Marvin is a winner

Exciting!!! I just received a call from Animal Crackers pet supply store, here in Corvallis, announcing that Marvin has won the 'cutest pet of the month' contest!!! Yep, he is Mr. July. This photo is now prominently displayed in the store. I am so proud...

Danielle Anthony becomes Oregon sheepherder

I started looking for a part-time job (while I get my photography business up and running), and these are my options? Sheepherder and Orchard Worker... yuck.Oregon is scenic and lush and where I live is particularly beautiful. My landlord is a master gardener and has an amazing yard with all kinds of plants, flowers & birds, its a little bit like mountain-top paradise. Even critters like her yard. A family of racoons took up house in the tree outside my kitchen window. The four babies are soooooo cute. They climb up and down several times a day, and make a weird distressful-type noise.A royal pain lately, Marvin is clearly not adjusting well to the move. Last week, for example, when left alone for three hours, he ate our living room blinds. The next day, he ate the curtains that replaced those blinds. Bad Dog. Here is a bad idea: Attempting to block DOG from curtains with vacuum cleaner and Danielle's golf bag. Photographic evidence of the aftermath: chewed cord, in six places. Frustrating. Note: my BRAND new printer was also destroyed in the process. (I've determined some serious K9 gymnastics must've taken place to muscle that printer down).Further, as if just being destructive isn't quite annoying enough, 70 degrees is evidently too cold for Marvin, so I had to purchase him a jacket. IN JULY. eyeroll.

back from Greece: Wedding & Vacation

I am finally home after 8 days of traveling, shooting a (two day) wedding near Athens and a relaxing on the Greek island Spetses, for vacation. Fabulous.The ocean water was amazingly clear and blue. Although there was very little sand, the beaches were definitely a good place to enjoy a refreshing beverage. (or two)

image editing process

My friend Tonya (and mother of three) asked me how I get my photographs of children so sharp and colorful, she was discouraged because her images weren't "popping" as much as mine do. She felt relieved after I admitted that much of it happens AFTER the photograph is taken (in Photoshop CS3). Taking the photograph is literally only half of the artistic process.
So, here is some insight about my photo editing. Take this image of Mr. T. The original image (right out of the camera) is on left. The image I provided to the parents is on the right. I have purchased some "actions" in photoshop that pump up the contrast, saturate the color, and correct the skin color.The image below left is "cross processed" meaning, it simulates the color and contrast of a polariod print. I love how 70's it is. And on the right is my version of a black & white image. It is grainy and looks like a print from a film camera.Here's a "cross processed" outdoor portrait example: (note the difference in the greens) Most of the time, I only provide one version per photograph (if it feels like it should be black and white, or color, or crazy crossed processed, that is what I provide to the client.) These are my other favorites from my session with 9 month old Mr. T.I love these two of Mr. T and his mom. Look how happy they both are. LOVE it.

home for sale! mine...

UPDATE: as of Saturday, my house is now under contract.
(Unfortunately) the day after I left NC for Oregon, the sale of my house fell through... Instead of being insanely upset and feeling sorry for myself, I have decided to post photographs of my house, conveniently close to RTP, located in Durham, NC. The price is $146,000, inquire through my realtor's website: http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/22-Sinnott-Circle_Durham_NC_27713_1108760727Want to buy this cute house:? Call my realtor!!!

rock star portraits

This is Emily. She is the cool budding photographer that I will be mentoring this upcoming school year. (I hate that I am actually old enough to mentor someone...) I thought it would be helpful for her to have a photoshoot; so she could see me in action, ask questions, and get some cool images of her and her friends. Unbeknownst to me, Emily's mom took pictures of me taking photos of the girls. Until I saw the photographs, I had no idea how often I lay on the ground, squat down, arch backwards, and otherwize look completely goofy with a camera in hand. I've never been able to see what other people see during a photoshoot - so I thought you guys might enjoy seeing what I look like taking the shot (on left) versus the actual shot (on right). Click to enlarge.

baby girl. so darling.

There have been so many connections to my past - lately. Like, photographing my high school friend's kids, or in this case, the baby of the brother of a high school boyfriend... This darling girl is Miss Frances. She changed clothes six times and never complained. THAT is my kind of baby!!!

