J. Rae Photography - Adorable and Affordable child and family photography in Charlotte, NC

Urban photo session

2011-11-12T15:43:00.010-05:00

As I mentioned before, I've slowed the business down to focus on some studies. (Need a photography referral? I have a few ideas.) However, I did a family shoot in Uptown/Downtown/Center City Charlotte recently for a family of five.

The change of scenery was great. I think that when I'm ready to pick up my camera again more frequently, I will suggest more urban shoots for families. Center City Charlotte is a beautiful place with lots of activity and great backdrops for a unique and fun family photo session. Bring the kids, play downtown and then eat a great meal!

Camera 3.0

2011-11-03T22:22:00.002-04:00

According to this interesting CNET article, Camera 1.0 was film, Camera 2.0 was digital, and Camera 3.0 is a light-field camera." Cool!

New Baby

2011-10-21T11:22:00.006-04:00

I've intentionally slowed my business down to make room for courses in the medical profession. Occasionally, I'll post new pictures but not to the extent that I have been in the past.

Here are some pictures taken for a dear friend that just had her fourth baby. Her household is busy and full of love.

90th Birthday Party

2011-08-04T10:50:00.005-04:00

I recently took pictures for a woman's 90th birthday party! Her children, grand children and great-grandchildren were all there for the occasion, traveling from all over the country.

I helped the family create a printed photo album of the occasion as a gift to the guest of honor.

Real Esate Photography in Marvin, NC

2011-07-20T11:25:00.008-04:00

This luxurious estate is listed by Gina Lorenzo at Your Property People (704.575.7605)! I was really pleased with how the photos turned out. A beautiful home!

Angelic

2011-06-08T15:37:00.004-04:00

This little baby is so sweet and angelic. I love these!

Peek-a-boo!

Examining her toes

Tender moment with Mommy

Curious about the camera...and the funny lady behind it!

Little cutie

50 mm, f/2.2

Big brother hugs Mommy

Business Head Shots for Ideal Event Beginnings

2011-05-28T17:50:00.011-04:00

Here are some head shots recently taken for Ideal Event Beginnings. Anessa Powell is a professional event organizer who has launched her new consulting business.

Anessa specializes in all kinds of events, including weddings, anniversary parties, birthday parties, reunions, bar/bat mitzvahs and confirmation parties. Contact her at 704.458.5448.

Family Reunion: Cousins in Charlotte, NC

2011-05-27T12:17:00.005-04:00

These are three groups of cousins who traveled to their grandparent's home in Charlotte, NC for a family reunion. I love it that they all dressed in bold summertime colors!

Newborn Photos in Charlotte, NC

2011-05-26T21:38:00.003-04:00

Here are some pictures of a newborn photo session that I did at the baby's home with his proud parents. I really enjoyed this session! There are so many pictures that came out of this session - pictures of little yawns, tiny baby feet, and even a newborn smile - that I love. It was hard to pick which photos to feature!

More Real Estate Photos

2011-05-25T21:31:00.003-04:00

Another home in Waxhaw, NC listed by Your Property People, Inc. For more information about this beautiful home that is a short sale opportunity, contact Gina Lorenzo at 704.575.7605 or gina@yourpropertypeople.com.

Freedom Park Pictures

2011-05-24T13:04:00.005-04:00

Since the last time I took pictures for this family, they were blessed with a sweet baby girl! So this spring I had the pleasure of taking pictures of the new family of four!

We did this fun session at Freedom Park on a Saturday morning, squeezing it in just before the rain came. I was so thankful that the rain held off until we were done!

What a beautiful family!

More Real Estate Photos in Waxhaw, NC

2011-05-23T20:55:00.000-04:00

Here are more photos that I recently took for the residential real estate firm, Your Property People, Inc.

In addition to being in a desirable school district and neighborhood, this beautiful home boasts a game room, a bonus room and a media room with stadium seating. Lots of space for entertaining!

Real Estate Photos in Marvin, NC

2011-05-22T20:52:00.004-04:00

I continue to help local Realtor and owner of Your Property People, Inc., Gina Lorenzo, with taking professional pictures of homes listed for sale in the Marvin, NC and Ballantyne area of South Charlotte.

This beautiful home is located in the popular Ballantyne community, Bridgehampton. I also took pictures of the neighborhood amenities for the project.

For more information on this and other homes, please see the Your Property People web site!

Birthday Party!

2011-05-08T09:23:00.012-04:00

Last Saturday, I had the privilege of taking pictures at the birthday party of a special two year-old! My services for the party included taking pictures of the birthday boy and all of his guests having fun, family and friends group shots, and taking pictures of the decor! Here are a few pictures of the party.

The boys' parents singing Happy Birthday

The cute little cupcakes by Polka Dot Bake Shop (aren't they adorable?).

The rest of the table decor

And a series of shots of the boy with his grandfather.

Spring Portraits

2011-04-14T11:40:00.004-04:00

Here is a series of portraits of three sweet siblings.

Newborn, Big Brother, Happy Parents

2011-03-31T09:50:00.003-04:00

Here are pictures from a newborn session in Charlotte, NC. This sweet baby boy has an excited big brother and happy parents. It was such fun to be there, taking shots of the family interacting with the baby. My favorites include the image of the family on the bed (above), the mom holding the baby on the floor next to the bed (love the colors), and the big brother "reading" from a grown-up book.

Two Year Old Portraits

2011-03-30T15:19:00.006-04:00

Here are pictures of one of my repeat customers. I have been blessed to photograph her since she was a sweet newborn. She is growing so fast! It was so fun to photograph the girl and her parents in their front room. The window light was perfect, and the subject was a sweet as she could be!

Sans Computer

2011-03-29T15:25:00.004-04:00

What a crazy start to 2011 for me. I haven't posted very much to the blog this year. Technology has not been my friend. My trusted laptop decided to go to sleep permanently, followed by my new laptop experiencing premature hard drive failure. In the midst of my computer issues, I had to keep working. I shared a computer with my husband, which resulted in me having it about 5% of the time.

Although it was rough jostling for computer time with my husband, he is to thank for helping me get through this mess. He has installed and uninstalled Photoshop and countless other programs to help me keep as productive as possible. I have also learned how much I rely on my computer for everything from bookkeeping to editing to communication. Fortunately, I always have backups of my pictures and no customer work was lost.

It has kind of a been a "back to the future" experience to not have instant access to a computer. I was probably a better cook and housekeeper these past few months since I seemed to have more computer-free time on my hands. I even got through a few real books, rather than spend my leisure time playing trivia games on the Internet. Although going without a computer was a real pain, I have to admit it was also a good thing in many ways. But now... I'm back online, at least for the moment.

Beautiful Baby Boy

2011-02-21T15:56:00.006-05:00

This tiny baby already has quite a story. Born three months premature, he could fit into the palm of his mother's hand. He spent nearly three months in the NICU at the hospital, growing and fighting for life. What a blessing that he is now home from the hospital and the size of a full-term newborn baby!

These are some of his "newborn" pictures taken in his loving home.

Charlotte Observer Article on Corp Wellness Yoga

2011-01-26T19:12:00.002-05:00

Lisa Brownstead was again featured in the press for Corp Wellness Yoga, this time in the Charlotte Observer! In the wonderful article, Lisa gives her advice to others thinking about starting a business, and why yoga in the workplace is an advantage to employees. What an inspiring message!

Love the picture, too!

Promotional Photo for Corp Wellness Yoga

2011-01-07T21:03:00.003-05:00

A promotional photo that I took of Lisa Brownstead, owner of Pretty Postures, LLC and co-owner of Corp Wellness Yoga, has appeared in the Charlotte Business Journal in late December. Lisa is promoting Corp Wellness Yoga as a new venture to provide on-site yoga classes to businesses in and around the Charlotte area!

