Circle of Life...

I am so thankful to be able to do what I do: most every shoot I do involves documenting a new young life entering this world, or a new(er) life entering adulthood. Most of the time, I deal with the more pleasant side of the Circle of Life...

...until recently.

I have a wonderful family member who's three-year battle with cancer is about to come to an end. It's really tough to watch a once 185lb fit man become a barely 130lb skeleton - and the worst part is I know that I can't do anything to prevent the cancer from continuing to ravage his body. I mean, I have known people who have passed away from cancer, but unless you're family, you don't always see what really happens behind the scenes. Now I have. And my conclusion is that this has got to be one of the most inhumane diseases on earth.

This year's Halloween charity event (October 25th) will be entirely devoted to cancer research. Unfortunately, I think we have all had someone that has been affected by cancer. I can't do anything to save this wonderful man. But I can work to help stop this is the future.

This wonderful man lives in Syracuse, and so Lee and I go out as much as possible to see him.

I am posting this because we aren't sure he will be with us much longer (weeks?), and when he passes, we will immediately head to Syracuse, cancelling all shoots and appointments. I just wanted to make sure I warned everyone ahead of time.

Sorry for the somber note of the post...

Take care of you and yours,

Beth

Cranbrook with the Lee Family

On Thursday, I met up with a family at Cranbrook. Many people ask if I shoot at Cranbrook. The answer is yes: if you are an alumni. Otherwise, Cranbrook's rules are quite strict, and the fees associated with shooting at the grounds are prohibitive.

I have shot there on multiple occasions, and am always blown away by the sheer beauty of the grounds. It is gorgeous. (The gardens remind me of the gardens where I grew up in England... yes, I spent about five years in England - but that's a long story in itself...)

Anyway, the I met up with the Lee family, and they were dressed so perfectly: perfect hair, matching outfits, and they even had perfectly painted toes on all the girls. It was great. Their preparation, along with the grounds, made for gorgeous pictures.

Some people tend to like more artsy black and white photographic art, while others like more traditional photographic art. I have worked with the Lee family before, and I happen to know that they prefer the more hand-colored, traditional look. For that reason, I have prepared their images in a very special way.

Here are some of my favorites from the session... Enjoy!

I love this picture of the brother giving his sister a kiss...
Mom and daughter... aren't they both beautiful???

Laura --> World's Best Office Manager

It is official!!! Beth Merritt Photography welcomes Laura, our new Office Manager. We are now a team of three. Laura is fabulous, and has already made a huge difference around here.

Despite my best attempts (staying up until midnight to get orders finished, etc.), I could not keep up by myself. I have always thought of what we do as very customized sort of product, and with that very customized product should come impeccable customer service. Well, with a team of two, we weren't there yet - no matter how hard we tried. However, thanks to Laura, things are really changing...!

Also, we are in fact planning a charity event as we speak (many of you have asked about it over the past couple weeks). I think most of you know that I strongly believe that we should all give back to our community, and what better way than free pictures??! Keep checking back here for more information.

Have a good night everyone...!

Beth

Gina

Every August I generally have reason to celebrate for a week - and this year was no exception. My best friend Gina, who is an actress in California, comes in to Detroit for a week. (I keep trying to convince her to move to Manhattan... so much closer!)

I always say that when she gets discovered, I am probably going to wind up in jail. I will go to opening night of one of her movies, and then when I see her on that big screen I will make a complete idiot out of myself. "Whhhhhoooooo!!!!". Then I will spend the next 24 hours in a black and white striped jumpsuit. ;) ...but it will be oh so worth it!

Anyway, Gina came into town and needed a new headshot. I wanted to get a headshot where Gina's eyes are just piercing - so much so that you want to know more about her (and hence, call her for an audition). Here's my favorite one of the bunch:

Well, I should get going. I have to head out for Sandy Puc's Bellies and Babies Tour where I will be working in the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep booth. Sandy is extremely talented, it will be good to see her at the event.

Have a good day everyone!

Beth

The Harper Family

On Thursday, Lee and I met up with a family that we have been friends with for many many years: The Harper Family.

Kris and Kristin went to school with me and Lee. (I think most of you know this, but Lee and I have Engineering undergrad degrees.) So we met up with them - along with Grandma and Grandpa, and Aunt Robin) to take some family pictures. This family is - and always has been - all about having fun.

I know I have said this many times before, but it is so nice to photograph people you know. (Friends and clients I've gotten to know over the years.) It just allows me to make the sessions a little more crazy...!

Here are my favorites from the session...

Enjoy!

Beth

The O'Dell Family

This morning I had the pleasure of photographing the O’Dell family. The day, the family, and the outfits were gorgeous – when I saw them I was excited…

The day got even better when I got to meet the kids. These two children are two of the best behaved kids I have ever had the pleasure to work with. And to make matters even better, the brother and sister like each other. I mean for real. I asked them to hug and they did – and smiled too. I am very close with my two brothers, but I have to say I would not have smiled if asked to hug them at the age of six!

Here are some of my favorite from the session…

Enjoy!

Beth

My Third Shoot Ever...

