Unique photoshoot

Did you ever think you would see a family of 6 with matching motorcycles? The baby is only 9 months. Too cute and cool! I love winter grass in AZ. It's the perfect color of green. I met them at the neighborhood park and they brought a tall ladder that I climbed up and kept snapping. Too fun!

My excuse.

So I've been taking more photos and posting less. I've also been editing in photoshop and am still torn about it. I KNOW it makes better photos, I just feel like I'm cheating. So are you hiring a photographer or a photoshop expert?

Here's an example-

Here's the photo I took. Lighting not the best. It's taken in the shade because the sun was out, but I noticed it was getting some "catch lights" in his eyes and he was smiling so well I was excited.

So I lightened and upped the contrast. Changed the curves and sharpened the image and this is what happens:

Then I tried saturating the photo, lightened up his eyes with the dodge/burn tool and look what happens with his eyes.

Today's photo: Family photo shoot

I love this family. I love their boys. They are just pure energy. Here are some snapshots from the day.

Today's photo: October

Something is not so fun about a pumpkin patch at 100degree weather (well almost). But we made the best of it.

Today's photo: Swim photos

I never like my kid's school photos or team photos, so I bring my camera and snap a few shots. here my girls are done with photos, can you tell? Guess I'll be paying for those team photos after all.

Today's photo: my pre-teen

We curled her hair for a play she was in today. I grabbed her when she walked in the door home from school and snapped this. There are more, but I have to run. She's turning into such a beautiful little lady.

Today's photo: Past photo favorite!

As many of you know, we lost all of our photos when our computer crashed a few months ago. I was literally sick to my stomach (and frankly blamed Troy entirely). Since then I have recovered, and forgave Troy- even though it wasn't his fault. We were the 2% of people that after some money and time invested, our hard drive was not able to be recovered. Then, miraculously, last month Troy stumbled across an old hard drive that had several years of photos on them. I'm so grateful to have these births, and beautiful record of the progression of my kids. I'll post some favorites from time to time to celebrate photography at it's best (capturing what will never be again- celebrating past, future and mostly the NOW)!
Side note: I do not think it coincedence that we found them after I let go. I believe that's a major part of life lessons. But enough with that and on to the photo-

Here's a favorite (she turned 10 this week and still can show such mood swings. I know, just wait until she's a teenager)-

Today's photo: The crawlers

Can you see what's going on in this photo? Here's a hint- Sammy in not allowed in the dance room. Good dog.

Today's Photo: Sammy

I love dogs. I don't like the hair, the smell, the breath, the lack of control. But I love a good dog. They just bring a smile to my face. Here's ours. He's 6 months now. Even my dog knows to smile for the camera.

Today's Photo: The difference of light

Look at the difference lighting can make! In this one she is sitting with her back facing the window so the main light source is up above (yellow).

And these are with her chair turned toward the window. What a difference. Goodbye flash.

Now if she would only sit back and be still.

PS I love this old dress I found. I've fallen in love with the old, well kept dresses at antique shops and 2nd hand stores. Here's some funny faces...

Today's Photo: The lovely Lucia camping

Today's Photo: My favorite nude model

Notice a trend. I don't like bibs, I just feed her her without her shirt or dress. I keep my camera close. I tend to take the most photos of the youngest and then it tapers off as they get older. Anyone else do this? Mental note- photograph Jena today. I love Lucia's age... She ends up being my skinniest chunky baby (small, 25-percentile small- but still has the rolls). I like this photo: lighting, Fstop, focus and it captures her sweetness in the morning.

Great aperture, too slow of shutter speed

Todays- was a learning photo. Here's Zack today. I like the Fstop, but need to increase the ISO so I can have a faster shutter speed. I love this boy!

And here are my sons. The light would have been better in front more. It was just my bedroom fan light (not natural). Aren't boy's great?

Today's Photo (s): Eyes

Zack- I wish I increased the light in this photo just a tad (editing could take care of that, but I promised myself not to do it yet). His eyes are beautiful in person, but the hardest to capture in a photo of all my kids. The color and shades are similiar to camouflage. One of these days I'll get a good one and post it.

Just the opposite is my Lucia- her eyes are the easiest to photography. Here's her ready for breakfast this morning. And then smiling at her siblings after her tummy's full. I love those hands, they seem to always be clasped- she learned how to clap and say "yeah" last week.

Workshop

From this post forward, you will hopefully see continual improvment in my picture taking. Or at least I can hope and dream. Last month I took a photography workshop that has changed my photography approach. I will only shoot in manual. And for now, I will not edit any of my photos. I will let you know if I start editing again (photoshop).
For now I am shooting with my Nikon, with my favorite lens (50mm 1.8 lens), as low aperture as I can, with as much light as I can find, and what you see is what you get. Happy shooting...

Today's Photo: Every baby needs a sleep/eat photo. Here's Lucia's...

Workshop: Shout out

Here's a shout out for a great workshop I went to that has drastically improved my photo taking. I've always seemed to have an eye for composing photos and love capturing people, but I've never understood why some photos turn out great and others not so much. Here's a photo of my favorite model right now. She seems to work a camera, and always takes a good photo. All my kids are beautiful (of course :), but isn't it interesting how some people photograph well and others it's so hard to capture. Who knew being photogenic is a talent!
Can't wait to add more from the past few days...