Have you taken YOUR Mother's Day Photo yet??

As a mother of two sons now---I hope this isn't my future
however,this did make me laugh.
Have YOU taken your Mother's Day photo yet?

Portrait 411 ~ Catch Lights

For some time I've been thinking it might be fun to include a few blog posts related to photography, portraits, tips and information based on the art and trade of photography. I never feel that writing is my strong point, and finding creative writing time is at a premium with baby, but I'll see what I can do!

Whether you're a client that appreciates custom photography, are looking to take better pictures of your own child, or just enjoy perusing the web enjoying different photography styles, chances are you've noticed "catch lights" in the eyes of the model. Maybe you didn't know what they were called, or possibly even thought it was a mistake or over site, but catch lights are highly desirable in a portrait.

What are catchlights? Catchlights are that spark of light which is reflected in the subject's eyes and is usually round or square in shape. A catchlight adds depth, dimension to the subject's eyes and is a desired effect in custom photography. Eyes without catchlights look dull and lifeless. Next time you're glancing through a fashion magazine, take note of how catchlights are used to add life and spark to the image.

Catchlight position in the eye vary by light source type and placement. Typically, it is more desireable to have a catchlight in the upper quadrant of the eyeball than the lower, though as in any art form there are no set rules. The earliest portrait paintings of many great artists show catchlights in the upper quadrant, and thus it's thought this is partly the reason it is deemed more desireable that way today.

Catchlights also vary by the type of light source. A catchlight from a large studio softbox source will look different from the reflective catchlights found in the eyes of a model shot outdoors in natural light.

The light source most of us are familiar with is on camera flash. On camera flash produces a small pinpoint light centrally located in the pupil of the eye- this is generally not desireable in custom photography as it is not as flattering to the subject.

I've included several samples of catchlights. Next time you're enjoying a magazine or looking at your wall galleries, take a moment to note the various types of catchlights and how they add to the overall look of the image. Great catchlights are something your custom photographer has worked hard on achieving to make your image really shine!

Gracie

What beautiful big eyes Gracie has and she sure showed them off for her session.
Gracie came from Estherville for her session and I'm so glad her and mommy made the trip. Here are a few of the fabulous images from Ms. G's session.

LITTLE GIRLS

Aren't little girls fun? This isn't the first time I've worked with Cara and she is as cute as a button. People will often ask how long a children's session will last. My approach is that each child is different, depending on their age, demeanor and personality- some children are wore out after 15 minutes and their cooperation is gone, and others can make it thru multiple clothing and prop changes with no problem. I've found even when they are reaching the end of their cooperation rope- that is when some of my favorite images are created- the ones with a pensive look or a downward glance.
Cara was top model and I love so many of the images we created. Here are just a few from our session.

Congratulations

To Becca Amundson, winner of the hinged 5x7 Metal Portrait Box from Alison Stumpf Photography. Thank you to the others as well for all the great ideas and comments on what YOU think these boxes would be great for. They truly are a keepsake- ask to see one at your next session!

I am excited to bring a new product to the boutique accessories store~ Metallic Portrait Boxes. I LOVE them, and can think of so many uses for them! They come in 8x10, hinged 5x7 and wallet size.

I bought a 8x10 for each of my children for the sole purpose of storing old 8x10 portraits of them that I no longer have displayed on my walls. The metallic exterior will protect them from getting bent. The portrait itself is printed 'on' the metal itself (not affixed with any sort of label/adhesive- and they looks super high class. Wouldn't the boxes be GREAT for--
* special art work
* report cardss
* 4H Ribbons
* certificates and special awards
* newpaper clipping and pictures
* perserving letters to Santa the children wrote
* baby keepsakes
* preserve prints from various portrait sessions

LET'S HAVE SOME FUN-
Post a creative comment on the blog (by 11:59 pm Thursday) as to what YOU think these boxes would be great for and I'll draw a random winner from the comments to win a 5x7 hinged box.

In the mean time- all the metallix boxes [with an image from a 2009 or other session completed already in 2010] are 25% off and can be found in the ACCESSORIES STORE on my shopping cart site. If you're thinking this would be a great Mother's Day gift- you're not alone. Just add the box to your cart, noting the image you'd like used on it and have your dear hubby contact me and I'll take care of the rest.

Contest Creation

I blogged a week or so ago about an image of mine that was chosen for a WISH YOU WELLS art rendition. I received the final art work and wanted to share it with you.
I'm just tickled with how it turned out....and am planning on printing it on velvet paper (I think) once I decide for certain where I'm going to display it in my home.

I also got on the ball tonight and ordered some portraits of Holden's newborn sesson for his nursery. I'm so jealous seeing these beautifully designed nurseries for babies on the way----and Holden's is less than "Good Housekeeping Stamp of Approval" worthy. I love the gender surprise after labor and delivery...but I will say there is something to be said to find out pink or blue before-hand and to get the nursery and layette all in order before you're exhausted and in the fog of new parenthood.

A good day in the nursery is if the bed (where I sleep) gets made.
Since Holden has decided no man-made bottle is good enough for his finely acquired palette...I'm am pretty much tied(literaly)to him 24/7. So to make things easier on both of us (not to mention Jeff) I sleep in the nursery. I have an assortment of pillows all strategically propped and angled and piled in the bed to allow for middle of the night feedings and dozing. To make the bed would disturb the strategic system I've devised. We call this pile of chaotic bedding "the boars nest". I guess it should be "the Sow's nest"
huh? That's as close as the Good Housekeeping seal of approval I get.
That's why I'm a photographer and not an interior decorator.