Today was a big day for me. Although I took pictures at a homeschool group function for another friend recently, this was my first real photo shoot with the family of one of my dearest friends. Wednesday night I was a nervous wreck trying to make sure I knew how to work my new light meter and tripod, and how to use my external flash wirelessly. This morning saw me grinning like a Cheshire cat, however, as fear began to dispel and excitement settled in its place.
I take photos of my bunch all the time; if one isn’t good, I can just hit delete and take another. A photo shoot with people who don’t actually live with you is another story: you can’t just do it again tomorrow. Well you can, but it just isn’t likely. Every shot counts, and I see now how that pushes you creatively.
Here’s some of the fun I’ve had working with images from today:
Original:
Edit (love this Lensbaby Photoshop tutorial!):
Original (hard to get a good shot of all four kids at once):
Edit (replace one child with a shot of her from another pic!):
Original (stick in the little gal’s hand looks like antlers):
Edit (no more antlers, plus a little Lightroom fun):
At a friend’s recommendation I recently joined ilovephotography.com. There is a quote in an article there called “What Every Aspiring Photog Should Know” by Cheryl of Cheryl Nicolai Photography: “Learn to say ‘I’m a photographer’ out loud with a straight face. If you can’t say it and believe it, you can’t expect anyone else to, either.” I’m still working on that, but becoming more certain every day that I want to.
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Y’all, I had my first family photo shoot today & I want to show you! http://twurl.nl/u1zcur
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
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Dawn I love it!!! You did a fantastic job. You rock girl! :D
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Wow.. great shots! I especially love the treatment of the last two- replacing one subject in a pic and no more antlers! :) Nice job.
Good job with the photos. The last one is my favorite. Well done.
A.J. Woods last blog post..2nd Annual Worldwide Photowalk
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Very nice shots, Dawn. I know all about how you were feeling the day before the shoot… nervous and hoping that you don’t screw it up. Even after doing this photography thing for many years I still get that way before a shoot to some degree. But I’ve come to learn something… either you nail the shot or the shot nails you. Some days you get to hold the hammer and other days the universe is holding it. From the images you posted, it looks like you got to hold the hammer that day!
Congrats on accomplishing your first “real” photo shoot. Once you get these images out the door to your client you get to start figuring out the next one!
Terry Reinerts last blog post..News Update
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Can I just say that…as the “victim” of the day…I cannot imagine ever hiring anyone else!!! Not only was the morning time and place just picture perfect as far as the beauty of the backgrounds…but the heart in the shoot was what made the pictures. You were patient through mini tantrums, encouraging through occasional attitudes of my 6 yr old…dedicated to use the most high-tech equipment and knowledge you could get your hand and mind wrapped around. You made the shoot comfortable and easy. In the impromptu 30 minute preview session, I was so excited to see SO MANY amazing shots, its all I thought about the rest of the day!! I know that you gave complete time and attention to us, with every detail attended to…I am thrilled!!!! The few “mastered” ones I’ve seen are already worth the entire shoot. I am so thankful to call you one of my favorite and closest friends. You are amazing. I’ve never known someone who can master absolutely anything they touch. This, you have a passion for…the combo of perfectionism with passion is what will make this dream happen. You are on your way…I can’t wait for my next photo shoot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I always enjoy pics of your bunch– but you are equally talented with other subjects. You ARE a great photographer, Dawn! CONGRATS on your big day!!!
Marshas last blog post..Family Portrait
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I’m in love. You are a photographer! ;) Still working on saying it for myself, though. I’m quite certain it would be easier to say if I had Photoshop and Lightroom in my corner backing me up! WYSIWYG photography is soooo much harder.
sprittibees last blog post..MEMO from the New Blog Editor:
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I’m in love. You are a photographer! ;) Still working on saying it for myself, though. I’m quite certain it would be easier to say if I had Photoshop and Lightroom in my corner backing me up! WYSIWYG photography is soooo much harder.
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Dawn,
Congratulations! on a great shoot. I’m so excited with you about this. You are so right about it being different from taking our family’s pictures. :D
You are a photographer!!
Beth @ Pages of Our Life´s last blog ..Week 23: Photo Challenge "Sepia Toned"
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These are fantastic Dawn. You did a terrific job replacing the girl on the swing. Know one would ever know if you wouldn’t of told us. The last one is my fav.
P.S. You are a photog, and a dam good one!