2018
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2018 // Out with the old, in with the new
As the old year winds down it seems appropriate that it closes as it opened five years ago when I accepted this beautiful studio space. It was the backdrop to so many family, holiday, senior, newborn, wedding, intimate and creative shoots to even begin to count. Unfortunately the building owner wanted to go in a different direction so I chose not to renew my lease. Surprisingly I am not as upset as I thought I would be. I firmly believe that I am right where I am supposed to be in this journey and I am looking forward to the opportunities that will present themselves in the year to come.
Happy new year to everyone. Thank you for your faith in me. I look forward to shooting with you in the coming year!
December 2018 // Portraits
"You go through life wondering what is it all about but at the end of the day it's all about family." ~Rod Stewart
I love capturing the special moments between my subjects, in this case a grandfather and grand daughter. I hope this timeless image reminds them in years to come of the special bond they both share.
2018 // Jessica // Senior Session
This is one of my favorite images from a recent senior session with Jessica. She is a smart confident young woman and it was a pleasure to get to work with her.
2018 // Jessica // Senior Session
Portraits are like kids, you're not supposed to have favorites. Sometimes it's hard though. This is one of my favorites from a recent senior session with a delightful young woman. It is so much fun to spend an afternoon making new friends.
November 2018 // Pierce // Senior Session
Pierce does not like being in front of the camera. With some small talk and friendly banter he eventually loosened up and relaxed. He has the most stunning eyes I have ever seen. Sometimes they were crystal blue, sometimes a dark shade of green or a rich deep hazel. I asked him if all of the girls notice his eyes. He sheepishly grinned back at me. Hopefully we wasn't too traumatized being in front of my camera and lens.
October 2018 // Daddy & Me // Donny & Jaxon
This was such a sweet photo session between a father and son. I love it when the relationship between subjects is clearly evident in the final image. These two obviously love each other to pieces. Jaxon is your typical rambunctious and curious little boy and Don was the ever patient doting father. Such a fun photo session!
From Family Portraits
October 2018 // Daddy & Me
I love the unguarded little moments between shots, those precious interactions between subjects when no one is looking. Lucky for me, I was watching and waiting for them to manifest while I visited with Jaxon and his dad. This shoot was especially heartwarming because it was a father/son shoot. Prepare to have your heartstrings tugged.
2018 // Tony & Hailee
Some favorite images from another family session with my two most favorite babies!
September 2018 // Wilcox Family Session
What better way to celebrate a beautiful family than with family photo session!
"The strongest people are not those who show strength in front of us, but those who win battles we know nothing about ."
This sweet little girl has the most beautiful smile. Lila, be amazing. Be beautiful. Be strong. Be YOU!
September 2018 // Family Session
"No other love in the world is like the love a father has for his little girl."
I admit, I am a sucker for father/daughter shots. Capturing that special bond always melts my heart .
August 2018 // Maternity session
The moment a child is born, so is it's mother.
Maternity sessions are so much fun. This is one of my favorites from a recent maternity session. The colors are so vibrant and cheerful that you can't help but be excited about the upcoming arrival of baby Renlund.
August 2018 // Sneak Peek!
"A father's dreams are in his daughter's eyes."
Nothing is more moving than capturing the connection between your subjects- in this case a father and daughter sharing a brief moment. No matter how big and brawny the dad is, he is still a big teddy bear to his daughter.
August 2018 // If the path be beautiful, let us not ask where it leads.
One of the reasons I love children's photography is because of the magic that happens when you let them be curious and perhaps a tad bit defiant in having their portraits taken. It is always rewarding when they let their guard down and allow you to take a sneaky candid while they inspect a blade of grass, flower petal or bird feather that has suddenly captured their interest.
Childrens portraitschildrens photographyfamily portraitsfamily photography
August 2018 // Maternity Sneak Peek
"You are the closest I will ever come to magic." ~ Suzanne Finnamore
I love maternity pictures! The beauty of an expectant mom is like no other. The way she glows from the inside out as she shares her hopes and dreams for the future is more radiant than the sun. Her excitement and joy are contagious as she embarks on her greatest adventure. Good luck Jess! I can't wait to meet your little man.
August 2018 // The Sweetest Moments
One of my favorite things to capture during a shoot are those sweet tender moments that connect the viewer to the image. Mother and daughter sharing a brief moment tugs pretty hard on the heartstrings.
July 2018 // Heidi's Family Session
I would say that my new location and new Expodisc were a success! I love how these images turned out!
