I Could Never Be A Reporter...

I love taking pictures and I love to write. It’s the documentation I’m a slave to. The minutes of our lives are flying by, constantly, at a frightening pace and we document so little, when you think about it. So I am forever trying, to capture memories, thoughts, moments forever, for myself, my child, my family, friends and clients. On paper, I would make a great reporter.

I have always had a thing for super heroes, Superman in particular, so you would think Lois Lane would be an identity I would wear well, improve upon even, with modern fashion and social networking. Report? Yes. I do a lot of that. But the pictures? Oh… them.

I would be great for the Labor Day Cookie Kick Off at the local grocery store, the six-toed puppy born at the pound and all the Christmas lights and snow drifts you can handle. But, in your face, starving babies, mangled cars and pissed off celebrities? Can you say high resolution zoom? I just can’t get in people’s faces, in their private moments, in their lives; unless they ask me to.

So, I could never be a reporter. Not the kind I would want to be anyway. I just have a hard time being, rude. Ok, enough with the laughing! You know what I mean.

I would be an excellent Barbara Walters, sitting in a lovely Ikea-inspired, interview environment, complete with fresh Birds of Paradise and eclectic coffee mugs. That has me written all over it. Then we could dish and I could ask all kinds of sordid questions. Of course my camera man could catch all the tears and tension.

I am very comfortable with nude subjects, boudoir sessions, couples in created private moments, because I’ve been invited.

It’s all about my own embarrassment and pride I guess. I say this, because I also think I would make an excellent private investigator. I can take the nosey pictures, if no one knows I am. Shameful, I know. I am no Lois Lane.

Cherilyn David Christmas Specials...

I know, it's October, but Christmas comes FAST!! Be prepared for your family, your Christmas cards and mark one last thing off your list for the year!!

Cherilyn David Christmas Specials:

"I'll Be Home For Christmas"
Family Portrait Sitting...
90-minute sitting at location of your choosing (or studio setting)
UNLIMITED groupings of up to 5 family members!! (additional subjects possible)
Speedy same week viewing...
ONE copyright release for Christmas Card freedom!!! :)
Guaranteed December 15 delivery when ordered by December 5th!!
$75

"Santa's Little Elf"
Infant to Toddler Sitting...
"As Long As It Takes" sitting with your little one!
Up to 3 outfit changes
One, versatile location (e.g. park, many locations within a location)
Guaranteed December 15 delivery on orders placed by December 5th!!
$50

"Tinsel, Tinsel, Two for One!!"
Just like it sounds... any sitting, Christmas special or regular sitting, bring a friend and split the cost!!! You would not literally "bring a friend..." but you and a friend would enjoy a 50% sitting fee when both book and pay for your sittings! :)

Call or email Cherilyn today!!!

Mr. & Mrs.... Hallberg! Congrats!

Shot a great wedding two weekends ago, with the funnest family. You may remember their engagement session that I blogged about. Angela and Jim are blending a family with the best of them!

The wedding was red, complete with the infamous armadillo groom's cake from Steel Magnolias! I would have to say, the most stress free wedding I have ever worked.

Start spreading the news...

My God! Have you been to New york lately?

I have never been to such an amazing place. Clearly a publishing mecca, so the urge to pack my bags is something I am fighting daily.

After a 49-hour visit to the city that never sleeps, I am already inspired for a new book and already planning my next visit.

Book title, A Refrigerator in Kansas . Details to follow. :)

Getting Married on the Red Carpet...

Hmmm... sounds glamorous right? I only wish. Not for me of course. This title is actually referring to the fact that so many churches are lined with m&m red carpeting!! I don't get it. It doesn't seem particularly celestial or soothing to me. I would say one of one hundred weddings may have something red in their theme, flowers, dresses, etc. Result? Clash! I have looked at so many of my pictures, praying that the bride prefer black and white, so I can banish that hideous red!

Red does not go with sage green, creamy white, royal blue, peach (gasp!)... or many of the other popular wedding colors we see nowadays. Even when I do one of those striking red weddings, it never seems to be the same or even a complimentary shade to that of the faded old jelly bean every where you look. I just hate to see my beautiful brides, gorgeous grooms, fantastic flowers... slightly imposed upon.

I guess I am just curious. I am also perplexed, though I am sure no one smokes in the church, there are also several with the same tobacco yellow walls! Was there a clearance sale at Sherwin Williams? Hmmm... I just thought of the candles. Nah.

Please do not take offense, thinking I am speaking ill of churches near and far. I truly am not. I love church, love the people and the prayer that takes place within them. I guess I just scratch my head. It's the square peg in the round hole; the very red, square peg. ~

Meet me in Tulsa...

