Just in the Backyard

May 13, 2008

Doesn’t nature have the coolest colors and designs? I just took a few pics in the backyard this afternoon, and check out the cool things I found!

I am thankful

May 11, 2008

As this rainy Mother’s Day comes to a close, I just had to take a moment to recognize how thankful I am for my family. For my wonderful children, for my dear husband, and how wonderful it is that we got to spend the day with all of our parents. My mother-in-law just recently lost her own father, and I know that I am so lucky to be at the point in my life when I have a generation above and below me, and to feel the love from parent and child. So I share the dear gift my daughter made for me. They were just as beautiful to me as the lovely real flowers that my mother and mother-in-law brought for me, and I’ve got them displayed prominently on the kitchen table

To All those Mommy Photographers

May 10, 2008

This weekend is Mother’s Day, and I still think of it as a holiday where I give thanks to my own mom. But as my kids are growing into wonderful little preschoolers, they’ve started to tell me what I mean to them. It really helps to remind me of the important role I play as a their mom, and how crucial it is to capture these precious times we have together while they are young. Because someday they will also grow up and move away. And when they are on their own, I can look back at those images and remember when they were my little princesses.

As a photographer, I am lucky in many ways, because I can grab my kids anyday and go take portraits of them. But every family should be able to capture the precious memories of their kids, so it’s important to bring them to a professional at least once a year while they’re small to make beautiful portraits that capture the fun and innocence of childhood. And for catching great moments the rest of the year, here are a few mommy tips for improving their everyday snapshots.

1) Remember that good light makes for good photos. Avoid bright sun because it not only causes your subject to have squinty eyes, it also can result in unflattering shadows and bright “blown out” spots. Shady porches or overcast days make great light. Trees also provide great shade, but be sure that it is full enough not to provide “spotty shade”.

2) Get down on the kids’ level. Taking the photos from above causes their heads to look disproportionally large compared to their bodies. It may be the way you’re used to seeing them as an adult, but kneeling down to take the photos provides a better angle, and also helps the child be less intimidated by the camera.

3) Anticipate, don’t react. Mang digital cameras have a delay between when you press the shutter and when the photo snaps. DSLR cameras are much better, but even using those it’s importrant to watch the child and predict what’s coming next, so you can snap in enough time to catch the special moment.

4) Move beyond “cheese”. Some of my favorite photos of my own children are when they’re looking in wide-eyed wonder rather than smiling. Capture them doing what kids do, and don’t pressure them to smile for the camera. The natural smiles that you can capture will be much nicer than the forced ones.

So for all those mothers out there, I wish you a happy mother’s day, and happy snapping!

Rain…the flowers are lovin’ it

May 9, 2008

The rain hasn’t been too good for my portrait schedule–I’m having to reschedule a few sessions–but my yard is loving it. These are some pink wax begonias from my planters on my deck.

Bake Sale

May 7, 2008

Last weekend I was asked to be the event photographer for a fun run and festival. What a great morning! I have lots of images, but I thought I’d share some of the yummy bake sale table. I’m just always so impressed with how creative the moms are with their packaging.

Sweet Sixteen

May 1, 2008

I had so much fun spending the morning with this beautiful teenager. We started at her house with the studio setup and then drove in town for some fun location shots. When we were walking around the tourists stopped her about a dozen times to ask if she was a “real princess”, and we even caught some taking photos of me taking her picture!