My First Wedding - Sorta

On of my really good friends got married in October and allowed me to follow her photographer and get some candid shots of the couple. This one is one of the shots I grabbed. I really enjoy playing with the options and filters and love how this one turned out! In fact, it got me my first wedding booking for next summer. When you're just getting started like I am, and weddings will be the predominate income maker, it's hard to get bookings. People want a vast portfolio before they make a decision. And who could blame them. I'd like to think, however, that I'm off to a good start.

Fingerpaints - Maternity Shot

What a lot of fun this photo shoot was. It's a close friend of mine and her son and I just knew that these pictures would turn out great. We just gave him finger paints and let him go to town on mommy's pregnant belly. And boy did he! I just love how the color of the finger paint stands out in this color enhanced black and white shot. It really makes the pictures fabulous in my opinion!

Fireworks

Well, I did some experimenting on the 4th of July and came up with some really great shots. Granted, I took over 80 pictures just to get about 15 good ones, but it was worth it. Some came out looking like flying saucers, while others look like flowers. The one I've posted on the right I find especially interesting because it looks like it was taken of a star system in outer space, rather than of fireworks. Check out my website to see more.

About the Photographer

I am a firm believer in establishing strong business relationships. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to get to know the person you plan on paying to get some great shots of you and your family. So, allow me to introduce myself. Michelle Cramer. Pleasure to meet you.

To tell you a little about me, I was born and raised in Missouri. I spent the first half of my life in the Rolla/Vichy area, so I’m a country girl at heart. I spent many a weekend on my grandmother’s farm, right on the edge of Truman State Park, roaming around on the four-wheeler with my sister. I would say that is when I began to develop an appreciation for the beautiful landscape God created. I remember having camera in hand, pretending to be a big-shot photographer who took spectacular pictures of the old barns and sunset lit hills that surrounded me.

My grandmother first recognized my photographic instincts and purchased my first camera. She even made the commitment to pay for all of my developing, though she soon regretted that. I took pictures of everything I could think of, experimenting with different angles, positions and light. I have to admit though, being eight or so years old, very few pictures turned out as well as I had planned. But I had an eye and a seed was planted.

My family moved to Springfield when I was eleven. I spent much of my summers back on the farm for many years though. I am a Parkview High School graduate, class of 1999. I then went on to college at good ol’ Mizzou (University of Missouri – Columbia, for those of you who aren’t familiar with it’s nickname). I graduated from Mizzou in December of 2003, with a BA degree in English Literature.

I met my husband, Josh, at Mizzou and we were married June 8, 2003. He is currently in x-ray school at Cox South here in Springfield and graduates in August. We are also hoping to expand our family dynamic soon. As of now, it consists of the two of us and our three wonderful dogs, Gizmo (the big one), Gadget (the middle one) and Sproket (whose nickname is Squirt).

I’ve always had a creative spark in me – I got that from my mom. When we were little she always gave us projects to make as Christmas gifts for our extended family. I’ve continued the tradition. My grandmother taught me to sew and I love making baby quilts for my friends. I also love to scrapbook. Those creative whims will be put into another business sometime in the near future. I also thoroughly enjoy writing, especially poetry, which I’ve been doing for as long as I can remember. In fact, I write a blog part time for my brother-in-law’s business card website, which you can check out at http://buzz.greatfxbusinesscards.com.

At this point, you might be wondering how photography became the business of choice. Well, as I said, it’s always been a part of everything I do. I have a great appreciation for the ability of a simple photograph to capture so much and preserve a precious moment forever, hence the name. Over the years I have further developed my skill, and with the support and encouragement of my family and friends, felt as though I was at a point where I could really become the photographer I pretended to be as a little girl. So, in January of 2007 (yes, just this year), I made it official and Eternal Image was born.