Change is always good.

Date to Remember: September 1, 2010.

I'm changing the name of my photography business.
Yes, you read right. No more, "Casey Ayala Photography".
Its actually a name that I've been thinking about for a while now... Won't be announcing it just yet. Still got some things to sort out and design. But yes, its officially happening, and I am so very-berry thrilled! And, yes, that means my current Facebook "Fan Page" will no longer be active. And yes that means that you are obligated to follow me onto my next "Fan Page". haha No, really, I'd greatly appreciate it if you did. =]

Alsoooo, I am now officially in partner with a professional printing lab!!!
I will be offering actual prints! And no, not Walmart or Walgreens' prints. Nothing against them, but well, their printers don't exactly do my images justice. The colors are muddy, and the sharpness makes me wanna whip out my hankie. I think you guys will be very pleased with the prints from this company! Along with prints, I will be offering other goodies such as greeting cards, press printed cards, albums, canvas, and mat boards! All which are custom designed on high quality paper and materials...paper and material that will LAST that is! =]


And last, but not least, I will be making pricing adjustments. New price list will go into play, September 1, 2010. So, if you're interested in booking your very own custom session at the current price, book BEFORE Wednesday, September 1, 2010. After this date, my current prices will be cest la vie, so don't delay! Book now to take advantage! =]


That's pretty much all for this week. I've been kinda MIA lately, and my brain has been scattered into a million different directions...so many new ideas, and so many new inspirations! I can't wait for everything to take flight!


I'll leave you with these images, tonight, which I took today...literally 5 min before a thunderstorm. lol Wish I could've taken more, but the lightning cracked so hard, I think I went deaf for a good 30 sec or so, so yes, I high tailed it back indoors where it was safe. NO shot is ever worth putting my life on the line. LOL (I know other photographers are shaking their head at that haha). Anywho, enjoy. =]

ilovepears. <3

Have a very BLESSED weekend!

XoXo
-Casey

God Whispered...

....in my ear... or really I should say he has been all along, and I was just too dang stubborn to realize it. I'm not gonna lie, lately, I feel as if my work is starting to take on its OWN look and feel...one that isn't particularly ME. Now, don't get me wrong, I am still proud of how far I've come and the images I have been able to produce, and am extremely grateful to my clients, but at the same time, I feel like I've fallen into this "category". One that's isn't exactly me, but perhaps everybody else, but me. I'm sure I'm not the only photographer who has been there, done that, but I'm almost positive that when any artist begins their journey, the paths are indirect, intimidating, and very... well, all over the place. I've been walking down this path, and now, I feel I'm at a dead end. I say, "dead end", because although I am at a "stopping" point, I definitely still plan on walking back down that path, but perhaps taking a detour along the way. After tons of research, listening to my gut instinct, and recognizing God's sweet voice, I think I have finally come to a place where I can say, "Okay... I now know in which direction I want to take my work."

For those that know me, know I loveeee music. Its my muse. Music is the words which are expressed when you, yourself cannot express them, and this is often me... unable to express how I feel, but once I pop in that music track, the thoughts and feelings begin to flow, and the words become easier to access. I come from a very musically inclined family, and it has been apart of me since I was a twinkle in my mommy's eye. I simply love it, and am in love with being able to express oneself in such a beautiful and intimate way. I love genres such as blues, acoustics, and folk. Music is one thing I could not live without. So much inspiration in attained from listening to just one song...imagine an entire album...or rather, my entire ipod play list. lol So my musical inspiration will begin to more so tie into my post-production... a bit of fresh air, if you will.

So, I sat today, and had a little chit chat with my main man, JC... we talked... and you see, usually I'm the one doing all the talking. haha But not today... I just sat and simply listened to Him. Lately, I've been praying for a breakthrough. I don't want get in this photography funk, rut, jam, or whatever you wanna call it. I just want to continuously keep rolling and gaining speed along the way. I refuse to be in that percentage where most photographers don't make it, or quit too soon. I may not be where I want to be at this exact moment in time (and more than likely, that time will never come), but I do know, that with Him, "All things are possible!" Amen.
So anyway...back to my little discussion with JC. It wasn't a long drawn out one, but more of a, "Helloooo Casey!!! FINALLY you listen to Me!" kinda conversation. Almost like He took His own Bible, and smacked me over the head with it (haha Connie!). He simply reminded me how I, personally, got started down this path...

