Making the Most of Dark Days…

… by learning to use my Speedlite!  What could I possibly do to be more productive with my time during these long (short?) winter days than figure out how to use this under-utilized piece of equipment?  While high ISOs and too shallow a depth of field and grainy photos could get me down, I’m choosing to put this gem to use and to LEARN all it has to offer.  And how to properly use it. 

Not surprisingly, Kaden was a good subject for me to practice on.  These were taken at about 6pm, in his room which (as you see) has dark sage walls and one overhead light.  Without my Speedlite, I wouldn’t even have attempted to take photos because undoubtedly, I would have turned up disappointed in their clarity.  Not so with the Speedlite… it was fun to be able to capture this little guy having his quiet time (away from his crazy overbearing big brothers) without frustration over the lack of good lighting.  

Because I MADE good lighting, by bouncing the light off of the wall.  Which, admittedly gave Kaden a bit of a greenish tint, which I quickly tried to take care of in post processing.  But, non-the-less, illuminated him nicely! 

… and as I worked to master my flash, he worked to master his Drop and Roar Dinosaur. 

Then we moved to the hall, which was tricky because I didn’t have a good wall or ceiling to bounce the flash off of.  So I had to bump the flash output way up just to create enough light to properly expose the photo.  Its getting easier – I don’t know why I was ever intimidated by this thing!

Thus, I was able to capture Kaden in action with one of his current favorite games.  Its called “Remove All of the Books from the Bookshelf” and I think his brothers clued him in that they REALLY enjoyed this game when they were babies, too.  

This book is his favorite.  The game usually takes a breather when he removes it from the shelf.  He touches the cover (which feels funny) and then flips through the pages. 

I think its a good one for him to read as he gets older.  I fear it holds information that may come in handy for this littlest brother. 

Anyhow – I love natural light – what photographer doesn’t?  But during these dark, dark winter nights (and days, who’m I kidding?) my Speedlite may light up my life and will surely be the necessary fuel for my on-going passion of capturing moments.

On Being Thankful

Its easy to face adversity and get frustrated and down.  I am very guilty of this.  I see the snow outside and get upset at the danger it poses for us driving anywhere.  I see Cooper, right now, laying in my bed with a fever and weak from spending the night throwing up and I just think “Doggonit… Gage is finally on the mend and NOW Cooper gets sick??” I shake my head knowing that the season of illness, seclusion, canceling appointments (I was supposed to get my hair done today) and swiping my card at the pediatrician’s office is upon us.  And now, Thanksgiving is on hold for us, too, and I feel sad wondering if our holidays are EVER going to get back to normal. 

Instead, I KNOW that I should look at the snow and be thankful for its beauty and the quietness it blankets us with.  I should be thankful that I don’t HAVE to drive anywhere in this weather but can stay home, in our warm house and be protected from the frigid cold. We have food stocked up and enough wood to last 2 winters… what do I have to complain about?  I should look at Cooper and thank the Lord that he doesn’t have an illness that is threatening his life … what do I have to complain about?  I should be thankful that we have insurance to pay for their doctor care, that seclusion means bonding with my children and board games and movies and book reading.  What do I have to complain about?

I should be thankful that we have extended family that we could be spending Thanksgiving with … and that even if we don’t actually see them on November 25, there’s always the next day or the day after that.  Its not the date on the calendar – its the spirit of the holiday that we celebrate.  And if we have to reschedule, or eat 15 pounds of turkey by ourselves, that’s the way it is.  What do I have to complain about?

I could let myself complain about a lot of things, but where does that get me.  No where… and if we know the Lord, we know that complaining is an insult to Him.  He blesses us day in and day out with little things, such as the space heater blowing on me, and big things, such as love, family, health and safety.

I’m preaching to myself… I need to see these thoughts and words because honestly, this is something I do struggle with.  I need to hear myself say “What do you have to complain about??” and recognize that the answer is extremely clear… nothing. 

I’ll leave you for the long holiday weekend with a few photos of my boys during healthier times…   

And in color…

So I wish you a very thankful Thanksgiving, free of stress, anxiety, and worry.  Just enjoy the flip-side of every adverse situation… because in every negative there is a positive.  Something to be thankful for.

ETA:  I’ll be back soon to share some photos of my One-Wheeled Wonder… Matt on his unicycle! 

A Trusting Family… {Molalla, Oregon Family Photographer}

… to let me photograph them for 2 hours.  As I’ve discussed before, I get pretty nervous before shoots.  I think I’m allowed, since I’ve done enough to count on my two hands.  And leading up to this one was no different.  I can assure my ‘subjects’ that I am confident with my camera but interacting, posing, and the like is still something I’m working on. 

