blog move ...

It's with butterflies in my stomach that I'm writing this ...

My photography website is live and I'm ready to share it ... wee!! Why am I so nervous??

I have so much to tell you ... so much has been going on that I want to share. The Lord has been at work in my life and in my heart and I can't wait to tell you all about it!

But ... I'll be telling you on a new blog site, as not only am I changing my look {again!} ... I'm changing my blog address as well.

Because I've imported this blog {all posts} into my new site ... this one will stay here static. If you subscribe via RSS, google reader, bloglines or such ... please update your subscription to the new site. Or resubscribe on the new site.

Yeah ... I'm procrastinating. Look at me typing away delaying the new site addresses. And now I've just wasted three minutes, sitting here with my fingers on the keyboard typing nothing. I'm nervous.

Okay, but here goes ...

http://tsjphotography.com {website}
http://tsjphotography.com/blog {blog}

Gaaaaaa!!! I'll be happy to receive any feedback ... good, bad or otherwise! See ya over there! ;)

new lens love!

Today found me playing 'nakie' hopscotch with Hunter. Well ... she was nakie, I was fully clothed. Um, not so cute if mom were nakie! Hunter had just woke from her nap ... I had taken her pull-up off and didn't put her undies on yet before we started playing.

Is it just me, or does everyone have a soft spot for those little dimpled bare bottoms? Again, talking Hunter's here ... not mine {thank you very much!}.

Anyway. With that little bottom right in front of me ... I couldn't resist ... I finally broke out a new lens I've been dying to try out and I love it!! Love, love, love it! Yum! It's a 50mm 1.2 ... I used it here at 1.2 to see what it would do and how fun? Or is it just me? :)

Oh! And I should mention ... yes, my kids are generally dirty and I don't care. But in this particular case, Hunter had a mean mug of hot chocolate before naptime!

need a pregnant mama

Who'll let me take a photo like this ... beautiful!
{via kiss the groom}

a boy, a girl & mommy

I was honored to photograph this family last week, and I learned some things too! Most important ... remember deodorant! I have a tendency to be a big ball o' sweat during these shoots and um, well ... deodorant definitely helps in those sitchs!

Okay, seriously ... this is a beautiful family! Dad was at work, so I had the pleasure of spending a couple of hours with mom and her treasures.

Little miss sunshine was a ball of smiles when I arrived and started playing with her. And of course, as soon as I picked up my camera she was closed mouthed or blowing bubbles ... oh and then there was the complete determination of stuffing her whole fist into her mouth {sometimes her feet if she could get them}. She made me work!

Something I learned is to just let them play. Little man here wanted to get his dracula teeth ... mom was not lovin' that idea. Until I said, "sure, why don't we get a couple shots of dracula." And with digital it's so easy to delete them. Why not make little man happy so we can get some shots mom will love? And honestly, isn't this just a little bit adorable?

Another one where little man had his own ideas for the photo shoot ...

Another hard thing was trying to get one good shot of all three of them. I love photo-journalistic type photography where every frame isn't posed. Just natural shots of the kids playing, interacting, just being. But not every mom is going to want to frame a random shot of the kids playing. Most at least want one shot of everyone together ... I know I do when we have our photos taken.

What I learned is not to be so hard on myself. I was positive I hadn't gotten a single good shot of the three of them together ... but look ... this one isn't bad! And there were even a few more ...

At one point, mom went into the other room to change herself and little man, so I took advantage of her absence and put some cute hats on little miss sunshine ...


I loved their vintage looking furniture ... perfect for the vintage looking post-processing I did for this photo.

And last but not least ... raise your hand if you love a baby in a frilly green skirt!


Thank you Rachel & kids for letting me capture your beautiful family ... truly a blessing! You can find more photos from this shoot here.

another maternity shoot {for real}

I'm excited about this particular shoot because I had something in mind to do and they were my very own ideas. Huh?

Well you see, I am highly inspired by other photographers and other work I see. And some of the photography I've been taking is 'inspired by' what I've seen done.

