Sunday, November 18, 2012

{Sneak Preview} My Kids Outtakes

It can be easy and a pain in my butt to photograph my own children. By this time in their life they have been on enough photo shoots or sat through enough on their own that they are very familiar with the camera. At the same time I am very familiar with nuances of my children and that Elliot never looks at the camera and Erik would rather be doing goofy faces that giving me a real smile.

Then I always bring my husband along to just wrangle the kids and try to help with smiles, but at some point he tries to take over and doesn't listen to my instruction and it all goes awry. Husbands and wives don't always make the best teams, especially when you are both control freaks like me and my husband.

That said, when I was photographing the Isabella children the other day I caught a glimpse of photograph I wish I could explore further. It was sunset overlooking the basin of Burbank. So today, with the fluffy clouds, sun out, and Erik begging me to do their pictures, we went back.

I don't like to photograph at this park, in this spot, on Sunday. Mostly it is because its a popular party spot and this shot requires that people not walk in the background. We lucked out and the field was mostly clear and people respected our time today. That doesn't always happen.

I didn't really diversify my shot because I just wanted this one picture. I will probably take them to a few more places just for fun and the heck of it, I need some formal pictures for their photobooks. But I got my money shot today. That shot will be shown later when you get my Christmas card.

The first of our funny pictures is a pretty random idea. Erik decided his special picture word instead of cheese would be presidents, and our first was "Obama." The problem with that word is that your mouth looks like a "o" when you end. For the life of me, I couldn't get Carl to stop saying it and get them to stop. The power struggles. So I got some good pictures in the beginning, but with "o" mouth.

121118IMG_7371

The other issue I struggle with, is Erik likes to make mean faces. It takes a lot to get him out of mean face mode, but we always somehow manage.

121118IMG_7375

121118IMG_7459

Even Elliot has a mean face sometimes, but its more of an angry face.

121118IMG_7434



Then when I am trying to get the sweet photo Erik always insists in silly photos so I have some with both being silly, some with just Erik and vice versa. Its fun I guess that is what matters.

121118IMG_7408  121118IMG_7413

121118IMG_7412

Then there is the famous, one person is looking at the playground shot. Its not their fault, I am looking at this beautiful background, but these poor kids are sitting right next to a playground watching all these kids have fun while they get their photo taken. Of course one is always not looking.

121118IMG_7403 121118IMG_7473

121118IMG_7435


Then lastly I like variety and I always end up with way more images than I could possibly use or hang on my wall, so here are some of my favorites that didn't make it to my top 5 pics.

121118IMG_7479  121118IMG_7469

121118IMG_7387

121118IMG_7400

Just for fun, here are the pictures from years past. Its interesting in looking back because I have always been interested in studio lighting and have definitely evolved in my tastes and style. Last year maybe be one of the only years I did all natural light. I definitely like an off camera lighting in my pictures consistently.

2011
2011

1
2010

4142842216-ec5fbbde7b-o
2009

IMG-3006
2008

CRW-0125
2007

Monday, November 12, 2012

{Sneak Preview} The Isabella Kids

Today one was an interesting day and I don't try this often unless I know the family pretty well. I went on a photo session with both kids in tow. We met at a local park and the goal was to get Christmas pictures of Vivian and Lochlan together and separately for their holiday card. We wanted some posed, some posed together and some playing at the park. We accomplished all of the above.

Vivian is a 5 year old who LOVES dance and you can see it in so many of her poses. She is obviously a natural at this stuff. Lochlan is very much a two year old boy with a mind of his own. He had very strong opinions of what he didn't want today like all two year olds, but we tried our best to negotiate. Along with my two boys, 5 and 3 and we had a bunch of energy for the 5 and under crowd. Luckily my boys behaved very well and Erik was even my photo assistant and held my reflector for me for a couple of the spots. I might have to bring my little man again sometime.

Here are some of the posed shots of the lovely Vivian.

121112IMG_7233  121112IMG_7255

I had to follow Lochlan around today a lot to get him with just the right look, but when I snapped that picture he was insanely photogenic.

121112IMG_7268  121112IMG_7238

121112IMG_7234

The the trick, trying to get a 2 year old boy who just wants to be playing with sticks and not taking pictures to pose with his sister who is more than willing. Mom helped, and we got some.

121112IMG_7236

121112IMG_7262

121112IMG_7330

Then we called it a day and just had a "playdate" at the park with all the kids to get some natural action shots. My kids were in the way most of the time, and Elliot and Vivian surprisingly hit it off, but they had a good time and kept trying to get me to take a picture of all the kids. The only success "group" shot I got were of the 5 year olds.

121112IMG_7297

121112IMG_7333

121112IMG_7316  121112IMG_7302-Edit

121112IMG_7335

Then some fun outtake. Photo #1, my favorite spot but couldn't get both smiling at the same time and Lochlan and the boys only gave me a chance to shot off one frame. Photo #2, pretending they are Superman. Photo #3, not sure what they didn't like but the only double pout I got. Its pretty cute.