This week marks a big step in the business, maybe mostly in my head, but that's where everything lives anyway. I have branched out and acquired some advertising in the Urban Tulsa publication. To have the experience, know how, income and excitement of a photographer in a bigger city, I have to be in the bigger cities. This is a first step to that. Let's cross our fingers. I am trying to turn my PDF to JPG so I can show everyone my beautiful ad! :)

On the homefront, I have added to my unfinished projects, "Lived & Lost at the Montgomery County Poor Farm." Borne of one of my cemetery quests, I never even knew our county had a poor farm. Opened over a hundred years ago, almost three of the buildings are still standing, albeit among a mountain of debris and neglect. My heart is breaking of course, due to the Poor Farm Cemetery, hidden beneath the disarray, lost souls, lost stories. So I have moved this project to the forefront, racing against time to discover the stories known only to our community elderly and anyone they have told. A little bird told me that the property may be sold and refurbished, at least cleaned up. Of course I expressed huge interest in fixing up the cemetery, fending it in, signage, etc. It is my intention to create a book for the library & museum, compiling all the data from all sources, so future patrons have it at their fingertips. We shall see.

Location, Location, Location...

Had a fun time scoping out some new locations, spots, oddities... etc!! Commissioned a couple gorgeous young ladies in gorgeous dresses to play model for a day and they both did a super job!!

Most of all it was fun!

It's something to be able to completely run a shoot, without a client's concerns to include in my head. This is a great way to show potential clientele something new and different.

Wedding Planning?

Ok, get ready for hilarity!

I have no boyfriend. No prospects. My last two dates have since contacted me to announce reconciliation with long lost exes. Yes!

Anyway, even when I am dating, I am in no hurry for a huge commitment. I can commit, but marriage, kids... hmmmm, I'm on the fence due to tragedies passed.

Despite these truths that are self evident, I am forever planning my next wedding. ???

What wedding?

Thus far, I have decided the setting/ceremony of my next nuptial and the song!! Hope my hubby doesn't mind... wherever he is!!

So this bridge is the aisle, down which I intend to walk unassisted. Lined with guests, handing me my flowers one at a time. Later, whoever the lucky chap standing at the end may be, we will dance to "Heaven," remake by Jason Aldean & Bryan Adams.

Is this because I photograph weddings?

I don't oogle in jewelry store windows. I do not buy bridal magazines. Hmm.

Wearing My Glasses...

Ugh... I am working on a sitting/viewing... over 100 prints now that I have done the breakdown. I am forever scorning myself for zooming in, when what I should be doing is wearing my glasses!! I like my glasses, both the brown and the violet, but for some reason I think of them more when I am accessorizing, than when I actually need to see something! Hmmm... note to self.

Mind you I have no insurance, so I have paid cold hard cash for these beauties and so, where are they? Hmmm.... I don't know. I think the brown ones may be on my bedside table and... yes! The violet are behind me, on a tower of drawers, meant to organize, but really just hiding chaos.

I put them on. They're filthy. Cleaned them. Still not great.

I am wondering if this is a secret, subconscious problem I am having, since my last boyfriend said they made me look old. Old?? Ugh!! I am 34! They're supposed to make me look smart, mousy, sexy? Maybe not. I need to wear them, so that everything else looks... clear!!!!!

Sixty Three Chapters of Summer

Well I am cautiously motivated, excited, mystified!!! My first novel is seriously put to bed, on the shelf, never to be edited again, I hope. So, my summer is ear marked for completion of three, YES, three more! Not novels, well, not all of them anyway. My cook book, my memoir/biography on my experience with my daughter's car accident and my children's book Creepy Christina, should, could, WILL be done by September 1st!!

Honestly, the children's book is the only one testing me at the moment. The other two I feel are wll within my reach. Sadly, the children's book is done! It's been written for two years, illustrations recently completed by the talented Hanna Marie Copithke, so what's the hold up you ask? Ugh! I've never dealt with illustrations, full page on every page. So the publisher keeps kicking it back, full bleed, zero margins, pixelation.... they're speaking Jackanese to me!! But I power on.

The memoir is all in editing and photo insertion, but I can only handle a few pages before I have to take a break... but again, totally written!

The cookbook is not totally written, but it lives and breathes in my head. I just need to conduct a July August affair with my desk and we'll be ok!

All of this is in hopes of a clean slate in the Fall. Ok, the slate is never clean... with a few other titles rattling around up there, but for the most part! The Senator's Daughters was shelved when the first 911 call came in, but it's back on the burner now and maybe I will plan to have it done before NANOWRIMO 2010. Ah, back to the place where so much has been born. Love it.

Meanwhile my favorite time of the photographic year is upon us. Wheat fields and raindrops, late sunsets and so much light!! I am in heaven!

The Cutest Little Tree Hugger.....

