Meet This Week's Judge: Kimberly Walla

This week, Kimberly of Kimberly Walla Photography would like to see the ordinary moments which you have captured in an extraordinary way. 

1. Tell us about yourself...

I was born and raised in Oklahoma. I married my high school sweetheart fourteen years ago and we have two beautiful children ages 7 and 4. In my spare time I enjoy traveling, snowboarding, camping, gardening and of course anything photography. My personal philosophy is to enjoy life and not take anything too seriously. Professionally I photograph newborns and families. Of course I photograph my kiddos any change I get!  

2. What ignited your passion for photography, and what fuels it now?

My passion ignites when shooting images that capture the raw natural personality of my subject. Images of my kids and family just doing what they do on a daily basis whether it be kicking a ball or getting ready for school. We all know how quickly time flies and that children grow at an incredible rate. I was looking at an image taken 3 years ago of my son in an Incredible Hulk costume helping my mom bake a pie. I would have never remembered that moment without that image. As I get older and my memory fades I will have these precious images I created of my children that will invoke and bring back those moments. So, I think of photography as a treasure that will be enjoyed for generations to come. That is what fuels me and keeps me going. 

 3. What’s in your camera bag right now, what do use the most? the least?

The Nikon D800 is my main body and the D700 is my backup. I have a 14-24 2.8, 35 1.4, 50 1.4, 85 1.4, 105 2.8, 70-200 2.8 and a Lensbaby Composer Pro. Lately, my favorite lenses are the 35mm and 85mm. My least used lens is my Lensbaby.

4. What’s your dream project or shoot?

My dream project would be to follow a family around for an entire day in order to tell their story whether it be an ordinary day or special day. That would be a little slice of heaven for me. No posing, just natural moments! 

5. What is the biggest challenge you face as a photographer?

My biggest challenge is balancing my family and career. I take a limited amount of sessions per month because I have found that works best for me and my family.  Photography is a wonderful career for moms because of the flexible schedule.  Very seldom to I have to miss my kid’s activities and I always edit while they are at school. 

6. If you had $500 to spend on photography...

How should you spend it? I should spend it on branding. 

How do you wish you could spend it? On an ice light or a fisheye. 

How would you really spend it? A new camera bag, mine is worn out and not large enough to take all of my equipment in one bag. 

7. Is there any one thing you wish someone had told you at the very beginning of your photography journey?

To enjoy the ride and break the rules once you know them in order to find your voice. 

{public displays of photography}

I loved seeing all of your Public Displays of Photography images this week.  I understand how intimidating it can be to whip out the big camera in the middle of a dentist appointment or in the grocery store line, but those are the in between moments that define our lives and deserve to be captured.  I have found that the less I talk about my camera, the less people notice it.  So get out there with no apologies and confidently capture those moments - wherever you are!



Jessica Wynder Photography

I can't pass one of these in an airport without digging out my camera.
The leading lines, reflections and perspective in this photo are excellent!

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Lynette marie photography

There are so many possible stories with this door.  The photographer presents enough clues to grab the viewer's interest but leaves enough open to interpretation to keep the viewer in the photo long after first glance.

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Momma Got Soul Photography

I love the timelessness of this photo.  This could be from 1995 or yesterday.

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Kari Ganske Photography

The tones and lines set the mood here and the position of her hands and feet seal the deal.

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Holly Nicole Photography

Oh, the colors!  I love all of these colors! 

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Sherri Davis - Photographer

The movement in this photo is mesmerizing.  I am drawn in by the carefree mood of this photo - makes me want to be right there with her, dancing to his song.

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DKay Photography

Those expressions - both of them - are perfect!
All of the other stories are happening in the background while they steal the show.

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Hayley Hay Photography

This photo made me gasp! The lines, scale and reflection are breathtaking.

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Betsy Davis Photography

The composition and processing are fabulous here - and I love that hand just peeking into the left side of the image.

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Hello Olivia Photography

I have seen this expression many times - from exhaustion after marathon shopping and from my little ones being over the camera.  

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And the winner is....

Meagan Dwyer Photography

I just kept coming back to this one!  The energy created by her and the bird's movement are captivating.  Her pop of color on that grey backdrop add to the playful mood.



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The Maven Flyer vol. 13

Welcome to 

 The Maven Flyer

Vol. 13

For the week of March 28, 2016

Here we will offer suggestions for places for you to submit your images

for sharing and competition.

If you have or know of a sharing community or theme, please let us know

by emailing the name, link, and specifics to 

snapmaven.info @gmail.com
Include "Please Add This Page to the Flyer"
in the subject line so we won't miss it.

At this time you will need to visit each page to learn the specifics of the pages 

rules and deadlines for sharing images.

Happy Sharing Everyone!

