Archive: Apr 2013
  1. Inspired, A Very Special Project | Summer Murdock Photography

    Summer has a poetic feel to her imagery. The way she manages to marry lifestyle with just enough whimsy is special and rare. The soft beautiful colors and gorgeous light in conjunction with her beautiful subjects (most often her gorgeous children) make for magical photographs. Following her on Facebook is such a treat and I am completely giddy when a new image pops up in my news feed. Not only is she a great photographer she has a great soul that just really resonates deeply with me each and every time she shares something new.

    You can find Summer on Facebook HERE and her Website HERE. You can also find her on Instagram HERE.

    Lets get to know you! How would you describe yourself in three sentences?

    I am a wife, mom to four kiddos, and a photographer. I love diet coke, string cheese and the beach a little too much. I don’t take life too seriously.

    What sparked your passion for Photography?

    I have always been attracted to imagery. I used to walk around my neighborhood as a child and take pictures with my polaroid camera of my cabbage patch kids…yup. I wish I could find some of those images. Photography was one of my many majors in college. I only wish I would have stuck with it instead of settling for psychology. Like many photographers these days, the birth of my first child really started the obsession that I have with photography today!

    Whats in your camera bag?

    Canon 5D Mark II, 27-70L 2.8, 50 1.4, 135L 2.0
    What Camera/Equipment did you start out with?

    A Minolta SLR film camera was what I first began to learn on YEARS ago. I really got a handle on shooting with my Canon Rebel and a 50mm 1.8.

    If you could only use one lens an entire session which one would you choose and why?

    I love my primes but I guess I would pick my 24-70 because of the ability to change focal lengths so quickly. It takes flattering portraits as well as being able to tell a story and show the whole scene. It’s a lot easier to capture the fast moving subjects I usually shoot with that lens! I wish they made a 24-70 1.4. That would be the perfect lens. A girl can dream right?

    What advice would go give to someone just beginning in photography and hoping to have a business of their own?

    PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. If you don’t shoot on a regular basis you will never get to where you need to be to start a business. Shooting for yourself, without the pressure of what the clients want is the fastest way to find out where your heart is and what your true”style” is! And you have to understand light and how it effects your images. Interesting light makes anything magical!

    What kind of photos do you like to take for just yourself when not working with clients?

    Well, since I will only book one client a month right now, the majority of what I shoot is for myself. I have a number of personal projects going on. In fact the majority of the images shown in this interview are shots that I took just for myself!

    What was your first official Photographer crush if you had one?

    Annie Leibovitz back in my college days. When I started getting back into it after I had kids I would say Rachel Devine. I came across her work on Flickr back in 2008 and fell in complete love with the way she was capturing her children in such a simple, genuine, and real way. About that same time I ran across Leah Zawadzki’s gorgeous, soulful work. I think my photog crush was divided pretty equally between these two ladies. Their work helped to change the way I looked at photographing my own kids

    If you could photograph absolutely anyone who would it be dead or alive?

    Give me a time machine because I would absolutely LOVE to photograph my parents as 3 year olds.

    Describe your style in 3 words.

    Light filled, authentic, and effortless!

    Most embarrassing moment on a session would be?

    On one of my very first paid sessions, my camera battery went dead near the end of the shoot. Luckily, we were about done and I had already gotten everything I needed. NEVER again. I always have an extra charged battery.

    Any challenges you have had to overcome to be where you are today?

    Oh man, there have been too many challenges to list This has been such a process. Figuring out where I really shine was one of the biggest challenges. I also have a really hard time being able to balance everything. I love what I do so much…bordering on obsession. It’s been really hard for me to figure out how to balance motherhood and photography. I finally resolved to take a 2 year hiatus after my 4th baby was born. I have just started booking clients again but for now only one session a month. I have to keep my priorities straight. I have realized that when I take on too many clients, I start to forget why I love this in the first place and I just don’t have time to be the mother that I want to be. BALANCE, BALANCE, BALANCE!

    Favorite time of day to shoot is?

    I bet you have never heard this before…the golden hour of course!

    If you had to stop taking photos right now, what would you do instead?

    Maybe graphic design? I would need to take a lot of classes to be able to do that though!

    Have you attended college or had any formal education in Photography?

    Only formal education was my B&W film class I took in college 15 years ago. Lots of time was spent in the darkroom which was hard for an impatient gal like myself. I didn’t get a firm grip on shooting in manual until after my second baby was born! I’m mostly taught by google and lots and lots of practice.

    What do you do to get your clients to relax with you?

