New Love - Kennesaw Newborn Photographer

A couple of weeks ago I gave you a sneak peek of this darling newborn.  Just as I was finishing up editing her session my computer crashed and would not come back.  Over the weekend I replaced it and have worked through the frustrating process of reinstalling, but I never panicked thanks to the berating a few months from my brother of how important is is to back up my work.  Many months ago I purchased a crash plan and I must say the peace of mind through this ordeal was worth every penny. 

On another note when I logged in to blogger to post I discovered they had changed the entire format.  A bit irritating as now I have to relearn how to navigate through it and I really don't have time for that.  Does anyone know if we can opt out of the new and go back to the old?

Without further ado here is Eliana and her parents as they experience the new love of each other. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sneak Peek - Newborn E.M.E - Kennesaw Newborn Photographer

 

Over & Wide - Children's Photography

Over the weekend I read this article on shooting wide open, which led me to checking out the author of the article, Audrey Woulard's, website.  Her work really inspired me, so after a little more searching around the web, looking for more information on her work and style, I decided to give it a go.

Mid morning I gathered up as many of my kids that I could entice into cooperating and headed out to the back yard.

I set my camera to vivid setting, used Kelvins for white balance, opened my 50 mm 1.8 to 1.8 and left it there.  I lowered my ISO to low and left it alone, leaving me to only change my speed, based on my exposure reading.  I quickly found that I needed to over expose slightly on the face to help prevent shadows.  Once in the computer there were a few images I needed to bump the exposure on some more.  Overall the photos came out looking like I wanted with very minor tweaking needed, mainly just crop and sharpen.  A few have a funky, green cast to them, from all the greenery in the yard, so I need to work on eliminating that in camera.  I also know that my 1.8 is not near as sharp at 1.8 as her 1.4 is at 1.6.  Next time I may bump my ap up a notch or two.  The other thing I did is use a white quilt on the ground to reflect light back into their faces, and create some catchlight in the eyes. 

 

 

 

 

Oh, So Perfect! - Marietta Birth Photography, Doula

Last night at 9:42, my amazing sister in law gave birth to the most perfect little girl and she did it all natural with me coaching her through!  While I think photographing a birth is an awesome experience, coaching someone through an intense labor is even more awesome.  This birth my primary role was coach and photography came secondary.    I grabbed a shot or two between contractions.  Also I found the hospital delivery more challenging than a home birth to photograph because of the cramped space  and abundance of people and equipment.  I did manage to perch myself up on a chair and shoot over the action.

 

Sunday afternoon as I was out shopping, I got the call from her that contractions were beginning. I was giddy with excitement and headed straight home to get everything in order, so that I would be out the door with a minutes notice.

 

At 11:00 pm I heard from her that contractions were still steady, but not any closer and she was headed to bed to try and rest. I went to bed with my phone next to my pillow. I half slept all night, waiting at any moment to get her call. When I awoke at 6 am, I was afraid I had missed it! A text a few minutes later relieved that fear as she told me she was still contracting.  We settled on a plan for me to meet her at her home at 10 am, after I had my children settled.  At 8:30 am she called and informed me that she was heading on in to be checked as things were getting a bit more intense now that she was up and moving.  A quick phone call to my mother and I was out the door with kids in tow, dropping them off with the grandparents and headed straight to the hospital.  

 

Her mother and her sister in law were actually her midwives. Here her mother is looking on with compassion as she embraces each contraction.

 

Her husband, my brother, was so attentive to her and really kept her encouraged throughout the labor and delivery.

 

Baby crowning as Angela's mother, has the phone on speaker for Angela's sister, who lives in CA and couldn't be there.  She is one excited Grandma!

 

What a proud Papa!

 

 

Could she be any more perfect?  

I am in love, she stole this Auntie's heart! 

 8 lbs 6 oz, and this amazing first time mom pushed her out in just an hour!

 She is my hero!

A long, happy day, ending with a beautiful happy family.
 I'm so thankful I was able to be there to share in this experience with you all.  I love you.

Once all was settled and Eliana was nursing contentedly, I packed up and headed home to my sleeping family, completely missing my husband's birthday, but I don't think he minded too much since he had the gift of a perfect little niece born for it! Now that I had a great night's rest, I'm ready to head back up there and soak in her sweetness.