Two very special people in my life have needed portraits done and I am so glad they asked me to do them. I’m not a professional photographer by any stretch of the imagination but I do love taking pictures and am always game to give things a try.
My first subject was my darling friend Amy who needed a current picture of herself for work. I hauled out my background kit and tried to remember everything I’ve learned about portrait photography, which isn’t very much I must say. After a few tries I got this shot and fell in love with it. This is SO Amy! See the twinkle in her eye? The best part… no photoshop jiggery pokery…she really is that pretty.
My next project was my daughter Hannah’s senior pictures. I don’t know about you but I pretty much hate all the senior pictures I see. The smiles seem so fake and the kids so posed. Luckily Hannah was a really good sport and we tried a bunch of things and had some fun too. She loves to paint so she smeared her hands with paint so we could get that in. After all was said and done the one we both loved was this.
I love the honesty of shots like these, no fake smiles, very little editing. I think you “see” the person inside. I could never be a pro, I just couldn’t handle the pressure, but I do love “shooting” my friends and family. I don’t think I could get shots like these if I didn’t know the people.
Two beautiful ladies.
Posted by: Linda | 10/20/2010 at 07:18 AM
Those are great shots! And the perfect models :-)
Posted by: Elzaan | 10/20/2010 at 09:12 AM
Beautiful!!!! You really did capture them.
Posted by: Debbie Jacobs | 10/20/2010 at 10:33 AM
The photos are great. Your daughter has such beautiful eyes. It is like you can see who she is through her eyes. Beautiful!
Posted by: Diane | 10/20/2010 at 10:59 AM
I agree with the eye comment. Both portraits really feature the eyes. Very nicely done.
Posted by: Deanna | 10/20/2010 at 08:05 PM
I agree with your comment about the school pictures. I was frustrated, year after year, because my kids would end up having to get the retakes which were never better than the first takes! What a scam. I took photography courses in college, so finally I gave myself a V-8 smack and started doing their portraits myself. The way to take the best portraits are to A) know your subject, that way you know their personality and are able to let it shine through the camera, and B) take LOTS of exposures.
Posted by: Peggi | 10/20/2010 at 11:47 PM