    Just by talking, asking questions, and being myself. I also try to let them know before the shoot how things will go so they know what to expect. I think that helps a lot!

    What are your photography related goals for 2013?

    I want to explore shooting underwater more and start to shoot film a little bit again too!

    One of Summer’s First Images shooting film!

    How do you push yourself to keep growing and learning? Any Big Aha! Moments?

    Shooting on a regular basis has done wonders for my photography. Especially shooting in my house. It has really helped me to understand light. Shooting in the same place and trying to make it look different from what I shot the day before has been really good for my creativity. Of course, working on projects and doing things outside of my comfort zone push me as well! I’ve learned I can’t be afraid to try new things. Sometimes I fail, but I almost always learn more from failing than from the times I succeed! For me my biggest AHA moment was when I realized that light was everything in an interesting image. It’s all about the light (and composition and emotion)!

    Biggest Photography related insecurity?

    My lack of a lot of formal training and wondering if I’m actually any good at this?

    Digital or Prints?

    digital

    How do you set yourself apart from other local photographers?

    Maybe it’s really naive, but I don’t even worry about that. I think you have to focus on what you do best. When you shoot from your heart and what you love, people will naturally be attracted to it. There will always be those who won’t appreciate what I do and I’m ok with that!

    What do you think your next photography related investment will be?

    I think I dream every night about owning the Mark III. I have had some serious focus issues lately with my camera!

    If you had to recommend ONE thing that a photographer needs in their camera bag what would that be?

    Besides a good camera and lens? A rubber band to tie long hair back. It’s never good when your own hair creeps into the frame.

    What would you say your biggest muse is?

    Can pretty light be a muse? I’m most inspired by light..and of course my kids!

    Fun stuff:

    Favorite Color: gray
    Favorite Season: summer
    Biggest Guilty Pleasure: super lame reality tv
    Pet Peeve: Getting behind someone in line at a store who wants to split their purchases up into more than one transaction. I mean I pick my lines based on the amount of people waiting in them. When you want three separate receipts for your stuff, it’s like you are three different people in line. That drives me absolutely nuts!
    Favorite Pandora Station: I don’t listen to pandora!
    Studio or On location: location
    What did you want to be when you grew up? marine biologist
    One thing no one knows about you is: I’m kind of an open book so this is a hard one for me…how about I’ve never had a manicure in my whole life.
    Pc or Mac: mac
    Lightroom Or Photoshop: 100% Photoshop.
    Film or Digital: digital
    Props or No Props: no props…unless it is a natural part of the story.
    If you could travel anywhere it would be: Pretty much anywhere I’ve never been. I LOVE going new places but I’m a little obsessed with the ocean and the beach so number one on my list is staying in one of those huts over the ocean in Bora Bora!
    Glass Half Empty or Half Full: Mostly half full…but I’m a realist so there is a little bit of half empty in me.

    Favorite Photo Ever Taken: Picking a favorite image is incredibly hard for me. My favorite tends to change with the weather but this image of my daughter is one I always come back to. I love it obviously because of the motion and the light in her hair. I am one of those photographers that obsesses about capturing some gorgeous light in hair. I also love it because it brings up all kinds of childhood memories for me. Looking at this image just reminds me of the carefree childhood days of summer. Running around barefoot until the sun went down each evening. I can almost feel the warmth on my feet looking. To me this just captures the magic of childhood!

    Raw or Jpeg: raw
    Favorite Music to Edit to: Right now I’m obsessed with the Bahamas Barchords album… particularly the “Caught me Thinking” track. It may or may not be on constant repeat on both my computer and in my car right now. I tend to be obsessive like that.
    Favorite Quote: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” author unknown
    Most valued material possession: Hands down my external hard drive! My camera is a close second.
    Processing Style: Not sure what to call it…natural with a little bit of dreaminess?
    Coffee or Tea: diet coke
    If you could photograph a Celebrity who would it be? Maybe Dave Grohl’s family. I have had a bit of a crush on that guy since the 90’s.
    What kind of Camera bag do you rock? Ketti

    10 Lovely Comments  •  Leave a Comment for Sarah

  2. M4H P52 “Beauty Is…” Eye Candy and a Winner

    We are already making our way into month five of this project! Incredible how time flies when you are having fun. I am finally starting to come around and though I still have some first trimester symptoms I am anxious to get back and start taking more photos myself. Documenting my family and this pregnancy is so important to me! I know how hard it can be to hang on but you are all doing an amazing job. Here is where I also want you to all know that if you miss a week (or three) it’s absolutely okay. Jump back in whenever you are ready. If you need to extend the project into the new year or have less weeks that is absolutely okay too. This is your project too!

