Mason

This was probably the fastest session I've ever done. Why? Well, this kids was just hammin' it up! If you look deep into his eyes you can see his daddy...I mean, literally. As I was editing I could see the reflection of his dad standing outside the sliding glass door braving the elements (it was a rainy, windy, freeeeeezing Saturday) to get this kid going. And seriously, it worked! THANK YOU!

This was the very first picture I took:

And the rest were just as cute!

Kaytee Senior Portraits | Sacramento

We had a lot of fun on this shoot! This is my sister-in-law's sister...sounds distant...but I feel like we are immediate family. I remember when my brother got married this girl seemed just that...a little girl. And now look at her! Such a beautiful...grown up...girl! My sister-in-law was quite the trooper too, helping to hold the reflector...pretty much 9 months pregnant! She had the baby about a week later :) Thanks Jami and Cassidy for all the help and Kaytee...you are beautiful!

Spot Focus | Negro Bar

I am always looking for new places to shoot so I think I will share with others the places I am finding. We are constantly looking for a change of scenery, right? It can also give potential clients a look at the different places available to take pictures in the Sacramento area.

If you have any ideas you'd love to share, LET ME KNOW and I'd love to either feature it or let you guest post or something! That would be fun!

Today, I will do Negro Bar in Folsom, CA. I have a secret, or not so secret, love for Folsom. I always have...so, you will get several locations in Folsom in the future!

CLICK HERE for a map.

This place is right on the river with cliffs in the background, lots of trees, grasses, bushes, etc...there is also a dock too but they recently put some large posts in it that aren't super flattering but I am sure there is a way to get around it. Nature is everywhere, and depending on the season, you can get some great shots in the trees and shrubs in the surrounding areas too. But beware of the geese! They are fed often so they think everyone on the beach must be there to feed them!

We will now revisit some of the photos taken there in the past...just so you can get a look at what is in the area...though I should probably take pictures of the entire area too. Maybe for a future post.

And Maybe you'll be lucky enough to see this baby drive on out of the water...

"Back to the Future"

My husband showed me these pictures the other day. This photographer asked people to reenact a photo from their childhood or earlier in their life...and she did a pretty good job of recreating the pictures...like almost perfectly, really...the lighting, background, outfits, posing, etc. You should check it out.

WARNING: The girl with the accordion did not have a top on when she was little soooooooo...likewise, she is not wearing a top in the 2010 version either. Just FYI. She has a party top hat and bow tie if to give you heads up in case you feel like closing your eyes and scrolling :)

http://irinawerning.com/back-to-the-fut/back-to-the-future/

Nobody's Perfect

I need to be a better blogger. It's true. Would you come more if I blogged more? Probably, huh! What if it was just me rambling? Would you still come and visit? I hope so. Today, that is what you get. Sorry...but I figure maybe I should let you get to know me sometimes...and let you know that there are other photographers out there who may have the same doubts, problems, worries, etc. that you might have!

Often I look at other photographers blogs and dream of my pictures looking like that. Do you ever do that too? We need to stop...not stop looking for inspiration but stop comparing...I do anyway. That is one thing I want to do this year. Focus on being a better photographer, creating better images...but not comparing my work to others. I don't think any of us will ever stop learning...even the best of the best.

There.

It is written.

No more comparing myself.

Am I the only one who does this?

I was just wondering.

I think it's ok to admit it.

Now let's admit a few more things while we're at it.

Not all our pictures come out of the camera lovely and perfect.

So...I will expose myself...or overexpose..ha....ha.......................ha

and show you some of my terrible photos.

NOT terrible subjects...let's get that straight (this couple was probably one of my all time favorite sessions!) Just my mistakes. Because when you see only the pictures that are posted on a photographers blog don't you feel that ALL their photos must be absolutely stunning out of the camera?

I know that doesn't logically make sense...but I subconsciously think that.

SO here is me showing you, I am not perfect. Because I know you really thought I was...uhhh...right. Ha. Ha.

You get some like this:

Underexposed and look at that white balance, BLAH...

A little overexposed, and again, white balance...

And then there are some that really are just lovely...

I feel like I have come a long way in my picture taking abilities over the past few years. Starting out I would have NEVER shown anyone my pictures in camera or unedited. I would look at them on the viewfinder and think of how I could fix whatever was going on later, in Photoshop.

Bad idea.

"I can fix later" means "I can (and usually will) spend a LOT of time in Photoshop fixing this."

It's okay if EVERY picture doesn't come out perfect. It really is.

P.S. I started shooting manually this past year and I think that has REEEEEEALLY helped with getting the correct exposure! Obviously, from the above photographs, not every click comes out but still. Change settings. Try again.

P.P.S. If any of my photo friends who are learning right along with me (or want to learn) want to go out and practice sometime LET"S DO IT!

AAAAAAnd...here's a couple fun pictures from my last senior portrait session. She's so darling.