When my baby girl was born, I was taking pictures of her with, dare I say it, my camera phone. lol And it wasn't one of those good camera phones either, okay. (nowadays that's a different story). I soon remembered my dad had given me his Kodak Easy Share (remember the first ones that came out?? yeah. that one). So I took that thing everyyyywhereeeee!! And quickly crammed up space on my precious hard drive. I then decided it was time to upgrade, and the hubby bought me a regular Canon point and shoot. THAT'S when things really took off, and that's when my daughter probably began to realize that the camera was indeed permanently apart of my face. For those that have had the pleasure of seeing my daughter grow, y'all know she is a tiny bit crazy, and a tiny bit outta control. (my Energizer Bunny). Sooo posing her and getting her to smile on cue, was never in the works for me. Never. I simply took pictures of her going about her regular everyday routine. Some crawling here, some drooling there, some yelling here, some laughing there... and CLICK CLICK. THOSE were the moments I captured. THOSE are the moments I will remember most. THOSE are the moments, SHE will get to remember.


Photojournalism. I'm not talking about the news reporter kind. I'm generally talking about the style, the approach, the final product. THE KODAK MOMENT.


So from now on, during a session there will be minimal posing with minimal eye contact (with the camera). Just as I captured those moments of my daughter, I want to capture those moments of you, your family, your loved one(s). I want you to be able to look back and think, "Wow. I totally remember the silly grin (insert name) had when they were concentrating" ... "The way (insert name) scrunched their nose right before they kissed me."

The heck with forced smiles!! Its all about the "natural", now!


I don't feel as if I'm taking a COMPLETE detour, bc I honestly do feel I have dabbled in the this type of style, but I want to concentrate more on it. I want to be "invisible"... I want to be that person who just happened to have a camera the day of your family picnic or on your trip to the park, and I just happened to take awesome (*wink wink) photos.


So this is the approach I want to begin to take...
This type of photography isn't for everyone, and I understand that not all clients will consider me, but just letting you know what type of images you can expect. I hope you'll enjoy, and I hope you'll stick along for the ride! =]


I'll leave you with these images, which I took 2 nights ago while my sweet pea was taking a bubble bath. Enjoy. =)





XoXo
-Casey

I'm Rad. Your Rad. Let's Hug.

"When selecting your photographer, remember that the professional photographer is more than someone that takes pictures, they capture memories, your memories, for a lifetime." -- Clayton Austin

<3>

Being a photographer, I believe there's more to it than merely pressing the shutter release. Its about the personal relationship you have with your clients. Getting to know them on a more personal level, that way, it's easier to capture THEM as they are, and not as the CAMERA perceives them. Otherwise, you're just another camera owner taking pictures of complete strangers.

So with that being said, I encourage ALL of my clients to add me as a personal friend on Facebook. Yeah, yeah, I know its JUST FACEBOOK, but you can learn a lot from people JUST on FACEBOOK. Its a great way for you to see what I'm about. And its a great way for me to stalk your likes and dislikes before a session! lol =]



btw. I know all of you are just dyinggg to know a little more about yours truly. Right?? haha Well, let's not delay any further! ...
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[[Courtesy of http://thecreativemama.com/meet-michele/]]

Color? Not pink, but PANK!!! I loveeee me some PANK!

Childhood memory? Yearly summer trips to South Padre, TX. And on the way, grabbing a mouth watering Margarita/Green Apple raspa. You ain't had a raspa, till you've had it "valley" style! Real talk.

Dessert? Mmmm....I have a massively gargantuan sweet tooth. I'll take it ALL! nom nom nom

Guilty pleasure? Haribo Gummy Bears. =]

Book you have read? I wish I could say many, but unfortunately I don't have a single drop of Book Worm blood in me... I'm more a picture book kinda gal. LOL Believe it or not, the LONGEST book I've EVER read was Twilight. (facepalm lol)

TV Show? I hardly ever watch tv, but when I have the time America's Next Top Model is like a class in itself...I learn a lot about posing, props, and techniques. SVU rocks my socks, too!

Way to spend a Friday night? With my hubby's crazy work schedule, every night is spent as a family.

Boots or Flip-flops? I may live in Texas, but I don't own a single pair of boots. I do, however, have an array of flip flops (in all the colors of the rainbow).

Mac or PC? Mac for storage and speed. However Windows 7 is heaven sent!

