Newborn love...Baby C

We had a longer-than-usual session yesterday to capture Mr. C in all his newborn glory. He wasn't in the sleeping mood...and probably thought this lady moving me all around is crazy! But, in the end, we got some amazing shots and was well-worth the extra time. I hope Mom got a nap in after I left. She had a long night followed by a long day. Here's hoping these images will bring a smile to your face this morning!

Flowers on a cold, snowy day

We are finally getting some snow! Both yesterday and today it has fallen from the sky without the usual wind, resulting in a blanket of white. Too bad it is only 9 degrees out! And with Carter still in his cast, we won't be going out to play anytime soon. I love the snow, because without it, southwest Kansas is nothing but shades of brown in the winter.

On Sunday, at the grocery store, I picked up some tulips and iris to help bring some color back to these dull days of winter. I figured the least I could do is share them with you...maybe they will lift your spirits today! (Oh and tomorrow I have a newborn shoot so be looking for those images coming soon!)

Have a great day!!

Out with the old...

This elevator probably has a long history with our little town. But I don't know what that history is. Well...I do know it was at one point a Grano elevator (because that's what my mother-in-law has on her Facebook) and it was owned by Shrauner's at one point (since their name is up there!) and Collingwood (now ADM) owned it before selling it to us. It's great for grain storage (and the occasional senior picture!) but the old elevator is quite an eye sore. It's supposed to be getting torn down this week...of course, it's already Thursday and they haven't started yet so I don't know when it will actually happen. I'm just glad it didn't happen before today, when I finally decided I better get a few shots before it comes down. The weather is gorgeous today...near 70 degrees! Blue skies with some puffs of white, sunny, no wind...my kind of photography weather! Anyway...I tried some new techniques and think these photos are as good as this elevator is ever going to look. Enjoy!

'Tis the slow season!

Right after the holidays, the photography business tends to slow down a bit. I have a few things on the books in the next few months but nothing going on right now. Thus, the slow blog! I'm busy trying to get everything organized and up to date for the new year though so I appreciate the break in sessions.

I am currently offering a free 8x10 for any newborn sessions booked now through April...so if you are currently enjoying the bliss that is pregnancy, give me a ring and we can set up a newborn appointment! Newborn sessions should take place in the first two weeks after birth...and preferably closer to around 5 days new.

And just to add some excitement to the slow season, our son, Carter, broke his leg on Sunday at Grandpa's house. We were out of town but headed back already. Got the call when we were a couple of hours from home so we just met at the hospital. By the time we got there, they already had a temporary cast on it and he was about ready to go home. I took him yesterday to get his "real" cast put on...he picked out a KU blue color.

He's been so tough through the whole ordeal. I think Grandpa's had it worse than Carter! He's had some pain but since he got the cast, he complains more about it itching than anything. It could be a long four weeks!





The Wii has been his friend the last couple of days! I don't really mind but I bet he gets sick of it before long. For now Batman and Star Wars Legos are getting worn out!

Kansas Pet Photographer? Maybe!

The only thing harder than chasing down a 2 year old to get a great shot is chasing down a puppy. Make that 2 puppies. I've taken quite a few pictures over the last few weeks but they just haven't been blog-worthy. The dull, blah-ness (that's a word in the Dictionary of Brooke) outside this time of year just doesn't make the best portraits. Now, if we could get some snow, there's a different story!
But today, our contractor came over and finished our fireplace (which now looks SO gorgeous!), and I was trying to get some pictures of it tonight. Travis brought the dogs in and I thought it was the perfect time to get a shot of them, finally. I don't know if it was the fuzzy blanket or the warm fire...but whatever, they sat fairly still and let me get a few good snaps of each of them! You can't really see the fireplace in these...but look at these pups! They are both getting so big!
Jaco (the golden retriever) has a beautiful blond coat and the sweetest personality. He loves the kids...and does a really good job of being gentle around them. Molly (the German shorthair) is starting to learn her role as a hunting dog. She hasn't gotten a lot of field time, but Travis was impressed when he took her out. She needs some training with commands but has a knack for sniffing out the birds (and the bunnies).
Enjoy!

