Meet Luke & Lucy.  Seriously.  Could their names be any cuter?

We just loved working with these two; they were so full of personality.  Sarah and I laughed and talked about them all the way home.  Why?  Well, Lucy reminded me so much of Bella at certain times; the similarities were just too many not to notice.  Especially when I pulled out my best silly joke on her and she just looked at me, expressionless, just like Bella would.  This of course, just made me laugh even harder.  “I’m not funny am I?”  I said.  She just looked at me unenthusiastically and shook her head no.  More laughter.  Poor Sarah just stands by shaking her head at me like I’m crazy,  knowing full well, once I get going there’s no stopping that freight train from leaving the station.

But I digress.

Both Luke and Lucy came for their first set of headshots.  Equally talented, they have both had parts in my FAVORITE show.  Well, since you’re now curious, that would be Law & Order SVU.  So far, I have only had the pleasure of watching Luke’s episode, Manhattan Vigil, but I’m excited to see the episode that Lucy’s in next.  And I’m sure this won’t be the last time you see these kids, since word is, Luke just got a part in his first feature film.  Go Luke!

We wish them both the best success and can’t wait to work with them again!

Thanks Luke & Lucy!

32 whopping inches.  Yet this was no surprise after the last doosie of a snow storm that hit a couple years back.  I remember having to shovel a good part of the back yard, just so it wouldn’t melt and flood the house.

Funny, seems I was definitely a lot stronger then.

I guess I need to stay in shape for these events.  They sure seem to be more regular these days.  Though, since we have power, you won’t hear me complaining.  I’ll just sit here quietly, counting my blessings.

The best part is, B loved the snow.   The more, the better.  Though, the novelty wears off pretty quickly; it sure helps to pass the cold, dreary, winter days.

Kudos to my husband for digging us out of this mess.  You rock, Babe.  Seriously.  And no thanks are needed for posting this picture of you looking like a mental patient, with your large cup of “cuckoo”.  I promise next time you can post all the pictures you like of me looking like an idiot with food hanging out of my mouth.

Stay warm and happy shoveling.

Every single time I photograph headshots, I think they are my favorites.  And this time was no different.  And I swear, I couldn’t love this set of images any more.  Don’t Erin’s beautiful images just make you want to have your own headshots taken!?  Well?   What are you waiting for!?  Call me.  I’m ready for ya.

For all you photographers, Erin’s last project was ‘How to Photoshop Everyone’ by Kevin Kubota.  If you haven’t seen it yet, make sure you view the trailer.  Good stuff!  You’ll get a laugh and learn something all at once.

As for Erin’s images…. I spend a good amount of time coaching people on what to wear and what NOT to wear.  Solid colors look best.  Complimentary colors are your friend.  Layers are fabulous and bright colors look great!  The camera doesn’t  like small repeated patterns, but it loves textures…..yada yada ya, but rarely does anyone take my advice right down to their lipstick.  So, props to you, Erin.  You look great.  The tonality and color of these images looks fabulous because you knew what you were doing.

And, Erin….I wish you the best success!  I’ll be waiting to see your television debut soon

If you haven’t, then you better hop on your horse because the last one for the season is coming soon….boo hoo.

Truly, there are few places that I enjoy more than the farmer’s market every Sunday.   Not that I go every Sunday, but I would if I could.  Swear it.

Maybe it’s the peace of the ride in the country, or the entertainment and great food from local growers.  Vibrant colors of produce and baskets of flowers, or the people, the ones you know and the ones you don’t.  Or maybe, the smell of fresh cow manure we hit on the way.  Uh..NO.  It’s definitely not that, but it is a combination of these things. Truthfully, it makes family day so much more meaningful for lots of reasons.

Last Sunday, Rodney had to work, so Isabelle and I took a ride to pick up some things for dinner and eehemm…snack.  After we browsed around and picked out our produce, we bought some curried hummus and headed to our favorite food trucks.  Not to buy anything, just to torture ourselves reading the flavors on the side of the NoRa Cupcake Truck.

Yes, there it is….I also really like the farmer’s market because of the cupcake truck.  That’s just the icing on the cake, if you will…..pun definitely intended.

When we concluded the torture, we just happened upon some great light, so I snapped a couple of pictures of Isabelle, during the .05 seconds she stood still and then I had a fabulous idea.  I would give her all two gazillion dollars worth of camera and lens and let her take a few pictures.

Yup.  Cause I’m crazy like that.

And she did a fabulous job.   Above is one of the images of yours truly to prove it.  She’ll be working with me soon.

