Sooooo many images to go through and edit but i HAD to share a super sneak peek of Julie and Jim getting hitched today before I hit the sac. HAPPY WEDDING JULIE AND JIM!!!!
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I don't know why, but I'm in a blogging kind of mood. Must be withdrawal from last week. Anyway, here are a bunch more shots of sweet Emily's 1st birthday party. I DIED for all the little details. Emily's parents and whole family went above and beyond! Hangin with Mommy <3 Hangin with Daddy... There must be something in the water. Here is a random sampling of the adorable partygoers. Look at the tutu cake-smash throne Emily's Mommy made!!! So adorable! Ending with my favorite. Again. Good Lord I love this picture.
Meet Emily... She's the sweetest thing ever. Look at that shock of hair! Emily celebrated her 1st birthday today. Everyone was there to wish her well and shower her with hugs and kisses (and cameras!) Turning 1 is a really big deal because Emily was born premature and gave everyone a pretty big scare. But there's one thing you need to know about her...her Mommy and Daddy love her to pieces. That last one? Yeah...that's my fave.
Guess what I just did? Blogged everyday for a week. BAM! Another item on the 30 in 365 list done. This morning I had the opportunity to volunteer for the Hance Family Foundation, an organization founded to honor the memories of three beautiful little girls from Floral Park. Today is the annual "Family Fun Day," which kicks off with three races. I was asked to hang around and get some shots of the runners. The weather was perfect and I was so honored to be a part (albeit a tiny part) of this amazing day! All the money raised goes towards some really great programs run by the foundation, all benefitting local children.
Here are a few of my faves... It's been way too long since I posted pictures of Gillies. These are some "just because" shots I took in the backyard tonight. Gilles, little Gilves, Gilly Boy, Gibbies...I love you. Please never stop running crazy, tail-waggily laps when I walk in the front door. Whatcha grillin? Who dares to walk within 40 feet of my backyard!? laps. bottoms up... training day sit paw lay down
Today I've decided to blog about one of the best investments I've made in the history of my business. The "Lyric" camera bag by Epiphanie. I've had about 5 different camera bags since getting my first DSLR big girl camera 3 years ago. Some were too small, some were too big, some were too manly or just plain bulky/ugly. The lack of a good "system" in terms of carrying my gear was driving me insane, so I began a quest. A quest for the perfect bag. I was so traumatized from all my stinky bags of the past that I hesitated every time I found something I *kind of* liked. Then one of my photogafriends posted something on Facebook about Epiphanie bags. I was instantly in love, and it wasn't long before I ordered one of my own. In plum. LOVE IT. I am so obsessed with this bag. I love the braided short strap/long messenger strap convo. So versatile. BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! There are customizable velcro dividers on the inside, which is lined with a padding to protect my lenses and assorted photography junk. I can literally fit everything I need for a session in one lightweight bag. Heaven! I have been caught many many times wearing this bag when I don't even have my camera gear on me. It's just so cute (aka...I'm too lazy to move my wallet/keys/etc to my regular bag) that I don't mind rocking it everywhere I go.
Females everywhere: If you are a professional, hobbyist, semi-pro or just a Mom with a camera, this bag is PERFECTO for carrying around a DSLR. Enjoy! People are often surprised to learn that when a session is wrapped up, my work has only begun. Once I am back on the couch with my memory cards and computer it takes hours (HOURS ya'll) to edit and blog the images. It can be a painstaking process to open and edit each chosen image but I love tracking the evolution of my favorite shots. Of course, nailing a photo in-camera is always the goal but getting them into Lightroom and Photoshop to apply my "special sauce" is what really makes them come to life. I've done a post like this before but it's been awhile since I've shared some behind-the-scenes action. I think it's always fun to see before-and-after editing samples from other photographers so here goes! Here are a few of my favorites from my shoot with Casey and Claire: Here's a good example of getting it right in-camera...everything is pretty spot on, I just bring it into Photoshop for a little extra "umph." These next two of Claire were a little dark and cool for my taste. Some warming and brightening and YAHHOOO extreme cuteness. It has taken me a long time to learn that editing software is best used sparingly. When it comes to Photoshop, there are literally THOUSANDS of things you can do to a photograph, but that does not mean you should! I aim for bright, colorful, timeless images. Editing styles, just like the neon capri pants you are wearing, tend to come and go pretty quickly.
My sister asked me to take some shots of Casey and Claire all dressed up in their specials for Claire's Christening. Honestly, it's hard for me to casually write some unbiased comments about these two. They are, in my eyes, two of the most beautiful children I've ever seen. GO TEAM CHAOS! Casey G. Ladykiller in training. What's cookin good lookin? Sooo Claire is on a mission to constantly out-cute herself. She went down to her lair and plotted some curly q's and two teeny baby teeth to really drive it home. In person she makes me smile and melts my heart...in photographs she takes my breath away. This picture? Seriously? IS SHE SERIOUS!? Dear fellow photographers...hang around my niece for 5 minutes...she will make you look good. If my sister was the stage Mom type - she would quickly realize that she is sitting on a friggin GOLD MINE with these two. They have always and will always be my favorite little subjects. Nuff said.
Alrighty folks, this mess is about to get real. The last couple weeks have been super intense. Working full time, juggling my business and trying to maintain a grasp on my sanity was becoming more and more difficult. I may have melted down a few times (don't ask Joe or my poor Mother for the official tally on that...HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM) and things seemed to be reaching a breaking point. Then...this session happened. All i can say is sometimes things fall into place right when you need them to. I was reminded by two A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E little boys why I love this so much. Meet Braeden - he is a character and a half. And here's little brother Conor. He pretended to be a shy guy but later pictures will reveal that he was clearly faking it. The bluest eyes I've ever seen. Period. oh my wordddd I love this picture. Conor stole my heart. For realz. The anatomy of a silly secret between brothers. Something tells me these laughs were at my expense... The many faces of Braeden. Conor, Braeden....you rock.
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