Some debate, that it's not real art when that happens and is more like copying. Probably true to some extent ... but it still takes skill to understand your camera, lighting, work with a subject and get decent shots. Right?

I'd like to argue that it's a form of being creative ... being inspired by others and feeding off of their work, helps you move further with your own work. At least that's how I feel.

Anyway.

So my very own idea was to put a bare pregnant belly outside with a big chunky sweater & Uggs in the middle of the snow. Fortunately Aime was up for it and ta-da ... some gorgeous photos ensued!

I haven't played with my photos in a while. And while I liked this shot, it felt a little ho-hum to me. So I jazzed it up a little.


Look at those killer eyes ... love 'em!

I loved these shots of her laying down ...

Isn't this belly beautiful?

See? This 'pose' has been around the block ... but I love it and I think it's a great shot for a new mama to treasure.

Isn't she beautiful?!
I have such a hard time choosing which shots to put here. I wish I could post them all! There are a few more on my facebook page and you can check them out here.

Enjoy! {p.s., if you'd ever like to view any images on my blog larger, just click on the photo}

calling all newborns ...

Anyone got a new peanut I can put in here and photograph?

another maternity shoot

Isn't this an awesome photo? One of my favs from yesterday's shoot ... know why? Cuz it reminds me not to be an idiot next time I'm shooting someone's photos!

Check your settings, check your settings, check your settings. I may need to write this on the board 100 times ...

I was SO excited to get this particular pose {I promise to post the real thing as soon as I'm done going through them all ... Miss Aime was patient enough to pose for them all over again} ... that I just started shooting away!

They were beautiful shots ... at least through my lens. I didn't even check my images to see what I was shooting. About 10 photos in, I decided to check and realized ...

D'oh! I'm an idiot! Bear with me world ... I have not yet blossomed.

my first maternity shoot

Thank you, thank you Ben & Lisa for being so patient and open with me!

Lisa was up for my suggestions and 'just wanted to help me get my portfolio built.' Thank you ... I think these will be perfect for my portfolio.

I ran into some difficulties in Lightroom {like losing all my post-processed files!}, so it took me longer than I had anticipated ... but I'm done ... and ready for bed! Just wanted to quickly post a few of these.

I also posted a few more on my facebook page ... enjoy!

monday randomness

Look what I just ordered!!  Do you 'Etsy?'  If not, you totally should!!  I get emails from them on featured products and this camera was featured yesterday.  I'm too excited.

A few years ago, my brother-in-law found an old vintage camera and thought I would be the perfect owner of it ... I've had it up on my shelf since then.  And for my last birthday, Heather gave me another vintage camera {awesome Etsy find}.  So when I saw this one I thought ... I'm going to start a little vintage camera collection!  Can't wait to get it!

Lastly, I wanted to share a little hubby humor ... I think you ladies will appreciate this:

So ... after my last appointment with my neurologist, I called Curt to tell him about my appointment {after all, wouldn't he be anxious to know how it went?}.  First, I asked him how things went with the girls in the morning {he was on drop off duty}, and we talked about that for a bit.  Then before I knew it, we were hanging up.

I called back and told him I called to tell him about my appointment.  "Oh yeah," he says, "I was going to ask."  Hmmm.

I mist up a little and tell him about touching my cheek instead of my nose.  And then ... get ready for this ...

"Were you trying?" he asks.  WHAT?!?  Um, yeah ... I promise I was trying my hardest to touch my nose!  I think he sensed a bit of frustration on my end, so he tries again.

"I mean were you being cautious," he says.  Hubby just dug a hole that he's trying hard to get out of.

I cautiously end our conversation.  {and then probably asked God to forgive me for all the horrible things I just thought about the poor man I married!}

But that's not the end ...

A couple days later, he's asking about my appointment this week {today}, and asks, "Have you been practicing?"

MEN!!

daddy's home!

I may have mentioned it once or twice, but I love my husband{!} and thought it was worth sharing again.

We miss him so much when he's gone.  I never seem to quite realize how we function as a complete unit when he's here, and I always realize how much I take for granted when he's gone.

He was in Japan last week and it seems even harder when he's that far away.  His waking hours are completely different than ours, so phone time is limited.

He sent some sweet texts on his way home that I wanted to share ...

7:55 pm - on plane and leaving now; love you call u when I get in

8:07 pm - good night lover ... see u soon

8:30 pm - do we have time for our dinner?

8:48 pm - plane an hour late leaving ...

9:15 pm - hope baby is creamed and soft!!  {i feel this needs explanation ...}

9:32 pm - on plane now.  late ...

I didn't get these until much later, but just thought his random stream of thoughts was so sweet.  Okay, and let me explain ... he is a freak about our children!  The baby's {see!  he calls her a baby too!!} skin gets super dry in the winter and he freaks out about it.  He's constantly slathering her down with lotion.

It's just one of the reasons I love him so much.  Yeah, I get a bit irritated when he's here about some of his freaky, little quirks {or maybe the intenseness of them} ... but when he's gone, it causes me to step back and really appreciate him.

So he finally gets home and just like I predicted ... we smothered him!!  And he loved every minute.

He brought all kinds of little goodies for the girls ... but when he busted out the purses and the little treasures to put inside of them ... I had to get out the camera.  It just melted my heart that a man would get his girlies purses and think to buy treasures to put inside.

I love my husband.  A lot.

And for any photogs that are reading ... I thought I'd share my camera settings and see if you had any thoughts?

So it's my new camera.  I don't normally shoot with a flash if I don't have to, but this lighting was super low, and I just wasn't getting what I wanted.  I decided to try my flash, but my camera wasn't reading it.  :(  Guess I need to do some studying up on that.

I was at 1250 ISO, f /2.8, and if you can believe {well, maybe you can from the blurriness} 1/5 shutter speed.  The color version was even crazier, so I changed to black & white.

me ra koh workshop {update}

Thought I'd post something on the light side ... I'm sure missing those posts, so you must be too!  :)

I was super happy to find this post last night from Me Ra.  She gave me great props about half way down the page ... what perfect timing!

so excited ...

I don't know if these photos will do it justice, but delivered today was a canvas I ordered as a Christmas gift for my friend Tracie.  I posted photos I took of her children here and here.

She doesn't read my blog, so I think I'm safe posting these ... and I think it turned out so awesome I wanted to share asap!  Think she'll love it?

Tay saw the photos {below} and I asked why I had it on our wall.  I tried to muster an answer and all that came out was "cuz I'm queer."  And I am ... but an excited queer.  {not that there's anything wrong with that ... right?}  :)

 

newborn portrait session

{Not that I blame her}, but I've got one impatient mother on my hands!  I first mentioned their photos here.

Well ... I've finished with her photos in record time and you can find the rest of them here.  Enjoy!

newborn baby twins!!

I realize that title might be a bit redundant, but how else was I going to convey my excitement?  I've been dying to get my camera on these little sweeties!

Born 10ish{?} weeks early, Marley & Murphy entered the world on August 28.  They were itty bitty and on lots of machinery.  They slowly gained weight and strength and were able to finally come home.

I had offered mom, right after their birth, to let me know when I could come take photos ... and I finally got the call!  Taylor and I went over on Sunday after church and were blessed to see a little 'twin action' first hand ... yikes!  I thought I had my hands full ...

Their parents seem to have things down to an art {'cept sleeping}, and big sis' Avery is a huge help too ... so sweet to see her loving on her babies!

This is just a sampling of what I'm working on.  I'll post a link when I have them ready.

{note:  i've heard that a photographer should never post the 'best' images from a session ... so just wait 'til you see what i have up my sleeve!  i even managed an action shot ... baby marley in mid-spitup!}

portraits in mexico

Just a quick post before I head to bed to post the Becker's finished photos.  Take a look here.

