Companion Pieces | Engagement photographer

My little sis is getting married! It was so awesome to do her engagement photographs during our family reunion in Estes Park, CO. We got some gorgeous shots just before and after sunset. Here's a sneak peek of some of their portraits.

These two shots below are a departure from traditional engagement photography, but I love them. One of my favorite things to do during a shoot is to create "companion pieces" -- photos that can be displayed together to tell a story. A lot of times, I'll do them in groups of three or two, as in this example. I think they'd look awesome side-by-side in two frames, or in one frame matted for two pictures. 

Enjoy the peek! I've got a bunch more to finish editing . . . 

All of Us | Alpharetta GA Family Photographer

It's been a goal of mine to display more of my art in our home especially since I have so many beautiful images. But I'm busy doing photos for my clients, so it's been low on my priority list. However, Christmas is coming; things are not as crazy as they were a few weeks ago, and I've found some great deals on frames that are going to be perfect! 

While I was editing the big family photo, I kept on thinking, 'Oooh, how would this look in a square frame?' So, I had to use my little photoshopping skills to find out.

Yeah, I knew it would look good. (Grin.)

Thanks to Tutorio.com, I was able to make the wood texture in Photoshop from scratch. 

Here's the unframed version. Love the fall colors.

At the Creek | Marietta GA Family Photographer

Photographing families is my favorite--especially when they have a sense of adventure. This family wanted to use a particular spot that we hiked into after parking our cars at the trailhead. Definitely worth the effort!

My best shoot to date | Roswell GA Family Photography

This awesome family has been good friends of mine for a few years, and the mom, also a photo-enthusiast, and I have been planning and plotting for this shoot for months! So, it was a combination of factors that made this one of my most fabulous shoots ever: great morning light, awesome location in historic Roswell, good clothing choices, lots of ideas by mom and by me, a fabulous lens and camera, and of couse the most photogenic family! 

What I love about these photos the most is the romance between the parents. So, so beautiful. The kids are just a hoot, too. Check out the youngest! We loved the way his personality came out so beautifully. I'm so excited about the final product to come from these photos--big canvases and prints for their family's living areas and stairway. They're going to be awesome!

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.

"Urban" Alpharetta: Couple Portraits

I'm a sucker for taking couple portraits. I just love 'em. And although everyone wants photos of their pets or their kids or themselves with their kids, a lot of couples don't have photos taken of themselves with their spouse. A common comment I get from clients is, "We haven't had our portraits taken since our engagement/wedding." So, I'm always thrilled when I can photograph a couple (and their darling dog . . . isn't she a cutie?) and make sure they have photos after their wedding too.

Oh, and I love the setting, just a business park area here in Alpharetta--more urban than what I've usually done--but very clean (this is Alpharetta after all, the most manicured city in Atlanta). And this shoot and its processing is near the end of my crazy get-the-pictures-done-before-Christmas rush (big sigh of relief). So, I'm feeling good, getting a little more sleep, and feeling antsy to blog the gorgeous photos I've taken this season. Stay tuned!

Expecting their First: Maternity Portraits

I am so glad I got to photograph this couple and celebrate their first child-to-be. I love their eyes on the indoor shots, the way the spot color turned out, and the goofy "pregnancy pose" from daddy. My little boy loves these photos too, delighted to point out the expectant mommy's "belly butlin." Someday, I can imagine this couple's little one doing the same thing. Congratulations!

A Bit of Historic South: Family Portrait Session, Roswell GA

We are relatively new to the South, so my husband and I have been playing tourist and soaking up the culture lately. Roswell has some real treasures, and Barrington Hall is one of them. After scouting out this and a few other locations, we knew Barrington Hall would be the perfect location for this family, and we were so pleased when we got permission to shoot there. My favorite part of the shoot was asking each of the children (except the baby of course) to pick a spot to have their portrait taken. We got some fun character shots that way, and the photos turned out gorgeous. The morning light was so beautiful, I had a hard time turning more than a few of them into black and white. I love the color!

Jacob and I have been busy parents and photographers these past few weeks: location scouting, photographing families, editing photos, making a video for our Great Strides walk, and updating our group on Facebook. (Join the Butler Family Photography group on Facebook if you haven't yet!) I should be tired out, but I'm just exhilarated with the quality of work we've been able to do. I hope you'll agree!