BUT, when I was asked lately to actually “M-O-D-E-L” for a friend’s clothing line, while my gal pal Tricia Meteer snapped away, I was instantly terrified. I have never considered myself anything but deranged-appearing in front of the lens. Excited at the idea of “being a model” (LOL) but knowing myself and my complete lack of model-ness, I knew I’d better prepare & practice. But I had no idea what to do. So I prepared myself to have a full scale learning experience…on set.

Needless to say , in the fabulous hands of Tricia, as photographer, and our wonderful friend Wanda Goldberg, as my stylist and co-model (she’s such a pro!)…I had a blast! By the end of the shoot, I had no idea whether they’d gotten any usable images from me, but I knew I’d had fun playing model for the day and getting to wander around the wild in sweet Charlotte Norrie’s beautiful Plum Pretty Sugar loungerie goods. Her clothes are, to say the least, YUMMY! And quickly making up more and more of my wardrobe! Especially as my baby bump is progressing outward…they are just soooo comfy and sweet!

Here are a few shots from our play date in the Plum Pretty Sugar line..and check out more on Tricia’s Facebook page album!

Not long after my fun with Tricia on the Plum Pretty Sugar shoot, I received another offer to “model” for another of her shoots. This time it was much more up my alley…I’d be on horseback! Tricia was asked to do some photography for a book by our natural horseman friend, Robin Shen and needed a few horsewomen faces. Needless to say, I was honored!

Here are just a few from our recent shoot with the ponies, but check out Tricia’s Facebook album for more….

So all in all, it’s been a very fun and interesting caveat to BE photographed, instead of just always doing the photographing. And I’m eternally grateful to Tricia for giving me the opportunity, being patient and working with me to get (hopefully) what she needed on both shoots. It’s interesting, as well, that all of this comes during one of the most pudgey and belly-licious phase of my life, so far! God has such a sense of humor!

Be brave, take advantage of opportunities that come your way (no matter how daunting they may seem at the time), and live each day to the fullest.

Hugs,

B

All images on this post are © Tricia Meteer / Equinox Photo. Please do not copy or repost without express consent from her. Thank you!

I remember when I first moved to San Diego, just a little over 2 years ago, and got involved with my local PUG at Jeff & Erin Youngren’s home. The first night, I stood in the corner…waiting. I knew there was goodness to be found there, but I was just a bit timid to go hunting for it just yet. It was when I was perusing the Youngren’s sample albums for the 5th time, that Erin came over and said hello. That’s all it took. From there, I met Jeff, then my friend Bethany, then the McCue’s, and then…and then… These peeps were my kinda people! I hearted them all instantly for their genuine honesty and openness. From then on, I came prepared with a zillion questions and Jeff & Erin never batted an eye in offering assistance. Even when my newly self-designed blog totally blitzed one day, Jeff (who unbenownst to me was just recovering from surgery) miraculously & selflessly rescued it for me! It is people like Jeff & Erin or Justin & Mary Marantz, who have humbly and openly shared their knowledge with me, that inspire me to want to be better and more available to those who ask of my limited knowledge. THANK YOU to those who have shared so selflessly with me! I am eternally grateful!

So, in that spirit, here are some answers to some of the slew of questions that have come my way of late. And THANK YOU, to those who have asked. THANK YOU for every single question. I don’t profess to know much, but I do know what I have learned the hard way, and I’m glad to hopefully save someone else the trouble. I’m not an expert, I’m not suggesting my answers are right…they are just my humble opinions and I’m glad to share them. And hopefully, possibly, maybe help someone out in the process.

Not at all! I shoot with two Canon 5DMII’s right now, and love them. My list of lenses is long (due to my significant need for counseling to cure my shopping habit!) but my Fab Four favorites are my 50 mm 1.2 (uber-loved!), 85 mm 1.2, 24-70 mm 2.8, and 70-200 mm 2.8 IS. I have several others, like a fish eye, macro, wide angle, etc… but they hardly ever get used.

Believe it or not, this wasn’t the full extent of Jennifer’s questions…she asked permission first and then sent me a literal list of them! I LOVE it! Heart her… Go get ‘em Jennifer! I can’t wait to see you follow your passion and succeed!

