Ok, so it was only late March, but we definitely took advantage of the warm afternoon. This was a session done purely with the intent to play with off-camera lighting outdoors. As a photographer, I think it’s always good to keep learning and keep challenging “the way we always shoot it.” I have a studio and use off-camera lighting indoors often, and, although I shoot outdoors a lot, too, anything other than natural light outdoors has always been a little bit of a mystery to me. I’ll be the first to admit I do not have a love affair with my 580EX external flash, but I do love my giant octadome and strobe.
We attended this year’s Imaging USA conference in San Antonio and watched Hanson Fong’s presentation about lighting and light modifiers indoors and outdoors. One after another, he showed what we deemed to be beautiful shots taken in natural light outdoors – taken in open shade or backlit the same way many of us do today. Then he showed those exact same images with just a pop of off-camera light and/or reflector and “wow” is really all I can say. The images went from great to fabulous. In the first issue of PhotoVision 2011 (I highly recommend this series!), Angie Monson shows how she rocks the off-camera flash (with her 7 foot softbox out in a field) to overpower the sun during a family session and maintain that beautiful, crisp, deep blue sky and clouds.
So armed with a desire to play, Carmen and I loaded up the 4Runner with the giant softbox, strobe, our 580EXs, a 5-in-1 reflector and three willing participants (thank you, Kim!) We quickly discovered that our master plan to power the strobe remotely was a failure. Nix the softbox. We’re flexible, right?
So onto the 580EXs and reflector. While I’m typically used to backlighting in strong, high sun conditions, we purposefully placed the boys with the sun falling on their faces and then adjusted our camera and flash settings to expose correctly and overpower the sun. Many of the shots of our beautiful girl were taken solely with the gold reflector to get a warm glow and sparkle back up into her eyes with the sun behind her. All in all, I’m glad we played and can’t wait to get the right generator for the strobe to try more new things. Enjoy some of my favorites!
P.S. the beautiful fabric flower bouquets are from Little Rue.
Kansas City Child Photography , Kansas City Family Photographer , Sneak Peeks
Love for the big kids l Kansas City child photographer
It’s so easy to oooh and aaaah over the newborn and first year photos as a parent and a photographer. But, as our kids get older, life gets busier … more chaotic … and, before we know it, our tiny ones have become big ones seemingly right before our eyes. And the 6-year birthday pics have now become the “I’ll get it scheduled in a few months” pics which then become the “7-year birthday pics” before we know it. I’ve heard this one enough to know it’s pretty commonplace.
There are a whole host of reasons I love shooting “older” children and these two sets of siblings are great examples of just how much personality, interaction and variety we can capture in a single session. Plus, I can put them into a composition or spot and not worry about them taking off like a toddler. I think it’s a great opportunity for every “big kid” to take their place in the spotlight, laughing, clowning around and even giving me their “serious” looks (which typically result in laughter anyway.)
Some favorites from two late fall sessions that I’ve been meaning to share. I guess it’s true that “3 is the new 2.”
And this one was a surprise session orchestrated by a very clever Dad for his wife. After the big Christmas morning unveiling, I received the following email:
“Suffice it to say that the pictures were the biggest hit in twenty years of trying to surprise my wife with gifts. She was and is mesmerized by the quality pictures, floored by the outfits and effort in pulling this off without her noticing it and truly stunned at how you pulled the beauty out of each of our kids through your work … My wife never cries, never, not even at funerals. Never until the moment she unwrapped the first gift … It was nothing short of the perfect Christmas morning and the pictures already adorn the walls in our living room, the grandparents homes and soon our respective offices. I want to thank you again for everything you did to effect this gift on such short notice and in such an amazing fashion.”
Kansas City Family Photographer , Kansas City Newborn and Baby Photography , Sneak Peeks
Eddie is one l Shawnee, KS child portrait photographer
It’s hard to believe it’s been more than two years since we captured his older brother at the same age, but it has. And wow, if ever there was a career that reminds you how quickly time passes and little ones become big ones, this is it. Now it’s younger brother Eddie’s turn to celebrate the end of the first year milestone and the beginning of full-on todder-hood. Just as we did with that session two years ago, we shot this one at their home. They have the most beautiful natural light streaming into their family room, and with all of the snow on the ground at the time, we knew this would be an indoor session. I shot most of these with my 35/1.4L lens, swapping out for my 24-70 here and there.
