Nov 28 2011

The Vandeway Family | Columbia, SC Family Photographer

Posted in Family, Photography

I love photographing people, I think that is plainly obvious.  What I love even more is photographing people I love.  I’m terrified and nervous and anxious just like I am before every shoot but, the minute I start snapping away and begin creating beautiful images for the people I love, all of that melts away.  I had a BLAST with these guys but, I totally knew I would.  What I didn’t foresee was how much fun I would have editing this session too!  I smiled and I giggled  so much so that my mouth was starting to hurt like it was cramping.  Tammy, I am going to miss you and your family like crazy when we leave for South Carolina next month.  I hope these images are cherished memories for years to come, I know they will be for me!

You might have noticed that my blog posts titles are changing locations.  This session was shot in Arizona but, next month we’re making the move to Columbia, SC and I hope to begin shooting there by the beginning of January 2012.  If you know someone in that area, I’d love for you to suggest me to them.  We can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/michellehiresphotography

 

The Vandeway Family

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Oct 28 2011

Tori & Luke | Sierra Vista, AZ Couples Photographer

Posted in Couples, Photography

I love to meet my potential clients ahead of time, I recommend it actually but, never force it.  In some cases, it can be a bit awkward meeting the client the day of the shoot and wondering if you’ll ‘gel’.  Well, it was needless worry in this case.  I sent Tori my pre-session questionnaire and I knew almost immediately it was a match made in heaven, we were both HUGE Criminal Minds fans.  For anyone who knows me ‘nough said.  But seriously, Tori and Luke could not have been easier to work with.  We walked, talked, shot a little; walked and talked some more and shot some more.  It was an awesome way to spend a weekend afternoon.  It doesn’t hurt that they’re ridiculously gorgeous and so wonderfully friendly.  Tori and Luke, it was SO hard to narrow the images down to the best of the best so, I showed you almost all of them.  Here are a few (and I mean just a few) of my favorites from their session.




 

 

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Aug 26 2011

Lollis Family | Sierra Vista, Arizona Family Photographer

Posted in Family, Photography

I am insanely flattered every single time I get an inquiry from a potential client about hiring me to take photos for them.   I consider it a gift for me to be able to share in their joy and love and to capture images that will be treasured for a lifetime.  Just a teensy bit better than that, I think one of the most flattering things ever is when another photographer wants YOU to take their family photos.

Theresa and I have been friendly since just after I moved to Sierra Vista, Arizona.  I saw some of her work on her blog or Facebook page and complimented the quality of her work.  It was a pretty instant connection from there on out.  The photography community as a whole can be quite competitive and it’s nice to meet someone who doesn’t treat you like you’re a threat.  We’ve talked shop, shared our inspiration and we both happen to be Nikon users/lovers so huge bonus there!  When I found out they would be leaving Sierra Vista soon, I knew that our session would be happening sooner rather than later.  THEN the nerves set in.  Here’s a little secret about me….I ALWAYS get nervous before a photo shoot.  Always.  Jittery, funky nerves kinda like the ones you’d get before a first date.  I get those before my sessions with you!  It’s not that I’m not confident, because I am, it’s that I’m just so darn anxious to make sure that you’re more than pleased with the images we produce from our sessions.  I was SUPER nervous with Theresa and her family.    We had a great time shooting not just at the family home but also at a place we called Ireland;  an oasis of green in the middle of the desert.  The perfect place to make some beautiful images.  I loved listening in as they talked to me (and their beautiful children) about how they met and fell in love.  I loved seeing them look in each others eyes with a depth of emotion and love that made my heart full.

Theresa, thank you.  I wish you and your family nothing but the best as you continue on the next phase of your journey.  Thank you for inviting me to capture these amazingly special images of your family and thank you for sharing your feelings about them with me – nothing renews my faith in the fact that I have chosen the right path for me more.

Look at this beautiful family!

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Aug 13 2011

What a Week! | Sierra Vista, Arizona Photographer

Posted in Hope, Photography

Seriously!  You know how sometimes you almost set yourself up for some heart break/disappointment/rough times just in case it DOES happen, you’re prepared?  That was me this week.  You see, Hope started Kindergarten on Monday.  I waffled between super dooper excitement and a lot of edgy nervousness on how she would do and how, let’s face it, I would do too.  She was all excitement but part of me wondered if deep down she had any nerves at all going on in there?  I was afraid to ask because I didn’t want her to think she had any reason at all to be nervous so I just carried enough nerves for the both of us!

So, she woke up bright and (too) early Monday morning!  Breakfast in bed?  That’s how we roll for special occasions in this house!

She was all smiles as we got ready and started making our way out the door.  Even Daddy was there to help us celebrate the morning (and pick the pieces of me up afterwards!).

I did cry, a whole lot more than I expected to.  My baby just looked SO grown up going off to class by herself.  In the midst of all of the craziness, I wasn’t able to get in a last minute hug or kiss!  So, the day passed me by (not quite as quickly as I expected) and I was off to pick her up!  I was SO nervous and anxious to hear how her day went.

This is me peeking in the door just before release, hoping she wouldn’t see me.  Oh no, I’ve been spotted!

So, how did it go you ask?  Fantastic!  She LOVED it.  So much so she didn’t want to leave right away, she just kept hanging out.  The week didn’t go off completely without a hitch but when Friday came, she wanted to go back Saturday morning.  Let’s see how long that lasts, right?

Here’s just a few more of our celebratory ice cream after her very first day:).  She was allowed to get as much as she wanted and in true Hope fashion, she went for the gusto! One large FroYo coming right up, with all the trimmings.Here’s looking forward to week #2!

XOXO

 

 

 

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Aug 05 2011

Rock the Shot Challenge: Silhouette

Posted in Couples, Maternity, Photography

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This month’s challenge over at Rock the Shot is silhouettes.  I knew almost immediately which image I wanted to use for this particular challenge, o.k. maybe not since I happen to LOVE silhouettes and I have a ton that I could enter that I love (I said love alot there – sorry:P).  Anywho, this is my entry for the Rock the Shot silhouette challenge.  I hope you like it!

This image was shot at ISO 200 f/4.0 at 1/8000 of a second.  The key to a silhouette is to get to a clearing type area (edge of a beach, long empty field) and significantly underexpose your subject or expose for your background and bring the exposure down just a bit.    I also like to get down low and make sure my light source (usually the sun) is being blocked by my subject.  You can get a really nice sunflare this way too, depending on how you compose your image.  The post-processing to this image was minimal.  The before and after can be seen here.

Make sure you check out the other entries over at http://rocktheshotforum.com!

Rock the Shot

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