Cousins: Family Photographs in Charlotte, NC

2011-01-02T10:50:00.017-05:00

These beautiful children and teenagers are cousins that gathered together in Charlotte with their families for Christmas.

We took group shots in addition to sibling and individual portraits. This was the day after Christmas, and the ground was covered in snow, so we took the shots inside. I primarily used window light for the individual portraits, a Speedlight flash for the group shots, and a combination for the siblings poses. The dining room window made for beautiful, soft white light (perhaps the snow helped reflect the light) and the staircase in the foyer made for a nice background.

I thoroughly enjoyed this shoot!

Newborn Photography in Tega Cay, SC

2010-12-14T19:09:00.006-05:00

This beautiful family was recently blessed with a newborn baby boy earlier this month. He has a doting big brother and sister (twins!). I took these pictures in their home in the Tega Cay area south of Charlotte.

Family Portraits

2010-12-12T22:02:00.005-05:00

Here are some portraits taken on an afternoon near Thanksgiving, at the family's home in South Charlotte. I was lucky enough to photograph these kids during the holidays last year. All six siblings are very photogenic!

Baptism Photography

2010-12-07T20:59:00.006-05:00

These pictures were taken of a family reunion over the recent Thanksgiving weekend. The youngest member of the family, age four months, was also baptized in church shortly after these pictures were taken. What a big weekend for the family, including the baby's three older siblings, his older cousins and the proud parents and grandparents!

Holiday Photography in Waxhaw, NC

2010-12-01T16:34:00.001-05:00

The portfolio pictures of this gorgeous family were taken in Waxhaw, NC. The newborn girl was so sweet and sleepy, and her older brothers have beautiful eyes! No Photoshop work necessary to make those eyes sparkle!

Recent Family Photography Session

2010-11-27T16:35:00.006-05:00

These are the pictures of another family for whom I've been lucky enough to photograph before. Some of the things I'm thankful for this season are my repeat customers! I enjoyed photographing the whole family again.

Notice the little girl's dress. The beautiful dress and the little boy's pants were handmade by their mother. What a labor of love!

Christmas Photography in Ballantyne

2010-11-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

I've been busy with photographs this month, especially in the Ballantyne neighborhood of South Charlotte, and in Waxhaw, NC.

This brother and sister pair are adorable in bright red and navy blue. These pictures were taken at the Ballantyne Country Club, which is a wonderful setting for outdoor photography. What a beautiful pair these kids are!

Happy Thanksgiving, by the way! I hope it is a wonderful holiday for all!

More Ballantyne Family Photography

2010-11-23T19:22:00.000-05:00

Here are some more photos taken at Cullman Park in Ballantyne. These were special, in part, because I was able to take some maternity photos! I especially love the maternity pictures and the pictures of the family on the steps.

I've been fortunate enough to photograph this little boy a few times since he was a little baby. He is another sweetie that I've gotten to see "grow up" over the months!

Holiday Family Photography

2010-11-17T14:52:00.000-05:00

I've been blessed to photograph this family a few times a year since this darling little boy came into the world. It is so special for me to see him grow and change over the months.

There is a series of sweet pictures of the little boy and his daddy that turned out especially well. Daddies can really make their kids laugh! Such a beautiful family!

Photography in Ballantyne

2010-11-13T19:30:00.000-05:00

Some of my all-time favorite family photographs came from a recent session at Cullman Park in Ballantyne. The sister and brother were at the tender age two years and three months at the time these pictures were taken. These children are so darling! I hope these pictures have helped capture the sweetness of these young children and the love that the parents have for them.

New Photography Exhibit in Charlotte: Vintage Architectural Art

2010-11-07T20:00:00.003-05:00

Here is yet another art happening in Charlotte, NC: a new exhibit entitled Vintage Architectural Art features a collection of prints and drawings of historical structures originally preserved by Hugh E. White (1869-1939), an architect with Fort Mill, SC and Gaston, NC roots.

The exhibit is presented by Kugler Studio in uptown/downtown Charlotte (the historic Latta Arcade building at 320 South Tryon Street), and a public reception will be held at 5 pm on November 18.

Vintage Architectural Art is not just a one-time exhibit. Ken Beebe of Kugler Studio distributes "vintage architectural drawings, etchings and engravings" through a web site by the same name. According to the web site, the organization is a "specialized repository and distributor of museum quality reproductions and originals of these significant and artistic works through best practice preservation techniques and personal marketing."

Mr. White's collection of drawings feature local buildings that he and his firm designed in the early 1900s in addition to drawings and sketches of U.S government buildings, European chapels and cathedrals, and ancient edifices of Rome.

This exhibit celebrates architectural drawings and a wonderful and historical art form!

Photographers Giving Back

2010-11-02T08:20:00.004-04:00

Charlotte-area photographers donated their time and talents to a wonderful cause last Saturday. Members and students of Osborne Photography provided family portraits for over 100 families at a local homeless shelter through a program called Portraits of Hope.

These family members were able to get their hair and makeup done before the portraits, compliments of other participating businesses. Thanks to all who participated in giving such a wonderful gift to families in need! I look forward to seeing some of the images on Osborne's Facebook page in the near future!

Family Portraits in Knoxville, Tennessee

2010-10-29T08:26:00.000-04:00

Occasionally I get the opportunity to take pictures in the city of Knoxville, Tennessee, which is especially scenic in the fall. This family was was beautifully coordinated in orange, brown and green shades. The feature I love best about these pictures are the children's eyes! And I love the picture of Mom and Dad together.

Another beautiful family!

Portrait of Everest Exhibit

2010-10-25T20:55:00.007-04:00

The Charlotte photography community is alive and active, and here is the first of a series of events that I want to share with anyone in the region interested in photographic arts.

Kugler's Studio, a wonderful studio and gallery in Uptown Charlotte (a.k.a. downtown Charlotte) is hosting a photography exhibit featuring the work of Jeff Botz.

The artist's collection of work, Portrait of Everest, is amazing! (I was lucky enough to see one image on my last visit to Kugler Studio!) According to his web site, Mr. Botz is "the only person to photograph in the Everest region with the large format (8x10") camera, technique made famous by the master of American landscape photography, Ansel Adams."

The exhibit will be featured during the first week in November, and there will be an artist's reception at the studio in the historic Latta Arcade building (300 South Tryon Street) on November 5th at 5 pm. All proceeds from the show will aid Himalayan people who are victims of snow melt floods.

Make it a date night or a girls night out, and enjoy some fantastic and original art!

Inspiration Through Art Project

2010-10-24T11:53:00.007-04:00

These are photos of a family that I was blessed to meet through the Inspiration Through Art program. The program connects seriously ill children and their families with photographers and other artists to have family memories created.

I met this beautiful little boy and his parents at Freedom Park in Charlotte. The morning was beautiful, the boy was so easy-going and fun, and the photo session flowed very smoothly. Born with spina bifida and other complications, this one year-old has been through so much in his first year of life! Thankfully he is recovering well, and I wish him and his parents all the best. Participating in this program has certainly reminded me that health is a gift to be thankful for.

Holiday Photos in Ballantyne

2010-10-20T16:37:00.006-04:00

I love it when all of the elements of a photo session come together.

Last week I had one of those sessions. The weather was beautiful, and the skies offered just the kind of light that I love. The family was fun and photogenic, and there was a special connection between the child and the father that was easy to spot - and easy to capture with the camera.

