Holiday excitement....

Is everyone getting excited about the holidays around your house? My kids are having such fun this year!

Our Christmastown is expanding throughout the living room as I can't resist those so-cute pretend houses they sell at the craft store (and the look on my kids' faces as they play with them), decorations move to various positions throughout the day as "this is a better spot for it" is announced and my shooting schedule is very full with families taking an hour to play in front of my camera for their holiday cards. I love capturing this time for clients.

Here's a video of a sweet family shoot just to get you in the mood...click on this link:

http://video214.com/play/z7VhAjmsFYXz1lY02AvL6w/s/dark

Been a while between postings here. That's actually good news because it means I've been too busy to write! Here's some of what I've been up to! Enjoy!

Ambient light...

This is my favorite kind of shoot. Natural, diffused light and a spontaneous and beautiful subject...

Grand Old Lady...

I'm back from our two week break visiting home (in the north). The kids had fun the old fashioned way -- playing in puddles, running through the sprinkler, crafting with grandma -- and then there was me exclaiming at the new heights of my niece and nephew (when did they get so grown up!)

So, really, I should be posting pictures of kids chasing bubbles, the clan gathering and my mom's 106 year old house.

But as happens when you haven't been home in a year, change was evident all around. In particular, an area I have probably passed by over 1000 times, was very changed. A plan for development has gone askew and this is the sole survivor of the changes that have been put in motion.

An early morning shot captures land cleared and, with its willow trees stripped, an elegant home holding strong against the tides of progress.

Painting with light...moving with light...

I went to a lecture recently by a photographer who described his work as "painting with light." I like that idea and if my subjects weren't moving a million miles a minute, I'd be doing some painting of them myself. Of course, light is a big part of what I do, but very few people I photography are static, thus no still canvas...and I love this. Even my corporate headshot clients are moving, or talking, or laughing before the shot -- and I encourage this.

Here are some little movers. Now they were so cute, they each looked like little Botticelli cherubs, speaking of painting. But my canvas was the backyard and I was moving, running, with my "brush" -- the camera.

It's the best way to get that unexpected moment.

Birthday fun...

Fun, fun and more fun. Here's a birthday shot I just had to share. Can you pick out the birthday girl?

Letting them go...

My kids are little. They still count on me for almost everything. They would rather play with me than anyone else. (Yes, they ARE young.) "Mom!" is heard about 500 times a day. I can't imagine how I'll cope the day they head off for college.

This young man is soon off for his freshman year. He is poised for adventure. He is also, POISED, polite, kind and funny with a good sense of humor. And as you can see, he had a GREAT unforced smile. He's a leader in the making.

Sigh, he'll be missed by his parents, I am sure!

Woman's best friend...

Charming and spirited, this client has a wonderful connection with man's best...make that woman's best friend. She's got two of them.

To get the dogs to look "perky" I was told I just had to say, "squirrel!" Well, let me tell you, we said that and perky we got. UP they bounced, and tore around my home studio looking for, you got it, a squirrel! We refrained from using that word the rest of the shoot!

Chubby love...

Every once and a while you come across a baby that looks like an angel, a cherub, a painting. This happy little one was all those things...

Colombia...

Just got back from five days in Bogota. Thought I'd share some images. Grabbed these shots when I had a moment...

Variety is the spice of .... photography.

When you are trying to choose a photographer, find someone who is willing to spend the time to create different looks. This young woman and I fiddled around with light and location to get these two great shots which are VERY different. Can you guess which one she liked best?

Happy Easter

May you get the chance to see little hands excitedly search for Easter eggs this weekend...

Let's talk headshots...

Social networking. There, I said it. The "buzz phrase" of the moment. Online social networking sites are hot. Not only because everyone is trying to look for (or keep!) a job but because we humans are natural communicators with a strong desire to connect.

In 2009, connecting with others is no longer the exclusive domain of the office watercooler, break room or cafeteria. It's easier, faster (and in some cases scarier) than ever before. Everyone is out there creating their personal brand on the web.

Long before this, we were all at the town well checking each other out. Weeeellll, now the water flows on your desktop.

