If you’re still reading this blog on www.ericamay.com, you must have missed the announcement (below!) about the NEW BUSINESS and NEW BLOG! Don’t forget to update your bookmarks and/or blog reader settings to go to our NEW blog: www.anecdotallyyours.com/blog!

But, I wanted to post about the February class for beginner photographers, because there are still some spots open and this is the year you need to learn how to use your camera!!

(Sorry, Mom…).

But I do feel like for about the last nine months, we’ve had something almost as time-consuming, new, and exciting to focus on. Today is the day that we officially announce the launch of our new brand, Anecdotally Yours!

For those of you who don’t know, my husband Jeff is a filmmaker who mainly creates wedding films. He and I have been operating two separate businesses for years now, and found ourselves more and more wanting to share a business, share a website, and share in the journey of telling stories about people. For the past five years, I’ve used www.ericamay.com as my internet home base, and so many wonderful things have happened during that time through my business. I’ve met incredible people, witnessed heartfelt moments between loved ones, celebrated growing families, and have seen countless couples dedicate themselves to each other in front of families and friends. I can honestly say that I had no idea how blessed I’d feel — every day — to call this my job.

So, you can imagine that I’d want to share all of that with my husband. And we wanted our new joint venture to be really focused on what it is that we love: telling stories.

That’s how Anecdotally Yours was born. We hired super talented people from a design firm to walk us through the whole process, which started (as it should) with us writing our own story about what we wanted our new brand to be about. That story dictated everything else we considered for the new brand — names, logos, colors, website designs, and on and on until everything came together in a way that we could not be more excited about!

For those of you who know how much I love the color green, don’t worry — we worked in some green accents on the website. But the whole site isn’t green anymore (shocking!), and it’s not called Erica May (although I’m still the photographer!). Because although I love the color green, and I love the name my parents gave me, the truth is that this work we do has much less to do with me and everything to do with YOU, the people whose stories we get to tell. So while we want our personalities as individuals and as a couple to shine through on our site, we want the stories to speak louder. We want to continue to know people well. We want photographs from a family in their home, or a film about a couple on their wedding day, to tell an authentic story about who those people are. We want our blog readers (that’s you!) to connect with pieces of a story about strangers, or to feel moved by what you see, or to laugh out loud at the funny parts.

Life is a series of anecdotes. A series of short stories about people that give you a glimpse into who they are. And we want to be even more committed to telling those stories as we launch this new brand!

So, it’s with great excitement that I ask you all to join me on our NEW website and NEW blog starting today, which combines both photos and films! Please bookmark our new blog or change your blog reader feed to reflect the new place where you can see my most recent photos, as well as beautiful films, and lots of other fun things we have in store for you.

The new blog address is www.anecdotallyyours.com/blog — you don’t want to miss the blooper reel of Jeff and I trying to welcome you to the site.

When you visit, take some time to look around, check out the videos and photos, and leave a little note in the comment section on the new blog so I know you found it okay. I can’t wait to continue telling your stories, and to share this fun journey with you all!

Click here to see the new website!!

I’ve been doing one-on-one mentoring sessions for a while now, and have been hoping to do a class-type of setting for people who would benefit from a detailed, yet quick lesson in the basics of camera controls and shooting techniques. I figured the new year is a great time to help you learn how to document your own life and start preserving your memories! So, I’m excited to announce the first class available:

Photography Basics (a class for beginners)!

Saturday, January 21st, 2012

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Kansas City, MO

Topics covered:

1. Manual camera settings (what all of those buttons are for!) and understanding them so they’re not so scary (I promise, it’s not as hard as it sounds!).

2. Exposure basics (aperture, shutter speed, and ISO) and how they interact to produce the look you want.

3. Basics of light (since photography is all about light!) and how to use available light and turn off your flash for natural-looking photos.

4. General photography principles to give you a good foundation, like compositions and finding the right kind of light.

5. Making the most of the equipment you have, as well as information on camera gear that can get you different results for a fairly low cost.

6. Practice shooting! Bring your camera with you, this will be a hands-on time! This class is designed for beginner photographers with a digital SLR camera.

7. Q & A… whatever else you want to ask.

Cost: $150. This class is limited to just FIVE people, so don’t wait!

