Thursday, March 24, 2011

Michele Whitacre Photography is on the Move!!

For as long as I can remember I have had a fascination with palm trees.  If I had to guess at the reason behind this fascination, I would say that it stems from the fact that palm trees are usually found in warm places and I have spent my life fantasizing about living in one of those places.


I'm one of those people who is ALWAYS cold, no matter how many layers of clothing I put on. Sometimes during the winter months I feel like I spend weeks on end unable to ever really get warm.

Three years ago during a particularly bad snowstorm, I was outside shoveling my driveway, cursing Mother Nature for piling the snow on faster than I could take it off, and I finally reached my breaking point.  It wasn't a pretty moment for me - there was lots of cussing and shouting, a lot of tears, and perhaps the tossing of the shovel a time or two.  I decided that perhaps a change was in order before my neighbors called the cops and had me hauled off to the looney bin.  In that moment, I decided that I didn't have to spend the rest of my life freezing to death, and I began plotting my escape to a warmer climate.

But fate had other plans in store for me.

About the time that I would have considered getting my house ready to sell, I started dating my husband, who had just started working on his undergraduate degree.  I knew almost instantly that the two of us were destined to be together, and therefore, I was going to have to put up with a few more long Indiana winters.  I told him that I would stay here long enough for him to finish his degree, as long as he did it as fast as possible, and was willing to move with me to some place warmer once he graduated.

True to his word, my husband completed his degree in 2 1/2 years, and when it came time to apply to law schools, he only applied to ones in the southern half of the country.   After several months of waiting to find out where he was accepted, and discussing where we wanted to relocate to, we've settled on Phoenix, Arizona.

We are both ridiculous excited about our upcoming move, and can't wait for this new adventure to begin!  Several things are still up in the air, as we wait for our house to sell in Fort Wayne, and I begin the process of looking for a new optometry position in the Phoenix area.  But what is definite is that come August, Kevin and I will be sunning ourselves in Phoenix!


What does this mean for Michele Whitacre Photography?

That's a good question!  For now it means that I am going to spend the next two months wrapping up business in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  I will be accepting clients, and scheduling photo sessions through May 31, 2011.  After that time, I will focus my attention on our upcoming move, and I will no longer be available for photo sessions.

If you have contacted me recently saying that you want to schedule a spring photo session, please contact me ASAP to set up your session!  I only have a limited number of photo session spots available, and when they are gone, they are gone.  So please don't wait to contact me!

If you have won a photo session giveaway, or if you volunteered to be a subject for a free photo session this spring, please contact me as soon as possible to schedule your session.  Don't worry - a photo session spot will be reserved for you, but the longer you wait to contact me the more limited your options will be!  All time slots will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

Once Kevin and I get settled in Phoenix, I will slowly re-open for business in our new location, which will be exciting and scary all at the same time!  All of my friends and family have been such a wonderful source of support as I have started this business.  Branching out on my own in a city were I won't know a soul is going to be challenging, but I'm looking forward to embracing that challenge as I see what new things are in store for me in Arizona.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Visit Michele's website at michelewhitacrephotography.com. Become a fan of Michele's work on Facebook. Follow Michele's updates on Twitter.

Monday, March 14, 2011

They Don't Call It Red Rock Country for Nothin'

My husband and I just returned from a week long trip to Arizona. The purpose of our trip was more business than pleasure, so I didn't get to do as much sightseeing as I would have preferred, however, we did managed to escape for a day to Sedona, Arizona to take in the gorgeous red rocks.

It was one of the most amazing sights I have ever witnessed! I spent most of the day with my jaw scraping the floor, fighting the urge to pinch myself to make sure that I wasn't dreaming. If you've never been to Sedona, you are seriously missing out!

Since I realize that you probably can just up and run off to Arizona tomorrow to see these amazing rocks for yourself, here are some photos. Words pale next to the beauty of these images, so I'm just going to let them speak for themselves:









Awesome, huh?!

So, what are you waiting for? Go book your vacation to Sedona, NOW! (And don't forget to book a seat for me, too!)

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Visit Michele's website at michelewhitacrephotography.com. Become a fan of Michele's work on Facebook. Follow Michele's updates on Twitter.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Welcome to the World, Baby Clay {Newborn Session}

Yesterday I had the pleasure of photographing Baby Clay, who made his grand entrance last Sunday afternoon.

Since this was my very first newborn photo session, I did everything I could do to be prepared. I scoured the internet looking for ideas of what props I could use, and tips for posing newborns. I made a huge list of possible photos I wanted to take. Since the photo session was taking place at my house, I got everything all gathered and set up. I charged my camera batteries, and made my husband act as my model while I checked the lighting in the area where I had decided to shoot.

I had envisioned Clay sleeping through most of the photo session, while we positioned him in all sorts of cute little poses with his bare little bottom up in the air.

Only Clay had other plans!

Not only did he stay awake for almost the entire photo session, but the only way he would stop crying was if he was fully covered and allowed to lay on his side, or else was being held. So, I quickly tossed my plans out the window and re-evaluated. I always want my photography to reflect real life, so if Baby Clay was going to be awake and interactive then that was what we were going to capture during our photo session.

This first shot is one of the few we captured of him sleeping...


Couldn't you just eat those toes up! I cannot believe how tiny his little feet are...


Another one of the rare sleeping pics...


Another photo with Ric holding Clay...


It's just not a newborn session without this photo, right?...


All wrapped up and happy...


Tracy with Clay...


Isn't he just the picture of perfection?...


