Rotating Goal List by Cornflower Blue Studio

And it’s super simple to make! Be sure to visit Cornflower Blue Studio for the tutorial. However, since I don’t have a large artist’s pad, I made my own in Photoshop instead. While standard Post-Its are 3 x 3 in size, those are too big for a standard 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper. So instead, I designed my own version with 2 inch Post-Its. I checked on the 3M website to make sure those existed.

This is how it turned out, although, I will be using actual Post-It’s so I don’t have to print a list every week, but mocked this up for illustrative purposes.

Supplies:
2 inch Post-It’s
8.5 x 11 paper
Printer

Easy peasy! If you’d like the template for this project, please leave me a comment and let me know!

Happy Tuesday!

The Valentine’s Day Shoot idea then snowballed into two great mini shoots.

I collaborated with the always awesome owner and designer of Palm Papers, Lauren Chism, to bring this second mini Valentine’s Day Shoot to life. Our real life newlyweds, Ashley & Dmitry, were super sweet to model for us at the last minute, and we photographed them in front of their home in Dallas. I asked them to dress as if they were going out on a date. It was cold and windy, but they were awesome troopers. After the shoot was over, I encouraged them to really go out for date night, since they were looking all cute.

See Carly & Mason’s mini Valentine’s Day Shoot here.

Happy Tuesday!

WPPI and Showit United have finally arrived! Which means that I will be in Las Vegas through Wednesday, so if you email me, I will be slower to respond. With 15,000 photographers all sharing the same network in the same 1/4 radius, it makes for a terrible 3G network. I’m looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones!

1. WPPI SARS. Last year, after WPPI, a WHOLE lot of people got sick with flu-like symptoms and many called it WPPI SARS. I was able to dodge the bullet (not sure how!) and I’d like to again this year. I say load up on the Emergen-C and Zicam if you can and make sure to wash your hands and not share drinks with people with the sniffles.

2. Pay in CASH (or credit). If you can. Last year, there was a security breach/hack and a lot of people’s credit card numbers were stolen and fraudulent charges made. I was one of the lucky ones, but I heard from many others who weren’t so lucky. So, bring a wad of cash with you. I made the mistake my first time at WPPI, and tried to use the ATM to pull some cash and the machines have $200 minimum. I guess they want you to spend it! Or, pay with a credit card instead of a debit card. It will be way easier to rectify should anything go wrong.

3. Budget for food and entertainment. Food is expensive in Vegas, and the less expensive options in Vegas are McDonald’s and the pizza place. Also, drinks are way expensive, and if you’re thrifty like me, you’ll want to be that person that orders a cup of water at the bar. Yes, I’m totally boring. But I also didn’t drink $60 worth in 3 drinks. Cirque du Soleil is awesome and if you can catch a show, I highly recommend it. I really want to go see O one day.

4. Turn your phone to EDGE. With 15,000 photographers in one spot, with many of them on iPhones, the 3G network gets all clogged up. And your battery will drain. FAST. So, to ensure that you can still make a call in case you need to, switch your phone to the EDGE network. And if you’re on Twitter, I recommend setting up mobile alerts for your favorite people, or people you want to stay in touch with so that it goes to your phone in text message form. Because checking Twitter and Facebook might take a while.

5. Make the most of your time. This year, I finally feel like I’m going to Las Vegas with a plan. I decided I’m not going to go to any of the big parties, and if I can get into some of the free ones, awesome. I’m going to go learn, meet up with people I’ve only known online, reunite with old friends, and have a great time. Oh yeah, and get my sleep at night. I know, I’m so not Vegas.

If you’re going to WPPI, and see me in the hallways, say hello, I’ll be there Sunday through Wednesday

Read Part 1. Part 2. Part 3.

This shoot was born out of one of those moments.

I collaborated with the always wonderful and awesome stationery designer of Palm Papers, Lauren Chism, to bring a mini Valentine’s Day Shoot to life. Literally mini. But so fun. Our real life newlyweds, Carly & Mason, were super sweet to model for us at the last minute, and we photographed them in front of their new home.

In honor of Valentine’s Day (although, I’m mostly in it for the candy), I collaborated with Lauren of Palm Papers to bring a mini shoot to life with some of her lovely stationery. Be sure to check it out on Elizabeth Anne Designs and check out the free printables. Yes, it’s down to the wire for cards, but better late than never! I’ll be sharing the shoots on the blog later this week.

