Augusta Georgia Photographer for baby, newborn, maternity, children & family

Mentoring session | Ashley DeYoung Photography | Augusta, Georgia

2012-01-28T19:33:00.000-08:00

It's amazing how much I fall in love with photography again when I start to shoot for fun. I can get so caught up in the business stuff that I forget why I started shooting in the first place.

I met with a local aspiring photographer a few weeks ago and we decided to go out today and shoot. She was interested to learn anything and everything about photography.

I snapped some photos of her to show her exposure settings and how to pose people.

I switched to black and white halfway through shooting and remembered how much I love black and white. I learned photography on black and white film.

All in all it was a good day! I had a newborn session this morning. Photos to come this week!

Ash

Art of doing nothing...

2012-01-26T11:05:00.001-08:00

As hard as it was for me to leave my sweet Tennessee, one good thing about Augusta GA is the mild winter weather.

I'm sitting on my deck with a glass of chocolate milk, short sleeve shirt and leggings in January! Crazy! The sun feels amazing against my skin.

I should probably run to the grocery store and target. My house is a disaster. Clothes are piled up everywhere. My shower has mold and desperately needs to be cleaned. The dishwasher needs to be unloaded. Prints need to be ordered and emails answered, but I'm enjoying the art of doing nothing.

Everything will get done eventually. I'm learning to enjoy the opportunities that I have to just sit and listen. That's when I hear God speak. That's when I find peace and joy.

The rain

2012-01-23T10:34:00.000-08:00

(I couldn't find an actual video of her singing)

"The rain, the rain. Rain came down in sheets that night. And you, and I, stared out to the left and to the right. Rain came down in gusts. It seemed to laugh at us till daylight."

I'm listening to that song right now. It's the perfect song for a day like today. Or a weekend like we had. The rain, the rain. The rain came down in sheets...all weekend.

As much as I hate driving and being out in the rain, I enjoy the peace rain brings to my soul. It can ruin all plans instantly, yet at the same time force you to do...nothing. It restores my creative juices. It relaxes every muscle in my body and relieves the pressure in my head.

I even see some signs of SPRING!! Look at this little pink gem that I found budding on the trees in my yard!

I'm making Mediterranean Chicken Salad Pitas. They are SO delicious.

Ash
http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Augusta commercial photographer & corporate photography

2012-01-19T15:37:00.000-08:00

I had the opportunity to photograph the Augusta Water Treatment Plant. I'm not exactly sure what photos I can or can't post, so I'll just post the things that people see when they drive by it.

Ashley
http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Family Portrait Session : Aiken, South Carolina

2012-01-16T19:12:00.000-08:00

I had a great portrait session with such a sweet family in Aiken, South Carolina yesterday. It was a bit chilly in the shade, but they were troupers!

Want more information on family portraits in Augusta, Georgia or Aiken, South Carolina? Check out my new website for updated pricing info! http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Join me on facebook for portrait session & product specials.

Ashley DeYoung Photography
http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

New website design + new pricing for 2012!

2012-01-12T21:48:00.000-08:00

I've been known to change up my website at least twice a year. I may be the single most indecisive person in the universe. I think I change it so often, because I really never like what I do. I'm always trying to find something that would appeal to a wide group of people, but it never appeals to me.

I sat down the other night and brainstormed. I thought about my interests and my goals for my business.

Here's my inspiration board:

I LOVE purple with pops of yellow. Maybe a hint of red?

I love fashion magazines. I actually have a degree in magazine design. I love accessories. I love to write. So I wanted to incorporate all of this into my new website. It's still a work in progress. But I'm super excited about it! Here's a quick mockup...

There will be a new pricing structure along with the website. Hoping to have everything done this weekend. :-)

Whole wheat pitas & hummus

2012-01-10T12:38:00.000-08:00

I used to blog all of the time. I enjoy writing and it helps me clear my mind. I think I let the business side of photography take over my life and I forget to enjoy the other parts of it.

When I first moved to Augusta, Georgia, I had no photo sessions on the books. I started blogging about my cooking and daily adventures. I miss writing that blog, but having three blogs is too much to keep up with. I decided that I'm just going to occasionally write on here about my life. This blog was never intended to be strictly for my photography business.

Last September, I admit I went a little health mad. I cut out all sweet tea, junk food and everything that made me feel sick. It's been incredible to watch how much better I do feel. However, we got a little off track around the holidays, so the New Year brought me back to reality. I've really cracked down on getting rid of all the junk in our house. I'm working on cutting out all purpose flour and unhealthy oils, too.

Today I made hummus and homemade whole wheat pitas.

The pita recipe came from HERE.

The Hummus recipe came from Ina Garten's recipe. I like it, because she adds hot sauce. It gives it just enough kick!

The Tahini was hard to find in the grocery store. FYI: I found it at Publix in the Kosher aisle. It was around $9-10 for the jar, so it's expensive.

Delicious! I added grilled chicken, cucumbers, bell peppers, red onions, romaine lettuce and feta on the pita bread. Then I added a homemade Greek dressing that I made similar to this recipe.

Random Mondays...

2012-01-09T14:15:00.000-08:00

Like I do every year, I think it's about time for a website/blog change. I'll be working on a new design to freshen everything up a bit.

I'm also working on new pricing structures for my packages. Be on the lookout for that, too!

Last night I made some healthier chocolate chip cookies. They disappeared. So I'm making more tonight.

I didn't get a final photo of them fully baked. Here's the recipe for the chocolate chip and oat cookies using almond flour.

First I ground up 6 oz of almonds to make almond flour. I mixed together 1/4 cup of sugar, about 2 tbsp of brown sugar and 1/4 cup of butter. I then added 1 egg. After that's all mixed, I stirred in 1/2 tsp of vanilla. Then I added the flour, 1/4 tsp of salt and 1/4 tsp of baking soda. Finally, I mixed in a handful of oats and chocolate chips. I altered the recipe a bit, but I got it from HERE.

I wasn't trying to make these "gluten-free" and I've heard that some oats don't contain gluten, but they may. I'm no scientist. I'm just trying to cut out certain foods like all purpose flour. I was reading on a website that all purpose flour metabolizes almost as fast as sugar and one cup can convert to 24 teaspoons of sugar. I don't know how accurate that is, but I know there are lots of "hidden" sugars in foods and I'm trying to eliminate those. :-)

ash

Art Deco Wedding Invitation & Ideas

2012-01-08T13:54:00.000-08:00

If there is a decorative era that I love...it's ART DECO! From the jewelry to the unique lines in the furniture design, it's absolutely stunning.

I was recently inspired to make an Art Deco wedding invitation template.

The original template looks like this and you can leave it at 5x7" or you can cut it out. I personally think the cut out version looks amazing!

The template was printed on ivory pearl paper from Hobby Lobby. We sewed an ivory ribbon to make the belly band and then sewed on feathers and a brooch. The invitation box was purchased from paper-source.com HERE. We purchased the fabric and made the cushion for the box.

I tried to not get too fancy or carried away with the design. I keep my templates simple, so you can customize the wording. You may purchase the template here.

Need more inspiration for an art deco themed wedding? Check out this pinboard on pinterest!

And for more inspiration...check out this idea board:

1-Flapper inspired headpiece
2-Art Deco Fabric
3-Feather Manolo Blahnik
4-Art Deco Wedding Favors
5-Art Deco Wedding Cake
6-Square Art Deco Wedding Engagement Ring

7-Art Deco Wedding Bouquet
8-Art Deco Wedding Invitation
9-Art Deco Wedding Plume Center Pieces
10-Art Deco Wedding Dress
11-Vintage Car
12-Shalimar

Ashley DeYoung
http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Corporate photography and head shots : Augusta Georgia Photographer

2012-01-05T19:29:00.000-08:00

I'm having one of those days. My macbook screen kept going black every few minutes. It's been doing this for the last month or so, but only when I move the screen too fast. Today it decided to continue to go black. I can't work with a screen like that. I ended up buying a new macbook pro. Not something I was saving up for currently or planning to buy, so I had a brief panic attack in the store when I saw the total. Trying to transfer my software and files has been the biggest pain. To get it off the old computer I had to update the software and then update the new computer software...basically a COMPLETE nightmare.

Anyhow, I can't complain. I have a computer that works now.

The TV was making too much noise, so I just shut it off. Currently each computer contains half of my stuff. My old one, unfortunately, has all of my music. So my old computer is playing Ryan Adams "Dirty Rain". I love that song.

All I can say is mmmmmmmmm. Love him. I like to hit play and think he's singing to me. ;-P

I had a photo shoot downtown Augusta today. It was fun to work with an adult! Lately, it's been all three year old children.

While driving to my photo shoot today, I realized I only have one more on the books for January. I've been booking a bunch of weddings, but that's not till May/June. I started panicking, because I had to buy a computer, and I really really need a new camera. I invested all of my money back into my business in 2011, so I have nothing saved for 2012 purchases.

I remembered feeling this way exactly one year ago. I was worried how I would ever book anything. I let it go, and let God guide me. I need to trust him again for 2012. HE always provides. I just got used to being super busy these last few months.

Ash
http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

2011 :: A year in review :: Augusta Georgia Photographer

2012-01-01T20:05:00.000-08:00

If you would have told me a year ago that I'd be booked solid during October/November/December of 2011, I would have laughed. 2011 was a rough year for me. I took a huge step with a LOT of faith and moved to Augusta, Georgia at the end of 2010. I went against what everyone told me I should do and I made the move. I knew all along that God had a plan for me and I was right. So with a lot of faith in God and support from my newly wed husband, I started my business over again. Since I knew only my husband and a few of his coworkers in the area, I wasn't sure where to begin. I began blogging, lowering my prices, spending countless hours on the internet, lowering my prices more and running sales. It finally paid off.

As I went through the photos tonight, I was amazed at how many pictures I've taken. For the first time in my life, I was shooting complete strangers. Not family, not friends, not friends of family and friends of friends...just complete strangers. I enjoyed looking over the photos again and remembering those sessions. Here are a few of last year's sessions with children...

I wish I had time to post my favorite photos from every session I did last year, but I just don't!

Here's to hoping 2012 will bring lots of success with all three of my businesses!

Ashley DeYoung Photography
http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Tennessee Christmas

2011-12-30T09:10:00.000-08:00

I took a break from work for the past week and it's been amazing to unplug. I'm still on "vacation", but I thought I'd upload a few photos from Christmas in Tennessee.

We went to Knoxville to visit my husband's side of the family. I love going there at Christmas time. There's something about driving through the mountains in the winter that makes it feel like Christmas time.

We traveled to Nashville afterward and spent time with my family. I think the most stressful thing is dividing up time between family and friends when you come back to your hometown. I hate it. I wish I still lived in Tennessee.

Ashley DeYoung
http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Blog back up!

2011-12-24T06:37:00.000-08:00

After a week long hassle, my blog is finally back up! I'll be posting more invitation templates over the next few weeks. We have some amazing new designs coming!

Until then...I'm taking a few days to spend with my family. :-)

Ashley

New lens and santa hats!

2011-12-19T18:16:00.000-08:00

I bought a new lens recently. I try to get the most for my money and that doesn't always mean I get canon!

I recently purchased a 24mm f/1.8, and gasp, it's not a canon. I do extensive research on new gear before I purchase and well this little gem had some spectacular reviews. I think a lot of people are stuck on "labels" and forget there are some pretty amazing pieces of glass out there.

I took a few test shots.

Low lit area...should have used a tripod.

My favorite shot from tonight! My precious Ms. Mabel wearing a Santa Hat with a beard.

As a photographer, I feel that it's good to never stop learning different skills within my field. I never learned how to do panoramic photography and I've been wanting to learn. I used my new lens to shoot in my front yard and my living room.

It's a start at least. I never realized how simple it is to do! I'm going to go out in nature and shoot some. I'm wanting to incorporate panoramic style photos for weddings and family portraits.

