Audrey Woulard...the BLOG

Two For Two!

Well, workshop #2 for 2007 ended yesterday...and I always say I am not going to blog about it right away...but I can't help it.. (again!)  I enjoyed each and every one of you all..and you girls (and guys...can't forget Devon!) kept me on my toes.  It was a blast!  The last few one on one meetings didn't wrap up until almost 9pm yesterday!  Thanks to all 15 people who came down.  I keep learning new things about myself with each workshop...so I hope you all learn as much from me, as I learn from you all!

Well the little subjects who I photographed this time around were 2yrs and younger...and were absolutely perfect!  A little certain someone whose name starts with "L" told me that one the mom of one of the two yr old's was checking my blog daily..hoping for a sneak peek!

 

 

On Tuesday, we went outside to work on shooting in midday in full sun with no shade...and I also used this time to show how I take group shots with apertures under 2.0...

Rebecca was starting to take how big her lens was way.to.seriously......

Then Monica began telling us how she swears she hears voices from her camera...

The decided to smile..and nod..so that they wouldn't come off as rude..

...ok.. Im just kidding! (..although I do think Rebecca WAS trying to give us all lens envy.. haha!)

Well we ended that little segment with me showing them My Alley™  I was leading them in the alley..and I turn around and saw a few people trying to sneak pictures of me.. so I told them to keep on..and I took one of them... (notice the few in the back "chimping"..)

Thanks again to you all!

On a different note... I know there were a lot of calls/emails that came in on Monday and Tuesday.  I started to return some messages today...and I should have all messages returned by tomorrow.

Until next time...

~A

8 month boy/girl twins...

This is the first time I've photographed them...

How did they know to give me the AW™ look!?  haha! ...and at THEIR age!?

..before the emails start to pour in.. the ™ on the "AW look" is a bit of an insider joke! I will have more to share of these cuties in the next few weeks!

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On a side note...we had the Ford open call on Saturday at the loft...and 215 kids/families came!?  WOW! I'm speechless.  It was fun seeing all the cute kids come in...and even better seeing a lot of my clients, and clients who stopped in who have appointments booked later in 2007 that I haven't met previously as well.  It was great meeting you all!  Thanks for all the positive feedback on my loft!

I hope to do more events this year.  Thank you all for coming!

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On another side note... I will be out of the office on 5/14 -5/19.  I will be in San Francisco shooting Pottery Barn Kids...then having my May workshop.  Weekend session are booked through July.  I hope to put my available dates on my blog very soon.

Until Next Time,

~A

Congrats B!

Its fun to see what my clients are up to after I photograph them.  So many of my portrait clients have gone onto modeling for one reason or another.

I photographed "B" last summer...she was a riot...seriously!  She kept me on my toes...

Well...she is modeling now...and it was very cool to see THIS at Barnes and Noble...

So here is my congrats (well.. my public congrats..since you and your mom were at the loft recently and I said it then too!) to you!!

~A

All it takes is a kid...

      Recently I was emailed by a Dad of an 11yo.  He wanted to get new images of his daughter...but the kicker to it all...was that they lived in out of state and they were going to book a flight based on my immediate availability.

OK..umm.. pressure?  I've had people fly to me..but never has their been a sense of urgency.

Yes..this 11 year old was a model.  She spends her summers in New York photographing for big name companies like Limited II..and countless others.

Ok..umm...pressure?

Well I squeezed them in..and "P" and her mom showed up with a small suitcase...no comb..etc...but they had her portfolio from her last shoot with a photographer in NY.

Yes people.. I thought it was fabulous.  I told her mom this.  I loved them. I loved them so much that I immediately went to my office...got on the phone with her agent and said... "What do you want me to do different?  I really like her pictures!?!!?"  After  I got off the phone, I felt that I didn't have any real direction.  They knew she needed something different..but they weren't sure what...but they were certain I could do it.

Now mind you... I met her on the tail end of my 3rd quarter session frenzy.  So this is a 11 year old that brought me back to reality. (...kids tend to do this to you don't they!?) When I met her.. I was leaving for San Diego for Spring Break with my family in the next few days... so I didn't really *grasp* her personality.  She was my last session before spring break.

Let me tell you....the images I saw taken by the NY photog...breathtaking.  They were taking in a farm type atmosphere... I simply adored them.  So I kept thinking..

