What’s our style, point of view, inspiration for photography or cinema???? It’s easy, “We shoot what we love and we do it with emotion + Art.” I’m not interested in making images or films that depict otherwise. Don’t imaging having your life documented based on the things you want to remember, think in terms of the things you NEVER want to forget =) Watch the promo……… Now =)
Be{love}d Cinema a Division of Cindy Guessford Studios from Cindy Guessford on Vimeo.
Yup, It’s true I say! I’ve been hinting around about the changes around the studio for several months now and at some point I will write a blog post about the many things, people and circumstance that have made 2011 such a tumultuous yet outstanding year both personally and professionally but for now I’m super stoked to announce that here at Cindy Guessford Studios we are officially launching our Beloved Cinema Division. We have been quietly shooting all year both stills and video and have made some beautiful pieces that absolutely document and preserve the memories of you and the ones you love. We have also launched our Beloved Experience which will be the only type of portrait session that we offer moving forward. What this means for us is that we are embracing our creativity and not limiting it to a specific medium. My studio will be a full service hybrid photo/cinema studio. We offer photo and cinema coverage for The Beloved Experience as well as Weddings. To learn more visit www.theBelovedExperience.com or just contact me. I would love to chat about future projects and commissions.
I’ve also had to re-evaluate my business model and will no longer be accepting as a studio multiple bookings. In the past 8+ years, the studio has employed several photographers, editors, designers, filmakers etc… We have shot multiple events per date. The new model will require that each person employed here at CG Studios to be cross trained in every aspect of studio operations as well as both still and cinema shooting. We will only be accepting 40 weddings/events per year. This will allow me to focus on the things I love (shooting, planning, pleasing my clients) and for the rest of the team to be fully present and available under my direction to do the same. The 2012 Wedding season is nearly booked to capacity and 2013 is shaping up to be one of our quickest and earliest years of bookings to date. phewwwwww! such an exciting time to embrace technology =))))
Now on to the hiring bit. I’m looking to have a few very special candidates join my team. Specifically photo/cinema shooters. I can tell you that my expectations are high but I will never ask of you anything that I myself won’t personally do. Everyone here works together in unison to create not just the type of product we love but also the kind of experience for our clients that means something. Those who do not posses exceptional client relations skills need not even read any further. Here is a short list of qualifications that will get you to the top of the list:
Candidates must have:
Here’s the catch, if you have all of the qualifications listed below then I may let that trump missing some of the above qualifications:
SO that’s the skinny! If you feel that you are the next addition to my team or know someone who is please send a resume and a letter of Why I should hire you to Cindy@theBelovedExperience.com
extra points awarded to those who have an affection for home brewing and/or are a great cook. Okay, not really but we do like to have a cool, laid back work environment providing all of the work gets done. Just sayin!
Resumes will be accepted until January 20th. Interviews will be conducted on Saturday January 21st & Monday January 23rd. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
PS! I have the uncanny ability to find the diamond in the rough and I appreciate heart more than credentials but you must have photo/video skill sets.
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Jen is truly an example of how resilient the human heart & body can be and how a positive attitude can effect your life in so many ways. When we first met, she was taking a chance on me as I was just delving into my portrait business. That’s the kind of person that Jen is. The kind that see’s the potential in someone, the kind of person that looks on the bright side, the kind of person that you want on your side and you will undoubtedly be on hers. To see more of this blog post hop on over to: The Beloved Experience =)
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I always love arriving to a session where you are welcomed like a familiar face! Hanging out with families where you have shot several weddings, maternity, family sessions, babies and now a first bday!!! I love it =) After Deb tried shoving loads of yummy food on me, which of course I gladly accepted, I got to hang out and share in some really cool moments with Michaela as she got ready for the big #1 celebration. A feisty little redhead with sparkling blue eyes and the sweetest of dispositions. Oh Michaela, I know that you already have a fan club but you may as well add one more. Happy birthday to you !!!
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Tara and Rory are becoming quite the regular topics of this ole blogitty!!! First the wedding, then maternity and now, you guessed it! A beautiful baby boy joins the clan =) Tara and Rory are unlike most new parents that I have been around. They are both just so comfortable in their new roles as parents. It’s as if this is what they were meant to do. I’ve known Tara for a very long and I have watched her grow from a spunky college student to the amazing person and mother that she is today. I couldn’t be happier that she has found someone like Rory who not only completely adores her but is also a spunky little match. Together they have loads of love that they share freely with family and friends and I know that little Remi will get more than his fair share. Rory’s inability to control his smiles and happiness (which I first witnessed during the maternity session) has continued with the baby session. The smiles and laughter were infectious and always gives me the warm and fuzzies seeing a man so happy to be a Father. So, a big ole congrats to you both!!!
Some of you may remember Tara and Rory form their wedding images several years ago. Exchanging their vows at Manatawny Creek Winery and celebrating till the sun went down. I remember receiving one of the most touching emails from Rory after they viewed their images thanking me for capturing the way that he felt when he was around Tara that day.
I don’t know the difference between photographs and pictures. I don’t think I know much about anything to be completely honest with you. I do however know what I like and what I don’t and I absolutely love what you did with your camera at our wedding. Every single one of your photos captured the beauty of our world that I can usually only see in Tara. Your pictures make our wedding look more gorgeous than I remember it. I will never be able to think of a way to thank you enough but if you can think of one just let me know. I hope I get to see you on 03/26 and good luck with the new shop.
