Docks

I’ve been shooting a lot of photos on docks lately. When I think of docks in a symbolic way, I think of stability. I think of standing over an ever-shifting body of fluid and feeling safe. Back after hurricane Ivan hit, I remember seeing the remanants of docks. It was emotionally draining to look down a row of beach houses and see their docks gone with just the posts jutting through the water’s surface. I have to imagine it felt the same way to the owners of those houses. Their stability had been shattered. Almost three years later and almost all of the docks have been rebuilt. It is refreshing to feel families reconnecting with the water and feeling stability back into their lives again.

Here are a couple of photos from the other night in Gulf Breeze.

~trista

Feeling Hot, hot, hot!!

Summer is in full swing here in Pensacola. The vacationers are fleeing to the Emerald Coast in droves. I’ve been trying to avoid the mid-day sun and pop up thunderstorms by shooting very early or at sunset.

Quick: Besides the beach, what goes hand-in-hand with childhood and hot summers? Popsicles, of course! My favorite brand/flavor to this day is “Popsicle” blue raspberry. If you are feeling adventurous, why not try to concoct some on your own, letting your little ones “assist?” Here is a recipe that is delich…

Orange Creamsicles

1 Small Can Frozen Orange Juice

1 cup whole milk

5-7 ice cubes

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Add water slightly if desired to thin). Drink with a straw or pour into Ice Tups and freeze.

And for all you chocolate lovers out there who would like to assuage some of the guilt, try these out; they are amazing!

Banana Chocolate Crunch Popsicles

1 banana
chocolate syrup
chopped nuts or granola

Peel banana, place popsicle stick in one end. Dip banana in chocolate syrup and roll in nuts or granola. Freeze for 2-3 hours.

 

Here are two photos to get your salivary glands primed:

 

~Trista

 

Wow.

I knew when I was photographing this little guy that the photos would be striking, I had no idea…

Yes, he is really that gorgeous. Dad watch out in 15 years…I’m just sayin… 

~Trista

Now Booking: New York City Limited Edition Autumn Photo Sessions

I will be in NYC October 15 and 16 and have set aside time for a total of four Central Park photo shoots. If you would like the beautiful fall colors backdrop of your child enjoying the crisp autumn days, contact me at trista@lookwhojustblouin.com. This offer will only be available through the end of the week and will book up fast, so if you are interested, don’t hesitate to call ASAP.

Limited Edition Autumn Leaves in Central Park Photo Sessions

• Two hour photo shoot on the northern side of the park
• Online, private slideshow of between 30-40 proofs
• Leather album with 10 photos (5×7s) of your choosing

      $395 (full refund granted if rained out)

~Trista

Beautiful eyes

My camera loved this little girl and and her brother. They both have such beautiful eyes.

~Trista

 

Attn Escambia and Santa Rosa County ‘08 Seniors: Over $1000 in Free Products/Services Available

With the introduction of my Senior’s Division, I’m currently accepting applications for a limited number of Senior Reps in the above areas. Keep reading on for details.

Here is what you will get if you are chosen:

• Two free senior photo sessions, one right away and another in the fall
• Free online slideshow from your photo sessions
• Two free digital photos for use on Myspace, Facebook, etc.
• $50 photo credit for every ‘08 senior who books a paid session
• Free 5×5 Personalized Brag Book with photos from your session 
• Free wallet-sized photo cards to hand out to your friends with discounts for your friends’ sessions.
• Rave movie tickets, Starbucks gift cards, and other gifts for reaching various referral levels.

Over $1000 in retail value!

Here are the details:

• Only one boy and one girl from the class of 2008 will be chosen per school from various schools in the area.
• The students must be outgoing, have good GPAs, and be very active in extra-curricular activities.
• They must be willing to openly represent my company to their friends and schoolmates through the use of their cards, photos and book.
• They will need to fill out an application, be approved, and be willing to have a photo session with me by the middle of July.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please download the application, fill it out, and mail it to me ASAP.  Look Who Just Blouin Senior Spokesmodel Application

High School Senior Portraits!

I’ve been dying to announce this on my blog but have waited for a few things to fall into place. Everything is in order now!

I’ve officially opened the Senior’s Division of Look Who Just Blouin Photography. Seniors on the gulf coast now have a trendy, contemporary option for their senior portraits. I’ve worked with teens and have found that I enjoy the creative process. The teens seem to really love the fresh approach I have to photographing them. Therefore I decided to carry it one step further and open the Senior’s Division and create the artful photos that are on the cutting edge of style. I can’t wait to work with the class of 2008!

Serenity

I grew up in Minnesota, “land of 10,000 lakes.” It goes without saying that I spent time involved in lake activities. One of my favorite things to do was canoe. My husband and I would occasionally rent a canoe and ride down a lazy river or paddle around a quiet, still lake. I didn’t realize how much I missed that until Friday when I had the opportunity to photograph a boy and his grandfather in their kayak.

I’m used to photographing on the Gulf of Mexico with its thundering, rhythmic, cresting emerald waves. Friday I took photos at a private residence on the sound side. It was just like the lakes I remember. I could see across to the other side, the waves were gently lapping the shore, and there was this quiet serenity that permeated everything. I think its time to rent a canoe.

Can you feel the serenity in this photo?

and here is a closeup of the handsome boy I was there to capture:

~Trista

Pillow Fights

Think quick ladies: What was the best part of the slumber parties you attended pre-boy obsession? Pillow fights! They made you laugh and got out all that energy you accumulated after consuming mass quantities of kool-aid, licorice, and Hubba Bubba bubble gum.

I saw this ad for Absolut vodka (you’re probably thinking, wait, what does vodka have to do w/pillow fights, bear with me) and it made me feel light as a balloon. Taking a little childhood and infusing it to our tough, grown-up world, that is refreshing. I would like my readers to do some homework and then post your reactions. I would love to hear how it felt to jump on the bed, have a pillow fight, run in the sprinkler, have a water balloon fight, etc. Do something that you loved to do as a child but haven’t done since and post here how you felt afterward.

Here is the commercial:

http://ny.beam.tv/beamreels/reel_player.php?QYcMbRHWmV

and here is a photo of a little girl jumping to inspire you to do the same:

~Trista

Pooch Participation

Arriving at a client’s home for a photo shoot inevitably begins like this:

1. Knock on door

2. Dog barks

This is where either the dog greets me with a toe licking or the home owners, above the sound of the barking dog, politely asks me to wait while the put the dog in the den, backyard, kennel, etc.

I grew up with a golden retriever, I love dogs, at least the ones who don’t desire to have me for a snack. Our dogs were usually of the outside variety, of course, I lived in the woods so that isn’t a surprise.  The dog had his life, we had ours and occasionally our paths would meet. Today’s pets are not like that. They are truly part of the family. They sleep on the bed, eat gourmet meals, and have designer sweaters. It therefore makes complete sense that when I am hired to photograph a family, the dog is part of that.

I’ve enjoyed working with these fur babies, I just ask that you do a few things if you plan on including them in the session. Don’t feed them sugar prior to the session, make sure they get eight hours of sleep the night before, and please give them a bath. All joking aside, I do ask that we only attempt photographing them if they are obedient and will listen to commands such as sit, lay down and don’t eat the photographer.

What do you think about having dogs in the family portrait? Do you think it is a good idea? Share your comments.

Here are a couple of photos from sessions I’ve done with dogs and their human counterparts.

From Destin:

From Atlanta:

and Fort Walton Beach:

~Trista