Snap Maven ~ Ordinary moment, Extraordinary capture
Clicking Moms ~ Happy

Distorted Beauty~Grey

In Beauty & Chaos~ Reflection

The Dark Room~ Spring

 Fantastically Flawed~ Shooting Through

Picture Me Project~Include yourself in the image somehow!

We Were There Too~ Get in the photo with your kids!

Lemonade and Lenses~Weekly Favorite

Mozi Magazine~Weekly Favorite

Seniorologie~ Weekly Favorite(senior)

Measure In Love~ Hearts

Photographer's Connection~  Weekly favorite

Photo Artistry~  Weekly favorite

Light Inspired~ Colorful

Journey to Artist~ Surrender (to the journey)

Reflections~ Breaking the rules

Little Bellows~  Weekly favorite

Life's Experience p52~Spring "break"

The Monochromatic Lens~Weekly Favorite

Let the Kids Dress Themselves~Green

SHOTMagazine~ open, one photo per day

Minimalist Mondays ~Weekly fave

Euphoric Capture~ {Creativity is seeing what everyone else has seen, 
and thinking what no one else has thought ~ Albert Einstein}
The Snappy Mama~ fueling your fire

Photographer Obsessed~ Springtime

In shadow of life~BW weekly favorites

The Snap Society ~ Weekly favorite

Life Unscripted- routine

Project:life your way: weekly favorites

The Artistic Tog: Spring inspired

Dear Photographer~Beauty of Simplicity

Sham of the Perfect~ family documentary favorites

Fearless and Framed~ Honestly documented

Inspire me, Inspired be.-

Soul Focus - discarded

By HeArt~ Signs
Our Weekend Stories ~ Let Nature Be Your Teacher



<<<>>>

That concludes the links for this week!

If there is a link you'd like to see here, please let us know at

snapmaven.info@gmail.com
Include "Please Add This Page to the Flyer"
in the subject line so we won't miss it.

Please allow 2-3 weeks for addition to The Maven Flyer

Same goes for errors, though we hope to get those fixed right away.
Future issues of The Maven Flyer will be posted on Monday evenings.

You can't get featured if you don't submit!!

Go for it!

If you would like to receive
The Maven Flyer
in your inbox each week
please sign up
HERE.

Feature Friday with Cortney Ann Photography!

Cortney Ann Photography is the winner of last week's 'grow' challenge, and has graciously shared some more of her beautiful work here with us! Read on to hear about her dream shoot, and learn what gear she uses...

1. Please tell us about yourself... I am a wife and Mommy. I have 2 boys, Elliott (3) and Oliver ( 1). I am currently pregnant with my third boy, due in August! We are very excited!
I am an artist who specializes in watercolor. I adore people and children. I am saved and I love Jesus. 

I also love decor and planning parties. I just love when it's time to plan a birthday party or pick out themes and styles for nurseries/boys room. 

I love to hike and I always have my camera welded to my hand! 

One of favorite times of the day is evening when the light is flowing into my house through the living room while my boys play. That is my prime time to shoot lifestyle. 

Most of the time my house is a little messy, I have almost no energy this pregnancy, so when it's shooting time I always try to eliminate clutter in the background by throwing it behind the couch! haha!! 

That's a mommy tog confession.

2. Can you describe your style in 3 words? Why those words?

Candid, raw, rich

I chose those words because no matter what I shoot I always try and let the emotion flow through the image. I love working with couple for this reason because I can always capture their love in a true, raw way. 

I also adore using candid techniques and methods while having sessions with kids. I don't like to keep them in a position or pose them at all really. I simply try to guide them to the good light and then I talk with them. I often like some space from parents while shooting because I find I get more of their personality when I'm talking with them. 

I say, rich because I LOVE rich color stories (like jewel tones) in photos and I love deep shadows always, esp in black and whites. 

3. What sparked your passion for photography?

I fell in love with photography in high school. I was blessed by the photography program there. I was taught how to shoot on a Pentax film camera and then we would develop and print our own images in dark room. I ADORE film and I think that shows through my work and editing style. haha

4. What's in your camera bag right now?

I'm a canon girl! 

I love my Canon 5D Mark iii 

My lenses are Canon 85mm 1.8, Sigma Art 35mm 1.4 and a Canon 24-70mm 2.8

I just recently got my 35mm and it hasn't come off my camera yet... I'm in love. haha

5. What is your dream shoot or project?

My dream shoot would be to take a gorgeous young model out to coast of Washington and wake up super early while the fog was thick and hike to the best light and shoot from every angle!

6. What are some of the misconceptions you had about photography and photographers at the beginning of your photography journey? Have they changed, and how?

It's not easy!! I never really thought it was... but you never truly understand how much it truly involves until you do it. The years of honing my style, editing style and perfecting techniques have proved that it's not easy! 

