The Lenkowski's {Family}

Kevin and I have been long overdue for updated professional and family portraits and we knew we wanted fun, dramatic images that matched our personal photography style.

<...Enter Jill Lenkowski...owner and extremely talented photographer of Two Ring Photography based in Williamston, Michigan...>

We met Jill over a year and a half ago a the Lansing MWEP (Michigan Wedding and Event Professionals) networking group and have gotten to know her better at other various networking events throughout the year.  We just love her drama, zest and love of all things beautiful she portrays in her photography.  She is talented in the use of natural light, but she also is a mean off-camera flash (OCF) operator!  We specifically wanted to use OCF for our portraits, so we were so glad that we could exchange professional services with Jill.

This past weekend was the first time we met Jill's husband and two girls, and we absolutely loved hanging out with them and getting to know them.  Not only was it fun working for and with each other, it was also great just hanging out, eating pizza and swapping stories.  Everything went so beautifully that we already have another date planned to hang out and enjoy breadsticks at Tomato Bros. in Howell.  We can't wait!

In the meantime, be sure to check out these teasers images from our evening with the Lenkowski's.  They have a stylish, fun and loving family, and we hope that we were able to capture just a little bit of this busy, energetic and lively time in their lives.  Children grow and change so fast - hold on to and cherish your memories forever.

~ Kevin & Heather

Exciting news - we need you!

There comes an exciting time in every growing business - a time to expand and a time to add.  A time that can be scary and nerve racking, but also a time that can be absolutely joyous.  A time worth celebrating something exciting, while all the while being terrified ... you know, that moment of trepidation where you relinquish authority and responsibility to another individual.  :)

Yes, we have reached the point in our business where we know we can't continue at the pace we're going without loosing our sanity, our family life, or our beauty sleep (and of course we DON'T want that, lol). We have come to realize that it is time to take on our FIRST OFFICIAL ASSISTANT!!! Yes, that's right - WE NEED YOU!

We are looking to add a contract office assistant/part-time editor to our team.  The job would require about 10 - 15 hours a week in our office (Howell, MI), with room for more hours as knowledge and ability increases.  Organizational skills and self-motivation is a must.  Knowledge of Microsoft Office and the Internet is a must.  Knowledge of Lightroom and Photoshop preferred, but we are willing to train.  The position will require training in our Studio Management Software, Pixifi.  Photography knowledge not required.  We are looking for someone who is above all trustworthy, organized and motivated.

This is a paid position that also includes the bonus of one-on-one time with Kevin and Heather, with the potential to learn unlimited first hand business and photography knowledge.

Scheduling is flexible and there will be seasonal busy and slow times.

If you are interested, or know someone that could be, please contact us right away - we can't wait to start the interview process!  Our email is info@ignitedphotography.com.  Our phone number is 248.670.6346.  We'd love to hear from YOU!

~ Kevin & Heather

Wedding Mentorship with Johnny Waller {Teaching}

Last week we had the amazing opportunity to work with Johnny and Amber Waller (of Johnny Waller Productions) in our very first wedding mentorship program.  Johnny is an extremely talented videographer, and also a talented photographer, but he had never photographed a wedding before.  Weddings are a HUGE deal, so he asked Kevin and I if we would mentor him through his first wedding experience.  Kevin and I have mentored photographers before, but this was our first on-the-job wedding mentor experience, and it was a great success!

We met with Johnny beforehand and talked through the wedding day, details to be prepared for, and strategies for achieving the best images.  Then, on the day of the wedding, we were Johnny's wingmen and resource for all things wedding.  We second shot with him, but he took the starring role as lead photographer with his clients.  We were there for reassurance, guidance, comfort, and coverage.  We were there for technical assistance, posing suggestions and troubleshooting.  Basically, we were there to try and make Johnny's wedding as relaxing as possible for Johnny and the bride and groom.We absolutely love Johnny and his beautiful bride, Amber, and appreciate them asking us along to their wedding at the gorgeous Planterra.  Check out the image below that Johnny shot of Michael and Sarah before the ceremony.  Man, we love his style!  :)

If you are a photographer (or if you know a photographer) that would like more information on our mentorship programs, please contact us at info@ignitedphotography.com or 248.670.6346.  Our programs are custom designed to the needs of our photographers.  Email or call us today.

~ Kevin & Heather

Destination Florida - Eads Wedding / Julie Story

As you may have heard, we recently had the awesome opportunity to travel down to Florida on what we are considering our first destination wedding.  We've had a few Midwest 'destination' weddings that were quite a good distance but still drivable.   Clearwater, Florida may "technically" be drivable, but we chose the easy way out and flew.  LOL

Our connection to this wedding was a fellow photographer who happened to be best friends with the groom and was thus chosen to be the Best Maid.  Her name is Julie Story and we met her through a professional photography message board we are actively a part of, called Showiteers (a networking group associated with the website design program SHOWIT).  Back in late Spring she posted that she was looking for a photographer from our group to be the photographer for Ricky and Leann's wedding when she was unable to photograph because of her wedding responsibilities.  A large number of photographers responded and Julie narrowed down the group to her top 5 favorites.  Ricky and Leann then took those 5, looked at them all independently and came back together with their favorite.  Lucky us - they both chose us first!

We had an amazing time there staying with Julie Story.  She was an absolute riot to hang out with and a branding/marketing/social media genius!  We already knew she was gifted in these areas, but after hanging out with her for a weekend, our own business outlook was inspired, adjusted and re-energized!  If you own your own business it is DEFINITELY worth getting to know her for all aspects of branding and marketing.  Just make sure you tell her that Kevin and Heather sent you!

 

Below is a short, high-speed video we shot of our trip.  We would have loved to have shot more footage while we were in Clearwater, but we got so caught up in the busyness, business and fun of it that we forgot to turn on the GoPro video camera.  Oops!  :)

(Caution - you might need to take some motion-sickness medicine before you watch this)  LOL

Check back in soon for a few teasers from Ricky and Leann's big day! 

~ Kevin & Heather

September PUG: ignited Studio Spotlight

Last week we were given the amazing opportunity to share with other local professional photographers at the September PUG (Pictage Users Group) in Dearborn, MI.  What an incredible experience!  The evening included a studio spotlight where we shared about our photography, business and lighting style - complete with a live photo shoot and strobe lighting demonstration.  Because we wanted to get the right "look" straight out of the camera, we hired Griselda Uvario, our gorgeous professional model, to nail the poses and style of our images.  ::LOVE those dimples!::

We had so much fun with our fellow photographers and loved being open and instructive on how to incorporate strobe lighting in specific portrait and wedding photography.  We are so blessed to be surrounded by such an amazing group of photographers and are glad to call them friends!

One of the things we shared with the PUG attendees was how to capture a great image straight-out-of-camera (SOOC) with the very first shot.  The image above was captured with a single strobe light and has no image correction or photoshoping done to it.  All images below are the same:

One amazing group of photogs:And of course, no night would be complete without a few out-takes (you just can't take photographers too seriously, we sure don't...lol).  Top image:  Griselda Uvario and Kristina Sikora.  Bottom image: (back L to R) Eric Boehm, Jim Shields, Joel Hernadez, Sue, Chris (front L to R) Nemo, Danielle Murphy, Shaleena Cole, Julie Paszczykowski, Kristina Sikora, Heather and Kevin Autry.

A BIG thank you to our fearless leader, Kristina Sikora, for coordinating such a great evening and for working so hard on each and every PUG meeting!

~ Kevin & Heather