PH Studios

Just Because

Posted on December 14, 2010

As a college student, I’d hop in the car of a Saturday morning with my camera in tow, and I would just drive. I’d take backroads and stop anywhere that looked interesting. I’d take all day to shoot a roll or two of black and white film. It was fun, and in doing that, I fell more and more in love with photography. The years passed and I got married, had kids, and started the business of photography — which I love love love — but stopped taking the time to shoot solely for me and to experiment with my camera.

The other day I was spending time with my AWESOME mother-in-law, who is a remarkable fine art photographer. She and another photographer friend who was visiting from New York were going to go out and take pictures and they invited me to come along! So today, we spent a couple hours driving around the Hill Country taking pictures of whatever we happened to come across, talking photography all day long. It was so nice, and the time just flew by. I don’t know that I got any earth shattering photos, but it was just nice being out there.

*NOTE* The photo of the rock gate to the right is mine, but for the finished product, I used the photo of the house from stock.xchng.

Find something you love to do and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.
– Harvey MacKay

Inspiration: Wall Displays

Posted on August 25, 2010

One of the aspects I really love about photography is that, not only can you caputure moments in time for future generations to see, but you can also use it to create personal art pieces in your home. Paintings and stock photography have their place, but decorating your house with personal images really gives that feeling of “home” that we all strive for.

Keri just sent me the following photo of the wall collage she put together using photos from their recent portrait session at the Kiddie Park. I love the clean lines, the simple design, and the fact that it’s a real focal point in the room! This just goes to show that you don’t always have to order a huge 30×40 canvas in order to make a statement. (Although that’ll do the trick, too!) This is an easy and affordable way to display your photos and tell a story.

Keri, thanks for sending me your idea! You will be receiving a $40 Powerhouse Studios gift certificate! For more wall display ideas, check out the Inspire Guide gallery on the Client portion of our website! If you have displayed your portraits or wedding photos in a beautiful or unique way, please send us a photo. If your display is selected to be featured on the blog, you will also receive a $40 gift certificate!

Displaying Family Photos

Posted on July 8, 2010

It’s no secret that I adore magazines. Every time I open one, no matter what the topic, it feels like Christmas. I’m weird, I know.

Imagine my excitement when I got a new magazine in the mail today and opened it up to find this amazing article about displaying family photos in your home! It’s an amazingly helpful article with beautiful photos and ideas. Check out the August issue of Family Circle to see it for yourself.

For more ideas, you can also check out our Inspire Guide! There are 25 different display options with sizes and layouts for all different rooms. Find the Inspire Guide here at http://powerhousestudiosclients.com/RedCart/index.php?gnum=102.

Also, if you (or a friend) have beautifully, artfully, or creatively displayed photos in your home, send me a photo! I’d love to feature it on the blog!

Hope you have a great week!
Breanna

Timelessness

Posted on July 1, 2010

I love the rain. Yesterday Abby was sitting in my office with me, and even she was quiet as we listened to sound of the raindrops hitting the windows. Such peace. At some point, I turned to say something to her and I saw this. Couldn’t resist grabbing the camera. I love capturing moments like this. It’s just so her. Every time it rains, even if she’s not going outside, she puts on that raincoat. I think it’s cute. I love pictures like this because it’s going to mean something to me, still, in 10, 20, and 50 years.

I was lucky enough to get another timeless photo earlier this month… this one of my son at a baseball game. It wasn’t planned, and I only had a tiny part in posing him. (Ha ha… I couldn’t help it!) As a mother who knows her son, his smile is so sweet and natural (I can almost hear his little giggle), and the dirty baseball hat about says it all. I know that we’re going to treasure this photo forever.

I say all this, not as a photographer, but as a mother. For me, this is what photography is all about… about capturing the essence and the story of a person or family. It’s not just about having something neat to show friends, but about memories, legacies, and stories.

Forgive me, I am becoming a little mushy and nostalgic. But then I think we all should be now and again.

What would that timeless photo be for you? Who is in it? Where are they? What are they doing?

Being Thankful (and a CHALLENGE!)

Posted on November 18, 2009

Of all the “attitudes” we can acquire, surely the attitude of gratitude is the most important and by far the most life-changing.
–Zig Ziglar (Zig Ziglar’s Little Book of Big Quotes)

In honor of the wonderful Thanksgiving holiday that is before us, and in an effort to become more thankful myself, I have issued myself a challenge. I will spend the next 7 days being very deliberately grateful. I am so blessed, but I don’t always take the time to realize it and to really soak it in. So for the next week, I will be keeping a camera handy (even if it’s only the camera on my phone) and documenting all things that I am thankful for — big and small.

I thought it’d be fun if we did this one together, so I issue the same challenge to you. Between now and Thanksgiving, live gratefully and make a visual journal of all the great things in your life. Have fun, be creative, but most of all take the time to breathe it all in. On Thanksgiving day, post your images (on your blog, collage, a slideshow, in a Photobucket album… wherever) and share the link with us so we can all see them (I’ll do the same). Then, on Saturday, one lucky winner will be chosen and will win a $10 Starbucks card! I can’t wait to see what you all come up with!

And, because every post is better with a picture, here is a pic of my kiddos making pomanders on our recent trip to Love Creek Orchards.

Ideas & Inspiration: Kelly

Posted on October 9, 2008

There are so many things that you can do with photos (especially these days), and I just love seeing what things clients do with their portraits! I was in awe when Kelly sent me this adorable invitation she put together using one of the portraits from our recent session. Kelly will be receiving a $25 Powerhouse Studios credit for sharing her wonderful creation! I want to invite the rest of you to send photos of how you used or displayed your Powerhouse Studios portraits, and you will also receive a $25 credit if we publish your submission. Email breanna [at] ph-studios dot com to share!

First Editions Proof Books

Posted on April 4, 2008

Powerhouse Studios has just come up with a fun and economical way to walk away with all of the images from your portrait session. We are now offering our First Editions Proof books that are small, compact, easy to share with friends, and are just a little bit artsy! These 5×5 proof books include all of the images from your session, and our fine art borders give your book a fine art touch.

Keep your eyes open for other new products coming soon!

Valerie & Dustin – Engagement

Posted on March 29, 2008

I had the privilege of shooting Val & Dustin’s engagement portraits yesterday and we had a great time! It’s hard to believe that my baby sister is getting married in a few months! Valerie is also pursuing professional photography, so if you’re in the College Station area… We had so much fun finding cool places to shoot and hanging out together, and I am so very happy for them! Congrats, Sister and Brother-in-law-to-be!

Spring is Here!

Posted on March 27, 2008

I was driving down the highway today and saw the first patch of bluebonnets. There were only about 10 of them in a tiny little patch, but they were there! It inspired me to take a long drive and kinda get away from things, if only for an hour or so. I love this time of year and all that it brings. Cool weather, grilling in the back yard, brightly colored dishes and patio furniture… I feel very blessed.

I always get quite a few requests for “bluebonnet portraits” this time of year, and I’ve always found them a little bit — tired, I guess. EVERYONE has pictures of their kids sitting in the middle of the bluebonnets, you know? It’s all the same. However, I think I’ve got some really cool bluebonnet pictures coming up. Here are a couple from last year.

Fine Art Proof Albums

Posted on January 10, 2008

Powerhouse Studios has just started offering our Fine Art Proof Albums as a part of our wedding packages, and you are going to LOVE them! These albums beautifully hand crafted books, with great attention to all the details. These books include all of your wedding images and will be a very special keepsake. Contact us to find out more!

Next Page »

© Copyright powerhouse studios .