New Product: Belly/Baby Flip Book

This isn't exactly new...I've been offering it but finally just got to put together my first one! These books are too cute and a great keepsake for the whole family. One side of the book hold pictures from your maternity session; the other holds those favorites from the newborn session. How perfect!

Brightest Moon of the Year...

I always think about getting a pic of the moon but I either forget or decide to be a wimp and not brave whatever weather we are experiencing at the moment to shoot it. But tonight, I had to get a shot. As we were driving toward the east around the time the moon was rising, I wished I'd had my camera...it was a beautiful image. The sky was very purple and blue and this perfect moon was slipping up through the feathery clouds. I'm so glad it wasn't too cloudy tonight, making it possible to get a shot of the brightest moon of the year (so says Yahoo anyway!). Enjoy!

Kansas Sunsets

Growing up, there was a lady in our church who was a very talented artist. She used her gift in many ways and blessed our church every so often by drawing beautiful scenes...usually of sunsets...as her talent share during the worship service. I remember sitting in the pew watching every stroke she made with the oil pastels, in awe that she could turn a blank canvas into something so beautiful in a few short minutes. When she finished, she would dim the lights in the church, turn on a multi-colored spotlight on her drawing, and play some music. Everyone would be reminded of God's beautiful creation and his many blessings in our lives. I loved when she would share!

I still can't draw for anything, but I sure love to photograph beautiful sunsets. Kansas has some beautiful sunsets throughout the year...mostly because you can see the whole horizon with hardly a tree to even get in the way of the gorgeous colors. When I see a sunset like last night, it brings this woman to mind...who so many years ago, blessed me and my faith by her willingness to share her God-given talent on a random Sunday morning. This one's for her!

New Product for 2009

Gallery Mounted Storyboards

"Gallery Mount is a modern and cost-effective way to present your images as finished pieces and display them without the additional time and cost of traditional framing and matting.

This state-of-the art presentation begins with your photographic images, which can be printed on all of our professional photographic papers. Lustre, Glossy, or Metallic paper is available.

Your print is then completely sealed with a durable, transparent matte or semi-gloss laminate, then heat-fused to a densely engineered substrate.

Providing a classic look, each flush edge is then finished with a bevel and an edge color, heat-fused and available in black or white."

These are beautiful!! For 2009, I will only be offering storyboards as 10x20 gallery mounts. The few I've ordered have been big hits! Here are a few pictures of the last one I ordered...the pictures don't do it justice as I'm not a product photographer...but at least you can get an idea. Be sure to ask about them at your next session!

New Year, New Offerings...and a little Reflecting

In 2009, Brooke Jantz Photography will continue to grow and change. When 2007 began, I had no plans of a "real" business. I was still just learning how to operate my camera and figure out what to do in Photoshop. But in 2007, I read every article, bought too many books, spent hours and hours on the computer, and never relented in my quest to learn more about photography. Not much has changed since then.

I still spend countless hours learning all I can about my craft. I did jump into business last spring (admittedly before I was ready), but I have never looked back. God has truly blessed me in this venture.

I have learned in this past year, a photographer is not the sum total of her equipment...and a good camera can not make you a good photographer. I have learned Photoshop in the wrong hands can be dangerous (just look at my early stuff for proof!). I have learned (let me paraphrase Ratatouille), "not everyone can become a great photographer...but a great photographer can come from anywhere..." I have learned, that if you dream it and ask God to be part of that dream...it can happen.

I know 2009 will be a great year! I have some new products to offer, new digital packages, and new session types. I even plan to venture into the wedding arena.

I just want to leave you with a peek at what a difference 2 years makes. The first shot is with my D80, still on auto, with the pop-up flash....and a horrid sepia conversion in Paint Shop Pro. Still, I love the pic because it's my baby girl...she is six months old in that picture. *tear* The second is from a few weeks ago of a 5 month-old in my studio. Shot with the D700 (mind you, my D80 would have looked very much the same in studio), on full manual (only way I shoot anymore), and lightly processed in Photoshop. I know I still have a long journey ahead to become the photographer I want to be....but I just wanted to share how far I've come since first pulling my first dSLR out of the box.