Dear October 2022!

The month of October. We had quite a bit on the schedule this month!

So let's break down!

When the 1st of October hit I went out on a beautiful day and plan to create image content and informational videos and reels that I could share during the month with my audience online.

Let's get this month started with planning out some good content.

Day 1 Content Creation

Day 2 My niece and her family scheduled family pictures. We decided on this date due to my travel schedule and she and her husband were celebrating their anniversary and she was soon to give birth to a new baby

Oct 6 We were on our way to Houston, Texas to attend The Pink Champagne Retreat

We came in earlier from the retreat so we can visit a few friends while we were there. An extended weekend and wonderful retreat with lots of connection made.

Oct 14 On our return from our trip to Texas, we were now geared up to capture the wedding ceremony of a beautiful couple! This Friday evening wedding was a great start to the weekend. From the behind the scenes details to the ceremony and reception what a great night of love and family fun.

October 15 We were on location for a Rodeo theme birthday party. We enjoyed capturing all the guest as they entered the theme party. It was such a fun great night!

As we were resting up and working to get a few preview images over to our client from the wedding, we had to prepare ourself once again for another ride in the sky. We traveled one way to Columbus, Ohio so that I could ride with my sister back to Georgia.

Oct 18 Flew out to Columbus, Ohio the temperature was 37 degrees. I was able to visit with my brothers and sister and mother. It was a great 24 hours and the next day we packed up her car and took off back to Georgia. The ride back down was a great one. The weather once we his i-75 south was fantastic all the way to Atlanta

October 21 we were on location with one of our clients who hosted a ladies only Halloween Photo Session

October 22 My son and I decided to go to a haunted house. We went out and enjoyed the night! All the Frills and Thrills!

October 29 Received a call from Georgia Stand -up Non Profit Organization to come capture images for early voting block parties that they were hosting for the early voters of Georgia.

October 30 We were out again for another Early voting block party with Georgia Stand- Up Non Profit Organization

Thankful for all the goodness that the month of October allow me! Thank you more please!

So as we have entered the month of November …. I look forward to all the goodness this month will bring!

Let’s Go!

Everyday Writing 2022

Vibe High

November Kick- Off

Happy November 1!

We’ve already started off the month capturing images at a day time block party hosted by Georgia Stand-up as they set up celebration pop up parties to encourage people to get out and vote. Early voting has begun in the state of Georgia and official election day is November 8. We are there capturing away! This has been a great way to start off the month!

Everyday Writing 2022

Vibe High

The Best Moments

When we are on location capturing images for special events some of the best moments are captured in a candid image. There are times when I through our archives of images we come across images of some of the best moments. We are sharing this image from a mystery theme 10th birthday party. As the party was coming to an end this image was captured of the family as we were finalizing the end of the celebration!

The Best Moments can be captured in a candid image.

Everyday Writing 2022

Vibe High

Special Event Photography Services - Break down!

Today we are breaking down our process of booking our special event photography services. From the booking to completion. Below you will see the order of the process.

1. Inquiry- We respond to the inquiry with availability as well as information regarding our rates

2. Booking- By paying the deposit and signing the electronic agreement that puts you on the calendar

3. Schedule on the calendar

4. Event Date show up and capture the images

5. The way I capture images for a special event I divide up into categories ( details and decor, candids(these are some of the best photos), posed(this is where I prepare you to take a photo)

6. End of the shift (or event) seek out the host to make sure that we captured on the images needed for the event than I pack up stuff and go home

7. Uploading Images

8. Cull Images

9. Organize them on the PC catagorize the images

10. Upload to Lightroom for processing

11. Export images once processing is completed

12. Prepare to transfer images electronically through Wetransfer.com

13. Upload the images(In the transfer write out instructions to the user on how to access)

14. Transfer images to thumbdrive to be mailed out

15. Setup Thank you card and thumbdrive to be mailed out

16. Received. Wait to receive delivery notice of client receiving the images on thumb drive

17. Complete

This is the general process on our special event services . One action in between is I send a Thank you email to our client with a note with one of the photos from the event attached to let them know I appreciate the opportunity!

For many years I've captured special social event for a variety of my clients and I'm thankful for all the opportunities!

Everyday Writing 2022

Vibe High

Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night we were on location capturing a special birthday celebration at 5 Church Atlanta.

The place is a perfect spot in Atlanta for a root top celebration that is if the rain will hold out.

Despite the rain in all we were still able to capture moments of family and friends on the rooftop!

Everyday Writing 2022

Vibe High

Our Photography Journal: Day 26 : Jade Ladson -Special Event Planner Extraordinaire

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……Our Story!

