A Bright Spot in January: 2 Sweet Kids

Every once in a while I like to drop a focus on something "just off." Sounds like a cop-out, doesn't it? But it's not. I promise. Sometimes, in my mind, it is fun to think you're about to stare into eyes, but the focus is stolen by beautiful, lively curls.

(The eyes are beautiful and lively, too, but I don't have to tell you that, do I?)

Okay, seriously, let me go ahead and mention how fun this shoot was,

unless it's clear that I need not.

Yeah, I think we're good.

As I note below, the little studio set-up in his living room was distracting to him, so we eventually opted for Sister getting a snack, and this sweet little boy and I crawling around the house to catch him "at his him". I think we got him- at least that's what I hear.

Adorable, eh?

If only I could take credit for how cute the kids are,

but I just show up.

:)

Not your most, e'hem, formal of portraits, but I just had to fall in love with it.

I love boys, and their love for the Classic Round Toy.

And formal?

Who needs formal when you have this kind of fun?!

In the family's CD, I had to include a picture of this sweet little boy's hand on my lighting base. I was using a short gorilla pod, and we'd shoot a shot, then he'd chase the lighting. So, we got some shadows as the lights kept moving around. But, he was a blast, and I'd wager he'll be very adept in the mechanical sciences :) So fun!

Yes, it took me this long to post from January.

Winter used to be so boring, but not anymore!!!

=)

Couldn't pass up posting these kiddos!

Thank You!

Smashcake Shoot!

Guess who's 1?!

He is adorable.

And pretty sure that cake is pretty adorable, too.

=)

Leah & Jake & Baby: Maternity Outdoor Session

See you soon, Baby!

Leah & Jake & Baby: Maternity Studio Shoot

I learned one of the things I love about studio shooting is getting to be in charge of "set design", & "art direction".

As an artist, it's fun to get back to those design roots.

& To me, maternity photography is incomplete without a thorough philosophy behind it, so I've been working on putting mine into words. That will come soon. Not today, but look- blog posts!

Maternity Photography philosophy to come soon enough...

And storytelling.

Photographers have to be good storytellers.

I don't know if I am, but I aim to be a really good storyteller.

So, I study good writers- their writings as well as their thoughts on writing.

I think studying good writing makes me a better photographer.

Who knew?

I'm looking forward to the arrival of their baby in a few weeks.

I love my job!

Maternity of late

Hi. It's been a while. (Insert good reason here.)

We've been having fun, enjoying winter, working on finalizing the new web site, and are now switching gears to spring shooting.

But before we entirely switch gears, here's some work of late.

(I'm going to try to roll out a few posts at once here.)

She's a teacher. I created a blackboard. We're going to put Baby in front of that blackboard when he or she arrives. I mean, what's photography without good story?

(The maternity shots and newborn shots will have continuity, allowing the story to unfold.)

Okay, so you want to know a secret? We shot these in my new studio that I've been working on. Well, I learned studio lighting this winter, and for this shoot I borrowed lighting. It worked okay 48 hours before, fine 24 hours before, perfectly one hour before (I always check everything!), worked fine at the top of our shoot, then totally conked three shots in. Gone. Nothing.

Lucky for us, I have the best lighting teachers Milwaukee has to offer. And, instead of merely teaching me how to turn lights on and shoot, they taught me theory. So, when our lights conked, we set up all kinds of white foam boards, sheets, boards covered in white sheets,

And Darned if We Didn't HARNESS THAT SUN!

It worked.

Thank goodness.

And this couple were really good sports while we made it work.

And I've ordered new lighting. I had debated how "high-end" to go on the triggers.

I've decided to go very high-end.

I love the sun, but it's not always that harness-able.

Like at night.

=)

Oh, and I'll be back soon to talk about June & October bookings. I can't believe I'm going to say this, but we're going to be booking those very, very soon!