One of my stock photos used on NPR!

Click here to see the photo on istock.

For the Love of Music

Another stock shoot.  And another chance to celebrate beauty in life.  Music is a language of the heart.  When I can't find words, I can often find a song to express what I feel.

So this was an interesting shoot.  And one I hope to revisit.  3 lights, a couple roses, and a piano (keyboard).  Just at home, a typical Monday evening :)

Behind the scenes:

And the first two photos from the session accepted by istockphoto (click on the photo to see it or purchase it on istock's page):

 

One other thing I learned today:  I'm so keenly aware of visual beauty being a photographer.  Then the music - my ears are always listening.  But I often forget to smell (except those smells that make us wrinkle our noses, right? ugh).  So, stop and smell the roses.  Or any flower you see (on the side of the road, in a vase, whatever it is!)  Who cares if people are watching?  The simple things like this help me feel truly alive.  And that is a reason to smile.

I know, I know, I'm a little more poetic than usual.  Sentimental.  Reflective.  Maybe even cheesy.  But I want to make a difference with every photo I take, and it's an exciting journey as I re-discover how to see the world through a camera lens every day.  It makes everything worth it.  I share these photos because I am a photographer.  And I am grateful.

Stock Photos in use

  My wonderful assistant Casey made a discovery this week.  He held onto this information for 2 whole days so he could see my reaction in person when I found out.  And yes, it was worth it.  I screamed, I did cartwheel, I ran sprints in the parking lot.  I have not experienced that much adrenaline in years.  Finally!  This is what I have been looking for for since 2011.  And here it is:  You can use Google search with an image, not just with words!  So I dragged some of istock images into google and was able to locate some of them in use!  So for starters, here are several examples of how my most popular stock image, the hot air balloon photo is being used!  Wahooooooo!!!

1000 Stock Photos Downloaded!!

  Today is a day for celebration :)

I have been an istockphoto contributor since November 2011 and yesterday, my 1000th photo was downloaded!

The 1000th image purchased happens to be one of my most popular, and coincidentally it's also a wedding-themed photo.

Also, I will be looking for istock models each week for variety of shoots.  You will get a free 8x10 if you want to participate, please leave a comment here or email me at whitneylewisphotography@gmail.com and I will put you on the list!!

  We're excited to see what the next 2 years for stock photography will bring.

istockphoto - Family at Liberty Park

  This was a beautiful day at Liberty Park.  Green grass, blue skies, and the sun was shining!

We met up with Rob and his kids for a quick stock shoot and playing at the park!

Rob is good friend and amazing musician.  He is a dj, a saxophone player, does clubs and weddings. But beyond that, he's an incredible and loving father.  It was so sweet to see him with his kids here...

Life is good, isn't it?

 

istockphoto - Fitness Model

Stock photo shoot of a personal trainer/fitness model:  Casey and I met Zach while working out at the gym, and the next day we were doing a photoshoot!  It was his first time modeling, but this shoot got him a gig for a big clothing company the next week.  It's fun to realize I played a small part in that. :)

 

istockphoto - Little Girl at the Park

 

Another quick stock shoot at Sugarhouse Park!  One of my favorite little girls, and the daughter of the bride for a wedding I'm shooting in August :)  Lindy is such an opinionated child.  An adorable girl full of personality.  She is definitely her own person.

But watching her there at the park, exploring the flowers and the swing set brought a new perspective to me.  Everything seemed like a new discovery.  All I could think was "seeing life through the eyes of a child."  The beauty of the pink flowers.  The funny feeling of the grass on her feet... the way the sun touches the grass and how she wants to sit in the shade instead.

As is normal with kids, she wasn't exactly cooperative the whole shoot... (And I don't blame her.  Play at a park vs. pose for the camera?)  But her excitement as she picked up those flowers made everything worth it!

 

 

 

istockphoto - Family at the Park

One of my highest selling photos on istock is of an adorable red-headed preschooler playing on a playground.  I was thrilled to spend an hour with little Collin and his siblings at Sugarhouse Park to do a second shoot last week!  Such happy happy kids.  And beyond that, I think this session proved to me that winter was over.  An hour at the park with the sun shining down... It's going to be an amazing couple of months!

Here's the best photo from last year:

And here are some of the photos from this recent session:

 

 

  

  

 

STOCK PHOTOS - Snowboarding

Another stock photoshoot!  Brighton Ski Resort, snowboarding.  It was such a perfect day, we took jackets off for a couple of the runs.

  

The model: Rob Bennion.  He is actually a DJ and saxophone player as well as the owner a talent agency, but today he was our snowboarder!  I love it when people have multiple interests in their lives!  Rob is a very positive person and always loves being outside.  When we saw how sunny it was, he was quite excited that he didn't need his winter coat.  It was a great positive energy to have around for the shoot.

 

And here are a couple behind-the-scenes shots of me taken with an iphone:

 

It was quite a challenge to board with the camera on my back!  And a little bit nerve-wracking to hold it on the ski lift.  So high up there...  one wrong move and Oops!