Samantha & Chris: Cowboy boots and Bows Oh My!

This couple is so much fun! When Samantha first contacted me to do their engagement photos I had all of these ideas like riding a tandem bike, kite flying, a picnic set up.  She quickly let me know that they weren't really the tandem bike kind of couple and asked if they could bring their bows because they are both hunters!  A hunting couple isn't atypical for this area, but it is the first time a couple has asked me to photograph them with their hunting gear! We immediately decided that we'd meet at a local park for the session.  What could be more fun than hunting gear, the great outdoors, and beautiful weather?

Aren't they a hot couple?!?

I told you they brought their bows!

This is my favorite from the session! We had to interrupt a family's picnic to get the shot, but it was so worth it! Congratulations you two!  I can't wait for the wedding!

Everyday Moments: Noodle Making with Grandma

I've been making noodles with my grandma for as long as I can remember.  When we visited my grandparents in the summer we'd always request  a fresh batch, and that always meant that we'd help mix, roll out, and cut the dough by hand.  We didn't mind the work too much because we knew the results would be delicious noodles!  This fall I invited grandma over for a noodle making day.  Actually we made noodles a couple of times! It's important to me that Erin and Hayden have this experience with her, that they learn the passed down art of noodle making.  It's even more important to me that I capture these moments.  When I look back at my childhood, making noodles with grandma and Aunt Susie is one of my most treasured memories.  I wish someone had thought to capture those moments on film for me.

 

Noodle making always starts with my great grandmothers tried and true recipe. 

Just the right amount of flour is added.

Everything is mixed together. 

 

 

Grandma prefers to mix with her hands rather than a spoon.  She says her hands just work better! 

And then you must knead.....

knead.....

and knead some more!

Then you roll them out. There are no photos of this process because I was to busy catching and laying out noodles! 

We lay them out to dry on the same sheet we used when I was a kid. 

I think we let these dry for about four hours before cooking and eating them! They were just so irresistible!
I have another noodle making day planned for tomorrow! My goal is to can some of the noodles, but we'll see if they last long enough for me to do that!

My favorite part of this noodle making session was Hayden deciding that one of the  rolls of dough was his "baby".  He refused to let us roll it out because he thought it would hurt it.  He carried it around in a bowl for a couple hours and then it was tragically eaten by our dog, Mya. 

What's one of your favorite every day moments?  What memory can you share with your children/family and capture on film for them? 

Then & Now

When I began photographing people as a hobby I was inspired by the amazing Tara Whitney.  I was intrigued by the seemingly effortless way she captured every day moments in a spectacular way.  I remember reading her blog and my jaw dropping with every single image.  There was something about the way she was able to capture the heart and essence of the moment that always left me feeling happy inside. 

I'd had my shiny new DSLR about six months when I made a trip to Oklahoma to visit family.  I decided I'd take some family photos.  I knew the basics about photography from a handful of classes I'd taken in my early twenties.  I knew very little about Photoshop or  editing and didn't have a handle on the true capabilities of my expensive new toy.  I'd just spent $200 on a piece of crap lens that I thought was super cool because it had a long zoom.  We headed to the park and I told my family to pretend like they were airplanes and started snapping away. 

Obviously there was so much I didn't know when I took these photos.  I hadn't learned about the ease of back button focus.  I didn't fully understand  the magic triangle and why there was no need for my ISO to be at 400 on a sunny day.  What I love about these photos is how in the moment they are.  I wasn't thinking about all the "photography" stuff that I am constantly thinking about now. I was simply capturing a moment.  The story of these images is forever etched on my heart.  

It's been five years and a few upgrades since I took these photos. I've spent time and money learning and practicing and literally giving myself migraines until I understood my camera inside, outside, upside, and downside.  I've learned about natural light and studio lighting. I've memorized the sunny 16 rule and committed the principles of the magic triangle to memory.  I've invested in lenses that had more than just a long zoom, and soaked up every bit of photography related information I could.  