I shot my first paid wedding back in 2002 for a whopping $300!! It was awesome. The bride’s sister hired me, and they were the sweetest family and actually seemed happy with my meager shots. I am still awe struck by the way it all turned out.  Especially since I have never had any formal schooling, and hadn’t even attending any seminars at that point. Since then, I have tried to single out some of my most favorite photographers and afford their conferences, webinars & training workshops every year. The best thing I ever did, was attend Kevin Kubota’s Digital Photography Bootcamp, early on. He changed my life! It was at his workshop when I decided that I wanted to truly pursue a full time career in photography. I met the most amazing fellow photographers while I was there, like Craig Strong and Jeff Ebert, who were so encouraging and inspired me to commit. I continued working another job for the first few years until I was able to afford to purchase all of the gear & computer set up (I have always strived to live debt-free) I thought I needed before I jumped in full time to photography. Since then, I’ve never looked back!

I actually don’t use a blogsite, although I have nothing against them. I have a separate website and blog, that I built myself (which was fun to learn…albeit ever so SLOWLY). I use WordPress for my blog and enjoy being able to edit both my website and my blog myself.  I’m constantly changing things and even, right now, have so many updates I want to do to them both to continually stay fresh and reflect who I am as a person. I’m a bit A.D.D. when it comes to change…as I, myself, am a constant work in progress.

Well, I’m just not really fast enough to use filters when I shoot…so no, I don’t use them at all. I feel like it short circuits my creative juices when I have to manually mess with my gear a bunch. I’m a shoot-on-the-fly type of girl, and post-process works for me if & when I feel an image needs a “filtered” look.

I do 99% of my editing in Lightroom, only pulling files into Photoshop when they need some special lovin’. This keeps my post-processing time to a minimum…which, for those who know me, means a MUCH happier Betsy! I detest lengthy post-process work. I strive to shoot better & cleaner each time, as well as work more efficiently in my post-process, but it’s a work in progress. A work and a process that I want to make MUCH better, as a lesson to me, before I send EVERYTHING out for someone else to do one of these days.

I hope this info helps someone out even a little bit, by being shared. And feel free to shoot me more questions on my Facebook page or through the contact form.

Hugs,

B

Now if you know Frank & Jess, you understand when I say I never part company with them without having a side ache from laughing so much. They are HIGH-larious and so much fun! So this shoot was taxing…not because they were difficult to shoot, but because my camera vibrated from my giggles all day. I heart them both for that!

So, to my two dear friends, Frankie & JJ… Here’s to many, many more years of side-stitching laughter together, and hopefully some cute mini’s to photograph too, one of these days. I love you both dearly and cherish our friendship. Congratulations on your love, engagement and life together!

Hugs…B

Pointless phone calls. “So…what’s up?” “Nuttin…whazup with you?” “Umm…nothing really.” “…” “Cool.” “MmmHmm.” “…”

Being tickled. (And don’t try it, and think it’s funny. I get violent. And our friendship might end up on the line.)

Being scared. (Like someone jumping out of a bush & yelling “Boo!” for no good reason.) Grrr…

Taking your sweatshirt (pants, socks, etc) off by turning them inside out….and then tossing them in the laundry basket that way.

Being woken up for no reason, when I’m SOUND asleep. (Stems from being a light sleeper for eons…and coveting sleep even more so now that I’m preggers!)

Overly critical comments.

Loose change in my car console.

LITTLE KNOWN FACTS:

When I make a BLT, I HAVE to do it all out. Hickory vs. reg smoked bacon, cooked in my Lean Mean Fat Reducing Grilling Machine x George Foreman. Fresh avocado or guac. Market fresh, organic tomatoes. Hand whipped dill mayo. Slightly toasted sourdough bread. It’s an OCD thang.

This may not be “little known” since I post hyper notes about it on Facebook all the time…but I LOOOOOOOOVE Cotton Candy!

l LOVE when it rains in San Diego! Other than the notoriously poor driving skills of the natives, it reminds me of home…and fresh, cleansing, heaven-sent smells of damp pine & wood. Now if I could just talk God into letting it SNOW here…Hmmm…

l adore gift wrapping! I like making my own wrappings out of old maps, or hand painted brown craft paper, or leftover pieces of junk mail. I love it when people *gasp* when they get a present from me.

