What about this session was most memorable?
As always my subjects! My little girl and our Dachshund are really wonderful models. I am always fascinated by the variety of emotion and body language I capture when I photograph these two! With a young child and a dog everything they do is so spontaneous and natural, it keeps you on your toes but it’s also a lot of fun!
Were there any hurdles?
I think it’s always a challenge to create unique photographs day after day in the same place – especially when you’re in a smaller space like an apartment. I wasn’t sure if I could create as much variety I would have liked, which is why I switched up my lenses and really looked for the light…I let the light and my subjects dictate where the images were taken. Also it’s always a challenge to keep clutter out of the frame, that part takes some planning and often times a quick cleanup is in order!
What is your best photographer/session advice?
Be confident and take your time! I think we often rush to try and catch the “perfect” moment, and sometimes this approach does work! But when you’re in your own home photographing your family it’s okay to wait for the moment, think about new angles and lighting situations, and challenge yourself by playing around with your camera settings/post processing. When you feel comfortable with familiar subjects and surroundings I think that allows your to stretch your creativity in new ways- and you can always apply these new techniques to client sessions.
What gear was used to achieve these?
My camera is a Nikon D750, and I used my Nikkor 50mm 1.8 lens and my Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic. When I found myself falling into a rut mid-session I would switch to my Lensbaby for an extra challenge. In Photoshop I added texture and paint effects, which is something I wouldn’t necessarily do if I were taking photos for someone else… but it’s something I’ve been experimenting with a lot lately in my personal photos. I love drawing and painting so I enjoy infusing these elements into my photographs.
About the photographer:
I live in Hoboken, New Jersey with my husband, our sweet little daughter, and a spunky dog named Huckleberry. I became serious about photography when my daughter was born in 2014, and I’ve been obsessed with my camera ever since! I’m interested in lifestyle, natural light photography with fine art infusion. When I’m not taking photos I can be found chasing my toddler on the playground, making things in my Crock-Pot, or daydreaming. I’m a travel enthusiast in love with all things Italian, including coffee! I’m currently a hobbyist who would love to someday have my own portrait business.
Website.