And then, taking pictures of mommy wasn’t so much fun anymore, so we moved over to the corn maze and started chatting with a nice woman, who was a little sarcastic and witty, in a Bethany Frankle-ish sort of way. Hmmm…now that I think about it, she even looked a bit like her, but I digress.

We talked about children and photography and then food because what else is there? And then about our food allergies and intolerance’s. Yup.  Me wheat and her dairy. And then about how we cheat and eat what we shouldn’t and there is distention and all things ugly. I’ll stop right here. Because sadly, I’ve probably scarred you and no further description is necessary.

Which is why I didn’t get the darn cupcake.

Anyway, I think you should get yourself in the car next Sunday and to the farmer’s market (windows up) before the season ends.  You won’t be disappointed.  I promise.

And should you want to get the dish, you should like my FB page right here.  At times there are special, specials for all you likers.

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of photographing Toya Ambrose, Choreographer and Head Coach for UConn’s Dance, Cheerleading, and Mascot Teams.  Also a former NBA dancer, for both the Chicago Luvabulls and the Memphis Grizzlies, Toya is a super dynamic woman, with an incredible amount of energy that just spills out of her.  I was actually hoping a bit would rub off on me, but I digress.  She is just gorgeous and that skin!?  Simply flawless.  Okay yes, I was a little envious of the skin.

Toya wanted professional headshots and yay, she chose me to take them!   So, I went about designing a session that was a little edgy to compliment Toya’s personality.  Which I think we definitely accomplished.

We had a great time and I had a hard time choosing my favorite images.  The two above are just a couple of so many.

Thanks so much, Toya!  It’s been a pleasure!

Beginner photography class logo

If your fancy digital camera is still in full auto – just like it was when you first took it out of the box, then Focus is for you! Focus – Get Your Click On is a workshop for the new photographer. You will learn how to get more from your camera, so you can document those important moments in your life.

NEW WORKSHOP CONTENT HAS BEEN ADDED!!

This workshop has been expanded to include hands on practice!

Things We’ll Cover:

• 10 ways to take better pictures of your kids
• Shooting creatively – framing, rule of thirds, creative angles and composing for the best shots
• Introduction to Exposure: aperture, ISO, shutter speed and how they work together
• Using the light to your advantage and avoiding flash
• Using basic shooting modes
• Lens Overview
• Basic image critique with tips on improving those shots
• Image editing overview, backing up and image management software
• Take home assignments that can be added to our Flickr Get Your Click On group, so you can upload and show off your completed assignments for critique

Who Should Take This Class?

This is a beginners workshop that will teach you how to get your camera off the auto setting and on to taking better pictures. You will leave here with a new understanding of your camera’s functions and how to use them, take home assignments to practice what you have learned, a bag of goodies, a fully tummy and a few new friends!

A DSLR is required for this workshop. This workshop is not for people already familiar with their cameras, looking for advanced techniques or people entering into business. Before coming to class, you will need to read your manual and bring it along. This is very important because we will not be covering individual camera functions.

The Details:

The workshop is approximately four hours. The cost is $145 per person. Payment in full is due at registration.  A light brunch and beverages will be provided.

The workshop will be held at The Lodge at Crandall Park, in Tolland, CT. The Lodge is a beautiful rustic cabin nestled on a wooded hilltop overlooking a quiet pond. A picturesque location ready to spark your creativity!

There is a minimum of 10 students. If minimum number of students isn’t met, class will be rescheduled.  You can choose to have your class registration fee transferred to a future workshop, or have it refunded to you through PayPal.

To receive more information about this workshop or future workshops, you can sign up for the workshop newsletter here.

Registration Deadline: September 3, 2012
Cost: $145.00
Date: Saturday October 6, 2012
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: The Lodge at Crandall Park
124 Cider Mill Road
Tolland, CT

I’m really hoping all this rain stops because I’m sure due for a trip to the beach, with my baby girl and her big, blue bucket.

Every photographer goes about this process differently. After experimenting and going through the process numerous times, you will find the most beneficial and comfortable way that works for you. Reading about how others approach this can be helpful when you are figuring out your course of action.

From the moment you meet up with your subjects, and even in communication before the shoot, you should try to find out as much as you can about your subject and start building a relationship to shorten the bridge between client and photographer. Having some sort of relationship and knowledge about their personalities will help you best figure out what you could say or do to evoke laughter or a sincere smile for their photos.

