I look on my stat counter every once in a while to see where people are located that look at my site. The other day I had a few in England (thanks honey) but today I had one from freakin Singapore. That is very exciting considering I'm just a small town girl from Missouri. Take a look see!!

If you don't have a stat counter already for your website, I highly recommend one!

I get mine HERE.

So as I said before....I extended my stay to shoot at Red Rock Canyon with "leavin las vegas". So many wonderful photographers were there and probably some of the coolest cinematographers from Still Motion I have ever seen. Here is there video of our shoot.

If you look closely one of my pictures make it in the video as well as a little snipit of me and Bobbi. :)


Leavin' Las Vegas Shootout from Patrick Moreau on Vimeo.

Okay so this is going to be a long read...but I assure you, it's worth EVERY SECOND of reading. :)

Wow, what a trip. When I decided to go to Vegas to attend the WPPI convention I never knew in my wildest dreams what Vegas had in store for me.

The convention itself was a thing of wonder. It seriously took me 3 days just to get through it all. For those of you who have never been, I highly recommend going. I love meeting the faces behind all those people you talk to every day. Not only that but you get to touch and feel all of the products. It’s one thing to see them in a catalog, but another to actually touch and feel. Here are some of the fun booths I hit…..

First up, Big Folio. These boys are amazing. I love their websites along with their customer service. For me, that’s number one. My website is A BIG deal. It’s the first point of contact my clients see, so for me, it’s my number one priority. The team at Big folio have always quickly resolved any issues I’ve had and for me, that has made me a long time customer. For more information on Big Folio, visit their website HERE

Albums, albums and more albums. Upon opening our new studio I really wanted to get see what new product there was out there. I’m happy to report that I have found a album company and I’m over the MOON excited about their products. Look for them in our studio as samples. Not only is the product amazing but their team at the WPPI convention was AMAZING!! Patiently answering every single question I had. Clients, watch out…you are going to see some amazing stuff. Sorry guys, not revealing this product. Keeping this one to myself.

GETTING ORGANIZED!! I’m so excited to start implementing this new software program within our studio. Because I’m a one woman show, this is going to allow me to keep things organized from every single detail to your wedding, to keeping contracts, invoices, emails and everything in between. It’s called Shoot Q and I’m stoked to start using it. I will keep you posted on my thoughts but after the demo I received…this is going to change my life!!! To get more information about this awesome product visit there website HERE.

Presentations. I didn’t go to a ton of presentations this year but the ones I did go to I absolutely loved. My all time favorite one had to be hands down Jesh deRox. For those of you who haven’t met him or heard him speak, I absolutely urge you to. Jesh is such an amazing soul. I attended his life as an artform workshop last fall in San Diego and it has been LIFE CHANGING for me. I think the reason I liked his workshop so much is because it focuses on YOU. It has made me more connected to my clients and a better person all around. Not only in my professional life, but also as a wife and mother. I can’t say enough about this man and his work and him as person, I’m blessed to know him as my friend.


Me and Jesh (sorry it's a point and shoot people and I'm almost positive that the person directly related to taking the picture had some "beverages")



Leavin Las Vegas – a shoot in Red Rock Canyon, Vegas. I extended my stay for one more day in order to attend this field trip. Me and about 75 other photographers got together to shoot at Red Rock Canyon. We were given several models to take and just do whatever we wanted to do. I liked it because it was like the HARSHEST light to shoot in and I WORKED IT OUT. It challenged me to think outside the box and play with shadows, light and angels. It was FUN!!! The best part about it is that I was able to witness John Michael Cooper of altF in his next concept shoot. Just to be around this man is inspiring. He pushes my brain to think harder, further and better. John and his wife Dalisa are AMAZING people. I attend the anti-workshop last year in Seattle and that was a pivotal moment in my career. This workshop taught me how to better tap into my creative channel and not be afraid. They taught me how to see light in ways I never knew how. This workshop also gives you the best of both worlds. altF teams up with the Boutwells and you get to see how these two extraordinary studios have become the successful businesses they are. Doug and Chenin are SOOOO amazing. Doug is a photoshop genius. He created the Totally Rad Actions and I use them quite often in my pictures. He also has great tutorials that will teach you how to do it all. Go HERE to see them. I highly recommend signing up for one of these workshops if you can. For more information for the anti-workshop go HERE.

