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Thursday, September 22, 2011

Family Photography .... What I Learned

Several weeks ago I took family photos of a friend of mine.  Not only were they family photos, they were family maternity photos.  We finished them just in time, as she went into labor two days later.


A few things I learned:
  1. I still struggle to consistently survey the area for distractions when taking family photos or individual photos for friends.
  2. I still struggle during crunch time to find solid shade vs. dappled light
  3. Reading through The Maternity Posing Guide that Courtney @Click It Up A Notch suggested was more than helpful.
  4. And I always learn that while kids are cute and fun they would rather be running around than posing for a photo.  Get Creative and move fast!!





This is week I submitted the SOOC shot of the photo above to the Good to Wow flickr group.  I am realizing more and more that I just don't have the time to be too creative with my edits, so I have to keep them clean when able.  In ACR, I made some adjustments to exposure, contrast, white balance, and brightness.  Then, in PSE 9, I ran The Coffee Shop's Perfect Portrait adjusting the layers to taste.  Then sharpened and resized for the web. 





Click It Up A NotchGood to WOWand then, she {snapped}

31 comments:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    These are all beautiful. I love the one of her in the green corner--so cool!

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  2. CarrieSeptember 22, 2011 at 8:05 AM

    Great pictures, Amber!! I really like the one in the green corner, too.

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  3. LoriSeptember 22, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    Oh how beautiful! And a beautiful family!

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  4. KmcblackburnSeptember 22, 2011 at 8:17 AM

    Visiting from "This or That". Gorgeous photos. I wish I looked as nicely when I was preggers. You really caught that inner glow of the entire family. Great job.

    Kathy

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  5. deb dutySeptember 22, 2011 at 8:22 AM

    You did a fabulous job with this shoot! Really great photos. I'm sure they were thrilled. Love the close up of the little boy and the family doing bubbles. It looks really nice in black and white. Thanks for linking up today!

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  6. SusanSeptember 22, 2011 at 8:23 AM

    Wow...you did one amazing job. Your model was adorable!

    I'm still learning many things too. It's a process.

    I'm sure this family loved these pictures!

    Hope your day is blessed!

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  7. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2011 at 8:54 AM

    These are great. I love the dirty foot on the belly! Adorable!

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  8. UnknownSeptember 22, 2011 at 8:54 AM

    Amber, I'm impressed girl! these are just fabulous and i love the posing. that's definitely a struggle for me. i have sort of a journalistic approach . . . catch folks in action . . . but, i'm terrible at natural posing.

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  9. Ashley SiskSeptember 22, 2011 at 9:04 AM

    Your photos are stunning - that's to be expected. I'm more impressed with how gorgeous she looks...and then going into labor 2 days later - I can only hope I am so lucky!

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  10. UnknownSeptember 22, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    wow, her little boy has the most amazing eyes - is there a newborn shoot soon to come? :)

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  11. CourtneySeptember 22, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    No way is she 9 month pregnant!! Just beautiful!! These are great!! I agree that I like the one by the green wall! I'm just your friend will just adore these!! Thanks for sharing your lessons!

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  12. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    Your friend is gorgeous! I can't believe she went into labor 2 days later! It's wonderful to see a lady who takes good care of herself during pregnancy. And beautiful, beautiful work Amber! My favorite is the one where she's holding her son and his dirty little foot is over her baby bump. So very sweet!

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  13. Discovery School at First Baptist HeathSeptember 22, 2011 at 9:30 AM

    you did a great job!!! I can tell you with natural light photography, I would be lost with our reflectors and diffussers,, and I use a stand for them when I do not have a tall adult..The diffusser makes that dappled light solid shade and the reflectors bounce light where ya need it.. even a black reflector is a huge life saver when wanting solid light

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  14. CarolSeptember 22, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    These are beautiful! I love the shot of her against that green wall, with bare feet!

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  15. UnknownSeptember 22, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    Girl.... these are GORGEOUS!!! Seriously! If I had a hired a photographer and gotten these back, I would be thrilled! Excellent work!

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  16. MimiSeptember 22, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    Beautiful pictures. I too forget to always look at my background. Wonderful advice on getting the SOOC shot perfect so you have less editing to do later. I only have iphoto for editing so this is a must for me.

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  17. KimSeptember 22, 2011 at 12:11 PM

    I love the photos by the tree!

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  18. Christina KlasSeptember 22, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    These are FANTASTIC. :) I really love that dirty foot. :)

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  19. Chrystal OatesSeptember 22, 2011 at 1:08 PM

    Wonderful photos. Such a beautiful family.

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  20. SerendipityissweetSeptember 22, 2011 at 1:12 PM

    These are wonderful. Beautiful light and composition. Adorable family too!

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  21. UnknownSeptember 22, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    Great set! I especially love the one with the dirty little foot. Those little details always seem to make my favorite pictures.

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  22. UnknownSeptember 22, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    These are beautiful. I love the one of the dirty little foot. I also struggle with the shade/dappled light.

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  23. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2011 at 4:36 PM

    All of those are absolutely beautiful shots, Amber! I think you did a fantastic job. :)

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  24. Gina KleinworthSeptember 22, 2011 at 4:41 PM

    WOW- those are BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!! I love that you shared what you struggled with & learned so all us newbies can learn too :)

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  25. Tamar SBSeptember 22, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    These are stunning!! What a radiant women and lovely family!

    Tamar - also linking up with Deb!

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  26. Amy HSeptember 22, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    I think you did a great job!

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  27. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    Gorgeous photos!

    (im a new follower :)

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  28. CedarSeptember 23, 2011 at 12:18 AM

    Oh! You did such an excellent job! Each one of these is beautiful!

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  29. MistySeptember 23, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    You did beautifully Amber! I'm sure they are happy.

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  30. ShelSeptember 23, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    Great shots - simply lovely!!

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  31. rachelSeptember 23, 2011 at 1:36 PM

    I love love love the dirty feet picture. Thanks for showing off your shot.

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