These are the most recent photos of my daughter that I've taken.  I love that they are sharply focused, and that the composition is good.  I love that I captured them using a lighting technique I learned from the amazing One Light video by Zack Arias.  What I don't love is that the story seems to be missing.  The reason I fell in love with portrait photography isn't there.  There is a great deal to be said for technique, but technique without heart is nothing.  Anyone can sit someone on a railroad track and take an amazing portrait, but telling the story with a camera is a different kind of art.  So my goal for this year is to tell the story for both myself and my clients.  I want to capture the moments that tell the story of their lives.  I want to capture the images that our hearts remember.

The Almost 300 Fans Giveaway!

I'm so thrilled to be at almost 300 fans that I've decided to host my first ever giveaway!

Doesn't a Winter Bliss photo session sound fun?  I'm imagining a trip to  the Christmas tree farm, a sledding adventure, or a family session by a beautifully decorated tree! Maybe you have a couple of monkeys like mine and we'll do something like this:

TO ENTER:

If you aren't already a fan, visit my Facebook page  and click like! Leave a message on my wall letting me know you've visited and you'll be entered to win.

Already a fan?  You can still win!  Share the following status on your page and leave me a message letting me know you've shared!

Sandra Jackson Photography is giving away a free photo session! Visit www.sandrajacksonphotography.com and see how you can win!

Want another way to win?  I thought you might! Leave me some comment love on this post telling me what your Winter Bliss photo session would include and you'll get a second entry!

You live far away put still want to participate?  No problem!  Follow one of the steps above and you'll be entered to win a $25 Amazon gift card!

All entries must be received by midnight on November 21st! The winner will be announced on November 22nd! Good luck!

The Fine Print: You must live within a 45 mile radius to win the photo session unless you want to pay my travel fees. There is no cash value. The giveaway is for the session fee only. Prints and photo product will be sold at my normal rate.

The Horses Too! Western Pennsylvania Photographer

When Lindsay contacted me to take family photos as a Father's Day gift for her dad I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  I've photographed families before, and I've photographed horses before, but I hadn't photographed the two together before!  These two beautiful horses had no interest in being in the center of a fun family photograph so we improvised.  I photographed the family and then the horses.  In the end it all worked out. I made an adorable mini album for her dad that included pictures of the whole family horses included!

I love photographing twins!  Have I told you I'm a twin?  Twins intrigue me. I always ask them the same question "Is one of your more dominant than the other?"  I guess because I was the more dominant one I alwas wonder if it's normal for twins to have those differences in their personalities!

 

 

 

 

 

Aren't they the cutest family? I had so much fun that I didn't even mind the big pile of horse poo I stepped in on my way out!  (My shoe minded a little.) 

Studio Lighting My Way

When I started the business side of photography my focus was on natural light photography and weddings.  Recently I've become more interested in studio lighting.  This new found desire is most likely a result of the cold winter months and not wanting to freeze my buns off in out door sessions with a foot of snow.  I also want the flexibility of using studio lighting when natural light may not be available.  As I've mentioned before, I'm a big fan of Zack Arias and his OneLight DVD.  His video inspired me to learn more about minimalist  lighting techniques.  I wanted to work with the gear I had available to me and since most of my lighting experience related to weddings, I had a couple of flashes, two light stands, and a flash trigger.  I dug out the umbrellas which were packaged with the light stands when I bought them and started playing around.  I think I've finally got a good grasp on what I'm doing.  Of course I still have more to learn. I hope I never come to a point where I don't feel that way. 
So, here it is;  A SOOC (straight out of camera)  image and the set-up I used to take it.

The Gear 

Remote Flash Trigger from Cowboy Studio 

Light Stands 

Canon 430 EX Flash 

Canon 580 EX II Flash

Fabric for backdrop 

Vinyl Floor
Umbrella 

 If you have any questions I'd be happy to answer them!
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Chloe : Newborn Session Western PA Photographer

I met Chloe's mom though a lifelong friend.  When she contacted me to do her maternity session I was so excited!  You may remember it Cara's Maternity Session.  Obviously I was super excited to photograph little Chloe when she was born!  Even more exciting was that mama had bought an adorable tutu and this ADORABLE HAT from my favorite vendor Cotton Blossoms! The results were nothing short of complete cuteness!

Doesn't she look cozy?

This coccoon is another adorable creation from Cotton Blossoms!

Can you handle the cuteness?

Chloe and her amazing big sister Catherine!

 

The fabulous Miss Catherine! 

There, now you should have your cute fix for the day!