traditional family portrait photographer

For the past four years, I have been trying to perfect the art of creating a modern family portrait without being completely cheesy or posed. In short, this is hard to do. It seems as the number of family members increase, so do frustration and awkwardness. Generally my focus is on INDIVIDUAL portraits, and at the end of a session, I throw everyone together and hope for something good. And I admit, some portraits been clever and looked good, but never ever have I had one that looks traditional YET cool. Until now. As I pat myself on the back, I please take a look at this shot:I added a heavy vignette around the edges to modernize the overall look and help focus on the faces of each family member. I think that I love how natural and comfortable everyone appears (although it was about 45 degrees outside). Also, the height of each person varies enough that your eye moves easily from left to right and ends with the girl on the right, who is so cute and happy.
It also helps me when the mom (and dad) trust me. I LOVE clients that say "just do what you do" and so if I ask them to wear their favorite hats and scarfs (because it is Oregonian) they just do it. Even if they don't match. Like these two supersweet sisters, who evidently thought I was funny.I really enjoyed photographing this family. I am pretty sure they thought I was a tad bit nuts, but luckily, that is ok with me!

next year's rockwell-esque Christmas card?

So, I am LOVING myself a little too much because of this odd photo (taken during a Christmas portrait session last Sunday). I think its because of how she's positioning the little doll/santa/elf. Plus, they both have striped legs. I can see my bird logo and Merrrrrry Christmas in fancy type on it. Green sweaters and blue eyes are always a good combination. Her dad made faces at her from outside the window. Genius.We also shot in my studio, and this is one of my favorites from that session:

my (lighthearted) holiday card

I totally waited until the last minute to do our family holiday cards - so, thanks to www.tinyprints.com and rush shipping, I will have these in my hands next week! The inside says "hope you have a lucky new year" from Dan, Danielle, Marvin & Samson - and I told a brief version of our story. Super cute.

They are all-stars!

It's a good thing when clients have good ideas - like the Klinks, who wanted their Holiday cards to incorporate Converse Allstar shoes. Crazy, but awesome!
AND, I was shocked when I said "hey, what do you think about letting your son play in the puddles in the parking lot? He will get wet, but the photos could be awesome" SHE SAID "let's do it!" Love it. Here is the shot they featured on the card - signed by all family members. How cute. She used scrapbook paper, a cool digital collage and type in Photoshop and a curly paperclip. Makes me want to assemble a super cute crafty holiday card. Perhaps with two dogs.

halloween, one month later...

TRIPLETS. I photographed three little ones on Halloween day here in Oregon. Two boys, one girl. It wasn't terribly hard to tell the two boys apart: one was a camera hog (which I completely approve of), and the other didn't know I existed, and the little girl was crazy shy and not terribly fond of my camera equipment. All three were sweet and had the BEST costumes. adorable.And, I loved the decorations. Clever.

a girl and her dog.

This is Miss Sydney. She loves her dog Daisy (A WHOLE BUNCH).
I just adore this little girl. I worked with her mom and dad, back when I had an office job. She was 2 maybe (and tiny and quiet)! But in my studio, she sang and danced and told me all about her school. She just giggled and laughed. What a trip!

lots of growing between 7 days and 7 months.

Left, Before. Right, After. This is Kyndal - The first time I photographed her she was seven days - that was old over six months ago. Now check her out. Crawling. Hip. Adorably serious. Can anyone say BABY GAP?This is her sister, miss T. She was in the holiday spirit wearing these awesome tights. LOVE the tutu. Is 34 too old to want a tutu? Yummy!

Not Sears Portrait center. I am nervous.

Today, I felt so NERVOUS. I had a baby portrait session for my cousin Stewart and his wife Tammy and their little boy. I have taken a few family photos including "nice shots" of my mom and dad (and their dogs) but those were informal pictures. I've never had a family member hire me to do portraits. And this fact made me worry all morning. Worry that my mom would be disappointed. Worried my Dad would think my shots were weird. Worried the rest of the family would peg me as A r t s y. I mean, I am not the Sears Portrait center, you know? The session went so well - and I was worried for nothing. Jay got "naked as a jaybird" for me. You just cannot go wrong with a bare baby butt and a santa hat.Stewart and I grew up together - we learned to drive a stick shift at age 7, we climbed trees, searched for treasures, played checkers and ate pimento cheese sandwiches on hot afternoons. And now we are grown and he has a beautiful baby boy! Thanks for letting me take his picture, Stewart! Maybe our family won't say the pictures are too artsy!

baby boy pees on grandad.

Update: I just put together an adorable christmas card for the Parrish family!Original Post: Here it is - my newest favorite baby-in-santa-hat photo (taken today at my client's home in North Carolina)! Baby Nicholas was sleeping with a huge grin - perfect for a photograph or two. Thank you Helen and Jeff for decorating your beautiful Christmas tree just for me and your portrait session!!! The series of shots of Nicholas in your mother's chair are super cute. I love that the hat dangles off the side of the chair. AND I am sorry that your grand baby peed on grandpa right after this photo was captured. And that I didn't get THAT shot!