The Year 2010

Jade Ladson Special Event Planner Extraordinaire

She came to us from a referral from Brandi Starr

Jade, reached out to us for an event she had coming up And needed a photographer.

We came serviced the event everything turned out great.

After the event Jade arranged for a meeting with her to learn more about our services. We are able to meet and I was able to share more of our photography services and shared our portfolio of our custom decoration that we’ve created thus far.

From that meeting Jade hired us for more events. We were thankful for the opportunities she presented to us. In the process of the growing relationship between our companies Jade became a business mentor assisting with many internal challenges that we would face as a small growing company. She assisted with our communication style in dealing with unhappy clients as well as helping us to manage our emotions in business.

We continued to work together more events and custom decorations.

One major opportunity that came to us via Jade Ladson (The Special Occasion) She placed an order with us for a custom Polo Inspired theme party supplies we created this project for the client and posted our creation on our blog. This particular project we organically began to received clients all over the country requesting orders for these collection.

For the next several years (2011- 2014) This was our top selling collection to date. We could go on and on about Jade and the work she done as an wedding planner, event planner Business mentor (coach) & Problem solver. So very thankful for the referral and all the history that was created in between.

Jade Ladson currently is the principal planner and owner of J.Ladson Weddings Full Service Wedding Planning Firm https://www.jladsonweddings.com/

It’s Our Anniversary!

15 years and counting…

Kustom Kreation Photography

www.Kustomkreations4u.com

Our Photography Journal: Day 25 : Networking

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……

Our Story!

The Year : 2010

Networking

This was the year when we made a point to attend networking events.

Initially I was calling up my buddies and friends and we would go out to some pretty good networking events meeting all types of business owners and professional.

When others weren’t able to make it I had enough confidence to start going on my own.

To this day I have many connections from that time that are in my networking circle today!

It’s Our Anniversary!

15 years and counting…

Kustom Kreation Photography

www.Kustomkreations4u.com

Our Photography Journal: Day 24 : Experience Photography Workshop

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……Our Story!

The Year : 2010

Experience Photography Workshop

We were inspired by Brandi Starr

That there was a photography workshop by Ross Oscar Knight taken place and it would be a good idea if I was able to attend. After doing the research and receiving the cost of attendance I was on a mission to go. Once again I reached out to my oldest brother and ask if he wanted to invest in my future and how taking this class will make a difference in my photography journey.

My brother than sent me a portion of the monies to attend the class and I was able to hustle up the remains. The cost of class was $950

So happy to be in attendance the class was just like the name of the workshop : Experience. Photographers from all around the country was in class to develop and learn.

1st day was all about photography and Toss equipped us with his formula in taking pictures the 2nd day was all about the business of photography. There was also two sets of models during our workshop where we all were able to capture images to display our different styles. We were able to submit our images to get honest feedback.

Despite equipment intimidation and the need to advance my gear

This workshop allowed me to open myself up more to the world of photography all the possibilities and to network with fellow photographers from around the country.

If you are not familiar with Ross Oscar Knight check it out his work is phenomenal https://www.rossoscarknight.com/

It’s Our Anniversary!

15 years and counting…

Kustom Kreation Photography

www.Kustomkreations4u.com

Our Photography Journal: Day 23 : Milestone Dinner Party & Aj'sCatering

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……Our Story!

The Year : 2009

Milestone Dinner Party & AJs Catering aka Anthony James

December 2009

We were booked to capture images of a milestone birthday dinner party. The dinner setup for the guest was all so beautiful I hadn’t seen anything like it. There was a fellow at the table and I ask if I could take his pictures ( not being familiar with any of the guest at the party I thought he was a guest)

After learning he was the caterer I knew this was a person that we definitely wanted to keep up with.

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……Our Story!

The Year : 2009

Milestone Dinner Party & AJs Catering aka Anthony James

December 2009

We were booked to capture images of a milestone birthday dinner party. The dinner setup for the guest was all so beautiful I hadn’t seen anything like it. There was a fellow at the table and I ask if I could take his pictures ( not being familiar with any of the guest at the party I thought he was a guest)

After learning he was the caterer I knew this was a person that we definitely wanted to keep up with.

I proudly wear my AJs Catering Apron when duty Calls.

So thankful of that day in December when I didn’t just meet caterer I met a friend someone I can now call brother!!!

Love you

It’s Our Anniversary! 15 years and counting…

Kustom Kreation Photography

www.Kustomkreations4u.com

Our Photography Journal: Day 22 : Certified Event Planner

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……

Our Story!