John Michael Cooper doing his thang.....



his beautiful wife Dalisa...



Watching him work his magic on his concept shoot...



at times shooting the models were a little crowded.



despite the crowd, I was still able to grab some BAD ASS SHOTS!!



Here are some other shots I got from models at our Red Rock shoot.... MEOW!!







My favorite of the day....



Some awesome shots of my friends old and new...

First up...my partners in crime, Bobbi and my associate photographer,Aaron. I couldn't have roomed with better people. I had the TIME OF MY LIFE!!



Um....I even got Bobbi to try Coffee. Well not really coffee, it's creamer with sugar and a splash of coffee..but she liked it!!



Me and Bobbi..lookin cute...WORK IT OUT!!



Oh yeah..and check out this awesome picture Shawna Schaub took of Bobbi and I. We are WORKING IT...



My favorite photographer of all time, Nate from the Image is Found. He is as amazing of a person as he is a photographer. I had the pleasure of staying at this studio for 4 days last fall at Jesh's workshop. Good times.



The ever so beautiful Jasmine Star. She is such a sweet girl. I love her dearly! And she introduced to me to David Jay which...let me tell you, seriously LOVE HIM and his ultra cute girlfriend Allie. :)



My girl Shyla and me with Kevin Kubota's ACTION MAN!! Oww...ow.. P.S. Congrats to Shyla for making the cover of RANGEFINDER! Uhh...that's a BIG DEAL WOMAN!



Becker. He's so funny!! I loved seeing him again. I met him at Jesh's workshop in San Diego. Good GUY! Very smart and very successful. :)



Justin Lyon goofing around...





Paul and Sofia from Amorphia Photography.



Yep me...LOVIN my new Shootsac cover...DOUBLE MEOW!!



We had a fun night at a bar called Double Down where all the Anti-workhop alumni hung out. I brought my D3 and ROCKED IT!!

First a picture with no White balance.... (go Jason Clark)



Then with one snap with my new Expo Disc.... beautiful....



John Michael Cooper documenting the night..with what else...poloroids...



Then I grabbed Doug and Chenin Boutwell for a quick pix.. and they offered to go into the mens bathroom...I LOVE THEM SOO MUCH!!!!






Networking, networking, NETWORKING!!! Last but not least, the most important part of this trip is to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones. I’ve listed all the people I’ve met at each workshop/convention just to prove my point…..

Antiworkshop/ Seattle

John Michael Cooper
Doug and Chenin Boutwell
Jesh deRox
Jasmine Star
Jessica Claire
Marisa Holmes
Fred Egan
Dustin Stellar
Shyla
Jan Garcia
Ed Atero


Life as an Artform/ San Deigo

Nate and Jaclyn Kaiser (the Image is Found)
Becker
Kathy Carlisle (Heavens Eye Photography)
Shannon Sewell
Susan Yee (En Pointe Photography)
Lisa Roah
Amy Seeley
Sarah Maren
Justin Demers
Sarah France


WPPI Convention

Mike Colon
David Jay
Michael Norwood
Justin Lyons
Angelica Glass
Nate and Amanda (Turtle Pond Photography)
Joe Photo
John Mireles
Jason Cohen
John Edgar
Kyle Barnes
Scarlett Lillian
David Beckstead
Lauren Chapman
Jessica Strickland
Anne Ruthmann
Marc Eric
Paul and Sofie of Amorphia photography
Chris Stewart
Shawna Schaub
Vu (vu goes vegan)

Just to name a few……

If you don’t understand the power of networking then you will not be a successful person in this business. Not only have these workshops allowed me to invest more into myself (which is the CORE of this business) but it has also allowed me to meet some amazing people with inspiration out the ASS!!

Last but MOSTLY important, my favorite person….Bobbi. I met her last December at a luncheon and we have been connected ever since. I have become seriously one of the luckiest people in the world. This woman has brought me so many riches in my life. I have a friend when I need one, I have a sound board about my business when I need one, she has helped me identify my personality with a logo that rocks and she is seriously one of my best friends. How our paths have never crossed before this (she grew up in Kansas City) is beyond me. But I truly believe that people come in your life at right times, not when you want them to. For me, December was the right time for me and I’ve been thankful ever since. Jesh deRox in his speech put it perfectly. You become so “rich” in life when you have REAL relationships. Have you ever really benefited from a fake relationship???? When you surround yourself with real people, real experiences, and real connections you life will become richer than you know. You can have all the money in the world but if you have no real people to share it with…how rich are you? In my eyes I’m one of the richest people in the world.

