PUG meeting

In grade school, I didn't care about learning. I was the girl towards the back of the classroom that was more interested in talking than listening to the teacher. I crammed the night before a test or project was due in order to get a good grade and went through the years without really appreciating the wealth of knowledge at my disposal.

In my continued journey to say "yes" this year, Tuesday night I went to a Pictage PUG meeting, for Atlanta photographers where special guest Mike Larson was speaking. Shari Zellers was kind enough to coordinate the whole thing.

I laughed at myself at the end of the night because I realized that I was sitting in the second row, as close to the front as I could get. I soaked up as much knowledge as I could and listened intently to every word. I wanted to learn.

I regret not focusing more in school. There is a part of me that wants to go back and get my Masters degree so that I can have the opportunity to do it right. Even though I swore when I graduated with my B.B.A I would never ever go back to school, never. Funny how things change.

For now, I am enjoying all the opportunities I have to learn more about photography and the business side of things. Mike's information was indispensable and I have already begun putting some of the things I learned into practice.

Here's to the continued journey of never learning enough!

I didn't have my camera, so Evelyn was kind enough to give me this image of Mike Larson.

BABY PRICE

Jessica and I go way back. We met about 13 years ago while working at our first job,
Chick-fil-a. We have been best friends ever since.

This past weekend, I went over to their house to shoot their new baby girl, Hannah. She was born on New years eve and being the great friend that I am, it took me 3 weeks to get to see her. boo.

This is Joe and Jessica's second child, their first, Jeremiah will make a debut on this blog at some point in the future. For now, here is precious baby girl Hannah.

Rubbing shoulders...or elbows = sticking to goals

"It's my big chance", I thought as I clicked send for the RSVP. Liana Lehman, Atlanta photographer extrodianare, was hosting a website launch party at StudioWed in Atlanta. When I saw the post, I thought... I've got to be there, and when I saw that anyone could come... I decided to reply. I didn't know how I would fit in, but I have followed Liana's work for a while and knew that I wanted to be there, to have the chance to meet and mingle with her and other photographers.

A goal of mine this year is to meet as many photographers as I have the opportunity...and to say yes to each opportunity that I get.

And it just so happens that the morning of the party, I thought about not going. On this list of things I had to do that day, driving almost an hour and putting myself in a potentially awkward social situation fell towards the bottom. Then I remembered my goal...

So I hopped in my car and headed to the party where my friend Evelyn had arrived early(actually I was late, she was on time) so she was able to fill me in on details. "Everyone seems to know each other," she said over the phone.

Once I arrived, I walked into the small, intimate party and thought to myself, I shouldn't be here. Remebering my goals, I reasoned that I wouldn't have been able to RSVP if I wasn't allowed to come, so I swallowed my nervousness and walked right up to the first couple of people I saw and introduced myself. Turns out, they didn't know anyone either and we talked for a few minutes. Before I knew it, I rubbing shoulders with several people and met 2 photographers I ended up talking with the entire afternoon. We talked about out business, photographers we liked, struggles, questions, and so on. I had a blast with Evelyn, Michelle, and Megan. At the end of the party, we decided to stay in touch and exchanged contact information.

I also met the hostess herself, Liana. She was warm and inviting and I hope I get to speak with her again soon. Her business workshop is on my list and would absolutely love to learn from her. She has been in the industry for over 10 years and is widely recognized for her work.

I am so happy that I stuck to my goals. I cannot wait to see what this year holds and what other goals I get to say yes to.

Here are a few pictures I stole from Michelle and Evelyn's blog:

First off, these cupcakes were amazing!

Michelle, Evelyn, me, and Megan

Evelyn, Liana, and me

The ugly truth

Today I sit here perplexed. I opened my computer to post about a photographer's launch party I attended and post lots of photos and I can't think of a thing to write about it. My heart is heavy.

This blog is personal. It is a journey through my life as I pursue my dream of photography. Today is personal.

I wear my heart on my sleeve. I am the worst liar ever- you can tell I've lied as soon as the words come out of my mouth based solely by the expression written on my face. I cry...a lot. I cry during movies, tv shows, even commercials. I cry when someone else is going through something. I cry when I'm mad. I hate that the most. I cry when I become overwhelmed. I cry when I can't think clearly and my emotions are so foggy I have no idea which way is right and which is left.

