Kids Fall 2011 Portraits - My how they've grown!

4 years ago, now, I put my foot down, and decided that school portraits both A) Suck, and B) Cost an arm and a leg. So, to get around it, I decided to pick up my own little Kodak point and shoot, and try my hand at taking the photos myself.

I wasn't sure where that would go, but it wound up becoming a part time job that I love. I've long since upgraded from a point and shoot to a Sony DSLR that I absolutely love. And as for saving money? Well, I suppose when you factor in the cost of my camera, I really didn't save money anymore, but it's something I love, and it does make me some money on the side.

Anyway, here is a look at how far I've come, and how much the lil monsters darlings have grown.

I have seen a lot of growth both in my SOOC (straight off the camera) photos, and my editing skills over the past year, and I love seeing how they turn out each time I do a shoot.

This summer, we were out a lot- we did a 5 day family vacation, a few small weekend things, and I went on my own kid-free, spouse-free vacation for 5 days as well.

With all of this, I did not do nearly as many photoshoots this year as I did last year, but it picked up this fall, and since September, I've done 3 senior portrait sessions, and several families. Fall is just a fun time for photos!

New Camera, New Photos

A few weeks ago, my husband and I decided that it was time for me to invest in a brand new DSLR camera. I had one, but it was 2nd hand, and I was never real comfortable with it. The camera arrived last week, and today, I got out of the house in this gorgeous Spring weather with Raegan to test it out.

I picked out the Sony A33, which I got with a 50mm portrait lens, and a 75-300mm zoom lens. I also was spoiled this week- I got new filters, a tripod, a spare battery, and a remote in the mail, courtesy of my loving hubby.

I -love- this camera. My main complaints: the battery SUCKS. It drains super fast, so I'm glad I have a spare, because if I have a big shoot, I'll need it. Next, a 2gig memory card is eaten up in no time at all. Now granted, I am currently set to take photos in both JPG and RAW, but still, I only get a little less than 100 photos before it's gone.

All that said, I am in love.  Here are some photos I took today of Raegan, who will be 15 next month.

A Day At The Beach with Alex

Last Monday, I spent the morning at the beach over on Lake Michigan with my sister and my niece Alex. Here are some of the shots we took. She turned 3 in April, and these are her 3 year old photos.

Gillian

This past Friday, when it was hot as can be, muggy as all get out, and just plain yucky, I did a quick 20 minute photo session with my daughter Gillian. One of my goals this year, is to pick up cute dance costumes and Halloween costumes in Fairy like design. I want to be able to offer costumes for Fairy sessions starting next year. To do that, though, I need a good array of sizes, colors, and wings.

This is  a CUTE dance dress I found at Goodwill for only $2. I have matching Red & Silver wings, but Gillian had a sun burn, and they were really bothering her back. I should have thought to maybe pin them to the costume instead of her wearing them over her shoulders, but alas, I didn't.

Anyway, here are a few of my favorites. In a few, you can really tell how annoyed she was with me- she was having a hard time with the heat, the humidity, and the desire to want anything to do with being there! ;)

Another Mini Session

I've spent some time this week considering a lot of things when it comes to my photography, not the least of which is the time and talent I invest into each shoot. I enjoy doing it. I down right LOVE doing it- from taking the photos to editing them.

I'm still contemplating a lot, but in the mean time, here are some photos I took yesterday of my son Chris. He's leaving in just 2 weeks (!!!) for a summer in Florida without us (EEEK!), and I really wanted to get some Spring photos of him, as I have taken photos of the girls both this spring already.

Since posting these on Facebook & Gather, I've heard he looks like a blonde Buddy Holly, a young Mackauley Caulkin, and even Clark Kent. What do you think?

Here are some of the shots from the mini-session with him!

Gillian's Mini Session Photo Shoot

Well, I had a photo shoot scheduled for this morning, but it's raining, with a promise of thunder & lightening. -sigh-

I figured I would take a moment to poke this blog, so you don't all think it's dead. Earlier this week, it was gorgeous, blue skies, and sunny, so I took my youngest, Gillian, for a bike ride. We brought along the camera, and found some interesting places in our small city.

Oh, and the shirt? I consider it my craft fail of the week. See, last weekend, we were at Target, and I saw some tank tops with a tulle, ruffled, lacy "skirt" attached. Not long enough to be worn as a dress, but over leggings, it'd be totally cute. They were all sparkly with gems and sequins. They were something like $12.99. I thought, "I can make that!" Below, you'll see my effort. It isn't too hideous, but let's just say I won't be making them to sell any time soon.

Here are the results of my little mini-session.