In particular, I just love the image on the left. The father/son connection is so apparent, and even little details, like the leftover rainfall from the previous night, are visible.

This session was taken in Cullman Park in the Ballantyne area of South Charlotte, one of my favorite parks for family portrait sessions. The park is always beautiful no matter the season.

There is still time this fall to treat you and your whole family with a portrait session. Use your photos for holiday cards, formal or informal displays in your home, or any other reason. Contact me for rates and specials! I love pictures!!

Affordable Business Head Shots in Charlotte, NC

2010-10-18T18:08:00.004-04:00

This fall I have been a busy one for photography work. The diversity of jobs has been unique this year. I'm doing portrait sessions for children and families in addition to some commercial work. As I wrote last week, I've taken on some residential real estate photography jobs in Marvin, NC and Charlotte, NC.

I've also done some business head shots for some excellent local realtors: Gina Lorenzo and Sheila Chillcott with Your Property People, Inc.

Contact me for rates if you are interested in a professional business head shot photograph!

Holiday Photos at Freedom Park

2010-10-15T10:30:00.005-04:00

Here are family pictures taken last week in Freedom Park. We met at 6 pm, and I realized very quickly that we were working against a rapidly setting sun. The days are certainly getting darker earlier!

I was so happy with these pictures! The family is beautiful and the kids seemed to enjoy the session in the park. After the session, the family was going to have dinner out. Sounds like family time well spent!

More Real Estate Photography in Charlotte, NC

2010-10-13T22:52:00.004-04:00

Here are pictures of another property for sale by Your Property People, Inc.. I enjoyed photographing this cute and comfortable 900 square-foot home!

Real Estate Photography in Waxhaw, NC

2010-10-12T17:33:00.006-04:00

I'm pleased to announce my photography services to real estate brokers and agents in the Waxhaw, NC and Charlotte, NC regions. Please check out a photographs of a stunning home that I was fortunate enough to photograph recently.

The property is presented by Gina Lorenzo with Your Property People, Inc. Gina is a fantastic broker, by the way, with a great background in real estate law.

Below are some of pictures of the home. There are more posted online.

The exterior front

The gorgeous foyer

The kitchen

The dining room

Photography in Freedom Park (Charlotte, NC)

2010-09-25T18:54:00.006-04:00

Here are some of the shots of a sweet two year-old in Freedom Park in Charlotte. Her parents are repeat customers; I've been lucky enough to photograph this little girls regularly since she was a newborn. I was so happy when the little girl came up to me and held her arms up, motioning for me to pick her up!

Family Reunion Photography in Charlotte, NC

2010-09-24T15:16:00.001-04:00

These pictures were samples of another portrait session that took place over Labor Day weekend, a popular time for extended families to get together. The get-together also marked the grandparents' 40th wedding anniversary! I thoroughly enjoyed meeting this family, who must keep very busy keeping up with all the little ones.

Newborn Photography in Charlotte, NC

2010-09-21T21:55:00.004-04:00

These photos were taken this summer when the sweet little newborn baby was only four days old. Big sister and brother were so proud of their new baby brother!

Family Reunion Photography in Weddington, NC

2010-09-15T21:49:00.005-04:00

Here are some portfolio pictures for an extended family that met in the Weddington, NC area this Labor Day. The family was easy to photograph and just beautiful.

I was excited because this family found me on the Internet. Usually my customers come from referrals, but my business from Internet searches has recently picked!

20% Off Special for Child and Family Photography - Charlotte, NC

2010-09-12T13:02:00.003-04:00

It has been awhile since I've posted to this blog. In fact, I took a break from most Internet activities due to sickness in the household (including me)! We are all feeling better, and it is nice to resume our routine.

I do have more portfolio pictures to post (it was a busy Labor Day weekend!), but for now I am announcing my annual Fall Special. I'm excited to see my "fan" base for my business page on Facebook continue to grow. Customers who "like" my page (http://www.facebook.com/jraephotography) can get 20% off a full-price "Adorable and Affordable" photography session. That is a session worth $175 for $140. This offer is good through December 1, 2010.

Newborn Photo Session

2010-08-30T08:38:00.006-04:00

Here are pictures from my latest newborn photo session. The baby girl was only four days old, very sleepy and very tiny. What a precious bundle of joy! The baby has a proud big sister, and that little sweetie - along with a gorgeous and happy mother - added another beautiful dimension to the photo session.

Top Seven Reasons to Hire a Professional Photographer

2010-08-23T09:03:00.001-04:00

I'm thinking about the fall season, the busiest season for child and family photographs! For fun, I've put together the top seven reasons for a Mom (moms make up my largest client base) to hire J. Rae Photography to take her family's fall and holiday pictures this year.

1. Your mother complains that you're always behind the camera and not in front of it. This might make her happy!
2. It's an excuse to get your hair done... by a not-so-cheap stylist.
3. It's an excuse to shop for new clothes, and not just for the kids.
4. Your husband really needs a new picture of you and the family on his desk at work.
5. This is the year to make a great holiday photo card that shows off how adorable your kids are!
6. Your children will cherish having wonderful pictures of themselves with their mother for years to come.
7. You want to push the "easy" button for your pictures. J. Rae Photography will meet you at the location of your choice, provide top-quality photo editing (even minimize wrinkles, dark circles and blemishes), and send you beautiful results that you can easily print or use for holiday photo cards.

Going Away Photos: A Portrait Session for Dad

2010-08-21T08:05:00.007-04:00

Here are the pictures from a recent photo session in Freedom Park, near the Myers Park area of Charlotte, NC. This session included four sweet children, ages four and under! I used some special props behind the camera to get all four kids interested in looking up at the same time. It was a fun challenge!

I loved the colors that the family wore. Great colors for summer pictures!

This family wanted pictures for a special reason: the father is being deployed to Afghanistan in the next few weeks. These pictures will nice for them to have as they remember each other across the miles. My best wishes go out to them! I know the kids will be so glad when their daddy comes home, and when they first see him again, those smiles will be priceless.

Another Freedom Park (Charlotte, NC) Session

2010-08-16T23:25:00.007-04:00

I'm becoming more and more a fan of Freedom Park as a location for family photo sessions. Here are some sample pictures taken from one of my latest sessions. This family of five is beautiful, and the kids' seersucker clothes were a nice touch. The picture of the father and his two sweet daughters below has become one of my favorites.

Freedom Park offers a wonderful setting where kids and parents have plenty of space to explore and enjoy the scenery, all while the camera is quietly following, capturing candid moments of the family together.

I have another family session in Freedom Park tomorrow, and I look forward to posting pictures soon.

Golf Photography in Charlotte, NC

2010-08-14T22:47:00.002-04:00

The 2010 U.S. Women's Amateur Championship is being held this week at the Charlotte Country Club. I have been lucky enough to be one of the photographers to shoot the tournament. Shooting the event gave me additional experience with my new 70-200 mm lens, and I had a ball!

Today I followed Danielle Kang and Jennifer Kirby, and enjoyed taking pictures of the action in addition to getting some crowd shots.

Danielle Kang advanced and will face Jessica Korda in the final tomorrow. Both girls are only 17; the age of the players in this year's tournament ranged from 12 to 58! The event is open to the public, and is a great way to spend some family time.

The Latest with J. Rae Photography

2010-08-09T11:46:00.008-04:00

I haven't written in over a week! Here is the latest: The weekend of 7/31 I had three photography appointments. Then I went on a week-long vacation to Michigan to visit my dad and my grandparents where I grew up. What a nice, relaxing time! We are from farm country, and I have posted a few scenic pictures of the lake and of Amish farms in the area.

I have almost completed the editing of my photo sessions from last week and I'll post some soon.

