Elaine Ward Photography

Sisters

2010-08-01T23:44:00.000-06:00

These girls used to belong to my youth group until they moved. They are truly beautiful young women. And it's been fun to see them grow.

Yellowstone

2010-07-30T23:36:00.000-06:00

My parents came up to visit this summer and we headed up to Yellowstone for a week of camping. It was so much fun and Yellowstone is truly beautiful. The colors there were AMAZING and comploetely breath taking. I could have spent all day there taking pictures.

Molly {6 months}

2010-07-16T12:55:00.007-06:00

Well, I got to meet with Mama Perry again to take pictures of beautiful Molly. She is getting so big! I fell in love with just about every image I took, some literally took my breath away. And that's saying something. Yes there are pictures from session that I love, but very rarely do they make my heart stop. Daddy Perry is leaving over seas next week and I wanted to get the pictures done ASAP so Mama could send some with him. I've said this before, but it's totally true: it has really been an honor to take these pictures for daddy while he is away.

Welcome

2010-07-09T12:06:00.005-06:00

Idaho Driving School!

Elaine Ward Photography is proud to be offering a special promotion to all currently enrolled students and their families called the "Silver Key Discount." Students can save 30% on either our Senior or BFF Session and families can save 20% on our Family Session.

I will also be shooting at the parent meetings at Fastlane. Images will be uploaded to a password protected gallery and available for purchase.

Family

2010-06-11T19:38:00.006-06:00

The beautiful Fenn/Horn/Miller family. It was such a pleasure meeting them and being around them. They definitely brought a lot of personality and laughter to their session. Plus, they treated me to lunch-how can you not love them! :)

Kaisa and the boys

2010-05-28T23:50:00.001-06:00

I first met Kaisa back in 2005, shortly after I got married. My husband had informed me that he knew her from his college days and I will honestly admit I was highly insecure around her. She is GORGEOUS!!!

Kaisa is so sweet and I enjoyed spending time with her and her adorable boys.

Hope you enjoy your preview Kaisa.

Click here to view the whole session and order prints.

Molly {3 Months}

2010-04-23T12:19:00.006-06:00

Remember this family post? Well, I let mom know that I would be privileged to take sweet Molly's pictures to chronicle her first year of life. To keep it as much of a surprise as possible, I won't be posting a link to the full shoot. Sorry :(. We have to keep dad somewhat surprised, right?

I can't decide which one I like better-
This:

OR
This:

Thank you for serving our country Dad Perry. May you return safely.

3 Months

2010-04-16T12:36:00.007-06:00

I can't believe it's been three months since I took Malaya's newborn shots! It's amazing to me how babies can change in such a short period of time. I used to think she looked like her younger brother, but now I think she's the perfect blend of both. So cute!

To view the whole session and order prints CLICK HERE.

Perry Family

2010-03-27T21:41:00.007-06:00

Daddy is getting ready to head to Afghanistan and the family wanted to get some pictures before he left. It was my privilege to do these for them. Dad is going to miss the first year of his sweet baby girls life, so Mom and I have a surprise in store for him. Be safe and thank you for fighting for our freedom.

Click Here to view and order prints.

Just Dance!

2010-02-27T12:14:00.002-07:00

This picture was taken at my 10 year high school reunion. This was a fellow classmate busting a move during the dance. I took a lot of pictures of him as he just grooved to the music. I love how the image appears almost ghost like.

Mischief

2010-02-17T11:02:00.003-07:00

I love this little girl like she's my own. I was looking through some old pictures and this made me laugh. I know that look. I've seen it many times before. This is a look of: "I know I probably shouldn't do this, but. . ."

*Sigh* Kids. They do the darnedest things.

2010-02-15T22:12:00.007-07:00

What I'm looking for:

Guy or Girl graduating from high school (Ada or Canyon County) in 2011.
Out going, fun and comfortable in front of the camera.
One rep per high school.

How it works:

After your session with Elaine Ward Photography, you promote us! You will be given 60 referral cards to hand out to your friends.
You will be featured on Elaine Ward Photography blog as our Senior Rep.
For every friend that schedules and purchases a Senior Session (even the BFF Session), you can get $10 cash or $15 in print credits.

If you or someone your know is interested in becoming a Senior Rep or if you have any questions, Contact me today!

Think Pink

2010-02-15T13:44:00.007-07:00

Elaine Ward Photography is excited to announce a partnership with Think Pink Photography. Think Pink Photography was founded in October 2007 to support individuals and their families who have been touched by breast cancer. We are a charitable organization that serves two main purposes – celebrating life and supporting the cause.