My point? To connect, people need to see you. Headshots, once only used by actors and models, are a critical part of your personal branding package--so people can recognize you at the town well.

Studies show network profiles with a picture are viewed more often than profiles without a picture. Your photo is your "calling card." It creates an immediate level of trust with other members because they can see at a glance who they're dealing with.

Now I know you don't really enjoy having your picture taken. I know you are busy and this needs to be quick. That's why I can help. I've been both in front of and behind the camera. As a model, I've had to get myself together whether I was feeling in peak form or not. And, as a corporate marketing director, I've sifted through plenty of photos looking for "the look."

There are a couple of ways to do this. Check out the two shots of the same guy in this post. One is corporate and one creative.

Whether you want a dynamic headshot or a more creative look, I can help. Call me. Don't put it off. We can do this!

Oh, yeah, do I love a challenge!

Getting 18 people to all look in the same direction at once? Challenging! Taking a picture of this group? A pleasure! They were such a nice (and most attractive!) bunch!

Color or Black and White?

Many clients ask me..."Which is better? Black and white or color?" I feel it's personal preference. I happen to love black and white because movement stands out more to my eye.

There is certainly no movement in these photos, but it does show a comparison between color and the drama of black and white.

Warm weather

Spring break! Toes! My favorite!

My life is a soundtrack

Each morning I get up and log onto iTunes choosing the same compliation of movie soundtracks. Finding Nemo, Out of Africa, WALL-e, The Natural, all help me have a calm morning and provide a certain expected ambiance for the kids as they play, eat breakfast, get dressed and play some more.

Music has always had such an effect on my emotional state. If there is music on I don't like, I am constantly thinking, "How much longer do I have to listen to this?" And, if I need to get calm, revved up, happy or focused -- music can help me do that.

I think that's why I so enjoy providing a slideshow with music for my clients. When you look at your shoot, it should be a multi-sensory experience --with multiple ways to tap into that moment in time.

If you could hear the soundtrack to this shoot, you would feel all warm, sweet and cozy. Enjoy.

Now, back to the soundtrack from Helen Mirren's "The Queen".....

Joy, joy, joy

This mom and big brother-to-be are so very connected. Their shoot was a real pleasure!

Something behind the eyes...

Sometimes someone comes along who has a face the camera loves. Eileen Ford used to say the most beautiful girls had, "something behind the eyes." (I think it's called a brain!)
This girl is both beautiful and intelligent, and once she stepped on set for this, her first fashion shoot, the camera knew it.

A new generation...

We watch as the torch is passed.

Beauty in movement...

My photo sessions are very mobile. Well, shall we say many of my subjects are very mobile. I love to see children enjoying themselves and consider a shoot a success if I catch a child in motion, unaware of the camera, doing something that makes them happy.

Stillness...

Today was a dreary day in Marietta, Ga. Grainy fog and gray skies threatened rain, which finally spilled out of the sky at 4 p.m. These are the kind of days you hope you don't have a shoot scheduled outside -- but they are great for puttering inside, working on photos and cleaning up old mail which is exactly what I did.

On days like these I really treasure my little bonsai tree whose constant presence on my window sill looking oh, so complete, brings a sigh of peace each time I look at it.

Studying the ground...

Another treasure from a photo session.

Catching Christmas cards...

I was honored to be a part of so many people's Christmas cards in 2008. I'll post some of my favorite holiday shoots here, starting with this touching shot....

This young lady was constantly in motion, but once she sat still I got a real beauty......

This is my first blog! I am so excited as I'll get to tell you about my work and the wonderful people I photograph.

The way I work, a photo session is relaxed and fun. We aren't rushed, and I spend the time to get to know my clients and their families. My goal is to capture the spontaneous, not the posed, person that's in all of us.

I am always struck by the moment when I know I've "got the shot." It all just comes together. Though I am there and looking through the viewfinder, I feel myself almost disappearing -- the subject feels great, is relaxed and really connects with the camera or others in the shot. Click -- and I've just captured it.

I hope you'll visit here often, are struck by the beauty of my images and enjoy hearing about how I "got the shot."