I sure wish all my shoots were in Mexico ... :)

ten four love ...

Signed, sealed, delivered!  This project is officially in the hands of this beautiful bride.  Can I hear a resounding ... yay!!!

I've posted just the 'artistic edits' on my website, the rest you can view on Pictage, by entering 'ten four' in the search field.

I feel so blessed to have been at this wedding, let alone take photos of it.  Taylor came with me to assist {thank you so much Tay ... and I should mention I still owe her a pair of Converse from the deal!}, so the fact she was with me for the entire day was a blessing in itself.

Kris was my original BFF, and that was back in the day where we coined the phrase BFF.  Man, we had some awesome, awesome good times together.  Some she remembers and I don't.  Some I remember and she doesn't.

We met in fifth grade when I moved to Oak Creek.  By sixth grade, we were at BFF status.  She even left her original, original BFF for me.  It was everything I wanted a friendship to be.  We even went to homecoming together one year.  Um yeah, losers ...

Kris and I went our ways after high school.  We kept in touch a little, but our lives seemed to have brought us different roads to travel.  She had a baby, I had my awesome barber degree to pursue.  :)

We shared a few emails here and there, saw each other a few times and then seemed to reconnect a little better a couple of years ago for our high school reunion {I refuse to say what one we were celebrating}.  We were total Romy & Michelle's, and I'll leave it at that!  And needless to say, the girls that were drunk and dancing on tables in high school, are now women that are drunk and dancing on tables.  Not cool.

Okay, back to the wedding ... Kris and Mark have been 'dating' for 18 years.  Neither have ever been married and they never married each other.  They were content doing the "Goldie Hawn/Kurt Russell" thing.

Mark is an incredible man.  I never really had a chance to get to know him, and I regret that.  He's a quiet, gentle spirit.  A very caring man.  He raised Bethany with Kris, from the time Bethany was just a few years old {threeish?}.

This was the first wedding for them both and it was special.  Kris never expected to get married.  Mark asked her to marry him last Christmas ... in the same spot her parents got engaged {goose bumps yet?}.

They met when they both worked at a trucking company.  Kris in the office, Mark as a driver.  They would flirt over the phone and he'd end the conversation with "ten-four."

When she told me they'd gotten engaged and were contemplating a date, I wasn't sure why she kept saying she was going to try for this October 4th.  If it wasn't then, she wasn't sure when it would be.

Come to find out the significance in that, is that October 4th, is also translated as "ten-four!"  {goose bumps?}.

Kris has 3 sisters and a brother.  They were always so close ... and still are.  An incredible family and love.  As I'm typing this and remembering our childhoods together ... I almost feel as if somewhere deep inside me, I loved being in the midst of her family and the craziness of everyone all around ... I'm realizing this as I'm typing, but I'm almost thinking that her family is the reason I have a large family myself.

As crazy as things get, I love it.  I love the madness and love that lives in my house.

Back to the wedding ... I loved watching this wedding and their love, from behind the lens.  As I said, I felt truly blessed.  Blessed to witness such a deep commitment to each other.  Blessed to see her family together again.

But I also felt a twinge of regret.  Regret that I missed so many years.

And then blessed again that we've been able to stay in touch and connected after so many years.

Kris, Mark, Bethany, Dale, Sandy, Kathy, Kelly, Kerri, and Jason ... thank you for allowing me to capture this special day and be with you in such a special way.

another session delivered

I'm happy to say that the Behrend family has their photos in hand!  This was a great opportunity for me.  As I posted earlier ... it was a challenging shoot, in that, the lighting was bad, the kids weren't completely cooperative and we had the family pet to be included in the shots.

I was happy when I saw we got one good shot.  The rest are all fun, but here's the shot most family's want to see ... everyone looking at the camera, smiling.

It was also fun to post-process these, and to see where I needed to turn some into black and white, or sepia.  Because the lighting was so dark, there was a lot of grain in the photos and turning them into b&w, helps hide some of that and makes for a better image.

