This was a really great high school senior session from the Fall. We had nice weather and even fitted in a few clothing changes which made for some nice variety.  I have just completed my print preparation work from this session and all portrait files are with my pro lab for print. We have much work to do following a shoot. Here’s a break down in it’s most simple terms.

1) Load images to computer. Four/five star best images. Approximately three sorts to narrow down to the best ones for editing.

2) Do photoshop work, black and white portraits and cropping.

3) Work on example portraits showing recommended touch ups ( if any). We keep this very natural.

4) Plan sample storyboard designs for clients to view. We select images that we think look great in a storyboard or collage and design it to show the client. Everyone loves this.  My clients usually ask for additional designs. We worked on a 9 image collage from this shoot and it looks great.

5) Load a proof viewing gallery to the server for client to view and help the client with their choices.

6) Prepare images for printing in the size selected. This may involve recropping, touch ups, removal of distracting background objects, noise reduction and selective sharpening for the print size.

7) Blog some selected portraits from the session.

8) Portraits then go into print production at a pro lab.

 9) FINALLY once we are satisfied with the print quality portraits are ready to be collected or shipped. That’s our favorite part. We get intakes of breath, hugs, tears and email messages from clients telling us how much they love their portraits. We know all the work is worth it.

 This was a fun maternity session.  It was a real family affair, Mom, Dad, baby to be and ( not to be upstaged) a very delightful dog.  We had spectacular sundown light but it was a bit on the chilly side so well done to Mom for being very flexible with her outfits regardless of the temperaures. I am excited for the newborn shootthat is coming soon! 

 This lovely little girl visited me in studio about 4 months ago. She was back for her 8/9 month session and we made use of the great weather outdoors. She came dressed to impress in a family heirloom dress. It made for some beautiful portraits.

 I have always enjoyed photographing the eldest sister in past years. Now she has a sister and I get double the fun at portrait time! Nice session with one of my long standing and valued clients!

 This little guy is the youngest brother of two other children I have previously had the pleasure of photographing. He was also quite a charmenr when he visited me at the studio. I always encourage parents to consider some portraits where babies are bare skin in some way. The 0- 12 months is always such a great time for this.

 I prepared this blog entry last night as the first flakes of snow were flying here in Littleton.  Thinking back to this session with a really fantastic high school senior helped take my mind away from the Wintry weather. We had such a warm September evening and some great images. It was hard to choose for the blog!

 Here’s a selection from a recent newborn girl session. Her brother, whom I have photographed a couple of times previously, also came along.  He was gracious enough to hang out with his sister at the start of the session for some brother sister portraits before going off into town to do some exploring with his Aunt. If sibling portraits are part of a newborn shoot it’s best to do them at the start of the session and have someone on hand who can take older children off to a park or cafe whilst the rest of the session takes place. The optimum time for a newborn to visit the studio is around day 5 when baby is happy to sleep for some curled up poses. However we know that is often not possible to schedule. This lovely baby girl came to visit just past the two week stage and she did not sleep for the entire 2  1/2 hours she was with us. I think the trip out was such an adventure she just didn’t want to miss any of the action! When babies decide not to have a snooze we work a lot more on mother baby moments which I think can also be very special.  All in all this was a beautiful session!

 Two memories rolled into one with these portraits. Last Sunday my girl turned 7.  She also has quite a spectacular snaggle tooth!  The way it’s being pushed out seems to defy all laws of gravity.  I love this age!

 The 4-41/2 month age is a great time to bring babies in studio for a portrait session if they are happy lying on their stomachs. We like to time any session for babies when they are at their most cooperative . If we get about 50 minutes relaxed time before tiredness comes around that’s perfect. If we get more than that we’ll go with it too, even if it’s just a few moments cuddling with Mom! This little guy was a perfect guest in studio.

 Our best laid plans to get this session done prior to everyone taking their vacation proved rather problematic. We were scheduled to photograph outside and it kept on raining. I’d like to say a big thank you to this family for being so flexible and moving this shoot indoors. It worked out beautifully in large part to the happy relaxed kids that showed up. They were wonderful to photograph. It was like having a little bit of sunshine indoors!