Out with the OLD, in with the NEW!

YAY!!!

Head on over to www.rebeccaallenphotoblog.com to check out the new blog home for Rebecca Allen Photography!!!

I'm calling the new blog site a photo journal because there'll be less emphasis on text and more emphasis on the photos. I chose the horizontal layout to be different (although it's growing in popularity), but mostly because I think it's a better way to showcase story-telling imagery.

The blog/journal will continue to be a mix of personal and business posts. In fact, most of the posts that go up in the next few weeks will be on the personal side. If you're a prospective client interested in my family commissions, my personal posts will give you a good idea of how I approach family photography.

Because of the new layout I decided not to import old blog posts from here into the new site. The old images are not the right size for the new layout and, honestly, I just wanted a fresh start to go with my new website that launched a couple of weeks ago. That said, the new blog is looking pretty empty now, but I have lots of new content lined up, so stay tuned.

New goals now are to work on my SEO for the sites, order new marketing materials and to start advertising more of my services within the local community. I stayed in the shadows for much of my first year in business, as I was really just trying to find my place in the industry. Now that I have a clearer vision for my business and the niche I want to serve, I feel more confident in my ability to make this dream a success.

So, please, head on over to the new journal. Take a look around and let me know what you think!

Rebecca Allen Photography - The new site is up!

It’s here! The website!! My website!!! MY website!!!! MY WEBSITE!!!!! Did you get that?

I’m pretty excited, to say the least.

If you wish to jump right to the site, follow this link: www.rebeccaallenphotography.com .

Otherwise, I encourage you to read on to learn a bit more about where I’m at in this journey, and afterward you can explore the site to your heart’s content!

For a while now I’ve needed a permanent space to display my portfolio images and to provide more information about my work. Yes, I have this blog, but it was never meant to be long-term. In fact, it’s going to be replaced in a couple of weeks, but that is an entirely different topic that will be discussed soon enough. For now, let’s rewind to two years ago...

In December of 2008 I was scoping out Black Friday sales online and came across a very simple website template and impulsively jumped at the chance to buy it... but, I jumped too soon! There it sat, in cyberspace limbo, unused because I didn’t know exactly what to fill it with. You see, I had this desire to work for myself because I had stalked photo blogs for years, dreaming that I could do what others were successfully doing. Let’s just say I’ve come a long way since then, slowly learning the ins and outs of what it takes to get a small business up and running, and I’ve only just begun.

On February 10, 2010--just over a year ago--I received my official Certificate of Organization from the Secretary of State, certifying the formation of my company, Rebecca S. Allen, LLC.  Then in April of 2010, I officially announced the creation of Rebecca Allen Photography (my “doing business as” or “fictitious name” as it is legally referred to). I kicked-off the creation with a launch party that coincided with a reception and gallery show of my work during one of our local Artrageous Friday’s events. Since then it’s been quite the learning experience and a reminder that sometimes self-employment isn’t all wine and roses (for instance, book keeping=no fun). I have grown so much already and I’m thankful for the clients this past year who’ve connected with my photography and who’ve put their faith in me to document their lives. Thank you for hiring me and welcoming me as your personal photographer.

So yes, this is an exciting time. It’s a time of transition and new direction, and now I have a platform to showcase the best of my ever evolving work. Since I purchased that template a couple years back I’ve done a lot of soul-searching in regard to the direction that I want to point my business. Specifically, I’ve spent a great deal of time this past year breaking down just what it is about photography that I enjoy so much. What is it that drives me to pick up a camera on a daily basis? What’s the inspiration? What’s the purpose? From a business standpoint, what it is that I have to offer that others are not doing? Why do I think I can succeed in an industry and a market that is already saturated with successful (and sometimes not so successful) photographers? Those are tough questions, but I know they’re important ones to answer if I am to go any further. Yet, do not fear, for further I will go! It may not be at the speed I want, but with this new direction and determination, I will forge on with this exciting and unfolding career path.