Rory
Thinking back on these words always reminds me of why it is that I love what I do and the relationships that I’ve built through the years transcends being “just a photographer.” So when I received the call from Tara that they were expecting I was so very excited to be able to play a part once again in capturing an amazing moment in their lives. We spent some time in their home and then ventured back to the winery where it all began to finish off the session. I can say for sure that some things have not changed… Tara still possesses a serenity and general calming and happy vibe. They are both still so in love that it would make most people sick from it all and Rory’s face still lights up when he sees Tara but something new, something wonderfully different was happening! Rory can not get within 1 inch of the baby belly without breaking out the cutest of uncontrollable smiles. He beams at the baby belly! It’s a combination of excitement and joy and deep rooted L-O-V-E. I can tell that they can not wait to welcome their new addition into the family that they’ve created. I see them together and I can feel it in my mothering bones, they are going to make great parents and I hope nothing but the best of parental experiences for them…
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“If you never did you should. These things are fun and fun is good”
~ Dr. Seuss
Let us never forget what it is like to experience something for the very first time. The excitement, curiosity and divine sense of amazement as discovery ensues, washing over our senses and exposing them to new found wonders. Let us never forget what it is like to laugh for no reason, it is contagious and not crazy… Let us never forget what it feels like as the warm summer breeze caresses our face and blows silky strands of baby hairs… Let us never forget what it feels like to experience all the “firsts” that life has to offer…
This is Dris at 9 months, I met him 9 months ago. His mom contacted me (Thank you Stephanie and Tom) after being referred to me and I remember the email distinctly because she said, “you just have to meet my baby doll Dris!” He was a baby doll! Gorgeous bright brown eyes and an infectious laugh that could warm any heart! I love being able to document the growth in my clients. Some from the womb and beyond! Today I get to visit with Dris again. He is 18 months old now. Mom says he’s not a baby doll anymore but a little rock star and of course I’m greeted by his smiling cherub face and beautiful curly locks of hair and yes, he is a baby rock star.
You make me smile Dris!!! I am so honored that I was there to play and delight in your discoveries as you walk through the fields and laughed at the dandelions for the first time. Wind blowing your lovely locks, pulling and eating weeds (sorry Mom, I promise the weeds won’t hurt him.) I want to laugh and spin and walk with you and bottle the wonder that I saw in your eyes today… We could all use a little child like abandon every now and again!!!
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Today I am working on Erin and Jim’s Engagement book and as I look at these images it brings me back to when we shot this session. To say that I love the connection that Erin and Jim have would be an understatement. I love to observe interactions and the little nuances about my clients. I feel like it gives me perspective and helps when it’s time to document important moments in their lives. What stands out in my mind about Erin is how no matter what expression is on her face as soon as Jim gets near her or snuggles her in she immediately smiles. Not the kind of smile that you give to the camera at all. This smile starts slowly and spreads across her face as it seems like a hidden little thought or secret has just crossed her mind. It’s so adorable the way they make each other laugh and equally romantic in the tenderness of a quiet moment. I shot long today, meaning that most of these images were made with my 70-200mm lens. I wanted to be a good distance away because I knew that they were gonna just have some fun and I would play the role of lurker as I steal a few of these moments. A beautiful afternoon spent with a couple who I sincerely look forward to spending the day with again very soon!
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I was beyond flattered when my friend and fellow photographer Krista Valla asked to me help her create a photo shoot for the sole purpose of freeing herself from the pain and memories of her tragic accident. A personal struggle that she has come to terms with and is recently facing the demons of a day where twisted metal and concrete claimed her memory and a piece of her was lost. I can’t begin to imagine what it must feel like to have holes in your mind when conjuring up the simplest of recollections. To think that something so much as how to utilize the basic tools of your trade to the most secret or powerful thoughts that lay deep in our subconscious only to be drawn forward when a sight or smell or some form of recognition triggers it. I’m sure I could relearn what it feels like to smile when I feel a soft and warm salty sea breeze wafting through the air but relearning and remembering are two different things entirely.
I commend Krista’s strength and perseverance to get through that time and applaud her for being a fighter and pretty much laughing in the face of those demons. Sometimes we need to confront the issues that haunt us the most and in that confrontation a sliver of solace can be found. She tells me that she has begun to remember some things, like holding a camera and seeing beauty through the lens again. While other memories still remain out of reach. Time, it heals and in time I hope that you Krista, can be made whole.
So, we trudge on a rainy day to a salvage yard…. Here we stare twisted metal in it’s face and we spit in it. I hope that these images bring you some closure….
Thank you to Bethany from Gloss Salon for providing the Hair styling- you’re vision was spot on!!! The ever so talented Kristen Lober provided Make-up.
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Mike described how he randomly came upon my studio driving by one day almost a year ago. He happened to be looking for a way to salvage some of his wedding images and have some enlargements made and after driving by, he checked out the website and contacted me. Both Monica and Mike came in and told me about the destination wedding they had and how they wished the images were more artistic but were still beautiful and wanted to have some images professionally printed and framed. They had the DVD and release so we chatted about printing options and off they went. Fast forward to a few weeks ago when I received an excited email about how they have been following the blog and have great news… They are expecting and would love to schedule a maternity session!!! Woohoo, um hell yeah! I couldn’t wait to have the opportunity to hang with them and document this important chapter in their lives. So, we met and while roaming the surrounding area I was amazed at Monica’s quiet confidence and serenity. I can only imagine what a wonderful and calm climate their little baby is enjoying. Mike is animated and excited about the baby, the images and the whole process. So many good and positive feelings in the air today and I can’t think of a better way to spend some time on this unseasonably warm March day! I simply can not wait to welcome their new little bundle and to capture those first portraits, soon, very soon. Until then, hang in there Monica & Mike and I hope you enjoy these images.
xoxo,
Cindy
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