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!

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

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: 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!

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Photo Tip of the day!: Dealing with Harsh Lighting

One of the biggest issues that I have come across is how to deal with less than ideal lighting situations, especially direct sunlight.  Direct sunlight creates a bunch of unflattering shadows on your face. Over exposes details so you have odd highlights and a multitude of other problems that just don't add up to a good picture!  Here are a few tips on how to deal with that: 1. If you can, photography in the shade.  Put people under a tree or under the shade of a building if it is at all possible.  Granted this is not always possible.  Sometimes you can't change the position you are taking the picture from and you just have to deal with it.

2. Another great way to deal with the sun is to use your flash to even out the shadows.  Fill-Flash will fill in the shadows and even out the tones on your subject.

3. If you have one, another really good option is a reflector.  You can use some different DIY reflectors on the fly to reflect the sun back at you.  You can make a reflector if you want to keep it really inexpensive.  (Glueing aluminum foil to poster board).  Most reflectors are affordable and easier to transport.  If you have photos coming up or you are in a pinch then the DIY method is a good one.

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Beach Mini-Sessions are back! June 21, 2014 (Rain Date June 22nd)

Hi Everyone!  The nice weather is finally peeking through and I am in super excited to book the first beach mini session of the season.  If you have never heard of mini-sessions before, they go like this! You sign up for a 30 minute session, you receive 8-10 edited digital images plus one 8x10 print.  If what you really want is one good beach photo for the wall or for your christmas cards next year then sign up now!  The best part is, it's only $99.00 for the whole deal.  Sign up now, spaces definitely go fast!

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: In-Home Mini Sessions

When you think about family photos you probably think of those photos at the beach or in the park.  you get all dressed up and capture that moment.  What about capture those moments that you will always remember in your mind.  The things that you love to do with your kids when they are small.  Time always moves too fast.  One of the things that Lucy and I love to do the best is cook together.  We bake and cook and we dance.  We have a blast.  She is such a character and she always says, "Mommy, what do we need next?".  I just want to eat her up.  This is one of the moments I wanted to capture so that I could remember the moment.  What moments do you have like this?  Why not schedule something at your home? Take some pictures of your family in your element and then you can still take some photos of you together that are posed at the same time if you desire.  Here are some of my favorites: