Before and After

I rarely do before and after reveals. I never like to share my work when it's not "perfect". I never thought of myself as 'Type A' but I am. I'll embrace it now that I've come to the realization. If it's not to my standards, you won't see it. Simple as that. Maybe it's an artist thing? Maybe it's just me? Either way, the struggle is real over here!

In order to break my routine and reach out to help other aspiring photographers, it just has to happen. I must show where my work begins and where it ends.

All of the following images were shot in RAW format. When people hear 'RAW', they typically think this just means the original shot out of the camera before editing. This is not the case. RAW is a specific file type, just like a jpeg, pdf, or gif. When shooting in RAW, an entirely new world of possibilities opens up in editing. To me, it is the difference between molding Play-doh that has sat out over night and molding a fresh, brand new can. If you are wanting more detail on this, please hit up Google. You'll find an endless amount of info written by people who can explain it much better than I can!

I only edit in Lightroom. I own Photoshop, but never touch it. Never. I have no need to use it. I strive to perfect my images in camera (Type A, remember?), and then do simple, soft edits in Lightroom (and sometimes a little booger and drool removal).

Over the years, I have created several one-click presets, as well as a handful of brushes. These tools help me work quickly and efficiently, as well as set my work apart from every other photographer's work. Eventually, I will bundle all of these presets and brushes and sell them to beginning photographers. You'll be the first to know when that day arrives! Until then, enjoy! And please feel free to ask questions!

Cheers!

SOOC RAW - One Click Color Edit - One Click B&W Matte Edit

SOOC RAW - One Click Color Edit + Spring Brush - One Click B&W Matte Edit

SOOC RAW - One Click Color Edit + Soft Matte Brush - One Click B&W Matte Edit

SOOC RAW - One Click Color Edit + Spring Brush + Sunset Brush - One Click B&W Matte Edit

SOOC RAW - One Click Color Edit + Sunset Brush - One Click B&W Matte Edit

SOOC RAW - One Click Color Edit + Spring Brush + Sunset Brush - One Click B&W Matte Edit

-XX-

Megan

Passion is Energy

Here we are again. February. The shortest month. My most boring month. The do nothing, long, cold, blustery Kentucky days of February. Well, I guess there's Valentine's Day. That's a pretty good day. But all of the other days are usually big, blah, boo days. Until this February. TWOTHOUSANDTHIRTEENFEBRUARY. You, are rockin' it for me this time.

The first weekend of February 2013 brought me three shoots. Three completely different shoots. The first, a massive art show event. MASSIVE. And gorgeous. Gorgeous like I've never seen, gorgeous. In a venue that I am so deeply in love with now, I actually sent my hubby a text containing the sentence "Can we get married again and have our wedding here?" So many shiny happy people coming together to raise funds for the education of children. Not just for their education, but for a program that I am equally in love with. The school I was fortunate enough to spend my last high school years in. The school of thought. St. Francis.

Next up on my February 2013 line up was a spur of the moment, semi-unplanned, throw together quickly engagement session. Well, okay, it was planned. But not for this date. Not any date, really. Just an outstanding appointment marked "When it snows". And it snowed! It snowed 2 days in a row, actually, leaving a perfect, soft white blanket around the city. You know how sometimes snow gets that nasty, brown, sludgy, mud tinge? Well, there was none of that. Just white. Beautiful, quiet, white snow. Oh, and hot chocolate. And a beagle. And this sweet, sweet couple who are set to wed in September of this powerful year.

And to complete my first weekend in February, I got to skip, jump, run, and make silly faces. This, my friends, is where I feel the most like myself. On the floor, crossing my eyes, playing peek-a-boo, and laughing with a goofy two year old. This particular two year old just happens to be my first newborn session newbie. She's also my cousin's little lady, so the fact that she's got my genes and stuff just makes it that much more fun! And while she attempts for 10 seconds to act shy, she just can't hide her silly side---Much like myself :)

 So what I'm leading up to here in my enormous review of my weekend is this:

While I am trying my hardest to focus on one aspect of my work, I just can't yet. I have had one of THE BEST weekends ever with my camera. And I'm not ready to give up on the mega events. Or the couple falling madly in love in front of my lens. Or the silliest clients ever. They are all a piece of me and a piece of my work. My passion.

"Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you." 
- Oprah Winfrey

Trial Run?

While I have written briefly on my blog about my absolute FAVORITE Parent's Day Out program before, I am now dedicating an entire post to them. Bethel St. Paul's Baby Break Program has been a home away from home to my own children for five years now.

I was recently offered an amazing opportunity in working with the children of the PDO and Pre-K programs. It was sort of a trial run in the great race of photography. A trial run that became more than just a trial. It was AWESOME!! For starters, I hold all of these children in a special place in my heart, as I have watched many of them and their siblings grow over the years. I know all of them by name, and they know me as well. It's comfortable. So to them, I'm not just any crazy lady jumping up and down behind a camera. I'm that crazy lady, Miss Megan, jumping up and down behind the camera.

I had BIG plans for my first Boutique School Portraiture experience. Here were my main goals (and only goals, really):

1)  Create an atmosphere that was neither normal or standard for school pictures.

2)  Have fun and laugh a lot.

3)  Be able to give back to the Baby Break Program in a monetary donation from Megan Hile Photography based on the sales of the images.

4)  Laugh a lot and have fun.


Since I was able to meet ALL of my goals for my trial run, I will now be doing it again!! So I am officially announcing one more chapter to my quickly growing business: 

Megan Hile Photography: 

Boutique School Portraiture