Catching up with Friends

I think I love pretty much everything about my job (except calling it a job, how can this really be a JOB?).  I love taking pictures, I love editing pictures, but mostly,  I LOVE my clients and the relationships that develop from being a part of their most important time of their lives.  Building a successful business is part knowing how to take great pictures and a big part nurturing relationships.

I have developed so many great friendships thru my photography.  I know a lot of photographers that decide at some point in their career to focus on only one aspect of photography, either wedding or portraits.  I don't think that I am going to be able to do that...partly because I think that I have a hard time concentrating on just one thing, ooooh shiny... oh yeah, and love that every day brings something different.  But mostly, I love that when my brides start their families, I get to renew the old friendship and become a documenter of their life once again by photographing their newborns.

I know a lot of photographers that say after the job, they just want to move on to the next couple.  Not me.  I don't think it takes my couples very long after they hire me, to realize that they are stuck with me for the long haul.  Maybe, it's that part of my personality that makes them hire me in the first place.  But more on relationship building in another blog!

Yesterday, I got to revisit a friendship with one of my favorite brides  I met Torie, her mom and sister for lunch.  Torie and her sister are both expecting their first baby and I can't wait to take those pictures.  It was so much fun visiting with them all and catching up.  Everyone had places to go and errands to run, to make the most of the holiday off of work.  So we decided to make it a "quick" lunch..Two hours later we were still sitting there and chatting!!  After sharing all our stories and getting caught up we finally had to part ways.  I can't wait for the upcoming weeks.  Torie is due in 6 weeks and her sister Kristen in 2...Yay, babies!!! and Yay friends!

I took this photo outside the restaurant with my iphone.  Someone walked by and said "Oh look a photo shoot!"  Yep!

Blues, Jazz and Love

Chrysalis Winery seems to be the new favorite E session location for my couples.  And why not...it is a beautiful location, has a lot of different shooting possiblities, and you can always grab a bottle of great wine to enjoy while you click away.  I like to get there towards the end of the day to capture the good light, and usually there are just a handful of cars left in the parking lot.  Little did we realize on this day, that they were having their annual Blues and Jazz Festival, and it would be pretty much a madhouse!  The good thing was that we had to park in a make-shift parking lot, which was actually closer to where we wanted to be anyway.  So off we went, pretty much undisturbed by the folks enjoying the music and wine.  Ashleigh and Darin were good sports and very patient with my ever evolving suggestions as to where they should stand and when and how to kiss...yes, there is a way to kiss for photos...not very romantic huh?  But the kissing part usually keeps my grooms happy and patient with all my other silly suggestions.

After the winery, we took a stroll in Middleburg

Ashleigh has a real fresh beauty and it really shows in the photos.  They are such a cute couple and I had a really good time with them.  I am truly looking forward to more good times, and their wedding next year.

Here are some of my favorite shots.  To see more go on my website and check them out in the engagement picture section and log in with your email address.  Also check out the short video on facebook.  If you like my work, please like in in Shelley Miller Photography on Faceook.  Thanks, and enjoy the love!

10 Hints for Shooting Newborns

It happens every time... your client arrives and the baby is sound alseep.  They tell me how she sleeps all the time and thru just about everything.  And then she wakes up...and stays up.  Little Preslei is so adorable, but she wanted to check out everything going on and really did not want to go to sleep.  It was pretty much a marathon shoot, but we had a good time in spite of the time.  I have known mom since she was in high school, and also know Grandmom.  So we had plenty of time to chat and catch up.  Ultimately we also got some really cute pictures in there too!

Not a happy camper...cute but not happy

Each time I get a newborn in my studio, I never know how the session will unfold.  I have had some sessions take an hour or so, and some marathons.  I think besides photographic skills, newborn photography takes patience.  Newborns, cry, pee (Seems to be mostly on dad) poop and throw up.  That's okay, it is what they do.  As a photographer, there are several things you can do to prepare yourself and your clients for your sessions.

Ahhh, finally...but not for long!

1.  Try and schedule the sessions within the first two weeks after the baby is born.  Babies are much more flexible, sleepy and easier to pose.  The are less apt to be disturbed as much when you move them or talk around them.  That fresh newborn time is so short.  When my parents come and pick up their orders about 4 weeks after their sessions, they can't believe how small the baby was and how much they have grown.  It's usually only then that they realize the importance of early sessions.

2.  Prepare mom for what to expect.  Make sure you schedule enough time, so that no one feels rushed.  Explain to mom that all little ones are different, and on any given day for whatever reason, stuff happens, and that is OKAY.

3.  Make sure your studio, or wherever you are taking your photos is warm.  Newborns generally don't like being naked, and the warmer the environment, the happier they will be.  I also suggest that you warm anything you are going to place the baby in.

4.  Ask mom to feed the baby right before they come to your studio, or you go to their home.  A full tummy usually makes a sleepy baby

5.  Patients is a major virtue.  If you stay calm when baby is crying, mom is more likely not to stress out.  I always assure my moms that in spite of how much their precious one is crying, it isn't the worst.  I will usually tell tales of much worse situations and they feel much more comfortable.  Just as a wedding photographer my job is to make my brides day stress free, it is the same way with my moms.

6.  Never let em see you sweat . . .unless it is from the fact that your studio is at around 90 degrees.

7.  Keep laughing.  pooping babies, actually can be quite funny.  . . especially when they are pooping on daddy!  Which by the was is most often the case.

8.  No matter how carefully you follow 1-5, stuff happens and no two shoots are ever alike.  I think that is what I love about my job.  It is always something different, and what's not to love about sweet smelling (well most of the time) adorable newborn babies!!

9.  Repeat number 6...often

10.  Love what you are doing.

10 Rules for