To reserve your spot and find out all of the details, just send an email: me[at]ericamay.com — replace the [at] with the @ symbol. I’ll reply to let you know how to register!

Let’s start 2012 off right — mastering something new (or something that’s been sitting around your house!). Now is a great time to start preserving your life story, no matter what stage you’re in. I can’t wait to help you get started!

Who: YOU! This is open to pretty much every shoot from the last few years — if you just never got around to ordering photos for your home, now is a great time!

What: Buy one canvas, get a second canvas (of equal or lesser value) for more than 50% off (plus sales tax)! Buy one for you, and for a family member for Christmas… or two for you!

When: Now through Thursday, December 1st, 2011 (we must have your order finalized by December 1st to get in on  this!)

Where: Online! Just email me, and we’ll do it all conveniently online!

Why: Because your home should display images that tell your wedding, engagement, or family story. And because it’s a SALE — who doesn’t love a great sale?

How: It’s easy. Just send me an email with the image numbers you want to order from your session, what size you think you want, and I’ll walk you through the rest! If your Pictage image gallery is no longer online because it’s been a while since your shoot, no problem — I can open it back up for you!

Here are the sizes available with the special, and the prices for each size (tax not included), which are already a really great deal for museum-quality canvas prints. The second canvas (either the same size, or a smaller size) will be more than 50% off! You can mix and match these sizes, but the second canvas discount will apply to the smaller size in your order (so why not order two BIG ones?).

11×14: $89.25 (second canvas just $40!)

12×18: $104.25 (second canvas just $50!)

16×20: $134.25 (second canvas just $65!)

20×30: $186.75 (second canvas just $90!)

I’ll make your Christmas shopping easy, and personalized. Don’t know what image to choose for a canvas? Just ask — I’ll be happy to give suggestions for images that would work well, and help make sure that they’re sized appropriately! Email me[at]ericamay[dot]com to get started!

It looks like we’re going to be in Chicago this weekend! I LOVE that city, and the awesome people who live there, and would love to be able to take some photos of families or couples or anyone else who would love some fun pre-holiday photos in the windy city.

I’m even offering a super portrait special for sessions that book for this Sunday, November 20th! If you’re in Chicago or know someone who is, feel free to email me[at]ericamay[dot]com for the details, or just visit the Contact page at www.ericamay.com!

Deep dish pizza, here we come!

Totally unrelated to Chicago, but here’s another fun photo from our recent trip to California:

So, I can never choose. I love capturing the connection between a family with history together as their kids grow up. I love preserving the new, young spark between an engaged couple. I love stopping that quick moment in time with a new baby’s eyes get big as he explores the world around him. It’s an amazing blessing to me, that you all ask me to be a part of creating the images that tell your story — whatever stage in life you might be in.

What stage of life are you in right now, the fall of 2011? Who are you right now, and what is happening in your world that needs to be captured? Time flies by so fast, especially for busy families, students going back to school, and couples getting engaged and starting their wedding planning.

My calendar is now open for fall portrait sessions of all kinds — from now through November, and dates are filling up quickly! I will have a few weekend dates available this fall, and more availability on weekdays, so now is a great time to start scheduling shoots before the holidays! And let’s plan something fun for your shoot! Something that tells a story about who you are, right now, in the fall of 2011. You’ll love it, and I’ll be honored to shoot it.

We’ll be traveling for a few extended trips this fall, and I’d LOVE to shoot portraits while we’re in new locations. Here’s the schedule, in case you or someone you know in those areas would love to have a fun session:

August 26 – 28: Pierre, South Dakota

September 28 – 29: near Hartford, Connecticut

September 30 – October 5: New York City/Brooklyn, New York

November 4 – 9: San Diego, California

November 10 – 14: Portland, Oregon

I’ll leave you with one more shot of the adorable little Henry, who right now can’t stand on his own, and still needs his Dad’s hands to hold him up.

The first was the Photography for a Cause efforts — where a group of photographers (including myself) have chosen to sell art prints and donate 100% of the profits to two charities each. If you missed that post, click here to read about how to get involved in that.

