Playful

So, always up for a contest, and getting my photos out there I am entering this photo into Shutter Speed's Photo contest. It's their first contest, and I'm always up for helping a fellow blogger and photographer gain traffic.

When I heard the topic I knew what shot I was going to pick. I know it's not the "typical" shot you'd think of when the word "playful" is bandied about. HOWEVER, this shot makes me laugh every time. In fact it's my wallpaper currently. It's like my daughter is peeking over the edge of the picture saying, hey mom! Hey, for a 3 month old that's not too shabby! In all honestly, I was playing around with the idea of a sun flare, and this came out, I love it. I love the colors that make me think of a hot summer day by the pool, I love the comedy of this little baby in the sun...It just makes me smile, and I'm not really 100% sure why. But then, that's often the best part of photography.

I hope it makes you smile. While you're smiling head over to Shutter Speed and check out some other playful shots!

Whimsy

This week's theme at I Heart Faces is "A Touch of Whimsy"

I don't often, until recently get the chance to photograph little girls...having 6 year old boy, and while, sweet, and adorable none of my shots of my newborn came across as whimsical to me. HOWEVER, on a recent outing with some friends I captured shot of my son's classmate and buddy. I kept coming back to this shot for this theme. Something about the way she's looking over her shoulder as she ran off, the playful smile on her face. It just screams summers of imagination creating stories and clubs. Pretending that the troll is after you, and running from the fairies.

So once you have tired of trying to fly with the fairy prince. Go check out some other GREAT whimsical photos at I Heart Faces!

Discovery Park

So, most people who know me know I also love to do anything creative. I also have experience in just about everything "wedding" short of actually HAVING one, or making the dress you name it I've done it. EXCEPT, photography. HA! So I'm finally getting my chance. A close friend who's wedding invites I am designing wanted to have pictures for her Save the Dates...Just so happens I know a photographer...Wink Wink.

What followed was a day out at Discovery Park in Seattle. If you've never been, I HIGHLY suggest it for your next day trip. Since this happened to be a family friend we made it a family affair. Bringing the kiddos and hubby along. (Allan took Liam on the long trail through the woods for pictures and fun while us girls got down to the hair and make-up business before the shoot) then we all met up at the West Point Lighthouse.

While Allan got some GREAT shots of Puget Sound and Liam falling into it, no worries it was only ankle deep...though he still managed to get wet to the arm pits...

All told, Allan's pictures are pretty much SOOC...(straight out of Camera)..only SLIGHT curves work on a  couple and obviously cropping for the collage. I have to say, I LIKE the way his Nikon takes pictures.

As for me, I was strictly business taking photo's of the happy couple.

My cannon does well, I love it. Though I've found, and it may be user error, but I don't think it gets AS crisp a picture as the Nikon does SOOC though it's still a good picture. Me-thinks I'll upgrade to a Nikon once I've found a Leprechaun and his Pot O' Gold.

Anyway, that was my Saturday, it was a good time all around (as evidenced by the picture Allan captured of me laughing above) and overall, it was a great experience!

FIx - It - Friday! June 24th 2011

It's that time of the week again over at I Heart Faces

                                                        

I started out by using a healing brush and then the clone tool as needed to remove the fine hairs running across the little girls face, and through her eye.  I then brightened up both eyes a little bit. 

I will say, I have searched HIGH...and LOW...for actions that I can use, and tweak to my advantage. To use as little or as much of them as I want. But NONE, have I found that I like any better than Pioneer Woman's Actions. I love these. 

For the color edit. I used Seventies (a current addiction) and then layered Vintage on top at a lower opacity and added a layer mask so that the girl wasn't as faded as the edges. I wanted that kind of faded, old world almost ghostly look that emphasized her BEAUTIFUL eyes. Then I added another curves layer to get it just how I wanted it and here we are! 

For the B&W edit I used the B&W adjustment layer on top of the color set. Then curves to add a little bit of contrast and done. 

Summer inspirations

Just a couple thoughts for the first day of summer.  I've been going through some older photos that I'd overlooked at first and rethinking them. These were from last summer, and I thought sI'd try my hadn at some inspirational post cards.

Hope your summer is full of sun, fun and photos!  I know mine will be!