It's probably a really good thing that this is a blog post and not a video.  Trust me, you do NOT want to hear me singing the theme song to the Jeffersons.  You're probably wondering why I'd be singing the theme song anyway (besides the fact that the show was awesome.)

  To be truthful, the answer is a little long, but I'll try to condense as much as possible.  I'm referencing the song regarding my exodus from Facebook.  My history with Facebook never really boded well for a long term relationship.  When friends started badgering me with invites to join Facebook in 2004, I had no idea what was going on.  I joined and then quickly realized that this really wasn't for me.  I kept watching people post the most inane things and I didn't really enjoy the interaction.  I disabled my account less than 6 months in.  My husband, however, fell in love with the platform and was extremely active.  Fast forward several years as I developed a passion for photography and started considering starting a photography business.  Almost universally, the "conventional  wisdom" was that I would HAVE to rejoin Facebook, start announcing that a business was forthcoming and start a business page.  Hopefully, all of my friends would like the business page and I'd be off to the races.

  The thing is, all of that work to build a community on Facebook went down the tubes when the algorithm for businesses changed.  Where my business page was once a place where I could share my work, ask questions and work to create compelling content for my feed and know that the people who liked my page would see it, it became an echo chamber.  I used to get tons of views on every post.  Now, if I get 40, it's an awesome day.  And why?  Because Facebook proved itself to be an ineffective marketing tool; so much so that General Motors notoriously pulled their Facebook advertising budget.  To overcome the loss of large advertising dollars, Facebook created a policy that limits the number of your fans that see your post.  Depending on their response, that dictates how many others will see it.  If you want your "likers" to see your post...you pay for it.  If you want new likes?  You're going to pay for that too.  The only way to ensure that all your likes see your post is to "boost" it.  Many small business owners, myself included, did pay.  We paid for boosts and ads, hoping to re-engage our audience. 

  Gradually, it became clear that this was not an effect means of managing our communication with clients.  Right underneath our noses, there was another social platform that offered a lot more benefit.  Google + was Google's answer to Facebook with a little more benefit as a business.  Firstly, Google doesn't decide what ends up in your feed, YOU do.  You choose your circles and customize your engagement.  As a business owner, I can create a more organic experience for my followers.  My activity on Google + also greatly improves my SEO (search engine optimization).  Facebook only feeds into...you guessed it!  Facebook.

  So I'm moving on up, to Google +.  I've found a community I actually like interacting with, where engagement actually means something.  If you love Facebook, go for it.  For those personal posts, it's become so much a part of the culture that I think few consider anything else.  For some, it's what makes them feel connected, and I respect that.   If it's not your thing, or your a business that's looking for more, check out Google +.    Or do both.  You know what they say about putting all of your eggs in one basket.  If you click on the photo below and add me to your circle, I promise to add you to mine! 

 Whenever I edit photos (whether personal or for a client) it's always a guessing game to decide on color or black and white.  If I'm completely honest, I tend to lean towards black and white...A LOT!  I love the simplicity and moodiness of black and white.  When I'm shooting the getting ready moments at a wedding, I'm thinking entirely in monochrome.  There are several reasons.  Normally, the bridal suite isn't exactly neat and tidy.  All of that chaos can be subdued with black and white.   It also contrasts nicely with the full color shots at the ceremony, giving those moments a little more pop. 

 Sometimes, though, my path isn't quite so clear.  Recently, I was playing around taking some pictures of my little girl.  Now, the expression on her face is definitely moody, and I can't decide which version of the photograph I prefer.  I like them both for very different reasons.  

I love the way the color brings out her eyes.  I like the glowing sunshine and how happy and bright the color version is.  But I love the black and white, too.  I love it's simplicity.  I love that it matches the mood in her face; serene and muted.  I'd be happy to provide both edits to a client, but I wonder which one they would pick?  Which one would you pick?  Leave a comment below to let me know!

  It's that time again...photo Friday.  This week was absolutely the hardest for me.  iPhone photos, yuck!  Unlike the vast majority, I actually hate using my phone's camera.  I hate the shutter lag, I hate that my phone is buggy and won't save the photo, I hate the poor focus, I hate the noise, I hate white zombie eyes...need I go on?  Because I could!  They say the best camera is the one you have with you, which is why I haul my dslr everywhere I go.  

  It isn't just my photos I dislike.  My Facebook feed is filled with bad photos taken on phones.  Really bad.  And since I'm a mom, a lot of the bad photography I witness is of kids.  It makes me sad to think that the record of these children's lives will be nothing but blurry, white eyed, ugly photos.   I've tried to get a little perspective on it, because I know that plenty of crappy photos of me must have been taken.  But the thing is, when my parents got a blurry photo back from being developed-they threw it away!  Most people didn't put the bad ones in photo albums.  

  Recently, I took my own kiddos to the Butterfly Pavilion here in Colorado.  Of course I brought the big gear because I love taking pictures of butterflies and flowers.  During a little break where the munchkins played in a maze, I watched a mom whip out her phone to take a picture of her adorable son peeking his head through one of those "put your head here and become a butterfly" things.  She was struggling to get the camera app opened and said out loud "I'm going to miss it."  It must have loaded a second later because she pressed her shutter.  The next words I heard were "It's blurry, but it'll have to do."  She walked away before I could tell her I'm a professional photographer and I'd love to get a decent shot for her.  I'd be willing to bet that 10 minutes later that picture ended up on Facebook.  She probably got likes on it too, because we've become used to seeing bad iPhone photos.  

  So this week I was faced with trying to get a picture I liked using a tool I despise.  Twice I tried to get usable shots and...nothing.  Finally, I decided that I needed some form of my real gear involved so I took this picture of my daughter through my 50mm lens.  It'll have to do, but I'm going to go give my real camera a hug.  I've missed using it this week and I'll never cheat on it again.