Beach or Mountains? Please to the beach, but not Houston's beach. Please to mountains, but no thank you to the popping of my ears. =)

Massage or Pedicure? Massage. ps. I think the hubbs was a professional masseuse in another lifetime.

Dog or Cat? dogs. end of story.

Coffee or Tea? Red Diamond Iced Tea!

Morning Person or Night Owl? Read my last blog.

What are three words you would use to describe yourself? Christian, daydream believer, & cuddly hehe

Some random fact about you very few people know.
- Back in the sand box ages, I literally fell ON a stick, which literally punctured my leg, which where I now have a nice little (dime size) scar.

- In 4th grade I got kicked by a soccer ball extremely hard, and now I have what looks like a varicose vain on my leg. sexy huh? lol

- I despise ketchup.

If you could have coffee with anyone famous (past or present) who would it be and why? Jesus, duh. No need for an explanation.

What or who gives you inspiration? Wow. So many inspirations... music, LOVE, motherhood, magazines, colors (cliche maybe), LIFE... anything God-created.

If you could share one bit of advice for your teenage self what would it be? Don't endure 3 years of Spanish class. Instead, befriend a real-life tutor. (I did even better for myself, and married one...even got lucky enough to have a daughter who adores Dora the Explorer) =]

XoXo-
Casey

Bright.eyed Bushy.tailed.

Gooooood Morning, cupcakes!!!


I wish I was a morning person. You know, like those freshly faced Stepford-wives-looking woman on the Folger's commercials? Yeah, that is so not me. Not even a little bit. Not even a hence of a little bit. I'm 100% night owl. Typically, I hoo my hoo-est in the weeeee hours of the morning, but that all changed, today. Life is taking on a new schedule in the Ayala household, and well, its ride or die. Alarm went off at 4:30am, and I wish I could say I gracefully popped out of bed with a huge smile on face, but no. I continued to lay there contemplating my new schedule... "Hmm...if I wake up at this time, then I can do this at this time....and do that at this time, and still be in bed ON time." You see, whenEVER my alarm sets off, I tend to argue with myself...so much that I tend to fall right back asleep. Am I the only one guilty of this pleasure? lol Cause, really, it is a pleasure... going back to sleep that is. Anywho... I woke up, laid in bed, and finally dragged, and I mean draggedddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd (hence the "drag") myself to the bathroom, right up to the sink, where my body decided to take a little break, and rest itself on the counter top. I struggled to gain focus in my eyes, and when I finally did, I took a look at myself in the mirror, and thought, "hmph, we'll see how long this new schedule lasts." So, with that being said, we SHALL see! HA!

Dear God, I pray today be successful and muy muy productive! Thank you for another day here on this crazy earth, and may I not add to the insanity of it. In your most precious and Holy name, AMEN! AMEN!


I received this in my email this morning, and just thought I'd share! You see? There are many many things we can learn while simply laying in our bed (or sleeping in for that matter. lol)

Morning Motivation
When I woke up this morning lying in bed,
I was asking myself;
What are some of the secrets of success in life?
I found the answer right there,
in my very room.


AND NOT TO FORGET,
THE CARPET SAID...
KNEEL DOWN AND PRAY.

You Are What You Wear.

The second you set up your appointment, you ask yourself, "Hmm...what's on the wardrobe menu?" And then you cautiously (HA!) proceed to freak out. A zillion questions enter your mind, and out of allll those zillions of questions, not a single answer emerges.

I've lived this.
Hubby and I had some pics done about 3 years back, and gah, dare I say it, I put him, myself, and my precious baby girl, in black TURTLE NECKS. Yup. You read right. Turtle necks. Now they're nice and all, but...okay who am I kidding???? The word, "turtle neck" makes me hot, itchy, followed by an accompanying ugly facial gesture. bleh. My little family of 3...well, we're all about the FUN!! If we were colors packed in the Crayola box, we'd be located smack dab in the middle of the "neons". (I'd be neon pink of course, hubby would be neon green, and baby girl would be neon yellow). NEVER. EVER. EVER. will I put my family in such "misleading" clothing. Unlike a turtle neck, we are farrrr from being stiff, tight, and uncomfortable. (We're pretty rad might I add.)

So with that being said...what type of clothing represents YOUR family's personality?
Read below, and see if this narrows your wardrobe menu down a bit, if not a whole-lottta-bit.


