I Couldn't Wait!

What I told Corry Ellen and Troy is true - there is portrait work - and then there is art. I enjoy taking portraits, capturing the story of a happy family, spending time getting to know people, and working hard to capture the images they are looking for. I LOVE THE ART.

If you're good you get many really good shots where eyes are open, smiles are plentiful, the color is right, and the poses are flattering. If you're lucky you get one killer shot!! And this shot of firey little Meghan is the one that I knew immediately was THE one. It helps to have some dress up items - my favorite boa from Lori I haven't used for awhile and just one of many new hats knit with love by my mom. Thanks mom!

I couldn't even wait until the wonderful outdoor and studio family shots were unloaded before posting. Stay tuned for those. You were the perfect model Meghan.

Fall Photos!

Weather!!! It's terrible to be so dependant on something so out of your own control. Listening like someone obsessed to the nightly forecasts doesn't help because they are wrong as many times as right. The season for wonderful autumn portraits is very small and days of rain can throw a wrench in what is already a tight schedule. This fall has not been particularly kind!

For example, the day scheduled for the Richards' Family session threatened bad weather. Pacing from window to window seeing where the black clouds were coming from ... looking for a sign of clearing ... produced some serious doubts about going ahead as planned. But Deborah and I decided to go for it! And I'm happy we did. It turned out to be a lovely evening for picture taking.

It Can Be Fun!

I wonder how many times I have told parents who are trying desperately to get their children to behave, smile, stop fidgeting, look at the camera that pictures are all about the adults! There is NO payback for children. They don't care. They really don't. A beautiful portrait on the wall means nothing to them... and I mean nothing. It's us who wants the perfect picture and we dress them up, fuss over their hair, stop them from playing, tell them to stop (everything) and then we wonder why they (and we) are stressed! I actually find it funny. It's human nature and it happens repeatedly on the other side of my camera. Same situation - different family :o)

But, make it fun. Have a session be enjoyable, let them clown a little in exchange for one pose with a smile and see what happens.

Building a Portfolio?

Arianna came to my studio looking for head shots to build a portfolio for her acting interests. How refreshing to have a model so excited to have her picture taken! What fun we had. While I have taken many close-ups before, this is my first attempt at building a specific type of portfolio. And, truthfully, I'm not exactly sure what types of shots should be in one. But I hope these shots (and these) are a step in the right direction. I am sure it takes time to collect the best shots, and variety is key. I am also very sure I will find out what portraits best represents a future actor! Maybe Arianna and I will need to try something new next time :o)

One Of My Favorites

I'm not sure why but for some reason this graduation photo of Brandon and his girlfriend Elisa is one of my favorite shots. Maybe it's the sparkle, or the color, or the pose? Perhaps it's more my belief that these two young people are fabulous role models and will have a very successful future. I wonder if it shows to anyone other than me?

Do You See What I See?

Little Nate didn't have his best day! He didn't like the feel of the grass... common for little ones who are used to floors and blankets. He LOVED the gravel. Evidenced by the fistfuls he continually tried to put in his mouth :o) He was so preoccupied by the afore mentionned grass, gravel and, well everything really, he forgot he was normally a very smiley baby!!

I think mom and dad, Shauna and Gary, were worried. They did try hard to bring on the smiles!In reality, hoping for smiley pictures of a child who won't be one until January is a long shot. It may have seemed like there wasn't a good shot in the bunch! But, did Nate's parents see what I saw? Probably not...

A Mother Understands

I love this image!!! It requires no explanation other than that the hand in question is Spencer's mom's... not mine... sometimes at the beginning of a session it IS my hand removing the gum. And sometimes it is not a child who must give up their wad!

Check out a few of the other wonderful photos taken on this wonderful, warm Autumn Saturday in Oromocto during a multiple family booking. Let me know if you have 4 - 5 families wanting to book an afternoon (either soon for fall pics or later for winter fun!) and we can discuss a discount for sitting fees.