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Select Category Children’s Portraits Family Portraits Headshots and Modeling Photography Portraits Senior Portraits 2011

I had the opportunity to work with one of the funnest families this weekend. The family is expecting a new little baby boy whose name will be Silas. We visited two locations for the shoot and just had a blast. Check out the video and some images from the shoot. Congratulations M Family and thank you for being so much fun! I hope to see you very soon for a session with little Silas.

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PORTRAIT ART
Photography is an amazing media. As an artist (my love of visual images began with those I created myself on canvas) One thing that I pride myself on is being able to offer my clients something different. Using Digital photography and enhanced imaging software I am able to give my clients the best of both worlds.

A picture captures a moment. By incorporating digital painting and art techniques, one shot becomes a work of art . Using composition and lighting during the shoot, I later use my painting knowledge and the computer and create beautiful pieces for my clients. Below are some examples of before and after images that I recently completed.

Capturing a split second in time and turn it into a life long memory is what photography is all about.

Before and After Images

I am a very particular photographer. I like to get my lighting right in camera instead of in Photoshop. I like my images to be sharp when I want them to be sharp and blurred when I want them to be blurred. I work hard and learn as much as I can as often as I can so that I can create amazing images for my clients. With that being said, there are those times when things do not go as planned and you have to get creative in the computer.

My first example here is from a shoot that I did this summer. I was lucky enough to shoot two beautiful little girls while on vacation in NC. While most of it was for fun, I WAS shooting for very close friends and I wanted them to have very artistic images. The shoot was actually to surprise their mom. The girls cooperated with me and the shoot was just about a success. When I started looking at my images, I realized that we didn’t have a “perfect” shot of little Lydia. Most of the images were of her older sister. I really wanted my friends to have a great shot of both of the girls. So as I went through the images, I found one that was perfect for editing out the older sister leaving a single portrait of the little one.

As I said before, I strive to create amazing images right out of camera but, sometimes you have to be able to CREATE portraits after the shoot. Photoshop is the perfect tool for this and taking the time to learn how to really get into Photoshop and create can be an invaluable tool!

Photographing children can be a difficult task. I personally love it! It’s fun to get down near them and to play and talk with them. Yes, some children are a little harder to shoot than others! However, if you try and make your session as comfortable as possible for the children, your results can be amazing. For this shoot, I took the girls down to the water. A place where they are very familiar and a place that they love! To get them to look in the direction that I wanted, I would point out things in the water or the air. In my opinion, the more natural the setting and the more natural the pose, the better the image. Thank you Aylah and Lydia for being such great little subjects.

For some, the thought of posing for pictures makes them cringe.  But really, it shouldn’t.  Getting your picture taken can be a fun experience or at the very least a pleasant experience.  First and foremost, pick a photographer that you feel comfortable with.  Meet with them before your shoot if possible.  If it is not possible to meet with your photographer, make sure that you communicate several times via phone or email to go over your shoot.  A good photographer will have a plan for your shoot day.  Everyone wants to look their very best in pictures so lets go over a few quick tips to help you pose for your session.

RELAX!  Yes relax.  Your session should be fun for you.  It should not be uncomfortable at all!  So have fun and relax.

Be yourself and act naturally.  I know I know… easier said than done.  For a lot of people, it is difficult to feel relaxed in front of the camera but trying to remain natural and relaxed, will create your best images.  So many of my favoriate photogrphs have been taken in between shots.  When the people that I am shooting relax for a minute and forget that I am shooting them.  That is when the real smiles come out and the giggles and the very natural moments.

Listen to your photographer  If you photographer gives you direction, follow them.  We know what you need to do to get amazing final images so let us help you when needed.

Practice.  Look in the mirror and pose.  Look and see what angles look best to you and how and were to put your eyes to create the desired look.   When you take pictures with your phone, or cameras with your friends and family, look at the pictures that you like the best and how your standing, sitting, and posing in those images.

Clothing. Wearing outfits that look fabulous and make you feel amazing, will help you feel confident and more at ease.  Talk with your photographer about your shoot and about what outfits they may want you to bring.  Often times, I supply the dresses for my shoots and ask my clients to bring shoes and accessories that they really like.  I also ask them to bring a couple of causal outfits for more of the casual images.  Heels are important for women.  They change the way you stand, give you more confidence and make you feel and look sexy!

And, don’t expect a couple of shots and a short period of time to capture the perfect image. Even supermodels spend and entire day shooting for just a handful of pictures, so make like a pro and show your stuff!  (your session will not take and entire day

A fun labor day shoot left me with some great images of Angie.  She was fun and wow those eyes!  Take a peak.