Boudoir Workshop

April 23, 2016

As I get older and my family grows, I realize that I would love to be able to focus my energy on things that I really love. Honestly, I've always enjoyed all aspects of the photography I do. I absolutely love photographing weddings and engagement sessions. Kids are so fun and families are a wonderful challenge. But one type of photography that I've been doing for a few years that I would really like to excel in more is boudoir photography. I've done lots of marathons and sessions, but I felt like my work was stagnating, and I needed something to give me that next push forward.

I took part in a one-on-one mentoring workshop with Miranda of Miranda Parker Boudoir. She was so sweet, friendly and interesting to speak to. The best part was, I didn't have as much to learn as I thought! We both normally work with a similar lens and she also prefers natural light, which I try to use as often as I can. She coordinated two gorgeous women to be our models during the workshop (with special help from her stylist for hair and make-up) and while she taught me some awesome posing and important things to keep an eye out for, we took some beautiful images. Here are just a few, with more to come, but it's with great pleasure I would like to informally introduce my newest endeavor, Silhouette Boudoir by Jenna Rose. I've got my Facebook page up and running, and I'm currently finishing up with Kristin Marie - Graphic Designer in getting my new logo so the website and blog can be ready very soon.

Even better, I've got four lovely ladies lined up for shoots this weekend who will be helping me "practice" my new tricks in my own studio space. It's nowhere near as cool as Miranda's but we'll see what we can do with it. There's still so much to work on and finish up but I just can't wait to show you more, so for now...

Addyson: In Action (Grand Rapids Children's Photographer)

April 18, 2016

In the ten years I've been doing photography for clients, I've learned a few tricks. Some took a little longer to learn than others. One I have gotten much better at in recent years (for obvious reasons) is learning to work with little ones. Some kids, especially the set between 18 months and 3 or 4 years, are particularly hard to wrangle, as they don't respond well to bribery and other handy photography tactics. I've found that those mobile little ones needs to do just that... be mobile. Though you are less likely to get the cutesy posed smiles in the locations you were hoping for, you will get lots of cute moments that are unscripted.

Addyson is the perfect example. She's a normal little two-year-old. Tons of energy and not a lot of ambition to stay in one place! We tried a few different things to talk her into sitting still, but she wasn't having it. So instead, I followed her around the front yard of her grandma and grandpa's house for the better part of an hour, snapping away. I talked her into a few cute things, that only lasted for a couple seconds, and even taught her how to snap a photo. Though she wouldn't consent to sit by Mom and smile, we sure got a lot of great shots in between all that action.

This was my second trip to Sue and Hank's house to photograph their granddaughter, as I was there just about a year ago for Addyson's one-year photo session. She made me work harder this year, but I think I like the photos just as much. Addyson, it was so much fun playing with you again! Thanks again to your family for letting me come by and hang out!

^First, we were off to playing with her Uncles' old tractors.

^Gotta get some running in!

^Waiting for Mom at the front door.

^Raspberry snack break.

^Being adorable! These front stoop shots are my favorite.

^Peeking at Nana and Papa.

^This is the point where I showed her how to press the shutter to take a photo. She was intrigued.

^Running from Mom is more fun than posing with her, apparently!

^Tongues out for both Addyson and Tess!

^Guard dog ;)

^Banana snack break.

^Friends forever :)

Julianna: 15 Months and Moving (Grand Rapids Children's Photographer)

April 15, 2016

It's been a little bit since I've posted some Julie shots, and we have had a dry spell, so why not?! Jules, her grandma and I went off to Ludema's Floral and Garden greenhouse in Grand Rapids with the basic idea of just letting her run around and hope for a big smile here and there. As usual, I always HOPE she'll sit still and smile big for my camera like she used to do, but as I SUSPECTED, she wasn't having any of that. There were too many things to see and touch and pluck for her to sit still. So I set her free and followed her around. We had to rescue a few flowers from her, and had to buy the ones that we weren't quick enough to save, but it was still lots of fun.

Julie is getting so big, knows so many new "tricks" (words, songs, etc) and is so much fun to be around. She also has the biggest cheeser smile (underbite and all!) that is so infectious. Especially when she scrunches her nose. How I love her! I'm already thinking of some fun ideas for her 18 month session this summer! It's fun having a kid around.

^Yup, we bought that plant.

^The only "sitting pretty" shot I got all morning!

^Cheeser!

^Selecting a marigold. Luckily MOST of them were strong...

^Not that one!

^My favorite series... she was excited to run to Mommy.

^Yup, bought that one too ;)

^Thanks for coming to help, Grandma Nore!

^And we're done ;)