The Year : 2009

Certified Event Planner

This particular year we had added celebration decorations to what we do and open a Etsy shop and we are now selling the things we make. Always wanting to learn more after searching through Craigslist I came across an event training certificate class this was a perfect opportunity to enhance my knowledge and skill and learn more of this party stuff that I’m doing Signed up attended them class and walked away with a wealth of knowledge

The instructor Helena Paschal was great very knowledgeable about everything regarding events planning marketing and how to get paid what I learned in class was more than me making cupcake toppers ,banners for parties and making things look cute It would be 2years later before I saw Helena again and this time is was for a grand opening of her business initially when I signed up I didn’t know whose event it was I just knew from the description of the event it would be fabulous and it did not disappoint.

When I saw my instructor Helena I was at awww and I ask did she remember me and she said to me nice and graceful “I never forget my students” After the re acquaintance I ask if it was alright to take a few pictures at the event. It was at that time my Instructor learned of my photography business. It would be several other events I attended of hers and would share my images that she gave me the opportunity of hiring me for many of her events.

Our services were able to assist in building portfolio images capturing headshots for her and other students of her event certification classes and capturing special events. We went on to be published in online publications and more

To this day my instructor Helena has assisting us in this journey referring our business in her classes providing business coaching support and having our photography work published.

Helena Paschal is currently residing in Houston and hosting a women’s retreat this October 1-3 , 2021

Grab your tickets today!

https://www.pinkchampagneretreat.com/

Also to become certified in event planning sign up for her classes : http://correlationsllc.com/

It’s Our Anniversary!

15 years and counting…

Kustom Kreation Photography

www.Kustomkreations4u.com

Our Photography Journal: Day 21 : Work Life Photography Balance!

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……

Our Story!

Work Life Photography Balance!

So as I continued my journey in photography and was seizing every opportunity that I could. Our schedule as a family was pretty full being a solo parent and having a elementary student and a toddler can keep a person pretty busy!

The passion for succeeding in this photography thing was burning inside of me and kept me going… I was active in my sons school as a parent he was in activities and sports kept up with my youngest son who was very toddler while still pursuing my photography endeavors and working …..

In the words of rapper Fat Joe : Nothing can stop us We are all the way up!!!

It’s Our Anniversary!

15 years and counting…

Kustom Kreation Photography & Celebration Decor

www.Kustomkreations4u.com

Our Photography Journal: Day 18: Drive By Photo Sessions

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……
Our Story!

The Year :2008

Drive By Photo Sessions

Walgreens photo center use to have this photo print package for $9.99
It included over 50 prints of one image a variety of 8x10s 5x7s 4x6s and wallets
An awesome Deal!

So I solicited this drive by photo shoot I’ll drive by grab a photo and you have this total print package.
All for the Great price of $35!

Well one family took advantage of this great deal !

I went by the McBride Family Home and they were all prepared to take their photo

And to make things even better Cheryl (the one in charge) who hired me told me I can make more money by taking individual family pictures and they can pay me my fee for their family photo.

So thankful for the opportunity I was able to go around and capture individual family images and walk away with lots more monies than I originally set out for for this photo stop!

So very Thankful to The McBride Family
Since that time I’ve had the pleasure of capturing lots of milestone memories and family events!

One things for sure you never know what avenues life will lead you I had no idea of what my future held with this one stop family session.

It’s Our Anniversary
15 years and counting…
Kustom Kreation Photography
http://www.kustomkreations4u.com

Our Photography Journal: Day 17 : 1st Official Wedding !

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……

Our Story!

The Year :2008

1st Official Wedding Event

We received a call from my cousin (Denise) who is /was a wedding planner and she ask me to do photography for a wedding that she was planning for her client

Once again … I was nervous and scared and declined the job… I still was learning and jumping out to do a wedding I’m just not comfortable with yet….

My internal thoughts were **I was afraid that if my shutter didn’t go off and I missed the big kiss that would ruin the day and the pictures seeing the kiss is one of the big things to capture in a wedding ***

My cousin convinced me that I do good work and I’m more than capable of doing the job and that it pays $300 (which was the most I've made at that time for a project)

She went on to give me the confidence I needed to secure this job.

Ok. I’ll do it.

Nervous and All I accepted the challenge.

Called up my nephew who also was an inspiring photographer and we went out to capture the day.

No formal training no shot list just a few thoughts on what you think a wedding photographer to capture.

Everything seemed to work out nicely I was able to overcome the fears I had and just like that I begin to offer wedding packages because I was more confident now that I had the experience.