After you’ve found out every little detail about them and have them sign over to you their firstborn child, you can figure out and gauge what types of jokes they might laugh at, what little things they enjoy or what phrases to say when smiling for the camera to get a natural demonstration of happiness. Trust your gut instinct on what to say to them and be confident when you execute your plan of action. The more confident and under control you appear to have things the more comfortable your clients will feel that you will produce a product they will like and as a result, they will become more relaxed and compliant with whatever you ask them to do.

Abruptly saying or doing something unexpected is sure to get some type of reaction out of your subjects. No one is expecting their photographer to bark like a dog, or to say something about the invisible man who is sitting at their feet. Sometimes they will laugh at it or they will laugh at you because you’re not funny, but either way, they laughed right?

Little kids can be even more cautious and nervous in front of a camera and so exercises like shaking it out or wiggling to get ready for the camera are helpful interactive ways to get past those first barriers. Let them run around and explore the area that you are shooting in so that all their curiosities about the new scene are satisfied and they will be less distracted during most of the shooting. As a child is exploring, follow him around and you might catch candid shots of him playing, finding something that excites him, or capture the pure joy of running around.

Little details can make all the difference. If a person doesn’t know what to do with their hands, it will show in their face. Give them something to hold, even if it isn’t in the shot. If one doesn’t know how to stand without looking like a Ken or Barbie, give them a chair. If a child has his favorite stuffed animal with him and will cry without it, let him have it. One thing to keep in mind is that by allowing them a prop, a chair, or stuffed animal, doesn’t necessarily mean they will need it the whole entire shoot. Sometimes people just need to start off comfortably and then they will branch out and loosen up for the rest of the session.

Hopefully these few little suggestions will help guide you into finding your style of getting your subject to act naturally in front of the camera. If you have any other helpful little tips on this subject, feel free to leave us a comment below! We love hearing back from our readers and their experiences. If you use any these techniques in the future, we would be thrilled to hear about how it went and what worked for you and what else you tried!

I feel like I should start singing Isn’t She Lovely.  Because she is.

Julia and her mom styled this session for her 16th birthday present.  They both have incredible taste and I knew they wouldn’t disappoint.  I love the pop of color from the bright red shoes.  And definitely loved the hair and makeup by Emily.

We waited for several months to complete the session because Julia has an actual allergy to the cold and breaks out in hives when the cold air hits her skin.  She had to keep well covered throughout the session, so she would stay as warm as possible.  And even though it was pretty cold outside, we can thank the Lord for dance tights and gloves.  I know they helped a lot because it was pretty chilly.

She certainly is a girl that loves most anything vintage.  It suits her, don’t you think?

If your fancy digital camera is still in full auto – just like it was when you first took it out of the box, then Focus is for you! Focus – Get Your Click On is a workshop for the new photographer. You will learn how to get more from your camera, so you can document those important moments in your life.

NEW WORKSHOP CONTENT HAS BEEN ADDED!!

This workshop has been expanded to include hands on practice!

Things We’ll Cover:

• 10 ways to take better pictures of your kids
• Shooting creatively – framing, rule of thirds, creative angles and composing for the best shots
• Introduction to Exposure: aperture, ISO, shutter speed and how they work together
• Using the light to your advantage and avoiding flash
• Using basic shooting modes
• Lens Overview
• Basic image critique with tips on improving those shots
• Image editing overview, backing up and image management software
• Take home assignments that can be added to our Flickr Get Your Click On group, so you can upload and show off your completed assignments for critique

Who Should Take This Class?

This is a beginners workshop that will teach you how to get your camera off the auto setting and on to taking better pictures. You will leave here with a new understanding of your camera’s functions and how to use them, take home assignments to practice what you have learned, a bag of goodies, a fully tummy and a few new friends!

A DSLR is required for this workshop. This workshop is not for people already familiar with their cameras, looking for advanced techniques or people entering into business. Before coming to class, you will need to read your manual and bring it along. This is very important because we will not be covering individual camera functions.

The Details:

The workshop is approximately five hours. The cost is $145 per person. Payment in full is due at registration.  A light brunch and beverages will be provided.

The workshop will be held at The Lodge at Crandall Park, in Tolland, CT. The Lodge is a beautiful rustic cabin nestled on a wooded hilltop overlooking a quiet pond. A picturesque location ready to spark your creativity!

There is a minimum of 10 students. If minimum number of students isn’t met, class will be rescheduled to Saturday, October 6th.  You can choose to have your class registration fee transferred to the October workshop, or have it refunded to you through PayPal.

To receive more information about this workshop or future workshops, you can sign up for the workshop newsletter here.

Cost: $145.00
Date: Saturday July 7, 2012
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: The Lodge at Crandall Park
124 Cider Mill Road
Tolland, CT