Tooting My Own Horn!

As mentioned in a blog post a few months back, I was given a tremendous opportunity via a dear friend. It turns out that I had taken photographs of her artwork (TinkerDot Designs) for her store on etsy. (If you haven’t visited etsy you are missing out on a whole world of amazing handmade items.) To make a long story short, the author of ‘Starting an Etsy Business For Dummies’ noticed a photo that would exemplify how to photograph merchandise with props to help a buyer better visualize the size and use of a product. The author asked if she could use the photo but I hesitated because I knew I could shoot it better for the purpose of the chapter/book. The only glitch was that the photo needed to be sent to the author in 24 hours or less and so I scrambled to get “the shot”. The photograph was everything I hoped it would be and it is now featured on page 137 of the book. I have to say that I’m pretty darn proud! The best part – the darling little girl is my very own beautiful daughter. (She thinks that she is pretty darn cool too!)

Mama Mia

Wowza! This shot could be my favorite from a recent maternity session and I have only just begun to edit the gallery. This mama is simply breathtaking.

On the Horizon

I am in love with this photo for so many reasons. First and foremost this couple is like family to me. Aside from that I really like the “noise” (i.e. grain) in this particular shot. I typically prefer crisp photos but this specific photograph feels more timeless to me with a little grit in it. I also can’t help but feel that this newly engaged couple is looking ahead to a future filled with adventures that they are ready to experience as a unified team. Their slight smiles seem to indicate that they alone share a secret that we will never know. Even though I was standing on the beach, it is evident that there is an intimacy that I was never part of. Isn’t love grand?

In case you’re curious, this is the full shot prior to being cropped:

The Fishin’ Hole

I can’t say what the magic formula was for this session but I had very little editing to do. The morning light was divine, this family was ridiculously lovely, our location was picturesque, and the two little boys had big plans for fishing and exploring. I had meant to take a few family photos but I just couldn’t stop shooting! I am including a small chunk of their gallery because I have too many favorites - particularly the one featuring the frog that we caught over and over again. Poor thing, I hope he didn’t croak! (So sorry, I just couldn’t resist…)

Happy Earth Day!

Technically yesterday was Earth Day but I was taking photos and spending time with friends and could not post until now. Three little girls spent the afternoon with me and we planted pansies in celebration of spring. I am continually inspired by nature and Earth Day was the ideal occasion to play in the dirt and talk about things we can do to make the world a better place. Shouldn’t everyday be Earth Day?

How Do You Like Those Apples?

Mama said that money doesn’t grow on trees
and sadly mama was right.
Mama said that I had too many shoes
even though mine felt tight.

Yet I wished for shoes galore,
hoping they’d grow on trees.
And don’t you know they actually do?
Now I can have all that I please.

The Explorers

This could very well be my favorite photograph. Not only I am enamored because it includes my children; I happen to love the textures, the light, and the feeling it evokes. I have more photos to edit from this particular adventure but I couldn’t help but share this image. I hope that we have a thousand more opportunities to explore and make our own fun outside of the house and away from the television. Here’s to playing outside!

Listen!

It must be March Madness! Book a session prior to 4/8/11 and receive 25% off your print order.

Not Your Average Post

I recently had the pleasure of photographing pillows (tinkerdotdesigns.etsy.com). I have been a fan of this particular artist for many years and I am thrilled to help showcase “Not Your Average Girl” to new customers. The big news is that one of the photographs will be published as part of a chapter in a book about starting your own business and displaying your items in a setting! This gives the audience better perspective about the size of the item and ways to use the product in their own lives. I am thrilled to make a small contribution to this project and I will share more about the book in upcoming months. (FYI - This book is part of a well-known series typically outfitted with a yellow cover...)

All for Art & Art for All

As mentioned, I am featuring photographs of artwork created by tinkerdotdesigns. Each piece is whimsical, colorful and suitable for any décor. The original works of art are created using mixed media and prints can be purchased in virtually any size. (FYI - Magnets are also available and they make fabulous gifts.) Please note that some of my photos are only close ups of certain areas on a painting. If you’d like to see more, please visit tinkerdotdesigns.etsy.com - enjoy!