    For those that are new to the project or looking for ways to join you can find more info here. We always love new faces in the group!

    I am really excited to dive into our week’s images! This week’s prize is a $40.00 Gift Card to my shop.This can be used toward any actions, textures or presets of your choosing. Please do make sure you contact me so I can get your gift.

    As a side note I leave for Seattle tomorrow to teach at a retreat and take sessions and won’t be home until the 6th so Eye Candy will be going up late that evening or the next morning.

    Winner:

    By: J. Morrow

    Beauty is....

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    Beauty is….

    Beauty is…… dancing in dandelions during the golden hour. This image makes me remember being a child, full of wonder and big dreams. Beauty is holding onto those dreams and seeing the world through child-like eyes. 🙂

    Lots of Eye Candy!

    By: jeanna.ludwig

    Beauty is...P52

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    Beauty is…P52

    Beauty is…Being 85 and still young at heart <3

    Jumping on the trampoline 🙂

    By: the Saplings

    M4H 17/52 | beauty is...

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    M4H 17/52 | beauty is…

    my first born’s smile after losing his first tooth

    By: KarenHuntPhotography

    M4H Week 17 Beauty Is...

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    M4H Week 17 Beauty Is…

    I received this little beauty in the mail as a surprise birthday present today from my inlaws. It meant so much to me because over the last year I have gone through some rough times and I have poured myself in to my photography to get me through. This little beauty made me so happy because I felt that someone understood me and my obsession.
    So I am going against my usual posts of my kiddos this week for not only the beauty of this old camera but the emotion it made me feel as well.

    Edited with Fresh

    Karen Hunt Photography

    www.facebook.com/karenhuntphoto1

    www.karenhuntphotography.blogspot.com

    By: Kimberly {Candidly Inspired}

    {beauty is...}

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    {beauty is…}

    17/52… beauty is… the comfort of his favorite pair of socks…

    By: Courtney McAtee Photography

    17/52: Beauty Is....

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    17/52: Beauty Is….

    Beauty is a sweet moment caught between brothers.

    By: Marta Rhine

    Beauty is...

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    Beauty is…

    …the most simple, everyday joys, people who radiate kindness and love, a great hearty laugh, a gorgeous afternoon with a cool breeze, a mom and dad watching their little ones having fun and smiling with satisfaction because of it, a child exploring nature with adorable curiosity, a simple random act of unexpected kindness, and everyday moments; the kind that are often taken for granted.

    And I’m thankful for photography. And if you’re a photographer you can agree with me that we see the world in a different way. This art has trained my eye in a way that I can truly grasp what beauty is; and I see it daily in the most unexpected places and in ways most wouldn’t even notice. I love that so much. Because I feel as if I’m really living and taking from the world, from life, what is there for the taking.

    Last night I had a mini session on the beach. I don’t normally do sessions for others anymore. And it was Friday evening which I love, because there is always this aura in the air…people feel relaxed and the city feels like a big carnival with all these little pockets of events and happenings. The day was closing in style and the the light, and the warmth and the air…oh my. There were families dumping beach toys down on the sand for their little kids and smiling as they went off splashing and hunting for crabs. And the parents laughed as they watch them, and as a parent I know that feeling. There were people biking and strolling and walking their dogs. There were runners and triathletes training for today’s events and there were so many sailboats bobbing in the water, and birds, and couples and paddleboarders paddling into the sunset. I looked around and I felt consumed by it all, and I thought this is truly beautiful. All of it. And I felt thankful that I notice it.

    For the M4H theme {beauty is…}
    oh, and please view on black.

    By: heatherlphotography

    M4H{17/52} "Beauty is..."

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    M4H{17/52} “Beauty is…”

    Beauty is so very simple to me. It’s the smell of freshly picked flowers. It’s the tune of my favorite country song. It’s a nature walk on a warm spring night watching the little ones I love bask in childhood! The little things are big things to me. And they are beautiful.

    By: laurendurrencephotography

    17:52| Beauty is...

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    17:52| Beauty is…

    Beauty is in the day to day messes of life.

    I’ve already posted a submission, but when I didn’t hear any loud banging from my children, I had to see what they were getting into. My daughter was reading a book to her brother. It hit me. This is beauty. The messes they make, the laughter they share, the memories we make, the joy of being their mom, the loud, the bad, the good, the crazy, the blessings…our life. That’s beauty. This room may be a crazy mess of chaos, but there’s beauty in that. Sometimes I just need to make myself slowdown and look around.