The second way we’re giving back is by booking portrait sessions that are super on sale to benefit Kansas HOBY, a youth leadership organization that Jeff and I volunteer with. If you missed out on that awesome opportunity to get a portrait session at a great deal AND have 100% of the amount go directly to a local youth program, click here to find out more details. I only have a few spots left!

Finally, I’m announcing the THIRD way we’re joining together to give back: a photography class for beginner photographers where 100% of the profits go directly to… you guessed it, my favorite youth program, Kansas HOBY! Chris with La Brisa Photography had the idea to do this class an extension of Photography for a Cause, and asked if I wanted to partner with him to teach new photographers the basics of photography and how to use a camera. This is a great class for beginner photographers, parents who want to take good photos of their kids, people with D-SLR cameras who don’t know how to use them, etc. Here are more details, directly from the Photography for a Cause website:

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What is it?

Introduction to Portrait Photography by ericamay.com and labrisaphotography.com.

Who is it for?

New and aspiring photographers who want to take better portraits of their loved ones. Or simply, anyone who has a DSLR camera and has no idea what all the little buttons do! =)

Where will it be held?

Rock Springs 4-H Center in Junction City, KS (near Manhattan, KS).

When will it be?

Monday, June 20, 2011, from 9am-6pm (lunch included).

How much is registration?

April 19th-April 26th = $149

April 27th-June 1st = $199

Registration is limited to only 16 students and must be paid in full at signup. First come, first serve.

What topics will be covered?

• Beginner mistakes
• Learning your camera
• Understanding exposure and composition
• Posing
• Editing

How do I register?

It’s going to be a LOT of fun, and all for a really good cause… so stop leaving your D-SLR in your closet, and come learn how to use it!

This photo is from Red Rocks Canyon in Nevada.

(Have you heard about Photography for a Cause? Click here to find out more information about how you can help me support two awesome charities!).

So, each year I like to do a fundraiser to help cover the costs of the program, since we are a non-profit organization, and we rely heavily on support of people who care about leadership development in teenagers. This is where you come in. And where you get an INCREDIBLE deal on family portraits that goes directly towards an awesome cause. It’s a win-win if I ever saw one!

Here are the details on the limited edition sessions:

1. HOBY Special Portrait Sessions are offered only between May 1st and May 15th, 2011 (those dates will book FAST… hurry!).

2. The sessions have to take place in Kansas City and will last about an hour.

3. You’ll receive a disc of your high-resolution, edited images and an online gallery to share.

4. The cost is $150. You read it right… $150 for the session AND a disc. This only happens once a year, folks. $150 is the cost for one student to attend the program, so let’s see how many students we can send together!

5. Schedule today! The openings will fill up really quickly, so email me right away with your preferred date and time: me[at]ericamay[dot]com or visit the Contact page at www.ericamay.com.

6. Spread the word! A family portrait session would be an incredible and timely gift for Mother’s Day, which is May 8th! Or, maybe you know someone who just got engaged… surprise them with an engagement session (or treat yourself to one). This applies to any kind of portraits: families, babies, couples!

The first chance to be involved is to check out an initiative started by my friend Chris, Photography for a Cause. Chris has done this non-profit fundraiser for a few years on his own, and this year he’s asked a few other photographers to join his efforts! What this entails is each photographer hosting a gallery online of creative photography — landscapes, objects, nature, etc. All of the profit from print sales goes directly to a 501(c)3 organization of the photographer’s choice — one local organization, and one international organization. I’ve chosen organizations that are both local (started here) and international in scope.

I’ve created a gallery of images which can be found here. All proceeds from print orders between April 1st and April 30th will be divided between my two organizations I’ve chosen: The Global Orphan Project and Numana, Inc.

The Global Orphan Project is an amazing organization headquartered here in the Kansas City area, with a mission to transform lives through orphan care. They have such a heart for children, and take care of children in some of the poorest areas of the world.

Numana is a hunger relief organization, started in my hometown in Kansas, but working all around the world! They send pre-packaged meals to countries all over the world that need basic hunger needs met.

A little sample of the images I have available (most art images are related to places we’ve traveled):

You can find my creative gallery here: http://pictage.com/545660. ALL proceeds are donated directly to the organizations.