You can view the images here on my website.  I've also set up an account with an online photo management company.  You can purchase photos or albums directly from the site.  It's something new I'm trying out.  You can view this session here.  {If the link doesn't work, you may need to register (free) to view, and then search Behrend Family}. 

discount on canon equipment

Just in case any of the ladies from Me Ra's workshop has found my blog and is reading this post, I thought I'd put this out there ...

Design Aglow has an awesome deal for it's readers and you can find out more here.

me ra koh photography workshop

I had the most unbelievable time in Chicago this past weekend.  Unbelievable.  I learned many, many things.  About photography and about myself.  Me Ra and her husband Brian are undoubtedly the most down-to-earth people I've ever met.  They are one of the nation's premier photographers and yet, they sat and had pizza and discussed their personal lives and gave us so much strength and advice.

For me, not only was it a step further in my photography 'career' ... it was a step further in learning about life.

I also learned I'm not quite the dork {read freak} I thought I was.  I emailed Heather early Saturday morning to pray for me, as I was quite nervous.  Nervous I would be a nervous dork and not make friends.  Nervous my photography and knowledge wouldn't stand up to the others.  Just nervous.

I took the 6:43 am train to Chicago, dropped my bag at the hotel, made a pit stop at starbucks and then headed to the workshop, that began at 9:00.  I walked in nervous, but immediately {well, not completely immediately}, but within minutes, felt completely at ease.  What a wonderful group of women!  I mean, completely wonderful.  Some professional, some amateurs and some in the same boat I am.

Kelli, who's pregnant with twin boys greeted me almost immediately.  Debbi, Gretchen ... I really felt at ease.  And loved learning I'm not a dork!!  :)

Remember the line from Dirty Dancing where Baby first learns about the secret dancing party?  And Johnny asks, "what's she doing here?"  She replies, "I carried the watermelon."  And then walks away sort of yelling at herself, "I carried the watermelon?" ... brilliant move Baby.  Remember that?  Classic!  That's classic me ... I'm often walking away from a conversation thinking, "really? brilliant move einstein!"  {read freak!}

Anyway.

So, this is me with Brian and Me Ra.  I absolutely can't wait to attend another workshop with them.  They are so gracious, forgiving and knowledgeable.  Not to mention what a cute couple they are!  Thank you, thank you, thank you to them both.

We had a photo shoot arranged on Saturday.  There were four babies situated around the room with their moms and/or dads.  The lighting was absolutely horrible!  There were 20 other women we needed to work around and it was well ... really pretty stressful!

Then we find out Me Ra wants us to pick two of our favorite images and submit them for a critique the next day.  Say what?!?

Okay, so here's another lesson I learned.  Less is more.  Say it slowly ... less is more.  I took over 400 photos that afternoon {in about an hours time}, but many, many of the images were a rushed anxiety to get the right shot.  I really need to be more thoughtful in setting up my subjects, shot, lighting.

If I had done that, I wouldn't have had 400+ photos to sift through to find two that I loved.  It was also hard wondering what they would love.

So here are the two I went with:

Me Ra was completely gracious in her responses to me ... to everyone really.  When she saw this next photo, she turned to me and said in her super sweet voice, "Tracie ... this is beautiful."  I don't think I'll ever forget that.  :)

She said the same to many others {granted, there was a lot of talent in that room!}, but that comment and her connotation will carry me forever.

And these two photos were my follow-up choices.  I didn't submit them, but I loved them.  I didn't choose this one of the baby, because we're often warned in photography to watch out for a tree growing out of someone's head behind you.  We lots of times think, "oh! go stand by that pretty tree."  But what we don't realize is that the final product is often a tree coming out of someone's head.

So in this shot, baby Kira {who I almost stole!!} has her mommy's straps coming out of her chin!  :)

And I still love this shot.

What an awesome experience ... Once again, I'm reminded just how blessed I really am.  I feel so thankful to have been able to attend this weekend.  Me Ra wrote more about it here.