These are some of my favorites from their in-home session, especially the last one …
Spring Special:
If you’re thinking about your own child or family session, be sure to take advantage of my Spring/Summer promotion – a great savings and just in time for warmer weather outdoor photos!
Kansas High School Senior Photography
A light shines from within l Kansas senior portrait photographer
… and it’s bright and beautiful, just like she is.
This was just one of those sessions that flowed effortlessly – the hair, the clothing, the expressions … those looks …
And the light. All around us and shining from within. Meet Monique – Class of 2011.
If you’re the parent of a 2012 senior or a soon-to-be high school senior in the Kansas City area, definitely head on over to my Facebook page for a special offer if you book your session (to take place this Summer) by March 31, 2011. Mention you saw this blog post and I’ll add 75 complementary wallets from your session, too! While you’re there, “like” the page and you’ll be the first to know about specials and promotions.
Kansas City Family Photographer , Sneak Peeks
A family affair {Kansas City family photographer}
So many colors. So many textures. So many connections. So many families this past fall and winter came into my life and in front of the lens.
Yes, it was often cold and windy. There were more red, runny noses than I can count. And even a few meltdowns. Anyone who’s ever attempted to dress an entire family for a photo shoot and get out the door on time with everyone well-rested and well-fed (and completely unscathed) will attest to that one. But, in the end, we were able to capture not only custom images for holiday cards, gifts and home displays, but lasting memories.
So, I pose this question (especially to the moms out there reading this): When was the last time you stepped into an image with your children? If it took you more than five seconds to answer that question, it’s time, people. I promise, beyond a shred of a doubt, that there never will be a perfect, perfect moment (you know the one that dangles like a carrot in front of each of us … when we lose those last few pounds … when we grow our hair out … etc.) And, not surprisingly, those aren’t the things our children will see years from now when they’re looking through the albums. Instead, they’ll smile at the laughter, the hugs, the kisses and all of the things that make us a family.
Here are some of my favorites from several recent family sessions (starting with my own quickie family session thanks to the work of my good friend, Carmen Carver). Seriously, we shot all of this in my studio in about 10 minutes before we left for a company holiday party.
Don’t worry, if you don’t yet see yours here, I’ve got several more blog posts to go before I’m caught up, but I’m making progress! And, excuse the odd sizing variances. I’m working on a new blog site/rebranding so time is valuable right now and my main focus is simply sharing recent work so I don’t get even further behind here on the blog as the 2011 sessions are now in full swing.
And then there’s this gorgeous family and a sunset session on one of our last “not as cold as it could be, but still chilly” December days.
And this fun “urban” family session downtown where, I swear, we got the BEST shots of our entire session in the first 10 minutes (gotta love when that happens):
And a late afternoon session to capture the fall colors and this terrific family in the most beautiful light:
More fall/winter families to come, so stay tuned!
Kami
Kansas City Child Photography , Kansas City Family Photographer
Blogo’rama – part 1 (Kansas City family photographer)
So much to show and tell and I leave for Imaging USA in less than two days, so let’s get started. I’m going to mix up some late summer and fall sessions in no particular order, but there were a slew of wonderful sessions the past six months and looking back at those happy faces makes me equally happy.
Some of our shooting days were downright freezing cold and windy, like this one (but you’d seriously never know it from the ever handsome Gus and his gorgeous momma):
But before we hit the single digit temperatures, I got to spend an afternoon with these guys. (Check out that eye color). The last time you saw little sister on the blog, we were shooting her newborn session. My how time flies!
And let’s not forget Dylan who, along with his dad, has a big love of trains (and striking nonchalant poses in front of vintage chairs, apparently.) Ok, I made that last part up, but I swear he just walked right over, crossed one leg over the other and gazed off into the distance as if he’d modeled like this a thousand times. What a sweet, sweet boy!
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