Actually, I’m making an apple pie from scratch for today. I was tempted to go premade or frozen, but decided to test my culinary skills. I’m lucky to have the best Valentine in the world. I’ll even make him a homemade apple pie.

Who’s looking forward to 50% off Valentine’s Day candy tomorrow?

I’m super excited to announce the launch of Lookbook Lab, with a focus on Senior Portrait Photography.

Elisa and I have teamed up to bring a full day of learning and practicing posing and lighting, as well as shooting for your lookbook and then showing you how you can build a lookbook to show prospective clients. You know, all your best work, with the kind of photo sessions you desire to shoot with your ideal client. We’re partnering with Butterfly Sparks who will be styling the shoot. She’s also styling a shoot in Las Vegas for Seniorologie next week!

Be sure to check out Lookbook Lab for al the details and registration information!

I’m also thrilled to announce that I’m adding senior portraits to the photography services I offer. There’s just something so fun working with high school seniors as they get ready to embark on the next adventure of their lives. More details coming soon.

Happy Monday!

(photo by Elisa Michelene)

In high school and college, I never really enjoyed reading because there was so much REQUIRED reading. But every summer, I loved reading. Simply because it wasn’t required. It was simply for fun and enjoyment. That’s my favorite kind of reading.

Well, in the past two weeks, I’ve felt like I’ve been in a mini book club. Cent downloaded The Hunger Games to his Kindle a few weeks ago, and beyond all self-control, I started reading. I thought I would read a chapter or two. I ended up reading ten chapters in that first siting. And essentially, I stole his Kindle from him, forcing him to read on his iPad instead. Luckily, Cent loves me and forgave me for taking his device. All the while I wanted to talk to him about the book, but I didn’t want to spoil any parts that he hadn’t read yet.

It was the first time since college that I’ve read a book at the same time as someone else. It was kinda fun.

And The Hunger Games? SO GOOD. I was a little skeptical at first because I had read the book jacket and I wasn’t totally interested. But Suzanne Collins has this way of crafting her chapters so that you are addicted and can’t wait to read more. I’m looking forward to the movie!

Cent just downloaded the second book, Catching Fire, and I warned him that my Kindle thieving would recommence.

What’s a favorite book you’ve read recently?

But I really wanted to go to WPPI and see what it was all about. So I asked one of my BFFs to come with me to Vegas. She is not a photographer, but she couldn’t pass up Vegas. So in a sense I went alone (since she didn’t have a pass) and faced my introvert fears. And talked to strangers. And made new friends.

Now WPPI is one of my favorite times of the year to catch up with friends from around the country.

WPPI is totally intimidating, especially for a first-timer. The bright, flashy lights, the thousands of people, and the newness of it all. I can speak from experience that as a natural introvert (I prefer small groups and 1-on-1 chats to BIG groups), the whole prospect of attending this huge conference freaked me out. Actually, going to a huge conference still freaks me out. But a funny thing happened the first time I went. I started to recognize the people I had met online on forums and Facebook. And with every hope of not seeming terribly creepy, I’d approach someone I “knew” and said, “Are you so-and-so?” Since we “knew” each other online, it usually cut the first meeting awkwardness. Kinda like that first date awkwardness. And the same would happen in return. I remember meeting a ton of people approaching me the same way. It was totally weird and awesome at the same time. Thank you social media.

Oh and then there are the parties. The BIG parties that “EVERYONE” is at. The parties that promise to melt your face off with awesome. I’ve been to some of those parties. And they are fun and crazy and probably will make your deaf before your face melts off. I encourage party attendance if it’s your thing. It’s your experience make the most of it.

My advice on being social…especially if you’re shy…like me:

1. Connect with other photographers online. Seriously. Make a new friend on Facebook that you know is going to WPPI and make a plan to meet up. Then when you meet in person, it’s like you already know each other. Since I used to live in California, I’m looking forward to meeting up with my friends from California that I haven’t seen in three years and catching up. A good friend of mine that now lives in Dallas was someone who I met on a forum, then met in person at WPPI. We reconnected after she moved here. You never know who you will meet and how they will affect your life.