I’m a stanch non-obligatory gift-giver. I don’t support “hallmark holidays” nor do I like giving gifts on “appropriate” gift-giving days. I love to find special items throughout the year and surprise people with presents, for FUN! Expectation steals honest joy, in my book.

It took me 9 months to build this:   (…and just wait to see what I’m building in the NEXT 9 months!)

I could live in a quiet little cabin in the woods forever. I love solitude.

I can’t WAIT to finally get some chickens in my backyard again. I crave fresh eggs every morning. And feeding them bowls of spaghetti, like my mom always did, until they’re stuffed full!

When living in Oregon, the rainy state, I wore a different pair of high heels almost every day. EVEN when driving my open jeep around town! Now that I live in sunny SoCal, 9 out of 10 days you’ll catch me in either Uggs, rainboots or Rainbow flips! *sigh* I’m complicated.

For every word you might use to describe me, you can also probably describe me with the opposite word. Funny but Serious. Spontaneous Planner. OCD clean…Messy. A dog person who loves cats. Rainboots & Stilettos. Loves snakes…Hates spiders. Hates talking on the phone…Obsessive social media “chatter”. Ranch-loving, grease monkey…City girl. You get the picture…again, I’m complicated.

I always try and have her share at least one recipe with me, that even my simple little sous chef’s mind can consider tackling. One of my very favorites, that we make (and I actually have memorized) fairly often around my house, is a Crab & Cauliflower Spread. Gail is the ONLY person who has EVER been able to get me to like, and even crave any form of cauliflower! This recipe is super simple to make and feeds a large sized dinner party for appetizers, or keeps us in happy snacking bliss for about 4-5 days straight out of the fridge!

NOTE:  If you don’t like cauliflower, like me, just TRY it once. I promise you wouldn’t even know that’s what it was unless someone told you. Give it a whirl and then leave me some comment love on what you thought.

“Thanks Gail, for always providing kitchen inspiration and giving me a more open mind about new things to try! Love you so much and can’t WAIT for our next meal together, no matter where or what it is!”

Loves…Bets xo

I don’t like waiting until said hubby knows about such deliciousness to post peeks on my blog about it, or pop a new pic up on the website when I’m floored by a fabulous shot!

Now, I know patience is a virtue, but this one just couldn’t wait. I begged my client to allow me to just post one teensy-weensy little image of her gorgeousness on the blog to share the joy. This particular client just happens to have a fitness model body that I’d keeeeeell for! So, in the spirit of wishful thinking (while I eye the ever growing belly baby bump growing like an alien on the front of me), I decided to doctor up one of my favorite shots from Sunday’s seaside boudoir shoot (to conceal it from one lucky hubby), and toss it out there for you all to drool over. WITH my client’s consent, of course!

VOILA!

Yes that is MY face superimposed on HER body. But it COOOULD be me, right?! With a few years of protein shakes and major weight training, I bet my chicken legs would start to look JUST like hers!

Seriously, though, how GORGEOUS is her body? And just wait until you get to see the beauty queen face that goes with it! Amazing! I had a blast shooting with this sweeter-than-pie lady. We spent the better part of a day bouncing from a Melrose-style beachside Inn, to some amazing seaside cliffs, and finally to a gorgeous sunset-lit beach. All the while enjoying the gorgeous weather San Diego had to offer and laughing at our onlookers antics to get closer to the action. “PEOPLE! Do me a favor next time you come across me shooting a breath taking bikini-clad lady on the beach…KEEP WALKING and QUIT DROOLING ON HER! It makes too much sand stick and my stylist has to work overtime!”

Hugs, Bets xo

But this is life, today. For me. The photographer…Betsy Blue. Now with child. If you can, please be patient as the newness wears off and I get back to my job…my love…my photography. And I’ll try to give you something more exciting to look at than this…the epitome of my morning so far:

This Morning: Jesus, chai and a 1/2 a loaf of sourdough

The past 3 days, I have seen the morning sickness cloud of nausea lift. I feel like a new person…rejuvenated and ecstatically appreciating the ability to move about with ease (without carrying a baggie full of saltines & a banana everywhere with me). So, in celebration of what I hope to be the end of the 1st Trimester Plague, as I’m now calling it, I decided to step out in faith….and go to the EARLY service (my fav) at church. As I headed out by myself, with a belly full of raisin bran, into the gloriously sunny morning, I felt alive…and so grateful. I parked in a spot as far from church as I could, so I could enjoy the sunny walk for even longer. After a few hugs & hello’s, I took a seat next to a sweet gal named Kathryn and took in some very inspiring, filling words from Pastor Miles.

