Crush on {SOUL} Birthdays 2012

It's time to announce the winner of the 2012 {SOUL} Photography Challenge. In true indecisive form, I can't decide. I keep wrangling between two images so I decided to change things up a bit. There was only going to be one winner but it's my birthday and birthdays are good days to share the joy.
I have chosen one winner, whom you shared on the finalists blog, wanted to have a mentorship afternoon with me and another winner that will get to be the subject of the mentorship lesson--getting a complimentary mini-session while the other winner gets a true "fly-on-the-wall" experience. 


My mini-session winner is:


Allison Anderson | Moments
I fell in love with this image the moment it came in. It appears to be a cell phone image, which adds to my liking it. It confirms that Allison recognized and needed to capture something special. In this image, we know that Allison, walked into her room and took notice of her two loves sleeping--an ordinary activity--yet she was taken by it. So much so that she wanted to remember that moment, make it important, give it more importance by photographing it; as if that feeling that filled her soul would not end if she could stop time by clicking the shutter release. I am certain that if the light had been different, she may not have noticed. It's why we love photography. The light! 
Many people commented having a similar image of their own family. I photograph this moment over and over of my husband and girls, never tiring of their beauty. It makes me stop dead in my tracks and notice them. A little moment to fall in love--again. Congratulations, Allison. Thank you for sharing your {SOUL} image with us. 

And the Winner for the Mentorship is:
Joanna Daily 
This one seems to really capture the essence of {SOUL}--the tears and her expression say more than her words could ever convey. It's that look that melts the hearts of parents and makes us crumble to all their whims. It's the tears of a hurt baby that makes our souls cramp. It's so human and touching and lovely. Joanna, I look forward to spending the afternoon talking shop and sharing a secret or two with you.  Congratulations!

Thanks for visiting and following our page. Come join us on Facebook for more contests and all things photo. 

Crush on Beginnings

With 2011 fast approaching, I thought it fitting to consider a photo challenge to kick start the new photographic year. Many people, pros and hobbyists, have undertaken the Project 365- a photo a day. After 365 days of observing your world like a photographer, it starts to look different.  There are many of these 365 days of___________.  Jotting down something for which you are grateful, eating a salad every day, spending $1 less than the previous day, etc and my MUST-DO List, dare I say, resolutions have started to flood in.
1) After photographing and/or editing for 365 days x undisclosed # years = stagnant or stale
    After photographing and/or editing for 365 days x undisclosed # years =  reinvent, reinvent, reinvent.
I'm shooting for the latter.
2) After viewing the i heart faces, self-portrait challenge, I realized that I have never done this. I always thought a self-portrait was one that the artist composed of him/herself. In the challenge, it appeared there were photos taken of a photographer by someone else. Do you think this is a self-portrait? #2 on the MUST DO: A true and intentional self-portrait. They are difficult. Focusing, composition, spontaneity, the self-reflection,  and the message. Tough.

* going to take one that doesn't have a black box in my face.

* way too grundgy. definitely doesn't say anything about who i really am. this is what i look like though.

3) Film my children more. play with moving pictures more. compile a short film. for me.

4) Become a better cook. I love food photography and the artistry of cooking but I'm really no good at cooking. Our families have furnished us with all types of culinary tools. So many, a special cupboard in the garage has been given to them. Watch out basil! I intend to use you up in 2011.

5) Hopefully, that cooking will lead to lots of food photo opportunities which leads to me photographing a food spread for my beloved, Sunset Magazine.

The list is much, much longer. It has to be in order to fulfill MUST DO #1. Reinvent. #1 is being tackled early and has been underway for the last 6 months. The reveal will happen soon.

Finally - Which would you like to see turn into a 2011 Photography Contest? Children? Food? Daily Life? Goals?

Crush on {TUESDAY TRIV} 11.16.10

Good Morning. {TUESDAY TRIV} normally takes place over on our Facebook Page. But we are shaking things up a bit. The games will now be here on the blog and the current theme will be PHOTOGRAPHY TECHNIQUES.
1) The first correct answer wins $10 SKOSH BUCK$ ( $$$ that can be redeemed at Skye Snyder Photography toward our full line of services and products.
AND
2) All the rest of the guesses will go into a hat toward a drawing. Keep guessing and commenting even if you think the person before you has the right answer. You could win the drawing portion for $10 SKOSH BUCK$.
3) You could win $20 SKOSH BUCK$ if you get the first correct answer and win the drawing! Cool.

ALL ANSWERS MUST BE ON THE BLOG.

QUESTION: In the photograph below, there are many photography techniques at work. What type of LENS was used AND look at the little girl on the left. The one pointing at you. What photography TERM explains the blurriness in her pointer finger? 

Crush on the MUSES - SEMI FINALISTS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN!

