Play time

Haven’t we all gotten so busy that the end of the day arrives and we realize we haven’t taken any time for ourselves? Children don’t. They play and they make it a priority. What a pleasure to see them become so absorbed in their make believe world that all of their daily struggles melt away. They live in the moment. We should all learn to play with such passion that all of worries and cares are left along the sidelines. For just a little while we could become absorbed in how it feels to host a tea party, ride a dinosaur, or be a famous ballerina.

Here are three little ones from today who knew the meaning of play.

Tutu Cute

I know that pun has been done a million times, but this little 15 month old girl really could have no other introduction. They are vacationers from Jackson, MS staying on Perdido Key. It was a beautiful early morning session filled with yards of purple tulle, bubbles, and games of hide and seek. What could be any better?

Back for more

I took more photos of a family I worked with on Wednesday because I just wasn’t satisfied. I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my work and I go out of my way to make sure my clients get only the very best from me.

Here are two from today’s session:

Destin, FL

Yesterday I spoke with a fine arts framer in Destin, FL. One of my clients had brought in portraits to be framed and the framer/owner was blown away by the artistic quality of the work. She asked my client to ask me to contact her because “I have never seen newborn photography like yours.”  I am deeply honored with such a request. I love Destin and would love to do more work over there.

Here is one of my signature pieces that was actually shot on a Destin beach. The family was on vacation and wanted creative photos of their children. This is the front of my business card, so you know how much I love it.

Getting nicer outside

Yeah, it is finally getting to be managable outside. The temperature today was in the mid-80’s, perfect weather for an outdoor photo session.

These three sibliings are very different in personality, but they all have one thing in common, they are very beautiful!

Cute

Most of us can look back at photos from our childhood and see what we looked like. Specifically, we are allowed to experience the embarrassment of the way our parents either dressed us or styled our hair. When we become parents we are given the honored privilege of imposing what we consider “cute” on our children. This period doesn’t last very long, once they reach the elementary years, they refuse to leave the home if the style doesn’t match their perception of what is cool.

In the meantime, I encourage all moms and dads alike to enjoy the fun of dressing and styling our little ones. Remember to take lots of pictures so they too can carry on the legacy of embarrassment.

Don’t you just love the buns?

 

Autumn is here despite the heat

I officially believe that fall is programmed into us. It is currently in the upper 80’s here in sunny Florida and I feel like pulling out my sweatshirt, starting up the fireplace, and drinking a cup of hot apple cider all snuggled up. it has been two years since I’ve been able to jump in the crispy leaves, feel the cool, dry evening air on my skin, and see the vibrant oranges, yellows, and reds of the sugar maple. I miss it terribly.

Two years ago a family hired me to come up to D.C. and go over to their vacation house at The Homestead resort in western Virginia to photograph their family enjoying the beauty of fall in the Appalachians. It was so beautiful. I stayed at a little B&B nearby and then spent the day photographing their young children immersed in autumn. Leaf piles, riding horseback in the mountains, just being together as a family, these were the things that defined fall to them. How fortunate I was to be invited into this special time and partake of the purfumes, the eye candy of this splendid season. Until I’m hired again by another family (hint, hint) I will have to live vicariously through my memories and photos.

Here are two photos from that trip that demonstrate the beauty I observed. The first is a photo of the main lodge of The Homestead.

The second was a photo I stopped and took of one of the many waterfalls on the way to the resort.

Photo Seminar

I’m teaching a two-part seminar on children’s photography at the University of West Florida starting this Saturday. I would like to share two fundamental, but often forgotten, tools to good child pictures:

1. Capture your child doing what they love, and do it from different angles. Here is my daughter, who LOVES gymnastics, let’s say Gumby’s got nothing on her. See how you do a double take and are drawn into the photograph with this angle?

2. Building on the first tool, get in their faces from different angles. Their faces will look very different depending on your vantage point. Notice how different Sophia looks from these two angles? 

 

If you would like to register for the class, bear in mind that it is two parts. The first class will focus on talking about the basic principles of good captures and then leaving with homework. The second Saturday, to take place in two weeks, will involve everyone bringing their homework back for critique and analysis with more tips. Call UWF by Wednesday, there are still a few available slots.

Trista

Volunteer work for Junior League

I wear many hats, my hat closet is full in fact. My husband has warned me that I will need to remove a hat before I take on any others, but that is a whole ‘nother post. Anyhow, on one whole wall hangs my volunteer hats. I’ve been wearing those hats a lot lately. One such hat is my Junior League photographer hat. I do the photos for the Harbinger magazine. I cover various Junior League events throughout the year. I also am going to be photographing all new provisional members for our yearbook from here on out.

If you aren’t familiar with the Junior League, they are fantastic group that focus on helping, specifically, women and children in the community, but they also take on other causes as well. If you would like to see what is on the agenda for the 06-07 year, or are interested in joining, visit: http://www.juniorleagueofpensacola.org/pensacola/index.jsp.

Here are some of the photos I’ve taken from the past 6 months.

From last week’s 50th Anniversary Luncheon Fashion Show:

One of the new Provisional members of Junior League:

And a photo from the Decades party this past spring. They had a martini room; very awesome party, btw:

trista

Kissable lips

When we are tucking in our girls at night, we ask to see their kissable lips. They pucker up and get their good night kisses. When I was looking through this session from this week I immediately recognized kissable lips.

Aren’t these two sibliings adorable??

Here are a couple of other beautiful shots from the session: