I had a wonderful beach photo session last weekend with this adorable little munchkin.

Much MUCH more coming soon!!!!!

Filed Under children | | Send this post to a friend | 2 Comments

This little guy’s blue eyes coordinated perfectly with his adorable outfit and the bright white swing on his front porch. I loved taking his and his adorable sister’s photos. Of course, I just LOVE taking photos!!!!!

I highly recommend checking out I ? Faces for yourself!

“I am submitting this photo into the www.iheartfaces.com Blurb Book photo contest. I am granting I ? Faces permission to use my photo in a printed version of a book for commercial use and possibly advertising of a photo book on both the Blurb and I ? Faces web sites.”

Filed Under children, personal | | Send this post to a friend | 14 Comments

We take so many pictures of our kids. They are so cute, they are changing so fast, we want to capture every single moment.

I am rarely in a photo myself. Of course, since I am the photographer in the family, I am going to be the person who is usually taking the pictures. But I keep saying “I need more pictures of myself with my kids!”.

Then I read THIS post on the Pioneer Woman’s blog by her guest blogger – Miz Booshay (who has a great blog as well). Go ahead – read the post, I’ll wait…….

…Isn’t that so true????

Who cares if we are overweight, out of shape, full of gray hair, not nearly as “attractive” as we once were. Our kids know what we look like! And our kids love us exactly as we are right now. And they will someday love pictures of us as we are right now. They want to remember us. They want pictures that they can show their kids and their grandkids.

And they will treasure those photos forever.

So I am going to try to follow this advice as well. Today I took some photos of my Caroline in our backyard. It was such a gorgeous evening.

And my Kallie was bopping around – apparently annoying Miss Caroline a bit! LOL!!!

And then I set my camera on my step, put on the timer and jumped in the picture.

Now it is only a photo with one of my kiddos. It isn’t a great photo. And Caroline looks a little startled. But it is a start.

Actually, this may be a great weekend project! Get some pictures WITH your kids not just OF your kids!

Have a good one!!

Filed Under personal | | Send this post to a friend | 4 Comments

A couple weeks ago I had the incredible opportunity to try my hand doing a real-live wedding. Now, I did take photos for my husband’s aunt’s wedding a few months ago, but since this couple wasn’t family, I considered it my first official wedding.

This couple was very friendly and very laid back. When I initially met with them, and started asking them about what types of photos they wanted, they really did not have strong opinions. In fact, they stated “we just want to get married” and they wanted someone who could capture that day in photos. And I was so happy to oblige them. I absolutely love when a couple is way more into the marriage then they are the wedding – as that is the exactly the way it ought to be!

It was an absolutely perfectly gorgeous April day. In fact, the temps were well into the 70’s which isn’t typical for April.

The wedding was held at an old Catholic church. I had never been in this church before, and I was blown away when I walked inside. The architecture and detailing was beautiful. And since Easter was only a week prior, the church was also filled with flowers. I don’t think you could have asked for a more perfect setting.

THE kiss….

And I always love the photos as the couple walks out of the church.

After the wedding, I got a few shots outside at the receiving line. What a beautiful bride!

After the wedding, we did the traditional portraits inside the church. I had to post this photo because this bridesmaid claimed she takes horrible pictures. Yeah – I don’t think so – gorgeous!!!

And then we were off to the reception. It was a small, but very nice affair. And this was my absolute favorite picture – probably my fav of the day. I like portraits, but I LOVE shots when the subjects have no idea I am taking a photo. That is when you really can capture something special. I absolutely how the bride is looking at her new husband while holding his hand. So beautiful!!!

And the bride dancing with the groom’s daughter – just beautiful.

Towards the end of the reception, I asked the couple to come outside for a few shots on the balcony. It was so beautiful that afternoon.

Yup, gotta love that light!!!

Thank you so much Jon and Beth. Thank you for taking a chance with me, thank you for letting me share in your special day. I wish you all the best!

Filed Under Wedding | | Send this post to a friend | 5 Comments

One thing I have learned since my interest in photography has blossomed, is how important good light is. You can have the perfect setting, the perfect subject, but if your light is “blah”, your photo will be “blah”.

Mid-afternoon often provides the harshest and most unflattering light of the day. The sun is straight overhead. The light is bright, very strong and often casts unflattering shadows. Before taking up photography, I never knew this and would actually think a bright sunny afternoon is the perfect time for a photo shoot!!

Now you can still shoot amazing photos during the midday. One trick is to find some shade and get out of the direct sun. Or, you can move your shoot to early morning or late afternoon when the light is angled, soft and warm. Or, even better, get your kids out right before bedtime when the sun is almost setting.

Last night, we were filling up my new raised garden bed with dirt. The kids were having a blast helping with the raking and shoveling. When I looked at my Christina standing in our backyard, with the evening sun glowing around her head, I just HAD to drop everything, wash my dirt/manure caked hands, and get my camera.

And, WOW! Even more amazing – I took this photo at almost 8 pm.! Not often a time of day thought of as perfect for family photos! But just look at that light! Doesn’t that make you want to move all your photo sessions to the evening hours???

Filed Under personal | | Send this post to a friend | 3 Comments