The Skye Snyder Photography {Muse} Challenge came about from one simple question; why pick up the camera and photograph at all? What inspires us enough, in a moment, to elevate it into our memories by photographing it? Some of those images are dedicated a special place of honor; a frame, the walls of our homes, upon the desk, a family heirloom album, a locket. In our case, a Facebook showroom gallery.  


85 images were entered in a month long contest to honor Reno's Artown celebration. The competition was open to anyone; pros, hobbyists, anyone from around the globe. All they had to do was submit an image that captured the creative forces of a MUSE, title it, and promote their image to friends and family on Facebook. 


Our contestants images also inspired some creative businesses. They wanted to award our contestants with additional prizes to add to the booty! They, too, create wonderful things and offer excellent service. It goes without saying, support them when you can. It's all about good will and helping other creatives out. BIG THANKS YOUs to Outdoor Posters Digital Photography Lab, hearts and bones studio, Mix Cupcake, Jamie from Rhapsody Salon, and Gemini Ballroom Academy.   


The photographers below were fan favorites and/or favorites of yours truly, me-- a sneaky twisty turn here at the end. I can only advance one image per photographer into the finals. For those that submitted more than one, we advanced your most liked image to the finals. Other images, not displayed here, may be presented in the finals if selected by our sponsors as their favorites. These will be our Honorable Mention winners.

12 images are moving onto be juried by a panel of five professionals in the field of photography. They have discerning eyes and are involved with photography day and night. The five panelists are : David Hutnik from Photobiz in North Carolina, Maris Elhers from Maris Elhers Photography in Minnesota, Naomi Kenton from Naomi Kenton Photography in England, Nicky Stone from Pomegranate Photography in Australia, and Heidi Haden from Velvet Owl Photography in Oregon. A BIG thank you to them for extending their expertise to our "show".

They were asked to apply their knowledge while looking for specific elements--title/story that helped to illustrate the MUSE theme (this was in the rules and in posts--that's the ol' teacher coming out in me), uniqueness and creativity, artistic qualities, and how thought provoking is the image. I also asked them to select their personal favorite from ALL the entries.

Try your hand at judging the semi-finalists using our criteria. Leave a comment here on the blog for your favorite. 

Thank you all for participating. You have challenged me to revisit my own personal work and rethink why I create images in the first place. For that-- a big curtsy to you!!

Chase Silver

"love in the rain"

nikon D70, 55-200mm lens

Mandi Jo Frazier 

"Bring Me That Horizon"

 Nikon -edited in Photoshop at Mayberry park. That is the Truckee river in the background.
It was displayed at McQueen High Schools Fine Arts Dessert Night.

Justin Domenici 

"Baby Blues"

Alyssa Watson

"Remembering Once Upon A Day"

Suzette Guthrie

"Moment of Zen"

Stephanie Hicks

Untitled

Rachael Platz

"Happy Day"

~ the happiest place on earth - Netherlands ~ 

Khanh Nghi Trinh
“orange no more”

Kate Carter

"Jack and Dean"

~ twin boys ~

Prudence Cook

"Enlightened"

cell phone/no editing

Illia Ludwig

"My Daddy"

my dad was in a bad car accident in 2006 and had major brain damage this was the first note he wrote to me after he got some of his memory back and got some of his motor function back. my dad keeps me going because i know how proud he is of me and what im doing with my life! i LOVE YOU DADDY and miss you very much!

Stacey Rate

"Worry Wart"

::: FACEBOOK FAN FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION :::

::: FACEBOOK FAN FAVORITE PHOTO CONTEST :::
We have the greatest fans, many of whom, share a love of photography. It's your turn to show off YOUR work in our FAN FAVORITE PHOTO CONTEST. Start rounding up your favorite poeple shot to submit on Saturday, April 17th, 2010. 
SUBJECT
As a portrait photographer, let's have our first contest be PEOPLE ~ each photo must include a person somewhere.
THE NOT-SO FINE PRINT
Submit your image the week of APRIL 17th, 2010 - April 24th, 2010. 
Please do not send image earlier. We will post a reminder update on Facebook ;)
Send image via email to skye@skyesnyder.com
Only one image per entrant, please
No entry fee...this is free. 
By submitting your image, you are giving Skye Snyder Photography permission to publish your image to our online spaces; Facebook and Blog.  
WHO WINS?

VOTING IS OPEN APRIL 25th. All photos will be displayed in a FACEBOOK album. 

Recruit your friends to vote by clicking the "LIKE" button under your photo. Only fans can vote...we always love new ones. Whomever has the most votes by May 7th, 2010, wins.

WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON MOTHER's DAY, MAY 9TH. 

WHAT IS THE PRIZE?

Winner earns a FREE Skye Snyder session (up to four people) + an 11x14 museum print from that session. 

All qualified entrants will receive a 20% discount on a Skye Snyder Photography session.

Not in the Reno area but want to participate? You win bragging rights and a signed, Skye Snyder art print from our still life/landscape collection. 

{ BON CHANCE} 

some of my favorite poeple...cant wait to see yours

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