That's all for now!

Ashley DeYoung
http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Black damask do it yourself wedding invitation template : Ashley DeYoung

2011-12-16T18:56:00.000-08:00

I've been working on a new template!

I was inspired by the specialty paper section at hobby lobby. How cool is this sewn paper? I LOVE the colors they had.

I ended up purchasing a black damask paper that had a velvet texture.

I used my 5x5" Traditional Square Wedding Invitation & Response Card Template to create the invitation. I then used a template to make a pouch. I am going to blog more about how to create a pouch later.

I printed my invitation on ivory pearl paper. I let it dry to a few minutes, because it will smudge.

I rounded the edges of both the response card and invitation.

Here's the final product. I used a black ribbon and a broach to finish it off. I loved the idea of ivory and black.

Don't forget to purchase the template here! And check back soon for a template to make the envelope. :-)

Ashley DeYoung

Augusta Georgia Portrait Photographer

2011-12-13T17:23:00.000-08:00

A few from a recent session.

Ashley DeYoung

Printable "letterpress" wedding invitation : Ashley DeYoung

2011-12-09T18:44:00.000-08:00

It's Friday night and I'm home alone watching "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" with my cat. Exciting! That show always makes me crave a burger at midnight.

This week I went to Hobby Lobby, Michael's and JoAnn's looking for some fun scrapbook paper for invitation inspiration. After browsing pinterest for a ~~few minutes~~ hours, I discovered how in love I am with letterpress style invitations.

But man are they expensive! You're looking at spending $500-600 on just 100 invitations! As a wedding photographer and former bride, I know first hand that is a huge portion of most modern bride's budget. So for y'all do-it-yourselfers out there, why not print your own.

Using my Black Letterpress invitation template, you can create a custom "mock" letterpress invitation for a lot less money. (Just purchase the template through google checkout, I'll email you for the information to put on the invitation within 24 hours and then I'll send you a PDF which prints two invitations per page).

For the invitation below, I purchased canvas texture paper from JoAnn's. I then purchased pink and white paisley textured paper from JoAnn's.

I printed the invitation on the white canvas paper.

I then took a rubber stamp and pink ink to make the little pink monogram. I stacked an "A" and "J" in the empty space on the right side of the invitation. The stamp is from Michael's in the scrapbook section (they come on a sheet with the full alphabet as seen in the image below). You can also choose to have me put the stamp on the invitation template, if you don't want to stamp it yourself. However, it will print black. I personally love the look of the hand stamped part with the pop of color. That's what really creates the letterpress look.

You could also put a paisley stamp, your monogram or some fun design in the empty space. The sky is the limit! :)

After slicing the page in half to create two 5x7" invites, I used my 1/4" "Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper" to round the edges.

The finished product. The options for this design are endless. Print on different color papers with different color stamps. Use fun scrapbook paper for the wrap. Tie it up with a tag, button or a brooch

Here is another option using craft paper, red and white polka dots with twine. (Sorry about my cat, she wouldn't get out the shot)

Ok, that's all for now. Don't forget to purchase the Black Letterpress template HERE for $22.99.

-Ashley

http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

New Year's Holiday Greeting Card : Ashley DeYoung

2011-12-06T13:19:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd post my most recent card order that came today!

I just love it.

Instead of doing a Christmas card, they wanted a New Year's card. So I custom designed it for them. Which is perfect for procrastinators like myself. I tend to wait till the last minute to address my cards. You still have time to order these and get them out.

This is a 5x5" trifold card. The inside is a spread of just photos that we took on the beach.

-Ashley

Augusta Georgia Portrait Photographer : Ashley DeYoung Photography

2011-12-05T12:34:00.000-08:00

I think the craziness of this season if finally getting to me. I haven't been this sick in a LONG time. However, it's been good to catch up on editing, uploading, ordering and emailing!

Here are a few photos from yesterday's session. What a cutie!

I'm currently watching my favorite show from my childhood "Little House on the Prairie". It's amazing how cheesy the effects and music are on this show, but I still LOVE it! :-)

~Ashley
http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Holiday portrait sessions in Augusta, Georgia : Ashley DeYoung Photography

2011-12-01T19:30:00.000-08:00

I had a great session today with this sweet two-year old boy. We thought he may not want to smile for the camera, but he surprised us and gave me some great poses. :-)

We played in the Christmas tree at Augusta Commons park downtown.

It's been a crazy past few weeks. I'm slammed with holiday portrait sessions, but recently I started a new business. Yes, that makes business number 3. I have Ashley DeYoung Photography, Strawberry Blonde Wedding Photography and my latest venture...invitation templates. Between doing portrait sessions, editing photos, ordering prints, shipping and then emailing templates, I'm a busy girl! I'm also trying to balance all of that with a husband who works night shift, cleaning my house and staying involved with the youth ministry at church and small group. Whew!

A year ago, I never thought I'd be this busy. My invitation business literally just happened out of nowhere. I had people email me to purchase my personal wedding invitation template, because I blogged about how I designed and made them myself. It took off from there. When things calm down with holiday portrait sessions, I hope to really spend time on my invitation business. It's amazing how many do-it-yourself brides are out there. :-)

Ashley
http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

HOLIDAY PHOTO CARDS!

2011-11-29T18:26:00.000-08:00

Every year I look forward to seeing the holiday cards that I get in the mail. Lately, it seems that everyone uses the same company to print them, so a lot of them end up looking very similar.

I'm a BIG supporter of high quality printing. Print quality can really make or break a card. I'm offering to my photography clients a special holiday card collection that is printed on high quality paper. Choose from art, watercolor, standard, glossy or pearl paper.

I'm in the process of making some. These 5x5" cards come with a pre-punched hole at the top for a ribbon to create an ornament photo card! How cool is that?

These cards come in packs of 25 and are $50 for standard or art paper. $55 for stickers. $65 for magnets.

If I haven't photographed your family, but you still want to use this template and print them yourself, I'm in the process of creating a simple round ornament card. It's 3x3" and prints 6 per page. I will show directions when I get them finished, but you will use a 3x3" punch to cut them out.

Ashley DeYoung
http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

New year's holiday card : Ashley DeYoung Photography

2011-11-28T19:42:00.000-08:00

My brain hit overload tonight and I cannot work on photos anymore. I'm supposed to upload galleries for client viewing, but the quality of the images after I compressed them looks awful. I'm going to wait until tomorrow to compress them again.

Here's a sneak at a New Year's card that I made for my in-laws. This past October, we went to Charleston. I set up a tripod and took family group portraits on the beach...the hardest thing to do, especially when you forget your quick release gadget for your tripod and have to rig it to hold the camera.

It's a 5x5 trifold card. The front of the card is the part that says "Happy new year". The inside will have the three images below.

Ashley DeYoung
http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Augusta Georgia Portrait Photographer : Ashley DeYoung Photography

2011-11-21T19:24:00.000-08:00

Here are a few photos from one my latest sessions in Augusta, Georgia!

They were such a sweet family! I've got another session to work on and will upload photos tomorrow!

Ashley DeYoung
http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Vintage Inspired Wedding Invitations

2011-11-17T12:59:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't love vintage things? The smells, the muted colors and the lace! I love it all.

While roaming the scrapbook aisles of Hobby Lobby today, I was totally inspired to create a vintage wedding invitation. I couldn't find the exact peachy-pink vellum that I wanted. I ended up buying a light pink vellum and an ivory linen card stock. When the vellum is placed on top of the card stock, it creates the perfect peachy-pink color!

This invitation is a little bit of vintage with a hint of elegance. When I got home, I used my VINTAGE ELEGANT wedding template (you may purchase it here). The template prints two invites per 8.5x11" sheet of card stock (what a money saver!!). I let my printed page sit on the printer for a few seconds to dry, since I don't want ink smudges all over it.

Using an Xacto knife and a ruler, I cut along the dash guides to make each invite 4x9". I then cut the vellum to the exact size.

With the Fiskars decorative corner punch, I made a decorative punch out design on each corner of the pink vellum.

I used glue dots to adhere the pink vellum on top of the ivory linen card stock. It really softens the text. I made sure my glue dot would be in a spot that would be hidden by a ribbon.

I then cut a ribbon and used a floral brooch that I got in the Hobby Lobby embellishment aisle. You could also use vintage buttons as a cheaper alternative. Check out vintage button lots on eBay. For my wedding, we used vintage buttons and spray painted them to look the same.

Mail them in a box to make a statement or an envelope.

Don't forget to purchase the template for this vintage inspired wedding invitation. Once you purchase and pay for the invite, I will email you within a few hours for the information to put on the invite. If you have indesign or adobe acrobat and want to input your own information, please indicate that in the email and I will send you the file.

~Ashley
http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Simple Black and White Leaf Wedding invitation Template : Do it yourself

2011-11-15T20:43:00.000-08:00

This simple invitation can be printed from a black and white printer. No need for expensive color ink here! The template comes with two 5x7" invitations per 8.5"x11" page. Print them on any color card stock. The possibilities are endless with this design. Choose a yellow paper to make the invite pop or choose a fun scrapbook paper to attach the invite.

I chose an ivory linen card stock with a kraft paper wrap. I used a FISKARS Paper Crimper to get the look of corrugated cardboard for the wrap.

Using The Paper Studio Long Reach Punches, I punched the wrap with two holes to tie the ribbon.

I also decided to attach a piece of kraft paper using glue dots to the back of the invitation for more pizazz. If you do this, keep in mind the size. The invitation template is 5x7". You may need to trim it smaller or purchase larger envelopes.

To purchase this template click HERE. This wedding invitation template is $15.99.
If you have any questions, please feel free to fill out a contact form through my website. If you purchase the template, you will be emailed within 24 hours. Have the information you want placed on the invite ready. If you have Adobe inDesign or Adobe Acrobat and would prefer to edit the file yourself, please let me know when I email you. I can send you a ".indd" or ".pdf" file.

Ashley DeYoung
http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Augusta Georgia Portrait Photographer

2011-11-14T18:01:00.000-08:00

I have to say this has been the busiest I've ever been with photography. I think I have 9 sessions in the next two weeks...HOLIDAY PORTRAIT TIME!! It's been a challenge keeping up with orders and emailing, but I'm loving how busy I am. I have so many photos that I haven't uploaded to my blog or website. Hopefully I will have some free time in the next few days to update everything!

I've been working on photos from a recent session:

There are about 50 more of this little boy and his family. So sweet.

Well I'm off to place a print order.

Ashley

http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Sessions, shoes and saving

2011-11-11T17:10:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year...crazy busy!

I had some fun photo sessions during my recent trip to Nashville.

It was such a fun trip. I surprised my mom by coming up for her 50th birthday! It felt so good to be there. We did lots of shopping, eating and running around. It was nice to come up secretly. Sometimes when I'm there, I feel like I have something to do every hour. Since only a few people knew...it was very relaxing! The more I travel to Nashville, the harder it becomes to leave. I've never cried like that before.

There's been this crazy reoccurring theme lately. Shoes. It started with a trip to my favorite store in Tennessee...Marti&Liz.

I went a little crazy buying shoes. I've been dying for some Frye boots, but I can't seem to bring myself to spend that much money on a pair of boots. I ended up buying two pairs of boots for $40 total!

And hopefully my sister won't kill me for posting this picture, but the soles of her shoes fell off while walking the other day. We had a good laugh over it, but later we also realized those who don't even have shoes.

Life has been challenging lately and some days I get super stressed. Then the other day I ran across this quote:

That quote hit home. I complain about not having a lot of things, but in reality I have so much compared to so many others. I complained recently that I wanted a new computer, because mine is getting really old. However, I don't have $3000+ to spend on the one I want. Yet there are people walking the streets near my house who don't even have a house.