Congratulations, Ric and Tracy! I am so happy for both of you and your new little guy. Thank you so much for allowing me to photograph this special time in your lives. I wish all of you a lifetime filled with love and laughter.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Visit Michele's website at michelewhitacrephotography.com. Become a fan of Michele's work on Facebook. Follow Michele's updates on Twitter.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Alex + Olivia's Sneak Peek

How about photos of the most ADORABLE couple ever, just in time for Valentine's Day?

A few weeks ago, I asked for a couple to volunteer to brave the cold and snow to be subjects for a winter photo session and Alex and Olivia were brave enough to agree to a session with me.  I warned them that they could expect to get cold and wet during the session, and I did not disappoint.  By the time the photo shoot was over they had been sitting, laying, and tromping in the snow piles, but I think the end result is some pretty great photos.

My awesome hubby, Kevin, was kind enough to tag along with us to the session to hold my camera bag and props for me, since I couldn't just sit them in the grass like I do during warm weather shoots. He was a real trooper, especially because our photo session got started bright and early at 8:00 AM!

This first one is one of my husband's favorites from the day.  I have seen a lot of photos of Alex on Facebook, and he always has THE BEST smile in every photo, and today was no different...


Kevin and Alex have been friends for a long time, and the two of them kept Olivia and I entertained during our ride between shoot locations with stories of their bike riding adventures from when they were kids.

I love this photo!  It was so awesome to finally see a little bit of blue sky peeking out after weeks of nothing but grey. Plus Olivia's gorgeous pink coat looks amazing against it...


Can we say adorable?...


Alex and Olivia are both college students. Alex wants to be a dentist and Olivia wants to be a dental hygienist. Sounds like a match made in heaven to me!

This is another of my favs. They just look so sweet, don't they?...


I fell in love with Olivia's scarf the moment I saw it! What a great accessory to add some fun and brightness to the photos on a cold winter day...



As we were walking by, Olivia pointed out this awesome tree to me. Once I saw it, I knew we had to get this photo in front of it!...


I asked Alex to sit down in front of this fence, not realizing just how much snow was piled up in front of it. He sank in with just his knees and torso sticking out of the snow, but he just went with it...


Both of these two were amazing to work with. They were so willing to try anything I suggested, and they were nothing but smiles the entire time.

When I asked for volunteers for the winter session, I suggested that the potential subjects be able to rock a winter hat. I'd say Olivia more than succeeded, wouldn't you?  She is totally rocking this adorable pink hat. And how about those GORGEOUS eye? I could see how amazing they looked in this photo through the lens!...


Thanks again for volunteering, and for being so accommodating to all of my crazy requests. You guys were awesome to photograph.  I wish you both lots of luck with your future careers. And, I hope you have an amazing Valentine's Day together.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Visit Michele's website at michelewhitacrephotography.com. Become a fan of Michele's work on Facebook. Follow Michele's updates on Twitter.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Feeding Frenzy

I SWORE to myself that I wasn't going to pick up my camera today for anything other than today's joy of love class assignment. I am thoroughly enjoying the class, but it is time consuming taking photos for the class every single day.

For me, being behind my camera is an addiction. The more time I spend behind it, the more I want to be behind it, and before I know it all I'm doing is taking photos and editing photos, while the rest of my world is falling in around me. Kind of like it is right now! And I still have a little editing to do on the baby shower photos a took a few weeks ago, and on the winter photos I took a few days ago. So, I promised myself no more personal photos until I was caught up.

Things never work out according to plan in my life!

I got home from work this afternoon, and Lexi would not stop barking at the windows. I finally got up to see what had her attention and saw that there were TONS of birds swarming around outside. I went into the kitchen and there were probably 40 - 50 birds in the tiny cherry tree right outside the window, feeding on the cherries that were still hanging on the tree.

I grabbed my camera and ran outside to try to get some photos, but I scared half of them away when I opened the door so this was the best I got...


As I continued trying to take photos, more and more of the birds got scared off. I'd go back inside and they'd come back to the tree, but they'd fly off as soon as I'd go back outside again. I finally decided to just pop the screen off of the window and take the photos from inside. Luckily, the windows weren't too dirt!

You can see from the photo above that the sky had a distinct line between the bright blue sky and the clouds, so depending on where in the tree each bird was located, the background varies.  It almost looks like the photos were taken on different days!

Here are a handful of the awesome shots I got...



















Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Visit Michele's website at michelewhitacrephotography.com. Become a fan of Michele's work on Facebook. Follow Michele's updates on Twitter.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Bare Branches

This afternoon I ended up with some unexpected free time, and decided to head to downtown Fort Wayne to shoot some winter photographs.

This was one of my favs that I captured today...


Nothing says winter quite like bare tree branches topped with snow.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Visit Michele's website at michelewhitacrephotography.com. Become a fan of Michele's work on Facebook. Follow Michele's updates on Twitter.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Getting Inked

Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph my husband getting a tattoo from Donny Manco, owner of New Republic Tattoo in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Donny is an incredible artist and an all around great guy. If you want a tattoo, or know someone who does, I HIGHLY recommend Donny. He is great to work with, and his art is amazing!

As they say, a picture is worth a thousands words, so instead of continuing to ramble on about Donny's awesome work, let's just show it off, shall we?

Kevin, getting psyched up for his new ink...


Donny, working on the outline (Kevin's other tattoo was done by Donny back in August 2010)...


The detail in Donny's art is just incredible. It was fascinating watching him work!...


Donny, hard at work...


Kevin, looking surprisingly happy and relaxed...


This photo is my favorite of the bunch, by far!...


I loved having the opportunity to photograph Kevin getting his tattoo! So, thank you to Donny for being so awesome about having a camera in his face for most of the time that he was working on Kevin!

I hope you enjoyed seeing the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Visit Michele's website at michelewhitacrephotography.com. Become a fan of Michele's work on Facebook. Follow Michele's updates on Twitter.