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!

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!

A Real Photographer | Roswell GA Family Photographer

When I was just starting out in photography, I was a little hesitant to tell people as was a real "photographer," not just a mom with a camera. Not that there is anything wrong with being a mom with a camera, especially if you are interested in learning (because I'd love to teach or mentor you). But I wanted to be more

Now, I easily say I'm a photographer, and it's not because I wasn't a good photo-taker when I started. It's because I'm confident in being an entrepreneur and owner of a small business. That's taken a lot of work over the years: the permits, the business license, the insurance, and the taxes that come with it aren't the easiest parts of running Butler Family Photography. Believe me, I'd rather be shooting. But it means a lot to me to be doing this work legally and securely so that my clients can be confident that their portraits are being done by a professional.

Here are some portraits from the fall. I love this family and their boys. What I remember the best from this shoot is how mom and dad were especially glad that I had a boy of my own with the same kind of energy as their oldest. They knew I'd be able to keep up with him!

 

Afternoon Light | Alpharetta GA Family Photographer

With Daylight Savings ended, the best time for shooting has shifted to the afternoon, and I'm just loving capturing family portraits in this gorgeous light! Enjoy the sneak peek. 

Flying High | Roswell GA Family Photographer

There's nothing better than a family that wants to play while shooting. We took advantage of the high spirits of this little guy and his darling brother for a fun family shoot last week. Enjoy the sneak peek!

Four in the Family | Roswell GA Family and Baby Photographer

When I schedule and coordinate shoots, it's usually the mom I talk to. But this one was put together by the dad--a designer and artist I've admired since I met him a couple years ago. He especially wanted me to capture images of their new baby and some of mom and baby, similar to the ones I took of his older brother when he was a newborn. Of course, I have lots of favorites of everyone in the family. My goal at each shoot is to capture images that a family will look back on for years to come. Enjoy!

Love: Engagement Portrait Session

The first day of the year was my first shoot of the year for this fabulous couple. We had several spots we wanted to use in the area, but it was COLD! So, we went back to the car several times to warm up and review the images we shot. Thanks for being such great sports!

My favorite photos are the first and the last. The first because it took some doing to find a place where I could climb up to shoot a bird's eye view of the couple (and because even though it's tricky, I love doing that!) The last one is also a fave because it tells a bit of their story: the two met and fell in love at a convention for the National Federation for the Blind. I'm so thrilled I could make these engagement portraits.

Awesome Pair: Sibling Portrait Session

It's cool when I have a chance to work with teens (or near teens) because I love that age! After teaching junior high for 4 years, I appreciate the not-quite-a-kid but not-quite-a-grown-up mentality. It's a tough position to be in! The trick is to treat them as adults; let them know what's going on and why, and let them make decisions where they can. I was impressed by their ability to follow directions and follow my lead (especially when tromping through muddy paths up to the Roswell Mill Dam).

There's so much I love about these set of photos: their individual portraits--so gorgeous and contemplative, the back-lighting on the shots together, the lens flare on the bottom frame, and the sister's surprised smile on the brother-over-the-shoulder shot. Thanks, guys. You were awesome!

A little update:

My client sent a wonderful note about this shoot shortly after choosing photos from their online gallery: "Wow, the photos are fantastic! . . . The ringing endorsement is that [my daughter] loved the shots of her – unheard of from a 13 year old."

That made me smile big!