Hinchliff Family Session-Newberg/Portland Oregon Photographer
“Cause baby, now we've got bad blood
You know it used to be mad love
So take a look what you've done
Cause baby, now we've got bad blood, hey!”
-Taylor Swift
“Bad Blood” by Taylor Swift. The Hinchliff girl’s current favorite song. Cheryl, the girl’s momma, is brilliant. At the beginning of the shoot she turned on the song to help set the mood and to get the girls energized. Music at every shoot would be great.
The Hinchliff girls are a combination of adorable, sweet and silly. A pretty great combination, in my opinion. They were so easy to shoot, they seemed to have a great time. Miss A. had specific requests about photos she wanted me to take, Bunny ears over her sisters head, of course. But she also had requests for me to take a particular photo of her sisters scrunched up face because, “it’s so adorable”. I love it! I know I have said this before but I will say it again, I love it when kids get involved with the session and communicate their ideas. I helps me to get to know them and hear what makes them tick.
Tom, the girl’s daddy, wanted to do the session at a special location, his late friend’s property. With authorization, we were able to shoot at the old farm house. A really old farm house. And it was superb. Gorgeous family, farm house, wheat, evening sun, trees, old shed = a photographers dream.
Cheryl came prepared with a few ideas of photos that she wanted to do and everyone was game to do them. Well, of course Tom was a willing participant, he got to make-out with his wife. Well, ok, a make-out session is a bit of an exaggeration but I know he enjoyed it.
Thank you Cheryl for choosing me again to document your family this year. I truly enjoy spending time with you and your family!
Go forth and rock it Hinchliffs!
80th Birthday Celebration- Newberg/Portland Area Photographer
"Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind
Memories, sweetened through the ages just like wine"
"Memories"- Mac Davis (for Elvis Presley)
My friend Whitney contacted me about coming to her husband's grandma's 80th birthday celebration last month at Hayden's Lakefront Grill in Tualatin. Whitney had learned that many of Helen's older photos had been destroyed. So she thought it would be nice to have a photographer come and capture some new memories. Isn't that such a sweet gesture! And I was thrilled to be the one to do it.
Helen at her birthday celebration
When I first met Helen, I was surprised. I thought she was 20 years younger. She was surrounded family-by her kids, grand-kids, great-grand kids and friends. After dinner we did a few family shots and then her family surprised her with a slideshow of memories. I enjoy being on the sidelines watching in, capturing the emotion. It was so sweet watching her reaction to all the photos, reminiscing about that time with her loved ones surrounding her. I especially enjoyed seeing her 3 year old great-granddaughter taking delight in the slideshow as well.
Helen seemed to really enjoy herself and I am so happy that I was able to capture new memories for her. For me personally, I have memories of times that have photos attached to them. Unfortunately, the memories I have of the past that do not have photos are jumbled in my mind or lost completely. It would be devastation for me if I lost (and I have) old images of my past. But on this day, Helen has new memories with images to go with them. =)
Happy 80th Helen! Keep on rockin' beautiful lady!
New Life- Newberg/Portland, Oregon Photographer
"I'm falling in love
I'm falling in love
I'm falling in love
'Cause you're my Starbucks girl
I can't get enough
I can't get enough
I can't get enough
'Cause you're my Starbucks girl
Maybe it's time to tell you straight
The coffee in here ain't all that great
I just come to be with you
I'm falling in love
I'm falling in love
I'm falling in love
'Cause you're my Starbucks girl"
-Evan Taubenfeld, "Starbucks Girl"
Cody and Kayla met while working at Starbucks. From the story I was told, and I am going with it because it is so darn sweet, is that Starbucks has/had a policy that you could not date a co-worker. After a while of working together, Cody asked Kayla out but Kayla said no because it is against work policy. So Cody got quit Starbucks so that he could be with Kayla. Now, is this the real reason why he quit? I don’t know, but I like this version. ♥ And eight years later, Cody and Kayla’s little family has grown. Don’t ya love it?
Kayla contacted me about a maternity session. I love maternity sessions and I love what comes after, newborn sessions! She wanted to include their American Bulldog, Cash which made me even happier. I love it when people want to include their fur babies. We had the session scheduled for the last Sunday of May during the glorious golden hour. However, Friday of that weekend Kayla’s water broke. Baby girl had other plans for that weekend. If I remember correctly, she was born on the day of that we had the maternity session scheduled.
Sweet baby A was born early but healthy! I am bummed that we were not able to get maternity photos for Kayla but I was thrilled to be doing her newborn photos. I arrived at their home and was greeted by Cash (they also have a gorgeous kitty named Mia). While I was setting up, Cody and Kayla asked me if I wanted anything from Starbucks as Cody was going to get some coffees. I thought that was super fitting being Starbucks is where they met.
Baby A was 3 weeks old at the time of the session. She was a trooper for sure. She slept great! She liked to be sprawled out, she preferred her arms laying out rather than tucked in. This is typical after about 2 weeks of age. She preferred her arms out so we went with it, and she was happy as can be that way. She smiled SO much throughout our session and thrilled that we are able to catch a few of them on camera.
Thank you so much Cody and Kayla for choosing me to document this special time. Go forth, love fiercely and rock on!
Englen Maternity Session-Newberg/Portland, Oregon Photographer
Laughing, floating bubbles bouncing by
Lifting, soaring upwards towards the sky
Each contains a scene from childhood dreams
Keep the bubbles bouncing and be free- Brian Cox 2001
I could have photographed this sweet young family all.day.long. Usually toddlers have a 10 minute time frame for photos.....as do dad's. However, Jared and his daughter were really into this session as well as momma-to-be Megan. Photo sessions are extra fun when everyone is relaxed and wants to be there. Jared and Megan brought bubbles for little E to play with; a sure fire way to bring out the fun, even for the adults. What is it about bubbles that just makes one feel carefree? Well, at least that's how I feel about bubbles. I can't help but smile watching a child face light up from blowing bubbles, watching them float and trying to pop them (or if you are my boys, trying to sword them).