Lately, I'm feeling compelled to give in any way I can. I feel God is calling me to give more money to those in need. I recently decided to give away a portion of my photo session money away for a few months. I think it will be good for me to be challenged with this. As much as I have been wanting to save money, I feel God saying to give.

~Ashley

Augusta Georgia & Columbia South Carolina Child Portrait Photographer

2011-11-01T17:31:00.000-07:00

This little girl had the biggest and prettiest eyes! I'm in a mood to post these all in black and white.

~Ashley DeYoung
http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Charleston trip : Augusta Georgia Portrait Photographer

2011-10-31T17:08:00.000-07:00

I've had a crazy busy past few weeks and I have a feeling it will be like this through the holidays.

My husband and I just returned from an amazing trip to Charleston. We loved it!

I'll be posting more recent photo sessions in the next few days. Until then... Happy Halloween!

Ashley DeYoung Photography
http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Augusta Georgia Family Portrait Photographer : Ashley DeYoung Photography

2011-10-22T09:44:00.000-07:00

Had a session today with another cutie!

~Ashley
http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Happy Anniversary : Augusta Georgia Photographer

2011-10-18T08:21:00.000-07:00

One year ago today I was getting married! I can't believe it. I was a nervous wreck!!

I officially moved down to Georgia one year ago this week. I have been a Georgian for one year. It has been the most challenging thing I've gone through, but it's made me a stronger person. :-)

-Ashley
http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Homemade comfort food : Augusta, Georgia Portrait photographer

2011-10-17T17:27:00.000-07:00

Today I decided to bake some homemade whole wheat pita bread. It's a simple recipe with just whole wheat, yeast, salt and water. No preservatives, just 4 ingredients!

They poofed up into a balloon like shape. It was pretty cool.

I also made homemade hummus. Again, it was a simple recipe with all natural ingredients-chickpeas, tahini, salt, lemon juice, olive oil, water and garlic.

Lastly, I had a leftover whole chicken, so I made homemade chicken stock. All natural ingredients-chicken, dill, parsley, thyme, carrots, onion, celery, garlic, pepper, salt and water. It smells so yummy. I can't wait to strain it and use it in some soups.

This year I switched to eating healthier...a lot healthier. I've been trying to make everything from scratch to avoid all of the extra salt and preservatives. I'm excited to make gyros tomorrow with my pitas and hummus! Yuuummmy.

~Ashley DeYoung

http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Miracle Mile Walk : Augusta, Georgia Photographer

2011-10-17T08:20:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday, I photographed the Miracle Mile Walk for breast cancer downtown Augusta, Georgia. It was incredibly challenging. I thought there would be less than a thousand people, but I think I heard them say there were 7,000??? Amazing!

The most challenging part was maneuvering through thousands of people. However, it's awesome that so many people showed up to support this amazing cause.

I always try to prepare for a shoot by packing everything that I could possibly need, but I sometimes forget to mentally prepare myself. It can be overwhelming when hundreds of people approach you to be photographed. I did not expect that. It's definitely fun to constantly have people ask, but at the same time I had a hard time balancing that with photographing what I needed to capture.

Toward the end of the event, I heard this tiny older lady (not even 5 foot tall) yelling out as she was making her way to the front of the stage "I'm a two time survivor, I'm a two time survivor." I thought, WOW! That's amazing. That makes everything worth it. That puts everything in perspective.

Ashley DeYoung
http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Personal : Augusta, Georgia Photographer

2011-10-13T20:28:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I need to reevaluate my motives for running a business. It's been super stressful lately and a lot of work to do on my own. So I made a list...

-I feel this is the direction I'm being lead by God
-I live, eat and breathe art. I'm lost without it
-I studied this in school, so it's all I know
-I'd wake up and do it for free if I had to
-I'm driven when I'm doing it
-It brings me so much joy to photograph people
-I love expressing the way I view the world through photography

Over the summer, my small group at church read the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. This really stood out to me:

“We are each given different gifts and talents by our Master. The thing that matters most is how we use what we have been given, not how much we make or do compared to someone else. What matters is that we spend ourselves.”
-Crazy Love by Francis Chan

I think I need to give back more, whether it's my time or money. I need to invest it all more wisely.

I'm getting super excited about the holidays and especially about the cooler weather! :-)

Ashley
http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Augusta, Georgia portrait photographer : Ashley DeYoung Photography : lifestyle session

2011-10-04T12:34:00.000-07:00

A few shots from a session this past weekend! What adorable little girls.

~Ashley
http://www.ashleydeyoung.com
http://www.strawberryblondeweddings.com

Augusta Georgia newborn photographer : Ashley DeYoung Photography

2011-10-03T19:16:00.000-07:00

A few photos from a newborn session that I did this past weekend. What a cutie!

~Ashley DeYoung

http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

http://www.strawberryblondeweddings.com

Digital image package for portrait session : photographer in Augusta, Georgia : Ashley DeYoung Photography

2011-09-30T17:33:00.000-07:00

I'm now offering a digital image package. For $300, you get a full portrait session and 15 digital images on a DVD with printing rights.

You may use this session package for senior portraits, baby portraits, newborn portraits, family portraits, child portraits, holiday portraits, engagement, head shots, etc.
~Ashley
http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Augusta Georgia & Columbia South Carolina Maternity Photographer : Ashley DeYoung Photography

2011-09-25T10:19:00.000-07:00

Photographing pregnant women is intriguing to me, especially if it's their first born. I know everyone says that pregnant women glow, but I think the beam with joy.

I seem to luck out with stunning moms-to-be. Yesterday's session was no exception, she was glowing. Of course the gorgeous lighting on the Savannah River made her glow even more.

We started off at Brick Pond in North Augusta, SC while the sun was still pretty high. I wanted to make sure I ended the session on the river with the sun setting.

As you can see, the sun was starting to get lower and we got this gorgeous amber back lighting.

Then we moved to a new location to get some more urban style shots.

And then we ended the session by the river...isn't that lighting killer?

That first image on the montage above makes me laugh. I didn't realize the sun-flare was right on the belly.

If you are interested in booking a maternity session, please visit my website http://www.ashleydeyoung.com for more information on packages and portrait sessions.

~Ashley

Facebook Timeline : Ashley DeYoung Photography

2011-09-23T14:36:00.001-07:00

I know a lot of people balk every time facebook changes, but I'm going to embrace this new timeline. I'm a very sentimental person. I use facebook as a way to look back at photos that I took in college and read comments friends wrote years ago.

I jumped on the early release thing for timeline for developers. It was so much fun seeing posts on my wall from 2005 from friends.

This is what I see when I log on, but my friends see only my old profile until it's fully released.

and I can see the status I wrote the day I got married...

It's essentially a scrapbook of my life and I can control what is put out there.

I think this is going to be excellent for my business as well. I can't wait for them to release it for facebook pages. How cool would it be to click the September 2011 in 3 years and see your photos on a timeline? I think it would be cool. :-P

Ashley

Fall sessions & groupons : Augusta, Georgia Photographer

2011-09-20T20:32:00.000-07:00

It's Fall session time! Since quite a few people bought the groupon, I thought I'd write a reminder to go ahead and book those sessions while it's still warm outside. You can use it for Holiday portraits!!

The groupon expires in February 2012. Go ahead and schedule those now, even if you want to schedule it for after February 2012. As long as you book your session before February, you may schedule it for any date up until June 1, 2012. No groupon sessions will be done after June 2012.

~Ashley DeYoung

A weekend in Hilton Head : Augusta, Georgia Photographer

2011-09-19T08:54:00.000-07:00

Despite the unusually cold weather this past weekend, we had a wonderful time. It was a much needed girls weekend getaway.

The weekend brought much peace and clarity. Sometimes I become so consumed that my mind doesn't stop thinking. The beach is the only place I can find complete peace in my head.

I watched a wedding on the beach. It was a crazy cool wedding where they did dancing during the ceremony. It made me realize wedding photography is the direction I want to eventually head into full time.

Recently, I discovered how much I enjoy doing engagement sessions. I never thought I wanted to go into wedding photography. My dream was to pursue shooting musicians in Nashville, but I moved out of Nashville and into a town where that wasn't as easy to pursue. I'm realizing I can do weddings anywhere and I really enjoy working with couples.

I'm excited to see where this new direction will take me.

Check out our new wedding website : http://www.StrawberryBlondeWeddings.com

~Ashley DeYoung

Ready for FALL in Augusta, Georgia!

2011-09-13T16:39:00.000-07:00

I survived my first summer in Georgia.

Unfortunately, my plants did not...

We are about 10 days away from fall and I cannot wait!!

I already have my fall mantel decorated...

The fall "glow" is coming out and it's my favorite lighting to shoot with...

Just gorgeous lighting...and Ms. Mabel too!

And who doesn't love pumpkins and pumpkin patches? (Do they have those in Georgia?)

I love corn mazes, cool breezes, oversized sweaters and big boots! I'm not sure I will have any of that this fall in Georgia, but I'm hoping to at least have some cooler weather. :-)

I'm heading to Hilton Head this weekend and I'm very excited. It's a short girls weekend trip...a much needed girls trip. :-)

~Ashley DeYoung

Strawberry Blonde Wedding Photography :: Ashley DeYoung Photography :: Augusta Georgia Wedding Photographers

2011-09-10T20:10:00.001-07:00

I've been spending so much time working on building my other business "Strawberry Blonde Wedding Photography", that I have neglected to blog on this site!

It's very late on a Saturday night and I'm killing time till my husband gets home from work! Boo overtime on Saturday nights. :-(

Here's what I've been doing:

I updated the wedding photography part of my Ashley DeYoung Photography site.
I added a Meet Jenn Harrison page to our Strawberry Blonde Wedding Photography Blog. This page talks about who Jenn is and her portrait photography business. She is my business partner for Strawberry Blonde and also has another business "Jenn Harrison Photography".
I added a Meet Ashley DeYoung page to our blog.
I added a flash header to our blog. Isn't it pretty?
I blogged about our new fall special for a complimentary engagement session in Augusta, Georgia.
I updated our pricing! We now are offering ALL IMAGES from your wedding on a DVD with EVERY package. Yes, that's right. All images with printing rights. You can view our packages pricing HERE, and of course feel free to email us for a full package list. Basic packages start at $1600, and a complete package is $3600! Each package has TWO photographers for your wedding day!
I updated our facebook page a bit. Go ahead...like it!
And I've added us to a million websites.

Whew. That's a lot of linkage!

I will be heading to Hilton Head for a girls getaway next week. Hopefully things will be back to normal when I get back. :-)

-Ashley

Goodbye my sweet, sweet tea...

2011-09-06T16:17:00.000-07:00

I can just smell it. Fall is right around the corner. I thought 91 degrees was a relief from the heat. But boy does the mid 80s feel like fall!

That cool breeze and low humidity...all I can say is YES YES YES!

I'm on my front porch covered in cat hair from my lovely little Ms. Mabel. As I sit here, I feel peace and relief. Something I have been searching for a long time.

About 9 days ago, I quit drinking sweet tea. You would think the 7 fillings I had this summer would have stopped me from drinking sweet tea, but no! For the past couple of months, I've had pounding headaches every single day. They were so bad that my husband would have to squeeze my head and rub the back of my neck every night. I was tired all of the time and could never fall asleep.

I decided last week to quit drinking all caffeine. Which meant I had to give up my precious tea. I would drive to get a sweet tea every afternoon. I would have it for every meal. I'm addicted to it. I gave it up cold turkey, something I have done once before. It was hard for three days. My body was in shock. I had headaches really bad for a couple of days and craved it, but I just chugged water all day long.

Since then, my headaches have pretty much disappeared. I am able to fall asleep faster and sleep longer. I feel better and have lost a little bit of weight. When I get tired, I workout instead of having sweet tea. I think I'm going to keep going with this plan of no tea. It's sad, but I can't handle the headaches...especially when I'm doing photo sessions.

