Way back in September when I had my last event at Rascals to Rebels, I got so busy I didn’t get a chance to really share the results. Now that I’m gearing up for my next event there this month, I thought I’d go back and share a few favorites…
And this one just made me smile! I love funny expressions like this one…
And woohoo because it’s almost Friday!!
-Kristin
I guess I don’t give a whole lot of thought to how I look when I’m in the middle of a photo session. I’m thinking about getting the best possible picture for you. If it means I lay on the ground, scrunch up or get in some other awkward position…so be it.
BUT…I’ve never seen a picture of myself doing what I do. All that changed when my friend Sam brought me pictures of ME photographing her daughter Carlee.
To answer a few questions…I’m using a canon 5D with the 50mm 1.2 lens…yes I have the world’s worst scanner (she gave these to me as prints), I’m shooting in the studio- which has amazing natural light…I use a bean bag with fabric draped over…and yes I look awkward all hunched over, eye squinting, etc. BUT isn’t the result sooo worth it!?
Here’s the other one…
Again, sorry for the terrible picture quality (stupid scanner!) I’m using the same camera body and lens, but this time Carlee is in a basket that I found at a barn sale for $1. And I love using it with a textured blanket. The gorgeous top view looks like this…
But I think the actual picture I was taking in the photo Sam took of me is this one…look at the way her hand is over her face. So sweet.
So, what’s the point of this whole post??? I’m so glad I have clients that trust me…they’ve seen my work and they come back. Even if I look a little strange and contorted, they know the end result. 🙂
-Kristin
I don’t talk a lot on the blog about post-processing, but it’s a pretty big part of my job. So much of a photographer’s style is defined by photoshop. It goes without saying that you have to start with a good picture…but the picture goes from good to *take your breath away* after the shutter clicks.
In the beginning of this journey I went a little photoshop crazy…trying a bit of this and a bit of that until I landed on a style that is uniquely me. I want the photos I take to look like the best version of you. I don’t want you to look at the image and say “what did you do to me?”
The camera can be harsh, so again…I want to use angles and lighting to take the most flattering picture I can, then *enhance* it in photoshop.
To illustrate what I’m talking about, I have a few before and afters. This picture was taken as a RAW image, then in Adobe Camera Raw, I simply made a few adjustments in color and clarity. Done. Sometimes an image doesn’t need a lot. Sometimes adding more would ruin it. (By the way SOOC stands for straight out of the camera.)
50mm f/1.4 1/1000s ISO 200
Next we’ll talk about actions. Actions are a series of adjustments made in photoshop, then recorded, so they can be done again and again. An action makes a photographer’s job much much easier! The trouble with actions is that they aren’t a one size fits all solution. Many times photographers will ask me, “what action do you use?”…as if this is the magic bullet to a beautiful image.
I wish this were the case, but just as a good cook seasons a meal according to taste, a good photographer alters an image to taste. After seeing an image, I know the direction I want to take it…sometimes it’s staying true to the original, other times I want to give it a different feel. Hence…the actions.
One of my favorite actions is the soft color pop by Nichole Van. It must be used sparingly…and personally, I only like it on children…but it makes skin clearer, *pops* the color and warms things up a bit.
24-70mm f/2.8 1/250s ISO 800
I like this action because it’s not a press the button and be done kind of thing. Each adjustment has a layer, so the possibilities are endless. This is where being an artist comes in…the photographer gets to decide how to use the color, where to make things darker and lighter, etc. A truly unique result every time.
Another favorite series of actions are the Totally Rad Actions by the Boutwells. I prefer these actions for adults because the results can be pretty dramatic. Again, each action has a series of layers, so the photographer can make each picture unique to them. They can be applied over each other for endless results. For this image, I wanted a fairy-tale kind of feel, so I used Get Faded (Autumn) 52%, , Dirty Loving Texture 100% and Cinnamon Toast 44%. After that I used the burn tool at 30% opacity to darken the edges. Again, a more dramatic result, which I prefer for adults instead of children.
24-70mm f/2.8 1/400s ISO 320
So…after working with actions over the past few years, I’ve started to play around with taking them apart…seeing how they work. Many actions use a Channel Mixer, which affects the color of the image. The three primary colors (red, green and blue) each have a slider, so you can completely change the look of the image…a little or a lot.
For this newborn image, I wanted a soft look with richer colors, so I used the Channel Mixer to create my own look.
50mm f/3.5 1/160s ISO 800
Well, this gives you a glimpse into my world! I am still just scratching the surface of the world of color and post-processing, but hopefully it was helpful…even if just to one person.
-Kristin
Yesterday was one of my most favorite newborn sessions with a baby that isn’t even technically a newborn…at least in my world. 🙂 Carson is at the wise old age of almost 2 months (I normally see babies within the first 2 weeks) and he still curled up perfectly, smiled on cue, promptly fell asleep and took a million gorgeous pictures!
I also love the pictures he took with his mommy and daddy. They have me swooning!
And you gotta love a baby that knows kung-fu….this picture has me smiling.
I literally could post the entire session on my blog…because this family only knows how to take amazing pictures!
-Kristin
A few weeks ago I did some mini-sessions at Seal Beach for families. Monica and her family have been clients over the past year and when they told me that they come to Seal Beach all the time it was a perfect fit.
I love when the location means something to you. I want you to love being there and that will definitely show up in the pictures. The portfolio on my website is divided up into locations instead of genres for that reason. When you scroll through the pictures, you will most likely relate to the location and envision yourself being there.
So here’s Monica and her family having fun at the beach!
I should also mention that the fog was sooo thick that day…but we made the best of it! And they had fun, because this was *their* location.
-Kristin
Such adorable kids…and Jordan truly is the nicest big brother a little girl could have!
Their outfits went perfectly with the location too!
I’m so excited about the way these turned out and can’t wait to show you the rest!
-Kristin
When Diana showed up, she asked if she should change into the red converse she brought. Trying not to jump up and down, I answered…um, YES! I love when the perfect shoes make the picture…and I think these really do!
I love the way these turned out…and Sophie is so cute she’s nearly edible. 🙂
-Kristin
So after a super busy week I’m finally admitting that I’m starting to feel sick. Ugh. It’s no fun being sick and I’ve done my best to take Airborne, drink plenty of water and eat healthy, but sometimes burning the wick on both ends catches up to you!
Anyway, I have lots pictures to share and some beautiful families that are excited to see a little sneak peek from their photo session.
I’ll share a few posts tonight and then try to get caught up again this week!!
Such a cute family…and the third time Elise has been in front my camera. Yeah for familiar faces!!
-Kristin
I had a great week of photo sessions ending with some familiar friends! Weston came out to the Rascals to Rebels event last summer…and boy has he grown!!
I also got to meet his big brother…don’t they look so much alike!?
After playing around in the back yard for awhile, we decided to go inside. I love these serene pictures of the boys playing with their trains.
We ended the photo session with the boys’ cousins who dropped by for a quick updated picture for their Christmas cards. I cannot believe this is the same baby I photographed not even 2 months ago…wow.
It is such a treat to be able to see clients again and again! I love my job and I love my clients!!
Can’t wait for you to see the rest of the pictures–
Kristin
I had so much fun planning this photo session and being able to use some of my vintage furniture. In fact, I just bought a new piece last weekend that needs a little TLC…but it’ll be showing up in sometime soon!
Harrison and Lauren kept me on my toes! We had lots of fun running around the park and showing off their super cute outfits!
I love working with toddlers because they just call it like it is…you get the range of emotions from serious to super duper excited. No cheesey smiles…it’s all authentic here!
I had a great time and can’t wait to show you the rest of the pictures!!
Kristin