Model Behavior Part I

A shooting partner of mine met Christine on a modeling network, while we were looking for someone to go practice some fun natural lighting.  So we went out to a secluded and secret place in Charlotte to take some photos, play with lighting, and have some fun.  

We started with some fun poses by the boats

I love the drama of this shot

But the movement of this one

This one may not be technically perfect, but I love the image!

Then we moved to the dock and played with something a little softer.  This look was great for some head shots.

Then we played with a different look, but we were starting to get to the end of the session

Nevertheless, I couldn't help but snap this one, the background is almost painterly!

Christine was so much fun to work with, that we immediately scheduled another shoot for the same week!    I cannot rave about her enough. So keep your eyes out for Part II coming soon!

Baby Crazy! | Charlotte Newborn Photographer

I've been baby crazy lately.  By that, I mean I have been getting a lot of newborn clients.  Newborns are some of my favorite models.  They are challenging and fun.  You can do a new setup each time, from something fancy and full of props...

To a simple, yet powerful, black and white image...

So when I got an email from Baby E's mom, I was very excited to be able to fit her into my "newborn weekend extravaganza" that I immediately found a spot for her.  She took a little while to fall asleep, but as soon as she did, she did great!  At 16 days old, she was one of the easiest newborn models I've worked with yet!

Look at these details, how cute are those fingers and toes, that soft soft ear, those lips?!

Welcome to the world Baby E!

The Next Generation | Charlotte Maternity Photographer

She is one of my best friends.  Once upon a time, she was my TA; later we were coworkers in our astronomy lab.  On Wednesday nights, when other students were in their dorm rooms finishing their homework or out at the next school over partying it up (I went to a women's college), we could be found in the observatory playing Freecell, making jokes about yaks (not that kind of joke!), and drinking hot chocolate while we waited for students to come in and complete lab assignments.  Some nights were busy, others were slow.

There were three of us, and I had the first boy.  Eight months later, our partner in crime had a boy as well.  Now, just two and a half years later, she is just about ready to have a boy, making the trio of young women a trio of young women and their sons!

 

So CONGRATULATIONS, Mrs. S, on the newest addition to the astronomy crew!!!  I can't wait to meet him!!!!!  And don't forget the yaks.

Full of Grace | Charlotte, NC Newborn Photographer

Newborns.  Who doesn't love those chubby cheeks; those tiny tiny hands; that soft soft skin?  Whenever I think about my son when he was just a week or two old, my heart skips a beat, remembering his wrinkled forehead, the fine hair covering his body, and the feeling of his tiny warm body pressed against mine.  Indeed, these are my favorite models  (I am excited to have several potential newborns to photograph on the way!), and I work hard to make every session unique and memorable.  The window to photograph newborns is so fleeting, it is such a privilege to photograph these new people in those first weeks before and they become sweet chubby babies.

So, if you are pregnant and you want to have your newborn photographed, what should you expect?


Newborns should, ideally, be photographed within the first two weeks after birth.  A bit later is fine, but they will become more difficult to pose.

It is important to keep your house (or at least the room where the session takes place) very warm.  Most newborns are posed naked, and so you need to be sure that the room is set for their comfort.  So wear a tank top and crank up your heat!

Don't worry about pee and poop.  Chances are that if your photographer has photographed newborns before, they've seen it all (especially if they have children themselves!).

Don't worry too much about your appearance.  Life with a newborn is tough.  If you plan to be in the photograph, keep it simple.

If you are doing a session at your house (my newborn sessions are on location at your home), expect to have space for a small setup.  I like to have room for a small backdrop stand, lights (especially if the house is dark with no good windows), a bean bag, and various props and other tools of the trade.

Feed the baby after the photographer arrives, with a diaper covering the baby, but not with the tabs on (this will make it easier to take the diaper off later!).

Be sure to work with a photographer you trust.  Ask about their safety practices, make sure you are comfortable with what they have to say.  Once you have a trustworthy photographer whose style you like, enjoy, ask questions, and watch the magic happen!

Love's Labor's Won | Charlotte Engagement Photography

I love watching families in love, and this family was particularly close to my heart.  Good friends of mine, they came to me and asked me to take their engagement photos.  This family has been through quite a lot to be together, but they are such a great, close family, and they make me happy to watch them.

They are so much fun, and have so much energy, so we went out for a great shoot uptown!

And look at this cutie!  How awesome is she???

They are so absolutely in love, I can't stand it.  Their wedding is coming up, and I can't wait to join in their fun!  And yes, I will be taking the bridal portraits!

This last one I can't entirely take credit for, the idea came from one of my mentors, Jeni of Photos by Jeni, who used it during a learning shoot I attended with several photographers.  My friend saw the photos and loved it so much, she asked me to try it again!

Holiday Sessions are here!

Contact me to book a session!

Continuous Education

Like any visual artist, being a photographer requires an understanding of light, composition, posing, and what appeals to the human mind.  It also requires a knowledge of business, and which photos you, my clients, really want.

So, when After Dark Education came to Charlotte, I was thrilled to take the opportunity to learn from some of the best mentors around the world.  It was a great chance to practice something new, and go beyond my comfort zone;

Learn some great post-processing techniques;

Follow some amazing mentors around and learn from them:

And I even got to help design and produce a fabulous photo shoot!  

Yes, I learned some great skills at After Dark, and I would like to thank all the mentors, models, assistants, and everyone else who helped make it a fabulous learning experience!  I can't wait to apply what I've learned and make Aurora D Photography shine!