Erst Photography, LLC

Erst Photography is preparing to move back to Missouri!

Erst Photography — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:22:07 +0000

As many of you may know, our family spent 6 years in St. Robert Missouri, just outside of Fort Leonard Wood, from 2004 -2010. This is where Erst Photography began in 2005. In September 2010 we moved to Fort Sill Oklahoma. It was supposed to be a 2 year assignment and I moved with all intentions of continuing my business. I registered my business in OK and got my tax id and set about putting together new marketing materials. I fully intended to maintain my full time status here but quickly found that was not going to happen. In December (just 3 short months after our move) my husband received word that we would be reassigned within the next few months! Long story short my husband ended up on a 1 year tour to Korea alone and the girls and I stayed here in Oklahoma. We then took on the exciting task of planning and having a wedding. My oldest daughter was married here at Fort Sill in June 2011. The biggest thing that put a damper on my doing business was I injured myself in early 2011. I tore my rotator cuff on my left arm in two places reaching to get my camera bag from back seat to front seat while out taking pictures at the wildlife refuge with my husband. I spent months in physical therapy before I finally had shoulder surgery in October 2011 to fix it. The pain that ran down my arm made holding my professional camera a very difficult task. These circumstances led me to a 2 year break.

I am now fully recovered and actively redesigning my website and preparing for our next move. Since I had registered my business here in Oklahoma I did keep taking photographs and had some clients. However, I did not actively advertise nor seek a large number of regular clients. This break has been good for me despite the not so fun “pain” parts. I have continued to grow and learn taking online courses, networking and was always taking pictures. I did miss having regular clients and being busy, but what working mom doesn’t enjoy a good break?

In 2011 I participated in a photo a day challenge with a group of 40 other photographers most of whom I know from the Equine Photographers Network. I have been a member of EPnet for 7 years and it is a great forum for Equine Photographers. During the challenge I enjoyed seeing all the beauty of Oklahoma and capturing it. Some great photo opportunities presented themselves! My two favorites were photographing the Fort Sill Half Section at a few on post events and the 73rd annual Lawton Rangers Rodeo!! I also volunteered my services at a fundraising trail ride for a local therapeutic riding center Giddy Up N Go.

My husband will be returning from Korea the end of June and we plan to move mid July.I am excited that the Army has chosen to send us back to Fort Leonard Wood where my business began. I am entering my 8th year in business and I am getting prepared to return to Missouri and to my Equine and Real Estate photography full time.

A Few Favorite Photos from 2011

Erst Photography — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:34:51 +0000

In 2011 I took on a “Photo a Day Challenge” with a group of other photographers. The only rules were 1 photo a day, can be taken with any type of camera including a phone. It was also decided that “slipper shots” were allowed. This turned out to be a good thing since I was in the hospital for 3 days in February and had surgery on my shoulder in October leaving me in a sling for 2 weeks and it was maybe 2 more weeks before i could properly use my DSLR without shaking.

My husband is active duty Army and in September 2010 we moved from Missouri to Oklahoma. The move brought about many new photo opportunities that made 2011 a great year to do this Photo a day. The Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge is practically in our backyard. We live on Fort Sill which is home to the only Field Artillery Half Section in the US Army. There are historic buildings everywhere and old barns and buildings that make great HDR material! I had the great privelege of photographing the Lawton Rangers on several occasions including their 73rd annual Rodeo. I also made it a point to try new things, to step outside my comfort zone.

Ive had several opportunities to photograph the Fort Sill Half Section. They can often be seen in on post ceremonies as well as performing off post in events such as the Lawton Rangers Annual Rodeo.

I enjoyed the challenge and I tried new things. I plan to put the daily photos into a book.

I am now doing a project 52 for 2012. Photos are only once a week instead of daily. I already find it difficult because i feel daily like im forgetting to do something! I have some great plans for more “stepping outside my box” and learning new things. I look forward to sharing that with all of you. Please follow my facebook business page if you dont already.

Thank you for all your kind words and support along the way!

Fort Sill Tree lighting Ceremony

Erst Photography — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:18:51 +0000

The girls and I attended the annual tree lighting ceremony last night here at Fort Sill.

The Big Deuce Battalion sang Big Deuces 12 days of Christmas. Each verse ends in “and a salute for Reveille. A cannon fires! (It is after all a field artillery post)

Then Santa arrives with the Fort Sill Half Section. This equine unit is for ceremonial purposes only and is the last in existance in todays army. The Half Section is “ A horse-drawn field artillery section had one six-horse team pulling a cannon and another six-horse team hitched to a ammunition carrier caisson. Fort Sill’s unit is called a half section because it includes only the gun team.” For the tree lighting there were only 4 horses pulling.

Visit to Missouri

Erst Photography — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 20:31:06 +0000

The girls and I drove up to Missouri and spent a very relaxing week at Germania Stables.

The girls rode every day, sometimes 2 times a day and I had a blast photographing it all! I also did a photoshoot while i was there.

Sara and Stellini

Polo Match at Fort Sill

Erst Photography — Tue, 10 May 2011 14:05:26 +0000

For the first time in nearly 40 years Fort Sill hosted a polo match on Polo Field. It was a very hot day but im told there were around 500 spectators and all seemed to be enjoying themselves!

I went back and forth between the sidelines at either end of the field and the shade where my family was sitting with cold water. All in all a great Mothers day !

My Photo of the Day for day 128

Lipizzan Stallions

Erst Photography — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:31:07 +0000

Fred and the girls and I went to see the Lipizzan Stallions Tuesday night at the Comanche County Coliseum. It was a great show.

3 HDR images taken in Faxon Oklahoma today

Erst Photography — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 23:45:16 +0000

photo a day

Erst Photography — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 02:11:10 +0000

If you are interested in continuing to follow my photo a day challenge for 2011 please “like” Erst Photography on facebook. Posting these daily photos in so many places is already getting ovewhelming and it is suppose to be fun!

Thanks for following along on my fun photo journey!!

Photo a day challenge. Day 6

Erst Photography — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 04:25:16 +0000

I had a long day and before I knew it it was 9:30 at night and i had no photo. Id taken two earlier in the day but they were not something id be happy to post….soooo

I got creative…

Photo a day challenge 2011. Day 5

Erst Photography — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 22:57:11 +0000

Coffy's Cafe in OKC. My daughter and I stopped here today. We had the best gluten free pizza and then gluten free chocolate cake. It was heaven!!