Here's to the GOOD in Life!

It's truly amazing how things change for the better when you start with yourself first. By taking all the things you used to stress over, obsess about, the things that were holding you down or holding you back from what you're capable of doing and simply let. them. go. Seriously, you get amazing results.
You always hear people tell you these things, but when you're in that moment of having all of this on your shoulders, it just doesn't seem that easy.
I'm here to tell you that two years ago, this is exactly where I was. And, as it turns out, it was no one's fault but my own. Don't get me wrong. Just because I have finally figured that out does not mean I don't still have some rough days-they just come around much less often.

About two years ago, I was really struggling with the photography industry. I guess I just couldn't see that "light at the end of the tunnel." That was, until I stumbled upon Showit. As I looked around to find out more about them, I saw Jasmine Star's website, and I cried some happy tears. Here was this woman (I somehow kept working around all men and had no idea someone like her even existed) who was loving her life, her husband, and her job! Fantastic, right? YES. I felt like I knew who I was and what kind of photographer I wanted to be, but I was too afraid. Not anymore! I realized the whole reason I loved her site so much was because she was being herself and not being afraid to do so. Genius! So, Jasmine-a HUGE thank you for saving me and I'm sure tons of others as well...from ourselves. :)

Fast forward and, thanks to Showit, I now not only have a website I can love on, but I've also struck gold with all of the AMAZING people who call Showit their website home. I've never been more proud to be a photographer than I am now after seeing how absolutely unselfish and helpful everyone has been to each other. I had gotten so down after meeting photographer after photographer who would only end up saying things like, "I don't share my ideas with anyone. I don't want them to steal them." I think that was playing a loop in my mind.
There's a new song now!

Even though I feel amazingly blessed to have "met" so many incredible photographers, there is one who stands out. And even though we have yet to actually meet-which we will eventually...we've already set that goal-she has lifted me up and pushed me to become a better photographer and a better person.

I am absolutely honored to introduce to you THE Cassie Jones!! I think she is someone you all should meet, and I am so excited to share some of her work with you!

Cassie, the floor is all yours:

Tell me about you-who you are/where you are located, and what you love to photograph.
My name is Cassie Jones. Wife. Daughter. Sister. Aunt. Scratch that. Fabulous Aunt. Photographer. Car-karaoke singer, occasional home-alone-rapper. "I Love Lucy" re-run watcher. Granddaughter. Writer. Friend. Daughter of a King.
I'm located in Searcy, Arkansas. Hollerrrr!
My favorite thing to photograph is people in love. Whether I know them or not. I just love love.

What's in your bag?
My bag? :) It holds a Nikon D300S body, a 16-85mm lens, a 70-300mm lens AND a 50mm 1.8 lens is on its way! I also keep a lil' lip balm. And tissues--because I'm a crier. And band-aids. Because sometimes, I'm my own worst enemy.

What is your absolute favorite thing about being a photographer?
My favorite thing about being a photographer has been the blessings that God has brought through it. The friends, the experiences, as well as the struggles that taught me more about myself. Every hardship, every trial has been well worth the struggle.

Who inspires you?
My home-girl-- Jasmine Star. Hands down. She's not only a fabulous photographer, but a woman I'm proud to say I admire. Her sweet, sweet spirit and encouraging words have been a wonderful encouragement to me. 

What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out in photography?
If I were to give a new beginner some advice, I would say first, you can do it. Second, don't lose faith. Third-- don't confuse mistakes with failure. Mistakes are inevitable. What's important isn't that we make them. It's how much you learn from them. That is what defines us as artists and as people.

Cassie's Contact info:
Website:: www.cassiejonesphotography.net

Blog:: www.cassiejonesphotographyblog.net
Facebook::http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cassie-Jones-Photography/92514851329
Email:: cassie@cassiejonesphotography.net 

Go show her some love! :)

Spring + Goal Setting + You!

Spring is here! I had built up quite a close relationship with my favorite blue sweater, but it's time to pack it up and bring back the flip flops! YAY!

For most, this beautiful time of year means Spring Cleaning. Since I got that out of the way while I was stuck inside during our random ice storm, I feel ahead of the game.
So, I've been spending some time breaking out the pen and paper to write down new goals for me as well as my business. I think there is serious power in actually writing down your goals and keeping it somewhere you will be reminded every day of what you are working toward-what you are getting out of bed for.

Now that I've completed that task, it's on to celebrating YOU!
This time of year is my second favorite time of the year for Portrait Sessions because it's so great to get out and spend time with happy people after so many dreary days!
This is the time of year when it feels like holidays come in a clump. You have Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and on top of all that...you have graduation. While these are all amazing things, it usually leaves us all wondering what unique gifts to give our loved ones to celebrate.
Well, I'm here to help you out with that. Whether you book a session and give prints and art products as gifts, or if you give the gift of a Portrait Session, it will definitely be a gift that will mean a lot.

Happy Spring, everyone!

~Alisha

Dreams + Contests

I've been neglecting my poor blog lately, and for that, I am very sorry. I feel I have a nice little story to make up for it.

I first experienced Imaging USA, January 2010, in good old Nashville, TN. It was my very first trip to Nashville, which was in itself super exciting for this music lover!
Beyond the lights on the water, the beautiful snow, and the music in every inch of downtown, was the larger-than-life expo. Everywhere I walked, there were super helpful people ready to answer all of my many, many questions about everything from camera equipment to frames.

As I wondered around like a kid in a candy store, I saw PPA's (Professional Photographer Magazine) booth. It was like a magnet drawing me in. From the first time I ever picked up their incredible magazine, I knew there was just something special about it.
Every time I got my hands on a new issue, I would devour it within minutes. It's such a positive, real life magazine! So, I went over and talked to them, and the lady was SUPER sweet! She signed me up for my very own subscription, and then I had my "duh" moment. They are located right here in Atlanta! Shows how much I knew, I guess.

With the Smugmug crew at the Expo! (Jerry Roek) Photo credit belongs to them. :)

Just to give you an idea of how much I love this magazine, when fellow photographer friend, Cassie Jones, featured me in her blog post-"Internet Friends"-I was so excited because it was the closest I'd come to being like all the photographers I read about each month in the Professional Photographer Magazine. To our surprise, the one person who inevitably brought us together, THE Jasmine Star, (since we both fell so much in love with her Showit site that we just HAD to have one, too) actually commented on the blog post! It was so awesome to have someone else to share the sheer excitement! Usually, I'm all excited and everyone else is staring at me like, "What's the big deal?"

Well, each year, that magazine has a Cover Contest. I entered last year, but never really told anyone. haha!

Today, I got the email about entering-so I immediately chose one of my favorite shots from Kerri's Senior Session last weekend, and entered.
Just the thought of having one of my photos in this magazine would make me shed tears of joy and jump around like a 13-year-old, but a chance at the cover is a dream!
So, this time, I would be honored if you would go cast your vote for my photo!
The plus side to this...YOU COULD WIN AN ipad 2!

Here's the link:
http://www.ppmag.com/cover-contest-2011/vote/107/

If you could pass this pretty little link to your friends, that would make my day!
THANK YOU SO MUCH in advance!

~Alisha