Tails’ Blography

This is a simple card I made for my sister’s 29th birthday which is tomorrow (happy birthday, sis!). Its simple, but I love it! This card is easily customisable with colours and different decals (ie a four-leaf clover for a good luck card instead of a cupcake), so go wild with your imagination!

As always, I’d love to see your creations, so please link me to your blog/card so I can check it out. If you have any questions, just comment and I’ll answer, no problem. Someone did ask if these cards fit into a normal envelope, and the answer is yup. No special envelopes needed. I’m all about the easy stuff haha.

Please forgive the whoopsy at the end of the video, I forgot to stamp my “Handmade by Tails” stamp on it and had to merge two video clips together. Unfortunately it is rather blantant haha but such is the life of video tutorials. Also forgive the bad photography of the cards…the weather is overcast which doesnt make for quick & easy photos (and I was kind of in a rush). Thanks for watching, and hope you like the card!

The template (click for larger version)

A closer look

This couple is one of the best couples I’ve met in a long time! They’re clearly so in love and its a real treat to be able to photograph this emotion when its so blantant. What was just as great, was the Greg was just as keen as Julia was to do the shoot, if not more! Its certainly a little different to what I’m used to.

Not only are they in love, but they’re also fun! Lots of fun! They were quite ready to nibble ears, smooch, give piggy-backs, roll about on the (slightly damp) grass, smooch, step in a little mud, smooch some more, and laughed all the while doing so. And wow can Julia laugh! Its infectuous and loud, and occasionally a little snorty, which of course sets her off laughing even harder! They’re so perfectly suited for one another, if gives the rest of us hope that there is a love out there for us that is filled with fun, laughter, and a silent sixth sense of union between two people.

We took a short trip out to some fields near our local stable and spent some time in the gorgeous sun (which made us give a huge sigh of relief since it had been raining right up until yesterday!). There was quite a bit of walking involved, but we did get to pet some sweet, sweet horses along the way!

However, photographing this couple was somewhat tricky. Julia has had quite a few ops in her life since she was born to correct a few deformities with her one arm and hand (not to mention she’s missing her wedding-ring finger!), and understandably is quite sensitive about it showing in photographs. For me, however, its just another example of what an amazing and strong person she is, and how amazing her partner is. They’re both so strong for each other and its just beautiful. Simply beautiful. She’s certainly an insipiration for me.

Here are just a few shots so far, hope you like them!

I’ve been throwing seed and cooked rice out onto my lawn in hopes of attracting birds, and its finally paid off. Unfortunately, a cat was stalking the birds and they flew away when I went to chase off the cat, so I never got to get any photos of them, but I did end up capturing some other garden photos.

It really brought my love of photography back, and the reasons why I started. It was so peaceful out there, lying on my patio waiting for the birds. Eventually when they never came, I started moving around the garden looking at everything with a new outlook. One I havent used in a long time.

I climbed out of my “comfort zone” and used my 75-300mm lens, which made me think a little before each shot since its more limiting than my 18-70mm. I’m very pleased with the results, esp after seeing them on my monitor (the LCD on cam never does images justice).

Please feel free to leave comments on these photos, after all, my blog isnt called Tails’ Blography for nothing

Click the images for larger versions if you’d like.

Gizmo

So, I’m feeling rather excited today – I’ve been working on my business cards! As I might or might not have mentioned, I offer a photography service: Weddings, and now Pets.

Pet photography has always been a great love of mine, and what better way to spend a day, than gamboling with various pets! I simply love capturing them in their element, capturing the quizzical expressions, and seeing the look of the owner when he/she views the images. I simply love it! So, I’ve decided to focus more on promoting myself in this regard, and have finally stepped up to the plate to design a business card! About bloody time, if I do say so myself! I do get people asking me for cards when I tell them about my small passion, so the time is right!

Now, as I said, I also do wedding photography. This is a rather difficult area to break into, as although the market is saturated with “wedding photographers” (I use quotation marks because these days, anyone with a camera is a wedding photographer), its difficult to actually get people to book you. Without people booking you, you dont have a portfolio, and without a portfolio, people dont want to book you. Its a catch-22 situation. Sigh. But, nevertheless, I will prevail!

I am designing two main business cards, one for wedding clients, and one for pet clients. Its simply not possible for me to put all my details on one card, and appeal to both brides and pet owners, without compromising one or the other. Although, and this only came to me right now, I could have each “card” on each side. Wedding on one side, pets on the other…hmmm……

But for now, I’ve designed a pet card I’m proud of! Every time I look at it, I smile and feel happy and confident. And best of all, its got my Gizmo on the card (see photo above)! She’s so gorgeous! Will post examples of them when I’ve had them printed!

Still need to blog about a carriage ride I had on Sunday (was fantastic!) and post a photo of my bonsai haha its still alive – yay!

Title chosen from CSI’s theme song, “Baba O’Riley”, performed by The Who, from the album Who’s Next.