Personalized videos of your photo session

2010-07-28T22:49:00.000-04:00

My services include a personalized video of your photo session. This is perfect for sharing with friends and family, and remembering your special day of pictures!

One Year-Old Portraits in Freedom Park, Charlotte, NC

2010-07-25T20:46:00.003-04:00

I was so fortunate to take pictures of this darling one year-old boy and his proud parents. Taking pictures of this family reminded me that one of the best parts of my job is the wonderful people that I get to meet.

The boy was just learning to walk and I just love the pictures of the family walking on the bridge together!

I met the family at the popular Freedom Park in the Myers Park area of Charlotte, NC. This is becoming a highly requested location for many of my photo shoots.

DVD Slide Shows in Charlotte, NC

2010-07-23T11:08:00.006-04:00

Today I'm creating a DVD slide show that will be played at a special event honoring a customer's special someone. (Sounds mysterious? The event is a surprise!)

The pictures in the slide show span many years, from babyhood to adulthood. I added songs to the show per the customer's request, and included some subtle special effects. The result is a touching video slide show that can played at the special event and presented as a wonderful gift, treasured for years to come.

You don't have to be in the Charlotte, NC area to have a personal slide show created. Contact me at 704.287.9628 or julie@jraephoto.com for more information about my DVD slide show service.

Portrait Studio in Matthews, NC

2010-07-22T09:13:00.005-04:00

I went to a meeting last night to explore the possibility of offering studio work in Matthews, NC. I've taken classes in studio work, and it is a different ball game than my outdoor photography. I look forward to embracing the challenge.

A portrait studio has its advantages. I can do work during cold weather, hot weather, rain, snow - you get the picture. It offers the opportunity to expand my portfolio and get creative in a much different setting.

Child and infant pictures taken in a studio with lots of big props are not my thing. My style will probably not include many artificial studio props (if any), but will be more fun and creative when it comes to expressions and dress.

I'd like to offer my studio services after the holidays this year, and offer new mini sessions during the wintertime. But one step at a time. I look forward to doing my outdoor work for the 2010 holiday card season first!

Evening in Ballantyne

2010-07-20T23:46:00.000-04:00

These pictures were taken on a July evening in Ballantyne in South Charlotte. The family had just arrived in town from a long trip to the beach, but they were still on time, coordinated and up for pictures!

We were all glad to have the pictures taken. We had scheduled the appointment twice before, but bad weather and work schedules altered our plans. The family were open to some creative poses, as you can see from their pictures below. The family was so fun and they all looked great!

They Grow So Fast

2010-07-17T11:00:00.000-04:00

I've been lucky enough to photograph this (almost) two year-old a few times a year since she was a newborn. She gets cuter every time I see her, if that is even possible.

I met the family at the popular Freedom Park in Charlotte's Myers Park neighborhood. What a nice setting for pictures of a small child!

It has been a lot of fun to see the children of my customers grow and change. Kids really do grow so fast! I'm thankful that I get to take the photographs that will one day bring back beautiful memories of when the kids were small.

Pretty in Pink

2010-07-15T12:29:00.009-04:00

This little cutie is 13 months old and looked so adorable in her pink dress. Mom and Dad also wore pink to coordinate. Mom brought some nice props, including a baby blanket, the baby's favorite book, and some bubbles.

The star of the show that morning was the sweet little girl enjoying some of her favorite things: walking with her family, sharing a moment with Dad and Mom, "reading" her book, swinging in the park, and watching those bubbles! The bubble pictures turned out to be my favorite.

The little girl was so good-natured through all of the activities, and she even wanted me to hold her a few times! :-) It was a very fun morning.

Happy Busy

2010-07-11T22:53:00.003-04:00

Today I'm finishing up a busy weekend with three photo sessions at three different parks: Freedom Park in the Myers Park neighborhood of Charlotte, Colonel Francis Beatty Park in Matthews, and Cullman Park in Ballantyne (South Charlotte).

I have noticed a new trend for me: more people are requesting a park location rather than their home. Parks often offer a more of a carefree, picturesque setting, so I'm happy to meet the families at the park of their choice.

I am also on the verge of opening a new e-commerce store through a third party solution that specifically supports photographers. Customers are not obliged to buy prints through my store (they still get the CD of images for their own use). However, some customers have requested a more convenient way to purchase high-quality images (complete with color correction) or an easier way to share prints with out-of-town relatives. I chose the provider based on ease-of-use for customers, so I hope they find it helpful.

Finally, in addition to editing my customers' pictures from the weekend sessions, I'm creating a slide show for a customer that wants to have a presentation at a surprise birthday part at the end of the month.

I happily live and breathe pictures, pictures, pictures!

An American Family

2010-07-06T19:27:00.007-04:00

This beautiful group was another family with out-of-town grandparents visiting for the weekend. I was excited when they arrived at their appointment wearing coordinated red, white and blue in the spirit of the 4th of July.

We were fortunate to have low humidity that morning, and it was definitely a beautiful day for portraits. I could tell that the grandparents were thrilled to be spending time with their grandchildren, and it was truly special to be a part of their visit. This group was a lot of fun to photograph!

Pictures at Grandmother's House

2010-07-01T19:59:00.001-04:00

Here are the pictures from a session this past weekend. The setting was a beautiful garden in the South Park area of Charlotte. The subject was a family - mom, dad, two sweet boys and a grandmother. (It seems like I've been taking pictures of families with all boys lately!)

The private garden location was a wonderful place to take pictures, and the boys were so well-behaved. It was obvious that their grandmother's house is a special place for them. They enjoyed showing me around the garden in addition to treasures inside the house: an antique carousel horse and a toy train set.

Day Lilies at Sunset

2010-06-29T23:24:00.003-04:00

Just wanted to share a nice picture of day lilies blooming in our yard. The setting sun was shining through the petals of these lilies so beautifully, making their orange colors really glow. This photo was taken at 50 mm, f/2.5, 1/1600 sec.

Off to edit more customer pictures...

Family Vacation - Part II

2010-06-24T20:36:00.002-04:00

The second part of our recent family vacation was a trip to the beautiful city of Washington, DC.

I haven't been to DC in a very long time. I had forgotten that the Smithsonian Museums, including the National Zoo and the famous Museum of Natural History, were free! Of course, we spent enough money on food and souvenirs for the kids to cover the cost of many tickets, but free admission is always a bonus.

We covered the zoo, the Natural History Museum, the famous Mall with its famous monuments and memorials. We survived the Metro and a ride in the cab of an 87 year-old taxi driver (he asked me three times where we were from and three times where we were going!). We did as much as a family with two small children could possibly do. My kids enjoyed every bit of the trip, as did I.

I highly recommend going to DC as a family. It is such an important, international city with so many lessons in history and government! It is so different from my happy little corner of suburban Charlotte. And it is a photographer's dream come true. I fell in love with it.

Flags at Sunset at the Washington Memorial

Fountain at the WWII Memorial

Korean War Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

Family Vacation - Part I

2010-06-23T23:00:00.002-04:00

My family and I just arrived back from a wonderful family vacation to Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC.

The first part of the trip was spent in northern Maryland and Virginia areas where my husband has family. One of our outings was to the Rose Hill Manor in Frederick, MD. This is a historical home where staff are in costume, spouting interesting facts about farm life in the 18th and 19th centuries, like the girls were expected to complete seven quilts by the time they were 13 to prove they were ready for marriage and homemaking.

The former dining room in the large house is now a playroom for children. The room is filled with old-fashioned wooden and cloth toys. The tour guide said that the point of the room is to show that kids can have fun without computers or toys with batteries, lights and sounds. My children spent the entire visit in that room, happy as can be with the toys, especially the puppets and puppet theater.

