Be a poser !!

I remember when I first started out I used to spend hours looking at blogs and studying posing techniques. I wondered how photographers caught those "it" moments. You know the moments when the couple seems unaware that the camera is even there as they giggle and tell inside jokes. The moment between a father and a daughter that is so precious it makes your heart melt. Or the exact moment a family erupts in laughter all at the same time.

I wanted to learn to capture those :it" moments.

There was just one problem , every family I photographed just stood there and expected me to know what to do. Didn't they know they should be frolicking together. That they should act natural and just let me take a thousand pictures of them being "natural"


But what is being natural ? And how do you feel natural when you're all dressed up in a public place with a photographer who you probably barely know following you around telling you to act natural ?

easy peasy.


Come up with some simple silly interactions that for the family or couple to do together. For example. Ask everyone to try to make the baby laugh .



It takes the families focus off the camera and puts it where it belongs. On each other. Another trick I use for large families Is I ask them to pose themselves how they are comfortable when they get ready for a shot. I find that natural family connections shine through this way. Then I move them as needed to make sure everyone's happy smiling face can be seen.



And then I tell the kids to tickle Mom and Dad. ( the kiddos love this one)


And sometimes i ask them to walk away from me and then i tell "BOO" really loud so they all turn around.


Poses like these help loosen a family up not only with each other but with you the photographer as well. After a few fun ones the magic really shines through. Then you can get pictures like this that truly capture the love and joy between a family. They look natural, but were achieved with direction.





And one last piece of advice. Never stop taking pictures .

Even when no one is looking...

because you don't want to miss the small moments that speak BIG words about love.

I am having a love affair........

With black and white photography. Its funny how you could put the same model in front of 10 different photographers and all ten images that are captured will look completely different. Some photographers are bright and bold with their colors. Some use lots of photoshop techniques to make the images come alive with uncommon colors and textures. Others are more subdued and laid back. They keep things simple, and clean. Some are soulful and use rich tones shadows to accentuate the subject in the picture. I would classify my " style' as bubbly, bright, fun. And it works, but lately i have been testing the waters trying to capture images with more soul to them. I have found that black and white really helps you do that.

For you aspiring photogs out there I know you will understand me when i say that black and white pictures are no easy feat. It is not done by just clicking a button in photoshop. You want the perfect blend of blacks and whites. Its a game of trial and error until you find the mix of blacks and whites that makes the image come to life.

Until i saw these images i don't think i really realized how loudly black and white pictures can speak. The motivation for this shoot started with my clients desire to have pictures of her daughter in a baby cradle. But not just any cradle.This is the cradle that she herself had slept in as a baby. And the cradle that her mother had slept in as as well .

I really wanted these pictures to have a timeless feel to them. Like they could have been taken in any era. And of course I had some super adorable models. Someone asked me how i make my pictures black and white. my answer was simple, i know its right when the picture " sings" to me.

I hope these pictures sing to you too :) thanks Kristen for coming out and bringing your adorable babies.

It was windy out today.

This time of year is so bittersweet. While the rest of the country is rejoicing in the bliss of springtime and dreaming of summertime, we in Arizona are preparing to hibernate for 5 months.
The past few weeks we have been in the 90's. The sun has been shining down its violent rays warning us of the temperatures to come. To make matters worse. Our air conditioning is broke. I think God is testing me.

But today *sigh* today was a gift from heaven. Today i stepped out into the parking lot of the grocery store and smelled rain. I LOVE the smell of rain. The air this afternoon was thick with it. I was positively giddy as I loaded my children and groceries into the car. Delighting in every cold raindrop that hit my skin. As I closed the van doors and made my way to return my shopping cart, I closed my eyes and pretended i was back in Chicago.

It was nice.

Today was nice.

Rain is nice.

babies with no pants on while they play outside in the rain are nice.

In love In Arizona.

" You know you are in love
when you see the world in her eyes,
and her eyes everywhere in the world."
David Levesque
ps
if you refer a couple to laurenjean and they book a wedding with me for 2010 or 2011. You will receive a $100.00 dollars towards any laurenjean family photography package !!!


Congrats Stephanie and Steve . I cant wait for the wedding :)