Category Archives: Families
The Facebook difference | Long Island Family Photographer | September Blue Photography
Here’s the thing, I know that not everyone can see the difference – but for those that can, or for those that may want to try – there is often a big difference in the way an image appears on Facebook in terms of sharpness and color. We photographers work very hard to perfect our color to our tastes and style – we calibrate our monitors & cameras, calibrate with our labs, edit under specific lighting conditions, use special software and hardware and test in various browsers (Firefox offers color management options, btw). Sometimes that’s all thrown by the wayside on FB. We have zero control over how, why and when FB modifies their compression algorithims and whatever else they throw into their image squashing soup that tends to make our images look NOT like we intended.
I love editing fall color. Here’s the way these two images should have looked (color & sharpness may vary based on your monitor, calibration, lack thereof, zoom level, and/or lighting conditions & mood and whether or not you have crying babies in the background when viewing 
)
Engaging your subject for genuine expressions | Long Island Child & Family Photographer | September Blue Photography
I can spot a fake smile. We moms know our kids’ fake smiles and we know them well. “Don’t smile like that, give her your real smile!” I know a child well-trained to give the photographer a “cheese” smile when I see one. But my goal is to always get a genuine smile and real expressions (even if they aren’t smiles). You get that by engaging your subject. I was culling this session and came across a set of frames that were a good example of how I got Andrew to give me that REAL, melt-your-heart smile.
And as I started writing this blog post, I realized…this little series illustrates two other points very well:
1 – Ever wonder why your photographer may fire off dozens if not hundreds of frames at your session, but you probably see quite a bit less in your final gallery? We keep the absolute best and ditch the rest. Out of focus, blurry, under exposed, over exposed, eyes half closed, funky expressions…those go without saying but then there’s the images taken purely for the value of warming up your subject. Getting them used to hearing that shutter click. Getting them interacting even as your face, and your eyes are constantly disappearing behind that big black thing in front of your face. Ever try having a conversation with someone checking their cell phone? You kind of check out too, right? It’s probably similar to how a child feels when being photographed.
2 - This is why when someone says “I really just need ONE GOOD picture” or “just a FEW pics” it really doesn’t make sense. It’s always hard to explain why it just doesn’t work that way. It takes time, energy, effort and work to get to that ONE GOOD picture. Not just one press of the shutter in the perfect location with the perfect light. One picture? Sure. One GOOD picture…ah… takes alot more. The MORE is why you want it in the first place. Thanks for reading!
Jamee & her girls | Long Island Family Photographer | September Blue Photography
My last Mommy & Me session of the year – a Mother’s Day gift to Jamee from her husband. I had such a blast doing these this year, I think they will definitely be making a comeback next year!
Take better pictures of YOUR littles | Long Island Family Photographer | September Blue Photography
(http://www.criminallawyer.com/blog/capture-springtime-tips-fantastic-photos)
Check it out – my work was featured in this blog post about taking better pictures of your little ones this Spring. It’s full of great ideas for capturing your littles this Spring – go take a look!
(http://www.criminallawyer.com/blog/capture-springtime-tips-fantastic-photos)
Bella & her Mommy | Long Island Family Photographer | September Blue Photography
I’ve decided to jump into this blogging thing with a renewed mission! I’m still going to catch up on all the older unblogged sessions, but I’ll be doing a #TBT type of thing. Just don’t count on Thursdays only lol. I’ll do a throwback post whenever I can fit them in, and newer session posts once a week.
So right now I have to share what will definitely be one of my faves for 2013. My first Mommy & Me session. When I cooked up this idea I had no idea what would come through my door. No idea the stories I would hear, no idea the friendships & network I would build. It took me weeks and what seemed like forever to comb through all the email replies I got to my casting call. I was overwhelmed. SO MANY of your replied! No one even knew what they were signing up for! It just showed me how much you trust me with yourselves and your kiddos and it really taught me so much more than I ever anticipated!
Much more to come on all this in future posts. These Mommy & Me Sessions have been such learning and growing experience for me that I really want to share. I do family photography – we are moms, right? The stories are going to ring true for so many of you out there… !
My first girl (and we are all “girls” at heart, are we not? I got yelled at once for referring to a group of women as “girls” instead of “ladies” or “women”… it struck me as odd since most of them were much older than me. I thought to myself, “hey, I’d love to be called a ‘girl’ by a fellow ‘girl’ at ANY age, really!”. Ok, sorry – tangent!)
Anyway – this “girl” ended up becoming my MUA (makeup artist) for these sessions and more. You’ll most likely see her (and possibly her IMpossibly adorable daughter Bella) at your shoot if you book a Mommy & Me. It was an instant connection, an instant “click” of personalities. I find this gets more and more rare the older I get and so, that much more valueable.
So Christina is a mom, like you and me. She is a talented and professional makeup artist and can be hired for weddings, commercial work, makeup classes/parties, and photography sessions. She’s been tweeted about by celebrity event planners. And she’s just a super cool chick to have lunch with. Trust me, I know.
You would be doing yourself a crazy disservice if you didn’t stop by her website and facebook page. Especially if you are getting married soon.
So…whereas I’m always the one behind the camera…she’s always the one behind the brush. She never gets done up. She’s always the one doing YOU up. Her hair is pulled up neatly in a bun and she looks every bit the makeup pro. I couldn’t have asked for a better first mom for these sessions. That’s her story in a nutshell…there’s more… and the best part is telling it with the images…
Christina’s before & after:
Mommy & Me Sessions | Long Island Photographer | September Blue Photography
I take lots and lots of pictures…obviously. Of my kids, of your kids. And while I am saving my pennies to afford a family session with one of my favorite photogs, I asked myself -why don’t I have more pictures of ME with my kids. Well, I’m a photographer so of course I’m always behind the camera. But then, really most moms are too. But that’s not the only excuse I have.
“I still have baby weight to lose.”
“Bad hair day.”
“No makeup on.”
And the most often used:
“No way, I look like crap right now.”
I have to change that. I have to. For them, not for me. You should change that too. I’m taking away the “I look like crap” excuse right now. Makeover. Then photoshoot. With your kids. Do it for you. Do it for them.
Watch one:
September Blue Mommy & Me Session
Three boys | Long Island Family Photographer | September Blue Photography
The joys of having three boys…
