Baby Chase (Alpharetta Newborn Photography)

I got to spend some good time with baby Chase and his family- it was so nice to meet them and we even had lunch together (and I bet they were surprised I was gone before dinner! ;).

Every family and baby is different, but one thing I've found- babies definitely love to be warm- I've had some good success with a little heating pad and space heater. He was such a sweetie and seemed quite content to hang out on the armchair.





Even awake, baby Chase just chilled. I'm not sure why my kids were never like that! :)



Big brother Bryce was absolutely adorable, though being only two he almost seemed like he'd rather wrestle with his baby brother than stay put- but that's expected and part of the fun. We still captured some sweet moments- just had to be quick ;).









Like most two year olds, they only want to participate for so long before nap-time awaits! Mr. B was getting close to that time, but I had a couple tricks up my sleeve to get some smiles.



With big brother down for his nap, it was time to focus a little more on mom and dad...









It's so sweet to capture those newborn smiles!



Thanks to the family for having me over on a beautiful Saturday to meet their newest addition!

Natural Vs. Studio Light

I recently went to an amazing workshop where we had a blast learning about using off-camera lighting.  Even though I had a couple of strobes, I ordered the one we used in the workshop, since it was more powerful and will let me play around with cool effects/making more dramatic images when working with (or shooting into) the sun.

Natural/available light is still and always will be what I love to use. 

Here are a couple examples with my willing kids as guinea pigs. (They are so used to it by now!)

Natural light using a very small reflector:


First shots with one studio strobe outside with a 70% lighting ratio and off to side at about 45 degrees (please ignore my son's extreme bedhead! :):


Which do you prefer? I think there are times for either look!

New Baby Brother (Alpharetta Newborn Photography)

Baby Landon was a little older than newborn (about six weeks), though he still seemed tiny to me (my baby is 4 years old now!).  He had the most beautiful alert brown eyes and could really hold up his head- it's amazing what a few weeks can do. 







I was thinking Landon wouldn't want to sleep so much being a little older, and typically it's the first two weeks where you have the best luck with fun posing, but it's amazing what keeping his nursery a scorching 90 degrees with the heating pad and space heater can do (ok, I'm exaggerating- but it felt like it!)



So the nap didn't last long, but it was great to have chances to capture those adorable, alert expressions!







This is kind of funny since Landon was through cooperating for the moment, but Dad kept up the happy face!



Now enter big brother Ryan (not much bigger- only 18 months), and with all kids that age, they don't sit still for long since bribery still doesn't really work that much at this age!



After stickers, peek-a-boo and attempts at candy bribes, we switched it up and took the casual and playful approach which we all enjoyed.









I'm sure by the time fall rolls around big brother Ryan will be more interested in his baby brother and eventually they'll be buddies :).  How great it will be for these two little guys to grow up so close in age!

Sweet Spring (Alpharetta Children's Photography)

I love meeting new families and sweet kids!  It's so fun discovering personalities and playing around a little during our time together.  More than perfectly posed, often it's about having fun and doing our best to make sure the kids have fun too! 

These two sweeties were so adorable.  As with any four and two year old, time is limited after we get to know each other a bit where they are excited about having their picture taken, so I try to move quickly and end on a fun note.

Meet Elizabeth and Clark!  They did amazing for the quick set up out front of the family's home.























After that, we went to a nearby park and the kids had a great time kicking a soccer ball, avoiding a rogue goose by the pond, and playing Simon Says (special thanks to mom and dad who showed extra enthusiasm for the games with the kiddos!:).  I love pictures of kids in their 'natural' element having fun!




















We ended the day on a high note before needed naps and the kids left happy with a couple prizes from a much-loved treasure box in need of repair (but gets the job done since the kids love it!).

Amazing Lighting Workshop!

I was so lucky to be able to participate in a fantastic lighting workshop in Franklin, TN earlier this week with Zach and Jody Gray- check them out! http://www.grayphotograph.com/
The day started out like a scene from Wizard of Oz or Twister.  I was already thinking this could be a 'lightning' workshop instead of lighting with all the severe storms predicted, and I thought our workshop was going to be outside!  I had my poncho and umbrella handy, but figured any equipment couldn't possibly deflect bolts of lightning.

During our class time, it got extremely dark and windy with horizontal rain included.  I moved quickly from the window and found out later a tornado supposedly touched down not too far from us!  After the threat passed, we were able to go to a really cool place called The Factory, with plenty of covered and indoor areas.  The rain never really let up and it got very cold, but we all had a blast and learned so much.

Before we broke off into our groups to try our hand at off-camera lighting, Zach gave a demonstration on setting up one light and walking through the metering process, comparing natural light vs. the awesome one-light result.  I grabbed a natural light shot of Lindsey while he explained.  He later showed us the results and it was hard not to be amazed (you'll have to image since we didn't get a shot at this point).:)



Our group went with Jody first and each person took their turn setting up the light for the particular look they wanted (lighting pattern) as well as how dramatic they wanted the image (lighting ratio).  After the setup was ready, everyone set their cameras and took their turn!



The before/after below:  The first shot on the left shows how the day actually was- gray, rainy and generally miserable.  With the dramatic lighting setup of I think a 90% ratio, the image on the right is as captured using one off-camera light- what an amazing difference! 




We were very happy to move indoors and try to dry off- here was the second setup:


Then it was back outside with AJ's turn at setting up the light/shot:




It was time to thaw out back inside.  The first shot on the left almost looks photoshopped/fake, but it's not- it's amazing what slowing down that shutter speed did to create that effect.


These below are interesting to see the same basic shot from two different perspectives.



These last shots were shot with a speedlight flash and a giant/7ft umbrella.  Zach demonstrated how even using a flash can produce soft lighting as long as the umbrella is huge! :)


After we were done in our groups, we rejoined the rest to see the last demonstration of the day with glamour lighting and a reflector to achieve a beautiful image which Zach shared with the group.  It's another one of those you have to imagine :)


After a long day, the monsoon was finally slowing down a bit and we headed back for some delicious Italian food and discussion/review of the images of the day.  I had a wonderful time and learned so much!  Now, who's ready to be my model?