{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.

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.

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.

 

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.

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.

 

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.

 

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.

{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.

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.

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.

 

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.

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.

Off Camera Flash during the Golden Hour

This is my favorite time of year to take photographs. The perfect light comes right before most kids get super cranky so it makes some of the best pictures. Today add to it, I got some new equipment and it was the perfect time to take pictures of the boys.

Ever since I took a class on studio and outdoor lighting I have been obsessed with portable lighting and off camera flash. I am in love with the outdoor flash look and the depth it brings to a photograph. I edit for it in natural light, but its not the same. I went to a seminar recently that taught me how to do this off camera flash manually, but I found the more I had to think during my sessions the bigger the challenge. I just need my flash to figure it out for me, for now.

So I bought some pocket wizards that could do ETTL through my umbrella and I was curious. How the heck could the flash be read through my umbrella? I had some serious doubts. It was and it and it shot the proper exposure through an umbrella. So today, with my two favorite subjects who were playing with golf clubs, we explored the power of this flash.

Here are the first two pictures. I was stopping from F11 to F2.8 to see how the flash worked, how it did with sun flare, and how dark I really wanted my background with the subject exposed right. I came to a happy medium in my head, know what I like, and here are my two favorite pictures of that day.

 

Then since my boys were game today we went for it, whole session with goofy boys who didn't really want to cooperate but who wanted their pictures taken. Here is some full sun, flash photos in the golden hour. I like it and its the same as the shade settings, my flash just magically compensated. I LOVE that. I didn't have to think once.

Then the boys made a spot suggestion, and who was I to argue, my subjects get testy when bored. It was full shade, with no sun flare and I like the flash at the same exact camera setting. Three spots, my sweet spot was the same settings. I feel like I have so much control now.

 

Just to show you the difference I did have to let my flash recycle which I am not sure how that is going to work during a session. The recycle time is a little too long right now and it took me a while to realize that sometimes. But here are some of my misfires with a natural light during the golden hour. Definite difference and I am seriously LOVING off camera flash and controlling the light right now.

{Sneak Preview} The Gotlieb Family

Yesterday I had the opportunity to photograph my brother's family for the first time. My sister-in-law had been asking for a while, but our schedules never seemed to match up until this weekend. My one and only niece is now 5 months olds and as precious as can be.

Photographing babies can be a challenge, you never know what mood they will be in, if they get over stimulated easily or they just might not like the camera. My niece was a doll to photograph yesterday. She was all smiles for me all day long and one of my easiest subjects in a while.

We started off doing some stuff at home just so Lydia would be comfortable, my brother could watch football and my sister-in-law had some shots she wanted taken that needed to be done indoors.

I did a combination of both off-camera flash and natural light inside the house. It worked, and we have some fun pictures indoors of the family.

This was a test shot, but I love it because my brother is a sports nut and was really mad we planned these photos on football day. So here is a picture of him watching football with his daughter. There is no hope for Lydia, with two boys cousins and a dad's who is sport obsessed, she is predestined to be a tomboy.

Here is my sweet niece who was all smiles all morning long for me. I like to joke that anytime I hold her she cries, but not that day. She loved her Auntie.

After capturing Lydia we did some poses on the bed, trying to get an imagine my sister-in-law had seen before. Not sure if we got it completely, but we had fun trying.

Then after having lunch and waiting for it too cool down I took my flash outside and started working on some outdoor pictures. Unfortunately I had an equipment malfunction half way through so we went with reflectors the rest of the day, but I am LOVING off-camera flash outdoor. I need to purchase some new receivers though because my system is just not reliable enough.

 

After photographing them for an hour, my boys meet us at the park for some family time. A disclaimer, they had been watched by daddy all day so all those dirty faces, not my fault. I did take a moment to capture my sweet boys since I was taking pictures that day and they wanted in on the action.

 

Just a note, if you are ever interested in hiring me to be your photographer I am not working much these days professionally. I find I don't have the time, but I make the exception for friends and family. If you are reading this blog it means you fall into the category. So if you ever want to schedule a photo session with me for family photos, holiday photos, an event or just some images of your kids playing at the park let me know. I am sure we can work something out.

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.