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!

One Big Happy Family {Phoenix Family Photographer}

This family was so much fun to be around I think I forgot I was taking their holiday photos for a minute.  It was hard to keep my camera from shaking up and down they had me laughing so hard.  Alyssa has the kind of family that is very close knit, and it was so much fun for me to capture that, especially since she is about to bring the family's first grandchild into the mix!  Here are a few pictures from their session...

Alyssa and her husband Paul with Alyssa's brothers and sisters...

Alyssa and Paul together.  This couple really knows how to make each other (and me!) laugh.

The ladies...

And I just had to pick this one to share of the men.  They have the good ones but this pretty much describes what was going on for most of the shoot :)

Thanks for a fun afternoon and happy holidays.  Best of luck with your baby, I can't wait to meet him!

Two Peas in a Pod {Phoenix Family Photographer}

I am all finished my holiday work, except for one shoot, and since my own holiday cards are addressed and only need to be stuffed and stamped I thought I'd begin posting some of the holiday sessions.  Tomorrow I am attempting to "bake" for my friends and will be making jarred apple-pear butter. I hope I can pull it off, but honestly it just involves a slow cooker so I don't think I can really mess it up. It's just like this shoot really, if you have good ingredients like my friend Claudia and her daughter Lorena it's pretty hard to mess it up!

Here is Lorena, one of the most witty and smart little girls I've ever met - and if you know her you will surely agree.  I love that this girl knows how to have fun!

And she is so sweet at the same time...

I love this one.  I know you are all wondering what Claudia is telling Lorena to get that great reaction.  Well I do know what it is but I'll keep that a secret for now! 

And here is Lorena with her beautiful and lovely mommy Claudia.  I want your hair, Claudia!  I am taking this picture with me the next time I go get my hair cut :)

Thanks for the afternoon exploring the lake, rocks and all! Love you girls, Anne

California Dreamin'

I'm editing an extended family session from Thanksgiving weekend and had to share these pictures of two adorable sisters from California.  They were so much fun to take pictures of and did a great job despite the chilly AZ morning!

I mean really, the cuteness factor here is off the charts!

with Mom and Dad... 

Ladies, I hope you and your parents had as much fun getting your pictures taken as I had taking them.  More from this extended session to follow!

Hello!  'Tis the season, the busy season that is!  I am going to make every attempt to keep up with my blogging through the holidays, and I assure you I haven't gone anywhere.  I want to make sure I finish all of your holiday photos in time for your cards this year and then I will get to bragging about you :)

Down on the Farm {Harford County, Maryland Photographer}

During my Maryland sessions I lucked out and had great weather except for one shoot.  Erin and I went back and forth all day trying to decide if we should go for it or not, then finally decided to reschedule.  We needed a new location too since we were going to shoot in the morning rather than the evening, and I called on my neighbor to see if she would let us shoot at her farm.  Yes, by now you all know what a great neighbor I have and how supportive she has been, and she said yes with no hesitation.  It turns out that changing locations was a blessing because we were able to get some amazing and unique photos of Erin and her husband Rich and daughter Nola.

Nola was right at home right away.  She starting exploring and fell (almost instantly) in love with some wooden cows my neighbor had leaning up against her barn.  She loved them so much there was no getting her to look my way!  Granted, these cows were much more interesting than little old me, but I did need to have her look at the camera for at least some shots.  We needed a Plan B quick, because sometimes you have to punt!  I wish you could have seen us out there.  Rich grabbed the baby cow and took it behind me and voila, she was looking my way!  For ten minutes Rich played with that wooden cow with Erin cheering him on, all of us laughing at ourselves, and getting great pictures of Nola.  I don't think I'll ever forget that moment.

Here are some pictures from down on the farm...

Here's Nola practicing "big sister"...

Nola is so young, but she has such a depth of personality.  I really like this next shot because she showed me something sweet and classic after the excitement wore off.

Erin and Rich...

And some goofing off...

Nola was also my Happy Halloween model, and you can see more pictures of her here.  Erin and Rich, thanks for a great morning.  Here's to hoping your next one is as amazing as your first!

New Arrival - Right on Time {Harford County, Maryland Newborn Photographer}

It's always exciting to do a return shoot, and in this case it was for two of the nicest people - well make it three this time!  When I was visiting Maryland in July I had the pleasure of meeting John and Kelly to take their maternity photos.  We all hoped I would be in Maryland during the right time for newborn photos, but you never do know when those little babies will decide it's the right time.  I planned my trip around a friend's wedding and Kelly's due date, and we all just crossed our fingers.  Little baby "D" must have heard the big plans because she arrived right on time!  I was so excited and happy for Kelly and John, and of course that I got to see the baby and take pictures, too.  And just wait until you see her, she's so adorable!

I also want to give a big huge thanks to my neighbor who let me come and borrow anything I wanted from her house for this shoot.

I have to tell you all that I have come down with a serious case of baby fever after gazing at baby "D" in post processing all these hours. Here she is!

By the window in her room (and yes Mommy was standing very close by!).

Here she is in her room...

Well by now you know how I am about little feet and hands.  Luckily this little one has a nice strong big toe!

Here she is snuggled up in her blanket and nestled an old egg basket my neighbor let me borrow.

We wrapped her up in one of my old maternity sweaters (Kelly was pregnant in summer and one of those lucky gals that didn't have to buy too many maternity clothes).  I like this sweater because of the great texture.  We placed it on a chair my neighbor lent me and snapped away.  Here is one of my favorites.

Kelly and John, I had a fantastic morning with you and baby "D".  You two are amazing parents.  Thank you so much for everything, and I can't wait to see her as she grows.

Do you know Kelly and John?  Please feel free to leave them a comment and let them know how cute their new baby is and if you now have baby fever too :)