Hi, I’m Sandra Burns, the photographer behind September Blue Photography. This is my blog, where you’ll see my most recent work, upcoming events and specials, and get to know me a little better. Check out the About Me section to learn more about my style and my approach to portrait photography.

Like my page on Facebook to see even more recent work and chat with me.View my full portfolio by clicking on the link to my website up there.

I’d love to hear from you so post a comment and let me know you were here! Email me anytime at info@septemberbluephotography.com. ~Sandra

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Mommy and Me Sessions – Style Inspo

Mommy and Me sessions are more than just a photoshoot – it’s a bonding experience for you and your kids, a chance to make memories and seal in a day of fun, laughs and pampering with gorgeous images that will last a lifetime.   Below are some styling tips and inspiration!

 

Go all out. Renting gowns from places like Rainey’s Closet, Bentley and Lace and Rent the Runway are a great way to get stunning looks without spending a fortune on pieces you may not wear again.  Often times, you can even rent coordinating sets.

Now let’s swing it back the other way. Completely casual can also be absolutely perfect.  Simple white tees, jeans, and or light, feminine sundresses work amazingly well with all types of setups and backdrops.

Some of my favorite places to shop for casual looks include:  Target, Old Navy, Gap and Zara

Don’t forget about Mom! Be sure to pick out some looks JUST FOR YOU.  Dig into your closet for old bridesmaids gowns, cocktail dresses, and evening wear that you probably only got one great wear out of.

Stick to solids but change up those necklines,  look for texture and details like lace, rouching, structure, or layers…


Most importantly – just be ready to let go and have fun!


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Posted in Babies & Toddlers, Families, Kids

Holiday Mini Sessions – What to wear

It’s that time of year!  Everyone is scrambling to book their holiday mini sessions – whether they be outdoor or in studio.  Once you’ve decided whether you want an outdoor session this year or a studio session the next natural question is… what are we going to wear?!?  And the shopping (or panicking) begins!

Some basic guidelines for shopping for your holiday mini:

Studio

  • I always welcome holiday dresses on little girls but it’s important to pay attention to whether or not your daughter can sit in the dress without showing undies. If she can’t, then this may limit the variety of poses we can get.  Usually this means avoid short, fitted A-line and sheath dresses.  This really applies whether your session is in studio or outdoors.

  • Most holiday sets work well with reds, greens, golds, whites, & silver/grey but remember that neutrals like tan, beige, and khaki can also work.
  • Jeans/Denim always work and they are so easy

  • Everybody does not have to be matching exactly, coordinating is better.  Choose a base color (say for example, Olive Green) and then make sure each family member has at least one item of clothing (or an accessory) that matches or is in that same color family

  • Don’t forget to accessorize! Scarves, hats, jewelry, legwarmers (just checking if you are paying attention) and layers can all add interest and variety to your look and your gallery — and if they don’t work — we can just remove them!  It beats making a toddler angry with multiple outfit changes too!

  • This is the one time where shoes kind of matter in the studio.  Sometimes we really want that full body shot and so we need good, photo worthy footwear. That said, toddlers and babies under age 1 always look cute barefoot.  I tend to recommend away from the tights/no shoes look but sometimes it can work


Outdoor Sessions

Most of the studio tips apply to outdoor as well so make sure to go over them but here some additional tips for outdoor sessions:

  • Take note of the location where you will be shooting and match your clothing to your environment to some degree.  For example, if your session is at the beach, you wouldn’t put your daughter in a black tulle holiday dress.  If your session is in the woods or a park, lean toward earth tones to match your environment (muted earth tones are ideal) such as creams, tans, browns, burgundy, and so on.

  • If your session is at park with lots of green, or at formal gardens, you can dress much more formally.  Vests, jacket and tie, dressier dresses can be worn here.   Other colors can contrast with green really well too such as jewel tones (purples and pinks work with green as do blues).

  • Plan for jackets or over layers in case it’s cold!

  • Avoid having just one person in a print as (such as just Dad in checks) because they will stand out more than others in the photo.  If Dad will be wearing a checked shirt, maybe your son is also in a checked shirt and/or maybe tone it down with a solid color vest or sport coat over the shirt.

  • Mom – choose your outfit first then work everyone else around yours…why?

    Because come on – we know that we are the hardest one to shop for and we usually leave ourselves for last.  Not this time!  You’ll be much happier with your photos – trust me!

Remember, solid colors work best, textures are great (think lace, corduroy, chunky sweaters, cable knits, etc), layers add interest, and avoid big logos or characters on clothing.

Last but not least, here is a list of stores that usually have great portrait clothing:
Target
Old Navy
Zara
Janie & Jack
Gap

Have any more tips to share with me?  Did I miss any? Please comment below!

