There is Something Missing

I was flipping through my pictures taken on my phone. I am a new mom and I love seeing how my little boy is growing. Every week there is something new and joyful! Family trips, playing with new toys, bath time, giggles, and little baby feet fill up my gallery. But there is something absent from my pictures. ME.

My husband loves me and I know this but his first thought isn’t to take pictures of me. There are lots of pictures of him and our boy but that is because of two reasons. One I have the camera and when my hands are finally free I am so excited to take pictures. Second, and this is important, he asks me to take pictures of him and his boy.

I don’t ask for pictures of me. It could be because I am too tired, my hair is a mess, my skin is broken out, I am wearing old clothes, or I just feel fat. That is just life. But that doesn’t mean I should be absent from the memories. When my boy is older I want him to look back and see his mom.

Someday, when this little one is grown, she is going to look back and see the way her mom loved her!

Pictures of yourself are for other people, your family, your kids, and the generations that are coming. You don’t have to be perfect, your house doesn’t have to be clean, but you do need to be present! My heart is to help make that happen for you. Having a photographer that you trust to capture a moment in time is a priceless gift you are giving to your family. They love you the way you are and I can help make you look your best even when you don’t feel it.

The love doesn’t stop even after your kids are grown!

Sacred Ground's Cafe

I had the unique experience recently. Sacred Ground’s Cafe needed images and I thought how fun to photograph people in action cooking and serving. When I met with Natasha I learned that she had other images in mind because she has been working on a cookbook. These were just going to be food images!

I loved the challenge and have worked with food in the past but not with someone else preparing it! We set a timeline and planned the meals. And then I added another component. We were not going to be able to photograph all of her recipes in one session. So I offered to teach her what I could so she would be able to photograph her creations as they were made.

Using only natural light, a bounce card, and some fancy papers I set up in the cafe at a time they were not normally crowded. One plate after another came out and I had about 10min with each one. After we were done I even was lucky enough to get some leftovers to take home! The whole experience was so pleasant! And brought photography back to the most important thing - quality light. You have that and then the images are easier to create!

Memories at Home

Homes hold so many memories. I walk into my parents home and there is a large armoire. I don't know where it came from but I remember finding all kinds of things in there as a kid. Fancy napkins when company came over, candles when storms took out the lights, and a CD player that played christmas music starting in October. That piece of furniture has moved with us to multiple house in multiple states. Its creaky doors, broken shelf, and sticky drawers are all part of its charm and it is loved. This is just one piece that has been taken care of, loved and is part of our family's memories. It is important to remember the cherished decorative pieces you spent days looking for and years living with. That's why home sessions are so special. Not only do they capture the expressions of loved ones but also that coffee table your now grown babies use to walk around.

Your home is special and a reflection of your family. Often its hard to look past the stain on the carpet or the outdated paint colors. But those are memories too. And that is where a photographer can help. To find that corner of your home that will surprisingly take lovely pictures. Portable lights to fill the room and flatter your jaw line that lamps can do.  Added benefits to staying home for pictures is the air conditioning on hot days! And the ability to change outfits quickly, or freshen up your hair with your already heated curling iron! 

For this beautiful family we set up in their living room. And then as the afternoon storm rolled in we stepped outside to their front yard to get more artistic environmental headshots. As they waited to get their picture taken their Mom made dinner, siblings laid on the grass, and everyone was able to relax in their own space. What is part of your home that holds memories? Is it time that you cherish what life is like right now for the years and people to come?

Confidence is a Gift We Give to Others

I love what I do! Not only do I meet the most interesting people but I get to instill confidence. Often our perspective gets skewed by the beautiful people we see in the media. It becomes a belief that a few pounds need to come off, that makeup should be on point, trendy outfits need to be purchased, and that time needs to be kinder to our skin. That’s not true! All you need to do is show up! Your picture is a chance to present who you are and the photographer is just your mirror. It's time to be proud of your face!

I wanted to lead by example in this self-portrait and be as real as possible. No makeup because I don’t like wearing it every day, an old tee-shirt that I shouldn’t love so much, and hair that is just doing whatever it wants. I think sometimes we believe confidence is for ourselves but in my experience confidence is also a gift we give to those around us. So, show up in your pictures. Stop waiting for something to be better and start loving who you are today!

