A Winter to Remember

Atlanta most certainly has put on a show this winter.  The Snowpocalypse of two weeks ago (which I was lucky enough to avoid) had people stranded in cars, at their workplaces, or in various restaurants, shops and private homes that opened their doors to complete strangers in a true display of Southern hospitality.

Good folks all over town headed out to the highways with hot drinks and food for those who were stuck on the treacherously icy roads.  I've been known to mock Atlanta drivers on occasion, but what happened here last month was no laughing matter - it was downright dangerous.  Roads large and small all over the greater Atlanta metro area were clogged.

This week we were better prepared, if only because schools closed and many workplaces asked their employees to work from home.  A far cry from 30 January, when cars and trucks littered the highways, this time the city became an overgrown ghost town.  Traffic cameras that two weeks ago displayed the extent of the chaos in 10 minute updates, now showed the few who were venturing out into the frozen stillness.  Many areas experienced power outages which added insult to injury.

But not all was doom and gloom.  The kids on my street built snowmen - one with a hard hat and another with a pink bonnet.  Families spent time together making candles, playing games and enjoying time seldom spent together.

Yesterday morning, before the sun came out and the city began to thaw, I woke to a layer of snow-covered ice on the trees, with a bright red cardinal who hung around long enough for me to grab my camera.  Seeing him sitting there in the confusion of branches brought to mind the closing lines of a poem my Mum used to have hanging on the wall:

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.*

* From Max Ehrmann, Desiderata 1927.

Bow Hunting in Alaska

Part 6 of the Alaska Series.  Click here to start reading at Part 1: Above the Arctic Circle.

This is one of my most favourite memories of our trip to Alaska.  Father and son moose-hunting team The Petes (otherwise known as Big Pete and Little Pete), camp guides Dan, Cecil and Chris, and I were sitting in the cook tent after breakfast, playing Farkle.  If you've never played this game, you're missing out on a bunch of fun.  Especially using Cecil's rules, which state you have to score exactly 10,000 to win. 

Playing Farkle in the cook tent

After a couple of rounds of Farkle, Little Pete asked me if I'd be able to photograph him at target practice with his hunting bow.  He wanted a photo of the arrow right before it hit the target.  Welllllll I'm up for a challenge, so we headed out to the airstrip.

After a few warm-up shots, Pete declared he was ready.  First, however, we needed to figure out how I'd know when to start shooting, to catch the arrow in flight.  I suggested that I count down from three and then he'd let loose.  It went something like this:

Me:     "Okay ready?  Three -"
LP:     [lets arrow fly - it hits target with a resounding THUNK!]
Me:     "SERIOUSLY?"
LP:     "Shut up."

Chris and Cecil enjoying the fun

But Pete is pretty darn good with a bow and arrow, leaving me to be the one having difficulties timing the shot.  Even at a continuous four frames per second burst, the photo below is the closest I got the arrow to the target.  Not bad for a first time, though!

Straight and true

Pete got what he came to Alaska for - he nabbed a moose, using a bow and arrow.  Now that's a serious beastie and some major bow hunting skills.

Pete and his moose.  Photo used with permission.

Next up:  The Northern Lights

Photography - A Gift from the Heart

HeartsApart is a non-profit organisation that aims to help ease the pain of separation when one member of the family is serving in the military.  Partnering with a force of volunteer photographers, HeartsApart provides military families with the gift of photography at a time when they're soon to be miles from each other.

It was my privilege to photograph this family not long before the husband deployed and to capture this time in their lives.  Daddy and daughter just love to read a book together - and what better place to do so than under a tree bathed in late afternoon light?!

Click to see their gallery on Facebook.

Here's a short video highlighting some of the moments from their family portrait session:

Madison | Alpharetta GA Senior Photographer

Meet Madison - and her precious pup!  He tried his best to lick her teeth while she kept right on smiling.   And you have no idea how hard it is to photograph bubbles with a constantly shifting breeze...  Thanks for a fun shoot, Madison and best wishes for school next year!

Christmas Card Photo - Mini Sessions!

October 1st - today is the anniversary of the day I set foot in the US for the first time.  In celebration of that, I'm opening up one day this month for a limited number of 20 minute mini-sessions to get that special photo for your Christmas or Holiday cards!

When is it?
          Saturday, October 26, 2013.

Who are you photographing?
          Families, children or pets.

Where is it?
          An outdoor location in the local area.

