This family’s baby girl just turned one and so the time was right for an updated family portrait! We headed to the city for a change of pace and found some unexpected fun, like fountains and gardens, the train station, and an excellent opportunity to encourage these sweet kiddos with a treat of ice cream after the session was over: Millie’s Market Square Scoop Shop The next time I’m downtown, I want to check this place out, it was hopin’!
Anyway, we had lovely sceenery, happy children and fun times!
Part of the fun of downtown sessions is walking between locations. And I can’t get enough of seeing families walking together hand-in-hand.
Or silly moments! While this sweet girl is all giggles, big brother is busy styling dad’s hair!
When you’re one, it’s exciting to sit in a big chair, and mama is close-by to supervise!
Here’s a close-up of the birthday girl – look at those eyes!
Big brother was excited to go to the train station. And to be sure that he felt special too, we stopped to get some portraits of just him with mom and dad too!
If you’d like to schedule a session in the big city, I’d love to talk with you! Please use this form to get in touch, thanks!
http://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Web-Use.png00kmillerhttp://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Web-Use.pngkmiller2018-07-27 13:44:392018-07-27 13:44:39Pittsburgh Family Portraits: Sessions in the City Are Fun!
Compared to the number of newborn sessions I photograph, I don’t get to capture many maternity sessions. I have no sure way of knowing why that’s the case, other than to remember my own feelings about being photographed when pregnant. Also, let me just say, these are my feelings and in no way, reflect on this radiant couple. I adored photographing their maternity and newborn sessions and am using their images to make a point – this special time in their lives is so fleeting and how wonderful that they can look back on it through these photos!
I suspect it’s two things: the first and most likely is that many women don’t feel particularly beautiful in their last trimester of pregnancy; and secondly, all of their energy is focused on getting ready for their baby. I understand. But it is truly one of the most remarkable times in a woman’s life!
And I’m not writing to try and sell more maternity sessions, but I want to encourage moms to be photographed with their children all throughout their lives. I feel sad when I get contacted about a newborn session and the mom doesn’t want to be in the photos. What a loss! Of course, it’s wonderful to capture that sweet baby at just a few days or weeks old, but such a big part of that baby’s story is missing if parents aren’t included in the photos.
When I look back at photo albums my mom put together, one of my favorite things is seeing what my mom and dad looked like as I was growing up. And look at this dad – he’s baby-wearing and in front of their greenhouse full of lovely fruits and vegetables! It’s all a part of telling their story.
And when I look back at my son’s newborn sessions, I’m glad that I was a part of the photos too. Because, gosh darn it, I was doing the amazingly incredible hard work of being mama and I’m proud of that!
I’m so glad when I get the opportunity to photograph this special time in other family’s lives. What a blessing!
http://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Web-Use.png00kmillerhttp://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Web-Use.pngkmiller2018-07-20 12:15:052018-07-20 12:15:05Pittsburgh Maternity and Newborn Photography: Being a Part of Our Child’s Story in Pictures
Sometimes kids like this sweet little girl can be very serious when it comes to participating in a photo shoot. She was pleasant and didn’t seem to mind being photographed, but she just wasn’t feeling like smiling that day. It could have been the hot weather that made her sleepy, but despite the efforts of her family and myself, we couldn’t get her to smile. And as these things go, she probably smiled as soon as we left North Park! But I find these images which capture her sweet nature and thoughtfulness, can be just as meaningful—if not more, than a big cheesy grin.
This might be my favorite portrait of her from this session. Such a tiny sweetheart!
As far as props go, I like using things that are functional and natural like books, chairs and bubbles. We used all three of those in this session!
Ah, the wonder of bubbles!
And in this last shot, I don’t think she was consciously posing, but I find it so endearing!
I’d love to hear from parents on your thoughts about smiling vs. serious portraits and what they mean to you!
http://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Web-Use.png00kmillerhttp://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Web-Use.pngkmiller2018-07-12 09:55:042018-07-12 09:55:04Pittsburgh Children’s Portraits: Embracing the Mood of Your Photo Shoot
Confession: family portraits with little children used to frighten me! I didn’t gain the experience I have today as a family portrait photographer until I had my own family. My two busy boys have taught me a thing or two about setting reasonable expectations, keeping them engaged, and making photoshoots fun! Thank you boys! I’ll use a recent photo from our beach vacation as an illustration:
I picked out their outfits on a rare solo shopping trip months in advance. When we were getting them dressed, we had to bribe them to wear said clothing. We walked to the beach (this was our third day at the beach) and while I envisioned them sitting neatly together in the sand with the ocean behind them, they had other ideas. First, they HAD to frolic in the ocean and dig in the sand, so I photographed that instead. I had almost given up on my goal for that trip to the beach thinking we could just come back another day. But on the way home, I asked them to stop by this sand dune and with some silly charades from their daddy, this sweet photo is the result.