So...hooray for no headaches!

ashley

A little home decorating

2011-09-04T18:09:00.000-07:00

Happy Labor Day! I took most of the weekend off from doing work. My parents came down to visit. My mom does interior design and she decided to rearrange my house. I'm totally okay with that! :-)

We are going to turn this into a mini bar. I'm going to get a wine rack to go in that cubby so it will look similar to this:

I'm excited about that.

She redid my mantel for fall. I love fall!!

We brought in some furniture from one of my guest bedrooms and pulled out the brown furniture.

I really need to get an iron headboard like this:

That's what I've been up to. It's nice to take a break from work and do some decorating. But it's back to work tomorrow.

Check out my new company that I started with another local photographer Jenn Harrison called Strawberry Blonde Wedding Photography http://www.strawberryblondeweddings.com

~Ashley DeYoung

New payment options :: Ashley DeYoung Photography

2011-08-31T17:28:00.000-07:00

I'm now offering payment plans for photography sessions and baby packages.

If you book a baby plan, you may make three payments over the course of the year. First payment due in order to book the first session, second payment is paid at the second session, and third payment is paid by the last session.

First year baby plans range from $400-$1300. Contact me for a full pricing sheet of baby plans.

If you book a full portrait session ($125) and spend more than $500 on products, you may make three payments over three months. The first payment is due upon placing the order and you will receive the products by the last payment. Payments may be made by check, cash or paypal.

With the holidays coming up, this is a great way to span out those payments!

To book a session, please visit the contact page on my website

-Ashley

Strawberry Blonde Wedding Photography :: Ashley DeYoung Photography :: Augusta Georgia Wedding Photographer

2011-08-29T13:00:00.001-07:00

Well it's been on the down-low for a while now, but it's time to announce!

I've teamed up with another local photographer in Augusta, Georgia and together we started Strawberry Blonde Wedding Photography. She's the strawberry & I'm the blonde! :-)

You can check out our new website here: http://www.strawberryblondeweddings.com

This site is a temporary site until we can get everything worked out since things have happened so fast! But you can also view it below by hitting the play button.

Our packages range from $1600-$3600 and all packages include two photographers.

We also do engagement sessions and bridal portraits session, and we are available to travel!

So, when you contact me for weddings through my http://www.ashleydeyoung.com website, you will receive a reply with pricing from Strawberry Blonde Weddings.

Christmas Card Portrait sessions :: Ashley DeYoung Photography :: Augusta, Georgia portrait photographer

2011-08-26T10:01:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again. Pull out the matching sweaters, khaki pants and cheesy smiles. Just kidding...please don't wear matching sweaters. But it is time to start booking Christmas portrait sessions.

Go ahead and book your sessions during September and October before it starts turning chilly. This time of year gets a little crazy for me as I travel back and forth between Nashville and Augusta more for Christmas portraits, so secure your date now!

$150 for a 25 minute session & 5 digital images with printing rights on a DVD.

-Ashley DeYoung Photography

New session locations in Augusta, Georgia :: Ashley DeYoung Photography

2011-08-22T11:27:00.000-07:00

I have lived in Augusta for about 9 months now and yesterday was the first time I actually went out scouting for locations for sessions and possibly future studio spots. :-P I know, big dreamer here.

Some may say I'm only dreaming...but I'd love to rent some office space in Enterprise Mill...

Reminds me of the Franklin Factory...oh how I miss the Factory.

This little hidden gem will be an amazing setting for engagement pictures. I just snapped a few images, but there are many little nooks, crannies and bridges for lovebirds. Look at the lighting...Just stunning. I love the metal roof on that building...great for reflecting natural light as a fill and getting a soft glow on the entire face.

We found a little field that's great for those natural style sessions.

Love the back lighting here in the evenings. YUM!

We found so many more places. I'm super excited to not be bound to the 3 or 4 places I typically shoot at.

There are new and exciting things that will be happening with my business in the next few months. I'm stoked to see where God will lead this. I will be posting about it in the next few weeks when we get the details worked out. :-)

I will end with this...a shot from this weekend's session:

Love her sweet expressions.

http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Knitted baby hats for newborn sessions :: Photographer in Augusta, Georgia :: Ashley DeYoung Photography

2011-08-15T14:58:00.000-07:00

I recently ordered some knitted hats for my newborn photo sessions.

I ordered a yellow first, because so many moms are choosing to not find out the sex of their baby. I figured yellow is neutral and will work for any baby session. After I ordered yellow, I wanted a brown one. Eventually I'll order a pink, blue and green hat in a different style...but I need to book more newborn sessions!

I love the little pale yellow one. So adorable.

After ordering these, I got a phone call from a client that wanted a brown teddy bear knitted hat for her baby's session. But mine weren't going to arrive in time. So she ordered one on Etsy and had it shipped very quickly.

I thought he looked adorable.

He made the funniest faces in every photo.

I went to the doctor today for my yearly physical. I got my first flu shot ever! Boy is my arm sore and I feel icky! I'm not one that takes a lot of medicine or gets vaccines, but my doctor insisted. Hopefully, I won't get so sick this winter. :-)

Mabel wants to go outside so badly.

94 degrees felt amazing today! Who knew such high temps could feel like such relief from 100 degree weather.

Popcorn & Coke

2011-08-09T20:58:00.000-07:00

It was late, but my tummy was rumbling. I knew I wanted something salty. I fumbled through my cabinets and found those little 100 calorie kettle corn packs. I tore it open, threw it in the microwave and watched Ms. Mabel jolt as it started to pop.

The sound popcorn makes when it really starts popping brought back so many memories. When I was growing up, every Sunday, my father would make homemade popcorn for dinner. We would eat it and drink coke while watching the television. I remember how he would heat the oil, then throw a test kernel into the pot and patiently wait for it to pop. I always wanted to be the one to add the salt to the bowl. After every kernel was devoured, I would drag my little finger across my mom's blue Tupperware bowl to collect the salt and eat it. I don't know what was so special about my father's popcorn, but no popcorn tastes as good as his did.

Since moving to a new state, there have been things that I miss. I eventually got over having different restaurants and stores here, but I miss those family traditions and I hate missing big events. My brother and his wife had their second child a few days ago. I got to see him barely a few minutes old from 400 miles away on skype. It was hard to be so far away and to know I won't ever get to hold him while he's a newborn. I probably won't see him for several months. I just have to keep my chin up and rest assured that God has a plan for me here.

Since Joshua and I are family now, I think we need to start our own traditions. We pretty much go to eat Mexican at the same place every Saturday...that's a tradition I wouldn't mind keeping. :-)

ash

Maternity session & Engagement session :: Augusta, Georgia Photographer

2011-08-07T19:33:00.001-07:00

I love my job. I can't say it enough. It's not glamorous 100% of the time, not even 20% of the time. I get dirty, sweaty, sticky, stinky, rashes from laying on the grass, bug bites, puked on, peed on, and more. But I still love my job.

I literally will jump out of bed when I have an early morning session. Those that know me, know that I'm NOT a morning person. I go to bed at 2 or 3 AM, so waking up at 7AM to go to work is not appealing to most people that get that little of sleep. But I will jump out of bed, throw my hair up, grab my gear and run out the door. If I have to wake up early to go to the doctor or catch a 5AM flight, I'm not a happy camper.

I had two early morning sessions this weekend. I've gotten about 3-4 hours of sleep per night for the past 10 days. I'm exhausted and my body aches.

However, when you get to work with sweet couples like these people...

(http://michaelandkristen.ashleydeyoung.com)
It makes my job so much easier. What chemistry they had! Their back and forth banter reminded me of my husband and I. They could make each other laugh, which made for some awesome portraits. Sometimes it's so hard to make grownups laugh. Pig noises usually don't work like they do with the kiddos.

This little lady glowed. She was definitely beaming in every photo. I can't wait for her newborn session.

(http://keenaaldrich.ashleydeyoung.com)
I usually edit 15-20 proofs and these two sessions I did about 70! Holy cow!! Both couples did such an amazing job and were such a joy to work with.

I need some sleep and I'm hoping I can fall asleep before midnight tonight.

~Ashley :-)

Finding me...

2011-08-02T15:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I received a phone call asking why I canceled my predesigned website service. They wanted to know so they can improve for the future. I explained that while I really enjoyed their excellent customer service and easy-to-use website, I wanted more control over my website. He wanted me to clarify. And I replied...

"I don't want a cookie-cutter website anymore. I want something that represents me and I need more control over my design in order to represent myself. My style is unique to me and I want my brand to represent that."

After I got off the phone, I thought back to this past weekend. I went to a camp with the youth group from my church. I'm pretty sure I met half a dozen other photographers there. We all took pictures and when you look through them, you will notice that everyone has their own unique way of viewing the exact same event. While some may focus on details, other may focus on expressions. I don't have one particular style. I study my subject and draw my inspiration from them.

I tend to be all over the place. My hands may be photographing one subject, but my eyes drift to another. I used to try to find one style that I love and I always ended up changing my mind. I love so many different things and I've been racking my brain all summer to find a brand that represents this. I love modern with a bit of rustic. I love high fashion with a touch of vintage. I love traditional mixed with edge.

Long story short...I'm still working on my new branding. But I'm getting close! :-)

These images represent what I may see. They are pretty much SOOC. I tend to set a custom white balance for a warmer tone, so there's no added filters or photoshopping.

While you may see just a lawnmower under the deck and a gas tank, I see a modern painting..

While some may want to focus on the leaves, I see the flare...

You may not like what I see or how I photograph, but that's the beauty of art. It's my interpretation of how I view my surroundings.

Broken camera = broken heart :-(

2011-08-01T18:15:00.000-07:00

I mumbled aloud, "Purse-check, cellphone-check, cards-check, battery-check, camera bag-check. Wait, it's over 100 degrees outside. I don't want to take my camera bag and purse. I'll just throw my camera in my purse."

Yeah, I'm pretty sure you can guess what happened next...

one giant purse full of junk + one expensive camera = one broken heart & a shattered screen.

My camera has always been an extension of being. The thought of breaking or losing it is has always terrified me. I thought I would cry or die if something happened to it.

And when it shattered...I said...Oh well. I was sad, but surprisingly not flipping out.

Perhaps I would have reacted differently if I broke my lenses or completely ruined the camera, but I am glad I reacted the way I did. It's just stuff. It may be attached at my hip 95% of the time, but it's just a camera.

I'm looking forward to the sessions I have this week. I can't believe it's already August. You know me and how I like to roll down memory lane.

Two years ago I was walking across a stage to get my diploma...

I can't believe how fast these past two years have gone by.

It took me over five years to get through college, but I finally got that diploma.

I miss college sometimes. Mostly the people. But after running across some of my old art work, I do miss doing crazy art assignments. I miss being so busy that I don't even have time for sleep. I miss the long nights in the darkroom and hours hovering over an easel. I miss being pushed to do better.

I took this photo, then I had to draw it using the pointillism technique. I sat there in my marketing classes stippling on my paper while everyone else took notes...which probably explains my final grade in consumer behavior.

Sometimes I feel like I'm only taking portraits. I miss the other aspect of photography. I used to do some crazy photo sessions. I need to get back into doing fine art photography to feel more balanced.

sigh no more

2011-07-25T19:25:00.000-07:00

My husband still has control of the television even when he's not here. OH the power of modern technology and DVRs. I decided to be nice tonight and let him record two shows at once that I do not want to watch.

I turned off the television, I'm not a fan of it anyways, and turned on the music. Itunes played Mumford & Sons, something I haven't heard in a while. I had a flashback: driving across Nickajack lake for the 50th time in two years while listening to this song.

There is a design, an alignment, a cry
Of my heart to see,
The beauty of love as it was made to be

My website will be down for a few days while I get things in order for my new design. If you need to see your client viewing gallery, please email me and I can send you a link to a new url.

it all started with a group project

2011-07-21T21:05:00.001-07:00

"Wasn't it around a year ago that Joshua proposed to you Ash?"

