It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

The excitement of the holiday season has arrived! A light dusting of snow tops off the arrival of pretty little girls in red dresses, handsome boys dressed in their holiday clothes, and the sound of laughter from friends doing everything but standing on their heads to make each other's children smile for family Christmas portraits. At least I don't think they were standing on their heads. But they were behind me and I was busy trying to capture smiles on little faces!

Thanks to Anita and Chelsea for working so hard to make their friend's pictures the best they could be and meeting with much success. The smiles would not have been as great without you! I hope you enjoy the photos and the happy memories of the evening for years to come.

Why Choose Me?

Let's be honest. There are many photographers to choose from. A simple click of the mouse and you will find literally hundreds of professional photographers... or want to be professionals. Some are better than others. Some are more expensive. It is up to the consumer to choose a photographer with a style they like and a product they can afford. It can be a difficult decision. So what makes me different? Why would you choose me? How do I attempt to stand out from the crowd?

1. I am in no rush. I believe your session should be enjoyable and you should not feel rushed. Children feel pressure and parents deal with the fallout. Visit my studio or meet me on location and enjoy the experience. It makes for happy families!

2. I understand! Getting to the studio is stressful, especially with young children. Trying to get everyone cleaned, dressed, out the door and on time makes you wonder why you agreed to do this. And children don't behave as you would want them to, there is no reward in a beautifully framed portrait for them. And grandma loves them anyway! I know what to expect. And I know how to calm them down or at least get something good in between.

3. I love children. I especially like children with "spunk". They are more fun. And I LOVE a challenge. I look for their true personality and it usually doesn't me long to find it!

4. I'm not afraid to offer an option that's outside the box. I'm excited about the art of digital photography and just in case you are... maybe you will enjoy this vintage version of the standard photograph.

My Best Friend's Children

One of the perks of having a best friend with children of varying ages and stages is the unlimited opportunity for practice. If you look through other posts on this portrait blog, my website, or new facebook page (currently under construction), you will see numerous photos of them. But will you really see THEM? For example, looking at this photo one would say "what beautiful children". And they are. Are they close knit little angels as they appear? Some would argue not.

And while they may appear to be picture perfect...

There is certainly much more to this picture... like Dylan's devilish grin. And the looks to the side he does just to tease me when I want him to face the camera.

And Brooke's excited face as she shows the 2 missing teeth she has been waiting a long time to lose. Right before she celebrates her birthday tomorrow (or today depending on the speed of my dial-up tonight)! Can you guess from this picture that this child often times has me almost doing cartwheels just to get a smile?

Finally, there is this beautiful pre-teen that I have a difficult time remembering not knowing. She has been part of my family since she and my son Luc met as toddlers at a Church function. Bethany has always had a wonderful smile... but would you know that today's smile has been thousands of dollars in the making?

Taking pictures of children I don't know is fun, but taking pictures of children whose expressions and mannerisms are totally familiar to me is very rewarding. Especially when I manage to capture their spirit.

Don't Smile

A warm November late afternoon doesn't come along too often. It was the perfect setting for a grad session with a dark and moody theme. Brooke wanted to celebrate 13 hard earned school years by being represented with photographs that allowed her to show her true personality. We went in search of unique natural backdrops. By we I mean Brooke, myself, my friend and her family Wendy, and my recently turned nine "precious" child. We shall call him chatterbox!

Our chosen locations required climbing, driving, and vision. We managed to find several locations (an under road culvert, a dumping ground for old cars, and a graveyard) that were "moody" enough to allow Brooke to express her dark side. Only 2 problems! In Brooke's words: "He's making it difficult for me not to smile". (Again referring to the chatterbox). And Brooke doesn't appear to me to be as dark as she thinks! The result in my opinion were fabulous senior portraits with enough true personality to please Brooke, but with smiles a grandmother will love!

Several more samples from this session that distinguishes art from mere photography can be found here. Thanks Brooke for an inspiring day!