Photographing the In-Between Times.

There are many moments in life to celebrate, weddings, promotions, buying that new home. Photographers are here to cement those moments into history. Then there are those times where life is less than picture perfect but still part of our human experience. Those in-between times of waiting for the doctor to call, wondering if the surgery will be successful, or knowing that time is fleeting, is where I would like to be capturing the sweetness of life. Freezing time before, the possibility of a life altering change takes hold. I want to gift images to families going through struggles. Not to document the struggle but to have beautiful portraits made that will stand the test of time. Taking these portraits in the in-between times is meant to be a free gift. The images will not highlight the struggle but focus on joy, love, and strength.

These are the moments that I want to preserve for families in need. A sweet family is welcoming their first newborn baby home.

This ministry entered my heart when I was asked to edit an image of a baby who only lived 10 days. He was wrapped in a hospital blanket and tubes were all around him. It broke my heart that this was the lasting memory of such a sweet boy. I wish I had been there to take his picture with his parents. Then this drive came back to me again, when just a few weeks after photographing my friend she got devastating health news and her new portrait was on the prayer card. Even now looking back at my images I am finding more times that the pictures I have taken have been used as a remembrance. It is an honor to know that I have sealed memories for the loved ones left behind. 

Pictures are memories that we leave for the ones who love us. 

These images that accompany this post are examples of the precious moments that I want to gift to others. After the images have been edited they will be given digitally, copyright free, on a custom flash drive so they can be shared and printed. I know I need to open this opportunity for other to be a blessing. So, if you want to be a part of the gift giving process please tell me the story of the people/person you care about and how I can reach out to them. If you want to be more involved by purchasing prints for someone struggling, that I have photographed, let me know. Buying prints is not necessary, just an option for more people to show love. Please join me in this opportunity to do something kind for others!

Arranging your headshot for LinkedIn

If you have dabbled in photography, even a little, chances are you have heard of the rule of thirds. It's a compositional suggestion to create impact in your pictures. The rule of thirds is when your image is divided by thirds horizontally and vertically. Here is how to understand the rule of thirds for your LinkedIn profile picture.

Let's start with the eye line. It is the top third line. And like the name suggests that is where the eyes of your subject should be placed. 

Above Dana's eye is on the eye line (the top third line). As you enlarge your headshot you might notice that the top of your head gets trimmed off at the top of the frame. It is ok! The crop will work like bangs in a hair cut. What you want to avoid is cropping right under the chin. It give the feel that you are being decapitated. Not good.

A couple more things to keep in mind. Center your images. Silly thing to mention when rule of thirds is all about being off center. However, in the LinkedIn format, non centered images look like you don't care about the details. One exception is if you are looking off to the side. Then leave a little more room the direction your noise is pointing.

Also avoid making your headshot to big. Give the viewer some breathing room or space around your face. Closely cropped images where only your face is visible, is uncomfortable to look at and too intimate for the business feel of LinkedIn.

Now keep in mind these are only general guidelines. And there are plenty of exceptions to the rules. If you want to have honest feedback on your LinkedIn profile composition ask me! I am happy to help!  

Get a better jawline with 3 easy tips!

Ever wonder why selfies are taken at such an awkwardly high angle? By looking up at the camera the skin of your neck stretches out any loose skin and the jaw becomes more defined. Here are some tips to get your jawline to pop while looking still looking professional.

 1. Lean in

By straightening your spine and leaning in, like you would in an interesting conversation, you are elongating loose areas and looking trimmer. This is just a slight lean maybe 10 degrees and implies you are ready to engage with the viewer.  

2. Out and down

Chin out and down might need some practice in the mirror but it is well worth it. Most of us have the tendency to rest our chin down and in especially when you are trying to stand taller and puff your chest out. Remember only move your face out and down not your whole body or your posture will suffer.

 3. Push your tongue to the roof of your mouth

Pushing your tongue up behind your teeth will help tighten the muscles in your neck and create more flattering line.