Event Photography: 50th Wedding Anniversary: Professional Photographer Plymouth South Shore

  I just blogged about my grandparents reaching 70 years together, but 50 years is definitely an accomplishment to be celebrated as well.  I could not have been happier to be asked by Nancy and Helmut to be a part of their special day and their party.  They picked a beautiful location, The Marina, to celebrate with their family and friends from all over.  They asked me to come and photograph the party but to also be available for family photos to anyone who wanted them.  What a sweet gracious and fun group of people!  Here are just some of the images from that day!

Family Photo Session: Professional Photographer Plymouth South Shore

I love taking family photos.  I especially love getting calls from family that are vacationing here and want someone to come by to capture the moment for them.  It is such a great idea if you and your extended family are coming together for a vacation from different parts of the country to memorialize the moment.  Here are just a few of the family images from the last family vacationing photos that I took!

Family Photo Sessions: Professional Photographer Plymouth South Shore

After taking family photos full time for more than 5 years, I thought I had found a lot of the cool places to take people for photos in the area.  But I was blown away when one of the models I worked with showed me a place I had never been to before that totally took my breath away. I immediately called the family I was photographing that weekend and sent her a picture of the location.  She was also immediately on board with using this backdrop and we were both excited.

I love working with Monica and her family,  They make photo shoots so much fun and I just love spending time with them in general!  Here are some of the images we captured from that day.

Maternity Session: Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer

This has been one whirlwind weekend; Beach Mini Sessions on Saturday, Maternity Session on Sunday, and in between on Friday, Saturday and Sunday I was taking photos around town for Destination Plymouth.  Today is time for one deep breath and then tomorrow is family photos in the morning and another night of Cameras and Cocktails in the evening!  Whew!!! My maternity photos were a highlight.  It was for a wonderful family that I have done sessions for multiple times in the last couple years.  I love so much seeing them and working with them.  Also seeing little miss "S" growing into such a beautiful little girl!

This was one of my favorite photos from the weekend!

TBT: Me and my sister: Professional Photographer Plymouth South Shore

So clearly this is not a picture I took but I just love having fun Throwback Thursday Posts! My sister and I are twins.  We are very close which is not true of all twins or all siblings unfortunately.  When she gets pinched I don't feel it.  I can't read her mind.  Often though we are on the same wavelength.  You can call it a twin thing or just chalk it up to being raised in the same family.  I am very proud of my sister and all that she has accomplished.  You probably so my previous post about her business, Archiplicity.  She has been designing residential and commercial buildings for 18 years.  She also rock climbs and scuba dives.  She works hard to make sure that her friends are taken care of and gives a lot of herself away to make sure that others are happy.  Today I celebrate my twin!  I also would love to give a shout out to my friend Ed Nute who took this picture of Jenny and I when we were little.  I won't call any of us out by saying how long ago this was!

Photography Tip of The Week: Pay attention to your background: Professional Photographer South Shore Plymouth

There are certain things you start to pay attention to when you take lots of pictures.  When you feel like you have gotten the aperture right and the shutter speed right.  Your exposure is good.  Now how does a good photo become a great photo?  It's attention to detail.  If you want your subject to stand out you pick simple but picturesque backgrounds.  If you are taking snapshots on the fly and you can't control the background then you shift your subjects to make sure that there is no tree growing out of their head or a pole!  Seems simple right? But if you don't pay attention to the small details you pictures look cluttered and your subjects get lost.  Or worse, they look laughable because some object is protruding at just the wrong angle!  I try to pick simple backgrounds; a row of tall bushes, a brick wall, the beach when no one is there.  When you have control over your environment it eliminates anything that might get in the way. Happy Shooting!

TBT: Love my cousins: Professional Photographer South Shore Plymouth

I love sorting through and finding old photos of me and my family.  I also love restoring them for other people.  This is a great picture of me, my sister, and my cousins Adam and Jennie.  It reminds me of the fun time we used to have spending part of the summer in PA with them.  Unfortunately age has not been kind to the corners of this photo but lucky for me I know how to fix that!  I hope you are enjoying throwback thursday as much as I am!

Small Business Shout out of the week: Oceanside Animal Hospital: Professional Photographer Plymouth South Shore

I have been trying to support and sing the praises of local businesses around me every week and this week is no exception.  This week I want to tell you about another great place, Oceanside Animal Hospital. Oceanside Animal Hospital is located in Sandwich, Massachusetts at the corner of Tupper Road and Route 6A. They are a new full service animal hospital and retail boutique.  This is where I take my dog, Charlie and my sister takes her dog Max.