What comes with it?
          20-minute session, 25 folded cards with envelopes OR 50 double-sided flat cards with envelopes.

Call me at 404.583.0659 for more information and to secure your time slot!

Celebrating People

I don't normally post on a Sunday, but I thought this one was appropriate for the Lord's Sabbath.

There's so much of nastiness, unkindness and uncertainty in our world today that it's truly heartwarming to see regular people doing simple, random acts of kindness.

This kind of love and concern for those around us - as well as for our animal friends - helps us to see that it's not hard to make a real difference in someone's life.  And what may be small to us as a giver can be monumental to the person receiving.

It doesn't take a fancy-dancy organisation or programme, it just takes love.  Share your humanity with those around you.

"No Such Thing as Professional Photographers"

“There’s no such thing as Flickr Pro today because [with so many people taking photographs] there’s really no such thing as professional photographers anymore.”

With this statement made during Monday's press conference, Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer landed herself in hot water, among professional photographers at least.  And word travels quickly in the photography community, especially when it leaves folks shaking their heads in disbelief.

I don't have a Flickr account but there are a lot of people who do.  A LOT.  Some of them are amateur photographers and some are professional.  But unfortunately for Mayer, pretty much all of them are up in arms about Monday's changes to the website.  Have a look at the Flickr Help Forum discussing the changes - it's rather entertaining.  Note that a few folks are a little more, shall we say: colourful with their language - reader beware.

As for the "no such thing as professional photographers" comment, well-known photographer Scott Bourne has challenged Mayer to join him for a podcast on his website to discuss her statement.  He'll even donate $1000 to a charity of her choice if she does.

Meanwhile, professional photographers will carry on with our business licenses and sales tax payments, with continuing education to improve our style and techniques, and with finding the best print labs for our clients' memories.  And close our drop-jawed mouths.

Times Are Changing

Atlanta doesn't see much in the way of snow, so when it happens you take advantage of it.  But you have to be quick because it doesn't hang around for long.  While most folks were hiding out in their homes after the most recent snowfall in Georgia, I got up early and drove around taking photos of the transformed landscape.  There was very little traffic on the road which was a good thing, because in all honesty Atlanta drivers can't drive properly in the best conditions!  You know it's true...

So why am I writing about snow scenes at the tail end of the Southern US summer?  Because I recently drove past one of the places I photographed that morning - the pretty little lake shown below:

I liked the monochromatic feel of the foreground, with the blue of the shadows in the background.  The overhanging tree had prevented a small patch of lake from freezing over, leaving a nice reflection in the water.

But when I drove past that same place last week, to my surprise it was gone!  The little lake has been drained and a number of earthmovers have taken up temporary residence.  I'm sure that whatever takes its place will be lovely, but it made me realise how quickly and easily things change.

With that in mind, don't pass up any opportunity to capture the world and lives around you with your camera.  Places change, people grow and all you have left is memories and photographs.  That is, if you remember to take them.  What was it like when you were newly married, planting a garden, welcoming a new child or pet into your home?  What does the home you are growing up in look like?  It's never too early to start and your children's children will thank you for these precious images one day.

My brother has been scanning old photographs into digital format so that he can share them with the family.  Earlier this year we were looking through the dusty albums, remembering the times that went with the images and laughing at the goofy ones.  Now I thank my Mum for making us all pose for yet another photograph and also the people who took photos of my grandparents and great-grandparents, extended family and friends.

The holiday season is coming up, with friends and family gathering and spending time together.  Are you going to get out there and record some memories of people, places and fun times?  Because you never know when things are going to change, like 'my' little lake.

Spirit of Happiness - A Love Story

Just recently I was honoured by the opportunity to photograph a friend's wedding.  This sweet couple were full of smiles radiant enough to outshine even the brilliance of the sunny June day.  Their joy was infectious and all who were gathered to witness this special event were caught up in the spirit of happiness that enveloped the bride and groom.


Here are a few of the photos from their day.

Photo Shoot - Cumming GA Family Photographer

Here's another great-looking, fun family.  These guys were a pleasure to work with and even though everyone knows kids this age can't stand posing for photos - check out those gorgeous smiles!  Hmmm... kinda makes that one hard to believe... :o)

SKP PhotoTips: Be Prepared - Not Just for Boy Scouts

One of the things I most like to do is to photograph people doing their thing.  People act differently when they are aware that a lens is pointed at them.  While you may be able to get natural expressions, for the most part people will not allow you to see a less-than-perfect or a vulnerable side to them.  And it is often these moments that result in captivating photos, whether they are fun or thought-provoking.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not suggesting you become a creepy-stalker-type!  People don't like that too much either...  Simply be ready to catch the unexpected photo:  leave the camera turned on and the lens cap off.  And always put the lens cap in the same safe place to avoid losing it.  I've lost two over the past 20-something years and it's never a happy thing.


