waiting...

We are so excited to launch the new site but it's just not quite ready yet...hopefully soon!

So many things are involved in this process and we want it to look great before we show you!

{soon...very soon}

I also have so much to tell about our new home in this far away land~ I'm just not sure I'm ready for that post. Things are so different~ life is good here~ just a completely different world! I will share so much soon...just don't know where to start.

I have some favorite previous post to share this week...and some exciting new things to announce...and then the launch of the new blog and The Savvy Store! So stay tuned~

Here are some favorite images of how fellow photographers decorate their walls.

These are from the sweet Rachel Clare~

The walls of Kristen Brown~

{inspired} workspace

Our surroundings should inspire us...

Our workspace should make us feel happy

with a desire to create wonderful things.

we're inspired...we create...

Our featured photographer, Rachel Clare, has shared with us thoughts on her workspace...

"I love my workspace. I love the 18% gray walls (ideal for editing),

I love my Ikea table (which is glass and etched in the glass is "love" written in different fonts in every language imaginable),

I love my iMac, I love the pictures of my kids on the walls,

and I love that it has a big opening into our family room so I can work while my children are right near me.

On the wall next to my desk is a rack where I keep files-

the top set of files include clients who have booked, but we've not yet had their session. Their folders simply contain their booking forms and any information about themselves.

The next set of folders are clients I've already photographed who are in the proofing process.

The third set of folders are people who've placed orders and are awaiting those orders.

After an ordered is "signed, sealed, and delivered", the client's folder (which now includes their booking form, any extra info. about the session, their order, their invoice, lab receipts and copies of their images) goes in my little black filing cabinet on the other side of the desk, sorted by month.

My system works well for me and I love feeling organized (even though sometimes I don't!)

On the shelves above my desk are pictures of my children, mementos that are significant to me, books related to business and photography that I've collected, blank discs, and some of my marketing and packaging materials.

I think it's essential for every working photographer to have a space that is their own- where they can feel good and work hard and be organized; a space that inspires creativity and beautiful images.

This is my space."

Gracing the walls of Rachel Clare

Rachel was kind enough to share her walls with us...

See you tomorrow for more inspiration...

The deadline for the giveaway is midnight Thursday night {august 6th}...and the winner will be announced Friday at noon.

Remember to email us with all your entries

{just let us know what you've done for that day/week}

Check out the sponsors page to get the info

on how to get your name in the drawing...

{Self Portraits} by Rachel Clare

"I have very few images of myself that I love from my life.

I have pictures that I cherish from my past,

but they're generally cherished because of a loved one who is in the picture with me.

As far as pictures of JUST ME,
there aren't very many that I'd really think about keeping.
I took on a challenge last fall to start taking self-portraits.

This was a challenge indeed!

But I realized that the more I took them, the more I liked them.

I also realized that most photographers don't have many pictures of themselves (hello- most MOMS don't have pictures of themselves!)... and I want my children and grandchildren to know what I looked like at different stages of my life.

I've always been confident about

and loving towards my "inner-self"-
I've always known who I was and what I believed

and what I stood for.
I've not always been so confident

or loving towards my "outer-self",

but through this project (CHALLENGE),

I've started appreciating things (my nose)

that I haven't always loved.

It's been an important step for me in my path toward continued self-discovery, and for that I am grateful."

Rachel Clare

Isn't she just an amazing photographer...

the ability to capture an image of yourself takes talent...

and she has mastered that talent!

I am inspired by her.

When I first saw her self portraits, I was inspired enough to try my own...

and I quickly decided not to try that again.

But yet again...I am inspired to try.

Will you attempt to capture you...yes you?

Do we need to be challenged...

or shouldn't the thought of having an image of ourselves

that we love { or atleast like} inspire us?

Be inspired today...

If you happen to get an image you want to share...

you might just see yourself gracing the pages

of The Savvy Photographer.

{send it in...i'd love to see}

We'll see you tomorrow...

Rachel Clare will invite us into her home

to see what's gracing her walls...

