Yes, please

Being a photographer is nice because rarely do I actually have to appear in front of a camera.  Sometimes I do, and sometimes it is ok, but for the most part I don't enjoy it.   In fact, I avoid it when possible.  I have an awkwardness problem in front of the camera.  I don't have a good serious face.  I need to lose weight.  I need to save my money for "the future".  I have my own camera to take photos of Drew and I together if I want.  I'm too busy.  I need to do the dishes.  My clothes aren't cute...and the excuses go on and on and on and on and on.  They are a bit ridiculous too, but for some reason they keep me from getting in front of the camera and from having photos of Andrew and I together.

Then thoughts occur to me, giving me much more real reasons to have our photos taken.  One being that my family doesn't have very many pictures of my dad.  He was always the one behind the camera (I like to think I got my love of photography from him:)), and so naturally he would be left out of family photos.  Unfortunately, I grew up getting know my dad through home-made videos, tapes and photos, which gave me a limited idea of what my dad looked like.  I knew what his face looked like straight on.  I also knew what his back side looked like thanks to a mischievous older brother who took over a particular Christmas home-video session as my dad was bent over with this hindside sticking straight up in the air.  But I was never familiar with the side of his face or the shape it took when he looked at my mom.  I'd love to have more photos of my dad and my mom together.  Especially photos capturing their love for each other because I know they had a strong love.  I'd give a lot to have photos like that of my parents.

I need to have more photos taken with Andrew.  I mean, more couple photos.  The sappy, love-sick kind.  The kind where we don't know what's going on around us, but only what is going on between us.

That being said, I'm entering a giveaway to win a free photo session with Elise Capener, an incredibly talented photographer in Provo.  She is also a current student a BYU in the photo program, but she's a year ahead of me.  I don't personally know her, but I have been following her work since I decided to apply for the photo program 2 years ago.  The girl has a ridiculous amount of photo talent.  Check out her work here and her give-away post here.

Did you see the snow today?  I'm not a winter girl, but it felt magical as I was walking through the flakes on my way to work.  I love this time of year.

These photos were taken during my 35 mm film class at BYU.  I love my mom.  She's a beauty.

Model Call

I'm looking for a model. Preferably a girl between the ages of 17-25.  Obviously the ages can range, but I am looking for someone who wants to take photos with me.  Send me a photo and your name to: mollyhunterphoto@gmail.com.  Please get back to me ASAP!  Preferably someone with about 2 hours on their hands (I'll be taking 4x5 film photos, which kind of take a while) this Friday or Saturday.

I can't pay, but I'm willing to trade work.  You give me your time, I'll give you my photos.  It's a win-win situation! Contact me:)

This is a bit old, but I never shared it. Matt with our nephew Camden in May.

Digital Photography

NOTE: For google readers, this is now where I will be putting my personal/school work.  My new client blog is www.mollyhunterphoto.blogspot.com.
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I'm taking two photo classes this semester.  One is my Advanced Film Photography class, and the second is Digital Photography (these aren't the ACTUAL names, but close enough).

They are both really challenging, but I think I'm going to really love the Advanced Film class.  Don't get me wrong, it's technical and difficult, but I think I'll have more of an opportunity to photograph what I love.

The digital class is also exciting, but it has been a real challenge to me thus far.  Sometimes I forget that I'm an artist, since I have only been working in the arts for such a short amount of time, so I lack essential creative skills.

In the digital class we are given specific themes for each assignment.  And while I think it is good to be given a challenge and work outside of what I'm used to, it's has been incredibly difficult to put my style into my photos, to make them stand out and be great.  REALLY hard.  Haha:)  Our teacher, Paul Adams, gave us a pep-talk about how to create great photos...you  have to make them great.  He said that we have a really high standard at BYU because the average GPA for students is 3.7-3.8.  That is an A, people.  He said that the new average (aka, a C grade, or 2.something) is the 3.7-3.8 GPA's that are coming into BYU.  That means the new C is the old A, which means I had better work my butt off and be as creative as possible so I can produce good work.

Anyway, here are the first 4 assignments that I have done:

#1: "Why my life sucks"- I have short legs and a long torso

Comments: shouldn't have cut off the toes, brighten the background, place other faceless models in neutral gray shirts or something less bright so that I stand out.  Stylize it more.  Grade: B+

#2: "The most important person in your life", using artificial and natural light.  Show WHY is important

I handed in the first for a grade.  Comments: Background is cartoonish and bright, while the shirt is dark and distracting.  Place model in a bright solid shirt to match the background.  Expression looks happy.  Not completely sure that it shows WHY subject is important to the photographer. Halo around subject, thus photoshop work not seamless. Grade:B-

#3: "Produce a photo and place it onto the cover of a magazine that you'd love to have your work on"

Comments: Are the girls actually in the picture? Where they dropped in?  Slight halo around blonde girl to the right of the photo, and Angel Moroni having selection problems.  Photo fits magazine type, looks believable.  Grade: C+ (Ouch...I feel a redo coming)

#4:Self Portrait, utilizing texture and interpretive color

Comments:  Is it meant to be scary or just fun?  What is it saying about the person in the photo?  The texture is distracting, and if it weren't for the assignment, it should be taken out.  In good control, interesting, fun photo.  Grade:  I don't know yet.


The grades are frustrating, it's true, but I have been learning a lot.  It's fun to learn all of the photoshop techniques.  I have learned a ton!

Next time, I'll scan some film that I've been taking for my Advanced Film/4x5 B&W class.  Hopefully those will be better.