Through our professional photographer network, we are helping breast cancer patients to celebrate life with charitable photography sessions. Individuals may choose to document their fight against the disease before or during treatment, or prefer to capture their victory by scheduling a session within 12 months after treatment is completed. Photographers world-wide are now available to donate time and talent to celebrate life and support the cause. There is no cost or obligation to the breast cancer patient. Clients participating in a Think Pink Session will receive a complimentary photo session, as well as a set of 10 small prints from the session. They will also receive a discount on any additional portraits they wish to purchase, although there is absolutely no purchase required at any time.

To support the cause, we have partnered with The Eric R. Beverly Family Foundation. All funds generated through donations and various fundraising efforts are paid directly to The Eric R. Beverly Family Foundation. As a 3-time breast cancer survivor, Danielle Beverly and her husband Eric joined together to form a foundation dedicated to promoting education, increasing awareness, and providing support and resources for families who have been touched by breast cancer.

Please subscribe to our blog (on the Think Pink website) and tell your friends and family about Think Pink Photography. Awareness is everything and we can’t be successful without you.

I encourage you to view our website, make a donation, or hire a photographer that supports Think Pink Photography! If you hire me, mention Think Pink and I will make a personal donation to the organization. If you, or someone you know, would like to schedule a Think Pink session, please contact me for details.

I am very proud to be a network photographer with Think Pink Photography, and am anxious to get the word out about this amazing program. For more information, you can contact me, or you can visit the Think Pink Photography website at:
http://www.thinkpinkphotography.org

Youth Talent Show

2010-02-03T21:00:00.001-07:00

One of the recent activities for the youth group was a talent show. This girl played the guitar and she was AWESOME! She's only 12 and her fingers just flew over the strings. I'm so lucky to work with these amazing youth.

Phelps Family: Night Life

2010-01-30T23:00:00.003-07:00

Audra and Keith were brave enough to head down town in the chilly weather (it snowed a little while before the shoot). But these pictures were totally worth it. Audra ROCKED it! CLICK HERE to view and order prints from this seession.

Sledding

2010-01-18T21:00:00.001-07:00

I work with the youth of my church and on MLK Day we took them sledding. The kids had a blast, but this series of pictures was my all time favorite.

Malaya June

2010-01-14T20:46:00.002-07:00

This is Emily's sweet baby girl and her big brothers. You can tell how much the boys love their little sister-they wanted to be right next to her and just give her all their love and attention. I'll be following Malaya in her first year in life and I'm so excited! CLICK HERE to view the whole session and order prints.

My second love

2010-01-12T14:45:00.006-07:00

* Sigh * The Oregon Coast-my second love! This year we'll be making two trips there. I'm so excited. It seems only at the coast am I able to clear my head, relax and get re-energized for life. I can't wait!

Intensity

2010-01-09T14:55:00.006-07:00

My husband and I (okay, more so me) are BIG Boise State Bronco fans. Some friends of ours were generous enough to share some of their season tickets with us. Who are we to say no?! ;) Though it was FREEZING at the few games we were able to make it to, I managed to snag a few pictures. This was probably my favorite. Look at that intensity. . .and this was just warm-ups. Go Kyle Wilson!

Emily

2010-01-09T11:58:00.006-07:00

Emily is my best friend and with her other two pregnancies I BEGGED her to let me do a maternity shoot and she wouldn't. When I found out her next bundle of joy was going to be a sweet baby girl, I told her she had no choice. Ha ha. The pictures turned out beautifully. Now I can't wait to meet the sweet little girl.

Nicholes Family-Indoor

2009-12-11T18:40:00.008-07:00

The Nicholes Family came to the studio for some indoor pictures and big brother was much happier, but poor baby boy was sick. :( Overall a FANTASTIC shoot.

Nicholes Family-Outdoor

2009-11-21T08:09:00.014-07:00

A couple of days after we scheduled the shoot we heard it was going to snow. But we decided to play it by ear. The morning of, mom and dad wanted to tough it out. Big sister was a trooper and big brother was super sad. We did what we could but bad day to not have my assistant (aka my hubby), struggling with tripods and jackets and getting kids happy was a little hard. Can you believe that this was the very first family that I EVER shot-when I was shooting film-crazy! Thanks Nicholes family.

Ms. Brittany

2009-11-21T08:07:00.009-07:00

I work(ed) with her mom and the first time I met Brittany I told her mom that I just HAD to take her pictures because she was so incredibly gorgeous. I asked her if she had ever seen America's Next Top Model and she said "No." I told her that Tyra would be proud because she totally had the SMIZE down!

More Helpful Advice

2009-10-27T12:23:00.005-06:00

Mr. Canlas has done it again. He provided another link to a fabulous article from the blog PhotoDino.

In the article, Cheryl Jacobs Nicolai (CJ) has entitled Advice, she lists what she calls "What Every Aspiring Photographer Should Know," though she believes her advice can be related to all jobs (I totally agree). I'm going to hit on a few of her points:

1. Style is a voice, not a prop or an action. If you can buy it, borrow it, download it, or steal it, it is not a style. Don't look outward for your style; look inward. I LOVE this! It seems that too many photographers layer their photos with actions and have a prop or two but my question is why? I know, I know I had little girls in tutus in my last shot, but that was mostly a "prize" for good behavior ;). If parents want to bring certain props-go for it! The photo is about you. Capture your personalities. And far as actions go, if you've read the About Me section then you know how I feel. Actions will be out of style at one point and then that picture will be dated. Not timeless like is should be.

