Mother Of Boys Blog

What a fantastic family!

What a privilege to spend a rainy morning traipsing around Whistler with this amazing family! Family photo shoots are always a challenge, there is weather, hunger, fatique (yes I'm speaking of the children, not the photographer!) but sometimes, it just all comes together and magic happens. I have wanted to photograph these children since I met them as I'm sure you'll agree they are spectacular on film, but more than that I had a sneaky suspicion that the family would also get and appreciate candid, spontaneous portraits.

I LOOOOVE that the parents belly laughed with me when I played them back a sequence of shots that included biting, whacking, bawling...and as you can see a stick over the head! These are 3 BOYS in every sense of the word, but the tender moments between the children far outnumbered the fiesty ones.

Thanks to this families for one of my favourite shoots of all time!

Whistler Photography Meetup

Well, I call it my geeky little photo group! You know like any group that you get together that is passionate about something (no matter how cool the something is) end up verging on a gaggle of geeks! I LOVE my photo geekness, I revel in ISO and quiver with excitement over new equipment, so you see nobody else that comes is a geek, but I strive to be. That is not to say that I don't feel secretly veery sexy in my photo vest, and that my feathers don't ruffle a little over the size of my lenses.... I digress...

Anyways, officially we have 14 members, but I made my mother join, and my great friend Karen....oh and my friend Sue...ummmmm and my other friend Sue, and I'm pretty sure the meetup site ads 1 or 2 phantom members to make you feel successful. HA HA

But the best part of the meetup is that I get to spend some time with my friends, meet new friends and do something that I love!

The last meetup was "Natural light children's portraiture" and I was really excited because I got a whopping 5 "yes" replies. I set up all my backdrops and hauled out my props and even did a little rock and roll pre-photo shoot of my boys which I am delighted with. In the end, all but one weren't able to make it (yes we are all mothers and you know how it is...pinkeye, sitters, work etc..) BUT Kerry and I had the most fab time just the 2 of us, (our adorable babies) and were able to cover so much ground! I learned of a cool photo blog www.therpioneerwoman.com and we got to play to our hearts content. A new friend was made, and we got some great photos. Magic!

Check out Kerry's blog at: www.snickerdoodles.typepad.com

Here are my top 3 hints for children's portraiture:

1. Get in close. Eliminate all distracting backgound elements. If you want the portrait look, fun fabrics, or black velvet photograph fantastically.
2. Place children in the light coming through the window. It is soft and flattering.
3. Capture moments. Build it and they will come... get a shot ready, place an interesting toy down, and wait for the magic to happen!

Oh and have fun with it! The best shots come from true moments, not from "smile for the camera!"

Happy snapping, and if you live in Whistler, and want to join us, we'd be delighted! check out: www.photo.meetup.com/623