My Photography

So, as some of you may know, I've been trying to get into photography. Eventually I would like to run a side business and focus mostly on family photography. So ever since I got my new camera I started practicing taking photos and some families have even been so kind to let me practice by taking some pictures of them. So, here is just a taste of some of the work I've done over the past 6ish months...

I've posted these before... but Lyla in her high chair...

Graham Warning - 1 Year Photos

The Rice Family - Pictures for their Christmas Card

The Player Family - I do have to note that Julie (the mom/wife) came and did a lot of this editing herself to make it just how she wanted it.

The Christensen Family - Welcoming new baby Bently

Isn't Kinsey and her red hair gorgeous?

One of my favorites...

In California I was trying to get some good updated photo's of Lyla and Nate was my helper...

I LOVE this picture...

This was just a flower that I thought was pretty at the Newport Beach temple...

The Newport Beach Temple

So, I feel like I am getting better and better with each "shoot" that I do and I definitely have learned a lot as I have practiced. Here are some of the things I've learned so far...

1. Lighting (and a good camera) is KEY to getting good photos. So time of day is also very important in getting your photos to turn out the best way possible.
2. Chicago is not the best place for family photographers and here is why... the weather is SO unreliable and it is cold/cloudy for more than half the year. So your opportunities of doing photography are much more limited. When it is cold outside, the family is pretty uncomfortable when taking their pictures and you don't really get them at their best and happiest. I'm hoping to get a lot of photo shoots in over the next couple of months since the weather is finally beautiful.
3. I've found that you can get much better photo's when your (for lack of a better word...) "subjects" are just in natural and comfortable settings. Sometimes I would try to get too many "portrait" shots without trying to get some natural interaction shots. Does that make sense? I think it's important to get a good mix of both.
4. Editing takes A LONG TIME! I'm still figuring out a lot of it and how to get my photo's that I've edited on Photoshop onto a disc! Everything is different (and oh so much better) on a Mac.
5. I need to feel more comfortable taking control of situations, getting people to do what I want them to do and still make it look natural, and being confident in what I am telling them to do. And also making them feel comfortable with me. And I am getting better at that.
6. When you're the photographer, you are hardly ever photographed. Which is fine. But I would like to get more good shots of me with Lyla, me and Nate, and with me and my family. Is that so much to ask?
7. Time. You've got to allow time to get the shots you want, while at the same time, battling the time of the sun. Sheesh!

I started to take a photography class last Fall, but there were a lot of things I didn't feel good about, so I ended up dropping the class after 2 weeks, taking the text book and also purchasing a book about Photoshop and I've been teaching myself. Then I think once I am a little more proficient in everything, I would like to take a class on digital photography. I'll need to find a good school with a good teacher... or at least shadow a decent photographer.

Anyway, so that's what I've been up to, besides being a mom/wife and being pregnant. I'll post about California on another day when I have the time.

See ya!