So many of you might remember this picture:


Folks, this was (I think) my third shoot ever. Regardless, I remember being terrified... (You haven't lived until you have multiple sets of eyes just staring at you all at once ..."okay, do something with me". YIKES.) I think I have since then semi-perfected the art of looking like I know what I'm doing?? Maybe not. ;)

But I also remember the family being so fabulous. Mom was so kind, and the kids were so full of life...! Well, it's a few years later, and the entire family came back to visit me! As I remember, they are a very kind, and very geniune family.

The girl in this session is one of my favorite subjects to shoot. She doesn't love to get her picture taken that much - not a lot anyway. But she has these amazing expressions that are fabulous.
(I think in the picture below she is looking at a tadpole??? I could follow her around and photograph her forever... I take that back; when I get my lens back... then I could photograph her forever. I miss that lens!!!!!!!!)

Anyway, here are some of my favorite from the shoot.

Enjoy!

Beth

Family photography "Beth Style"... oh yes, we do the boring family shot - but then I change it up!!!! ;)


Okay, so for some reason this summer, I have become addicted to toes. When I suggested this shot, you should have seen the reactions. Some were excited. Some thought I needed my head checked. It's definitely not for everyone, but I think it's fun!)

(I suppose you could take credit for better looking feet - because no one can be sure with this many people!!!) ;)

Weddings and an Engagement Shoot...

As you guys may or may not have noticed, I have stopped doing Weddings. Not because I don’t like it or because someone told me I was doing a bad job (I think some of my favorite pictures ever were taken at these last two weddings…) I have decided to focus on Kids and High School Seniors. (Hey, you can’t do everything, right??!)

Here’s one of my favorite pictures that I neglected to post the blog. We stumbled across it when we were going through the final pictures. This is Shannon… isn’t she gorgeous? I deliberately put her in this spot so the sun would light up her veil. I have to say that I will miss the veil shots!


HOWEVER... I still have some existing engagements and weddings to shoot before the end of 2009. The best part is that those brides are super cool, and the wedding day is going to be incredible. Hey, I didn’t say I don’t love doing it; there is nothing like having a “behind the scenes” pass and being able to witness such sincere beautiful moments. Oh, it’s the absolutely best part of wedding photography. No, but seriously, those of you that know me well know that I have zero time to myself. Something had to go, and so I chose weddings.

(Okay, so I am sensing that this is going to be a long post… sorry guys…)

On Saturday, I had one of my last Engagement shoots. Katie is a good friend of mine and I managed to talk her and her fiance Toby into Engagement shots. (This was a new concept to Toby and it took a little convincing.) We chose to go to Detroit’s River walk and shoot there. Despite the Tiger’s game at Comerica Park and the African Festival with oh, about 50,000 people, we did just fine. ;)

With Engagement shoots, I often shoot in series to complement an album. Here are some of my favorite from the shoot. They are such a cute couple…

Have a good evening!

Beth

Klutz

Ughhhh....

So in the past two weeks I have dropped my 70-200 2.8 VR lens and my SB-800. It is reaaalllly not good to drop these on cement (and not so good for profitability either)

....Thank God for Oakland Photographic Repair in Madison Heights!!! If you guys need to repair your cameras or camera equipment, I would definitely recommend this place. The owner was really nice, and very accommodating. (I met them for the first time last Tuesday, but was very impressed.)

Just another random tip for any other clumsy photographers out there!

Quick Update...

I just wanted to report a couple updates about Beth Merritt Photography...

HIRED!
I am happy to report that I hired an assistant on Saturday. She will work from Monday-Friday and help to ensure a prompt response is given to each and every client. Words cannot express how excited I am to have someone to help out. Tristan recently got sick with bronchitis, and was out for a week. Needless to say, we got SLAMMED with work in July. (Yes, it's a good problem to have...but it's still a problem!)

CHARITY TIME!
So those of you that know me, know I think it is very important to give back to our community. We will be announcing a charity event sometime in the next few weeks. We will have abbreviated shoots, and like last year the sitting fee will go directly to charity and I will be giving out some sort of freebie in return for your donation. It's really a win-win, and I love ding it.

On that note, if anyone has any great charities that they might recommend, I would love to hear about them. Right now, I am leaning toward Haven, The Amercian Cancer Society, World Vision, and Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. I like to let people choose - and plus, World Vision is cool because you basically get to go shopping with your money! ;)

CHRISTMAS...
Yes, Irealize it's August folks... but the holiday season is popping up in stores (isn't that just nuts???) But the calendar is starting to fill up for our busy season (September through December 15th is generally nuts.) So, if you would like schedule a session, I would suggest contacting the studio sooner than later. We will try to accomodate everyone, but trust me that those 11:30 and 11:45 slots go quick...!

HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS...
We started doing a bit of senior work last year, and have been taken on by storm this year with new work. (We are very flattered!) We are working to get the new website and the literature up to date. It should be ready to go soon... well disclaimer: when I say soon, I mean after next Saturday when my new office manager gets here... ;)



Have a good day everyone! Time to put the computer away for a while... whew!

:)

Beth