WPPI 2014

Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) was organized for the special interests and needs of these photographers. (To read more about WPPI go here.) WPPI held its first convention in 1980 and has continued have conventions annually.

Little over a week ago I had the opportunity to attend the 34th annual WPPI Convention. I saw almost everything about the industry. From camera sellers, film makers, and camera bags to photo editing, film processing, and printing varieties, I saw it all.

I was only able to attend the expo, but it was amazing. Especially Richard Photo Lab's personal interviews. They brought in a myriad of people from photographers to bloggers and asked questions to prompt inspiring and encouraging answers. The interview I really wanted to attend was of Jose Villa. The wedding photographer head honcho. Seriously, this guy does everything beautiful, travels the world, has his work shown in Martha Stewart weddings (you see how big a deal he is?!), and you can see his work here.

The most piece of advice he gave that struck me the most is to make everything reflect what my business (Shaylee Photography) is. And in thinking about this I realized that I already do. My business is about connections between people. Check out my instagram (which is really the only other source of mine-- non-business directed-- that is on the web), it is all about my connections with other people, especially my family. These connections are what I cherish and what I photograph.

Now, for your viewing purposes, here are some photos from the interview of Jose Villa and the Richard Photo Lab booth at WPPI 2014.

Life Photography

In honor of my post two weeks ago I would like to share this image with you. That post can be found directly here. It's a past image of mine and I wanted to slightly change its meaning.

Live a Life of No Regrets

Recently I've had the goal of living my life so that months, years, or decades down the road I will not say "I wish I would have..." or "What if I had taken that opportunity?" I want to live a life of no regrets. I haven't always made a strong effort to keep that goal.

All growing up I've known that my Grandpa's birthday is the 2nd of February, Groundhog Day. So exactly one year ago I thought to myself that I should call my Grandpa on his birthday. Something I had never done because we were never all that close. Well February 2 came and I thought that I should call him later because I couldn't right in that moment. Then February 3 came and I thought the same thing as the day before. February 4, the same thought. February 5, I thought, It's too late now, I'll get him next year. Many of you know what happened two and a half months after I had these thoughts. Suddenly something I never had done turned into something I never could do. Next year would never come.

That has been my biggest regret thus far in my life.

And now as I look back on this image taken on the last day of my Grandpa's mortal life all I can think is how much more I could have done.
I could have visited him more.
I could have asked him to tell me stories about him.
I could have taken him new treats I learned to make.

I could have wished him happy birthday.

His birthday 84th birthday would be in a week and a half.

Happy birthday to my Grandpa Droubay. Till we meet again.

Utah Family Photography

I love photography, and I most love family photography. Catching little love connections between a close-knit group is what I most love doing.
I can do this for your family! Contact me by clicking here.
To see more images click here.

2013 Miscellaneous

Sometimes I will leave one roll of film in my holga for a year and take pictures here and there. Here are some pictures from a couple events of 2013.

Meet Shaylee

Lover of food. Eater of desserts. Taker of photographs.

Photo taken by my great friend Rick Suchoski

My Struggle

Two years ago I made a goal to post to my photography blog (what you're reading) every week. A year and approximately 52 posts later, I was so proud of myself for achieving this goal. I haven't dropped the goal, in fact I've posted every week of this year as well.

Photography is my love, my passion. And it's not just the going out and taking pictures that I love so much, it's the people who I photograph, the connections we make, it's the refining of the images after they are processed and sent back to me, it's delivering the photographs to a client and having them contact me saying, "I'm so grateful you were there to take these photographs, I wept after looking over them, I love them so much. Thank you, thank you." The very most rewarding part of photography is when a family tells me they love their pictures. I know these families are growing and getting older, I know what happiness can come to families when they have permanent, tangible memories.

However, my passion and talent for photography does not guarantee that clients will come. This past year, though I have been fortunate enough to be able to post something every week, has been a big struggle to get clients.

In 2010, when I was 20 years old, I decided to get a business license and practice photography professionally. Everyone who knows I have the business will ask, "How's business?" or "How's the photography going?" How am I supposed to respond?

Do I respond so truthfully that I'm pouring my soul out to the inquirer?
"Well, most of what I've done in the past year has been personal work." ?
"I haven't had a client in weeks." ?
"Not very well." ?
Shrug my shoulders and droop my head?

No.

I wouldn't want to burden anyone with my own struggle, so instead I respond:
"It's going." or
"I'm really working on sales and marketing right now."

And yet here I am on the World Wide Web pouring my soul out letting everyone know that I am having a hard time keeping my business afloat.

(Insert tears here because that's what's happening behind the scenes)

What can I do? I have awesome business cards, I network with new people several times a week, I'm easy to work with, I am accommodating and loving to clients, I provide people with great products and results.

(tangent) There are lots of "photographers" out there who make horrible photographs. HORRIBLE. And yet they make loads of money. (okay, carry on, end of tangent)

So now what? The holiday season will soon be over and a new year will begin. 2014.

A year to have a better business, a better life, a better me. I'm determined to make it happen.

But there is only so much I can do. I can tell every person on this earth that I do portrait, family, and wedding photography, hand them a business card, even show them my photography, tell them to give me a call when family is in town, and bid them a happy rest of their day. What more can I do? Nothing.

So here is my plea to you, my dear reader. Hire me. I can give you more than you thought possible with an image. It is not just a face on a shelf. It's a memory, it's remembering your child at that age forever, it's remembering the touching and loving feelings shared at your mother's funeral and viewing services, it's celebrating one-day wedding events for the rest of days.

And now I'm at a loss for words. I've said everything that has occupied my brain on this topic. So now I will leave you with a picture from a family session a year ago.

Thank you,
Shaylee

Utah Family Photography

This beautiful woman turns 83 this month. She has 8 children, 34 grandchildren (not including spouses), and an ever growing number of great-grandchildren.

I love you, Grandma Soelberg.

Utah Family Photography

A year ago I put some film in my 35mm and took pictures at get-togethers of what I saw happening in my family. A couple weeks ago I finished the roll and got it developed. It's amazing how much can change in the course of a year.

Get your family pictures now before your children grow old. Keep memories of how they are now. Your children are growing now, I know you know this. Remember the changes that occurred just a matter of weeks after your babies were born? Or how you would give anything to see them as toddlers again? Don't keep asking yourselves these questions, get your pictures done now.

Utah Portrait Photography

If witches still existed--and as you will see below, they do--what would they do if they got together? Well, I will show you a tidbit. You know, there is only so much they allow the general public to see.

On to more important things... If you have an event coming up and you want it to be remembered, give me a call and I will give you physical memories (ahem, photographs, not some sort of witchy trick). Contact Shaylee.

Europe Landscape Photography

Two and a half years ago I was in Europe, the most incredible trip I've taken yet! So much exploring, not much relax time just go go go. And it's wonderful. I was in southern England and Paris, France. I loved the people in both countries, everyone was so welcoming and friendly.

Anyways.

Here are some of my favorite landscape photographs from the trip.

Your Legacy

When a colleague at Brandeis died suddenly of a heart attack, Morrie went to his funeral. He came home depressed.

"What a waste," he said. "All those people saying all those wonderful things, and Irv never got to hear any of it."

Morrie had a better idea. He made some calls. He chose a date. And on a cold Sunday afternoon, he was joined in his home by a small group of friends and family for a "living funeral." Each of them spoke and paid tribute to my old professor. Some cried. Some laughed.

      Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom

Morrie’s living funeral got me wondering, do people think about how they’ll be remembered after they pass? How will generations after us reflect on our lives? Will we be remembered for our kindness, our hugs and loving nature, or our egos and hard heartedness? Will we be remembered by the trials we failed or the trials we overcame? Will we be remembered for the times we spent together and the love we shared?

My work is in an art show at the SCERA Theatre, located at 745 S State St, Orem, UT in Gallery 101. The show will be up for the month of August with a closing reception on August 30. Come enjoy a family-friendly art show!

The Little Things

Life is full of beautiful things found all around us. Please take a moment to let all serious thoughts be silenced, look around, close your eyes, take a deep breath, enjoy life.

Utah Family Photography

Good morning, Holland

Utah Family Photography

Recognize these folks?

This is my lovely family photographed by me.

I know how hard it can be to take your own family picture. To get beautified and spiced up, get everyone outside, set up a tripod that may or may not be suited for your camera, get your camera settings to be how you want them and to be on a timer, then to get everyone in positions that may or may not be flattering because you aren't looking through the lens at all of you (you're at the camera, and not there), and then to get everyone smiling at the camera, all within 10 seconds. All of that just to get 2-3 decent photographs?

Don't go through all of that trouble. Let me take care of the camera stuff, all you need to do is get plenty of sleep the night before, decide what you're wearing, and meet me at a location. I'll take care of the rest and you'll get 30-40 photographs of you, your family, you kids, and you'll love those photos, you kids will love those photos, their kids (or future kids) will love them, and that generations later will love and cherish them.

Give me a call. 801 692 3090

Talk to you soon :)

Utah Landscape Photography

This image was taken along the Horsetail Falls trail in Alpine, UT. It is a beautiful hike!

Utah Family Photography

The last goodbye.

My grandpa was one of the hardest workers I ever knew. Even though he had lung cancer (from mesothelioma) he kept working on the farm he had raised. He owned a dairy farm for decades and took good care of his cows, horses, and chickens. It may have been painful for him, working while he had lung cancer, but he would never disclose that, he loved working too much to do so.

On Friday, April 12 of this year, while my grandpa was working on a fence, he got a pain in his chest that was too much for him to bear. He was rushed to the hospital and on Saturday, April 13, he was released to spend time with family during his last few hours, days, or weeks. On Sunday, my parents and I visited him.

He passed away shortly after midnight.

This picture below is of my dad holding the hand of his dad, saying goodbye--not knowing he would pass away a few hours later.

This past Sunday was the first Father's Day that my dad had without a father.