Sometimes you don't know your toddler is an activist, until the photographer pulls the camera out! Since I also happen to know he is very fond of my stuffed "Bambi," I don't know how dad is going to feel!! :)

This handsome devil is Kyler and seriously, he loved every tree we passed! He is an excellent example of my "Follow My Toddler" sitting. There was no sitting... and where Kyler went, I followed.

On Paper.... Cherilyn David Pricing in General

Anyone who knows me, knows I am all about customization, all about the intricacies that make every person, every day, every molecule, different. It is for this reason that creating cookie-cutter packages and perfectly square pegs, is difficult for me. But here I am doing it. :)

Below are my prices "in general." If something here suits you perfectly, awesome! But if nothing does, don't click away. Tell me what you're looking for and I will create a custom pricing package for you. I love the opportunity to learn the needs of my clients, so that I may come closer to pleasing them all.

Wedding Info can be found in Blog entitled "Something Borrowed..."

"Follow My Toddler" 90-minute Session, $125

We all know toddlers are unstoppable in mind, body and soul! So, though I may have some success getting yours to stand still, I'd rather not try to stifle them like that! So... "Follow My Toddler" is just that. One on one, myself and your one toddler... and away we go. Of course any number of parents and family members are nearby, but they better have worn their walking shoes... because we plan to move! :) These sessions are best in parks, their own homes, preschool... wherever they are most comfortable and happy, where they will see and find much to do and explore. I love talking with parents and determining where the best location would be. As always, flexibility is key and sessions can be manipulated if more than one location is a really great idea! These sessions yield 40-50 proofs, provided online for viewing within 5 days. :)

"Newly Newborn" Brand new baby, 60-minute Session, $75

These sessions are typically scheduled before the babies are even born! This is to guarantee we shoot the baby before about 2-weeks old. Not to worry... if he or she comes early, I will make it happen! :) Babies are amazingly flexible, poseable and peaceful when they are brand new. You will also be so tired, you may not think of getting portraits done and in a month, they will have changed and those moments are gone forever. They will never look the same again. Being so little also provides opportunity for fun shots and fun props. These are one of my favorite! These sessions yield 30-40 proofs, provided online for viewing and order WITHIN 24 HOURS... ordered prints are also rushed, since we know how excited everyone is!! :)
*** $25 Newly Newborn sitting with paid/completed Maternity sittings, with Newly Newborn appointment made!!!***

Standard Cherilyn David Sessions... $50, $75 & $100
These are typical sessions, portrait, one location, one to two subjects.Can be used and manipulated for ENGAGEMENT, SENIORS, HEADSHOTS, etc.
$50... 30-minute session, one location. Yields 15-20 proofs.
$75... 60-minute session, up to 2 locations. Yields 35-40 proofs.
$100... 90-minute session, up to 3 locations. Yields 45-50 proofs.
When multiple locations are shot, local travel time is NOT counted against your session time. Additional subjects $25 apiece. Typically I go over on time. You are guaranteed your time, extra is on me! :) When there are multiple locations... one of your choices can be an indoor mobile studio environment.
All sessions viewable online within 7 days. This can be faster in special situations.

** All sessions by Cherilyn David can also be viewed in person, if you would prefer to be able to ask questions, etc. **

Cherilyn David exclusive... "It's All Me" Photo Journalistic Session, $150

Have you ever seen a music video, a commercial or a magazine ad and thought... I could do that, I would look good in that shot! Have you ever viewed a portrait session set to music and thought it seemed like that person was a star. That's because we are all stars! When we see ourselves at our best, set to music and forever captured on screen, it touches us inside. It makes us puff up like a peacock!! :) The problem is, none of us see ourselves that way. We need a photographer to see us that way, mold us, pose us. These sessions are two hours, tons of fun and attention, include Cherilyn's own wardrobe accessories, 4 locations and yield up to 75 proofs! Viewable online within 7 days. One to two subjects included. Additional subjects $25 apiece, but not recommended... be selfish!! :)

*ALL viewings can be purchased as DVD for $50.
*ALL online viewing is password protected.

Questions? ASK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am Cherilyn

I am Cherilyn and I love pictures.

I love looking ot them, framing them and talking about them. I love taking them most of all.

After over 10 years of shooting, I have recently gone through a life changing crisis, which has accidentally exposed me to an entirely new society of photographers, resources, education and wonderment! That, along with the way in which the crisis has changed me, I have set a new bar, for myself, for my work, for the way I reach out to my clients and the world.

I am an artist first, honestly don't know enough about my camera and my mind always works about twice as fast as my fingers ever could... but I have always managed, so here goes!

Upcoming blogs... detailed explanations of my views and aspirations on all of my products; Families, Seniors, Baby, Boudoir, Etc... an entire blog will be dedicated to Weddings, story of the Cherilyn David name and all about Caisla... my daughter, my light. Every photographer needs her light.

I mean business, so "upcoming" means all of those blogs in the next week or so. Stay tuned!!

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