"Young Guns"

It's official. My kids have fallen in love with photography! I had no idea it was going to hit them so hard, so quickly! Of all the shoots to be their first, this one was THE one to get their juices flowing. An appropriate comparison would be having your first steak dinner at Morton's Steak House versus Sizzler. If you start at the top there's no where to go except up, up and up. Now remember that my son is 14 and in my mind (obviously complete denial) he has no interest in girls whatsoever. HA!!!! Was I ever wrong!!!! Then I remembered being 14 and completely boy crazy and as soon as this all started I realized that he was living a fantasy come true. When I first asked him to assist us in shooting he gave me this answer like I was asking him to go stand in front of a moving truck. However, when I casually added that we would be shooting 4 very lovely 15-year old girls he just turned to me and said, "ok, I'll go!" Funny how you can so easily persuade a 14 year old boy to do something, isn't it. It wasn't just the girls that did it for him, I think he truly saw the magic that we all feel when we shoot. It's indescribable really, it's the ultimate high in my opinion to create something special that you KNOW the person will treasure for the rest of their life. My daughter loved it as well, maybe not as much as her brother but between the two of them I think everyone should look out because my two YOUNG GUNS are on their way to the top!!!!! Here are a few favorites.............



(this next one is priceless! They're both checking out the histogram even though they have no idea what it is!!)



The lovely young women being photographed. Goodness!!!! I did NOT look like that at 15, it's totally unfair!






I LOVE this one and it is now proudly displayed in my home!



This is a trademark Cindy Meadors Photography shot, I'll do practically anything for "the shot!"



Imagine it, do it and LIVE IT!!!!!

~Cindy

Finding lost friends

The world wide web, with all it's downfalls, can sometimes be a place where lost friends find each other. So was the case a few months ago when I found a very dear friend on Facebook. After a few month we were able to get together and I asked her if I could shoot her in her native clothing as she is from India and have always loved the beautiful sari's she has worn from time to time. Poonam is a beautiful person, inside and out and seeing her again was wonderful. She hadn't changed one bit although we hadn't seen each other for almost 10 years, must be good living!!!! Here are just a few of the beautiful images captured that day. Friends are a precious thing, it's always such a gift to get one back that you thought was lost!!!







~Cindy~

Interested in wedding photography? Then run (don't walk) and buy this book!!!

I have been anticipating the release of the book, "Fast Track Photographer" for quite some time.  Not because I know the caliber of Dane Sanders, the photographer, which is highly accomplished but I also have gotten to know Dane Sanders, the man.  He's brilliant, fascinating to listen to, has a heart of gold and is truly passionate about making a difference in people's lives.  Honestly, I would read any book he would publish but this one happens to be about something "I" am passionate about as well and am very excited about the impact this book is going to make in the photography world.  Since the book hasn't arrived yet I have been reading it in .pdf format and it's SO good.  When the hard copy arrives, trust me......it will be my constant companion and will probably read it a dozen times.   If you are at all interested in making it in the world of wedding photography, this is the best investment you could make in giving yourself the tools needed to get started.   You can order your copy of Dane's book here.

Keeping it real!

Cindy

Free To Succeed

I truly don't know where to begin with this one because this was one night, one wild night that made my head spin and so far it hasn't stopped!!!  On Wednesday night I attended the much anticipated "Free To Succeed" seminar in Los Angeles put on by no other than David Jay and Jasmine Star.  You all remember how excited I was a few months back to meet Mike Colón and Jessica Claire at the Missional Photography class arranged by Dane Sanders.  After that I thought I was pretty darn happy.  Then DJ and Jasmine announce this tour and I thought "hollllllla!" (that was for you, Jasmine!)

So the day comes and I get there and immediately Jasmine and her wonderful husband, JD come up to me and she says hi and introduces her to me.  I shake her hand back and introduce myself and think to myself "I don't just want to shake her hand, I know everything about her.  I even know what she ate the other night in San Diego!"  So I do what any friend would do and threw my arms around her and gave her a big hug.  She was so gracious and wonderful and everything I expected her to be.  

The seminar, for any of you living in cities it is coming to, was the bargain of a lifetime for the knowledge that was shared.  DJ and Jasmine filled us with so much information on marketing, branding, how, to, why and why not that we all walked away with the tools we need to be hugely successful in photography.  I was truly grateful to be sitting in that room.  A room, by the way, in which many were sitting that made we want to jump up and down and scream. Becker, Robert Evans, Jules Bianchi, just to name a few.  Jules is one lady I have wanted to meet for years.  When I started in photography I quickly found her website and blog and literally studied each and every image she posted as I was so mesmerized by her work.  So, to meet her was quite special to me.  Here is a long-awaited photo of the two of us together.

photo by David White of Photocatering

I find myself in a world surrounded by people I have come to not only love, but deeply respect.  One thing that David Jay brought out that has resonated in me every since that evening is that we all need in this life to encourage one another and lift each other up.  The greatest joy I could ever have when I look back someday at the end of my career is that I helped others achieve their dreams through encouragement as so many have done for me.  What could be better than that?

Keeping it real (K.I.R.)

~Cindy~