I love photographing children (especially the babies of my brides, but that’s another story!)…capturing the true nature of a child takes a bit of patience and a little foresight. When you are watching your child at play, get down on his level and get close. Getting close gets rid of distracting backgrounds because after all you want a photo of your child not the fence or the tree or…

The best time of day for photography is before breakfast and at dinner time–I know, I know, that’s why it’s a challenge to get good photos of kids. They’re hungry when the natural light is best! Find open shade–under a tree with a large high canopy or next to a building where there is plenty of shade. I personally love backlit photos, but until you are comfortable with your flash, I advise open shade.

Watch what your child is doing and in your mind anticipate his next move. Children are creatures of habit–they’ll keep doing the same things over and over again; that is, until they get bored after about 2 minutes and go on to the next thing! Your job is to watch his movements and expressions and anticipate when the expression you want is going to happen. When you see it coming, take the picture! If you actually see the expression and then click, you’ve missed it. Practice makes perfect. Keep shooting.

I almost forgot–do not ask your child to smile for you! I’ll bet some of your favorite snapshots of your child shows him in a thoughtful mood. If you must have a smile, do something goofy to make your child laugh which may give you a more natural smile (or his mouth will be wide open and his eyes closed…but, that’s a cute shot, too!).

Here are a couple of images from a recent photography session with two brothers. These are such cute boys! We had a great time by the Buck Creek in Helena. In the first photo, you’ll notice the bright sun in the background, but the boys are in the shade. In the second photo, I used the trees to make a nice dark background in open shade.

Please let me know if you have found these tips helpful. I plan to post more so keep checking in!

Shade with lots of sun in the background

Open shade with a little backlight

Baby Kate was back in the studio this week for her 9 month session. She is so much fun! I cannot tell you how rewarding and fun it is for me to watch these babies grow up before my eyes! I feel like an aunt to each and every one of them. As I was working on the images from Kate’s session, I just had to share this one! Watch for more in the coming days. I really like the painterly affect on this one–it really seems to go with her outfit.

Looking for what’s new in weddings? Read this article in Southern Bride. Just to prove the point, check out this pair of shoes from Teleah’s wedding. Teleah is, obviously, a trendsetter. Her wedding was last June!

Shalauna and Wallace were married in a very tender and intimate wedding. They were married in a small chapel surrounded by family and close friends. We are honored to have been a part of their union. Wallace is a police officer for the City of Birmingham. He and Shalauna were introduced by friends who knew a perfect match when they saw one! Although it was very hot and humid yesterday, we took a moment to grab a photo in the chapel’s gazebo.

I think every bride deserves her own magazine cover so I’m creating one from the bridal session! Take advantage of this special offer! I’m including a 16×20 magzine cover at no charge for all brides who book with me before November 15, 2010! Check out the cover I designed for Hannah Morrison. It made a unique and eye catching display at her wedding reception. She and her mother both have told me that many guests asked them where they could buy the magazine!

Want to be on your own magazine cover? Call me today for a no-obligation appointment. We are quickly booking for 2011! Our specialty is photographs that show the emotions of the day…our ultimate goal is for you, your family, and your friends to be able to feel your wedding day!

Check out Hannah’s very own magazine cover!

Sam and Hannah had a wonderful wedding at First Baptist Church in Birmingham and reception at Riverchase Country Club. I’ve posted a couple of photos from their wedding and wanted to share their wedding highlights slideshow. Congratulations to you both!

Shelby Beddingfield is competing for Miss Teen Alabama, and she just won Most Photogenic for her category and overall! I am so delighted for her! This is the image we made that won the competitions…isn’t she simply beautiful?! We had a great time in the studio, working together to get just the right look. I’m pleased that our efforts paid off. She’s off to another competition in Orlando! Good luck, Shelby!

Joey and Liz along with Liz’s parents just left the studio with a copy of the wedding highlights DVD and over 600 proofs! Joey and Liz were married in a beautiful ceremony at Prince of Peace with the reception at Hoover Country Club. The cakes were two of the most beautiful and delicious I’ve seen (and eaten!) by Jan O’Donnell. The flowers were gorgeous by Joann Bunn and Carolyn Pate. Joe with Feel the Beat Entertainment did a great job mixing exotic traditional music with contemporary dance music. The wedding coverage was a bit different in that there were a lot of people from out of town who wanted to celebrate with Joey on the wedding day. Buddy went to the Danforah home to photograph their traditional dances between the formals and the actual wedding. I stayed with the bride and her wedding party at the church where we were able to get some very cool images. The entire day and night were much fun with lots of dancing and laughter. Many guests were not only from out of town–they were from out the country! Enjoy some of my favorite images (I’m having trouble with the slideshow upload…I’ll post that later). Feel free to comment!

What an incredible wedding! The weather was perfect…the venues are beautiful…the bride and groom are so much fun…I love my work! Trey and Kristen came by today to watch their wedding slideshow and pick up their proofs. Here are a few of my favorite images and their slideshow, too. Let me know what you think. We had a blast working with Trisha at The Tutweiler, Noona at First United Methodist Church, Carol with Lillie’s Flowers, and Jennifer at The Summit Club! The band was very good–I think their name is “The Next”…anyway, hope you enjoy these images and their wedding highlights slideshow! Also, Kristen and I had such a good time at her bridal session, I’ve included a couple of those images, too.

Classic...you should see this on canvas!

Sam and Hannah were married yesterday in a most beautiful ceremony in the gorgeous First Baptist Church of Birmingham. The church was absolutely packed! Their attendants are all so sweet and so much fun. We had a terrific time with them making some fun images from yesterday morning where the girls were getting ready at Generations in Gardendale (including a limo ride to the church!) to the last wave good-bye from Riverchase Country Club. I’ll have a complete list of vendors, but I do know that Magnificent Cakes were incredible! I had a slice of the strawberry, and Buddy enjoyed a piece of one of the groom’s cakes (there were 3!). Gary Rush with Rush Video was a joy to work with. Anyway, I’ll have a complete list of everyone who worked together to make Hannah and Sam’s wedding dream come true.
Here’s a sneak peek!