Photo shoot with Miss Caylee...

Caylee is getting ready to turn one and her Mom needed some quick photos for her birthday card and asked me if  I would try and shoot a few.  I was so happy to help out and we took these shots in a matter of minutes after Kylie's birthday party.  Caylee was such a trooper and loved my little white chair.  Thanks also to my Dad for helping make her smile.  I always appreciate the opportunity to practice on someone other than my girls, Wendy!

 

 

 

Details shoot - Kylie...

One morning when Kylie and I were baking in the kitchen, I noticed how gorgeous her eyelashes were and decided to try and capture them on film memory card. She was not overly cooperative, but I think I succeeded.

This last one is not really part of this same shoot, but I love it so I thought I would include it.  Unfortunately, she is channeling a pop star whose life went a bit downhill a couple albums after she debuted this look.  The thing I love about this photo is how it shows how tight a 50mm can get in here and how much it can limit DOF wide open.  Do you like my studio backdrop couch?

Photoshop: Adding clouds...

Since I am new to photography, I love finding photographers who are seasoned pros, who not only do great work, but are also always happy to share their tips, tricks, and ideas.  I started following Kristen Caldwell on FB a couple of months ago and have already learned so much from her.   She recently shared a tutorial on adding clouds to your images to enhance overcast clouds.  I had just the image I wanted to try this out on and luckily I was in such awe of the clouds on the day I took this image that I had coincidentally photographed the clouds as well (and you need an image of clouds to do this enhancement).  Lucky me :)

Anyhow, here is my before and after shot.  The one on the left is straight out of camera (SOOC) and the one on the right is my professional edit :).  I added the clouds and then ran a perfect portrait action on it, followed by some light / dark painting, and some high definition.  I just love the finished product and was quite happy at my first attempt at cloud overlay.   I love the look on both of their faces.  Caroline looks so chill, yet slightly annoyed that I am taking her picture.  It is a classic Caroline face.

Sydney's Newborn Shoot...

Here are a few of my favorite shots from Sydney's Newborn shoot:

Photowalk 2010... Update....

No big surprise, but my photo did not win the Photowalk. However, you can still vote for me in the People's Choice contest here:

http://worldwidephotowalk.com/peoples-choice/page/6

Thanks in advance :)

Shutterbabes Workshop...

On July 24th, I was lucky enough to attend a Shutterbabes workshop with an awesome local photographer, Abigail Seymour.  We learned all about taking bettering pictures of our kids and some of the basics of lighting and setting.  I had a great time and it was a wonderful experience.  I especially enjoyed getting the chance to meet Abigail and she had some really kind things to say to me that I was very flattered to hear.  I am considering taking the pro workshop in October, but still pondering whether or not I think I am ready.

Here are some of the shots I took that day.  I love some of them and others I can definitely learn from and see the area I need to improve on!