The Kistler Family | Newborn Photography | Jacksonville FL
January 4, 2011 | Filed Under babyplan, newborn session, portraits | 2 Comments
Remember this maternity session last month? Well the little bundle of joy below has finally arrived and look what sweet sweet yummy stuff he is! I cant stop looking at mom and pop’s faces in the picture below; they’re SO fascinated and in love.
10 things to consider in your search for a photographer
December 30, 2010 | Filed Under business, wedding planning, weddings | 1 Comment
This is not your typical checklist of interview questions for potential photographers. In this day and age, everyone has a camera…nice ones…and basic price comparison can find you a hundred “photographers” willing to offer you the world for almost nothing.
The goal of this list is to have you really consider the caliber of images and photographer, as well as examining the importance of photography for you and your family.
10 things to consider when looking for a photographer…
1. The pictures on a photographer’s website are their best images. That photographer has gone through thousands of files and have hand selected the images on their site to represent their work. Why not ask them to allow you to see an entire wedding from beginning to end? When you look at what previous clients see of their wedding day, you can have a better understanding of the caliber of images you will get from your wedding day as well.
2. Are the photos on the photographer’s website in focus? What is the photographers focal point? Sometimes you can look at an image and see that the background is more in focus than the person or the shoulder is in focus rather than the eye. Photographers use shallow depth of field often to deliberately draw the eye to certain parts of the image but a simply blurry image with no focus is not artistic; it is just an unfocused picture. (remember, these are supposed to be their best images) 
3. Are the images over or under exposed? That official “photo lingo” explained in layman’s terms…. has the image lost detail in important parts due to over brightness or dark areas because the photographer did not use their camera properly? A dark background so the eye is drawn to the brides face and dress is lovely…a dark brides face where her eyes look hallowed out is not.
4. Are the images over photoshopped? The trend to photoshop the heck out of a bad image to try and “save it” is most of the time a bad idea! I like special effects on images in moderation but these are your wedding pictures, your family portraits, the documentation of you as you are at this moment in time. When you show your pictures to your children and your children’s children, you will most likely want them to remain classically beautiful and not faddish with all sorts of effects.
5. Your Uncle Bob will not, I repeat, will not get you amazing, beautiful wedding day images with his fancy expensive camera and his experience photographing birds! There are details and nuances that often cannot be captured without experience as a wedding photographer. You do not have to spend a fortune on your photographer but as a general rule, you get what you pay for and free family shooting is almost always disastrous.
6. Photography is not the corner that should be cut! After your wedding, you will have a loving life partner and the pictures from your special day. There will not be eating of the cake 10 years from now. You will likely not recall the dj’s name. You will probably have forgotten what the food tasted like BUT you will always have your spouse and your pictures!! The photographs will spark your memories and conjure up the emotions of that special day!
7. Personality matters. A photographer not only needs technical and creative skills but also has the job of helping people feel at ease in front of the camera. Meeting with a photographer prior to making a decision to book (skype or phone meetings if you are in separate cities) is an excellent way to see if you are a good match. This person will be sharing in one of the most intimate and special days of your life. You’ll want to feel relaxed and safe.
8. Style is in the eye of the beholder. You’ve all heard about the Photojournalistic style of photography, right.? What does that really mean? Real “photojournalism” means… no direction. That photojournalist will not guide, direct or pose any of your images. Illustrative? Classic? There are so many labels. Make sure you have a clear understanding of how your chosen photographer will handle your wedding day or family session. Again, a website can show their “best” work but seeing entire galleries will help you determine if a photographer’s style is suited to your likes.
9. Professionalism for security and peace of mind: Considering unforeseen circumstances is not pleasant but is important. Is everything that you and your photographer agreed upon going to be put in writing and signed? Does this photographer have liability insurance? Back-up equipment? Back-up photographers in case of disaster and/or emergency? Your wedding will happen one time and a professional photographer will take the precautions to ensure that it will not be missed under any circumstances!
and last but not least…
10. How do the images make you feel? I know…it sounds cheesy but if the photographer’s website can elicit tears, happy grins or even laughter, you’ve found your match! Hire them!
The Kearce Family | Tallahassee Portrait Photography
December 22, 2010 | Filed Under personal, portraits | Leave a Comment
Not many of you know this about me but I was a birth assistant for the Tallahassee Birth Center and a breastfeeding counselor for the health department about 16 years ago. This family is from that past life. The mama in these images was my friend and co worker and I was honored to be at one of her births.
When I think about the life I had before photography, I realize that I have mostly always done what I love and I am thankful for that. I am thankful for friends too, old and new. I’m glad to have reunited with the Kearce family. Look how big and beautiful their family has become…
The Pickles Family | Family Portrait Session | Tallahassee
December 21, 2010 | Filed Under portraits, studio portraits | Leave a Comment
I have been taking pictures of the Pickles family since their sweet little Miss A was still in her Mama’s belly. It is so fun for me to see how the little ones grow and change and develop their personalities. I love my job and I love the Pickles!
Vocelles Bridal Shoppe | Tallahassee Florida
December 21, 2010 | Filed Under weddings | 1 Comment
Vocelles is beginning to carry new lines of really beautiful jewelry and hair accessories for brides and bridesmaids. I dropped in and grabbed a few photographs of some of their items. They are gorgeous!
The Hobbs Family | Maclay Gardens Portrait Session | Tallahassee
December 20, 2010 | Filed Under portraits | Leave a Comment
Maclay Gardens is a high traffic area for photographers and i generally try to avoid it but this hobbs family wanted to see it; they’ve lived here forever and had never been. It was fun. They loved it and I hadn’t been there in so long, I was re-inspired with the area and got to act as sort-of a tour guide. Although…I did get us a bit lost 
Embellish Veils & Accessories @ Vocelles; The Bridal Shoppe
December 17, 2010 | Filed Under portraits, weddings | 3 Comments
I met Carolyn, owner, designer and artiste of Embellish Veils and Accessories through my gym when our trainer put us together as workout partners and lucky me, we have developed a friendship.
I recently got to take a few shots of her veils that are on display at Vocelles’ Bridal Shoppe here in Tallahassee, FL. It was fun…the ladies got to play dress up and I started kind of wishing that I was able to put on one of these fancy dresses and veils too!
The amazing flowers were done by Annette at A Country Rose Florist who also just so happens to by my sweet sweet mama!!
Here is a sampling…
The Sheffield Family | Tallahassee Portrait Photography
December 15, 2010 | Filed Under holiday, personal, portraits, studio portraits | 2 Comments
Introducing my sister and her sweet little family. That little nephew of mine has more buzz and personality than one child should be allowed to have and it is amply obvious in these images! I always ask and I’ll ask again… “Bec, when’re you gonna have me another baby?”
Harper | Baby plan | Session 2
December 10, 2010 | Filed Under babyplan, portraits, studio portraits | 8 Comments
Harper’s first session was hard because she was an unhappy girl. She more than compensated at this session…she was happy happy happy! I go weak in the knees when I look at her gallery. Here are a few gems to dazzle you….
The McLanahan Family | Tallahassee Portrait Photography
December 9, 2010 | Filed Under holiday, portraits | 1 Comment
I love how small Tallahassee is (most of the time). Mr M set up my utility account for my new studio and the more we all got to talking during this session….it was discovered that He and Mrs M know my parents as well.
We had so much fun, I had a hard time putting my camera down at the end. Love this sweet family!!