2. Plan your trip with other local photographers…or photographers from across the country. Now that this is my fourth time attending WPPI, I don’t have a problem with sharing my room with “strangers.” It can sometimes be hit or miss, and I think it’s important to find people that you connect with at least initially. Most importantly, with sleeping habits. It’s probably not conducive to bunk with others who like to party all night and you like to sleep. I know it’s Vegas, but I’m totally one who likes her shut-eye. Also, if you’re going to be sharing a bed, make sure it’s someone you know. I’m bunking with my friend Lynn again this year.

3. Attend the parties with a friend or group of friends. Safety in numbers. Seriously. And of course, more fun. Two years ago, I attended one of the big parties with a groups of friends and there was an employee from an album company who wanted to get friendly with me. And wanted to dance with me. And wouldn’t leave me alone, even when I pointed at my WEDDING RING. Needless to say, I will NEVER use that album company. Also, attending these parties with friends allows you to share cab fare.

4. Meet new people. It’s probably inevitable to meet new people, but I suggest meeting at least two new people who you will continue to be friends with after Las Vegas. Or perhaps you have connected with some people online and they’ll be going to Vegas. Make it a point to meet up with them in person, over coffee, lunch, or drinks.

5. Don’t be afraid to say hello. I know, it probably sounds lame or obvious, but when you’re shy, a simple hello can feel impossible. But who knows, the person you say hi to, may be MORE shy than you. Just remember, you won’t make a connection with everyone, but you never know who you might hit it off with. Some of the best conversations I’ve had have happened in the hallways at WPPI.

6. Invest in relationships with the photographers you meet and hit it off with. This is definitely my goal this year at WPPI. I made the decision to not go to the BIG parties, and while I think about how I might feel “left out” or like I missed something or just plain uncool, I know that the time I’m spending with people who care about me and will remember me the next day is way more valuable to me. Instead of investing money into a party, I’m choosing to invest my time with people.

I get to Las Vegas in just 10 days! I’m excited and nervous but more excited.

Read Part 1: Prep | Read Part 2: Classes & Tradeshow

This weekend was the first and last time that I ever buy Velveeta. It really is a plastic cheese product. It’s not cheese! Leading up to the Super Bowl, I had seen commercials for making easy queso. Velveeta + Rotel = voila instant queso. Yeah, not so much. I wanted to make it easy by putting it in the crock pot, and it just didn’t work out so well. I should have known that if it can sit on a shelf without refrigeration and still be edible, I should run in the other direction.

On a better note, the 7 Layer Dip I made was a hit! Made with real ingredients.

Which brings me to goal setting for the month!

FEBRUARY GOALS

PERSONAL
- wake up at 7:00am during the week, and don’t hit snooze and roll over
- reduce processed foods in diet (NO VELVEETA EVER AGAIN) and eat more real food
- participate in the instagram February photo challenge (username is catieronquillo). January was super fun, so why not keep it going?
- pray more, worry less

BUSINESS
- refine workflow system for 2012, write it down
- attend WPPI/Showit United and make time to connect with other photographers
- create a wedding guide for clients
- create a lookbook for clients
- launch a new collaborative project for photographers

As far as January went, I think I did pretty well. Setting goals has been really helpful in following through, most notably in the items that required doing something every day of the month. Writing, blogging, and taking a photo a day is not as easy as it seems and I’m glad that I pushed myself to make it to the end.

PERSONAL
- wake up every week day by 7:00am – as someone who is not a morning person, this will be a challenge! (I woke up in the 7:00 hour. That sorta counts.)
- start the day with reading, reflection, and prayer – instead of worrying, I’ll be praying
- end each day with prayer of gratitude
- complete the January Challenge on 750words.com
- participate in the January Photo a Day challenge on Instagram. Follow along on your phone – my Instagram name is catieronquillo

BUSINESS
- review and revise the Simple Plan business plan (a work in progress)
- host the first Showit Global Share group – this week on Wednesday at our house!
- create a wedding guide for clients (a work in progress)
- refine editing workflow system for 2012 – write down the system, work the system, stick to it (almost there…)
- get receipts in order…it’s that dreaded time of year.
- edit and share photos from a recent project – something good is in the works!
- blog everyday for the month of January – from thoughts, to advice, to photos, or an inspirational quote

What are your February goals?