2,900 miles

Today is Sunday. The day after the day After tomorrow, we pack my ten year old Nissan and drive ALL the way across the United States (to my new home) to OREGON... And you might want to brace yourselves, because I have something to say about it.
Three years ago, my life felt like someone ELSE's life. Like I was watching it play from outside of myself. And although I was doing so well professionally, with the photography and the magazines, on the inside I was not. I yearned to simplify, to slow down, to breathe. I wanted a small zen garden and a smaller house and more quiet. AND I wanted to share true unshakeable love. The kind that keeps you in bed a few extra hours on Sunday morning, just to drink coffee, appreciate the company and read an actual paper. At that time, I had none of that.
So, a year and a half ago, decisions were made, husbands were left, a big house on a golf course was exchanged for an older smaller house, babies were still photographed, life was simpler, and I took the time to learn how to be alone and be quiet. It took almost a year and alot of Eckart Tolle, my friends Joanna, Evelyn and Carlotta, Edie (my massage therapist/psychotherapist), to talk it out, sit with it, and be ok WHO I really am: A happy, simple, sarcastic, ambitious, writer, photographer, dirty story teller, partier, shy, witty, open, honest, often tactless, in love woman who is completely ready to start this chapter of her life. It will be 2,900 miles from where I am today. And, that too, is ok. But I have some THANKING to do before I leave NC. Here goes.

1. Facebook. It suggested I "friend" Dan.
2. Dan, for having incredible timing. And for not finding me any earlier.
3. Mom, for calling. For helping. And for saying the right things.
4. Dad, for being worried and scared for me. And Not saying it.
5. Corey, for being a true friend and for employing me for the last 6 years. For understanding. For free photography marketing and business advice. And for letting me photograph your beautiful children AND paying me for it.
6. For the 1000ish people who read my blog everyday, all over the world, it shocks me when I see the numbers. I just wish you would comment more.
7. For every client that trusted me to take photos of you or your children.
8. For the mysterious person who continues to mow my grass and blow pine cones off my roof
9. For the 74 happy encouraging awesome (facebook) comments on my A to B post
10. God, or the higher power. For waking me up, and letting me rise out of the nasty funk I was in, to live the new life I'd wanted for 3 years. I had Wallowed in rock bottom for way too long. So thank you #10 for helping me climb out.

I am ready. I look forward to each of the 2,900 miles. I plan on taking in as much as I can, along the way, photographing what strikes me, stopping and staring if I need to. And when I get to my new home this coming Sunday, I plan on staying in bed too long and drinking some coffee...

5 months old. With hats & props.

So, you have seen Miss Eva before. She is the baby I photographed with a live bunny wearing the carrot outfit... Because I am leaving NC, we had to do her 6 month portrait session a month early. Although I could do much more with her IF she were sitting up by herself, I am completely happy with her shots.The shot above is what I call a 'happy mistake' as I was totally out of position to take the photograph (Way too far right). The shot below makes me happy, just because Eva is cracking up. Mom was making some ridiculously funny noises... And I love this photo of her in a matching green hat, dress and bloomers. I wonder what she is thinking to create such a delicious expression.

Dan and Danielle. From A to B.

RECENTLY:
The first boy I ever loved, (20 years ago) professed his lifelong love for me. Many emails and phone conversations later, we agreed to meet in NC.
He lives in oregon and has a phd in trees.
I have always had a soft spot for the insanely smart.
His soft spot is for "creative, passionate, suprising and a little crazy"

Face to face. Instant love and peace and butterflies
We spent 3 days together
He left. I put my house on the market.

My 6 day Oregon trip got extended to 11 days.
My house sold on the second day of that trip.
Together, we saw trees and the coast and birds and barns and cows and sheep.
We looked for a space for me to set up a REAL photography studio.

I met his friends.

We held hands.
in public.
he sang with his guitar.
We reminisced about the old days and smiled on the ones to come.
We feel insanely lucky.

TODAY:
Logisitical issues.
I have two weeks to let go of any possession I don't want.
I have photoshoots in Phoenix, Greensboro, Raleigh and Wilson before I go.

I need to get from point A to point B
BUT who can complain when your house sells in 3 days and it is the only obstacle between where you Are and where you want to Be?

NOT ME.
so I am rolling with it.
So, here I am, only a few weeks left in North Carolina. About to move myself and my business and my two dogs to Oregon. A town called Corvallis. It is a bit like Boone, but bigger. There is greenness and trees and flowers everywhere. And I just love it.

Ahhhh. Our Sweet Prom Photo (ages 15 & 16)Us now. Ages, um, slightly older...

siblings, swingsets & serious fun

I love photographing brothers and sisters. The sibling dynamic reminds me SO much of me and my brother when we were young: the picking, the squabbles, AND the fun and love and fabulousness of family. And swingsets and see saws are always fun (unless your brother catapults you into the air and you land ON your nose, which breaks it, but that is my story...) and not even close to the relationship between J and M. These two have serious Sweetness. Which translates to serious Fun.This might be my favorite shot of the two of them together. SO delicious. I wish MY brother would have liked me half this much...

wish you were here!

