Professional Hair and Make Up {Colorado Springs Senior Photographer}

With my sitting fee comes professional hair and make up. It's hard to find someone you like in both of the categories but once you do, it's amazing.  I've heard placing an ad on Craiglist works.  I just asked around.   I have found some really talented girls just out of Cosmotology School do help me out with hair.  They go to my clients home and use enough product so that, even at the end of the shoot, their hair looks amazing!  For make up, I have settled on the Clinique counter at Dillards Department Store. I think a lot of different places would work but we are a little limited down here in Colorado Springs. Because I use the Clinique counter (FREE!!) I am able to give the girls a $25 gift card to spend while they are there.  That one seems to be a home run every time with the Senior girls!I have been very lucky to work with some naturally beautiful girls. However, the camera eats make up for lunch!  You need to go a little heavy on the make up to really notice it. I have done it both ways, (with/without hair and make up), and let me tell you, I will NEVER go back. I am also one of those photographers that believes that Seniors should look 18... not 25.  They can look 25 in their engagement pictures!  ;)

Check out these "before" and "after" pictures. These girls go from natural beauties to complete knock outs!  (Thank you Facebook-   - and my beautiful seniors- for the "before" images!)

The Teen, the Tween, and the Puppy {Colorado Springs Teen Photographer}

I had a lot of fun shooting these guys.  Their mom is amazing.  She's one of my sweet, sweet friends.  She'll never be able to get rid of me, the poor thing!  She was Carter's Kindergarten teacher when he was diagnosed with Leukemia.  She was one of the very first people who knew he was sick.  She noticed things that maybe a normal teacher wouldn't have.

She has taught my middle child as well and we can't wait until it's Preslee's turn!  Her kids were so sweet and put up with my turning, shifting, adjusting during the entire shoot!

The Big FOUR! {Colorado Springs Children Photographer}

I'm sure I'm not the first mom out there that has nearly gone gray looking at what should be a toddling, drooling baby and realizing that said baby is now  running, talking up a storm, has opinions  (more than you care to hear), and is turning 4 years old.  My baby just turned 4.  And, yes, I know that I'll blink and she will be getting married.   So, I've chosen not to blink.  :)

Munchkins!~ Colorado Springs Children Photography

This shoot was SOOO much fun!  It was rained out once and on the day we actually ended up going we went back and forth all day long over the weather.  Mama and I both were THRILLED with how the weather turned out for us. It.  Was.  Perfect.

The kids were fabulous.  Grandma (who, for the record, did NOT look like a grandma!) came along to help.  Drool from teething didn't matter because we played in the water.  Sunlight was beautiful.  Honestly, we couldn't have asked for a better day!!

To make it even better, the awesome Mom that goes along with these two darlings works for me.  She does all of my ordering sessions with my clients.  (And she gets glowing reviews from them all!!)

S'mores: Capturing Everyday Moments~ Colorado Springs Children Photographer

 

A few weeks ago we decided to break in the backyard fireplace and make some gooey  S'mores.  The kids absolutely loved them!  Who doesn't love a throw back to your childhood, am I right?  I took the opportunity to snap a few pictures with my "real" camera since I all too often just pull my iPhone out of my pocket and use that.  (I blame Instagram!)

I want to make sure that I remember to capture these little moments.  The details of these day to day activities WILL eventually go away.  My kids will grow up.  The cute little dimples are their knuckles will someday get wrinkles.  Comforting the bad dreams in the middle of the night will turn to them rolling over and falling back to sleep on their own.

Because of this, my New Year's Resolution was to pull out the big guns and try to take more pictures of my sweet family; no matter the background; no matter the light.

Location Hunting~ Colorado Springs Photography Tips

As photographers we are always (ALWAYS!) looking for fun places to shoot... places that will inspire us... places that are unique and all our own... places that when people see the images they say, "Where did you take these?!?" Well, look no further!  I'm here to give you a few tips on location hunting and finding those prime spots that will be all yours!

1.  Always be on the prowl.  When you're out and about, watch what you're driving past.  You just may find a hidden jewel you've seen a million times.

2. Don't look for the Taj Mahal.  Some of the best places I have ever discovered have been dinky places on the side of the road.

3. Don't be afraid to ask!  If something is private property give it a try!  It's amazing what people will do for a warm plate of chocolate chip cookies!

4. Look to the Internet.  Often times you can find really amazing places on flickr, Instagram, or even Facebook.

5. Ask fellow photographers to go location hunting with you. Raise your hand if finding an awesome new place makes you pee your pants just a touch.  (Trust me, everyone's hands are high in the air).  Your photog friend may see a vision that you would have otherwise missed!

6. Watch the light. Light can be sneaky!  Always moving around on us!  Sometimes an otherwise boring location turns into a magical photographer's oasis at certain times of day.  There are places I won't shoot at in the evening (you know, during that blessed golden hour?!) because they just don't work with the light the same as they do in the morning.

7. Don't be afraid to move things around.  Break a sweat and drag that tree trunk across a field to where the light is yummy!

Here are some images of a shoot I did a while ago.  My photographer friend and I found this location on the side of a busy road... there was even a bright blue dumpster there!

I'm Featured on Chic Critique!~ Colorado Springs Photographer

I LOVE this photography forum.  It's called Chic Critique Forum.  It was created by a good friend of mine, Kelli France, and I have become really involved in it.  I was super excited when they posted a blog post on location hunting that I wrote.  (It will also be appearing on my blog shortly.)  So, take a second and head over there and check it out.  And if you're a photographer looking for a good forum to learn and grow, that's a pretty good place to hang out!  So many amazing people to learn from!!

Nature Walk~ Denver Children Photographer

On a fairly warm Sunday afternoon our little family went on a beautiful nature walk at Cherry Creek State Park in Denver.  It was just beautiful.  We saw all kinda of things like a "beach" (a lake), fish bones, deer tracks, rolie polies, and lots of other things that would entertain kiddos for hours.  With our favorite family past time being exploring beautiful Colorado, it was great to see a completely new park we haven't been able to enjoy yet.

This picture of my sweet three year old just makes me giggle. She has such a skip in her step. It's just so her... she has such a big, fun personality.

LDS Baptism~ Denver Mormon Temple Photography

Carter got baptized on Saturday!  In our church we wait until the ripe old age of 8 to get baptized.  The reasoning is that by 8 we recognize the difference between right and wrong and are ready to make those choices on our own.  I remember when he was diagnosed when he was just past 5 1/2.  We were trying to explain to him how long his treatment would be.  We told him when he was baptized he would almost be done.  Turns out we were off by a year but that's ok.  :)  The important thing is that the baptism is here which at that time, sitting on the hospital bed with my very sick son, it felt like this day would NEVER come!

Twins!~ Colorado Springs Senior Photography

I really love photographing twins.  I love photographing identical twins even more.  My amazing sister has identical twins that I photograph at every possible turn.  These twins (Sarah and Mary Kate) are just as darling (although twice the age as my nieces!)  They were so cute together making each other laugh and driving each other nuts!  It was just perfect!

An Image I Love~ Colorado Springs Children Photography

I love this image.  I love her clothes.  I love her hair (especially since she won't ever let me do ANYTHING to it aside from a pony tail).  I love the light.  It's just a favorite I had to share.

My Twin Nieces~ Provo Canyon Children Photographer

My identical twin nieces are just darling.  They have more energy than a pack of wild animals and I am fairly certain can, in fact, bounce off the walls.  They were the first born grandchildren on my side which makes them all the more special.  Last summer, while we were on vacation in Utah at Aspen Grove (love that place!) we went out for a few minutes up Provo Canyon and took some pictures of them in their baptism dresses.  It was so much fun to see them all dressed up and ready to pose for me!

Go Team! Go!~ Colorado Springs Senior Photographer

This is the second year I have taken the varsity pictures for Pine Creek High's Cheer Squad.  I gotta say, this shoot is always a favorite!  The girls are up for anything and this year we had a fun theme and they even did some stunts for me.  I decided to do an individual shot of each girl as well.  They looked so darling that I wouldn't resist! Obviously I can't post every single one of them here so I am randomly picking a few of my favorites.

Love!~ Colorado Springs Engagement Photographer

Last year I went to an awesome photography retreat put on by the one and only Kelli France.  It was so much fun getting to know some really sweet girls and learn about how they run their photography businesses and what has worked for them.  I learned a lot and it made me want to actually take pictures again.  (I was pretty emotionally drained and was NOT into working at that point.)  We had a few sessions set up which was perfect for me!  This session in particular of Kelli's brother-in-law and his wife was so fun!  They're young and cute!  They were up for anything.  And they're stunning.  All of those qualities coupled with amazing light... it was perfect. As a randome side note, this darling girl makes SUUUUUPER cute hats for babies.  Like, we are talking, crazy adorable.  Go check her out HERE.

Meet Virginia~ Colorado Springs Children Photographer

You just sang the song in your head, didn't you?  I did too... every time I see a picture of her I do.  But that's okay.  Mama said it doesn't bother them.  She's named after her wonderful grandmother so it's a good name (and an awesome song, I think!). This sweet little thing is near and dear to my heart.  Her mom and I have been friends since we were 15 years old... so... what's that, like, 10 years? ;)  We went to EFY together, roomed together for a few years in college, and have had multiple roommate reunions over the years.  I LOVE her mama!  Like, TONS!  She has grown into such an amazing woman, who married an amazing man, and together they made an amazingly cute little person!

