Christmas Photoshoot

In traditional fashion, I did a photo shoot of the twins under the Christmas tree this year, just like I did with Macyn back in 2009. I wrapped up a box, added a bow, and took some pictures of the girls!

Family Photos 2013

October was filled with photo shoots, and here are some of our favorites from our family session! Macyn wasn't exactly cooperative. She started out well, and once we began our family ones she pouted, crossed her arms, and announced that she "didn't want to take pictures anymore." So, I was beyond shocked that we actually got a few good ones to choose from!

6 Month Photos

We had the twin's six month pictures taken and they turned out great! Here are some of my favorites!

Family Photos

We decided to try a new photographer for our family photos 2011 since DH doesn't work at Hills anymore. We went to Southern Belle Portraiture and we absolutely LOVE our pictures! The best part is, you get the copyright to all the photos and it gives me the freedom to retouch them or add special effects. Here is an example - I didn't like Macyn's diaper showing in this picture, so I pretty much photoshopped it out.

Before                                                                  After

With the copyright release, I also used them to update the blog banner on top. I LOVE all the other pictures too. If you want to see them all, go here to an online album where I have uploaded them. I love the colors and how high of quality they are. I am thinking of getting this picture on a canvas for our home. I have already ordered our Christmas cards and they arrived on Friday! The best part is, they were running a special - 75 5x7 cards (front and back) with envelopes for $29. Shipping included! We bought them from Mixbook and are very satisfied. High quality printing and the ability to edit and add whatever you want to your card. If you want a sneak peek to our card, click here. And if you want it to be a surprise in the mail, don't click :)  But the cover was a stock card and the back I redesigned and added text with pictures. I love them!

Slow Shutters

We went to Falls Park the other night and I snapped some pictures of the falls. I took my first one on "auto" mode and the color wasn't so great. I then decided to put it on the manual setting and adjust everything myself - ISO, white balance, F-stop, shutter speed, etc. And then I remembered that you can make the falls themselves look dreamy when you keep the shutter open longer. I went ahead and tried it and I came out with some great results! These pictures were taken about 9:15 PM without much light, so I really should have had a tripod. But I just worked with what I had.

For those of you who don't know what a shutter speed is - its how long the shutter is open and how much light is let in. You know when sometimes your pictures are blurry if you don't use a flash? What most likely happened is the shutter was open longer, and you moved, therefore making your pictures blurry. I always use a rule of thumb speed of 1/60 to prevent blurred pictures if you aren't using a tripod. If its anything slower than that, they will blur. I lowered my shutter down soooooo slow to make the falls look blurred.

The reason this works is, since the water is moving, it blurs the falls. Since everything else is still, it doesn't blur that part (unless you move the camera). It turns out for some neat pictures for sure. Like I said, I didn't have a tripod so mine aren't perfect, but you get the idea!

Auto setting - not so good!

Manual setting - slow shutter speed

Blurred water, clear rocks!

18 Month Photos

Macyn had her 18 month photos done today, and she had all kinds of personality to show off. Here are some of Macyn's many poses. I added captions corresponding to the number of the photo.

1. Strike a pose - channeling her inner top model

2. Sweet as pie smile

3. Daydream believer

4. "I concur"

5. Weighing the options

6. Staring off into the distance

7. Scowl

8. Are we done yet?!

We did get a few of her smiling which is waaay better than her 12 month ones where she didn't smile. She has a super short attention span and it was hard enough to keep her in front of the camera! I had to chuckle when I was viewing her session - they were sooo funny and comedic to see! If you readers want to see the rest, you can find them on the Hills site and use the same password. If you don't remember, shoot me a message and I will send you the link with login information.

3 Month Photoshoot

I had the privilege to shoot my nephew Caden's 3 month pictures today. It is fun being able to shoot a baby who stays in one spot unlike my toddler who can't sit still for more than 5 seconds! I think I got some good shots (remember, I'm an amateur, not a professional) and broke them down into three categories:

It was fun playing dress up with a boy for a change, and hearing his coos and seeing his smiles! It's hard to believe he is 3 months already! What a proud Auntie I am :)