Landon | Harford County Newborn Photographer

Meet Landon!  I had the pleasure of photographing this little guy when he was only 11 days old.  He was so good during our session, a sleepy little guy but we did manage to catch him with his eyes open for a moment or two.  He was just a dream, and here are some images from our session...

A family member gave this blanket to parents Alyssa and Paul, it was handmade just for Landon.  I think he likes it! :)

Alyssa and Paul, thank you so much for letting me share and capture such a special moment in time for you.  They really are only this little for a short time.

Snips and Snails | Harford County Baby Photographer

"Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails, that's what little boys are made of."


I was very excited to visit Erin and Rich to meet their newest addition.  This little guy is the perfect compliment to their family, and super gorgeous like the rest of them.  I literally got lost in his eyes while I was editing the photos... I could not stop gazing at how beautiful and complex his little irises are!  Oh and so blue, too.  I took his sister's pictures in the fall (you can see the blog post here) and she's got the same beautiful blue eyes.  She actually helped me take some pictures this time around :)

Baby B did great!  He was two months old, and like most babies that age he was wide awake most of the time and so curious and responsive to the world around him.  He was very friendly and in a good mood most of the time, and mom and dad were pros at keeping him happy.  I shot in front of french doors that let in lots of light and his adorable eyes caught the light so well.

Little piggies...

And of course I can not leave out big sister Nola, she was a great helper and even helped me take a picture or two!  I just adore her hair, her innocence, and timelessness in this picture.

Here is mommy Erin cuddling with baby B...

And one last one of this little guy workin' hard on his tummy.  He is so eager to keep up with the world around him I think he'll be mobile soon!

B, you got pretty lucky!  Two great parents and an amazing big sis, I think you're set for life :)  Erin and Rich, thanks for the morning and helping me get everything in and out while I was in recovery mode.

Sweet, Sweet Baby | Harford County Baby Photographer

This precious baby is seriously among the cutest I've ever seen.  I've had the pleasure of taking her photos from belly to birth, and now at five months.  You can see the maternity session post here and newborn session post here.  She just keeps getting cuter and her little personality is a perfect match.  She was a breeze during the session and was game for almost anything we tried.

I want to mention that at one point I walked into her nursery and saw that parents Kelly and John had hung many of the pictures I took for them in our previous sessions and I was moved to tears.  I don't know why this always happens to me whenever I see my work on display in someone's home but the number of people who have watched this happen to me are growing lately - I really need to get a handle on this!  I guess it must just be an affirmation that I really love what I get to do and I'm blessed that my happiness makes you all happy too.  Ok enough mush, let's get back to the cute stuff!

Here she is looking very grown up...

This next photo just captures the essence in every way for me of what five months old is.  All of the innocence, love, youth, and beauty that is a baby.  When I was editing this picture it took me right back to when my own children were this age and I just love it.

And of course you're getting some tiny toes and itty bitty fingers - I don't think I'll ever get my fill of these photos, they are so good at pinpointing a moment in time.

I just love this next one too.  She's such a little beauty!

This last one was with John.  I did a warm black and white conversion on it with heightened contrast and a levels adjustment to reflect the timeless feel of this moment between father and daughter.  

Kelly and John, thank you for having me back again to capture these moments for you and your family.  I've really enjoyed getting to watch your little one grow.  See you next time!

Vintage Memories | Harford County Family Photographer

After an extended break from shooting due to my hernia surgery I was SO happy to get my camera back out again for this family.  Ashley and I had been talking for what seemed like forever about getting together for pictures.  Lucky for me she's not only a great mom to four kiddos, but she has a knack for setting up the scene for great photos!  She chose the spot where she and her husband were married, and had everyone dressed and coordinated.  Her children were so well behaved, it made everything easy for me.

February is an interesting time to shoot outside in Maryland.  Normally it's a little dismal and dead/brown so there aren't vibrant colors, but I love the way these pictures turned out with the location.  It really gave the photos the same vintage feel that their wedding spot had.  I thought the kiddos might think it was too cold, but Ashley was right - they were just fine!  It reminded me of how I never noticed the weather when I was younger.  I'm really glad we were able to capture something unique and different that holds more than one meaning for this special family.  

Thanks for a great time, guys!  I really enjoyed meeting you - and as promised 4 lollipops are in the mail :)

Facebook Giveaway

I am giving away a one hour Mini Session from Anne Herbert Photography with 15 fully edited hi resolution images on disc in honor of Valentine's Day!!  I want to show some love to my Facebook Fans, so head on over to my facebook page and tag yourself in the contest photo!

Details:

To have your name entered, tag yourself in the photo.  On February 14th my daughter will pull a name from a basket.  The winner will receive a gift certificate for a free one hour mini photo session with me and 15 hi resolution images on disc!  This way you can keep it for yourself or give it as a gift!  **PLEASE NOTE:  The session can ONLY be done in either the Harford/Baltimore County area OR greater Phoenix, AZ metro area.  Please only tag yourself once, duplicates will not count.  Best of Luck :)

Zen Lens | Phoenix Family Photographer

Hello!  My photography and related posts have had to take a backset to some minor surgery I recently underwent.  I had a pesky hernia but is now gone and I am simply resting for the next few weeks until my Maryland sessions begin.  Here is a little something to tide you over...

Last weekend I did something new!  I met Janice and her young daughter Annabel on Sunday afternoon in the front of my development for pictures.  Janice has been getting certified to teach Yoga, and it is something she and Annabel enjoy doing together.  She needed pictures for a project she was working on and I was so excited to take them.  I love when I get the chance to do something new and different.  I have taken a few "fitness yoga" classes in my time but nothing compared to this!  Here are some of the shots from our session...

