Finding inspiration and elevating your art: South Shore Boston MA Family Child Newborn Photographer

I mentioned in my beginning photoshop tutorial videos that I have used videos myself along the way to help me elevate my art,  I have used both free and paid tutorials to get to where I want to be.  All of the videos I am working on are basic skill videos and will not in any way take away from the videos that I have used from other professionals.  If you are beyond the beginning stage and looking for a way to take your art to the next level, may I suggest Jinky Art Photography's annual video subscription videos.  Barb uses both Lightroom and Photoshop in her tutorials. As a person that seeks out art and inspiration as well as further learning, I have found Barb's work to be very inspiring and she is an excellent teacher when it comes to laying everything out in a clear concise manner.  Out of all the videos and tutorials I have watched this one has been the best for furthering my photoshop skills and bring out the best in my art.  I can't thank Barb enough for putting out her video series.  If you are interested, the link to her subscription based service is here: http://jinkyart.com.au/product/post-production-videos/

Here are some of the images she helped to inspire of mine:

South Shore Boston MA Family Child Newborn Photographer: Video Series Episode One, Photoshop for Beginners, The Healing Brush Tool

I am so lucky to do what I love to do each day! I am even luckier to be successful at it.  I love photography and especially working with children!  I am also lucky to have had help along the way.  The tutorials that I have used from others have been invaluable in helping me to achieve my goals.  One of my goals for 2016 was to help others, in the same way I have been helped on my journey.  There are so many tutorials out there already for photoshop users but I wanted to break photoshop down to its most novice form so that anyone starting from the very beginning could understand, build on their knowledge of photoshop and grow.  I hope you enjoy my tutorials!  This is episode one, the healing brush tool.  For some it will be too easy, but stay tuned, I will be ramping it up!  Join me on my journey! Adobe Photoshop CC Basics The Healing Brush Tool

Family Beach Photos: Fun in the Sun

It is finally starting to get warm out and I am super excited to be out on the beach again.  As a family, we often make dinner and bring it down to the beach in the summer.  Lucy can run around and we can relax and enjoy the evening.  As an extra bonus I love being on the beach taking pictures (and playing with other people's children). Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a big kid and I love playing and having fun with the kids.  I also think that is where the best and most memorable images come from.  These two adorable Kiddies were a dream to spend time with and we were able to capture some amazing images from this shoot.  Here are some more of my images!

It's that time of year again! Beach Portraits

I am in love with the beach!  I spend lots of time there with my three year old over the summer and even more time on beach portrait sessions!  It is so neat to live in a place in the country where we have so many picturesque locations and beautiful natural settings. What I actually love most about this shoot is that I have been able to work with this family every year since their daughter was born.  I love seeing them and watching her grown.  Now with another one on the way I can't wait to see what next year brings!

Spring has sprung!

I had a blast this weekend! Working with kids is my favorite thing to do and this little girl made my day!  She is such a little character and so sweet.  When I suggested that we have fun and start playing she jumped right in and had a blast.  Just take a look!  If you want to see more of my work with kids view my Children's Gallery!

Small Business Shout out: Nosh Tavern

I am a big proponent of supporting small business especially when that business is also involved in the local food movement.  One of the things I like best about Nosh is their Sunday brunch.  Their menu is both creative and incredibly tasty.  In addition it does not break the bank.  Breakfast at Nosh has a upscale South End of Boston feel to it at local Plymouth size prices!  If you have not been enjoyed a meal there yet don't waste any more time!

Photo tip of the week: The fundamentals of portrait posing: Professional Photographer Plymouth South Shore

If I had a penny for every time someone has said to me, "I don't photograph well", I would be a rich woman.  Now I am not saying that we are all Salma Hayek who would look beautiful dressed in a paper bag, but I think that a lot of bad pictures have to do with bad posing.  The goal of every photograph is to accentuate the positive and downplay what people do not like about themselves.  Part of understanding that comes from taking a lot of portraits and learning what looks good and part of it comes from talking to your clients about what they are happy with and what makes them insecure.  Here are some helpful tips to get you started:

1. Change perspective:

• Stand on a chair
• Lay on the floor
• Hold the camera above your head.
• Use things around you to change your perspective

2. Close, Close Close

• Break the ice, make people laugh
• Make a photo more intimate

3. Get at their level and take candids in their environment:

• Play outside
• Sit on the ground or a chair

4. Side over the shoulder most flattering angle

• Need to be at eye level in most cases
• Avoid photographing down someone’s shirt!
• No Mug shots
• Turn person slightly to the side and have them look over their shoulder; that is the most flattering for all body types.  And don’t we all have something we don’t like! I have never posted a photo on Facebook that I have not photo shopped!

5. Chin Down

• Photographing underneath can increase stature as you saw but make sure that people are keeping their chins down or else you will end up with what I like to call the double chin effect!

Happy Shooting!

Small Business Shout out: Mayflower Brewing Company: Professional Photographer Plymouth South Shore

Long before I photographed Mayflower Brewing Company, I very much enjoyed their craft beers.  In particular I am a big fan of their porter.  It is so smooth and filling and no bitterness at the end.  I am not a big fan of the bitter after taste that sometime accompanies a darker brew. In addition to making a stellar product, Mayflower also supports other local business, in particular local farms.  They compost their hops and other organic matter with one of the local farms in the area.  This decreases their waste and also goes to support our local food. Something I am a big fan of.

If you have not had a chance to sample Mayflower's brews, there is no time like the present!

Newborn Photos: Cousins: Professional Photographer Plymouth South Shore

I love babies!  I love photographing babies!  This was a fun new experience for me, photographing cousins!  Matthew is 4 months old and Kendal is just newborn, what a great concept though including your family in your session! We also included Kendal's older sister Alaina too!

TBT: My great Grandmother : Professional Photographer Plymouth South Shore

My great grandmother was a wonderful woman.  She was my great grandfather's second wife.  They were long time companions and married after my grandparents were married.  She was the only mother my grandmother ever knew and the only great grandparent I ever knew.  She was there for my grandmother as a part of their household long before she married into the family.  A true testament, some people are our quiet heroes. Wonderful people that make our lives better just for being there every day.  It seems so long ago since I saw my great grandmother.  I was 13 when she passed.  And yet, I can remember so clearly the last time I went to visit her and still have that little pang of sadness and longing to see her again.