"Oh yeah! I forgot. It was actually a year and three days ago."

I didn't even remember until my mom pointed it out last night. July 18, 2010 Joshua proposed to me. Here it is July 22, 2011. One year later. I can't believe how much my life has changed in the past year.

It all started with a group project in college. I intentionally sat behind those two "concrete major boys" after seeing their high scores on the exams. I didn't want to cheat off of them, but I wanted to get to know them for an upcoming group project. I knew we had to pick our groups and I wanted the smart guys. Little did I know they'd procrastinate until the last day, even though we had all semester to work on it. Instead of getting together for group meetings...we played poker and pool, drank some beers and listened to some good music. Life was easy then.

Occasionally I will walk in our living room and catch Joshua's eye. I immediately have a flashback to college when I would have to walk across the classroom and up the stairs to my seat in my boots. Joshua would always watch me, laugh and make some smart remark about my shoes. I never thought I'd be married to him.

If you asked me, July 17, 201o, what I'd be doing in a year, my answer would not be: I would be living in Augusta, Georgia with my husband, running a photography business that is starting to really pick up, in a small group and going on a church camp with the youth ministry in a week. I probably would have said: still nannying, still doing photography in Nashville, still driving 400 miles every other week to see Joshua and still living at home with my parents.

When I moved down here last November, I thought I was doomed. The first few weeks were great. I was still on that wedding high unpacking and unwrapping our wedding gifts. But then the gifts stopped coming, our house was unpacked and I was lost. Joshua worked all of the time and I was home alone, homesick, and wondering how I was going to start a business in this town. I credit it all to God. It's unexplainable what has been happening these past few months.

I think Joshua and I need a celebratory dinner this weekend. We've made it this far. He's stuck by me this past year and I know I didn't make it easy for him. I'd be crying hysterically one minute wanting to move back to Nashville and laughing the next.

We've been through a lot together...long distance, emergency surgery, holidays, wedding planning, starting a business, moving to another state.

...and to think it all started with a group project.

http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

C'est la vie

2011-07-19T20:45:00.000-07:00

My eyes skimmed across these words as I read the chapters for small group this week.

I don't want to gain the whole world, but lose my soul.

It's been a bit of a rough week and it's only Tuesday. Just when you start to get ahead and pay off a bunch of big bills, you spin that wheel in the game of life and have to move back 10 spaces. Not only did my car battery die at Jiffy Lube this weekend and I had to buy a new one, but my power steering went out today. People with a similar problem had estimates ranging from $800-2000.

Several thoughts crossed my mind today. I thought "If I could win the lottery..." "If I was booked more often..." "If I didn't have school loans..." "If I chose a different career..."

...then our life would be easier.

For some reason, my mind equates money and success to an easy life.

I kept telling myself today that this is part of being a newlywed! Everyone struggles their first year of marriage. Combining both of our bills, plus living on one income, plus starting a business over in a new town is difficult. The truth is that something is always going to happen. Even if I had all of the money in the world...I could get in a severe car accident. I could not be able to have children. My house could burn down. There are a million things that could happen to me and having money would not matter.

The more I studied those words on the page this evening, the more I realized I don't want to gain the whole world. I don't want my career and money to define me. I want my faith to define me. I tend to turn to God when things are going fantastic in my life. I praise him during those time. I need to thank God for what he has provided me instead of complaining about what I'm lacking when times become difficult.

So here it goes...

I'm thankful that I have two cars that are fully paid off. I'm thankful I am healthy. I'm thankful I have a husband who works incredibly hard so I can stay at home to work on my business. I'm thankful for my husband's attitude toward money. I'm thankful we always pay our bills on time and have money left over. I'm thankful my parents taught me the value of a dollar and a good work ethic. I'm thankful for God's unchanging love.

Bonne nuit à tous mes amis. Je suis très fatiguée.
~Ashley

balancing light :: Ashley DeYoung Photography :: Augusta Georgia Portrait Photographer

2011-07-18T17:11:00.000-07:00

"Joshua, I got some new gear. Can I please practice some photography stuff with you?" "OK, Ash. But you may NOT post any of the pictures online."

"FINE!"

After practicing for a few minutes on my husband, I moved on to Ms. Mabel.

She was fine with me photographing her at first and doesn't mind if I post photos online. She even posed for me. I was trying to balance natural light from a window with a strobe on camera left to get even lighting inside. I usually use an on-camera flash with a diffuser and bounce the light off of the ceiling. But now I have some triggers that allow me to move the flash off of the camera and around wherever I need it.

I wanted to make sure the lighting was soft. I hate when people use flash indoors and their skin is shiny or there are harsh shadows. Yuck!

Then she got sick of me...

So I decided to try balancing natural light outside in the shade with a strobe on camera left. Again, without getting creating a shiny skin or harsh shadows.

Notice in the top picture there is uneven lighting on the face, the same style image below it has more even lighting. I did have a gel on the strobe to create a warmer light. So the skin tones look different. I'm still practicing with everything.

Then I got really bored and decided to try to some self portraits inside. I pulled out my old backdrop stands, my other umbrella light and my black backdrop.

I set up a mini studio in my bedroom.

It's not easy to make sure my eyes are in focus in each image. I had to put a plant on the bench, focus it, then hit the self timer, run back to the bench, move the plant, sit down and pose...all in 10 seconds. I failed miserably at sitting up straight and making sure my arms weren't pressed against my side. Oh well. I was just trying to practice with indoor studio lighting without harsh shadows. I did get some shadows underneath my arm. I know how to fix it, but I'm too exhausted.

That was my day. I'm very excited to start using my umbrella light during some photo sessions outside.

http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Children's portrait photography :: Photographer in Augusta, Georgia :: Ashley DeYoung Photography

2011-07-12T20:48:00.000-07:00

A sneak peak at yesterday's session. What an adorable little girl!

-Ashley

Child Portrait Photographer :: Augusta, Georgia :: Ashley DeYoung Photography

2011-07-11T18:38:00.000-07:00

Joshua and I, along with some friends, went on a picnic this weekend. Little did my husband know that this picnic would involve hiking and kayaking, but we all had a blast. Since the kayak rental place was closed, we only had two kayaks with us. Joshua and his friend went, while I went on a hike with a friend.

Since it was evening, the lighting was incredible. I took along my new 50mm, but I wish I had a 135mm. Sometimes I wanted a longer lens for closeup shots of the guys in the water which I couldn't get with the 50mm (unless I went in the water).

I'm still adjusting to the drastic difference between the summers in Nashville and Augusta. Unbelievably hot.

I had a session today at 6:30PM, and it was still 98 degrees outside. The heat index had to be well into the 100s. I was dripping with sweat and completely miserable, but at least I was having fun taking photos. :-)

Here is a portrait montage from this past weekend's session.

Interested in a portrait session in Augusta, Georgia? Go to my website for more information.

Light :: Portrait Photographer in Augusta Georgia

2011-07-06T10:39:00.000-07:00

It was close to 95 degrees outside and barely noon. I sat there on my lounge chair with a book in one hand and my other hand shading my face from the harsh sunlight. Sweat starting beading up and dripping down my sides. It glistened like diamonds when the light hit it. My eyes skimmed over the pages I previously read last week for small group. I needed to refresh my memory for tomorrow night's discussion. The sun was so bright and cast through the branches creating unique shadow patterns on the wood.

A few minutes later, dark clouds hovered above my head and I heard the roar of thunder in the distance. The rays that warmed my skin from the inside out started to slowly fade. The bright sunny day light contrasted against the dark gray clouds rolling in as if two worlds were colliding. I thought if only I had a great model, some wireless triggers and my camera right now I could get an amazing shot with lots of drama.

Lately, I have become so aware of the lighting everywhere I look. I'm fascinated by it-how it highlights a face through a window or how hair glows when lit from the back. I love the designs it creates on my walls when shining through my front door window.

While watching Army Wives on Netflix, I noticed they seem to shoot a lot at sunset to create that southern Charleston beachy glow. The colors are always warm and saturated. I love that. (see the video below)

I took a walk this evening as the sun was setting to work off the cheesy enchiladas I made for dinner. I brought my camera along to capture the lighting.

Well I need to get my camera gear together for an early morning session downtown.

~Ashley

Baby dolls & bokehs :: Ashley DeYoung Photography :: Photographer in Augusta, Georgia

2011-07-05T14:43:00.000-07:00

"Do you want me to stuff the baby in a bag?" the cashier asked while ringing up my order at the Goodwill. "Huh?" I said, "Oh, right, the baby. No, I'll just put it in my purse." I shoved the baby in my purse, rolled up my jeans and ran through the downpour rain to my car. I thought it seemed strange how the cashier looked at me as if I was an abusive mother. After all, it's only a baby doll.

I quickly drove home, pulled the baby out of my purse and grabbed my camera. I bought this doll to practice some photography techniques. I set up a little area on my front porch and started snapping away. As the minutes passed by, the dark gray clouds started to roll in. I attached my flash to my camera and tried shooting again.

I kept getting shadows. No matter how hard I adjusted my settings and position, the shadows kept appearing. I can't tell you how many times this happens: I'm outside doing a photo session and the lighting changes. I need some fill light, but I don't have outlets to plug in my umbrella lights. I don't have wireless triggers to use my flash off camera AND if I use my flash on my camera I get harsh shadows.

I've become frustrated with my work lately. Using only natural light while on location can bring about many issues. I don't have an assistant to hold a reflector and there's not always clouds and shade available to shoot with. When it gets darker outside, there's only so much adjusting I can do inside the camera.

I bit the bullet and bought some wireless triggers for my flash to use it off camera. This will allow me to do sessions anytime of day anywhere. It will also provide more of a consistent exposure and tones through the entire session. As the lighting changes, so does the coloring of the light and brightness. I can control this with off camera flashes. I've always had the equipment, just not the means to utilize it on location...in 7 days I will.

A little something arrived in the mail today (my new 50mm) and I wanted to practice with it. I pulled the baby back out along with some extension cords and flashes. I used my umbrella strobe to soften the light. I'm sure I'll have better luck when the triggers arrive in a week, but I'm happy to see that I can achieve more consistent photos with beautiful bokehs in the background. I'm LOVING my new 50mm! It's HUGE.

I wish all babies were this easy to photograph

Of course I shot some of Ms. Mabel, but she wasn't being a good model today.

A flash will allow me to capture outside the window. Something you can't really do using only natural light. The window always is blown out. Sometimes that's a cool effect, but sometimes I want what's outside to show.

She's so purrrdy. (This was shot using natural light only.)

I think the important thing for me to remember is to utilize all light sources, to know when to use off camera strobes, when to use reflectors and when to use all natural lighting.

I think I'm going to play with my new lens some more. :-)

Some of my new investments...

2011-07-03T18:49:00.000-07:00

I call it "investing back into my business" and my husband calls it "spending more money". T0e-may-toe, toe-ma-toe.

After a week of listing my lens on craigslist, I decided to sell it on eBay. The emails about meeting people at their house to show them the lens freaked me out a bit. I feel safer shipping the lens. Anyhow, I sold it and I'm going to invest the money back into my business.

As soon as I get the payment...I'm purchasing these puppies.

What are they you ask?
Wireless flash triggers. Well you can read the review HERE. This review states that over a 2 hour period he shot 500 images and they fired 100% of the time. I'm sold. The ever popular "pocketwizards" are a little more than I'd like to spend. I think the phottix stratos will do just fine for now.

I'm also purchasing the sigma 50mm 1.4 lens.

