{Project Twenty-Six On Friday's 'let's get close' - Phoenix Children's Photographer}

It's that time again...it's the 2nd post of Project Twenty-Six! Here's the first weeks post.   The theme this time is 'let's get close'.  That could mean sooooo many things, so my mind was reeling with thoughts and ideas this week.  It could mean 'close' as in relationships?  It could mean 'close' as in macro shot close?  It could mean 'close' as in proximity close?  I couldn't decide what route to take so I kind of did a  little bit of everything. The first photo above, I focused on unique lighting but if you look closely you can still see the theme 'let's get close'.  Did you find it?  Keep looking.  Yep, it's Brielle looking closely at a ribbon she was trying to un-knot to put on August our pup.  But this image was taken later in the day than the pictures below.  It was after dusk and her room was dark except for the night sky where the moon was shining in.  I set my camera at ISO 6400 (hence the grain) and I put my shutter-speed at 1/20th of a second.   This picture was a bit haunting when I saw it on my computer screen.  Brielle is afraid of her room.  She doesn't like that she can see herself in the mirror from her bed, she thinks that ghosts will get her and she's afraid of  the tissue pom-poms we had hung up but have since taken down.  I've tried to soothe her fears but it's not working to well...slowly we'll get there.  But in looking at this picture I did find it a bit haunting.  Her room is bright and cheery during the day...at night it takes on a different look.

My other takes on this theme - {below} macro of Brielle's eyelashes.

Brielle looking 'closely' in her toy box for the perfect accessory for August, our boy dog, to wear. ;o)

{below}  August, not too sure about being in her babydoll's high chair - Brielle getting close, trying to talk him into liking it. ;o)

{below}  love between Brielle and Auggy.  He's such a good little dog putting up with her dressing him up.

{below}  I saw Ty & B together on Tuesday afternoon reading and grabbed my camera since they were perfect for this 'let's get close' theme. Brielle reading to Ty one of her favorite books since she was a baby.  This was also Ty's favorite book.  When he was 15 months old he wouldn't sleep in his crib without this book with him.  We always handed it to him turned to his favorite page.  That page is very worn now.  We'll never get rid of it - it's so special to both kids.

Now check out Kara Jo’s  project 26 ‘view from up here’ post – Kara Jo Memphis Newborn and Child Photographer and continue to click through the  links to see the whole circle.  Oh and guess what?!   We have a new member - Jessica Drossin - one of my favorite people. Check back again in 2 weeks for our next theme.

 

{'Shop Talk' - new bi-weekly series}

I'm so excited to start this new series on my blog. This year I'm dedicating more attention to my blog - so in doing that I have some fun things lined up.  I've wanted to do posts for a while now, answering questions I often get in e-mails from other photographers.  But my 'Shop Talk' series is going to encompass so much more.  It's going to be ANYTHING related to photography.  So one week it might focus on photoshop, another on fun photo products available, sessions and another on industry talk.  It will span a huge range and hopefully answer some of the questions I get a lot.  Also, some of the topics will be targeted to those very new to the industry, while others will delve into more advanced topic. Some weeks, you may be thinking 'really?  um, everyone knows that.'  But when we started out, Photoshop was a foreign language so some people won't know how to manipulate a photo's midtones, RGB color channels, or know about certain keyboard short-cuts, copyright information, lens speed, camera care, plug-ins, camera functions, back-focus button, what camera accessories are available, ideas for prints (gifts, display, albums, ect.), opinions on products, how to handle a difficult session and the list goes on.   If you have questions you want answered or topics you want I would love to hear from you.  Just leave me a comment with the topic you want discussed or a question you need answers to.  I'll try to get to all of them as time allows.  Thanks so much for checking this out!

Most of you know that direct 'dodging and burning' to your image is destructive to the pixels.  So to protect the integrity of your photo use a new layer to dodge and burn.

First, add a new layer - fill to 50% Gray and change the blending mode to 'Soft Light'.

Using a soft brush, paint the areas you want to be darkened or lightened toggling between black and white.

Merge the two layers when your happy with the results and no pixels are harmed.

Final results!

 

{girly girls, balloons & 'trendie treasures' newest dresses}

So girly!  That's what I love about these dresses!  They're one of Trendie Treasures latest creations.  Isn't she talented?  I've been working with the designer/owner of Trendie Tresures for a few years now and I always 'ooh and aah' over her newest creations.    I love the soft ruffles, the flowers and the pretty Spring colors too choose from (more colors on her site)!  Brielle and her friend got to play in them for pictures - they were so cute running around being silly together!  If you haven't checked out Trendie Treasures,  you're missing out. Her shop is full of colorful, fun and very girly designs.  Become a fan on Facebook for her newest creations, promotions and the newest happenings with her business.