July 2018 // Heidi Family Session
Such a beautiful family!
July 2018 Heidi // Family Session
I LOVE family sessions! This was such a fun evening. We started in the studio and then took a drive to one of my favorite outdoor venues to finish up as the sun began to set. Family sessions are so much fun for me because by the end of the day, not only do I have wonderful pictures but wonderful new friends too.
Jacob // Senior Shoot // June 2018
Congratulations to Jacob, senior class of 2018. Good luck to you in the Air Force! Thank you for serving!
June 2018
I wonder how much you can see
If you allow yourself to just be.
I decided to explore just after a major downpour. There is a quiet peacefulness following a storm. It was doubly rewarding when I chanced to stumble upon this boulder that happened to catch a bit of the storm ~ taming the tempest.
May 2018
"After the Glitter Fades"
Here is my latest (unintentional) addition to my rock-n-roll anthems series.
"For me it's the only life
That I've ever known
And love is only one
Fine star away
Even though the living
Is sometimes laced with lies
It's alright
The feeling remains
Even after the glitter fades"
~Stevie Nicks
May 2018
How to Make a Black and White Image
Hearing someone exclaim how much they love your photograph is one of the most rewarding parts of being a photographer. I especially love when they wonder how I knew that this image would be PERFECT in black and white. Believe it or not, there are some guidelines that help me decide when an image would be better suited to black and white instead of color.
Rule #1: When the subject is disconnected to the viewer
When most of us are in front of a camera, we look towards the lens and paste on a cheesy smile. Whether for artistic purposes, compositional interest or happy accident, there are times when our subject looks away from the lens. I have found that these images lend themselves beautifully to black and white images. The absence of color seems to draw attention to the subject in a subtle way that makes connecting with the subject easier despite not having eye contact.
May 2018 continued
How to Make a Black and White Image, part 2
Rule #2: To emphasize/de-emphasize texture or to draw attention to lines, angles or shadows
Sometimes it isn’t necessarily our model that holds visual interest, but rather the components of the image instead. For example, gnarled tree bark, weathered wooden planks, and a remote section of highway fading into the distance would benefit from a black and white treatment instead of color. This rule works well with artistic pieces by adding dimension and depth to an image. Additionally, a ruddy or splotchy complexion can be improved, by converting to black and white and adding a red filter.
May 2018 continued
How to Make a Black and White Image, part 3
Rule #3: To unite a busy background and/or decrease visual clutter
Purposefully choosing a busy cluttered background is often done for artistic purposes, although there are times when the background is completely out of our control. In the event that you have to work with a busy image, viewing it in black and white will help to calm it down. The elimination of the colors that pull the image in all directions now becomes calm and the components of the image become united and connected. The viewer will be pleased also because their eye will have a place to land to view the image.
May 2018 continued
How to Make a Black and White Image, part 4
Rule #4: To correct white balance and/or exposure images
There are times when no matter what we do, the color just isn’t right, or the exposure isn’t correct. Sometimes these things can be remedied in post by converting to black and white, salvaging the image from the recycle bin. I have created some beautiful pieces of art by converting to black and white, boosting contrast and adding a tough of red filter.
April 2018
...and this is the part where you find out who you are...
Congratulations to this young man who will be graduating this year . He will be entering the Air Force soon after graduation to serve his country in the footsteps of many of his relatives before him.
I had the pleasure of sitting in studio and listening to him play his favorite rock and roll guitar riffs as I worked around him. One of the wonderful things about working with high school seniors is hearing about their dreams and how they plan to change the world. They leave me with a feeling of great faith and hope in our future. There is peace in knowing that things will be ok.
March 2018
Sometimes you need a reminder of just how big this world is and how small you are within it to keep things in perspective.
February 2018
Sometimes you have have to step out of the studio and remember how to shoot candid images with natural light. Welcome to sweet baby Macey Mae who slept through her very first visit to the coast. Thank goodness mom was extra snuggly.
January 2018
Why do I love family portraits? For unexpected moments like this when grand daughter spontaneously kisses grandpa's cheek. Grandpa's reaction is priceless.
January 2018
What makes a woman beautiful? Is it her smile? Her hair? Is it the fullness of her lips or the curve of her hips? Perhaps it's the way she exudes confidence or the way she carries herself? I am sure that if you ask ten people you will receive a dozen or more different answers.
One of the reasons I love boudoir photography is that whatever your answers are, I can help you feel and look as stunning as you are.