I’m sorry this week I haven’t posted a whole lot on my trip to Veags. It’s been a very consuming experience. I have laughed, laughed so hard I cried, cried because I’ve been touched, inspired, and proud. This week was such a growing experience for not only me but for my associate photographer, Aaron. I’m so happy he was able to experience what it’s like to see this inspiration all around you. He was able to shoot with some of the best photographers of the WORLD and let me tell you. The images coming out of his camera….are REMARKABLE. How RICH has he become investing in himself and making so many new friends. I expect big things from Aaron. His journey is just starting and I’m honored to watch his transformation happen. Aaron, thank you for being a big part of this dream of mine. I can’t wait for you to fulfill your own dreams. I know it will happen for you.


All in all, Vegas was an amazing experience. A little long (5 full days) but nevertheless, worth every day. Thank you Bobbi and Aaron for a wonderful experience. I wouldn’t have wanted to room with anyone else but the two of you. Here are just a few “words describe our week

*I don’t think we’ve met….” * this eleveator is going down…just in case you wanted to know* Your welcome for that…I’m here all week, tip your waitress* Maam, this dish is awful….how do you want pepper on it?*Crazy old man in the terminal shuttle getting his happy ending* Bodacious Lips* I forgot my lanyard* Bring it in tight* And five, six, seven, eight* On a scale of one to ten…how hungry are you?* Did you just get back from skiing?* I got a little south tower on me* $3.00 photo sessions…right now..come and get em* And work it out…..* Can we get more creamer?*Mmmmm (upper lip)* I don’t even know why I’m crying…* Getting hit by the laughing bullets* Heather+Bobbi+Aaron deFirm* You two should come to my workshop…seriously you two are crazy together.* We got some ACTION from Kevin Kubotas action man* It’s okay to stare, I won’t be mad*Do you need a model. I’m here all week* Why are we always walking the WRONG WAY, there is something wrong with this picture* If you were to tell me I was going to hug that man after this, I would have called you crazy* It could have been worse, there could be no wall. * STOP THAT TAXI* Do you have your ID?* So do you just love your D3?* You are much prettier than that picture* Enough about her…let’s talk about me* Don’t even think about touching my Biscoff*You won..that was a better shot* Did you take that? Of course I did..what did you think I handed my camera to someone else?* No…(pouting while stomping your foot).

Whew…I’m spent. Aren't you???

I had to end this post with some of my favorite shots that I took of my now GOOD friends Nate and Amanda from Turtle Pond Photography. I just wanted to snap off a few cool shots of the two of them on the strip.. and wow. I think I'm going to blow the first one up in my studio!! Thanks Nate and Amanda for letting me shoot your MUGS.





Peace. I'm out. Stay tuned for the slideshow...yeah, there's more. LOTS MORE!!

There is nothing better than post from the airport terminal, don't you think? So, today I'm leaving for Las Vegas on my way to attend my first WPPI. I'm soooo excited! Meeting all the photographers I love and admire and watching them do their thang! I'm rooming with Bobbi too...so that's going to be SUPER exciting!!! If you need anything I will TRY to get to emails as fast as I can. This is a convention so I'm here to LEARN and I'm not sure how much working I'm going to be able to get done.

I'll be posting more from Vegas! Miss you Livy, miss you honey!!

Love,

Me

Me and Aaron...waiting for our plane....

So as most of you know, Bobbi and I have been HARD at it getting on the healthy train. It's been so awesome to have such a wonderful conductor on this train because let me tell you, when things get hard...you need SOMEONE to help you.

Anyway, the best reward of doing this weight loss challenge is that I have found something...myself. As you can see from Bobbi's photos of me below, I have become a bit more confident in my own skin since loosing some poundage and some major inches. It's very uplifting.

