100 posts

Ok so how should we celebrate? O I don't know I'm brian dead thinking of all these different designs and layouts. I think for post 100 I'll sit here and get some more work done. Yeah a lot of fun I am.

So how many of you out there actually read this thing?
Has anyone read all 100?
Should I just quit this darn thing cause' well noone really cares?

Hmm, well I'll keep going, but please tell me what you think. I'd love to hear.
CA

Nash & Cayden 11.28.05

One snow storm, 35 mph winds, 2 rambunctious boys, a lovesac and a fisheye lens. Yep we had fun, I hope all snow storms amount in a photo shoot. Here are some images of the boys. The fisheye one's just crack me up!

Tara 11.27.05

This evening I photographed Tara. She had the cutest little outfit and it went perfectly with the red seamless paper. It was a good time playing with bubbles and listening to music.

Us on T-day

The rare Ellis Family photo with me in it. After eating way too much, and drinking too much too, a little nap, some socializing and out the camera came. I set the camera and handed it to my sister-in-law Jody. And wahla finally a picture of the three of us. You've met my two men before, but seldom get to see me. I'm always behind the camera. Not afraid to get in front, just everyone is usually afraid to hold my camera, and we always forget to bring the little one. Anyway here we are enjoying the day. We hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving Day and had a lot to be thankful for.
CA

S Family Card

The S family was also one of my families from the military fundraiser. Printed 5x8 on metallic paper.

R Family Card

The R's were one of the families from Andy's unit. Their card was also printed 5x8 on metallic photographic paper. I think that is the trend this year. I think cause' they are so cool.
CA

Dinosaurs

So I'm sitting here working diligently yesterday and I look down. What do I see but these guys perfectly lined up next to my ball (I sit on a big excercise ball at my desk). So I got down and took a picture of them. Cracks me up how my boy has my organizational skills, look at that nice straight line from tallest to shortest. : )
CA

What Camera to Buy?

I often get asked, especially at this time of year what camera I recommend. Well of course this is a loaded question. There is price range, size, use, etc. to take into consideration. For most of you I would not recommend my big bad momma camera. I'm sure you wouldn't use all it's features (heck I don't even do that) and you don't want to haul that thing around and get carpal tunnel. So I'm assuming you will want one of two things. Either a nice little point and shoot, or a prosumer digital SLR (Single Lens Reflex).

The point and shoot: Fuji F10
This camera is all the rave with photogs right now. It is supposed to take great images in low light, virtually no shutter lag (the time between the button being pushed and the shutter click), good color, etc. You can purchase it from B&H, which is an ok company. I typically don't purchase from them, but they do have a great website and my normal store doesn't carry this brand.

The Digital SLR: Nikon D70s or D50
Definitely a bigger camera. This if for you hobbyist and amatuers. You can purchase multiple lenses and change them, external flash units, etc. For this I would recommend the Nikon D70s or the D50. The Canon Digital Rebel is normally the camera in the same class as this and while I do shoot Nikon, this isn't why I recommend these cameras. I recommend these cameras because the menus and dials are much easier to use, the ergonomics are nicer, and I just plain think it's easier to use than the rebel right out of the box. And again that's not because that's what I shoot. In fact if you asked for the next camera up I would probably recommend the Canon 20D as it is excellent.

Now if you have managed to follow me. You may select a number of lenses for the SLR. But let's just say you don't want to go there with me, I'm a lens junkie. Your probably best starting with the kit lenses and then adding depending on your use and demands. If you get to that point call or e-mail and I'll do my best to help you choose the best glass for you. And remember so much is in the lens/glass, not the camera. And even more is in the operator.

Ok, so happy shooting. Hope this helps. Send me any cool pics you get.
CA

Wedding Invitation

I'm so pumped Sarah and Justin approved this super cool wedding invitation. They have allowed me to be so creative on so many different levels. I can't wait until the wedding!

To be printed on you guessed it 5x8 photographic paper.
CA

Baily's Announcement

From my new niece Baily I created this 5x8 announcement. It was printed on photographic paper. I heard that some of the recipients asked who is that baby on the card. They thought it was some generic image. My SIL was proud to say that adorable little thing is her new baby girl.
CA

Click on the card to see it bigger.

