BIG NEWS!!!! BIG NEWS!!!! BIG NEWS!!!!

There comes a time in your life when you are asked to take a giant leap of faith. And you always have two options: Run the other way screaming wildly or jump freely hoping you'll gain your wings.

I started Mia Bella Photography over two years ago never imagining where it would lead me to today. I have grown as a person, a photographer, and a businesswoman.

Several months ago I was asked to meet with a young woman, a very talented photographer whom I admired. I couldn’t imagine what she could possibly want from me. She has created a powerhouse photography business and is at the very top in popularity for Louisville high school senior girls. With a gorgeous boutique studio, full hair and makeup experience before each photo shoot coupled with high end fashion and expertise in lighting and direction, Geni Bean of Pink Owl Photography is the best in Louisville. Little did I know she would quickly become my friend and offer me an unimaginable opportunity.

It was during this first meeting that changed EVERYTHING.

Geni told me she was moving to North Carolina and is expanding Pink Owl Photography to the Raleigh/Durham area. When I asked her what would happen to the Louisville studio, she replied…

“I am hoping you will take it over.” Um…I’m sorry, WHAT? So apparently not only had I been admiring her work, but she had been admiring mine as well. And out of this entire city, she chose me. Amazing.

So with much prayer, research, planning, meetings, training, more prayer, and deciding "I can't do this!" only to be met with the encouraging words of my husband, “Yes, you CAN!” and feeling God's peace that finally a leap of faith decision was made...

I am now the new photographer for Pink Owl Photography in Louisville!  This means a studio, hair and makeup artists and a fabulous clientele of high school senior girls! I am so very excited to be teaming with Geni to expand Pink Owl Photography.

Now, what does this mean for Mia Bella? My biggest concern upon taking this new position with Pink Owl is that Mia Bella must continue. My greatest love apart from my high school girls is the complete opposite end of the spectrum photographing those sweet and precious first days of a little one's life.

In order to grow, one must change, so Mia Bella will now be exclusively for Newborn Photography! A complete rebranding is taking place and will launch in January of 2014 designed to offer boutique style photography in the new parents’ home. And I’m so excited for wonderful new things to offer our new parents with Mia Bella!

It has been an absolute joy to photograph your children, your families and even some pets during the last two years and I thank you for your support along the way!

I am truly honored and excited for this new venture for both Pink Owl and Mia Bella Photography and I humbly ask you to please continue to join me along this new journey. For as I have learned with everything else that God has planned for my life, this next part is bound to be extraordinary.

To learn more about Pink Owl Photography and the exciting details of my next endeavor, please visit: PINK OWL PHOTOGRAPHY 

 

Why are some photographers so EXPENSIVE?! {Mia Bella Photography, Louisville KY}

Have you ever wondered why at certain times, usually the beginning of the year, your favorite photographer suddenly increases their pricing?

It's not so much that you are paying for a better quality photo paper or canvas material. Professional photographers order products through professional printing labs. Labs that you have to submit your artwork and sometimes licensing information in order to use their services. And while professional labs do an excellent job with quality, durability and most importantly matching the printed art to the art your photographer sees on their computer screen... paper is paper.

What you are really paying for is talent and experience. And with each passing month your photographer is learning, growing and improving. Improving to offer you even better artwork.

So here's an example of mine. Back in October I really thought this was a great image. But with new tools, new editing techniques, new education and practice, it looks much different with a re-edit from today.

 As with anything... never stop learning.

Recreating the past... Nostalgia Photography {Mia Bella Photography, Louisville KY Photographer}

More than ten years ago a father was given a book of photographs of his three young daughters for Father's Day. It was a treasured keepsake for the family and many of photos made it to the prestigious spot adorning the walls of their home.

So when the Mom contacted me about recreating some of these poses to once again create a book for Father's Day, I knew this was going to be fun.

With photocopies of the old photos in hand, we orchestrated the poses to exact replicas. The girls were great sports, more than willing to recreate these special moments for their Dad.

But not all of them were recreations. We took several of the girls to add to the collection. I'm so honored I got to be in on this little secret for Dad, and now that Father's Day has come and gone, I can share it with you!

SENIOR CLASS MEMORIAL DAY SPECIAL! {Senior Photography, Mia Bella Photography, Louisville KY}

CALLING ALL BRAND NEW SENIORS!!!!!!!!!!

 

Kick off your summer with scheduling your own Mia Bella Senior Fashion Photoshoot!

 

Email Jilli@MiaBPhotography.com to reserve your spot and don't forget to mention this ad!

 

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

 

 

Summer is coming! Class of 2014 book your session with Mia Bella! {Senior Photography, Louisville KY}

I have a love for all things photography - but high school seniors... I have a special love for this group! The fashion, the modeling, the artful drama behind those serious shots... I adore it!!

 

Summer is the most popular time for senior pictures and class of 2014 this is your time!!! We have just a couple spots left at the end of June so we are now booking for July and August. And for a limited time if you book for the summer you'll receive 24 free wallets!!

 

Email Jilli@MiaBPhotography.com to reserve your spot today!!!

Senior Mentoring Session! {Senior Photography, Louisville KY}

Tricia and I have been friends since high school. In the archives there is even a faded photograph of us rockin our velvet prom dresses. And through the wonderful world of Facebook we reunited several years ago. Tricia is an amazing photographer. So when I was beginning this photography journey, I would longingly gaze at her work and secretly wish she would teach me all she knows. So I asked her!

I asked her to be my mentor, to guide me, answer my questions, critique my work - help me become a better photographer. And she actually said YES! ;) She tells me the only reason she did is because she saw potential and that made my heart race. Someone who I think is so completely talented sees potential in me. So our journey began.

It started with simple technical questions and morphed into these "aha!" moments where I learned these photography secrets that send you over the edge of good to great. She has become again one of my greatest friends and I am forever indebted to her for the instruction and encouragement she's given me over the last two years.

I have had the honor of being assistant to her on several of her shoots in Evansville, IN. And by the way, if you are reading this and you live in Evansville and will soon be graduating high school in 2014 - you HAVE to check out www.haydenburnsphotography.com She is the absolute BEST.

So imagine my excitement when I asked if she'd come to Louisville for the day and teach me and she said, HECK YEAH! I found us a model, we coordinated outfits, we scouted our locations... we ate our Tumbleweed salads then we were off on our photography mission.

She taught me lighting tricks, camera tricks and again I have several of those "AHA!" moments where my response to her everytime would be, "SHUT THE FRONT DOOR." We laughed, we got chased out of a private party's room, we froze to death by the river downtown, but MAN did we have some fun.

So with senior season upon us, I got to go to "school" and be taught a premier senior photographer - and THE RESULTS ARE OBVIOUS.

So you 2014 Louisville Seniors... I AM READY! Let's do this!!!