A few weeks ago, Laurie was in town with her husband on business so she decided to head down and see me.  We hadn't planned on doing pictures but while she was en route I called her and offered.  We took pictures for all of 15 minutes and I got 40 {FORTY} amazing images.  Virginia was a DREAM to take pictures of and between her happy attitude, my kids who very willingly stood my and made her giggle, and my reflector, we made short work of our impromptu shoot in my family room.  If only ALL shoots were this easy!!!

Miss Morgan~ Colorado Springs Senior Photographer

I just randomly stumbled upon Morgan and it look me all of 2 seconds to become a huge fan of hers!  You know how you can just meet someone and tell that they have been raised well?  Morgan's one of those.  Her mom (along with her ADORABLE southern accent) was so sweet as well.  Morgan suffered through the freezing weather on our shoot with a smile on her face the entire time!  And, as if she's not already a total superstar, she wants to be a Pediatric Oncologist and works with childhood cancer patients during the summer!  That, obviously, is something near and dear to my heart.

Amazing Alexis~ Colorado Springs Senior Photographer

 

I met Alexis' family when we first moved up here about 2 1/2 years ago.  Her family is just as remarkable as she is!  I always tease her mom that I'm going to adopt Alexis and claim her as my own. ;)  I adore her THAT much!  She's got this amazing red hair, yet she's laid back and super chill.  Not the normal red head.  (I can say that because I have redish hair too! :))  I was really excited when she chose to be one of my Senior Spokesmodels because I wanted a chance to do something nice for her since she has blessed my life so much without even knowing it.

Miss Sarah~ Colorado Springs Senior Photographer

We met Sarah in the most unconventional way.  About a year and a half ago her High School had Carter be a special guest at their football game.  It was such a fun experience for the entire family!  Addilyn, at the ripe old age of 4, fell in love with the "pompom girls".  Sarah happened to be one of the famed "pompom girls" and she quickly took my little cutie under her wing.  Addi cheered with them for the rest of the night. I'm pretty sure she thought the entire crown was cheering JUST for her.  We haven't let Sarah out of our sight since.  She's been an involved member of our family, including birthday parties, babysitting, and chatting into the late hours of the night.  I don't think she will ever know the influence she has had on my kiddos, but especially Addi.

Sweet Mary Kate~ Colorado Spings Senior Photographer

This girl is such a riot.  She is not only beautiful (obviously) but she is super smart and an unbelievable golfer!  She was SUCH a tough chick while we were out shooting, too!  She stayed out with me in the SNOW so we could keep shooting!  I was in my heavy winter coat and gloves and she was just cruisin' around in a sweater!  Color me impressed!

Reflectors. A Photographer's Best Friend~ Colorado Springs Children Photographer

Reflectors are UH-MAZING.  Seriously.  I pink puffy heart mine.  It makes a world of difference when you are in a low light situation or backlighting someone and you just want a little more light on their face.  I wanted to get an offical reflector for a long time.  I used a big piece of white foam board that worked fine but it didn't give my images the kick I wanted them to have.  So, I finally took the not-too-pricey (photographically speaking) and took the plunge.  This is the one that I had heard was great.  So, that's what I got.  Honeslty, I don't use the stand a ton because I haven't had to so far, but I'm glad I have it.  I still need to get more comfortable with using it ON the stand.  It takes me a while to get it to point the direction I want it to when I use the stand but I'm fairly confident that it's user eror.  ;)  I also got these little suckers because I live in the Windy City... no... not Chi-town.  The Windy City that doesn't get credit for the name it truely deserves.  Colorado Springs, Colorado.  I would hate for my reflector to fall down and smack someone in the face.  Then I'd have to do extra editing.  ;) I haven't had my reflector forever but from what I have seen for my personal preference, I like the gold side when i'm bouncing ambient lighting because it's still really soft.  But if someone is backlit I like the white side.  It takes that harder light and makes it a little softer and not quite as yellow/gold.  But ask me again in a year and I may sing a different tune.

I know I have used my little model here before but she holds still, she's cooperative, and she is only in school 1/2 day so she's around more.  These pictures are completely straight off my camera.  I haven't done anything to either of them.  The only difference is that in the second one I used a reflector.  The camera settings are the exact same.  They were taken about 30 seconds apart.  In the one with the reflector I put the reflector on my leg (which was propped up on the couch to my right so the reflector had something to lean against) and pointed it towards her.  I could see it in actino and could point it right where I wanted it  to get exactly what I wanted.  I have put arrows on the image that have been greatly affected by the reflector.  The ones that are easy to miss but are super important are her catchlights.  Catchlights are those little bits of light in her eyeballs that breathe life into the picture.  Even her teeth look better!!!

I really enjoy having my reflector and encourage anyone who is serious about photography to invest in a good one.  This one works just a touch better than my foam one.  ;)