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Posted in Kids, Uncategorized

Massapequa Photographer Named Bronze Medalist at International Photographic Competition

Sandra Burns of September Blue Photography is honored by peers and jurors for high-quality photography.

Massapequa, NY – Sandra Burns of September Blue Photography in Massapequa, NY was named a Bronze Medalist during Professional Photographers of America’s 2019 International Photographic Competition. Burns’ work will be on display at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee, January 19-21, 2020. This International Photographic Exhibit is held in conjunction with Imaging USA, an annual convention and expo for professional photographers.

A panel of 36 eminent jurors from across the United States selected the top photographs from over 5,200 total submitted entries at PPA headquarters in Atlanta. Judged against a standard of excellence, 2,654 images were selected for the General Collection and 625 (roughly 12 percent) were selected for the esteemed Loan Collection—the best of the best. The Loan Collection images will all be published in the much-anticipated “Loan Collection” book by Marathon Press.

The level of the award is determined by how many of those four images receive the highest possible honor: acceptance into the PPA Loan Collection, which is displayed at photographic exhibitions, conventions and other photography events. Burns was named a Bronze Medalist by earning a merit—a mark of quality and honor—for each of the four images included in her entry case to the International Photographic Competition. This is the most prestigious competition of its kind, where images are judged based on a standard of artistic excellence, not against each other. In 2019, she was one of only 170 Bronze Medalists.

About PPA:

Founded in 1868, Professional Photographers of America (PPA) is the largest and longest-standing nonprofit photography trade association. It currently helps 30,000+ pros elevate their craft and grow their business with resources, protection, and education, all under PPA’s core guiding principle of bridging the gap between photographers and consumers.

Contact: Sandra Burns
516-345-0645
info@septemberbluephotography.com

 

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Posted in Babies & Toddlers, Maternity, Newborns, Uncategorized
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What to look for when shopping for a Newborn Photographer

Shopping for a newborn photographer can get a little confusing and overwhelming.  There are so many options out there, so many styles and at so many different price points.  What is the difference?  To make the decision even harder, we are talking about selecting the person who will be handling your precious new little bundle, just a few days old.  Not only will she (or he) be rocking, shushing and swaddling your newborn, she will be capturing the photos that will document those first few days of your baby’s life forever. 

A newborn session should ideally take place during the first 2 weeks of baby’s life so you do have a finite amount of time to capture your baby’s newness.  Much like your wedding day, this is an experience that you only get one (maybe two) shots at.   Most people don’t think of it that way when it’s their first baby but the fact is that hey, marriages end…. your baby, will ALWAYS be your baby.  So newborn photos are arguably more important than wedding photos.
Wondering what you should be looking for in a newborn photographer?  Here is a guide covering the most important things to consider when booking a newborn photographer.

Newborn girl in chin pose

1 – STYLE
DO YOU LIKE THEIR AESTHETIC? What do you like about it?  Is it her use of color,  is it a specific prop or use of certain props?  For example, do you like when a photographer uses animal hats in newborn photography?  Do you like when there are a lot of objects and/or an elaborately designed sets? Or is your style more timeless and subtle?  Do you love clean, simple images where story in the image is more about baby?  Do you prefer lifestyle newborn photography where there is less posing and more interaction or candid captures? 

WHAT ABOUT THE EDITING STYLE? Do you notice a particular look to the images that feel like a filter or perhaps more like skillful Photoshop artwork?  For example, some photographers produce a high contrast look, some prefer a hazy, soft and airy look to their images, some include sophisticated compositing, while others let the editing take a backseat to the lighting, posing or set styling.  Some may offer a mix of all of those!
Editing is a necessary component of photography. Styles and skill level very greatly.  It’s also an element that shouldn’t be overlooked. 

An important thing to think about as you view a photographer’s portfolios is – can I see this image hanging on my wall?  That begs the question and brings us to #2:
Newborn Composite with Flowers
2 - WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH YOUR BABY’S NEWBORN PHOTOS?
Have you stopped to think about how you would like to enjoy, view,  & share your baby’s photos?  Not just 2 weeks after your session, but way further into the future.  Do you envision a newborn photo hanging in your baby’s nursery?   Or on a family portrait wall that grows with your family?  Or, do you see your kindergartner one day thumbing through a beautiful keepsake album?  Digital files are pretty much a given these days, but your baby’s newborn session is a very important milestone that you may consider to be conceivably even more important than your wedding photos.  So, it makes sense that you think about albums and prints just as you did with your wedding photos.
Once you’ve given some thought to how you’d actually like to use and enjoy your baby’s photos, you can start to consider whether photographers include prints and/or digitals (and how many) in their packages.  Does your photographer deliver the products you are interested in?  What is the level of quality of the print products they offer?  Do you like framed prints or canvas?  Are you the type of person that loves to design albums yourself or would you rather hand over the reigns on certain projects?   Will you have time after baby to actually spend putting together your portrait wall?  Would it be nice to have the expertise of a talented eye to guide you in starting it?
3 - EXPERIENCE
Once you begin your search for a newborn photographer, you will realize that you have A TON of choices out there!  And that’s a good thing, but it can also be a confusing thing.   You are about to hand over your newborn baby, just a few days old to this person for several hours.   You definitely want to find someone who is comfortable working with newborns and who has photographed plenty of them.   Look at their website, Instagram and Facebook pages.  What do they post the most of? Is it weddings, is it families, is it boudoir?  If another photography genre dominates her portfolio, s/he may not have quite as much experience soothing, burping, rocking and posing newborns as a photographer who specializes in newborns.  Another consideration is how long the photographer has been in business.  This can also give you a hint as to how much experience a photographer has handling babies. 