Outside the manor was a group of surveyors who were displaying antique surveying equipment and talking to interested guests about how surveying was done in colonial days.

Another trip we took was to downtown Winchester, Virginia, which is very pedestrian-friendly and charming. I met an elderly gentleman and lifelong resident of Winchester who sat in a rocker next to the historic Civil War courthouse, watching people pass. Winchester is not as well known today, but during the Civil War it was a very fought-after city, changing hands between the Union and Confederate forces more than 70 times.

On our day in Winchester, our group ate at the historic and reportedly haunted Cork Street Tavern.

Surveyors in Costume

An interesting Winchester resident

Downtown Winchester, VA

Woman in Business Award: Magnolia Marketing

2010-06-21T23:10:00.001-04:00

I want to recognize to my friend Meg McElwain of Magnolia Marketing. She was recently selected by the Charlotte Business Journal to receive a Woman in Business Achievement Award for 2010. Meg, who owns and operates her own full-service marketing company, is young - perhaps one of the youngest ever to receive this prestigious award.

As a small business owner myself, I can appreciate Meg's achievement. Owning your own company - making a successful living at it - is not an easy feat, no matter what your age. But Meg has done so with both determination and grace. I'm glad that such a service-oriented, talented person has been recognized.

I've been fortunate enough to know Meg on a personal level as well as on a business level, and can say that she is top-notch. Congratulations, Meg!

Redesigned Business Cards

2010-06-17T06:43:00.000-04:00

My redesigned business cards and business folded cards arrived last Friday. I'm very excited about them. They were designed by Rachel Busby with Busby Design. They look so much better than my old cards that were very basic and were even printed slightly off center. I am very pleased with the new cards and have found myself handing them out a lot more frequently.

Why I Love My Job

2010-06-14T21:32:00.007-04:00

I was lucky to photograph two brothers this morning at a beautiful park. There are so many things about today's photo session that make me happy.

* I used my new 70-200 mm lens, and it worked like a champ. The results that I got were terrific!
* In addition to posed portraits, the boys were happy to play by the pond, and it presented lots of excellent opportunities for candid shots.
* The colors this morning were great. I especially love the pictures with the yellow flowers in the background contrasting with the blue shirts.
* Check out the older boy's blue eyes (pictures below). The eye color was not boosted in Photoshop! Amazing!
* I did get to use my Photoshop skills in another area. I did some innocent dental work on a few of the images, per the parents' request. (The older brother, age 6, is losing teeth like crazy!)
* The younger brother loved getting his picture taken. Towards the end of the session, I said to him, "OK... just one more." I snapped the picture. Then he said to me, "How about one more?" And he grinned so wide, ready for the next shot!

The session was loads of fun. I just love my job. :-)

Two Year-Old Portrait Session

2010-06-12T08:00:00.003-04:00

This adorable little boy arrived at his portrait session with a fever on a very hot morning. Yet he did great. He "passed" his session with flying colors.

The parents were not feeling well, either, but you would never know it. Everyone put on a smile and even had some fun! I love this series of pictures because of the story it tells: a two year-old boy, loved by Mom and Dad, holding his favorite toy cars the whole time.

This session was taken at my favorite park for pictures. Most of the time there are other photographers there too, but that morning we had the park all to ourselves!

Pictures with Grandpa

2010-06-09T23:29:00.008-04:00

This family decided to get professional pictures taken when Grandpa came to visit his Charlotte family from out of town. Grandpa has two beautiful daughters, two sons-in-law and five grandsons! Their portraits will make a nice gift for Father's Day for him.

We met at my favorite location in Ballantyne (this was my second of two photo sessions that day at that park). We got lucky with hazy skies and a nice breeze to cool off the hot weather that day.

The grandfather told me that the family ate at a local restaurant before the photo session. I have to give the mothers a lot of credit for getting the whole family to the appointment on time and in clean shirts! :-) Everyone looked great!

Thanks to Jeff Owen with the Professional Photography Group for his help on the shoot. Jeff is very good at posing large groups. Jeff and I make a pretty good team, and I look forward to working with him again.

Advertising with the Buzz

2010-06-06T23:20:00.007-04:00

I've taken another step towards getting the word out about my business by advertising with Charlotte Family Buzz. The Buzz is an online newsletter that reaches thousands of Charlotte area households each week, informing families of fun activities in and around the Charlotte area.

You can subscribe to the Buzz newsletter on their web site. And if you're a current Buzz subscriber, welcome to my blog!

Family Reunions

2010-06-03T22:22:00.009-04:00

Lately I've been asked to do more family reunion portrait sessions, and this type of event is something that I really enjoy. A lot of people living in Charlotte have family that live elsewhere (including me and my family), and when everyone can meet in Charlotte together, it is a great time to get those pictures taken.

I did another reunion yesterday, but the pictures aren't ready to post yet. Here are a few family reunion pictures taken last fall before I started my blog. Summertime is often a time when extended families get together, and if yours is coming up, feel free to contact me about available dates and rates!

Graphic Design Updates

2010-05-31T23:29:00.005-04:00

As part of my business plan for 2010, I decided to hire a graphic designer to help with some branding. I wanted help from a professional to pick some colors, customize my logo, design business cards, and inspire some ideas for packaging my CDs.

I brought in Rachel Busby with Busby Design, and she did a wonderful job. I now have a fresh logo, fresh colors, new business cards (on order) and plenty of ideas for packaging. The logo and colors are now featured on my web site.

Going forward, customers will receive their CD wrapped as a little gift. My hope is that the presentation of the CD will be more appealing, and that it generates a little excitement about receiving their family's images, kind of like that rush a child gets on Christmas morning. (Hey, moms can get like that over pictures.) Once I finalize the packaging, I'll post some pictures.

Spring Portraits and Morning Light

2010-05-26T20:28:00.005-04:00

The two best times of day for outdoor photography is the early morning and the late afternoon when the sun is low in the sky. The light is warm, and not harsh. Early or late in the day is not always a great time for families, however, and it takes some creativity to work with the sunlight to get optimal photographs.

Thankfully, all of the members of this beautiful family are early risers, and they were able to drive a decent distance to meet me at my favorite park for pictures in the Ballantyne area - at 8:00 am!

I think the pictures turned out very well, and it is due in part to the beautiful morning spring light. It is also due to a beautiful family. :-) I have to give the kids extra credit (ages only three and six), because they were some of the most fun and well-behaved kids I've ever worked with.

Cutie Pie

2010-05-23T17:01:00.001-04:00

It's been a very busy few weeks, and I'm finally ready to post some pictures again. This little cutie pie just turned one year old. The parents wanted some more formal portraits of him and then some "fun" pictures of him doing his everyday things: playing, learning to walk, crawling, eating... What fun to document a busy hour in the life of a one year old!

I love all the babies that I am lucky enough to photograph, but this sweet little boy was one that I just wanted to HUG! I had to resist several urges to scoop him up and give him a little squeeze. But he was happiest with his mama - not the crazy lady with the camera - and happy is what we aim for during a picture session!

As happens with mothers, I was reminded of the days when my children were one year old. I have pictures to help remind me, and I'm glad that I do. They grow up so fast!

Thoughts on Mother's Day

2010-05-09T08:57:00.001-04:00

Photo Above: My Beautiful Mom - Happy Mother's Day!
I haven't posted anything to the blog in a few days, but I have been busy with photography! The springtime is a great time for family pictures, and I hope to have some images to share in the coming days.

I also took some time off to travel this weekend, visiting family for Mother's Day. I'm making up for the lost time in the coming weekends, with three sessions next weekend and two the following.

