Fall Leaves!

The trees may have lost a lot of their leaves but they still make a great backdrop. I had such a great time with these kids and their Mom. It was just a wonderful day. I am so glad that we got to play in the leaves together.

Follow the Facebook link to the left to see even more photos from this event.

Family Time!

Sometimes it is all in the smile, sometimes the eyes tell you everything you need to know and sometimes it is all the little things rolled up together that make a great image. I feel so lucky that I get to meet and spend time with great families. Jen, thank you for letting me share a little time with you and your loves. I am looking forward to getting to see you all again. See you soon!

Not Just Another Pretty Face

I know it has been awhile, but things have been pretty busy around here. I promise to post more often, really.

To start with here are a few photos of a really good friend. I am very happy to know this lady and trust me; she is as beautiful inside as she is out. This is the smile of someone who knows what it means to be blessed and rejoices in it everyday. It shines out of those bright blue eyes and lightens the spirits of her family and friends. We are blessed to have her in our lives and I am always honored when she asks me to take her photograph. Peg, stop shaking your head and staring at the images, you’re beautiful! Do I know you or what?

Fun In The Sun

Mel, I had so much fun playing with you and your family at the Wildlife Center. Could there have been anything more precious than your little boy’s smiles? And those brown curls bouncing in the sun as your little girl chased those geese, it was a joy to watch. She was so determined to pet one, thank goodness for Goldfish and Grandma or we might still be there. Please tell your Mom thank you, she was wonderful. I can see where you get your spirit and beauty. It definitely runs in the family. I hope these images bring you back to a little of the joy of the day.

A Lovely Afternoon

Well, you two, we couldn’t have asked for a better afternoon, the last minute location idea was just perfect, and you both were so cute together. Yes, I said cute and I am not taking it back. Thank you for letting me share in a small part of this very special time in your lives. I am honored. And, in case you are wondering, the blue is just the perfect shade of … blue.

Color Crazy

Creating beautiful images is my passion. Having the opportunity to take some of those images and dust them with a little extra magic is just outright fun. I have always loved the look of those heirloom black and white photos that were painstakingly hand colored. Adding a rosy cheek to a sweet-faced toddler or bringing the color back to the petals of a rose, turned those early images into something extra special. It took a steady hand and an artistic eye, but when done right, those images were showstoppers.

Digital colorization still needs that steady hand and some serious restraint. It is all too easy to get carried away with what you can do, but it is important to remember some basic concepts so you don't 'overdo'. The eye is going to be drawn to the element that is most vivid in the image. In a standard image you’ll see the lightest elements first. In a high key or very light image, you’ll be drawn to the darker elements. And, in a black and white image, the eye will be drawn to color. That is why it is important to consider the composition when selecting which colors to ‘reveal’. Try not to let the color lessen the impact of the image. Use it to enhance the overall feeling and then sit back and enjoy the results. Here are a couple of my favorites from the last year. Let me know what you think.

Simply Angelic

This little girl has what it takes to run the world someday. She is smart and funny and has a spirited twinkle in her eyes that lets you know she can keep up with pretty much anyone, at anything. This weekend, the angels were smiling and she was dancing in the glow. Even on a cloudy day, there is sunlight in a beautiful smile and I loved catching a little of that sparkle. Em, thank you for letting me share a bit of your morning. I hope the rest of your day was just as lovely.

Sunshine Girls

Another fun day in the sun with wonderful people, exploring the Wildlife Center. It always makes me smile. I hope you both had fun playing together that day. You are so adorable together. Our favorite critic had just two words for these images, ‘CUTIE CUTE’. Thanks for spending time with me. Enjoy!

Princess Caroline

This is the season for pretty princesses all dressed in white. Saturday, I got to spend a little time with another lovely young lady heading off to her First Communion, a sweetheart with spirit. Caroline, skateboards and communion dresses don’t necessarily mix but I give you such credit for trying. And more credit for keeping the dress clean. I’m so glad we caught your beautiful smile and that little glint of mischief in your eyes. Thanks to you and your sister for taking time to play. Just looking at the images makes me smile all over again.

Princess Elizabeth

Take one charming girl, a lovely white dress and a beautiful spring day and you have all the ingredients you need to capture a little magic. We took advantage of the late afternoon sun to create a series of images that I hope she and her family will treasure for a very long time.

Elizabeth, it was such a joy spending time with you and your Mom. The little girl that we met near the end of our session was right; you looked and acted just like a princess and this sneak peek proves it! Thank you for coming out to play in the flowers with me.