Erica Salmon Photography

Erica, Jenny and Melanie's Big Adventure

2011-01-26T14:01:00.000-08:00

I was bummed that I didn't get to attend Imaging USA this year in San Antonio. It was a HUGE event sponsored by Professional Photographers of America. But I DID get to go to Covington, KY with my best photog friends Jenny Smith and Melanie Carr to the Kentucky Photo Pro Expo.
It was a great, fun weekend. We were so excited about it, we braved the major snow storm that rolled in just hours before our drive. We made it and it was worth it. We got to see some diverse speakers who covered lots of topics we were interested in.

Blair Phillips had a lot of great information, but I am super excited about the battery powered, all terrain, light cart he had!

I sure hope Jim can make me one of these!

There just never is an end to learning and growing in this craft! It is exciting, and daunting. Sometimes the more you learn, the more you realize you don't know. But I'm up for the challenge. Kent and Sarah Smith have "seven figure sales." Whoa - million dollar photographers. I bet they can buy lots of cool props and equipment. I bet they can even pay themselves! I really liked and identified with Michael Barton's simplistic style. Tim and Bev Walden didn't speak this time, but the Jenny, Mel and I spent a week with them last summer at Winnona school. It was great to see them again. They taught us so much!

One of the best parts . . . I won a MAJOR AWARD. Well, it was a raffle, but it was the BIG prize. A beautiful wicker basket filled with lots of goodies. Training videos and DVDs, a cute newborn hat - lots of cool stuff.

Thanks to Jenny Smith for being our weekend photographer.

Now I just need to remember how to function on too much wine and not enough sleep . . .

Professsional Maternity Portraits - Deanna Williams

2011-01-16T07:59:00.000-08:00

I had a lot of fun at this portrait session with Deanna. Check out those shoes! Can't wait for her little one arrive. I am so excited that she signed up for our Grow With Me Baby Plan! I get to see that little girl 5 times next year to record all those changes and milestones from her first year. This is really what I love about my job. Recording images just once for a family is great, but it is 100 times better when I get to see how they grow and change over the years. I've said it before, but it really is an honor to be charged with preserving those fleeting moments! I am really looking forward to the day when I can photograph a wedding for little girl that came to Erica Salmon Photography for her very first newborn portraits. That will be a milestone in my career!

Please don't forget to check our Super Saturday Event coming up on January 29th. It should be a lot of fun, plus you get some updated portraits and the opportunity to support a good cause!

Indianapolis Photographer - A year in the life

2010-12-31T12:39:00.000-08:00

I am so excited about how far Erica Salmon Photography has come this year! And I can’t wait to see how we end 2011. I do have a few things in mind . . . more on that in another post . . .

WOW! I started this year with a splitting headache, shooting only on location, and trying to stuff all of my camera equipment into a dresser in the entryway or my laundry room. I’m ending the year generally healthy, with a new house that includes a camera room, a gallery / presentation room with a projector, and some super big closets that I am still cramming full of photography equipment. I’ve earned a few merits towards my Master’s Degree in Photography while attending the Winonna School of Photography over the summer as well as some of Professional Photographers of America Super Monday Events. I’ve upgraded a lot of my equipment and purchased lots of new fun and useful gadgets. Most importantly, I’ve had the opportunity to meet lots of new people and help them to preserve some amazing images!

I owe my success to my family, the education organizations I belong to, my lab Burrell Coulour Imaging, and of course, my amazing customers! I have so enjoyed getting a glimpse into the lives of so many of you. It is a lot of fun to be there for those important moments in people’s lives. To see a couple so in love at their engagement session and then get to be there for the wedding, a beautiful pregnant momma at a maternity session and then a brand new tiny baby a few weeks later at the newborn session, and of course all those little kiddos growing and changing so quickly. I truly feel honored to be charged with preserving those memories.

Please be sure to sign up for our newsletter to keep on top of all the specials and events coming up at Erica Salmon Photography. And remember, my most important marketing tool is my satisfied customers – If you hear of someone who needs a photographer – Please, let them know about Erica Salmon Photography.

Indianapolis Newborn Photographers - Baby Sophie

2010-12-29T14:25:00.000-08:00

I have so enjoyed my last few newborn portrait sessions! It's so fun to dress them up in funny hats, tutus, tie bows around them, and put them in some comfy cozy cocoons! I am looking forward to many more opportunities! Please be sure to check our our new baby program if you know anyone who is expecting! We also have a nice referral program for you!

Here is a video from my latest session. Baby Sophie is so sweet! Can't wait to see how she changes and grows. Before you click play I have to warn you - the song might make you cry! :)

I think this my favorite image from our session.

Liz and Danny's Wedding Photographs

2010-12-08T14:00:00.000-08:00

What a fun evening! Liz and Danny had a beautiful wedding. Hope you two are enjoying the honeymoon. Here are just a few from your wonderful night!

Sign up for Erica Salmon Photography's Newsletter!

2010-11-29T10:25:00.000-08:00

I learn something new every day, it is really nice (and rare) when things are easier than you expect!

Some more fun with Photography Slideshows

2010-11-24T21:19:00.000-08:00

Thanks to this lovely family! We got some great images and didn't freeze too much. I enjoyed "painting" this portrait for them.

A Few Children's Photographs I just couldn't wait to share . . .

2010-11-22T05:30:00.000-08:00

We had a great time with AVA. She was such a sweetie, and REALLY liked her cake!

My Greenfield, Indiana Photography Studio!

2010-10-11T19:42:00.000-07:00

I realized the other day that I hadn't taken or posted any images of our new place. We moved in in May. As I was standing in my neighbors yard at dusk with my tripod wondering if she was home, I thought about trying out an HDR image. So I took three shots at three different exposures. I tried to let Photshop put it together for me, but it didn't go so well. I did it myself and think the result is kind of cool.

Here is our new home and home of Erica Salmon Photography Studio in Greenfield, IN.

FYI, I pumped up the green in the grass, but it still looks really brown.

During the many steps of creating my HDR image, using various masks and filters, I noticed this shot and thought it was pretty neat:

Here is the inside

This shot was taken at night, but I have some nice windows along two walls if I decide to use natural light. My husband Jim build me a couple of PVC frames for my reflectors. My room looked super big before we moved in, but I'm afraid I'm going to be looking for more space . . .

Jim really did a great job on these. We have vaulted ceilings in this room so it was a challenge. I felt like I had a real studio when I had my backdrops attached! This is a great inexpensive system.

Swan Lake, Indiana Photography Shoot Out

2010-09-29T11:05:00.000-07:00

I had a great weekend at Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth, IN! We had two great speakers Christopher Castaneda and David Cuerdon. This was an even put on by PPI - Professional Photographers of Indiana. I joined PPI about a year ago and have grown leaps and bounds as a photographer. I just can't recommend it enough for anyone who is a professional photographer or an aspiring one.

We did a fun and challenging exercise where we taped up the back of camera and used our light meters to really think about and compose our shots without relying on our camera to think for us. We were also limited to 50 shots over several hours and each one was supposed to be really different. So we wouldn't rely on the "shoot 1000 shots and one of this bound to be good" method of photography. (Something I am often guilty of). I am excited to say that I won second place!

I have to give many thanks to Nancy Bailey for her instruction and suggestions during the shootout. It is a privilege to work with someone with so much knowledge. I was lucky to have her in my group!

Here are the shots that I submitted:

Indianapolis Family and Baby Portraits

2010-09-25T14:32:00.000-07:00

I had such a nice time photographing Baby Jean and her family. It really was an honor to have the opportunity to capture four generations! And Jean was an amazing model. Smiley and giggly the whole time.

This one makes me smile every time I see it!

This was a lot of fun to make!

Bye Bye Baby Jean! I hope I get to see you again sometime!

The next day we went to the Art Museum with Jean's mom and dad. I'll be editing those images soon. Stay tuned!

Click here to see more.

Baby Boy Portraits!

2010-09-01T12:20:00.000-07:00

I had a lot of fun last week with Elijah and his mom! Babies are so fun and its amazing how quickly you forget . . . Jack and Ellie are 3 and 5 and I couldn't remember what a 2 month old baby could "do." Elijah was very sweet, smiley, and not fussy at all. We took our time and made lots of funny faces. It was a BEAUTIFUL day and we got to spend some time outside. Here are a few shots from our session

Thanks for looking!

Super Saturday!! - Indianapolis Portraits

2010-08-10T13:45:00.000-07:00

Mark your Calendar’s! AUGUST 28th is the next SUPER SATURDAY!

Erica Salmon Photography’s new studio GRAND OPENING! Schedule an appointment to come by and get some updated images from Erica Salmon Photography! I have several different backgrounds and some nice outdoor spots for portraits.

Of course, I will have samples of all the latest products and maybe even a few snacks.

$50 will get you a 20-30 minute portrait session plus two 8x10 “sheets” (One 8x10, or 2 5x7 etc.)

Special prices for Special Products:
Additional 8x10 sheets - $13
8 die cut wallets - $13
Accordion book - $20

Bring a friend and you each get $10 in referral bucks to be used on any products.
Schedule your appointment today! Send an email to Erica@ericasalmonphotography.com, send a Facebook message, or call me at 317-403-2694.

Super Saturday!