I read the reviews and it supposedly comparable to the canon 50mm 1.2 L! At nearly a third of the price of the canon L 50mm, I figured I could test the sigma waters. We shall see what happens. I'm trying to not be a "brand snob", when there are many, many good non name brand products out there. Why not give it a shot. This guy compared the bokehs of the famous canon 1.4 and sigma 1.4:

If they don't hold up to the reviews I have read, I'll sell it on eBay. ;-)

$99 mini session :: Augusta Georgia Portrait Photographer :: Ashley DeYoung Photography

2011-06-30T21:17:00.000-07:00

NEW starting July 1, 2011!

Ashley DeYoung Photography is now offering an affordable option for professional photography in Augusta, Georgia.

Mini Session - $99

45 minute session
session must take place at one of four predetermined locations
online gallery of proofs
All products & digital images are purchased a la carte
15% off photographic prints ordered within 7 days of receiving proofs

There is a $100 minimum order on all session prints.

FAQ's

Is 45 minutes enough time to capture multiple poses and quality images?

YES! Of course, especially for children. Young children have such a short attention span that 30 minutes is usually enough time.

Can I pay by credit card for the session fee and prints?

YES! Click the button below to pay by payal. There is a fee of $4 to pay online and as always tax is included.
Please email me if you want to order prints and pay online. I will send you a "bill" through your email with a link to pay through paypal.

Is the minimum order for just prints?

YES! There is no minimum order on canvases, books and digital images.

Can I buy digital images?

YES! You may purchase an entire DVD of digital images from your mini session for $375, or purchase individual digital images for $45 each.

What are the predetermined locations for the mini sessions?

I have chosen four scenic locations for the portrait sessions: Savannah Rapids, Pendleton King Park, Columbia County Library Park or Downtown Augusta Riverwalk.

Email booking@ashleydeyoung.com or visit http://www.ashleydeyoung.com to contact about booking a session.

Wall Display :: Ashley DeYoung Photography :: Augusta, Georgia photographer

2011-06-28T15:21:00.000-07:00

It was hot outside last June and I was sipping a sweet tea. Joshua was sitting across the bistro table from me downtown Aiken. We just finished touring a few houses for rent and were disappointed with them. They seem dirty and outdated. While scrolling through craigslist on my phone, I stumbled on a house for rent in Augusta. "We have to check this one out," I said, "It has to be better than the ones in Aiken that we looked at. I really don't want to move down here and live in a dirty old house out in the boondocks." After a brief phone call, I made an appointment to go check things out. We drove to Augusta that afternoon and Joshua decided he wanted to rent it. In order to sign the lease we had to pay a large deposit, plus Joshua's apartment lease wasn't up till the end of July. By signing the lease, he would be paying rent on two places for two months. He knew I would be more willing to move down here if we were living closer to civilization, so he signed it.

This house was close to the mall, grocery stores and downtown. Every time I drove to Aiken during my long distance relationship with Joshua, I seemed to be driving 30-40 minutes just to go to a movie or the mall. At the time, I remember thinking how silly it seemed to pay rent on two places for two months, plus Joshua would have a further drive to work. Looking back now, I know there was a reason. Had Joshua decided to stay in Aiken, we probably would not have gotten involved in our church and met the same people. I would be living a completely different life. It's amazing how God is always sticking his hand out guiding our path. I'm glad he made that move and I'm glad I live in Augusta now. It's forced me to step out of my comfort zone, grow up, and work really hard to get my business going. There have been many challenges, but I believe everyone faces these when moving to a new area.

On a different note:
I'm no interiors designer, that's my mom's territory. However, clients ask me all of the time to create a mock up so they can see their photos displayed. I do a lot of custom mock ups, but here are some display ideas that I created.

I tend to like more asymmetrical layouts. This one has 3 10x10, 1 16x20 and 1 8x10 portrait.

But symmetrical ones are nice too. These displays can be used for gallery wraps too for a more modern feel. This layout has 1 16x20, 4 5x7, and 2 11x14 portraits.

Our bedroom lacks a headboard. I'm looking for the perfect one, but it's hard to find the perfect one for a king size bed. So in the mean time I created a wall display above our bed.

I used images from our wedding. It's more a symmetrical layout. I used a combination of floating frames and different black wooden frames.

When I create a wall display, I keep a few things in mind.

Make sure it's balanced, even if it's asymmetrical. You don't want one side feeling more heavy than the other.
If you buy different thicknesses of frames, be sure that the are balanced too. Don't place all of the thick width frames on one side and thin on the other. Scatter them through the arrangement.
Also keep in mind the images you are putting in the frames. Don't place all of the darker images on one side and lighter on the other. Try to create a balance and flow with them. It's hard to tell, but in my bedroom display the two small 5x7's on the bottom are a lot lighter images than the top. I wanted to balance out the display by not placing them together.
Cut out tissue paper to the exact size of the frame and tape them to your wall before drilling a bunch of holes. This will give you an idea of your layout
Keep the space between the frames even and don't allow too much or too little room.

http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Maternity Session - Montage Mondays :: Ashley DeYoung Photograpy :: Portrait photographer in Augusta, Georgia

2011-06-27T14:19:00.000-07:00

Barely 7 years old and 4 feet tall, I walked into my first orthodontic appointment and came out with a headgear. My mother would not let me wear it to school, so I wore a retainer during the day and the headgear at night. I was in the first grade. Everyday at lunch I would set my retainer on my napkin so I could eat, and everyday after lunch we all lined up to throw our trash away. I probably threw my retainer away at least a dozen times, and each time Mr. Hodge, our school janitor, would hold off the line, dig through the trash and pull out my tiny little clear retainer.

I've had at least 7 different kinds of retainers in my life. In the 7th grade I had pretty big oral surgery. Then came braces in 8th grade for 2 years and my wisdom teeth out in college during spring break. Lets just say, my parents could have bought a pretty fancy car with the amount they spent on my teeth.

Recently, I noticed my teeth are starting to separate, much like they did when I was a child. Last night, I dug out my old retainer, which I haven't worn in 7 years and managed to squeeze it on. It barely fit and my teeth hurt, but hopefully my teeth will push back together. Tomorrow, I have a dentist appointment and I haven't been to the dentist in (gasp) 3 years! I know I have one cavity, but most likely more than that. :-(

I know that's all completely random, but as I sit here and update my blog my teeth hurt much like they did after I would have my braces tightened. It brought back a rush of metal mouth memories.

I have a new feature I'm working on for my blog: MONTAGE Mondays.
This week I'm featuring what to wear during a "Maternity Session".

The focus of this session is always on the belly. So try to avoid baggy shirts and dresses that either mask the belly or make you look larger than normal.

This is the one time I recommend a solid white shirt. The one featured above is layered with a dark baggy cardigan. White is always good for contrasting and creating shadows to put emphasis on the belly. Solid black tees are always good for creating a good side portrait. It creates a crisp sharp line that emphasizes the belly. Soft horizontal stripes can be fun for maternity sessions as they get distorted from a front view which also really shows off the belly.

Avoid wearing uncomfortable clothing, high heels and clothes that are too hot for the weather. It's important to not feel miserable during your session. You want to shine in the portraits.

Be ware that you may lie down or or sit on the ground like these poses:

So be sure to wear clothing that you don't mind getting a little dirty and will allow you to maneuver around easily.

Unplugging for a while :: Ashley DeYoung Photography :: Photographer in Augusta, Georgia

2011-06-26T19:58:00.000-07:00

Just push it away. Don't look at it. Don't put yourself into that situation. That's what our preacher was saying today when he was talking about temptation. It's funny how sometimes sermons can be so relevant to what you have been dealing with.

I want better lenses, another camera and some pocket wizards. I want new clients, to be booked more often and sell more prints. I want to take better photographs and to be as good as the photographers I admire. I want a car with better gas mileage, my own house with a studio out back and my husband home more often.

I want. I want. I want.
Every time I see something...I want it.

I realized this weekend that a lot of these feelings of "want" are created by spending too much time online. When I see what other people's photos look like, the equipment they use, or how perfect their life seems to be I become dissatisfied with my own. The truth is that I love my life, my husband and my job. I have decided that I need to "unplug" as much as possible and take a social networking break. I need to stop spending so much time reading what my friends are up to on facebook, looking at their photos and updating my own statuses. I want to go back to the way life was before I joined facebook 6 years ago. At least for a little while. :-)

I have been working on some new designs for the other half of my business.

Here are some logos for photographers:

Here is a "save the date":

http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

What to wear to photo session - Ashley DeYoung Photography - Photographer in Augusta, Georgia

2011-06-22T13:06:00.000-07:00

What colors photograph best? What should I wear? Should I bring several outfits? What colors and patterns work well together for a family session?

These are questions I get frequently from clients. I thought I'd put together some examples.

I personally like it when the outfits coordinate, but don't match.

Think about the color wheel and compliments.

Orange/Blue
Red/Green
Yellow/Violet
Red-violet/Yellow-green
Red-orange/Blue-green
Yellow-orange/Blue-violet

Here is an example of blue & orange

Or keep it neutral:

For engagement sessions:

Have fun with neutrals, then add pops of color in your accessories. Go barefoot or bring some fun heels.

It's important that your attire matches your personality, but doesn't overwhelm the photo. You also don't want to be washed out. If you have fair skin, try to avoid pale yellows and pinks. When in doubt, always go with a darker color. Notice the prints in my examples are not overwhelming. Choose smaller floral patterns and paisley prints.

Here are a few more things to remember:

Bring several wardrobe changes for the kids.
Don't wear clothes that you don't want to get dirty
Wear something that makes you feel comfortable and is easy to maneuver around in.
If you wear heels, you may want to bring a pair of flip-flops to walk around between poses.
On hot summer days, you may want to bring some makeup to freshen up.

I hope this helps!

So much for an evening run - Ashley DeYoung Photography - Photographer in Augusta, Georgia

2011-06-21T16:22:00.001-07:00

Grabbed my cell phone, dusted off my old running shoes, snatched my house key off the shelf and opened the front door only to find out it was down pouring.

So much for an evening run. I would run in the rain, but it's thundering. So I decided to sit here on my front porch and listen to Melody Gardot. There's something about a summer evening thunder shower that can calm a heart and bring peace to a mind. It can ruin all plans yet at the same time bring me so much joy. Everything would be perfect if I had a glass of cabernet sauvignon next to me. I'm just too content to go inside and pour one.

The heat index today was well into the triple digits. My husband says it gets up into the 120s at his job site. He called me as I was walking out the door for my run and I said "Guess what it's raining! That will cool things off." He said, "Great, now I have to mow the grass."

While sitting outside this, I realized nature is one giant studio created by God. The trees, the branches, and the clouds that roll in like this evening are my soft boxes and diffusers. There's no need for a diffuser or reflector when you have lighting like this evening. The colors are saturated. There's no harsh shadows. I wish I had a session this evening (well if there wasn't lightning). It's simply beautiful.

I'm working on some new marketing tools for photographers along with more templates. Stay tuned. I'm hoping to open an online storefront soon! :-)

Cookies & Meowk :: Portrait Photographer in Augusta, Georgia

2011-06-20T19:35:00.000-07:00

That numbing feeling you get when your leg "falls asleep" is my least favorite feeling. Actually, the numbness doesn't bother me as much as the prickly feeling I get when I realize it's asleep and I need to stand up. That happened to me earlier. I realized I had been sitting on my leg for several hours while working on my computer. I needed to get up and stretch those muscles. As soon as I did I fell down.

I'd like to proudly say that was the first time I have fallen in a long time. Sadly, it's not. I fell down the stairs at the movies Saturday while trying to gracefully exit the theater in heels. I could hear my husband burst out into laughter. I was too embarrassed to turn around since we weren't the only ones in the theater. I got a text message from my husband while I was in the bathroom. He told me I was tall enough and to not wear 9 inch heels to a movie anymore. I told him they were only 4 inches and made me only 6'2" that day.