After having shared all of that, my goals for my own family are not the same for my client’s sessions. I spend time getting to know my clients’ desires and priorities for the photo shoot and am much more focused on making that happen within the time allowed. I just thought I’d share some background before getting into what I feel is most important when photographing sessions with little ones. Here’s a recent photo shoot with a family in Cranberry to give you a feel for what to expect.
Ok, tip #1: Keep moving. There’s nothing worse than to plop a kid down and expect them to stay in one place for more than a few minutes. I like to pick locations that are conducive to walking and offer variety in scenery.
Tip #2: Less is more when it comes to props. Other than a chair, a book, or bubbles, too much attention is given to managing props. We didn’t need anything for this mommy and me portrait, just mom and her daughter so that the focus is on their special relationship.
The same goes for this baby girl and her daddy.
Tip #3: Have fun. To keep this little sweetie interested, we told her we were going on a nature walk. So when she found this walking stick, we went with it. When I engage with kids and they have an idea to offer, I want them to experience the pleasure of this process!
If you’d like to talk more about scheduling a family photo shoot, please let me know. I’d love to hear from you!
http://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Web-Use.png00kmillerhttp://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Web-Use.pngkmiller2018-07-06 12:46:432018-07-06 12:46:43Cranberry Family Portraits: Three Tips to Help Little Kids Make It Through Your Session
This mama has had her first three babies photographed in the hospital and so it was natural for her to do the same for her fourth baby, but she was shocked when she asked about a hospital photographer and found there wasn’t one available. Thankfully, she reached out to me and we found some time to make it work before she left the hospital.
His daddy had this rosary made with his name on it.
This was one tiny room with a window tucked around the corner from the beds, so we got up close to the lovely natural light.
I love seeing parents gazing at their newborn!
I had to supplement the light for this group shot with the big siblings. While I’m not a fan of using flash for newborn sessions, I sure do love seeing all of these smiling faces!
I could shoot close-ups of newborns all day and I think seeing mama’s caring hands in the shot makes it extra special – it expresses the love and caring surrounding this baby boy.
After his first photo shoot, this little fella is ready for a nap!
If you or someone you know is getting ready to have a baby, I’d be happy to talk with you about hospital or in-home newborn sessions!
Pittsburgh Family Portraits: Sessions in the City Are Fun!
/by kmillerThis family’s baby girl just turned one and so the time was right for an updated family portrait! We headed to the city for a change of pace and found some unexpected fun, like fountains and gardens, the train station, and an excellent opportunity to encourage these sweet kiddos with a treat of ice cream after the session was over: Millie’s Market Square Scoop Shop The next time I’m downtown, I want to check this place out, it was hopin’!
Anyway, we had lovely sceenery, happy children and fun times!
Part of the fun of downtown sessions is walking between locations. And I can’t get enough of seeing families walking together hand-in-hand.
Or silly moments! While this sweet girl is all giggles, big brother is busy styling dad’s hair!
When you’re one, it’s exciting to sit in a big chair, and mama is close-by to supervise!
Here’s a close-up of the birthday girl – look at those eyes!
Big brother was excited to go to the train station. And to be sure that he felt special too, we stopped to get some portraits of just him with mom and dad too!
If you’d like to schedule a session in the big city, I’d love to talk with you! Please use this form to get in touch, thanks!
Pittsburgh Maternity and Newborn Photography: Being a Part of Our Child’s Story in Pictures
/by kmillerCompared to the number of newborn sessions I photograph, I don’t get to capture many maternity sessions. I have no sure way of knowing why that’s the case, other than to remember my own feelings about being photographed when pregnant. Also, let me just say, these are my feelings and in no way, reflect on this radiant couple. I adored photographing their maternity and newborn sessions and am using their images to make a point – this special time in their lives is so fleeting and how wonderful that they can look back on it through these photos!
I suspect it’s two things: the first and most likely is that many women don’t feel particularly beautiful in their last trimester of pregnancy; and secondly, all of their energy is focused on getting ready for their baby. I understand. But it is truly one of the most remarkable times in a woman’s life!
And I’m not writing to try and sell more maternity sessions, but I want to encourage moms to be photographed with their children all throughout their lives. I feel sad when I get contacted about a newborn session and the mom doesn’t want to be in the photos. What a loss! Of course, it’s wonderful to capture that sweet baby at just a few days or weeks old, but such a big part of that baby’s story is missing if parents aren’t included in the photos.