121112IMG_7351

121112IMG_7322

121112IMG_7320

I was very happy their mother called me to photograph these two great kids. We had our challenges, but it was a fun afternoon and there were some great images from it.

If you want to learn more about my photography or talk to me about taking pictures for your special event please visit www.heathergotlieb.com.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

{Sneak Preview} The Baker Kids

Today Julia and Greg Baker asked me to photograph their adorable children, Ollie and Lilly. Ollie is a very serious 2 year old, and Lilly is a 7 month old already on the move. Their objective was individual shots of the children, some together and maybe one or two of the family. The challenge, getting a 2 year old and a 7 month old to sit still long enough for a few photos.

Ollie was all game from the get go to have his picture taken. The poor guy was transferred directly from nap to my waiting camera, but really was a good sport about it. We decided to take the pictures at the Baker's home because they have a fabulous front yard that is perfect for pictures and I feel sometimes its better to stay at home with babies if you aren't in the studio. It is easier for parents or baby if anything goes wrong and there is a quiet place inside if they get overly fussy or sick of me and my camera.

121111IMG_7043

121111IMG_7046

121111IMG_7134

Lilly was a great model today constalty looking at the camera and keeping relatively still for a 7 month old on the move. Also she was mostly happy to be outside taking pictures, even if she didn't understand, she was sweet about it.

121111IMG_7077

121111IMG_7090

121111IMG_7207

The the biggest challenge yet, getting both kids in the frame, not moving and smiling. We tried and tried and got a few. I love Ollie's hat and am so jealous Julia found that. I am going to get one myself these days.

121111IMG_7115  121111IMG_7121

Then we added a picture of the family "to prove we were here" according to Greg. There were some cute posed one, but I loved this when they were all looking at an airplane.

121111IMG_7176

Then, there can't be any session with the under 3 crowd without them getting sick of photos or a little fussiness. I am mean, but I actually think pictures of crying babies can be cute and they capture a moment that not every parent wants to remember, but its a moment that is true to what was. Just a couple of little Ollie and Lilly who hardly shed a tear the whole day.

121111IMG_7208  121111IMG_7213

These photos bring back memories because I have kids the same age difference and born around the same time as these two, but 3 year earlier. I remember the challenges of getting their Christmas card photo that year. I lucked out by getting these photo that year, but they are my kids and I can plan around my schedule and I know their personalities inside and out. I can't say the same for other kids. Besides I am pretty sure Elliot wasn't crawling yet and Lilly is definitely on the move these days. Regardless they were great kids to photograph and I am so glad their parents let me enjoy them today.

IMG_4603  IMG_4543


If you want to learn more about my photography or talk to me about taking pictures for your special event please visit www.heathergotlieb.com.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

{Sneak Preview} The Bloom Family

I had the pleasure of photographing a gorgeous family tonight. Jennifer, Dave and Derrick Bloom. Derrick was just ready to burst the seams full of energy, he was such a fun boy to photograph and all boy.

Mom had something to do before the photo session so she met us there. While waiting I snapped a few pictures of Derrick playing on the rocks. A big favorite for 4 year old boys. I love how at this park there are some fall colors so it looks like the seasons have come to LA. Interesting enough it was 65 degrees and overcast this afternoon so it was definitely feeling like fall.


121110IMG_6745

121110IMG_6749

121110IMG_6752

We met at the park with the idea of making a Christmas card picture of the whole family. We started off, as I do with posed photos, and off camera flash. These are probably my favorite of the day, Derrick was happy to be posing and obviously has lots of love for his wonderful parents.

121110IMG_6769

121110IMG_6779

Then as time wore on Derrick wanted to help choose the spots where we sat so we captured a few more moments in different spots throughout the park, no flash this time for mobility and speed.

121110IMG_6785

121110IMG_6833

121110IMG_6973  

121110IMG_7010

Then finally after our mostly overcast afternoon the sun finally came out and we got that gorgeous golden hour light we were aiming for during our session. One last time before the family had to say good-bye.

121110IMG_7027


If you want to learn more about my photography or talk to me about taking pictures for your special event please visit www.heathergotlieb.com.


Followers

About Heather

My photo
I am a Los Angles based photographer and mom of 2 wonderful boys. Photography has been a passion of mine over 15 years now, ever since I picked up my first camera in journalism school and started developing my black and whites in a darkroom. The instant an affordable DSLR came out on the market in 2002, I had to have one and have been shooting digital since. Once I became a mom I realized how much I enjoy photographing children and how much better I could understand their nuances so it became a passion of mine. Their is such innocence and beauty in their pictures and I feel privileged to be a part of that. I am constantly trying new approaches and tuning my skills to create the art that is in my head, not just the art that I can create right now. I am very interested in off camera flash, and the depth and clarity it adds to my photographs. Sometimes I take breaks from my blog and photography, but it seems to never leave me completely. I always come back.