You might remember Kari from her dress up shoot way back in June? Well now its time for some new images, and how could I say no? Really, I mean come on now! It just makes me so happy to to be able to take pictures for friends
Look familiar? Does photoshop ring a bell?
Wind makes for some fun photos 
She’s so gorgeous!
And that’s a wrap with the giveaways. First it was Ingrid then the Woods, and now its time for Pam to show off her delightful little grandchildren! Cooper and Bailey just turned two, and they are filled with curiosity, wonderful adorableness, and a truck load of energy. They couldn’t stand still for more than 10 seconds, before they had to run off and show us all their toys. And, we can’t forget about their little brother, who you just wanna eat up because he’s so darn cute! Here they are, all packaged up in little bundles of joy!
why are baby feet so precious?
whee!
little angel
after some nice fresh air, it was back in side to do some cooking!
I love learning new little tricks for photoshop. Here are a few that I have been using for some time now. Its super quick and easy once you do it a few times.
Here is an image straight out of the camera. No retouching. Its not a bad photo at all and I would use this just as it is, but the artistic side of me has to do something to almost every image. Its a bad habit and I should probably try and break that. It has good natural light and her face is well lit, which is perfect. Now I will show you what I did to make a few changes.
Here they are side by side so you can see the change. What I did was lighten the image slightly. Just enough so that when I added the darker vignette/edge burn it would give a slightly more dramatic feel. The light also helps to soften the image just enough, but still keeps it sharp.
Look at those eyes! I love it when people have photogenic eyes. Unlike me, but we wont go there, its a difficult subject.
Ok next step. Because I love eyes so much this is my favorite photoshop tip I’ve learned yet. And its so stinkin’ easy. Here is my version of a step by step eye enhancer. Yep thats right. It is a subtle little skill, but can bring out those eyes ever more than they already are.
I use photoshop cs4, but for the most part all the models are quite similar.
Step 1. Your image is ready. I don’t know why, but I love seeing images in photoshop.
Step 2. You will want to got our quick selection tool out and ready. Again I cant remember if the older models of cs have this particular tool, but any selection tool will work.
Step 3. Select both eyes like so. Try and get it as precise as you can.
Step 4. Leaving the eyes selected, you will need to refine the edges just a bit. Go to select>refine edge
Step 5. Oooh creepy. Using the different options, play around with the sliders and make a nice soft edge on those eyeballs. I like to extend the contrast out a little from the eyes.
Step 6. While the eyes are still selected you are going to go to filter>sharpen>smart sharpen.
Step 7. This is the last step! Here is where you get to play around with the eyes. By using the sliders you can adjust how you would like the eyes to look. Just be careful not to over do it. Make it look natural. But, then it is all up to you and your style, so have fun!
And here you go. Just a slight change to an already great image. The internet quality here isn’t the greatest and it is a little hard to see the eye change. Its there though, I assure you!
Looking back over 2009 makes me smile. So much happened and I was able accomplish more than I could imagine!
I decided to go through my 2009 pictures, and pick out a few of my favorites. This was incredibly hard because I’m horribly indecisive but managed to narrow it down to 10. So, here we go! I hope they give you the same joy that they have brought me!
The stunning miss Oliga. She is so natural in front of the camera,
it isn’t even funny!
Hmm, lets see, what don’t I like about this picture!! Everything about it down to the giraffe in the window. I love you Carrie
Remember Ingrid and Meredith? Well here they are again. The colors and
their smiling faces are what make this picture for me.
They are happy and in the moment.
My absolute favorite picture from my internship at the Academy of Fine Arts over the summer. They were such giggly smiley little girls and this is them being super silly and trying to get their clay caked fingers all over me!
Why do I love this? Well its home! These beautiful mysterious woods remind me of just how breathtaking the state of New York is.
His eyes. That’s what captivates me. He is the sweetest little boy I know.
The Martins
I just love this. That’s all I have to say.
The Eberles
So magical.
My dazzlingly gorgeous sister Anna. How could you not love this image??
Unfortunately this does not fall into the 2009 category, but this has to be my favorite image of all time, and I just have to share it with you. This is Moses, and he lives in an orphanage in Africa. He is someone who has touched my heart, and I don’t think I will ever be able to forget him. I wish I could hold him right now and call him my own.
Again, I hope you have enjoyed these images! Whats your favorite part about 2009? Think about it. It will make you smile!
I have here yet another one I let slip into the vault without displaying its cuteness. And do I ever have a bundle of cuteness for you! A whole family of em’! Cousins, brothers and sister. Yep all here! Enjoy their adorableness.
Murphy
Hannah
Lucas
When asking four kids to jump – this is the best your going to get!
The boys in their cute lil’ golf outfits.
Mr. William. The one who does not smile.
Emily, the littlest rascal of them all.
And, then my flash died and the kids were spent. Big hint that it was a wrap!
Whoops. Im a little late. Well only two weeks. I have just been so busy working on all my New Years Resolutions! Hmm, well not really. If I had been this would have been up…by now.
Here is a little of what my Christmas was like. I tell you though, my family is beginning to hate me. And, my camera. When they complain about me taking to long to photograph the food or the presents being opened, I just reply by saying that I’m only making up for lost time. I don’t think anyone in my family believed in taking pictures when I was growing up. Hmm, maybe that is why I have become a photographer? Well I wont waste your time with idle babble. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year guys!