Mother's Day crept up on me this year (doesn't it seem like it came earlier than usual this year?). Next year I want to be ready and offer gift certificates and special deals to customers in advance of this special day. These offerings are on my "business goals" document for next year. Although J. Rae Photography is four years old, my time has been happily split between being a mommy to two young children and developing my business. I've continued to make business investments in 2010 so I will be ready for 2011.

On a personal note, I received the sweetest Mother's Day presents from my girls. Both of them created wonderful little works of art for Mommy in their classrooms. Something about their words and pictures meant even more this year than in years past. Maybe they are at that wonderful age where they are old enough to express their feelings but yet young enough that it is expressed in a precious way that could only come from a child. For me, these words of appreciation are the best gift I can get; I'll take them over a massage or manicure any day.

My four year-old made me a lovely hand-made card. Her teacher videotaped the class singing a Mother's Day song, and I got to watch it online (over and over again). My five year-old, who is now learning to read and write, made a storybook called "A Book About My Mommy." Here are the words of the book, with her words in italics:

This is a picture of my mom. She looks so: huggy.
My favorite thing to do with my mommy is: loving my mom.
The best thing about my mom is: she takes care of me.

The pictures she drew in the little book are as sweet as the words. I hope you enjoyed your Mother's Day, and any treasures that your little ones gave you, too!

Happy Birthday!

2010-04-29T15:39:00.011-04:00

Here are some sample pictures taken at a birthday party for two year-old twins last weekend. In addition to cake and ice cream, there was a bounce house in the backyard. The best place to get pictures was inside the bounce house itself, and it was a fun challenge to get pictures without camera shake!

This was my first shoot trying out a new toy: a Stroboframe Quick Flip 360 Flash Bracket. This gadget worked wonders to minimize shadows behind subjects' heads. It was a little awkward to use at first, but I quickly got used to it. And I loved the results.

This is the fourth time I have been hired to photograph this wonderful family, including the twins' first birthday party last year. Thanks to Mom and Dad for having me back again; it is always so fun to see how kids grow and change so quickly. Time really does fly!

Views of the Quail Hollow Championship

2010-04-27T22:31:00.007-04:00

I was lucky enough to get tickets to the practice round of the Quail Hollow Championship, a stop on the PGA tour right here in Charlotte. I love going to this tournament at the beginning of the week long event, because cameras are allowed and crowds are thinner.

The weather was nothing short of beautiful this morning (we left before the rain). I went with a super good girlfriend, and had club tickets which meant some nice amenities. I got a little more lucky photographing star power the last time I went (the 2008 ProAm portion of the tournament), but this year I focused more on scenic shots. What fun!

View looking toward 18th hole and Quail Hollow Clubhouse

14th and 17th holes

Stuart Appleby tees off

Golfer at 14th hole

Photography buddies and official QHC photographers, Brian and Len

Two Year-Old Twins

2010-04-25T21:03:00.007-04:00

Here is a sample of pictures that I took last week. It was a beautiful spring morning. The picturesque setting was a lovely home on a quiet lake. The azaleas were blooming, and there was even a sailboat on the lake in the background.

When a family gets together for portraits, the parents often focus on the kids, trying to keep the kids happy or grabbing their attention long enough to get a good picture. When the kids need a break from the camera - and the young ones always do - it is a great time to get the parents together for a portrait. Let's not forget the hard-working, loving parents! I'm so glad we got this nice picture of the twins' parents below.

These children were sweet, and the parents were patient and fun, and it all made for a very good photo session!

Stopping to Smell the Azaleas

2010-04-24T23:41:00.008-04:00

The azaleas are blooming! A transplant from the great state of Michigan, I've lived in the Southeast enough to almost take them for granted. But every April, when the blooms come alive, I'm reminded of their beauty.

We have a very modest azalea bush in our new backyard. Some yards have many of them, and the colors are rich and wonderful. A few of my customer pictures that I'll share in the near future may have azaleas in the background.

Charlotte is one beautiful city in the spring and summer. I'll have to photograph some of the flowers for my northern family and friends. In March the dogwoods bloom, in April come the azaleas, June the hydrangeas (my favorite), and July the crepe myrtles. Of course, there are lots of other beautiful flowers and trees. Spring is a wonderful time of year to take pictures of blooms, wherever you live.

Just wanted to share a point of admiration for this city. :-)

Customer pictures to be posted soon...

Gallery Show Downtown / Great Cause

2010-04-22T20:48:00.010-04:00

I took a trip tonight to see the important work of a local artist who was being featured at a studio downtown. The images of Elizabeth Marx draw attention to the plight of trafficked women and children in Southeast Asia. It was a moving collection of photographs.

I learned about the show because of my connection with the owner of the studio. Back in my corporate marketing days, I hired Ken Beebe to take professional photos of my company's executives. Little did I know at the time that I had hired someone very well-known, connected, and with deep roots in local historic photography.

Ken owns one of Charlotte's oldest photography studios, located in the historic and beautiful Latta Pavilion building downtown. Kugler Studio, and its archive of historic photographs, dates back to 1947.

Ken is a talented photographer - to say the least. He clients include some of the largest business names in town, including Bank of America, Duke Energy and Wachovia. He recently took a wonderful portrait of Ken Lewis and Brian Moynihan, just as one was figuratively passing the reins of Bank of America to the other.

Photo by Ken Beebe, Kugler Studio
He also takes personal photographs, and I had him take pictures of my sweet babies on four different occasions (see above). It was a fun experience to be in front of the camera, even as my dreams of being behind the camera had yet to be realized. And yes, Ken waited patiently while my babies were fed or had their diapers changed. One of them even pottied on his hardwood floor, if I remember correctly. As a new mother, I was horrified, but Ken only laughed and threw me a towel.

What is even bigger than Ken's impressive portfolio is his heart. His studio hosts open houses and shows to feature the work of budding photographers or a collection that promotes a specific cause, like Elizabeth's.

Thanks to Ken and Elizabeth, the gallery owner and photographer, for doing their part in reminding us about such a great injustice that is done to so many women and children throughout the world. I wish Elizabeth continued success in her efforts to document this sad reality.

Twin week

2010-04-19T21:22:00.005-04:00

This week I am taking pictures of two sets of boy/girl twins. The toddlers are all celebrating their second birthdays! And both families are repeat customers, which I am thankful for. I look forward to sharing some of their pictures soon.

More Living History Pics

2010-04-13T17:16:00.001-04:00

To follow my last post on pictures of the people and places at living history museums, below are some images that I took last summer at a museum near my childhood home.

Historic Sauder Village in Archbold, OH celebrates local "rural life in the 19th and early 20th centuries." The first European settlers had to drain the swampy land, known as the Great Black Swamp, in order to farm it. The settlers and their decendants have farmed the rich land ever since.

This is a wonderful, family-friendly museum, and if you are ever in rural Northwest Ohio, be sure to stop by. :-)

Spinning. The museum has a lot of hand-made artwork for sale, including items woven from yarn made from this spinning wheel.

Dreamy window

Windmill and entrance to the museum

Big cow advertising local dairy outside the park. That's me holding one of my cuties.

This one is just funny. The picture was NOT posed! I am definitely raising city girls.

Silversmith

Cute junior historian

This man told me that some tourists assume he is Amish and that he doesn't want his picture taken.

Barber shop. This man is the successor to a popular barber who gave me a pretend shave when I was on a field trip in first grade. I still remember it though it was ages ago!