2010-03-22T05:57:00.000-07:00

Super Saturday is done. We had a lot of fun and will have another one sometime soon. I got a chance to use all of my new toys - er - equipment. Jim provided some yummy snacks (even a little wine) and we had a great time visiting, sharing our new products, and of course, recording some fun images. My good friend and neighbor Rachael came over to assist. I hope that she will be assisting me many more times in the future. Thanks so much to everyone who was a part of our fun day. Keep checking our website for the date of our next one! If you'd like to see more images from Super Saturday, click here.

Portfolio Slide Show

2009-11-20T10:06:00.001-08:00

Love these slide shows . . .

McGrone-Redd Engagment Session

2009-11-16T14:32:00.000-08:00

What a great time! Last weekend I had the pleasure of photographing Lynn and David for an engagement session. They are getting married in May. I hope to be the photographer at their wedding as well!

I hope you enjoy this quick sneak peak. I'll have a lot more up for you next week!

Animoto Video

2009-11-11T10:06:00.001-08:00

Ok, here's another one.

One of a million things learned about at the Professional Photographers of Indiana conference I went to last weekend. I think you'll be seeing more of these to come. Super Cool!

Holiday Card Slide show

2009-11-04T06:03:00.001-08:00

Trying something new . . . does it work?

Wow, that was entirely too easy! What do you know . . .

Holiday Cards!

2009-10-30T10:11:00.000-07:00

Check it out . . .

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

2009-09-23T22:49:00.000-07:00

A blog in pictures:

We went to a new State Park this weekend with my Dad for his birthday. We had a really good time (right up until the end). I was feeling pretty good on Saturday and got to take some cool pictures. I've been shooting mostly people lately, so it was nice to take a few nature shots.

I still have to shoot some people!

This one was more about the grass than the person.

This park was near Lafayette. It wasn't much for trees, but had a bunch of cool Prairie grasses. It was nice for a change.

(BTW, I figured out how to put watermarks on my blog pictures and make them big enough to actually see, but not really obnoxious. Aren't they cool?)

OK, back to the people

Jack and his new friend - Corrine I think it was. On the "Trolly Ride" (a hay ride without the hay.)

I seriously got this shot by telling her not to look at me.

Here it comes . . . Looks like fun

FYI that tube grandpa is standing next to is about 10 feet high (according to Jack).

Why it wasn't so fun at the end.

But he's a trooper.

And we all got cake. Happy Birthday Grandpa!

P.S. I like Indianapolis Wedding Photography because I am an Indianapolis Wedding Photographer

Beauty and the Beast

2009-09-09T09:53:00.000-07:00

I am really looking forward to attending the Beauty and the Beast photography seminar in Indianapolis next Monday. It is right up my ally for "the things I need to learn." It's all about posing for weddings and lighting. Lighting is one of my biggest challenges right now. I get some great shots on an overcast day! If I'm going to be successful, I'm going to have to do better than that! I am going to have some money to invest and I need to know what to buy and how to use it. Time and money are pretty scarce these days. (That's just me right?)

I'm excited to have stumbled across this giveaway for free entry into the seminar! Not only that, but there are some really cool videos on just the subjects that I am so interested in. I'm sure I will be spending a lot of time on your site Mark!

So, here is my entry into the contest. She is a beauty. This is short notice (I am doing this on my lunch hour at my "day job," but wanted to get something in quick because I know I am past the deadline). I wish I had time to do something a little more creative. I also couldn't resist the second picture of the bride and the horse. Beauty, Beast, you know. Even if I don't win, I am really glad to have found your site. I am HUNGRY for information on lighting and equipment. I hope I will make it to the seminar. Thanks for taking the time to consider me!

Googly Eyed!

2009-09-08T19:10:00.000-07:00

Have you ever googled yourself? I have, and I'm not getting the results that I want. I went through FIFTY pages of Indianapolis Wedding Photographers, and no Erica Salmon Photography. Thanks to my "kickin' webmaster" I know that there are many reasons for this, some of which I know how to fix. One of those is blogging about Indianapolis Wedding Photography (sorry, really, I am - this is going to happen again). If you google Erica Salmon, I am on page 1! That is really great considering that there is another Erica Salmon that has been on Good Morning America promoting her fantasy fashion something or another. Pretty cool. If you type in Erica Salmon Photography - I am right up there at the top. Also cool, but . . . I kind of doubt that any potential customers will be browsing the web for photographers named Erica Salmon. I guess it's a start. I do have some patience. I have children.

