New Blog

It is time!! Time to change your bookmarks and RSS feeds to this blog. See you there!

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Price changes

2009 is right around the corner. And as we move into this new year, I have some exciting new ideas. So, for me to jump in that direction I need to make some price changes. Here is the thing. If you have received a Price Sheet from me prior to December 31, 2008 you will be eligible for 2008 pricing for bookings made prior to January 31, 2009 for sessions dated up to five months out. In other words, you can schedule a booking (at 2008 prices) for as late in the year as May 31, 2009 if you have a deposit in by January 31, 2009. To confirm or hold that session date, you will need to put down a deposit. The deposit will be subtracted from the total session cost. Each session has a different deposit amount. If necessary, you will be able to change the date (a maximum of 2 times) to a new date if it is still available on my calendar. Subsequent changes will forfeit the initial deposit and require a new deposit. If you need to cancel the session, please cancel with at least 48 hours notice prior to the session. Otherwise, you will forfeit your deposit.

So, if you want to jump on this, put in that request for a price sheet now (Hint, Hint).

Couple of pictures for your enjoyment. I just got my Nikon D40x and wanted to try out my old 75 - 300mm zoom non-focus lens on it. Not to bad.






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Light Painting

I have been wanting to do this since I first learned about it on Strobist site. But I was not able to find his post. What got me excited about it was this post. It was different in that you didn't have a lot of light creating lines and stuff. Check out that his post, really cool. So, last night I started practicing.

I started with using a flash just to see what it would do. Interesting. I only used one flash. With this picture I set the shutter to 30secs and f-stop at 32.


Still using the flash but I am pointing the flash at the couch now.


Now it is time to take a flash light and have some fun. Still at the same settings.


On the next two, I did change my f-stop down to 10. On the first one, you can see me in the photo. The living room was completely darken, though, the Christmas lights were on. So, you can see me moving in the picture.


This time I stood out of the way. Turn out pretty neat.


I got to thinking. I wanted to take some pictures of what I am going to show in the Bridal Fair. I was going to blog about them so, I went and set up these pictures. I like it but not there yet.


I am getting closer but needed to change the diameter of flashlight. I also laid out the pictures different.


Ok, here is the end result. I really like it. It looks like a spot light on each picture. So cool. Camera setting was still at 30 secs f-stop was 11.



To rephrase, the first two pictures, I used one flash and just move it where I wanted it. I then move to a small maglight. For the spotlight affect on those pictures, I used a big maglight. I then turn the spotlight down to a small diameter. I stood on a step stool to keep out of the picture since the light can splash on you. This made the spotlight a little bigger. I would light a picture for 2-3 secs. Don't think you can get it on the first try. I had to play with it to get what I was looking for.

This was so much fun. Get out there and give it a try. Notice that I didn't think of my idea until after I was taking those first pictures. I have so many other ideas now.


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Technical Difficulties

I am having technical difficulties with either DNS or Blogger.
This is the second time this has occurred in the three week period. I am not sure how long this will be. So, I am working on an alternative solution and hope to have it ready so that I can post it. I hope this will stay up and running until that time. Sorry for the inconvenience.

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Merry Christmas..Well, pretty close

My wife's parents and grandmother came down to visit over Thanksgiving. Our family tradition has always been to put up the tree on Friday. This year we actually did it on Thanksgiving. The boys just love to decorate. And me, I love to capture each moment. We turned on some Christmas music, got the tree down and my wife started handing out decorations. Here are some of those moments.

























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Family Session

The day before Thanksgiving, I had the opportunity to do a family portrait session. Here are some of my favorites from that session.






















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Quick Personal Session

Over the holidays we did a quick family session. My mother-n-law wanted us to take a picture simalar to what my brother-n-law's family did. I said sure. I am game to try new things. My mother is also a photographer. I ask her to take the pictures but I think she was more comfortable with me setting up the scene. She did a good job. Here is one of my favorites.


From the session I did before the holidays, we did a fun picture at the end where the family jump. Well, this is my family's take on it. :)


Notice from the above picture, my oldest son was in the air before all of us. Then in this next picture we all jump and he was down. :)


Well, I pulled out the GIMP program and did some editing and here is the final result. I have to admit that it turned out better than I expected.


Need family portraits done, just send me an email at calvin@reflectionsbythehill.com or you can visit my website here.

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Happy Thanksgiving

I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful for my wonderful family, a free country, a job, food, clothing, a home. These things we take for granted everyday. All it can be gone in an instant. One thing that can't be taken is my salvation in Christ. I am thankful for the gift of salvation. What are you thankful for?

Here is a sneak peak of a portrait session I did yesterday. Aren't they having fun?



I know I had a blast taking the pictures. Can't wait to show more.


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