The level of care and compassion at Oceanside is the best that I have ever had.  I feel comfortable and confident that my pets are always getting the best care.  I can tell you as a pet owner that I have definitely not always felt that way.  In fact, I have had a handful of really bad experiences with other places.

Oceanside treats their patients and owners like family.  They are warm and caring and their level of care and attention to their patients is fantastic.  If you are looking for a vet, this is the only place I will go.  Oceanside can be reached at Phone (508) 744-3838 Email info@oceansideanimal.com and website http://www.oceansideanimal.com

Photo Tip of the week: Capturing kids pictures: Professional Photographer Plymouth South Shore

One of the hardest things to do is to take a great picture of your kids.  I have a few tips to make that easier: 1. Pick their best time of day for pictures whether you or hiring someone or taking them yourself.  I find that for most kids that is morning.

2. Make sure your kids are well fed.  Also bring snacks, drinks, and treats to make things easier.

3. Play and interact while you are taking their pictures, it brings out the bright side of their personality.

4. If they are having a tough time, give them some time to reset.  Whether I am taking pictures for other people or myself I find that this comes in handy to change the mood.  I am more worried about getting the right shot than about the time on the clock.

Happy Shooting!

This Past Weekend's Beach Session: Professional Photographer Plymouth South Shore

The season is now in high gear and I am having so much fun.  I have been having so much fun meeting new people and reconnecting with people I have photographed before.  This is my second session with V.  Her first session was her cake smash session and it is so much fun to see how much she has grown and what a beautiful little girl she is.  She is also so amazingly sweet and fun!  I loved spending time capturing her and at one of her favorite places...The beach!

Beach Mini Sessions are coming June 21, 2014 only $99: Professional Photographer South Shore Plymouth

So I am so excited my mini sessions on the beach are almost upon us!  I just got another sign up yesterday!  It's going to be so much fun!  If you have not yet heard, mini-sessions are a smaller more compact session.  For $99.00, you will receive a 30 minute session, 8-10 digital images and one 8x10 print from your session.  Although most people typically think of this as family photos I have all different groups coming, families, couples, maternity photos, and a group of long time girlfriends just to name some.  I still have sometime available if you are interested, Call now!  508-244-4073 or email me at kathy@themirroredimage.com

Throwback Thursday: The first day of the rest of my life

So last Thursday was my 4 year anniversary with Dave.  So technically this post should have happened last week, but my dad took precedence :)  This is the first picture Dave and I ever had taken of the two of us by my very good friend Laurence when we were with her in Metz, France.  The funny thing is that I knew then that we were meant to be together.  So did Dave.  He went back to Colorado and told everyone that he was moving to Boston.. her didn't know when but he was.  This was the beginning of many of the great things that have come my way..Dave and Lucy..the two best things that ever happened to me!

Creative Photo Shoot: The Elements with C'mor Color Lush MUA

So every once in a while, about 4 times a year, I try and do a creative photo shoot that has nothing to do with anything other than remembering why I love photography.  Cynthia Morales, owner of C'mor Color Lush was introduced to me by a friend and we set out to showcase our talents!  Here is our result!

Professional Photographer Plymouth South Shore:Beach Sessions June 21, 2014

So just a couple weeks away now and I have our first beach mini sessions for the summer! I am so excited to be out on the beach with some people I know and some I will get to know.  That is one of the beautiful things about this business!  I get to meet new people all the time!  Here is how a mini session works.  You book a 30 minute session on June 21, 2014 with me (there are a few slots still available) in return you receive 8-10 digital images and one 8x10 print.  You may order more prints but they will be priced separately. Just take a look at the last mini session I had!

Professional Photographer Plymouth South Shore: Family Photos at Castle Island #Family

This has been a whirlwind couple weeks with photo shoots and family visits and taking care of a two year old to boot!  But I wouldn't change it for the world.  I am baking a cake, posting a blog entry and ordering an album all at the same time while Lucy naps! That has been the whole last month really with no end in site.  But, when you love what you do, you make it work and I love what I do.  Taking these family photos allowed me to connect with an old friend that I have not seen in 5 years. I loved being able to reconnect and to take her family pictures with her mom and brother.  Take a look:

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Photo Tip of the week: Taking better family photos!

