fresh, where musicians are trying something new. I enjoy finding musicians who are Christians but they wouldn’t label their music as “christian” music. Their lyrics and songs don’t necessarily talk about Christ but their beliefs and relationship with Him are evident through their lyrics. Dave Barnes is one of those folks. If one word could describe his whole album I would say that it is “love”. Many of his songs center around this theme, and not just the way the world views love but the all encompassing self-sacrificing love. So many songs on the radio have songs sung by musicians who have no idea what love really is and talk about women in the most displeasing way. It is nice to hear songs that show love in the light it should be held.

Did I also mention that Dave was funny? Well he is. He just has one of those personalities that is familiar with everyone, and you feel like he is your best friend without even knowing him. People who go to his show can not only expect to hear some good music but be prepared for a little comedy show in between all the songs. Go on you tube and search “Dave Barnes” and you will find all these funny videos he does where acts like a weird latin pop-star.

Dave just released his first record-label album in April and I seriously think everyone should go and buy it.

Website
Myspace

I love facebook, especially compared to myspace. I think myspace should only be good for music and the rest should be shut down. That is just me and my thoughts though, and I am sure there are people who would disagree with me.

I love facebook because it gives me a chance to see what is going on in the lives of old and new friends whom I would not normally stay in contact with because of having a busy life. I also love that I can also take part and share what is going on with my life to my friends.

I like to keep facebook personal and I try to only have friends that I know personally or have at least met in person. I get friend requests every so often of people I may not know and I feel bad not accepting, but I feel a little more safe when I keep it to my own friends, and I am sure lots of people can relate with that idea.

As I start growing my photography business I am sure there are going to be more and more people wanting to “be my friend” on facebook and keep up to date with what is going on with me and my work, but I am not 100% sure I am comfortable with that idea. So what is a guy to do? Well here is a nice idea facebook came up with to solve such a problem.

Facebook created fan pages for those people wanting to promote their business. It is a way for me to still be connected to people and vice versa. I can keep up conversations, start discussions, share my latest work. I think it is a great solution to a problem.

Click on the picture above to be taken to my fan page and go be my fan!