The MIL Finishers

Recently I attended my first company softball game to cheer on the MIL Finishers. Our company’s softball team is something new that just started this year and thus far, hasn’t gotten a lot of attention. They had only played two games previously and lost both; it was time for this team to get their spirits up and get a cheering section going.
When I got there I was really excited to see a lot of the player’s families there in support! I really had a great time watching my co-workers come together as a real softball team and WIN their first game!
From a photography standpoint, I have a whole new respect for sports photographers. Holy cow, is it hard. Sports photography is the culmination of so many difficult photographic situations into one. Let’s see….there is very low light, fast action, and long distance. This proved to be a tad overwhelming for the level of equipment that I have, despite the fact I broke out the rarely used monopod for help to steady my shots at such a long shutter speed. I knocked my ISO way down, opened up the aperture…still, had a very tough time. Many many shots came up blurred in action and very grainy, but I still had fun experimenting and learning. At least the team photo before the game came out great!

More images from the game are available as a slideshow here:
http://mtsphotography.zenfolio.com/finishers/slideshow

Cutting Edge Equine Veterinary Photo Shoot

Recently I had the opportunity arise to take photos for the upcoming website of Nicky Wessel DVM and the Cutting Edge Equine Veterinary practice. Dr. Wessel needed a variety of shots of herself "in action" performing various examination techniques, images of her veterinary practice on wheels, diagnostic equipment, etc. Once their new website is up and running, I will make sure to post the link so everyone can see all of the images I took!
We had perfect weather - a beautiful sunny morning, and thankfully, Dr. Wessel didn't have any last minute equine emergencies to attend to. Not only did we get to do the photo shoot, but were rewarded for our hard work with her wonderful homemade rhubarb coffee cake (sooo yummy!)
My goal for this session was to try to capture Dr. Wessel's compassion and caring nature when it comes to the equines she cares for. She really gets personally involved with each horse and will got the extra mile to ensure your horse gets the care it deserves. Her "right hand" Leslie Beeftink, assists with every aspect of the practice and can always be counted on to be there when Dr. Wessel needs an extra hand or two (plus she owns a draft horse so she gets big points in my book). These two ladies are quite a team and I hope I was able to capture their devotion to the health and welfare of the equines they care for.

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If someone emails me at mandy.soulnerd@gmail.com and correctly identifies all three horses from these photos, they will win a free 4 X 6 image of their choice from any gallery or image I have taken! And no, Dr. Wessel and Leslie, you can't enter to win :)

Beauty and the Blonde

I recently had the opportunity for a photo session with Marissa (beauty) and her horse, Bondir (the Blonde). Marissa also included a special part of her life in her photo session - her Oboe. Marissa has a gift - her Oboe playing is outstanding. She has played across Europe, and even for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra! Putting her two loves together into one photo session was a truly unique experience. Marissa is as easy-going and down to earth as they come, despite her amazing gift of music and the fact that she is riding at the Prix St. George level in dressage! Even her crazy puppy Dylan had to get in for a couple of pictures.
Below is a sampling of some of my favorites from our time together, I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I did taking them!

Erin & Taylor

Today I was lucky to have two lovely ladies to photograph at a local forest preserve. Erin & Taylor live across the street from each other and have been BFF's since grade school. If you don't already know Erin, she is also an aspiring photographer and we both frequently pick Violet's brain for information, training, and advice. We were both inspired by Violet's recent homework assignment of portrait photography, and decided to jump in and see what we could do on our own.
Mother nature didn't quite cooperate with the idea of working with various lighting (full light, side light, shade, etc.) as it was pretty overcast. I was bummed at first, but then I remembered that bulky lump at the bottom of my gear bag was my Nikon speedlight and (gulp) maybe I should dust the cobwebs off it and actually use it. Fill-flash education in lieu of mother nature's sunlight!
Erin and I both took some shots of Taylor -the many faces of Taylor - and then I decided to pull Erin out from behind her camera and get some pictures of her, too. Once she got over her initial shock of being out from behind the lens, she warmed right up and was a great model!
I noticed a few things during this photo session I need to keep in mind for the future. First, don't let it get you down when the location and/or weather doesn't cooperate - just go to Plan B. Second, make sure you have a plan B, hahaha. I also learned I need to be just a bit more vocal (sit here, look up, etc.) Also, I kept up conversation with both girls as I shot pics, and noticed that the more they joked and laughed, they relaxed, and then the photos were easy to take....here is a sneak peek of a couple.....check the rest out at www.mtsphotography.zenfolio.com
I'm looking forward to photographing these ladies again soon when they are all glammed up for Homecoming!

The Secret is Out!

I've been keeping something fun under wraps for as long as I could....but I just can't do it anymore!
I am very excited to announce the launch of the official MTS Photography website for viewing proofs and ordering prints! I've been researching and checking out different websites, and finally settled on one I think will work for me without breaking the bank but still offers creativity and flexibility in how I can showcase my work. In addition, you are able to pay for prints right online using the safety and security of Paypal! There are many great features including slideshows for you to view my galleries.
This is still a work in progress - but I just couldn't keep it to myself any longer! Eventually, this will be built into/integrated into a future MTS Photography website - one step at a time, I will get there.
Stop by and check it out:

www.mtsphotography.zenfolio.com