To stretch those muscles, I decided baking would be a brilliant idea. I ~~pulled out the old secret family recipe~~ used the recipe on the back of the toll house chocolate chips bag to bake the cookies. (After all, it is the best recipe)

As I baked, my cat (Ms. Mabel) relentlessly attacked my feet. She wanted her "Meowk" (My name for Whiskas Cat Milk), but I'm out. She goes insane when I'm out of her milk. I only give it to her on special occasions like when I'm baking.

I suppose I'll let her get a sippy from the kitchens sink just for today.

(This blog photo template is for sale. To purchase it please click HERE)

http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Photoshop Frame Templates for Photographers

2011-06-20T14:09:00.000-07:00

I'm adding some new features to my blog. Photographers will have the ability to purchase photoshop templates for photos.

Here are some frame templates that may be used for blogs, websites, sneak peaks, etc.

***CLICK THE IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD THE TEMPLATE FOR FREE FOR 3 DAYS ONLY!
(You will be redirected to a google docs page to download the image. It's completely secure)

If you download this template, you will receive a ".psd" file. Each template has directions for how to create a clipping mask. The frames are sized to 500x750 pixels. The frames are transparent .png so they can be saved with a transparent background like the image above or with a color background. These elegant borders are great for showcasing wedding and engagement photos on your blog.

***CLICK THE IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD THE TEMPLATE FOR FREE FOR 3 DAYS ONLY!
(You will be redirected to a google docs page to download the image. It's completely secure)

Ashley

senior portrait rep cards :: Ashley DeYoung Photography :: Augusta, Georgia photographer

2011-06-17T22:17:00.000-07:00

As I walked through the aisles of Michael's today, I saw a very bad 4 letter word plastered all over the aisles. No, not those 4 letter words. This word happens to be my favorite word: S-A-L-E. I consider it a bad word since I seem to lack self-control when I see it! I couldn't help myself as I wandered through the craft aisles. They have the coolest craft supplies.

My initial intent for this trip was to purchase some photography packaging supplies. I did score some pretty nifty supplies that I'm super excited about, but I also found this pack of 36 sheets of scrapbook paper (originally marked $19.99) for only $4.99! Holy cow. Who could pass that up? I like to scan in scrapbook paper and manipulate it in photoshop to change the background colors for my designs and templates.

Here are a few "Senior Rep Cards" that I designed tonight.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some muffins that I just pulled out of the oven that I need to tend to. Yes, it's 1:30 AM and I made muffins.

http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Little Louis (pronounced Louie) : Ashley DeYoung Photography :: Augusta Georgia photographer

2011-06-12T18:07:00.000-07:00

I'm out of town this weekend. I went to Franklin, TN to visit with friends and family.

This little guy was my dog, and is now my parents' dog.

He thinks he is huge, but it's really only 4 pounds.

The last image really shows how little he is.

Manual Focus! :: Ashley DeYoung Photography :: Photographer in Augusta, Georgia

2011-06-10T17:24:00.000-07:00

"It says turn left on 6th street," my husband stated as he read aloud the directions to our hotel while on vacation. "OK", I said, "Which one is 6th street?" He responded, "The one that says 6th street on the sign." "But Joshua, I can't read that small print, I don't have my glasses." "Ashley, Why do you never have your glasses on while driving?"

After questioning myself why I don't wear them anymore, I said "Because they are too weak of a prescription for my eyes lately. I still can't see." I was never "required" by the state to wear glasses while driving, but I was advised by my eye doctor to wear them at night. But I haven't been to the eye doctor in about 3-4 years?

Then I realized I need to make us both an eye appointment. Joshua's broken and taped together eyeglasses just don't cut it anymore:

And as much as I love my stylish D&G's, they just aren't strong enough of a prescription:

Between spending hours on the computer editing photos and creating designs, my eyes are not like the used to be. I'm hoping once I figure out how bad my eyes have gotten, I may get contacts. It's too difficult to operate a camera with bulky glasses and it scratches my eyeglass lenses up.

If I get contacts, I will then be able to FINALLY use the manual focus on my camera more accurately. I've been getting by with the auto-focus. But it leaves little room for creativity. Sometimes I want to focus on a detail of an object and auto-focus doesn't shift focus easily. It's easiest to select a focus point on your camera setting, then manually focus to make sure you get the correct focus on in the right place.

Most cameras will center focus like in this picture of my name:

But sometimes I may want the focus to be on the right:

Or the left:

This will help me out a lot when shooting wedding details, baby ears and hands, and capture a sharp focus on the eyes when shooting a portrait.

After all, who doesn't want those beautiful glassy looking eyes in a photograph like these little guys'?

And of course, no post if quite complete without a precious photo of Ms. Mabel.

http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Nothing ever goes as planned :: Photographer in Augusta, Georgia :: Ashley DeYoung Photography

2011-06-09T21:08:00.000-07:00

As much as I strive for perfection, I know it's unobtainable. It doesn't exist. There will always be something that goes wrong. That seems to be the theme for me these past few weeks.

Whether it's inclement weather or severely-hot-I-can't-breathe-going-to-pass-out type of weather, sessions often get rescheduled, rained-out or just plain canceled. It's part of being an "natural light" photographer. Some people ask what that means and simply put-I don't use flash or studio lights. I prefer the soft flattering natural light diffused by tree limbs and clouds. The weather is perfect about 3 days a year and the rest of the time, I have to work around/with it.

The downfall about being a natural light photographer is that you have to work around the summer heat and bright light. I do most of my sessions in the evenings, but occasionally I do an early morning session. Lately, with the average 98 degrees here, my cowboy boots have been put on the back shelf and I decided to wear flip flops to last week's early morning session. BIG mistake. While walking down hill, I took a tumble on my tailbone. I suddenly got dizzy then saw an aura. I knew what was happening, but I was in denial. I was getting a migraine from the impact, but I don't normally get them from falling. Mine normally occur 3-4 times a year from estrogen changes. I ran back to my car, grabbed two of my migraine meds and tried to carry on while shooting with an aura over both eyes. My brain was not functioning correctly.

My eyes sort of looked like this animation that I found from this website :

Scary, right?
Well, between that and the mosquitoes, the session went okay. But I could have done better. I did offer a complimentary makeup session due to my clumsiness.

The other day I did a session with the sweetest family ever. Unless I know the family really well, it's hard for me to know that smile that "a mama loves". Being a perfectionist, I wanted to do a re-shoot to make sure I capture that smile...a sincere smile. That's not an easy task. I can make a baby laugh by making my "infamous pig oink", but that will not entertain a 9-10 year old.

I got a bunch of him with a beautiful smile. Here are just a few from that session today:

If you are in Augusta, Georgia, Evans, GA, or surrounding areas and looking for a photographer please head over to my website for more information on my photography sessions.

http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Augusta GA Photographer :: Ashley DeYoung Photography :: Template Designs for Photographers

2011-06-07T16:37:00.001-07:00

Another album design. :-)

And a photo book version:

We I saved the file, I saved the coloring wrong...it's a lot more vibrant.

I have a couple of sessions this week...then I'm out of town!

http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Album Templates for Photographers

2011-06-06T20:56:00.001-07:00

I don't think I've moved from the couch in the past 5 hours. For the past two weeks, I've spent most of my free time here too. It's my office. I have a desk in my "home studio", but I prefer to work from the couch. Between editing photos, uploading proofs and ordering prints, I've been working on new designs. I'm in the process of creating a bunch of designs so I can put them up online for other photographers to purchase. I will have everything from branding to albums and photo cards. Exciting.

Here's one that I've been working on tonight. I'm trying to keep the designs simple and easy to use. All templates are created to work with WHCC products. The image below is an animated GIF, so it should switch images to see the whole 10 page 12x12" photo album with a cover. I'm working out the kinks with everything, but I'm hoping to make them affordable. Designs can get pricey!

http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Home, Sweet Home

2011-06-04T19:31:00.000-07:00

I'm heading home in a week. Home will always be my sweet Franklin.

There are certain expectations I have when I visit home. I always expect everything to be the same, and every time I go I am disappointed. New buildings pop up in rural areas, old stores have closed down, my nephew is always bigger, and people have moved away. Yet, it doesn't matter if it's spring, fall or winter, there is still something comforting about walking into my parents house. The decor may change weekly, but the smells are still the same. A mixture of sweet archipelago candles, baked goods and antique wood. As soon as I walk in those doors, even if only for a day, I feel like a Tennessean again...I feel at home.

I'm not sure what's harder-being the new girl in a city you don't know anyone or realizing you will never again live in your hometown. There's a certain protection that I feel God has placed over that city. It may sound strange, but I walk the streets feeling safe and genuinely welcomed by the people. I can openly talk about my faith, while also not feeling judged for the way I act or dress or look. I feel a level of support and encouragement from my peers. Everyone is artsy and people don't look at me strange for wearing cowboy boots with a dress. ;-)

It's a place I always wanted to raise my family...but sometimes life takes a different course.

I took this self portrait about 4 years ago. I was in between transferring schools, changing majors and figuring out what I wanted to be.

During college, I always felt I was on the inside looking out. I wanted to move away to another state and do big things with my life.

The sermon at church tonight was - "ask and you will receive, knock and the door will be opened". It's true, God will answer and it may not be what you expected. But it works out better in the future.

Now, several years later, here I am in a new city with a completely different life than I anticipated. As much as I miss home, I'm learning that my identity is no longer a place, but that place shaped who I am. It provided me with characteristics that I can take wherever I am led. I may not live there anymore, but it will always be a part of me.

And for that...I'm thankful Franklin.

Confessions of a photographer :: Ashley DeYoung Photography :: Photographers In Augusta, Georgia

2011-05-30T16:46:00.001-07:00

I have a horrible confession to make: I have ZERO pictures from my honeymoon last October and I am a photographer. Scratch that, I have 2 photos taken by cell phones...even worse.

A: After the wedding Joshua snapped a photo of me walking down the Marshall House hallway.

B: The day after of wedding we rode a pedicab to dinner.

You would think as a photographer I would take a bunch of photos. But I didn't. I can't even remember if I brought my camera.

This past weekend, Joshua and I went to Charlotte for the NASCAR race. Once again, I only have a few photos from the trip (not taken by cell phone surprisingly!). I guess my camera is SOOO heavy that I hate lugging it around. I used to take photos all of the time in college with my little sony cybershot, but I quit using that.

Guess I should pull it back out to have documentation of my life.

Here are a few from the trip:

And of course Joshua took a couple with his cell phone:

From now on, I must take pictures of our life. It's not like I consider being a photographer a "horrible job" that I want to vacation from. I love my job and I love taking pictures. I just always forget! :-)

Augusta GA & North Augusta SC Children's photographer :: Ashley DeYoung Photography

2011-05-26T21:33:00.001-07:00

I'm going to be out of town for a few days, so I'm up late catching up on my editing and emails.

Here's a sneak at today's session:

Don't you just love big brothers. So sweet.

Life is finally getting busier and I'm so glad. Moving away from Nashville was the most difficult thing I've done in my life. Moving away to a city so unfamiliar can be very depressing, but I'm learning to wake up, get out of bed everyday and start living my life.

I was reading this excerpt from a Dr. Suess book today. I thought it was fitting...

...And you may not find any way you'll want to go down. In that case, of course, you'll head straight out of town. It's opener there in the wide open air. Out there things can happen and frequently do to people as brainy and footsy as you. And when things start to happen, don't worry. Don't stew. Just go right along. You'll start happening too.

Portrait Photographer in Augusta Georgia :: Ashley DeYoung Photography

2011-05-24T20:07:00.000-07:00

I always do my photos in color, but sometimes I also do them in black and white. Tonight is one of those nights that I'm feeling more like black and white.

Here it is in color:

And two of my favorites from the session!

