I had the most wonderful time this past Saturday hanging out with my photographer friend, Kim Stone of KimStonePhotography.com
I met Kim two and a half years ago on Facebook and saw the beautiful photographs that she had taken. I became a Friend. Her Water Shots photos captivated my interest. I decided to do something that I am not comfortable doing - being the model in front of the camera. I'm always the one behind the camera taking all the photos. It's been a hobby since I got my first Brownie camera in the 5th grade. That was a long time ago!
My 40th wedding anniversary was approaching and I thought water shots would be a great surprise for my husband. I contacted Kim and we set a date. I almost backed out; I was so nervous.
To show you how good God is, my sister-in-law "just happened" to be visiting from South Carolina and offered to go with me. I worked that morning and could not keep my mind on my work. All I could think about was the photo shoot and all the emotions I was experiencing - nervous, excited, scared, excited, terrified.... I picked up Robbie and we headed to Look and Tremble Rapids on the Chipola River.
The minute I met Kim, I knew I had found a friend. She made me feel so at ease. It took a couple of minutes for all the tension to melt away, then I began to have fun. When I was a teenager, I had dreamed of being a model; but I was way too short. I was plenty skinny enough, but was vertically challenged. That day with Kim, for just a few minutes, I realized my dream. And, I had a blast! We laughed and she got some really great shots. So many, in fact, that it was hard to choose just one to have enlarged and framed for my husband - so I chose two!
The hardest part for me was hiding the photos from my husband for three months before our anniversary. I don't like keeping secrets from him. I had told him Robbie and I were going to see a professional photographer work (which was true). I came home wet and told him I fell while walking in the water (also true). Ask Kim. My fall was hilarious. No, I didn't get hurt. I was trying to sit, missed the rock and sat right down in a hole. The whole idea behind water shots is to start out dry and work your way into getting completely wet. I was just getting there faster than planned.
On December 11, 2010, I presented Vance with the photos. He loved them! He hung one in the living room and one in our bedroom. For Christmas, I made him a calendar out of 12 more. He took it and hung it up at his job. He liked it so well that he brought it home the beginning of this year for me to put up for safe-keeping, because he didn't want to throw it away.
Since the day of the photo shoot, Kim and I have kept in touch on Facebook. Last week, I decided to buy a new camera and Kim suggested the best camera for what I had to spend - the Canon EOS Rebel 60d. I purchased it on Thursday and posted on Facebook that I was itching to get out Saturday and shoot. Kim contacted me and asked if I wanted to go to St. Joe and shoot a wedding with her. She didn't have to ask twice! I was so excited to get to see her at work and play with my new toy.
Saturday morning, I could hardly contain myself. I couldn't wait to get to St. Joe. Kim brought along a young lady named Camilla to help her. I was just there to play. It was great having three photographers working together. When I shoot a wedding, I'm usually the only photographer and it is so stressful. Believe me, I do a lot of praying. Having three people, we had everything covered.
Since I had just gotten my camera and hadn't had a chance to read the whole book or take any photos, it was such a blessing having someone like Kim to share her knowledge and show me how to work some of the settings.
Following Kim around was a dream come true. She is such a professional, but is so nice to others who want to take pictures. She is willing to help you get a shot and she is so inventive with her shots. And, she is so much fun! Her "through-the-window" shot rocked! I got a couple, but they were not nearly as good as hers. The best one is posted above. One reason, I don't know how to set the camera yet so that the window and the couple behind the window are both in focus. I will study up on that and try it out at a later date. (Hmmmm, now to find a door with a window to shoot through so I can practice.)
All in all, I had a fantastic time playing with Kim Stone on Saturday. I want to thank her for allowing me to tag along and try out my new camera and for showing me things I didn't know about it. She's a joy to be around and I was truly blessed being able to watch her work. And thank you, Kim, for suggesting the 60d. It is a great camera! I know I'm going to like it.
