blogs of photogs

Audrey Woulard, has been working out of Chicago as a portrait photographer for about 7 years, near as I can remember. Audrey and I were friends online on a parenting board for many years before either of us ever pursued photography as a career, so I got to see her go from starting out to skyrocketing to fame in a fairly short period. Audrey’s work has a very distinctive style, a commercial feel that caught the eye of national campaigns such as Pottery Barn Kids a few years back. Audrey is an extremely successful business woman as well, offering many variations of workshops over the years that have brought her as many aspiring photographer fans as she has photography clients. I’m convinced that if Audrey writes about a product on her blog, or uses a hat, blanket (remember that?) etc in her work, then you ought to buy some stock in it~ her cult following is that strong. Her work has been featured in many places, including the cover of Professional Photography magazine and is the inspiration for many photographers who are just starting out. If you haven’t checked out her blog before, I know you’ll enjoy it.

On a personal note, please forgive my neglecting Blogs of Photogs. Its crunch time for finishing up all my client work. I hope to share a freebie card I designed within the next day or so, hopefully you can use it for last minute orders, or maybe even for your own neglected card! Happy Holidays to all!

~Mary

I usually try to limit my posts and review to those photographers who have blogs, as the name is “Blogs of Photogs” but after coming across Skeisvoll Photography, I just *had* to share their site with you. Monica & Erik’s portfolios are so jam packed with awesome commercial and fashion work~ I know everyone will enjoy seeing their website. ~Enjoy!

~Mary

ps, my cousin (see previous posts) is doing much better, still in hospital (5 wks now) but out of coma, not on vent, doing phys. therapy and OT, etc. Long road to complete recovery, so keep him in your prayers please.

I’m not sure how I stumbled across Gina Maxine, it may have been on Flickr, or someone emailed me about her, I don’t recall, but however I found her, I am *so* glad I did. I get the feeling she is relatively new to the photography business world(I could be wrong, but her archives don’t go back very far…) which makes me think this is someone to watch for sure, especially if my hunch is correct. The current 2nd photo on her blog (little miss E) is just breathtaking- talk about waiting for the perfect moment and capturing it exquisitely. Gina works out of Central CA, primarily with babies and smaller children, with a few seniors mixed in and a lot of great commercial work. There is something ethereal and delicate about some of her shots that just give them such a lovely fine art flair. Enjoy!

~Mary

ps, not much change on my cousin with serious complications from H1N1, thanks for the kind words, thoughts and prayers, I will update on my personal twitter when there is much of anything to report.

Way back in December of 2007, when I started this little project of mine; Blogs of Photogs, I mentioned on a few of the photography forums I frequent that I’d welcome submissions from photographers of their own blogs, or those they love. Lisa, of Lisa Maksoudian Photography sent me her link way back then, and I think I’ve gotten it no less than nine times from other photographers, so I finally finally {finally!} got over to check out her blog.

Wow… just amazing work- stunning in its clarity, posing, lighting, expression. Just amazing. How have I not experienced it yet? Lisa works out of San Luis Obispo and it appears there is no type of photography that she doesn’t excel at–I know you will enjoy her work!

~Mary

Since I have so many new readers, wanted to re-iterate a few things I have not mentioned in a long while. First off, I want to remind everyone that the sponsors, with banners along both sides (more in depth info about them can be found by clicking the small “sponsors” link up top) help to support Blogs of Photogs so I can spend all this time checking out blogs, so please visit and support our wonderful sponsors! They are awesome and I’m a personal fan of all their wares.

Second, I get dozens and dozens of emails each week asking me to review photographers blogs, and also get lots from newer-just starting out photographers asking me for in depth feedback on their portfolio/style, etc. I wish I had 50 hours in a day to do all that, but I haven’t figured out how to stretch the day further. So just a note to let you know: if you send in your blog, I will look at it sometime, could be in 2 weeks, could be in 8 months, but I’ll get there someday I hope. Click the “about” link up top for more info on how to get reviewed. Other questions will be answered as time permits, which means, unfortunately, rarely. My 3 kids and hubby need to see me too!

And lastly: I’d really like to revive the “freebies” offerings. I’d love if some designers or (photographers who also dabble in design!) send in some templates, or blends, or textures or even business tips, and I will add them to the freebies page. It was lots of fun during the holiday rush, and I love the karma of sharing. So, send things in via blogsofphotogs@gmail.com and we will get the freebies going again!  Yes, you! You have something to share I’m sure!

