When Photography Became an Important Part of My Life

 Photography has always been an important part of my life. I’ve loved taking pictures for as long as I can remember. I remember seeing some beautiful, professional portraits of children shortly after my 5th child, Adrian, was born and thinking: “I want to do that!” And so my journey really began. I’m a bit of a perfectionist and will hammer away at something relentlessly once I’ve set my mind to it.

What Makes a Great Family Photo

A great family photo, in my opinion, is one that you can actually FEEL the love between the family members by looking at the picture. Not a stiffly posed, awkward photo...but one where everyone is relaxed and looks happy to be in the company of their loved ones. I love photos that show interaction between family members.

A Tip for Taking Photos of Kids

Make it fun and go with the flow! How you interact with a child is really going to depend on that individual child’s personality. Some children are a bit shy and take some warming up...some are outgoing and talkative. You really need to ‘read’ your subject and react accordingly, whether that be to step back a bit and simply be an observer, or on the flip side, whip out a fun toy and sing silly songs. Every child is different and part of what makes a great photographer is knowing how to engage your subject, no matter what their personality type.

Three Favorite Posts 

1. Maya
2. Beautiful Family
3. Baby Lucienne Turns One!

When Photography Became an Important Part of My Life

Photography has always been a huge part of me since I was small. I was always a creative soul though and love to write and draw as well. Things weren't always rosy in my childhood so I always had the strong urge to make things around me "pretty." I got to backpack around the United States with my aunt who is a wonderful nature photographer and huge inspiration at 15 years old and it reignited the spark. Once I had my first child I fell in love with the art of children photography but couldn't afford to purchase all the gear I needed even if just the most basic of point and shoot cameras, but I took the plunge and invested in a DSLR when my third child was about a year old and never looked back! It's been amazing!

What Makes a Great Family Photo

Emotion and connection. Anyone can sit and smile but when you manage to get a family relaxed enough to be totally natural for you you really get something special! It's always my goal going into family sessions! I love the way a mother looks upon her husband as he connects with his children and the way a little boy just idol-worships his mama and it reads all over their faces. That is my true hope to come out of a session. To capture that bond. 

A Tip for Taking Photos of Kids

Pique their interest. Involve them in your session. Talk A LOT and get them engaged. Once they open up to you you will find the photos are ten times stronger because you really grab their essence and not just their smiles!

Three Favorite Posts

1. Sea Weed, Sword Fights, Sunset, and a whole lotta love
2. Unreal, Unexpected and AMAZING
3. I'm Not Normal

When Photography Became an Important Part of My Life

I have loved photography for as long as I can remember. As a teenager I always had a disposable camera until my parents finally bought me my first real film camera. When I graduated high school my dad bought me an even higher tech camera and I started branching out and practicing with black and white film. Eventually I bought my first P&S and then a few years ago invested in my current DSLR. Participating in a 365 photography challenge has opened up a whole new photography world for me.

What Makes a Great Family Photo

To me what makes a great family photo goes beyond the outfits and the great lighting. It's capturing each person's personality in action; capturing natural family interaction as they are every day.

A Tip for Taking Photos of Kids

Be silly. Don't make them feel like they have to stop playing and having fun so they can get their picture taken. Let them play and have fun WHILE having their picture taken.

Three Favorite Posts

1. Lights of the Night— I chose this one as a favorite because I was taking on a whole new task, something I had never photographed before and it turned out so incredible. I love moments in photography like that.
2. Flying Into the Sunset — This shot is special to me because again I branched out of my comfort zone, took two separate photos and then learned how to combine them to end up with an awesome image.
3. On the Go — Since my life is first and foremost about my little girl I had to include one of her. This is one of my favorites of her because those first few steps are one of the most awesome moments in a baby's life and one of the most proud moments of a mommy's life.