Thank you to my cousin who gave me the nudge I needed to overcome my fears

Big Thanks to my nephew who always was down for these moments in my journey to assist me!

It's Our Anniversary

15 years and counting...

Kustom Kreation Photography

www.kustomkreations4u.com

#itsouranniversary #dslrcamera #ourjourney

Our Photography Journal: Day 16 : Celebrity Event *** The Big Lesson***

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……

Our Story

The Year :2007

************The Big Lesson! *****************

So your girl got a referral from one of her clients and this project /event was a celebrity weekend event immediately I became nervous and scared and told the client I’m an amateur and that I’m not qualified to do this. He convinced me that I had a camera and knew how to take pictures I would be fine.

Ok challenge accepted

Called up my good friend and she became my photo assistant 😊

1st event

Charity fundraiser

Went around snapped photos tried to get what I could and he had me captured a few with people

1st night down 2 more to go

2nd day bowling charity event

Once again snapping pictures all around

Was able to capture a few of Atlanta celebrities…

Ok great we good.

3rd event pool party… ok this one got canceled due to the parking challenges being at a private home.

So we cleaned up the images burned them to a disc and scheduled a meet time.

Okay we’ll everything was good we met I gave him the disc he gave me the check for my services I cashed the checked immediately paid my assistant

And we good…. Until we were not Received phone call from client he started they would be canceling the check….

1st Night Event

Bowling Charity Event

I’m like huh what??!!!

Yep canceling the check because my images they could not use…

So there you have it… I did 2 back to back days of services with an assistant and got paid $0

Canceled Check

I was livid upset angry 😡 why would someone do that to me…

So after processing this awful experience I prayed about it and after that the spirit gave me the words to follow up in an email.

In my email I explained to him that I did the work he ask me to do and I told him that before you hired me I was an amateur and you move forward to take a chance on me anyways so for that alone I should be compensated.

It was then what he said next that changed everything for me… he told me my pictures weren’t bad… it was that I had too many images of the backs of peoples heads they would not be able to use those images in their magazine.

AHHHH HAAAAA Moment!

The Big Lesson was in this critique of the work I did for him .

1st thing because I was shy I was too afraid to walk up in people and ask for a picture or even take one.

It was easier to just shoot a bunch of images from a distance since I’m delivering you hundreds of images I know you can get what you need out of those images

2nd the quality of images you needed for your event.

I didn’t understand the need of the images for the assignment. Being that all this is new to me I really didn’t know how to properly capture an event.

Between being shy and lack of knowledge

Landed me with one of the biggest lessons in my journey.

So after our email exchange he then told me I was right and to call there Dallas office and have another check sent to me.

Lesson for me was.... After this fiasco I knew to capture images that people can use. Images that if needed for a magazine they would be quality

I also learned to be more assertive, you are in this business you are going to have to deal with people you cannot be shy, you just be kind and ask for the shot.

So moving forward in the special event space, I strive to give you the best quality images for your event capturing details candid and posed images. All that you will be able to use whether in a magazine on your website or marketing materials This lesson here taught me to be better and capture great images!

It's Our Anniversary

15 years and counting...

Kustom Kreation Photography

www.kustomkreations4u.com

10 Types of Events to Capture

The “Fun” damentals of Social Event Photography As a Photographer who captures lots of

social events we are listing 10 Types of Events we Have Captured!

Birthday Party

1. Baby Shower

2. Anniversary Celebration

3. Business Launch

4. Family Reunion

5. Prom/ Homecoming

6. Festival

7. Back to School

8. Workshop/Conference

9. Holiday

Stay tuned for Our “Fun” damentals of Special Event Photography . We will be breaking down more of how we work and capture these various memorial images.

www.kustomkreations4u.com

The Top 10 Things we capture for Special Event Photography

The “Fun” damentals of Social Event Photography Series:

As a Photographer who captures lots of social events we are listing

10 things we captured when we are booked for your event .

1. Decorations

2. Food

3. Desserts

4. Bar / Drinks

5. Music / DJ

6. People / Guest

7. Venue

8. Entertainment

9. Activities

10. Memories

Stay tuned for Our “Fun” damentals of Special Event Photography . We will be breaking down more of how we work and capture these special images.

Kustom Kreation Photography 2020 In Review - Part One

Dear 2020, Although things didn't go as WE planned out. I'm thankful to all the opportunities to capture moments... in a safe way.... weddings birthdays graduations family session and more... these relationships and experiences are unforgettable! Our visual journey 2020! Part One