Thoughts on Mathew Brady and Living History @ Historic Brattonsville

2010-04-11T21:25:00.002-04:00

My dad is a history lover. In my experience, history lovers usually have a lot of big, heavy books, and one of my dad's favorites was a huge hardcover book about Mathew Brady's photography.

Mathew Brady was one of the first photojournalists ever. He was a presidential photographer (Abraham Lincoln's favorite) and he also thoroughly documented the Civil War, including the graphic aftermath of battles. If the person made history or news in America in the mid- to late-1800's, there is a good chance that Mathew Brady photographed him or her. Matthew Brady is quoted as saying, "My greatest aim has been to advance the art of photography and to make it what I think I have, a great and truthful medium of history." And he did just that.

Fast forward to little ole' me as a Michigan farm kid in the 1970s and 80s. We didn't have much to do in wintertime in the cold rural north, and I read a lot. I pored over that Mathew Brady book. I learned a lot about American history, including the Civil War, through the eyes of Mr. Brady's camera.

Perhaps it was this influence that helped spur my interest in "living history" photography. One of my favorite subjects to photograph is a person in historical costume. Here are a few examples of pictures taken at Historic Brattonsville, a wonderful living history museum, farm and Revolutionary War site in York County, South Carolina.

Woman as Slave @ Brattonsville

And with the magic of Photoshop, the same picture kind of looks like one that may have been taken during Mathew Brady's time...

I loved this boy's red curls and I just had to have a picture of them.

Woman Spinning Wool

Slave Quarters, one of the many authentic buildings at the museum

Historic Brattonsville is well worth the trip from Charlotte, and is a wonderful educational experience. Check out the events on the web site - there are some special activities that even small children will enjoy.

Spring Break Fun @ Lazy 5

2010-04-09T11:06:00.015-04:00

My little sweeties are on Spring Break from Kindergarten and preschool this week. In lieu of a weeklong vacation, we are taking short afternoon trips to family-friendly sites in the Charlotte area.

Yesterday we went to Lazy 5 Ranch in Mooresville, NC. We go every spring, and each year - as the kids get a little older - the trip seems more and more fun. I highly recommend this trip for any family. This is the closest thing to a safari that most of us will ever get! I had near visions of being a wildlife photographer, and of all the fun (and hard work) that could be had.

If you go, bring your camera and your best telephoto lens if you have one. Here are some of the cute creatures that we saw up close and personal:

The peacocks were beautiful

The Emus were not afraid to say hi

Water buffalo like water - no surprises there, ha ha

Tortoise

Two bulls saying howdy

Zebra and Pig - where else would you see these two animals feeding together?

Luther the Rhino

Curious Giraffe

A few tips about Lazy 5 Ranch if you are interested. They do not take check or credit card, so stop at the ATM before you get there. Admission is $8.50 for adults and $5.50 for kids ($5.50 for seniors too!). Buckets of feed are $3 each. If you can, plan for at least two hours. In addition to the drive-thru tour, there is also a walking tour and a playground. For kids that love animals, this is a fabulous trip!

Elements of Composition

2010-04-07T23:33:00.012-04:00

I participated in an in-depth composition class last night. It is easy to identify a good photograph, and yet another thing to define why it is a good photograph. What are the consistent elements that make up the composition of good images?

One mark of a good photo is that it holds the viewer's attention for longer than a quick glimpse. The eye actually moves around the photograph, taking it all in, noticing detail after detail.

Each photograph has a message to communicate, and that image can be composed to best represent that message. The trick is to train yourself as a photographer to compose the shot in the viewfinder instinctively.

Here are a few photos that might qualify for interesting composition.

Rule of Thirds, Framing

Texture, Lines

Perspective, Depth of Field, Color

Framing

More of the Big "One"

2010-04-01T22:49:00.006-04:00

Here are more of the recent pictures marking the first birthday of the sweet toddler! What fun to photograph. This session involved no work on my part. Just fun! :-)

The Big "One"

2010-03-29T23:08:00.004-04:00

I had so much fun taking pictures of a sweet one year-old this weekend. Honestly, she was one of the more calm toddlers I have had the pleasure of photographing. Her parents were calm, too, and didn't mind if she was chewing on toys as the camera snapped. The little girl just played, her parents played, and I was just there taking it all in with the camera.

I look forward to sharing more of the pictures as I finish editing them.

New Software, Next Step

2010-03-17T08:16:00.005-04:00

My husband surprised me with Adobe Photoshop CS4 this week. What a great surprise! Thank you, Honey! :-)

This software is almost necessary to be a viable photographer in the very competitive child and family photography industry. It is also very expensive. In an effort to keep my prices low, I drooled over the CS4 possibilities only via industry blogs.

I formerly edited my photos in Adobe Photoshop Elements, a less expensive and more basic version of the photo editing software. I realize now that it was a necessary experience. Without learning photo editing from the "ground up," I would not understand first-hand the elements that make up a good photograph.

Through the Elements program, I learned how to use the ground-level basics to professionally edit photos that compared with those edited in Photoshop, which can sometimes take a simple push of an "Action" button. It took me a lot longer per photo, but I achieved some great results, and I learned a heck of a lot.

Now, with CS4 I will not only save a little time, but with a little more education, the results will be even better. I'm super thrilled about the next step in my photographic journey!

Three Brothers

2010-03-05T17:00:00.002-05:00

Here are a few of the pictures from a recent photo session with three brothers, including a sweet newborn baby. As you can see, the family is just beautiful. These brothers are going to have way too much fun together when they get a little older.

The baby was a touch unhappy when we first started shooting. A bottle helped a little bit. Then the father suggested we take him into the master bedroom, as that seemed to be a calming place for him. It worked like a charm. The photo to the left was taken in that bedroom, and then the pictures below were taken shortly thereafter. Go Dad!

I've been fortunately enough to have photographed this family three times. Most of my business is recurring, and so I get to see my favorite customers as their kids and families grow! That is one of the best parts of the job.

Photographs that Make a Difference

2010-03-03T10:12:00.010-05:00

This photograph courtesy of Donn Young Photography

My hubby is a Carolina grad and gets Endeavors magazine, a publication featuring "research and creative activity" at UNC-Chapel Hill. The January 2010 edition features an article about hunger in North Carolina. An interesting stat about hunger in this state is that "12.6 percent of all North Carolinians experience something called food insecurity, which means that they don’t have reliable access to food."

In an effort to highlight the research done by Maureen Berner and Sharon Paynter, Donn Young photographed the people behind North Carolina's nonprofits that help feed the poor. Young's pictures personalize an issue that could be easily overlooked. Even our neighbors go hungry, and they do so often.

I must admit: Mr. Young, an accomplished photographer, has my dream job. I would love to use my camera to make a difference in the world, showing the people and scenes that represent important issues. Perhaps one day I'll get the opportunity!

In the meantime, I'm just thankful for this photographer's work. It has put more meaning to my family's dinnertime prayer: "...let us thank Him for our food." We are fortunate indeed.

Family of Six

2010-03-02T11:25:00.023-05:00

I was thankfully busy with taking pictures this fall and I haven't yet done much to promote the results! Although it is already March, I want to highlight few pictures taken this past fall.

These pictures are of a beautiful family with six children! Talk about being busy. On the day of the photo session, the skies were dark and gloomy. Thankfully the rain held off until we were done shooting. The kids were used to getting their pictures taken, and that helped things go fairly quickly before the rain!

The family used their portraits to make a collage for their holiday cards. It was a pleasure to work with these wonderful kids!

Value of a Mentor

2010-03-01T13:54:00.012-05:00

I want to publicly thank Brian Osborne with Osborne Photography. I have mentioned Brian in previous posts but he deserves yet another mention.

