{Photographing Happy People}

I’ve noticed on a trend on facebook. – the serious family photo. When done well, it makes for an interesting photograph.  But it’s a fine line between looking serious but happy versus serious and mad.  Imagine your grown children asking why everyone looks mad in a family photo, or why mommy was sad.  Most people want to look back at photos and remember happy times, laughter, and love.

Children have those photos of being pensive, inquisitive, mischievous and you look deep into their eyes and see their souls. Yet, it is the photos where I see sheer joy and immeasurable happiness that I always remember.  I’m glad I get to photograph happy people preserving happy memories!

Be Good!

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{Twin Love}

This might have been the most highly anticipated babies I have ever had.  I was one of the first to know when momma was pregnant, I got an  update when they found out they were twins, and I got an email from the hospital when they were here.  It’s just the way I like it!!

Seriously, the best babies ever.  This session was easier than some of my single baby sessions.  As long as they were next to each other they were happy.

Be Good!

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{Awkward}

One of the things I love about my job is getting to work high school seniors.  I don’t know why, but I photograph mostly girls.  For every 10 girls I get about 1 boy.  With girls I can be open and honest.  I can tell them they look beautiful and not think twice about it.  Boys… well boys are a different story.  As I get closer to turning 39 this year I realize there is 20 years difference between myself and my seniors.  TWENTY YEARS… ugghhh.  So I struggle with how do I tell a boy he’s handsome, good looking, and God forbid… sexy. I didn’t even tell boys that when I was 18.  How in the world does one say that and remain professional (not a cougar).

So let me set the scene for you . Meet Conrad.

He graduated a couple of years ago. Life happened and he never got around to ordering portraits from his senior session. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, his brother grew up and is graduating this year.  I photographed him in the fall and applauded him for getting his senior photos done early!  Meet Caleb.

Both brothers along with their very sweet mother were at the studio for one giant ordering session.  Each brother couldn’t wait until we viewed the other brothers photos so they could take jabs at each other.  There was a lot of laughter, a few punches in the arm and the occasional compliment.  It was Caleb’s turn and his images are flashing across the screen and we get to this one…

 Caleb quickly dismisses it, but his mom and I intervene.  So here comes the awkward moment…. how do I say he looks good in this photo, that he looks “sexy” in front of his mom.  So I simply say, “as a female I appreciate it”.  Later on his brother nicknames the image, “juicy lips”.  And now I can’t imagine this photo by another name. Thank goodness for super cool clients!

Be Good!

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{Colin – 7 months}

What’s not to love.? Next to newborns this age, 6-7 months, is my favorite age.  Great expressions, easy to make smile, a blossoming personality are a few of the reasons I love them so.  You begin hearing infectious giggles and in the same breath you witness some heartfelt tears.  Case in point, the photo below.  When clients call in and ask me how long my sessions are I always answer the same way.  The child will let me know when they are finished.  In this case Colin was done.

Be Good!

 

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{Baby Kendall – 8 days old and a blog facelift}

It’s January at the studio which means one thing….. Baby Season!!  When I first opened the studio I worried about January and February and what I would do to pass my time.  I was quickly surprised with a baby boom those months.  The following year, when those months approached I once again worried…. What would I do? And I learned that it wasn’t a freak baby boom, but that this happens every year.

Baby Kendall was born last Tuesday.  Kendall was funny, she had these very expressionistic facial expressions that said, “I’m not going to sleep – you can’t make me”.  And like all newborns, when she finally relented, she was an angel.  She was a baby that liked it extra warm. She loved falling asleep in her father’s arms and she was soothed by her mother’s gentle voice. She was in one word… beautiful.

On a different note, for those of you who have followed me all along, I’m excited  about my blog again.  I gave it a face lift, one that I hope will match my new website I plan to unveil by the end of the month.  Over the past year, I have fallen in love with bloggers all over again.  That’s right, instead of writing on my own blog, I got lost in other blogs.  I looked forward with anticipation for a new post from those blogs I followed.  Slowly but surely, I was once again lured to this side of my business.  One might say I have been suffering from writers block.  All I can say is that I lost the words for a little while.

I have always been very personal on my Marie Q blog.  I have included deeply personal stories in the past- some happy and some sad.  I will continue to share them because I do feel that my experiences and my life make my vision different from everyone else’s. I hope to hear from all of you again and I hope to find some new friends along the way!

Be Good!

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{Some stories are not mine to tell}

I will tell you that when I came across this first family photo, I held back tears.  When I previewed them with Kathy, I was touched. Sometimes you just have to let the photo speak for itself.

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