The Other Side

So I've taken a trip to the other side...the other side of the camera that is! We are not planning on having any more children after the arrival of this little one, so I felt the need for a couple of maternity pictures to capture the belly forever. I set everything up with the studio lights and the camera settings and then taught my husband, Tory, how to focus. I think he did a pretty great job, although he says not to expect him to leave the engineering field for photography any time soon! Here are a few of the photos:







And now for the winner of the photo contest........drumroll, please........congratulations to the Schraders! Photo number 10--the black and white of JJ's eyelashes--had the most votes. Heather, you have a $25 gift certificate to Upper Case Photography & Design to use in any way you'd like! Why is it that the boys always seem to be the ones blessed with those fabulous eyelashes, while us ladies are forced to turn to Maybeline!

I also wanted to let everyone know that I am finished with sessions until after the baby arrives, however, I am still proofing my most recent sessions and taking orders for those who would like to place them. Also, I am now booking appointments for after September 1st. I will book in August for those who are doing the "baby plan," meaning that if your child's 3, 6, 9, or 12 month "birthday" falls in August (or July) then I will book your appointment for August. So just call or email me if you are interested in a fall appointment.

Finally, if you're looking for a way to make yourself feel old--turn thirty and buy a minivan all in the same day! Today happens to be my 30th birthday and Tory had the day off for Memorial Day so we took the opportunity to go car shopping. With three carseats, a minivan just seemed inevitable so we came home with a brand new Honda Odyssey. It's really fabulous with all kinds of cool features--but I must admit I feel more like a "soccer mom" than ever while driving it around. But hey, I feel blessed to be a thirty year old, cool minivan driving, photographer mom who is living out her dreams everyday!

Home Sweet Studio

Finally, my basement studio is usable! I was so excited to have my first session in the new studio last Friday. They were putting the finishing touches on the construction just the night before I used it for the first time. I thought I would share some photos so you can see how it's coming along. The actual construction is now finished and it's time for me to furnish and organize things--so keep in mind that it is definitely still a work in progress!

This is the "shooting" area where my equipment is set up:



This will be the sitting and proofing area as soon as I put some furniture down there. I am planning on a chair and ottoman, a hutch for displaying photographs, and a table and chairs for showing proofs:


This is the half bath. Yes, it is very green! I couldn't use color on the walls of the studio as I didn't want it to reflect onto the photos, so I went a little wild with the color in the bathroom. I love it!


And here is the stairwell going up into the house:


By the way, these images of the studio were taken with my new little "point and shoot" camera that I received for Mother's Day. I love, love, love my big monster camera, but it's just not practical to carry around to some places with the kids, so I wanted a tiny camera to keep in my purse. As you know, sometimes capturing the memory is more important than using the professional camera (although I will still take it everywhere feasible because I miss all its features when using the point and shoot!).

And now here are some images from that first session in the new studio. I couldn't have asked for a better little subject--six month old Joshua! There are wonderful things about every age I photograph, but there's no denying that six month olds are some of the best subjects. Usually they can sit up but not crawl which makes them easier to catch and also they are usually pretty happy and smiley at that age. Well, Joshua was no exception and I had such a hard time narrowing down which ones to share here from his session. Here are a few:









Finally, feel free to keep voting for the photo contest. Just scroll down to that post and leave your comments there. I can't wait to see who the lucky winner will be!

Photo Contest

Hi everyone! As promised, in honor of my impending "maternity leave," I am having a photo contest on the blog. Here are my favorite images from this year so far. Your job is to choose your favorite and leave a comment voting for your favorite image. I have them numbered so you can just vote for the number that you like the best (please only one vote per person). You can email the link to the blog to friends, family, etc. and have them vote as well! Everyone please vote, even if one of the images does not belong to you. To my family, I love you guys but I didn't include any family images--have to be fair, you know! Also, if you haven't had your session yet, don't worry, I'll do this again at the end of the year and an image from your session may be included then. I will count the votes until noon on Friday, May 25th and then announce the winner. The winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to Upper Case Photography & Design to be used however they would like! Here are the candidates, in no particular order:
#1


#2


#3


#4


#5


#6


#7


#8


#9


#10


#11


#12

Boy Oh Boy!

Today I had a studio session with an adorable family that has two boys. I have photographed Matthew, the three year old, before so you may recognize him from my website. This was my first chance to photograph his new little brother, seven-week-old Davis. By the end of the session, I'm sure their mother was tired of me telling her how lucky she is. Seriously, these boys were in my home for about two and a half hours and not one tear was shed, not one fit was thrown, and not one voice was raised! Don't worry, I don't expect all my subjects to be so agreeable--where would be the challenge in that. My own girls are the most challenging of all! This family is getting ready to make a huge life change and move to Boston where the dad will be attending graduate school. I am so glad I had the chance to capture them in portraits before the big move! Here are a few of my favorites:






On a side note, the basement studio is oh so close to being finished! They will be grouting the tile on the floor tomorrow and the electrician will then finish up the lighting and outlets. Hopefully, I'll have my first session down there at the end of next week. I am beyond excited--and so is my husband since my pregnancy has designated him the person to carry all the equipment up from the basement for my photo shoots! I'll be sure to post some pictures of the finished product.

Finally, be on the lookout for a photo contest on the blog soon. I have a couple of sessions this weekend that I want to have a chance to include in the contest. You will be voting on your favorite shot so far this year and the winner will receive something great--stay tuned for details!