So-- It seems that I am in the market for a new intern.. LOL

HAHAHAHAHHAH So, Yeah...  I will not go into all of the jumbled up details-- However, I am in the market for an intern.

I spent a small portion of the day on the phone with the Studio Photography Directer at U of L trying to figure out how I could offer an internship that would be counted as a college credit.

Well we Figured it out.. He asked me to make a list of  Requirements, Responsibilities, and Personality traits that I am looking for in an intern. So that is what I did.

I really would prefer to have a female intern, because if you know me I am all about GIRL POWER! Doing what ever I can to help another female out... But honestly, I get a long way better with men. I am not very sensitive, and I hear I can be a bit bossy!!??! Who would say such a thing?!

I am staying neutral to the gender of an intern, all that I am looking for is someone who does not have any crazy drama going on in their life. The point of interning is gaining experience, how can you fully learn if you life is full of chaos?

Equipment: 

• ​DSLR camera & flash unit ( at least 16 mp)
• At least 1 prime lens, preferably 50 mm 1.4-1.8 F, and any other lenses with a Low F stop
• Laptop
• Portable Hard Drive would be useful but not required. 
• SD Cards, Extra Camera Battery++
• Strobes & Lightening Equipment Triggers etc is a +++
• Lightroom 4-5 & CS6 or Creative Cloud
• Reliable Transportation preferably not too far from the 40291 ( Fern Creek area) 

​Knowledge Needed: 

• ​Use of Lightroom & Photography sliders and adjustment layers
• Layer Masks( Must) Curves, Levels, Channels, Basic Retouching is a ++
• Social Media Knowledge ex: Facebook, Google Ads, Pinterest, etc
• Culling Images  
  • Browsing through 400 images and being able to choose the best of the best! by using Starring, and ranking in LR
• Shooting on Manual mode ( LOL Yes, Sad but true) Iso, Shutter Speed, Aperture
• Gmail, Google Calenders, Spreadsheets in Excel & or Google Docs

Responsibilities: 

• ​Assisting, 2nd shooting, HRH Human Reflector Holder
• Setting up their own shots
• Culling Images & rating
• Front end of the business:
  • Social Media marketing
  • Customer Relations Management 
    • Emailing Clients & Response
    • ​Logging leads
    • Booking appointments
  • Creating marketing Templates for Social media 
  • Helping me to come up with Creative ideas for giveaways, sweepstakes, etc. 
• ​Editing Images  ( 2 ways )
  
  • ​Similar to my style ( This is a brand, and consistency is key)
  • Your style ( or finding your style if they have yet to build on)
• ​Website Management
  
  • Updating Images 
  • Blogs ( tentative ) 
• ​ PR- Public relations
  
  • ​Assisting in Managing Facebook Fan Pages, responding to messages, Clients, Posting things to help generate interest
• ​​Putting together layouts for Photo Albums
• Time Management
• Able to meet at least 2x a week For 3 hours
• Handling other jobs by themselves

​Traits:

• Assertive & Proactive
• Eye for Composition
• Minimal Time commitments
• 0 children ( I have a 10 year old son, and it is difficult with my schedule, couldn't imagine adding another to the mix)
• Deals well with surprises
• Capable of adapting in any situation
  
  • identifying the personality traits of the client and being able to accommodate
  • If we are shooting and Engagement session and they bring their 2 year old along unexpectedly- Intern may have to unfortunately play baby sitter for a little bit. Though I have made it very clear to clients that this is NOT allowed. However it has happened in the past, and being able to adapt to the situation is KEY!!
• Does well with their own Time Management
• easy & open communication
• Flexible schedule
• Creative eye
  • it is not always about the "technical" aspects.. Sometimes you have to be willing to shoot through a  hole in ziplock baggy to create a new effect in camera! ( ABSOLUTELY amazing--- google the trick)
• ​Not afraid to get their hands dirty
  • I have a massive amount of Tools in my arsenal, and I will not hesitate to break out my Compound miter saw, and brad nailer in order build something that I need
• ​Other talents are greatly appreciated! I sew, and like to build things
• Not easily discouraged
• Capable of dealing with Hi stress situations

What I will Teach in return/Give to the Intern:

• ​​Access to $100s of dollars in LR & PS Presets and Actions as well as custom made presets, to ensure similar styles
• Access to Tutorials that I have purchased
• 1 on 1 training in Lr & PS workflow & How to maximize and speed up your workflow through Sync & Batch edits
• Hands on Training in shooting:
  
  • Weddings, Families, Children, Engagement, & Boudoir ( as long as you are not a boy!!)
  • Tricks of the trades
    
    • shooting through zip-lock bags, cups, necklaces draped over the lens. 
    • things that you wouldn't normally think about doing. I was taught, and I want to pass it on to another young grass hopper!
  • ​​Building props​​
    • ​​​Reflectors made from hardware store materials, and many other things
  • ​Shooting with Off Camera Lighting, & Triggers
  • Color Grading & Composition
  • Hi fashion editorial style retouching:
    • ​​Frequency Separation: Non destructive way of editing blemishes, on separate layers to ensure no "Over processing of the skin" AKA So they do not looked over processed!! 
    • Curves adjustments in individual Channels
    • Dodge & burning-- A MUST
  • Managing a business from all sides
    • managing Customer relations
    •  networking & marketing
    • appealing to your target audience
    •  website development
    •  portfolio development for models and your self
    •  Money Management- making MONEY with your skill set. 
    • Filing taxes with a Schedule C.
• ​​Natural Light Vs Strobes
• ​Conceptual Photography
• BUILDING A BRAND!!!! That is the most important aspect of being a photographer, you can be amazing at what you do, but if you do not brand yourself well, then you may never get the opportunity to really reach your maximum potential.