So now that it is getting nicer out and summer is coming more of us are thinking about taking vacations and getting out and about.  In addition to wanting to have loads of fun on your trip, you probably want to capture some moments that remind you of the great time that you had. Here are some things that I find helpful.

1. If you are driving bring a tripod.  You want a picture of the WHOLE family.

2. When you set people up look for a location with a bench or some rocks, something that will make it easier to stagger people.  Photos are so much more interesting that way.

3. Stay away from bold prints.  If one person is wearing a brig floral caftan, that will certainly be the focus of the picture!

4.  If you have kids, take pictures in the morning.  That is usually their best time and the time they are most willing to listen to direction.  Also I am not above bribery (carry a little treat with you, a couple M&M's go a long way!

5. Mid afternoon is the best time to capture great lighting.  It's called the golden hour and you have great light if you think you can get you family to pose then.

6. Save noontime for lunch not pictures!  There is usually a hazy film on your images when the sun is right over head.  I try to avoid taking pictures at this time if I can help it!

If all of this seems like a lot, consider calling a photographer located where you are staying and having them meet you for an afternoon.  Family Photo Shoots are affordable and you won't regret having some great images to cherish!  Happy Shooting!

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Family Photos and Party all Rolled into one

So here is another great idea that people don't always think of.  How about inviting a photographer to a couple hours of your next family gathering and having some professional family photos done?  I have booked some events like these in the near future and more coming.  It is becoming a more popular idea.  For a little more than what you would pay to get your own family photos done you have captured a moment to remember and you have your family on film as well.  Here are some of my favorites from the most recent event.  

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Throwback Thursday: Baby Lucy

So I planned on doing more photo restoration projects for Throwback Thursday, but my little baby who is no longer a tiny baby is feeling under the weather today.  This is actually day 3 of her cold and she is bouncing back, tired and sniffling but otherwise good.  Of course that made me digress to think of my cute little baby when she was a cute little baby and then start looking through some of the cute little pictures that I have loved the best of her.  Here is just a selection of Little Lucy thus far!

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Small Business Shout out of the Week: Smilin' Mike's Dojo of Champions

So by now if you read my posts you can see that I am sort of making it my thing to give a shout out to all the great businesses in town that I frequent.  Nothing is better than a personal recommendation to grow your business. So I am making it part of my mission to let people know of all the deserving businesses that I know.  We all definitely need to support local business.  It is great to have the convenience of shopping online, I know I do it a lot as well, but if we want to see our communities thrive we also have to support the places that we live and work. I met Mike from Smilin' Mike's Dojo of Champions before he started his newest Dojo location in Plymouth.  He was teaching in Randolph and a few other places and he was a stay at home dad.  Since I am growing my business the same way, I can tell you that it is not easy to spend all of your "down" time make a business work, but Mike has done it with finesse.  He has such a great way with people and his business is taking off like a rocket.  I can't think of someone that deserves it more.  I have seen Mike in action with kids and he is fantastic, so involved and engaging.  Once Lucy is old enough for Karate instruction she is definitely going here!

Mike has been teaching since 1997 and if what I see is any indication he's going to go a lot farther.  If you are interested take a look at his business.  His website is http://www.randolphkarate.com and his contact info is: dojoofchampions@yahoo.com or 781-963-9600.  Smilin' Mike's Dojo of Champions is located at  739 State Rd, Plymouth, MA 02360.

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Photography Tip for the week: What's the right photo equipment for the best picture?

So I spend a lot of time taking pictures both at work and at home...that's probably a given. I had three photo shoots this weekend (photos to follow).What I have learned over the years is this, you don't have to have the biggest and the best to get the best result.  In fact, two of my favorite lenses are the least expensive ones I own: 1. AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G DX Lens

2. Normal AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Autofocus Lens

Both lenses were under 200.00 each brand new and I find them indispensable.  Fixed lenses make a huge difference in portrait photography.  They give you more control over the clarity of your subject and the ability to dial down your aperture enough to really make your subject come to life.  Even with a starter camera you will see a phenomenal difference using a fixed lens.  The 35mm lens is my most used lens and I love the way my images have changed since buying it.

Of course the bigger and better you camera gets the more difference you will see in the image that is produced as far as image quality goes, but I think you will be amazed at what you see by switching from a to something like this.  The onus is on you to do the work of moving around your subject but it is worth all the effort!