7. What advice would you give to newbie photographers? What advice do you wish you'd been given at the very beginning? Don't give up, shoot every day. Shoot anything. Shoot in all kinds of light. Don't be afraid to get out there and try something new. 

Do not over edit. haha! Sharpness is key! 

i wish someone helped me. I am self taught so I find that it took me a little longer to really figure it out. So if someone offers to help, take it! Photographers are usually pretty great and helpful! Don't be scared to ask like I was!

Find more of Cortney's beautiful work here:

Facebook | Website

Meet This Week's Judge: Meg Loeks

This week, as we enter Spring, Meg of Meg Loeks Photography wants to see how you "grow"! Read about her and her beautiful work here!

1. Tell us about yourself...

 Born and raised in Michigan. I grew up in a rural area just outside a small farming town. I met my husband in college about 12 years ago. We have been married for almost 7 years now and have 3 little boys: Leo – Age 4, Woody – Age 2, Archie – 9 months. We purchased an old farmhouse last year and have been renovating it since. I love the character of the home, and the meadows and woods surrounding us. There’s lot of space and privacy which is what my husband and I both grew up having. In my spare time I love to bake, read, snowboard, hike, camp, travel and simply just spend time outdoors with my family.

2. What ignited your passion for photography, and what fuels it now?

I became interested in photography when I was little. My dad originally inspired me. We used to go out on walks together and photograph nature. My first camera was a Pentax which I still have today. For as long as I can remember I was always inspired by nature. My parents had a subscription to National Geographic. I would look forward (and still do) to flipping through the magazine and studying the images every month. My passion for photography then as it is today is simply the creative outlet it provides, but more importantly today the desire to capture my children. They are my greatest inspiration.

3. What's in your camera bag right now, what do use the most? the least?

Canon 5d Mark ii, Sigma Art 35mm 1.4, Sigma 85mm 1.4, Sigma 105mm 2.8. My main camera body, Canon 6d, is being repaired after the shutter broke. I use my Sigma Art 35mm mainly indoors and Sigma 85mm mainly outdoors. 

4. What's your dream project or shoot?

My dream shoot would be to bring my family to Ireland and capture my boys playing on the beach. 

5. What is the biggest challenge you face as a photographer?

Balancing work, family time and me time. Since I work from home I feel it's easy to get constantly caught up in work, and I've been trying to find a better balance and system. I've been running a photography business for a little over a year now and have learned so much.

6.  If you had $500 to spend on photography...

How should you spend it? I should spend the money on a new backdrop stand for my newborn sessions as well as an ice light. 

How do you wish you could spend it? I wish $500 would actually buy me a Lensbaby Velvet 56, Ice Light, Canon 135mm f/2L and a photography retreat in the mountains.

How would you really spend it? I would buy a Lensbaby Velvet 56 because I've wanted a Lensbaby for awhile but put other more practical lenses ahead of it. 

7. Is there any one thing you wish someone had told you at the very beginning of your photography journey?

I wish someone would have told me that for many photographers it can take awhile to find your style, that it doesn't happen overnight and that it's constantly evolving. I also wish someone would have told me stay away from comparing my work to others.

{grow}

There were so many beautiful submissions to the theme Grow. The creativity of the concept from those who submitted was wonderful. As well as the use of light, tones and composition by each of the artists. It was incredibly hard to narrow down just 11 submissions to feature. Thank you for sharing your gorgeous images. 

Painted Turtle Photography

The connection in this image is beautiful. There's something so pure about two different generations making memories in a garden.

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Act Naturally Photography

The light and tones in this image are gorgeous. I love the sun flare just behind one of the turnips.

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Erica Burns Photography

 I loved this take on the theme Grow. This image makes me feel nostalgia for home.

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Andrea Brooke Photography

The colors and composition of this image are beautiful. I love the dirty hands and clothing from being in the garden.

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Joni Burtt

The light, composition and and moment here are beautiful.

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The Gaggle Photography by Jessica Nelson

This is a stunning macro shot. The light, tones and composition in this image are gorgeous.

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Applewood Photography

I love the light and simplicity here, as well as the creative take on the theme Grow. It's such a timeless image.

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Solas Images

This has such a raw and timeless feel to it. I loved the creative take on the theme. It reminds me of the show, The Wonder Years from when I was little.

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Kimberly Walla Photography

 The light and colors here are stunning.

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Rusted Van Photography

 This image is such a perfect take on the theme Grow. It's something so many of us are familiar with and it's captured beautifully from a low perspective.

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And the winner is...

Cortney Ann Photography

This image is stunning and a beautiful take on the theme Grow. The composition and depth of field are incredible, not to mention the colors and gorgeous landscape. I can feel the sense of wonderment.

Meg Loeks - Meg Loeks Photography

www.megloeks.com

https://www.facebook.com/megloeksphotography/

IG: meg_nlo