Today I cried.

If I'm really honest, I miss God. I have been so busy that since the start of 2010 I haven't spent any time with Him, in His presence. I have made a mess of things and now I have no idea where to go...except back into the arms of God. So this morning I sat down with my Bible and tried to pray, tried to read, and almost immediately my mind would wander off as I thought of everything I still need to do...the decisions I have to make this weekend, what to do with this business, how to do it, when to do it, where will I make money, I need to clean the kitchen, I have no clean clothes, wait, I am suppose to be praying, Hi God, please help me, I need you, I love you, I pray for those in Haiti, wow what a tragedy, oh I need to make a return, I have to mail this package, I need to post pictures, wait I'm praying- okay God I'm back...this is too distracting, maybe I should read some of the Bible...............

In an effort to continue to distract myself further, I called a dear friend of mine. We spoke for close to an hour. I poured my heart out. All of my frustrations, questions, desires, goals...all.of.it. I just let it out. And she listened. She listened as I discussed a step of faith I need to make in pursuit of photography, my frustrations in starting a business, the still small voice I can't hear in the midst of so much noise in my life, and the simplicity of knowing God.

And before I knew it, I began to feel peace. I began to long for time with God. I was anxious to get off the phone and pursue Him. To build my faith on His word. Faith that I am in God's hands, He will lead me...if I let Him, He will take care of me, and most of all He loves me. Despite myself.

FAMILY: Craig, Unchong and Emma

I met Craig back when we were just a couple of young kids hanging out with everyone all hours of the night. Back when it was cool to stay out all night. When getting up bright and early didnt matter so much, as long as we were having fun. Our "crew" usually ended up at Cafe Intermezzo or Waffle House, depending on how trendy we felt. Sometimes it was even both. Ah yes, we were cool.

I remember one night few of us got together at Barnes N Noble (daring change, I know) and Craig told us someone was meeting him. That someone was Unchong. I'm not sure how long they had been talking before, but that night I noticed something different about Craig, something hard to pinpoint, but a knowing that his world was about to change. Since that night, Unchong was with him whenever we hung out. And not long after, she would become his wife.

Its funny how things change over time. To think about the past and to see us all now. Our hopes, dreams, and wishes, all coming to life.

Here are some pictures from their family session I did back in December. Craig, Unchong, and their little girl Emma, who I must say...is simply adorable.

A NON RESOLUTION

The clock read 6:00 am. BEEP BEEP BEEP. Ugh! As we get back into the swing of things this new year, I have found it difficult to really get motivated. I am still on "vacation mode" from the Holidays. Hence, I have been lagging in blog posts.

At the start of 2010, I decided to set goals- not resolutions, but goals. Goals because they serve as targets and arm me with arrows to shoot.I went through the things I want to accomplish both personally and professionally(which includes a new look for Kelly Lane Photography!) At the end of the year, I will be able to look back and see what worked and what went wrong, and what goals to set for the next year.

I am excited about this year and the goals that are ahead! Because I didn't say it January 1st, here's a picture:

ENGAGEMENT: Ed and Dana

I love, love, love photography. I fall in love with it more and more every single day. Today is a good day. Today, I opened my door and welcomed with open arms a package with my new Canon 5D camera! I am so excited and cannot wait to use it! It is my new little baby- it will be loved, nourished, cleaned, and well taken care of. Now, onto the session:

I met Ed and Dana a few weeks ago. They encompass everything cool. They are good looking, fun, funny, extremely likable, and they live in Atlanta (yes this makes them cool. Living in Buford, its exciting to go into the city. Now that I live up here, it seems like Atlanta is a country away. I have to plan trips to go into Atlanta it takes so long to get there!).

I had so much fun with this couple and I laughed A LOT!

Ed and Dana~ you are completely awesome. I had so much fun with you and I hope you had just a little bit to. Can't wait to meet with you again!

Click here for a slideshow.

WORK.IT.OUT.DANA
















A little fun time.







We headed over to Atlantic Station before sunset for a few city shots.