What's so funny to me is that even when it was time to get photos of just Jared and Megan, their sweet daughter wanted to be in them too. That rarely happens! She would come up and squeeze her face in between theirs or come up and hug on mommy or daddy. Such a sweet girl, so loving. When I was getting a photo of Jared and Megan, I asked them to kiss so Lil' E came over and joined them in their kiss. I had a different vision of the photo but that is what I love so much about photo sessions. I give guidance and you bring yourself and be yourself, interact and we will see what unfolds. It's fantastic when these things come together.
Megan was so fun to work with. She brought a hat and when she put it on, a different side of her came out. It was fantastic! Megan is expecting her second daughter in July. I believe lil' E is going to be a doting big sister, gentle and affectionate.
I foresee many days of the Englen sisters blowing bubbles together and giggling as they try to pop them all.
Thank you Englen family for letting me capture you! For forth and rock the delivery of
baby girl Englen!
Raab Family Session- Newberg/Portland, Oregon Photographer
Raab Family Session!
Read MoreChild Headshots- Newberg, Oregon Photographer
Check out the big man, Mr. B!
Read MoreNewborn Sessions- What to Expect/How to Prepare
Best time to schedule your newborn session is while you are pregnant!
Read MoreTogether Sessions-What to Expect/How to Prepare
Family/Maternity/Couple Sessions- What to Expect/How to Prepare
*The most important part of this document is the last part- “At the Session”
· Time
The best time of day to shoot is the golden hour, the short period after sunrise or before sunset. This is when the light is the best, golden and soft. However, oftentimes with little ones, it is there bedtime. If it is possible to schedule a family session at this time, the images will be gorgeous! But is you know your child will be a tired mess that is ok. I prefer a happy, rested child. I know how to find soft, even light any time of day as long as the location is fitting.
· When to Schedule Your Maternity Session?
The best to shoot your maternity session is when you are between 34-37 weeks along.
· What to Wear?
1. Wear something that is flattering and comfortable for you; maybe that is a long dress or a cardigan and jeans.
For the kiddos, choose something that they will be comfortable in. I had a little girl come to the session in a beautiful dress. She was not acting herself, she refused to participate. Later we she said that she hated dresses so did not want to cooperate.
2. If you do have your daughter in a dress or skirt, please have your child wear bloomers, tights or shorts under the dress. We will be having fun and in the event the skirt flies up, modesty will prevail.
3. Avoid matching the family perfectly. Instead think of three complementary colors and choose items from those color groups.
http://mycolorwheel.com/products/Farrow-and-Ball-Paint/mid-tones/Mid-Tones/sb.cn
4. Please try to avoid logos.
5. Here is the link to my Pinterest board for further guidance.
a. Maternity: www.pinterest.com/annica1/what-to-wear-maternity/
b. Family: www.pinterest.com/annica1/what-to-wear-family/
c. Couples: www.pinterest.com/annica1/what-to-wear-couples/
6. Once you know your color scheme, please let me know, if possible, so that I can choose a coordinating blanket.
· At the Session.
This is the really important part.
My goal is to capture emotion, personalities, genuine interaction and moments and to preserve memories. To do this, we need personal walls to be broken down. This can be hard when there is a camera around. So, what I would like from you is to come to the session without expectations. That is easy for me to type, but harder to do. I know. Let me see if I can help.
1. If I will be photographing children, tell them where you will be heading and that I will be there with my camera to document/photograph/capture your family time together. Word it how you feel will best communicate this to your child/children. Let them know what to expect but at this time, there is no need to bribe them. Bribing communicates that what they will be doing is not going to be fun. Try not to tell them to smile and behave. Think of this time as going to the park but looking your best. We want this to be fun for all. If your child throws a fit, IT’S OKAY! I am patient. (BTW, I have three boys, nothing fazes me). Does your child need to take a break for hugs? Prefect, I will snap away from a distance. Keep the mood light-hearted, do what you know will help your child feel better. Strong-willed child, that’s ok too! Try not to get frustrated or stressed as that just feeds into the child. Do not expect perfect behavior. Besides, I want to capture real life. And without the expectations of capturing perfect children, that’s when we will get the real smiles.
2. I will direct you to start out with. We will do a few ‘posed’ shots and with these posed shots I will put you in position. But after that, I want you to just be, be close to each other, and interact with each other (and not me!). I will guide this to begin with by asking questions in which to get the interaction going. For example, for a family, I may ask the children to recall a special time with mom. Or who farts the most (yes, I use potty humor to get laughs). For couples I may ask you to recall a special moment that only the two of you know about. I WANT you to engage and talk about it. I may ask sisters to tell whisper a secret. For a family session, we may play games. My goal is to get you less aware of me and more aware of each other and to feel.
* I want to see what transpires/unfolds as each relationship/family is unique.
We want this to shine through!*
3. Expect to be close. Expect to always be touching someone. Obnoxiously close. So make sure you brush your teeth. =)
4. Remember to keep your spine tall.
· Props?
I like the simple, natural style. I do not use a lot of props. I will usually bring a blanket, crate, or stool to sit on. If you have anything that you would like to bring, I am happy to incorporate it, just let me know in advance.
If you have any questions or requests about the session that is not covered here, please feel free to ask.
503-970-8167
Chase's 9th Birthday Session- Newberg, Oregon Photographer
"Some legends are told
Some turn to dust or to gold
But you will remember me
Remember me for centuries"
-Fall Out Boy- "Centuries"