M Family 11.19.05

The M family were fun to photograph with all the different combinations. The boys had a blast jumping on the lovesac. And the baby was so happy and peaceful. Here are some of what was going on.
CA

T Thank You

This one is the Thank You card from the wedding of Nate and Lyndsey. They were printed 5x8 on regular photographic paper.
CA

Click on the card to see it bigger.

Mitch

I'm so excited, today I got 6 new backdrops. 2 muslin and 4 paper. O, and a cover for my sac (lovesac that is). This will be such a blast and jolt to my creativity. Ok, so anyway Mitch, Alysia and Tate stopped by and I had to try one out. This backdrop is called Mendesohl and it is green and blue. I took these images of Mitch in my living room with the backdrop draped over my chairs. I think they are awesome. I might have just found a new model.
CA

N Family Card

My sister-in-law, her husband and their son. These were printed 5x8 on metallic photographic paper. And they rock. I love metallic paper.
CA

Cards and such

I have been terribly busy editing, filling orders, creating albums, creating cards and shipping all those wonderful orders. I thought I would share some of this years cards with you. I'll try to post a new one every once in a while. This card is for the Crooks family. It was printed 5x8 on metallic photographic paper. The metallic paper just made the deep blue pop. And black and white almost always seems to look good on metallic. It's that little extra perk to pump up your card.
CA

Click on the card to see it bigger.

Ice Skating & Applebees

Well Monday was Ayden's actual birthday. We just hung out around the house today. In the evening we went and watched Kaleb's ice skating practice and then Andy and Ayden joined him on the ice. It was Ayden's first time in ice skates. He was a little scared at first, but then was smiling near the end.

After ice skating we asked Ayden where he would like to go for dinner and what he wanted. Just out of nowhere he said he wanted macaronni and cheese. And that he wanted to go to Applebee's. So off we went. Our little family. Ayden loves to spend time with his brother and they don't get to see each other nearly enough, they had fun. Of course he pouted and then dove under the table when they came to sing him happy birthday. That was humerous.

Then we went home for a quit evening. Here are Andy and Ayden on the ice and Kaleb and Ayden with their Applebee's balloons.

From Mark + Sarah

A note from Mark and Sarah:

Dear Cory Ann,
Mark and I would like to sincerely thank you for capturing our wedding. We really enjoyed working with you. The images look great and we had fun with you.
Thanks again,
Mark and Sarah

Tate 11.13.05

Boysen session number 500, no just joking, more like 11 or 12. See when your my godson you get pictures at every interval, but you still have to schedule them. Today we documented Tate at 9 months. Man has he grown, he was a bit harder to capture now that he is so mobile. But we got some good ones while he ate cheerios and played. In three months when we do his 1 year I'll be sure to post them all so you can see how he's grown.

The Party

O how much fun we had. Ayden was a little groggy since he was sick the night before, but he pulled out like a trooper. Andy made some delicious food. I think the rabbit stuffing was the favorite. There was also deer, goose, duck, pheasant, and antelope. I think that's it. We had a really yummy cake from Hagman's Bakery here in Brookings (I eat there all the time, their chicken salad sandwich is amazing) you can see him pouting prior to blowing out the candles and then eating the dinosaures eye at the promting of Andy. Ayden got some great gifts, lots of cool stuff, including a hat from Cayden and Nash (he tries it on every time we go into Tuli.. he was a little excited to get it). And then we tried to break the pinata. But yeah, umm they make those a little tough. And then there was a climb to the top of the camponile, I didn't go, but Andy's legs are hurting today. We like the location and think we'll do it again next year at the same place. It was fun.

Thank you all for coming: Papa Bill, Cassidy, Reannah, Wyatt L., Jody, Tracy, Wyatt, Joni, Brett, Bo, Brodee, Baily, Erin, Annika, Scott, Kelly, Kristi, Cayden, Nash, Mitch, Alysia, Tate, Papa Ellis, Grandma Ellis, Tabby, Tara. I think that is it. Thank you all for coming. And thank you to Erin who womaned the camera for me so I could help Ayden open gifts.

Ayden's Party

Today is Ayden's 3rd Birthday Party and since I was so busy I really got few invitations out. Sorry. So if you are coming here to figure out the specifics here they are.

