To Photoshop or Not To Photoshop...

This is a very good question and everyone has their own answer for their own reasons.  I thought I'd explain my philosophy to you.  The way I use photoshop is as a digital darkroom.  I use it to enhance what the camera captured and to help bring out more of the subject in each image.

Here's the image as it came out of the camera.  I was happy with the composition but felt it could use just a little oomph.

So I warmed it up a bit to make the color really pop.  And I sharpened just a little around the wings to help draw the eye to that part of the image.

Here's another example of how a good image can really pop with a few adjustments.  Seriously love this little girl's smile and the plain background really helps the viewer to focus on her beautiful eyes.  

And here it is after a little artistic editing.  I've converted it to a warm black and white, darkened the background a bit and sharpened her eyes.  I literally gasped out loud when I saw how this image turned out.

Since my primary subject is children, I have to catch the image when I can.  Sometimes I get wonderful expressions with less than wonderful backgrounds.  Before I started using Photoshop the image below would not have made the cut.  I love the look on her face and the little bubble but the mixed background was just too distracting.

With some cloning, I was able to widen the white from the window and pull it out through the whole background so all that remains is this little cherub.  

So thanks to the magic of Photoshop I am able to provide the families I work with the best possible images of their loved ones.  

Photoshop Before Computers

I just saw this image from one of the photography design blogs I read.  For those of you familiar with Photoshop's interface, this is pretty darn cool.

This was created by an art agency in Indonesia called Bates 141 Jakarta.  Creative Director--Hendra Lesmono, Art Directors Andreas Junus and Irawandhani Kamarga.

Slide Show Fun

Check out this cool tool I found. I'm totally digging this as a way to present portrait collections to families.

S Family -- New Born

Hello wonderful friends.

Meet Little V!  How sweet is she!?  

V is the daughter of my good friends.  You might recognize them from this maternity session.

Since little V's arrival, they've been entertaining many guests.  I got to hang out with them while Mama K's sister and niece were in town.

Two HOT MAMAS!

Mama J and her Niece.

K and her Niece.

This family produces some BEAUTIFUL children...

Here's some portraits of little S.

Ok, seriously...

Cousins!

Little V is truly a miracle.

I've been wanting to try this shot for some time now.  It is inspired by one of my all time favorite photographers--Audrey Woulard.  This image is particularly special because of the two framed images on the dresser.  On the right is her great-grandma V, her namesake.  And on the left is her great-grandma R, her middle name.

Such pure beauty.

Thanks so much guys!  It was such an honor to be able to share this special time with you.  I can't wait to watch little V grow and grow.

Much love =).

And Now For Something Slightly Different

So if you've been following the blog for a while, you know that normally my focus is on families with young children, but when little R's mom called me, I knew I just had to go for it.  See, R's grandpa came to town last week to celebrate his 70th birthday.  But what he didn't know was that his five other children were going to come into town to surprise him.  (That's right, he has 6 kids.  6 kids in 7 years.)  And they got him good too.  He didn't suspect a thing.  And then I got to hang out with them and capture this momentous occasion.  I'm so lucky to get to do what I do!

Here's Mom and Dad and all the kids.

Dad and his girls...

And here are the boys.  I was working with another grouping and looked over to see one of the boys climbing the tree.  Of course that got everyone excited and up they went.  I'm impressed!

And here are all the kids.  Seeing them having so much fun and really enjoying each other's company really warmed my heart.  It really speaks to the excellent job done by their parents in fostering such joy between each of their children.  They were truly so happy to be together.  Makes me want to have more kids.  (Well, maybe if I could have them arrive after they're all grown up.)

And of course I had to spend some time with R.  It was her mom who coordinated the whole thing.  She did an awesome job!

Look how much R has grown since August.  This is what she looked like then.  And here's her cuteness now.

R and her Godmother...

Ok, seriously...

Thanks so much for inviting me to be a part of this special celebration.  

Leading Moms In Business Competition

I wanted to thank everyone who voted for me during the last business contest.  My popularity reached the "Hot" category, which really meant a lot to me.  And now Start Up Nation has just announced their newest competition -- Leading Moms in Business.  I would really love to win this competition but I need your help =).  It's a popularity contest based on the number of votes receive so hook me up =).

Here's the link.

You can also click on the "Vote For Us" widget in the side bar.

You can vote once a day, every day between now and April 30th.  Also if you have multiple web browsers feel free to vote on each one of those as well =).

Thanks so much everyone.  I'll keep you posted!

Imaging USA Conference

Imaging USA was AWESOME!  I was only able to attend one class but it blew my mind. Focusing on creating the best experience possible for clients, it really crystalized my thinking about why photography is such an important part of our lives.  Because it's not just about the images.  It's also about the experience of coming together and spending time enjoying each other.  Our families are so very precious and everything I do is designed to help honor and celebrate that.

I know the image quality in these next few shots isn't the best.  They were taken really quickly but it's so cool to have them.  The leaders of the class are two of the leaders in the industry.  I've admired and blog-stalked  Jesh De Rox and Tamara Lackey for several years now.  Their work really represents the best in the field for their ability to bring out the beauty in every person the photograph.  It was such an ultimate thrill to meet them.  I had a very Beatles moment.

I was also able to attend the EXPO and meet in person some of the vendors I work with.  I also got some wonderful image processing goodies that will make things really pop.  So now my images will have a double dose of goodness, both during capture and in the artistic editing in the digital darkroom.

Mr. M came with me to the conference...

Me with Tamara and Jesh.

And one of me...Check out the wonderful blue backlight from the data projector.

Cool shadows in the hotel room.

Little man saying "Hi."  He's such a trooper.  Happy through the whole thing.  Slept pretty darn well even though it's not at home.  Oh, and the sheets and the Sheraton were the. loudest. EVER!  Every time I rolled over it created a HUGE scratching sound.  And you moms know how stressful that is =). 

Thanks for playing with me =).