The other day I received a phone call EARLY, EARLY, EARLY (okay 8:00 am) from my good friend, Jason Domingues. He started screaming, "you won, you won, you won". Still half asleep I mumbled, "I won what"? "You won Kelly Moore's weight loss contest"!!!! That was followed by screaming, more screaming, then...screaming, crying and I think a few laughs on Jason's part. WOW! I actually won. So let me recap. Back in December, this AMAZING photographer, Kelly Moore, created a weight loss challenge. We had to set goals and if we met them, after 11 weeks she would determine a winner. The reward??? First I get to meet her and hang with her. Two, on the first night I get, manicure, pedicure, facial, massage, dinner and a movie - WITH HER! The second day, I get a make over and a professional photo shoot done by her. SOME ONE FREAKIN FRACKIN PINCH ME!! So really friends, just goes to show you that blood, sweat and tears pay off (okay that was oh so dramatic). But hard work comes with MANY rewards. For me, I found myself and got some "icing" on the cake. I think this has to be the COOLEST month for me yet.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU KELLY!!!!!!

Now go check out her blog. She's freakin OFF THE CHAIN!!!


AND since there can't be a post without a picture...here is a picture of my smilin FACE cause I'm SO STINKIN HAPPY!!!

What is that I'm holding? A Key????? To what?????



Our future.

Key...meet world...world...meet the key to our new studio. As in OFFICIAL photography studio. Keep checkin back for news about our Grand Opening coming soon. It's going to be KICK ASS!!!

Whoo hoo!!

Heather

A normal photo shoot with me would consist of a few things...

1. Asking clients to walk long distances in uncomfortable shoes
2. Stand or climb in places that are either dirty, smelly or uncomfortable
3. Stare into hard golden light because the light is OHH soo YUMMY

For the first time ever, I was on the receiving end of these things. Man it was an EYE opener!!! Not as easy as I thought. Saturday I was blessed to have THREE very talented people involved on my first professional photo shoot, OF ME!! So much is happening at Heather Cole Photography. Some I can tell you now, some your going to have to wait. Ohh....I love surprises...don't you. First, we have a new website coming out. It's so fun and so me. I can't wait for you to see it. It should be up and running in about a week. I'm excited...are you?

Second, I have never had a professional headshot done. Seriously, pretty bad considering I have like a million friends who are photographers. I just have never done it. A lot is because of the weight. Since I've lost some weight, I guess you could say I have a lot more confidence and was ready to be in front of the camera for once.

My very talented friend, Sharla, flew in from Nashville and hooked me up with some AWESOME makeup and hair and wardrobe. This woman is nothing short of amazing. If you have an upcoming wedding, Prom or event and need some styling...this is your girl. Check out her mad skillz on her Myspace page .

Then of course we have bobbi+mike. Where do I start with these two. First of all, they are awesome to watch. Mike is so sniperish with getting those amazing candid shots and bobbi...yeah, she's just as funny as everyone says. I'm so happy that I finally got to see it in action. The truth is, I was very nervous being on the other end of that camera and they both made me feel very comfortable, which was hard to do. We literally walked down the street into a ditch in my backyard and shot. Just goes to show you that anything is possible if you open your mind and let the creative juices flow...or allow the hamster to run on his wheel...Mike, I'm not sure I did that saying justice. Ha ha

Anyway, the shoot was a success. I was given some AMAZZZZZZZZINGG headshots for the new website, got to hang with both her and her husband and see Sharla. WHAT A FREAKIN awesome weekend. To add the icing on the cake, since we were in my backyard (literally) I asked my husband to come outside for a few shots. I have always longed for a shot of me and Jake that was a piece of art, something that spoke volumes of how much we loved each other. The last couple picture we have professionally done was our wedding pictures, 7 years ago, which is TOTALLY NOT ME. I wanted something YUMMY, something that would create a conversation. I got it.

Thank you Sharla, bobbi+mike for all your hard work. I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedules and making some like this happen for me. I love you guys.

Here are the results of our fun day..... :)















I was serious when I meant...we were in our backyard...



My associate photographer, Aaron.



So serious.....



This is soooo our personalities.....




My husband coming to join me....HOW HOT is HE???



I love how he's looking at me in this photo...





Soo sweet....



My absolute favorite of Jake and me. This is going BIG in my casa....



bobbi was just as excited as I was after that last shot...she showed me and I was OVER THE TOP excited.



Thank you bobbi+mike. Love you guys.



Thank you Sharla. Thank you everyone. LOVE YA!