Sat. Nov 12, 2006
Tomkins Alumni Center on the SDSU Campus across from the Camplonile on Medary
Time: 1pm

There will be the annual wild game feed with some cake and ice cream too. So please come ready to eat and hang out with family and friends.

Cory Ann, Andy & Ayden

Nose Picking

Papa and his grandkids. So my dad has three grandchildren. Two from my sister Cassidy and one from me. Here they are. Yes that is my Ayden picking his nose. He's so intrigued by my camera.

My Family

So I've been really bad about posting. Why, because I have my family here. My dad from my home town of Fort Bragg, CA and my Sister Cassidy and her children Reannah and Wyatt from Mt. Vernon, OR.

We had a little photo shoot today. And guess who was uncooperative again. Yep my little Ayden. So here are my niece and nephew instead. Aren't they cute.
CA

VeraSun

Look, look one of my images got used. I'm so happy, thought I'd share. It's the big one of the plant in the center of the page.
CA

VeraSun Aurora

Addison 11.5.05

Today Addison came to see me at the studio. What a little cutie. When I did his cousins senior portraits last year I got to meet his mom, when she was still prego. And then meet him when I delivered the prints. But alas they went to Penny's for the dreaded pics, and finally did what they should have done in the first place... Came to me for his one-year portraits.

We had fun, he liked to eat the blocks, ride his horse (which got left behind) and get thrown. That's right thrown. What else do you do when you get a baby and a lovesac? Nothing just throw them and watch them have a blast. I think they may need to pick one of these up for their house cause Addison loved it.

LoveSac

I got this wonderful thing for the studio. No it's not a bean bag, it's a LoveSac. O man this thing is awesome. It is 5 feet in diameter. It came via FedEx on Friday in a tight 50lb ball, then I had to open the duffle up, to find my naked Sac. I then had to tear apart the foam and fluff my Sac. It's still in the fluffing process, my Sac hasn't reached it's full size yet. This is the naked Sac. I haven't covered it yet. It is so funny to read all the writing on it that I almost don't want to cover it. These people definitely have a sense of humor.

Here are some pics of my sac. hehe.

5 Boys and a Girl

Yes, the Ellis grandchildren got together for a shoot. Talk about Chaos. Kaleb 8, Bo 6, Brodee 4, Ayden 2.95, Wyatt 2, and Baily 1 month. I think that is all their ages. I could be wrong, it's so hard to keep track. I wanted to do something nice for the in-laws and get all the grandkids in one shot. Wow was this a lot harder than I expected. Here are some of the images. Of course the photographers child is the one who wanted to be a party pooper the whole time. Yep, that's Ayden with his face in the floor crying for no reason. I'm so proud.
Enjoy.
CA

Amanda 11.3.05

I'm a little slow getting these up. Yesterday I photographed Amanda's graduation portraits. It was a low key session and I think we were able to get some nice images.

Tuli

I'm sure you've heard me talk about it before and no I'm not getting a kick back for saying it. But Tuli is my favorite clothing store to shop at. They have wonderful fashions with new stuff coming in all the time. And they purchase limited quantities so you aren't walking around wearing the same thing as everyone else. Actually there are times when I think, "I'll pick that up later." only to find that my size is already gone. It's probably a bad thing that they are right across the street from my studio so I find myself there often.

Well today they got their new awning. And it rocks! It also showcases their new logo. Which was created by the fabulous Erin of EDJ Design. So I'm excited for both my friends. You should stop in and check out the new look and all the cool stuff. You may even find some of my images down there.

Tiger Mouse

Today Ayden got some mail. He got a tiger mouse from Logitech. The mouse he did have for his little iMac was the old hockey puck and it just doesn't fit the hand well. And my nice Mighty Mouse, from apple, is too big for him. So the little tiger mouse is just his size and with a fun paint job too. You can see him here sitting at his computer that is in the same office as mine. He likes to spend time on the Sesame Street Website. He's an ol' pro at it.

Shoes

So what to blog when I don't have a session. Random objects of art. Yes shoes can be art. Like many things shoes have a history and many people collect them. Me I just think these are cool. So I bought them. From where else, but Tuli. They are fun and unique and hopefully a representation of me.