Whew!!!!
​​I think that above covers everything. What I am looking for out of an interns. I covered Knowledge requirements, Responsibilities,  Personality Traits, and what they will receive in return. I was so very lucky that I had to amazing men take me under their wings and show me a thing or ten!! The knowledge that they provided me with, could NEVER be repaid.  So I feel like It is my "duty" to give back to someone, bc they definitely could have told me to " TAKE A HIKE!" However, I really wish I would have been taught the business side of it all. Being a photographer for profit entails much more than just having a great eye or awesome photoshop skills. You have to have the knowledge and skill set to manage the business and yourself in such a way that will eventually maximize your profits. After all--- Who really wants to be a starving artist forever? 

There you have it.. If you are interested, feel free to send me a facebook message or an email @ Charee.Marniece@gmail.com 

Please be aware that this time--- there may be a background check.. HA

Y U MAKE FUN OOF ME!!! Well BC you look stupid. Ha I had a great day today finished two bbook's,
Hung out at the pool with the child, read a book. I am content.

Watching you sleep

" there is no love like a mothers love" I never understood that saying. How could a mother love differently?
Growing up with Brighten, yes growing up. I had him when I was 19; I was a very young And immature 19. So our life together has been full of watching each other grow up. 

Being a young mother, I was not " instantly " attached" to him. I loved him, but I wasn't ready to give up my selfish ways nor was I experienced enough. I always knew I loved him, but the love I feel now is outrageous. Its fierce. I never knew one could feel tthis way about a child. I watch him sleep and think " I would cross the depths of any earth, brave any battle, and sacrifice the greatest sacrifice, all to make sure you are Ok.and have what you need. Like all moms I am.guilty of watching him sleep and quietly creeping over with a compact mirror to make sure he's still breathing. Ha-ha running my finger over the sole of his foot - just to watch it move! LOL He is so amazing to me, he encompasses all of my good qualities, not only is he's a lady killer, but he's creative, a loner, a leader, he is an inventor, he is strong, and definitely not niave. Yet he posses none of my bad ones. He is So kind, caring, compassionate, he has a heart full of empathy, and is able to feel sympathy. He was blessed witg the " nurturing gene. " These are things it took me years to learn. And he just has them naturally..

Ill end with this. I have done a Ton of things in my life that I am not proud of, maybe even a bit ashamed. But never once has a choice in my life ever effected my child. I made very sure of it. " do your dirt when you're child free" I am a firm believer in that. He is the best thing I have ever done, and I am so thankful that I made that choice to keep him, I am So greatful that God believed in me, and I am extremely blessed that I get to watch him while he sleeps. Have a great Monday!

Vintage darling.. Vintage

So I am a Photographer, Thats what I do and I think I shall post some of my favorite shots of the week for this blog as well..
I am extremely pleased with this shoot. It was definitely more my "style" vintage, darling, chic.. like I'm used to taking photos of women - its how I was able to bring in a little of my own flare made the 3.5 hours it took breeze by!! And her mother was amazing and just as creative ( She made the dress she's wearing and Tutu in the trunk) 

Of course I brought the pearls & heels! I can't help it!! This last shot of her looks like it should be on a Hallmark card. And that made the 3.5 hours of shooting in 87* weather with a sunburn that made it hurt to move. Well worth it in the ebd-- I even got my first "BRAVO" from a fellow photographer.

I will wear my scars like Diamonds.. Just you wait and see

"I see beauty as the grace point between what hurts and what heals, between the shadow of tragedy and the light of joy. I find beauty in my scars. And I will wear my Scars like Diamonds."

I think back to when Life was easy,  a Much Simpler time in life. Boys were much more different to us girls-- Probably because they had yet to of been tread on by the "soles" of us broken, and jaded women. But I think back, when Winning the girl over was the Objective, sitting with her every day at the lunch table, passing notes back and forth, sneaking around school holding "Pinkys" because the actual ART of holding hands was prohibited. Art? Why would I use such a word? Because there is a FINE art to holding a proper hand. The man must take the front, the lead why? Because that's what MAN was meant to do. He was meant to be a leader, a provider, a builder, a lover. And our hands were meant to be in the back, Why? Please do not think its because we are not Capable of leading but because of how fragile, and delicate we were meant to be. Yeah yeah, "Its because you were meant to walk behind man" Blah Blah Blah whatever else they say really makes no never mind to me because this is what I believe.
We as a whole, I believe have lost so much of what it means to date, to court, to be in an actual relatonship. Some want to blame it on Television, others what to blame it on changing roles in society. But really, its changed because WE have allowed it.  WE as women. We have accepted the change, and hoped on the train in fear of being left behind, the fear of being alone.. Now I have fears far greater than of ever being alone, Now I wonder if TRUE Absolute love is still able to exist. Now, I do not say that for yu to comment back with an uplifting message such as " Oh honey, the right one is waritng for you" Or " its just not your time" or my personal favorite, " it will happen when you least expect it-- so stop looking" I am not saying this because I am so bitter that I just no longer want to believe in true love. I say it because I do not know if WE and again I use WE are now capable of that type of emotion. WE are a nation are damaged. and if you disagree with that statement, You are  most certainly damaged!

I am done ranting for now, and will finish this up a later date! my ADD has kicked in! (=

why did i create a blog? I have no idea. Just do not expect to come back everyday and find something new I am horrible at keeping up with these things..