Thanks everyone for all your support and kind emails and comments. I read every single one, and I appreciate so much the enjoyment other photographers get out of each other’s work. Thanks again!

Mary

Patti works out of New Jersey, in Monmouth & Ocean counties, and the work on her blog is spectacularly clean, crisp and polished. Her family work is lighthearted and fun, and her newborn work–so lovely;  I especially love many of her shots with a newborn and older sib~one of the hardest combos to pose/photograph to me~ but Patti’s got great stuff to inspire! I love her black and whites-just the right amount of contrast and creamy beautiful tones. Make sure you check out her galleries on her main site too, just all around artistry.

~Enjoy!

Mary

Connie Groah of Barefoot Photo (blog is here) is located in Annapolis, Maryland. I can’t decide which is my favorite age group from her work–her newborn work is beautiful, her family shots have such a warm, cozy connection too, but I guess probably her kids shots-in the 2-5 age range are my favorite. She seems to excell at capturing the wonder and excitement of that age range especially well. Connie’s blog features lots of her delightfully gorgeous work, as well as showing some from her trip back to San Diego where she used to live with her husband. Which brings me to her husband, and the fact that this blog review is a “two-fer” for you readers!

Connie’s husband Shane has a blog,

Dut Duts & GoNuts, which is so hilariously funny that if this man does not get a paying job as a writer soon I will lose my faith in the literary community. Truly, it is actual laugh out loud funny– pee your pants funny. It is even “I get excited when I see an email from feedburner about it funny.” Not to overshadow Connie’s beautiful photography, but you must check out the talent from both of these two, just amazing, and a bit unfair to have all that talent housed together. Their boys will have every funny life moment and image chronicled for sure!

Enjoy!

Mary

I have had lots and lots of email from people saying that I should feature *my* very own photography blog. So, I decided to do it, with one little twist-YOU–my Blogs of Photogs readers– get to review MY work on my blog and tell me via a comment what you love (or hate…but gosh-be constructive!) about my work and blog and photography. Leave the comment here on blogs of photogs and after a few days of comments, you could win a prize!  I’ll put all the names (of those who leave comments) in a hat, have one of my kids pick one, and the winner gets a sterling silver bangle photo bracelet from Deluxe Photo Gifts! So, check out Mary Hanson Photography Blog here and let me know what you think.

Thanks!

Mary

I’m guessing that many of my readers who are photographers have heard of Carey of Barefoot Memories, but just in case there are a few of you out there who haven’t… you’ll be glad now that you did. Quite simply, Carey *is* beach family photography in Southern California. Her simple and classic style of shooting is one that is often imitated, but not so often replicated. Her brand is well known, she is brilliant at marketing (in fact- I still owe her a thank you for being so nice a few years back when I called her up and asked if I could borrow her holiday slideshow/year in review idea… which I now see on so many sites! Thanks Carey!)  and she is becoming quite well known on the photography speaker circuit as well. Carey is one of the few photographers whom I have seen who has made the “CD route” work for her and her clients. And of course, last but never least,  her photography is marvelous, she is just a master at what she does. Enjoy her work here on her blog, or here on her main site.

On another note, after my two weeks away, I have been swamped with sessions myself, so please forgive the delay in updating blogs of photogs. I will post more often, so check back soon, or subscribe up top!

best

Mary

This is such a fun blog, with so much to like! Perfect little break from getting things ready for the 4th of July here in beautiful Minneapolis.

Ok, first thing, and I absolutely have to say this, and I do not personally know Beth of bsquared photography, so I have no stake in saying this: Beth you are RIDICULOUSLY under priced. There are so many stellar images on this blog, and the portrait work, beach work and family sessions are so much better than SO many of the blogs I look at… I really have to just yell at you for a minute about your pricing. WAY UNDER PRICED!!!

There, that is out of the way…(and if any of you readers agree with me, please leave a comment here to prove my point…)

Ok… so, what else do I love? I love the frequent updates, the huge size of the images on the blog, (especially love that b&w image of the baby on the wooden bridge…) the band photos are great, (and if you have ever done any band photography in darkly lit clubs, you know how good these are!) and the fun, affable, cool-mom-next-door tone of her writing. There are a couple less than perfect images if you delve way back, but you can really see amazing growth, talent and beauty in her work. If she was one of the photographers I have mentored though, I’d be on her about that pricing.

-enjoy!

Mary