Using a zoom lens helps capture a genuinely candid moment.  You have the ability to distance yourself from the subject, yet crop in closely on them.  Here are a few examples of catching the subjects being themselves.  In each case, they were aware I was in the area with a camera, but they didn't realise they had my attention at that particular moment.

Father and son sharing a quiet moment during a hectic, fun-filled day.

Waiting while his family gets ready for the photo shoot.

Explaining something to Dad.

Beautiful, serene pose.  But what she's really thinking about is if she'll get some of that cake and ice cream.

Flour bomb fights.  No better time for a photographer to have a zoom lens!

Posed photos are important and will always have their place, but I especially enjoy photographing someone not on display - and then showing them how beautiful they are.

Photo Shoot - Alpharetta GA Family Photographer

We're back!  How was your Thanksgiving break?  My husband and I went out to New Mexico and Colorado to spend Thanksgiving with his family - we had a great time with lovely people.  I must point out that it was warmer and sunnier out there than it has been in Georgia the past couple of days...

Remember the photo shoot give away we had back in September?  (Click HERE)  We finally got together with the winner and had a whole load of fun getting some family photos.  Here are a few of the shots from their session.

SKP PhotoTips - Say "Cheese!" (Holiday Photos)

Over the past few days some of my clients have ordered Christmas cards using images from their photo shoots, making me realise it's coming up on that time of year - very quickly.  In two weeks' time, people all over the USA will be gathering with friends and family for Thanksgiving, with Christmas and other holiday season celebrations occurring around the world soon after.  What are you going to do to record this year's memories?  Here are a few tips for taking great group photos.

One of the hardest things you'll face when photographing groups is to make sure everyone has their eyes open and is looking at the camera.  I learned a simple trick from photographer Scott Kelby - ask the whole group to close their eyes and open them on your count: "3, 2, 1 - open!" and then wait one extra count before taking the shot.  It works like a charm!  The extra count allows the subjects to relax and avoids having wide-eyed, freaked-out-looking people in your photos.

If you are working with a large group, point out to them that if they can't see the lens of your camera, they won't be in the photo.  It's amazing how many people apparently forget this and suddenly start shuffling around to make sure they have a clear view of your lens.

In the northern hemisphere we'll likely be indoors for our holiday parties and odds are you'll need to use a flash.  Avoid using mirrors and windows as backdrops, unless you like the look of an all-encompassing reflection flare.  Built-in flashes seem to be designed to make everyone look like Casper the Friendly Ghost.  Simply fold a tissue and place it over the flash to soften the light, making your subjects look warmer and lessening harsh shadows.

Most cameras have a red-eye reduction feature, but you can help prevent this little nasty by adding as much light as you can to the room.  Turning on all the lights shrinks the subjects' pupils - and every little thing helps!

One last tip - smile and have fun!  If you're grumpy and getting frustrated, no-one will want to smile.  Give them a reason to be happy about looking at you.

Photo Shoot - Buford GA Child Photographer

This wee guy turned two last week and his parents had a party-in-the-park for him and some friends.  He's a bright little chappy, full of smiles and fun.

Here he is with Grandad - they share the same birthday.

A pensive moment with Dad.

 These next two girls are sisters - one was a total ham when it came to the camera and the other was a little more reticent.  I caught her from a distance so she wouldn't have the feeling of a camera in her face.

 

Photo Shoot - Cumming GA Family Photographer

Family photo shoots are a lot of fun - and this one was no exception.  We went to their house a few days before the actual shoot and picked out the best locations.  They were thrilled not to have to pack their four children into a car and meet us at a studio.

Photo Shoot - Suwanee GA Senior Photographer

'Tis the season for Senior photos - and this was a fun shoot.  To really capture the essence of a person, you need to put them in their element.  In this case, we have a young woman who loves everything horses.  Here we get to see her feminine side in a pretty summer dress, all serious while show jumping and lastly her barefooted sense of adventure, lying on her horse.  She makes that pose look easy.