    By: Sheryl Salisbury

    17/52 Beauty Is... (M4H)

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    17/52 Beauty Is… (M4H)

    Beauty is….the colors of nature.

    By: anna~christine

    beauty is...

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    beauty is…

    …my child draped in warm light.

    By: JRJ Photo

    beauty is...

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    beauty is…

    Beauty is self confidence, it is being comfortable in yourself and your body, it is loving who you are.
    For this week’s “Beauty is…” theme I decided to grab women, of all ages, sizes, shapes and colors (including myself!) and photograph some REAL beauty! I hope this encourages all women to realize that so many of us fall outside of those stereotypical norms. Embrace it! Love your real bodies and real curves!
    (Thank you to all my friends who helped me with this shoot! I had so much fun! You all are beautiful!)

    By: Eastview Photography

    Beauty is...

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    Beauty is…

    The second annual Surfs Up for Down Syndrome. The Junior Life Guards of Huntington Beach take a day and volunteer teaching kids with Down Syndrome how to surf. This young lady’s name was Liz and she was 15. I thought she was beautiful. She simply adored her mentor.
    (edited with Nostalgia B&W from the M4H Fairhaven collection)

    By: Wendy Rakvica Photography

    natural beauty

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    natural beauty

    bare, naked, and no fancy props…

    By: Felicia.King

    Beauty Is...

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    Beauty Is…

    Photography has given me the ability to take simple things and mold them into something beautiful. Before photography I would have never even noticed these rain drops on the grass out front but my brain is so trained to notice this stuff that I can’t help but tell a story with it. Beauty is whatever you make it or imagine it to be. Edited with M4H Shadow Play.

    By: Essential Life Photography

    Beauty is...

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    Beauty is…

    A talented 13 year old dancing.

    By: Heart N Soul Photography

    M4H 17/52 Beauty is ...

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    M4H 17/52 Beauty is …

    Autumn in the Adelaide Hills, love it.

    By: mjd242

    17/52 - Beauty is...

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    17/52 – Beauty is…

    Beauty is spending time with my crazy, wacky family. Life is busy and messy and we get way too wrapped up in all that needs to be done. That’s why I love when we can spend a day together just being with one another. I know I’m going to miss these days terribly when they are all grown up

    By: fitch8505

    17/52 | Beauty is...

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    17/52 | Beauty is…

    Beauty is motherhood. Nothing compares to the love that we have for our babies.

    By: Love is in Pictures

    "Beauty is" Project 52 week 17

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    “Beauty is” Project 52 week 17

    “Keep close to Nature’s heart…and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” // John Muir
    I am at my healthiest mentally when I can escape for a few hours into the solitude of the beach or forest and “wash my spirit clean”. I would rather spend an afternoon on the water than almost any other place. The beauty of the natural world feeds my very soul.

    By: mjryckman

    Beauty is...everywhere, even on the dreariest of days.

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    Beauty is…everywhere, even on the dreariest of days.

    I have to admit my oldest here dragged me to the beach the other night. She loves the ocean – no matter the weather. The fog was so thick it fell in a drizzle all day. I grudging went along and of course brought my camera and tripod…just in case. : )

    The best thing about this image is what she is looking at – a whale spouting far off in the distance! We’ve been looking all season ( whale migration season, that is) and this was our first sighting!

    P.S. Please forgive me if I post a second one, I am stuck between a few others, so I may change my mind in a day or two. : )

    By: barrows5

    M4H~17/52 Beauty is...a spirit of peace!

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    M4H~17/52 Beauty is…a spirit of peace!

    By: peacehillphotography

    p52 week 17: beauty is...

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    p52 week 17: beauty is…

    homemade donuts for breakfast. 😉

    By: j.cote photography

    Beauty Is

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    Beauty Is

    Beauty is the miracle of nature.

    By: Moopiecow

    17/52 ~ Beauty is...

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    17/52 ~ Beauty is…

    By: leahartmanphoto

    M4H Project 52 (week 17)

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    M4H Project 52 (week 17)

    Beauty is found in nature.

    By: Kristy Mulvihill Photography

    Week 17 - Beauty is ______

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    Week 17 – Beauty is ______

    For me, beauty is my child looking peaceful, innocent and angelic while sleeping, especially after another one of his titanic tantrums!

    By: Stephanie Price Photography

    Beauty...

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    eauty…

    the laughter of my children. Nothing more beautiful in my eyes.

    0 Lovely Comments  •  Leave a Comment for Sarah

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