Before the S-Family arrived at my house, I had locations all planned out.  It was overcast, so we had lots of options and I was pumped.  Then as I saw them driving up the driveway, the clouds parted and on any other day this would have been joyous… but dealing with harsh overhead sun on a photoshoot is anything BUT joyous.  I was a bit panicked, was dealing with a hang-nail but no ban-aid, and I needed to quickly decide where to pose this adorable family.  Without appearing like I was nervous.  I kept reminding myself that “Such-n-such ProPhotog said she gets nearly sick to her stomach before shoots… Lacey, you are okay!” 

I think we ended up doing okay.  :)  As is normal, it took us a bit to warm up, but allowing the kiddos to get goofy brought out their sweet personalities and genuine moments. 

I sincerely hope they’ve found some images they enjoy from our time together…

… thank you for trusting me to capture your wonderful family! 

More Grace to you, and Peace… {Molalla Oregon Children’s Photographer}

I’ve mentioned it before that I have a difficult time choosing a select few images from a session to share and it was especially hard for me with these of Grace.  Probably because it was my most favorite session yet.  I’m sure I could attribute a lot of that to the fact that I adore this little girl.  I was in the waiting room of the hospital when she was born and have watched her grow into the little sprite she is today, at the age of 2.  She’s energetic, strong, feisty, and holds-her-own with her big brother and my three boys. Oh, and she loves Cooper.

Anyway. So, when her mama put me up to the challenge of photographing her, Grace proved what a little doll she is.  For a little over an hour we moved around their yard playing and shooting.

Most of the shots were spontaneous captures following me putting her in a position, running back to mine, and saying “Gracie! Where’s Cooper??” And she’d look at me and smile. 

Sheesh.  Did I mention she’s goofy, too??

I’m so happy to share these with you, and so thankful Gracie’s mama let me borrow her for practice.  It was a blessing! 

Have A Little Grace in Your Day… {Molalla, Oregon Children’s Photographer}

I don’t know about you, but my day could use some brightening.  So here’s my gift to you… a little bit of Grace… and a whole lotta cuteness. 
{Oh, and it has to be pointed out, that that first smile, was for her daddy.}

I’ll be back with more photos and hopefully more energy tomorrow.  Ah.  I could look at that last photo all day!  Sweet! 

Prepare Yourself for A Lot of Doot Doo

No, not Doo Doo… Doot Doo.  That is what we’ve called Gage since he was a baby.  And while Matt and I often now call him Doot or Gagers or Deuteronomy, Cooper ONLY calls him Doot Doo.  If he calls him anything else, Gage corrects him.  I can just picture them walking the halls in high school and as they pass by each other Cooper says to his big brother “Hey, Doot Doo, have you seen Tato?” (which is what we call Kaden).  As a biased mama, I’m thinking they can call each other what ever they want and it won’t matter a bit.  :) 

Anyway, I shared the outtakes from this session on Monday and am happy to finally be posting the rest today.  I took these almost a month ago now (where does the time go!)… the day after I took Gage shopping for lots of 6T clothes.  He had been beyond tired of tugging down the sleeves of his shirts and EVERY pair of pants he owned had holes in the left knee.  So, he was actually excited to ‘model’ for me, in thanks for his new digs.  

We traveled around our yard – me practicing with locations, posing, lighting, positioning my reflector…

… and probably most importantly, figuring out what it takes to get a 5-year-old to REALLY smile in a photo. 

For this kid, it took me yelling “Poop Poo” as loud as I possibly could. 

Regardless of the toilet talk I have to resort to using, it warms my heart to see photos of Gage’s REAL smile… because it is my hope that when I look at these images years from now I’ll be able to hear the laughter in them… that is the part of photography that I love and TRULY hope to be able to capture with my camera during sessions. 

Ooh, what to do about sensitive eyes?  Sweet little guy tried so hard as I tried and tried to find the light in his bright blue eyes.  But that’s hard, when he can barely open them!  :) 

Whoa… this one kind of catches you off guard…  haha…

… “Be happy, Doot… we’re almost done…”

Let me just tell you how amazed I was at this little man’s cooperation.  I’m not sure if he thought he was going to get a prize at the end of the session or what, but he powered through with me for a good 2-hours!  Actually, I shouldn’t be surprised.  He has ALWAYS been a Mama’s Boy and constantly aims to please me… plus, he wasn’t dealing with this little brother AND he was getting out of ‘school’. 

Whatever the reason, I appreciated his time and love the results.  :)