Ok, I probably SHOULD feel bad about this blog post, BUT, I just decided that I was obligated to share this photograph, taken while doing family beach portraits last August. As soon as I saw this lovely fellow, the sight took my breath, then I told the family to wait for just a second (by holding up my hand, laughing, and turning around). I think I could single handedly increase Emerald Isle tourism with this postcard. Perhaps I will write the tourism board, and suggest they print four million copies and distribute along the NC and SC coasts...

christening gown photography

Because of my lack of time, I'm going to start posting my favorite session photographs with fewer words. Rowan, above in her Christening gown; below, in a diaper.

Cage, 10 days old

Ten days ago, I had the lucky/amazing experience of photographing a live birth. That baby boy, now named Cage Andrew, met me and my camera equipment again this morning. And He was delicious. His smiles turned me upside down on the inside. Babies are so fantastic in that way. A few of my favorite photographs:The new house is amazingly modern and hip and I fell in LOVE with this white leather grommeted chair. So sleek, with its low arms and fab profile. And after rearranging the furniture a bit, I do like how these photos turned out. Check him out! Reclining on his side, Mr. Hugh Hefner, like he is saying, "hey ladies, just give me a call". Already cool and hip, just like his mom. (Corey is the epitome of cool, naming her child "Cage"). Although, technically, I think it is a family name.

lifestyle photos, blog delay

I can actually blame part of my lack of blogging on my client Anna, who nonchalantly mentioned her addiction to the book Twilight (which I now personally know is a series of four books, all practically impossible to put down, even when you have work to do. Or taxes to attend to, or photographs of babies to process). Look how cute and innocent she is. Not knowing how her recommendation knocked me at least a week behind schedule! But, I totally forgive her, and can't wait till her baby girl Rowan is sitting up. I don't have the easiest time photographing babies before they can sit on their own. However, little boys are a sinch. Just put them on a swingset or any playing apparatus, and lay down on the ground and snap away! These two are my favorites of Henry who is completely well-mannered and polite. His expressions are priceless: In the first photo I asked just him if he liked my earrings. I think the question stumped him...

Pink is good!

I have always been fond of the color pink. I really wanted to paint my first kitchen pink, and considered it for my current office, but that perfect non-baby, NON-pepto bismol shade is pretty hard to find. So, I last week, I ordered a pink backdrop for my studio (and a bright orange one). I have fantastic visions for both of them. Including, shooting Miss A, who is Girly Girl, shown here with my pink cowboy hat.Not to go crazy girly overboard, I also shot on my white backdrop, and these are my favorites, I just LOVE fairy costumes (especially pink ones). Wings are so cute and photograph REALLY well. And I love pouting. Can't get enough of a pouty lip.

a true classic

Guess what little gem I found during the last visit to my folks house??? THIS awesome portrait of ME. I think I am either five or six years old. I think I am going to bring this delicious dual shot back. YEP, I am going to re-start a trend in kid photography. Thanks, mom...

Birth Photography

Last year, I created a life-goals list; the things I really want to do/see/accomplish while I am alive. Happily, around 3:30 am Monday morning, I completed Goal #27: To Photograph a Birth.It was amazing. Mel called me around 1am - saying they were headed to the hospital, and that Corey felt that IT would not be long (and I've seen TV shows where sometimes it takes hours for labor, and pushing, but her last baby was born in two hours and just a few pushes... so, I hauled tail immediately to the hospital). I thought I might get queasy or faint. But not at all. Having photographed a child only seconds after being born, I just feel such appreciation for life. And love. And family. The experience shifted something inside me. Corey said, when she held him, "I love you Instantly, my little boy, I love you".Even though I have known Corey for YEARS, and photographed her other children, I felt so close to her, like a sister. And kind of proud to be the visual communicator to their friends and family (by posting images to facebook within two hours of his birth)- who were clearly excited for them as well. Thank you for letting me be a tiny part of your life.Congratulations to the entire Williams family.

Easter Portraits for Baby Girls

The Easter Portraits were a hit! Miss Eva, who is now 2 months old and as yummy as ever, came to see me. Her mom brought her in a carrot outfit. A CARROT. How cool is that? The bunny just hung out in the basket while Eva slept. Here is my new orange backdrop! It's SO orange & I just love it. I want to do more sessions on the orange, so to book a portrait session for yourself, or your kids, email me at danielle@danielleanthony.com.