Carolyn Anders Photography

What can I say about my Click Away experience?

The moment I purchased my ticket, the butterflies started. As October approached, I actually started to dread the occasion. I was terrified. Leaving my children? My husband? Leaving my home? My stomach was in knots.

Going to Click Away was huge for me. My anxiety-meter runs hot. I’m shy. I’m awkward. As a teen, if someone I didn’t know that well started talking to me, I would blush (which OF COURSE made the blushing worse). Thankfully I’m not nearly as goofy as I was in my kid/teen years, but that nervous nelly is still inside me. I can just hide her a little better these days.

So, back to the original question: what can I say about Click Away?

It was WONDERFUL. I saw & met so many photographers I look up to. I sat in on seminar after seminar of empowering, inspirational, and educational speakers. I realized my value. Being able to freeze moments in time for families to look back on long after that day has passed – hell, long after we’ve passed, is something to be appreciated. I learned that I have value. My work, my art, my passion all has value.  I will no longer sell myself short.

I discovered photographers whose name I had never heard before. Photographers who said things that caused a lightbulb to go off.  Maybe I’m not the only one who gets nervous? Maybe I’m not the only one whose hands tremble. Maybe I’m not the only one who feels thisclose to puking on the way to the airport.

The most profound thing I learned about at Click Away wasn’t photography related at all.

I learned that this photographer is braver, stronger & more confident than she ever gave herself credit for.

For that, I can’t thank Clickin Moms or this wonderful photography community enough.

 

Now, on to the pictures!

 

 

 

One of my dearest friends gave birth to her much-awaited baby boy this past Friday – he is pure perfection!  It feels like just yesterday when we found out she was pregnant, but also like we’ve been waiting forevvvvver for this cutie pie to arrive.  I don’t want to brag, but I was able to hug and snuggle (and snap a few photos of!) this handsome little fellow while at the hospital. I can’t wait to see this darling boy and his sweet family again!

Here are a few of my favorites shots from the Fresh 48 (super casual) session:

Recently, I decided to post a model call for newborns. I was SO lucky that one of my photographer buddies just so happened to have a son & daughter-in-law who were expecting! I felt even luckier when I discovered how wonderful their little family is. L and her boys are just so sweet. Thank you again for having me, G Family & welcome to the world, precious boy!

These are just a few of my favorites from the session:

 

 

My hubby and I traveled up north to Flagstaff, AZ this weekend to scope out some beautiful spots to do a few sessions next month.  Naturally, I had to bring my tripod and do some fancy “selfies” while I was there.  Unfortunately, my heart skipped a beat when I discovered that I had left my remote shutter at home. Don’t let the relative calmness of these photos fool you – I had the joy of pushing the shutter, then racing back over logs & brush ( in heels ) before the image was captured 10 seconds later. Not easy! Despite being a sweaty mess by the end, I managed to get a few shots that I really love.  I can only assume the families I shoot next month will be even better since I’ll be behind the camera. 😉

*Note: A landscape photographer I’m not, but the nature collage shown below did not involve using a tripod or timer 😉

*Second Note: I discovered some beautiful shaded areas that will open up my window for sessions. Now, instead of one session left available, I have two! $125 for 15-20 edited images. My prices will not be this low again! Get ’em while they’re hot (but not too hot because: Flagstaff)