You might guess that its easier to take pictures of family members than clients, at least that’s what I would have guessed, but Sam and I talk often about how its the opposite for us.  We wish we knew why.  Is it knowing too much about someone?  Wanting to say too much about someone?  Are we relying less on instinct with someone we know?  Are we afraid of showing them how we see them?  All of thee above, maybe, but mostly I just can’t maintain a professional self with my family and friends, I become a fit of giggles holding a camera.  But I wanted so badly to take photos of Olivia, good photos, something for her husband and son to remember this time by.  So I asked if I could try.

Olivia’s husband Lincoln has been Sam’s brother since they were nine, blood is a mere technicality.  Lincoln lived with Sam’s family through high school and just about every story Sam tells begins with, “My buddy Lincoln and I….”  When I was first dating Sam, Lincoln was the person in his life that I was the most nervous about meeting for the first time.  So if that gives you any idea how important these folk are in our life, well, you know how difficult this shoot should have been for me because Olivia has become my sister too.

But it wasn’t really that hard.  For one thing, Olivia is gorgeous so that was easy.  And I didn’t have to direct too much, I just kind of watched her be.  We both laughed a lot because it was a little awkward and strange, to play model and photographer for an hour like little girls role playing.  But I’m really glad we did it and I was happy with what I got.

When you pull up to Lincoln and Olivia’s place the driveway winds your car around the cottage like a hug as the sun dances through the trees. Its one of those places that has good energy though I’ll never know if its because it was always there or because Lincoln and Olivia put it there.  I’m slightly obsessed with the shed out back and the barrel rings that hang on the side, rough with rust but round like a baby bump.  The garden was feeling a little too cliche but I liked the tomato shots anyway.  The daisy shots were my favorite though because they were the most Olivia to me.

I worked on this edit yesterday while Olivia labored with Milo Arthur, who joined our world at 11:57 weighing 7 lbs, 11oz.  I’m so tempted to share photos we took at the hospital yesterday but I think they should be the first to post pictures when they can.  So stay tuned for those, we’re just so thrilled to have Baby Milo here.  Something tells me that an adult Fiver will start a lot of stories with, “My buddy Milo and I….”

Posted by Mel @ 5:46 pm, in Bellies, Personal, Portraits | 2 Comments | Permalink

Today’s rain may have thrown a monkey wrench in my portrait plans for the early part of this week but I’m making the most out of this dreary day by catching up on editing.  And just in time…I definitely wanted for Natalie and Craig to see these before Baby Boy arrives!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: belly portraits are the hardest thing I do.  Its not for a lack of great subjects (I truly have the best) or because I don’t love the maternal form (I definitely do) but because its so hard to do in a way that is artistic without being cheesy, emotional without being over the top, and most challenging of all – unique.  While I’ve never really succeeded with it (by my own standards), I get a little closer every time I do it.  Natalie and Craig’s photos are the closest I have come yet.

Natalie and Craig built the house that has become the hub of their life so it only made sense to take photos in this very special place.  The couples’ dog, Hilton (as in Hilton Head where the couple was married, not Paris or Perez), was a very willing participant and all I had to do to get her to look at me was say the word, “ball”.  I often joke that my job is like taking a test you can’t study for: each shoot offers the gift of serendipity, particularly when I shoot for a client for the first time.  So I was pleased to find so many intimate and welcoming details in Natalie and Craig’s home that I could use to frame this special, happy time in their lives:

I couldn’t decide which close up I liked better so I included them both!

Its kind of creepy (or maybe just cool) that the specular highlights on Craig’s shirt and the couples’ profile mimic the look of their baby in the ultrasound.  I didn’t intend it but I liked it:

I find myself drawn to the same things over and over again when I do belly shoots: clocks in the background (tic tock!), open windows letting light in, and items that lay in wait for the tiny person they belong to.   I always hope that loving anticipation comes through these photos.  There are both excited moments of chatter and quiet moments of pause on a belly shoot.

Sam made fun of me for wishing Natalie a “powerful” birth earlier today, he called me a hippy.  Guilty as charged, minus the patchouli.   Good luck to you both in the days to come, enjoy those first sweet moments of parenthood and I can’t wait to meet Baby Boy on our newborn shoot very soon.  In the mean time, here’s a slideshow and if you would like to check out their online gallery, click here.

Posted by Mel @ 8:39 pm, in Bellies, Portraits, Wee Ones | No comments | Permalink

I admit that I am not completely on board with the portrait industry’s nomenclature du jour for pregnancy portraits: the belly session.  I am a big fan of bellies (even beer bellies), I love the playfulness of the word “belly” and that baby bump belly is certainly the focal point of such a session.  My issue is that there’s so much more going on in a belly session than a belly or even a baby.  I don’t have the experience to confirm this but it seems to me that pregnancy, particularly a first pregnancy, is a time charged with excitement, anticipation, waves of fear in moments, and the impending inevitability of change.  Many are likely to disagree but I believe that the birth of a child is a more significant life change than getting married, at least in this day and age.  Being married is a lot like living together (which many couples including ourselves chose to do prior) except now you’re wearing rings and eating on brand new dishes.  Having a baby is like…. nothing that came before it.  Its a great time to have portraits made.

Amy and Jeff are expecting their first child, a little boy, at the end of this month.  I loved the warmth and comfort of their living room with its overstuffed, comfy sofa and sooting palette of earth tones.  We spent a lot of time photographing there:  

Their dogs, Sammy and Ella, were keen on staying close by and being part of the family portraiture.  Sammy follows Amy around and gets a little protective of the belly.   

Amy likes to play piano for the baby so we thought portraits near the piano were key (knuck, knuck):

Amy and Jeff are preparing an adorable nursery for Brayden.  While its not yet finished, it will be fun to look back at photos in its progressive state when its complete and in use!

I couldn’t be more grateful that Amy and Jeff allowed me into their home to photograph this time.  We hadn’t met before so I appreciate that you let this goofball take such intimate portraits.  I can’t wait for Brayden’s arrival and am super excited to document him throughout his first year of life so stay tuned!

Here’s a slideshow of the session and if you would like to view the online gallery, click here.   Amy and Jeff, I wish you a safe and speedy delivery and thanks again for everything, its going to be an amazing year.

Posted by Mel @ 2:13 pm, in Bellies, Portraits, Wee Ones | No comments | Permalink