Baby Braelyn: Newborn Photography

July 30, 2011

Babies, they are a miracle. And they have a mind of their own. If they are in a good mood, by golly, you can go right ahead and take their pictures. But when they aren't...

Meet little miss Braelyn. We first met her when she was in mama Ashley's tummy back in May. We had a great time doing a few shots in the studio and then a couple more outside that day. Braelyn was born at the very end of June, and she just turned a month old when I was able to make it up to Ashley's to do her baby portraits. Ashley's sister, Monica (my beautiful bride from May), was present again to help out. But no matter what we did, little Braelyn knew something was going on and was NOT interested in missing it. The girls had kept her up all morning so she'd be ready to sleep when I arrived, but she had other ideas.

We almost gave up about an hour later (everytime we put her down on our comfy blanket, she got angry with us!), but she FINALLY fell asleep. She had been fighting it so hard. It was short lived, but we finally got a few shots in before she woke up again and decided "ENOUGH!" Poor little lady, I felt like I was bugging her so much. But even though we didn't get everything we hoped for, we still managed to squeak out a few lovely shots of this little miss. I'm sure when she's a little bit older, she'll be more cooperative!

Thanks Ashley and Braelyn! You two are great!

^Braelyn didn't like my basket. Awww, but I LOVE it!

^I think this is one of my very favorites!

^Despite how not interested she was in doing photos, she did have a couple smiles for us.

^Mama rocking her little lady.

^Little lady is not happy!

^I was just about to tear down when she fell asleep! She liked the couch best for sleeping, so we kept her on it!

^Awww! Another of my very favorites!

^Snugglin'

^She's up again! Had to get a few in the cute pink outfit!

The Wixson Family

July 29, 2011

It wasn't long ago that we were all in this very same place with the very same people. The difference this time was... much more comfortable clothes and much more comfortable weather! The Wixson family saw Paul & Candi married off just under two months ago, and we were at Nelson Park in Mount Pleasant for photos then as well. These much more informal portraits offered us a lot more time to work. I love working with this family.

The trouble was that one of the family groups couldn't make it on the day we set up. But we still did a great job with images of the whole clan. Thanks to everyone who could make it, as it was great to work with you all again so soon. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw more of them in the future!

^This pair is one of the cutest couples I've had the pleasure of working with this summer!

^Loving the shade... and the subdued sunlight. Working after 6pm has lots of benefits!

^An old friend from high school, Billy, riding the bear...

^Laramie was a pretty awesome little guy for the photos. I think it's time for his close up!

^He was pretty obsessed with the wishbones from Aunt Terri!

^He wished for an Optimus Prime WITH A TRAILER... that being the important part. His dad says they don't exist... since he won the wishbone, maybe they will now??? :-)

^The grandkids (or at least the ones present!) with Grandma and Grandpa.

^The Browne family (with Alecia, aka Cali, also joining on the far right).

^Billy and his lady, Cali :-)

^Billy takes Laramie for a walk up the fountain.

^A successful family walking shot. Very impressive!

Lisa: Fashion Photography

July 29, 2011

It was HOT. Everyone from Michigan knows that the last few weeks in July and already into August, we've had some really high temps out there. Not always the best for portraits.  But Lisa and I made it through. Lisa was one of my younger sister's best friends back in the old days, so I was thrilled to help her do some professional modeling photos. She's doing some work for NM3, a magazine up in Northern Michigan (where she lives these days) and our session was not only to get some images for Lisa's portfolio, but to do some practice on fashion (photography AND modeling!) as well.

Since we were both in town for the weekend, we met up in downtown Harrison to start some photos. It was a rough start, with the breeze and heat made using the lighting equipment a little complicated, interesting people walking by and chatting us up, as well as a fish named Billy (don't ask!) just sitting on a hook in the lake... but somehow, we managed.

It was fun to catch up with Lisa, since I haven't seen her in a long time. And this isn't the first time I've worked with Lisa, either. I photographed her wedding almost three years ago. We were both chatting about how far my work has come since then. I'm glad people notice! But either way, Lisa makes taking beautiful images of her easy. Look at that gorgeous smile! Thanks for choosing me to do these photos, Lisa, and I hope you like 'em!

^We decided the strobe wasn't going to work when it fell down right before this shot. I like natural light better anyway!

^This little leafy alcove was beautiful for lighting! Perfect!

^Lisa's rocking the "pushing the hair out of her face" look.

^Love it!

^Hot pink is one of the best colors... so bright and fun, and look how BOLD it is.

^Tell me she's not just gorgeous!

 ^These shots are out behind Harrison High School, our alma mater. I really love the field look, so it was pretty exciting for me. Haha.

^It may have been pretty hot, but the wind was fairly cooperative in some of the shots!

^Phenomenal halo effect. Thank you, thank you... ;-)

^It was great working with you, Lisa. Call me anytime!