.

Here is your sneak peak!  I can’t wait to proof the rest of this session, to see those smiles we caught from Mr. D at the end

A little vintage feel…

We’re back and had a great time- although a rocky start.  Mommy shut the girl’s finger in the storm door a few hours before we had to leave and we ended up at the emergency room.  She has a tuft fracture on the top of her right ringfinger and is doing fine now, but I have never felt worse in my entire life :(  Lots and lots of ice cream was bought (and two hermit crabs) to make amends!  And of couse, lots of hugs and kisses.  Here are some photos from the beach:

I really wanted some pics of me and the girl and a family photo- so I set it up and handed it over to my father-in-law who did a great job! 

Now off to answering all of your emails!

One of my favorite photographers and a good friend mentioned me in the sweetest way on her blog- by including me in her list of photographer’s blogs that make her day!  Well, part of the deal is to pay it forward, so here is my list of 10 photographers that make my day, make me smile, make me think, inspire me, etc.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

1. Sharing the love right back to Ms. Mach C herself:
    Mach*C Moxie

2. Andrea Roberts Photography

3. Nicole Fields Photography

4. He[arts] and Thoughts Photography: Images by Kristen Taylor

5. A Pretty Life

6. S. Fisher Photo

7. Audrey Woulard Blog

8. Jasmine Star

9. Following My Bliss

10. The Blog is Found

And because two posts in a row without a photo is ridiculous, here is my baby one year ago at the ocean- we are headed there tomorrow and we can’t wait!  I promise a photo recap when we return.

I saw this blog post from a fellow photographer whom I admire (http://www.khibbettsportraits.com/blog/) and I loved how it captured the essence of the type of photography I do so much, that I had to share it here with you!  So, here it is. in Kristi’s words- see, I meant to do all of that

“Tight Crops” –

This means super close close-ups where often the face fills most of the frame of the image. These images are about the eyes, and often the top of the head is not included in the image. I meant to do that!

“Not-So-Smiley”-

So many of us have been brought up to believe that a smile is a requirement to make a great photo. So not true! I love a pensive look as much as a big grin. I meant to do that!

“Let’s Be Negative”

Negative space is when the subject is placed off to the side of an image and the rest of the image is empty—this is done for artistic impact. I meant to do that!

“Left of Center”
The most boring position for a subject in a photograph is smack dab in the middle! I know, I know, not what you always thought, right? Trust me! There is a little something in design called the Rule of Thirds that we photographers often employ to enhance visual interest.

The rule states that an image can be divided into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines (like a tic-tac-toe board). The four points formed by the intersections of these lines can be used to align features in the photograph. Aligning a photograph with these points creates more tension, energy and interest in the photo than simply centering the feature would.

Huh? Trust me, your child does not need to be right in the center of an image for it to be a good portrait! I meant to do that!

“The Light in the Eyes”

The hallmark of good portrait photography is good lighting, and the hallmark of good lighting is something called a “catchlight,” – a reflection of light in the eyes. I love big catchlights! I purposely position my lights for the best and largest catchlights, especially for close-ups. Flip through any parenting or glamour magazine and look at the eyes—what do you see? Big bright catchlights! A lack of catchlights leaves the eyes looking flat, dull and lifeless.

I meant to do that!

…waiting for their first baby, this couple is so in love and it really showed during our session. Little baby W. is a very lucky little one indeed!

“Cool- Just Like Daddy”

 

…on the baptism of their beautiful daugther, Miss K.  I was honored to photograph this beautiful and meaningful event.  Here are some photos from the baptism:

Lighting ceremonial candles

In anticipation

The beautiful cross, given by her godmother

The family, with big brother Mr. A
 

These 2 cuties (twins!) and their beautiful mama met up with me for a Father’s Day surprise for one lucky dad.  Mr Z and Miss A were fun, sweet, and totally 2!  Even walking through the wet grass didn’t phase them much and we were able to get some great photos.  Here are a few from the session…