[[btw. I am now making tutu's for ALL (infant to adult) the fabulous little girls out there! They come in all kinds of different colors. Some with ribbon, beads, and even feathers! So keep in mind you have that option as well, and you're more than welcome to purchase the tutu at the end of your session! If you'd like me to custom make a tutu for your precious princess, just give me a holler and we can discuss details! ]]
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You are what you wear.

A little cliché? Perhaps. But when it comes to portrait photography, this Phoenix photographer believes firmly that clothing plays a huge role in the success of the finished product.

Before I go all Stacy and Clinton on you – let’s be clear what your clothing does NOT need to be:

1. Brand NewI’m down with your favorite ripped jeans, retro band T’s, and worn converse - as long as you know how to rock them in your own fabulous style.
2. Fancy-Schmancy and Uber-Expensive Unless it’s your thing (If it’s really your thing, then by all means baby, bring on the bling). If you’re not normally a dress-up kind of person, don’t feel like you have to be one for your session.
3. Matching No need to focus on matching everything from the color of your fuchsia headbands to the stripes in your socks. In fact, I beg of you, please, please don’t. If you’re heart is set on everyone in white button downs and khaki pants, I’m probably not your girl.
4. Stressful No need to worry about each and every item, or fret about the suitability of each accessory. This is supposed to be fun. If you’re unsure – call me, and together, we’ll make sure you look fabulous. I promise.

I want you to be happy, thrilled, over the moon about your images, and I know that this is much more likely if we take the time and work together to help you choose clothing that fits these few simple rules:

Feels Good.

During your shoot you could be sitting in a pile on the grass having a tickle battle, rolling down a hill with your fiancé, throwing your kiddos in the air or climbing a tree. Wear clothing that lets you do all that (and more) comfortably.

As for the kids? Well…uncomfortable kids have a tendency to look…uncomfortable, and are often cranky to boot. Happy kids make for happy pictures.

Bottom Line: Don’t choose outfits that make any of you feel constrained, stiff, itchy, scratchy, like you’re dressed up for Halloween, or that leave you with a nagging worry that a button might pop if you bend the wrong way. Trust me.

Looks Good.

This can be tricky, looking good is totally subjective – right? If you’re not a Carrie Bradshaw fashionista in real life, you might want to pull in some extra help from a straight-talking friend or your trusty photographer (that would be me) who knows about such things and has plans in place to help.

Sometimes last year’s of-the-moment dress has already become hopelessly untrendy. Sometimes the current fashions just don’t look or feel like you. Sometimes outfits that look good in the mirror might not be ideally suited for photography. If you’re really looking for extra help, I can put you in touch with some incredible folks who make people look good for a living.

Bottom Line: If you don’t feel fabulous-fierce-take-on-the-world gorgeous in your outfit, you’re not going to love, love, love the end result – and I’m all about you love, love, loving the end result.

Makes Sense.

Here’s where we pull it all together. It’s not just enough that everyone look good and feel good – you’ve gotta look and feel good together AND the outfits should fit with your location and the desired mood for your portraits.

Glup. That seems like a lot, doesn’t it? (quick – revisit #4 in the top list, and remember, don’t stress).

Before you even begin figuring out your wardrobe, we’ll have an in depth consultation to narrow down what you really want for your pictures, choose the perfect location and make sure you have an understanding about how that all comes together in the finished photograph. I’m with you every step of the way.

Bottom Line: It’s easier than it seems.Think twice about having Emma in a lace prom dress if you can’t get Tommy out of his spider man cape and favorite Star Wars pajama top. If we’re going to be running around in a park, you’ll likely not decide to wear your starched Sunday best. Hate the way stripes and plaids look together but Dad has his favorite stripped polo ready to go? Best steer mom away from her beloved family tartan. Easy-Peasy. [unless Mom is really attached to that tartan, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it).

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If you’re still not certain, and you can’t decide between the yellow wrap dress with your red heels or your dark skinny jeans and purple belted shirt – I’ve got good news. You don’t have to decide. Bring lots of options. Heck – throw your whole wardrobe into the back of the car. When we get to the session we’ll wing it all with fabulous results. Trust me.

Now take a deep breath. Close your eyes. Imagine how blow-everyone-away-fabulous-ready-for-America’s-Next-Top-Model you’re all going to look in those pictures….

Can you see it yet? I totally can. OMG, you look INCREDIBLE!

I can’t wait for your session!

[[Used with permission from http://www.jeanetteleblanc.com/blog/]]