Cleaning house...or should I say...computer???

I am continuously saving, transferring, deleting...you name it; files on my computers. Sometimes I can't help but go through the pictures & pick out some of my favorites from way back when. :-) These few pictures were some of my favorites from a little afternoon fun I had with my older 2 children last year when we were in PA. So fun!!! :-) They have my old watermark on them...oh well. :-) They are just fun!!!





And a few pics of my little guy, Madden, from last year...

Children's Photos...a few thoughts.

Photographing children is by far the most fun & entertaining parts of my business! However, photographing children can be challenging as well! I get a lot of questions like..."How do you get children to look so comfortable in your photos? How do you capture such beautiful expressions? How do you make their eyes look so beautiful and innocent? How do you get them to cooperate?"

My main thought & perspective when heading out to photograph children...is that I NEVER treat my photo sessions the same. Once I arrive, I really use my intuitions and feelings regarding personalities; shy, nervous, excited, grumpy, happy, etc. and I can usually gauge what types of interactions I need to use for each of those personalities. I guess this would be a huge benefit of having an Early Childhood educational background...but even without that experience...I really learn a lot by observing. Even if it is for a few minutes! I like to get down on the children's level when I am speaking to them (hence why I have extremely sore knees when I leave a children's session!!!). I also like to chat with them about things they can probably relate to...t.v. shows they might like, their favorite colors, their favorite toys...I am constantly chatting with each child I photograph...so even though my camera is snapping away...when I peek out from behind it...I can get a few giggles from them! :-) After I get a "feel" for what makes them comfortable...I allow them to give me a few ideas of places they'd like to do a photo...sometimes they choose some cute things...and other times...it is pure amusement! :-) I always do some simple poses that I may suggest...but I usually just let the children be themselves and follow them around...calling their name from time to time so they will look at me and continually asking them questions so they look my way. Sometimes I just ask questions and sometimes I say something silly...hence the cute little giggle pictures. :-) Relating to children and getting to know them during my sessions allows me to really see their personalities which for me, creates photos that are real, filled with emotion and personality!

The bottom line...I really love what I do. I thoroughly enjoy photographing children and families! I like to have fun, I love to laugh with the families and I love to give these families a very real portrayal of their little loves!

Samples...

Today, I began working on my studio/portrait sample albums. I am so excited to finally be pulling together some sample albums! I have some great prints that I share with clients...but with a limited amount of space...I wanted to have some sample coffee table style albums to bring along to client meetings or to carry with me in my photography "bag" to share with others.

I am working on a series of 4-5 albums...each with specific samples inside...so my first album series will be "Newborns/Infants"...which I almost completed this afternoon. I can't wait to send them to the printers and get my samples! It's a lot of work to get it all put together...but I am long overdue for sample albums. :-)

**It's kind of hard to see with the white background on my blog...but there is a white border around the photos (where is says Newborns Sample Album, etc. )

Below, is the first cover sleeve for my Newborn/Infant album....

M. Family

This past Saturday, I spent the afternoon with a beautiful family! And their new little girl is absolutely adorable! :-) The light in their home was awesome! Baby Madeline was such a good little girl! She let us do pretty much whatever we wanted...clothing changes, prop changes...she was as comfy as could be! And it helped that she loved to hang out in my bean bag. :-)

Thank you guys for choosing me to photograph your family & your beautiful, Madeline! You guys are awesome parents...it was so evident how much you love your little girl! And, thank you, Jeff, for cooperating. You are a good man! :-) Enjoy your little preview! :-)



Is this not the cutest, most adorable bedroom you've ever seen? Absolutely gorgeous. :-)













I love how the dog was sitting right next to them. So cute!

















Little sweetie. So cute!! And Kalli, you are a mother after my own heart!!! Gotta dress those little girls up!!! :-)


























This outfit is the cutest!!!





She was all happy and smiley until we put her in the basketball gear...yes, it was an Air Jordan onsie & hat...complete with the bball. :-)

















Daddy's little girl...





She was getting very sleepy...









We love Tori Spelling! :-)









Look at those little toes! Precious!





One of my favorites. :-)

















I just want to eat her up! She is so precious!