2. Learn to say "I'm a photographer" out loud with a straight face. If you can't say it and believe it, you can't expect anyone else to either. This is something I struggle with. It seems my husband believes it more than I do. He is always telling people that I'm a photographer and I'm really good and they should have me take their pictures. I often roll my eyes when he does this and ask: "Why did you tell them that?!" Being a photographer, as with anything else, takes confidence. Like CJ says, if you don't believe it than no one else will. I'm working on it.

3. Remember that if your work looks like everyone else's, there's no reason for a client to book you instead of someone else. Unless your cheaper. And nobody wants to be known as the "cheap photographer." It's hard to stand out, especially when it seems a lot of photographers have the same look or style. I fear that if I'm not like everyone else and following trends that no one will want me. I have learned that is not the case.

4. Gimmicks and merchandise will come and go, but honest photography is never outdated. See numbers 1 & 3.

5. Never compare your journey with someone else's. It's a marathon with no finish line. Someone else may start out faster than you, may seem to progress more quickly than you, but every runner has his own pace. Your journey is your journey, not a competition. You will never "arrive." No one ever does. I am guilty of this. I constantly compare: my journey. My work. I like the friendly reminder CJ gives me and bring me back to Zack Arias's video Transformation.

Howards 2009

2009-10-25T16:11:00.006-06:00

I have been taking this family's pictures since 2006. That's when I was only shooting film-wow! It's been wonderful to see this family grow. Especially their oldest daughter. Enjoy.

Transformation

2009-08-21T21:02:00.002-06:00

by Zack Arias
I stumbled upon this video after be referring to another video. This man is an amazing photographer and his words are profound. A true artist. He is able to effectively communicate emotion. Watch the video, it captures how I often feel.

Sometimes I think it's so easy to get lost in everything. You know where you want to be, but you're just not getting there. You think you're getting everything done that you need but you're not. You wonder if you really are who you want to be. This journey of becoming a photographer has been a long one. I've had to squeeze it in between my "regular" job and I've had to develop my voice. I've had to develop who I want to be as a photographer. I'm still deciding who I want to be. I'm still trying to find my voice. I constantly compare. I constantly wonder if I will ever bee good enough. I've come to realize that this journey is far from over and I won't get everything figured out as soon as I would like, but I'll make it. I'll get there. I will find my voice. And the transformation will be wonderful.

Phelps Family

2009-08-21T17:18:00.009-06:00

2009-08-17T17:22:00.004-06:00

Without this man, none of this could have happened.

Edvalson: At the Park

2009-08-02T22:22:00.005-06:00

Edvalson: In the Studio

2009-06-16T22:26:00.011-06:00

Mom was a little late getting back to me to get her baby girl in, but the pictures still turned out cute. Big brothers came along too. It was so cute watching the youngest brother trying to get baby girl to smile. He would repeat everything I said. The boys totally brought their personalities-and energy!

Woodbury Family

2009-02-07T21:35:00.004-07:00

My friends Jason and Sarah had their baby boy and I was more than happy to take some pictures of their new family.

Hillary's Maternity

2008-11-28T15:06:00.004-07:00

Hillary was near the end of her pregnancy and she let me do some maternity shots for her. I only hope I can look this good when I'm pregnant. Thanks Hillary!

Clayton Wedding

2008-05-10T22:11:00.002-06:00

The big day! Ashleigh and Brent looked so happy. The best part? An outdoor country reception. Totally low key-I loved it!

Ashleigh's Bridal Pictures

2008-05-02T21:46:00.005-06:00

I took Ashleigh's bridals pictures one week before the wedding. I loved her dress it was totally different. Her mother told me that when Ashleigh was younger she would always say that she wanted to get married in a suit. So, when she was dress shopping she found this and fell in love with it.

Brent & Ashleigh

2008-05-02T20:34:00.003-06:00

I work with Brent and when he asked me to take their pictures (or I may have asked him-hehe) I was super excited. These two are crazy in love! They were a little shy at first, but the totally opened up at the end. The river? Totally they're idea.

Peterson Family

2008-04-10T21:39:00.005-06:00

I had such a fun time shooting this family. Their oldest son, was a little difficult but he seemed to ease up as soon as he got a couple of sticks in his hand.

Chris & Sara

2008-04-01T09:30:00.003-06:00

I wanted to try out some wedding shots and my friend Sarah jumped at the opportunity (since they were disappointed with their wedding pictures). They were so much fun and up for anything, which totally made my job easier.