Recently I have had some technical issues. First, there was a particular part within my camera that was malfunctioning. Unable to meet up with Brian at first, I took the camera to two different people, who gave me different - and incorrect - answers to the problem. When I was able to reach Brian, it took him just a few seconds to correctly diagnose the problem and help me get the camera repaired quickly.

If that weren't enough, I've been having some difficulty with my laptop reading my memory cards. Although he didn't have to, Brian took time out of his schedule to use his own laptop and transfer my pictures to a DVD. I was able to start editing my customers' pictures without any delay for them while I find another solution.

Every budding photographer should have a mentor like Brian. Having an experienced advisor may give the courage and resources to try new things and grow your business or serious hobby.

For that matter, whatever your interest, find someone who is experienced and willing to share his/her knowledge with you. You'll get further a lot faster.

Newborn Portrait Session

2010-02-28T20:31:00.003-05:00

This week I was privileged to take pictures of this sweet baby boy, who is just shy of two months old. I was actually packing my bags after the shoot, and noticed the mother holding her infant in the doorway. The light was just right, and I was able to get one last shot before leaving. Some of my favorite shots are the ones that are not planned; the camera is simply in the right place at the right time.

Exposure: 1/100; Aperture: f/2.5; Focal length: 50 mm

Birthday Party Booked

2010-02-26T16:16:00.008-05:00

I am pleased to have booked another birthday party. The party is a surprise for a woman who turns 60 this summer. It will be so much fun!

My customer, the woman's daughter, is very organized and has already thought through the details five months in advance. I'd like to think that I would be that organized this far in advance for a party that I was throwing... but probably not. :-)

The customer told me that she plans to make a coffee table memory book with the images taken at the party. What a great idea! She also told me that she will be glad to greet and mingle with the guests rather than tote a camera around, taking her own pictures of the occasion. That is one of several benefits of hiring a photographer. Let me worry about the details, making sure to photograph the guests and the guest of honor. The customer should just have fun and enjoy the moment.

Preserving Memories Through Words

2010-02-20T10:00:00.001-05:00

To continue my thoughts on ways to preserve your kids' memories in addition to professional pictures, I want to share about a wonderful woman who coaches moms in their writing and journaling. I first posted this article to another blog last fall, and want to share it again on my photo blog.

The grow up so fast. As a parent of two young girls, that is the phrase that I hear most from family, friends and even strangers. We mothers may perform minor miracles – sew a hole in a beanie baby, play Tooth Fairy, and have dinner on time every night for a week – but there is nothing we moms can do to stop time.

We can, however, record moments in our kids’ lives to help us remember their younger years. One method – writing – sounds simple but is actually hard for many moms to do. Maureen Ryan Griffin, a writing teacher and coach based in Charlotte, North Carolina, leads monthly sessions called “Motherwords” for mothers and grandmothers that want to preserve memories about their kids and families in the form of words.

“Motherwords is about learning how to write to, for and about your family quickly, easily and from the heart,” says Maureen. “We practice techniques that will enhance your appreciation of the special gifts of motherhood, nurture your own creativity, and capture your priceless moments on paper to treasure always.”

Her class has some fans. One participant loves the class because it has provides time each month to write memories of her kids, and as a result, she watches her children more closely for moments she'll want to remember. Another mother likes the class for the community of mothers that share their memories and inspire her own.

Maureen came up with the idea for Motherwords after reading a newspaper article about a preschool teacher that carried a notebook with her and jotted down words uttered by her little students. She gave the words to each child’s parents at the end of each school year, and her efforts earn her a teaching award.

Maureen follows her own advice. Upon her daughter’s college graduation last spring, she gave her daughter a bound book of writings and pictures entitled 21 Years of Bliss (her daughter's nickname) that covered each phase of her life. Her daughter was thrilled—literally to tears.

In addition to teaching her writing courses for moms, Maureen is writing a book about the subject, due out in time for Mother’s Day 2010. This sample of the book’s introduction gives a gentle call to all mothers to write and preserve memories:

* Experience for yourself the fulfillment of writing for and about your children… whether or not you think you can write. (Or even like to write.)

* Whether you write in sentences or fragments, poetry or prose, whether or not you can spell or know where the commas go, write.

* Whether you write in a beautiful leather book with your child’s name inscribed on the cover, on scraps of leftover napkin, or on your computer, write.

* Whether you write several times a day, once a week, once a year on your child’s birthday, or once every blue moon when the mood strikes you, write.

* Your stories are your legacy. Put them in writing. Share them. You (and your loved ones) will be glad that you did.

For more information about Maureen and Motherwords, go to http://www.maureenryangriffin.com

Preserving Memories with "Handfuls"

2010-02-16T16:51:00.006-05:00

Purchasing a portrait session for your infant, child or family is a wonderful way to preserve precious memories. After all, the kids really do grow up so fast! In the spirit of capturing these memories, I want to share about a small business that preserves the memories of kids in a different way - by using handprints and footprints.

I first saw one of Jenny Bertelsen's works of art in a friend's kitchen, proudly displayed on a simple plate stand. The sentimental type that I am, I knew right then I had to have one made of my kids' prints. I contacted Jenny, and made an appointment. Creating the print was quick and easy. The art comes in a variety of color and size options. I purchased larger pieces of art in addition to cute little footprint Christmas ornaments. I kept some pieces for myself and gave them as gifts - two years in a row - to grandparents.

Jenny's site is HandfulsHandprints.com. Her beautiful artwork, like photographs, will become more and more precious over time.

Another Joy of Photography

2010-02-15T17:54:00.009-05:00

Part of my business strategy for 2010 that I menioned last week includes taking refresher courses in photography. I think that being a good photographer includes understanding what you don't know, and always being open to learning new things. For me, being in classes and taking pictures for customers or for personal pleasure help me keep my skills sharp.

What a good decision that turned out to be! So far I have taken two courses this year - an advanced flash class and an events photography class. Being around other photographers is fun, inspiring and educational. I love photography and have found a bond with my classmates and instructors.

Whatever your passion, embrace it. Learning about it, practicing it and sharing it is all part of the joy.

Joys of Photography

2010-02-14T20:00:00.007-05:00

Saturday morning I got ready to go to a friend's newborn daughter's baptism. I am not a Catholic and was unsure if taking cameras are even allowed in church. Still, taking pictures is a part of me, and I threw my backup camera and my 50 mm lens in the car on my way out. I have missed too many shots that "could have been" because I wasn't prepared, and I didn't want that to happen today.

Charlotte had gotten the most beautiful snowfall the night before. As I started out to church, I was struck by the quiet, snowy scenes around me. The back country roads were slick but well worth the slow drive. I snapped a picture of a beautiful old tree to show what my little world looked like early that morning.

As it turns out, picture taking was allowed after the ceremony, and I was able to take some nice shots of the sweet baby and family. I was glad for an opportunity to use the 50 mm lens in conditions it was meant for. This lens was perfect for a low-lit church. I didn't have to use my big Speedlight flash, as the lens opens wide to allow for optimal light.

To me, the joy of being a photographer is simply appreciating the beautiful world and people around me through the lens of a camera. I was able to do that this weekend, and it was good for my soul.

Snowflake photography

2010-02-08T12:15:00.008-05:00

While browsing the Internet this morning, I came across a web site which explains how we now know that no two snowflakes are alike. Wilson A. Bentley of Vermont became the first person to photograph a snow crystal in 1885. He did this with the help of a microscope and a bellows camera. According to the web site, Mr. Bentley photographed "more than 5000 snowflakes during his lifetime, not finding any two alike."

A lesson in photographic history and science, this is so interesting to me. I look forward to sharing this web site with my little girls!