Atlanta Child Photographer | Outdoors in Fall

Some of you may recognize this sweetie from my opening slideshow. She is so photogenic, but very busy, so we used the first part of the shoot to get the most important shots including this one. LOVE it! The gorgeous bokeh is from the 85 mm prime lens I used, and the rest -- other than a little color adjustment and minimal retouching is as shot in camera.

Want to learn more about shooting beautiful portraits? I'm teaching a Day of Workshops in a week. Join me!

Creative Valentine Card | Alpharetta GA Children's Photographer

This year, I was inspired by an idea in FamilyFun magazine -- a photo card with a "giant" lollipop coming out of the subject's hands.

I thought it might be even more fun to do a card with a heart-shaped balloon instead. I could make it look like my little guy was floating in the air. I also got heart-shaped chocolates to glue to the cards as treats. Last week, my little boy posed for me--for about 15 minutes--and we got the shots necessary to make this adorable card. Look below for some behind-the-scenes shots of what went into making the finished image.

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Composite shot below:

Little Models | Alpharetta GA Children's Photography

As often as I can, I get out and take photos of my little guy and (as in this case) his friends that happen to be with us that day. I always love new faces to photograph, but in this case I had to work fast. Big brother wasn't as into taking pictures (2 minutes and he was done), but his little sister took my breath away. Seriously, I only took pictures of her for about 10 minutes, and look how gorgeous!

Love these portraits? Want to learn how I do what I do? I'm holding photography workshops in January for beginning and intermediate photographers. I even have a special workshop for teens. I still have several spots open, but hurry! I'm limiting enrollment to 6 per class. Click here to find out more.

Using Props | Roswell GA Children's Photographer

Lately, I've been using props in my shoots, especially with children. Something new like a hat (or hats Dad brought), blocks, or vintage telephone toy captures their interest and helps keep the smiles going through a whole shoot. Since these boys' parents especially wanted portraits of the boys together and alone, I stuffed my photo bag full of props and used them all through the portrait session. I think we got some amazing shots!

Urban Family Portraits in the Cold | Roswell GA Family Photographer

I shoot either in the morning or the afternoon in order to take advantage of the best light. But it's chilly those times, and so I tell my clients to come prepared with warm outfits and coats/blankets to wrap in with in between shots. Such was the case with this shoot. The kids were such good sports, taking on and off coats, wrapping up in the old purple quilt I brought while I shot individual portraits, and jumping up in down to stay warm. The temporary discomfort paid off--we created some amazing portraits that I am super proud of!

Three Boys and a Baby | Atlanta GA Children's Photographer

I showed a friend this picture as I was editing today, and she said, "Somebody finally got their girl." They sure did! I remember how excited mom and grandma (both close friends) were for another female in the family.

For this shoot, we did an indoor setup with a background and a photo light I recently got from my dad (thanks Dad!). Their mom specifically wanted all the kids on her couch. Love it! The texture overlay you see around the edges of the portrait was a request by the oldest son, and both his mom and I thought it was a good idea. I think it really enhances the look of an otherwise flat background. Well, I've got more pictures to edit . . . enjoy the sneak peek!

There's something about Friday | Alpharetta GA Child Photographer

There's something about Friday that makes everything seem so much easier. Maybe it's because Friday is my long run day, and I don't have any energy to be stressed after running for 2.5 hours. Maybe it's because I have two glorious school-free and work-free days to hang with my boy and my hubby. I love Fridays.

Happy Friday. Here's some pics of my niece and nephew on our visit to Minnesota. (My little boy got in on the jumping action!)

Just in time for Easter | Cumming GA Family and Child Photographer

One of my favorite traditions is having a family photo taken every year around Easter. There's something about the flowers, the beautiful clothes, and the light during Eastertime that makes photos so fresh and alive. I was thrilled to have this mom and daughter pose for Easter pictures a couple weeks ago at my Portrait Photo Workshop. Enjoy the sneak peek! There's more to come from my workshop participants.

Hurray for Trains | Kennesaw GA Children's Photographer

Today was a day of trains for my little guy. After his cystic fibrosis treatments this morning, we headed to Kennesaw's Touch-a-Truck, an event for children and their families to climb into a bunch of trucks and service vehicles. The best part for us was the location by an old train depot alongside the tracks and railroad crossing. We then rounded out the theme by visiting a model train show. Hurray for trains!

In Town and At Home | Norcross GA Family Photographer

My husband recently told me that I have an aversion to doing laundry. I had to admit it, he's right. I don't mind washing or drying them too much--it's the rest of it. I don't like folding clothes. Or hanging them. Or putting them away. Don't even ask me about ironing. So during the week, we usually have either: a) a mountain of washed laundry piled in the living room b) various piles of laundry in semi-folded states c) a couch full of laundry to put away depending on how much laundry I'm able to stand that day.

Perhaps the reason I don't like laundry is because I'd much rather be doing photography. That's something I can do for hours and hours!

Come to think of it, I don't know many artists who are good housekeepers. Maybe it's just the way we are.

Enjoy these portraits from one of my shoots in the city and at the clients' home!

This is my favorite!

(Psst...the above photo made a fabulous Giclée Canvas Gallery Wrap!)

Hoodies, Deadlines, and Family Pictures | Roswell GA Family Photographer

Life is busy around here. It's my son's birthday party tomorrow. So, we've been baking and decorating, making train-themed art for the walls and anticipating 10 little friends and their parents for a big bash.

Photography-wise, I'm busy too. I've got images to edit from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation event I shot this week. There are several upcoming shoots and a portrait workshop to plan. And of course, I'm working on editing these family's images. But busy is good. When work is going well, my life tends to follow suit.

I think it's the deadlines that help. I generally schedule a sneak peek of a client's shoot a week to a week and a half after our session. Then, in another week and a half, I have the rest of the images done. It keeps things moving. So, yes, I love deadlines and due dates. And I think being responsible to another person or family really helps. Now if only I could get that to work for laundry . . . 

Here are some pictures from last Saturday's shoot. Don't you love that old wall? Can I just say, hoodies are the best. I love how they frame the face! Oh, I think that second picture is so adorable, especially considering sibling pictures are just about the hardest to get. And the reason I chose the last image? Because this kind of shot is nearly impossible to get unless you have a pro photographer who can capture this kind of moment: so beautiful and so real. Gosh, I love my job.

Update: Here are some favorites f more from the rest of the gallery. I love them!