*** the comment settings have been changed...you no longer have to sign up to leave a comment...sorry about that...I had many people try to leave a comment and could not do so...you may try again...and thanks for the kind words everyone!***

The giveaway will be on Friday...go to the sponsors page to see how to enter your name in the drawing.

Let's Meet {and Greet} Rachel Clare

It’s our first interview here at The Savvy Photographer…

and I’m thrilled to introduce her!

Rachel lives in Southern California with her husband and two children…and she is expecting number three.
You can check out her fabulous work at http://www.rachelclarephoto.com/

Let’s Meet {and Greet} Rachel Clare~

Rachel...tell us about your photography?

"I love photographing children- they're happy, they're carefree, and
they're not intimidated by the fact that they're being photographed.
I love capturing their little spirits and personalities and my passion is getting those candid moments that parents can look back on to remember their child's true self. As well, I've recently started shooting weddings and I LOVE it. I was once told that you really shouldn't do both- you should choose- either children/family photography or wedding photography. In my world and business, rules like this were meant to be broken. I love photographing children. I love shooting engagements and weddings. This is who I am as a photographer and this is what I plan to continue building my business around. That's what's so great about being my own boss- I make my rules."

When you're not photographing, where can we find you?:

With my children and husband. He's a college professor, so he gets to be home a lot- we love spending time together. Lately, we've spent lots of time at the pool!

Ask your kids to describe you {tell us what they really say!}:

E says "My Mom is fun and kind. Sometimes we make funny faces and she likes to play with me. My Mom can drive me places because I don't have a driver's license yet."
R says "Rachel? Like Daddy?"

Huh. We'll have to work on her answers a bit.

Favorite drink? Cocktail?:

How boring am I?! I don't drink (alcohol, soda, coffee) and good clean water is my drink of choice. Always.

Do you twitter?

Sure do! (www.twitter.com/rcphotographer)

but to be honest, I'm more active on Facebook
(http://www.facebook.com/rachelclarephotography)

Anthropologie or Ann Taylor?

Anthropologie!! In fact, I'm thinking of changing my pricing sheet to read, "We accept Credit Cards, Personal Checks and Anthro Gift Cards"!!

"The" movie that you can watch over and over:

The Bourne Series. Over and over and over. Also, I LOVED Angels & Demons, in part because my parents just moved back to the States after living in Rome for 3 years (so I can relate to all of the places in the movie!) (Okay, I admit, I just saw the Proposal for the 2nd time in a week and laughed just as hard the 2nd time... *shhh!*)

Do you blog stalk?

*Blushing*- yes, but only a few. I do limit the ones I look at, however, because I will not allow surfing the internet to take over my life! My kids are growing up too fast for that.

Blog's you love:

Jasmine Star, ourbestbites.com, Tara Whitney, The Pioneer Woman

Your Savvy Indulgence:

Oh dear. Just one? Here's a small list: SLEEP (when I can get it), Key Lime Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory, essentially any spa treatment, and easily my biggest indulgence- having my feet tickled. No, I'm not kidding.

How did you meet your husband?

In college at Northern Arizona University.

He actually dated my roommate which was weird for a little bit,

but we're still very very close friends.

Date night or family night?

Both!! Though admittedly, family night happens more often than date night. Ideally, every Friday or Saturday night would be date night... going to have to work on that one...

What are you doing on a typical Sunday afternoon?

Sunday is my day for family and church. I never shoot on Sunday. On a typical Sunday afternoon, we all take a nice nap and make homemade (real Italian-style) pizzas (read: fresh Mozzerella & basil) on our grill.
MMMmmm!! Makes me ready for Sunday!!

{some of rachel's favorite images}

Come back tomorrow for more of Rachel...

She will share with us some of her amazing self portraits.

The first picture of her is a self portrait...amazing, huh?

See you all tomorrow.

We are having our first giveaway...a fabulous camera strap from Pepper~ Spice up your Camera. These camera straps are designed by Lori Nordstrom and she is giving one away...head over to the sponsors page to find out how to enter. The winner will be drawn on Friday~August 7th...good luck!