Here is Janice practicing a great downward dog pose...

Here are Janice and cutie Annabel with their hands to heart center...

Janice was so patient with Annabel and made sure she was comfortable for their downward dog pose together.

Here is Janice just as the sun was setting.  I convinced her to climb up on a wobbly concrete table for this shot, but you wouldn't know it from her serene expression!

A few more from in and around the front of my neighborhood.

Thank you Janice and Annabel for a fun and relaxing afternoon!

Better Photos Part One

I frequently receive emails from people who are interested in taking better pictures of their children and families. I've decided to start a new series dedicated to taking better photos.  This isn't about running out and getting a $2500 camera and $2500 lens, it's about working with what you have, be it a DSLR or a point and shoot, to get better results than you are currently achieving.  Part One will focus on creating a relaxed environment for your subject in order to capture realism.  


Taking pictures is such an amazing way to capture human emotion.  A good picture not only records a moment in time, it reflects feelings!  I took this picture of my youngest daughter Maddie a few months ago.  I love it because it's taken at a unique angle (I turned the picture upside down but I was actually standing behind her head) and because she is so relaxed and peaceful just hanging out on the landing to our stairs.  

What I want you to do for your first exercise is try to capture this authentic human emotion.  Let's say for example your subject is your child.  Let's try to think about what he likes to do best.  Does he enjoy being in a certain room or outside?  Put him there.  Does he enjoy a specific activity or toy?  Let him have it.  And then here's what you do... just relax.  Let him play, let him have fun!  If he enjoys running around with his superman cape on then you'll never get a more true smile.  If it's his trucks or trains, it's OK!  When your child is in his or her element they are truly soaking up life and giving you all of the "real stuff".  You will be amazed at what you get, I promise you.  You don't need to make them look at the camera and smile all the time, that's not what it's all about.  You want to capture them being just "them" with nothing more.  And take lots of pictures!  This digital age gives us such flexibility!  Like my husband said once, "We don't like 'em?  We throw 'em away!"  Please try and remember that your camera is not a machine gun, but in the same breath don't be afraid to keep snapping a good thing.  Here is a photo I took of my daughter that I particularly enjoy because it really captured her personality.  A plastic smile just wouldn't produce the same feeling... 

Lastly I chose to share a photo SOOC (Straight Out Of the Camera - or unedited) that I took of my girls this past summer in the back yard.  I purposely gave them these little homemade popsicles because I knew they would sit still for a minute to eat them, then sat them on a little IKEA table (again to help keep them together in one spot).  I took a few pictures, nothing special, but my patience was rewarded when Maddie suddenly rested her head on Brianna's shoulder.  I really wanted to capture my kids enjoying each other's company, so for me this was a great shot!  My point is that your photos don't have to look professional to be great, and that everyday moments can be beautiful too.

I'd love to see the results you come up with!  Please post a link in the comments section or email me your photo!  If you have any specific questions or would like me to address a certain topic let me know!

Hello, Gorgeous! {Phoenix Family Photographer}

Welcome back from the holidays and Happy New Year!  I'll get to explaining my title in a second but first I'd like to let you know that I am working on the very important New Years Resolution of excellent posture this year, so if any of you see me slouching please yank back my shoulders for me and give me a good little thwack on the back!  I know it's small and silly, but I am slowly turning into one of those dear little old ladies you see at the grocery store who's head juts out like a little turtle.  I'm not sure what my animal counterpart is but I am sure that it is not a turtle.

So, on to more embarrassing things.  I shot this family session before the holidays (yes, yes, just now posting).  This family actually happens to be good friends with my family.  In fact, they were kind enough to invite us to celebrate Christmas Eve with them since we were orphaned out in Arizona this year for the holidays.  It didn't feel like Arizona though, it was unseasonably and bitterly cold.  

Molly is an amazing cook, and she has taken on her mother's tradition of preparing several gourmet soups in addition to a table full of amazing appetizers and desserts on Christmas Eve.  As the children sat nicely at the kitchen table (read: they were laughing, running, and screaming all over the house) we sat down with Molly's mother, father, sister, and mutual good friends to enjoy our food.  I happened to be seated next to Molly's husband, Tim.  During dinner I noticed that Tim was wearing a very nice argyle sweater vest.  I saw the vest and thought of my husband - what a great addition a vest like that would be to his wardrobe.  He's always looking for business casual attire since he wears a suit and tie to work, and the rest of his closet is filled with jeans and t-shirts.  Should a red flag have gone off in my head at this moment?  Who knows, but no flags waved what-so-ever and I said,  "Hey Matt, you should get yourself a sweater vest like this."  I pointed to Tim.  "Doesn't it look good?"

Matt smiled the smile that a tennis or volleyball player does before they spike the ball down hard on your side of the court.  "Oh, you like that do ya?  Is that workin' for you, Anne?"  Now if you know my husband you know he just loves to catch me in a moment like this.  Let the embarrassment and comments from around the table begin!  All I can say is that I'm glad I could provide a good laugh for our friends and their family on a cold holiday night.  And you know what, embarrassment really warms you up!

Now on to the pictures from their family session.  Here are Molly and Tim with their two sons, Logan and Blake...

Just the boys...

Blake and his baby blues...

And a shot of all of the cousins from their extended family shoot...

Thanks again Molly and Tim, it was a pleasure to take your pictures!