With This Ring

This seems to me the perfect analogy for building a new life together; a nest that will house a new couple. And fragile though it may seem, a well-built nest can weather any storm, protect a family and unite the partners who work to maintain and strengthen the nest year after year.

A Walk in the Woods

I will be adding to this post as the week progresses because I am just beginning to cull through hundreds of frames of this fabulous couple. We had a tremendous amount of fun hiking around a frozen lake, jumping on a bridge, throwing snowballs and making faces. It is such a pleasure to photograph people with a great sense of humor and I have already laughed out loud as I review the photos again from the comfort of my kitchen.

This next bit is for those of you interested in the photography aspect…
I wish I had put a hood on my lens because the glare was out of this world. (Fortunately I tend to like my photos lighter and brighter than most.) This particular couple is getting married in the fall and so I am experimenting with coloration that will be reminiscent of their theme despite the bounce of light from the snow. (It must also be said that “D” is one of the most photogenic women I’ve worked with. This lady doesn’t take a bad photo.)

Stay tuned…

Walking on Sunshine

I'm enchanted with the softness of this photo...

(This little lady is one of my favorite models and you are likely to see her often on this blog.) Normally I wouldn’t shoot in full sun but I wanted to see if I could catch the flare behind her shoulder. Despite the fact that she would have preferred to jump into snow drifts, she tolerated a few photos before running off to play.

Disappearing Act

It’s a snow day and we have been jumping around in our pajamas, eating chocolate chip pancakes and making some messes along the way. I couldn’t resist taking these before and after photographs of one of our favorite breakfasts. (This tummy happens to be a favorite of mine as well.)

Play Date II

Giddy Up!

Our son just celebrated his second birthday and his very favorite animal is the “pony”. In fact, the word pony is the most frequently spoken word in our home on any given day. Ponies go into the bath tub, into the crib, get taken to and from school, and sometimes sit with us at the dinner table. It should come as no surprise that he received some gifts of this nature including this soft pony that will be a much better bedtime companion than the hard plastic ponies that he has been trying to snuggle. Furthermore he loves to try on shoes and his big sister has many boots and high heels that he enjoys playing with because they are big enough for him to take on and off all on his own. (“I do it” is also a popular phrase.) You’ll be happy to know that he now owns his own frog boots and no longer has to wear princess themed footwear. (Daddy is also thrilled.) So far the boots are fixtures on his little feet, and our new ponies are getting lots of love. I have other pictures worthy of sharing and I hope to update this post this weekend. Until then…happy trails to you all…

Play Date

Our fingers and our toes, our ears and our nose...high-ho, the derry-o…it was freezing cold…

I spent yesterday evening with two fantastic people who were willing to brave ridiculously cold temperatures to play in our local park, all in the spirit of catching the spark that they share.  The light was ideal; hazy, overcast and even a bit snowy.  My goal was to capture some shots that were more traditional (i.e. something that they could frame or send to grandma) and some that were more artistic (i.e. something that they could frame but wouldn’t necessarily be a “face shot”).  I am going to take some extra time editing for my own practice and because I want this couple to have pictures as beautiful as they are.

A helpful hint:  When you are taking photos outside in the winter, the photographer should momentarily stop breathing so that the vapor from their breath doesn't create a fog in front of the lens.  A few of my pictures have "smoke" for this very reason...lesson learned!

My husband calls this my "Edward and Bella" shot.  (I find it hilarious that he made this comment.)

Papa & Rusty

It seems that “Papa” has always kept a coop of chickens simply for the pleasure of having them.  I desperately wanted a horse as a young girl but instead showed chickens and rabbits at the local 4-H fair.  Although chickens weren’t glamorous then, I have a great fondness for them now.  My favorite thing about this picture is that my parents have a very old photograph of a now deceased family member who is sitting with a chicken on his lap much like this.  I think that we’ll have to make a canvas of Papa and Jenny to hang beside great, great, grandpa.  (I sense a tradition in the making.)