"Why was she referred to me!?!?  To FLY to me at that!???!?!?"

Ummm....pressure?

I confidently spewed off to her mom.. "oh you seemed so reserved... "  "You don't seem like the *laughing it up* type  kid"  People.. I was SOOOOO wrong.  Her mother probably thought I was an idiot.

Well.. we started the session..no holds barred..and I started to talk with her...observe her...and I saw a totally different side of "P". 

Then it made sense why she came to me.  Maybe this is a side of her that she doesn't show often?  I'm not sure...

She was SO outgoing.. grungy..playful...fast...quirky...all over the place...up for anything...We explored houses that were being built. (side note - If your home is being build behind the loft...sorry!)

Yes.. this was MY client! Its funny that others realized that before I did.  She was NOTHING like the images I originally saw of her.  If there was any child I could place in the most grungy atmosphere...it was HER!  Too bad she lived out of state! ha ha!!!

Meet "P"!  It was soooooooooooooo cold the day of her session. (...like 25 degrees)  We had to drive to the different spots that I wanted to capture her in. So this is her in my SUV as we trekked around Chicago...)

 

OK.. I could post images of her all day...

Until Next Time -

~A

Why on EARTH is this post so long?

Well...because things here have been a bit on the busy side!  As I kept having sessions...the number of clients I wanted to feature on my blog kept growing and growing (I still have more who I will feature who are not in this post..)..so I kept putting it off.

Im not sure what is going on.. but I've run into no less than 25 clients while out and about in Chicago lately!  There have been times where I've run into 4-5 at the same location.  There was one time when someone came up to me...after witnessing me hug so many people...and she asked "who are you!?" 

Well.. I only mention that because every single one of them has told me to update my blog.  The one that pushed me over the edge was one of my dear clients...Hilary. (Hi Hilary!).  I ran into Hilary with my younger 3 boys in tow (not many get a chance to meet my lil' rascals...)...with huge sunglasses on and a hat (hoping NOT to be recognized because I looked awful! haha!!)...shopping at my FAVORITE childrens boutique in the whole wide world...LMNOP..on Lincoln Ave. (I have absolutely no affilation with this boutique...they are simply one..if not THE best in the Chicagoland area..GREAT sales associates...great KIDS clothing..not mini adult clothing...this is where I personally shop for my own children.  So this isn't a sugar coated endorsement...) and she stated that she reads my blog regularly... and yes...I haven't updated.

So...here is what I've been up to. (...more to come!)

I loved this little girl. I have a special place in my heart for tweens.  The funny thing about this session was that her mom pulled me to the side and asked if her daughter was "difficult" because she was...well all over the place.  My eyes grew wide because, I could have photographed her the entire day!

Is it fair to look THIS good pregnant with twins?  My answer is NO!  I have so many hot images of this mom-to-be...but they are for her husband only!  When I was photographing her.. her husband said... "she looks great doesn't she?"  I said.. "yes.. she looks absolutely perfect.  I can't believe she is this far along with twins!" and he said.. "I know.. that is why I married her.."  :::sigh::: I joked that he needs to write a book.  It should be entitled... " How to compliment your wife"

More sessions....

I've gotten a LOT of babies booked that are between 7-9 months lately.  Im not sure why...but it is no secret that I adore babies, so maybe it has gotten around Chicago.  Not only do I love babies..but because of my Boxer baby boy..I **adore** dogs!  So this was one of many sessions that I like to think of as my favorites!

12 month old "P".  She loved the camera.  I would love to show more...but her parents haven't seen the images yet  they are just getting back from vacation..so this blog post will prompt them to call to let me know they've returned.  She was a doll!

More...

One of my FAVORITE family images.  This is so her life right now...and she and her husband both enjoy every single second of it, and I was honored to capture it.  The last time I saw these cuties...they were 2 weeks old!

Ok.. I will stop now!  This has been a very busy 1st quarter..and I wouldn't have it any other way!!

Lastly, I know how many people visit my blog, and I want to say thank you.  Thank you from the very bottom of my heart.  I had no idea that it would grow as big as it has so fast, and I appreciate each and every one of you!!

Until Next Time -

~A

Open Call...

More info to come soon...but mark your calenders... APRIL 21st!  (..sorry this entry is short...as I am still on vacation!)

**No Photographers Please!** Thank you!