When I look back at photo albums my mom put together, one of my favorite things is seeing what my mom and dad looked like as I was growing up. And look at this dad – he’s baby-wearing and in front of their greenhouse full of lovely fruits and vegetables! It’s all a part of telling their story.
And when I look back at my son’s newborn sessions, I’m glad that I was a part of the photos too. Because, gosh darn it, I was doing the amazingly incredible hard work of being mama and I’m proud of that!
I’m so glad when I get the opportunity to photograph this special time in other family’s lives. What a blessing!
Pittsburgh Children’s Portraits: Embracing the Mood of Your Photo Shoot
/by kmillerSometimes kids like this sweet little girl can be very serious when it comes to participating in a photo shoot. She was pleasant and didn’t seem to mind being photographed, but she just wasn’t feeling like smiling that day. It could have been the hot weather that made her sleepy, but despite the efforts of her family and myself, we couldn’t get her to smile. And as these things go, she probably smiled as soon as we left North Park! But I find these images which capture her sweet nature and thoughtfulness, can be just as meaningful—if not more, than a big cheesy grin.
This might be my favorite portrait of her from this session. Such a tiny sweetheart!
As far as props go, I like using things that are functional and natural like books, chairs and bubbles. We used all three of those in this session!
Ah, the wonder of bubbles!
And in this last shot, I don’t think she was consciously posing, but I find it so endearing!
I’d love to hear from parents on your thoughts about smiling vs. serious portraits and what they mean to you!
Cranberry Family Portraits: Three Tips to Help Little Kids Make It Through Your Session
/by kmillerConfession: family portraits with little children used to frighten me! I didn’t gain the experience I have today as a family portrait photographer until I had my own family. My two busy boys have taught me a thing or two about setting reasonable expectations, keeping them engaged, and making photoshoots fun! Thank you boys! I’ll use a recent photo from our beach vacation as an illustration:
I picked out their outfits on a rare solo shopping trip months in advance. When we were getting them dressed, we had to bribe them to wear said clothing. We walked to the beach (this was our third day at the beach) and while I envisioned them sitting neatly together in the sand with the ocean behind them, they had other ideas. First, they HAD to frolic in the ocean and dig in the sand, so I photographed that instead. I had almost given up on my goal for that trip to the beach thinking we could just come back another day. But on the way home, I asked them to stop by this sand dune and with some silly charades from their daddy, this sweet photo is the result.
After having shared all of that, my goals for my own family are not the same for my client’s sessions. I spend time getting to know my clients’ desires and priorities for the photo shoot and am much more focused on making that happen within the time allowed. I just thought I’d share some background before getting into what I feel is most important when photographing sessions with little ones. Here’s a recent photo shoot with a family in Cranberry to give you a feel for what to expect.
Ok, tip #1: Keep moving. There’s nothing worse than to plop a kid down and expect them to stay in one place for more than a few minutes. I like to pick locations that are conducive to walking and offer variety in scenery.
Tip #2: Less is more when it comes to props. Other than a chair, a book, or bubbles, too much attention is given to managing props. We didn’t need anything for this mommy and me portrait, just mom and her daughter so that the focus is on their special relationship.
The same goes for this baby girl and her daddy.
Tip #3: Have fun. To keep this little sweetie interested, we told her we were going on a nature walk. So when she found this walking stick, we went with it. When I engage with kids and they have an idea to offer, I want them to experience the pleasure of this process!
If you’d like to talk more about scheduling a family photo shoot, please let me know. I’d love to hear from you!
Pittsburgh Newborn Photography: Hospital Newborn Sessions
/by kmillerThis mama has had her first three babies photographed in the hospital and so it was natural for her to do the same for her fourth baby, but she was shocked when she asked about a hospital photographer and found there wasn’t one available. Thankfully, she reached out to me and we found some time to make it work before she left the hospital.
His daddy had this rosary made with his name on it.
This was one tiny room with a window tucked around the corner from the beds, so we got up close to the lovely natural light.
I love seeing parents gazing at their newborn!
I had to supplement the light for this group shot with the big siblings. While I’m not a fan of using flash for newborn sessions, I sure do love seeing all of these smiling faces!
I could shoot close-ups of newborns all day and I think seeing mama’s caring hands in the shot makes it extra special – it expresses the love and caring surrounding this baby boy.
After his first photo shoot, this little fella is ready for a nap!
If you or someone you know is getting ready to have a baby, I’d be happy to talk with you about hospital or in-home newborn sessions!