5th Birthday Fun | Child Photographer in Flower Mound, TX

We continued a tradition of celebrating our 2nd daughter's 5th birthday with a gymnastic party!

Her leotard is from Kim's Kreative Bowtique and skirt from Target.

Invitation created with gymnastic graphics from Blackleaf Design.

All my Wilton Cake Classes have paid off with making my children's birthday cakes and cupcakes every year.  I enjoy it even though it's a lot of work!

Cupcake Toppers from Blackleaf Designs

For the chocolate lovers!

Little Sweetheart | Baby Photographer in Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX

This precious sweetheart was 1 month old for her "newborn" portraits.  At this age babies are more alert and take a bit more time to get sleepy for portraits.  Miss. H. did great including a smile or two and we finally got her out at the end of her session.

This Easter Tree is a family heirloom of her daddy's.

Expecting a blessing?  Book a newborn or baby's 1st year session!

2015 Senior Reps./Models | Flower Mound/Highland Village Senior Photographer

2015 High School Senior Reps./Models needed!  Public or private high school students in Flower Mound, Highland Village, Southlake, and Lewisville, TX.  Chosen participants will receive discounted session as well as incentives, see below for more information.  Apply on the link below.

Click here to apply!

Precious Preemie | Newborn Photographer in Flower Mound, TX

This precious preemie was born in late January but was due March 17th.  He was 6 weeks old for his "newborn" session and slept very well through his portraits.  I'm looking forward to watching him grow through his 1st Year!

5th Birthday | Child Portrait Photographer in Flower Mound, TX

My sweet little baby is 5 today!  How did the past 5 years go so fast? 

5 Things about the Birthday Girl

1.  Her laugh is contagious. 

2.  She has an incredible imagination.

(Believes she is a princess and wants to return to her castle.)

3. Has a very strong bond with her big sister.

4. Outgoing and isn't afraid to speak her mind.

5. Is very affectionate and loves to give tight hugs.

1st Birthday | Flower Mound, TX Baby's 1st Year Photographer

I can't believe it's been a year already!  Happy 1st Birthday to K.!  It's been so much fun watching this little guy grow over the past year.  K. has been one of my Baby Planner's, he is so sweet and quiet.  Mom says he's mostly a serious little guy but we were able to capture quite a few smiles from him too.

Newborn, 7 Months, and 12 Month Storyboard

Contact me to book your Baby's 1st Year Portraits!

Post Processing | Flower Mound/Highland Village, TX Portrait Photographer

Being a portrait photographer isn't only about taking great photos.  There is a lot more that goes on behind the scenes.  I shoot in manual exposure and RAW format.  The definition of a RAW file from Wikipedia, "A camera raw image file contains minimally processed data from the image sensor of either a digital camera, image scanner, or motion picture film scanner."  Most cameras are set in JPG format unless you change the setting.  A JPG file is compressed with data or information.  This type of file is ready for printing or posting to the web.  After my post processing is complete I do change the file format to a JPG file.  The reason I work with a RAW file is that I have more flexibility in changing the data over a JPG file.  For example if an image is over or under exposed I can make adjustments.  Now I strive to shoot for amazing images SOOC (straight out of camera) but there are times when I may be more focused on capturing the moment and miss adjusting my camera correctly.  The camera isn't capable of always capturing what you see with your eyes either.  So color adjustment is often needed.
 

                                        Example of JPG file               Example of RAW (SOOC)

Example of RAW file converted to JPG with exposure adjustments.

After uploading images to my computer, I will open them in Adobe Bridge to cull.  I discard images that may be out of focus, have a poor composition, or the exposure is not worth saving.  Next I compare similar images and choose the best.  After this step I will open images in small sets to Camera RAW to adjust my white balance, exposure, etc...  After I complete this I then pull images into Photoshop for final editing.  I have created my own action in Photoshop for extra adjustments to finalize the color.  I use curves, levels, and a warming filter layer on most.  There I tweak per individual image as needed.  Then if there are any distracting elements such as a power line I will remove it.  If it involves a human I may retouch skin such as blemishes, bruises, etc...  If I'm preparing the images for an online gallery or social media I will then resize and sharpen the image for web viewing.  For final printing I will double check any editing I missed and also prepare the image for print sharpening.  So you see all of these steps take a lot of skill and time.  I may spend as much as 15 minutes on one image depending on how much needs to go into perfecting it for final viewing.

Final image post processed.

Importance of Photography | Family Photographer in Flower Mound, TX

Photography documents history, which is why it's so important to have an updated family portrait.  As adults we can give excuses such as money, I need to loose a few lbs. first, etc...  Then time passes and passes.  One day you may look back and regret that you didn't have your photo taken more especially with your children.  When your children grow up they will want to see what you looked like younger.  Even looking through snap shots stored on my computer I notice that I'm behind the camera more than in front of it.  Not to be morbid but we also don't know when our time is up here on Earth.  I'm so grateful for the photos I took of my grandfather with my children.  It was the first time he met my youngest and sadly the last.

When was your last family portrait?

I inherited old family photos from my paternal grandfather when he passed away.  His parents and grandparents had many family portraits taken.  It's so wonderful to have these to look back.  My great-grandmother was one of the identical twins in this photo whom my daughter is named after.

 Contact me today to schedule your portraits!