kalamazoo photographer | valerie ott photography

Remember the wedding that I photographed with my friend in St. Louis? Here’s a link if you haven’t seen it yet. It’s this gorgeous and stylish couple:

It’s technically not me that’s featured, it’s Melanie Acker Photography that has been featured on not one, but TWO wedding blogs.

The first feature came from TrendyBride.net. Melanie was actually approached by them, which is pretty impressive. Not only is it impressive that she was approached by them, but she was approached for her first wedding. Do you know how much talent you have to have to accomplish that? TONS!

You can see Melanie’s feature here:

The second wedding blog that Melanie was featured in was loveandlavender.com. The style of this blog speaks to me. I love everything about their brand. From the font type to the vintage elements, this blog is one you should follow.

You can see Melanie’s feature here:

Congratulations on this tremendous recognition. Melanie, you have an amazing talent and an abundance of gifts. Melanie and I are going to put packages together so we can shoot together more often. If you are interested in hiring both of us as a team, please let me know. When I get to work with such an amazing photographer I am inspired to work better and harder.

Maybe the next feature on a wedding blog will be yours!

I had so much fun this past weekend. My friend, Melissa Gregersen, who owns Gregersen Photography was doing a workshop to teach people how to use their DSLR. I love doing that kind of thing so I volunteered to help. It ended up working perfectly because I would show the Nikon users the settings in their camera, while Melissa showed the Canon people. Did you know that photography world was so divided? It basically boils down to are you Canon or are you Nikon. If everything in life only came down to two choices, we would have a mighty boring lot in life!

Melissa started the workshop with a great information session, and then we started to shoot in the studio.

I was not the only one that volunteered for the workshop. I asked my kiddo if he would model, and he said yet. (Well, I could mention that I offered him fruit snacks as payment and I believe he said yes to the fruit snacks, not necessarily the modeling.)

Seriously, I have the biggest ham on my hands. He worked with room of women like he owned it. He was so personable and charming.

I gave him this camera to keep him busy, and he directed (mostly me) on how to pose. Do it again, make a face, stand this way … apparently he’s heard it all.

Here’s T working the room:

At one point he had this conversation with someone:

T: So what do you do?

K: I study hard because I’m a student.

T: Where do you go to school?

K: Western.

T: My dad teaches there!

K: What does your dad teach?

T: College.

He had the whole room in stitches!

He was so stinkin’ sweet for these women learning how to use their camera. I just had to jump in there a take a picture or two, or ten because it was so darling. Wait a minute, why can’t he do that for me when I do a photoshoot with him? I guess I just need to invite 10 more women and then he’ll behave!

Have you seen the latest issue of Kalamazoo Parent Magazine? I took the cover image in my snow tent (last year, actually!) It’s so much fun when I go out and about and see this magazine, especially when my image is on the cover.

I remember taking this shot and thinking “Am I going to have to edit snow flakes off their faces? Will that me forever?” Well, I was blessed with a great shot. So much so that the editor of Kalamazoo Parent Magazine wanted it for the cover.

This is actually the second time one of my images has graced the cover. If you flip through their site, look for the September issue. I think that issue may have been pretty popular because it’s still in the office at my son’s school. It was one of my favorite shoots from 2011.

I’ve had a great time doing sessions for Kalamazoo Parent Magazine, and allowing the editor to pick out her favorites, but this month they are doing something special. They are having a cover kid contest so that I can photograph the cutest kids in Kalamazoo. The contest has already closed, and I can’t wait to see the finalists. I have a special session planned for them. I’m sure I’ll put a sneak peek on the blog, and make an announcement when it comes out, but keep your eyes peeled for those cute kids! I’m even considering writing an article to accompany the theme of the photo session, which will coincide with the theme of the issue. I want to show off as many images from the session as I can.

You can pick up your FREE copy of Kalamazoo Parent Magazine at any public library, coffee shops, restaurants, and various locations around town. If you can’t find one, please let me know and I’ll make sure to get one to you.

If you read my last post, you know that I received an unexpected gift. A couple of days later, the same thing happened again. Doh! I love giving and I missed TWO opportunities! Even though Christmas is over, I still have this sitting on my console table because it’s so pretty. Of course it’s hand-made by Fruitpants. I feel like a complete scrooge, and that’s not a good feeling. So I vow to be more generous and giving in 2012. Stay tuned for big things!

I got a gift yesterday. It was totally unexpected. A special friend stopped by my house to pick up something, and she brought me a gift. (*By the way, I hate the moment when someone is really thoughtful and I don’t have anything to give in return. I love the feeling of giving and I couldn’t reciprocate!)

She knows I like details. It was packaged in this charming box! Look at that box! Look at the string!

Even the label with the box’s contents was vintage.

The gift could have stopped there. I would have found some use for this cool package. But I opened it up to find this inside:

It’s a perfect match for my home and my style. My friend told me about the details. Of course it’s hand made, but the banner is actually made of vintage wallpaper. You can’t see it in the image, but above some of the letters it reads “Have yourself a merry little”.

So this was a special little addition to my Christmas decorations. It is a perfect gift and I will display it every year. Thank you to my special friend, who is a blessing to me.

Merry Christmas!