Suburban Beauty

Fiona's birth

first breath b&w, originally uploaded by uncommonjulia.

Man, it's hard to know where to start, since my sessions have kept me so busy over the past month.  I think I'll stick with simple and go chronologically.

Nearly four weeks ago, on a Tuesday morning, my friend Kristin gave birth to her second child, a daughter named Fiona.

I am so glad this was my first birth photography session.  Kristin was her usual beyond-friendly self and made giving birth look like a cake-walk!  I joked with her that I'd be signing up for a half-dozen if my pregnancies and deliveries looked anything like hers.

The hospital lighting was tricky, with three or four completely different ambient settings in the same room, but I was able to switch back and forth between settings without losing any crucial moments.

There was also ample space and the doctor and nurses were kind about letting me stand near the action.

My favorite photo from the birth is actually a different one.  If you're a contact of mine on flickr, you can see it.  But this is a close second, followed by the very serious and alert-faced Fiona.

I have to say, this photography thing could prove to be highly addictive.  What a rush to be there during such an intensely personal moment.  What a blessing to be invited to tell their story.

Pouty is Pretty

Lily 3 colorful edge burn, originally uploaded by uncommonjulia.

This photo is my favorite from the family session I shot on Saturday.  As parents we tend to get uptight when the kids aren't cooperating like we'd envisioned.  But I think some of the best photos happen when kids are being their honest selves - which, let's face it, is sometimes grumpy or pouty. 

I'm particularly proud of this one because the only manipulation to the photo is a slight boost to the color and a teeny bit of edge burn.  The depth of field and everything else is all me!!

Getting Jumpy

Any minute now my phone is going to ring.  It's going to be one of two friends announcing they've gone into labor and can I please meet them at the hospital.  Let me repeat: it will be ONE of two friends.  Because if they both go into labor at the same time, at different hospitals, I will be well and truly screwed.

I am beyond excited about my first chance to shoot delivery pictures.  And, courtesy my best friend's first-ever false alarm (surprising, since it's her third kid), I've already had a chance to set my camera just so for the room lighting.  That is, assuming she goes first.

So, any suggestions for great delivery room photos?  Please, link away to favorite shots or techniques.  I'm all ears.

Posey Hannah

posey Hannah, originally uploaded by uncommonjulia.

I took this shot on our way into a friend's house.  I was taking picture of my friends and their kids as mother's day gifts and we had just taken pictures of one family (Hannah was my "helper") when she plopped down in front of the flowers and started striking poses.

This is a new development for Hannah, who usually tucks her chin when the camera comes out.  Once we got inside, she proclaimed, "I'm good at taking pictures."  She said it so matter-of-factly that I had to laugh.

When she's right, she's right.

Sleeping Beauty

sleeping beauty soft and faded, originally uploaded by uncommonjulia.

Yesterday, Hannah wanted me to give her a "mani-pedi" while she watched Builder Bob (she's well-rounded, what can I say?).  I obliged, and instructed her to stay "real still" while I got Caroline up from her nap and fed her lunch.  After about ten minutes, I yelled up to Hannah that she could get up and move around now.

Then, maybe half an hour later, I came upstairs to find her completely asleep and snoring, with her hands and toes held out just so.  You can't blame her.  The life of a toddler is so taxing.

So much freakin' fun!

point at belly vintage, originally uploaded by uncommonjulia.

Yesterday I had a second photo shoot for my friend.  She wanted something more urban and architectural, and I thought that sounded like a lot of fun and something different for my portfolio.  We had a blast!  The whole shoot was at one building and the people there were beyond friendly and understanding.  One lady even suggested we go up to the third floor for this shot.

Some of these were great for playing with on Photoshop, and others were near perfect straight out of the camera.

I can't wait until all these ladies start having their babies... then the real fun starts!

Challenging, but Fun

bridge laugh fresh and colorful, originally uploaded by uncommonjulia.

Wednesday I did another maternity shoot.  This time, the weather wasn't quite as cooperative - overcast and windy, and cooler than it had been in weeks.  The lighting for the interior shots was iffy, too, and I neglected to use something for a backdrop.  But, nonetheless, I think we got some good shots that really capture the "loviness" of this couple.

Bluebonnet Bust

The following is a step-by-step tutorial on how not to take the traditional children-in-the-bluebonnets shoot that is such a staple in Texas.

Ahem.
Step 1: Exasperate and starve children by driving around in the car for a half hour just before dinner time.  This creates the ideal attitude and facial expressions in your subjects.

Step 2:  Choose a location that positions the sun directly in your subjects eyes.  Children and babies love nothing more than gazing into the sun.  You'll have no shortage of joyful, bright-eyed shots.

(note how we've managed to get the youngest babe to eat greenery in her desperation for sustenance)

Step 3: When clothing your wee subjects, dresses and sandals are preferable, allowing for maximum irritation of the legs from the tall field grass and stickers, as well as prime exposure for a toddler who'd rather flash than sit cross-legged amid the itchiness.  The guaranteed half-hour of whining about itchiness that "won't go away, Mommy!" is worth it alone.

Sure, the younger ones can't move or express their joy over their love for all things grass-like, but their face will show their delight, nonetheless.

Step 4: Appreciate the culmination of your efforts.  Note the palpable irritation, the flashing, the squinting, the eating of grass, and the obvious joy all in one shot!

Step 5: Salvaging a few shots that don't make you cringe (or laugh, depending on alcohol consumption)... Priceless.

I Love This One

beautiful Caroline, originally uploaded by uncommonjulia.

Okay, so maybe not the most eloquent title for a post, but what can I say?  I love this picture of Caroline.  She's usually a very smiley, animated kid.  But when she's still and serious like this, she has a look that just forces you to stay still and focus on her.

The ones of her eating oak flowers and pollen are a bit more true to form, though.

My Second Maternity Shoot

Classic KZ!, originally uploaded by uncommonjulia.

I had so much fun today taking pictures of my good friend, Kristin, and her family.  When I first met her - during our single, bar-hopping years - Kristin carried around a pair a fake Hillbillie teeth in her purse.  She would wait until some guy sidled up next to her at the bar, pop 'em in, and then turn and give him the biggest grin without ever flinching.  It was hilarious.

Alas, the teeth broke a while back and she couldn't find her back-up pair (yep - she had a back-up pair!), so we had to make do with some other classically-KZ photos.

Of course, there are lots of other more traditional photos, too.  And, as per my usual, I uploaded a ton of pictures so they could pick their favorites, even though I know it makes my flickr account unwieldy.