In future posts I’ll explain more about the new commissions I’m offering, but for now, I’ll wrap this up and leave you with the link to the new site. I hope you enjoy it and I would really love to hear your feedback!

www.rebeccaallenphotography.com  - Bookmark it!

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!

New WEBSITE arriving March 26. 

New BLOG arriving April 9.

A Roaring 20's Mardi Gras -- Dupuy style!

Last Saturday, as I wound my way through a crowd of ladies and gents dolled up in 20's-inspired attire, I heard several exclaim that the Dupuy's 5th annual Mardi Gras party was, "the best one yet" and, "they really outdid themselves this time". The theme? A Roaring 20's Speakeasy, as modeled by the impeccably dressed hostess and host above. The private affair promised fun for all invited, so long as they remembered the top-secret passphrase required to enter. Once inside, guests were greeted by the sounds of a hoppin' swing band and taken back to an era of flappers, gangsters, gambling and hooch. It really was the bee's knee's! John and Sarah -- thanks for hosting such a splendid affair and inviting me back to document it this year. You're the cat's meow!





















Some "party pics".
Don't you just love how everyone played their part? Look at these two below. Something tells me you don't want to mess with either of them :)I'm still working on the final edit for the event. Party-goers can access the full gallery as early as March 12 via the "client" button in the right-hand column of this site (scroll up). Your speakeasy passphrase grants you access to the gallery where you may view the photos and order prints, so check back on the 12th!

Mariah Charmayne Latimer ~ Forever Family, February 14, 2011

According to Wikipedia, "Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14th, celebrating love and affection between intimate companions." Some might also define it as the day to buy overpriced flowers and chocolate covered strawberries. And some of us might not acknowledge it all. But for 15-year-old Mariah, Valentine's Day has taken on a whole new meaning, and it couldn't be any sweeter. This past Monday, February 14, 2011, Mariah became an official Latimer family member through an adoption proceeding witnessed by a dozen close family members and friends.

Although Dena and Samantha Latimer were married in a March 2009 ceremony in Martha's Vineyard, MA, Missouri law currently allows for only one of them to adopt Mariah now, with an option to complete a second-parent adoption at a later time. Although Dena officially took the stand as the legally adoptive parent, Samantha stood there in spirit and watched from the benches as Mariah was sworn in. The smile on Samantha's face said it all. She didn't have to be standing up there to know that Mariah was just as much hers as Dena's. They were both getting a daughter that day.

At this point I have to interject and say that the following court photos would not have been possible without the kindness of two people: the Latimer's attorney and the Judge. Long story short, camera's are not looked upon lightly in the courthouse. Period. I knew this from my days of newspaper photography and basically using your camera in any governmental building is a challenge. The other kicker, I had no time to research or try to make contacts for permission to photograph since I booked this commission with less than 24-hour notice. Apparently the only photo ever allowed during adoption proceedings is a single cheesy posed shot with the judge afterward. Afterward?!?! What, are you kidding me? As if the most important moment to document during the whole experience is a staged snapshot of the family with an uncomfortable judge who just wants to get on with her morning. I don't think so. Enter super photographer Rebecca Allen here. I just couldn't see how I was going to walk out of that courtroom with only one photo. But, with some persistence (after going through two other "officials"), I was able to plead my case with the Latimer's attorney who agreed to speak to the judge on my behalf for permission to take photos. I don't know what the attorney said, but even the security guard was shocked that the judge permitted me to photograph. The whole thing lasted maybe 15 minutes and then it was over. And so as that chapter closed in Mariah's life, a new one began with a new last name and two proud Moms overwhelmed with joy to finally call her "their daughter".















The raw emotion shown in this next set of photos is what documentary photography is all about. While editing these photos they reminded me of something Samantha had shared with me via email the night before the adoption. She wrote, "The overwhelming emotion that MJ [Mariah] displayed when she was given the news of our pending date and time was priceless. She laughed and cried, screamed and shook, all while trying to maintain her composure. It was a moment that we will never forget, it still gives me chills just thinking about it."