4 – PRICE
Now, many new parents shopping for their first newborn photographer might put this as the first thing on their list.   But -  I’m here to tell you that if you do your research focusing on # 1, 2, & 3 first,  the price question will seem to answer itself and you will have a pretty good idea of what to expect once you start inquiring with photographers about prices.    You see, the more experience a photographer has, the more refined and robust her newborn portfolio is going to be, and therefore the more you can expect that her services will cost.  Makes sense, right? 

Some other factors come into play as well – such as whether you prefer an in-home session or a studio session.   Some photographers have a studio that you can bring your baby to so an in-home session may carry a hefty luxury fee.  Other photographers who prefer to offer in-home services may charge only a small travel fee.
Last but not least, the overall services that your photographer is providing will play a role in the price.  Does she offer prints?  Does she offer album design services and custom birth announcements?  Or, is there a digital download option that is easy and convenient?  Take a close look at what her packages & services provide, include and/or what is available for additional purchase so that way when you are shopping, you can compare apples to apples.

 

Summary

A newborn photography session is typically a significant investment,  regardless of your budget.  The photos you will have after your session will be irreplaceable and will document a major milestone in your life and in your baby’s life.  You’ll be sharing them with friends and family for years to come.  And, one day, your little one will be looking back on those photos of his/her family in its infancy.   So, take some time and start researching your newborn photographer early.  That’s a bonus tip – many photographers book several months in advance for newborn sessions.  Starting your research at the beginning of your 2nd trimester will give you plenty of time to also consider a booking maternity session. Keep in mind these 4 tips when booking a newborn photographer and you are sure to find a newborn photographer that will deliver more than just a great experience, but also beautiful newborn photos that you will treasure for a lifetime.
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Princess Diana | Long Island Newborn Photographer | September Blue Photography

 

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Editing Workflow Review | September Blue Photography | For Photographers

So this week I had the opportunity to check out a premium Lightroom Workflow developed by SleekLens. I tested out their Strike A Pose Portrait Workflow aimed at making editing portraits faster and easier.

The package consists of whole slew of Lightroom Presets – everything from “one click and done” type presets to stackable, targeted editing presets. Also included are tons of Lightroom Brushes that further let you tweak and customize your portrait editing workflow.

While the All-in-One presets are great for inspiring new looks for your images and playing with different editing styles – some dramatic, some more subtle – for the photographer that prefers more control and gravitates toward hand editing like me, the stackable presets are the way to go. You can tweak an image step by step working within the well-defined categories of editing that coincide with the appropriate Lightroom modules. For example, “Base” presets will affect the basic setting of your image such as exposure and contrast – corresponding to the “Basic” module in Lightroom. You can then stack your presets and basically create your own recipe for your editing style.

You can then further tweak individual images with the well-thought out Lightroom brushes designed to address common needs in a portrait workflow such as skin softening, teeth whitening and so on.

To sum it up, I would highly recommend trying these presets out especially for those new to LR and presets… you’ll learn a lot about the power of LR and get inspired when editing your own images. For the seasoned pro who is already settled into their LR workflow, you might be surprised to find that many of the aspects of your workflow that you have not yet taken the time to automate, are done for you here in this workflow and are still very configurable to your tastes. And the All-in-Ones sure are fun to play with! Check out the Strike A Pose Workflow and all their PS actions for photographers.

Sample edit shown below. For this edit I used Summer Ten for toning, Color Pop for polish, and the Black Dreamy vignette. Then a tap of the Soften Skin Brush and Define Dark Hair brushes to finish.
Check out these presets and more HERE

BEFORE

AFTER

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Happy Birthday! | Long Island Baby Photographer | September Blue Photography

Cake smash!!!

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Baby Thomas | Long Island Newborn Photographer | September Blue Photography

Welcome to the family newborn baby boy!

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Declan | Long Island Baby Photographer | September Blue Photography

What a handsome man!

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Sienna | Long Island Child Photographer | September Blue Photography

Little Si Si rocked this shoot! (Like Usual)

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