I loved working with this family a couple of weeks ago… A mom and her three girls! Is there anything more beautiful than a woman with the loves of her life in their natural state? I’m thinking Dad/Husband will be thrilled with his surprise gift! What do you think?
ss 1/250 f 14 ISO 400
A small speckled visitor
Wearing a crimson cape
Brighter than a cherry
Smaller than a grape
A polka-dotted someone
Walking on my wall
A black-hooded lady
In a scarlet shawl.
~Joan Walsh Anglund
Oh ladybug, I wish you joy
As you complete your garden chores.
I’d like to put aside my work
And join you in the out-of-doors!
~Author Unknown
The Ladybug wears no disguises.
She is just what she advertises.
A speckled spectacle of spring,
A fashion statement on the wing….
A miniature orange kite.
A tiny dot-to-dot delight.
~J. Patrick Lewis, “The Little Buggers”
2014 Pointe Shoe Series VI
“Everything in the universe has rhythm. Everything dances.” -Maya Angelou
Find your rhythm and dance this weekend everyone!
ss 1/60 f 5.0 ISO 1000
manual settings and focus, natural light
ss 1/60 f5.0 ISO 1000
manual settings and focus, natural light
ss 1/60 f5.0 ISO 1000
manual settings and focus, natural light
ss 1/60 f5.6 ISO 1000
manual settings and focus, natural light
ss 1/60 f5.0 ISO 1000
manual settings and focus, natural light
All of the newborn images above were shot using my Nikon D800 and my 50mm 1.4 lens. Individual settings are above. Which is your favorite?
“A new baby is like the beginning of all things-wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.”
– Eda J. Le Shan
2014 Point Shoe Series V
ss 1/60 f4.5 ISO 1250
Manual focus, manual settings, diffused light, black and white conversion in Topaz Labs
“When life takes me on a new journey, I simply remember the smile my first ballet recital put on my face and I move forward.” – Andrea Thompson
Below are a few of my favorite shots from a 1st communion shoot I did a couple of weeks ago.
I must say that I thoroughly enjoy working with children. It is fun to observe them just being. When working with children I try to extract their natural personality vs. posing them extensively. Many times children will naturally land in a pose that with just a little coaching from you makes for a near perfect composition. The little girl featured in the images below was so sweet and such a joy to work with. She loved exploring the environment and I enjoyed chatting with her about what she saw, how she felt, etc. Letting children be themselves and letting them lead the way relaxes them and gains their trust and comfort with you enabling you to more successfully capture their true essence.
Little girls are especially fun to work with for first communion shoots because they are in their fancy dress, sometimes a veil, a headpiece, special jewelry, and they just feel like little princesses. It almost takes me back in time to when I got to twirl around in my dresses and feel like a princess.
The one thing I think it is important to stress is that one should never lose their style and artistic flair when photographing children or any subject. It is important to stay true to ones style and vision. After all, isn’t that why you were hired? It is important to satisfy your clients and ensure that you have the expected, traditional shots, for example the praying hands for a first communion, but once that is achieved, move to your work flow and capture your subject in the way you are most comfortable.
I used Topaz Labs for my black and white conversions and used vignettes or borders to create a more ethereal/vintage appeal.
ss 1/60 f 4.5 ISO 1250 Manual settings, Manual focus
“Please send me your last pair of shoes, worn out from dancing as you mentioned in your letter, so that I might have something to press against my heart.”
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Robyn Graham Photography 