As is tradition, we always visit my Grandma on Christmas Eve. We took her out to lunch this year.
It was a long car ride there. Anna and I were stuck in the back seat with nothing to do. Well wait, there was something!
After the Christmas Eve service we head over to one of my Aunt’s house for some yummy food and good times. These are my cousins beautiful little girls. Just too cute!
Christmas morning. We aren’t kids any more. As you can see, we dont get that excited. Hehe, my brother and sister waiting to open their stockings.
My mom loves to decorate for Christmas and she does a fabulous job doing it! Its one of my favorite things about Christmas!
And now for one of our Christmas presents, I guess? My parents treated us to a trip to New York City! It was frigid, crowded, and did I mention FRIGID? Chilled to the bones we were, all day. You would think that with so many people around it was be a little “cozy-er”. Nope. NYC is one giant wind tunnel.
It was fun though, now that I’m bundled up all nice and warm in my apartment. I snapped a few good pictures and that’s all I really wanted.
Even though the back of these buildings are way over exposed I love how they just look like two walls of windows.
I tried to take a picture of this dog all bundled up, but I was in the middle of the street, two far away for my lense, and would have lost my family if I had waited. But like it a lot anyway.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral. We went in to get out of the cold. Not that it was any better inside. I cant imagine the electricity bill for that place!
I love movement. The whole picture could be blurry or moving but as long as one thing is in focus, I’m happy.
And the gang, except me : (
I am a horrible person. This dazzling beauty was supposed to be posted a month ago, but I have failed as a blogger. Yes, you got me, I am officially the worst blogger, ever. But I’m trying!
Oliga and I have been acquainted/facebook friends for several years. I have never really had the opportunity to get to know her, but when your ‘facebook friends’ with someone that long, you feel like you’ve known them forever. I have always admired Oliga’s incredible style and ability to look amazing in every photograph. It doesn’t matter what she’s wearing or where she is, she always looks fabulous! Well, remember back in October, when the leaves were so magnificent and vivid? Well I managed to capture one photo that gave me the inspiration for this shoot. I immediately thought of Oliga and knew she would be the perfect fit. Luckily she agreed, wholeheartedly, and this was our finished product! Please, enjoy this Beauty in the Bleak
The day after, the day after Thanksgiving, loomed cold, windy and with a chance of rain. Bummer right? Well that did not stop the brave Martins from coming out and having a fantastically chilly shoot. We used the Old Stone Fort as our studio and I wish I could use it more often! It brought back memories of visiting there when I was younger, but was able to make and capture even more with the Martins.
their beautiful dogs Diesel and Samson, they are so sweet and were actually quite easy to capture, once you got them to sit.
candid is what I live for
my favorite
Ahh Thanksgiving day. One of the most look-for-ward-too-days of the year. Its the kick-off to the Holiday season, where family comes together and there is complete chaos, love and lots of food.
My family is all about the traditions, and they seem to grow every year. Of course we have the usual tradition of, everyone bringing their signature dish, one we have to have whether anyone eats it or simply because its a tradition. One that has escalated other the years is watching the Muppet Christmas Carol after the feast. This was my Uncle Earl’s “tradition” and we all put up a huge fuss as we cram into the living room snuggled under blankets and fully satisfied with food in our bellies. Even though we all make such a big deal about not wanting to watch the movie, we all secretly love it and somehow know every single line and sing along to all the songs. Some of our traditions may seem wacky to someone, or just downright crazy, it somehow helps to bring the family together to enjoy a day of celebration, giving thanks for everything we have been blessed with. And, its a lot — a big family who loves each other -well sometimes- , loves traditions and LOVES food!
before the feast, yes it looks so peaceful, but wait
carving the bird. probably on of my least favorite things to eat not going to lie. i have to eat it smothered in gravy.
just a bit of the delicious food that was prepared
my we have all grown! why we must all sit on one couch is beyond me. maybe we just get some pleasure out of squishing people, or maybe we just love each other that much that we need to be super close, all the time.
there are no words that can express how much i love this photo. i have to laugh ever time i see it. i think they were getting tired of me taking their pictures. : )
finally, after much anticipation – the feast began and the the picture taking ended. after eating i could barely sit at the table for more then 5 mins before I stumbled the 3 steps to the couch and passed out. what-a-day!
Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day. ~Robert Caspar Lintner
Now, I know I always talk about my family and how much I love them, how much them mean to me, and so on. Well folks, here is yet another family member. My stunning cousin Carrie, whom I envy every time she walks into the room in one of her super stylish and always cute outfits. I don’t know how she does it. Maybe it’s just a gift? The location she chose was one of the coolest places to shoot and its all crammed into one block on Jay St. Every store had a different theme and color making it a vibrant of colors and wicked cool designs. We went out Thanksgiving day, which was perfect since it meant there was no one to get in our way. Please, enjoy the beauty of creativity, design and most of all my dear cousin!
the sun came out and gave us this lovely affect
i love everything about this picture
shoes, glorious shoes!
look at those fantastic buildings
I'm here to enjoy life! - and that would involve taking your picture!
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