It's still Christmas in our house {blush}

I know, I'm embarrassed to admit this but based on a FB post I made, I'm not alone {whew!}.  Our tree is still up and will be coming down this week - hopefully.  Things have just been too crazy to 'de-Christmas' the house, plus I kind of like it.   I turn on the light when it's pitch black out in the mornings as the kids are eating their breakfast.  It's soothing and the kids like it too.  Although, Tyler did say this morning 'Don't you think we should take the tree down soon Mom?'.  He's right.  And if a child says that....I probably need to listen ;-)

 

So since it's still Christmas-y here I thought I'd do a teeny holiday post recap.

Below is our holiday card... only so much I can do with self-timer  for the family one lol.  The kids look a little gangsa with their non-smiles here.  But we got it done in 15 minutes then they got to run around and play.  Reward!

We did a lot of baking!!  I became addicted to these yummy cookies and have to work them off my thighs now ;-)  Recipe below too!

We made gingerbread houses.  I have more pics but to be honest the houses looked like candy threw up all over them so they weren't very picturesque  but they were made with loving little hands :) and I'll have the pictures forever to remember.

A gift we spent most of the month working on...for both sets of Grandparents.  It's a handmade book with interviews, summary of key events in 2011 as remembered by both kids, pictures, drawings, and other artwork.  Such a fun gift!!

August, our dog got tortured with the various holiday costume we had for him.  He's since forgiven us.

We did the Polar Express in Williams, AZ with friends!  It was also, crazy sweater themed (within our group of 44) so below you may spy some envy-worthy sweaters.  My husbands, on loan from his friend Po, lit up.  It was lovely!

 

Brielle's Letter to Santa - left for him on Christmas Eve.  The spelling was all her own so don't judge ;-)

 

Brielle always rearranging the ornaments I have on the tree.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and are off to a great New Year!  :)

{rocky riverbed & autumn colors}

I love this family.  I've known them for almost 3 years now and it was fun to have them in front of my camera!  We shot these on pretty winter day - not too cold and not too warm.  This rocky shore with pretty changing leaves on the trees in the background was a beautiful setting.  It's one of the rare times we 'see Autumn' here in the Arizona valley.  Here's a peek at our session :)

{Project Twenty-Six on Fridays 'View from Up Here' - Phoenix Children's Photographer }

I'm so excited about this exciting challenge I've been asked to be a part of.  And what a great group of ladies to do this with!  As photographers, we're always looking for ways to challenge ourselves.  So this year I am taking on an exciting new challenge - the 26 week project.  It is similar to the 52 week project most of you are familiar with, except this year we are working on techniques along with our themes.  The themes for our 26 week project will be more thought provoking, so it will be fun to see the different interpretations from all the participants in this group (12 of us total).  I am working along with 11 other AMAZING photographers  who will be challenging me as the year goes on.  Each month we will have a different technique we are working on, and each week (well, every other week really) we will have a new theme.

For the month of January, our technique is unique lighting and our theme is “view from up here”. For this challenge I took on the perspective of moving away from lowering myself to my subject's level like most of us do in portrait photography.  Instead, I stayed higher than my subject, Brielle & Tyler, and saw things from a different angle.  The first image (above this) was not taken from up high but instead focused on the light and it's slight haziness filtering around Brielle but not necessarily 'backlit', more side lit.  The images below show more of  the theme - my 'view from up here'.

After reading this post , be sure to continue clicking through the different photographers links (I'll link one below) so you can see the complete circle.  And come back in 2 weeks to see our next theme, you don’t want to miss it!

Now check out Kara Jo's (yes, another Kara!) project 26 'view from up here' post - Kara Jo Memphis Newborn and Child Photographer

 

 

 

{Winter Session!}

 

So this is winter in Arizona .... sunny and in the high 60's to low 70's.  Crazy hu?  Okay some days are much colder than that and some days (like today) are much warmer 80 degrees.  I'm still wearing my boots and plan to until late February (fingers crossed) :)

I was lucky enough to photograph this beautiful family just days before moving to the Mid-West.  They're moving truck was packing up as I delivered the pictures!   Here's a little look into my session with this family.

 

{Nuximade!}

So one of my favorite designers is at it again!  I don't think she sleeps.  She's always stocking her shop with new knit creations and they are selling out so quickly!  She makes hats in a variety of styles, colors and sizes for both boys and girls.  And she has the MOST beautiful dresses!  They are some of my favorites to put Brielle in!  Not only hats, and dresses but hair accessories, scarves, cocoons, leg warmers and more.  Check out her shop for all the goodies.  :)  she's on Etsy too!

{brunette beauties}

Brunette's!   Gorgeous brunette's!    Isn't this family beautiful?  This session was taken when it was still warm so it was perfect for our session.   Things have changed and it's now suddenly REALLY cold!  Eeps!  And I'm still doing sessions - 3 more this year and then I'm done for 2011!  Here's a peek at our session.