I'm tired. Good night. :-)

If you are looking for a portrait photographer in Augusta, GA then visit my website http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Dreamin' about the future

2011-05-20T20:28:00.000-07:00

It's Friday night and what am I up to? I'm at home watching a Nip/Tuck marathon, painting my nails, hanging photo frames and dreaming about the future.

I bought 10 frames today and I have more that I need to hang. This isn't the finished product yet. I'm redoing the office/studio at my house. In the next few weeks I will be painting it. I'm thinking a neutral color. I just bought those drapes and I want to stick to a more "modern rustic elegance" look.

My dream one day is to buy a house with a separate old barn and restore it to be my office/studio. That way all of my sessions would take place at home and I wouldn't have to worry about forgetting equipment, crowded parks and finding new places to shoot. I would know the ins and out of the property-what looks best at what time of day.

Until I get my dream house with my old barn to restore, I will just buy these things to put in it.

My design inspiration:

LOVE IT! I'm totally obsessed with restoration hardware. I think that style would make for a really cool studio. I think for now I will paint my walls a grayish/khaki, eventually refinish my farm table to look like this:

Hopefully next year things will be a little more concrete for us. I'm living in the unknown and unsure how long I will live in Georgia. But it's looking like we will be here a while, we are hoping to start looking for a home to purchase a year from now. So maybe I'll find my little cottage with lots of property and a cute old barn to restore next year. :-)

http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Happy Birthday Mabel :: Ashley DeYoung Photography :: photographer in Augusta, GA

2011-05-18T19:21:00.000-07:00

Sometime during the month of May last year Ms. Mabel was born. I can't remember the date. I know, I'm horrible.

But I thought I'd celebrate with a montage of my ~~sweet~~ Mabel.

Isn't she precious? I know, enough with the cat pictures.

http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Out of Focus - Augusta GA Photographer - Ashley DeYoung Photography

2011-05-17T14:28:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I like to turn the autofocus off my lens and take a bunch of out of focus shots. Sounds crazy, I know! I find something aesthetically pleasing about an out of focus shot. It reminds me of impressionistic paintings. It's kind of like looking out a windshield without windshield wipers on a rainy day. A blur of colors and bokehs.

I remember in art school, out of focus images were a no-no. I have issues with my eyes and everything is always blurry. I got yelled at a lot for blurry images and I had to use a grain finder to enlarge my images in the dark room. But I also learned in art school to color outside the lines and break the rules, so why not have out of focus images if it's on purpose!

I love the warm pink and orange hues in this one. I think it would be fun to enlarge it and print it on a float wrap.

This little creepy crawler scared me! I don't even know what it is...whatever it is, it's terrifying me.

Ms. Mabel was not a happy camper watching me from inside. She wants so badly to be an outdoor kitty. NO way lady!

check out my photography website for information on family photo sessions in Augusta, Georgia
http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Summer Mini Session! Ashley DeYoung Photography :: Photographer in Augusta GA

2011-05-17T11:12:00.000-07:00

This is BIG! Really BIG! The best deal you can get all year...

SUMMER MINI SESSIONS!

You will get a 30 minute session, 5 digital negatives on a DVD and a 20% discount off any photographic print order from ADP!

30 minutes will allow enough time to get several shots to choose from. I will place the images in an online gallery and you may choose the 5 digital negatives for your DVD. The DVD with come with a print release that will allow you to print up to seize 8x12".

Props and blankets will be provided for the sessions.

The sessions will take place June 10-11, 2011 at Pendleton King Park. Email booking@ashleydeyoung.com for more details or to book a session. The $150 (+tax) must be paid prior to session to reserve the date. You can pay via paypal (click the add to cart button below), cash or check.

Book now! Spots will fill up fast with a deal this good. :-)
http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Senior portraits :: Ashley DeYoung Photography :: Augusta & Evans GA

2011-05-16T14:11:00.000-07:00

Working on more templates for high school senior portrait cards.

Visit my website for information on session pricing. I have a special going all summer for high school senior portrait sessions:

Senior Portraits :: Ashley DeYoung Photography :: Augusta GA Senior Portrait Photographer

2011-05-15T14:43:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again...seniors are graduating. So what does that mean? It means that Juniors are going to be Seniors and need to start thinking about Senior Portraits!

When I was in high school, I had my photos taken by the same people that did our yearbook photos. I look back and I'm not completely dissatisfied with the photos, I just wish they were a little more fun and exciting.

Why not hire a professional photographer to do an on location session if you are a senior in high school? This is your time to shine, so why not make it a fun time. No more cheesy splattered backdrops or silly props that say "Class of 2012"...let your senior portraits represent you. Bring you guitar, bring your skateboard or bring your entire wardrobe...make these portraits special!

I'm offering a few different packages to seniors. It's best to start booking now to secure a good date. The best time to do seniors portraits is towards the end of the summer or early fall.

The senior portrait session may take place at an outdoor location. The session may last up to two hours and you will receive 25 or more proofs. The package above includes a $75 credit towards a photographic print order.

You may purchase custom designed invitations, announcements, books, and prints a la carte.

My other senior portrait package includes a 2 hour session & a DVD with printing rights up to size 8x12". This package comes with 10 high resolution digital images. This special package is $350.

Contact Ashley by email through the website if you are interested in booking a senior portrait session : http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

All session require a non refundable deposit that is applied towards the session fee. There is a minimum order for products ordered a la carte.

Album designs

2011-05-13T13:01:00.001-07:00

I'm working on some fun new designs for custom photo albums that are a little different than the traditional stuff we see every day.

Here is a whimsical one that I'm doing:

These are for a 12x12" photo album.

Color

2011-05-11T13:34:00.000-07:00

Child Portrait Sessions :: Augusta GA :: Ashley DeYoung Photography

2011-05-09T17:09:00.000-07:00

Did a session with these little ones recently. :-)

Being around children lately makes me want a little one...shhh don't tell my husband. He says I change my mind about waiting 5 years and wanting one now on a weekly basis.

Still working on the photos...and my eyes are shot.

Quit Buggin' Me!

2011-05-07T10:21:00.001-07:00

13 years ago the cicadas infested Tennessee. It scarred me for life. You couldn't walk outside without being attacked by these noisy little bugs. Self-diagnosed with Entomophobia (fear of insects), I'm hoping that it won't be as bad in Georgia. I can't handle a summer like that again. But these little shells clinging onto trees give me the heebie-jeebies and bring back plenty of unhappy memories of ~~walking quietly~~ screaming while running to the neighborhood pool. I know the 13 year cicadas are supposed to hit Tennessee this year...will Georgia get them, too?

New Blog Design & Packaging

2011-05-06T13:49:00.000-07:00

I'm working on a new design for everything. I know, I change my logo and design about twice a year, but hey I love to design! :-)

Sneak peaks will now be posted like this:

Everything is still a work in process. But I'm ready for a big change with my design and packaging.

http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

The Box

2011-05-04T06:53:00.001-07:00

I'm cleaning out my "studio" in my house, organizing, rearranging, etc. I walked in there the other day and realized that I had a tripod, two umbrellas, a giant softbox, two desks, a piano, a recliner, and probably 30 boxes in there. It was cluttered. I wanted to take down all of my equipment, since I'm not using it right now.

I stumbled on "the" box. You know, the one filled with all of your childhood work, photos and memories.

Inside, I found a paper that I had written in the 8th grade. It was amazing to read.

See that line that says "And I want to be a photographer". That was written when I was in middle school. We had to write a paper about what path we wanted to take once we were in high school...which would eventually lead us on a path in college and our future. Funny how I knew then what I didn't even know in college. I must have changed my major in college 8 times, before I settled on what I originally wanted to do with my life.

Photos like these (my senior year photos) make me want to be a better photographer. I don't like this photo at all. I think its horrible. Everything about it. The lighting, the harsh shadows and the contrast. The heavy blacks and no whites.

And photos like this one of me makes me want to be a better photographer. It's not a bad photo. The lighting is great, but it's a cookie cutter Olan Mills photo. I want to be a creative photographer that creates timeless portraiture and statement pieces.

This is photo of me at 2 years old. Classy fake green grass. I'd rather be a natural light photographer that can capture the real thing. Granted, it was the 80s and there weren't photographers out there doing what we all do now.

Going through my old school work, art and papers reaffirmed that I'm doing what I've always been passionate about. :-)

Photoshop Frames for Photographers

2011-04-26T19:00:00.001-07:00

I've been creating different photoshop template designs for photographers to use including photo cards, albums, actions, etc.

Here are some whimsical frames for photographers to use with their images. This is a great way to display your photos in an online gallery.

(Up close view) Rough pen-like lines.

Contact Ashley to order these frames-ashley@ashleydeyoung.com.

Sweet baby boy - Augusta GA portrait photographer

2011-04-21T19:13:00.001-07:00

If you are interested in a portrait session in Augusta, GA, please contact me through my website http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Looking back at the past 6 years...

2011-04-17T18:27:00.001-07:00

I'm taking a breather from editing for a few moments to allow my eyes to rest. They are getting so bad that I need to get into the eye doctor. Another thing I have to find since moving to Augusta. Doctors, hair stylists, dentists...those are not easy things to find when you move.

Anyhow, I was looking on my facebook at some of my old photos...and since I joined facebook back in early 2005 when it was small, somewhat new and only for college kiddos, I have an abundance of photos on there and that's about when I started shooting for people.

It's interesting to go back and look at my first few sessions that I did in Nashville. Sometimes I think "what was I thinking?" And other times I'm happy with the photos. I used to spend forever editing photos to follow the latest trends in photography. Then I realized they were trends, and that people one day will not want to hang grunge or overly edited photos on the wall.

I used to shoot a lot of models and musicians...

It was a great way to get started in the industry in Nashville, because there are so many there!

Nowadays, I hardly edit photos unless I convert one to black and white. I shoot in RAW with custom white balance. When I load the images to my computer, I tweak the lighting a smidgen and sharpen a bit here and there, but that's about it. Everything is pretty much done within the camera.

Like this photo...It was shot using natural lighting (in the shade of course).

F4.0, 1/200, 70mm

I've been messing with custom white balance to get softer warmer hues and more accurate coloring.

Photography is trial and error. Lots and lots of trial. I learned a lot in school, but most of my knowledge comes from trying over and over. I stare at my photos and see what I don't like about them and then try to never do that again. I'm also learning that continuous shooting is great, but sometimes taking the time to get really good shots is better...they come out better and sharper!

Things I wish I knew then that I know now: flashes give me migraines so don't bother wasting your time; ALWAYS shoot RAW and not jpeg; trends change quickly so don't follow them-find your own niche and stick to it; and it's quality not quantity!

Now back to work...

Peace...and quiet.

2011-04-15T08:39:00.000-07:00

I've been enjoying my back patio. My Mabel loves sitting out there on my lap gazing at the birds. Well, actually she would rather run around than sit on my lap, but I won't let her.

I've been trying to sit out there every morning on my lounge chair and read...magazines, books, the bible...something I forget to do so often. I read emails and blogs, but I forget to read things that are written in actual English and not slang. It's amazing how much that can affect your speech.

I'm looking forward to my evening session. Pictures to come soon...

Family session :: Augusta GA family portrait photographer

2011-04-10T04:45:00.001-07:00

I did a fun filled family session yesterday down by the Savannah Riverwalk in Augusta!

If you are interested in a family portrait session, please contact me through my website http://www.ashleydeyoung.com

Maternity session :: Augusta GA Portrait Photographer :: Ashley DeYoung Photography

2011-04-04T18:04:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege of doing a maternity session with this lovely lady. Isn't she the most graceful pregnant woman you've ever seen? She just glows...

Engagement Session :: Augusta GA Photographer :: Ashley DeYoung Photography

2011-04-04T11:44:00.001-07:00

What a sweet and beautiful couple!

If you are interested in a photo session in the Augusta, GA area, run over to my website http://www.ashleydeyoung.com for more information on my sessions.