What's In My Bag?

Nikon 50 1.4g

First off, we will start with the lens my bag started with - my trusted Nikon 50mm 1.4G. This lens ha been on of my staples; the wide aperture allows me to shoot wide open, which I have found tends to fit more my style. I use mostly for my portraits, because of how well it handles.

Tips and Tricks: With the 1.4 I can use this in darker areas without any problem!

Sigma 24-70mm 2.8

My second "must have" is the Sigma 24-70mm 2.8. i purchased this lens from Sigma because of the dramatic price difference compared to the Nikon.   This lens is my workhorse!!! for a wedding day; It does so much I would buy it a ribbon of excellence if it wouldn't get in the way of my shooting when I put it on the lens. It is so versatile compared to any of the other lenses I possess.  This is the second lens I purchased for my full frame; now I cannot imagine shooting a wedding day without it.

Tips and Tricks: This lens does a beautiful and playful sun flare that I really love!

Nikon 70-200mm 2.8 VR I

With this lens, events are less daunting. It is awesome for getting candid moments while being inconspicuous or right in their face. The 2.8f/stop is perfect for lower light situations, which any photographer knows is a must.

Tips and Tricks: Never bring your shutter speed lower than your focal length. It has a larger tendency of not being sharp. Also make sure you get a good arm strength for this lens because it is heavy!

Nikon 85mm 1.8G

This baby is the newest member of the MW family. A GREAT portrait lens, it fits really well to my personal style.  the body of the lens was a little bigger than I anticipated, but it is not as heavy a the Nikon 85 1.4.

Tips and Tricks: Be careful of shooting in bright sun while shooting wide open. This lens has a tendency to have  chromatic aberration in those conditions. I also tried the 85 1.8D, I have found the 1.8G is sharper.

Nikon 60mm

This lens I actually inherited from my father; he too used it from his old wedding photographer days. This lens is the little one that helps me capture little details!

Tips and Tricks: I always manually focus for my ring shots. This helps that I can be 100% certain that those diamonds are in breathtaking focus.

Nikon D610

As I was just starting out, It was important for my to upgrade to a full frame. I didn't feel it was right for me to ask people to pay me if I did not inturn have the best I can give.  I wanted  a Full Frame that could be a workhorse,but still affordable. I found exactly that in my 610! I think it will be quiet a while before I upgrade this secret love of my life! :)

 Flashes help when natural light is not available, which as ever wedding photographer knows happens a lot on a wedding day. You want something reliable; I have put my trust of brightening up dark situations in my YONGNUO YN560 IV and Nikon S600.

Tips and Tricks: Practice with your flashes before using them at your venue!! I played with my settings enough that I know what my equipment will do before it does it.

Wireless transceiver and receiver

Last & smallest in my bag is my flash triggers by Yongnuo. They have yet to fail me and are amazing! I use these for anything to do with my flashes. mostly for reception shots!

Tips and Tricks: Always make sure that you have backup batteries to your backup batteries! Better to be over prepared than not prepared at all!

I am so grateful for all that I have been able to gather for my little army.  And I am proud that I am able to hold my hard work in my hands. It is a feeling I always relish. 

There is still a couple of members on my with list: Nikon 135mm 2D, 35mm, 105mm. But it think it will be a lot more saving for those lovelies =) 

What's in your bag that you love?!

My Photography: Purpose

Has anyone ever asked you what your purpose is? Today, someone presented this question to me about my business. After thinking about it, I identified a couple of things that I hope will help you  understand what I am about. 

First and foremost, I shoot to create. I truly believe that everyone has a gift that can be used to express one's self; my photography is my own expression. I enjoy the challenge of taking a random idea in my thoughts and transforming it into a real, tangible thing. It is similar to craving a certain food, you think about it long enough that when you finally take that first bite all you can do is grown in pure satisfaction. 

I shoot to document life. I want others to know how life is at this time in my life and your life.  My grandmother , who I often consider my third parent, was a strong believer in keeping photos of every event that my family had. She would often be found with a small yellow disposable camera, that was stashed close by in her purse ready for use at any moment. Do to her love for memories, when she passed away,  we were left with all her photos of family and friend's smiling faces. My desire for others to have that ability to look back at their loved ones at some of the happiest times of their lives. 

I shoot to share. When dealing with little kids, I always tell them "sharing is caring." Now I promise I won't randomly say this on a shoot, but I do believe it to be true. When you share yourself and your talents with others, it shows them that you care for them.  I want to share other's love stories in a way that others can see is just as beautiful as the couple sees it.  Sharing my skills and knowledge can bring other joy, whether it is a bride and groom or a makeup artist or florist. 

And in all honesty , I shoot because I love it. With this passion, I get to meet people and be a part of their love story.   Moments, big or small, I can capture so they will be a moment remembered. Photography can help be a mirror on how that situation was and felt. I love capturing natural moments with a slight direction to make a situation more in its element.

Lastly, I shoot to grow. I really enjoy learning more and more with photography and using what I have learned.  Through each session I have been able to walk away with something new whether it is good or bad it gives me an opportunity to take what I have learned and apply it to future sessions. My experiences are not just photography lessons but also life lesson. And my wish is that I always continue to be growing. I wish the same for all my clients that come along. 


Huge disclaimer : I am a horrible speller. If you see these mistakes please have mercy and tell me kindly. =P

Finding my style | How I Shoot | MW Photography

This year I really wanted to improve on my skills and hone down on who I was as a photographer . starting out photographer I just wanted to shoot anything and everything that came my way. Before I really took a step towards starting my own business i would bring my camera to everything in hopes of capturing memories of my small life . One thing that really bummed me out was shooting these events, loving my photos and then safely transfer them to my hard drive where they just sat there.... And stayed there not ever getting seen by anyone but myself . now don't get me wrong I don't need a pat on the back for ever piece of my work but I enjoy my photos being used for something or by somebody. This desire really took shape through yearbook in high school and then my college newspaper, the Collegian . It was nice having my art and my perception of an event being used and being seen. After my schooling, I still wanted to have the opportunity of displaying my work. 

My schooling was done, but I was able to intern through a local wedding photographer, Justin Mark Photography (Check out his work! for real) I was able to learn so much under his teachings. I had never considered shooting weddings until I gave my whole summer shooting them. I loved shooting these weddings. 

One thing that I personally really struggled with was not being good enough with manipulating a photo to make it conceptual or fine art. Some people have these amazing talents in doing these type of photos. I tried time and time again and just couldn't get there.

Then comes along Creative lives- J* 30 day boot camp. If you have never looked at her work or blog, I highly suggest it. She is one of the top wedding photographers in the industry, but her personality makes you feel like you have been one of her best friends for years!  Not gonna lie, I definitely have  a girl crush but once you see her in action you will understand. For any of you  movie lovers out there, she is my Julia from Julie & Julia, metaphorical pearls and all! 

 Anywho, one of her days was defining your style. For a while, I didn't know that there were so many styles out there. I never even thought about my photography that way. Some styles that I knew of was Photojournalism, Fine Art, Commercial, Concept.
During her lesson I felt a hunger for ever word she was saying.  The thing that stuck out to me the most, " It's ok to say this is what I want, this is what I am, and this is what I do." Hearing that was like hearing it was ok to be just me.  I just sat in my office cubical, and just took a deep sigh of relief. I can't be something I am not.  As the class went on I was able to find what my photography was and I was finally able to label my photography as Lifestyle photography. Having that in my mind for shooting and posing and editing has really helped me know where I am and know where I need to improve. But I know where I am - I am a Lifestyle Photographer based in the Twin Cities in my beautiful state of Minnesota. And I love it.