Moms - come join me for the Photography 101 Workshop!

Our Beginner DSLR workshop will be held on March 30th. I am so very excited to share some of my knowledge with you and to get you on the right track to taking better everyday photos! All the information for class is below including what topics will be covered. There are 15 spots available and are first come first serve.

Beginner DSLR Workshop

Taught by Nena Metcalf of Nena Metcalf Photography


This workshop (lasting about 2 1/2 hours) is designed to get you and your DSLR more acquainted in a fun and relaxing atmosphere!

Did you buy a DSLR knowing that you were on the right track to getting better pictures? Are you now frustrated that they don't look much different than your point and shoot? This workshop will help you learn to use the tools that you have to better your photographs!

This workshop will teach:

How to shoot in manual mode (lets get off auto!!)

How to get proper exposure for your images (how bright or dark they are)

How to "blur the background" or achieve bokeh

How to find the best lighting for portraits without using your flash

How to get "sharp" pictures and ditch those blurry out of focus shots

How to take better shots of your own children

This workshop is not for photographers or advanced DSLR users, but is geared towards parents who want to take better everyday portraits of their children.

Please bring your camera manual with you to the workshop and become familiar with it before the workshop. Know where your settings are and how to change them.  I am a Canon shooter but the class is open to those with other DSLRs.

Workshop is limited to 15 participants so we can sit and chat and have plenty of time for questions.

When: Saturday March 30th at 7:00 pm

Where: Personal Residence at Pine Mill Ranch (address will be given with registration)

Call or email to register!! 

832.330.4740 info@nenametcalfphotography.com

Help a Katy Family for Christmas

We are so fortunate to live in a community that supports and reaches out to those who can use a helping hand, big or small. A few days after moving to Katy, a new neighbor came down the street, abandoning his own yard work to help my husband dig out a very stubborn large tree.  Since then we have seen nothing less than the fabulous, charitable families we live amongst who are always willing to help others. 

If you were around a few months ago when I announced what Christmas would hold for Nena Metcalf Photography, you may have already read a bit about our Presents for Pictures campaign.  However, now that we are closer to the big day, I would like to, once again, extend an invitation to you all to help a Katy family.

My husband and I contacted Houston Childrens Charity months ago and asked to be assigned a family that could use some extra help this year.  Because our reach would be so great through my wonderful clients and friends, we wanted a bigger family.  The sweet family we are assigned to consist of a hard working single mom and her four children.  We are still in need of gifts, particularly for the two older children and I would like to invite all of those who can, to donate one or a few items to this family.

Below you will find the information needed, please contact me at info@nenametcalfphotography.com to set up a time for us to collect anything that you can give.

Thanks again for your philanthropy this holiday season!

The Metcalf Family

Boy - age 14, size 16 regular, needs jeans, likes soccer and riding his bike
Girl - age 12, size medium in womens, likes riding her bike, make up and other girly things
Girl - age 9, size 10 youth, likes barbies and other girly things
Girl - age 6, size 8 youth, likes barbies and other girly things

Mom - would love two sets of white twin sheets for the kids.  She could also use size 6 petite jeans.

Anne+ Eddie {Engagement Photographer in Houston, TX}

I love referrals, like love love them.  And why wouldn't I?  Its like someone saying "You are SO awesome, we enjoyed our time with you so much, we are going to trust you to do a great job with our friends and family's portraits as well!"  Heck yeah! 

So that is where this beautiful couple came in, a referral from another fab couple (you remember Alli and Matt, right?).  Anne and I were struggling a bit to get our schedules to line up so she trused her fabulous friends and made the leap of faith - yes that is right, booking me for her wedding via email.  We've never met. I'm sure she saw me strutting my stuff (rather waddling, Alli and Matt's wedding was photographed by the 33 week preggo version of me) but had we ever chatted?  Nope!  Did she trust her friends judgement and their choices, yep!  How lucky for me, because I had a great time working with them and just can't wait for bridals and then of course...the wedding day!

Enjoy ;)

 

"Nena is wonderful!! My fiancé and I just had our View & Choose session for our engagement pictures...and I loved every single one of them! A great photographer was the number one most important thing to me for our wedding and after seeing our engagement pictures I know we made the perfect choice. Nena is so easy to work with and has a great eye for unique shots. I can't wait for the bridal session and even more excited about our wedding day :)" - Anne

Baby Love {Baby Photographer in Katy, TX}

I am a mom to three Ps, ages 6, 3 and 11 months.... 11 months... it seems like just yesterday I was in the hospital waiting for my c-section.  I simply can not believe that my sweet little guy, my last baby, is almost one.

This nostalgia was coupled a bit with the guilt that I have been feeling for not taking enough pictures of my own kids.  My clients are getting all my time and photoshop attention and my own family's memories are seeming to take the back seat.  So, I grabbed my camera and spent about 15-30 minutes this weekend with each of my kids, one on one, photographing them without any other interruptions.  This may seem like its not a big deal, but with Daddy away playing with the big boys, I was at home, unassisted.