Not until I stood up to leave did I realize I needed a plan. And not just a “walk to your car casually” plan. I needed a “lear jet drop off in front of the closest edible item I could find” plan. I was beyond starving…after less than 2 hrs! So, I sprinted (it wasn’t pretty) to the Trader Joe’s next door and snagged a loaf of sourdough. As I stood in line to pay, I realized I was being watched. Not because I was of any normal interest. Not because I was so stunningly graceful in my Uggs and ratty jeans. And not because I was patiently waiting to pay before I partook. I was being eyed by several because I was voraciously devouring that loaf of SD…grasping handfuls at a time, as crumbs flew through the air and coated my hair and shirt, shoving them into my now dry-as-a-bone mouth. It was a beautiful mess.

I didn’t even remember leaving the store on my way into the next door down…Starbuck’s. Now, I know I’m going to pay for this confession, even as I type…but it’s the truth…and part of my hilarious morning. My hubby will probably put me on lock down when he reads this, since I agreed technically, truthfully (STUPIDLY) not to have caffeine while pregnant…BUT… I HAD to have something to wash that bread down, right? A little caffeine is good for the baby, right? [sheepish grin]

*

ME:  [coming out of my hunger daze] Hi. Wow! You look just like Zooey Deschanel or that girl off Gilmore Girls! Gorgeous eyes, girl!

ZOOEY-LOOK-A-LIKE BEHIND THE STARBUCK’S COUNTER:  Thank you! I get that a lot. [big grin]

ME:  I bet. May I please have a Soy Chai w/ no foam to go with my loaf of sourdough here?

ZOOEY-LOOK-A-LIKE BEHIND THE STARBUCK’S COUNTER:  Sure! Quite a meal! What’s your name?

ME:  Yes. I’m pregnant. [because that statement seems to excuse me from just about ANYTHING these days] And it’s B-E-T-S-Y…Betsy.

ZOOEY-LOOK-A-LIKE BEHIND THE STARBUCK’S COUNTER:  Congratulations! I’m not going to charge you for soy, either Betsy, because you’ve put a huge smile on my face today! [writes B-E-S-T-Y on my cup]

ME:  Awww…that’s very nice. Thank you.

ZOOEY-LOOK-A-LIKE BEHIND THE STARBUCK’S COUNTER:  No problemo Mommy-to-be! Enjoy your day! [another big grin]

ME:  You too Starbucks-girl-who-looks-like-Zooey. [big grin] And may God richly bless your week!

*

A new normal…and a renewed understanding of everyday blessings and opportunities to love that are right in front of us.

Hugs,

B

You might want to sit down. This may come as a bit of a shocker. It sure did to us. We didn’t know it was possible. But God is soooooo good. Overwhelmingly good!

The Tomasello’s….miraculously…

ARE EXPECTING!!!!  

Thank you Elizabeth, for allowing me into your & Emilio’s secret-forest-haven of a backyard to capture your adorable, ADORABLE kids for the holidays! Hope to see you all again very soon! Have a very, merry Christmas!  xo

Betsy Blue Photography, Lifestyle Portrait & Wedding Photography, Betsy Tomasello Owner/Photographer

Every Christmas I LOVE, love, LoVe hanging my stocking. Even empty, it’s the most beautiful thing..conjuring up happy, warm, cozy, family-time memories. I remember Marmie & Papa alway trying to sneak in some goodness (like a tangerine) amongst the Almond Roca, bubble-tape, Abba-Zabba’s, new stretchy mittens and little goodness packing that stocking TIGHT! SILLY PARENTS! Christmas morning is for mouthfuls of candy before you’ve even brushed your teeth…followed up by a tummy-gorging dose of Marm’s Cinnamon-Marshmallow Pop-overs! Oh my mouth-watering goodness!!!

I hope you are having a wonderful, joyous holiday season so far…and taking time to appreciate all the truth & goodness this special season has to offer!

Merry Christmas & much love,

Bets