Another thing that has me googly eyed is Google Analytics. This is the coolest stuff ever!! I could get lost in all this information and forget about my Indianapolis Wedding Photography for weeks. (I told you it would happen again). This stuff will tell you who visited my sites, how long they stayed, what cities they live in, what pages in what order. I wish it would give me names and address, but sadly it won't. I was beginning to think that no one ever read my blog, because no one is following me, and no one ever makes any comments. But analytics is telling on you my friends. I know there are some of you out there. So say hello, don't be shy. Click that little comment box over there and drop me a line. You could even follow me if you wanted to be really kind. Let me get back to my Indianapolis Portrait and Wedding Photography business and stop trying to figure out who you are! :)

P.S. Check out the Business card - coming soon

C-O-O-L R-I-D-E-R

2009-09-03T12:25:00.000-07:00

If any of you are on the fence about just how cool I am, I'll have you know that I was out "terrorizing the neighborhood" (as my amazing husband Jim would say) on my very own Motorcycle just last night.

Before you make your decision, I need to let you know that this was a last minute thing. Safety gear check - I was already wearing long pants (gray dress pants from work). I had to change my shoes. Where are my boots? Never mind, here are my tennis shoes. Need something long sleeved? I'll throw this denim shirt on over my short sleeved dress shirt. Eye protection? It was starting to get too dark for sunglasses so I wore a pair of Jim's safety glasses. And of course, my helmet. I'm really sorry to say that I don't have a picture of this ensemble. My neighbors Allison and Tania were out running as I was riding by. I'm sure that their faces were more amused than awed or impressed.

Here is a picture of me looking a little bit cooler (Biker wise) than I did last night.

I'm also sorry to say that the reason I was out riding last night was that today, I sold my bike. That trip around the 'hood last night was my first time in a couple of years I'd been out riding on my own. I guess I'm more of a back seat rider than a front seat rider. (Because you know, you don't drive a motorcycle, you ride it).

Don't worry, we only sold my little beat up brown thing that if you don't live in my neighborhood, you've never seen. We still have our "really" cool bike, the Indian Chief and don't have any plans to get rid of that one any time soon.

Will work for food (aka Will Play for Gumbo)

2009-08-27T11:43:00.000-07:00

"I don’t smoke, I don’t shoot smack But I got a spicy monkey ridin’ on my back" (here's the video if your interested)

What do I mean by that? Well I'll start by saying that Art and Colleen Bouvier are lucky that I don't know their address. I was in on my home from work with just about an hour for dinner before rushing off to pre-school orientation. I was stoked for some blackened chicken creole from Papa Roux. Nice night, sit outside, quick service AMAZING food. But WAIT, ah . . . pickles (thank you Jack), no more dinner at the Roux, only on Friday :( I was so pi . . . er . . . angry, disappointed. So if I'd known where they lived, I just might have shown up at their door begging for a bite. We went to CiCi's pizza instead. It was just as good. Yeah. Right.

Today Jim called me to meet him for lunch. Yay, lunch at the Roux?? No, they just went there yesterday, they want to go to Olive Garden. Really??? I work on the West side (two days a week). I just can't make it to 10th and post on a work day. I don't usually take the kids out by myself. I need some Roux!!!

So while I'm in the car driving most of the time these days I'm thinking about this photography "thing." How I'm going to start, grow, market and sustain my business. There is SOOO much to think about, so much to do. So all these thoughts were crossing my mind along my addiction to Papa Roux and I thought of the Jimmy Buffett song "I will play for Gumbo." When I get to actually take pictures, that is way more like play than it is like work. I was thinking about Art's relentless support of the "Mom and Pop." And I was just wondering if there was any way we could help each other out? Maybe we could put links on each other's websites? Maybe they'd let me put a flier up at the restaurant. I wonder if they need a web designer from the Indianapolis east side?

I have so many thoughts in the car every day.
So here is my simple offer to you Papa Roux - if you need any photography work done - "I will play for Gumbo." (creole, actually or even chili, po boys . . .)

VACATION!

2009-08-18T19:18:00.000-07:00

I am in a Holiday Inn Express in Nashville, TN. We are at the end of a wonderful vacation. We will drive the last few hours home tomorrow morning. (Who knows what other great things will happen to us since we are staying at a Holiday Inn Express!)

We had a really great time in Chattanooga. We saw Rock City, the Incline Railroad, Ruby Falls and the Tennessee aquariums. We had a cute little cabin on Lookout Mountain (scenicviewlogcabins.com) .

On our way from Chattanooga to Ft. Valley, we stopped to visit some friends of Jim's who asked me to take some family pictures of them. Any chance I have to work on my photography is exciting. We only got to stay for a short time, but it was a nice visit and Bev even made Jim a birthday cake!

Next we went to Ft. Valley, GA where Jim had a class. That left me and the kids to venture out on our own. We found a cool beach (on a lake). I discovered one of the major disadvantages to going to the Beach as the only adult in your party. I have a really nasty sunburn on my back in the small strip between my shoulder blades where I couldn't reach to put the sunscreen on. I guess I should have asked the kids for help. This morning we went to Lane Orchards, a Peach "farm" and packing plant.