I think photographing your baby in his diaper is cute... for a small window of time.  I wanted to take advantage of that before his rolls and drooly smiles are all gone.  Yes, I'm being sappy, but hes my baby, and hes just so stinking cute.  So anyway - here he is!  P3 :)  11 months.

Beads of Courage {Charity Event Photographer in Katy, TX}

Beads of Courage is a wonderful program helping sponser children with Cancer.  I was asked by a friend if I would be interseted in working with this organization of a local event they were holding.  This included the actual event and also photographing a local family whos lives have been impacted by childhood Cancer (blog post coming soon).

For those of you who were around in the early days of my business, in the Fall of 2009, you are probably aware that my husband, then 29 was diagnosed with Cancer.  While he has been having clean scans for almost two years now, it was a hard road that I don't wish on anyone.  Much less a child. 

The event was a success, it was beautiful, the women, the jewelry they were making, and of course the lives they were impacting through their donations.  I was so thankful to be a part of this program and to document it so that others too, may share.

Valerie (right) the mom of this year's sponsor family with the mom of last year's sponsor family.

The Fabulous B Family {Family Photographer in Katy, TX}

Meet the B Family.  Aren't they gorgeous??? They are also my fabulous neighbors.  Their little miss, and mine are BFFs and spend their warm afternoons drawing sidewalk chalk in our cul de sac.

Mom of the B family had a fairly common background when it comes to family photography.  They had been to the local chains, done the black tops and jeans and were ready for something fresh and new.  We chatted about her style, the colors that inspire her and we came up with a plan.  I assured her, during our clothing consultation (did you know I do those???) like I do all of my clients, that layering, coordinating and dressing to your own personal style trumps matching buttondowns, draped cardigans and khakis anyday.  And was I right?  Oh yeah!  Mom took my advice and ran with it and came up with these beautiful outfits, two each, that flow seamlessly together.  

Enjoy the photos below ... also, interested in knowing what the B family purchased? Click here.

Sara + Kris {Wedding Photographer in Katy, TX}

You remember Sara and Kris right?  The ones who I posted about last week who have been married for...oh...4 months now?  Yeah, a little behind.  But again... better late than never :) Ms. Sara is from a small town outside of Dallas so off we went, to her hometown for their small cottage chic wedding.  I loved it!  How beautiful is the location??

Baby C {Child Photographer in Katy, TX}

So you wouldn't know it by looking at this adorable little girl, but she gave me a bit of trouble when she came into the studio.  This led to me having to schedule my first ever reshoot....ever.  This the thing that being a mom has prepared me for in this business - we can schedule around their naps, have a nice easy morning, but sometimes - they just DON'T want any part of this picture taking thing! 

So, we rescheduled and headed outdoors for the second session.  She very much so preferred the outdoors and we were able to have a great session!!

I love how these little ones keep me on my toes!

Keeping the memories alive {Katy, TX Family Photographer}

This morning I found myself running a little behind while I was trying to get myself and my kiddos ready for the day.  Well... maybe not so much running behind .. more like scrambling because two of my three kiddos were awake before I had a chance to take a shower. Not unlike most days...

So while one is getting ready for school, I popped on the back up babysitter (Dora...anyone??) for my three year old and head to my room.  In about two seconds my 6 year old comes plowing into the bathroom "Does this mean that I'm in charge?" It was like an episode of Phineas and Ferb (if you aren't or haven't been a mom of a preschooler/elementary goer, please excuse the reference), my daughter, not even tall enough to ride all the rides at Disney World is begging me to be given such an adult-esque responsibility. 

WHY?

What is it about our beautiful children wanting to grow up way too fast?  Is lounging around on lazy Saturday mornings watching TV or warm Summer evenings spent playing outside with friends not quite good enough?  Why on earth would they want more?

Can they PLEASE stop growing up?

This weekend we headed out to have our own family pictures taken.  My husband tries to keep a good attitude but when it comes down to it, the twice annual family pictures (he feels) are a bit much.  And maybe they are.... maybe they aren't.  But, I want to remember my kids from the days when they aren't locked in their rooms gabbing on their cell phones or asking me to borrow the car.  (Or, perhaps if yours are already at that point, you want to remember them now, before you turn around one day surrounded by grand-children.)  Is that too much to ask?

I think not....

Personally, I don't feel that there is a wrong time to have family pictures taken.  Everyday brings something new and maybe I'm selfish but, I want to remember it all.

Baby H {Newborn Photographer in Katy, TX}

I love trying new things!! I really wanted to do a newborn session outside. When I started thinking about it - it was February. Not really condusive for bringing a brand new baby outside - even in Houston! So I patiently waited for baby Harlow to come around when the weather got nicer. It was fun trotting around Harlow's grandparents country home!

If you have new ideas or locations, don't be afraid to bring them up! I (or your local photographer) are almost always up for the challenge of something new!

Mommy Swagger Expo {Katy, TX Family Photographer}

I am just SO excited for my very first event - the Mommy Swagger Expo to be held this Saturday!  I hope that you will all come and support momtrepreneures by shopping from handmade businesses.

See you there!!! :)

Nena

Allison & Matt {Maternity Session in Katy, TX}